The On Long Term Economic Growth - 1768 Words

The government of Australia intends on focusing on long term economic growth specifically in relation to small business. The purpose of this report is to understand and analyses how the 1.5% tax cut on small business actually impacts or will potentially impact (positively or negatively) the economy. In relation to this topic, microeconomic theories have been used to gain an insight. For this purpose, most data have been collected from secondary sources like literature reviews, journal article, government websites, other websites etc. The limitation of this report is that it is not possible to acquire information on all current and future possible scenarios constraining our scope. It also does not cover the macroeconomic aspect of the†¦show more content†¦Incorporated companies can reap the benefit by paying only 28.5% tax while unincorporated small business get the benefit by a 5% discount on their income capped at $1000 a year. In order to fully comprehend the extend of benefit this has on business, employees, individuals and consumer we need to first understand what encompasses small business. ABS defines small business as one that employees less than 20 people. Sole proprietorships and partnership, with or without employees and micro business also count as small business. In 2013-2014, small business accounted for 33.1 % of total industry value added in Australian economy. Compared to larger business, small business have tax disadvantage because their growth is hundred percent funded by internal sources and also it has no total control over its price and profit. This paper considers the microeconomic approach to analyse the impact of small business tax cut so that we are able to understand how taxes affect the behaviour of individual firms operating in the industry. Purpose: In this report we will be analysing how tax cut as a factor impacts individual firms and their decisions concerning production, profit, investment, price and consumption of consumers. Also we will analyse the risk factors involved in making such tax cut decisions Rational of report: The main rational for preparation of this report is to understand the true extent of the effect of

Brief Summary of the Harlem Renaissance. - 1863 Words

Harlem Renaissance Variously known as the New Negro movement, the New Negro Renaissance, and the Negro Renaissance, the movement emerged toward the end of World War I in 1918, blossomed in the mid- to late 1920s, and then faded in the mid-1930s. The Harlem Renaissance marked the first time that mainstream publishers and critics took African American literature seriously and that African American literature and arts attracted significant attention from the nation at large. Although it was primarily a literary movement, it was closely related to developments in African American music, theater, art, and politics. BEGINNINGS The Harlem Renaissance emerged amid social and intellectual upheaval in the African American community in the early†¦show more content†¦Devoted to defining the aesthetic of black literature and art, the Harlem issue featured work by black writers and was edited by black philosopher and literary scholar Alain Leroy Locke. Later that year Locke expanded the special issue into a book, The New Negro, which became the landmark anthology of the age. The second event was the publication of Nigger Heaven (1926) by white novelist Carl Van Vechten. The book was a spectacularly popular exposà © of Harlem life. Although the book offended some members of the black community, its coverage of both the elite and the baser sides of Harlem helped create a Negro vogue that drew thousands of sophisticated New Yorkers, black and white, to Harlems exotic and exciting nightlife and stimulated a national market for African American literature and music. Finally, in the autumn of 1926 a group of y oung black writers produced their own literary magazine, Fire!! With Fire!! a new generation of young writers and artists, including Langston Hughes, Wallace Thurman, and Zora Neale Hurston, emerged as an alternative group within the Renaissance. CHARACTERISTICS No common literary style or political ideology defined the Harlem Renaissance. What united participants was their sense of taking part in a common endeavor and their commitment to giving artistic expression to the African American experience. Some common themes existed, such as an interest in the roots of the 20th-century African American experience inShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Poem September Cotton Flower By Jean Toomer1586 Words   |  7 Pagesalways a beacon of hope amongst doleful situations. From every ending comes a new beginning. The poem, â€Å"November Cotton Flower†, written by Jean Toomer, describes (the conditions when slaves were under the Harlem Renaissance) the conditions in which slaves were under during the Harlem Renaissance where there seems to be no prospect for a brighter future for the slaves in the society. 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Consumer Buying Behavior for Auchan Retail Company †Free Samples

Question: Discuss about the Analyze The Impact Of Consumer Buying Behavior On Organizational Performance In Context Of Auchan Retail Company, France. Answer: Research background In the current business scenario, companies are more concerned regarding consumer buying behavior. It aids them to yield information regarding how customers think, feel and choose the products and services. Each individual is a consumer and they take a decision on the basis of different factors such as cultural, social, psychological and personal. Consumer behavior is the study of procedure which entails by the company to assess the purchasing and disposing decision of the customers. It is beneficial to generate positive experience among customers and also satisfy them. Retailing is fast and vast growing industry in France. Retailers not only provide economic benefits but also provide the societal advantages (Armstrong, et. al., 2015). It is a key element ofmarketing in which marketers attain the need of potential customers and deliver the added value for them to grow the business. Research objectives To explore the meaning and concept of consumer buying behavior To identify the relationship between consumer buying behavior and organizational performance: in context of Auchan retail company, France To recommend the strategy to influence the consumer buying behavior towards organization: in context of Auchan retail company, France Research question What are the meaning and concept of consumer buying behavior? What is the relationship between consumer buying behavior and organizational performance? What are the strategies to influence the consumer buying behavior towards organization? Hypotheses/Propositions H0: There is no relationship between consumer buying behavior and organizational performance. H1: There is a relationship between consumer buying behavior and organizational performance. Importance of project This project is beneficial for retail companies to understand the impact of consumer buying behavior on their organizational performance. It is also beneficial for readers to understand the relationship between consumer behavior and organizational performance. This project is also effective for both company and readers to understand the strategies to influence the consumer buying behavior towards organizational performance (Oliver, 2014). Literature review Meaning and concept of consumer buying behavior According to Kim and Park (2013), consumer behavior is a mental procedure which is associated with the emotion of the consumers. Under this procedure, the consumer starts to assess the requirement of product and then discover the strategy to solve the requirement. They also take purchasing decision by planning regarding whether they should buy or solve the needs and then they confirm and implement the plan in their purchasing decision. In support to this, De Medeiros et al. (2014) stated that consumer behavior is a mental procedure that can be changed as the alteration in market, trends and environment. There are different factors which affect the consumer buying behavior such as psychological, cultural, social and personal factors. Relationship between consumer buying behavior and organizational performance According to Horner and Swarbrooke (2016), there is a positive relationship between consumer buying behavior and organizational performance. In this way, it is analyzed that company useseffective marketing strategy to influence the customer towards their products as compared to other competitors. It is also effective for a company to make a long-term relationship with customers as they will always choose the companys products and services. In contrast to this, Homburg et al. (2013) evaluated that company conducts research regarding consumer behavior to assess how, when, and where they should sell their services and goods. For instance, if the company knows about people that they will choose the familiar brands then the company should promote their brand through social media pages and commercial advertisement. Along with this, company spends more time for hanging posters and Facebook and Twitter to endorse their product as it is effective to influence the consumer buying behavior. It is effective to improve the organizational performance. In the view of Martins et al. (2014) demonstrated that consumer behavior enables the company to select what products or service should be produce and deliver. After understanding the consumer behavior, an organization can easily consider the needs that have not been considered by the competitors. For example, if a retail company assesses that a large number of customer shop from stores then it can introduce the online channel for them to shop the products and services. Strategies to influence the consumer buying behavior towards organization According to Malik et al. (2014), the company can use a different strategy to influence the buying behavior of consumer towards the organization. In this way, the company can offer the quality product with unique features to the customers as it would be effective to persuade the consumer buying decision towards their products or services. It can also use competitive pricing strategy as compared to its competitors hence it could be effective to influence a large number of the customer towards their products or services. In support to this, Ali and Ahmad (2016) stated that company can use the effective promotional strategies such as sales discount, coupon code, and free sample offers to influence the buying behavior of consumer towards their products and services as compared to other key market players. It can also use different integrated marketing communication tool to influence the consumer buying behavior such as social media, advertisement, direct marketing, e-mail marketing, indirect marketing and messaging. As a result, it would be beneficial to improve the organizational performance. Hollebeek et al. (2014) exhibited that company can conduct the market research to identify the needs, wants and desires of customers and can implement it in their business process. Consequently, it will influence the buying behavior of consumer towards their products and increase the revenue of the company. The company should also use effective consumer protection regulatory policy to protect the consumers as it would be beneficial to influence them towards their products and services. It should also handle the customer grievance services after purchasing the products as it would be beneficial to influence the consumer buying behavior towards the organization. As a result, the company can generate more productivity. Research methodology This is an essential part of research methodology which depicts certain methods like research design, approaches, philosophies, data gathering process and research type. It is appropriate to obtain the data to resolve the research concern. The key intention of this research is to assess the appropriate tool to overcome the impact of consumer buying behavior of Auchan retail company, France in a significant way. In addition to this, the researcher will exercise different journal articles in the research to improve the reliability of gathered facts and figures (Bolton and Mattila, 2015). Along with this, this strategy could be effective to enhance the superiority and reliability of research outcome. Research Onion Framework This framework contains different tactics like research strategies, approaches, methods that would be implemented by a researcher to pool the facts and figures and attain the research objectives. Along with this, the researcher will implement onion framework to generate knowledge regarding techniques and tools of the research. This onion framework is established by Saunder to build exact knowledge with respect to research techniques (Brodie, et. al., 2013). Consequently, it could be beneficial to enhance the consistency of research outcome in an effective manner. This is also beneficial for a researcher as it will aid to assess techniques and tools as well as build depth knowledge about methodology in a systematic manner. Researcher will use the onion framework to conduct this research (Nuttavuthisit and Thgersen, 2017). The researcher will be completed in below manner: Research philosophy Research philosophy is effective to create logical belief regarding pooling, assessing and evaluating the facts and figures in the project. For this research, the researcher will choose the positivism research philosophy due to generating a hypothesis. It would be beneficial to get reliable and valid outcome about research (berseder, et. al., 2014). Research approach The research will also use the deductive approach in this project due to its relevancy with the interpretivism philosophy. This approach is also depending on general perception and belief of people to obtain the information regarding research issue. This approach will select to generate the hypothesis and then accept and reject by using different theories and data analysis (Raheem, et. al., 2014). Research design Mix research design will be used by a researcher with the intention of this research. This is effective for the researcher as it incorporates the features of both qualitative and quantitative research design. In such case, the researcher will implement the qualitative research design to obtain theoretical data about the impact of consumer behavior on organizational performance. Along with this, researcher will use quantitative research design to assess the responses of respondents (Nuttavuthisit and Thgersen, 2017). Research type For this research, the researcher will use explanatory research type because it would be used to assess the cause and effect relationship between consumer behavior and organizational performance. In contrast to this, the researcher will not use the descriptive research because there is no need to describe the research (Brodie, et. al., 2013). As well as, it will also not use the exploratory research due to not new to study. Sampling A researcher will use probability sampling method for this research. Under this, random sampling technique will be used by the researcher in which respondents will select on a random basis. This sampling will be implemented as it facilitates equal opportunities to each response to give their answers. As a result, it would be effective to declines the biases from the project. Along with this, the researcher will select the 55 customers from different geographical areas of France who shop the products through Auchan Retail Company (Bolton and Mattila, 2015). Data collection techniques The researcher will also use both primary and secondary data gathering process as it would allow the researcher to eliminate the research problem and actual required data. In such case, secondary data can be collected via second-hand information such as journal article, annual report, online and offline sites, genuine websites, academic publications and government report. On the other hand, primary data will be collected by a researcher from conducting the survey on targeted participants as it will obtain the valid as well as reliable data about the impact of consumer buying behavior on organizational performance (Ali, and Ahmad, 2016). Data analysis For analyzing the data, statistical data analysis method will be used by a researcher to measure the pooled facts and figures and interpret it in a significant way. With the intention of data analysis, the researcher will exercise MS-excel software to exhibit the data via bar diagram, pie charts, and column charts. As a result, it will allow the readers to build all-inclusive knowledge with respect to research issue (Martins, et. al., 2014). Project plan The project plan is essential for the researcher to assess the time period of each activity (Malik, et. al., 2014). A better project takes time to execute the all activities effectively to obtain feasible results. For this project, the researcher will follow the below timeline: Research activities that would be performed/Weeks 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Consideration of research issue Gathering reviews from experts Identification of Research Background Assessment of Literature Review Detection of gap in literature review and obtain survey through questionnaire Analysis of information and Writing of report Proof-Reading and Editing Final Submission The above time plan is significant for a researcher to attain the research objective in the predetermined time period. Since, time plan would enable the researcher to build the knowledge regarding research activity completion time. It would be also beneficial for the researcher to do research in given time structure. Bibliography Ali, A., and Ahmad, I. (2016) Environment-friendly products: factors that influence the green purchase intentions of Pakistani consumers,Pakistan Journal of Engineering, Technology and Science,2(1) pp. 1-5. Armstrong, G., Kotler, P., Harker, M., and Brennan, R. (2015)Marketing: an introduction. UK: Pearson Education. Bolton, L. E., and Mattila, A. S. (2015) How does corporate social responsibility affect consumer response to service failure in buyer-seller relationships?,Journal of Retailing,91(1), pp. 140-153. Brodie, R. J., Ilic, A., Juric, B., and Hollebeek, L. (2013) Consumer engagement in a virtual brand community: An exploratory analysis,Journal of Business Research,66(1), pp. 105-114. De Medeiros, J. F., Ribeiro, J. L. D., and Cortimiglia, M. N. (2014) Success factors for environmentally sustainable product innovation: a systematic literature review,Journal of Cleaner Production,65, pp. 76-86. Hollebeek, L. D., Glynn, M. S., and Brodie, R. J. (2014) Consumer brand engagement in social media: Conceptualization, scale development and validation,Journal of interactive marketing,28(2), pp. 149-165. Homburg, C., Stierl, M., and Bornemann, T. (2013) Corporate social responsibility in business-to-business markets: how organizational customers account for supplier corporate social responsibility engagement,Journal of Marketing,77(6), pp. 54-72. Horner, S., and Swarbrooke, J. (2016)Consumer behavior in tourism. UK: Routledge. Kim, S., and Park, H. (2013) Effects of various characteristics of social commerce (s-commerce) on consumers trust and trust performance,International Journal of Information Management,33(2), pp. 318-332. Malik, M. E., Ghafoor, M. M., and Iqbal, H. K. (2014) The impact of advertisement and consumer perception on consumer buying behavior,International Review of Social Sciences and Humanities,6(2), pp. 55-64. Martins, C., Oliveira, T., and Popovi?, A. (2014) Understanding the Internet banking adoption: A unified theory of acceptance and use of technology and perceived risk application,International Journal of Information Management,34(1), pp. 1-13. Nuttavuthisit, K., and Thgersen, J. (2017) The importance of consumer trust for the emergence of a market for green products: The case of organic food,Journal of Business Ethics,140(2), pp. 323-337. berseder, M., Schlegelmilch, B. B., Murphy, P. E., and Gruber, V. (2014) Consumers perceptions of corporate social responsibility: scale development and validation,Journal of Business Ethics,124(1), pp. 101-115. Oliver, R. L. (2014)Satisfaction: A behavioral perspective on the consumer. UK: Routledge. Raheem, A. R., Vishnu, P., and Ahmed, A. M. (2014) Impact of product packaging on consumers buying behavior,European Journal of Scientific Research,122(2), pp. 125-134. Rapp, A., Baker, T. L., Bachrach, D. G., Ogilvie, J., and Beitelspacher, L. S. (2015) Perceived customer showrooming behavior and the effect on retail salesperson self-efficacy and performance,Journal of Retailing,91(2), pp. 358-369. Additional readings Agnihotri, R., Dingus, R., Hu, M. Y., and Krush, M. T. (2016) Social media: Influencing customer satisfaction in B2B sales,Industrial Marketing Management,53, pp. 172-180. Grimmer, M., and Bingham, T. (2013) Company environmental performance and consumer purchase intentions,Journal of Business Research,66(10), pp. 1945-1953. Yoshida, M., James, J. D., and Cronin, J. J. (2013) Sports event innovativeness: Conceptualization, measurement, and its impact on consumer behavior,Sports Management Review,16(1), pp. 68-84.

The Role of Paradigms Changes

Scientific revolutions can be discussed as the complex changes of paradigms, and these large scale changes are the results of crises in the scientific world which lead to altering the perspective from which the world of science is perceived by researchers. While discussing the significance and role of the scientific revolution for a scientist, Thomas Kuhn states, â€Å"though the world does not change with a change of paradigm, the scientist afterward works in a different world† (Kuhn, cited in Curd Psillos 2008, p. 242).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Role of Paradigms’ Changes specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, Kuhn’s idea can be discussed from two opposite perspectives. On the one hand, accepting a revolutionary paradigm, scientists work in a different world because the new paradigm rejects the old one, and it is necessary to focus on new connections, objects, content, and acc eptable solutions to scientific questions. Moreover, the shift to the new paradigm means significant changes in the scientists’ perception of the world, and in their scientific ‘imagination’; thus, the focus on the new paradigm means changes in the scientists’ world view that is why the world becomes different. On the other hand, Kuhn’s words can be discussed as rather metaphorical because the change of paradigms cannot mean the change in the world structures, as a result, the scientist often applies new scientific principles to the phenomena studied previously, but the world itself cannot change for individuals and scientists. To discuss and evaluate Kuhn’s words in detail, it is necessary to concentrate on the nature of the scientific revolution as the change of paradigms. According to Kuhn, â€Å"scientific revolutions are here taken to be those non-cumulative developmental episodes in which an older paradigm is replaced in whole or in pa rt by an incompatible new one† (Curd, Cover, Pincock 2013, p. 79). These shifts are typical for the â€Å"normal science† because non-science does not operate instruments necessary for realising such a shift (Curd, Cover, Pincock 2013, p. 12). Although the shift of paradigms relates only to the scientific world, it is a revolution which is similar in its aspects to any political revolution (Curd, Cover, Pincock 2013, p. 80). If the existing paradigm cannot satisfy the scientists’ needs any more, the new paradigm to respond to the observed changes and processes is developed, and a kind of the scientific crisis is observed, the revolution becomes the expected result of the mentioned processes’ development.Advertising Looking for essay on philosophy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Scientific revolutions as the changes of paradigms also lead to changes in the scientists’ perceptions of the wor ld and explanations of its processes, and it is possible to speak about the specific scientific world discussed by Kuhn. The revolutionary paradigm traditionally develops with the help of instruments and vocabulary used within the previous paradigm. Kuhn states that â€Å"paradigms provide scientists not only with a map but also with some of the directions essential for map-making† (Curd, Cover, Pincock 2013, p. 92). Moreover, â€Å"the reception of a new paradigm often necessitates a redefinition of the corresponding science† (Curd, Cover, Pincock 2013, p. 87). As a result, objects and instruments round the scientist can be changed or unchanged, but the scientist’s perception of this world alters significantly because the world based on new connections and observed from a different perspective also becomes different for the scientist (Curd, Cover, Pincock 2013, p. 87). Furthermore, rejecting a traditional paradigm, a scientist can also reject a set of questi ons which were important in the context of the old paradigm, but now the questions and problems which are important to be discussed are new as well as the ways to see the world and resolve these questions (Gower 1997, p. 245). The scientist has to operate within a different scientific world where new questions are asked, new connections between objects are observed, and new approaches are used to examine this world. The idea of the different world is closely associated with the idea of the new world view which is followed by the supporter of the new paradigm. According to Kuhn, â€Å"the proponents of competing paradigms practice their trades in different worlds† because the scientists look at scientific questions through different lens (Kuhn, cited in Naugle 2002, p. 202). In spite of the fact that the scientist who realised the scientific revolution saw the world as the follower of the previous paradigm during a long period of time, the situation of the paradigm shift makes this scientist see the world absolutely differently, and the promoters of the new paradigm often cannot find the place for them within the traditional theoretic framework (Curd, Cover, Pincock 2013, p. 87). In this case, it is possible to speak about the â€Å"displacement of the conceptual network through which scientists view the world† (Curd, Cover, Pincock 2013, p. 87). While explaining these aspects of the scientific revolution, Kuhn refers to the results of the transition from Newtonian mechanics to Einsteinian mechanics which can illustrate the issue clearly (Curd, Cover, Pincock 2013, p. 83). The new paradigm provides scientists with the new lens and new world view to work in the scientific world. Kuhn’s approach to the effect of the new paradigm’s development on changing the world for scientists can also be evaluated with references to Kuhn’s notion of incommensurability (Gower 1997, p. 245).Advertising We will write a custom essay sampl e on The Role of Paradigms’ Changes specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Following the criterion of incommensurability, it is possible to interpret the world and its processes according to different paradigms, and those scientists who follow various paradigms can be equally right because they live and operate within absolutely different paradigms, as a result, these scientists operate in different worlds because the environments round them develop according to the laws of the concrete paradigm (Babich 2003, p. 78; Naugle 2002, p. 202). The criterion of incommensurability is also used to explain the conceptual changes followed by those scientists who have to work in a different world while applying new conceptions and hypotheses to the objects of the real life (Chins 1998, p. 38). Experiencing the shift in paradigms, scientists not only investigate different worlds, but they also perceive these worlds differently because now the fol lowers of the revolutionary paradigm know the new way of the world’s development. However, it is also possible to refer to the opinion that Kuhn’s words about the scientists’ work in a different world are rather metaphorical because the world does not change with the shift to the new paradigm, and scientists have to apply the newly developed principles to the existing phenomena to explain them with the focus on the new theoretical framework. As a result, scientists stay to live in the familiar world, but they begin to concentrate on their attempts to explain this world’s processes with the help of revolutionary theories. That is why, Kuhn’s words about the â€Å"different world† in which the scientist should work can be discussed as reasonable only with the focus on the follower of the revolutionary paradigm and only in the context of the specific scientific world which differs from the other people’ world in terms of emphasizing the laws according to which the world phenomena develop (Curd Psillos 2008, p. 243). The problem of evaluating Kuhn’s words is closely associated with the idea of differentiation between the traditional understanding of the concept of world and the notion of scientific world. If Kuhn’s words raise a lot of questions while focusing on the world concept in general, Kuhn’s idea about the â€Å"different world† seems to be reasonable while focusing only on the specific scientific world where the change of paradigms influences the scientists’ perceptions of the whole world and its processes. In spite of the fact that there are two possible perspectives appropriate to discuss and evaluate Kuhn’s words, it is relevant to focus on Kuhn’s idea of the scientific world’s existence instead of discussing his words with references to the general impact of the paradigm shift on the world’s development.Advertising Looking for essay on philosophy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Thus, Kuhn focuses on a scientist who is expected to operate in a different world after the situation of the paradigm shift because this scientist accepts a new vision of the world and its processes, and this conception or the theoretical framework can change significantly from the paradigm which was previously followed. However, the change of paradigms does not mean the absolute replacement of one paradigm by the other more revolutionary vision of scientific laws. As a result, different scientists as the followers of various paradigms are expected to live and operate within different worlds because of the changes in the world views or perceptions. From this point, it is possible to conclude that the scientific revolution primarily affects the way according to which the scientist can see and analyze the world. Thus, the paradigm shift is the problem which is closely associated with the idea of the scientists’ perception. Reference List Babich, B 2003, ‘From Fleckâ€℠¢s Denkstil to Kuhn’s paradigm: conceptual schemes and incommensurability’, International Studies in the Philosophy of Science, vol. 17. no. 1, pp. 75-92. Chins, M 1998, ‘Kuhn: realist or antirealist?’, Principia, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 37-59. Curd, M, Cover, J, Pincock, C 2013, Philosophy of science: the central issues, Norton Company, USA. Curd, M Psillos, S 2008, The Routledge companion to philosophy of science, Routledge, USA. Gower, B 1997, Scientific method: A historical and philosophical introduction, Psychology Press, USA. Naugle, D 2002, Worldview: the history of a concept, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, USA. This essay on The Role of Paradigms’ Changes was written and submitted by user Rey D. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Pedictive and diagnostic model Essays

Pedictive and diagnostic model Essays Pedictive and diagnostic model Essay Pedictive and diagnostic model Essay Any predictive and diagnostic model of environmental change is dependent on the accuracy of its data and the soundness of its premises (Mortimore, 1998). In terms of form (or physical manifestation of the process of desertification), the received narrative promoted images of moving deserts and the southward movement of the Sahara (Swift, 1995). Yet there is considerable evidence to suggest that rather than a linear encroachment of such conditions, desertification occurs at particular points (Bernus, 1977 cited in Mortimore, 1998). The limitations of the method of analysis used by Lamprey (1975) and Ibrahim (1984) have been further exposed by subsequent studies. Following a series of investigations by Lund University throughout the 1980s, Helleden (1991) was able to state that; none of these studies verified the creation of long lasting desert-like conditions in the Sudan during the 1962-1984 period there was no trend in the creation or growth of desertification patches around 103 examined villages and water holes over the period 1961-1985. No major shifts in the northern cultivation limit were identified [and there were] no major changes in vegetation cover and crop productivity which cannot be explained by varying rainfall characteristics. Similar results were evident in the Manga Grassland survey by Mortimore in 1989. By comparing aerial plots of the dunes over the period 1950 -1969 with the boundaries delimited by the Forestry Commission Survey in 1937, he concluded that many of the basic characteristics of the area showed continuity over time (Mortimore, 1989). Also this time span covered a period of considerable settlement, agricultural intensification and expansion leading to doubt over the basic hypothesis of desertification (ibid, 1989). In terms of a process, it has already been noted that desertification may be more usefully considered with reference to its individual constituents of desiccation, drought and degradation (Warren, 1996). But a further point should also be raised here. Namely, that the desertification is often perceived as a disruption to a stable, equilibrial natural system. There is considerable evidence to suggest adequately represent dryland environments; they are unstable and disequilibrial in the short term and transitional in the longer term (Mortimore, 1998). In terms of both the form and process of desertification, the accuracy of its premises and data may be found wanting on both counts. The utility of the concept may be further questioned when the its structural causation mechanisms of population growth is considered. The very definition of desertification automatically limits the conceptualisation of dryland sustainability, through the inherent assumption of the failure of human management systems to cope with increasing population pressure (Adams, 2003). Within a desertification narrative therefore, there is little room for the possibility of adaptation and flexibility of management techniques and practices by ordinary people (Mortimore, 1998; Adams, 2003). The dominance of large-scale studies that have an emphasis on quantitative analysis (such as remote sensing) rather than micro-scale perspectives that focus upon the social science aspect of the problem may explain this omission (Mortimore, 1998). A number of studies in the last decade have sought to de-link the implicit connotation of population growth and environmental degradation that has been central to the desertification narrative. Such analyses draw on the ideas of Boserup (1965), suggesting that increasing population pressure can provide the stimulus for innovation and agricultural intensification, for example through increased cropping intensities and the introduction of land saving techniques. Tiffen et al. (1994) examine the case of the Machakos District in Kenya, where there has been considerable concern over the sustainability of agriculture since 1930s colonial administrators attempted to implement soil conservation measures. They used a variety of historical and current sources, such as oral history, to undertake the study. They show that increasing population densities have facilitated more productive agriculture and greater specialization and exchange within society (ibid, 1994). Specific strategies include migration, the diversification of incomes (including non-agricultural incomes) and agricultural intensification (ibid. , 1994). The area cultivated increased from 15 percent of the district in the 1930s to between 50 and 80 percent in 1978, and the land supports a population that has grown almost fivefold, from about 240,000 in the 1930s to about 1. 4 million in 1989 (ibid, 1994). The photographs of Kiima Kimwe in 1937 and 1991 (below, left and right respectively) clearly illustrate the use of careful terracing and subsequent increases in productivity through the planting of banana and other trees (Drylands Research website, 2003). Tiffen et al. s (1994) study illustrates how local communities can respond spontaneously to land degradation and make land improving investments that significantly increase productivity over time. Applying the desertification framework in this situation would be of little utility in the explanation of population growth concurrent with continued or even improved prospects of sustainability. Incorporating the idea of sustainable livelihoods and of social, human and human-made capital may be a further help to examining what the concept of desertification has missed through its biophysical sustainability bias (Serageldin, 1996). Such ideas open the possibility for a number of other inputs that may compromise, or indeed uphold, the sustainability of dryland production systems. An analysis of the social system in dryland production can point to the need for a sustainable social as well as natural system for the continuing use of the environment. Through the integration of this perspective, Murton (1997) is able to question whether Tiffen et. als (1994) these examples of sustainable resource use have been compatible with the maintenance of sustainable livelihoods in such marginal African environments such as the Machakos. Murtons research (1997) adds further dimensions the consideration of dryland production systems, including a requirement to consider how polarization and global markets can also impact upon the sustainability of this environment. The integration of the complex social and economic adjustments that embody the everyday decisions of local people has considerable potential to explain the disjuncture between the doomsday predictions of desertification narratives and small-scale evidence on the ground (Mortimore, 1998). An analysis of the history of the concept of desertification can easily lead to conclusions about how science got it wrong, with a consequent attribution of blame which is all too resonant with earlier desertification narratives (Thomas, 1997). A more thorough consideration will recognise that science necessitates the constant refinement and evaluation of ideas by default (ibid. , 1997). This points to the need to ensure the transmission of uncertainty at the science-action interface and a careful reconsideration of how scientific concepts can be taken selectively or used out of context (ibid, 1997). In this way, the legacy of the desertification narrative may yet prove useful as an important reminder of the differential needs of science and policy and the need for a more cautious approach to scientific truth and objectivity. This has been neatly conceptualised as the tension between models of environmental change as heuristics or truth machines by Wynne Sackley (1994, cited in Mortimore, 1998). From a slightly different perspective, an understanding of desertification may be considered critical precisely to move beyond it (Swift, 1996). Until the ghost of the received narrative is laid to rest in national governments and in major NGOs, the deconstruction (versus the understanding) of desertification will be key to the comprehension of dryland production systems (ibid., 1996). In conclusion, the narrative of desertification may be considered as particularly unhelpful to an accurate understanding of the many facets of sustainability in dryland production systems. Definitions of the terms are problematic, contested and confused, leading to problems for clear and concise communication on the topic. Moreover, the scientific evidence and data upon which the narrative is premised has been shown to be seriously flawed and also coloured by ignorance and prejudice towards indigenous livelihoods and technologies. As such the consideration of dryland sustainability in the framework of desertification may be seen to incomplete and also misguided. However, this is not to say that credible work on drylands has not been performed, nor that real environmental problems do not exist in these ecosystems. Although the term has continued to be adopted in policy circles, the use of an alternative, such as dry land degradation, may prove useful in the longer term and particularly when trying to identify effective interventions. Knowledge of the desertification narrative however, may be seen to provide an important reminder of the need to actively manage the use of science as a basis for policy, particularly when in complex issues that contain a substantial element of uncertainty. An analysis of the way in which powerful institutions have harnessed the power of the desertification narrative is also important for its deconstruction and for the possibility of its succession by a concept that is more attuned to the real and substantive issues of dryland sustainability. References Adams, W.M (2001) Green Development: environment and sustainability in the Third World. Routledge: London Adams, W. M Mortimore, M. J. (1997) Agricultural intensification and flexibility in the Nigerian Sahel Geographical Journal 163:150-160 Drylands Research Organisation Website (accessed 19/11/2003) The Machakos Study (available online at drylandsresearch. org. uk/dr_machakos. html) ICIHI (1986) The Encroaching Desert: The Consequences of Human Failure A Report for the Independent Commission on International Humanitarian Issues. Zed Book Ltd: London.

How to Get an A 15 Must-Ask Questions Before Finals

How to Get an A 15 Must-Ask Questions Before Finals Finals have always been your nightmare? Now they are almost here, and you can’t afford to show up unprepared. Even if you’ve been studying like crazy, the stress and busyness of finals week can make it a tricky time. And you want to be prepared for anything that can happen, right? You have to be informed about everything from the location and time of exam to the type of questions, so that you dont take it too serious or not serious enough. That’s why it’s important to ask these vital 15 questions. They’re guaranteed to keep you from feeling confused and caught on the hop on the big day. 1. Will it be an open-book test? You don’t want to waste your time memorizing facts that you can simply look up in your textbook. Still, using a book in the wrong course can get you an F for cheating. Ask this up front to save your skin. 2. Can we bring notes? Like with the book, it’s wise to know if you can use study aids on your final. Also, it’s good to know how many notes you can have (like one page or 35 card). That way, you can spend time writing enough to get all your info onto a paper that won’t get you in trouble. 3. Is it a paper or online final test? Especially in a hybrid or online course, it’s vital to know whether your final will be online or in print. Often, courses will have both, and you don’t want to miss an entire section just because you didn’t know about it. How much of the overall grade does it count for? At the beginning of the course, your professor probably went over how much the final is worth in regards to your overall grade. Ask the question again. Sometimes, the weight of a final will change depending on how the class is progressing. 5. How much of the test is based on the lecture material? If you are in a course where there is a huge lecture component, it’s good to know how much will be lecture-based and how much will be directly from the book. That way you can focus your study where it will be most effective. 6. What is the structure of the test? In addition to how much will be based on lecture, you need to know the structure of the final exam. Is it true/false? Multiple choice? Multiple-multiple choice? Will there be an essay component? Then, look up test strategies for that particular test structure. 7. Will there be some extra-credit questions? It’s always good to know how many extra points you can earn if you happen to screw up. Every little bit helps. 8. Are there alternative testing methods? If you are a student who has test anxiety, problems with comprehension, or any other documented testing issue, you need to advocate for yourself and ask for an alternative assignment. A good professor will have an option that will allow you to be successful no matter what your circumstances. 9. Will the final exam include a practical element? Some courses – like nursing, foreign language, or laboratory science – might have a practical element or lab component. Make sure you know that ahead of time so that you are prepared interact on test day. 10. How much time will we have for the test? It’s always good to know how much time and how many questions are on the test. That way, you can gauge your progress and track how long you spend on each section. It’s the best way to ensure you complete the whole thing. 11. Will there be a retest? Although some professors have a high-stakes mentality (â€Å"One strike, you’re out†), many professors have an option to retake the test if you do poorly. Know this ahead of time so that you can plan accordingly. If you feel that the first attempt wont be successful, dont panic and find out more ways on how to live through finals to improve your chance to get high scores. 12. How will the test be graded? Will your professor be grading on a curve? Will certain questions be given more weight than others? Try to get the grading rubric ahead of time so that you can make sure your answers (especially essay answers) meet all the criteria of an A+ final. 13. Is there a practice test available? Preparation is the name of the game. If there are practice questions or a full-on practice final you can take, get that information now. You’ll be able to see your weaknesses right away and really focus your studying on what you need to learn. 14. What supplies do I need to bring? Some professors will have all the supplies you need on the day of the test. Others may ask you to bring pencils, â€Å"little blue books,† or calculators. Take it from the pros – you don’t want to be the one student who shows up to the calculus final without a graphic calculator. 15. What are the rules for the test day? For every teacher and course, there will be slightly different variations. Some teachers have rules about the spacing of the desks. Others say it’s okay to work in teams to finish the final. Whatever the individual rules in your classroom, make sure you know them so that you don’t break them. Any questions? Go ahead, comment below!

Fnancial analysis. Accenture, Wal-Mart, and McDonalds Essay

Fnancial analysis. Accenture, Wal-Mart, and McDonalds - Essay Example McDonald’s is the largest fast food restaurant in the world. The company has over 32,000 stores worldwide. The global sales of McDonald’s in 2011 were $27 billion. The use of aggressive advertising strategies has helped McDonald’s gain popularity, increase its customer base, and achieve superior customer retention. Section two The annual reports of Accenture, Wal-Mart, and McDonald’s were downloaded for review. Each annual report provided information regarding the financial statements of the companies. All three companies demonstrated having strong cash reserves. The firm with the largest cash account was Wal-Mart with $7.40 billion. Accenture ranked second between the three companies at $5.7 billion, while McDonald’s had the weakest cash position at $2.34 billion. The current ratio was chosen as the metric to measure the company’s ability to pay off its short term debt using current assets. All three companies are in good position to pay off their current debt due to the fact that all three companies had a current ratio above the 1.0 threshold. Wal-Mart utilized the most cash on investing activities out of the three firms at $12.19 billion. The firm that had the lowest amount of cash spend in investing activities was Accenture with $0.7 billion. The amount of cash spend in investing activities by McDonald’s was $2.57 billion. The firm with the highest change in non-current assets during fiscal year 2011 was Wal-Mart with $5.55 billion. ... The amount of cash spend in investing activities by McDonald’s was $2.57 billion. The firm with the highest change in non-current assets during fiscal year 2011 was Wal-Mart with $5.55 billion. The change in non-current assets of Accenture and McDonald’s were $0.99 billion and $24 million respectively. Section five Net income 2009 2010 2011 Accenture $1.59 billion $1.78 billion $2.28 billion McDonald’s $4.55 billion $4.95 billion $5.5 billion Wal-Mart $13.38 billion $14.37 billion $16.39 billion Cash flow from operating activities 2009 2010 2011 Accenture $3.16 billion $3.09 billion $3.44 billion McDonald’s $5.75 billion $6.34 billion $7.15 billion Wal-Mart $23.64 billion $26.25 billion $23.64 billion From 2009 to 2011 Accenture, McDonald’s and Wal-Mart all enjoyed increases in net income. The income of Accenture went up by 43.39% in comparison with 2009 and it rose by 28.08% in comparison with 2010. In 2011 McDonald’s enjoyed a net income in crease of 11.11% in comparison with the previous year. Wal-Mart had a net income increase of 14.05% between 2010 and 2011. The retail giant enjoyed the greatest net income increase at $2.02 billion. The only company that enjoyed consecutive increases in cash from operating activities during the period between 2009 and 2011 was McDonald’s. Section six Based on the financial analysis performed on the three companies in this paper I am going to choose the company that is the best investment alternative for investors looking to make some money. Wal-Mart Corporation was the company with the highest amount of cash reserves and it was also the firm with the highest current ratio. Wal-Mart has the greatest liquidity of the three firms. Wal-Mart

Pepsi Co bid for quaker oats Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Pepsi Co bid for quaker oats - Case Study Example The quick ratio of Pepsi in 2000 was 0.89. Quaker had a quick ratio of 0.87 in fiscal year 2000. Gross margin is a financial metric that measures the broad profitability of a company. Pepsi had a gross margin in 2000 of $8,595 million. Its gross margin percentage was 61.27%. Quaker in 2000 had a gross margin of $2,240 million with a gross margin percentage of 55.37%. Pepsi’s gross margin percentage is better than Quaker by 5.89% which implies that its broad profitability is superior. During 2000 Pepsi had a net income of $1,572 million, while Quaker had a net income of $309 million. The net margin measures the absolute profitability of a firm. The formula to calculate net margin is net income divided by sales. Pepsi’s net margin in fiscal year 2000 was 11.21%. Its net margin is better than Quaker’s 7.64% result. Return on assets (ROA) measures how well management has employed its assets (Garrison & Noreen, 2003). Pepsi’s return on assets of 8.90% is inferior to Quaker’s metric of 12.30%. The ratio analysis performed on these two companies’ shows mixed results. The short term liquidity of these two companies is similar with Pepsi holding a minor edge of 0.01 and 0.02 in the current and quick ratio. The broad profitability of Pepsi is better, but the absolute profitability of Quaker is superior. The return on assets of Quaker is much better than Pepsi. Overall based on the ratio analysis Quaker had a better financial performance than Pepsi. The acquisition of Quaker by Pepsi makes sense from a financial standpoint. Buying Quaker will not impose any constraint in the liquidity position of the firm since both companies had similar current asset and quick ratio results. The profitability of Pepsi will be enhanced by the acquisition due to the fact that Quaker’s net margin and return on assets was superior to Pepsi. From a marketing

Strategies To Control Climate Change Essay Example for Free

Strategies To Control Climate Change Essay One proposal to answer to the problem of global warming is a lot simpler in theory than it is in practice. Given the rate of economic growth of many of the developing countries and the shift of production to the lesser developed countries, the implementation of any global protocols is easier to imagine than to implement (Torn and Harte, 2006). Greenhouse gases, which are cited as one of the main causes of global warming, are most commonly emitted from the highly industrialized countries and the less developed countries which rely heavily on industrial machinery for production. The problem in this scenario is that by cutting back on the emission of greenhouse gases, a majority of the world’s production of most major goods will be affected. The economic costs not to mention the technological impediments that preventing the shift to more environmentally friendly methods make the reduction of these greenhouse gases extremely difficult (Rudiman, 2005). There have been steps that have been taken to reduce the levels of greenhouse gases. In order to address the situation of global warming, many countries have participated in the worlds primary international agreement on combating global warming which is the Kyoto Protocol. An amendment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol binds signatory countries to reduce their emissions of CO2 and five other greenhouse gases. In the alternative, it allows these countries to engage in emissions trading if they are able to maintain or increase emissions of these gases (Wigley, 2007). The problem with this protocol, however, is that it exempts developing countries from meeting emission standards in Kyoto (Choi and Fisher, 2003). Some of the countries that have been excluded from this list are China and India, who are ranked as the second and third largest emitters of CO2, behind the United States. In addition, the United States and other Asian countries such as South Korea, China, Australia, Japan and India created a coalition named Asia-Pacific Partnership for Clean Development and Climate which upholds the objective of fostering technical partnership in the taking measures in order to prevent global warming (WMO, 2005). This coalition aims to design new procedures that will facilitate the growth of each country without inflicting any harm to the environment. One of the coalition’s programs in the Methane to Market initiative which reduces the amount of methane gas produced by industries through the employment of equipment that captures methane gas as soon as it is produced. South Korea and its partner countries are still searching for a protocol that would help determine the allowable concentration of gas emissions in each country. However, there is still strong criticism on whether this protocol reflects the current economic standards of South Korea because it has been observed that developing countries often aim to achieve the same standards as that of developed countries, even if it entails some form of circumvention of gas emission laws of the country. In the United States, energy guidelines have been designed in order to foster energy efficiency and environmental cleanliness. One of the most visible programs in Energy Star which is a diversification of appliances that would promote emissions that contain less radiation and gases. Energy Star logos are often observed in appliances such as refrigerators, televisions and microwave ovens. In addition, the Department of Transported has initiated the annual monitoring of gas emissions from all types of vehicles. This directive has successfully been followed because the requirement of gas emission checking was linked to the annual registration of vehicles. Should a vehicle be determined to be excessively emitting gases, the owner of the vehicle is required to fix this technical problem with his vehicle first before the vehicle is issued any registration documents. This stringent law is thus difficult to be ignored and all vehicle operators are then educated in terms of the importance of checking their vehicle’s gas emissions regularly.

Harley Davidson :: Business Management Essays

Overview Harley-Davidson’s management had much to be proud of as the company wrapped up its Open Road Tour centennial celebration that began in July 2002 in Atlanta, Georgia, and ended on the 2003 Memorial Day Weekend in Harley’s hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The 14-month Open Road Tour drew large crowds of Harley owners in each of its five stops in North America and additional stops in Australia, Japan, Spain, and Germany. Also during its 2003 centennial year, Harley-Davidson was named to Fortune’s list of â€Å"100 Best Companies to Work For† and was judged third in automotive quality behind Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz by Harris Interactive, a worldwide market research and consulting firm best known for the Harris Poll. The company’s revenues had grown at a compounded annual rate of 16.6% since 1994 to reach $4.6 billion in 2003—marking its 18th consecutive year of record revenues and earnings. In 2003, the company sold more than 290,000 motor cycles, giving it a commanding share of the 651+cc motorcycle market in the U.S. and the leading share of the market in the Asia/Pacific region. The consistent growth had allowed Harley-Davidson’s share price to appreciate by more than 15,000% since the company’s initial public offering in 1986. In January 2004 the company’s CEO, Jeffrey Bleustein, stated that Harley-Davidson’s earnings growth rate should fall in the mid-teens for the foreseeable further and the company expected to increase unit sales to 400,000 units by 2007. However, not everyone was as bullish *This teaching note reflects the thinking, insight, and analysis of case authors, Professor John E. Gamble and Diplom-Betriebswirt Roger Schà ¤fer, both of the University of South Alabama. on Harley-Davidson’s future, with analysts pointing out that the company’s plans for growth were too dependent on aging baby boomers. The company had achieved its record growth during the 1990s and early-2000s primarily through the appeal of its image with baby boomers in the U.S. There was some question how much longer boomers would choose to spend recreational time touring the country by motorcycle and attending motorcycle rallies. The company had yet to develop a motorcycle that appealed in large numbers to motorcycle riders in their 20s or cyclists in Europe who both preferred performance oriented bikes rather than cruisers or touring motorcycles. Another concern of analysts watching the company was Harley-Davidson’s short-term oversupply of certain models brought about by the 14-month production run for its 100th anniversary models.

Mrs Aesop Analysis Essay

‘The worlds wife’ is a collection of poems by Duffy written by the female halves of well-known men of time in both reality and myth. Duffy has created a literal version of an old saying behind every great man there is an even greater woman. These poems are both shocking and thought provoking as Duffy steps into the shoes of every woman, whose partner has affected history or the world in any way and given them a voice. Aesop was a fabulist credited with a number of fables now collectively known as ‘Aesop’s Fables’. Although his existence remains uncertain and no writings by him survive, numerous tales credited to him were gathered across the centuries and in many languages in a storytelling tradition that continues to this day. In many of the tales, animals speak and have human characteristics. The impious (disrespectful) opening, ‘By Christ’ foregrounds Mrs Aesop’s disrespectful attitude towards her husband. She says he can ‘bore for Purgatory’ – this is a reference to the Catholic belief in a conceptual space between heaven and hell in which souls are condemned to suffer for their sins after death. Through this Mrs Aesop is literally expressing that her husband is capable of making such a place as purgatory worse than it already is. Aesop’s wife belittles him – ‘he was small’ – and the use of the internal rhyme â€Å"didn’t prepossess. So he tried to impress† is both comic and cutting. Through the continuous references to Aesop’s fables, Mrs Aesop is clearly mocking and disrespecting his works that were popular with so many. On the fourth line of the first stanza, Mrs Aesop puts her own twist of one of her husbands many fables – â€Å"a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush†, changing it to, â€Å"the bird in his hand shat on his sleeve†. By putting this nasty little twist on his work, she is disrespecting both her husband and his work, reflecting her feelings that she appears to have been bottling up for a while. The sheer number of allusions reflects the deadening effect that his fables have on Aesop’s wife. In the first stanza, the end focus on ‘Tedious’, emphasised by the caesura that precedes it, highlights how she  perceives his stories. The fables are chosen to reflect Aesop’s dull, cautious nature – he is the ‘shy mouse’, ‘the jackdaw’, one of the ‘donkeys th at would, on the whole, prefer to be lions.’ It appears that through Duffy writing this poem, Mrs Aesop is finally able to convey her inner thoughts to an audience, bringing her huge relief. In the second stanza, Duffy mocks Mr. Aesop, â€Å"look, then leap†. Duffy has used alliteration to emphasise the childlessness and immaturity of her husband and that his work represents him, making that childish and immature also. Duffy continues this idea onto the third stanza, describing their evening stroll as appalling, and using the tortoise from one of Mr. Aesop’s most famous fables – the hair and the tortoise – as a simile, by describing the way it crawled as â€Å"slow as marriage, indicating that her marriage is tedious and boring, like his work. Duffy uses numerous successful techniques to convey Mrs Aesop’s views of her husband Mr Aesop and his work. However, like in many of Duffy’s poems where she convinces the reader to back the women, due to her feminist views, I don’t believe that she does this in this particular poem. I sympathise with Mr Aesop as his wife is mocking and disrespecting him and his work, something that he takes a lot of pride in.

American history id groups

The Armenian colonies had strong motivation as well as communication with each other that helped them suck together through all the hardships and changes they went through In the new world.An example of the colonists sucking together was while on the Mayflower all the people aboard knew that their chances of survival depended on sticking gather so, they agreed to form a democracy in which all of the men could vote to create laws for the common good of the colony. Known today as the Mayflower Compact, this agreement acknowledged the king and God, but modeled a new concept called the consent of the governed, which means common people voluntarily agree to allow the government to have authority over them.Success didn't come easy, and nearly half the passengers and crew died of hunger, disease and exposure before the winter was out. Still, the survivors were determined to make it in the New World, and they remained In America when the ship returned to England In April. Bradford knew that the colony could only survive If they had a harvest their first year, since there would be no re-supply shipments.So, he directed that each family plant their own seeds and provide their own food. This task was aided, once again, by their Indian predecessors, who had done all of the hard work of clearing fields for planting. But still, they struggled to get their European crops to grow in New World which caused many hardships that they got through by their unity.

TLM or Teaching Learning Materials Definition

TLM or Teaching Learning Materials Definition In the field of education, TLM is a commonly used acronym that stands for teaching/learning materials. Broadly, the term refers to a spectrum of educational materials that teachers use in the classroom to support specific learning objectives, as set out in lesson plans. These can be games, videos, flashcards, project supplies, and more. Classroom teaching that uses only a teacher lecturing the class, perhaps writing on the chalkboard or whiteboard, is the classic example of not using any TLM. Using TLM can greatly assist students in the learning process. Examples of Teaching/Learning Materials Activity-based learning employs a variety of teaching/learning materials and focuses on student interaction to learn new concepts. Context-specific learning materials enhance the process. Story Books Story books make great teaching-learning materials. For example, a middle school teacher can use a book like The Hatchet by Gary Paulson, a gripping story of a boy, 13, who finds himself alone in a desolate wooded area in Canada, with only a hatchet (a gift from his mother) and his wits to help him survive. A teacher can read this book to the class as a whole, then have students write a brief essay summarizing the book and explaining what they thought of the story. And at the elementary school level, book reports provide a great way to have students engage with the books they read, either individually or together with the class. Manipulatives Manipulatives are physical items such as gummy bears, blocks, marbles, or even small cookies, that assist student learning. Manipulatives are especially helpful in the younger primary grades, where students can use them to help solve subtraction and addition problems. Samples of Student Writing Having students write can be an effective teaching method. But students often have difficulty thinking of topics. Thats where student writing prompts can be useful. Writing prompts are brief partial sentences designed to help spark student writing, such as The person I admire the most is...   or My biggest goal in life is... Just be sure to give students the parameters of the assignment, such as a single paragraph for younger pupils or a full, multi-page essay for older students. Videos In the current digital age, there are plenty of websites that offer free educational videos for kids. Videos provide real, visual images that can help enliven learning, but you need to be careful to choose videos that have real educational value. Websites that offer free learning videos include the Khan Academy, which offers videos on basic and advanced math, English grammar and literature, science, and even SAT preparation. Games Games can be useful in teaching students everything from money and grammar to social skills. Sight words bingo, for example, can help students learn their basic sight words, but there are also relatively inexpensive bingo games that teach money skills, Spanish, telling time, and even English grammar. More active, outside games such as basketball or kickball can help students learn social skills, such as taking turns, sharing, working as a team, and being a good loser or gracious winner. Flashcards Even in this age of computers and internet-based learning materials, flashcards can be particularly useful for students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia. Printing high-frequency words, also known as sight words, on the front of flashcards with short definitions on the back can create a good learning tool for students who have auditory or visual learning styles. Model Clay Younger students, such as those in kindergarten through third grade, can learn using model clay. For example, a teacher might have young students make letters of the alphabet using clay. But you can also use clay to teach concepts to older students. Teachers have been known to use model clay to teach plate tectonics, the theory of how the Earths surface behaves. Overhead Projector Transparencies In this modern age, dont forget about the value of old-fashioned overhead transparencies. A teacher can use overhead projector transparencies to teach counting skills, such as for numbers up to 100, and visually demonstrate how charts and graphs work. Better even than a whiteboard or blackboard, transparencies allow you or students to write numbers, create problems, circle, and highlight features and easily wipe away markings with a paper towel or tissue. Computer Software and Apps Plenty of learning computer software is available online. Interactive software programs can help English language learners study grammar and other elements of the English language. And apps, such as for tablet computers and even smartphones, offer instruction in everything from foreign languages to information on the Common Core Standards as well as university-level lectures and lessons for students- many of the apps are free. Visual Aids Visual aids can be teaching tools designed for the entire classroom, such as posters showing basic site words, class rules, or key concepts about important holidays or lessons. But they can also be used the help students individually, particularly visual learners or those having difficulty organizing their work or their thoughts. Graphic organizers, for example, are charts and tools used to visually represent and organize a students knowledge or ideas. Graphic organizers can help students learn math and they are good tools for teaching special education students and English language learners.

5 simple job search tips you’re probably forgetting -TheJobNetwork

5 simple job search tips you’re probably forgetting -TheJobNetwork There’s a lot to keep straight when you’re looking for a job. Things you need to put on your resume or else. How to build your brand so that you don’t seem hopelessly out of date. The nuances of interview questions you’re likely to face when you get through the door. And because you’re human, you might be forgetting some painfully obvious things that need to be checked off as well. Let’s look at some of the most commonly forgotten job search to-dos. 1. Go offline sometimes.Yes, most companies have some form of online application submission these days. Yes, you want to maximize your resume and cover letter for the keyword bots. But don’t make those your entire focus. We can get so mired in the online application machine that we forget to look up and see what else might be available. Don’t forget to work your network to see if they know of any openings, or reach out to recruiters to see what they may have as well.2. It’s ok ay to let your personality shine.As a rule, it’s good to be a little wary of your full everyday self- warts and all- becoming part of the job search process. You want to be evaluated on your professional merits, not your Facebook timeline. But don’t be afraid to make (appropriate) jokes in an interview, or show some personality in a cover letter. Your interviewers and readers are people too, and they would appreciate getting to see who you are, in addition to the points on your resume.3. Tailor your resume for the specific job.Going back to the online application engines, it can be easy to forget that you’re not just uploading a PDF to a portal. You’re not just a jumble of keywords; you’re trying to show that you’re a great and obvious fit for the job opening. That means taking the specific job description and making sure your application materials line up with it. If the hiring manager has to work to make a connection between you and the jo b, that usually means a fast track to the â€Å"no thanks† pile.4. Treat your LinkedIn profile as a living resume.Let’s face it: anyone who’s thinking of bringing you in for an interview is also likely to do a little internet sleuthing. And one of the first internet stops is likely to be your LinkedIn profile. That means you need to invest in your profile’s upkeep. Make sure it at least matches your current resume, but don’t hesitate to add things as they come up so that anyone who’s looking for you can see that you’re not only evolving all the time, you’re also on it with your online presence.5. Manners always matter.Sure, sending a handwritten thank you note on fancy paper has fallen out of favor in our fast-paced, everything-digital-always society. That doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for basic courtesy like thank you notes.Again, there’s a lot going on in your job search, but if you pay attention to so me of the smaller details along the way, you’re increasing your chances of success.

Importance of Names in Lawrences The Book of Negroes Essay

Importance of Names in Lawrences The Book of Negroes - Essay Example Lawrence Hill through his writing techniques makes it very easy for our reading even as the heroine, Aminata Diallo is stolen from her small African village as a young girl and forced to cross the â€Å"big river†, while having to keep up with the harsh cruelty of travel through slave ship, being sold to sugarcane plantation owners in South Carolina and again being re-sold, while having her beloved husband on yet another plantation. Aminata’s husband risks his life and visits her quite often. While travelling to Nova Scotia, Aminata dreams of her child and her wishes of returning home to Africa one day. In her map, Aminata only sees Africa as composed of various wild animals including elephants and monkeys and women who are bare-breast. With her brave resistance, her skills in midwifery, reading and writing abilities and a steadfast desire to stay alive, Aminata finds the name of her homeland and travels there, finally making her last voyage to England, where she uses h er life story as a sign to empower people against slave trade. In this book, Lawrence Hill uses the title of his book â€Å"Someone Knows my name† to create a long lasting impression in the minds of his audience on the effects of slavery and how young and brave female persons resisted oppression. The story underscores a story of a female slave called Aminata and her painful journey through life and how she undergoes a series of name changing identifying circumstances just to stay afloat during the slavery days. In this book, Lawrence emphasizes that names are truly the beginning of a life’s long journey, it is what a person refers you by and it is applicable to someone’s life in very many different ways. Although names can also be common and bear significance to a certain aspect of life, the name in which Lawrence has chosen in his novel of places, people, objects and cultures bear a very practical relevance as regards to how a person perceives the other during an initial encounter. Names have a contributing factor on a pers on’s character and personality. The importance of names has been displayed in the novel by the various characters and personality characteristics that the author has provided to the characters. More importantly, Aminata comes out as a strong character in displaying the significance of names towards resistance against oppression. At the beginning of the story, the author describes how Aminata was captured into slave trade only to part of the resistance at later years joining the Black loyalists in their final journey to Nova Scotia, then a decade later she is still one of the thousands of Black loyalists in the Black-Africa movement who made their way into Sierra Leone. Initially, as a very young girl she rejects her father’s intentions to teach her in reading Koran. Later in her captivity, the spirit of determination is reinforced in her by observing Fanta’s rebellious behaviors, who acts as a yard stick for her determination and foundation for future involvemen ts in resistance. Her spirit of resistance grows stronger as Bilton also convinces her in organizing shipboard revolution. Although the revolt fails and many people are killed, Amanita and others survive this revolution by sheer force of will. At the same time, the doctor attempts to rape Amanita during Atlantic crossing, but she resists and able to discourage him by threatening him using spiritual retribution saying, â€Å"Don’t do that, or my father will return from the dead to

Christianity and European Civilization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Christianity and European Civilization - Essay Example The focus of the essay "Christianity and European civilization" is on Christianity as a Political Power. Thrive for Christianity was further observed during the Germanic kings who spread the religion through Western Europe. These kings were converted into Christianity by missionaries during the Roman Empire but they practiced more of Arianism rather than Roman Catholicism. During the 6th century, many kings from Germany were found to convert into Christianity along with their warriors and subjects. The emphatic power exercised by the bishops caught the attention of the Germanic kings who granted the bishops the power to administer the predominant Romans. They established monasteries and enlarged the span of followers of Christianity among the people of Western Europe. The Germanic kings who identified monasteries as the best tool for clutching the political supremacy over the Christians in Europe set up several such centers with the help of local nobles. Their trial was to influence the people with the injection of spiritual power with an objective of sentimentally capturing their political feelings with the religious approach. Apart from the prominent partner United Kingdom, Ireland was another aim of the politically motivated spirituality of the bishops employed by the Germanic kingdom. The Irish accepted the proposal with a new lookout for spreading the religion across the continent by deploying missionaries to spread Christianity. However, as McManners (181) states, western Christendom failed to incorporate its non-catholic citizens.

Optimizing the condition of the PCR detecting of PTEN gene in DNA Research Paper - 1

Optimizing the condition of the PCR detecting of PTEN gene in DNA derived from human cell lines, associated with ageing and senescence - Research Paper Example Traditional PCR is used for amplifying DNA for sequencing, genotyping and cloning. However, this has a number of shortcomings namely; poor precision, low sensitivity, short, dynamic range of less than 2 logs, low resolution, is non-automated, based on discriminatory size only, results cannot be expressed as numbers, the staining agent ethdium bromide is not efficient at quantification and finally, post-PCR processing is required. This paper looks at the analysis of PTEN using traditional PCR method. The process was not successful despite the necessary steps being undertaken. PTEN primer, when used on a Hacat cell line, showed annealing at approximately 62 degrees. However, the use of PTEN with similar parameters that were later altered for optimization yielded no results. The methodology has been discussed, and the gel results showing synthesized images have been included in this report. The discussion that covers the PCR process and its effectiveness has also been included. The fidelity of the PCR process has been discussed to extrapolate on the possible reasons for the failure of this analysis. Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog gene commonly referred to as PTEN gene provides the necessary instructions for the synthesis of a protein that is present in almost all body tissues (Sulis, 2003). The protein is significant in its function as a tumor suppressor and aids in the regulation of cell division by inhibiting cells from diving and growing too fast or uncontrollably. PTEN is a phosphotase which modifies other fats and proteins through the removal of phosphate groups comprising of one phosphorus atom and three oxygen atoms (Cohen 1990). There are a number of medical conditions that are linked to PTEN gene mutation including : Cowden Syndrome and Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome(Weary et al, 1972; Cohen 1990) which are often termed together as the PTEN hematoma tumor syndrome. The gene mutations that are responsible for these conditions are found in body

Mughal Empire Culture and Religion

Mughal Empire Culture and Religion After the decline of Hindu kingdom around 1000 AD, a number of Islamic invaders and merchants came and went but could not caste any significant impact on the cultural life of people. Most of the invaders were tribal kings from the clan Hun and Pathan whose main motive was to plunder the country, loot the property as much as they could. They had no ambition to establish an empire and that is why their cultural impact is insignificant. This could not remain for a long period. The Muslim empire was established with the first battle of Panipat in 1526 AD. Their after we find a continuous interaction between these two major distinct communities Hindus and Muslims. Muslims were the rulers and Hindus became the ruled. Hindus were employed in a number of jobs under their Muslim rulers. Continuous intermingling takes place between these two communities in the coming several centuries. Trade and Commerce: The middle Classes Nature and Standard of Living The middle classes in medieval India consisted in the main, merchants, professional classes such as vaidyas and hakims and officials. There was high degree of professionalism among the Indian merchants. Some specialized in wholesale trade and others in retail trade, the former being called seth or bohra and the latter beoparis or banik. In south India the chettis formed the trading community. There was a special class banjaras who specialized in carrying trade. The banjaras used to move from place to place, sometimes with thousands of oxen, laden with food grains, salt, ghee etc. The sarrafs (shroff) specialized in changing money, keeping money in deposit or landing it, or transmitting it from one part of the country to the other by means of hundi. The hundi was letter of credit payable after a certain period. The use of hundies made it easier to move goods or to transmit money from one part of the country to another. The hundies were cashed at a discount which sometimes included ins urance so that the cost of goods lost or destroyed in transit could be recovered. By these means the Indian merchants could easily ship goods to countries of west Asia as well as where there were Indian banking houses. English and Dutch traders who came to Gujarat during the 17th century found the Indian financial system to be highly developed and the Indian merchants to be active and alert. There was keen competition for inside information and whenever there was a shortage of some goods in some parts of the country it was made good quickly by the merchants. But this applied to goods of high quality. Food grains and bulk articles were costly to move overland but not so costly if moved by rivers. hence the major rivers carried much more goods in medieval times than now. However the total trade was limited since the villages, while not completely self sufficient, bought only a limited number of things from outside such as salt, iron and few consumer goods. Long distance trade generall y catered to needs of the affluent sections in the cities. The trading community in India was fairly large in number and included some of the richest merchants in the world. The names of virji or vohra who dominated the Surat trade for several decades and who had a large fleet of ships, Malaya Chetti on the Coromandal coasts, and Abdul Ghaffoor Bohra who left 85 lacks of rupees in cash and goods at the time of his death in 1718 are some of the noteworthy cases. There were many wealthy merchants in Agra, Delhi, Orissa and Bengal. The wealthy merchants in the costal ports of Gujarat lived in an ostentatious manner and aped the manners of the nobles. They lived in lofty houses with coloured tiles, wore fine clothes, rode well caparisoned horses and had people carrying flags and banners before them when they moved out in public. European travellers mentioned the commodious and well built houses in which the wealthy merchants of Agra and Delhi lived. But the ordinary sorts lived in houses above their shops. The French traveller Bernier, says that that the merchants tried to look poor because they were afraid they would be used like filled sponges that is squeezed of their wealth. But Sher Shah passed many laws for protecting the property of the merchants. The laws of Sher Shah are well known. Jahangirs ordinances included a provision that if any one, whether unbeliever or Musalman should die, his property and effects should be left for his heirs, and no one should interfere with them. If he should have no heirs, they should appoint inspectors and separate guardians to guard the property, so that it value might be expanded in a lawful expenditure, such as the building mosques and sarais, repair of broken bridged and digging of tanks and wells. Thus the concept of protection of private property, including the property of merchants clearly emerged. Organization of Trade and Commerce Role of European Trading Companies Trade and commerce expanded in India during the first half of the 17th century due to a number of factors. Perhaps the most important factor was the political integration of the country under Mughal rule and establishment of conditions of law and order extensive areas. The Mughals paid attention to roads and sarais which maid communication easier. Uniform tax was levied on goods at the points of their entry into the empire. Road cesses or rahdari was declared illegal though it was continued to be collected by some of the local rajas. The Mughals minted silver rupees of high purities which became a standard coin in India and abroad and thus help Indias trade. Another factor which helped Indias was the arrival of the Dutch and English traders towards the beginning of the 17th century. Ralph Fitch during Akbars reign, said Agra and Fatehpur Sikri were each larger then London. Montserrat says Lahore was second to none of the cities in Europe or Asia. The growth of town and town life is one of the significant features of 17th century India. The Indian traders welcomed the Dutch and the English because these traders helped them to break the Portuguese monopoly of sea trade, and in course of time, helped to establish a direct link between India and European markets. The Portuguese power have begun to decline during the second half of the 16th century, as was demonstrated by the defeat by the Spanish armada by England in 1588. The Portuguese remained at Goa and also at Daman and Diu. But their shares in overseas trade declined continuously and were insignificant by the end of the century. The British could not succeed in India as long as the Mughal empire was strong but it was not long incoming as soon as the weakness of the empire became manifest. Architecture There was an outburst of many sided cultural activates in India under the Mughal rule. The tradition in the field of architecture, painting, literature and music created during this period set a norm and deeply influenced the succeeding generations. In this sense, the Mughal period can be called a second classical age following the gupta age in northern India. In this cultural development Indian traditions were amalgamated with the Turko Iranian culture brought to the country by the Mughals. The Timurid court at Samarqand had developed as the cultural centre of west and central Asia. Babur was conscious of this cultural heritage. He was determined to set proper standards. The development of art and culture in various regions of India during the 14th and 15th centuries had held to rich and varied development from which it was possible to draw upon. The Mughals built magnificent forts, palaces, public buildings, mosques and baolis etc. They also led out many formal gardens with running water in fact use of running water in their palaces, resorts was the special feature of the Mughals. Babur was very fond of gardens and laid out few gardens in the neighbourhood of Agra and Lahore. Some of the Mughals gardens such as the Nishant Bagh in Kashmir. The Shalimar at Lahore and Pinjore etc have survived even to this day. We do not find the tradition of developing gardens in prior Hindu Kingdoms. It began with the Mughals and today is very much the part of Indian culture. Akbar was the first Mughal ruler who had the time to undertake construction on a large scale. He built a series of forts. The most famous of which is the fort of Agra. In 1572 he commenced a palace cumfort complex at Fatehpur Sikri. Build atop a hill, along with a large artificial lake; it included many buildings in the style of Gujarat and Bengal. The Gujarat style of architecture is used most widely in the palace built probably for his Rajput wife or wives. Akbar took a personal interest in the work of construction at both Agra and Fatehpur Sikri. Persian or central influence can be seen in the glazed blue tiles used for decorations in the walls or for tiling the roofs. The period of Shahjahan needs no mention. His period is the best period of architectural development. Mughal architectural traditions were based on a combination of Hindu and Turko Iranian forms and decorative designs continued without a break into the 18th and early 19th centuries. Thus Mughals traditions influence the palace and forts of many provincial and local kingdoms. Even the golden temple of the Sikhs at Amritsar which was rebuilt several times during this period was built on the arch and dome principle and incorporated many features of the Mughals traditions of architecture. Painting The Mughals made a distinctive contribution in the field of painting. They introduced new themes depicting the court, battle scenes and the chase, added new colours and forms. They created a living tradition of painting which continued to work in different parts of the country long after the glory of the Mughals disappeared. The richness of the style again, was due to the fact that India had an old tradition of paintings. While no palm leaves older than the 12th century have survived to indicate the style of painting, the wall painting of Ajanta are an eloquent indication of its vigour. After the 8th century, the tradition seems to have decayed, but palm leaf manuscripts and illustrated Jain text from the 13th century onwards so the tradition had not died. Apart from the Janis some of the provincial kingdoms, such as Malwa and Gujarat extended their patronage to painting during the 15th century. A vigorous revival of the painting culture began only under Akbar. During the reign of Akbar paintings were organized in one of the imperial establishments. From the beginning of both Hindus and Muslims joined in the work. Thus, Jaswant and Dasawan were two of the famous painters of the Akbars court. Apart from illustrating Persian books of fables, the painters were soon assigned the task of illustrating the Persian text of the Mahabharata, Akbar Nama and others. Indian themes and Indian scenes thus came in vogue and helped to free the school from Persian influence. Indian colours such as peacock blue, Indian red etc began to be used. Above all the somewhat flat effect of the Persian style began to be replaced by the roundedness of the Indian brush giving the pictures three dimensional effect. The Mughals reached the climax under Jahangir who had a very discriminating eye. While the tradition continued under Shahjahan, Aurangzebs lack of interest in painting led to a dispersal of the artist to different places. This helped in the development of painting in the states of Rajasthan and the Punjab hills. The Rajasthan style of painting combined the themes and earlier traditions of western India or Jain school of painting with Mughal forms and styles. Thus, in addition to hunting and court scenes it had paintings on mythological themes, such as the dalliance of Krishna and Radha, or the Barah masa, that is, the seasons or the Ragas (melodies). The Pahari School continued these traditions. Language, Literature and Music By the time of Akbar knowledge of Persian had become so wide spread in North India that he dispensed with the tradition of keeping revenue records in local language Hindavi in addition to Persian. Persian prose and poetry reached a climax under the Akbars reign. Abul Fazal was a great scholar and a stylist as well as the leading historian of the age, set a style of prose writing which was emulated for many generations. The leading poet of the age was his brother Faizi who also helped in the translation of the Mahabharata. Utbi and Naziri were the leading Persian poets. Though born in Persia they were among the many poets among the scholars who migrated from Iran to India during the period and made the Mughal court one of the cultural centres of the Islamic world. All though not much significant work was done in Sanskrit but number of Sanskrit works produced during this period is quite impressive. The dalliance of Krishna with Radha and the milk maids, pranks of the child Krishna and stories from Bhagawat figure largely lyrical poetry in Bengali, Oriya, Hindi, Rajasthani and Guajarati during this period. Both Muslims and Hindus contributed in this. A leading Mughal novel Abdur Rahim Khan I Khanan, produced a fine blend of bhakti poetry with Persian Ideas of life and human relations. But the most influential Hindi poet was Tulsidas who created Ramchritmanas in dialect of eastern u.p. During the Muslim reign Akbar patronised Tansen of Gwalior who is credited with composing new melodies (ragas). Jahangir and Shah Jahan as well as many Mughal nobles followed this example. There are many apocrvohal stories about the burial of music by the orthodox Aurangzeb. Recent studies show that Aurangzeb banished singing from his court, but not performance of musical instrument. In fact, Aurangzeb himself was an accomplished veena player. Music in all forms continued to be patronised by the Aurangzebs queens in the harem and by the nobles. That is why the largest number of books on classical Indian music was written during Aurangzebs reign. But some of the most important developments in the field of music took place later on in the eighteenth century during the reign of Muhammad Shah (1720-48). Religious Ideas and Beliefs The bhakti movement continued apace during the 16th and 17th centuries. The Sikh movement had its origin with the preaching of Nanak. But its development is closely linked with the institution of Guru ship. Akbar had been deeply impressed with the Sikh gurus, and it is said, visited them at Amritsar. However, a clash began with the imprisonment and death of Guru Arjun by Jahangir. Dara the eldest son of Shahjahan, was by temperament scholar and a Sufi who loved to discourse with religious divines with the help of Brahmins of Kasi he got the Gita translated into Persian. But his most significant work was an anthology of the Vedas in the introduction to which Dara declared the Vedas to be heavenly books in point of time and in conformity with holy Quran thus underlining the belief that there were no fundamental difference between Hinduism and Islam. Dadu a Gujarati poet preached a non sectarian path. He refused to identify either with Muslim or with Hindus. Among the Muslims too, while the trained of tauhid continued apace a were supported by many leading Sufi saints, a small group of orthodox Ulama reacted against it. But the influence of the orthodox thinkers and preachers was limited. Their chief hope was that their ideas would receive the support and the backing of those who held position of wealth and power in society and the state. On other hand the liberal thinkers made their appeal to the broad masses. The recurrent cycles of liberalism and orthodoxy in the Indian History should be seen against the situation which was routed in the structure of the Indian society. It was one aspect of the struggle between and entrenched privilege and power on the one hand and the egalitarian and humanistic aspirations of the mass of the people on the other. The prestige and influence of the narrow orthodox elements and their re assertion of the narrow ideas and beliefs was a barrier to the growing process of rapprochement and tolerance among the votaries of the to dominant religions, Hinduism and Islam, and Hindrance to the process of cultural integration. The clash between the two trends came to the surface during Aurangzebs reign. Conclusion The thousands years from the beginning of the 18th century to the end of the 17th century saw important changes in the political, economic and cultural life of the country and also, to a smaller extent, in its social life. In the field of social life, the caste system continued to dominate, despite the challenge posed to it by Islam and loss of political power by the Rajput rulers who were duty bound to protect dharma which implied, among other things, the upholding the fourfold division of society(varnashrama dharma). Although the Nath Panthi Jogis and the Bhakti saints vehemently criticised the caste system, they could hardly make a dent in it. A tacit agreement was arrived at the in the course of time. The criticism of the caste system by saints did not, with some notable exceptions, extend to day to day or secular life , while the Brahmans acquiesced in the advocacy of the path of devotion as the way for salvation for all castes, specially for the sudras. However, the Brahmans continued to claim a privileged position for themselves, including the exclusive right to preach and educate. The Bhakti and Sufi saints gradually brought about a better understanding of the fundamental tenets of Hinduism and Islam underlining the fact that they had a great deal of similarity. This resulted in a greater spirit of mutual harmony and toleration, although forces advocating a narrow, intolerant approach continued to be strongly entrenched and sometimes influenced state police. But such occasions were, on the whole, very few. The Bhakti and Sufi saints also brought about important changes in the approach to religion, laying greater emphasis on true faith than to the formal observances they also contributed to the growth of regional languages and literature. But the excessive concern with religious and spiritual affairs resulted in setback to the growth of rational sciences, epically to the cultivation of science and technology. While the Portuguese monopoly of some of the oriental trade and their domination of seas had, on the whole a harmful effect on Indian trade and commerce, the Dutch and English traders who broke the Portuguese monopoly, helped to open the European markets for Indian products such as textiles, indigo, and salt petre which were not exported to Europe earlier. Thus, India was linked more closely to the rapidly expanding European market. However in the absence of strong navy and a well developed mercantile fleet, the Indian trader and producer could secure only a marginal share of the profits of this new trade. On the other hand, the richness of the oriental trade further whetted the appetite of the European nation and quickened their economic and technological growth. Under the Mughals, political integration was accompanied by a deliberated effort to create a unified ruling class consisting of Muslims and Hindus. The development in various fields in India during this period should not be lost sight of the growth of political integration. Indian society was one of the few societies in the world which was able to develop a more or less unified culture despite differences in race, religion and language. This unified culture was reflected in an outburst of creative activity which makes the 17th century a second classical age. In the south, the traditions of the Cholas were continued by the Vijayanagra kingdom. The Bahmni kingdom and its successor states also contributed to culture developments in various fields. The rich cultural developments in the various regional kingdoms during the 15th century were, to some extent integrated in the new cultural forms developed by the Mughals. However, this integrated culture came under pressure from the religious dogmatists of the two faiths as well as from the competing and conflicting interests of various sections in the ruling classes. But that it survived, on the whole till the middle of the 19th century is no mean tribute to all those saints, scholars and enlightened rulers who helped to fashion it. The period was also marked by economic developments and growth. Trade and manufactures expanded and there was expansion and improvement of cultivation also. However, the growth was uneven in different areas and during different phases. Apart from the Ganga valley where the Mughals spent a substantial part of the revenue resources of the empire the areas which developed rapidly during the 17th century were Gujarat, the Coromandal coast and Bengal. Perhaps, it is no accident that these have been the areas in the forefront of economic developments of India in the modern period, particularly the post independence era. Would India have continued to progress economically and even attained Industrial Revolution on its own, if the Mughal Empire had continued? The question is too speculative. Perhaps the Mughal Empire had already reached the limit of its development. The feudal aristocratic nature of the state and the neglect of science and technology by the ruling class were already placing limits to the economic developments of the country. But whether India was able to develop faster and in a more harmonious manner under the British rule is a question which will be explained in the subsequent volume on modern India.