Sierra Leone and South Africa Essay Example

Sierra Leone and South Africa Essay Example Sierra Leone and South Africa Essay Sierra Leone and South Africa Essay There is no doubt on the potential of the diamond industry to provide benefits and elevate economic and social status of Sierra Leone and South Africa. However, just like in any other industries, problems arise. Perhaps the greatest problem the diamond industry faced was the issue on conflict diamonds. Conflict diamonds started in the war in Angola in 1992. Jonas Savimbi, the leader of UNITA or Uniao Nacional para a Independencia Total de Angola, focused his attention to the vast diamond fields of Angola to find new ways to finance his army and expand his smuggling business (The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists 4).By 1993, Savimbi had the largest diamond smuggling network in the world. And among his associates was South Africa’s De Decker Diamonds, a company that admitted selling diamonds to De Beers. This pattern of laundering diamonds was replicated in other countries especially Sierra Leone (Diamond Facts. Org, The Facts). In 1998, because of the brutal conflict in Sierra Leone, the United Nations started investigating about conflict diamonds and the UN Security Council began imposing sanctions on diamond transactions of countries in conflict.This brought the attention of the global diamond community to the issue of conflict diamonds (ICIJ 4). In 2000, Global Witness, a nongovernmental organization based in London, introduced the term blood diamond to further highlight the issue on conflict diamonds (ICIJ 4). Meanwhile, South Africa initiated the Kimberly Process, a certification scheme to stop the flow of conflict diamonds, in response to the highlighted attention on conflict diamonds and also to protect the country’s diamond industry (ICIJ 5).The issue took on greater implications when, in 2001, media reports provided evidences connecting conflict diamonds to the Al Qaeda attack on the United States (ICIJ 4). Because of the extent and magnitude covered by the issue on conflict diamonds, efforts to control and eliminate this problem through the Kimberly Process required the cooperation of not only South Africa but the entire global community. The United Nations, the international diamond industry and nongovernmental organizations including Partnership Africa Canada, Amnesty International and Global Witness were among the participants.For the first time, a global industry joined forces with governments, the United Nations, and social organizations to deal with a humanitarian issue (Diamond Facts. Org, The Facts). The Kimberly Process was initiated in May 2000. By December 2000, a unanimous vote by all the members of the United Nations General Assembly to support the Kimberly process was passed (ICIJ 4). By January 2003, the K imberly Process Certification Scheme was accepted and made into national law by 52 governments.As of August 2007, membership of the Kimberly Process totaled 74 countries, including Sierra Leone, thus guaranteeing a 99% conflict-free global rough diamond production (Diamond Facts. Org, The Facts). The Kimberly Process presented an international structure where diamonds’ origins are identified and recorded under the backing of the World Diamond Council (ICIJ 5). Rough diamonds crossing international border must come with a government-validated Kimberly Process Certificate and should be enclosed in tamper-resistant containers.Every certificate should be resistant to faking, uniquely numbered and must contain description of shipment contents. Only members of the Kimberly Process are allowed to import and export rough diamonds and should exclusively deal Kimberly-certified diamonds. Contents of the shipment should be checked with the Kimberly Certificate by the importing countryâ €™s customs. It is illegal to export or import uncertified rough diamonds. Confiscation or rejection of parcels and possibly criminal case will be imposed to violators of the procedures (Rapaport 4).The success of the Kimberly Process will be gauged not only on how many of the conflict diamonds are prevented from moving into the international market but also in its effectiveness in checking the proliferation of conflict diamonds from the source of the diamonds itself. In South Africa, though this country was never implicated in the production of conflict diamonds, there were rumors in 2002 that the country was a major laundering center for illicit diamonds especially in Kimberly. This was largely due to sudden resurgence of new diamond discoveries in areas already regarded for years as dry in terms of diamond production.Local diggers suddenly started turning up harvests comparable to a small mine’s production where it used to have only a few carats a month (International Consortium of Investigative Journalists 1). Another reason why the rumor came up was the relative ease by which diamonds were dealt with in the Kimberly Diamond Exchange. Simple invoices were considered adequate for dealers to sell diamonds. No consideration for the origin of the diamond was needed to deal the precious stone. As long as dealers supplying diamonds to the Kimberly Diamond Exchange provide invoices, it is considered legal.Added to this predicament is the difficulty in proving or disproving the origin of the diamond. Although investigations were conducted in Kimberly, there have been no charges filed against anyone dealing in conflict diamonds (ICIJ 2). Possibly the most efficient fuel for the rumor is the government regulatory board’s ineptness to do their duty resulting to laundering of illicit diamonds (ICIJ 3). Monitoring and regulating South Africa’s diamond mining and exportation is supposed to be the South African Diamond Board’s responsibili ty (ICIJ 3).The board neglected their duties when Chris Potgeiter, a shareholder and main contributor in the De Beers exchange Center, declared diamond sales worth $40 million from areas bought from De Beers in 1997. But the areas in question contained no such wealth as described from De Beers’ prospecting notes (ICIJ 3). In Addition, during the period from 1999 to 2001, there were reports that diamond buyers or bourses dealt $360 to $490 million worth of diamonds to the United States. But those diamonds were not examined by the South African Diamond Board which suggested that illicit diamonds were being laundered through the bourse (ICIJ 7).Where diamond authorities were concerned, more often than not, De Beers was most likely connected with the actions of the agencies concerned because of its status in the diamond industry. It is common knowledge that De Beers was the sole entity that started the diamond industry in South Africa. Its influence grew as the industry expanded through time. People in key positions in South African diamond institutions were most likely have direct or indirect link to De Beers. For this reason, doubts emerged whether De Beers was honest on its claim that the company was never touched by conflict diamonds (ICIJ 5).Among the arguments presented, the most intriguing was the cozy relationship between the South African Diamond Board and De Beers. The members of the board and head of various committees were close to the company (ICIJ 8). Allegedly, De Beers used their political influence for the benefit of the company. Benny Steinmetz, one of the most favored sightholders or the elite dealers of De Beers, was influential in South African politics. Steinmetz had connections with South African member of Congress Tokyo Sexwale who, in turn, was a business partner of De Beers (ICIJ 6).Other circumstances that questioned the integrity of De Beers were focused on the diamonds that De Beers purchased from Angola during this country†™s war until its end in 1998 (ICIJ 6). De Beers’ obscured operating procedures made it almost impossible to determine that source of diamond once these diamonds were mixed in its vault and thus made the allegation impossible to prove (ICIJ 6). When the Kimberly process was formed, it was headed by Abbey Chikane of the South African Diamond Board. Chikane had a close relationship with De Beers (ICIJ 8).Because of this situation, speculations on De Beers’ real motives in being active in the Kimberly process erupted. The general assumption was that De Beers was using the Kimberly process to secure hold on the diamond industry because of the growing competition (ICIJ 7). Moreover, the report of the General Accounting Office, the investigative arm of the US Congress, that the Kimberly process was essentially flawed, provided further doubt on the effectiveness of the Kimberly Process to address the problem of conflict diamonds (ICIJ 5).

The Many Ways to Use Spanish Bajo in a Sentence

The Many Ways to Use Spanish Bajo in a Sentence Bajo is a common Spanish preposition, adjective, and adverb that means being low in some way, either figuratively or literally or under something. Also,  bajo  is used in common idioms  usually as a preposition. Bajo Used as an Adjective As an adjective, common translations include low or short, and bajo can also be used to indicate contemptibility or lack of intensity. Spanish Sentence English Translation Mi prima es baja para su edad. My cousin is short for her age. No es necesario tratar esta enfermedad de bajo riesgo con quimioterapia. It is not necessary to treat this low-risk illness with chemotherapy. El valle bajo es rico en historia. The low valley is rich in history. Tenemos problemas de baja calidad de la seà ±al inalmbrica. We have problems with poor quality of the wireless signal. Alberto cayà ³ en los ms bajos pecados durante los dos aà ±os. Alberto fell into the basest sins during the two years. La clase baja sufre las consecuencias de su reforma polà ­tica. The lower class is suffering the consequences of his political reform. Son capaces de los ms bajos actos de violencia. They are capable of the vilest acts of violence. La presià ³n sanguà ­nea baja puede ser un signo de enfermedad. Low blood pressure can be a sign of sickness. Bajo as an Adverb Although more commonly used as an adjective, bajo can be used as an adverb that means quietly or softly. For example, Si  habla  bajo, es  necesario  elevar  volumen  del  micrà ³fono, which means, If you speak softly, you need to turn up the microphone volume. Another way bajo can be used as an adverb is when describing something falling or flying low as in low to the ground. For example, El pjaro  volaba  muy  bajo, which means, The bird was flying very low. Bajo as a Preposition Bajo can serve as a preposition and can almost always be translated as under. Spanish Sentence English Sentence El gato est bajo la cama. The cat is under the bed. La vida bajo el mar es muy difà ­cil. Life undersea is very difficult. Un barco mercante encallà ³ bajo un puente. The merchant ship ran aground under a bridge. Los compresores principales estn bajo el coche. The main compressors are under the car. Correr bajo la lluvia es ms gratificante que hacerlo en seco. Running in the rain is more rewarding than doing it when it's dry. Bajo Used in Idioms or Borrowed Phrases Bajo can also be a preposition with an indefinite meaning when it is used as an idiom or expression. Many of these figurative expressions correspond to similar ones in English, some of which are likely calques. A  calque or  loan translation  is a  word  or  phrase  borrowed from another  language  by  literal, word-for-word translation. Spanish Expression English Translation bajo arresto under arrest bajo circunstancias normales under normal circumstances bajo condicià ³n de que under condition that bajo construccià ³n under construction bajo control under control bajo cubierto undercover bajo fianza on bail bajo la influencia under the influence bajo investigacià ³n under investigation bajo juramento under oath bajo la mesa under the table bajo ningà ºn concepto in no conceivable way bajo palabra on parole bajo peso underweight bajo presià ³n under pressure bajo protesta under protest Words Related to Bajo Bajar, is a related verb to bajo, which often means to lower or to get down. Related adverbs are abajo and debajo, which often mean underneath, or down there.

My target audiences are students Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

My target audiences are students - Essay Example Audience-subject relationship I think my audiences probably know that texting is distracting, but they think they can handle it anyway. They do not know how distracting texting might be and how it can impair their ability to think and act while driving. I expect my audience to be open to learning more about the effects of texting, but they must be persuaded through logic and emotions to improve their awareness about the harms of this practice so that they can change their texting-while-driving mindset and behaviors. Audience-writer relationship I want to build a strong relationship with my audience because I am part of them and I want them to trust me. They can trust me if they see that I approach the subject with balanced rationality and emotionality. I want to be seen as a credible source of information that they can trust because I truly care for their welfare. I want to come across as a communicator of expert and real-life opinions and insights on this matter. Text and Drive at Y our Own Risk: The Perils of Texting while Driving Vehicular accidents are the leading cause of death among young drivers. Drivers with ages of 15 to 20 years old compose only 6% of all drivers in the United States, but they are involved in 19% of all crashes (West et al., 2011, p.37). The youth nowadays are highly proficient in multitasking, including texting while doing other activities, and many think that they can easily text and drive (Hosansky, 2012, p.405). Those who already text and drive and have not yet experienced any accidents increase their belief that they can text and drive without serious difficulty. This paper synthesizes the opinions and findings of different stakeholders, specifically victims and their families, citizens, government agencies, telecommunication service providers, researchers, and the media. Stakeholders agreed on the negative effects of texting while driving because of the prevalence of primary and secondary sources that provide evidence that suppor t the latter, but they disagreed on the effectiveness and usefulness of bans on this practice because of differences in arguments about cause and effect and differences in the importance placed on values and interests. Stakeholders agreed that texting while driving directly affects the welfare of drivers, especially the youth, because they all value human life and confirm that driving impacts driving abilities. They have similarities in their values, where human life is more important than individual freedoms. Agency Group 06 (2012) focused on the view of the government on how vehicular accidents can be reduced. It interviewed government officials, all of which value life and have responsibilities in ensuring public safety and quality life. Agency Group 06 (2012) reported the active participation of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood in promoting bans against texting while driving. Because of his responsibility for the safety of drivers and commuters, Lahood lobbies for safe d riving practices and supports texting-while-driving bans, one of which was applied in Ohio (Agency Group 06, 2012). He emphasizes the importance of human life over the freedom to do anything inside one’s car and calls the attention of young drivers who are mostly affected by the harmful texting-while-dri

Women suffrage Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Women suffrage - Essay Example In the capacity of the mainstream organization of the movement, NAWSA helped women obtain voting rights by waging state-by-state campaigns. Women that played a pivotal role in the women’s suffrage movement included but were not limited to Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony. Under their leadership, the suffragists lobbied Congress to make amendment to the constitution so that women could be enfranchised. Susan B. Anthony wrote the federal woman suffrage amendment. Congress introduced the federal woman suffrage amendment in 1878. In 1919, the Senate and the House of Representatives passed the federal woman suffrage amendment, which was then forwarded for ratification to the states. As a result of the women’s suffrage movement, â€Å"Nineteenth Amendment gives women the vote† in 1920 (Henretta, 2009). In the same year, the Womens Bureau of the Department of Labor was established for the safeguard of working

The development of new reproductive technologies Essay Example for Free

The development of new reproductive technologies Essay Explain some of the religious and moral issues relevant to the development of new reproductive technologies. [35] The development of new reproductive technologies have revolutionised the way society views infertility. However, many object to methods such as IVF, cloning, ICSI and PGD for moral and religious reasons. In examining these issues, a good place to start is IVF. IVF – in vitro fertilisation – is one of the most commonly used reproductive technologies. This method bypasses the need for intercourse to conceive; embryos are instead created in a lab and implanted into a mother. It can either use gametes from two parents, or in the case of a homosexual couple some of the material will be donated. From a human-rights perspective everyone has the right to a family life, which some interpret to mean a right to IVF. However, even from a purely secular point of view there are moral problems with IVF. For example, the new ICSI method bypasses many of the bodys natural defences for weeding out unfit sperm and therefore the child is at a higher risk of genetic abnormalities. Additionally, some feminists view reproductive technology with suspicion. Feminists refer to a `pro-natalist ideology prevalent in Western society, whereby women are encouraged to believe that their fulfilment and happiness depends upon their being able to bear children. They fear women may be coerced into IVF. The main issue that Christians would have with IVF is that many embryos are created and then destroyed. More embryos are produced in order to increase the chances of successful implantation, but in the UK you cannot use more than two embryos per IVF cycle. This creates spare embryos that are discarded, experimented upon or frozen for later use. The majority of Christians believe that life and personhood are intertwined, and both begin at conception. Christians believe in the sanctity of life, meaning that all human life is created in God’s image and has intrinsic worth. The most important verse they turn to is part of the Decalogue: â€Å"do not kill.† Moreover, Psalm 139 says, â€Å"you knit me together in my mother’s womb.† Therefore the discarding of spare embryos is murder of an innocent life. As with any issue, denominational opinions differ. The Roman Catholic Church defends traditional family structures and view IVF as unnatural. They published a document in 1987called Respect for Human Life in its Origin and the Dignity of Procreation. This emphasised the principles concerning the sanctity of life laid down much earlier in the Papal Encyclical, Humanae Vitae of 1968. In summary it claimed that children were a gift from God and not a commodity, and the proper place for children is within marriage. The church has expressed fears that IVF trivialises intercourse. Protestant churches tend to take a more lenient view. For example, the Free Presbyterian Church accepts IVF provided that the couple are married, spare embryos are not created and no donors are used. Both the Methodist Church and the Church of England are quite positive about all forms of IVF and even permit research on spare embryos up to 14 days old because it can be of great help to doctors researching genetic diseases, although embryos should not be created solely for this purpose. Other more drastic forms of reproductive technology pose a bigger problem for the churches. The successful cloning of Dolly the Sheep opened up a debate on the potential of human cloning and saviour siblings. Reproductive cloning would devalue individuality and result in negative psychological effects in the cloned person. Cloned animals tend to have a shorter lifespan and there is a genuine fear that a sub-class of humans could be produced in order for their organs to be harvested. This commodification of life sounds like science fiction, but according to Paul Ramsey it is a real threat. Cloning also removes the need for a male. In the case of Dolly, she had three ‘mothers’: one provided the egg, another the DNA and a third carried the cloned embryo to term. The embryo was given an electric shock in order to begin the division process. For Christians this disrupts God’s design for reproduction and parenthood. The only form of cloning that some churches would permit is therapeutic cloning, when a person’s stem cells can be used to produce organs that are an exact match. Mary Seller, a member of the Church of Englands Board of Social Responsibility, states, Cloning, like all science, must be used responsibly. Cloning humans is not desirable.† Furthermore, another key form of reproductive technology is PGD pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. This process can eliminate genetic diseases by selection (negative therapy) and can also alter the genes to ‘improve’ an embryo (positive therapy). It can be used to prevent suffering for both the child and parents. Moral objects are raised because, just like IVF, negative therapy involves fertilising several embryos with the intent of destroying those with the disease. This is dehumanising to disabled people, because it suggests that society would be better off without them. Positive therapy takes it to another level, and could result in a class of humans that are genetically modified for maximum health, intelligence and appearance. This destroys individualism and Christians refer to it as, â€Å"playing God.† According to the Free Presbyterian Church, â€Å"remember that each time cells are harvested for the treatment of someone who is sick, a new and sacred lif e is callously ended.† Moving on, reproductive technology can be evaluated according to traditional ethical principles. Starting with Utilitarianism, Patrick Steptoe is quoted as stating that It is a fact that there is a biological desire to reproduce.† If this is the case, then the maximum amount of happiness for the greatest amount of people will be achieved if they are able to reproduce, even if they need IVF or other interventions. Since successful IVF treatment will bring an enormous amount of happiness utilitarians are in agreement with such treatments. In the case of an infertile couple the utilitarian will look at the options available and strive towards to goal of conception. Likewise, if PGD and cloning can help alleviate human suffering it will be supported by utilitarians. Situation ethics bases the morality of an action on the circumstances that surround it. The only underlying principle is that we should always choose the most loving course of action, and there is no absolute morality. Whether an infertile couple should have access to IVF is based entirely on their individual situation. Natural law, on the other hand, is not so accepting. It is similar to the view the Roman Catholic Church takes. IVF and other technologies are unnatural and therefore immoral. Some criticise this theory because they claim that it is no more unnatural then the countless other forms of human intervention such as when we have an operation. Ultimately, reproductive technology causes us to rethink our views on family, marriage, sex and what makes a mother. Regardless of their views, Christians should be compassionate towards those suffering from the effects of infertility. You cannot understand their situation unless you have experienced it personally.

Marxian Theory versus Weberian Theory Essay example -- Politics Politi

Marxian Theory versus Weberian Theory Karl Marx and Max Weber both offer valid approaches to social class in modern capitalist society, though there are very different from each other. The capitalist society is a type of society in which the private ownership of the ‘means of production’ is the dominant form of providing the things needed to survive. What distinguishes capitalism from other types of society is the emphasis on the rights of property and the individual owner’s right to employ capital, as she or he thinks fit. Karl Marx’s approach was, at first, the most convincing theory of social class. However the Neo-Marxists (the later generation Marxists) have developed the same ideas but in different ways. So today there is no single Marxian viewpoint. Marx believed that economic processes are of great importance in society, such as the harnessing of natural resources, producing goods, developing new technologies and establishing a division of labour in the workforce. These are important because in order for these things to happen, people in society have to come together. Therefore they enter into social class relationships. Social classes came about when society developed a more specialised division of labour and introduced private property. Marx argued that under capitalism there are two major classes: 1. The Bourgeoisie (capitalists) 2. The Proletariat (the workers) These two classes are defined by their relationships to productive resources, such as land, factories, machinery, raw materials etc. these are known as ‘means of production’. The Bourgeoisie is the owner of the ‘means of production’. Therefore they have a much higher and more powerful economic position in society. Workers can only live by... ...gist suggest that the main difference is that the Marxians view class relationships as grounded in exploitation and domination within means of production while Weberians see classes coming from positions in the market. Marxians believe that social class is based on the means of production, but Weberians think that power and status matter more. Marxians have 2 main classes and Weberians have a much more complicated class system. So, in conclusion the Marxians believe social class in modern society is based on ownership of means of production and the two-class model. Weberians think that social class in modern society depends on the positions in the market place, which has many more classes. Both Marxian and Weberian theories are very good and I think they are theoretically correct to a certain extent. However no one will know for sure who has the best theory.

Two Neighborhoods

We'd make casual small conversation on Saturday mornings when no one had to work and we watched the kids play. We'd also go to the pool In the summer as another way for conversation and fun for everyone. Another good thing about that neighborhood was that it was in such a convenient location. My family and I were within walking distance from my high school, local gyms, flea markets and more. I was able to walk to any of these places whenever I wanted. Unfortunately, this all changed when my parents told my two younger brothers and me that we had to downgrade and move bout give minutes away.Originally I thought to myself, â€Å"that's not too bad†, but my thought was devastatingly wrong. Overtime I would figure this out. In this neighborhood I found that my ex-boyfriend lives one short block over from mine. Seeing him every morning on the bus to school was never the highlight of my day. Then, just when I thought I'd have a relief, summer came around. Of course, we both wanted t o be at the neighborhood pool all the time, so it was like I couldn't escape from him. Not only that disappoints me about this neighborhood, but also, we have to made as many friends in this neighborhood as the previous one.People just aren't as friendly and neighborly. People in this neighborhood hardly ever speak to one another. Also, this neighborhood, opposite to the one before, is farther away from all the attractions. I hate to be a complainer but the first neighborhood was just much better. That neighborhood is the opposite of this one and would easily be titled the best one my family and I have lived in since living in Charlotte NC. By Tiaras It was the year of 2007 that my family and I moved to our first house in Blatantly.In friendships with our other neighbors in that neighborhood. Everyone was so friendly amongst one another. We'd all show common curtsey and wave to those we'd see. And we watched the kids play. We'd also go to the pool in the summer as another way any of these places whenever I wanted. Unfortunately, this all changed when my Then, Just when I thought I'd have a relief, summer came around. Of course, we both not made as many friends in this neighborhood as the previous one. People Just from all the attractions. I hate to be a complainer but the first neighborhood was Just

Assess the Importance of Employability

Assess the importance of employability, and personal skills in the recruitment and retention of staff in a selected organisation. Introduction In this task, I’m a going to talk about the importance Importance of employability is to refer a person’s capability for gaining and maintaining employment. For personalities, employability depends on the knowledge, skills and abilities they possess, the way they present those assets to employers, and the context e. g. ersonal conditions and labour market environment within which they seek work. As such employability is affected by both supply side and demand side factors which are often outside of an individual's control. This will make Burger King Employment much better by giving out these particular things. Suitable qualifications: Knowledge and skills that a candidate must have to be eligible for the job. Burger king will require candidates to have good qualifications, so they’re can upper come the duties and position at the job.Certain qualifications such as GCSE, degrees, diploma and training courses having the ability to speak another language terms that would otherwise be interpreted broadly. They don’t have a suitable qualification to work at burger king because it isn't really important to the company just that they need to have Maths and English. Without these qualification employers cannot employ Experience in a similar role: All candidates must have an experience in another fast food retailer E. g. Mac Donald's, so that burger king can know if that person is good enough for the job.They must have experience in a similar role to what they did in Mac Donald's, dealing with customers keeping the cooking area clean. (Asses) Knowledge of products/services: Burger King Employers must have knowledge of the products, because that can mean more sales. It will be difficult to sell to consumers if Burger King couldn’t show how a particular product would address to a customer needs. So Burger King Employers will need to have good communication skills, having an understanding of the products to use different techniques and methods for presenting the product to customers. (Asses)

Riordan Manufacturing †Hardware and Software Essays

Riordan Manufacturing – Hardware and Software Essays Riordan Manufacturing – Hardware and Software Essay Riordan Manufacturing – Hardware and Software Essay Riordan Manufacturing – Hardware and Software Introduction One of the top priorities at Riordan and many other businesses is guarding against loss, theft, and waste of the company assets. According to Bagranoff, Simkin Strand protecting these assets means an organization must focus on developing and implementing an internal control system. Further, the internal control system must also be capable of performing other functions like assisting in ensuring data processing is dependable and encouraging operational efficiency within the business (2008, p. 40). This paper will initially identify the hardware and software necessary to integrate the conversion cycle into an automated system at Riordan. Then, the information that needs to be shared between the different cycles and who will need access to this information will be discussed. Next, what controls need to be in place and the types of reports that need to be generated will be examined. Lastly, what in formation should be available through Internet and corporate intranet will be discussed. Hardware and Software Necessary The essential key to the integration of the conversion cycle is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System. ERP is a way to integrate the data and processes of an organization into a single system. Usually ERP systems will have many components including hardware and software, in order to achieve integration, however, most ERP systems use a unified database to store data for various functions found throughout the organization (techfaq, 2008). Todays ERP systems can cover a wide range of functions and integrate these functions into one unified database. For instance, functions such as human resources, supply chain management, customer relations management, financials, manufacturing functions and warehouse management functions were all once stand alone software applications. These functions were usually housed with their own database and network. Today, they can all fit under one umbrella the ERP system (techfaq, 2008). Shared Information The information that needs to be shared between departments at Riordan Manufacturing is purchase orders, invoices, work orders, customer orders and customer billing. Many different departments of Riordan will need access to various levels of the new system. For example, the research and marketing supervisor will need access to the system to confirm what supplies production has on hand and what supplies still need to be obtained. The product department supervisor needs access to the system to keep oversee labor, supplies, budget and deliveries. The workers in production need system access to input supplies used, output produced and quantity of hours spent on producing a product. The billing department needs system access to charge costs to the proper department. The President, CEO, COO, and CFO need system access to view the entire system, from month end reports down to payment reports (Moss and Stine, 1993). Although, normally there is no requirement for upper and middle level management to examine the lower level reports, questions periodically arise from the monthly and annual reports that require investigation. During these occurrences management will use date gathered from various sources like inventory and labor reports. Controls To integrate the accounts receivable process into an automated system for Riordan Manufacturing, management needs to reduce the likelihood of risks happening in the future. To reduce the risk, management should identify possible events that represent a problem to the firm then determine the appropriate internal controls to implement to deter those problems from occurring (Dunn, Cherrington Hollander, 2004). â€Å"Internal control describes the policies, plans, and procedures implemented by a firm to protect its assets† (Bagranoff, Simkin Strand, 2008, p. 40). Three types of controls that need to be operational for the business to reduce risk and function optimally are preventive controls, detective controls, and corrective controls. Preventative controls are the initial level of protection an organization implements to discourage problems from occurring. At this level risked are analyzed and solutions are implemented to prevent problems. When the preventive control has faile d a detective control is implemented. This control is designed to uncover an undesired problem that has transpired (Dunn, et al, 2004). The third control is the corrective control, which is designed to restore a system to an approved or last known good state. A company usually establishes corrective controls to remedy problems that are discovered by the detective controls. One advisable procedure that can be implemented for this control is establishing training programs that educate employees about how to use the new automated system that can help them perform their job functions more efficiently and effectively. It is imperative to understand that for the integration, any control strategy has to be tailored to address the risks to objectives that management identifies as unacceptable. The objective should be detecting risks that are materially threatening the goals of the organization and reducing them to the point that management is more willing to accept. Generated Reports The reports that need to be generated in an automated system are customer orders, purchase requisitions, labor requests, and general reports. Customer orders dictate what items are manufactured and what quantities need to be supplied in a specified time frame (Dunn, et al, 2004). At Riordan, purchase requisitions are important because they exhibit the materials that need to be purchased to manufacture customer orders. Labor requests are used to dictate the number of employees needed for each job order as well as the timeframe the job will occur. General reports are used to inform management and other supervisors of the results of inventory expended and labor used to accomplish a job. Internet and Intranet Riordan will have some reports available on the Internet for stockholders and outside interests to access. These reports will include quarterly and annual reports that will be uploaded after being approved by the CFO. This will allow research into the financial standings of Riordan in order to show the financial stability of the company and the strength of the stock holdings. There will also be a corporate intranet available to all internal interests. Most reports will be available on this system in order to keep satellite locations aware of financial decisions and information. The IT department will give different access to the various levels of the company through the use of password protection. As described in the access section above, not all levels will need to view all reports. Conclusion By making one of the top priorities at Riordan guarding against loss, theft, and waste of the company assets, the company enjoys the success in business. Riordan accomplishes this task by focusing on developing and implementing an internal control system that is capable of performing other functions like assisting in ensuring data processing is dependable and encouraging operational efficiency within the business. This paper initially identified the hardware and software necessary to integrate the conversion cycle into an automated system at Riordan. Then, the information that needs to be shared between the different cycles and who will need access to this information was discussed. Next, what controls need to be in place and the types of reports that need to be generated were examined. Lastly, what information should be available through Internet and corporate intranet was discussed. Reference Bagranoff, N. A. , Simkin, M. G. , Strand, C.. Core Concepts of Accounting Information Systems (10th ed. ) Wiley, 2008 New York, NY Dunn C. L. , Cherrington J. O. , Hollander A. S. (2004). Enterprise Information Systems: A Pattern- Based Approach, 3e. The McGraw-Hill Companies, copyright 2004. Moss, Jimmy D. , and Bert Stine. Cash Conversion Cycle and Firm Size: A Study of Retail Firms. Managerial Finance. December 1993 Techfaq. (2008). What is ERP? Retrieved August 15, 2008, from techFaq Web site: tech-faq. com/erp. shtml

Timeline of the Andean Cultures of South America

Timeline of the Andean Cultures of South America Archaeologists working in the Andes traditionally divide the cultural development of the Peruvian civilizations into 12 periods, from the Preceramic period (ca 9500 BC) through the Late Horizon and into the Spanish conquest (1534 CE). This sequence was initially created by archaeologists John H. Rowe and Edward Lanning and it was based on the ceramic style and radiocarbon dates from the Ica Valley of the South Coast of Peru, and later extended to the whole region. The Preceramic Period (before 9500–1800 BC), literally, the period before pottery was invented, spans from the first arrival of humans in South America, whose date is still debated, until the first use of ceramic vessels. The following eras of ancient Peru (1800 BC-AD 1534) have been defined by archaeologists using an alternation of so-called â€Å"periods† and â€Å"horizons† which end with the arrival of the Europeans. The term â€Å"Periods† indicates a timeframe in which independent ceramic and art styles were widespread across the region. The term â€Å"Horizons† defines, in contrast, periods in which specific cultural traditions managed to unify the whole region. Preceramic Period Preceramic Period I (before 9500 B.C.E.): First evidence of human occupation of Peru comes from groups of hunters of this tradition are the Chivateros (I) industry and the long and narrow Paijan points. Other important sites are Ushumachay, Telarmachay, Pachamachay.Preceramic Period III (8000–6000 B.C.E.): From this period, it is possible to recognize different cultural tradition, such as the Northwestern Tradition, where the site of Nanchoc dates to ca 6000 BC, the Paijan Tradition, the Central Andean Tradition, whose widespread lithic tradition has been found in many cave sites, such as the famous Lauricocha (I) and Guitarrero caves, and, finally, the Atacama Maritime Tradition, at the border between Peru and Chile, where the Chinchorro culture developed about 7000 years ago. Other important sites are Arenal, Amotope, Chivateros (II). Preceramic Period IV (6000–4200 B.C.E.): The hunting, fishing and foraging traditions developed during the previous periods continue. However, toward the end of this period, a climatic change allows for early plant cultivation. Important sites are Lauricocha (II), Ambo, Siches.Preceramic Period V (4200–2500 B.C.E.): This period corresponds to a relative stabilization of the sea level along with warmer temperatures, especially after 3000 BC. Increase in domesticated plants: squashes, chili peppers, beans, guavas and, most of all, cotton. Important sites are Lauricocha (III), Honda.Preceramic Period VI (2500–1800 B.C.E.): The last of the Preceramic periods is characterized by the emergence of monumental architecture, population increase, and widespread production of textiles. Different cultural traditions are recognizable: in the highlands, the Kotosh tradition, with the sites of Kotosh, La Galgada, Huaricoto, and along the coast, the monumental sites of Caral  S upe / Norte Chico tradition, including Caral, Aspero, Huaca Prieta, El Paraiso, La Paloma, Bandurria, Las Haldas, Piedra Parada. Initial through Late Horizon Initial Period (1800 – 900 B.C.E.): This period is marked by the appearance of pottery. New sites emerge along the coastal valleys, exploiting the rivers for cultivation. Important sites of this period are Caballo Muerto, in the Moche valley, Cerro Sechin and Sechin Alto in the Casma valley; La Florida, in the Rimac valley; Cardal, in the Lurin valley; and Chiripa, in the Titicaca basin.Early Horizon (900 – 200 B.C.E.): The Early Horizon sees the apogee of Chavin de Huantar in the northern highland of Peru and the successive widespread of the Chavin culture and its artistic motifs. In the South, other important sites are Pukara and the famous coastal necropolis of Paracas.Early Intermediate Period (200 B.C.E. –600 C.E.): The Chavin influence wanes by 200 BC and the Early Intermediate period sees the emergence of local traditions like the Moche, and Gallinazo in the north coast, the Lima culture, in the central coast, and Nazca, in the south coast. In the northern highlands, the Marcahuamachuco and Recuay traditions arose. Huarpa tradition flourished in the Ayacucho basin, and in the southern highlands, Tiwanaku arose in the Titicaca basin. The Middle Horizon (600–1000 C.E.): This period is characterized by climatic and environmental changes in the Andean region, brought about by cycles of droughts and El Nià ±o phenomenon. The Moche culture of the north underwent a radical reorganization, with the move of its capital farther north and inland. In the center and south, the Wari society in the highland and Tiwanaku in the Titicaca basin expanded their dominion and cultural traits to the whole region: Wari toward north and Tiwanaku toward the southern zones.The Late Intermediate Period (1000–1476 C.E.): This period is signified by a return to independent polities governing different areas of the region. In the north coast, the Chimà º society with its huge capital Chan Chan. Still on the coast the Chancay, Chincha, Ica, and Chiribaya. In the highland regions, the Chachapoya culture arose in the north. Other important cultural traditions are the Wanka, who opposed a fierce resistance to the first expansion o f the Inca.Late Horizon (1476–1534 C.E.): This period spans from the emergence of the Inca empire, with the expansion of their dominion outside the Cuzco region until the arrival of the Europeans. Among important Inca sites are Cuzco, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo.

Video and Music for the Internet Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Video and Music for the Internet - Essay Example Bandwidth is very important when trying to determine how much you should allot in order to properly stream video or audio. Bandwidth is important to remember, because it can affect how well your video or audio is transmitted across the internet. For example, if you are trying to move a hour long feature movie across a 56k connection, the amount of bandwidth is uses would be immense, and result in a slow project for the person trying to stream the audio or video. Videos and audio use much more bandwidth than regular internet surfing and web page hosting, so it is important to keep it in mind when designing pages, video, and audio streams for internet use. There are several ways to reduce the bandwidth of your audio or video file. One way would be to zip the file and give the user the option to download it this way instead of streaming it in real time. You also could reduce the size of the video player, which would allow the video to play faster and reduce bandwidth usage. Another way to do this is to multicast the stream, which would allow multiple users to receive the feed at the same time and drastically cut back on the bandwidth usage of the video or audio stream.

Criminal Justice Capstone Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Criminal Justice Capstone - Research Proposal Example This paper explores gun violence, the triggers and ways to curb it. Gun violence is a problem that can be traced to the advent of guns. But unlike ancient aggressive actions of individuals, violence in the current era of sophisticated guns has been more serious and damaging to the victims and the society in general. The influx of firearms in Arkansas has served to offer a more sincere means of threats as well as a faster medium of taking out human life. The initial interaction American society had with guns in the mid-nineteenth century was exceptionally lacklustre (Hogeboom, 2000). The extension of the acquisition of guns to civilians created the unintended result of an effective means of death, especially in states with poor anti-gun laws like Arkansas. The slacken rules of owning a gun without proper license in the state has led to rampant cases of murder in the state (Devi, 2012). The intense measures of violence associated with guns over the years have prompted various actions to be taken in order to minimize the injurious situations that have occurred and continue occurring in the state. Other states, however, have implemented laws that offer exceptionally punitive penalties for unlawful possession of a gun. Task forces that seek to limit the amount of illegal weapons available within the public have also sprouted in the state, but with little if any achievements made so far (Stell, 2004). In light of this, researchers have proposed that further action in the form of tighter legislation should be enacted to limit cases of gun violence in Arkansas (Lot, 2013). However, a major source of contention stems from the Second Amendment, which legalizes gun ownership for security and sporting events (Faria, 2012). This paper explores th e issue of gun violence in Arkansas and proposes strategies that if implemented would curb the problem. The grave issue of gun violence in Arkansas