Traffic Flow and Public Transport in North Cyprus Essay Example for Free

Traffic Flow and Public Transport in North Cyprus Essay ABSTRACT Nowadays one of the most issue affect our daily life, load on Economic, and the negative effects on Environment is Traffic flow and their way of been plan, they way of our public transport planning, services lines, bus station and the regulation are also effect the life quality in the city. In the last, few decades’ streets in the city have built without any attention to grow population and the increasing number of vehicles. What the main important changes have to be for increasing the traffic flow. Why have to be done. this paper will talk about the ideas can solve problem by change the line of public transporting for more covering area and less traffic, by experimentally study and a interview with the users of the road ( drivers and public users). The new alternative system show how the traffic flow change. Further study has to done for more developing solution. Keyword: traffic flow, public transport. Quality of services, Lefkosa city (North Cyprus) | | INTRODUCTION Researches done by marketing show that the quality of the service reflects the public satisfaction (F. Fonseca , S. Pinto , C. Brito, 2010), and its show how it is important to make high quality services to gave the public relax and comfortable ride when they are using the public transporting. Which will increase the number of the users of the public transports and will achieve less traffic since its will encourage people to use public transport. Since the main Factors that Community go away from using public transport are the long length, and the time they lose and the expansive prices for ticket (Pavel STOYANOV, Plamena GAGOVA, 2012). Even that the traffic management become a big problem and a big concern in last few years in developed country such as north Cyprus. Living in the information world with high computer network show that a simulation can be important for analyzing data and developing solution, and it can solve the problem related to traffic control. In addition, it can provide a new intelligent transportation system. (Georgios Papageorgiou, Pantelis Damianou, Andreas Pitsilides, Aphames Thrasos, Petros Ioannou, 2006). From other studies and researches, the environmental affect that it coming from road construction and road using. In order to decrease the impact we have to understand the reason of why it have this impact, and it start with waste of road construction process, manufacturing of the materials, unprepared or broken road which will increase the fuel use for engine to moving the vehicle more than asphalts road. And all this have negative impact to our environment, which it can be reduce by re-usage and re-construction of materials, also another possible to reduce the impact can be by remanufacturing of excavation materials. (Damijan Koletnik, Rebeka Lukman, Damjan Krajnc, 2012) On the other hand, there is a type of people such as blind people have very difficult for using public transportation. There is few systems can offer the assistance and information for blind persons such as the RAMPE project. This project aim to help blind people by smart hand-held personal digital assistant (PDA), that have the ability to speech and able to connect to wireless Wi-Fi connection on the bus stations. Where this device has functions such as vocal message and information about the system provide from the stations, in the same time it can gave information about the real time. When this device equipped will offer information such as route number and destination, so it can increase their mobility and autonomy in public transport and make them independent, on the other hand, it will warned the driver that a blind person would ride the bus. (G.Baudoina, O.Venarda, G.Uzanb, A.Rousseaub, Y.Benaboua, A.Paumierc, J.Cesbronc, n.d). Since the operation and planning have costs, and because of their immediate impact for public transportation quality. Public transport companies trying to find a research tool in the way can reduce operating cost. New opportunities and information can collect from AVL (automatic vehicle location) and APC (automatic passenger counters). Both of these systems help for research and planning or scheduling in public transport. The efficiency of these system come from their complexity and the way of solving this problem, in way can combined them, crew and vehicle and users of the public transportation. (C. Fleurent  · S. Vob, 2011) What make public transportation issue special that its international problem and it is a community problem. And such as International Conferences of Advanced System for Public Transport (CASPT), â€Å"this conference serves as a forum for international community of researches and practitioners† (Hong K. Lo, William H.K. Lam, S.C. Wong, Janny M.Y. Leung, 2010), such this conferences and other works show us how the necessary of finding a new methodology and techniques. To provides a solution for public transportation system, considering planning, operation, scheduling and controlling issue, these issue have to be focus on, because their effect on the public transport section and their impact on the quality of this industry. In this article the case study on North Cyprus, explain some of the main public transportation available. there is a wide network of daily buses and mini-buses connect the main towns, in addition there Dolmush (shard taxi) operating on the same lines and some time have other routes, there is also taxi and its widely available but it can be expansive if its work on meter, where there are kind of standard journey fare. (Anonymous, 2009) The alternatives provides by public transportation and its benefits, that it help city for easier living condition, and less energy use since the bus will move with one passenger and more it will use almost same amount of energy. In addition, that effect on health by less motor working lower pollution, and not only air pollution but also noise pollution, which will save our environment. Moreover, it gave an affordable price and solution for who cannot afford car price and its expenses. At other level, it is create jobs, which will decrease the number of unemployed. In addition, its provide employees a faster way to go their jobs. Other benefits come as a result that fewer cars need fewer park space. As results less property for parking space, that leads for higher accessibility roads. One of the greatest impacts of public transport comes for whom unable to drive such as the elderly, disabled and young. From other point public transportation, help supports the economic and cultural ev en social activates. Moreover, the safety factor where will be lower crime, additional to lower accident. (Gershon, 2005) METHODOLOGY In this research indentifies the relationship between quality and satisfaction. This will increase the customer satisfaction, which will improve the public transportation. From the other hand a new consideration include in this study, environment factor and it effects on public transportation. With all this, factors in our case have to apply to improve the quality and provide solution that is more suitable. (Hong K. Lo, William H.K. Lam, S.C. Wong, Janny M.Y. Leung, 2010) Also the understanding of the public and the users of the road important to provide a higher quality services. Even a study for understand which elements make them prefer using a personal car. From other hand, (F. Fonseca , S. Pinto , C. Brito, 2010) in there paper they explain about how a bus breakdown on a scheduled trip can make a big delay problem. Moreover, how a consideration of a bus rescheduling and bus signal priority can effectively reduce the delay problem. This will lead to decrease the costs of delay and increase the company profit. Moreover, the case study we will use interview method that is it will not provide a meaning but it will describe the experiences of the selected group. The other side of collecting data will be documents from departments such as Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Public Information Office. The interviews have different kind or level of people. Choose will be depend on their perception and functional areas or field. This selected group will be operators, technical, lawyer, students and so on. Main object and targets of this interview, to identify the most important needs for higher quality services and more satisfaction. Another methodology can be as a simulation tool (LIN TIM), this simulation tool can use to analyze data such as line planning, timetabling, vehicle scheduling and delay management. However, it can use to provide answers for line planning question. (Schà ¶bel, 2012). By combination of interviews, document and computer programs such as simulation program. This kind of data will be first step for evaluating, and providing solution. Which will be a suitable answer for the traffic problem and it is improve the quality of public transportation. STUDY By choosing LEFKOSA city, a general review about country where our cases study. North Cyprus covers almost 37% of the third largest island in Eastern Mediterranean. The main cities are (Lefkosa, Kyrenia, Famagusta, Karpas, Iskele, Labta, Lefka, and Guzelyurt). Located west of Syria and Lebanon and south of Turkey. (Hasan Cantas, Adrian Muwonge, Baris Sareyyupoglu, Hakan Yardimci, Eystein Skjerve, 2011) We have to understand the main bus station and bus route in Lefkosa city. This data has collected from the website of northcyprusonline, first type of data in general form about buses and minibuses in Northern Cyprus, its include the cover routes between Lefkosa city and other major towns or larger villages. Both of the bus and mini buses routs are almost the same, where the different is sizes and color. Commonly destination shown in the front windscreen either stands at bus stop or on the road and rise hand anywhere with the main road to stop the bus. Other type of information about F requency of the bus. Buses in North Cyprus have no schedule but its departures every (20-50min), depend on the bus destination or when it is full. Also running time and period change between summer and winter. Mostly bus services finish around 6 pm in winter, while in winter the last one leave at 8pm.but mine bus work more late mostly until 10pm. Moreover, the ticket prices generally between two$ up to five$ depend on the distance. The fare paid usually to bus driver or worker sell ticket. Lefkosa city have bus station (terminal), where its location† Corner of Ataturk Caddesi and Kemal Asik Caddesi†. There other main bus station along the city like old city gate. The location of the terminal is good and bad in the same time. Since it is almost in the middle city easy to reach but also cause traffic. (anonymous, 2001-2013) One of the people has been interview with is Mohammad HARAB (HARB, 2013), HARAB own a car and he live in north Cyprus for a 6 years and he study in the university. His comment about public transportation that. It is expansive, comparing with the money that I will pay for a fuel. In addition, it is not every time working and there is no good bus station most of the time there is one place to set its open, so in winter I will freeze until bus will come and in summer, it is too much hot to wait outside or to walk to bus station. Another person is ESRA ISIKDEMIR, from her point that public transport in Lefkosa are really bad, since it don’t cover all the areas and its only operate on the main road, and there is no night services, while taxi are too much expansive. ESRA also talk about the quality of transportation need to be improving and have to be more cover area. Moreover, as ESRA compare between road in turkey and North Cyprus that roads need to be fix and more planning for higher quality of life. (ISIKDEMIR, 2013) Other student is GIZEM YAMAN owned a car and its Turkish number not a Cyprus number, and the reason behind bringing car that there is no public transportation between home and university, in other words 3 different buses. Moreover, other solution is university bus, while university bus usually crowded. In addition, schedule of bus are often every hour and weekend every 2hours and its work until 10 pm evening. All this was the reason to bring a car for daily use, however YAMAN do not like to drive car, due to high traffic in the city. (YAMAN, 2013) ALL of ISIKDEMIR, YAMAN and HARB are students, looking to other type of people. USAMA RIGEB a worker and father lived more than 11 years in North Cyprus. RIGEB say that it is hard to count on public transportation since the most near bus road to his home more than 10min walking, and if he will ride with his family will cost him more if he use a personal car. Other issues RIGEB talk about that they do not offer evening service, which mean that taxi will be the only choose for who do not have car. In addition, its costly choose even worker cannot afford it for longer term. From other hand the traffic in Lefkosa city are too much crowded and using public transportation will make him lose time he need. RIGEB talk about important issue in his view, that there is no fix time for public transportation that trying to use bus can be longer and hard and unhealthy choose, since waiting in cold or under sun will affect bus users. (RIGEB, 2013) Other person is BELAL RAGEAB, RAGEB worker and his family live with him; his points that wish he could afford to buy car so his life quality will be higher and using minibus will be finish, a reason of that the money lose for using public transportation. However, Hand since it is the only way for him to go work, the government should improve public transportation for higher quality of services and more costumers’ satisfaction. (Rageab, 2013) Under scope North Cyprus, Lefkosa city need a new studies such as â€Å"technical phases land –use planning, trip-generation, trip-distribution, modal-split, traffic assignment and evaluation†. (BLACK, 1974) However, this studies need to be improve and organize, but one of the solution of the problem can be by alternative Planning, in other words finding alternative route for public transportation in the way it can cover more areas and reduce the traffic. However, the energy conservation of the public transportation studies can improve the efficiency of transport sector. (JEFFRY J ERICKSON, DAVIDL GREENE,ALBERTO J SABADELL, 1988) While the quality of service is the main standard and consequent satisfaction of the customers, it has expected that the managers of the transport industry have to talk to customers, were they can understand what their needs and for more developing solution, regards that the customers are important to public transportation. In addition, quality dimensions can increase customers’ satisfaction. (F. Fonseca , S. Pinto , C. Brito, 2010) CONCLUSION Lefkosa city not a high population, but it’s have a problem with traffic and public transportation, and the reason of that the city plan old and have no development, and the improvement of the roads are slow almost dead. While the road need maintenance, and bus route need a study for higher efficacy and satisfaction to consumer of the public transportation. This study deal with the general issue that Lefkosa public transportation problems, and its gave some steps for alternative solution for improving the traffic flow in the city and reducing the environment effect for heavy uses on the personal cars, also for more safety and healthier life-style. The following steps can be a start to solve the traffic problem, study for schedule the bus working hours and ticket prices, and add capacity for roads, critical area such as four area need planning. Planning methods such as land uses, transportation distention, also a Long-term researches for strategic management. Other studies for data with a good analysis tools can improve the public transportation impacts on environment, social and economic. Include technical assistance such as simulation programs, local program coordination. Other research has to be about the financial resources for higher quality of life and better planning city. In other words, Lefkosa city need more advance environment friendly management system, advance of the new technology using in order to decrease costs with higher efficiency. Hiring skilled managers and technical people to improve the quality of service and insure more customer satisfaction. Develop a private section for improve the alternatives of the buss users. Create ideas for attractive solution to increase the number of people for improving public transportation economic. Other Further study has to done for more developing solution. Bibliography anonymous. (2001-2013). North Cyprus Bus Services. Slovakia. Anonymous. (2009). TRANSPORTATION. Retrieved january 7, 2013, from Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Public Information Office: http://www.kktcenf.org/en/index.asp?sayfa=cmsdmid=0cmsid=183ssid=532284118 BLACK, J. A. (1974). TECHNIQUES OF LAND USE/TRANSPORTATION PLANNING IN AUSTRALIAN CITIES . Transportation 3 (1974) 255-288 , 255-288. C. Fleurent  · S. Vob. (2011, December 13). Public transport: case studies and applications. Public Transp , pp. 105-107. Damijan Koletnik, Rebeka Lukman, Damjan Krajnc. (2012). Environmental Management of Waste Based on Road Construction Materials. Environmental Research, Engineering and Management , 42-46. F. Fonseca , S. Pinto , C. Brito. (2010, may 19). Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction in Public Transports. 4th International Quality Conference , pp. 249-257. G.Baudoina, O.Venarda, G.Uzanb, A.Rousseaub, Y.Benaboua, A.Paumierc, J.Cesbronc. (n.d). The RAMPE Project: Interactive, Auditive Information System for the Mobility of Blind People in Public T ransports. 1-4. FRANCE. Georgios Papageorgiou, Pantelis Damianou, Andreas Pitsilides, Aphames Thrasos, Petros Ioannou. (2006, july 6-7). A Microscopic Traffic Simulation Model for Transportation Planning in cyprus. International Conference on Intelligent Systems And Computing: Theory And Applications , pp. 157-166. Gershon, R. R. (2005). Public Transportation: Advantages and Challenges. Journal of Urban Health: Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine , 7-9. HARB, M. (2013, January 8). Public transportation in lefkosa city . (M. ALASEER, Interviewer) Hasan Cantas, Adrian Muwonge, Baris Sareyyupoglu, Hakan Yardimci, Eystein Skjerve. (2011). Q fever abortions in ruminants and associated on-farm risk factors in northern Cyprus. Cantas et al. BMC Veterinary Research 7:13 , 1-7. Hong K. Lo, William H.K. Lam, S.C. Wong, Janny M.Y. Leung. (2010). Advanced public transport system scheduling and control. Public Transp , 157-158. ISIKDEMIR, E. (2013, January 3). Public transportation in l efkosa city. (M. ALASEER, Interviewer) JEFFRY J ERICKSON, DAVIDL GREENE,ALBERTO J SABADELL. (1988). An analysis of transportation energy conservation projects in developing countries . Transportation , 163-189. Pavel STOYANOV, Plamena GAGOVA. (2012). SOME IMPLEMENTATION OF QUALITY OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT. TRANSPORT PROBLEMS , 37-41. Rageab, B. (2013, january 3). Public transportation in lefkosa city. (M. ALASEER, Interviewer) RIGEB, U. (2013, January 2). public transportation in lefkosa city. (M. ALASEER, Interviewer)

Importance of Financial Management

Importance of Financial Management INTRODUCTION The modern thinking in financial management accords a far greater importances to the management decisions and making policy. Today financial managers occupy key positions in top management areas and play dynamic role in solving complex management problems. The main object ive of accounting is to provide the necessary information, which is useful for the person within the organization i.e.; owners, management, employees and also outside the organization i.e.; investors, creditors, government, consumers, etc. Financial accounting is concerned with record keeping directed towards the preparation of income statement and financial position statement. It provides information regarding profit and loss of the enterprise and also its financial position as on that particular date. This information is helpful to management to control the major functions of the business i.e.; finance, administration, production and marketing, but details regarding operating efficiency to their lacking financial statements are mainly concerned with the managements interest in future of the organization. Thus the financial performance valuation involves the determination of the companys ability In mobilizing the funds required for the business and utilizing the funds in the business. Therefore, the financial performance is concerned with the appraisal of the following: Capital formation Capital structure Profitability and profit allocation Working capital and liquidity management FINANCIAL ANALYS Financial analysis is the process of determining the significant operating and financial characteristics of a firm from its accounting and its financial statements. The goal of such analysis is to determine the efficiency and performance of the firms management, reflected in the financial records and reports. This analysis will help us to measure firms liquidity, profitability and other indications that determine whether the business is conducted in a rational way or not. METHODS OF FINANCIAL ANALYSIS: There are 7 methods of financial analysis. Such are: Comparative statement Comparative income statement Comparative balance sheet Common-size statement Trend analysis Fund-flow analysis Cash-flow analysis Ratio analysis Cost-volume profit analysis RATIO ANALYSIS: Financial statement plays a decisive role in setting the frame work of managerial decisions for the financial statements viz; income statement and balance statement are prepared to help the management in taking decisions. The Ratio analysis is the most power tool of financial analysis. Meaning: A ratio is simple arithmetical expression of the relationship of one member to another. Accounting ratios are relationships expressed in mathematical terms between figures which are connected with each other in some manner. Ratio analysis shows inter-relationship between the different items in the data. Current ratio: Current ratio = Current assets / Current liabilities The current ratio is calculated by dividing the current assets by the current liabilities. Current assets include cash and those assets which can be converted into cash within year such as inventories, sundry debtors, marketable securities, loans and advances and prepaid expenses. Current liabilities are obligations maturing within a year, including creditors, bills payable, accrued expenses, bank overdraft, income tax liability, loans and advances and provisions. The companys liquidity position was very low in the initial years where as it is very high in the later years. Quick (or) Acid test ratio: Quick ratio = (Current assets Inventory) / Current liabilities The ratio is really at the rate of current ratio and is found out by dividing the total current liabilities. From the analysis, it can be interpreted that the companys liquidity position to pay for current liability is high. This result is higher interest cost on networking capital which affects the profitability of the firm. Debtors days: Debtors days = (Debtors / sales) * 365 The liquidity position of the firm depends on the quality of the debtors to the great extent. This resulted in higher balance in debtors for which company had to pay more interest charges which affected profitability of the company. This can be improved 3 times better as observed in the ratios of well doing firms. This will result in big reduction in interest charges as well as increase in profits. This possible only through better debtors management and optimum credit policy of the firm. Creditor days: Creditor days = (Creditor / Cost of goods sold ) * 365 This ratio is a variation of the credit ratio and gives similar indications. It measures the portion of the firms assets that are financed by creditors. A very high ratio indicates a greater risk to creditors as also to the share holders under adverse business conditions. On the other hand , a low ratio is for the creditors in extending credit. Net income ratio: Net income ratio = (Net profit / sales) *100 This ratio measures the rate of the net profit earned on sales. It establishes a relationship between net profit and sales in overall measure of the firms ability to turn pound of sales into net profit, this ratio also indicate the firms capacity to withstand adverse economic conditions. Gross income ratio: Gross income ratio = (Gross profit / Sales) *100 The gross profit has been arrived by adding the closing stock and subtracting the materials, excise duty, wages and other manufacturing expenses to sales. This ratio reflects the efficiency with which management produces each unit of the product. When the gross margin in subtracted from 100% we get the ratio of cost of goods to sale. Return on equity: Return on equity = Net income / Share holders equity The amount of net incomereturnedas a percentageof shareholders equity.Return on equitymeasures a corporations profitabilityby revealing how muchprofit acompany generateswith the money shareholders have invested. Net income is for the full fiscal year (before dividends paid to common stock holders but after dividends to preferred stock.) Shareholders equity does not include preferredshares. Cost of sales to sales ratio: Cost of sales to sales ratio = Cost of sales / Total sales Through the manufacturing expenses percentage of company is less than the industry average the Cost of sales is slightly more than the industry. This can be, because of more depreciation charges or difference in excise duty. Therefore company has to produce goods by effective utilization of foxed assets to bring down the depreciation cost of sales. Stock turnover days: Stock turnover days = sales / inventory The higher the stock turnover the better, because money is then tied up for less time in stocks. A quicker stock turnover also means that the firm gets to make its profit on the stock quicker, and so the firm should be more competitive. However, it will vary between industries and so it is important to compare within an industry. Return on net assets: RONA = net income / (Fixed assets + Networking capital) Here, Networking capital = Current assets Current liabilities. It is the useful measure the profitability of all financial resources invested in the firms assets. It evaluated the use of total funds without any regard to the sources of funds. Higher the ratio more effective is the firm is using the pool of funds. Sales to net assets employed: Sales to net assets employed = sales / net assets Here, Net assets = Fixed assets + Current assets Current liabilities. This ratio is also called the earning power of the firm and represents the return of the funds. It indicates how well management has used funds supplied by the creditors and owners. Higher the ratio better is the position of the firm and more efficient of the management in utilizing funds, entrusted to it. CONCLUSIONS In the overall of a business is to earn a satisfactory return on funds invested in it, consistent with maintaining a sound financial position. The position of the company according to ratio is satisfactory in the year 2008 2010. That means each year profit had been increased. BIBLIOGRAPHY Financial management M Y Khan P K Jain http://www.investopedia.com

Lessons Found in Beauty and the Beast Essay -- Fairytales Essays Beaut

Lessons Found in Beauty and the Beast   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Once upon a time?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The classic opener for any fairy tale, which is no different in the case of Beauty and the Beast. Fairy tales were meant to teach our children life lessons that society, at the time, deems important to learn. They teach us the difference between right and wrong, black and white, good and bad, light and dark, and beautiful and ugly. There are many different variations and names to Beauty and the Beast. This famous fable has been passed down and integrated into our culture time and time again, each time adding different lessons that were thought to be important in that day and age. What has changed over the years? How have the fairy tales of Beauty and the Beast affected the children of yesterday, today and tomorrow? I hope to show how fairy tales, more importantly Beauty and the Beast, is helpful to children in many ways, but mostly by teaching them the way that they should act in society. There are three very important lessons that Beauty and the Beast teaches us. First, and probably, the biggest one, is that beauty is only skin deep. It is what is on the inside that counts. Second, which ties in with the first lesson is, don't be too greedy because you will only be looking for the beauty on the out side. Finally, do unto others as you would have done to you, this will make you beautiful on the inside were it counts. In this paper I am going to take a look at two versions of Beauty and the Beast. Although The Lady and the Lion and Beauty and the Beast are very different, the base story is there. True beauty is determined by what is on the inside and not on the outside. In addition vanity and riches will not make you happy. Finally, to be truly beautiful you must treat people how you would want to be treated. Before I get into those versions of Beauty and the Beast, I want to talk about those who don?t think this fairy tale should be seen or heard by children. One version of this tale is by none other than Disney. Kathi Maio said, ?Disney?s version features a beast who looks ugly and acts even uglier? What a heart-warming fable! Why it?s a regular training film for the battered women of tomorrow!? (194). At first I thought, wow she has issues, but when I looked deeper I found what she meant. Not to say that I agree with her by any means. It is a fairy tale for a reason! These things... ...because of the fear that fairies will come after me and turn me into a beast or a statue. (Which if you think about it would be very scary, seeing a something with wings and a wand flying at you.) I just feel that if you want to be treated well, you should treat others well. This was most likely imbedded into me through fairy tales just like Beauty and the Beast. As you can see from only two very short versions of this fairy tale that the values in it are virtues that we should all have. This fairy tale has been passed down for many generations and with each year it grows and adapts to society, but the bases for this story stay true. You can?t judge a book by its cover. The truth is it is what is on the inside that counts, which leads to the next lesson; that being greedy will not make you happy. For everything you get that you think will make you happy, you will only find that you are unhappier than before. This flows nicely into the golden rule. Do unto others as you would have done to you, and this will bring you true happiness. I believe that this is a great fairy tale and the values it teaches are even better. My children will know the story of Beauty and the Beast well.

Memory, Learning and Our Virtual Brains :: Biology Essays Research Papers

Clearly, education has an immediate and definite purpose in my own life. As a student, I have been exposed to events that have had a profound impact on the development of my interests, talents, values, or what some may call intelligence. My own approach to problem solving has inspired me to frame the question of the interplay of intelligence, human behavior, learning, and experience in the language of neuroscience. Neuroscience is appealing to me because it offers an explanation for the micro and macro-level processes that operate to create my complex and unique approach to problem solving and response to the world. In this way, the alignment of neuroscience with biology and psychology offer a convincing general plan for the framework of stimulus and response. That is, neural cell development impacts upon external stimulus reception that, in turn, directs cognitive processing and eventually elicits a behavioral response. This course has indicated to me that the neural circuitry invol ved with such systems of stimulus and response are not linear, but complex and interdependent. What follows is an integration of brain-based theories on internal representations of experience and memory for the purpose of providing perspective, and ultimately improving the conditions for learning and development in a progressive way. The term intrinsic variability has been drilled into our brains. No doubt, my dendritic spines have stretched, etching a special "intrinsic variability" path extending from deep in my hippocampus to the folds of my neocortex. When I recall this phrase, a furious stream of chemical spills and reactions is ignited. In my brain, this stream passes through neurons that code for other phrases that have become important to me throughout this course, for example, learning, memory, intelligence, and feedback. But like the term implies, this is my own stream. In my final web paper I will guide you through the landmarks of my path. What follows from intrinsic variability is the idea that the brain is plastic, or impressionable. It seems there is a stability-plasticity trade-off where our brains are hardwired to retain function, yet malleable enough to learn, create memories and, in some cases, compensate for functional damage (1). With each moment that passes, a particular exchange with the ex ternal world rearranges some piece of neural circuitry, yielding unique and diverse neural patterns for each individual(2).That no brain ever looks the same from one moment to the next makes the job of understanding brain function inherently difficult.

Teaching - Every Day Brings Something New :: College Admissions Essays

Teaching - Every Day Brings Something New I started seriously thinking about what I wanted to do with my life, concerning my career, in the 11th grade. From my junior year until my first semester in college, I was certain my purpose in life was to teach. However, people I spoke with, including some family, friends, and even schoolteachers, repeatedly crushed this choice: "Why would you want to be a teacher? Don't you know how much they make? Why would you want to deal with bratty kids all day? Don't you know teaching is one of the most stressful jobs you can have?" Being the naà ¯ve, 17 year old that I was, I listened, and changed my career choice-3 times! I went through 2 years of computer classes to become an administrative assistant, 1 year studying law for paralegalism and 1  ½ years focusing on business management. Throughout those 4 years of unfulfillment, the idea of teaching still lingered in my head. I started asking myself why I decided teaching was not for me. I discovered that even though teaching did ca rry a few negative aspects, they could never come close to the positive. For the past 5 years, I have been coaching the varsity dance team at Woodhaven High School. Although there have definitely been some difficult, stressful situations, I have found the experience very rewarding. The greatest thing about coaching is the satisfaction you feel after a student succeeds in what he or she has set out to accomplish-not only physically, but also mentally. Being a coach is more than just a 9 to 5 job. It's more than staring at a computer for 8-10 hours, not caring about the people around you or your work. This is even more apparent in teaching in a classroom 5 days a week, for as much as 7-9 hours a day. Teaching is adventurous, challenging, and exciting, because every day brings something new. As a teacher, you're not only working for a living, you are acting as a role model to every child around you. A teacher has the chance to change a child's life everyday. The main element of lifelong learning is to never stop learning. One must understand that there's no such thing as a person who knows everything.

Geography Sba

Geography School Based Assessment Name:Jadio Dennis School: Jonathan Grant High School Year of Exam: 2012 Territory: Jamaica Registration No. Candidate No. 100164 Topic: To identify and examine whether residence of Ensom City, Spanish Town are aware of the origin, development and the precautions to be undertaken during a hurricane. Geography School Based Assessment NameJadio Dennis School Jonathan Grant High School Year of Exam 2012 Territory Jamaica Registration No. Candidate No. 100164 Topic: To identify and examine whether residence of Ensom City, Spanish Town are aware of the origin, development and the precautions to be undertaken during a hurricane. Strategy Sheet Table of Contents Page Aim of Study Location of Maps Method of Data Collection Presentation of Data Conclusion Bibliography Appendix Aim To identify and examine whether residence of Ensom City, Spanish Town are aware of the origin, development and the precautions to be undertaken during a hurricane. Method of Data Collection How? Fifteen (15) questionnaires were issued by the researcher to 15 persons of Ensom City. They were distributed to every other house in which four (4) was male and sixteen (11) was female. Also Secondary Sources were also consulted for relevant data example internet and textbooks. N. B A copy of Questionnaire is provided in the appendix (1a) Where? The Study was done in Ensom City, Spanish Town. When? The School Bases Assessment (Sba) was conducted on October 24 2011 between the hours 1pm to 5 pm (in hurricane season). Each questionnaire was issued for two days then collected back by the researcher to continue further studies. Presentation of Data According to ucar. du a hurricane is an intense, rotating oceanic weather system that possess maximum sustain winds of exceeding 119km/h (74mph). It is formed and intensified over tropical oceans regions. 11 of the 15 residence agreed that hurricanes are found in the tropics. Figure 1: showing what region hurricane is developed by residence of Ensom City. In Figure 1 it shows how much of the residence are aware of the formation of hurricane. It shows that 11 of the residence chose tropics for the formation region which was correct because hurricanes do develop at these regions, however the other four chose temperate and fringe zones. Figure2 showing the formation of hurricane chosen by the residence of Ensom City Figure2. Shows the amount of residence that agreed to each way how hurricanes are formed. The chart only contains the number of persons who agreed to each given formation. It shows that five of the residence agreed that hurricane needs warm area to make it thrive or to become stronger which was indeed correct as said in Longman Geography for CSEC. The chart also show that four residence chose that hurricane depends on the spinning of the earth and ten agreed that hurricanes needs winds that change direction and increase speed. Also five persons choose that hurricane must have atmosphere that cools fast. Figure 3 showing the precautions chosen by residence of Ensom City, Spanish town that is to be undertaken during a hurricane. Figure3. Above show the precautions that are to be undertaken during a hurricane. It shows that the entire residents are aware that they are to stay in during a hurricane, stay away from windows and doors during a hurricane but 7 are aware to watch down power lines etc. Conclusion The research had showed that some amount of the residence of Ensom City Spanish town is aware of hurricane development origin and precautions . This is proven because of the response on the questionnaires. The awareness of Residence on the origin of hurricane The questionnaire shows that 73. 3% of the residence questioned is aware of the origin of hurricanes. They agreed that hurricanes are formed in the hot regions of the world. The awareness of Residence on the development of hurricane The questionnaire shows that about 50 % of the residence questioned is aware of the development of hurricanes. Hurricanes needs a warm area to develop The awareness of Residence on the precautions to be undertaken during a hurricane The questionnaire shows that about 90 % of the residence questioned is aware of the precautions to be undertaken during hurricanes. The agreed that they are to stay in, stay away from windows and doors and also to watch out for downed power lines Bibliography Paul Guiness et al, Geography for CSEC Nelson Thorns, 2008 Marolyn Gentles et al, Longman Geography for CSEC, 2006 Appendix

Cultural Analysis of Saudi Arabia and New Zealand Essay

In terms of cultural dimensions, basically, culture elements are everywhere in our life no matter where are you from. Also, the uniqueness and differentiation of culture in diversified countries are influencing and fulfilling our large communication community—world, people involved in this harmonious place communicate, share ideas, cooperated and integrated every cultural diversity so as to make it better. â€Å"A culture is a society’s personality and our membership in a culture plays a big role in shaping our identities as individuals† (Solomon, Russell-Bennett. 010). The accumulation of shared meanings, languages, rituals, norms and customs, also a range of traditions among the world enriches the cultural diversity. The increasing communication of global events and businesses provides an opportunity for the people who from different regions to learn, understand, embrace and respect every distinct culture element, so that to enhance cultural adaptability in business communication, therefore ensuring cooperation succeed. The following parts would be demonstrating Saudi Arabia and New Zealand two different cultures in terms of four dimensions: Individualism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance and masculinity. All this four dimensions could be explicitly displayed upon customs, language, religion, values and attitudes, manners and even aesthetics. * Individualism Individualism focuses on the degree the society reinforces individual or collective, achievement and interpersonal relationships. A High Individualism ranking indicates that individuality and individual rights are paramount within the society. –New Zealand. A Low Individualism ranking typifies societies of a more collectivist nature with close ties between individuals. These cultures reinforce extended families and collectives where everyone takes responsibility for fellow members of their group—-Saudi Arabia (Hofstede, 2012). When it comes to Saudi Arabia culture, the apparent opinion is a really diversified culture that formed by a range of rules, regulations and principles. However, â€Å"As is seen in their naming conventions, Saudis are cognizant of their heritage, their clan, and their extended family, as well as their nuclear family. Also, they take their responsibilities to their family quite seriously. Families tend to be large and the extended family is quite close† (kwintessential, 2004). The emphases on the family and member group make it to be a high Collectivist culture, according to the Geert Hofstede Analysis for Saudi Arabia on individualism, which ranked at 38, compared to a world average ranking of 64 (see appendix2), it means that Saudi Arabia contribute to highly commitment on family and groups community. New Zealand, with a score of 79 ((see appendix1) on this dimension, is an individualistic culture. This translates into a loosely-knit society in which the expectation is that people look after themselves and their immediate families. In the business world, employees are expected to be self-reliant and display initiative. Also, within the exchange-based world of work, hiring and promotion decisions are based on merit or evidence of what one has done or can do. (Hofstede, 2012). Individualism is highly manifested in New Zealand culture, individually, as the wealth and social status are not crucial for them, personal achievement is more important for them, as they believe everyone has the same opportunity to compete. For a range of young people, even the direct family is also important to them, but independent character makes them to persuade individual opportunity to enhance capacity, not only dependent on family. * Power Distance and Uncertainty Avoidance Power Distance focuses on the degree of equality, or inequality, between people in the country’s society. A High Power Distance ranking indicates that inequalities of power and wealth have been allowed to grow within the society. These societies are more likely to follow a caste system that does not allow significant upward mobility of its citizens. —-Saudi Arabia. A Low Power Distance ranking indicates the society de-emphasizes the differences between citizen’s power and wealth. In these societies equality and opportunity for everyone is stressed—-New Zealand (Hofstede, 2012). Uncertainty Avoidance focuses on the level of tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity within the society, such as unstructured situations. A High Uncertainty Avoidance ranking indicates the country has a low tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity. This creates a rule-oriented society that institutes laws, rules, regulations, and controls in order to reduce the amount of uncertainty—-Saudi Arabia. A Low Uncertainty Avoidance ranking indicates the country has less concern about ambiguity and uncertainty and has more tolerance for a variety of opinions. This is reflected in a society that is less rule-oriented, more readily accepts change, and takes more and greater risks—-New Zealand. According to the Geert Hofstede analysis for Saudi Arabia, which showed Large Power Distance (PDI) (95) and Uncertainty Avoidance (UAI) (80) (see appendix2), demonstrated that their Muslim faith plays a large role in the people’s lives. Large power distance and uncertainty avoidance are the predominant characteristics for this region. Such high result of power distance and uncertainty avoidance can be explained a range of aspects. First of all, in terms of the religion, plays a vital role in the everyday life, ranging from setting moral guidelines, arranging social hierarchies, and a way for salvation after death. Religion also plays a major role in the executive area of government, deeply integrated in the laws of the country. Even the five stated daily pray times could display the strict of religion rules. There are a large number of principles or rules, regulations for Saudis in their daily behaviours, in order to stick to the religion principles. For instance, during the holy month of Ramadan all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and are only permitted to work six hours per day. Fasting includes no eating, drinking, cigarette smoking, or gum chewing. So many restrictions like forbidding alcohol, not pork eaten and even women are not allowed to drive indicate that Saudi Arabia is a so strongly based in Muslim religion, also such strict rules, laws, policies, and regulations are adopted and implemented is aiming at controlling everything in order to eliminate or avoid the unexpected. In terms of this two analysis, New Zealand scored 22 and 49 (see appendix1) respectively on Power Distance and Uncertainty Avoidance. The low power distance shows that New Zealand even has hierarchy operating system, which the Queen is in the pinnacle of power distance, however, the shared ideas and opinions in different parties make it more democratic. In small power distance organizations, â€Å"Subordinates and superiors consider each other as or less equal even there is a difference in education level. The hierarchical system can always change depending on the circumstances. The hierarchies are flat with a decentralized organization and a small number of supervisors who are expected to be accessible for their subordinates† (International Business Cultures, 2010). Even in a family structure, or a small group activity, New Zealanders present a high integrated, direct and participative communication without any formal class structure. Although, there is another different Maori culture in New Zealand, which has own language, rituals, customs, etiquette, the power distance in terms of kiwi and Maori is till low. Maori and English are used throughout the country in various television and radio programs. As with other regions in the world where two cultures have been mixed, English has influenced Maori and Maori has influenced English. Not only the language is greatly impacted mutually, but also the politics and economic, culture. The Uncertainty Avoidance score is 49 (see appendix1), which is practical in different aspects. It shows New Zealanders believe both generalists and experts are needed. Emotions are not shown much in New Zealand; people are fairly relaxed and not adverse to taking risks. Consequently, there is a larger degree of acceptance for new ideas, innovative products and a willingness to try something new or different, whether it pertains to technology, business practices, or foodstuffs. (Hofstede, 2012). * Masculinity Masculinity focuses on the degree the society reinforces, or does not reinforce, the traditional masculine work role model of male achievement, control, and power. A High Masculinity ranking indicates the country experiences a high degree of gender differentiation. In these cultures, males dominate a significant portion of the society and power structure, with females being controlled by male domination—Saudi Arabia. A Low Masculinity ranking indicates the country has a low level of differentiation and discrimination between genders. In these cultures, females are treated equally to males in all aspects of the society—-New Zealand (Hofstede, 2012). In Saudi Arabia, there is a range of restrictions and regulations for women, such as Women are expected to be very feminine, and obey male authority. They are expected to grow up, and become wives/mothers. Besides, It is unacceptable in most social circles for women to voice their opinions about many things or question their male guardian’s authority. Furthermore, the labor is assigned by gender; strict gender segregation is sanctioned by the state and society, for instance, â€Å"Women are employed in girls’ schools and the women’s sections of universities, social work and development programs for women, banks that cater to female clients, medicine and nursing for women, television and radio programming, and computer and library work†( Countries and Their Cultures, 2010). New Zealand has a low masculinity ranking, they understood their obligation to the people who worked to establish and maintain the society. In 1893, this British Commonwealth gave women the right to vote, which means Femininity has equal status in diversified organisations. In terms of a company structure, basically the Femininity authority means the organization cares more about employees and even corporate social responsibility rather than profits. Summary The cultural dimensions comparison between Saudi Arabia and New Zealand attempts to develop a tool to measure the different countries’ society structure and development model in terms of individualism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance and masculinity. The comparison shows that Saudi Arabia religion element exert an enormous impact on not only social aspects, but also human rights in gender. Moreover, it present a short cut for international marketers to realize understanding a country cultural uniqueness is good for mutual cooperation, and is able to decrease the unpredictable mistake or conflicts possibility. Furthermore, the cultural dimensions analysis presents a snapshot of country structure and social ecology in terms of diversified customs, etiquette and values. The cultural elements is not only exerting impacts on dwelling’s behavior, but also influence countries’ development. Advertising recommendations Doing advertising for exporting lamb from Australia to Saudi Arabia is an inevitable but at risk assignment. Saudi Arabia as a crucial lamb exporting market for Australia, the burgeoning economy and long history of lamb consumption motivate Australia to adjust market strategy to looking for niche markets for lamb products. In terms of the Saudi Arabia population, which growing at the rate of 3. 8% per annum, the demand of importing lamb would increasing. It is an great opportunity for Australia to make huge progress on exporting lamb to Saudi Arabia if the advertisement could be thoroughly demonstrated in terms of the Saudi Arabia culture dimensions. The biggest problem facing Australia exporters of lamb is that religious beliefs require a revamp of the production process to accord with cultural preferences. First of all, the advertising content should comply with the local religious belief and display the qualification of product. Since Islam has a major impact on the preference for lamb in the market, they regarded a range of western countries such as Australia not qualified in normal slaughterhouse techniques. Therefore, it is such crucial to make sure the techniques in slaughterhouse could meet the stipulations. The equipment for slaughtering and also technique certification should be presented in the advertising to get the trust from Saudi Arabia. Secondly, a thorough understanding of Saudi Arabia religious beliefs and culture customs is particularly essential for developing an outstanding advertising in the market. For instance, the reason why Japanese company able to made such successful achievement in Saudi Arabia market is based on their qualified advertising. They did a range of researching on Islam custom and rituals, knowing that the comparison advertising is not welcomed by the local consumers, therefore, they never come up with the similar advertisements. In the contrary, a major tea company alienated Saudi customers after it aired a commercial that showed a Saudi host serving tea with his left hand to one of his guests. Moreover, the guest was shown wearing shoes while seated, which is considered disrespectful by traditional Saudis. Thirdly, advertising content should be simplified but concentrated. In order to establish a long term brand and image-building, advertising content should be able to get the trust from Saudi Arabia customers, as the religious word-of-mouth effects, the high quality lamb product would be accepted by consumers in a long term. In addition, cooperating with local large media agency to come up with effective advertising based on religious customs could be more easily access to target audience.