Great Wall Essays - Great Wall Of China, Border Barriers, Walls

Great Wall Everything can be linked to everything! This is the ultimate anthropological truth. What drew my to the Great Wall is that the Great Wall isnt only a physical thing but it is also something that has stood for a culture. From a physical barrier to something that established safe caravan routes, the Great Wall has stood for it all. It represents China, in the current and in the past. This draws me to The Great Wall of China. The three dynasties that constructed the wall were the Qin, the Han, and the Ming. Chin Shi Huang, the originator of the wall and who the great country gets its name after probably wouldnt of ever expected the wall to be a 4,500 mile long masterpiece that would have turned out to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World! The Qin wall was built to keep people out, and to keep people in. The Han wall was built as a cultural icon and a physical force. It was also the longest dynasty, lasting four hundred and twenty two years. The Han are the ones that restored the Confucian literature to China, established a strong central government, and set up the first public school system! The Han, being the builders of the second portion of the Great Wall extended and restored the Qin wall 300 miles into the Gobi desert. (www.discovery.com) By extending the Great Wall they opened China up to great expansion of trade. Trade of ideas, knowledge, and physical goods. The Ming wall was the last section to be built. It was built in an age when China would become a world economic power. This wall took an estimated 200 years to complete. The Ming portion of the wall contained individual forts that at one time held and estimated one million soldiers! An economic power is something that is not attained in one day but over time through careful planning and excellent leadership. The Great Wall of China is something that has stood for a culture for over two thousand years! It is a magnificent physical structure and cultural icon that represents an immense undertaking that shows a culture to the world. What I find is the most interesting about the Great Wall is that it is an anthropologists dream. Physically, culturally, politically, economically, and militaristic, the list goes on and on. Physically, the wall is a 4,500-mile long structure that covers land from the Gobi desert to the mountains of Korea! It is not a single wall but a series of walls built over a time span of over one thousand years. The wall was built and rebuilt many times throughout the ages. Seventy Percent of Chinas population was involved in building the Qin section of the wall! Different building techniques were used to build the wall. Such as a mixture of reed, sand, and water mixed to form 4-inch layers one by one until the wall was in full form; this technique was used in the Gobi desert section. During the Ming dynasty the wall was built using bricks made in kilns. These bricks are the quality of current masonry bricks. The Ming portion of the wall is the portion of the wall that is known greatly to modern society because of the durability of the building techniques. Culturally, the Wall is an item that has been the epitome of a representation of a society that has changed immensely through time. No, the wall is not for modern use; it is an ancient fossil-the largest fossil on the planet. But fossils are useful and truthful. It is the dividing line between two civilizations, and between two eras. (Geil, Page #) These quote sums up the extent that the Great Wall can be related to anthropology. This is an important concept. Politically, the wall is something that has been used to intimidate, invite, and shun people, whether inside the constraints of the wall or on the outside. Shi Huang Ti was a tyrant, an amazing leader that brought together cultures and turned them into one. the fundamental social and cultural unity which is China has remained unbroken. (Clark, 64) He brought together a society through force, forcefully

The Beginning of Our United States essays

The Beginning of Our United States essays The British government had enormous problems after the enduring victory over France in the Seven Years War. The Seven Years War had virtually doubled the national public debt, and the attainment of half the territory in North America had vastly compounded the problems of controlling the empire. These circumstances required new revenues for the empire, and the ruling circles in Great Britain believed that the colonists were best able to provide the necessary funds to re-pay the national public debt (American History [Vol. 1] p.123). Accordingly, measures to secure enforcement of the Navigation Acts, which excluded all non-British ships from the colonial carrying trade, were adopted by the British Parliament in 1764. In order to obtain additional revenue, Parliament in 1765 replaced the Molasses Act with a Stamp Act, requiring Americans to validate various documents, transactions, and purchases by buying and applying stamps issued by the royal government (Encarta: Sugar There was a widespread anger among the American colonists with the passage of the Stamp Act, especially in states such as Virginia, New York, and Massachusetts. Protest meetings, riotous demonstrations, and other manifestations of popular hostility occurred in practically every urban center from Massachusetts to Georgia (Encarta: Stamp Act, 1999). Nearly all officials responsible for execution of the Stamp Act were forced to resign, and many of the stamps were seized and destroyed. Secret societies of patriots calling themselves the Sons of Liberty were formed in numerous communities (Electric Library, 1994). The inter-colonial upsurge against taxation without representation exploded in October of 1765 in the Stamp Act Congress, which was the first important demonstration of American political unity (American History [Vol. 1] pg. 132-33). Although Parliament refused to recognize the adoption by the Congress of a petition of rights, pri...

Compare and contrast your expectations of college to the reality you Essay

Compare and contrast your expectations of college to the reality you have expierenced..describe both imagined and real expierenc - Essay Example University life is not just challenging and full of responsibilities expected to be completed on time but also presents an interesting social life to every student. One can meet a lot of people whom he/she could get along with, not to mention, learn from, not only with regards scholastic related topics but those that help widen an individual’s foresight as well. This information learned from outside the four walls of the classroom sometimes are even more valuable because they teach practical lessons, first hand experiences that open someone’s understanding to another level. As expected, papers and a lot of reading are parts of a student’s everyday life so that this did not present any problem but has actually encouraged this writer to be ready to whatever should be expected from the modern American student. It sure makes a person wholly developed when he accepts the challenges of university life because the mind is not the only aspect improved but includes the so cial, psychological and even physical aspect with the various activities opened to all students regardless of race or sex.

Marketing plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Marketing plan - Essay Example Mass-marketing approach thus considers the market to be one homogenous market segment. When it comes to Pizza Restaurant, its goods, that are pizza-and other food items, may be with different quality, and services are almost similar in nature and therefore a mass-marketing strategy of segmentation will be more appropriate. The other two major strategies, namely differentiated (target marketing) and concentrated (niche or product differentiated marketing) (Sandhusen, 2008, 298) are not chosen for Pizza restaurant due to that they are more less likely to be appropriate for a service business like restaurant or hotel. Though consumers are segmented based on their preferences, they all visit the restaurant and they are served or food or other products are delivered to them when they are in restaurant, which is very different from all other industries. Answer to Question 2 The food products and dining services that Pizza Restaurant aims to provide to its customers, who are rich hippies fr om Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will be able to provide excellent quality of taste and a mere satisfaction for their needs and will be branded as a very unique in the market.

Economic Impacts of World Cup Football in South Africa Coursework

Economic Impacts of World Cup Football in South Africa - Coursework Example The South Africa World Cup is one of such world cup football that experienced a massive turnout of people from everywhere. This paper examines the real impacts of the tournament through a well-calculated impact assessment or measurement.In measuring the economic impacts of an event, certain tools or methodologies are applied in order to undertake a relevant and appropriate economic activity. During impact measurement or assessment, it is important to first identify the need for the entire process. Why it is considered necessary to outline the outcome of a particular event? This is done through screening. In screening, the need to understand the influence the event had on a particular sphere is outlined. The analysis of the event should appraise the event and the activities associated with the event and with the whole process. It determines whether there is a need to make improvements or necessary changes. After the screening, there is the need to develop an effective framework of the event relationship with the receptors in the environment of operation.   This is a high-level assessment that establishes the relationship between the two factors (the event itself and the environmental receptors through an interaction medium). Scientific judgment is employed alongside applying the previous event the same as the one in question.An analysis of the existing conditions past the events is undertaken. This helps to relate the current existing conditions and the conditions than before the event. As such, relevant parameters are applied in order to establish whether there is a difference between the two conditions and if there is a difference, is it positive or negative? The affirmatives prove the worth of the event in as far as the sphere on the subject is concerned. After identifying the conditions, it is then important to evaluate the significance of the impact. The impact should be able to relate to certain positives of the sphere concerned or at least create certai n negative situations that affect in any way.

Cost Management in the Fast Food Industry

Cost Management in the Fast Food Industry The Fast food organization which the researcher intends to carry out research is owned by a leading fast food brand ÂÂ  it is the worlds largestÂÂ  fast foodÂÂ  restaurant company in terms of system units-over 36,000 restaurants around the world in more than 110 countries and territories. In 2008, its globalÂÂ  salesÂÂ  totaled more thanÂÂ  US$11 billion was created on October 7, 1997, asÂÂ  Tricon Global Restaurants, Inc. This organization is a world wide operator and franchisor of a broad portfolio of fast food restaurants. The head quarters of this organization are in United States. It has a wide range of brands:- The researcher is going to research on the Pizza Hut, as it is the prime brand . 1.1 Cost Control Generating revenue is the main aim of an organization. The maximum use of resources with least expenses is cost control. Cutting costs is the simplest way to improve your bottom line. Introducing a cost control system can bring immediate savings and ensure that you remain competitive in the longer term. But cost control needs to be carefully managed. While eliminating wasteful activities is clearly beneficial, indiscriminate cost cutting can lead to falling quality and poor morale. According to (Clement Ojugo ,2003) cost control means steps taken by management to assure that the cost objectives set down in the planning stage are attained and to assure that all segments of the organization function in a manner consistent with its policies. For effective cost control, most organizations useÂÂ  standard cost systemÂÂ  , in which the actual costs are compared against standard costs for performance evaluation and the deviations are investigated for remedial actions. Cost control is also concerned with feedback that might change any or all of the future plans, the production method, or both. (Michael M, 2001) defines; cost accountingÂÂ  establishes budget and actual cost of operations, processes, departments or product and the analysis of variances, profitability or social use of funds. Managers use cost accounting to support decision-making to cut a companysÂÂ  costsÂÂ  and improve profitability. Importance of cost control in Fast -Food Industry. The operations cost in a fast-food organization depends upon how accurately the costing strategies are applied. If the cost control strategies are applied with-out considering the operational side of the organization it will have negative results on revenue. According to (Ismail A, 2001) successful cost control strategies require inventory data updated. Author suggest best practice, cost control depends upon Frequency and timeliness of inventory which means daily business reports, weekly trading reports and monthly reporting. According to (Talyn. L, 2001) because food cost is usually one of the highest cost percentages in any establishment, it is important to know how to calculate it.ÂÂ  Whether it is a steak and seafood restaurant, a family restaurant, a pub or a martini bar, it is very important to know what the total food cost is. Author says that if the food cost is not learnt or pre calculated then the end result would be a lack or lose control over the food cost giving higher losses in return. According to (Jagels.M, 2007) the implementation of cost control has number of advantages. Quantify future plans: the cost control process compels operational managers to look ahead and follow the strategies applied by the cost controller. This identifies the shortfalls in sales and resources and provides the opportunity for measures to be implemented to overcome the difficulties. Set revenue objectives and targets: the cost control process provides the opportunity to set targets to reduce operational expenditure. The restaurants cost control is dependent on the operational staff. Communicate objectives: the cost control system provides a formal opportunity for higher level managers at divisional regional levels to set targets based on the long term objectives of the organization. Control business performance: the process provides a standard based on expected revenues and costs to which actual performance can be compared. Variance between fixed cost and variable cost identifies the o pportunity to maximize profits. (Wood.R, 2008) looks at cost control with a very practical approach. (Woods R, 2008) says that costing process in its entirely time consuming and therefore costly in terms of management time and resources. (Woods. R, 2008) argues that the cost and time involved are not justifiable because the end result is based on many unknown factors and the actual performance will almost certainly be different. This criticism needs to be considered in the advantages of the cost control system, because it forces managers to consider all relevant factors likely to affect their business and plan for the effective use of resources, and this requires both an internal and an external analysis. THE RATIONALE According to ( Cohen.L, 2000) rational is sensible reason to conduct a research study. The researcher finds fast food field interesting because of the researcher is presently in the same field. This research will help the researcher learn the fast food organization cost control strategies. The organization is fast food sector have different kind of budgets like Material, capital, operation strategies. To solve the problem of high cost and generate maximum profit. The researcher is working in the fast food industry which researcher wishes to research. The main concern in this industry is to serve people and have 100% customer satisfaction. In order to present the best of amenities, facilities and infrastructure to the guest the organization has to make some expenses which have to be planned and aligned with the help of cost control strategies from the revenues generated. 3. RESEARCH QUESTION This research is designed to answer the question Is the Fast- Food industry able to control cost and maximize profit? According to (Jagels.M, 2007) it is difficult task because of pilferage, lack of training to the new staff, adherence to standard recipe, perishables, etc should be considered while applying cost control strategies. According to(Ralston.C, 2004) fast food operations are people oriented and people driven, it is more difficult to effectively automate and control food costs than in any other non business organization. The costs in fast food operations are fixed cost but the sales revenue are totally unpredictable. With the above mentioned statements it can be considered that cost control is a difficult task in fast food industry. There for importance of cost control can be clear seen . Considering the details wastage details affecting the sales revenue will make perfect cost control for an organization. 4. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS According to (Maxwell.J, 2005) a research hypothesis is the statement created by a researcher when they speculate upon the outcome of a research or experiment. The researcher here tries to assume that, those fast food organizations having a low food cost and higher profit are having the superior cost control strategies. In addition, those fast food organizations having a perfect cost control will be more profitable when compared to that fast food organization who often fumbles in cost control system. 5. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES According to ( Hussey.J, 1997) the underlying and overriding aims and purposes of a research or analysis exercise that is, what researcher specifically want to find out. The main aim of this research is to understand the cost control strategies in the fast food organization using costing as a tool The research objectives can be summarized as follows: To gain knowledge on how to do cost control To identify the cost control strategy in fast food organization. To analyze the importance of cost control in fast food organization, which contributes in keeping expenses in control and increase revenues. To develop a list of best practices of successful strategies, which controls the cost and helps in maximizing revenue? 6. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY According to (Zikmund.W, 2006) Methodology includes a philosophically coherent collection of theories, concepts or ideas as they relate to a particular discipline or field of inquiry. According to (Klein and Myers, 1999) Methodology refers to more than a simple set of methods; rather it refers to the rationale and the philosophical assumptions that underlie to particular study. 7. METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH According to (Creswell. J , ) a quantitative approach is one in which the investigator primarily uses post positivist claims for developing knowledge i.e. cause effect thinking, reduction to specific variables and hypothesis and questions, use of measurement and observation, and the test of theories. Employs strategies of inquiry such as experiments and surveys, and collects data on predetermine instruments that yield statistical data. The research approach will be deductive to bring out the best result of research findings. The researcher emphasizes on the cost control strategies of fast food organization so the nature of the methodology will be post positivist knowledge claims, experimental strategy of inquiry. According to ( Teddlie C 1998) quantitative research includes substantial amount of literature at the beginning of a study to provide direction for the research question or hypothesis. In planning quantitative study the literature is often used at the beginning of a study to introduce a problem or to describe in detail the existing literature in a section titled review of literature. In addition literature is also included a the end of a study which the researcher compares the results of the study with the existing findings in the literature. The research will be carried out keeping the research question in focus. There will be interviews and questionnaires. (Bryman et al 2008) suggest that a researcher should give respondents the closed ended questions where there is limited choice of possible answers. The researcher plans to give limited choice of answers but also at the same time open questions will be included in order to collect accurate and as much as possible information required in conducting the research. 8. RESEARCH METHODS AÂÂ  deductive argument is anÂÂ  argument in which it is thought that the premises provide aÂÂ  guarantee of the truth of the conclusion. In a deductive argument, the premises are intended to provide support for the conclusion that is so strong that, if the premises are true, it would beÂÂ  impossible for the conclusion to be false. (Winch. W, 1913) The researcher decides to adapt the deductive method of research, as the nature research is quantitative. According to (Thomas R, 2003) quantitative research uses numbers and statistical methods. It tends to be based on nuerical measurements of specific aspects of phenomena, rather than theory and words. According to (Glesne and Peshkin, 1992) careful sampling strategies and experimental designs are aspects of quantitative methods aimed at produce generalizable results. The researcher intends to find out the cost control strategy by interviews and questionnaires etc. The interview will be conducted with top level managers who are involved in cost control. The survey participants will be all working in research related areas. The semi structured interviews may start with an organizational questionnaire to gain company information such as numbers of restaurants, average revenue/cost per cover etc. The aim of the interview will be to find out the way cost control strategies are implemented. The principles they adapt to maximize their profits. 9. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS The researcher intends to perform the research in the organization where he is employed and therefore has been granted access to carry out the interviews and survey. In addition, it is believed that the researcher may require at least two more organizations to make a comparison of the cost control strategies and how are they implemented. The researcher is confident that he will be able to gain the required number of participating organizations in the research. Interviews: The researcher intends to conduct the research in the organization where he is employed. Hence to reach to the top level managers would not be a barrier. The interviews will be planned and organized well in advance, without disturbing the outlet operations. To make the most out of the interview of the managers, researcher plans to use some tools like spidogram, voice recording and collect relevant samples of past cost control if available. This will make the research more effective. According to (Zikmund.W, 2006) in an interview where is a face to face personal interaction between the interviewer and interviewee (respondent) has several benefits that help researcher obtain complete and precise information. The researcher highlights in gathering information through the interviews as face expression can be taken into consideration. (Zikmund.W, 2006) statement is very important as it is considered that 70% of the communication is a non verbal communication. Questionnaires: The researcher intends to prepare a questionnaire for the top level managers in operating department of an hospitality organization. Questionnaires will be based to find out different strategies, methods and plans made by top level managers. This will help the researcher in gaining knowledge about how the practical budgets are made compared to the theoretical. Survey: According to ( Vaus De D.A, 2002) a survey is not just a particular technique of collecting information; questionnaires are widely used but other techniques, such as structured and in-depth interviews, observation, content analysis and so forth, can also be used in survey research. The distinguishing features of surveys are the form of the data and the method of analysis. According to (Zikmund.W, 2006) the main purpose of surveys in research is to collect primary data, which is assembled specifically for the research. Survey is something asking people who are respondents for information using either verbal or written questions. It is better to conduct a survey in written form so that information can be kept as a record. 10. VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY Validity: The researcher intends to use of multiple sources of evidence, structured interviews and questionnaires (both open and closed question). The design of questions and survey will be based on understanding the cost control strategies, the interview and questionnaire will be used to make sure questions are understood as intended. (Saunders,et al 2008). If allowed by the respondent the researcher also wishes to record the interviews for future. To generalize over two organizations the cost control strategies multiple theoretical methods will be considered. According to (Saunders, et al 2008) the structure of interview and questionnaires must be consistent and understandable to each individual. Reliability: According to (Bryman, et al 2008) a research can be reliable when there is stability. The research can be stable when results are stable. The result of group of people or individual must not fluctuate. There is stability in research when the same process is used with everyone. The way of questions and interview must be same. Surveys to back up the interviews, and obtain views from different organization managers, for better understanding and in depth knowledge of the subject. According to (Saunders et al 2008) the participants involved in should understand the research in a same way; they must me asked the same questions in same way. 11. RESEARCH ETHICS The top level managers in hospitality organizations where researcher intends to research will be given a clear written description of the purpose, scope, and intended outcomes of the research. The name of the participating three hospitality organizations and the participating top level managers in the research will be kept confidential. The information gathered during research about the organization will not be presented in dissertation for the confidentiality of the organization. The research is being carried out as a academic requirement and no other intentions. The interview questions and questionnaires will be designed to examine only the strategies of forecasting and budgeting, nothing apart from that. The research interviews, surveys, or questionnaire will not be aimed at finding any other information which is not related to this research. According to ( Klein and Myers, 1999) suggest to use a hidden agenda which ensure confidentiality of the participant organizations and the individual participants in the surveys. 12. TIME SCALE Gantt chart is a type of bar chart that illustrates a project schedule. Gantt charts illustrate the start and finish dates of the terminal elements and summary elements of a project. Terminal elements and summary elements comprise the work breakdown structure of the project. ( Wallace.C, 1952) The plan for the research project timescale is shown in the GANNT CHART. A brief summary of time taken from presenting research proposal to dissertation is shown below. 13. BUDGET The researcher has spent about GBP40 to GBP50 approximately on preparing this research proposal.

Response to Article about the Capsaicin Receptor Essay -- Biology Caps

The Summary of "The capsaicin receptor: a heat-activated ion channel in the pain pathway" Capsaicin is a natural product of capsicum peppers, that is an active ingredient in many hot foods. When nociceptors- neurons that transmit information regarding tissue damage to pain-processing centers in the spinal cord and brain- come in contact with capsaicin, the neuron gets excited, and there is a perception of pain, and the a local release of inflammatory mediators. These nociceptors get excited by increasing permeability of plasma membrane to cations, but the molecular mechanism explaining this phenomenon is unclear. Capsaicin is being used in an analgesic agent in the treatment of painful disorders, causing long-term loss of responsiveness because it kills off the nociceptor, or it destroys the peripheral terminals. It was decide that the existence of a receptor site represents the most likely mechanism, because the capsaicin derivative showed structure-function relationships and evoked responses in a dose-dependent manner. A competitive capsaicin antagonist called capsazepi ne strengthened this model, along with discovering resiniferatoxin, an extremely potent capsaicin analogue for Euphorbia plants that mimics the cellular action of capsaicin. The cloning of a gene encoding a capsaicin receptor was decided to help develop more understanding of the molecular nature of capsaicin action and its relationship to endogenous pain signaling mechanisms. A cDNA clone that reconstitutes capsaicin responsiveness in non-neuronal cells was isolated. It was discovered that capsaicin gives off burning sensations through the activation of a heat-gated ion channel that is likely to contribute to the detection of painful thermal stimuli in vivo. ... ...as well as help cure strains and sprains. Capsaicin may even regrow your hair! Capsaicin Prescription Information Generic Name: Capsaicin Chemical Name: trans-8-methyl-N-vanilly-6-nonenamide Common Uses: This medicine is used to relieve pain caused by inflammation and surgery and other conditions as determined by your doctor. Type of Medicine: non-habit forming, analgesic drug, for topical use only. Dosage: Apply three to four times daily. Possible Side Effects: This medicine may cause temporary stinging or burning sensations. If sensation persists, discontinue use and consult your physician. There are no known harmful interactions with other drugs. Cautions: Do not use this medicine is under the age of 2. Do not apply around eyes, nasal passages, or genitals. May cause burning or inflammation. The FDA has approved levels of 0.025% to 0.25%, topical.