Chimerism in Humans

Chimera according to the genome glossary is an organism which possesses cells or tissues with a different genotype. This can be caused due to mutated cells of the host organism or cells from a different organism or species. According to Greek mythology, the original â€Å"Chimera† (pronounced as kih-MEE-ra, and the adjective form â€Å"chimerical† pronounced as kih-MER-ih-cal) was a fire-breathing female monster with the head of a lion, the body of a goat and the hindquarters of a dragon. The terrifying Chimera may have merely been a product of a substandard family environment — her father was the giant Typhon, her mother the half-serpent Echidna. Her siblings were the Cerebrus (the three-headed hound who eventually found work guarding the gates of Hell), Hydra (a nine-headed aquatic monster) and Orthrus (the runt of the litter, a prosaic two-headed dog). As per the mythology, Chimera pounced around making everyone wretched until one day a man named Bellerophon, riding on the winged horse Pegasus slays her. [Author unknown, Chimera, 2004] Though believed to be a mythological epic, it was found that cases of Chimera were actually prevalent in humans when certain intriguing criminal cases erupted. One such case was when a woman has been raped by a man and the women claimed a particular person to be the culprit. However, the crime justice authorities had found it difficult to convict the suspect. It so happened that the DNA taken from his blood sample did not match the DNA of the suspect. However, extensive investigation and the victim’s statements revealed it to be same person being responsible for the crime. When another series of DNA tests were taken from the suspect, this time from his hair sample it was found that the DNA sample perfectly matched. This revealed a breathtaking phenomenon among human genome which has resulted in various problems in the criminal justice system. Those people who have two types of DNA in their body are called chimeras after the mythological creature with a head of lion, body of a goat and a tail of a serpent. These people are sometimes also referred to as mosaics. It has found that these people have two different types of DNA in various parts of their body. Though a rare occurrence, this could have been due to various reasons. [Vladar, 2004] One of the common reasons is that chimeras are formed if developing fraternal twin embryos join together to become one embryo. This is something which is completely opposite of identical twins who are formed when a single embryo splits into two. This occurrence takes place in the very early stages of the embryo development i.e. when it is still in the form of unspecialized cells, so when it develops the baby that is born is healthy but with two types of DNAs. It is also found that fraternal twins don’t have same set of DNA, however, they the two fraternal twin embryos fuse together it results in chimera. Another reason for chimeras to form is when developing fraternal twin share the same blood supply. This usually happens when the twins with different DNA share a placenta in the mother’s womb and cells from their blood mix together. This results in the twins being chimeras based on only their blood as other cells are not affected by the blood supply. Chimeras are also formed through some mistakes or mutations taking place in the division of the cells in the development embryo. This mainly takes place when the cells split into two so that they are able to be formed into more of themselves for the growth of the embryo. It also results in the the doubling up of the DNA by the cells which gets divided between the two new halves. During this process, if something goes wrong, then some new cells result in having different DNA. If this happens in the early stages of the development, then the tissues which are developed from the cells will have different genotype. It is difficult to gauge the exact number of chimeras in the world. We are able to find out whether a person is a chimera or not only when his / her DNA is analysed. This causes varied problems with regards to solving of crime cases and also results in complication with regards to donation of organs. In recent years, exciting results have been found out that a section of genetically incompatible cells may contribute to conditions like infertility, autism and Alzheimer's disease. [Migliore, L et al, 1999] Human chimeraism came into being with advent of blood typing and it was found that some people had more than two types of blood group. Most of the cases of chimeraism are the blood chimeraism i.e. non-identical twins sharing a blood supply in the womb. Twin embryos often share a blood supply in the placenta, allowing blood stem cells to pass from one embryo and settle in the bone marrow of the other, seeding a lasting source of blood. As a result, almost 8% of non-identical twin pairs have chimeric blood. [van Dijk, B A; Boomsma, D I and de Man, A J M, 1996] Apart from those who have chimera due to different blood types, there are even larger numbers of people who have this phenomenon due to carrying smaller numbers of different blood cells that may have passed through the mother and the fetus across the placenta or persist from a blood transfusion. It has also been analysed that the presence of some foreign white blood cells might be the cause for autoimmune diseases wherein the immune system affects the body’s own tissues. [Nelson, J L, 2002] True chimeras are usually identified when they possess male and female cells resulting in the formation of hermaphrodites or any related problem in the person’s sexual organs and their chromosomal sex is identified by their blood test. So the real number of chimeras and mosaics are much more than those that have been identified till date. Unless and until a chimera comes forward to get his blood sampled or has been convicted for a crime, it wouldn’t be possible to know whether he actually is a chimera. This has resulted in further complication in solving some crime justice cases. It has been also analyzed that with the increase in in-vitro fertilization (IVF), there has an increase in the cases of chimeras. To avoid infertility among women, IVF has been quite common in the present day scenario. In this process, two or more embryos are placed in a woman’s uterus so there is an increased success rate. This results in 25% more cases of twin pregnancies than expected. With the increased number of twins, there is likelihood of more cases of chimeras. This was proved by Bonthron who found out that the British hermaphrodite boy who was a chimera was formed by IVF. Strain, L; Dean, J C S; Hamilton, M P R and Bonthron, D T – 1998] According to various tests undertaken along with ultrasound examinations performed on the mother who was carrying the single fetus, the baby that was born had a normal right testis and a semi-developed left testis. An operation was conducted when the child was 15 months old and the surgeons removed â€Å"an abnormal gonad and vas deferens.† Pathology studies later exposed that these were actually an ovary with a fallopian tube attached. Studies revealed that the child's chromosomes had both female (XX) and male (XY) cell lines. This was explained to be that the child was an exceptional case of a true chimera which was a mixture of two embryos from separately fertilized eggs. The other likelihood was that two different sperm had unusually developed into a single mature egg before cell division had taken place. To distinguish between these possibilities, the researchers analyzed DNA near the centromeres of the child's chromosomes, which are involved in cell division. [Author unknown, DNA puzzle of mother ‘made of two women', 2004] Apart from this, the study conducted also revealed that chimerism can occur naturally, resulting in children with vague genitalia, however published data on the phenomenon is very restricted and many XX/XY children may go unnoticed. Even so, the fact that chimerism occurred in a child born following in vitro fertilization should be taken seriously. [Author unknown, 2004 In Vitro Fertilization Results In Chimera, 2004] Considering these above points, it is becoming more and more difficult for the crime justice system to analyze the crime due to the increase in the cases of chimeraism and mosaicism which in turn is increasing with the increase in in-vitro fertilization. The criminals are able to move about freely as their blood samples usually differ from their other DNA samples taken from different parts of the body. It is also becoming difficult for the crime justice system as well as the medical system to analyze the exact number of chimeras as it is very difficult with the increase in mutations.

Computerized Sales Inventory System Essay

By having a plan of widening the Cunderdin-Quairading Road , conservation is still involved because the management involved in the operation were able to conserve the old and big trees. They are able to protect and enhance the environmental values of road reserves. By consulting to the Department of Environment and Conservation for a clearing permit gave them permission what trees to cut and remind them to be responsible enough on how to conserve nature despite of the more industrialized world for convenience. The study also increased the employees’ and community’ s awareness of roadside conservation. It can provide safe and efficient road access while balancing best practice environmental management. It only shows that conservation is not a hindrance to save nature even though we want to improve our community or to build business. It is just a matter of planning and remembering the environment. The study about Shire of Cunderdin: Cunderdin-Quairading Road is just an example of conservation issue that must be given attention. It shows that people are still aware of the conservation issues and trying to promote goodwill to save the planet for our future generation. II. Case Study Shire of Cunderdin: Cunderdin-Quairading Road – The Shire of Cunderdin undertook road upgrade works along the Cunderdin-Quairading Road during 2011. This upgrade was in response to the state government decision to close Tier 3 grain-freight railway lines which would result in increased grain freight traffic on local roads such as the Cunderdin-Quairading Road. The road works The road works included formation works, shoulder works, drainage works, overlay and widening. The object of the upgrade was to: * clear grass, some small vegetation and minimal trees * reform and improve drainage * box out shoulders to a depth of 10 centimetres * overlay old pavement 10 centimetres * widen the pavement to 9 metres with a seal width of 7 metres Grader, loaders and trucks were used for clearing and formation works. Where the major clearing was required, such as the removal of salmon gums, skid steers and a 3-ton excavator was used to manoeuvre in places where the large plant equipment couldn’t go. The road reserve along the Cunderdin-Quairading Road consists of open roadside vegetation dominated by salmon gum, york gum, acacia and sheoak species in a degraded condition, with a predominantly introduced under storey of agricultural weeds. There are no declared rare flora or threatened ecological communities along the Road. Clearing was selective and only to the extent needed. When applying to the Department of Environment and Conservation for a clearing permit, each tree or area to be cleared was recorded on a GPS, with a view to minimizing the number of trees to be cleared, and to preserve as many large trees along the road, while creating a safe and effect ive road for users. The amount and diversity of roadside vegetation was taken into account when widening the road, and where one side of the road was less diverse than the other, the road was widened on that side. Agricultural weeds were cleared from undergrowth, and low vegetation was cleared on two s-bends to create a better line of sight, which reduced the need for a complete s-bend realignment and subsequent major clearing. Other works along the Cunderdin-Quairading Road were carried out under exemption, as specified under Item 22 of Regulation 5 (and Schedule 2) of the WA Clearing Regulations which specifies clearing within the road maintenance zones. Future plans Although no conditions were placed on the permit, the shire plans to put in place a strategic offset program where tree planting and revegetation of degraded areas and exhausted gravel pits will be undertaken annually to offset any essential clearing of native vegetation along roadsides. Future offsets will include planting low lying native shrubs along cleared road reserves to maintain aesthetics, for weed control, and to join vegetation corridors. Offset plans for 2011-12 include the revegetation of an old road reserve that was left after the realignment of an s-bend on Doodenanning Road. Agreements have been made with the adjacent property owner to allow room for farm machinery access. The revegetation will link up with a small pocket of remnant vegetation on the landholder’s property and existing roadside vegetation.

King Lear by Shakespeare Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

King Lear by Shakespeare - Essay Example Lance Baker is an excellent actor as the daughter to Regan’s husband. Steve and Jesse, acting as Gloucester’s sons were also strong characters who were influential in the act. The acts of the three actors who played the role of Lear’s daughters had substantial stage impact. Their performances depicted lack of experience in Shakespearean work. One could easily realize the lack of vocal and dramatic power in the rest of the play. The director’s simple scenic design synchronized with the modern-dress Lear. Geno’s lighting design, which is rather dramatic, highlighted the performances of the actors. The moment that had the biggest impression was in the first act when Lear had a hilarious exchange with Oswald. The part is impressive because it gives relief to me in preparation of facing the terrible suffering that the play dramatizes. When Lear asks who he was, Oswald replies, â€Å"My Lady’s father.’ Lear gets surprised on hearing the reply and repeats it. He calls Oswald names such as dog and slave. Oswald in a satirical tone declines that he is none of the names that Lear uses on him and begs for a pardon. The folly in the exchange continues and makes the portion of the act a memorable theatrical performance. The staging of the scene where Edgar pretends to show Gloucester the edge of a Dover cliff from was performed convincingly. The actor playing the part of Edgar perfectly did his portion of the play. On the stage, the two actors acting as Edgar and Gloucester walked at a rather raised platform with the one acting as Edgar breathing hard to convince Gloucester that the ground was steep. When they reached the end section of the platform, they stopped and â€Å"Edgar† points at the wall that had the image of scenery of the sea. His description of the sea and the corresponding scenery captured the mind of the reader before â€Å"Edgar† walks away leaving the old man to fall approximately two feet down to the normal

What factors influenced the evolution of Nazi racial policy from Essay

What factors influenced the evolution of Nazi racial policy from 1933-1939 - Essay Example The racial policies of Nazi targeted peoples,  specifically the Jews, as well as the  Gypsies, handicapped and homosexual people. The Nazi racial policy consisted of two components: eugenics and racial extermination. The Nazis therefore attempted to keep their â€Å"race† free from illnesses and abnormalities (eugenics) and keep Aryan race sealed to other †inferior† races.  The eugenics factor saw the Nazis initiate a forced sterilization of hereditary ill and performed euthanasia (emergency killings) to nearly 200,000 physically and mentally disabled Germans.   The other component of the racial policy, racial extermination, was initiated so as to persecute and suppress all non-Aryans, starting with the Jews. However, the gypsies were also incorporated in this melancholic form of â€Å"apartheid†. The belief was that non-Aryans created danger against the German blood as well as the German Volksgemeinschaft (‘people’s community’). The policy also included laws of racial expulsion: the Jews were compelled to emigrate. The fact that this policy was so much successful in Austria in 1938 saw it introduced inside Germany under the motto: Germany for Germans! The eventual leader of the party, Adolf Hitler, was appointed the Chancellor of Germany, in 19933, by President Paul von Hindenburg. Hitler quickly established a totalitarian regime referred to as the Third Reich, and under this the party gained nearly unlimited power. Nazi philosophy emphasized the racial purity of German people. It persecuted those it viewed as either enemies or Lebensunwertes Leben, meaning "life unworthy of life". This consisted the Jews, Roma, Arabs, Slavs, Africans and h77omosexuals together with Jehovahs Witnesses, the physically and/ or mentally disabled, socialists as well as communists. To execute these beliefs, this party and German state that it

Financial Conservatism. Determinants of cash and leverage conservatism Dissertation

Financial Conservatism. Determinants of cash and leverage conservatism in USA firms - Dissertation Example Microsoft, Exxon, Apple are all examples of non-financial firms that have held huge stockpiles of cash1. According to a recent San Francisco Chronicle report, Apple reportedly has a stockpile of $137 Billion, and the company justifies this by saying that it is â€Å"preserving its options†2. In financial literature, a firm which holds more cash reserves or lower leverage than is optimal according to capital structure is known to be financially conservative. To avoid having to depend on costly external sources of debt, having spare debt capacities by maintaining low liabilities to total asset ratios is important. Also for the same reason, retaining adequate cash reserves is also important. From 1980 to 2004, the average cash-to-asset ratio for industrial US firms has increased by 129 percent. During the same time period, net debt for these firms has fallen substantially (Bates et al, 2009). Therefore, on average these firms seem to have adopted more financially conservative pra ctices in both senses by reducing leverage and increasing cash holdings simultaneously. However, much of the reduction in net debt is attributed to higher cash holdings rather than any reduction in liabilities. In general financial conservatism has become a very relevant topic of study in this backdrop. In this context, this paper studies the characteristics of financially conservative firms. The main objective is to see whether financially conservative practices can protect firms from being distressed and what effects the financial crisis had on financially conservative practices. Barring Iona, Leonida and Ozkan (2004), Prior research has focused on analysing conservative behaviour of firms from either the perspective of holding excessively high cash balances or from the perspective of maintaining lower than optimal leverage levels. Iona, Leonida and Ozkan (2004) look at non-financial financially conservative UK firms that adopt both these practices simultaneously. No work prior wo rk has examined the coexistence of both cash conservative and leverage conservative practices for US firms. Using a large sample of industrial US firms over the period of 2002-2011, I enquire into the nature of financial conservatism. Since a firm is financially conservative if it is conservative in terms of holding extra cash reserves as well as maintaining low leverage, I start off by looking at the determinants of cash conservativeness and the determinants of leverage conservativeness. Then I look at what are the important characteristics of firms that contribute to making its financial practices conservative in general. In particular, I ask, what factors influence the probability of a firm being both cash and leverage conservative at the same time. After determining the important factors, I turn to the critical question of how financial conservatism affects the probability of a firm being financially distressed. The major contributions of this paper are twofold: first, extending the literature on conservative firms which adopt both cash and leverage conservatism simultaneously and second, applying the theory of jointly cash and leverage conservative practices to characterize conservative US firms which have not been examined in literature at all. The rest of the paper is structured as follows. Section II presents a review of the relevant literature. This section lays out the

Fashion Company Prada Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 9000 words

Fashion Company Prada - Dissertation Example Even though, on a global basis, there are only handfuls that can actually afford the luxury goods available, there are however a large number of common people exposed to such advertisements that these brands publish, often creating a kind of aspiration amongst them of affording these luxury items someday. This research paper will conduct an analysis into the advertising world of luxury brands, using Prada as a case study, where it is divided into three parts. The first part is the conceptual context, which is a critical evaluation of the relationship that exists between luxury goods and advertising in the context of the high fashion brands. The second part will deal with the management issue, which would be a critical evaluation of the strategic importance of advertisements in selling luxury items (as in Prada). The third part is the visual analysis, which is a analysis of the advertisements created for Prada and their impact on consumers. â€Å"Luxury brands should seize every opportunity to talk about themselves, distinguish themselves from other brands & revive their fascinating history†~ Aurelie Pichard. ... The third part is the visual analysis, which is a analysis of the advertisements created for Prada and their impact on consumers. 1 Conceptual context: an insight into the relationship that exists between luxury goods and advertising in context of high fashion brands â€Å"Luxury brands should seize every opportunity to talk about themselves, distinguish themselves from other brands & revive their fascinating history†~ Aurelie Pichard. The economic recession of the 2007-2008 negatively affected the global market, including and the market for luxury items. Those relatively less affluent, spent less money on luxury items, forcing many of the luxury brands to less their prices to maintain growth (KPMG International Cooperative, 2011, 10). Despite the price cuts, there was 8% year-on-year fall in worldwide demand for luxury items, during the year 2009. Along with fall in sale of luxury goods, there was an inadvertent fall in the advertisements of these companies. In a 2008 news re port, we find that â€Å"ad pages at the top luxury magazines fell 22 percent year over year for the December issues, according to Media Industry Newsletter. Vogue, for example, dropped from 284 pages last December, to 221 pages this December, while Food & Wine went from 160 pages to 126† (Clifford, For Luxury Brands, Less Money to Spend on Ads, 2008). However, 2010 again saw a rise in demands for luxury items in the first quarter and this trend continued throughout 2010, leading to a comeback for this industry (ibid), as seen in fig 1. Fig 1: Revenues of top global luxury goods players (US$ billion) (KPMG International Cooperative, 2011, 10). The worldwide sales of luxury items were

Google Behavio Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Google Behavio - Article Example One of these recent acquisitions that Google hopes will aid them in continuing to exert a high level of influence and power over the market is their recent acquisition of a firm previously known as â€Å"Behavio†. Accordingly, this brief analysis will seek to define how Behavior came into existence, what specific strengths it offers, and the likely means by which Google will attempt to leverage the strengths as a result of the acquisition. Behavio was born out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). As with many tech startups that utilize and leverage public/private funds, Behavior received in excess of $355,000 from a venture capitalist group known as Knight Inc. As the technology developed, the firm spun off independently and soon began to develop a platform and application for Android OS that would serve as a type of predictive behavioral environment (Zhu 1). With this ultimately signified was an application that was able to use a various array of inputs from th e environment in order to gather valuable information with regards to what the individual phone operator might engage in that and/or to predict future behavior based upon the inputs that it been gleaned. This behavioral modeling of course represents a valuable asset to any marketing firm as it allows the applications owner to specifically market goods or services based upon the likely activities engaged in by the owner. Seeing the potential of this application, Google sought acquisition due to the fact that it could easily integrate such a platform within its current product offering sweet. For instance, the reader can and should integrate with an understanding of the fact that if an individual operating the Behavio application upon their android device is currently engaging in an outdoor activity with key physics movements that allow the individual device to determine what is being done, this information can then be tied in to a number of Google applications and further aid the pre dictive modeling that Google has Artie pioneered. Beyond just the marketing aspect, this allows much closer integration with the level and extent to which such services such as group Google maps, Google shopping, and of host of others can present the utility to the end-user (Woods 1). Moreover, it is been determined by those who of analyzed the software that Behavio is not only able to gather and drivers upon the individual, it is also able together and draw inference upon entire groups or communities of individuals that are using application. In such a way, the targeted information across a range of demographics, social groups, races, and ages can be integrated with the end-user. Ultimately, by being able to tie in both the marketing and utility aspects that it herein been discussed, it is easy for the reader to understand how such an application, or group of patients, helps to fit the needs of Google (Ong 1). Ultimately, Google is interested in the maximization of profits. In orde r to achieve this, they need to offer increased utility for their users as well as increased means by which they can market within the product offerings they have. Since Behavio promises to do both of these concurrently,

Organisational responses to responsible business drivers Assignment

Organisational responses to responsible business drivers - Assignment Example The aim of this project will be looking at the challenges that McDonald’s has been facing regarding corporate sustainability and the various actions that they have taken as an organization to make sure that their corporate responsibility is enhanced. McDonald’s is one of the most known fast food restaurants globally. McDonald’s has outlets in more than 100 countries. However, their headquarters is in the United States of America. Among other things, the restaurant is popular for its hamburger. However, it should be noted that they also sell products such as French fries, cheeseburgers, chicken, soft drinks, desserts, fish, milkshakes, salad, smoothies, and wraps. There are a number of sustainability challenges that are faced by McDonald’s. One of the sustainability challenges that the company faces is the amount of water that is usually needed to produce beef. About 15,500 cubic meters are usually needed to produce a kilogram of beef. Apart from the water, they will also need 36 kilograms of roughage and 6.5 kilograms of grain just to produce a kilogram of beef. Given the fact: that hamburger is their main product, this trend can be rather alarming (Porter 2008, p. 407). Given the level of competition in this industry, the company has to rely on cheap labour and beef in order to remain competitive. Depending on cheap labour and beef makes it very hard for them to be sustainable. For instance, in most cases the cheaper beef is always not verified. Sometimes, depending on cheap labour might deny an organization the chance of having highly motivated and satisfied employees. Another sustainability challenge that the organization faces is brought about by the effect that consumption of fast food has on human beings. The high growth of obesity cases in the US is always associated with poor eating habits. One of the most commonly mentioned and

Business Environment of Zurich Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Business Environment of Zurich - Essay Example Likewise, their products and services are diverse and categorized according to the clientele they serve. These products and services range from motor vehicle and home insurance, life insurance, savings and investment, as well as pension and retirement planning (for individual clients); property, casualty, workers’ compensation, corporate life and pensions, financial lines, and accident and health (for small and mid-sized organizations); and finally construction, global energy, marine, motor fleet, international programs, and risk engineering (for large and multinational corporations). As Zurich operates in a vast global environment, the purpose of this case study is to provide an assessment of the business environment of Zurich. Specifically, the following questions would be addressed: (1) what is meant by the term â€Å"customer centric†? How has Zurich’s primary research helped it be even more customer focused? (2) Explain the difference between primary and sec ondary market research. How could secondary data support primary research? (3) Analyse how Zurich positioned itself in a customer focused way. (4) Evaluate to what extent help point has enable Zurich to differentiate itself in the insurance market and provide an example of similar service provided either within the same or different environment. Environment The article on Business Environment published online by the Excel College of Higher Education defines the business environment as â€Å"the influences and pressures exerted by external factors on the business† (Excel College of Higher Education, n.d.). As such there are eight constituents of the business environment composed of: demographic, economic, geographical and ecological, legal, technological, social, educational and cultural, as well as the political environment. For Zurich, as a global organization, its scope of operations include Europe (Germany, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, United Kingdom), North America (USA, Ca nada), Asia-Pacific (Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia), and other markets such as Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Brazil (Zurich Insurance Company Ltd., 2012). Their business environment is therefore vast as it encompasses strategic locations worldwide. Further, due to the wide span of demographical and geographic scale, both opportunities and risk abound. Thus the prevailing economic, political, socio-cultural and legal factors that applies in the respective countries wherein Zurich operates influence their business activities. Their financial success really depends on the strengths and competitive advantages manifested by Zurich and the reaction, as well as response of entrenched competitors within their area of operations. Business Aspect (1) What is meant by the term â€Å"customer centric†? How has Zurich’s primary research helped it be even more customer focused? The term customer-centric means that â€Å"the customer (is placed) at the center of policy-related proc esses† (Gujral, 2007, p. 48). The meaning is more expounded by Booz Allen Hamilton (2004) who averred that customer centric organizations, like Zurich, â€Å"moved beyond lip service and re-oriented their entire operating model around the customer, increasing customer satisfaction, and their own profitability in the process† (Hamilton, 2004, p. 1). As indicated in the Zurich case study on â€Å"Providing a customer-centric service†

Coping Tactics in Translation Essay Example for Free

Coping Tactics in Translation Essay One cannot deny the astounding success of the â€Å"Twilight† series of books and films. Seemingly overnight, almost everyone has been sideswept by the popularity of the four-book series namely, â€Å"Twilight†, â€Å"New Moon†, â€Å"Eclipse†, and â€Å"Breaking Dawn†, all by debuting author Stephenie Meyer. The book’s characters have also become household names, the most popular ones being Edward Cullen, Bella Swan, and Jacob Black. Not surprisingly, the actors who portrayed them in the films have also been catapulted to stardom: Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner, playing the mentioned characters respectively. Definitely amazing, considering the simplicity of the story, a love triangle involving three teenagers. What probably makes the difference is that two of them are not human. Twilight Mystique 4 Demystifying the â€Å"Twilight† Mystique Most of us dream of making it big. Maybe to discover or invent something that will change the world, or put together an award-winning record album that will go platinum, or possibly, write a book that will sell millions of copies worldwide. The Author Herself Stephenie Meyer had a dream, literally. â€Å"A vivid dream took her to a forest meadow where she saw an average-looking girl and a stunningly handsome vampire having an intense conversation†, it says in her website, stepheniemeyer. com (cited in Vaz, 2008). She then began to flesh out a story, and after three months, she finished the first book, â€Å"Twilight†. She submitted her manuscript to several literary agencies and eventually ended up in the hands of the publishing company, Little, Brown where the road to success got a jumpstart, to say the least (stepheniemeyer.com, 2010). The rest of the saga has then followed the path to fame and fortune. Crossing age barriers the world over, the â€Å"Twilight† series has proven that if you take seemingly ordinary characters in a seemingly ordinary setting and spice it all up with something extraordinary, create situations and experiences that are almost believable, then you have got a winning formula. The Twilight Series The back cover of the first book, â€Å"Twilight†, teases us with the words, â€Å"About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him – and I didn’t know how dominant that part might be – that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him† (Meyer, 2005, back cover). Twilight Mystique 5 Almost immediately, two things jump out at the reader, the fact that there is a vampire involved, and so is that crazy, adrenaline-pumping emotion called love. The lore and legend of vampires goes way back into the olden days, with practically every culture having its own imaginative version of the creatures, often tortured souls who drink the blood of their victims (Vaz, 2008, p. 13). In fact, â€Å"Twilight† director Catherine Hardwicke says, â€Å"One reason the Twilight series has such resonance may be that the vampire myth is deeply rooted in the human psyche† (Vaz, 2008, p. 15). Joel Schumacher, director of â€Å"The Lost Boys†, a film about vampires haunting a resort town on the California coast, remarked in his commentary on the said film’s DVD, â€Å"I think one of the reasons vampires have an enduring quality is they’re the only monsters that are really sexy† (cited in Vaz, 2008). True enough, vampires are often portrayed as very attractive human beings, the only obvious giveaway is when they bare their fangs, to satisfy their thirst for blood. The universal theme of love has been used countless times in books, movies, poetry, music, and all other possible vehicles of expression. Thus, the obvious love angle in the â€Å"Twilight† series may be nothing new, but it still definitely sells. As an article by S. A. Dalton declared, â€Å"Every girl dreams of falling in love one day. She dreams of that perfect soulmate who was put on this earth to love no one but her†¦It’s a love that voids all pain and validates the very reason that either of them were born†¦Because of this love, the Twilight series was a huge success! † (cited in helium. com, 2002-2010) The character of Bella herself, as the narrator, often articulates the extent of their feelings. In the second book, â€Å"New Moon†, she narrates, â€Å"My head was already spinning by the time he leaned closer and pressed his icy lips against mine†¦I forgot all about my worries, and concentrated on remembering how to inhale and exhale (Meyer, 2006, p. 16) Twilight Mystique 6 Hardwicke even accurately observed that â€Å"for all the inherent darkness that came with vampires, it was the love story that touched people† (Vaz, 2008, p.134). The reader can also easily identify with Bella’s character, for she was portrayed as an ordinary, not particularly popular, oftentimes clumsy teenage girl. In the third book, â€Å"Eclipse†, she said, â€Å"We were almost to the clearing when I fell. I could see the wide opening ahead, and that’s probably why I got too eager and forgot to watch my feet. I caught myself before my head bashed into the nearest tree, but a small branch snapped off under my left hand and gouged into my palm† (Meyer, 2007, p. 470). Incidentally, the movie version of this third installment, to be shown June 30, 2010, is being eagerly awaited by the fans, as attested to by the â€Å"official online destination for all Twilight fans,† thetwilightsaga. com (thetwilightsaga. com, 2010). Stephenie Meyer makes it all so believable. After all, Bella remains unchanged, as unassuming as ever, even for instance in the fourth book, â€Å"Breaking Dawn†, wherein she was driving a new Mercedes Guardian and two strangers asked to have their pictures taken beside it. â€Å"It took me a second to process that. ‘Really? You want to take a picture with the car? ’, says Bella. † And as the two guys proceed to take pictures by the hood and even the back end, Bella whimpers to herself, â€Å"I miss my truck† (Meyer, 2008, pp. 6-7). This fourth installment meanwhile, will be shown as two films, and back-to-back shooting is expected to begin in October 2010, as stated in an article by Erik Davis (cited in cinematical. com, 2003-2010). Twilight Mystique 7 Anyhow, as Peter Facinelli, the actor who portrays Edward Cullen’s dad, said in his interview with Early Show co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez, â€Å"Anything that gets kids to read is a fantastic thing too† (cited in cbsnews. com, 2008). And so the â€Å"Twilight† phenomenon goes on. It will forever inspire us to follow and live our dreams, be it literally or figuratively speaking. So when a sudden inspiration strikes, take it as a hint to possibly start something big. Twilight Mystique 8 References Cbsnews. com. (2008). Facinelli on â€Å"Twilight† Phenomenon. Retrieved May 15, 2010, from http://www. cbsnews. com/stories/2008/11/21/earlyshow/leisure/boxoffice/main 4625399. shtml. Dalton, S. A. (2002-2010). Why the Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer became so successful. Retrieved May 15, 2010, from http://www. helium. com/items/1430290-stephenie- meyers-twilight-was-a-success. Davis, E. (2010). It’s Official: â€Å"Breaking Dawn† will be Two Movies. Retrieved May 15, 2010, from http://www. cinematical. com/2010/02/11/its-official-breaking-dawn- will-be-two-movies. Meyer, S. M. (2005). Twilight. New York: Little, Brown and Company. Meyer, S. M. (2006). New Moon. New York: Little, Brown and Company. Meyer, S. M. (2007). Eclipse. New York: Little, Brown and Company. Meyer, S. M. (2008). Breaking Dawn. New York: Little, Brown and Company. Stepheniemeyer. com. (2010). Bio. Retrieved May 15, 2010, from http://www. stepheniemeyer. com. Thetwilightsaga. com. (2010). Eclipse Movie Tie ¬-in Books. Retrieved May 15, 2010, from http://www. thetwilightsaga. com. Twilight Mystique 9 Vaz, M. C. (2008). The complete illustrated movie companion:twilight. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

Influence on a River Rates of Discharge

Influence on a River Rates of Discharge Introduction The analysis of river ‘flow regimes’ has evolved into a fundamental aspect of the Geographical discipline. The contemporary geographer is aware of how a complex system of factors can influence a river’s rate of discharge. Factors Influencing Flow Regimes The six constituents of the hydrological cycle effect river flow regime. These are precipitation, infiltration, evaporation, transpiration, surface run-off and ground water flow.[1] Veissman and Lewis have noted the complexity of this cycle by stating: ‘paths taken by precipitated droplets of water are many and varied before the sea is reached.’[2] Precipitation levels vary in accordance with a variety of factors; such as latitude, altitude, vegetation cover and micro-climatic particularities. However, precipitation is relatively uncomplicated to measure and thus grants the most data.[3] Ingle Smith and Stopp have highlighted that a river’s discharge is ‘related to precipitation but complex.’[4] Indeed, there is always a ‘time lag’ from the commencement of heavy periods of rainfall to a marked increase in river discharge.[5] The duration of time lag will depend upon the infiltration capacity of the soil in the river’s catchment area, as well as local topography and the presence of vegetation. Rivers obtain the majority of their water supply via the process of ‘through flow.’[6] Through flow occurs when water held within the soil gradually travels to the river channel and explains why, even during dry periods, ‘few rivers or streams cease to flow.’[7] Vegetation plays a vital role in the character of river regimes. Surrounding plants and trees intercept precipitation and influence the amount of water which will ultimately pass to the water way.[9] Rain water may land on foliage or dead organic matter and evaporate, or be absorbed by roots in the soil. These processes constitute the phenomenon known as ‘evapotranspiration.’[10] Forests have a balancing effect on the hydrological cycle and restrict a superfluous quantity of water entering the river channel during periods of heavy rainfall.[11] In colder climes, such as the Tiaga region, the shade from trees can prevent rapid snow melt causing flash floods.[12] Deforestation has had a marked influence on the nature of river regime characteristics. Comparison of Discharge Values The correlation of the mean monthly discharge values of specific river regimes, in different locations, imparts much fascinating information. The discharge value of a river is measured in cubic metres per second (mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³/sec).[13] The River Suir of the Republic of Ireland and the River Thames of Great Britain both exhibit very similar flow regimes of a uni-modal nature. The two rivers are situated in the north western European temperate zone and flow levels peak in January and ebb in July in tandem with the wet and dry seasons. On an annual basis the Suir has a mean monthly flow rate of 54.250 mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³/sec and the Thames has a rate of 61.583 mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³/sec. The greatest deviation from mean rate occurs in January. During this month the Thames exhibits a discharge rate of 110mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec whilst the Suir’s rate is 92mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec. The month of July provides the lowest discharge rate for both water ways: 2.98% of total annual discharge passes through the Thames, whilst it is 4.45% for the Suir. The Mediterranean zone offers a distinct form of river regime flow pattern. The Vinalopo River, which is situated in South East Spain near the town of Alicante, illustrates this actuality. Unlike the rivers of northern temperate regions, the Vinalopo’s range of discharge is more extreme, ranging from an average level of only 25mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec in September to a substantial 410mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec in January. This represents a range of 385mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec. Indeed, the greatest deviations from the monthly mean value of 197.417mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec take place in the winter, during January (410 mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec) and February (380 mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec), and in late summer, in August (30 mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec) and September (25 mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec). The mighty Yenisey River of Russia runs from the town of Kyzl in Southern Siberia and traverses theWest Siberian lowlands before entering the Kara Sea 388km away to the north.[14] Mean monthly discharge is 17,916.667 mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec, and peak discharge of 76,000 mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec occurs in June, which constitutes 35.35% of total annual discharge in one month.. From November to April average discharge is only 4,750 mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec and this six month period provides only 13.25% of total annual flow. Discharge rate increases abruptly in spring, peaks in June, and ebbs dramatically from July (28,000 mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec) to October (15,000 mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec). Thus, the Yenisey displays an entirely different regime to that of the Thames, the Suir and the Vinalopo. Base flow occurs during April and peak flow during June, and represents an astonishing range of 72,000mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec throughout the year. South East Asia is home to the Brahamaputra River which flows from high in the Himalayan Mountains before meeting the Ganges River in the delta of southern Bangladesh.[15] Like the Yenisey River, the Brahmaputra also crosses an array of climatic regions. A peak discharge rate of 43,120 mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec occurs in August and constitutes 18.64% of total annual discharge. This represents the largest deviation from a mean monthly discharge of 19,277.50 mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec. Base flow is recorded at a rate of 4,190 mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec in February and represents a flow range of 38,930 mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec. The Bramhaputra is comparable to the Yennisey as flow trend ebbs in winter and increases in spring and summer. However, flow peaks later in the year and the period of November to April constitutes 17.58 % of total annual discharge, which is slightly higher than that of the Yenisey. The range of discharge rate of this water way is also not as extreme as that of the Yenisey River a nd is more dissipated throughout the months of May to October. The Congo (Zaire) River is the fifth largest river in the world and is situated in central Africa.[16] The river flows through zones of tropical rainforest and savannah. The flow regime of the river is bi-modal due to its situation in the tropics. Discharge peaks at 73,600 mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec in December which constitutes 15.73% of total annual discharge. The secondary May peak of 62,100 represents 13.27% of yearly discharge. July witnesses a base flow level of 21,600 mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec. Thus, the range of flow discharge is 52,000mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³/sec. Discharge follows an entirely different pattern to the aforementioned water ways. The volume increases and decreases twice on an annual basis. It rises from March to May and from July to December, respectively, and ebbs during the interim periods. Climatic and Regional Influences Each of the six river regimes exhibit these particular annual flow patterns due to the specific climatic and environmental factors which prevail within their catchment areas. The Thames and Suir regimes are situated in the temperate forest biome which experiences ‘warm moist summers and mild winters.’[17] Precipitation occurs throughout the year and peaks during the winter.[18] This is why both rivers experience the highest levels of discharge in January. Evapotranspiration peaks during the summer, but the heavy peaty soils continue to provide supplies of stored water to the rivers via the process of through flow.[19] The Alicante Mountains north and west of the town of Alicante rise to a height of almost 1600 metres and influence the flow regime of the Vinalopo River. Precipitation levels increase with altitude and, during the autumn and winter rains, the river discharge rate rises as water enters the main channel via mountain tributaries. Evapotranspiration rates far outbalance rainfall in the hot months of July and August when temperatures around the town of Elche can reach as high as 26à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C. Thus, discharge is severely reduced to only 2.33% of total annual discharge in August and September. Indeed, during this period of base flow the river benefits little from through flow as moisture in the arid Mediterranean soil is quickly evaporated upwards. The local demands of the population and vegetation also decreases the water table in the lower lying regions of the Vinalopo catchment. For example, the large incidence of palm trees surrounding the town of Elche naturally reduces the water budget in the region during the dry Mediterranean summer. The flow regime of the Yenisey river is influenced by the continental climate of the Asiatic land mass, which experiences great extremes of temperature.[20] As temperatures gradually rise in the spring time, after the bitterly cold winter, snow melt in the mountains, and ablation of glaciers, causes a surge in discharge. The water from the melting precipitation and ice cannot be absorbed by the permafrost, which underlies the soil, and thus runs off directly to the river and its tributaries.[21] Permafrost will also melt as temperatures rise providing an additional source of water via through flow. The discharge rate of the Brahmaputra River also increases in March and April due to Himalayan snow melt entering the river regime.[22] The monsoon rains commence in April and continue until October. During this period up to 200cm of precipitation can fall and the Brahmaputra is ‘swollen by June or July.’[23] Such a high influx of water explains why discharge increases rapidly. Non-equatorial tropical river systems experience higher rates of precipitation during the summer months and a considerable reduction in winter.[24] Indeed, only 9.54% of total annual discharge flows through the Brahmaputra from December to March. The flow regime of the Congo River is unique amongst the six river regimes as it is of a bi-modal nature, ebbing and flowing twice annually. Precipitation levels are bi-modal[25] and peak at the time of the equinoxes in March and April.[26] This is due to the tropical equatorial location of the river, and discharge rate exhibits a marked increase after these months. Indeed, rainfall is continuous throughout the year and the annual level in Kasangani, Democratic Republic of Congo, is approximately 170cm. This factor highlights why the monthly discharge rate never drops below 4.7% of the total annual volume. Temperature remains practically constant at 25à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ °C along the route of the Congo throughout the year due to the absence of seasonality in this biome.[27] Conclusion The discharge levels of the Suir, Thames and Vinalopo rivers all correspond with increased levels of precipitation in the winter and reduced precipitation in the summer. The range of discharge in the Thames and Suir is much less than that of the Vinalopo. This is due to the fact that they are situated in a temperate climate and do not experience the extremes of high temperature, altitude and rainfall which exist in the Mediterranean environment. Increased autumn and winter precipitation rates on the Alicante mountains, and the dry hot summers, are responsible for a flow discharge rate which ranges from 410mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec in January to only 25mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec in August. Mountain ranges also influence the discharge rates of the Brahmaputra and Yennisey Rivers profoundly. Snow melt and glacial ablation at high altitudes cause a surge in discharge during the spring months in both rivers. However, discharge reduces to 6,000 mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec on the Yennisey by November and this is due to the onset of the severely cold continental winter. Precipitation in the Siberian mountains is now frozen, and overland and through flow to the river channel is severely reduced. The monsoon climate of south east Asia ensures that the discharge of the Brahmaputra remains high for a longer period of time. In November average discharge is still 11,735 mà ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ³ /sec; almost double that of the Yennisey. Thus, total annual flow is dissipated over a longer time period than the more extreme ‘freeze/thaw’ trend of the Yennisey regime. The Congo has a very different annual discharge trend to the other rivers due to its situation in equatorial Africa. The bi-modal rain season ensures that discharge rises and falls twice on an annual basis. The Congo has the highest total annual discharge of all the rivers. It is almost double that of the Brahmaputra and this is testimony to the incessant precipitation of the equatorial tropics. Bibliography CHARLESWORTH, J. K. Historical Geology of Ireland, Oliver and Boyd, 1963 Pages: 439, 439 DEWDNEY, J. C. A Geography of the Soviet Union, Pergamon Press, Third Edition, 1979 Pages: 5, 7, 13, 18, 20, 29, 31 FACAROS, D. PAULS, M. Spain, Cadogan Books Ltd, Second Edition, 1989 Pages: 18, 160 FORBARTH, P. The River Congo, Seeker and Warburg, 1978 Pages: 4, 5 GANDERTON, P. Mastering Geography, MacMillan, 2000 Pages: 311, 313, 315, 317 GOUDIE, A. THOMAS, D. S. G. The Dictionary of Physical Geography, Blackwell, Third Edition, 2000 Pages: 209, 405 HOLDEN, J. An Introduction to Physical Geography and the Environment, Pearson Education Ltd, 2005 Pages: 37, 39, 178, 179, 183, 185, 186, 189, 193, 194, 196, 301, 309, 312, 328, 470, 471, 476, 531 INGLE SMITH, D. STOPP, P. The River Basin, An Introduction to the Study of Hydrology, Cambridge University Press, 1978 Pages: 15, 19 VEISSMAN, W. LEWIS, G. L. Introduction to Hydrology, Pearson Education Inc, Fifth Edition, 2003 Pages: 2, 3, 9, 10, 27 NICHOLSON, R. Nicholson’s Guide to the Thames, From Source to Sea, Robert Nicholson Publications Ltd, Second Edition, 1974 Pages: 4, 5, 6 WEIGHTMAN, B. A. Dragons and Tigers, A Geography of South, East and South East Asia, John Wiley and Sons, 2006 Pages: 191, 193, 194, 195 WHITE, R. Africa Geographical Studies, Heinemann, 1984 Pages: 44, 45, 46, 167, 169, 170, 171, 286, 396 National Geographic Atlas of the World, National Geographic Society, Sixth Edition, 1995 Pages: 74, 83, 94 1 Footnotes [1] W Viessman, G L Lewis, Introduction to Hydrology, Pearson, 2003) 2 [2] W Viessman, G L Lewis) 3 [3] D Ingle Smith, P Stopp, The River Basin, An introduction to the Study of Hydrology, Cambridge, 1978) 15 [4] D Ingle Smith, P Stopp) 15 [5] D Ingle Smith, P Stopp) 15 [6] J Holden, An Introduction to Physical Geography and the Environment, Pearson, 2005) 312 [7] D Ingle Smith, P Stopp) 15 [9] D Ingle Smith, P Stopp) 9 [10] J Holden) 39 [11] D S G Thomas, A Goudie, The Dictionary of Physical Geography, Blackwell, 2000) 209 [12] D S G Thomas, A Goudie) 209 [13] W Viessman, G L Lewis) 9 [14] National Geographic Atlas of the World, National Geographic Society, 1995) 74 [15] National Geographic Atlas of the World) 83 [16] National Geographic Atlas of the World) 94 [17] P Ganderton, Mastering Geography, MacMillan, 2000) 314 [18] J Holden) 328 [19] J Holden) 328 [20] J C Dewdney, A Geography of the Soviet Union, Pergamon, 1979) 7 [21] P Ganderton) 311 [22] B A Weightman, Dragons and Tigers, A Geography of South, East and South East Asia, Wiley, 2006) 195 [23] B A Weightman) 195 [24] J Holden) 328 [25] J Holden) 328 [26] R White, Africa Geographical Studies, Heinemann, 1984) 169 [27] R White) 167

Essay on The Redemption of King Lear -- King Lear essays

The Redemption of King Lear? Shakespeare’s play, King Lear is quite renowned and the folly of the ancient King is a great example of how not to handle family relationships. The question has been proposed if King Lear is redeemed when reunited with Cordelia. King Lear does achieve a kind of redemption when he is reunited with Cordelia in Acts IV and V of the tragedy. What kind of redemption he achieves is open to interpretation. In order to understand the King's redemption, it must be determined what the King is redeemed from. Once this sin is established, an analysis can be made as to when the King is redeemed, and how. I propose that King Lear's folly, for which he is later redeemed occurs in Act I scene 1. As an opening scene should, this scene sets up all the characters of the play. In this scene, Lear intends to divide his kingdom among his daughters based on their flattery in professing their love for him. This superficial nature is a flaw in the King's character. King Lear's oldest two daughters, Goneril and Regan, flatter the King to his liking, easily deceiving him. Cordelia, the young daughter prefers to "Love, and be silent."(892). The King is enraged at Cordelia's silence, even though in truth she loves the king more than her sisters. King Lear disowns Cordelia: Let it be so! Thy truth, then be thy dower! &... ...sp; And ask of thee forgiveness. So we'll live, And pray and sing and tell old tales, and laugh . . . The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught thee? He that parts us shall bring a brand from heavens (959). Unfortunately the King's redemption is short for the ending of the play is in the true nature of a tragedy, and in fact epitomizes the genre.

Joan Of Arc :: Free Essays

Joan of Arc Joan was born to a peasant family in Domremy (now Domremy-la-Pucelle). When she was 13 years old, she believed she heard celestial voices. As they continued, sometimes accompanied by visions, she became convinced that they belonged to St. Michael and to the early martyrs St. Catherine of Alexandria and St. Margaret. Early in 1429, during the Hundred Years War, when the English were about to capture Orleans, the â€Å"voices† told her to help the Dauphin, later Charles Vll, king of France. Charles, because of both internal conflict and the English claim to the throne of France, had not yet been crowned king. Joan succeeds in convincing him that she had a divine mission to save France. A board of theologians approved her claims, and she was given troops to command. Dressed in armor and carrying a white banner that represented God blessing the French royal emblem, the fleur-de-lis, she led the French to a victory over the English. Joan was soon given the place of honor beside the king. Joan had united the French behind Charles and had put an end to English dreams of conquering over France; Charles opposed any further campaigns against the English. Therefore, it was without royal support that Joan conducted (1430) a military operation against the English at Compiegne, near Paris. Bourguignon soldiers, who sold her to their English allies, captured her. The English then turned her over to an ecclesiastical court at Rouen to be tried for heresy and sorcery. After 14 months of examination, she was accused of wrongdoing in wearing masculine dress and of heresy for believing she was directly responsible to god rather than to the Roman Catholic Church. The court condemned her to death, but she confessed to her errors, and the sentence was changed to life imprisonment. Since she resumed masculine dress after returning to jail, she was condemned again-this time by a secular court-and on May 30, 1431; Joan was burned at the stake in the Old Market Square at Rouen as a relaps ed misbeliever.

The Doctrine Of Fascism :: essays research papers

The Doctrine of Fascism Some General Ideological Features "Reactionary concepts plus revolutionary emotion result in Fascist mentality." -Wilhelm Reich Is nationalism inherently evil? Would a one-world government be more preferable? Are appreciating and defending one's own culture and cultural values somehow primitive instincts that must be overcome by the educational efforts of the enlightened? We have all heard of Fascism, but our image is usually of a brutal soldier wearing a uniform emblazoned with a swastika. Most people in the U.S. are aware that the U.S. and its allies fought a war against the Nazis, but there is much more to know if one is to learn the important lessons of our recent history. Adolph Hitler's Nazis were certainly the most prolific of the Fascist states. The seeds of Fascism, however, were planted in Italy. "Fascism is reaction," said Benito Mussolini, author of The Doctrine of Fascism, but reaction to what? Mussolini forged Fascism in post-World War I in Europe. The national aspirations of many European peoples nations without states, peoples arbitrarily assigned to political entities with little regard for custom or culture had been crushed after World War I. The humiliation imposed by the victors in the Great War, coupled with the hardship of the economic Depression, created bitterness and anger. That anger frequently found its outlet in an ideology that asserted not just the importance of the nation, but its unquestionable superiority and predestined role in history. Italy was the birthplace of Fascist ideology. Mussolini, ironically a former socialist journalist, organized the first Fascist movement in 1919 at Milan. In 1922 Mussolini led a march on Rome, he was given a government post by the king, and began transforming the Italian government into a Fascist state. In 1938 he forced the last remains of democracy, the Council of Deputies, to vote themselves out of existence, leaving Mussolini dictator of Fascist Italy. Fascism and the Doctrine of Fascism is more complex than popular belief. What, then, is the nature of Fascism? Fundamental Ideas The doctrine tells of a world where the instinctiveness of man to live a life of selfish and momentary pleasure are subjugated by a moral law. A law which binds together individuals into a mission in which through the denial of themselves and sacrifice of private interests realizes complete spiritual existence. In essence, Fascism attempts to create a state where the citizens do not exist individually, it creates instruments for the state to manipulate. It achieves this under the guise of spirituality. The hopeless, cheerless, and forgotten are the most susceptible to the Fascism virus. By putting them into uniforms and incorporating them into organized movement, Fascism makes them feel as if

Nestle Philippines Essay

I. INTRODUCTION Nestlà © Philippines, Inc. (NPI) is a leading manufacturer of food and beverage in the Philippines. It was established in the country in the early 1930s, initially as a trading company. By the year 1962, it formed a joint venture with San Miguel Corporation (SMC), a company specializing in brewing with extensive interests in agribusiness and food products. In 1996, San Miguel’s Magnolia Foods Division had been merged with Nestlà ©. It produced and sold products like Magnolia ice creams and tetra pack juices, Bear Brand and Carnation condensed milk, Bertolli pastas and tomato sauce, Maggi seasonings, pasta and mayonnaise, and Smarties candies. Nestlà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s Instant Drink Division produced and sold Nescafà ©, Nestea, Milo, Coffee Mate and Milkmaid powdered milk. Nestlà © Philippines is ranked number 10 among Nestlà © subsidiaries worldwide and number 3 in Asia-Pacific, behind Japan and Australia. Nestlà © is the only foreign-owned coffee producer in the Philippines. Nescafà © –already a household name in the Philippines needs to respond to major changes in the environment. Competing brands like Great Taste and Nescafà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s nearest competitor, Blend 45 already reduced or are planning to reduce their prices. There are also major changes in Government Regulation, Imports and Market Entry resulting to the potential entry of foreign brands like Kraft General Foods’s Maxwell House and Procter & Gamble’s Folgers Coffee. The company needs to decide whether it should import Arabica beans for blending Master Roaster coffee, change the composition of Nescafà © by importing Arabica beans to the same composition as those sold abroad, and whether it should continue producing Taster’s Choice which are made from Philippine-grown Robusta and Imported Arabica. II. STATEMENT OF FACTS Nestlà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s Instant Drink Division contributes 75% of the company’s total sales; Nescafà © contributes 53% of the department sales. In 1996, Nescafà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s market share increased from 52% to 66%. Nestlà © have 40 independently-owned warehouses located throughout the Philippines. These warehouses, along with 200 salespersons cater 20,000 dealers who had accounts with Nestlà ©, with direct access for orders and credit lines. The company’s production facilities however are already strained to the limit. The company spent 5%  of sales on advertising and promotion of Nescafà © which includes decorative streamers and raffle draws. The company also offered volume â€Å"bonus discounts†. According to market research, the bonus promotions are Nestlà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s most effective promotional offering. However, Nestlà © doesn’t buy shelf space, which is a common practice in the Philippines and other Asian countries. Instead it prefers rental of special display space for promotion, which is considered as the most expensive real estate in the Philippines. There is a significant increase in the number of households that purchased coffee within two weeks, from 67% in 1974, to 96% in 1995. This is due to the relatively high usage of 1.7 gram foil packs in the Philippines. These 1.7 gram individual packs contribute 8% of Nescafà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s sales. Coffee is typically drunk with sugar and without milk or non-dairy whiteners. However, there is a 350% increase in the use of such whiteners over the past decade. The Carnation brand which produces whiteners, condensed milk and powdered milk is owned by Nestlà ©. One of the reasons behind the rapid increase in volume and market share is the fall of green coffee bean prices both in the world market and Philippines. The price of green coffee beans, where Nestlà © sourced all its coffee fell by 50%; these beans comprised about 30% of the delivery costs. Nestlà © and other producers are able to lower their prices because of the savings. Another reason is the introduction of cheaper packaging. Bottles make up 30% of the total cost. Hence, coffee sold on bottles are more expensive at PHP 26.25 for a 50-gram pack while those in foil packaging are sold only at PHP 20.45. Research by Nestlà © shows that its market share is highest in small stores located in large cities. Conversely, among small stores, its market share is highest outside big cities. People outside big cities prefer to shop in sari-sari stores. The prices of commodities sold in sari-sari stores are 15% higher than in supermarkets outside big cities and 20% higher than those in big cities. Over the past decade, other producers, who sold their coffee 10% below the price of Nescafà ©, entered the market. Nescafà © gradually lost market share from 75% in 1965, to 60% in 1975, and finally, 55% in 1985. However, there was a decline in coffee prices in the 1980s, giving Nestlà © a window to reduce its prices to within 5% of its competitors and still preserve its margins. Other major producers of coffee in the Philippines include: Blend 45 which has 15% market share in 1996, Great Taste with 10% market share, Kafe de Oro with 6%  market share and Cafà © Filipino which has 3% market share. The Gokongwei Group’s Blend 45 employs a cheaper blend of coffee and carbohydrates. In 1996, they dropped the price of Blend 45. They are sold 28% below Nestlà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s price and 20% below most of the other brands sold in the market. So far the price increase made no significant effect yet on the market share of Nescafà ©. Prior to 1996, the import of coffee beans, either unprocessed or processed is prohibited. All of the coffee sold within the Philippines had to be produced within the country. The quality of Robusta beans grown in the country was of international quality. On the other hand, the quality of Arabica beans was of inferior quality. Consequently, Nestlà © used 100% Robusta unlike those processed in the U.S. or Europe which are blends. Nestlà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s Master Roaster coffee is made from locally grown Robusta and Arabica beans. Taster’s Choice, on the other hand is made from locally grown Robusta and imported Arabica. In 1996, the Philippine Government committed under GATT and WTO to remove import prohibitions on agricultural products. Hence, a Minimum Access Volume (MAV) was set. Impor ts of green and roasted beans and packaged products are charged a tariff of 30% while those outside the MAV are charged 100%. The government, however committed to increase the MAV and reduce the tariff in imports both within the MAV and outside it. Nestlà © is facing the threat of importers, both from the U.S. and regional coffee producers. One of which is Indonesia’s Indocafà © which already begun production in Malaysia and exporting to Vietnam and is rumored to invest in China and export to the Philippines. Indocafà © is sold 10% below the price of Nescafà © in both markets. It has backward integration with its own coffee plantations so it was buffered from price swings. Another possible importer is Singapore’s Supermix who pioneered in individual â€Å"3-in-1† packs within Singapore and in other nearby countries. In the 1990s, the Philippine Government liberalized regulations on Foreign Direct Investments. Prior to that, investments with sales direct to domestic market had to be 40% Filipino-owned. In 1992, the government allowed 100% foreign ownership in most industries. As a result, Kraft General Foods which had substantial production operations in the Philippines is rumored to produce Maxwell House within the country. Procter & Gamble which also had substantial production in the Philippines also announced that it would produce Folgers Coffee in the country. IV. ALTERNATIVE COURSES OF ACTION One of the possible alternative courses of action is to increase the production capacity of Nestlà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s facilities. Upgrading the capacity would enable Nestlà © to experiment on product development without the possible reduction of Nescafà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s already established market share. However, the upgrade would require $3 million worth of investments. Another possible option is to focus substantial amount of investment for the marketing and sales of Master Roaster coffee which is currently made up of locally produced Robusta and Arabica. Nestlà © could either import Arabica beans to improve the taste of Master Roaster, which is now possible due to the major changes in import regulation. The brand would cater Nestlà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s high-end consumers. However, it would reduce the company’s current production capacity of the current blends. Lastly, Nestlà © could modify the Nescafà © and use imported Arabica and locally produced Robusta to copy the foreign blend. This would make Nescafà © a high-end product which could match imported brands. Again, this is possible because of the favorable changes in import regulation. However, this modification might result in Nescafà © losing significant amount of market share and household penetration. V. CONCLUSION To react to the major changes in the environment, Nestlà © should lower the price of Nescafà © closer to its competitors. According to research, there is a direct relationship between coffee prices and household penetration.  Hence, the price reduction would make the product even more accessible to the masses. In return, the company would gain even higher market share. In response to the threats of the entry of imported brands in the country, Nestlà © should continue producing Taster’s Choice and discontinue the unsuccessful Master Roaster. Taster’s Choice would both accommodate a separate market segment and the increasing â€Å"import mentality† of Filipinos. Importation of either Arabica beans or finished product is possible because of the changes in import regulation. Lastly, Nestlà © should consider buying shelf spaces. Besides the fact that it is a proven and common practice not only in the Philippines but also in other Asian countries, it is more econ omical than renting special display spaces. Nonetheless, Nestlà © should only lessen, not stop renting special display spaces. VI. CHANGE MANAGEMENT In order to sustain the changes made, Nestlà © should explore the use even cheaper packaging materials. The savings, in turn would enable the company to reduce the prices of Nescafà ©. The company should also actively promote its 1.7 gram individual packs and â€Å"3-in-1† packs. This would result to the brand gaining more market penetration, translating to a better market position. It should also aggressively promote both Nescafà © and Taster’s Choice which satisfies different market segments. VII. RECOMMENDATION Nestlà © should engage in more product development activities, like for example new flavors of coffee. Considering it is a multinational company, it will have the advantage of increased awareness in the current trends abroad. A development in the existing product lines would not only generate more market shares but also create new market segments. Filipinos would accept the idea of these improvements because of their import mentality. However, there should be enough market research regarding such improvements to make sure they are feasible in the Philippine setting. Also, Nestlà © should capitalize on its strength of having close relationships with its farmers. It should procure its raw materials in a manner that would benefit farmers. There should be more capacity building trainings among its coffee suppliers in order to promote increased productivity.

Circle Of Trust

As I reminisce about the required readings of this week's lessons, I am reminded of the phrase â€Å"Circle of Trust†. The words are simple enough, but the meaning behind it is so profound. According to Palmer, the circle of trust is not just about familiar and comfortable relationships between family, friends and loved ones. The circle of trust is truly about the relationship that a person builds or creates within every space of their lives.Rather that space be your personal life, your cultural interactions or your vocational life. â€Å"A circle of trust can form wherever two or three are gathered-?as long as those two or here known how to create and protect a space for the soul† (Palmer, 2004). Palmers analysis of how important trust is to the soul, is mirrored with the beliefs of Dry. West, Boers, Chestier, and Villainies. In Dry. West's book, Race Matters, Dry. West speaks about the damaged and strained relationships between the black race and current society.He co ntends that if humanity is willing to find a common place in their hearts for acceptance (admitting of pain), for forgiveness ( afflicted of pain) and for progression (healing); a circle of trust can begin to shape. We have to recognize that there cannot be relationships unless there is commitment, unless there is loyalty, unless there is love, patience, persistence† (West, 1994). The idea of structuring a framework of mutual respect, compassion and acceptances of others personal differences; rather it be ethnicity, culture or ethics, can broaden and strengthen the circle of trust.Notwithstanding, in Dry. West's video Democracy Matters: Winning the Fight Against Imperialism, Dry. West continues to stress the value of nurturing the human spirit to be humble and democratic when interacting with all humanity. Dry. West goes on to say this is important because when all human beings are valued, we as a society will win. â€Å"The greatest intellectual, moral, political, and spirit ual resources in America that may renew the soul and preserve the future of American democracy reside in this multiracial, rich democratic heritage† (West, 2005).In Victor Villager's book, Burro Genius A Memoir, Villainies revealed how living as a Mexican American, the lack of empathy and compassion from society disrupted his inner truth and relationships with others. He goes on to say that once the people in his community, his world, and in his space where willing to embrace and expand their cultural awareness; his soul became alive. â€Å"The beginning of all wisdom is to understand that you don't know. To know is the enemy of all learning. To be sure is the enemy of wisdom† (2004).This notion of expanding ones inner circle and allowing the soul to trust the unknown; and the spirit to challenge the unfamiliar can be linked to Arthur Boers' book Living into Focus. In Living into Focus, Boers deems that as a society, we are living our lives in a state of distraction and comfort. As a society, we have become so distracted with technology, gadgets, and television, that we have lost focus Of the important things in life. We are now experts in comfortable and non-challenging state of affairs or relationships.This according to Boers, has caused us to lose focus on relationships, humanity, spiritual and inner growth. â€Å"When we allowing devices and machines to reside at the center of our lives, we displace values and practices that once enriched the quality of how we live. Which end up serving our gadgets instead of using them as tools to support our priorities. Technology itself becomes the center and purpose of how we live' (Boers, 2012). The study of these authors and their analysis on life, family and culture has allowed me to do some self-reflecting.I am reminded that the role of my family plays a tremendous part in my interactions and relationship with others. Come from a Christian background and my ethics and moral compass guides my actions. I have always made an honest effort to treat people the way that I would want people to treat me; and I often have people I work with say to me, wow, you are so nice. To me, being nice and genuine with people is part of my ethical framework. It is not something that I have to work at.It is something that has been instilled and demonstrated in my everyday life. My parents have and continue to be an example of what it means to have circles of trust in every area of life. Remember as a child, my parents would always say, â€Å"when you are in school, you are a reflection of us†. When I became older, they would say, where you go, you are a reflection of us†. That statement has always been the ethical orientation of life. It shaped my relationships with friends, co-workers, my students, my colleagues and strangers alike.I never wanted or want to disappoint my parents or my self, and so conduct my life accordingly. When I am engaging or interacting with my friends or with peo ple in general, my ethical foundation of having mutual respect for others is always on display. This also holds true when I interact with my students. I treat all of my students with respect and value. I make it my mission to teach my students how to treat others, how to interact with others and how to have respect for homeless.My circle of trust is always expanding, and the more add to my circle, the more fulfilled I become. Know can't and don't want to live in this huge world alone, so I try to bring as many people as can along with me for the ride. My dad always says, â€Å"you can't go to heaven all by yourself†, and while you are living, visit the elderly, give to the mother and fatherless, offer a kind word to the hopeless and let Christ be your reason†. I try to live everyday by this motto, and in doing so, I hope that the circle that I am creating is one that will never be broken.

This Way to the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen

â€Å"It is that very hope that makes people go without a murmur to the gas chambers, keeps them from risking revolt, paralyses them into numb inactivity†¦ hope that breaks family ties, makes mothers renounce their children, or wives sell their bodies for bread, or husbands to kill. † (122) â€Å"This Way to the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen† by Tadeusz Borowski displays how survival and death have a close relationship. With an absence of morality Tedeusz becomes a key component to the executor’s effort. The overturn of values and an uncertain hope by the personal view of Tedeusz reflects on how the civilization as a whole is suffocated by Nazi control. It is essential to endure these issues in order to survive. The narrator Tedeusz slides into survival mode with a unique role in the camp, he witnesses and describes the complexity of survival and hope in the camp. He arrives at Auschwitz as a â€Å"political† prisoner when the policy on extermination changes, three weeks earlier â€Å"Aryans† stopped being sent to the gas chambers, with that he wedges himself in the middle of the hierarchy. With that, he does not live as a prisoner and does not endure the daily tasks as bad as most. He becomes one of the experienced, well-adjusted, completely institutionalized inmates. For him everything is a matter of sheer practicality, and people who refuse to cooperate with the necessary politics of camp life deserve not pity but contempt. The Canada men â€Å"carry [the babies] like chickens† (116), showing their surrender to the system of the Nazis. He is a victim collaborating in crime; immunized against the evil that surrounds him; able to find a fairly comfortable situation. His tone is one of moral indifference; he views the murdered people and the ones dying of starvation from a distance, without compassion, with scorn even. In â€Å"Auschwitz, Our Home,† one of the short stories in the collection, the narrator exclaims, â€Å"Never before in the history of mankind has hope been stronger than man, but never also has it done so much harm as it has in this war, in this concentration camp. We were never taught how to give up hope, and this is why today we perish in gas chambers. â€Å"(122) He is confronted by a world where the future is unknown. It plants an insightful thought of the working world. The writing portrays in such a brutally honest tone it forces us to confront the world and our understanding of human nature. In Auschwitz the odds are against survival what happens when we are confronted by a world where a future is not certain. We are asked to reaffirm our beliefs and the foundation for our beliefs. Does hope motivate us to action, or in essence of the text, does it paralyze our belief system and make us less likely to act for survival? Some characters that came off the trains showed yes some showed no. One character in particular bravely makes a decision right from the train. â€Å".. And over there is the gas chamber: communal death, disgusting and ugly. And over in the other direction is the concentration camp†¦ more hideous, more terrible than death†¦ I know, she says with a shade of proud contempt†¦ She walks off resolutely in the direction of the trucks. † This is a dignified act; she is unafraid to stand up for her values. On the contrary, a woman is numbed by the choice she must make, â€Å"She is young, healthy, good-looking, she wants to live. But the child runs after her, wailing loudly: ‘Mama, mama don’t leave me! ’† (43), she sacrifices her morals for a hope of survival with a tragic innate act. The novel also exhibits how hope gets in the way for survival. Every aspect of civilization is devalued so that everyone is under the same system created by the Nazis. Incomers remind the prisoners of their lost values and show a glimpse of the outside world, they are then treated with resentment and disgust. The Nazis and the prisoners feel better than the incomers and quickly reject them and their system of values in forms of anger. The Canada men â€Å"brutally tear suitcases from their hands, impatiently pull of their coats† (118). As a â€Å"woman reaches down quickly to pick up her handbag. A whip flies, the woman screams, stumbles, and falls† (115) the narrator says, â€Å"I don't know why, but I am furious, simply furious with these people-furious because I must be here because of them. I feel no pity. I am not sorry they're going to the gas chamber. † (116) the prisoners feel anger toward the incomers because â€Å"the easiest way to relieve your hate is to turn against someone weaker. † (116) Even the prisoners feel no sympathy for the incomers because the outside and inside worlds of the camp do not mix; only one world can exist. Since a civilization is based on pure values, these values must be united as one. â€Å"If the dead are wrong and the living are always right, everything is finally justified; but the story of Borowski’s life and that which he wrote about Auschwitz show that the dead are right, and not the living. † (26) To endure the derailed moral value in the camp, one must live in savagely, in each present moment and with faith to survive. By way of justification and structure Tedeusz and others learn that survival and death are in close association.

Personal Carbon And Emission Trading Environmental Sciences Essay

Until the nineteenth century industrial revolution, the power of C had fuelled the moving ridge of economic development which has delivered the modern society ‘s greatest achievements such as electric lighting, cars and flights. However in the latter half of the century it was noted that these promotions were non without a cost as the first hints of the effects of the society ‘s life style or progresss on the environment began to be noticed. The effects of increased C in our environment have led to the great climatic alterations that have left the universe with more losingss and potentially more loses in the hereafter as noted in the Stern ‘s study if the universe does non undertake the effects of clime alteration. As the universe unites to contend the consequence of clime alteration, a combination of regulative and market based mechanisms are being adopted to set a monetary value on clean air. While this poses a job to concerns with high environmental hazard records, it has created an wholly new industry focused on the emerging C markets market making chance for investors. The United Kingdom has sought of ways of cut downing the consequence of C on the environments and has piloted strategies like the Emissions Trading strategy which ran as a voluntary strategy and now has joined the European Union ETS covering approximately 27 EU states. The mark to cut down emanations by 34 % utilizing the 1990 baseline by 2020 can be achieved by non merely concentrating on merely concerns but besides on the domestic sector which accounts for about half the emanations in the United Kingdom. It will be of great involvement if the United Kingdom besides pioneers strategies that could assist in cut downing single ‘s C emanations as this will travel a long manner in assisting the universe in its battle against clime alteration.IntroductionThe consequence of clime alteration can be felt all around the universe. The old ages between 1995 and 2007 were specifically recorded as the twelveth warmest out of 13 since accurate instrumental records of the planetary surface a ir temperature began in 1850. Noted amongst other climatic alterations are the heat wave that occurred in Central Europe go forthing about 20,000 people dead, periods of remarkably strong air currents in Western Europe, over 15 million trees being blown down in the early hours of the forenoon in Southern England and London countries. Apart from storms, approximately 80 Hurricanes and Typhoons have been recorded which have claimed lives and Property. Floods of unusual speed has have besides occurred due to protract rainfall or drouths, because of long periods of rainfall or decreased /complete absence of it has resulted within the twenty-first century ( Houghton, 2009 ) . These alterations have been as a consequence of the nursery gases present in the ambiance. The gases have a blanketing consequence on the Earth surface by absorbing the thermic radiation being emitted by the Earth ‘s surface. The most of import of these nursery gases is H2O vapor but because its degrees are non being changed or increased by human activities it ‘s non considered as a job but the 2nd in most of import whose degrees is increasing quickly due to human activities is the C dioxide. It has the most heat pin downing consequence out of the other six chief nursery gases. If for illustration the effects of the CFC ‘S and alterations to the ozone was ignored the addition in the C dioxide has ( would hold ) contributed about 72 % of the enhanced nursery gas consequence boulder clay day of the month, methane 21 % and azotic oxide about 7 % . ( Houghton,2009 ) . In 2007, the atmospheric concentration of CO2 has ( had ) risen by 35 % ( from 280 to 370 parts per million ( ppm ) ) since the beginning of the industrial revolution. These gases and other Greenhouse gases ( GHG ) has ( have ) led to a 0.60C ( 1.10F ) addition in planetary norm of surface temperature since 1900 and if the current tendency of addition is non checked the planetary temperatures is expected to lift to approximately 1.4 to 5.8 by 2100 which invariable means more catastrophe in the universe ( Baumert, 2005 ) . These gases and other Greenhouse gases ( GHG ) led since 1900, to an addition of 0.60C ( 1.1oF ) in planetary norm of surface temperature. This tendency is expected to lift to between 1.4 and 5.8 if non checked, and constantly will take to more catastrophes in the universe ( Baumert 2005 ) . The effects of the C dioxide on the environment has since been recognized globally and pressing stairss are been taken to cut down its farther addition and general impact on the environment. The Kyoto Protocol is the first measure taken internationally to extenuate the effects of the altering clime. This understanding signed in 1997 sets an overall decrease of 5.2 % with regard to the 1990 degrees of emanations. Assorted marks were set for groups of states and states within each group based on their economic development and part to the planetary emanation. The United Kingdom for illustration has pledged to cut down its C emanations by 34 % in 2020, the European Union besides has a committedness to cut down emanations by 8 % in five old ages from 2008 to 2012 ( DECC, 2010 ) . The Kyoto protocol provides flexible mechanisms and regulations that would assist member parties to the pact to cut down emanations cost-effectively without impacting the economic development of all parties. The three flexible market based mechanisms for accomplishing these decreases are Emission Trading Scheme, Clean Development Mechanism and the Joint Implementation Mechanism. In the class of this write up we shall hold expression at the Personal Carbon Trading and Emission Trading strategy in the United Kingdom which is now under the European Union, its possible concern chances and jobs.What is Personal Carbon Trading?Personal Carbon Trading is a proposed cap and trade emanations merchandising strategy by the United Kingdom authorities in which grownup persons are provided with C allowances to cover their emanations. The strategy will let persons purchase up C credits to cover for emanations from the purchase of fuel for their private vehicles, energy use at place ( mainly electricity and gas ) and air power. It will non include emanations embedded in the goods being purchased by the person. The UK domestic sector histories for approximately 42 % of the entire CO2 emanations and this comprises of 30 % infinite warming, 4 % from illuming, 10 % from H2O warming, 29 % from personal travel,12 % from vacation travel and 2 % from other travel ( BERR,2007 ) . This analysis goes to demo that persons are responsible for about half the CO2 emanations in the United Kingdom and in order for the authorities to accomplish its marks of 80 % decrease in CO2 emanations in 2050, a strategy that will assist in cut downing personal C emanation decrease will be needed. There are assorted policies that have been provided in order aid cut down the C emanation from end-users of energy in the United Kingdom. These includes strategies like the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme, Smart Metering, rebates that could be received from revenue enhancement when put ining energy efficient systems, value added revenue enhancement decreases in some insularity stuffs aimed at supplying more efficient energy nest eggs in the edifices etc. In every bit much as these policies and inducements have been provided there is really no strategy that has been established to adequately bring on behavioural alterations to individual ‘s ingestion penchants on goods and services with C emanation In order for the authorities to run into the 2050 mark much accent has to be paid on cut downing the domestic sector marks alongside the concern and industry as about half the entire emanations are made by the domestic sectors. The Personal Carbon trading is taught to be a sort of strategy that could convey about the behavioural alterations on the graduated table required to efficaciously cut down the C emanations. The Environmental Change establishment made a proposition that the Personal Carbon Trading Scheme could take to the coveted trading strategy by binding together three basic mechanisms that could take to behavioural alteration in human existences. The figure 1 below shows the interplay between these three mechanisms to cut down energy demand. Figure 1: Beginning ECI, 2010. A strategy that can easy interplay with these three mechanisms will obvious ( ly ) offer the chances required for lower energy demand and accordingly, lower C emanation trading. Defra carried out a research in May 2008, to determine how the personal C trading will work out and they looked at the undermentioned facets: societal acceptableness, economic and proficient feasiblenesss, equity and distributional impact, and the strategy ‘s effectivity in the context of the bing policy landscape.It concluded that â€Å" personal C trading has possible to prosecute persons in taking action to battle clime alteration, but is basically in front of its clip and expected costs for execution are high † . Defra besides indicated involvement in the strategy stating that â€Å" the Government remains interested in the construct of personal C trading and, although it will non be go oning its research programme at this phase, it will supervise the wealth of research concentrating on this country and may present personal C trading if the value of C nest eggs and cost deductions alteration † ( Defra 2008 ) .PROPOSED WAYS OF CARRYING OUT COST EFFECTIVE PERSONAL CARBONTrading.TechnologyThe United Kingdom has good established engineerings that could help the running of the personal C trading. Some of the engineerings used in running the assorted shop cards and the ways in which informations are stored and utilised each clip persons make purchases can besides be used in the execution of the personal C trading. A system that could include the personal C histories to some of the selected shop cards particularly those that can cover energy purchases, fuel purchases and the flight travels could be considered as a manner of accomplishing this trade. Besides wishing the sum of C used with the present strategy of the EUETS can assist persons merchandise easy when they have excesss with concerns and persons who needs more through a centralized information base. Social Acceptability: The extract of the personal C trading into our mundane twenty-four hours life can besides been seen in the manner the populace is presented with the cognition of the consequence of clime alteration and demand to set up a behavioural alteration.Most persons have been introduced with one shop card or the other and these cards can transport tonss of information on personal ingestions of some goods and services. If a card is made the C trading card and the information ‘s infused in some of the already existing cards or being issued and made a compulsory demand for personal purchases which includes energy, fuels and flights it could function as a voguish manner of cut downing C emanations. The CSE have besides found the success of shop trueness cards peculiarly encouraging: Estimates vary between 65 % and 85 % for the proportion of families which have at least one trueness card. However, the graduated table and rate of take up of trueness cards is likely less relevant to single C trading systems than the findings that: ( a ) people seem absolutely prepared to purchase things utilizing more than one card per dealing, and ; ( B ) these companies have established tremendous databases which firmly store personal informations and huge sums of dealing informations ( Roberts and Thumim, 2006 ) . These estimations goes to demo that the trueness shop cards has gained societal credence by the populace and if the personal C trading strategy is linked to it there will be no much hurdle in deriving single or public credence. The CSE besides calculated that the Tesco Club card database collects some 50 billion pieces of informations per twelvemonth. Based on the Tyndall Centres ‘s appraisals of dealing figures, the CSE calculated that a personal C trading database would hold to treat 15A billion pieces of informations per twelvemonth.Benefits of Personal Carbon Trading.One of the most of import of the countries of chance for the UK economic growing is the low C sector. The universe is doing a passage from a high to low C hereafter as assorted States attempts in the battle to undertake clime alteration leads to a alteration in economic system. The planetary markets for low C goods is deserving three million lbs and it is projected to turn to 4.3 trillion by 2015 ( Innovas, 2009 ) . If the personal C trading is made a policy there will be tonss of benefits for persons and the environment at big. Some of the benefits are highlighted as follows: There will be a behavioral alteration in the manner energy is being used and the less energy use there is the less carbon emanations to the environment. Implementing the personal C trading strategy will take to farther development in low C engineerings as more development in countries of less C use by persons will increase penchants for low C energy, flights etc. In the instance where the personal C trading is being incorporated into the whole economic system so there could be potencies of trading C allowances between persons and concerns. This will besides assist in farther decreases in C emanations as more net incomes persons have for practising effectual ways of cut downing their C pes print the more they will make to derive more. Execution of the personal C trading will be more favourable in footings of decrease in C emanations than C revenue enhancements. Because the C revenue enhancements on assorted goods and flight under the strategy can be viewed by persons as a mere addition in monetary value but the C trading can be seen as an avenue of honoring people actively cut downing their C use.Emission Trading SCHEME IN THE UNITED KINGDOMEmission Trading is a market mechanism designed for the decrease of pollution by the proviso of economic inducements for organic structures that have achieved quantifiable decrease of gaseous pollutants. In the United Kingdom, the emanations trading strategy ran as a voluntary trading strategy between 2002 and 2006 prior the mandatory European Union Emission Trading Scheme ( EU ETS ) . This nevertheless made it the first State in the universe to affect assorted companies and organic structures in the C trade. Though Denmark ran a nursery strategy but it merely included 8 electricity companies. Now the European Emission Trading Scheme is the largest emanation trading strategy in the universe holding the engagement of 27 European states. It aims at cut downing the green house gas emanations by 20 % below the 1990 degrees by 2020. The strategy places a cap on the sum of C dioxide emitted by concerns and creates a market and a monetary value for C allowances. It covers about 45 % of the emanations in the European Union and about 12,000 industrial installings ( Carbon Trust, 2010 ) These allowances can be obtained for free but power bring forthing companies will hold to pay for these allowances by 2013. Large emitters of CO2 are expected to supervise and describe their CO2 emanations and return the tantamount allowances of emanations to the authorities yearly. In a command to avoid any abnormalities that might happen during the class of a twelvemonth for illustration in utmost winter or summer periods, works operators subject to the EU ETS is given a period of several old ages at one time. These Numberss of old ages are referred to as a trading period. The strategy is divided in three stages. The first stage started in 2005 and expired in 2007.This was more or less a trial stage for the strategy execution. The 2nd stage is presently traveling on and it began in 2008 and will run till 2012. In this stage member provinces are expected to put a â€Å" cap † on emanations. These caps are converted to allowances known as EUA ( European Union Allowance ) . Each EUA is tantamount to one metric ton of CO2. Member provinces are expected to administer these allowances to assorted relevant installings involved in the strategy in their several states harmonizing to their National Allocation plans ( NAP ) . 10 % of the allowances will be auctioned alternatively of being free and higher per centums will be allotted in the United Kingdom and Germany. All installings will be expected to supervise and verify all C emanations and at the terminal of each twelvemonth must give up allowances to cover up for assorted emanations and can purchase emanations to cover up for extra emanations within the twelvemonth. The Joint Implementation mechanism and the Clean Development mechanism can be used within this stage to farther heighten the strategy. The Phase 3 will get down be 2013 and run boulder clay 2020. The execution will so be at the EU Level instead than single states. It is expected that there will be a diminution on the â€Å" cap † at least by 1.74 % which will interpret to less emanations of approximately 21 % less the Greenhouse gas emanations of 2005. The strategy will besides cover more organic structures and companies like the air power sectors and some metal bring forthing companies. For some it will include other nursery gases and CO2 emanations. The allowances will be greatly auctioned instead than given freely and the usage of the Clean Development Mechanism will be tightly restricted.Benefits of the Emission Trading SchemeThe Emission Trading Scheme offers a flexible manner of cut downing emanations. The procedures involved are non bureaucratic as one has the option of slaking emanations by securing energy efficiency tools and using other assorted procedures of cut downing emanations or purchasing up allowances in order to cover the emanations released unto the environment.The Emission Trading Scheme offers a transparent market and liquid market that has a decreased consequence of use from the authorities. There is a correlativity between energy monetary values and C monetary values. During the Phase 1 of the EU ETS ( 2005-2007 ) , the supply for C allowances was fixed and determined by the National Allocation Plan of each state of the European Union. The monetary value of C was traded for approximately 7 euros in the half of 2005, it rose and steadily peaked at 29 euros per metric ton in July and so fell to 20 euros per metric ton a month subsequently. The monetary value of C besides rose to 30 euros per metric ton in April 2006 and so fell to 10euros by the terminal of the month. Some of the energy companies was affected as this led to a decrease in net incomes they got by grandfathering the C allowances. For illustration the British Energy lost approximately 5 % of its stock Market value during the three yearss of this downward tendency of C monetary values. ( Gulli,2008 ) In kernel and efficaciously run EU ETS Scheme can take to downward tendency of electricity and gas monetary values as fewer emanations from the power Stationss will intend less allowances to be provided to cover emanations produced.DecisionThe Kyoto pact has provided three chief mechanisms to assist cut down the rate of C emanations to the environment. One of the mechanisms that have been demoing a possible decrease in C emanation is the emanation trading strategy. The European Union proposed a decrease in nursery gases by 21 % in 2020 below the 2005 degrees. In 2009, the CO2 emanations was reduced by 11 % ( Good,2010 ) . In every bit much as the planetary economic downswing played a important function it is believed that the strategy can actively cut down the C emanations from about 10,000 power installings soon under the strategy. Since the strategy works chiefly by high C dioxide emitters purchasing higher C credits for the sum they emit. For the United Kingdom which is under the European Union to efficaciously run into their 12.5 % C decrease mark by 2020 it is imperative that the sector that emits about half the emanations should be decently catered for in footings of making and strategy or policy that will help decrease in emanations. The domestic sector has been noted to account for approximately 40 % of the emanations in the United Kingdom and suggestions are that a strategy such as the personal C trading strategy would help a behavioural alteration in person ‘s high C emanations ensuing from energy ( electricity and gas ) ingestions, flight travels, and personal fuel ingestion can assist in cut downing and accomplishing the C emanations mark. There are benefits of the personal C trading strategy and the emanations trading strategy both to persons and the environment at big. With effectual running of this strategy power monetary values can be affected and besides the clime alteration effects can be curbed.