Accounting In China Essay

1. Introduction †¢ China’s rapid economic growth in the past two decades has amazed the rest of the world. †¢ With China’s accession to the WTO, business activities with and within China will further expand. †¢ China fully understands that a sound financial reporting system plays a key role in the process of economic development. †¢ The Chinese Ministry of Finance (MoF), who has the responsibility for regulating accounting matters in China, has set itself the objectives of fostering investors’ confidence in financial information, increase transparency of financial reporting, and harmonize with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), so as to reduce the costs of raising capital by enterprises and alleviate the risk of financial crisis. 2. History Of Development †¢ The old accounting and regulations were designed to meet the needs of a planned economy, and therefore focused on whether the production goals of state-owned enterprises and their financial and costs plans were being met. †¢ Accordingly, the objectives of accounting and performance measurement some twenty years ago were significantly different from the financial reporting objectives in a modern market oriented economy. †¢ Significant accounting reforms were undertaken in the past two decades due to several factors such as: âž ¢ Since China opened its door to foreign investments in 1979, the rapid growth of its economy, international trade and securities markets has shaped new objectives for financial reporting. âž ¢ State-owned enterprises now look a lot like profit-oriented businesses, and managers and other users need reliable and relevant financial information on which to base decisions about the efficient allocation of capital. âž ¢ At the same time, china has reached out to the international community to form joint ventures and gain greater access to the latest technologies and the world’s capital markets. See more: Homelessness as a social problem Essay †¢ In the 1980s, the MoF issued the first set of accounting regulation, which was formulated by reference to international accounting practice, for joint ventures in China. †¢ In 1992, due to rapid development of the Chinese securities market, the accounting System for Experimental Joint Stock Limited Enterprises was promulgated by the MoF in order to standardised accounting practice and disclosures by listed companies. This System was subsequently replaced by the Accounting System for Joint Stock Limited Enterprises (JSLE) in 1998. †¢ The 1992 regulation moved away from the traditional fund-based Soviet accounting model and incorporated many common Western accounting practices. †¢ In the same year, the MoF promulgated the Accounting Regulations for Foreign Investment Enterprises (FIE), the Accounting Regulations for Share Enterprises. †¢ In 1993 the Basic Accounting Standard for Business Enterprises came into force. It imposes some basic rules (e.g. that double entry bookkeeping must be used, that a cash or funds statement must be included in the financial statements, and that consolidated financial statements must be provided where appropriate); set out a conceptual framework of China accounting and make some detailed rules of financial reporting. †¢ The conceptual framework introduced on a broader scope new accounting concepts and essential elements of financial statements that were in many respects based on international practices. †¢ The conceptual framework aspects of the regulation are reasonably close to US and IASC precedents. †¢ However, these pronouncements were still found to have essential differences with international practice such as limited disclosure of financial information for the users to understand the results and financial position of the reporting enterprise. †¢ Another difference is that the regulation does not specifically identify the primary user or purpose of financial statements. Instead, a hierarchy of users includes the government, banks, the public and an enterprise’s own management. †¢ This is very different from the US or IASB which emphasis on financial decision making by outside investors. †¢ In addition, the ASBE is based on historical cost without the revaluation allowed in IASB or UK rules or the increasing use of fair value in IASB/US/UK rules. †¢ Furthermore, ‘substance over form’ is not established as a principle in China. 3. The New Accounting Standards And Accounting System (Development after 1993). †¢ In 1993, with funding from the World Bank (US$2.6 million), the MoF engaged Deloitte Touchee Tohmatsu (DTT) as consultants to develop a body of Chinese Accounting Standards (CAS) broadly in line with accounting and financial reporting practices used internationally. †¢ Exposure Drafts on about 30 standards have since been published between 1994 and 1996, and they were generally closely in line with the standards of the IASC. †¢ In 1997, the first standard was issued. It is on disclosure of relationships and transactions with related parties. †¢ In the same year, China joined the IASC, and became an official observer at Board meetings. †¢ In October 1998, an Accounting Standards Committee (CASC) was founded within China’s MoF. It comprises academics and members of accounting firms as well as government experts. †¢ In 1998, the Ministry of Finance issued the Accounting System for Joint Stock Limited Enterprises (JSLE) to replace the accounting System for Experimental joint Stock Limited Enterprises in order to standardise accounting practice and disclosures by listed companies. †¢ In 2000, DTT was reappointed as consultants for the second phase of the project. †¢ China accounting has achieved remarkable progress in unifying its accounting practices since Year 2001. †¢ In the same year, MoF issued a new comprehensive Accounting System for Business Enterprise (the ‘System’). The new System replaced the Accounting System for JSLE form January 1, 2002. †¢ In other words, all JSLE (including all listed enterprise) and FIE are now required to follow one unified new System. The system introduces the concept of substance over form and extends the requirement for consideration to all assets. †¢ The MoF plans to ultimately require all medium-size and large enterprises (other than financial enterprises) to adopt the new System, and announced its expectation that state-owned enterprise will adopt the new system over time. †¢ When fully implemented, the new System will replace the numerous inconsistent industry accounting regulations, enabling the financial statements of different types of enterprises to become more comparable. 4. Impact Of The New Systems On FIE †¢ Before adopting the new System, FIE’s financial statements which were prepared in accordance with the Accounting Regulation for FIE could not properly reflect the enterprise’s actual financial position and operating results, the enterprise had to make numerous adjustments when they compile financial statements under overseas accounting standards, such as IAS and US GAAP. †¢ The process was time consuming and imposed additional cost of investment to the foreign investors. †¢ After the adoption of the new System, the differences between FIE’s financial statements under PRC GAAP and those prepared in accordance with international accounting practices will reduce further, thereby enabling the foreign investors to assess the performance of their investments more efficiently. 5. China Accounting Standards Convergence With IFRS †¢ The importance and acceptance of IFRS has increased significantly over the past few years. †¢ While actively pursuing convergence with IFRS, the MoF necessarily has to ensure that accounting standards appropriately address the national circumstances that exist during this transitional period in the economy. âž ¢ A very significant portion of the economy is dominated by state owned enterprises. Even after enterprises are restructured into joint stock enterprise and branched out from the government structure, functional or regional government that remain stakeholders still exert significant influences over the enterprises and their trading partners and their transactions. âž ¢ Free markets are not sufficiently developed in many areas. âž ¢ Financial statements are multi-functional, serving not only the needs of the investors but also other interested parties including the State for supervisory and management purposes. âž ¢ Enterprises and professional intermediaries such as auditors and valuers are at a developing stage. During this transitional period, accounting standards must be realistically implementable by the preparers and auditors of financial statements. †¢ On 16 February 2006, the Chinese Ministry of Finance and the International Accounting Standards Board formally announced that Chinese Accounting Standards (CAS) will converge with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on 1 January 2007. †¢ Converging CAS with IFRS is one of many successful initiatives undertaken by the PRC government over the past global economy. †¢ Investors, analysts, regulators and other interested parties in recent years have been increasingly demanding more consistent and reliable financial reporting from companies around the world. †¢ The adoption and consistent application of accounting standards based on IFRS principles is widely viewed as a commitment to transparent financial reporting by these constituents. Transparent financial reporting is considered as the foundation of investor confidence. †¢ The process of convergence has been started way back in November 2005 when several meetings had been held between MoF and board members of IASB. †¢ The process of convergence will involve integrating the IFRS principles into CAS and will result in the amendment of all existing standards and the issuance of an additional 22 Specific standards. †¢ While the revised CAS will not reflect a literal translation of IFRS, their scope will include all IFRS principles. In additional, they will contain interpretive guidance to address the accounting for specific types of transaction (e.g. combinations of companies under common control) and industry accounting issues (e.g. extraction of petroleum and natural gas). †¢ The new CAS will comprise 1 basic standard and 38 specific standards. †¢ The revised CAS will first be applied to listed companies from 1 January 2007 and gradually applied to other types of entities. †¢ There will be differences between the revised CAS and IFRS to reflect unique circumstances in China. †¢ These differences, among other things, relate to: a. A prohibition of the reversal of asset impairment once it has been made; b. The accounting for certain government grants; c. Related party disclosures between State owned enterprises that have no direct investment relationship. 6. Challenges faced by China in converging with IFRS. †¢ The effect of changing accounting policies involves some efforts such as: âž ¢ Re-designing the financial reporting process to ensure that management has sufficient reliable financial information with which to prepare financial statements that comply with the standards, particularly in regards to the increased levels of disclosure required, and properly supports critical accounting estimates and judgements. âž ¢ The people involved in the financial reporting process will need to develop a new expertise and competency in applying revised CAS. âž ¢ Developing new accounting policy manual; integrating new CAS internal management reporting (budgeting, forecasting, performance measurement) and external reporting (financial, statutory, investor) into daily operations across the organization. âž ¢ Implementing ongoing and sustainable processes such as valuations of share options and derivatives, impairment testing hedge documentation and effectiveness testing, etc. âž ¢ Require identification of new data requirements due to financial statements and disclosure requirements. âž ¢ Train the head office and business units of the new reporting requirements. âž ¢ Provide training to finance and also non-finance staff including key management (e.g. finance, treasury, tax, human resource and sales) on new CAS principles and new reporting requirements. THE NEW SYSTEM OF CHINESE ACCOUNTING STANDARDS Key features and impact of the new accounting standards 1. The new accounting standards represent convergence with International financial Reporting Standards. †¢ Most of the newly issued standards and revised standards make reference to the equivalent IFRS and adopt the principles and treatments similar to its counterpart. †¢ As a result, the financial statements prepared in accordance with the New Accounting Standards will be more comparable with those prepared in accordance with IFRS. †¢ Overseas investors and users of financial statements will understand the financial statements of Chinese enterprise better and the cost of re-preparing financial statements for Chinese enterprises when getting overseas listing will be reduced. 2. The requirement of fair value measurement †¢ Under the new accounting standards, debt restructuring and no-monetary transactions will be measured at fair value and gains that meet certain criteria will be recognized in the income statement. †¢ Whereas before the revision, those transactions were carried at book value and any gains arising from those transactions were not allowed to be recognized. †¢ In practice, the determination of fair values may not be easy for many entities and various valuation techniques are required. 3. Specify accounting treatments for important accounting issues such as business combinations and consolidated financial statement. †¢ In the past, there was neither formal accounting standards nor comprehensive and detailed guidelines in the area of business combinations and consolidated financial statements. †¢ As a result, accounting treatments for similar business combination transactions may have varied across different enterprises causing much confusion and inconsistency. †¢ Therefore, the issuance of the standards on â€Å"Business Combination† and â€Å"Consolidated Financial statement† will provide comprehensive and more authoritative provisions and guidelines on these important accounting issues. 4. Specify treatments on new accounting issues and certain previously off-balance-sheet items will be recorded in the balance sheet †¢ Derivative financial instruments will be recognized on the balance sheet instead of only being disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. †¢ All shares and share options granted to employees to be measured at fair value and expensed in the income statement. 5. Standards relevant to important specialized industries †¢ The New Accounting Standards will include a number of standards that are relevant to those specialized industries. †¢ For example, the four standards on â€Å"Financial Instruments† will have an impact on accounting practices in various financial institutions. †¢ The standards on â€Å"Direct Insurance Contract† and â€Å"Re-insurance Contracts† will affect players in the insurance sectors. †¢ The â€Å"Extraction of Petroleum and Natural Gas† and â€Å"Biological Assets† are standards that are issued specifically for enterprises operating in the petroleum and gas industry and agriculture industry respectively. 6. Impairment of Assets †¢ The previous accounting regulations in China allow the reversal of impairment under certain circumstances. †¢ However, under the new standard, it specifies that any recognized impairment loss for fixed assets and intangible assets cannot be reversed in future accounting periods. †¢ The restriction on impairment loss reversal does not apply to inventories, trade receivables and bank loans. 7. More detailed requirements on disclosure †¢ The new standards provide users of financial statements with more relevant and transparent information, which will facilitate their economic decision-making. †¢ For instances, in respect of accounting policies and accounting estimates, the basis for the determination of significant accounting policies and accounting estimates is required to be disclosed. †¢ In relation to financial instruments, a detailed disclosure on the enterprise’s financial risk exposure is now required. 8. Transitional adjustments †¢ The New Accounting Standards were applicable to listed companies effective from 1 January 2007. †¢ The MOF has issued transitional provisions which are included in the standard on â€Å"First Time Adoption of Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises†. †¢ The standard requires that at the date of transaction, an entity should reclassify, recognize and measure all assets, liabilities and owners’ equity in accordance with the New Accounting Standards and prepare an opening balance sheet. †¢ These transitional provisions may reduce the workload and complexities for preparers’ adoption of the New Accounting Standards.

In What Ways Did the Causes of the Second World War Differ?

In what ways did the causes of the Second World War differ from the causes of the First World War? The causes of World War One and World War Two shared both differences and similarities, but overall there were more differences between the two. The social, political, and economic circumstances of the times varied, though at times correlated with each other, but there are extreme differences that help create a different atmosphere for each war.The assassination of Franz Ferdinand, on the 28th June, 1914, set off World War One; Martel argues â€Å"The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand was the final straw in the struggle for mastery in the Balkans†. He was shot by Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Black Hand, a Serbian group set up to fight for the unification of all South Slav territories that had been annexed by Austria-Hungary. Two months after the shooting Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, setting off the next chain of events that brought into account the alliance syste m.In 1938, a year before the start of World War Two, Hitler was growing ever more confident due to the lack of resistance he experienced from any other European country. He had annexed Austria with little or no consequences, and made a deal with France and Britain guaranteeing him the Sudetenland if he did not go after any other territories. In 1939 he broke this deal by occupying Czechoslovakia, and starting to advance on Danzig.At this point, the Allies realized that they must put an end to Hitler’s advance, as they could already see that Hitler had a lot more in mind than just the invasion of Poland. The Alliance system was present throughout both wars, although as countries surrendered and changed loyalties none of them remained permanent. The alliances system was originally created to help keep the peace in Europe, with the belief that they would act together as a defensive mechanism against any attack, as it was also in their own interest to keep Europe in peace.Neverth eless the alliance system is now seen as a major cause of the war, as Schmit believes: â€Å"The alliances which had originally served as the cause of peace when put to the final test operated to convert a local quarrel into a general war†, as two small countries with a territorial dispute were able to set of a chain reaction in the alliances that brought the greatest powers in Europe to declare war on each other. The Wall St. Crash of 1929 is believed to have led to the Great Depression of the 1930s, and caused there to be 6 million unemployed in Germany.This social unrest and resentment caused the Weimar Republic to become even more unpopular, and left Hitler with an opportunity to gain the public’s support. He set up soup kitchens across Germany to feed the unemployed, and during his election campaign of 1933 he promised to abolish unemployment if elected. The unpopularity of the Weimar government left the people looking for someone who could restore national pride to Germany and save her from her current depression, and it appeared as if Hitler could do exactly that, which led to an increase in popularity and votes.Historians such as Fischer blame the German people for the out break of the Second World War as it was their support that gave Hitler power to pursue his plans. The Treaty of Versailles was felt to bring humiliation to Germany, and created a feeling of Diktat. It was eventually seen by other European countries as being to harsh. Germany and her allies had to agree to take all of the blame for the war; lost all its overseas colonies, the Saar and Rhineland, along with many more military, territorial and legal restrictions.The Rhineland was demilitarized and was seen as a buffer zone between the borders of France and Germany. When Hitler ordered his troops to march into the Rhineland he said: â€Å"The 48 hours after the march into the Rhineland were the most nerve-racking in my life. If the French had marched into the Rhineland we would have had to withdraw, for the military resources at our disposal would have been wholly inadequate for even moderate resistance. This shows the weakness of the League of Nations, because if the League of Nations had shown any resistance to Hitler’s expansion the expansion would of stopped and Hitler would of withdrawn from the Rhineland. â€Å"a credible achievement that eventually failed because of the reluctance of the victors to enforce it† -Ruth Henig The failure of other countries to check German ambition was also apparent in World War One, when Germany’s new foreign policy meant that they began to rely heavily on the military to force their way into the European powers and increase their overseas empire, long with other advantages for themselves. Hitler’s rearmament of Germany was necessary due to the fact that the Treaty of Versailles had left her unable to defend herself. Conscription was banned and troop numbers could be no more than 100,00 0. Weapons were no longer allowed to be manufactured, and importing and exporting weapons was also prohibited. The Navy was decreased to 15,000 men, 6 battleships, 6 cruisers, 12 destroyers and 12 torpedo boats. Submarines were banned, and so were aircrafts.The rearmament of Germany was a lengthy task, and Hitler at first found loopholes in the treaty that allowed for aircraft clubs to be set up that allowed men to learn how to fly without it being considered as military preparation. Rearmament wasn’t an issue in the run up to World War One as no such restrictions had been placed on Germany, although they did start a naval arms race with Britain while they increased their fleet size. â€Å"[The German] bid for continental supremacy was certainly decisive in bringing on the European War† AJP Taylor.Both World Wars seem to start from the same general situations, such as a the urge to increase the nations strength and image in front of the other nations, but when looked a t closely, it is evident that there are many differences between the causes of the two Wars. Factors such as the Treaty of Versailles and the Wall Street Crash of 1929 play a big part in the start of the Second World War. Thus in conclusion the causes of World War Two differ from the causes of World War One.

Are media evils?

The mixture – that mixture of visual and aural information so ubiquitous in modern society – has been blamed for a myriad of problems. These problems range from social ills such as moral degradation in society, to more individual-specific maladies, such as introverted-ness and violence amongst teenagers. However, proponents of the evils of the media at times overstate the facts, blowing minor maladies out of proportion. The extent to which this occurs is still up for debate; the media may yet be fully culpable for that which it has been blamed for.Firstly, the media has been blamed for causing violence, or aggressive behavior amongst youths, ostensibly because of the rampant images of celebratory violence and wanton aggression shown to the general public through various mediums such as television and cinema. In James P. Steyer’s book, â€Å"The Other Parent†, he blames commercialized violence for the rising crime rate in America, basing his assertions on i nterviews with children and trends in violence over the years. However, such assertions cannot explain the results of a comparison between the United States and Canada.In a heavily publicised example in the movie â€Å"Bowling for Columbine†, a comparison between the two countries showed that even though violence on television in Canada was just as graphic and rampant as in the United States, the violent crime rate in Canada – even amongst youths – was still lower. Furthermore, there are other factors which might cause an increase in violent activity amongst youths such as the rise in the number of dual-income families, a proven contributor to childhood delinquency as the child is not cared for as much as in past times.Therefore, although there is some truth in the allegations that the media is responsible for violence in society, to say that it is solely responsible for violence amongst youths while eschewing the other factors as well would be an exaggeration, but not a gross one, as there is still evidence to show that it could possibly be as evil as purported. The media has also been blamed for causing general moral degradation in society through its display of immorality not only through television but through radio and video games as well.A recent Emmy award winner, â€Å"Desperate Housewives†, portrays married women in compromising situations, or adulterous situations. A blockbuster video game, â€Å"Grand Theft Auto 3†, allows the gamer’s character to have sex with prostitutes. However, if the media is such a strong negative influence on questions of morality, why is it that countries such as Iran and Singapore have had a fall in teenage abortion rates in the last 5 years even as the number of television sets in households has increased?Therefore, although television immorality may be a factor in contributing to societal degradation, it must be concatenated with other factors such as an increasingly liberal cult ure, with less emphasis placed on moral education by parents, with an increasing double-parent workforce. Just like blaming the media for violence amongst youths, blaming the media for moral degradation would be an exaggeration, as the impact of the media on societal morality is comparatively less than the changing culture in society. Contrary to what people purport, the evils of the media in this exigent is not as serious as claimed.However, there are ills that the media is blamed for that may be too far from the truth. For example, the media – especially through billboards and television advertisements – is supposed to be the main harbinger of consumerist tendencies and materialistic values in society. These evils are supposed to have been brought about by the increasing proliferation of advertisements on television. Close to home in Singapore, the time allocated to advertisements on local television has gone up from 1 minute slots every 15 minutes to 3 minute slots every 15 minutes.In addition, advertising companies have studied statistics and concluded that advertising does encourage people to consume in abundance, even for luxury goods, sometimes increasing sales by a factor of 2. With this kind of attitude, people will spend money on things they do not need, an ill that does not have evident societal effects, yet a waste in disposable income. Therefore, this is one example of the charges levied against the media being less than exaggerated as the media is indeed the main factor in contributing to consumerist tendencies, the situation as dire as portended.In addition to the media being blamed for consumerist tendencies, there are scientific articles claiming the media encourages antisocial behavior. People use statistics such as average television viewership of 2 hours a day by the average American. Furthermore, television ostensibly encourages us to be lethargic and not proactive. Although television does contribute to these human character istics, the onus is still on the individual to display outgoing behavior and to go out and interact, therefore to blame the media on these maladies would be an exaggeration.As well as those media evils that are well documented and publicised, there are also evils that are not so scrutinised by the public eye. The media also serves as a government mouthpiece and a means to indoctrinate the people with a certain set of values. This is particularly evident in North Korea, where the government controls what the people see or listen to through the media. In this case, the evil of the media is quite clear and hardly exaggerated. With control of the media, one can control opinions and knowledge, clearly shown by Kim Jong Il’s regime.In peroration, to the question of whether the evils of the media have been grossly exaggerated, the answer is yes. The media does not stand guilty to the extent it has been blamed for, however, it is still culpable for some of evils it is blamed for, suc h as spreading consumerist tendencies. Even so, one must consider that there are other groups and factors responsible for the aforementioned evils. Therefore, in conclusion, I agree with the statement in that the media evils have been exaggerated, but I disagree because they have not been grossly exaggerated for the most part.

A Comparison of Chuang Tzu's Ideas of Life and Death with those of Essay

A Comparison of Chuang Tzu's Ideas of Life and Death with those of Socrates - Essay Example You-Sheng revisited the Chuang Tzu’s argument that through the inaction of heaven, which is purity and that of the earth, which is space, things are brought to existence and are transformed mysteriously (You-Sheng, 2005, p. 14). He went further to explain that it is through this inaction that the living things have the mercy to grow and develop. One is born by chance, but once alive, death is imminent. Therefore, the essay is a comparison of Chuang Tzu ideas of life and death with those of Socrates. Chuang Tzu Ideas of Life and Death Watson examined Chuang Tzu’s basic writings to outline his ideas about life and death. He argues that during old age, the mind comes closer to death and probably nothing could restore the life to light (Watson, 1996, p. 32). Significantly, this comes as an automatic consequence of aging; therefore no one should be afraid of death. As a result, the people are in constant struggle and worry during their life, because they have to toil for the ir daily bread, and think that at one time, the life would be terminated (Watson, 1996, p. 32). Life and death, according to Tzu are fated and bound to happen (Watson, 1996, p. 76). In this regard, he equates their relationship to the succession between dark and down, through compulsion. As the dark nears its end, a new dawn succeeds it, meaning that as life nears its end, death dawns (Watson, 1996, p. 76). ... 77). In essence, he attributes death to a means of change, and since everything is constantly changing, no one has the capability of preventing the change from changing. Therefore, we should accept the facts related to change, and welcome it when it reaches, and there would not be anything to fear about death. Moreover, according to his conviction, in the beginning and end, early death, old age, and at all levels of human development, he/she should be delightful (Watson, 1996, p. 77). Apparently, the belief makes us believe that life that life and death are equal, not any important than the other (You-Sheng, 2005, p. 37). As well, the argument suggests that the people should be aware that at one moment, perhaps after birth, he/she is bound to die, through whichever means. Therefore, he attributed death to an automatic exit from the known world to unknown world, where only Tao has good knowledge about (You-Sheng, 2005, p. 39). Drawing from the Masters’ agreement, he argues that this is something that one should believe (Watson, 1996, p. 80). This is justified from his acknowledgement that non-being is actually someone’s head, life is someone’s back and death is someone’s rump. In another controversial question, he wanted to know whether life and death are all one body (Watson, 1996, p. 80). In reality, there is a common belief that once a person is dead, the aspects of life cease to manifest on the body. The body becomes helpless, lifeless and useless to perform any function. Therefore, life and death, despite being very far apart from one another, are simply one. For instance, life results to death and they can never manifest together, each does distinctively. He also put

Managerial Economics - Disney World Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Managerial Economics - Disney World - Case Study Example Soon, competition came up and Disneyland started to lose its market. Same tragedy with Disney World too! Though main objective of it is to regain the market, along with it several other parks like Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and Discovery Cove etc. came into existence offering various amusements facilities. Major attraction of Universal Studios are shows and ride whereas, SeaWorld is a chain of marine mammal parks. Discovery Cove gives the opportunity to the guests to interact more closely with mammal animals. Apart from those, Kennedy Space Center provides the unique chance to tour NASA's launch and landing facilities. Disney World paved the way for the other theme parks and made the Orlando a popular tourist place for entertainment. It's true that after the introduction of other parks, market of Disney has slowed down somewhat but, it has another important goal too, and that is recreation which has direct relation with business profit. From amusement perspective all are working in hand to keep Orlando livelier and brighter and so, to Disney World too. Today attendance of each Disneyland is varying from 10,000,000 to 20,000,000. Starbucks cafes have given coffee a new cachet and their success has helped all the coffee distributors in United States. A chain of innovation has been set by Starbucks' creativity in once sleepy industry.

Ethical Hacking the three shades White Hat, Black Hat, Gray Hat Research Proposal

Ethical Hacking the three shades White Hat, Black Hat, Gray Hat - Research Proposal Example The researcher employed both qualitative and quantitative research design methods of attacking a computer network. In the conclusion part, the summary was included that summed up the research work. The researcher recommended that there is a need for future research to offer adequate analysis on the way ethical hackers will implement effective risk management plan, which will enable Internet users or businesses to protect their data from hacking activities. INTRODUCTION Ethical hacking as a risk management technique is the use of programming skills in determining vulnerabilities in the computer system. There are varied types of ethical hackers including the White Hat, Black Hat and Grey Hat; thus, both focus on building a risk management program effective for eliminating vulnerabilities. The rapid advancement of technology has brought many constructive and significant solutions to the life of people. New areas of research have tremendously increased in e-commerce, electronic activitie s and information sharing areas. However, with the increased technology advancement, there have been a growing number of cybercrimes and criminal hacking activities. Businesses and other Internet users are nowadays scared of computer experts who will offer risk management through penetrating into their web server to offer adequate security. Therefore, there is a need for computer science students to advance their ethical hacking techniques in order to fight against the increasing problems of criminal hacking. Project Goals The project attempts to offer a comprehensive risks management plan effective for eliminating hacking activities in varied organizations. It identifies the risks resulting from hacking and offer effecting hacking methods that hackers will employ to manage organizational risks. It analyses the process of ethical hackings and also attempt to find out the pros or cons arising from ethical hacking. LITERATURE REVIEW This chapter will employ varied literature materials in order to examine the way the previous scholars have argued about ethical hacking issues. Tiller (2005) offer varied methodologies and unwritten convention that ethical hackers should employ in order to offer the maximum value to companies that want to manage organizational risks. The author reveals the technical aspects of penetration testing in order to address the engagement rules necessary for successful technical tests. Jahankhani (2010) also reveals the way cybercrimes has become one of the biggest problems in many industries across the globe; thus, reveals varied aspects including implementation, investigative techniques and criminal intelligence in fighting cybercrimes. The author aimed to educate the academia members, public and private sectors, as well as, students on the way to overcome cybercrimes issues. Logan and Clarkson (2005) reveal the significant need to educate computer science students to hack; thus enabling them to become experts in managing risks or vulnera bilities arising from hacking activities. HYPOTHESIS Hacking will likely to pose risks such as exposing sensitive user data and risk user privacy; thus making information vulnerable to illegitimate use and manipulation. Therefore, it triggers theft of critical business information because important information may be lost in the process hacking. This is because hacking can convert computer into zombies; thus contributing to spamming and phishing

The Amen Corner (response paper) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Amen Corner (response paper) - Essay Example Her movements are natural and a way too expressive, but it is good for the performance as it corresponds to the plot of the play. She is persuasive even when she sits on a chair because her movements and behavior do not change to more passive or less engaged mode. Overall, her performance adds drive to the play and she copes with her task successfully. 2. All actors dynamically move around the stage. There is a certain rotation to give each actor some time for taking a leading role. These actors usually stand in the middle or in the front positions towards other actors. It makes them visible for other actors and spectators. It is evident that even when the actors sit, they have to move and express their engagement. The arrangement of benches on the stage makes the stalls to join the space of the church. It is very engaging for people as they are offered to take part in the performance too. On the other hand, when the action takes place in the church, all characters have their major place, but their conduct seems to be not realistic because they are all too enthusiastic. Every actor who takes a lead manifests their character a bit aggressively, and it makes transition from one role to the other unnatural. At the same time, when scene moves from church to home, the situation improves. Actors behave naturally and manage to establish homely atmosphere on the state. In this way, directors work can be considered successful because it adds dynamics to the play and let some space for each character to remain individual and avoid merging with the

Management Case Study on Sara Lee Corp Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Management on Sara Lee Corp - Case Study Example What is your assessment of the long-term attractiveness of the industries represented by Sara Lee Corp’s business portfolio? Sara Lee Corp is represented in four industries: packaged meat products, retail coffee and tea, bakery products and household and body care products. In two of this industries, packaged meat products and retail coffee and tea, Sara Lee had huge market shares that is could leverage to sustain its profitability and thus retain their attractiveness. In the packaged meat industry Sara Lee held huge market shares in several categories within North America: 30% smoked sausage, 23% hotdogs, 14% lunch meat and 58% breakfast sausage (Thompson & Gamble, 2010). Given the aging of the US population and general mean rise in per capita incomes, we expect the demand for convenience food to remain high. In retail coffee and tea, Sara Lee held huge market shares in the US, a few European countries and Brazil. Furthermore, it also sold the most single-serving coffeemake rs in Europe. With the global retail coffee market expected to grow from $51billion in 2009 to $62 billion in 2013 we can presume the industry will remain very attractive to Sara Lee. The bakery products success was limited to Spain and the US. With Spain’s economy doing poorly and huge costs incurred in the US while to secure shelf space in US supermarkets we find the long-term attractiveness of this industry to be low. In the household and body care industry Sara Lee’s Kiwi harbors the greatest potential to long-term attractiveness given that it was the number one shoe care brand worldwide with a global market share of 30%. We believe that the firm could use the income it obtains from Kiwi to sustain the brand’s competitive advantage. What does a 9-cell industry attractiveness/business strength matrix displaying Sara Lee’s business units look like? What is your assessment of the competitive strength of Sara Lee Corp’s different business units? Sa ra Lee’s North American Retail division, North American Foodservice division and International Beverage divisions all have very high competitive strength largely because they have strong portfolio of market leading brands within industries that have been projected to grow in future. The global retail coffee market is expected to grow from $51-62 billion by 2013, and with ageing populations in US and Europe, we expect the demand for convenience food to also rise. We also see the company innovating in the meat business (e.g. in meat slicing) and offering complimentary products in its coffee business (single-serve coffee machines). Sara Lee could leverage its market share as bargaining power over its suppliers and customers or enter into alliances to strengthen it further. On the other hand, the North American Fresh Bakery division, International Bakery and the International Household and Body Care divisions are not as convincingly as strong as the other three divisions. North A merican Fresh Bakery has well performing brands and strong market share however; we are informed that its revenue arose when the company negotiated for increased shelf space at supermarkets and other selling stores. Assuming that â€Å"negotiating† for more shelf space implies extra costs we would expect less profits accruing to the company in this arrangement. The fact that Sara Lee has to negotiate for extra shelf space to improve its revenues lowers this division’

Discuss the social and health needs of prisoner in the UK and why Essay

Discuss the social and health needs of prisoner in the UK and why these needs are of relevance to the wider community - Essay Example However as the population of prisoners increase by day, the conditions surrounding the imprisoned in the country have deteriorated. There is a need for better health care in prisons and for an improvement in the prisoners’ general life inside bars. The National Health Service for example has recently got the mandate to look into matters of health care for prisoners taking over this duty from the prison service (Williamson 2006). This is a good call since there is admittedly a need to look into social and health issues of the prisoners. This paper will discuss the social and health needs of the prisoners in the United Kingdom and the reasons as to why the needs are relevant to the wider community. There is a wide spread concern that the rules and regimes of the prison environment could have detrimental impacts on the mental health of the prisoners and especially those with mental illnesses already. It is also well documented that the incidences of psychiatric morbidity and subs tance abuse is higher among the prisoners than the general public. Thus with the growing population, there are now more people with mental illnesses in the prisons than ever before (Harris, Hek and Condon 2007). The overcrowding, separation from family and friends, loss of autonomy and boredom are potentially detrimental to the mental stability of the prisoners. There is therefore a need to improve the state of mental healthcare so as to get to the main of objectives of the prisons to be anti-therapeutic environments. There is a need to really care for the prisoners from reception through to discharge mentally so as to improve their perceptions in the quality of their lives. The staff administering mental healthcare inside the prisons should have extra training to identify the prisoners who need extra support, those with history of mental illness and those who will be on remand for a long time (Brooker 2009). The population of the prisons in England and Wales has doubled in the last 20 years thus making the prisons to overcrowd. Overcrowding is the state where a prison contains more prisoners than the establishment’s CNA (Certified Normal Accommodation). THE United Kingdom has the highest percentage of overcrowding in Europe. The overcrowding leads to enormous burdens on the staff making it difficult to offer adequate resources to the offenders. This exacerbates tension and frustration levels by prisoners leading to higher risks of violence. This leaves prisoners under the danger of being hurt or killed. It also deteriorates the living conditions where inmates eat, sleep and even defecate in the cell, like in the case of Bedford, a condition which leaves them to the danger of infections. The overcrowding also denies some prisoners the access to education, training and work. This is because there is a high demand due to the high population. Overcrowding also brings difficulties in mental, drug and alcohol abuse treatment services. It is also expensive an d increases the risk of a prisoner to committing crimes after release due to the above inconveniences (Singleton et al 1998). Some of the prisoners are fathers and mothers. This means that they are forced to combine serving their sentences and parenting. Their families therefore need support from the society and the administration. Their kids are especially at risks of experiencing poverty, mental illnesses, poor housing and more negative incomes. Most children with parents in prison will most likely go on to offend. There are also the

Xing Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Xing - Coursework Example Xing magazine will offer the level of quality advertisement and services that you can expect from a world class magazine. It is therefore safe to say that the company will build its reputation based on results for discerning client base. Xing magazine will give the value for your money because it will provide advertisement services to a wide range of people and entities based all over the globe. As an advertising company, we always strive to improve the quality of service to the clients. To ensure we offer the greatest quality ads. Even though the company will start by first offering hard copy magazine, Xing aims at going digital in the first 6 months of operations. Fashion and style is no doubt a business concept on the rise. That is, the 21st century population loves fashion and always wants to look smart. Fashion is an all-round concept that engages everybody in every industry. From managers, manufacturing, schools to tourists and many more. Irrespective of your industry, be assured that Xing has your style. For instance; for managers Xing will make sure that you and your employees are well dressed and you will be the center of attention whenever you attend executive conferences; for tourists industry, be assured that fashion and style will be incorporated in your adverts to attract as many tourists as possible and these just a tip on the iceberg. Xing is a profession company that will help you in creating the visuals and lay out ads in relation to the latest fashions and styles in the market. Xing magazine believes that there is nothing more fun and freeing than fashion design shopping. After a very tiresome day at work, it feels great to trade in layers of dark tights, delicate dresses, strappy sandals, wedding dresses and much more fashion oriented. Though Xing consider fashion sense classic, we will always choose one trend to try when the seasons change. The idea of Xing magazine is to have a trailblazing

Renaissance Medicine and Medical Practices Essay Example for Free

Renaissance Medicine and Medical Practices Essay In the beginning of the Elizabethan Era medicine was the beginning of advancements. During the Renaissance, disease was a big problem. Medicine was not as advanced as it is today, but being discovered from witchcraft and superstitions, to cures for the sick. Medicine was not advanced then so the citizens looked for cure from the witches and their beliefs just led them to their deaths. Religious citizens prayed, or consumed blood from someone else as they believed to contain the soul of the deceased. â€Å". octors sought for explanations [for illnesses] in the stars rather than in the blood stream and preferred magical to clinical experiment. † (Netzley 70). They believed the illness or sickness was spiritual rather than from the body. Superstitions were a big thing in this era. Black Death a plague that spread in Florence in 1348 was believed to be punishment from God. As medicine was being discovered the new knowledge was slowly being accepted by the citizens. Medicine discovered by the Europeans was not as accurate though. As time passed, medicine was then based on Aristotle ideas; on four humors in the body. They are blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile; which determine the imbalance and were thought to be related to their personality. Leonardo Da Vinci had sketched accurate anatomies at which influenced medicine studies. that his ideas were familiar to the scientific environment in which he found himself, the likelihood is that Leonardos thoughts was important landmark in the development of scientific ideas, (Walker 94). Eventually the Hippocrates studies were discovered, they had lived in B. C. era. Their studies were used for comparison at which proved their discoveries and solutions wrong and the Hippocrates were very accurate as they had sketched the structures and their thoughts on how the human body functioned which led them to new discoveries. There were many medical practices that were believed to cure the person and in contrary some made them more sick or led them to death, Bloodletting was a popular practice done at which they would cut the patients artery on their arm or sometimes both arms, and were bled until they felt drowsy which was consider to be when the felt better. This practice sometimes was done too often the patient would simply die of lack of blood supply. The medical practice of the four humors determined imbalance in patients. In order to diagnose the doctors would check patient’s pulse and urine; looking as color and smell. The remedy or are used where herbs and spices. Spices were believed to balance the humors rated on a scale from hotness, coldness and wetness. Renaissance doctors . . . . . followed the traditional herbal medicine practiced throughout the Middle Ages† (Walker 96). Most common used herb was the theriac for medicinal recipes, an antidote for poison. Cinnamon and pepper were two spices commonly used and were rated hottest. Surgeries were not very popular and were rarely ever done, in small towns the barbers will be the surgeon as they couldn’t afford to pay a qualified doctor. Medicine advanced through the years till today, but the Renaissance era seemed to be the discovery of new medicine that help cure the sick. Never less did they learn more about the human and animal body but discovered diseases and several cures for them.

Social media Essay Example for Free

Social media Essay The power of Web 2. 0 was a turning point for internet. It enabled formerly linear information traffic to become multifaceted and multidirectional. In the process, it also allowed information to be more substantial and concentrated. Thus, knowledge and intelligence became readily accessible to anyone and the readily available information is richer and more substantial to the users. However, there are several points of contention with Web 2. 0. The very definition of the word is a concern. Those who are willing and able to define it came up with a definition too long and complicated o be understood in its entirety. Those who perceived the definitions got lost in the way, while some easily gave up. Without the concise definition for the jargon it will remain difficult to comprehend what it embodies. Secondly, the entertainment industry may feel threatened by this new open media where everyone is instantly getting their ten seconds of fame. Web 2. 0 is taking away the difficult stage of getting screened to become a talent. In fact, it only opens the media more. It embraces performers, regardless if they have talent or if they are simply funny. Privacy is also put into question. Because Web 2.0 entails sharing of information, there is the great chance for information to be accessed despite security measures. Sources agreed that the privacy issues are not exclusive to social websites such as Multiply, Friendster, Facebook, and others of its kind. Even legitimate websites with educational and professional content can fall prey to intrusion. It is also alarming that not all users are very concerned, or careful. Yet given these disadvantages, it should be noted that Web 2. 0 has its advantages too. It enriched publicly available information, creating a massive information framework with data coming from different sources. It also expedited and added quality to editing this available information, because visitors are also users and are able to add or edit information and serve comments and suggestions instantly. Web 2. 0 revolutionized the web and its users and will undoubtedly continue doing so until it develops to something larger. To make this complicated term easier to understand, it is worth noting that Web 2. 0 has several characteristics. On top of all those, one stands through. Web 2. 0 is all about collective intelligence that happens spontaneously and continuously. It is seen in Wikipedia, Blogger, Multiply, and many other networking and enterprise websites. It is seen in Linux’s and Microsoft’s forums, and many other companies who have embraced the power of the consumers. The advantages outdid the disadvantages, and the benefits of the process proved it recommendable for the use of every netizen who needs and uses information. Recommendations To ensure that Web 2. 0 gives more of its benefits than the disadvantages, the users will have to play a crucial role in controlling it. First, the issue of complicatedness should no longer be a problem. The topic of definition is continually being discussed. The jargons used to define Web 2. 0 four or three years ago were now translated into layman-friendly terms. Thus, with a little research, one can get the concise meaning of the word and be able to understand it. The openness of the media should also be regarded as a positive development. Entertainment movers should take it as an opportunity to find hidden talent with less expense and effort. Looking at the situation, Web 2. 0 provides an avenue for creators to meet investors—talents to find promoters, writers to find publishers, and many more similar pairs. In turn, people who have become popular in their respective industries should not feel threatened. Instead, they can opt to provide help for aspirants, or simply serve as inspiration. On the other hand, online performers should note that what they post publicly on the internet becomes available worldwide. In fact, even if one chooses to post something for the consumption of a selected few audiences, there is still a way for intruders to get their hands on these information. Privacy practices should be observed properly and with strict attention. Awareness and monitoring are additional practices that will help alleviate security concerns in the use of social media. Lastly, it is recommended that social websites and Web 2. 0 media organizers maintain monitoring and proofreading of the content being posted in their websites. It should be noted that because Web 2. 0 is an open media, this opens people to the opportunity to put up inappropriate content. Regular checks on posted content and appropriate editing and tagging will help lessen these problems on inappropriate content, which can greatly affect the services of the website and the image of the company behind it. The Web 2. 0 may be a complicated thing, but it should be accepted that it is something that is readily happening today. It is the new internet, the greatest things that has happened to the web so far. While many businesses are still unsure about plunging into the Web 2. 0 trend for their enterprises, it has gone big on an individual level. Having a blog or being a member of a social networking site or contributing to a forum or an online encyclopedia is no longer surprising. In fact, it has become a way of life for most. This proves that Web 2. 0 is more than just hype. It is business, education, and life for its current users and those to come. References Advantages and disadvantages of social media and Web 2. 0. 2008. Retrieved May 8, 2008, from http://compassioninpolitics. wordpress. com/2008/02/01/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-social-media/ Anderson, P. 2007. What is Web 2. 0: Ideas, technologies, and implications for education. Retrieved May 8, 2008, from http://www. jisc. ac. uk/media/documents/techwatch/tsw0701b. pdf

Functions of the Immune System | Dengue Fever Immunity

Functions of the Immune System | Dengue Fever Immunity The function of the immune system is to keep contagious microorganisms, such as definite bacteria, viruses and fungi, out of the body, and to demolish any infectious microorganisms that do attack the body. The immune system is completed by a complex and imperative network of cells and organs that guard the body from infection (1). The organs of the immune system are called the lymphoid organs, which have an effect on growth, development, and the free of lymphocytes (a confident type of white blood cell) (2). The lymphatic vessels and blood vessels are main parts of the lymphoid organs, because they transmit the lymphocytes to different areas in the body and from different areas in the body. All lymphoid organs play a task in the making and also activation of lymphocytes. Layered Defense Organisms are protected by the immune system from infections with layered defenses of rising specificity. If these barriers were breached a pathogen, the innate immune system provides an immediate, but non-specific reaction. All plants and animals have Innate immune systems (3). If pathogens effectively evade the innate response, vertebrates have a third layer of protection, the adaptive immune system. The innate response activates the adaptive immune system. Surface Barriers The body of the human continuously faces attack from foreign invaders that can cause disease and infection. These invaders sort from living microbes , such as fungi, bacteria, parasites, and viruses, to dead toxins, drugs, and chemicals. As our luck, the body has many internal and external defenses that avoid most dangerous attackers from entering and causing damages. The physical layers that stay them at inlet commonly are referred to as the bodys 1st line of defense. The largest body organ is skin; is presents both a physical and also a chemical barrier against the outer environment. The skin makes a defensive cover that completely encloses around the body, shielding blood vessels, muscles, nerves, bones and organs. When tears or cuts in the outer surface of the skin, present an opening for infective organisms, glands under the skin, produce an enzyme that helps to destroy bacteria (4). Although areas of the body not covered with skin, do not unprotected. Mucous membranes, the wet layer of the respiratory system. They produce mucus, a sultry substance that catches irritants that enter through the nose. Innate immune system The cells that mediate immunity embody neutrophils, macrophages, and natural killer (NK) cells, giant lymphocytes that are not T cells but are cytotoxic. all these cells answer macromolecule and saccharide sequences distinctive to microorganism cell walls and to alternative substances characteristic of growth and transplant cells. They exert their effects by means of the complement and alternative systems, with the cells they attack oftentimes dying by osmotic lysis or cell death (5). Their cytokines also activate cells of the nonheritable immune system. a vital link in immunity in Drosophila melanogaster is a receptor supermolecule named toll, that binds plant life antigens and triggers activation of genes cryptography for antifungal proteins (6). Humeral and Chemical Barriers Some microbes penetrate the bodys protecting barriers and enter the interior tissues. There they encounter a variety of chemical substances which will stop their growth. These substances embody chemicals whose protecting effects are related to their primary perform within the body, chemicals whose principal perform is to harm or destroy invaders, and chemicals made by present bacterium (7). Inflammation Inflammation is one in every of the primary responses of the immune system to infection. The symptoms of inflammation are redness, swelling, heat, and pain, that are caused by augmented blood flow into tissue. Inflammation is made by eicosanoids and cytokines, that are released by livid or infected cells (6). Eicosanoids embody prostaglandins that manufacture fever and the dilation of blood vessels associated with inflammation, and leukotrienes that attract bound white blood cells (leukocytes). Common cytokines embody interleukins that are chargeable for communication between white blood cells; chemokines that promote chemo taxis; and interferons that have anti-viral effects, like motion down supermolecule synthesis within the host cell. Growth factors and cytotoxic factors may additionally be released (7). These cytokines and alternative chemicals recruit immune cells to the site of infection and promote healing of any broken tissue following the removal of pathogens. Complement System The complement system is a organic chemistry cascade that attacks the surfaces of foreign cells. It contains over twenty completely different proteins and is called for its ability to complement the killing of pathogens by antibodies. Complement is that the major humeral element of the innate response. several species have complement systems, as well as non-mammals like plants, fish, and some invertebrates (8),(9). Cellular Barriers Leukocytes (white blood cells) act like independent, acellular organisms and are the second arm of the innate immune system. The innate leukocytes embody the phagocytes (macrophages, neutrophils, and nerve fibre cells), mast cells, eosinophils, basophiles, and natural killer T cells. These cells identify and eliminate pathogens, either by attacking larger pathogens through contact or by engulfing so killing micro organisms (10). Adaptive immune system Lymphocytes are available in 2 major types: B cells and T cells. The peripheral blood contains 20-50% of current humorocytes; the rest move within the lymph system. Roughly eightieth of them are T cells, V-day B cells and remainder are null or undifferentiated cells. Lymphocytes constitute 20-40% of the bodys WBCs (6). Their total mass is concerning an equivalent as that of the brain or liver. (Heavy stuff ) B cells are made within the stem cells of the bone marrow; they manufacture protein and superintend humeral immunity. T cells are non antibody-producing lymphocytes that are also made within the bone marrow but hypersensitised within the thymus and constitute the idea of cell-mediated immunity. the assembly of these cells is diagrammed below. parts of the immune system are changeable and may adapt to raised attack the invasive matter (11). There are 2 fundamental adaptive mechanisms: cell-mediated immunity and humeral immunity. Lymphocytes A white blood cell is a style of white corpuscle present within the blood. White blood cells help defend the body against diseases and fight infections. when the overall defense systems of the body have been penetrated by dangerous invasive microorganisms, lymphocytes help give a particular response to attack the invasive organisms (12). Killer T cells A large differentiated t cell that functions in cell-mediated immunity by attacking and essential amino acid target cells that have specific surface antigens (6). also known as cytotoxic t cell, killer cell. Helper T cells Any of varied T cells that, when stirred up by a particular matter, unharness lymphokines that promote the activation and function of B cells and killer T cells (13). B Lymphocytes and Antibodies A b cell identifies pathogens when antibodies on its surface bind to a particular foreign matter. This antigen/antibody advanced is preoccupied by the b cell and processed by chemical process into peptides. The b cell then displays these substance peptides on its surface MHC category II molecules (14). this combination of MHC and matter attracts a matching helper t cell, that releases lymphokines and activates the b cell. because the activated b cell then begins to divide, its offspring (plasma cells) secrete scores of copies of the protein that recognizes this matter (12). different adaptive immune system The alternative adaptive immune systems in vertebrates have several similarities, but dissent therein Lucien-rich-repeat (LRR)-based variable white blood cell (VLR) receptors are employed by bone vertebrates versus the Ig-based TCR and BCR employed by jawed vertebrates. bone vertebrates have 2 VLR sorts, VLRA and VLRB, the various repertoires of that are expressed by separate lymphocytes populations (15). Immunological Memory the capability of the bodys immune system to recollect AN encounter with AN matter owing to the activation of B cells or T cells having specificity for the matter and to react more swiftly to the matter by means that of these activated cells during a later encounter (6). Passive memory Newborn infants have no prior exposure to microbes and are particularly prone to infection. many layers of passive protection are provided by the mother. throughout pregnancy, a selected style of protein, called IgG, is transported from mother to baby directly across the placenta, so human babies have high levels of antibodies even at birth, with an equivalent vary of matter specificities as their mother. Breast milk or colostrums also contains antibodies that are transferred to the gut of the baby and defend against microorganism infections until the newborn can synthesize its own antibodies (16). Active memory Long-term active memory is nonheritable following infection by activation of B and T cells. active immunity also can be generated by artificial means, through vaccination. The principle behind vaccination (also known as immunization) is to introduce AN matter from a microorganism in order to stimulate the immune system and develop specific immunity against that specific microorganism while not inflicting malady associated with that organism (17). Disorders of Human Immunity Some of the most devastating disorders which will affect the humanity are those that attack the very weaponry weve got against diseases, our immune system (7). These disorders can vary in severity from inflicting small rashes or a stuffy nose, to attacking important organs throughout the body, inflicting death. they can also come back from a variety of sources from the genetic passing down of traits, to infection from a malady. These immune system disorders comprise four categories: immunodeficiency, autoimmune, allergic and cancer. Immunodeficiency An immunodeficiency disorder is one in every of the many disorders that attack the immune system. In these disorders the immune system has problems that cause the system to not work correctly. again and again this can be owing to a genetic trait or congenital disorder (6). the most common immunodeficiency disorders are severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), also known as bubble boy disorder, Di St. George syndrome, and ig A deficiency (18). Motor vehicle Immunity Autoimmune disorders attack the immune system by tricking the body into thinking its own organs are foreign invaders. when this happens, the phagocytes and lymphocytes activate healthy tissues and organs and destroy them. Common autoimmune diseases are lupus, scleroderma, juvenile dermatomyositis and juvenile rheumatism. The severity of AN disease can vary dramatically (19). Some could only cause localized swelling and inflammation by attacking the tissue within the joints, while others could cause death by attacking important organs. Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity refers to excessive, undesirable (damaging, discomfort-producing and sometimes fatal) reactions made by the traditional immune system. Hypersensitivity reactions need a pre-sensitized (immune) state of the host. Hypersensitivity reactions is divided into four sorts: type I, type II, sort III and kind IV, based on the mechanisms involved and time taken for the reaction (20). Physiological Regulation Hormones can act as immunomodulators, sterilisation the sensitivity of the immune system. as an example, female sex hormones are famous immunostimulators of both adaptive and innate immune responses. Some autoimmune diseases like autoimmune disease strike women preferentially, and their onset typically coincides with pubescence. in contrast, male sex hormones like testosterone seem to be immunosuppressive. alternative hormones appear to control the immune system yet, most notably luteotropin, endocrine and alimentation (21),(22). Manipulation in medication The response is manipulated to suppress unwanted responses ensuing from autoimmunity, allergy, and transplant rejection, and to stimulate protecting responses against pathogens that mostly elude the immune system (see immunization). immunosuppressive drugs are used to control autoimmune disorders or inflammation when excessive tissue harm occurs, ANd to stop transplant rejection once an transplantation. anti-inflammatory drug drugs are typically used to control the effects of inflammation. Glucocorticoids are the most powerful of these drugs; but, these drugs can have several undesirable facet effects, like central obesity, symptom, osteoporosis, and their use should be tightly controlled (23). Lower doses of anti-inflammatory drug drugs are typically used in conjunction with cytotoxic or immunosuppressive drugs such asmethotrexate or Imuran. Cytotoxic drugs inhibit the response by killing dividing cells like activated T cells. However, the killing is indiscriminate and alternative p erpetually dividing cells and their organs are affected, that causes harmful facet effects. immunosuppressive drugs like cyclosporine stop T cells from responding to signals correctly by inhibiting signal transduction pathways (24). What is dengue fever? Dengue fever is a malady caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes. its AN acute malady of sudden onset that typically follows a benign course with symptoms like headache, fever, exhaustion, severe muscle and joint pain, swollen glands , and rash. Signs and Symptoms Many folks, especially kids and teenagers, could expertise no signs or symptoms throughout a mild case of dengue fever. when symptoms do occur, they usually begin four to ten days once the person is bitten by AN infected dipteron (25). Signs and symptoms of dengue fever most typically include: Fever, up to 106 F (41 C) Headaches Muscle, bone and joint pain Pain behind your eyes You might also experience: Widespread rash Nausea and puking Minor trauma from your gums or nose Most people recover within per week or so. In some cases, however, symptoms worsen and may become grievous. Blood vessels typically become broken and leaky, and the number of clot-forming cells in your bloodstream falls (25). this will cause: Bleeding from the nose and mouth Severe abdominal pain Persistent puking Bleeding under the skin, which can appear as if bruising? Problems along with your lungs, liver and heart Clinical Course The characteristic symptoms of breakbone fever are sudden-onset fever, headache (typically situated behind the eyes), muscle and joint pains, and a rash (25). The alternative name for breakbone fever, break-bone fever, comes from the associated muscle and joint pains. The course of infection is split into 3 phases: febrile , critical, and recovery. The febrile part involves high fever, typically over forty ÂÂ °C (104 ÂÂ °F), and is associated with generalized pain and a headache; this sometimes lasts 2 to seven days. At this stage, a rash occurs in 50-80% of those with symptoms. It occurs within the initial or second day of symptoms as flushed skin, or later within the course of malady (days 4-7), as a measles-like rash. Some petechiae (small red spots that do not disappear when the skin is pressed, that are caused by broken capillaries) can appear at this point, as could some gentle trauma from the secretion membranes of the mouth and nose. The fever itself is classically biphasic in nature, breaking so returning for one or 2 days, though there is wide variation in however typically this pattern truly happens (26). Causes Transmission Dengue virus is primarily transmitted by Aides mosquitoes, particularly A. aegypti. These mosquitoes sometimes live between the latitudes of 35ÂÂ ° North ANd 35ÂÂ ° South below an elevation of 1,000 metres (3,300 ft). They bite primarily throughout the day. alternative genus Aedes species that transmit the malady embody A. albopictus, A. polynesiensis and A. scutellaris. Humans are the primary host of the virus, but it also circulates in anthropoid primates. AN infection is nonheritable via a single bite (27). infectious agent Replication Once inside the skin, breakbone fever virus binds to Langerhans cells . The virus enters the cells through binding between infectious agent proteins and membrane proteins on the Langerhans cell, specifically the C-type lectins known as DC-SIGN, mannose receptor and CLEC5A. DC-SIGN, a non-specific receptor for foreign material on nerve fibre cells, seems to be the main purpose of entry. The nerve fibre cell moves to the nearest node (28). Meanwhile, the virus ordination is replicated in membrane-bound vesicles on the cells endoplasmic reticulum, wherever the cells supermolecule synthesis equipment produces new infectious agent proteins, and the infectious agent RNA is traced (26). Severe malady It is not entirely clear why secondary infection with a unique strain of breakbone fever virus places folks at risk of breakbone fever hemorrhagic fever and breakbone fever shock syndrome. the most wide accepted hypothesis is that of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE). the exact mechanism behind ade is unclear. it may be caused by poor binding of non-neutralizing antibodies and delivery into the incorrect compartment of white blood cells that have eaten the virus for destruction. there is a suspicion that ade is not the only mechanism underlying severe dengue-related complications, and various lines of analysis have implied a role for T cells and soluble factors like cytokines and the complement system (25). Diagnosis Diagnosing dengue fever is tough, as a result of its signs and symptoms is easily confused with those of alternative diseases like malaria, swamp fever and enteric fever. Your doctor can seemingly raise concerning your medical and travel history. make sure to explain international visits thoroughly, as well as the countries you visited and the dates, yet as any contact you will have had with mosquitoes. bound laboratory tests can observe proof of the breakbone fever viruses, but test results sometimes come too late to assist direct treatment selections . (25),(27) Classification The World Health Organizations 2009 classification divides dengue fever into 2 groups: uncomplicated and severe. The 1997 classification divided breakbone fever into undifferentiated fever, dengue fever, and breakbone fever hemorrhagic fever. breakbone fever hemorrhagic fever was divided additional into grades I-IV. Grade I is that the presence only of easy bruising or a positive bandage test in someone with fever, grade II is that the presence of spontaneous trauma into the skin et al, grade III is that the clinical proof of shock, and grade IV is shock so severe that pressure and pulse cannot be detected. Grades III and IV are noted as dengue shock syndrome (27). Prevention All control efforts ought to be directed against the mosquitoes. its important to take control measures to eliminate the mosquitoes and their breeding places. Efforts ought to be intense before the transmission season and through epidemics (25),(27). (1) stop dipteron bites: (a) breakbone fever Mosquitoes Bite throughout the Daytime defend Yourself from the Bite (b) Wear full-sleeve clothes and long dresses to cover the limbs. (c) Use repellents care ought to be taken in victimisation repellents on young kids and elders. (d) Use dipteron coils and electrical vapor mats throughout the daytime to stop breakbone fever. (e) Use dipteron nets to safeguard babies, old folks et al who could rest throughout the day. The effectiveness of such nets is improved by treating them with permethrin. Curtains also can be treated with insecticide and decorated at windows or doorways, to repel or kill mosquitoes. (f) Break the cycle of mosquito-human-mosquito infection. Mosquitoes become infected once they bite people that are sick with breakbone fever. dipteron nets and dipteron coils can effectively stop more mosquitoes from biting sick folks and help stop the spread of breakbone fever. (2) stop the multiplication of mosquitoes: Mosquitoes that spread breakbone fever live and breed in stagnant water in and around houses. (a) Drain out the water from desert/window air coolers (when not in use), tanks, barrels, drums, buckets, etc. (b) remove all objects containing water (e.g. plant saucers, etc.) from the house. (c) All stored water containers ought to be unbroken lined in any respect times. (d) Collect and destroy discarded containers within which water collects, Treatment There arent any specific treatments for dengue fever. Treatment depends on the symptoms, variable from oral rehydration therapy reception with shut follow-up, to hospital admission with administration of intravenous fluids and/or insertion. a decision for hospital admission is often based on the presence of the warning signs listed within the table on top of, especially in those with preexisting health conditions (27),(29). Conclusion Three immune parts interact to provide a confluence of symptoms that outline DHF/DSS. breakbone fever virus initially infects immature nerve fibre cells through the mediation of DC-SIGN. Infected nerve fibre cells contribute to pathological process through production of metalloproteases and cytokines (30). Downstream of nerve fibre cells T-cells become activated and generate the very cytokines concerned in tube-shaped structure leak and shock in addition to activating soul cells. protein enhancement is mediated by Fc receptors that are conspicuously on mature nerve fibre cells. infectious agent replication mediated by antibodies is increased 100-fold. in addition their effects on breakbone fever replication, antibodies to infectious agent epitopes cross react with cell a supermolecule that has the result of stimulating CD8 soul cells and production of cytokines and anaphylatoxins. Anaphylatoxins is generated directly through infectious agent proteins or through formation of AN antibo dy-complement advanced. Anaphylatoxins in turn can alter the reactivity of T-cells.

Characteristics of a Good College Student Essay -- essays research pap

My name is Joshua I am a 20-year-old college sophomore at Georgia Perimeter College. I eat very well, which I have found is in complete contrast with my college peers. According to the National Health Awareness, has an overall average 30% for US colleges and Universities college students tend to skip one meal a day. Most college students don't even know what a healthy diet is, and a large percentage of students who are aware of proper nutrition choose to ignore it. One must have a good diet, learn to plan a good diet by sticking to a consistent routine, and stay away from fast food diet. At Georgia Perimeter College students are unaware of what exactly a good diet is, bad eating habits are unavoidable. The first step to a good diet is eating regular, well-balanced meals. So I found out that the Food Pyramid Guide is the simplest way of balancing my meals. It separates foods into groups and graphs the amount of each group needed in an average person's diet. Students who desire to improve their bad eating habits should study the Food Pyramid Guide. Along with the Food Pyramid Guide, proper consumption of water, vitamins, and minerals is a very important part of a good diet. The Food and Drug Administration recommend 8 glasses of water a day equal to about 1 pound a day. I, along with most of my peers, have a problem consuming this massive amount of tasteless water. Tea and juice can help fill this quota. One of the major problems I have found at my college students diets, as far as beverage consumption, is coke and greasy food. College students are attracted to coke be cause it is easily accessible, cheap, and tasty. Coke may be convenient, but it is not part of a good diet. It is full of sodium, sugar, and caffeine. Dehydration i... ...students have is with fat-free snacks. All low-fat foods have something to replace the fat. That replacement is usually made by sugar, which is high in calories. So, snacking on Snack Well's Devil Chocolate Brownies rather than Chips Ahoy Chocolate Chip Cookies is not watching the diet. Or maybe Mac Donald or Pizza either one is increasing your chance of staying unfit and unhealthy. One tip that I have found that works well for my college life is that I only keep healthy snacks in my locker. Granola bars, baked chips, and fat-free popcorn are a few examples. My favorite module is if I do not have it, I cannot consume it. A second tip- before I eat I think about it. I also ask myself am I really hungry. I often avoid impulse snacking by simply asking myself these two questions. These are just a few easy steps that college students can use to avoid bad eating habits.

Gender based difference in managerial styles Essays -- essays research

Executive Summary This report looks at several researches that have studied the managerial styles of males and females with an attempt to define perceived differences between them. In addition discussed are the results from studies on the effectiveness of managers between the two genders. The results of these studies have been analyzed through readings of several researches and personal experiences of the students doing this report. Studies say both genders are at least equally effective in the business world and that success is affected by diverse individual factors and has very less to do with gender. Commonly held perceptions of males being more effective managers are not only a loss to the female manager, but a loss to the organization and society as a whole. A note on the report writers The team consists of six members – five males and one female. The gents are in Executive positions with at least four years of full-time work experience and the lady a middle level manager with a total of 10 years in the corporate world out of which five have been in a management position. Although cultural issues are out of the scope of this assignment, the ethnicity of the members is thought to be relevant. All group members are from the Indian sub-continent, except one member who is a Middle Eastern male. All members work experience have been derived in the UAE and most members have been in the country for at least six years. Snap-shots of the brainstorming session Researches Used Extensive researches have been conducted on the topic of gender-based difference in managerial styles. All members prior to commencing of the session have thoroughly read these. An example of one of the researches used has been attached in the appendix and outlined below: Management Research Group (MRG) has conducted a study on gender differences and leadership that claims to have eliminated key shortcomings that other such researches have, such as small number of participants, reliance on self-reports, use of inappropriate subjects, uncontrolled differences etc. This research claims to be the largest controlled study of gender differences in leadership style with data compiled over 15 years. Further details of this research participants and form of research can be found in the research report in the appendix section. Discussion between the team members Almo... ...9-560. Eagly, A. H., & Johnson, B. T., 1990 Gender and leadership style: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, p: 108, 233-256. Kabacoff R, Peters H, 1998 â€Å"The Way Women and Men Lead – Different but Equally Effective.† Management Research Group Research Report: Leadership & Gender. http://www.mrg.com/Publications/articles/The_Way_Women-Men_Lead.pdf [Accessed: November 17, 2004] Eagly et al, â€Å"Transformational, Transactional, and Laissez-Faire Leadership Styles: A Meta-Analysis Comparing Women and Men† Psychological Bulletin http://www.ratcow.com/paf508/lazzifar_leader.html Formichelle, L, 2001, He Does, She Does Management styles may differ, but success isn’t gender-related.http://www.wellsfargo.com/biz/products/resources/advisor/archives/012002He/012002He.jhtml Robbins, S. P. 2004,10th edition, Organisational Behaviour, Prentice Hall, USA. Turner, D. H. â€Å"Gender differences in management style: Evidence from the accounting profession†, The Centre for the study of Women, Science and Technology. http://www.wst.gatech.edu/Gender_Differences_in_Management_Style.ppt [Accessed: November 14, 2004] http://www.kon.org/archives/forum/12-1/prehl.html

Comparing the Minority Experience in Baby of the Family, and House on M

Women Minority Experience in Baby of the Family, and House on Mango Street  Ã‚      The two novels Baby of the Family, and House on Mango Street expose the minority experience through the perspective of a child, struggling to find an identity in their own unique views of the cultures they are growing up in. The life of Lena's family, one of an upper class African American family in the southern part of the United States, appeals to the ideal of the New American as her family blends the dominant culture with their minority background in their everyday life experiences. Esperanza is a Hispanic youth, growing up in a barrio, where there is not much to offer the Hispanic locals. She ultimately feels the profile the of the New American in her view of attaining a better life, and escaping the suffocating prescence of the barrio, while still remembering her ethnic roots. Both these characters apply to the classification of the Double Minority in the obvious aspect of being females, and of course their relationship of being in a minority culture. In Baby of the Family, author Tina Ansa exposes the reader to the perspective of a child living in a dominant culture oriented household, that is trying to latch on to some very important traditional aspects of their minority background. Esperanza in House on Mango Street struggles to find her identity in a society discriminating against her not only as a minority, but her genders hinders her advancement also. The authors of these two minority novels corelate these ideals and explore the hardships these two character face as struggling to become the New American while being classified ultimately as Double Minorities. A few of the common apects shared by the two novels include the common... ...alls these children experience. These two children take the ideal of the "New American" and expose it as they find ways to live in a world in which they walk a fine line between the two clashing cultures. The "Double Minority" role plays an important and attempt to overcome the barriers in their own cultures. The cultures ultimately take on a new definition as time progresses, because there is truly not a definite distinction anymore. Works Cited Ansa, Tina McElroy. Baby of the Family. Harcourt Press; San Diego, 1989. Blicksilver, Edith. The Ethnic American Woman. Kenall/Hunt Publishing; Iowa, 1978. Cecil, Andrew R. The Meaning of the Family in Society. University of Texas; Dallas, 1991. Cisneros, Sandra. The House on Mango Street. Vintage Contemporaries; New York, 1991. Murray, Alma. Black Perspectives. Scholastic Books; New York, 1971.   

World Religions Report In APA Style

Judaism is the Jewish religion. It is one of the oldest of the great world religions, and is the mother religion of both Christianity and Islam. Judaism was not founded by one towering personality, as were most other religions. Abraham and Moses are not regarded as founders. Abraham was the â€Å"father of the Hebrew people† and Moses was the â€Å"law-giver†. With the destruction of Solomon’s temple at Jerusalem in 586 B. C. began the scattering of the Hebrews over many lands. From then on Judaism developed as a religion without the priestly class of the ancient temple. Moreover, Judaism is one of the oldest beliefs that are still observed and practiced up to the present and considered as one of the first recorded â€Å"monotheistic† faiths. The Jewish’s values and history are the main part of the foundation of different Abrahamic religions like Christianity, Islam, Samaritanism and the Baha’i Faith. In 2006, Judaism’s devotees are approximately 14 million that makes Judaism faith as the eleventh-biggest organized religion globally. Unlike with other religions, Judaism is totally distinct in such a way that its â€Å"central authority is not vested in any person or group† but it abides in its writings and traditions. This would mean that Judaism religion does not have a head or a leader that oversees them but they rather obey what is written in its writings and traditions. Moreover, the Judaism church is continually bound to a number of religious practices and beliefs, specifically its belief that there is one, omnipotent, omni benevolent, transcended omniscient God who made the heavens and the earth and continually have its control over mankind. The conventional Jewish belief stated that the God who made the universe had made a covenant with the Jewish people only and gave his laws and commandments through Torah. Judaism‘s belief and practices are focused on these laws and commandments (see Asheri, Michael. Living Jewish: the Lore and law of the Practicing Jew, 1999). According to Jewish law, anyone who has a Jewish mother counts as a Jew, even if he or she is not religious. Many Jews do, however, actively follow the religious practices of Judaism. Judaism is one of the world’s oldest religions, beginning some 3,500 years ago in the Middle East. Today, there are about 18 million Jews. They live all over the world, but mostly in the United States, Europe and Israel. There are many different groups of Jews with different ways of practicing their faith. The main groups are Orthodox, Reform and Conservative Jews (see Jacobs, Louis. The Book of Jewish Belief (Behrman House, 2000). II. Background According to the Jewish holy books, the first Jew was a man called Abraham, who is known as the father of the Jewish people. He was the leader of a group of nomadic people, called the Hebrews. At that time, the Hebrews worshipped many different gods. Abraham taught his people that there is only one God and that they should worship only him. Jews believe that God made a covenant, or agreement, with Abraham. If Abraham and his people worshipped God and lived good and just lives, God would look after them and give them a land of their own to live in. This was the Promised Land of Canaan (see Shenker, Israel. Coat of many Colors: Pages from Jewish Life (Doubleday, 2001). The Jews settled in Canaan but centuries later, famine forced their descendants to move to Egypt in search of food. They worked for the Egyptians but were treated like slaves and their lives were extremely miserable. God remembered his promise to Abraham and sent a man called Moses to lead the Jews to freedom. Several times, Moses asked the Pharaoh to let the Jews go, but each time he refused. Only after God sent ten terrible plagues to Egypt did the Pharaoh change his mind. Moses led the Jews out of Egypt and into the desert. After 40 years of wandering, God guided the Jews back to the Promised Land (see Prager, Dennis, and Joseph Telushkin. Nine Questions People Ask About Judaism (Simon & Schuster, 1999). The Jewish scriptures are called the Tenakh. They are divided into three parts—the Torah (5 Books of Teaching), the Nevi’im (21 Books of the Prophets) and the Ketuvim (13 Books of Writings). The initials of the three parts—T, N and K—give the word Tenakh. For Jews, the Torah is the most important part of their scriptures because it contains the rules that teach Jews how to live their lives. These are the teachings that God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai during the Jews’ journey through the desert. They are summed up by ten rules, or commandments (see Musaph-Andriesse, R. G. From Torah to Kabbalah: a Basic Introduction to the Writings of Judaism (Oxford University, 1998). 1. I am the Lord your God. 2. Worship no other gods but me. 3. Do not use God’s name falsely. 4. Keep the Sabbath day holy. . Respect your father and mother. 6. Do not kill. 7. Do not commit adultery. 8. Do not steal. 9. Do not tell lies about other people. 10. Do not be jealous of other people’s possessions. Copies of the Torah are handwritten on scrolls and kept in the synagogue, the Jewish place of worship. Traditional Jews follow the Torah exactly and believe that its teachings should not be changed. Less traditional Jews believe that the teaching of the Torah can be adapted to make them more suitable for modern life. Jews can worship anywhere but many choose to pray with other Jews at the synagogue. The word synagogue means â€Å"meeting place†. Synagogues are not only places of worship but also centers for study, celebration and for the community to meet. Large synagogues have services every day but many Jews go to the synagogue only on the Sabbath (called Shabbat in Hebrew) (see below) and special holy days. The service on the morning of the Sabbath lasts for about two hours. A service includes prayers, blessings and readings from the Torah and is led by a teacher, called a rabbi. Readings from the Torah are given from a raised platform, called a bimah, in the centre of the synagogue. When they are not in use, the scrolls of the Torah are kept in a special alcove, called the Holy Ark. This is the holiest part of the synagogue. Everyone faces the Ark as they pray (see Musaph-Andriesse, R. G. From Torah to Kabbalah: a Basic Introduction to the Writings of Judaism (Oxford University, 1998). At services in the synagogue, Jewish men wear a small cap, called a kippah, to show respect for God. At some services, men also wear a prayer shawl that reminds the person wearing it of God. Traditional Jews may also wear two small leather boxes, called tefillin. One is worn on the middle of the forehead; the other is tied to the arm, facing the heart. Inside the boxes are tiny scrolls on which passages from the Torah are written. The tefillin remind Jews that they should love God with their whole hearts and minds (see Musaph-Andriesse, R. G. From Torah to Kabbalah: a Basic Introduction to the Writings of Judaism (Oxford University, 1998). III. Discussion A. Name and Location of the Site The interview was conducted at Mikvah Chabad House at New Brunswick, New Jersey this is where I had the chance to conversed and interview Gary Austein. It is the place where Jewish people go for spiritual purification. Going in these place help Jewish women come together with their husband and together with their love for each other where in they also follow the commandments that God has established for His people. Mitzvah of Mikvah is one of their tradition in which helps them get more connected with their God. B. Interview Summary During the interview I asked Gary Austein the important holidays and traditions of this religion. He answered â€Å"The important holidays and tradition of Judaism are Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashana and the Passover. The holiest day in the Jewish calendar is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This day is set aside to repent for the sins of the previous year. It is a day when any adult who has been Bar/Bat Mitzvah’d (age 12-13) fasts and reflects on the past year and asks God for forgiveness. Rosh Hashana is the previous weeks and is the Jewish New Year. Passover is in the spring and it is a time when Jews cannot eat unleavened bread reflecting on the Israelites exodus from Egypt. † When I asked him on how Judaism has shaped his life. And I quote â€Å"Religion defines who I am as a person. I would say I am a Jew first and an American second, that is how important it is to me. My value and belief system is a product of my Jewish identity and upbringing. My adult life has brought my Judaism more into my life than ever as I now have a Jewish home, Jewish wife and child on the way. I also work at a Jewish Day School so I am always reminded of my Jewish identity as both my professional and personal life revolves around my religion. † Jews throughout the world are always a target of anti-Semitism. This is a fact that they accepted and so with other families. It is scary that millions upon millions of people have been murdered because of their belief in Judaism. Between the Holocausts, pogroms in Russia, and terrorist’s attacks, an astounding amount of Jews have died because of their belief. Society is not very conducive for an observant Jewish lifestyle; Jews are supposed to observe the Sabbath (Friday night to Saturday night) and are not supposed to drive, work, spend money, etc. A lot happens on the weekends so this is difficult. Also if you keep Kosher (Jewish dietary restrictions) it is difficult to eat out as the vast majority of food and restaurants are not kosher. People have much false impression about Judaism. A lack of understanding and acceptance has led to misconceptions, not only of Judaism, but throughout the world. People need to always remind themselves that both Christianity and Islam were born from Judaism. Both religions accept the Torah (the Jewish Bible, also referred to at the Old Testament) as the word of God and credit Judaism for the birth of their respective religions. If people are more aware of this people then maybe open to differences of people. Judaism defines who a Jew is, they wear it as a badge of honor. For them it is amazing that time still honors traditions that are still practiced at present. Something like male circumcision is the oldest religious tradition in the world today. It is amazing that it has lasted for thousands of years. It shows the resiliency and the testament of the Jewish faith that they are able to continue throughout the generations. Judaism has greatly shaped his life as a Jew. And it is through the people around that have helped him a lot in his Religious belief. His parents gave him his Jewish identity and the friends of his family have nurtured it. His best friend who is a rabbinical student has been very influential in shaping his Jewish identity. His marriage also shaped his Jewish identity as his wife converted to Judaism which has given him a newfound zeal and love for his religion. His study of Holocaust has been a dramatic part of his Jewish identity. Finally his visits to Israel, the Jewish state has given him a unique pride in his homeland. He considers himself a Conservative Jew which is best classified as the middle of the road. For the most part, Jews of different backgrounds are fairly understanding and respectful of the traditions and practices of other sects of Judaism, with the exception of the ultra-Orthodox movement. He believes that if you are a Jewish according to the laws and traditions of Moses then it does not matter how you practice as long as you believe it in your heart. However, he believes that there are certain misinterpretations some of the other sects have undertaken, but that is not something that he could be worried or be burden about. Judaism has been the common bond of the Jewish people. It is the foundation of their culture and the reason for the creation of Israel, the Jewish State. Israel is the most important tangible asset they have and something that must be protected at all costs. Judaism is the reason the Jewish people have and are persecuted, yet is the belief and intangible asset that keeps them together as a people. The Covenant is the â€Å"agreement† between God and Abraham, the patriarch of the Jewish people, that the Jews will be â€Å"the chosen people. This is a fact that is accepted by both Christians and Muslims alike. This covenant was symbolized by Abraham being circumcised and is something that is required for all Jewish males a week after they are born. This is a common misconception. All three of the major monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have more similarities than differences. Their major prophets are the same; their historical texts are born out of the Je wish Bible, and their belief in one all powerful, all knowing, and benevolent God are distinct commonalities. They all practice and worship God in different ways, but when it comes down to it, they were all born from Abraham and Sarah, meaning they are all brothers and sisters. IV. Comparing Judaism to Christianity A. Christianity Christianity is the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. It began in Palestine and was proclaimed the fulfillment of Jewish teaching regarding the coming of the messiah, promised by God to redeem man from sin. Jesus taught the doctrine of the Hebrew prophets that the Jews were God’s chosen people and therefore had the right to hear the message of the Gospel before all others. However, his teachings had a universal objective and were destined to reach every man and nation (see McCollister, J. C. The Christian Book of Why (Jonathan David, 2000). Christianity is a missionary religion, holding that Christ’s message was intended for the whole world, not just for a particular area of people. In Mark 16:15-16, Jesus is quoted as saying: â€Å"Go ye into the entire world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Christianity has been not only a religious force, but also a social and political one. Often it has been imposed by military power that hardly seems in keeping with the precepts of the gentle Jesus. Nevertheless, the moral lessons taught by Christianity have had a profound effect in teaching man to deal justly with his fellows and to observe the pleas of Jesus to â€Å"love thy neighbor as thyself† (Matthew 19:19). About one-fourth of the world’s people are Christians. Christian churches have an estimated world membership of more than 1. 6 billion—more than twice the membership of any other religion. The original basic beliefs of Christianity are stated in the Apostles’ Creed. It affirms that Jesus Christ is the son of God and that God sent him to earth to live as a man and to suffer and die for the redemption of mankind. It also states the belief that Jesus, after being crucified, arose from the dead and ascended to heaven, from which he will return to earth to judge the living and the dead. Belief that Jesus was born of a virgin mother and that there is a life for man after death are essential parts of the creed (see McCollister, J. C. The Christian Book of Why (Jonathan David, 2000). Man’s need for help from a higher power was stressed in religions earlier than Christianity. The concept of God as benevolent and forgiving—rather than as vengeful— is a main tenet of the Christina’s faith. Another Christian belief is that even though man has sinned seriously and separated himself from the love of God, he can be saved by repentance. The necessity, and therefore the possibility, of communion between God and man are accepted by all Christians (see Wiggins, James, and R. S. Ellwood. Christianity: a Cultural Perspective (Prentice-Hall, 2002). B. Doctrinal Differences At first, the gospel of Jesus was spread by his disciples, followers who remembered his sayings. As gentiles (non-Jews) as well as Jews entered the church, the influence of other minds began to be seen in the interpretation of doctrines. In this work, early Christian theologians borrowed ideas from the teachings of the Greek philosophers. At the same time, national traits and customs began to affect rituals and observances. Even within each of the three great divisions of the Christian church—Roman Catholic, Protestant, and eastern Orthodox—there are variations of practice. This is particularly true of the Protestants. The sacrament of baptism provides an example. Baptists hold that the convert must be completely immersed in water; Methodists believe that sprinkling water on the head is sufficient. Most denominations baptize infants, but some insist that the individual be old enough to understand the meaning of the sacrament (see Walker, Williston. A History of the Christian Church, 4th edition (Sribner’s, 1998). There are other differences. The Disciples of Christ and certain other Protestant groups insist upon using the Bible alone as a source of guidance. The doctrine of the Trinity—the belief that God is three beings (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) in one divine nature—is accepted as basic by most Christians, but is rejected by Unitarians and Universalists (see Wiggins, James, and R. S. Ellwood. Christianity: a Cultural Perspective (Prentice-Hall, 2002). Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox and Anglicans recognize seven sacraments, while most Protestants recognize only those of Holy Communion (also called the Eucharist or Lord’s Supper) and baptism. Catholics believe that the priest by the sacrament of the Eucharist changes bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus. Most Protestants see in the ritual only a spiritual representation of the presence of Jesus (see Wiggins, James, and R. S. Ellwood. Christianity: a Cultural Perspective (Prentice-Hall, 2002). The method of church government us a common cause of differences between denominations. The Roman Catholic Church places final authority in the pope, whom it calls the Vicar of Christ. The Episcopal form of church government is headed by bishops of equal authority. Authority over the churches in the Presbyterian form of government is exercised by boards, called presbyteries, ministers and elected laymen. In churches with the congregational type of government, each congregation has complete local rule (see Walker, Williston. A History of the Christian Church, 4th edition (Sribner’s, 1998). IV. Conclusion Judaism is the United States has four branches: Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist. The total membership of the four branches is lower than the estimated total number of Jews in the United States, because many Jews are not outside the United States and Canada are Orthodox. Orthodox Jews advocate strict observance of traditional rituals and customs. Hasidic Jews form a small, extremely orthodox, mystical group. Many orthodox synagogues are members of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. Reform Jews have abandoned many rituals and customs that they consider unsuited to modern life. They stress the prophetic ideas of the Bible rather than the Law, and emphasize the mission of the Jews to spread godliness throughout the world. The reform movement began early in the 19th century in Germany and is now centered mainly in the United States. The Union of American Hebrew Congregations is an association of reform congregations. Conservative Jews hold a middle ground between the orthodox and the reform. In the United States, this movement began during the 1890’s. The United Synagogue of America is the national organization of Conservative congregations. Reconstructionist Jews observe many of the traditional rituals and customs, but reject supernaturalism and divine revelation. Reconstructionist Judaism was founded by Mordecai Kaplan in the 1920’s as a movement within the Conservative branch. With the establishment of Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 1968, it emerged as a separate branch of Judaism.