The West African Nation of Nigeria - 547 Words

The West African nation of Nigeria is rich in oil and natural resources. However, ongoing internal conflicts hinder the country from benefitting from its natural wealth. Since its independence in 1960, Nigeria had two coups and various violent protracted conflicts. The major conflicts in the country are religious, ethnic, economic, and political. However, ethnic and religious conflicts alone claim thousands of lives and affect the countrys economy enormously. Grievance over power distribution and wealth allocation between the Muslim dominated north, and the Christian dominated south created a dip division among the two religious groups. Military rule, poor governance, and corruption also became major impediments for the economic growth and peacebuilding in the country. In addition to exacerbating poverty, bad governance is often cited for the rise of religious and ethnic conflicts in Nigeria. In this short essay, I discuss the role of religion in the ongoing conflicts of Nigeria. I also discuss the different factors that exacerbate the religious conflict. The essay also discusses how the teachings of Islam and Christianity are used to transform the conflict. Examples are drawn from conflict transformation effort by two religious leaders, Pastor James Wuye and Imam Muhammad Ashafa. The essay finishes with a brief conclusion. 2. Brief History of Colonization and Political Conflict in Nigeria Historians date the root of the political conflict in Nigeria to the colonialShow MoreRelatedCivil Wars in Western Africa: Nigeria, Sierra Leone1743 Words   |  7 Pagesplace in Nigeria, and the civil war that happened in Sierra Leone. And by breaking down the events that took place and exploring the causes of both civil wars, I will try and deduce the similarities and differences, if any, both countries had leading up to their respective civil wars. Historically, West Africa is a zone were there has been a plethora of conflicts. 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The war became notorious for the starvation in some of the besieged war-bound regions, and the consequent claims of genocide made by the largely Igbo people of those regions. Causes of the Conflict The conflict was the result of serious tensions, both ethnic and religious, between the different peoples of Nigeria. Like most modern African nations, Nigeria was an artificial construct, put together byRead MoreThe Conflict Between Tradition And Western Influence On Nigeria1665 Words   |  7 Pagestalent and black pride like Nigeria.† There is certainly truth to these words. The west african country of Nigeria has proven itself to be a successful and enduring land. As the English began exploring and colonizing the land grounded in tradition and folklore, Nigeria effectively adapted and grew. Even when torn apart, Nigeria has pulled itself back together and grown stronger. There are many aspects to Nigeria’s culture that are worth considering. But one aspect of Nigeria has proven itself to be rich

Attitudes Towards Test Tube Babies Free Essays

Attitudes towards Test Tube Babies [pic] Name of Student: Yuhan Huang (Sheley) AE teacher: Michelle Crockford AE Class: February 4 Abstract The objective of this report is to present the attitudes and ideas shared by International Education Services Limited (IES) students and students from the university of Queensland (UQ) in relation to their knowledge and personal opinions concerning Invitro fertilization The survey used data collected from male and female students between the ages of 15 and 30 living in the State of Queensland. The participants were given 20 questions to answer in privacy and without any degree of pressure. The questions related to their personal details and to the IVF program in particular. We will write a custom essay sample on Attitudes Towards Test Tube Babies or any similar topic only for you Order Now The aim of the investigation was to gather an overall point of view as to whether IVF was indeed seen as an accepted type of program among this age group. In conclusion it is reasonable to think that another survey with an older more experienced age group would more likely give a variation in results. Because this selected age group were students, their knowledge and experience directly with IVF was limited. However, it is important to recoginse the opinions of youth as they are the future generation of adults. Introduction In recent years, babies conceived through in-vitro fertilization (IVF) have been a topic of moral discussion around the world. This form of reproduction is not considered a natural and acceptable way of giving birth in some people’s eyes. Many infertile couples in particular, rely on this new technology since it allows them the choice of having their baby using this method. In-vitro fertilization is defined by, â€Å"a process by which egg cells are fertilised by sperm outside the womb (Papanikolaou et al. 006)†. The definition of a test tube baby is one which is the result of a female ovary or egg having been fertilised with a male sperm inside a test tube, the resulting impregnated egg is implanted in the uterus of a female, growing into a foetus and developing baby by the time of birth. (Muffin, 2007). According to Walsh (2008), three million test tub e babies have been born throughout the world in this way so far, and this number continues to increase at a rate of eleven thousand each year. In 1978, the world’s first successful â€Å"test-tube† baby, Louise Brown, was born in Great Britain. The baby girl weighed five-pound 12- ounces and was delivered early via Caesarean section. The process had been a success; this process proved Dr. Steptoe and Dr. Edwards had accomplished the first of many test tube babies (Rosenberg, 1970). In Australia, the first test tube baby, Candice Elizabeth Reed, was born in 1980 (Screen Australia, 1982). Infertility afflicts thousand’s of married couples feeling frustration at being childless. In India, there is an infertility clinic which provides moral, emotional and the most advanced technical support for couples wishing to solve their fertility issues. However, the religion of Islam is totally against IVF and has been banned by the by Islamic Fiqh Council (1986). In addition, they thought that in-vitro fertilization was unlawful because it could result in confusion with regard to parentage (Islamic Perspective, 2007). Prior to the birth of the first test tube babies such as Louise Brown, people worldwide were hesitant to use this method thinking that there could be risks involved. However, in time the health and well being of those babies born through IVF programs have proven to the world that this method is indeed safe. Hence the fears have almost disappeared. However, many people still have many misconceptions about a test tube baby and some countries do not allow the manufacturing of test tube babies. If a baby can be created in a test tube, then infertile couples stand a better chance of having a family then by other means. The aim of this report is to examine the attitudes of people towards the adoption of in vitro-fertilization. This paper will first discus the methodology and select the survey question from this research, then a summary of the questionnaire results will be introduced,   followed by a discussion, conclusion and recommendations. Method In this report, quantitative methodology was chosen for this research. Because of the complexities associated with unstructured interview technique and time constraints. A questionnaire was designed to examine the different opinions of International Education Services Limited (IES) and University of Queensland (UQ) students attitude towards the adoption of in vitro-fertilization (refer Appendix A). The main types of questions asked included; those about personal details and personal experiences together with questions on people’s points of view about in–vitro fertilization. There were 30 students who were all volunteers. 10 out of participants were male and 20 of them were female. The students were chosen randomly from state library and UQ library all full time students between the ages of 15 to 30. Religion, political affiliation and socio-economic status were considered unimportant. Confidentiality was ensured by not recording names. Questionnaires were completed by students and the data was then collated and analysed. The questionnaire was limited by the fact that many of the participants were too young to have had any real personal experience in dealing with IVF, however some were able to relate to friends or family who had used the IVF program successfully. Some of the participants only vaguely knew any of factual or historical knowledge about IVF. The interest that the questionnaire generated among participants and their honest and forthright answers proved to be a bonus as far as the questionnaire was concerned. Interpretation of Results Questions 1 and 2 were basic and asked about personal knowledge of in vitro-fertilization (IVF) and test-tube babies. The participants generally have heard about IVF. There are about 83. 3% students know about this topic as can be seen in the results, the ridiculous thing is that there are five students who have never heard of IVF, but one of them knew the process involved in making a test-tube baby. Questions 3 to 13 were probing and in-depth in order to obtain the participant’s sincere and knowledgeable reaction to each question. It was rewarding to see that so many agreed with the IVF program and its aims and benefits. In addition, a high percentage of participants were neutral about many of these questions. This could have meant that they really didn’t know a great deal about IVF or weren’t sure of the answer. Questions 14 through to 19 extended the questioning into the sphere of Government funding. Here 70% of males and 80% of females believed that the Government should provide funding for the IVF program. 6 months to 1 year in Question 18 seems a short time time for most to choose, however this would reflect the experience of the participants. The respondents were generally concerned about this topical issue and its bearing on modern society. They all saw the positive outcome where couples could become happy and have a baby of their own. They concerned themselves with the possibility of defective babies being born. Their eagerness to be involved in the questionnaire showed the openness which they had in being part of the solution to any problem involving IVF. Because their was no influence give by other parties to participants in answering the 20 questions, it can be said that this was a survey with genuine results. Notwithstanding that there were factors which did not fit in exactly with the aim of the survey, such as the young age of some participants along with people having limited knowledge there was sufficient suitable data collected to give a commendable result. The language used in the questionnaire was understood by all participants. Key words such as: in-vitro fertilization, partially, afflicts, infertile, federal funding, prohibitive, DNA did not require any explanation, however some Asian students did request help in sentence meanings. Most people showed a basic understanding on what IVF was meant to do; that is to enable pregnancy to take place, surprisingly in the same question, number 16 very few saw any real concern for safety, acknowledging the medical competency that exist with this program. Recommendation As the findings have indicated, most people were concerned with couples having the need to have a baby if they so desired. It would therefore be in the interest of the â€Å"powers to be,† that Government and medical bodies proceed vigorously with greater implementation and assistance for the IVF program. Question 17 showed that most participants saw two important concerns; that of costing, and concern for babies having defects. Both government and medical procedures can overcome these potential barriers with more funding and improved research respectively. It is interesting to note that in question 13, 30% of females strongly disagreed with the concept of the IVF program producing babies as if they were some kind of commodity or product. No males registered any comment. It appears from this statistic that there is no need to educate people further on this ethical side of any argument brought forward. It can be deduced that the data obtained will in some way enlighten readers of this survey, thus strengthening the argument for a continued IVF program existing in the forefront of society for years to come. . The implications of these results are that more research needs to be carried out to provide a more comprehensive understanding of how other age groups see the IVF program. There could also be surveys done involving those of mixed ethnic backgrounds as well as those of different religions and those with ethical and moral demands. Such surveys would need to address a different kind of questioning but it would still be a recommended that can be made here. Researches in the field of Social Science would definitely find this convincing survey beneficial in exploring the human condition surrounding the human condition, be it only for the point of view of 30 young people. How to cite Attitudes Towards Test Tube Babies, Essay examples

Owners Equity and the Accounting Concepts free essay sample

Assets, liabilities and owner’s equity are the three components that make up a company’s balance sheet. The balance sheet, which shows a business’s financial condition at any point, is based on the equation of assets equals to liabilities plus owner’s equity. This equation is also the framework track of money as it flows in and out of a company. Starting with the first penny a company earn, will be recorded in a general ledger each and every transaction using double-entry system of debits and credits. Assets get recorded on the top or the left side of the balance sheet while liabilities and owner’s equity are recorded on the bottom or the right side of the balance sheet. An assets is anything of value that a company owns including cash. There are several types of assets that is current assets, investment, capital assets and intangible assets. Current assets are assets with dollar amounts that continually change for example cash, accounts receivable, inventory or raw material of a company uses to make a product. We will write a custom essay sample on Owners Equity and the Accounting Concepts or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Investment are assets companies like individuals can own securities such as stock and bonds. While capital assets is also called plant assets which is permanent things that a company owns, use within the business and are not items that the company sells such as land, building, equipment and vehicles. Intangible assets are like patents copyrights and other nonmaterial assets that have value. Liabilities are anything that a company owes to people businesses other than its owners. There are two types of liabilities that is current liabilities and long-term liabilities. In general, if a liability must be paid within a year, it is considered as current assets that includes bills, money a company owe to vendors and suppliers, employee payroll and short-term loans. A long-term liability is any debt that extends beyond one year such as mortgage. Owner’s equity is also called as capital is any debt owed to the business owners. In keeping the books of business, a company must decide the amount to for assets purchased and liabilities incurred. The amount that a company should record assets and liabilities are at the historical cost principle. Historical cost principle is a simple concept which means that the data you see on the balance sheet is recorded at the historical cost. The historical cost is therefore the cost at the time the company or entity completed the transaction. Historical cost accounting is therefore the opposite of current cost accounting. Current cost accounting would record account transactions at the current cost that is the cost at the time the financials were prepared. For example, an asset of land purchased 15 years ago will have appreciated, but it is still shown in the accounting records at its purchase price. Accounting can be completed as it can be simple. In preparing accounts there are several accounting concepts that provide guidance to have a good recorded accounts of your company. It is also commonly referred as generally acceptable accounting principles (GAAP). There are several generally acceptable accounting principles (GAAP). The first principle is the accrual principle. The accrual principle may be called the mother of all accounting principles. It ensures that revenues and expenses are recorded when earned and incurred and not necessarily when cash is exchanged. The accrual principle therefore brings into play other important principles such as revenue recognition and matching principle. The company will therefore record revenue when the sale is made based on the principles of revenue recognition and will record expenses when incurred and against the revenue it helped to generate based on the matching principle. The second principle is the consistency principle. It requires that accounts be prepared using the same method from period to period. Changes are inevitable, however when these changes are made the accountant is required to explain the change in the notes to the financials. This principle is very important, as different methods of preparing the accounts may render completely different results. This would make it difficult for users of the financials to accurately interpret the financial results. Without the consistency principle, unscrupulous accountants would be able to change methods in an attempt to manipulate the results. The consistency principle also ensures that the method used to allocate cost is the same method used to establish the value of assets. The third principle is the separate legal entity concept. It is important that the accounts of the business be kept separate from the personal accounts of the owners. The business is what is referred to as a separate legal entity and maintains its separate accounts. This accounting principle, are applied not only to small companies but to large complicated companies as well. For example, the payment of dividends which is a transaction between the business and its owners, basically the owners withdrawing cash or other assets from the business is not treated as an expense, but as distribution to owners. The fourth principle is the going concern concept which is all about the assumption that the business will continue into the foreseeable future. At first glance, this may be considered mundane, however it is important that the going concern status of the business be extremely clear. Where it is known that the business will not continue to operate it should be clearly stated as well. For a business that is not a going concern, the value of the assets will be determined differently than for a going concern. This will therefore affect any analytical review of the accounts. The fifth principle is the conservative principle. Accountants are not supposed to be too optimistic or ambitious in their work. In personal life they may well be the most ambitious and optimistic among us, but not at work. Accountants are required to be conservative in their preparation of the books. The accountant should be careful therefore not to overstate assets or understate liabilities. Provision for bad debt is a good example of the conservatism principle at work. The provision is made because it is generally accepted that not all debtors will pay all of what they owe. The accountant will therefore make a deduction for a percentage she or he thinks will not be collected. The sixth and seventh principle is the matching principle and the prudence principle. The matching principle is the one to remember, because it cuts deep into what accounting is all about. This principle states simply that the expense incurred to generate the revenue earned in this period should be expensed in this period as well. So the expense should be recorded in the same period the revenue is earned. Keep that info close to your heart, it’s that important. While the prudence principle is similar to the conservative principle which is the need for accountants to be more willing to understate than overstate profit. Under the prudence principle revenue should not be anticipated, while expenses and losses should be anticipated and charged against income. Finally, it is the matching principle. This principle allows the accountant to ignore generally accepted accounting principles. By doing so it would not influence the financial position of the company and/or would be costly and difficult to accomplish. Where an entry affects the financial position of the business entity, the entry is considered material and should be recorded according to GAAP stipulations.

Relationship between Trade and Development

Introduction/Background on trade Trade and development relate considerably. They are able to influence the fates and providences of each other. Modern techniques of transportation, transactions, and communications have enhanced the growth of international trade.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Relationship between Trade and Development specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Records retrieved from GATT, WTO, OPEC, and other international trade organizations have shown tremendous relationships between trade and development (World Bank 364). This report discusses how trade can be a pro-developmental provision and the relationship between the two groups. Usually, the relationship between a country’s trade and its economic development has always been a subject of interest. For example, developing states possess strong trade relations with other countries globally. Views of Different Schools of Thought According to Ad am Smith in his classical theory, free trade often leads to efficient use of a country’s resources. Contextually, it is important to agree that free trade improves economic performance by increasing competition of the concerned entities. Current prospects for a new WTO agreement are to enhance international trade by uplifting probable barriers, which the GS would like to keep. Different parts of the world will fare well while Africa will benefit through magnificent developments. Additionally, various countries should embrace the aspects of specialization and division of labor in order to enhance their output. For example, it is agreeable that trade and development are linked either positively or negatively depending on how a country establishes and utilizes its trade opportunities. Trade triggers the aspects of development since different entities can attain their respective developmental needs through it. Numerous countries have attained their developmental ideas and materia ls through integrated trade and other relevant provisions. It is possible for a given country to attain what it does not produce through trade (Greenaway 49). For example, these provisions have been supported by GATT/WTO, OECD, OPEC, and other prominent organizations established to promote the aspects of global trade and other concerned provisions.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Different hypothesis, theories, and models Numerous theories exist in order to unveil the relationship between trade and development. Additionally, there are particular theories that explain various aspects of trade and development. These have helped in relating the two factions together and enhancing the relationships alleged between them. Additionally, hypothesis has been formulated to trigger viable research regarding the alleged relationships. It is important to enhance the aspects of trade and development in order to propel the prosperity of the concerned countries, regions, and organizations. Theoretically, trade enhances development in various organizations, regions, and countries. This is a critical concern when scrutinized critically. It is from this context that the entire business prospects and other relevant provisions lie. Additionally, trade models can influence the nature of development, which a country assumes. Arguments for and against the above theories Theories supporting the relationship between trade and development are vital in this context. For example, it is agreeable that numerous countries globally have exploited the opportunities fronted by trade in order to develop tremendously. This has been quite important in diverse contexts. Hypothetically, it is important to illuminate the alleged relationships (UNCTD 65). Nonetheless, there are arguments that might defy the positions assumed by the mentioned theories. It is agreeable that there can be no relat ionship between trade and development as alleged by some theories. Some countries can develop minus the assumed trade. There are various avenues through which organizations, entities, and some countries can develop minus trade. Current issues facing trade and development relationships There are various issues facing trade and developmental relationships. Some of these factors have contributed negatively to the mentioned provisions. Contextually, they have affected the wellbeing of the alleged relationships between trade and development indicated before. Contextually, market access is one of the issues affecting the aspects of trade. For example, access to markets in developed countries can enhance the aspects of development thus help in reducing poverty. This indicates how trade relates positively to development. The current prospects for the new WTO are to enhance the flowage of trade among the member countries globally. For examples, several Asian, American, African, and European countries have joined the organization in order to open up their markets, enhance international trade, and promote their developmental issues. Previously, GATT was signed in 1946 and lasted until 1993.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Relationship between Trade and Development specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The organization was then replaced by the WTO in 1995 to open up markets and enhance accessibility. For example, WTO handles the global rules of trade amid nations. Principally, it ensures that trade flows as efficiently, predictably, and liberally. It thus promotes the relationship between trade and development. Additionally, various countries are influenced by varying political factors. This eventually affects the aspects of development in case such factors are unconstructive. The situation is critical in various contexts (Babkina 84). The political situation of any given region can affect the mentioned de velopment besides the ability to hinder the needed universal trade provisions. It is recommended that the concerned countries endeavoring to enhance their trading opportunities should adopt substantial political provisions in order to favor their trading endeavors. Nevertheless, for the least-developed countries (most of the African countries for example), the principal problem is not market access, but inadequate production capacity to attain new trading opportunities. Another issue influencing the relationship between trade and development is the trade barriers. For example, high tariffs imposed on agricultural goods and other prominent commodities have discouraged diversification and developmental endeavors. Additionally, strong and complex tariffs have blocked the mentioned market access and development provisions. Another hindrance to the mentioned relationship is the lack of capacity. For example, some countries have poor infrastructures. This eventually hinders the aspects of trade and other relevant developmental issues. Another issue facing the trade and development relationships is the legal matters governing the aspects of trade. These can be enacted locally or internationally as evident in the GATT and WTO’s contexts. Uncooperative legal matters can hinder the aspects of trade. This will eventually affect trading provisions. It is crucial to consider these cases in the context of trade and development (Lee 36). Similarly, the rules set by international trade organizations have influenced the relationships between trade and development (Narlikar 59). There are some countries which are barred by such legislations in the context of trading. Some countries have been banned from international trade due to misconduct or failure to adhere to some stipulated rules and regulations.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This provision has eventually affected the aspects of development in such countries. Additionally, independence attained by various countries has also influenced the aspects of trade. For example, development was historically perceived as a problem to be solved by foreign aids and loans from developed countries in the East and West. Another considerable issue in this context is the aspects of technology. Technology has enhanced transactions, international cash transfers, communication aspects, and transportation of commodities from one region to the next. This provision has eventually influenced development as alleged earlier. Through technology and trade, it is possible to attain development (OECD 63). Any factor that influences the provisions of trade eventually influences developmental issues. Another issue is globalization. It is evident that globalization has enhanced the aspects of international trade hence eventually influencing developmental issues in various countries, regi ons, and organizations. Globalization has massively influenced the relationships between trade and development by expanding their provisions and elaborating the nature of the concerned relationships. Concurrently, social and cultural issues can actually influence the relationship between trade and development (Ajami 46). Various communities, regions, and countries have their social and cultural provisions, which can influence their participation in trade and other relevant provisions. Negative social and cultural provisions have always hindered trade and developmental issues. Personal Opinion Critically, it is important to agree that trade and development have considerable relationships as indicated earlier. It is obvious that the promotion of trade will eventually enhance developmental provisions despite the challenges. This is a critical provision as exhibited before. The approaches given to these factors have influenced their fates in the trade and developmental contexts. This is a critical provision indicating the relationship between trade and development. The schools of thought bestowed to this topic have considerable disparities in their provisions. No approach is appropriate as alleged; nonetheless, it is important for each provision to discern prospected relationships between trade and development. Various opening markets have influence the aspects of trade and operations of WTO. Continents like Africa have benefited considerable from the aspects of trade and development. Conclusion Conclusively, there is substantial relationship between trade and development. Several schools of thought have tried to discern this allegation. Nevertheless, theories, hypothesis, and models endeavoring to discern the relationship between trade and development are evident in this context. Concurrently, there are current issues facing trade and developmental relationships. Evidently, trade can be a pro-developmental provision. Works Cited Ajami, Riad. International Busines s: Theory and Practice. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe, 2006. Print. Babkina, Ankras. World Trade Organization: issues and bibliography. Huntington, NY, Nova Science Publication, 2000. Print. Greenaway, David. The World Economy: Global Trade Policy 2011. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2012. Print. Lee, Byung-Hwa. Fdi from Developing Countries: A Vector for Trade and Development. Paris: OECD Publishing, 2002. Print. Narlikar, Amrita. The World Trade Organization: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press, 2005. Print. OECD. World Economic Situation and Prospects 2010. New York, NY: United Nations, 2010. Print. UNCTD. Commodity Prices, Capital Flows and the Financing of Investment. New York, NY: United Nations, 2008. Print. World Bank. World development indicators 2010. Washington, DC: World Bank, 2009. Print. This essay on Relationship between Trade and Development was written and submitted by user D'KenNeraman1 to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Analysis Of The Treaty Of Versailles That Ended World War I Essays

Analysis Of The Treaty Of Versailles That Ended World War I Essays Analysis of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I In the peace settlement Germany was forced to accept sole responsibility for causing World War I. This was a totally justifiable demand on the part of the victorious powers. The Treaty of Versailles was enacted into history in June 1919 with Germany forced to accept sole responsibility for causing World War I. Since then there has been considerable debate concerning the war but even today historians still cannot fully agree upon the causes. Some support has been given to the theory that Germany was totally responsible for the war however subeztial evidence does not support that view. Therefore the insistence by the victorious powers to include in the Treaty that Germany accept total blame cannot be justified. This essay examines certain events and actions prior to the July crisis. These caused tension and hostility among nations but did not have a direct bearing upon the war. Also it has been determined that there were decisions and courses of action taken by several nations following the assassination of Franz Ferdinand heir to the Austrian-Hungarian throne which did have a direct bearing upon World War I. Development of political and military alliances caused tension and hostility among nations leading up to World War I. Two major alliance systems developed due to conflicting national interests which had been evident during the past two decades throughout Europe. These were the ?Triple Alliance? of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy and the ?Triple Entente? of Britain, France and Russia. Also several smaller countries became indirectly involved in the alliances which effectively divided Europe into two ?Armed Camps?. Russia pledged to support Serbia in order to prevent further Austrian-Hungarian expansion into the Balkans. Germany stated its support for Austria-Hungary and Britain had given its support for Belgium?s 2. neutrality in 1839. However while these political and military alliances existed there is no direct evidence to indicate that any nation declared war on that basis. There had been several ?crisis? during the period 1905-1913. First the Moroccan crisis involving France and Germany during 1905 and 1911. No wars eventuated only tensions and fears regarding Germanys aggressive expansionist policies. Britain supported France being involved in Morocco and France conceded some territory in the Congo to Germany. Second the 1908 Balkans crisis eventuated because of the collapse of the Ottoman [Turkish] Empire. Austria-Hungary annexed the provinces of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Serbia was insensed and sought Russian assiezce. Germany became involved and Russia backed down. Finally two wars developed in the Balkans. The first Balkan war [1912] was between Turkey and the Balkan League [Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece] with Turkey being driven out of the Balkans. The second Balkan war [1913] occurred between Bulgaria and Serbia/Greece. Winning this war strengthened Serbs position and this gave Austria-Hungary concern regarding its influence in the Balkans. The main significance of the Balkan wars was the position of Britain and France placing restraint on Russia and Germany restraining Austria-Hungary. This did not happen with the July crisis of 1914 which resulted in World War I. [Condron - The Making of the Modern World] Also the two Balkan wars resulted in renewed antagonism between Bulgaria and the other Balkan states especially Serbia and caused general dissatisfaction because of the interference of the great powers in Balkan politics.[Grolier - World War I]. Evidence does support that while the various events discussed did not contribute directly to World War I they did indeed contribute to extreme tensions and suspicions between the great powers and certainly fueled the arms race which in effect prepared nations for the total disaster that was to follow the July crisis. The arms race which mainly involved Britain and Germany began in 1896 when Germany took the decision to significantly expand its navy. This intense competition which developed created significant tensions between nations. The intensity to expand was further fueled following each major crisis which developed during the period 1905-1913. Britain hardened its position towards Germany. The arms race also extended to other areas such as the expansion and modernization of armies. Evidence suggests that due to the large increase in expenditure on navies and armies together with 3. transport and equipment Britain and the European nations were in

Top 10 most common resume myths exposed

Top 10 most common resume myths exposed Finding that perfect job you’ve always strived for and building a successful career is a never-ending process which involves lots of different activities. Arguably, the most important aspect of your job search is building an impressive resume that will increase your chance of landing that dream job. There is plenty of information online about how you can write a resume, but the trouble is that lots of those articles perpetuate certain myths about resume writing, or are simply out of date. As a result, lots of candidates fail to get hired, despite having outstanding qualifications. In order to avoid making the same mistakes as everyone else, here are 10 most common resume myths you need to be aware of:Myth One: One-Page resumeThis one might make sense if you are fresh out of college. But, if you are an experienced professional that’s been in the business for a while, one page will probably not be enough to list all of your qualifications, job experience, and skills. Feel free to go over one page and include everything that you think is relevant.Myth Two: Include Your Entire Work HistoryWhile it’s important to provide a clear idea about your work experience, you don’t need to include every single job that you have ever worked. Focus on those jobs which are relevant to the job position you are applying for, and even then, focus on the last 10 years or so.Myth Three: Hide Your Work GapsConsidering the way the job market is these days, nobody will fault you for having work gaps inside your resume. Instead of hiding them, include them and provide a short explanation about each one in your cover letter. Also, volunteering can help you bridge those gaps and makes your resume look better.Myth Four: Provide a Detailed List of Your Duties for Each Job PositionYour future employers do not care about every single detail of your previous job. The only thing they are concerned about is how you can contribute to their company, as well as relevant pr ojects you have completed at your previous job, regardless of your job position or duties.Myth Five: Your Resume Needs to Be CreativeYou will come across different opinions on this one. It really depends on the company you are trying to apply with. Some are more liberal and like it when candidates think outside the box, while others are more conservative and don’t like unconventional resumes. It’s up to you to do the research.Myth Six: Your Photo Is Not NeededWhile it’s true that you will be hired based on your skills and qualifications, and not the way you look, you still should include a photo of yourself. If you don’t, you will leave a bad impression on the recruiters. Plus, we live in a visual age, so it’s only natural for your resume to feature your photo.Myth Seven: Form Doesn’t MatterOf course, what you put on your resume is essential, but it would be a mistake to neglect the form completely. Keep in mind that the recruiters go throug h hundreds of resumes for every job, and they are used to a particular resume structure.Myth Eight: Your Resume Should Contain Your Entire Professional and Personal HistoryYes, you definitely need to include all relevant information about yourself but your resume should not look like your autobiography. It should be more about your goals for the future, your abilities, and what you plan to do as far as your career is concerned.Myth Nine: Send the Same Resume to EveryoneSending out the same resume might save you some time, but it hurts your chances of being hired. It would be perfect if you could create a custom resume for every job opening so that it’s tailored to the needs of the company. Also, you will need to update the list of your previous jobs and replace the ones which are less relevant.Myth Ten: You Need to Keep at ItGetting a new job requires persistence, but that doesn’t mean you should email the companies you have applied with just days after. If they donâ⠂¬â„¢t call you right away, give it time and then reach out to them in a couple of weeks. If they decide not to hire you, ask for an internship. And if none of that works, you still have other companies. Besides, if you don’t have a job at the moment, you can use your free time to attend courses, volunteer, or master new skills which will help you enhance your resume.Now that you are no longer confused by 10 most common resume misconceptions it is the perfect time to write the ideal job application that will get you hired by your dream company. Start right away!About the author:Zoe Carter is a lifestyle blogger, digital nomad and editor at SuperiorPapers.com. She is always in search for innovative ideas for learning languages and developing writing skills. You can chat with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Life Cycle Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Literature review

Life Cycle Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions - Literature review Example This increase in demand will lead to construction of new power plants; this means that more greenhouse gas will be released into environment; and the environment will continue to be affected by the greenhouse emissions. Generally, there exists a number of ways in which electric energy (electricity) is produced; and each method of production has benefits and disadvantages in relation to operation cost, and impact on the environment, among other factors. For example, the major sources of electric energy include: nuclear energy, coal, natural gas, hydroelectric, oil, biomass, solar and wind among others. Therefore, there is a great need that the future power plants are built such that greenhouse emissions are kept as minimum as possible, and environmental impact is minimized. In this regard, this research paper has carried out a life cycle assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from four natural gas and biomass power plants in United Kingdom. The plants investigated in this research inc lude: Elean, Knapton, Sleaford and Sutton Bridge power plants. These power plants source electricity from natural gas, oil, and/or biomass among others. Table of Contents 1.INTRODUCTION 5 1.1 Aims 6 1.2 Problem statement 6 2.LITERATURE REVIEW 7 2.1 Understanding Lifecycle assessment 7 2.2 Lifecycle assessment of the various energy sources 8 2.2.1 Fossil Fuel 8 2.2.2 Lignite 8 2.2.3 Coal 8 2.2.4 Oil 9 2.2.5 Biomass 9 3.METHODOLOGY 9 4.ELEAN POWER PLANT 10 4.1 Power plant’s Brief preview 10 4.2 Characteristics of straw used on the power (the major source of fuel) 10 4.3 Life cycle assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from Elean Power Plant 12 4.3.1 The source of Straw used in Elean Power Plant 12 4.3.2 Transportation of straw to the power plant 12 4.3.3 Calculation of greenhouse emissions as a result of combusion of diesel 18 4.4 Emission with carbon capture 33 4.5 MASS BALANCE FOR ELEAN POWER PLANT 34 4.6 ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF ELEAN POWER PLANT 37 5.SLEAFORD RENEWABLE ENERGY PLANT 39 5.1 Preview of sleaford power plant 39 5.2 Life cycle assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from Sleaford Renewable Energy 41 5.3 Calculation of greenhouse emissions as a result of combusion of diesel 44 5.4 Emission with carbon capture 56 5.5 Mass Balance 56 5.6 ECONOMIC ANALYSIS FOR SLEAFORD RENEWABLE ENERGY 59 6SUTTON BRIDGE POWER STATION 60 6.1 Brief Preview of the power plant 60 6.2 Life cycle assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from Sutton Bridge Power Plant 61 6.3 Emission with carbon capture 67 Elean power plant is considered one of the major Biomass fired power stations in the world; in fact, according to Farming and Countryside Education (2013), it is the largest power plant in the world that is powered by straw. In addition, it is normally considered the first straw fired power plant in the United Kingdom. It is located in Cambridgeshire at Sutton area near Ely, and it was constructed in the period between 1998 and 2000 (that is, construction of the power pla nt begun in 1998, and was completed in 2000) (Farming and Countryside Education, 2013). It is estimated that the power plant consumes approximately 200000 tonnes of straw every year, and that it generates electric power that is enough to serve about 800000 homes (Galbraith, et al., 2006). Or according to   Farming and Countryside Education (2013), it produces electric power that is enough to power two towns whose sizes can be compared to that of Cambridge.   Elean power plant has two barns which are 18 meters high, and are used to house straw (fuel for the production of electricty); these barns are located on the either side the plants 25 meter high boiler   (Centre for Climate and Energy Solutions, 2012). In order that the plant fits perfectly into unfavourable surrounding landscape, it was constructed approximately 8 meters into the ground surface   (Brem, 2005).

Health Demand, Elasticity, Principle and Agent in Determining Demand Coursework

Health Demand, Elasticity, Principle and Agent in Determining Demand for Medical Care - Coursework Example The cited unique factors may be classified within the â€Å"health status† variable that impact expectation but their role are far too important in the healthcare setting to be relegated as a mere sub-factor. This is the case because the patients are the ones seeking care and that demand is initiated based on their healthcare needs. Afterwards, the physician then prescribes the quantity as well as type of treatment/medical product or service to be needed. For instance, a person is admitted into emergency care because of severe diabetes. Upon examination, the physician has determined that one of his legs has to be amputated in order to save his life. Here, the demand for the surgery and the medications entailed were determined based on the condition of the patient and the judgment of physician. I believe that if the patient is insured the impact of income and price may be diminished. This can also be highlighted in the dynamics behind the decline of price and its impact on dema nd. In conventional goods, a decline would precipitate demand. However, in the case of health care a decline in price, say, of a diabetes drug, would not immediately translate into demand or a significant change in the demand curve because it will be dependent on the number of diabetics and their need and health status. Imagine a situation where consumers have incomplete information about their health status and about the productivity of medical care. Examine the roles of the principal and the agent in helping consumers to determine the demand for medical care in the described situation. Provide at least one (1) detailed example of such roles in action to support your response. Let us suppose that the patient is covered by medical insurance. He is, in effect, the principal in this situation while the physician serves as his agent, acting in his best interest since his decisions are made to improve the patient's well-being. This is the ideal scenario where the agent recommends care services and medications for the client’s benefit. For instance, the physician could prescribe highly-paid and, therefore, effective procedures. The patient without any medical knowledge as to his condition or the treatment would not have known the difference between such procedures and low-paid primary care. But t he condition and the physician’s influence move the demand curve towards highly-paid care and specialties.

Tell-Tale Heart Essay Example for Free

Tell-Tale Heart Essay In Edgar Allan Poes The Tell-Tale Heart, the narrator has a hard time dealing with an old mans disfunctioned eye, and he becomes insane. In this story an old man is killed merely because of his eye. The narrator is crazy and cant stand the eye and he becomes outraged and suffocates the poor old man. Every night for weeks the narrator would peek his head in the old mans room and observe him sleep in everyway he could: Oh, you would have laughed to see how cunningly I thrust it in. (#) This quote shows how creepy the narrator truely was. He had been planning and watching the old man night after night before the very night he murdered him. The narrator was so precise and made everything perfected, or so he thought The night the murder was to occur the narrator was watching ever so carefully, the old man seemed to sense fear and awoken. He let out a loud groan, and told himself the fear was all in his head: It is nothing but the wind in the chimney- it is only a mouse crossing the floor, or it is merely a cricket which has made a single chirp.(#) The narrator was so cunning and sly the old man didnt even notice his long glares all night. So late that quiet night, the old man was suffocated in his sleep because of his careless thinking. The old man is now dead and left under the floorboards to rot. Unexpectedly a pair of policmen come knocking on the door, but the narrator had nothing to fear, for her was incredibly slick and clean about this whole thing. The narrator had welcomed the policemen inside the house to inspect everything and answer any questions needed: The officers were satisfied. My manner had convinced them. I was singularly at ease. They sat and while I answered cheerily, they chatted of familiar things. But, ere long, I felt pale and wished them gone. (#) The narrator sweet talked his way out of the officers until they stayed so long his concience began to catch up with him. It made him so sick he couldnt take it. Just when he thought he was safe, he was completely wrong.  The narrator couldnt take it anymore, he confessed and opened the floorboards for the officers to see. Off to the slammer for him.

What role does the landscape play in contributing to three Australian E

In this essay I will consider the roles of city and country in three short stories; Water Them Geraniums by Henry Lawson, Short-Shift Saturday by Gavin Casey, and Trees Can Speak by Alan Marshall. I will argue through contributing to character development, they provide insight into the construction of contempory Australian identity. In Water Them Geraniums the outback is shown to be an emasculating force, particularly for women, that strips away their humanity until they function in a mechanical way to survive off the land. In Short-Shift Saturday the narrator is a product of an inherited colonial culture and imagines that it is the alien landscape and culture in which he lives that is the agent of his suffering. In reality, the countryside is used as a device to allow pathetic fallacy, reflecting the emotional state of the main protagonist. In Trees Can Speak the main character is the personification of the land and demonstrates the desirable state of being in harmony with the bush . I will put forward that across these three stories, the relationship between the characters and their environment is used to chart a period of progression from English myths and ideals onto the emergence of an Australian identity. At the start of Water Them Geraniums, Joe Wilson and his wife Mary are in the process of moving out to land near Lahey’s Creek, where they intend to take up a selection. The path they are riding along is ‘a dreary, hopeless track’ with ‘no horizon’ and ‘gnarled and stunted trees in every direction ’.This track is a metaphor for the path their life together has taken. It is ‘the dry season’ of their marriage. The couple have ‘got out of the habit of talking to each other’ and no longer have any plans for the future. Something that is emphasized as important to characters who live in the bush and stay sane, is having something to look forward to. As Joe says: Shepherds and boundary riders, who are alone for months, must have their periodical spree, at the nearest shanty, else they’d go raving mad†¦the yearly or half-yearly spree is the only thing they’ve got to look forward to: it keeps their minds fixed on something definite ahead. The fact that the horizon Joe and Mary are riding toward has nothing on it, is a bad omen for their mental, emotional and physical health. It indicates that it is the lack of anything to look forward to in the ‘changeles... ...interaction with others according to social convention whilst their husbands do not. They are also disgusted by displays of uncouth behaviour. In both stories the countryside is viewed in opposition to the city and is seen as isolated, a place where people are distanced from civilisation and therefore, â€Å"no place for a woman†. Both Henry Lawson and Gavin Casey conclude that, if they have lived anywhere else, they react badly to a domain where the physical ability to survive on the land is the primary requirement of settlers, or a place without the culture they had been used to. The countryside is a place where what was needed for eking out an existence from natural resources were male traits, and therefore men played a pivotal role in forging the Australian way of life and in making it distinct from European traditions. The male characters in all the stories have a strong connection to the land. Whether the land nurtures or thwarts them, their experience of working on it leads them to respect it. The land is therefore instrumental in building a common sense of empathy among men and in dividing them from women, as the two sexes are removed from each other’s experience and concerns.

Leadership Philosophy

Eisenhower said once said, â€Å"Leadership consists of nothing but taking responsibility for everything that goes wrong and giving your subordinates credit for everything that goes well†.   (http://www.maxwell.af.mil/au/awc/ns/electives/sld/sldsy.htm) Any deliberation about leadership must begin with the recognition of the fact that people want to be led. It is obvious to a great extent in the face of a calamity they find comfort and inspiration from their leaders. This is also true on a day-to-day basis. People tend to need and seek out guidance from strong leaders. â€Å"Leaders organize people—whether in a multinational corporation, a civic or charitable enterprise, a family business, or a high school.† (Ashby and Miles, 2002) According to Fairholm (1998), â€Å"one of the fundamental characteristics of leadership philosophy is its emphasis on a few values held in common by group members†. These values are summed up in a vision of what the group and its members are and can become. â€Å"In the United States, the vision typically integrates values described first by the founding fathers. These values include personal liberty, respect for life, justice, unity and happiness. These are widespread values that are essentially held and to the achievement of which most people dedicate their energies. Unless leaders tap these energizing values, they risk not being able to lead†. (Fairholm, 1998) A Policeman’s life is riddled with high standards of selfless service. They have to have integrity and it is widely known that they have worked hard without waver since their inception. A question which arises often is â€Å"How do you lead men in such a way that they will put their life on the line for you in an encounter situation in times of danger, and work twenty hours a day for weeks and sometimes months to resolve a crisis?† Of course this can be achieved through perpetual torture and extreme fear of the leading officer but Constables and Lieutenants under such a Captain will not give their job a 100 percent and the direct negative outcome of that will be that the team will not be functioning at full capacity. Firstly a leader must illustrate devotion and commitment to a life of service. Secondly, it is of vital importance that a leader must be considerate and concerned about his people. (Puryear, Jr.) These tie in with the principle of observation of a role model. A leader’s subordinates have to see that their leader is entirely dedicated to his job and doesn’t only treat it as a job or simple tasks which have to be performed out of duty. A leader must display his love of the occupation so that his subordinates have a role model to follow. However, they will not follow him without question if he doesn’t demonstrate affection for those under him. There is no need for physical forms of affection. The kind of affection needed can simply be demonstrated by thoughtfulness from a leader. A leader needs to be genuinely concerned about the safety of those under him. In a job such a police officer’s this is particularly important. An officer's subordinates need to know without any doubt they their lives are in the hands of someone who cares. Brilliant examples of concern for staff have been littered through the US military history, â€Å"Gen. Vandenberg invited a colonel to sit in on a conference with the legendary Macarthur. Gen. Twining gave up his Christmas vacation to permit Quesada to catch up on his flight training. General John P. Ryan took coffee to mechanics working late at night. General Brown allowed a crewman to release his frustration by putting on his cowboy hat and boots. He also provided flights home during temporary duty for his officers and men, and he saw to it that enlisted personnel living in barracks could have a leisurely breakfast on Sundays.† (Fairholm, 1998) With such an amazing array of leadership in our country’s history, one should take a leaf out of their book. Some may think that all leaders would comprehend and be aware of the significance of looking out for those underneath your authority, yet such is not always the case. A primary principle which policemen follow is to develop a sense of responsibility among their subordinates. General Marshall would say throughout his career to his subordinate officers, â€Å"Fix the problem, not the blame†. At times, a leader has to rely on himself and more imperatively, on his workforce to see him through the storm or bad weather. (Barber, 2004) It is of vital importance that the subordinates discover that they are capable of achieving more, the subordinates assessment of what constitutes of difficult is a direct consequence of their frame of reference. This problem can be solved with mentorship. Part of mentoring someone involves placing a subordinate in contact with people at the top who are making the toughest decisions. As Murphy and Riggio (2003) put it, â€Å"Opportunities such as observing another's leadership and management skills in action or gaining self-awareness through another's perspective are just a few of the benefits of mentoring†. Using Gen. Shy Meyer's definition, a mentor is someone who provides â€Å"guidance, counseling, advice, and teaching† and, with that, â€Å"door opening† -meaning opportunity. â€Å"The result of door opening and mentorship is that with progress in rank and responsibility one gets the toughest jobs, the longest hours, and the greatest sacrifices in family life.†Ã‚   (Puryear Jr., 2000) Unfortunately many leaders have developed the â€Å"one-size-fits-all† mentality. This blunder is the outcome of an ironic combination of overconfidence and under confidence in the value of an old, recognized and formerly victorious plan and under confidence in being able to master or develop an original but new and so strange plan.   Sometimes Police officers want to get fast results and so get impatient and apply this theory their operations. One's previous knowledge is always an advantage and it is a huge part of any operation but it must only come into play in the context of the present circumstances. Some may attribute the habit of to a lack of ability to comprehend or even mental laziness. Inductive reasoning is required to avoid such am error.   This entails the skill to look at and understand the bigger picture. Of course this may require the investigation of hundreds or thousands of concrete facts and observations, then set aside those which are insignificant and of no great consequence and finally amalgamate the remainder of it into tiny basic conclusions and standards. The final question has to be â€Å"What does this all add up to?† This can be done through two ways; Inductive reasoning and Deductive reasoning.   Inductive reasoning is based on simplification prioritizing. It involves turning complexity into simplicity by imposing order on seeming chaos and identifying what has to be done before any other outcomes can be achieved. What is a fundamental need to be considered and this fundamental feature is what everything else will rely on and function upon. Deductive reasoning works in another manner. It involves integrating what has been discovered with prior knowledge and then applying it to the current situation. Some may find the level of complexity required too great. So they bluster and make demands on subordinates and use familiar strategies, but they never get to the real heart of the problem because they do not know what it is. There may be a lack of creative imagination as well. All of this is very hard mental work and requires intelligence and logical thinking; a policeman’s work is not only restricted to physical activities! A few leaders often do not know that they cannot handle the job properly. More often than the foundation of their self-esteem is always being right and always being in control of things. They would feel humiliated and degraded if they admit that they cannot complete a task correctly. They lie to themselves by convincing themselves that they can do it and fall into a whirlwind of desperate, inept measures. None of them could be right but that point they stop thinking. They replace thinking with clumsy actions. When things begin to go bitter, they lash out at their subordinates and then segregate themselves so that they will not have to hear the bad news. All this makes them progressively less able to fix what is really wrong with the operation. (Murphy and Riggio, 2003) Henry L. Stimson, the secretary of War through 1990 and 1911 once said, â€Å"I had been accustomed throughout my life to classify all public servants into one or the other of two general categories: one, the men who were thinking what they could do for their job; the other, the men who were thinking what the job could do for them.† (Puryear, 2009) True leaders who others follow without any doubts or questions even in the worse of circumstances are those who do the former. References Barber, E. Brace. (2004) No Excuse Leadership: Lessons from the U.S. Army's Elite Rangers. Hoboken, NJ. Wiley. Fairholm, W. Gilbert. (1998). Perspectives on Leadership: From the Science of Management to Its Spiritual Heart. Westport, CT. Quorum Books. Murphy, E. Susan & Riggio, E. Ronald. (2003). The Future of Leadership Development. Mahwah, NJ. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Puryear, F. Edgar, Jr.(2000) American Generalship: Character Is Everything The Art of Command. Presidio Miles, A. Stephen & Ashby, D. Meredith (2002) Leaders Talk Leadership: Top Executives Speak Their Minds. New York Oxford University Press. AWC Elective: Strategic Leader Development http://www.maxwell.af.mil/au/awc/ns/electives/sld/sldsy.htm Accessed January 5, 2007   

Butcher Boys by Jane Alexander Essay

Butcher Boys is a work of art created by Jane Alexander in 1985-86. Jane Alexander is a caucasian female who was born in Johannesburg South Africa in 1959, and grew up in South Africa during the tumultuous political and cultural atmosphere of apartheid and the fight for civil rights. This location, or more specifically the cultural, social and political aspects of this location, affected Alexander’s work, Butcher Boys. The artist states, â€Å"my work has been a response to the social environment I find myself in. Apartheid happened to be the important political condition at a certain time, and it still impacts my perception of social environments now, here or abroad†. (Dent). Alexander still resides in South Africa and currently teaches at the Michaelis School of Fine Arts in Cape Town (Bick 30). Butcher Boys is a work consisting of three plaster-cast, life-size naked figures that embody both human and inhuman characteristics. The human characteristics include arms, legs, hands, feet and torsos that are combined with monster like heads with decaying horns, dark eyes, cleaved backs, sutured chests, ear holes and lacking mouths. The genitalia of the figures appear to be covered by codpieces. The three figures are seated on a bench in a mundane position that could be seen in a â€Å"doctor’s office waiting room† or similar to â€Å"athletes on the bench.† (Klassmeyer). This exhibit is not separated from the audience by rails or boundaries, but is on an equal level to viewers, and therefore viewers are able to see the art piece from all angles. The artist used oil paints to create the darkness of the defects of the figures making them seem more realistic. This artwork was created by Alexander while she was completing a masters degree at the University  of Witwatersrand. She may have chosen the media of plaster to create these figures due to the message she intended to portray. The possible message, which will be discussed in detail later, is controversial and addresses the  large topic of apartheid. Perhaps the artist wanted to make a life-sized exhibit to make an impression and better communicate this important message. This exhibit is not just large but the humanoid figures are created to scale of the human form which makes the message more intimate and relatable to the general audience. Another reason why Alexander may have chosen plaster for this art piece, is that plaster is inexpensive and easily accessible. For a student, and I speak from experience, these are important considerations when choosing a medium to utilize. Therefore, plaster allowed Alexander to make the statement she intended within her constraints as a stude nt. In A History of Art in Africa, Suzanne Blier describes various categories that can applied to African art. Several of these categories apply to Jane Alexander’s piece Butcher Boys. Alexander utilizes innovation of form by adding innovations to the human figure to communicate her message. This symbolizes the inhuman characteristics of the culture of apartheid. This technique of creating human forms with inhuman additions has a realistic and yet surreal effect on the viewer. Visual abstraction is shown in this artwork by the deviation of the figures from the classic human form. Although the figures are in a very unremarkable position, they have cleaved backs, horns, ear holes and other inhuman attributes. Without the addition of these abstract characteristics, these figures would appear to be ordinary humans, and the thought provoking connotations of the piece would be lost. The figures in the art piece are human like and represent human society. This shows humanism/ anthropomorphism. There are also three figures arranged together in this piece making this display an ensemble. The meaning of Butcher Boys is very intellectually complex, and can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Therefore the piece shows a multiplicity of meaning. The various interpretations of this piece will be discussed at a later point in this essay. The categories that do not apply to Alexander’s piece include parallel  asymmetries and performance. The cultural, political, and social circumstances that existed in South Africa during the life of Jane Alexander greatly impacted her art, and specifically the piece Butcher Boys. To appreciate the meaning of this piece  it is necessary to understand the history of South Africa, the origin of the artist. Similar to other African countries, South Africa was colonized by Europeans including Dutch and later British immigrants. The discovery of gold and diamonds in the mid 1800s brought an increase in attention to South Africa and therefore, an increase in immigration from European countries. The Zulu, an empire of the indigenous African population, was defeated by the British and the Dutch in 1879. These white immigrants over time established control of the indigenous populations by creating several laws and limitations. The Native’s Land Act of 1913 assigned 87% of the land in South Africa to the white population and 13% to blacks. The Mines and Works Act of 1911 assigned menial and manual labor to blacks and skilled labor to whites. During this time the indigenous population was denied many rights including the right to vote. In 1948, apartheid, a policy of racial segregation, was put into place by the ruling white population. This significantly increased the racial issues in South Africa. In the 1960s and 1970s South Africa encountered upheaval including several strikes and uprisings which result ed in many deaths. After this time South Africa experienced a continuous struggle between the black and white populations as the indigenous people fought for their civil rights, similar to what was experienced in the United States during this time. During this time of racial turbulence, Jane Alexander created the piece Butcher Boys in 1985-86. This cultural, social and political framework had a distinct impact that is communicated in the meaning of this piece. As an artist, Jane Alexander is generally silent as to her intended meaning of her pieces ArtThrob). Therefore, the meaning of Butcher Boys is open to interpretation and there are a variety of perceptions of this piece. One possible intention of this piece is to create emotions within the viewers related to the horrors that took place during the apartheid era in South Africa. The figures in the artwork may represent the  perpetrators of apartheid. The casualness of the appearance of the models in relation to the inhuman characteristics of each may communicate the good and evil within the white population involved in these atrocities. This may show the revulsion that Alexander felt toward the white population while living in South Africa during apartheid. In contrast, these figures can also be  perceived as representations of the black population. They show â€Å"dehumanized victims of apartheid’s crimes against humanity† (Bick 33) by the additions of horns, cleaved backs, and other inhuman attributes on the otherwise normal human form. It can be argued that the evil vs good theme displayed in this artwork portray the good and evil present in all of us. These sculptures have no genitalia or specific skin color and are therefore representations of humanity in general, and all viewers can relate the forms to themselves. This interpretation is intensified because the figures are life-sized and are not separated from the audience allowing them to become more intimate with the art piece. The human features of the sculptures cause viewers to relate personally to the figures, and ponder if the inhuman att ributes represent the evil inside themselves. Another interesting issue regarding the perception of Jane Alexander’s Butcher Boys occurred in February 2012. At this time, the South African band Die Antwoord’s lead singer Ninja dressed as a character resembling a figure in Butcher Boys in a teaser trailer for their album Tension. Die Antwoord speaks to the post-apartheid generation of the white population who is now experiencing a changing identity as the political and social entities in South Africa stabilize after a tumultuous past. Die Antwoord participates in â€Å"selecting, editing, and borrowing from available cultural resources to construct and perform a new white identity† (English). Jane Alexander communicated with the band after this release objecting to the band’s appropriation of the imagery of her piece. The band immediately removed the video and the lead singer responded that they used the imagery because Butcher Boys was one of the few South African art pieces that they were proud of. R eactions to this occurrence in South Africa have been mixed. Butcher Boys by Jane Alexander was chosen for this essay because it was previously introduced to the class and the image was found to be both visually and conceptually stimulating. After reading the article Horror Histories: Apartheid and the Abject Body in the Work of Jane Alexander, the historical significance of this piece made it even more intriguing. Butcher Boys became even more compelling after research showed that this specific art work, as well as its history, impacted the band Die Antwoord, which is a  band I appreciate. This piece is relatable to me personally because it shares many qualities of my own work which utilize the human form with alterations. I find the work of Jane Alexander to be inspirational and will draw from this experience in my future endeavors as an artist. Bibliography Being Human. Durham University. N.p., 3 Mar. 2009. Web. . Bick, Tenley. â€Å"Horror Histories: Apartheid and the Abject Body in the Work of Jane Alexander.† African Arts (2010): 30-41. Print. Dent, Lisa. â€Å"Global Context: Q+A with Jane Alexander.† Art in America. Cynthia Zabel, 6 Aug. 2012. Web. 30 Nov. 2013. . English, Chris. â€Å"Die Antwoord and Appropriation.† YouTube. YouTube, 06Dec. 2012. Web. 30 Nov. 2013. . â€Å"Jane Alexander.† ArtThrob. N.p., July 1999. Web. 30 Nov. 2013. . â€Å"Jane Alexander | South African History Online.† South African History. N.p.,15 Apr. 2009. Web. 30 Nov. 2013. . Jimenez, Dan’etta. â€Å"Jane Alexander: Surveys (from the Cape of Good Hope).† (2013): n. pag. Rpt. in Museum of African Art New York. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print. Klassmeyer, Kelly. â€Å"Jane Alexander and the Dangers of Success.† Houston Press. N.p., 19 Sept. 2012. Web. 30 Nov. 2013. . Visonà  , Monica Blackmun. A History of Art in Africa. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2001. Print.

The eNotes Blog Teachers The Best Way to Start off theYear

Teachers The Best Way to Start off theYear Getting past icebreakers and guidelines Students expect the first day of school to be unproductive. They walk from one room to the next, playing icebreaker games and collecting printed copies of guidelines and expectations. The first day is either a social event or a logistics meeting. It makes sense to have the class get to know one another and understand the rules, but there is a better way to kick off the year. Rather than focusing on the personalities in the room or classroom policies, why not get them engaged in learning? Teachers start the year excited about the ideas they will teach, but students often have little understanding of what the class is about. The first day is an opportunity to pique their curiosity and get them excited about the subject matter. Find the Big Question Every class has some big question that guides it through the year. The question is often deceptively simple and open to discussion. For history, it could be â€Å"what is history?† For a course on British literature, it could be â€Å"How are old books useful to us today?† Math teachers might ask students about problem-solving and logic. Psychology teachers could ask their students whether humans have free will or whether their actions are determined by patterns in their thinking. Regardless of the subject matter, there is some underlying idea that guides the purpose and structure of the class. Get Students Talking Once you have your big question for the year, create a situation that will get students to think critically and discuss the topic. Have your history students break into groups and decide what events from this year should be covered in textbooks of the future. Surprise students with a poem from the Victorian period that is silly or otherwise breaks their preconceived notions of old, boring texts. Give math students a complex, intriguing problem and have them work together to solve it. Have science students set up an experiment to test a hypothesis. Include Everyone Get to know the personalities in the room by having students share their ideas. Create relationships among the students by asking them to respond to one another and work together as they dig into the major ideas of the class. This accomplishes the same goals as the traditional icebreaker, but it puts the social interactions within the context of the academic work. Save the Rules and Expectations for the Second Day The first day should get students excited about the things they will learn. Rules and expectations are a means to facilitate that process, but they are a means to an end. No student is going to be excited by a handout with a list of rules. If you use your first day to get your students engaged in the topic of the class, you can then present the rules as a way to explore the ideas they care about. Do you have any first day tips? Share them below!

Bowhead Whale Facts

Bowhead Whale Facts The bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) got its name from its high, arched jaw that resembles a bow. They are a cold-water whale that lives in the Arctic. Bowheads are still hunted by native whalers in the Arctic through special permission for aboriginal subsistence whaling.   Identification The bowhead whale, also known as the Greenland right whale, is about 45-60 feet long and weighs 75-100 tons when full-grown. They have a stocky appearance and no dorsal fin. Bowheads are mostly blue-black in coloration, but have white on their jaw and belly, and a patch on their tail stock (peduncle) that gets whiter with age. Bowheads also have stiff hairs on their jaws. The flippers of a bowhead whale are broad, paddle-shaped and about six feet long. Their tail can be 25 feet across from tip to tip. The bowheads blubber layer is over 1 1/2 feet thick, which provides insulation against the cold waters of the Arctic. Bowheads can be individually identified using scars on their bodies that they get from ice. These whales are capable of breaking through several inches of ice to get to the water surface. An Interesting Discovery In 2013, a study  described a new organ  in bowhead whales. Amazingly, the organ is 12 feet long and wasnt yet described by scientists.   The organ is located on the roof of a bowhead whales mouth and is made of a sponge-like tissue. It was discovered by scientists during the processing of a bowhead whale by natives. They think that it is used to regulate heat, and possibly for detecting prey and regulating baleen growth. Read more here. Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Class: Mammalia Order: Cetartiodactyla Infraorder:  Cetacea Superfamily: Mysticeti Family: Balaenidae Genus: Balaena Species: mysticetus Habitat Distribution The bowhead is a cold-water species, living in the Arctic Ocean and surrounding waters. Click here for a range map. The largest and most well-studied population is found off Alaska and Russia in the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort Seas.   There are  additional populations between Canada and Greenland, north of Europe, in the Hudson Bay and Okhotsk Sea. Feeding Bowhead whales are a baleen whale, meaning they filter their food. Bowheads have about 600 baleen plates that are up to 14 feet long, illustrating the immense size of the whales head.  Their prey includes planktonic crustaceans such as copepods, plus small invertebrates and fish from the seawater. Reproduction The bowheads breeding season is in late spring/early summer. Once mating occurs, the gestation period is 13-14 months long, after which a single calf is born. At birth, calves are 11-18 feet long weigh about 2,000 pounds. The calf nurses for 9-12 months and isnt sexually mature until it is 20 years old. The bowhead is considered one of the worlds longest-living animals, with evidence showing some bowheads may live to over 200 years. Conservation Status and Human Uses The bowhead whale is listed as species of least concern on the IUCN Red List, as the population is increasing. However, the population, currently estimated at 7,000-10,000 animals, is far lower than the estimated 35,000-50,000 whales that existed before they were decimated by commercial whaling. Whaling of bowheads started in the 1500s, and only about 3,000 bowheads existed by the 1920s. Due to this depletion, the species is still listed as endangered by the U.S. Bowheads are still hunted by native Arctic whalers, who use the meat, baleen, bones and organs for food, art, household goods, and construction. Fifty-three whales were taken in 2014. The International Whaling Commission issues subsistence whaling quotas to the U.S. and Russia to hunt bowheads. References and Further Information: American Cetacean Society. Bowhead Whale Fact Sheet. Accessed June 25, 2010.International Whaling Commission. Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling Catches Since 1985. Accessed March 23, 2016.NOAA Fisheries: National Marine Mammal Laboratory. Bowhead Whales, Accessed March 23, 2016.NOAA. Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus). (Online) NOAA Fisheries: Office of Protected Resources. Accessed June 25, 2010.Reilly, S.B., Bannister, J.L., Best, P.B., Brown, M., Brownell Jr., R.L., Butterworth, D.S., Clapham, P.J., Cooke, J., Donovan, G.P., Urbn, J. Zerbini, A.N. 2008. Balaena mysticetus. (Online) IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.1. . Accessed on 25 June 2010.Rozell, Ned. 2001. Bowhead Whales May Be the Worlds Oldest Mammals. Alaska Science Forum, February 15, 2001. Accessed June 25, 2010.

Network Security and Growing Problems Protecting your Privacy Research Paper

Network Security and Growing Problems Protecting your Privacy - Research Paper Example In the last decade, federal governments like the FBI and other organizations have supported the Cyber command battling computer intrusions to fend of attacks network systems. The problem with network systems security is how easy a hacker can access your system to gain what the criminal is targeting. The methods can be done from across the globe being sent thru an email to millions of people to entice them to open or allow access from them to the network. This method can be done thru a link posted in the email or it aggressively uploads a file once opened and once opened the malicious software penetrates into the network system loading or unloading data to its requester. Another method used by hackers is to use devices that passively listen to networks by accessing the broadcast being sent between the networks. When the hackers are trying to monitor the nodes or access points in the network the equipment typically used are network hardware typically found in electronic stores. The hardware that is typically used is Wi-Fi modem, laptop and a network analyzing software. The hardware listed can be then used to pick up Wi-Fi signals used in networks and then be managed in the software that is able to interpret its meaning. In Wi-Fi signals, the information being broadcasted is usually "open" since you cannot see what is being sent over the stream. With the information being free a hacker with bad intentions can collect a surplus of information without being detected. The typical hacker that finds ways to steal private information are not industry IT or IS professionals but enthusiast that are technically savvy enough to understand the inner workings of a computer and software language to control them. In current days in the tech industry, it's not out of the normality to hack to jailbreak a smartphone so you don't have to pay the manufactures prices but  instead get it for free. With the same concept, hackers can access networks.

ECE420 Journal Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

ECE420 Journal Report - Essay Example It is important to use simple functions and basic algebra to achieve this goal. The curriculum also reveals that it is important to intertwine mathematical concept with real life situations. This will act as an eye opener for the children into the actual applicability of mathematics in the tangible real world (Aiken, 2009). A good example is creating a real life simulation, for example, a pharmacy. The unit also taught me that an effective teacher is one who appeals to each student individually. In essence, an effective teacher has to relate to each student on a personal level and in the process empower the child. This interaction will enable the teacher to pinpoint weaknesses relative to each child and formulate a mechanism to deal with these weaknesses at an early stage. The teacher should also engage the students in setting up class activities. These activities are primarily aimed at teaching students while at the same time keeping them entertained and excited, in the process streamlining early childhood development with the child’s development process (Aiken,

Draft of Song of Solomon Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Draft of Song of Solomon - Essay Example It is about enslavement and the people who tried to escape slavery and try to find their roots back in Africa. In this book the protagonist is Milkman, a young man brought up in a wealthy family but with parents who do not love each other anymore. This is shown when Milkman’s father hits Ruth. Milkman complains to his friend guitar that certain things are making him angry and getting to him. He says, â€Å"I don’t know, guitar. Things seem to be getting to me, you know?†(Morrison, 152).Macon loves money and he loves property. His money has made him oblivious to other people’s problems. He wants his son to be just like him and surely Milkman behaves just like his father. He’s wealthy background makes him oblivious of the black oppression. Furthermore, he has money to spend on women thus treats them with little disregard. This paper is going to discuss how Milkman overcame this lifestyle to become a fully transformed man. Milkman is flawed and this is enhanced by the amount of money his father has. As a matter of fact it is the wealthy background that gives milkman his attitude. Just like his father, milkman is obsessed with money and tends to reason like a white man.Milkman believes in the power of money to gain him freedom and power in life. This is because he uses money to get the things he needs like buying alcohol, women and having a good time, thus he only believes I the power of money. In line with this thinking, he becomes a rude, mean and a dangerous person. His dangerous personality is witnessed when he hits his father for hitting his mother. We see him complain to his friend Guitar ,â€Å"Your daddy slapped your mama, right?†, â€Å"Right.Right.† (Morrison,152).However, he is not dangerous in a bad way like in being violent and murderous. He is just a man who likes to have control of situations and want things to happen his way. Milkman is also a womanizer a trait he enjoyed with guitar his poor friend. He has money and money buys him

Oral Contraceptive Use and the Risk of Meningioma

Oral Contraceptive Use and the Risk of Meningioma Abstract: Oral contraceptive use is a suspected risk factor for the development of a meningioma. This is supported by meningiomas being more common in females than males, the growth of meningiomas being affected by the menstrual cycle and the presence of estrogen, progestogen and androgen receptors on meningiomas. Some previous studies indicate an association between current use of oral contraceptives and the development of a meningioma, but most studies do not show an effect and are of low power to show an association. This case-control study aims to find out if there is an association between current or ever use of an oral contraceptive and developing a meningioma in pre-menopausal females. It also aims to look if this risk differs with hormone type. It does so by comparing cases in the three states of Eastern Australia of women aged between 16 and 45 who require surgical resection or biopsy of their meningioma with population-based controls. Aims: To prove that the use of an oral contraceptive pill is a risk factor for developing a meningioma in pre-menopausal women in Australia. To determine whether the risk of a meningioma that is associated with taking oral contraceptives differs by current use, ever use and type of oral contraceptive. Background: Current oral contraceptive use is suspected to increase the risk of meningioma, but more studies need to be done in order to confirm this association. (1) The most recent study found no increase in risk with ever use of oral contraceptives, but found an increased risk in current users of an oral contraceptive with an OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1–2.9 in pre-menopausal women. (1) This result is statistically significant at the 5% level. The study was a case-control study which is appropriate as the outcome is rare and the exposure is common. The results from this study are limited from the fact that they only had 87 cases for pre-menopausal women who were using oral contraceptives, but since such a small sample size did pick up an association it makes it more likely to be a true association. This study had a wide variety of exposures they were looking for and so the statistically significant results that they did publish may have been due to chance from looking at so many possibilities. In regards to selection bias in this study the controls were selected by random digit dialling so this would have resulted in people who do not have access to a telephone from being excluded from the study. Controls did end up being more likely to be white, have 16 or more years of schooling and a salary greater than $75,000. If people with these characteristics are more likely to be taking oral contraceptives then it would have resu lted in an underestimation of risk, but this was minimised through adjustment in the analysis. Also only 65% of patients and 52% of controls participated in the studyso if the ones who participated were more or less likely to have taken an oral contraceptive it would have an effect on the relative risk. They did compare the people who participated and those who did not with the known confounders of age and residence and only the control groups differed by age with those who participated being more likely to be old. If the older people were more likely to be taking oral contraceptives it may have affected the results, but this was adjusted for in the analysis to minimise the effect. There is no mention of whether the researchers who administered the interview were blinded so if they were expecting an increased association between oral contraceptives and meningiomas they may have been more likely to find one. In terms of the generalizability of the results it was a multi-centerstudy a nd could be generalizable to the rest of the population in the United States. If different countries had different incidences of certain receptor subtypes of meningiomas then the relative risk may be affected so care should be taken in generalizing the results out of the country. The results cannot be generalised to the less serious meningiomas which do not need surgery as this study did not include them. Another study by Michaud D.S.et al.(2010) found an OR 3.61, 95% CI 1.75–7.46 comparing current users of the oral contraceptive to never users. (2) This was in a large prospective cohort study called the EPIC cohort study. One flaw in this study was the possibility of diagnostic bias if the users of oral contraceptives were more likely to be investigated and diagnosed with a meningioma which would have increased the association. A strength of this study is the objective measuring of exposure status. They also identified a dose-response trend in pre-menopausal women using an oral contraceptive (HR [95% CI]: 1.21 [0.36-4.06], 1.55 [0.53-4.56], 2.97 [1.08-8.15], 3.22 [1.04-10.0], 3.60 [1.00-13.0] for 1 5-10-15 years of use, respectively, p-trend = 0.01). (2) There have been a few other studies, but none have found a statistically significant risk. (3,4,5) These case-control and cohort studies all have a relatively small number of cases and therefore low power to pick up a true ass ociation. In the case-control trials recall bias is difficult to rule out as well as selecting a suitable population that resembles the cases. Furthermore only one of these looked for an association in those on current oral contraceptive use. This calls for a larger study with more power which can pick up an association even if it is quite small. There are a few findings that point towards a possible association between meningiomas and certain hormones. One of these is the fact that meningiomas are more common in females than males, especially in their reproductive years. (6) Another study has found oestrogen, progestogen and androgen receptors associated with some meningiomas. (7) An older study as well as a more recent case reports indicated that meningiomas become more symptomatic with changes in the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy. (8,9) These all point towards a possible association between estrogen or progestogen and meningiomas therefore it is an important area to research in order to expand knowledge on this common type of brain tumor. Study Design: The type of study design required to answer the aims is a case-control study. As developing a meningioma is a rare outcome, especially in the age group this study is based in, and the exposure of current use of an oral contraceptive is common this makes a case-control study the most efficient way to study this association. Compared to a cohort study they are rapid and cost-effective as cohort studiesrequirea very large population and a long follow-up period to have enough power to detect an association. A randomised control trial would be more likely to have the results not affected by confounding, but the study would be unethical. This study must be based overseas in order to increase the number of cases per year. All Australian states and territories have mandatory reporting of all cancers which will allowthe identification of cases. (10) The incidence of meningioma in Australia is approximately 1.1 to 1.8 cases per 100,000 person years with a 2.6:1 female to male ratio. (6) For this reason and the fact that the incidence is less frequent in a younger population it requires a multi-centre approach and an extended study period are needed in order to have a sufficient number of cases. The source population will beall females between the ages of 16 and 45 in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland and cases will be drawn from the cancer registry as they become available. The control group will be population-based and selected from the census. In order to determine the sample size needed for this study the biostatistician will be informed that the study needs to have a large enough power to pick up a 10% increas ed risk. The result should be statistically significant at 5%. The biostatistician needs to know the expected incidence of the meningiomas in these territories and the proportion of people expected to be using the two types of oral contraceptives. This can be found through state-specific trends or may use the mean and standard deviation from previous years’ data. The number of cases this study requires will determine how long the study will run for. In order to minimise selection bias the criteria for each of the groups needs to be strictly defined. The case criteria is a meningioma of grade I, II or III according to histological diagnosis by a pathologist. The exposure of current use of an oral contraceptive is defined as taking any oral contraceptive for at least 3 months previous to the diagnosis or in the case of controls 3 months before entry into the study. The exposure status of ever use of an oral contraceptive is defined as if the participant ever taking a single oral contraceptive pill. The population from which the cases arise from are all women between the ages of 16 and 45 in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. People will be excluded from the study if they do not speak English, if they have had a previous meningioma, if they have had a brain tumor of unknown pathology, if they have a diagnosed mental health condition, if they have had breast cancer and if they are from a different state or out of the country. Controls will be selected randomly and matched in terms of age, ethnicity, area of residence and socioeconomic status which are all factors that could potentially confound the relationship due to affecting the exposure and the outcome, but not being on the causal pathway between the two. A total of 4 controls will be obtained per case due to the abundance of controls and the relatively small effect of adding any more controls. The cases and controls will be contacted for participation in the study through mail and if they accept to be in the study a survey will be sent that includes questions related to the confounding factors and the exposure including questions for those who have ever used an oral contraceptive for what duration and which type of oral contraceptive. Information about other possible confounding factors such as smoking status and alcohol use will also be collected. In order to make it more likely that the study participants are representative of the population the variables that are matched for in each group and the rates of smoking and alcohol use will be compared to the rates in the whole population. These variables will also be compared to those people who dropped out of the study when possible to aid in identifying a systematic difference between those who participated and those who did not. To give an improved chance of patient participation a second survey will be sent to the patient s if they do not respond within 2 weeks. If the participants are interviewed then the interviewer will have a priori knowledge of the group the participant is associated with and might bias the results towards a significant result. In order to minimise information bias the cases and controls should be blinded in regards to the aim of the study. To aid in achieving this, the survey sent out to the participants will include questions in regards to other medicines and lifestyle factors such as smoking and drinking. This will prevent the study participants from falsifying their exposure status to agree with what the study is trying to find out and hence would falsely increase the negative risk. One of the largest problems in case control studies is recall bias. To help minimise it a pamphlet with the type of oral contraceptives and what they look like will be included. Everyone in the study gets the same survey and the diagnostic criteria for meningioma are the same in all centres in Australia so information bias from this is unlikely. There also needs to be timely addition of the cases into the cancer registry, otherwise the study will mainly look at the meningioma cases with longer survival. If oral contraceptive s are more likely to cause a meningioma with a worse prognosis then the risk will be lower than it actually is. The results from the study will be presented as: The odds ratio reported would be after analysis to take into account that the cases each had 4 individually matched controls. The adjusted OR takes into account that smoking status and alcohol use may be confounders. This study is ethically sound. It is observational so there is no intervention for the patient. It is also optional and provides no advantage or disadvantage for those participating. Confidentiality will be maintained as only study researchers will have access to the data and none of the data reported in the study will be able to be linked to a specific patient. The study is feasible, but depends on the sample size that is required. In terms of cost there are no biological tests that need to be performed as all information required is obtained through a survey. The cost of mailing out the surveys and paying staff to collect the information and analyse the data must be considered and budgeted accordingly. One of the advantages of case control studies is looking at multiple exposures hence including other exposures that are of interestcould increase the value of the study and make it more cost-efficient. Implications: There are many benefits to this study. As oral contraceptives are already known to increase the risk of other cancers like breast and cervical cancer, if a causal relationship is found with meningioma, this is another cancer risk that patients must be informed before taking the oral contraceptive. (11) When oral contraceptives will be linked to meningioma, prescribing patterns for those patients who are already at an increased risk for example if they had previous radiation exposure must change. Also patients who have had a previous diagnosis of meningioma would need to strongly consider avoiding taking any oral contraception. These patients would need to find alternate treatment or alternate methods of contraception. If there is an association in the combined oral contraceptive and not the progestogen oral contraceptive this can be recommended to those at risk of developing a meningioma. Another use for determining if there is an associated risk would be through finding treatments o r cures for meningiomas. If estrogen or progestogenis found to be related to the development of meningiomas further studies could find a pathway that causes this increased risk and treatments focused on disrupting this pathway may be effective. References: Claus EB, Calvocoressi L, Bondy ML, Wrensch M, Wiemels JL, Schildkraut JM. Exogenous hormone use, reproductive factors, and risk of intracranial meningioma in females. Journal of neurosurgery. 2013;118(3):649-56. Michaud DS, Gallo V, Schlehofer B, Tjonneland A, Olsen A, Overvad K, et al. Reproductive factors and exogenous hormone use in relation to risk of glioma and meningioma in a large European cohort study. Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. 2010;19(10):2562-9. Benson VS, Pirie K, Green J, Casabonne D, Beral V. Lifestyle factors and primary glioma and meningioma tumours in the Million Women Study cohort. Br J Cancer. 2008;99:185–190 Hatch EE, Linet MS, Zhang J, Fine HA, Shapiro WR, Selker RG, et al. Reproductive and hormonal factors and risk of brain tumors in adult females. Int J Cancer. 2005;114:797–805 Johnson DR, Olson JE, Vierkant RA, Hammack JE, Wang AH, Folsom AR, et al. Risk factors for meningioma in postmenopausal women: results from the Iowa Women’s Health Study. NeuroOncol. 2011;13:1011–1019 Dobes M, Khurana VG, Shadbolt B, Jain S, Smith SF, Smee R, et al. Increasing incidence of glioblastomamultiforme and meningioma, and decreasing incidence of Schwannoma (2000-2008): Findings of a multicenter Australian study. Surgical neurology international. 2011;2:176 Schnegg JF, Gomez F, LeMarchand-Beraud T, de Tribolet N. Presence of sex steroid hormone receptors in meningioma tissue. Surgical neurology. 1981;15(6):415-8. Bickerstaff ER, Small JM, Guest IA. The relapsing course of certain meningiomas in relation to pregnancy and menstruation. J NeurolNeurosurg Psychiatry. Cushing H, Eisenhardt L: Meningiomas: Their Classification, Regional Behavior, Life History, and Surgical End Results. Springfield, Ill: Charles C Thomas, 1938, 785 pp Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2013) Cancer Registration in Australia, Available at: http://www.aihw.gov.au/cancer-registration-in-australia/ (Accessed: 6th April 2014). Burkman R, Schlesselman JJ, Zieman M. Safety concerns and health benefits associated with oral contraception. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2004; 190(4 Suppl):S5–22.