Desertification in Ghana essays

Desertification in Ghana essays What exactly is desertification? Unfortunately, there are many responses and many contradicting definitions. Some say that it is permanent, others say it is a reversible process. There are even debates on whether the definition should include human involvement or not. It seems that all that can be agreed on is that it is "the most serious environmental problem facing Africa today" (Nsiah-Gyabaah, Kwasi. Environmental Degradation and Desertification in Ghana pg 27). At the United Nations Conference on Environment and Developments (Earth Summit, 1992) desertification was defined as "land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry semi-humid areas, resulting from various factors, including climate variations and human activities" ("Desertification," Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential (S J0180). www.uia.org/uniademo/str/j0180.htm). When pondering the terms 'desertification' or 'desertified land' our culture forms mental images of large dunes with sand slowing moving over them like in an ocean. Perhaps a camel or two, baking in the sun. This romanticized idea is far from what scientists call desertification. In real life desertification looks like an area of hard and cracked earth with sand blowing above. In this scene you are more likely to see a nomad with emaciated cattle wandering the deserted plane in search of something to eat. Not too romantic, huh? Desertification is more the "destruction of the biological potential of the land or the creation of desert-like conditions in previously productive areas" (Nsiah-Gyabaah, 28). There are many reasons for desertification. The two most substantial are the recent droughts in Africa and humans trying to sustain themselves on marginal lands (Glantz, Michael H. Drought Follows the Plow pg 35). More specifically, the reasons for desertification and land degradation include "climate changes, overgrazing, over-cropping, deforestation, and over-exploited water" (Mainguet, ...

Definition of Canon in Fiction and Literature

Definition of Canon in Fiction and Literature In fiction and literature, the canon is the collection of works considered representative of a period or genre. The collected works of William Shakespeare, for instance, would be part of the canon of western literature, since his writing and writing style has had a significant impact on nearly all aspects of that genre. How the Canon Changes The accepted body of work that comprises the canon of Western literature has evolved and changed over the years, however. For centuries, it was populated primarily by white men and was not representative of Western culture as a whole.   Over time, some works become less pertinent in the canon as theyre replaced by more modern counterparts. For instance, the works of Shakespeare and Chaucer are still considered significant.  But lesser-known writers of the past, such as William Blake and Matthew Arnold, have faded in relevance, replaced by modern counterparts like Ernest Hemingway (The Sun Also Rises), Langston Hughes (Harlem ), and Toni Morrison (Beloved). Origin of the Word Canon In religious terms, a canon is a standard of judgment or a text containing those views, such as the Bible or the Koran. Sometimes within religious traditions, as views evolve or change, some formerly canonical texts become apocryphal, meaning outside the realm of whats considered representative. Some apocryphal works are never granted formal  acceptance but are influential nevertheless. An example of an apocryphal text in Christianity would be the Gospel of Mary Magdelene. This is a highly controversial text not widely recognized in the Church - but it is believed to be the words of one of Jesus closest companions.   Cultural Significance and Canon Literature People of color have become more prominent parts of the canon as a past emphasis on Eurocentrism has waned. For example, contemporary writers such as Louise Erdrich (The Round House), Amy Tan (The Joy Luck Club), and James Baldwin (Notes of a Native Son) are representative of entire subgenres of African-American, Asian-American, and Native American styles of writing.   Posthumous Additions Some writers and artists work is not as well appreciated in their time, and their writing becomes part of the canon many years after their deaths. This is especially true of female writers such as Charlotte Bronte (Jane Eyre), Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice), Emily Dickinson (Because I Could Not Stop for Death), and Virginia Woolf (A Room of Ones Own). The Evolving Canon Literary Definition Many teachers and schools rely on the canon to teach students about literature, so its crucial that it includes works that are representative of society, providing a snapshot of a given point in time. This, of course, has led to many disputes among literary scholars over the years. Arguments about which works are worthy of further examination and study are likely to continue as cultural norms and mores shift and evolve.   By studying canonical works of the past, we gain a new appreciation for them from a modern perspective. For instance, Walt Whitmans epic poem Song of Myself is now viewed as a seminal work of gay literature. During Whitmans lifetime, it was not necessarily read within that context.

Gender and Sexual Violence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Gender and Sexual Violence - Essay Example Stotzer (p. 172) discusses that according to surveys of transsexuals, there seems to a significant number of sexual assault incidents, including rape, especially for the younger transsexuals. The most common forms of violence against transsexuals include unwanted sexual activity with about 60% of these incidents being forced intercourse (Stotzer, p. 172). These transsexuals are often victims due to their perceived non-conformity to the standards of society. The motivation for these sexual assaults includes hatred and negative attitudes towards the transgenders (Stotzer, p. 172). Victims are quick to declare that they are often victims of sexual assault or rape and mostly due to homophobia and hate. They also feel that they are often victims of sexual assault because of their gender identity, their gender expression, and their transgender status (Stotzer, p. 172). Abuse is also often carried out by various people, mostly strangers. Police officers, parents, siblings, neighbors, friend s, and other relatives are also often the perpetrators of the abuse (Stotzer, p. 173). Most acts of violence include sexual assaults, harassment, and in some cases, muggings. Unfortunately, some are carried out by persons known to the victim (Stotzer, p. 174). Some of these offenders include fathers, stepfathers, mothers, stepmothers, current spouse/partners, brother, siblings, or a former spouse or partner (Stotzer, p. 174). Other perpetrators not closely known to victims include landlords, tenants, ‘pick-ups,’ security personnel, and in some cases, service providers. Murphy (p. 7) further discusses that violence against lesbians and gays are the most apparent dangers which these individuals face. However, they are also likely to face structural violence and episodic violence. Structural violence against gay men is often caused by heteroxism which basically embodies a system that degrades homosexuals for their behavior and their identity (Murphy, p. 7). Psychological h eteroxism is often linked with individuals’ attitudes and behaviors and cultural heteroxism often refers to their societal customs and institutions, including their religion and laws (Murphy, p. 7). The cultural heteroxism is the most common cause for violence as it can also lead to discrimination against these lesbians and gays in their housing and employment. Murphy (p. 7) cites the cases of Margarethe Cammemeyer, a military veteran who was dismissed from the army after years of exemplary service to her country; also the case of Sherry Barone who faced opposition from a cemetery who refused to include the epitaph ‘life partner’ on the headstone of her deceased partner (Murphy, p. 7). More indirect incidents of discrimination are perpetuated against gays and lesbians; and those who often decide to reveal their sexuality end up being dismissed, demoted from their work or driven out of their homes. The causes of gender violence seem to stem from preconceived notio ns and assumptions of gender. Specifically, these assumptions are based on the expectations for each gender which often refer to extremely different behavior, mostly referring to dominant males and subordinate females (Perry, p. 417). Violence is considered to be a way by which males can impose their authority and dominance over women; and it seems to be expected for men to enforce such violence in order to keep women in line (Perry, p. 417).

Should GMO foods be banned in the United States Essay

Should GMO foods be banned in the United States - Essay Example As a result, various research studies try to convince us concerning the truth about the GMO foods from these two perspectives. Regarding this point, the idea about GMO foods could hardly become an exact science. This thought convinces me to go with the idea that GMO foods should be banned in the United States, for as long as there is still no clear point of truth concerning its safety, and for as long as there are prevailing studies trying to convince us of its associated potential health hazards. To illustrate the above point further, the analogy of testing the depth and safety of an ocean is appropriate. One may not automatically take the plunge into it knowing that there are primary or some major considerations that have to be taken into account. Aside from testing its depth, one major concern is its safety. Would it be safer to take the plunge knowing the idea that there might be some creepy creatures down there prowling for their prey? With its deep blue color, nothing from the deeper portion could be vividly observed from the surface, but whatever is down there will have the great chance to see anything coming into their sight. We always have fear of the unknown. Let us consider if this fear of the unknown we have right now for GMO foods is justifiable. ... In some certain level, they both might have all the points. However, this continuous inquiry and investigation is a fundamental way for us to know further down to the truth. The ongoing contradiction against GMO foods is a healthy process towards understanding a far deeper truth about them. Thus, for the mean time that everything might turn out as not an exact science concerning the GMO foods, it is better not to acquire it for commercial use in the United States. The relevant findings for now might just add up to the level of fear we have for the unknown concerning GMO foods. Let us take the case of an alarming pesticide residue in a growing number of products. This was very alarming in the area of US agriculture. According to Chavez, â€Å"We have known for many years that pesticides used in agriculture pollute the air, earth and water, contaminate animals and humans, and are found in the tissue of new born infants and mothers’ milk† (McKibben 691). Some genetically m odified foods contain genetic materials from natural organisms like in the case of BT corn to contain a natural pesticide that would not create any harm to the environment. In fact, aside from the point of gaining higher yield, this was the sophisticated approach to minimize the detrimental impact of chemicals to the ecological balance by deliberately using commercial pesticides. Monarch butterfly and BT corn controversy marked a significant point prior to the level of acceptance we have for GMO foods today. In an experiment, it was found that Monarch butterflies feeding on the pollen of BT corn were found to have high mortality rate. BT corn is a transgenic crop, by which a genetic code of an organism that could kill pest was inserted to the corn’s DNA

Joseph Estrada and National Service Training Essay Example for Free

Joseph Estrada and National Service Training Essay Republic Act 9163 is an act establishing the National Service Training Program (NSTP) for tertiary level students. Its short title is National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001. It was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Republic of the Philippines on December 19, 2001. It was subsequently approved by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last January 23, 2002. RA 9163 or the National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001 NSTP is a program aimed at enhancing civic consciousness and defense preparedness in the youth by develop-ing the ethics of service and patriotism while undergoing training in any of its three (3) program components. (RA 9163). Section 2 Rule 1 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the NSTP Act states the role of the youth in nation-building. It says: 1.  In recognition of the vital role of the youth in nation-building, the State shall promote civic consciousness among them and shall develop their physical, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being. It shall inculcate the ideals of patriotism, nationalism, and advance their involvement in public and civic affairs. 2. As the most valuable resource of the nation, they shall be motivated, trained, organized and involved in military, literacy, civic welfare programs and other similar endeavors in the service of the nation. ROTC is a program institutionalized under Sections 38 and 39 of Republic Act 7077 designed to provide mili-tary training to tertiary level students in order to motivate, train, organize and mobilize them for national defense preparedness. (RA 9163). CWTS refers to programs or activities contributory to the general welfare and the betterment of life for the members of the community or the enhancement of its facilities, especially those devoted to improving health, education, environment, entrepreneurship, safety, recreation and morals of the citizenry. (RA 9163). LTS is a ? program designed to train students to become teachers of literacy and numeracy skills to school chil-dren, out of school youth, and other segments of society in need of their service. (RA 9163). NSTP Act states that all incoming freshmen students, male and female, starting School Year (SY) 2002-2003, enrolled in any baccalaureate and in at least two (2) year technical-vocational or associate courses, are re-quired to complete one (1) NSTP component of their choice, as a graduation requirement. (RA9163 IRR). More-over, NSTP component chosen by the student shall be undertaken in two (2) terms and be credited for a 3-unit subject per term. Important and lasting beliefs or ideals shared by the members of a culture about what is good or bad and desirable or undesirable. Values have major influence on a persons behavior and attitude and serve as broad guidelines in all situations. Some common business values are fairness, innovation and community involvement. 2. The monetary worth of something in areas such as accounting, economics, marketing or mathematics. A value can be defined as your personal belief on a moral or ethical issue. For example, those who have strong family values believe that families should always eat meals together. Those who have strong Christian values find it important to attend church each sunday. Education in its general sense is a form of learning in which knowledge, skills, and habits of a group of people are transferred from one generation to the next through teaching, training, research, or simply through autodidacticism. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts. The wealth of knowledge acquired by an individual after studying particular subject matters or experiencing life lessons that provide an understanding of something. Education requires instruction of some sort from an individual or composed literature. The most common forms of education result from years of schooling that incorporates studies of a variety of subjects.

Cholera Essay examples -- Vibrio cholerae Infection Disease

Cholera The disease, cholera, is an infection of the intestines, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. As stated in Microbes and Infections of the Gut, the bacterium is â€Å"a Gram-negative, comma- shaped, highly motile organism with a single terminal flagellum† (105). Cholera is characterized by the most significant symptom that presents with the disease, diarrhea, and victims can lose up to twenty liters of body fluids in a day. Cholera can be a serious disease, due to the serious dehydration that can occur, but it is only fatal if treatment is not administered as soon as possible. This research paper includes information on the causes of cholera, symptoms, ways of treatment, studies of treatments, complications that may occur, the tests and diagnosis for cholera, and finally, the ways the cholera bacterium may be transmitted. Introduction Cholera is a disease caused by the cholera bacterium Vibrio cholerae infecting the intestines. Usually, the illness is mild, and for some, symptoms of cholera never even present, but sometimes, the disease can also be severe. A severe case of cholera is â€Å"characterized by profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, and leg cramps. In these persons, rapid loss of body fluids leads to dehydration and shock. Without treatment, death can occur within hours† (Cholera Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment). Normally, in a gentler case of cholera, the infected person only has mild diarrhea. â€Å"In 5-10% of cases, however, patients develop very severe watery diarrhea and vomiting from 6 hours to 5 days after exposure to the bacterium. In these cases, the loss of large amounts of fluids can rapidly lead to severe dehydration. In the absence of adequate treatment, death can occur within hours† (Cholera Symptoms, Ca... ...a Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment." MedicineNet.Com. 31 Aug. 2005. . 9.) "Cholera: Treatment." MayoClinic.Com. 30 Mar. 2007. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. . 10.) "Frequently Asked Questions and Information for Travellers." World Health Organization. . 11.) Goodwin, Charles S., ed. Microbes and Infections of the Gut. Melbourne, Oxford, London, Edinburgh, Boston: Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1984. 103-113. 12.) O'neal, Jackie. "Bengladesh Medical Study on Cholera." Kidsnewsroom.Org. 13.) "Treatment of Cholera." World Health Organization. . Cholera Essay examples -- Vibrio cholerae Infection Disease Cholera The disease, cholera, is an infection of the intestines, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. As stated in Microbes and Infections of the Gut, the bacterium is â€Å"a Gram-negative, comma- shaped, highly motile organism with a single terminal flagellum† (105). Cholera is characterized by the most significant symptom that presents with the disease, diarrhea, and victims can lose up to twenty liters of body fluids in a day. Cholera can be a serious disease, due to the serious dehydration that can occur, but it is only fatal if treatment is not administered as soon as possible. This research paper includes information on the causes of cholera, symptoms, ways of treatment, studies of treatments, complications that may occur, the tests and diagnosis for cholera, and finally, the ways the cholera bacterium may be transmitted. Introduction Cholera is a disease caused by the cholera bacterium Vibrio cholerae infecting the intestines. Usually, the illness is mild, and for some, symptoms of cholera never even present, but sometimes, the disease can also be severe. A severe case of cholera is â€Å"characterized by profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, and leg cramps. In these persons, rapid loss of body fluids leads to dehydration and shock. Without treatment, death can occur within hours† (Cholera Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment). Normally, in a gentler case of cholera, the infected person only has mild diarrhea. â€Å"In 5-10% of cases, however, patients develop very severe watery diarrhea and vomiting from 6 hours to 5 days after exposure to the bacterium. In these cases, the loss of large amounts of fluids can rapidly lead to severe dehydration. In the absence of adequate treatment, death can occur within hours† (Cholera Symptoms, Ca... ...a Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment." MedicineNet.Com. 31 Aug. 2005. . 9.) "Cholera: Treatment." MayoClinic.Com. 30 Mar. 2007. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. . 10.) "Frequently Asked Questions and Information for Travellers." World Health Organization. . 11.) Goodwin, Charles S., ed. Microbes and Infections of the Gut. Melbourne, Oxford, London, Edinburgh, Boston: Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1984. 103-113. 12.) O'neal, Jackie. "Bengladesh Medical Study on Cholera." Kidsnewsroom.Org. 13.) "Treatment of Cholera." World Health Organization. .

Biodiesel Business Financial Plan

l pabiodiesel financial plan Start-up Expenses| Â  | Land to buy| Â  | Office to buy| Â  | Renovation expenses| Â  | Design works| $10 000 | Assembly operations| $200 000 | Placing into operation| $53 000 | Oil processing equipment (incl. storage and loading)| $100 000 | Seed storage equipment (incl. installation)| $350 000 | Glycerol purification equipment (including installation)| $0 000 | Tanks| $100 000 | Biodiesel production equipment (incl. delivery and installation )| $250 000 | Utility network| $000 |Advertising/Promotion| $5 000 | Land leasing| $0 | Raw materials (1 quarter of operations)| $660 000 | Salaries| $353 000 | Biodiesel production costs (chemicals, utilities, maintenance for 1 quarter) | $84 000 | Rent | $0 | Total Start-up Expenses| $000 | | Â  | Start-up Assets Needed| Â  | Cash Balance on Starting Date| Â  | Start-up Inventory| $0 | Other Current Assets| $0 | Total Current Assets| $0 | Long-term Assets| $0 | Total Assets| $0 | Total Requirements| $3 095 000 | Sales Forecast|Sales| 2007| Â  | 2008| Â  | 2009| Â  | 2010| Â  | 2011| Â  | Price per ton| Sum| Price per ton| Sum| Price per ton| Sum| Price per ton| Sum| Price per ton| Sum| Biodiesel| Â  | $2 800 000 | $700 | Â  | Â  | $2 800 000 | Â  | $2 800 000 | $700 | $ | Glycerol| Â  | $280 000 | $700 | $280 000 | $700 | $280 000 | Â  | $280 000 | $0 | $280 000 | Seeds| Â  | $0 | $220 | Â  | $220 | $0 | Â  | $0 | $220 | $0 | Press cake| $180 | $1 440 000 | $180 | $1 440 000 | $180 | $1 440 000 | $180 | $1 440 000 | $180 | $1 440 000 | Total Sales| Â  | $4 520 000 | Â  | $4 520 000 | Â  | $4 520 000 | Â  | $4 520 000 | Â  | $4 520 000 | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  |Direct Cost of Sales| Â  | 2006| Â  | 2007| Â  | 2008| Â  | 2009| Â  | 2010| Seeds| $220 | $2 640 000 | $220 | Â  | $220 | $2 640 000 | $220 | Â  | Â  | Â  | Oil| $600 | $0 | $600 | $0 | $600 | $0 | $600 | $0 | 600 | $0 | Subtotal Direct Cost of Sales| Â  | $2 640 000 | Â  | $2 640 000 | Â  | $2 640 000 | Â  | $2 640 000 | Â  | $2 640 000 | Sales and costs in tons| Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Biodiesel| Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Glycerol| $700 | 400| $700 | 400| $700 | 400| $700 | 400| $700 | 400| Seeds from own farm| $220 | Â  | $220 | Â  | $220 | Â  | $220 | Â  | $220 | Â  | Press cake| $180 | Â  | $180 | 8 000| $180 | 8 000| $180 | 8 000| $180 | 8 000| Total sales, ton| Â  | Â  | Â  | 12 400| Â  | 12 400| Â  | 12 400| Â  | 12 400| Procurement of raw materials| Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | 0| Â  | 0| Â  | Seeds| $220 | 12 000| $220 | 12 000| $220 | Â  | $220 | 12 000| $220 | 12 000| Oil| $600 | Â  | $600 | Â  | $600 | Â  | $600 | Â  | $600 | Â  | Total, raw materials, ton| Â  | Â  | Â  | 12 000| Â  | Â  | Â  | 12 000| Â  | 12 000| Personnel Plan| Daily wage| 2007| 2008| 2009| 2010| 2011| Director general| $100 | $24 000 | $24 000 | $ 24 000 | $24 000 | $24 000 | Production and procurement director| Â  | Â  | $24 000 | $24 000 | $24 000 | Â  | Farm supervisor| Â  | Â  | $24 000 | $24 000 | $24 000 | Â  | Sales manager| Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Controller| Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Chief Technologist| $80 | Â  | $19 200 | $19 200 | Â  | Â  | Secretary| $56 | Â  | $13 440 | $13 440 | Â  | Â  | Operators, production, 5 employees | $56 | $67 200 | $67 200 | $67 200 $67 200 | Â  | Laboratory technician, 1 employee | Â  | $13 440 | $13 440 | $13 440 | $13 440 | $13 440 | Farming, 5 employee| Â  | $67 200 | Â  | $67 200 | $67 200 | $67 200 | Drivers, 2 employee| $56 | $26 880 | Â  | $26 880 | $26 880 | $26 880 | Electrical fitter| $56 | $13 440 | Â  | $13 440 | $13 440 | $13 440 | Storeman, 2 employee| $56 | $26 880 | $26 880 | $26 880 | $26 880 | $26 880 | Total Payroll| Â  | $353 000 | $353 000 | $353 000 | $353 000 | $353 000 | Production headcount| Â  | 5| 5| 5| 5| 5| ROI Ana lysis| 2007| 2008| 2009| 2010| 2011| Sales| $4 520 000 | $4 520 000 | $4 520 000 | $4 520 000 | $4 520 000 | Cost of Sales| Â  | Â  | $3 326 000 | $3 326 000 | $3 326 000 | Gross Margin| $1 186 000 | $1 194 000 | $1 194 000 | $1 194 000 | $1 194 000 | Gross Margin %| 26. 24%| 26. 42%| 26. 42%| 26. 42%| 26. 2%| Operating Expenses| $434 667 | $101 667 | $101 667 | $101 667 | $121 667 | Operating Income| $751 333 | Â  | Â  | $1 092 333 | $1 072 333 | Net Income| $470 283 | Â  | Â  | $708 983 | $750 633 | Net Income to investor| $244 639 | $368 809 | $368 809 | Â  | Â  | Current Assets| $3 029 283 | $3 804 933 | $4 339 917 | $5 115 567 | $5 137 867 | Long-term Assets| $843 333 | $776 667 | $710 000 | $643 333 | $576 667 | Long-term Liabilities| $795 000 | $795 000 | $795 000 | $795 000 | $0 | Equity| $3 077 617 | $3 786 600 | $4 254 917 | $4 963 900 | $5 714 533 | ROE| 0. 15| 0. 19| 0. 17| 0. 14| 0. 13| ROI| 0. 11| 0. 16| 0. 16| 0. 16| 0. 17| Shares offered to investor| 52. 2%| Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Investor financing| 74. 31%| Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Loan financing| 25. 69%| Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Pro Forma Profit and Loss| | 2007| 2008| 2009| 2010| 2011| Sales| $4 520 000 | $4 520 000 | $4 520 000 | $4 520 000 | $4 520 000 | Cost of raw materials| $2 640 000 | Â  | Â  | $2 640 000 | $2 640 000 | Farm maintenance (fuel, fertilizer, etc)| $5 000 | $5 000 | $5 000 | $5 000 | $5 000 | Production Payroll| $353 000 | $353 000 | $353 000 | $353 000 | $353 000 | Methanol| Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Potassium hydroxide| $8 000 | $8 000 | $8 000 | Â  | $8 000 | Utilities| $80 000 | $80 000 | $80 000 | Â  | $80 000 | Equipment Maintenance| $8 000 | $0 | $0 | Â  | $0 |Cost of Goods Sold| $3 334 000 | $3 326 000 | $3 326 000 | $3 326 000 | $3 326 000 | Gross Margin| $1 186 000 | $1 194 000 | $1 194 000 | $1 194 000 | $1 194 000 | Gross Margin %| 26. 24%| 26. 42%| 26. 42%| 26. 42%| 26. 42%| Other Expenses: | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Design works| $10 0 00 | $0 | Â  | $0 | $0 | Renovation expenses| $100 000 | Â  | Â  | Â  | $20 000 | Assembly operations| Â  | Â  | $10 000 | $10 000 | $10 000 | Placing into operation| $53 000 | $5 000 | $5 000 | $5 000 | $5 000 | Advertising/Promotion| $5 000 | $20 000 | $20 000 | $20 000 | $20 000 | Depreciation (service life 12 years)| $66 667 | $66 667 | $66 667 | $66 667 | $66 667 | Land leasing| $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | Rent| $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |Total Other expenses| $434 667 | $101 667 | $101 667 | $101 667 | $121 667 | Profit Before Interest and Taxes| $751 333 | $1 092 333 | $1 092 333 | $1 092 333 | $1 072 333 | Interest Expense| $79 500 | $79 500 | $79 500 | $79 500 | $0 | Taxes Incurred| $201 550 | $303 850 | $303 850 | $303 850 | $321 700 | Other Expense| Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Net Profit| Â  | Â  | $708 983 | $708 983 | $750 633 | Net Profit/Sales| 10. 40%| 15. 69%| 15. 69%| 15. 69%| 16. 61%| Pro Forma Cash Flow| 2007| 2008| 2009| 2010| 2011| Cash from Operations: | à ‚  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Cash Sales| $3 164 000 | $3 164 000 | Â  | Â  | Â  | Cash from Receivables| $1 356 000 | $1 356 000 | $1 356 000 | $1 356 000 | $1 356 000 | Subtotal Cash from Operations| Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | $4 520 000 | Additional Cash Received| Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Sales Tax, VAT, HST/GST Received| $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | Loan| $795 000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |New Investment Received| $2 300 000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | Subtotal Cash Received| $7 615 000 | $4 520 000 | $4 520 000 | $4 520 000 | $4 520 000 | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Expenditures| 2007| 2008| 2009| 2010| 2010| Expenditures from Operations:| Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Salaries| Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | $353 000 | Payment of Accounts Payable| Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | $2 973 000 | Subtotal Spent on Operations| $3 334 000 | $3 326 000 | $3 326 000 | $3 326 000 | $3 326 000 | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Additional Cash Spent| Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Sales Tax Paid Out| Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | $321 700 | Principal Repayment (loan)| Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | $795 000 | Design works| $10 000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | Â  | Renovation expenses| Â  | Â  | $0 | $0 | Â  | Assembly operations| Â  | Â  | $10 000 | $10 000 | Â  |Placing into operation| $53 000 | $5 000 | $5 000 | Â  | Â  | Advertising/Promotion| $5 000 | $20 000 | $20 000 | $20 000 | $20 000 | Land leasing| $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | Rent| $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | Interest Expense| $79 500 | $79 500 | $79 500 | $79 500 | $0 | Purchase Long-term Assets| Â  | Â  | Â  | $0 | $0 | Subtotal Cash Spent| Â  | Â  | Â  | $3 744 350 | $4 497 700 | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Net Cash Flow| $2 788 617 | $842 317 | $842 317 | 317 | $88 967 | Cash Balance| $2 788 617 | $3 564 267 | $4 339 917 | $5 115 567 | $5 137 867 | Annual Break-even, Tons| 961. 34| 961. 34| 961. 34| 961. 34| Assumptions:| Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Average Per Tone Revenue| Â  | Â  | $1 130. 00 | $1 130. 00 | Average Per Tone Variable Cost| $742. 00 | $742. 00 | $742. 00 | $742. 00 | Estimated Annual Fixed Cost| Â  | Â  | $373 000 | $373 000 |

Mest Profile Essay

Com-101-024 February 24, 2013 The smell of molding laundry always filled the air at my cousin Rachel’s old Blue Island house. As we walked down the dark, narrow, creaking stairs, we all knew weren’t allowed down there but we somehow always stumbled down into the basement where my much older cousin Joey’s room and hang out was. He was rarely home when my sister Haley and I slept over, so all three of us would rummage through his things.We were always told not to even come close to touching his band equipment but we never really listened to that. We later found out about a man named Tony Lovato, my cousin’s semi-good friend with whom he jammed out with every once in a while. Many know of this man as the lead singer to the band Mest, a pop-punk band that was founded in 1995. Even though he had a good position in the music field he didn’t quite have that same outcome with his past.This musician seemed to have had a rather offensive taste of peers when h e was younger. When Lovato was 13 he was involved in a white supremacist band called Confederate Storm, here is where he started his music career as a drummer. Although he didn’t join the band because he was racist, he definitely grew into the crowd. Before Tony Lovato moved to Blue Island he lived in a predominately black neighborhood, where he had an African American girlfriend.He had stated that the other band members originally became skin heads because it was the fashion statement at the time, after a while the sub-culture’s racism influenced their music and lifestyles. After a few years of being in that type of group he decided that it wasn’t right and it wasn’t for him. Apparently the movie American History X strongly inspired these discriminatory individuals because as soon as he left the group he was jumped for befriending those of different races.

Everglades Flooding Essays - Everglades, Free Essays, Term Papers

Everglades Flooding Essays - Everglades, Free Essays, Term Papers Everglades Flooding The Everglades: Florida's Dying Natural Wonder Perhaps we take it for granted that our beautiful homeland will be forever changed because of the effects of modern civilizations. The environment, local animals, plants, and neighboring niches are all being affected by a few factors. The insensitivity of humans towards our fellow living creatures has caused the Everglades to shrink dramatically in the last one hundred years. The health of the everglades has been compromised because we as humans need more space to live on, bigger roads, and adventures on which we embark. In the following paragraphs, I will explain one of the most threatening factors to Florida's Everglades, habitat loss. Originally, the Everglades consisted of nearly 8,100 square miles, now, it has been reduced to about 2,300 square miles of which about three-fifths is in set-designated water conservation areas. Two-thirds of the original everglades is the water that falls on one-thirds of the original watershed. In simpler terms, the water in the Everglades is being washed into the ocean at a faster rate than the animal and plant life can adapt to. If this problem continues on the same route it is on, the death toll of animals and plants will reach catastrophic proportions. Many years ago, the Everglades was much deeper than it is now and the wet season lasted many months. Now, huge amounts of water come in short intervals and are dried up more quickly than it can be replaced due to drainage. Grasses who survive in deep water are being killed rapidly. Due to the death of these grasses, several species of fish have decreased dramatically in number. The loss of these grasses allows the melalueca to dominate these areas as the supreme species of plants. Fourteen animal species in the everglades are endangered and many more are threatened. The loss of habitat and overcrowding of certain species are disturbing animal population. Since the 1900's, ninety percent of the bird population has died. In 1988 a serious drought left many animal species homeless and many dead. Food loss due to lack of water killed many plant species. By 1989, only 5,000 bird nests and 15 colonies were present in the watershed of the everglades. In only one year, that number dropped to 1,000 nests. As we all know and love, the food web explains how countless animal and plants are co-dependents of each other and how the domino effect can change each and every one of those species. Many conservation efforts have been done to save the everglades, yet they have all failed miserably in a feeble attempt to erase the damage cause by the most abundant predator to any species world wide, mankind. The Everglade Agriculture Area has been set up to enrich the soil in the Everglades, hopefully restoring the animal and plant life to the original numbers that they used to be. When the water levels plummet and new nutrients are added, the soil is exposed to large amounts of oxygen. This speeds up the bacterial growth and can further harm plant life. The soil can then turn to fine dust and lower the water level several feet. Another effort to save the everglades it to kill the melalueca trees, which suck up large quantities of water. Cutting down the trees was first attempted, but that effort further spread the melalueca seeds. Another method was tried, poison. Poisons are being developed to kill small islands of melalueca trees with out harming the neighboring plants. Everyone can agree on one thing, the distribution of melalueca trees in the Everglades by humans is one of the worst ideas to plague the Everglades epidemic. Overall, vast amounts of money have been spent to save the Everglades. The Clinton administration has donated 1.5 billion dollars on conservation efforts. The 13 billion-dollar tourism industry to the Everglades and the Keys has helped with funds for the Everglades Wildlife Fund and other organizations. On average, the amount of money donated per year to Everglade's conservation efforts is about 2 billion dollars. The reason I chose to do this report on the Everglade is because I got an offhand look at how the Everglades is being destroyed slowly. While going on an airboat tour of the Everglades,

The Penguin Atlas of Human Sexual Behavior

The Penguin Atlas of Human Sexual Behavior Published in 2000, the 128 page The Penguin Atlas of Human Sexual Behavior contains a plethora of facts and data about sex and sexuality worldwide. Unfortunately, the data used in the atlas was not often available for each country in the world so the author, Dr. Judith Mackay, was left to map incomplete data which is sometimes from as few as a dozen or so counties. Nonetheless, the book provides a fascinating insight into the cultural geography of sex and reproduction. Sometimes the data, maps, and graphics seem a bit sketchy. One example of a non-cited graphic is titled Breasts Are Getting Bigger and implies that in 1997, the average breast size in the U.K. was 36B but that it grew to 36C in 1999. A longer time period is provided for Asia - the graphic shows that in the 1980s average breast size was 34A and the 1990s it was 34C, not quite as dramatic as the U.K.s single-cup size increase in two years. The data I mention below in this article comes from reputable sources listed in the references section of the atlas. On with the facts... First Encounters Maps in the atlas provide information about the age of first sexual intercourse worldwide for several dozen countries where data was available. For women, the countries with the youngest average age of first intercourse are in central Africa and the Czech Republic with an average age of 15. The countries where womens first sexual experience comes at age 20 and older are Egypt, Kazakhstan, Italy, Thailand, Ecuador, and the Philippines. According to the map, the first sexual intercourse comes at 16 in the U.S. and 18 in the U.K. For men, the earliest average age of first intercourse is 16 in Brazil, Peru, Kenya, Zambia, Iceland, and Portugal but the highest average age is 19 in Italy. A male in the U.K.s average age of first intercourse is 18. There are far fewer countries with mens data than womens in the atlas (even the U.S. is missing from the map.) Sexual Intercourse and Contraception According to the atlas, on any given day, sexual intercourse takes place 120 million times on earth. Thus, with 240 million people having sex daily and a world population of just under 6.1 billion (as of 2000), about 4% of the worlds population (1 out of every 25 people) is having or had sex today. The country boasting the longest amount of time during sexual intercourse is Brazil at 30 minutes. The U.S., Canada, and the U.K. follow with 28, 23, and 21 minutes respectively. The quickest sex in the world takes place in Thailand with 10 minutes and Russia at 12 minutes. Among sexually active 16-45-year-olds, the most active countries are Russia, the U.S.A., and France, where people report having sex more than 130 times a year. Sex is least frequent in Hong Kong at under 50 times a year. Modern contraception is most frequently used in China, Australia, Canada, Brazil, and western Europe but least in central Africa and Afghanistan. Condom use is highest in Thailand with 82% of people claiming to always use a condom. Marriage The atlas tells us that 60% of marriages around the world are arranged so theres little choice of partners in most marriages. The age difference between prospective partners is interesting. Western European, North American, and Australian men usually search for a partner who is less than two years younger while men in Nigeria, Zambia, Colombia, and Iran all prefer women at least four years younger. China has the worlds highest minimum age for men to get married - 22; however, women in China can marry at 20 years of age. Its interesting to note that the minimum age for marriage for both sexes varies throughout the U.S. on a state-by-state basis and ranges from 14 to 21 years. Divorce rates are highest in Australia and the U.S.A. but are lowest in the Middle East, North Africa, and East Asia. Sex outside of marriage is most common in women under twenty in Germany and the U.K., where over 70% of young women have sex outside of marriage but in Asia, the percentage is less than ten. The Dark Side The atlas also covers the negative aspects of sex and sexuality. A map shows that female genital excision is highest in the countries of northeast Africa - Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia. Rapes per 100,000 women mapped out shows that among others - the U.S., Canada, Australia, southern Africa, Sweden have the worlds highest rates of rape (over 4 per 10,000). A map of the legal status of homosexuality around the world tells us that many countries in northern Africa and the Middle East can punish homosexual sex acts with the death penalty. We also learn that adultery is punishable by death in Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. Overall, The Penguin Atlas of Human Sexual Behavior is a very interesting compilation and reference for facts about human sexual behavior and reproduction worldwide and I do recommend it for students of cultural geography or sexology.

The CentralFush Website Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The CentralFush Website - Assignment Example Information categories on the website will be as follows:†¢Ã‚  Information about personsThe website will contain information of celebrities from around the world and the various activities that they are involved in, which are in tandem with the fashion trend being discussed. This information will be more graphical than written. The information will be in form of image and videos.†¢Ã‚  Statistical informationStatistical information on the site will cover the analysis of the numbers of young people who are following a particular trend in a given region.   The analysis will be in form of numbers and percentages as compared to the total figure.†¢Ã‚  Public informationPublic information will be general information that originated from the public. For instance, this category will cover the most stocked footwear in most shops in every region. The opinion that the shop-owners have for stocking the footwear will also be included on the website. This is public information. Fun ctions of the WebsiteThe primary function of the website is to deliver trending fashions content to the young people from all over the world. Secondary to this, is cultural integration through the appreciation of various fashions from other cultures.Other RequirementsThe major requirement that the site will need is tailoring it for mobile phone viewing. The reason for this is that many of the expected users will be browsing the site via their handsets. As such, it will be necessary to have the site optimized to run on tablets, iPads as well as mobile phones.