Dividend policy of the firm is irrelevant to the rational investor Essay

Dividend policy of the firm is irrelevant to the rational investor - Essay Example These factors lead to fluctuation in the share prices and valuation of the companies. The relevance of dividend policy to a rational investor has been discussed in the subsequent sections (Gross, 2007, p.14). Rational for dividend payments The objective of investments is aimed at capital appreciation of the assets or securities over the period of holding. So, there is a definite reason for the companies to pay dividends which actually reduces the long term capital appreciation due to liquid payments in the form of dividend. The dividend payments are clear cut statements by the companies to showcase their abilities to manage their assets and performance to achieve financial profits and growth. The payment of dividends by the companies assures majority of the investors of sound financial performance in future and builds confidence for investment in stocks (Xu and  Wang, 1997, p.19). The companies decide through their dividend policy on the proportion of dividend payout and the percen tage to be kept for retained earnings. The dividend payment allocations are very delicate as the company also has to focus on increasing the financial wealth in future and reduce their dependency on leverage. The interest and tax rates also play an important role in the dividend policy of the companies. A reduction in the tax rates on long term and short term capital gains would urge the companies to cut down their dividend payments and invest more retained earning for long term capital gains (Funke, 2007, p.11). Empirical theories: Irrelevance of Dividend Policy The aspect of irrelevance of dividend policy to a rational investor can be explained by considering the empirical theories of dividend policy. Residual... The companies give topmost priority to finance their needs of investment looking at the target growth rates to be achieved in the short-term as well as long run. Only after meeting the needs of finances, the companies decide to distribute the residual profits to the shareholders in the form of dividend payments. Thus the shareholders would not be concerned of the dividend policy as capital gains for future from the investments done by the company lies at the core of maximization of their wealth. The rational investors are also knowledgeable that there is no dividend policy that could referred to as an optimal dividend policy. The dividend policies are an outcome of the fund requirement of the companies for financing the investment projects. For this reason, the dividends are declared by the companies which lead to restoration of confidence among the shareholders. Thus the shareholders are attracted more towards the investment in the company stocks as a result of which the price of th e share rises and the valuation of the companies are increased.

Police Patrol Essay Example for Free

Police Patrol Essay Section 1 – Introduction Indeed, the safety and prosperity of local communities is dependent upon, in large part, a prevention of criminal activity.   It is in safe communities that businesses grow and prosper, people bring their families to live, and others like to visit.   With this in mind, the classic way to ensure that communities are free of crime is through the use of police patrol.   It is the police presence that has typically kept crime in check (Sklansky).   However, the financial cost of police patrol often makes such protection quite difficult to put into action.    In this research, the cost of police patrol will be examined through the discussion of the following article: Farrell, Graham, Erin Lane, Ken Clark, and Andromachi Tseloni. What Does the World Spend on Policing? [*]. International Journal of Comparative Sociology (2001): 59. Conversely, alternative methods of crime prevention, aside from the use of the conventional police patrol will be examined through the discussion of this article: Rubin, Herbert J. Economic Partnering with the Poor: Why Local Governments Should Work with Community-Based Development Organizations to Promote Economic Development. International Journal of Public Administration 23.9 (2000): 1679. Additional sources will be cited where necessary to ultimately make the point that while police patrol is important, it is costly, and there are other methods/resources that can be tapped into to complement the effectiveness of police patrols without exceeding budgets or overextending the ability of small police forces to accomplish what they need to accomplish. Section 2 The Main Points of the Two Articles Farrell, Graham, Erin Lane, Ken Clark, and Andromachi Tseloni. What Does the World Spend on Policing? [*]. International Journal of Comparative Sociology (2001): 59. The main point of this article are that internationally, in small and large nations alike, the total amount of money spent on policing and crime prevention totals in the hundreds of billions of dollars, and with that, the question of whether or not that money is well spent.   Additionally, the article discusses the role of civilians in the process of preventing crime, which reduces the burden on the conventional police patrol. Rubin, Herbert J. Economic Partnering with the Poor: Why Local Governments Should Work with Community-Based Development Organizations to Promote Economic Development. International Journal of Public Administration 23.9 (2000): 1679. In close relation to the first article, this article makes the point that among other governmental organizations, local police agencies should work with community-based, civilian organizations to achieve the goal of fighting crime, which is one of the main reasons for the existence of police patrols themselves. Section 3 Comparison and Contrast of the Two Articles The two articles chosen for this research do in fact possess similarities and differences which, ironically, all contribute to making the point that police patrols are effective and necessary, but would not be effective, and indeed cannot be effective, if they are overburdened by too much work for too few officers, or if the police organizations are unduly restrained by a lack of economic resources. First, the Farrell article weighs the cost of police patrol against the results that are obtained for the money that is spent.   Far from saying that police patrols are ineffective, the article says that overburdened police patrols are ineffective, and therefore, in lieu of money that does not exist, police patrols should be aided by community/civilian resources whenever possible. Following on the heels of the first article, the Rubin article makes the very important point that local police agencies, if faced with a lack of funds, should work more closely with community organizations in order to achieve effective crime prevention and apprehension of criminal offenders after the fact. In a roundabout way, both articles do in fact make the same point; if police patrols are to be effective in the future as they have been in the past, they will need some help.   The answer is not to overextend patrols or to cut them due to underfunding, but rather to collaborate more closely with the community for the mutual benefit of both.   The modern police force faces challenges that those of the past did not; increasing need for diversity in police forces, additional personnel because of the increases in crime, and population increases make the scope of the traditional police patrol much more complicated and expensive than ever before (Sklansky).   Also significant is the huge cost of the processing of criminal cases in courts of law due to the increasing complexity of criminal law (Frodsham) Section 4 – Conclusion Based on the analysis of these articles and accompanying additional resources, the conclusion has been reached that police patrols are very effective, if and only if they are either properly funded or if they are assisted by civilians and community organizations in the absence of adequate funding.   Therefore, in conclusion, police patrols should be continued, and should be supported by communities if they are to continue to properly function.

Free Essays - Survival in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn :: Adventures Huckleberry Huck Finn Essays

Free Essay - Survival in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn    In literature, authors have created characters that have traits that contributes to their survival in society. The qualities of shredders, adaptability, and basic human kindness enables the character Huckleberry Finn, in Mark Twain's novel The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn to survive in his environment.   The purpose of this paper is to depict the importance of these traits or qualities to his survival.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Huckleberry Finn is able to confront complex situations because he is shrewd. Nothing is more natural or more necessary than his ability to lie.   In certain situations I will discuss how he must lie because the circumstances forced him to deception and lies and evasions are the only weapons he has to protect himself from those who are physically stronger than he. The creativity, common sense, and understanding of people of different classes give him the edge he needs to survive in a rather harsh society.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Living with Ms. Watson and Widow Douglas, Huck has adjusted his life to that of a civilized society. Huck illustrates his shrewd thinking when he see signs that indicates his father is back. Being afraid of his father, he gives all of his money to Judge Thatcher to avoid being persecuted by his father. Protecting himself was his number one priority; he knew that if his father got the money he would get drunk and in return would abuse him. His father drunkenness become a threat to his life later on in the story and by stopping him from getting the money, he stopped his father from being an abuser at that point and time.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Pap, Huck's father returns to town to get custody of his son because he here of Huck's fortune, finally resorting to the kidnapping. Huck is locked in the cabin when Pap is not around; once he was locked up for three days. At this point and time Huck was being neglected and abuse; his father had no idea what his abusive behavior was doing to Huck until he escapes. Pap became so abusive(not realizing it because of he is always drunk), that he almost kills his son in the cabin, thinking he was the angel of death. This incident forces Huck to realize that his father is an Free Essays - Survival in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn :: Adventures Huckleberry Huck Finn Essays Free Essay - Survival in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn    In literature, authors have created characters that have traits that contributes to their survival in society. The qualities of shredders, adaptability, and basic human kindness enables the character Huckleberry Finn, in Mark Twain's novel The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn to survive in his environment.   The purpose of this paper is to depict the importance of these traits or qualities to his survival.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Huckleberry Finn is able to confront complex situations because he is shrewd. Nothing is more natural or more necessary than his ability to lie.   In certain situations I will discuss how he must lie because the circumstances forced him to deception and lies and evasions are the only weapons he has to protect himself from those who are physically stronger than he. The creativity, common sense, and understanding of people of different classes give him the edge he needs to survive in a rather harsh society.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Living with Ms. Watson and Widow Douglas, Huck has adjusted his life to that of a civilized society. Huck illustrates his shrewd thinking when he see signs that indicates his father is back. Being afraid of his father, he gives all of his money to Judge Thatcher to avoid being persecuted by his father. Protecting himself was his number one priority; he knew that if his father got the money he would get drunk and in return would abuse him. His father drunkenness become a threat to his life later on in the story and by stopping him from getting the money, he stopped his father from being an abuser at that point and time.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Pap, Huck's father returns to town to get custody of his son because he here of Huck's fortune, finally resorting to the kidnapping. Huck is locked in the cabin when Pap is not around; once he was locked up for three days. At this point and time Huck was being neglected and abuse; his father had no idea what his abusive behavior was doing to Huck until he escapes. Pap became so abusive(not realizing it because of he is always drunk), that he almost kills his son in the cabin, thinking he was the angel of death. This incident forces Huck to realize that his father is an

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury :: Ray Bradburys Fahrenheit 451

Shortage of Books †I’ve always said poetry and tears, poetry and suicide and crying and awful feelings, poetry and sickness; all that mush!† exclaimed Mrs. Bowles to Montag in Ray Bradbury’s book Fahrenheit 451 (103). Mrs. Bowles thinks written words can make an individual really gloomy and disconsolate. Because the goal of this society is to always be satisfied, and to stay satisfied people watch TV, made up stories, which never makes them think or wonder, that is why Mrs. Bowles is convinced that poems are nasty. How does banning of books affect a whole community? Does the human civilization really differ without them? According to Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury assembles a civilization that is affected in three ways from having a lack of books: more brutality is among people, preternatural relationships cultivate, and intelligent capabilities decrease. First, cognitive ability degenerated because of the banning of books. Visiting Faber, he said to Montag â€Å"That was the year I came to class at the start of the new semester and found only one student to sign up for Drama from Aeschylus to O’Neill† (91). Faber told Montag a memory of how books were like a beautiful statue of ice, melting in the sun. He later realized that books had no meaning to people because people stopped thinking. If the lack of books has caused people to stop thinking, then people act on impulse, rather than taking the time to consider the effect of what they are doing. Therefore, the decrease of knowledge obviously caused ignorance which in turn leads to the unawareness of ones self being taken advantage of or enslaved. In greater meaning if an individual deprives a society of individual rights or slowly outlaws educational sources (such as books in this case) and do not let people make their own choices for themselves, then they begin to lose interest in things they enjoy and "fall into the crowd" becoming (though unaware) toys of the leaders of that society, who lead that crowd of people like a flock of lambs, and thus controlling everyone. In addition to unawareness, abnormal relationships develop in the society because without books one couple may struggle in communication. After Beatty’s visit Mildred concluded Montag’s question â€Å"My ‘family’ is people. They tell me things: I laugh, they laugh! And the colors!†(75). Mildred feels her family is just people as if she thought people were just objects roaming around the earth.

Introductory Accounting Assignment

ACCT 2060 Introductory Accounting Assignment – Semester 2, 2011 This assignment is designed to get you to locate the Annual Reports for a company and become familiar with the contents of an Annual Report, particularly the financial statements and the notes to the financial statements. While we have looked at very basic formats of the financial statements, the financial statements for a company contain a little more detail and information on some items you may not have been introduced to yet.Pay particular attention to the information provided in the notes to the financial statements as you will find a lot of useful information in them that may help with some of the questions. REQUIRED: You are required to obtain the 2010 Annual Report of Blackmores Limited and then answer the questions that follow in Part A and Part B. PART A – THE COMPANY (8 x 1 = 8 marks) Question 1 Describe the company’s principal operating activities. Ans: Blackmores Limited manufactures & de velops health products. [Ref: Blackmores AR Report August 2010, Page 2]Question 2 An auditing firm will have received remuneration for their services. What services did the auditing firm provide for this company in 2010? Ans: The auditing firm, DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSU, audited the Remuneration Report included in pages 41 to 48 of the directors’ report for the year ended 30  June 2010. Their  responsibility is to express an opinion on the Remuneration Report, based on their audit conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. [Ref: Blackmores AR Report August 2010, Page 41 to 48, Page 50 and 51] Question 3Using the 2010 Annual Report, identify the number of the note that deals with Significant Accounting Policies and identify the method of depreciation the company uses to depreciate property, plant and equipment. What is the underlying assumption of this method in relation to the usefulness of property, plant and equipment? Ans: Total numbers of notes dealing with Significant Accounting Policies are 22. [Ref: Blackmores AR Report August 2010, Page 58 – 64]. The method of depreciation the company adopt onto depreciation of property, plant and equipment is the straight-line method.The underlying assumption is that the residual value is estimated based on the cost of asset over the expected useful life. Freehold land is not depreciated. The following estimated useful lives are used in the calculation of depreciation: †¢ Buildings 25–40 years †¢ Leasehold improvements 3–13 years †¢ Plant and equipment 3–20 years [Ref: Blackmores AR Report August 2010, Page 59]. Question 4 The annual report contains a number of reports with only some of these being ‘financial reports’. Name all of the financial reports in the 2010 annual report shown for this company in their annual report.Ans: The financial reports in the 2010 annual report are Statement of Financial position as at 30 June 2010, Statem ent of Comprehensive Income for the. Statement of Changes in Equity and Statement of cash flows. [Ref: Blackmores AR Report August 2010, Page 53-57]. Question 5 Directors of the company will often own shares in the company as well. Identify the name of the chairman of the board of directors and identify the number of shares the chairman held in the company at the end of their 2010 financial year (financial year ends June 30, 2010). Ans:Chairman of the board of directors is Marcus C Blackmore AM [Ref: Blackmores AR Report August 2010, Page 36]. The number of fully paid ordinary shares he has is 4,479,278 [Ref: Blackmores AR Report August 2010, Page 38]. Question 6 Describe the purpose of the external auditor’s report. Ans: The external auditor’s report is to ensure that the financial reports produced by Blackmores internally are true & fair, complete & accurate. [Ref: Blackmores AR Report August 2010, Page 51]. Question 7 With reference to the consolidated entity: †¢ What is the total amount of revenue and other income in 2010? What are the two revenue items? †¢ What is the ‘other income’ comprised of? (You must refer to the relevant note to find the answer to this. ) Ans: The total amount of revenue and other income in 2010 is $217,093,000 The two revenue items are Sales and Royalties. The ‘other income’ comprises of bank deposits / Net foreign exchange gains. [Ref: Blackmores AR Report August 2010, Page 53 and 67]. Question 8 Again with reference to the consolidated entity: †¢ What is the amount of cash receipts from customers in 2010? †¢ Why does this amount differ from the 2010 sales figure? Ans:The amount of cash receipts from customers is 2010 is $237,522,000 The amount differ from the 2010 sales figures as not all customer pay cash on payment, some may pay on credit which result in account receivable. [Ref: Blackmores AR Report August 2010, Page 57]. PART B – Analysis of financial informa tion (12 marks) Question 1 (4 marks) Using the consolidated figures for Blackmores Ltd, calculate the following ratios for the years 2009 and 2010. Ratios are to be shown at one decimal place. You must show all your workings. (Where no workings are shown you will receive zero for this section): . Current ratio ii. Acid test ratio iii. Gearing ratio iv. Interest cover ratio Ans: Current ratio = Current assets / Current liabilities Acid ratio = Current assets (excluding inventory and prepayments) / Current liabilities Gearing ratio = Long-term liabilities / (Share capital + Reserves + Long-term liabilities) Interest cover ratio = Profit before interest and taxation / Interest Expense [Ref: School of Business, MBA 2011, ‘Introductory accounting’, Course Notes from ACCT2060_1160, ‘Lecture 6, Unit 6 – Financial Ratio Analysis’, Page102-107 , RMIT University, Melbourne] |Yr 2009 (Working) |Yr 2009 Ratio |Yr 2010 (Working) |Yr 2010 Ratio | |Current ratio |6 9,544 / 31,903 |2. 2 |82,985 / 34,457 |2. 4 | |Acid Test ratio |(69,544-16,072) / 31,903 |1. 7 |(82,985-22,555) / 34,457 |1. 8 | |Gearing ratio |48,043 / (58,563 + 48,043) |0. 5 |48,102 / (71,790 + 48,102) |0. | |Interest cover ratio |30,335 / 1,372 |22. 1 |36,746 / 2,442 |15. 0 | [Ref: Blackmores AR Report August 2010, Page 53 and 55]. Question 2 (2 marks) You have been provided with the following information about another company, Company X, in the same industry as Blackmores Ltd: |COMPANY X | |Ratio |2010 |2009 | |Current ratio |2. |1. 8 | |Acid test ratio |1. 2 |1. 5 | |Gearing ratio |1. 2 |0. 8 | |Interest cover ratio (times) |10. 9 |13. 1 | Using the information above and the calculations in Part B Question 1, you are required to analyse the liquidity and financial gearing (leverage) of Blackmores Ltd and Company X by providing: ) a description of the movement in each of the ratios for Blackmores Ltd; b) a description of the movement in each of the ratios for Company X; c) an explanation of what each of these ratios tell you about Blackmores Ltd; d) an explanation of what each of these ratios tell you about Company X; Ans: A) The current ratio for Blackmores Ltd indicates that the company is experiencing a slight increase in current asset over current liability. The acid ratio for Blackmores Ltd indicates that the company has slight increase in current asset over the current liability excluding inventories.The gearing ratio for Blackmores Ltd indicates that the company has marginal increase in long term liability over equity. The interest cover ratio for Blackmores Ltd indicates that the company has increase in interest expense. B) The current ratio for Company X indicates that the company is experiencing a slight increase in current asset over current liability. The acid ratio for Company X indicates that the company has slight decline in current asset over the current liability excluding its inventories.The gearing ratio for Company X indicates that th e company has marginal increase in long term liability over equity. The interest cover ratio for Company X indicates that the company has increase in interest expense. C) In Blackmores Ltd current ratio, we see a 20cents increase in liquidity to repay for every 1 dollar of obligation in the next operating cycle. By zooming further into acid ratio test, it becomes clearer that the company has only a 10cents increase in liquidity to repay for every 1 dollar of obligation within 90days as it excludes inventories and prepayment.In gearing ratio, we can conclude that Blackmores Ltd has lowered their long term by 10cents per 1 dollar obligation. As for interest ratio, it reflects that Blackmores Ltd has to pay more interest on outstanding debt. D) In Company X current ratio, we see an increase in 30cents in liquidity to repay for every 1 dollar of obligation in the next operating cycle. Looking further into the acid ratio test, it becomes clearer that the company actually have a 30cents d ecline in liquidity to repay for every 1 dollar of obligation within 90days and we also can assume that the company has a lot of inventories or prepayments.In gearing ratio, we can assume that Company X has increased their long term liabilities in certain aspect. In interest cover ratio of Company X, it also reflects that Company X has to pay more interest on outstanding debt. Question 3 (2 marks) Assume you are considering becoming a creditor for Blackmores Ltd or Company X (from Part B Question 2 above). That is, you will only be providing credit to one of them. Explain which company you would prefer to provide goods to on credit and why you have chosen this company. You may consider both financial and non-financial information in making this decision.Ans: I would provide goods on credit to Blackmores Ltd because Blackmores Ltd has a higher ability to pay off obligations as compare to Company X reference from their current and acid ratio. Also, Blackmores Ltd shows that the compan y is relatively low in term of leverage shown from gearing ratio. Question 4(4 marks) Prepare a table similar to the table below. Complete the table by inserting information from Blackmores’ financial statements (consolidated figures). Calculate each item as a percentage (%) of sales revenue. Financial Item |2010 ($) |% |2009 ($) |% | |Sales |214,934,000 |100. 0 |200,314,000 |100. 0 | |Total expenses |180,347,000 |83. 9 |171,380,000 |85. 6 | |Promotional and other rebates |19,054,000 |8. 9 |18,581,000 |9. | |Raw materials and consumables used |65,748,000 |30. 6 |71,338,000 |35. 6 | |Employee benefits expense |48,179,000 |22. 4 |42,212,000 |21. 1 | |Selling and marketing expenses |19,134,000 |8. 9 |21,078,000 |10. 5 | |Net profit attributable to equity holders of the parent |24,297,000 |11. |20,782,000 |10. 4 | Refer to the table above to explain the performance of Blackmores in 2010 compared to 2009. Ans: Based on the above table, Blackmores Ltd performance in 2010 is has inc rease in sales by 7. 3% compared to 2009. By looking at the table, we can determine that the company has cut down on expenses. Particular area is the buying of raw materials and other consumables and marketing expenses. With these we can assume that marketing is successful. The other reason is because the company’s equity has increased as well.This means more dividends for the shareholder. [Ref: Blackmores AR Report August 2010, Page 53 and 55]. OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION Format and Presentation: The assignment needs to be presented and formatted according to the guidelines shown in this semester’s Course Guide. You need to ensure that the numeric answers you provide are accurate. For example, some figures are shown in thousands while others are not; showing an answer as $102 instead of $102,000 will result in a mark of zero for such a question as there is obviously quite a difference between these two figures.Also ensure that you read each question carefully as some questions will ask for a figure for a particular year and for either the Group (Consolidated) Financial Reports or the Parent Entity (Company). Referencing: As you will be using a company’s Annual Report as the basis for answering many of the questions asked in this assignment, you need to ensure that you acknowledge this in your assignment. In fact, any sources that you use need to be acknowledged in order to avoid plagiarism. Information on referencing can be found in the Guidelines for Referencing and Presentation at the RMIT website using the following address: (http://www. mit. edu. au/bus/students). A copy can also be found on the Blackboard under the Course Documents folder. From the Blackboard site there is also an online referencing resource that you might find useful. It can be found by following these links: External Links / Study and Learning Centre / Study Skills/Referencing/Referencing for Business Students. In-Text Referencing and the Reference List: Sources of information must be cited both in the body of the text (in-text referencing) and the end of the assignment (reference list). Failure to do so will result in penalties.Remember that when referencing an Annual Report it is a corporate document that does not have a particular author but it will still require referencing any time you use information from it. Any other documents or books or other references you use will also require referencing. Penalties Regarding Referencing: No in-text referencing – deduct 1. 5 marks Some in-text referencing only – deduct 1 mark No reference list – deduct 1. 5 marks Incomplete reference list – deduct 1 mark Policy on Late Submissions: The policy on late submissions can be found in the current semester’s course guide. ASSIGNMENT TOTAL – 20 Marks

Creating Windows Service Applications Using Delphi

Creating Windows Service Applications Using Delphi Service applications take requests from client applications, process those requests, and return information to the client applications. They typically run in the background without much user input. Windows services, known also as NT services, offer long-running executable applications that run in their own Windows sessions. These services can be automatically started when the computer boots, can be paused and restarted, and do not show any user interface.   Service Applications Using Delphi Use Delphi to create service applications: Create a service, install and uninstall the service application, make the service do something, and debug the service application using the TService.LogMessage method. Develop a Windows service using Delphi and register it with Windows.Start and stop a Windows service using Delphi to call Win32 functions, for those cases when you must restart one or more services to avoid conflicts at the operating-system level.Retrieve all currently installed services to help both the end user and Delphi programs respond appropriately to the presence, absence or status of specific Windows services. Generate advanced status reporting for running Windows services. The  OpenSCManager()  and OpenService()  functions highlight Delphis flexibility with the Windows platform. More About Windows Services and Delphi Although Delphi is optimized more for typical user-fronted applications, the programming language remains capable of creating service applications. Newer versions of Windows (especially Windows 10) have tightened the rules that service applications have to play by, relative to Windows XP and Windows Vista. If you develop service applications using Delphi, review Microsofts current technical documentation to orient yourself to best practices for Windows 10 and Windows Server.

The Effects Music Distraction upon Reading Efficiency Essays

The Effects Music Distraction upon Reading Efficiency Essays The Effects Music Distraction upon Reading Efficiency Essay The Effects Music Distraction upon Reading Efficiency Essay This experiment investigated the effects of music distraction upon reading efficiency, as measured by the score on a comprehension test and the amount of text read. It was hypothesised that the non-distracted group will score higher than the distracted group. Sixteen participants were given 15 min. to read a 6-pages text and were subsequently given a comprehension test on their reading. It was found that the no distraction condition scored higher than the music distraction condition and the non-distracted group also read more amount of text than the distracted group. Introduction Modern life is noisy. Walking down the streets, we hear traffic roaring, factory machines clattering. And when we finally get back home, we cannot help but turn on the radio. In fact, many students even choose to listen to music while studying. Research has shown that auditory distraction interferes with reading comprehension.  The aim of Fendricks experiment (1937), for instance, was to measure the difference in reading efficiency when college students were asked to study a selected assignment in the classroom with and without distraction by radio music. Fendrick used the matched subject design: the two experimental groups being equated with respect to chronological age and average scores on a test of intelligence. One hundred and twenty-two participants were given 30 min. to study a 12-page mimeographed chapter from a psychology textbook. While the control group worked under quiet conditions, music from phonograph records (semi classical) was used as distractor for the experimental group. Subsequently, they were given 15 min. to complete a 60-item true-false test on the contents of the chapter, they were also asked to indicate the number of pages they had read. Sixty-one students formed the control group and sixty-students composed the experimental group. It was found that although the average comprehension scores were higher for the non-distracted group, the distracted participants read a greater amount of material. It is therefore the aim of this experiment to see if music distraction will deter reading efficiency, measured in how much they have read and their scores on the comprehension test. Following Fendricks experiment, it is hypothesized that participants under the music distraction condition will score lower than those without distraction. Method  Design  This experiment was an independent design experiment with one level of the independent variable assigned to each experimental group. The independent variable was the music distraction condition or the no distraction condition assigned to the participants, and the dependent variable was their score on the comprehension test as well as how much they could read. Participants were randomly assigned to the distraction or non-distraction condition, with an equal number of females and males in each group. For control purpose, an equal number of participants who reported that they usually study with the radio on and those who reported that they did not were also assigned to each group. All participants had passed three college English courses but had never had a Psychology course before. Participants  Sixteen naive participants, eight males and eight females, from 18 to 21 years old were chosen conveniently to participate voluntary in this experiment. All participants signed a consent form (see Appendix I) in which they were informed that the research investigated reading efficiency, assured confidentiality and will be given a feedback regarding the researchs outcome.  Materials  6-pages on personality disorders and dissociative disorders taken from a psychology textbook The pictures and graphs were removed (see Appendix II and References). Comprehension test (see Appendix III and References)  Discman with earphones and disc (see References)  Stopwatch  Pen or Pencil  Procedure  All participants were tested individually in a quiet environment such as the library or a quiet room. Using the stopwatch, the participants were allowed 15 min. to read the 6-pages text. Those in the distracted group had to wear the earphones and listen to instrumental music (see References), they were told to adjust the volume so that they could hear the music at a comfortable level. In the non-distracted group, participants also wore the earphones but no music was played. After 15-min period, the participants removed their earphones and were given 10 min. to complete the comprehension test.

The Shocking Aspects of Theater in Ancient Rome

The Shocking Aspects of Theater in Ancient Rome Roman theater began before Roman culture began to emulate the Greeks. However, very little is known of early theater produced by Etruscans and other ancient cultures. The Roman plays that live on in written form were produced in Greek-style amphitheaters, and many of the plays were essentially rewritten versions of Greek stories. In ancient Greece, plays were unlikely to contain graphic violence or sexuality, but the opposite was true in Rome. The Roman Theater and Violence The Roman public loved a good spectacle. They loved to watch combat and admired blood sports and gladiator competition. As a result, there was plenty of gore in most Roman theater. Roman audiences also preferred less subtlety than the Greeks when it came to sexuality on stage. In fact, according to  the book Living Theater by Edwin Wilson, one Roman emperor ordered an entire troupe of mimes to engage in actual intercourse on stage. The fact that this event was recorded for posterity suggests that it wasnt the norm, but it may not have been an isolated event. Famous Roman Playwrights Fewer plays were written in ancient Rome than in Greece. Many of those that were written seemed to be retreads  of old Greek myths (transplanted with the very similar Roman Gods). Perhaps the noted exception to this rule would be the domestic comedies of Plautus and Terence. And of course, Seneca - perhaps Romes best-known tragedian. There were hundreds more playwrights besides the three mentioned below. The Roman Republic and its subsequent empire greatly enjoyed the arts and entertainment. However, while there were many playwrights in ancient Rome, only a small percentage of their works  have survived the passage of time. Plautus If you have ever seen Stephen Sondheims A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, then you have experienced a taste, albeit with a corny 1960s flavor, of the Roman comedy master Plautus. A founder of the comedic theater, he created over a hundred plays in his remarkable career, many of which lampooned iconic figures within Roman society: the soldier, the politician, the clever slave, the philandering husband, and the wise but nagging wife. Terence Terences life story is an ancient tale of rags to riches. Terence was the slave of a Roman senator. Apparently, his master was so impressed with young Terences intellect that he released him from his service and even funded Terences education. During his adult years, Terence crafted comedies which were primarily Roman-style adaptations of Greek plays by Hellenistic writers, such as Menander. Seneca In addition to being a playwright, Lucius Annaeus Seneca was a lawyer and a Roman senator. He witnessed some of the darkest days of Romes empire, as he served under the sadistic Emperor Caligula. The next emperor in line, Claudius, banished Seneca, sending him away from Rome for over eight years. After returning from exile, Seneca became the advisor to the infamous Emperor Nero.  According to dramaturg William S. Turney, Nero ordered the assassination of his own mother and then commissioned Seneca to write a speech that excused Neros crimes. During the playwrights lifetime, he wrote tragedies, many of them re-inventions of Greek myths of decadence and self-destruction. For example, his play Phaedra details the sensual depravity of Theseus lonely wife who lusts after her step-son, Hippolytus. Seneca also adapted the Greek myth of Thyestes, a sordid tale of adultery, fratricide, incest, and cannibalism, with enough carnage to make even modern audiences cringe. Seneca retired from public life assuming that he might spend his elder years writing and relaxing, but the suspicious Nero ordered Seneca to commit suicide. Seneca complied, slashing his wrists and arms, slowly bleeding out. Apparently, it was too slow, because according to the ancient historian Tacitus, Seneca called for poison, and when that failed him, he was placed in a hot bath to be suffocated by the steam. Source Wilson, Edwin. Living Theatre: A History of Theatre. Alvin Goldfarb President, 6th Edition, McGraw-Hill Education, January 10, 2011.

Film Analysis Trainspotting Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Film Analysis Trainspotting - Term Paper Example Trainspotting takes us through the lives of a group of Scottish drug addicts, who differ on many aspects but are bound together by their addiction. The movie starts with a statement made by the main protagonist about choosing to own or do things that are socially constructed as normal or ordinary. Renton states: Choose life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose a fucking big television†¦But why would I want to do a thing like that? The last line was a clear expression of disdain towards the social convention, a conscious choice to disconnect from things that are owned and utilized by the mainstream society. Mark’s suggestion to take a trip to the â€Å"outdoors† was a methaphor towards making an attempt to blend and be a part of the ‘normal’ society. However, Mark’s refusal to conform to social norms disqualifies him to lead the group in their quest to give conventions a try. He lacked the spirit and the willingness to blend in. Renton finally decides to quit drugs and is forced to face the beautiful outdoors. The withdrawal forces Renton to reexamine the different facets of the society he is trying to be a part. This reexamination, as in all the observations he males on different subjects, he makes an observation with a wide perspective. He stated: I hate being Scottish. We’re the lowest of the fucking low, the scum of the earth, the most wretched, servile, miserable, pathetic trash that was ever shat into civilization. Some people hate the English, but I don’t. They’re just wankers. ... Renton states: Choose life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose a fucking big television†¦But why would I want to do a thing like that? The last line was a clear expression of disdain towards the social convention, a conscious choice to disconnect from things that are owned and utilized by the mainstream society. Mark’s suggestion to take a trip to the â€Å"outdoors† was a methaphor towards making an attempt to blend and be a part of the ‘normal’ society. However, Mark’s refusal to conform to social norms disqualifies him to lead the group in their quest to give conventions a try. He lacked the spirit and the willingness to blend in. Feeling like an Outcast Just as When He is Trying to Blend In Renton finally decides to quit drugs and is forced to face the beautiful outdoors. The withdrawal forces Renton to reexamine the different facets of the society he is trying to be a part. This reexamination, as in all the observations he males on different subjects, he makes an observation with a wide perspective. He stated: I hate being Scottish. We’re the lowest of the fucking low, the scum of the earth, the most wretched, servile, miserable, pathetic trash that was ever shat into civilization. Some people hate the English, but I don’t. They’re just wankers. We, on the other hand, are colonized by wankers. We can’t even pick a decent culture to be colonized by. We are ruled by effete arseholes. It’s a shite state of affairs and all the fresh air in the world will not make any fucking difference. Renton feels that his race naturally makes him inferior. However, in order to understand this statement, it is important to delve into Scotland’s history past and its

Financial Market Assessment Bahrain Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Financial Market Assessment Bahrain - Essay Example The Index of Economic Freedom measures countries against a list of 50 independent variables divided into 10 broad factors of economic freedom. Low scores are more desirable. The higher the score, the greater the level of government interference in the economy and the less economic freedom a country enjoys. These 50 variables are grouped into ten categories: Trade policy, Fiscal burden of government, Government intervention in the economy, Monetary policy, Capital flows and foreign investment, Banking and finance, Wages and prices, Property rights, Regulation, and Informal market activity. As shown in Table 1, Bahrain ranked 20th of 155 countries (North Korea is 155th). Using the table, we can make a quick comparison of Bahrain and Hong Kong (HKG), the country with the highest economic freedom, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain's closest competitor for the title of the Middle East's financial capital. As Table 1 shows, Bahrain had the same scores as HKG in five out of ten categories, but in one of these (Fiscal burden), it scored higher (meaning, it performed worse) than the UAE, which is developing Dubai to compete with Bahrain. Since our paper is a study of Bahrain's competitive weaknesses in financial markets, we have a tool we can use to know what it should fix if it wants to win the competition with Dubai. The comparison with the United States gives us a better idea of how Bahrain fares in economic freedom. The U.S. is ahead only by a margin of two: better in three categories: Trade policy, Government intervention, and Informal market; worse in one: Fiscal burden; and tied in the rest. We now look briefly at where Bahrain did well. Then, by focusing on those where it scored badly, we can come out with the basic tools to analyze the degree of openness of Bahrain's financial sector. Bahrain's Good Points1 Bahrain scored well in four areas: monetary policy, banking and finance, wages and prices, and property rights. The main reasons for these are: Monetary Policy. Measured on the basis of the weighted average annual inflation rate of 0.04 percent, Bahrain is stable. Banking and Finance. Bahrain's banking and finance sector has very few restrictions. It is relatively easy to establish a bank; there are few, if any, restrictions or requirements on new banks; and foreign banks are welcome. At the end of 2003, there were 25 commercial banks, mostly foreign, and foreigners and Bahrainis alike have ready access to credit on market terms. The banking system is sound and undergoes examination and supervision by the Bahrain Monetary Agency (BMA), which has a solid international reputation. Efforts are being made to increase the liquidity of the Bahrain Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened in 1989. The government allows Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) nationals to own 100% stakes in firms listed on the BSE and increased the proportion that could be owned by other foreigners to 49%. The Minister of Commerce has announced that ownership for non-GCC nationals will be increased to 100% by end-2005. Wages and Prices. Bahrain, despite issuing a minimum wage law, improved its wages and prices regimes in the past year, reducing its influence over setting of domestic prices. It liberalized its telecommunications sector, where it had monopoly power, and reduced state power over

The Impact of Education and Political Equality Blacks Have Achieved Essay

The Impact of Education and Political Equality Blacks Have Achieved - Essay Example The essay "The Impact of Education and Political Equality Blacks Have Achieved" discusses the problem of racism in the United States of America that was initially revolved around by slavery. Black slavery in America actually can be traced from the earliest days in America, but most people elect the year 1619 as the real beginning of the institution in what was to become the United States, with the arrival of twenty blacks on a Dutch warship. Slavery in the world was nothing new. There had been slaves in every culture from the dawn of modern man. Slavery is not the issue of this short paper but we had to start somewhere. Racism is really the issue that slavery revolves around and the ethnocentric ideas that one race is just a little better than another race which allows a predisposition towards making one race the master and one the servant. In America, as the servant race, the black population was denied the right to an education that could be used to better their station in life. The main thought being to keep the servant race ignorant and to some degree subservient would make the life of the dominant race all that much better. As the citizens of the world became more enlightened, it was becoming harder and harder to justify excluding the children of the black workers from a good education. The movement toward equality of the races really started in the northern states many years prior to the American Civil War. Blacks in the north were generally treated much differently than in the south.

The social perception of hyperinflation in the Weimar Republic Research Paper

The social perception of hyperinflation in the Weimar Republic - Research Paper Example The Weimar Republic’s condition was an exceptional case not only due to the then reparation cases after war but also worsened by decisions made by economists and those who were in power to contain the situation. Hence, leading to indescribable suffering to the then citizens where prices based on studies so far contacted seemed to change on hourly basis. Weimar Republic’s fiscal decisions during then meant to curb the situation not only aroused intense debates shortly afterwards as evident from scholars who based on their financial knowledge criticized them even to date. This is according to the way in which the then economists without keenness of the upcoming results decided to print more money for public’s use. According to Widdig, this was through the â€Å"policy of easy money†, which entailed the government to embark on excessive printing of more money without adjusting inflation and interest rates (Ferguson 270). Hence, contributing to the hiking of g oods’ prices at an extremely alarming rate, which in turn yielded to varied mixed reactions not only among the then few economists who knew the end results but also other scholars afterwards. During then, economists of the day seemed to suffer from myopic state in terms being unable to ascertain what will befall the state if they advised the government to print more money with the intention of clearing its internal debts. This study seeks to address the following two key questions, 1. How contemporaries experienced and understood hyperinflation; is a very interesting one. 2. How contemporary perception compare to the retrospective analysis of historians and economists only at the end. Between 1921 and 1923, citizens based on their mode of payments, expressed mixed reactions concerning the then depreciating paper currency besides universal woes that faced Germany’s economy. Those who relied on fixed payment like monthly salaries due to the then escalating prices of good s in relation increasing paper notes experienced utter desperation. This is because after payment most of them were unable to purchase what they needed whereby upon receiving after receiving their salaries or wages rushed immediately to a nearby shop to buy what they could afford before money started to depreciate (â€Å"BBC†). Those who were in short term payment terms like wages seemed to enjoy the deal because they were capable of negotiating their wages on daily basis or based on hourly intervals to be able to cater for their expenses as well as purchase what they needed (â€Å"BBC†). Despite wage mode of payment benefiting a few people during then although through struggling, the state of hyperinflation was evident not only among those contended to be on investment spree but also the entire state (Ferguson 10). The latter according to Ferguson (10) included industrial sector, which tried its best to produce more goods meant for the public who had money but kept on depreciating due to the hiking of goods. Hence, increase the demand of goods that turned out out to be extremely high among the people who despite having money could not afford to acquire them because prices were changing spontaneously and within very short time. For instance, a certain father according to BBC news headed to Berlin to purchase a pair of shoes for his son but on his arrival, he could only purchase a cup of coffee and save the remaining to cater for his bus fare (â€Å"BBC†). In addition, numerous citizens who had for long worked hard to

Occupational Health and Safety Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 3

Occupational Health and Safety - Essay Example Employees are also required to inspect hoses for leaks at every start of each shift. Further, hoses of oxygen and fuel gas, when taped together, should not exceed one-third of the entire length of the hose (osha.gov, 1996). Grease and oil are also potential hazards and OSHA requires that oxygen cylinders be kept away from grease or oil. Greasy clothes and oily surfaces should be kept away from getting in contact with oxygen cylinders, hoses or any other parts of the valves and regulators (osha.gov, 1996). The scenario showed that the cylinders were lying on the floor and were all stored together in the area. This poses a tripping hazard and greater tendency for the cylinders to roll and bump on each other. The smell of the room being similar to a nail-polish remover suggests that there is a leak in the acetylene cylinder. This suggests that the employee was not able to check the cylinders or the hoses for leakage. Further, the welder, not recognizing the smell is in a very dangerous situation because of the high flammability of acetylene. His activity of chipping the welding slag with the torch tip is high risk of creating sparks that can ignite the room and cause an explosion. With him wearing greasy gloves puts him at even greater risk because the material will immediately catch fire since he was already using the welding slag. The scenario given suggests a very unsafe working condition. It is then very important that employees in construction sites, in this case, those involved in welding and cutting, must be aware of the guidelines set by OSHA to be able to prevent any accidents that may occur in the work

The social perception of hyperinflation in the Weimar Republic Research Paper

The social perception of hyperinflation in the Weimar Republic - Research Paper Example The Weimar Republic’s condition was an exceptional case not only due to the then reparation cases after war but also worsened by decisions made by economists and those who were in power to contain the situation. Hence, leading to indescribable suffering to the then citizens where prices based on studies so far contacted seemed to change on hourly basis. Weimar Republic’s fiscal decisions during then meant to curb the situation not only aroused intense debates shortly afterwards as evident from scholars who based on their financial knowledge criticized them even to date. This is according to the way in which the then economists without keenness of the upcoming results decided to print more money for public’s use. According to Widdig, this was through the â€Å"policy of easy money†, which entailed the government to embark on excessive printing of more money without adjusting inflation and interest rates (Ferguson 270). Hence, contributing to the hiking of g oods’ prices at an extremely alarming rate, which in turn yielded to varied mixed reactions not only among the then few economists who knew the end results but also other scholars afterwards. During then, economists of the day seemed to suffer from myopic state in terms being unable to ascertain what will befall the state if they advised the government to print more money with the intention of clearing its internal debts. This study seeks to address the following two key questions, 1. How contemporaries experienced and understood hyperinflation; is a very interesting one. 2. How contemporary perception compare to the retrospective analysis of historians and economists only at the end. Between 1921 and 1923, citizens based on their mode of payments, expressed mixed reactions concerning the then depreciating paper currency besides universal woes that faced Germany’s economy. Those who relied on fixed payment like monthly salaries due to the then escalating prices of good s in relation increasing paper notes experienced utter desperation. This is because after payment most of them were unable to purchase what they needed whereby upon receiving after receiving their salaries or wages rushed immediately to a nearby shop to buy what they could afford before money started to depreciate (â€Å"BBC†). Those who were in short term payment terms like wages seemed to enjoy the deal because they were capable of negotiating their wages on daily basis or based on hourly intervals to be able to cater for their expenses as well as purchase what they needed (â€Å"BBC†). Despite wage mode of payment benefiting a few people during then although through struggling, the state of hyperinflation was evident not only among those contended to be on investment spree but also the entire state (Ferguson 10). The latter according to Ferguson (10) included industrial sector, which tried its best to produce more goods meant for the public who had money but kept on depreciating due to the hiking of goods. Hence, increase the demand of goods that turned out out to be extremely high among the people who despite having money could not afford to acquire them because prices were changing spontaneously and within very short time. For instance, a certain father according to BBC news headed to Berlin to purchase a pair of shoes for his son but on his arrival, he could only purchase a cup of coffee and save the remaining to cater for his bus fare (â€Å"BBC†). In addition, numerous citizens who had for long worked hard to

Government Spending and Price Levels Term Paper

Government Spending and Price Levels - Term Paper Example A part of the consumer’s income is taxed. Let the fixed rate of tax be t. Then the savings can be written as S = (1-t)Y-C+ tY-G. Consumption can be written as C=c(1-t)Y, c is the marginal propensity to consume. Therefore, S=(1-c)(1-t)Y-tY-G. Let us concentrate on the monetary side. The assumption here is that the supply of money (M) is determined by the central bank. The consumer’s decision on their holdings is the sole driving force behind the demand for money. The consumers allocate a part of their wealth as currency and the remaining part in the form of bonds. It is expected that an increase in the interest rate will induce consumers to keep a smaller proportion of their income as currency which, in turn, reduces the demand for money. An expansionary monetary policy will reduce the interest rate and increase output in the short run while an expansionary fiscal policy will do just the opposite (Weins, n.d.). A reduction in marginal propensity to save will increase the rate of interest along with the output. A shock of drop in consumer’s confidence will have its effects on savings, investment, money supply and demand assuming rate of interest and output remains constant. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2009, p. 1) The original point A is still equilibrium of the money market. Therefore, the LM curve must include point A. But investment is same as before but savings has increased. So the point A which originally was in the IS curve is now a point where S>I. If there is movement to the right from A, then interest rates and investments are same and savings increases due increase in output. This will make the savings even bigger and so the actual movement should have been to the left of A. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2009, p. 1) An increase in money supply will have no effect on savings and investment or demand for money. Therefore, savings and investment will remain the same and so IS curve must include point A. Keynesian model of cross planned expenditure The cross planned expenditure is given by Ep. Ep= C+I+G. Investment Demand Schedule (Cooke, 2010, p. 10) Ip is planned investment. Ep=E(Y,r,G,T)=C(Y-T)+Ip(r)+G Keynesian Cross (Cooke, 2010, p. 12) Government Spending (Cooke, 2010, p. 13) Phillips Curve The relationship between inflation and unemployment is represented through Phillip’s curve. There is a relation between the prices charged by the company and the wages. (Hoover, n.d.) Suppose the government plans for an expansionary fiscal and monetary policy in order to bring the unemployment below the natural rate. This results in increase in demand conditions. The firms are encouraged to raise the prices. The rate of increase in prices is faster than that anticipated by the workers. Workers in this situation are likely to suffer from money illusion. They witness a rise in the wage rate and thereby supplies more labor. This results in fall unemployment rate (Liaudes, 2005, p. 31). Imperfect Information The real economy is significantly affected by monetary policy in the short run. The non-neutral effects of monetary policy rise because of temporary nominal price rigidities. The short term interest rate is taken as the instrument of monetary policy. The Central Bank should adjust the nominal rate so that it cannot offset the movement in expected inflation. The nature of the disturbances has a role to play in this part. The Central Bank may not

Human factors in technology Essay Example for Free

Human factors in technology Essay Man is the only being who has utilized technology, to the point that it also caused technology to change rapidly through time. Technology has been one of the most influential concepts in the lives of every human being throughout history. It was so influential that it had become one of the major deciding factors in the direction of history. Technological innovations had evolved from the simple to the very complex. From the simple stone cutting tools that prehistoric man had, to the contemporary blades that virtually do not need any resharpening at all. There had also been evolution from the very crude computing technique such as the finger counting, to the very complex supercomputers. In terms of transportation, from the very simple mode of walking and running, man had innovated transportation technology by inventing and innovating cars, planes, ships, etc. Technology had not only affected transportation and computing, but also the social and psychological scene as well. Companies whose general trade is information and technology are the ones whose organizational structure is very much affected by the technological changes. Most of the companies are either computer manufacturers or technological research companies. Apple Inc. , formerly known as Apple Computer, Inc. is an American-based multinational corporation which has its focus on technical manufacturing and designing of electronics and software programs for variations of consumers all around the world. It headquarters can be found in Cupertino, California (Apple, Inc. , 2007; History of Apple, 2007; Mesa, 1998; Apple. com, 2007). This company basically focuses on the development and support of several electronic gadgets for the market. This same company currently has its eyes focused on the innovation of already existing technologies, as well as the formation of a new breed of technology for the market. Some of its world-famous creations are the iPod, iPhone and the AppleTV. Aside from these electronic equipment and gadgets, the Apple, Inc. is also into the creation of new and better software programs. In the past, it had focused on creating and developing operating systems (OS), and specific application programs. Today, Apple, Inc. is now setting the path before it releases its newest operating system, the Mac OS X â€Å"Leopard†. Apple is very much into expanding its frontiers by exploring new ways of marketing and product presentation (Apple, Inc. , 2007; History of Apple, 2007; Mesa, 1998; Apple. com, 2007). It is now into the trend of having an online store where its products, whether hardware or software, can be bought by just a click of the mouse. The company is well-known for their very user-friendly hardware as well as software. Their iPod series, as well as their iPhone, Macintosh series of personal computers and peripherals, iLife software suite, and the Mac OS are just some of their best-known software and hardware products. Also, the company is a major supplier of prosumer software products for specialized purposes such as the audio and film industry (Apple, Inc. , 2007; History of Apple, 2007; Mesa, 1998; Apple. com, 2007). The mentioned things about Apple, Inc. , set up a background for the contemporary company. Technology has an implicit message, and that is to put everything into a very objective perspective, where everything could and should not be subject to an individual’s / group’s personal judgments or beliefs. By virtue of technology, man was able to do things such as measurement and judgment without having biases. With the use of technology, organizations can track their development without having doubts if the people who assessed them were biased about the evaluation process. But this strength is also its weak point. Being very objective would mean that the assessment would be very strict, and it would be guided by certain sets of quantified measurements such as numbers and / or a set of quantified codes. These standards for judgment and assessment can be used to evaluate employees’ activities, company sales and company economic standing. Having these strict standards would mean an easier, more efficient and more economic way of assessing the company. With these, companies such as the Apple could rely on machines about their company’s survival. Machines, which are products of modern technology, could be programmed to assess particular aspects of the company and suggest possible options about how to make the company even more productive. This may sound farfetched, but it could be a good way of looking at the possibility of how machines could help organizations in optimizing their parts. Business oriented companies such as the Apple is currently facing the possibilities of having less human members, and more help from the technology they are developing. These companies, with the help of modern technology, could be able to assess their employees using certain standards that can be input to a computer for further assessment. This way, there would be less processing time, less need for human HRD team members, less specialists in the field of assessing people, more possible members for the pool of computer and technology specialists (which could also mean more capital would be invested on the specialty of the company), and less expenses on the part of the company. Looking at the advantages posed by this method, it would be good to conclude that this could boost company income, thus uplift the lives of its employees in an economic and political sense. On the other hand, this method could also pose a very detrimental effect to the company as a whole, both in the macro and micro perspectives. One disadvantage of this method would be that without the subjective judgments of humans on human resources, it would be possible to miss important and potentially able applicants. Also, it would be possible that the programmed machines would not be able to look the implicit factors such as family background and the personality types of the applicants. Another is the fact that hardcore statistics, which programmed machines use, does not claim that the results are products of the interplay of all possible factors, instead it can only present results with the extraneous factors (which may possibly matter) omitted. References: Apple. com (2007).Retrieved August 9, 2007 from http://www. asia. apple. com/. Apple, Inc. (2007). Wikipedia: The Fee Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 9, 2007 from http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Apple_Computer. History of Apple (2007). ). Wikipedia: The Fee Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 9, 2007 from http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/History_of_Apple_Inc.. Mesa, A. (2007). Apple History Timeline. The Apple Museum. Retrieved August 9, 2007 from http://applemuseum. bott. org/sections/history. html.

Introduction To Safety And Hygiene Environmental Sciences Essay

Introduction To Safety And Hygiene Environmental Sciences Essay Nowdays, requested for food safety facility is increasingly demanding in hospitality line. The food safety facility is availability of safe food improves the health of people and is also important basic for human right. Every day people will get ill from the they eat when prepare the food or cooking without contain a good food safety facility. Normally, people get ill or food poison is because the microorganisms including baterial, viruses and moulds in the food, leading to a whole host of unpleasant symptoms, such as stomach pains, diarrhoea and vomiting. Contamination is the undesired presence of harmful microorganisms or substances in food. Food can be contaminated by unhygienic practices in storage, handling and preparation, and may compromise food safety and palatability, example have a good safety facility for the user. If microorganisms are allowed to multiply, this will have the potential to cause disease if the food is eaten. So, people must understanding and knowledge about the food safety facility to concerned the health risks, for example, need to meet the increasing demands for hygiene requirements and scale for the facility. This is a significant public health burden that can be largely preventable. Not only for our healthy, food safe facility also give due emphasis to good hygienic practices to prevent and control foodborne diseases. Foodborne diseases result from eating foods that contain infectious or toxic substances. As per organization, there is also considerable variation in expertise and resource between the different agencies, and a conflict between the need to protect public health and obligations to facilitate trade or develop an industry or business sector. You need to be aware of these potential difficulties with the food control system. This session will introduce the principles of food safety facility and consist about of floor, temperature, restrooms, ventilation, lighting, personal hygienic, cooking, keep food, waste disposal and equipment. Also learn about food control, food inspection and supportive enforcement measures that can contribute to food hygiene and safety of facility. MAIN BODY Floor About the flooring, as hospitality need to provide a hygienic flooring. The purpose of the hygienic flooring is to provide a healthy and environmentally friendly flooring choice for those who use it. Usually this type of flooring, helps resist mold and bacteria, but also reduces the amount of allergens can build, create better air quality. Others, the flooring must be clearning by daily with chemicals to reduce bacterial on the floor and require a smooth surface easy to clean up. Temperature As temperature, to ensure that the time effective temperature control is critical to the safety and suitability of food. Such control, including the received time and temperature for the process cooking, cooling, storage, packing, distribution, food service reached. Normally, a room as like kitchen must be always maintan the temperature become moderate. Wherever cooking is open with fire shall be provide the equipment like chimney, exhaust fan or ventilation to reducing smoke and steam, also can reduce the high temperature of the room. Lighting Adequate natural or artificial lighting should be provided to the food establishment, to commitment operate in a hygienic manner. Lighting must place appropriate protection, in order to ensure that the food is not damaged by pollution. Ventilation Ventilation is more important of the food safety facility it can process change or replace of any space in the indoor air quality, such like temperature control, supplemental oxygen, moisture, odor, smoke, heat, dust and air in the bacterial. Others, ventilation also can reduce activity of bacterial and also can obtain a protective effect like reduce food contamination by bacterial. So, all regarding of food safety ventilation shall be designed and constructed so that air can maintain circulation and air does not contaminate or affect the food. Restroom For the restroom shall be separate from the food processing and service areas, which may not be a direct result of the food production, service and storage areas. In restroom must have implemented a system for keeping records of all action taken to address identified risk factors for food-borne disease. These records should be preserved for the establishment and in the inspection process. Equipment As equipment must provide a display board mentioning dos donts for the workers should be put up inside a prominent place in the premise in English or in local language for everyones understanding. Display board also to ensure user have follow the instruction and understand how to use the equipment. As food safe facility, the owner must give training for the user to understanding the dangers from work equipment and how to handing the equipment like electrical equipment, fire prevention and other regarding for equipment. When the food process they will get injured any time if user use the equipment without any traning. Others, the equipment shall be have monthly inspection to ensure all the facility can be use without any damage, in addition it can extend life of the equipment. When need easily to maintanance and cleaning function as per its intended use, the eqiupment shall be such located, designed and fabricated, its also can facilitates a good hygiene practices inside the premise including monitoring and audit. Washing of Raw Materials The washed raw food, adequate facilities should be provided. All basins or other Facilities, used for washing food items must have sufficient heat and cold water supply. The water should be at least in the essence of drinking water. These facilities must be kept clean, Necessary to be disinfected. Used for washing a raw material of food flume should be maintained alone should not be used for washing dishes, or for any other purpose. Personal Facilities Personal facilities should include appropriate means appropriate washing and drying of hands before touching food materials including washbasins and supply hot water and separate lavatories of appropriate hygienic design. These facilities should be appropriate to the position, so that they do not open directly into the food processing, handling, or storage areas. Before user begin to perpare any food, make sure that user are using the utensils is clean. Clean worktops thoroughly and wash utensils with washing-up liquid and hot water, or use a dishwasher if user have one. Make sure user clean up any spilt food straight away. They should be made aware of the cleanliness requirement while handling food, if food processing without handled properly people fall ill and many died as a result of eating unsafe food. Storage of Food Proper storage of food reduces the risk of food poisoning. A well-stocked kitchen can be a lifesaver when it comes to pulling quick meals together and keeping our food intake healthy. To ensure your food is safe to eat, however, it is important to take proper care with how your food is stored. As storage of food has beware of the temperature danger zone because food poisoning bacterial grow and multiply fastest in the temperature danger zone between 5 C and 60 C. It is important to keep high-risk food out of this temperature zone. Other, some foods need to kept in the fridge to help stop baterial growing and the time limits for frozen foods are to maintain flavor and texture. It is also still safe to eat frozen foods that have been stored longer, example the storage of foods in fridge, meat, fish, fruit, and etc. CONCLUSION In conclusion, food safe facility is not just about maintaining a clean working environment, and non compliances can occur in any stage during the food handling process from receiving, storing, cooking, cooling and reheating, or serving. As a food safety the owner of restaurant or regarding the food processing shall be ensure a food-safe facility are in control and reduce the hazard of food poison. The food needs assessments were carried out in a professional way. A owner of restaurant they must give training and fully understanding the types of food and the conditions to prevent the growth of bacteria which can cause food poisoning for any employer and employee. In additional, provided the procedure and guideline for all restaurant to ensure food processing can provide the healthy food to the people and also provided the standard facility. So make sure all user implement adequate training, safety facility and monitoring procedures to keep working environment as safe as possible. BIBLIOGRAPHY Anonymous, 6th January 2012, Socia, viewed on 6th July 2012, http://www.fssai.gov.in/Portals/0/Training_Manual/Volume%20III-%20Food%20Regulatory%20Enforcement%20and%20complience%20through%20Inspection.pdf Food Safety http://www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/health-information/directory/f/food-hygiene#textBlock254403 http://www.virtual-college.co.uk/products/food-hygiene-catering.aspx http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/ahershkowitz/how_to_manage_food_waste.html http://extension.psu.edu/food-safety http://www.foodsafety.com/ http://www.sfdph.org/dph/eh/Food/default.asp http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/ INTRODUCTION The concept of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) is a system that helps food business operators look at how they handle food and introduces procedures to make sure the food produced is safe to eat. The HACCP system, which is science based and systematic, identifies specific hazards and measures for their control to ensure the safety of food. It is a HACCP which for focuses on keeping food in proper time and temperature zones and free of contamination, indentifies and controls potential problems in food handling before they can occur, evaluates and monitors each step in the entire food preparation process, works daily to provide feedback and eliminates or reduces risk of food borne illness. The HACCP is used for control risk and the hazard of food is biological, chemical, physical and allergenic. Biological is refer to organisms or organic matters produced by these organisms that are harmful to human healthy. These are include viruses, parasites, bacterial, fungi and protein. The harmful effects posed to human healthy by these biological hazards are mainly of three types infections, allergy and poisoning. A chemical hazard is any substance that can cause harm, primarily to people. Chemicals of all kinds are stored in our homes and can result in serious injuries if not properly handled. The Physical hazards are those substances which threaten a person physical safety. The most common types of physical hazards are raw ingredients, food packinging, building and equipment such as flahing paint, food handlers and the pets. As allergenic is a human immune system response to certain food. An allergenic reaction is triggered by a protein contained in a food. The type of food allergenic included milk, eggs, penuts, and fish. Allergenic symptoms are wheezing or breathing problems, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, hives, rashes or sickness. To successfully carry out HACCP, food service operations will need to personalized HACCP plan. The plan is built a round 7 principles. This chapter will presents an introduction and overview of the 7 principles of HACCP. MAIN BODY Principle 1 Conduct a hazard analysis As food safety hazard is any biological, chemical or physical properties may result in food for human consumption is unsafe. The analyze hazards to identify any hazardous biological, chemical, or physical property in raw materials and processing steps, and assessment of their tune, and may lead to the consumption of food insecurity. All possible food safety hazards that could cause a product to be unsafe for consumption, and the measures that can be taken to control those hazards. For example, at the food processing step of the cooking, one of the identified hazards due to insufficient cooking time or temperature of the survival of pathogens. In additional, hazard got 7 step of analysis is hazards, risk, flow of food, type of customers, type of food, suppliers, the size type of operation. Principle 2 Determine the Critical Control Points (CCPs) A CCP is a critical control point. It is a practice, preparation step, or procedure where a preventive measure or control can be applied. A CCP would prevented, eliminated, or reduced to an acceptable level. For example, a chicken arrives with salmonella. Cooking the chicken to an internal temperature of 170 F is a measured CCP and control measures are necessary to deal with the hazard of pathogens surviving the cooking process. Other is focus on time temperature and need to provide standard operating procedures (SOP). Principle 3 Establish critical limits The limit of the critical control point is to distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable standards. Its maximum or minimum value, must be controlled at a critical control point to prevent, eliminate or reduce to an acceptable level of food safety hazards identified physical, biological or chemical hazards. For example, critical limits including products for cooking stage a lot of time and temperature. In addition shall be provide a food thermometer, tech employee or employer how to use them correctly and to ensure that employee use them on a regular basis. Principle 4 Establish a system to moniter control of the CCP Monitering is a planned sequence of observations or measurement to assess whether under the control of the critical control point to produce an accurate record for future use verification. Monitoring HACCP system is very important. If have lost control of the trend, therefore, it can take action to regain control of the process before more than the limit, the monitor can warn the plant. For example, monitoring critical control points in cooking procedures, including internal temperature with a special thermometer. Other, employees must be involved in the process and understand the critical control point. Record temperatures, cold, hot, cooking, chilling at each stage. Principle 5 Establish the corrective action to be taken when monitoring indicates that a particular CCP is not under control These monitoring establishing a critical limit deviation the action to be taken. The final rule requires a plants HACCP plan to determine the corrective measures to be taken and if user do not meet a critical limit. The purpose of the corrective action is to ensure that the deviation is not harmful to health or otherwise adulterated products into the commercial. For example, if the internal temperature did not reach the required corrective action would require that the product is further cooking. The cooking temperature can not be achieved, alternative corrective measures will be required to be held and destruction. Other is employees must be involved in the process and understand. Principle 6 Establish procedures for verification to confirm that the HACCP system is working effectively Validation is the application of methods, procedures, testing, sampling and evaluation of monitoring, to determine whether the control measures of the critical control points being or has been run as expected. Verification activities to ensure that the companys written HACCP plan monitoring and corrective action. Verify some examples at specified time interval the direct observation of the process of monitoring activities and corrective action monitoring instrument calibration. Other is keep record to prove the system is working effectively. Principle 7 Establish documentation concerning all procedures and records appropriate to these principles and their application HACCP process and monitoring results to establish a record for keeping system file. This can be any simple and fast system such as the printing of the temperature from which critical control point, employees can record your own standards compliant. For example, employees of the plant is responsible for monitoring the cooking critical control points to complete the record sheet of cooking. This table includes the date, start and the end time temperature and the signture of the employee. If deviations occur in the production process responsible for the details of the plant employees deviation logbook records. CONCLUSION Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system is a way to keep food safe because it is through the mobile catering servise processes. It is based on the concept of preventing foodborne disease and to ensure safe food. HACCP plan is a particular food servise the development of a written document food safety procedures to be followed. Also HACCP system must be kept up to date, make revisions when changes occur. A change may be needed when recipes, suppliers, storage, preparation, or equipment changes, or when corrective actions are not working and employees need continuous training. Developed using the seven principles of HACCP plan and specific menu, facilities and equipment for the food service process, For a specific food on the menu, it describes the food safety program appropriate food processing and how the procedure will be monitored and recorded.

Oil Crisis in Libya :: OPEC, Middle East

Because of the crisis that is going on in Libya, Libya’s oil production and exportation has been greatly affected. This country is a member of OPEC, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Libya is the world’s seventeen largest oil producer, the thirds largest oil producer in Africa, and the continent’s largest crude oil reserves. (Hauser, 2011) Since Libya has such an important part in the oil industry, the crisis has affected other countries and their trade, such as the price of oil and gas, as well as monetary value. Libya only contributes two percent of the world’s oil supply. (Andrews, 2011) It might not seem like a big deal because of such a small percentage, but it is very hard for the world to absorb the two percent loss of oil every day. Libya was producing 1.6 million barrels of oil every day before the crisis erupted. (Dagher, 2011) As of now, unfortunately, it is only producing between four hundred and six hundred thousand barrels of oil. (Dagher, 2011) But it doesn’t even matter how much Libya produces, since it is currently not exporting oil and gas to outside countries, such as Europe and the United States. Most of the foreign workers have fled the country, which makes up for the industry in Libya. Eighty five percent of Libya’s exports are sold to European countries, especially Italy. (Dagher, 2011) Libya and Italy has close economic ties with one another, having a friendship treaty with one another since 2008. (Langundo, 2011) Italy is currently the biggest foreign investor in North Africa, who received thirty two percent of Libya’s oil exports. (Langundo, 2011) Italy is greatly affected by Libya’s turmoil. Italy is currently trying to re-establish its access to Libya’s oil and gas. As of now, the shortage of oil does not have a great effect in Europe since other countries, such as Saudi Arabia, have been increasing their oil production to make up the loss from Libya. Libya contributes about five percent of their oil production to the United States. (Dagher, 2011) Though out the United States, oil prices have been increasing between three and five percent because of the increase cost of barrels. (Andrews, 2011) It is hard for those who live in the United States to adapt to the higher prices. Many already have burdens from the recent financial crisis, but the increase in oil prices will only add to the people’s burden,

Richard Wright :: essays research papers

“The Man Who Was Almost a Man';   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In “The Man Who Was Almost a Man'; by Richard Wright, the main character Dave expresses his needs to be acknowledged as an adult. Yet he also exhibits his immaturity and the fact that he is not yet an adult and can not handle adult problems. His actions lead him into trouble that proves the fact that he is still an adolescent who can not handle problems of the adult world. The characters around Dave make him feel like he is still a child. His wants to purchase a gun to feel more powerful. In the beginning of this story, Dave talks about how a gun would change the way people acted towards him. He feels that if he owns this power, the men in the fields who work with him will have more respect for him, and his mother will start treating him as an adult. Dave feels as if he is surrounded by people who treat him as a child and he does not like this at all. “You ain’t nothing but a boy. You don’t need a gun.'; This statement said by Joe, is the main reason why Dave truly wants a gun, to feel independent. Even though Dave wants to be acknowledged as an adult, his actions are very immature and childlike. The act of cornering his mother for a gun is one good example of immaturity. Dave feels as though he can not ask his dad for the gun for fear of rejection, a perfect example of immaturity. Daves defiance to his mother’s rules is another example of immaturity. Dave’s mother agrees to allow Dave to buy the gun as long as he promises to bring it straight to her. He agrees to this, yet he does not go along with her wish. The next morning, Dave set out to the fields early to shoot his gun. He ends up accidentally killing Mr. Hawkins mule, Jenny. The way Dave goes about dealing with this problem is childish. He panics and decides to lie about what really did happen. He makes up a story which he knows nobody will believe, yet he feels that if everyone does in fact believe him he can avoid his problems more easily.

Gregor Mendel

Who was Gregor Mendel? Mendel was a scientist who gained a substantial amount of fame from his study of genetics. He studied the pea plant and its inheritance of certain traits. 2. What contributions did he make to science? His study of genetics led to an increase interest in the study of genetics. His biggest contribution to the study of science was his discovery of particulate inheritance, dominant and recessive traits, genotype and phenotype, and the concept of heterozygous and homozygous. . Which species did he work with? Mendel worked with the simple pea pod plant in his 8 year science experiment 4. State his 4 hypothesisThe first part, or law, states that, â€Å"Alternative versions of genes account for variations in inherited characters. † The second law states that, â€Å"For each character trait, like height, color, texture, etc an organism inherits two genes, one from each parent. The third law declares that, â€Å"If the two alleles differ, then one, the dominant allele, is fully expressed in the organism's appearance; the other, the recessive allele, has no noticeable effect on the organism's appearance. † The fourth law states that, â€Å"The two genes for each character segregate during gamete production. † 5. Explain the concept of independent assortment The concept of independent assortment states that the emergence of one trait will not affect the emergence of another.For example, a pea plant's inheritance of the ability to produce purple flowers instead of white ones does not make it more likely that it would also inherit the ability to produce yellow peas in contrast to green ones. 6. What conditions were overlooked by Mendel? Darwin’s theory that â€Å"if the wide variation observable in cultivated plants were caused by the changed conditions and increased nourishment experienced on being brought into cultivation, then this cause of variation must continue to act. †

Study Guide on Communication

1. What is communication? How does communicating relate to parenting? Communication is sharing of meaning between two or more people, it relates to parenting because it helps guide and understand their child better. 2. How can financial issues affect parenting? Financial issues may cause families to spend less time together; children may spend more time be unsupervised and less quality time with their parents. 3. How does negative communication differ from positive communication? Positive parenting differ from negative parenting because positive parenting have to deal with guiding and teaching children and negative have to deal with yelling scream and punishment. 4. How can divorce affect children? Divorce affects children differently depending on the age group under five experience increased temper tantrums, difficulty sleeping, separation anxiety. School children may feel sadness, guilt, anger and develop phobias. Teens experience insecurity, sadness, and engage in drug use, criminal activities, unsafe sex, etc. . What are three tips that parents can use to improve communication with their children? Three communication tips are; 1) Make the child the focus of your attention. 2) Get down to the child's level physically (eye contact). 3) Delay or Pause conversation if you need to. Critical Thinking Questions 1. Why is it important that parents talk to their children about social issues such as divorce, finances, and unemployment? How can parents talk about di fficult topics? It is important because children can understand the problems that their family is having. They can sit down and talk to their child in a calm tone without giving negative contact. 2. When teenagers become parents, what are some of the challenges they face? Teens faces challenges such as depression, stress, fitting in with their peers and anxiety. 3. What are at least three techniques that parents can use when they are communicating with a child about a mistake or misbehavior? Three techniques parent can use are 1) Wait before criticizing out of anger. ) Start a constructive criticism conversation on a positive note. 3) Don’t jump to conclusion first get full story. Discussion Question 1. Who is someone that you feel you have a positive relationship with? What role do you think openness and truthfulness have in making this relationship positive? Someone who I have a positive relationship with is my aunt. I think openness and truthfulness play a big role because if it wasn’t for those I wouldn’t be able to have a positive good relationship with her. 2. What effects do you think the various types of media (TV, Internet, newspapers, Facebook, etc†¦) have on your own life and your family? Do you think the overall effect is negative or positive? How can parents reduce the negative effects? I think media have a negative effect on my life because I spend more time with the media than I do with my family and that’s not good. We are starting to be a little distant and not spend quality time with each other. I think my parents can spend less time with media stuff and more time with us.

Time-Travel Made Easy--An Entrepreneur from a past era arriving in Essay

Time-Travel Made Easy--An Entrepreneur from a past era arriving in mordern time - Essay Example Let us discuss three things a time-traveling manager should consider when managing today’s business workforce. Workforce diversity is one of the most important things that a time-traveling manager should consider today. The manager who has come into mind belongs to 18th century when there was no concept of workforce diversity and the managers did not have to face any sort of problem related to diverse workforce management. However, due to globalization, today almost every company has diverse workforce, which needs to be managed effectively by the managers. In the 18th century, the companies did not have advanced technology that they could use for production purposes. Therefore, managers of that time did not need to provide technology-based training to the employees. However, today technology is advancing rapidly and managers need to be able to provide proper training to the employees to make them proficient in the use of latest technology. In the 18th century, employees used to be more committed to their jobs as compared to today. Today, people have become more status-conscious. They keep on looking for new jobs, which can provide more benefits to them. Therefore, a time-traveling manager must be able to develop effective incentives policy in the company to retain key employees. McCrimmon, M. (2010). A New Role for Management in Today’s Post-Industrial Organization. Retrieved from

Criminal law problem question Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Criminal law problem question - Case Study Example . . so as the party wounded, or hurt, et cetera, die of the wound or hurt, et cetera, within a year and a day after the same." In order for Eve to have the actus reus required for murder or manslaughter in the events in question, she must have voluntarily and unlawfully committed an act or omission that caused, with no intervening act or event, the death of Brian, Fred and/or Ginger. Firstly, the act or omission of the accused must have been voluntary (Hill v Baxter). This means that the accused must be 'of sound memory'. For example, if the accused drives their car off the road and hits a pedestrian, killing them, during an epileptic fit, this would make the act involuntary, as the accused was not 'of sound memory'. An involuntary act is also one that is being forced upon the accused. For instance, if a loaded gun is being held to the head of the accused and the person wielding the gun threatens to shoot the accused if he or she does not perform the act, this act is involuntary. The voluntary act committed by the accused must also be unlawful. In the case of murder or manslaughter, justifiable homicide is one committed in self-defence or in the defence of another. Other justifiable homicides exist when the killing was committed in war or in the prevention of the commission of a crime (eg: a police officer shooting a bank robber). Therefore, the voluntary act must have been committed under none of the aforementioned justifiable situations. It needs to be done unlawfully. Most importantly, an act must have been committed. An act is a bodily movement, such as the exertion of energy or force that produces an effect. An act includes an omission in the case of manslaughter. However, an omission can only be considered as part of the actus reus if the accused owed a duty of care to the victim and breached that duty by failing to act. A duty of care may arise in the following cases - when the accused is the carer of a child or dependant; when the accused is the cause of the danger; when the accused has already assumed a responsibility of a duty of care; and, when the accused fails to get medical help. The voluntary, unlawful act must have caused the death of the victim. Causation is a necessary condition for any form of homicide. The element of causation can be deduced using the 'but for test' - 'But for' not having acted, the death would not have occurred (Smith v Hogan). However, the action or omission must not only have contributed to the death but must be a sufficiently substantial and operating cause and have not been interrupted by an intervening act by a third party or event (novus actus interveniens). A novus actus interveniens breaks the chain of causation. When the chain of causation is broken, the accused cannot be held accountable for the death of the victim. However, this novus actus interveniens must not be a reasonably foreseeable consequence of the initial act or omission of the accused. Any act or event which is a reasonably foreseeable consequence of the initial act or omission of the accused does not break the chain of causation. When the above mentioned elements of a crime are satisfied, this constitutes the actus reus for murder (except in the case of omission, when it can only be manslaughter). In the following cases, the victims Brian, Fred and Ginger, are all fatally injured in the course of events that implicate Eve for murder or manslaughter. Brian In order for Eve to have the