Saturday, August 31, 2019

Was Caesar a Good Leader?

Julius Caesar was born on July 12, 100 BC in Rome. He was a great leader of the Roman Empire. Some people believe that Caesar wasn’t a great leader or man. Experts say he was greedy and a megalomaniac. They also say that he bribed the people to love him and he cheated the system. Other experts say he was a great leader because he was for the Roman people unlike previous leaders. I believe that Caesar was a great leader for the Roman people because he created reforms to help the people, created a new government, and changed the course of history.Caesar was very helpful to the people when he took over. He created many solid reforms to give the people what they needed. He won people over by creating them. Some of the reforms he created were tax reforms in Asia and Sicily, allowing captured people to become citizens, and giving free food to the poor. The tax reforms in Asia and Sicily were made because â€Å"both had suffered from avaricious governors and tax-collectors. (Seindal 2003) This put Caesar at an advantage because this reform got people in other places to like him better. Caesar allowed people that he captured while he was fighting to become citizens throughout his dictatorship. This helped the Roman Empire prosper because it had many different abilities and trades coming in with all the different people. Finally, Caesar gave food to the poor. He didn’t ration it. He just gave it out to them. This meant that people that couldn’t get their own food could have it very easily.

Friday, August 30, 2019

Mono Lake Committee

The atmosphere here makes you feel at peace with yourself. Not only do people FRR mom all over the world come here; photographers, journalists, ornithologists, but even locals come to connect with nature. As I am meditating on the shore line of Mono Lake, I begin to take in my sours endings. The scenery is unique and brings me peace. It unifies me with who I am and who I will become.I feel the UN baking down on me as a breeze lifts the smell of salt water towards me. When that settles, pick up a thick earthy smell that reminds me of wet grass. It's easy to notice different types of birds flying around, for example, lake birds and shore birds, Canadian geese, California g lulls, an osprey flying off the towering tuffs. It's amazing how the tuffs are composed of the same subs dances and yet they each have their own complexity. Was fascinated by the seagulls' nests tucked into the tuffs. If this lake wasn't here, there would be no place for the birds to rest and eat.Mono Lake isn't just a lake, it's a special lake. This lake is ever changing, there's always something new. Every hind around me is peaceful and yet buzzing with life. Places like Mono Lake matter because it gives people the chance to connect w tit nature and in today's overstretched world it's important to rest and reflect on life. In the cit y, there's no woods for people especially kids, to explore and discover places like these. No matter how many times people drive past this magical place, it never gets old.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Causes of stress and its solution

The circumstances that cause stress are called stressors. Stressors vary in severity and duration .For example the responsibility of caring for a sick parent may be an ongoing source of major stress , whereas getting stuck in a traffic jam mat cause mild short term stress .Some events such as death of a loved one are stressful for everyone .But in other situations ,individuals may respond differently to the same event. Stressors can be classified into 3 general categories: 1)catastrophic stress 2)Major life changes 3)Daily hassles In addition simply thinking about unpleasant past events or anticipating unpleasant future events can cause stress for many people. 1)Catastrophe: Is a sudden , often, life threatening calamity or disaster that pushes people to do outer limits of their coping capability example earthquakes ,tornadoes ,fires ,floods and hurricanes as well as wars ,torture ,automobile accidents , violent physical attacks and sexual assaults . They often continue to affect the individuals mental health long after the event has taken place. 2)Major life changes: The most stressful events for adults involve major life changes such as death of a spouse ,family member ,divorce , imprisonment ,loosing ones job and major personal disability or illness . The most stressful events for adolescents are death ,imprisonment or divorce of parents ,personal disability or illness .Getting married is a positive experience but planning the wedding ,deciding whom to invite ,and dealing with family  members may be stressful for the couples. 3)Daily hassles: Much of the stress in our lives results from having to deal with daily hassles pertaining to our jobs ,personal relationships and everyday living circumstance .Many people experience the same hassles everyday example living in a noisy neighbourhood ,commuting with heavy traffic ,disliking ones fellow workers ,worrying about money , waiting in a long line and misplacing or losing things .When taken individually , this hassles may feel like minor irritants , but cumulatively , they can cause significant stress . Studies have found that one’s exposure to daily hassles is actually more predictive of illness than is exposure to major life events . SOLUTIONS TO STRESS 1)coping with stress: Coping with stress means using thoughts and actions to deal with stressful situations and lower our stress levels. People who cope well with stress tend to believe that the can personally influence what happens to them .The usually make more positive statements about themselves ,resist frustration ,remain optimistic and persevere even under extremely adverse circumstances. People who cope poorly with stress tend to have somewhat opposite personality characteristic such as low self esteem and a pessimistic outlook on life. Coping strategies: Psychologists distinguish 2 broad types of coping strategies: a)Problem focused coping b)Emotional focused coping The goal of both strategies is to control ones stress level. In problem focused coping people try to short circuit negative emotions by taking some actions to modify ,minimize or avoid the threatening situation . In emotional focused coping people try to directly moderate or eliminate unpleasant situations. Problem focused coping is the most effective coping strategy. 2)Social support: Social support from friends ,family members and others who care for us goes a long way in helping us to get by in times of trouble. Social support system provides us with emotional sustenance ,tangible resource ,aid and information when we are in need .People with social support feel cared about and valued by others and feel a sense of belonging to a larger social network. 3)Bio feedback: Bio feedback is a technique by which people learn voluntary control of stress related physiological response such as skin temperature ,muscle tension ,blood pressure and heart rate .Normally people cannot control these responses voluntarily .Individuals learn to be sensitive to subtle changes inside their body that affect the response system being measured. 4)Relaxation: There are 2 types of relaxation A)Progressive muscular relaxation B)Relaxation We should learn to relax our body. 5)Aerobic exercise: Aerobic exercise such as running , walking ,biking and skiing can help keep stress level down because the increase the endurance of the heart and lungs ,an aerobically fit individual will have a lower heart rate at rest and lower blood pressure ,less reactivity to stressors and quicker recovery from stressors.

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Developing a marketing strategy for a multinational company Essay

Developing a marketing strategy for a multinational company - Essay Example Individual branding will elevate the new notepad to reach high market standards. This might trigger customers to try other Lenovo products hence paving way for other products to penetrate the new market (Johansson, 2012). To effectively advertize the new notebook into foreign countries Lenovo will use a global advertising strategy. A Global advertising strategy allows a company to adopt or adjust its advertisement to suit the needs of a foreign country’s citizens while maintaining the global reach. Unlike international advertising, global advertising can modify ads to appeal readily to the locals. The contents of Lenovo advertisement will be amended to suit different foreign countries’ styles. Changing advertisement materials might reduce the adverse impacts brought by cultural differences and language barriers. Benefits associated with using a global advertisement strategy include being able to reach people in multiple countries while maintaining respect for each of their culture. A world advertising strategy maintains consistency in the messages sent across the globe. This can create synergy and a common identity among consumers of Lenovo’s products (Johansson, 2012). Lenovo will be looking to introduce the new notepad in South Africa. To effectively introduce the new notebook into the South African market, it is important to carry out a market segmentation analysis. Doing this will ensure the company better understands the country’s market dynamics and needs. The country is at 30 degrees south and 25 degrees east. South Africa covers 471,000 square miles with a population of 59.98 million as at 2009.The South African population is of youths aged between 18 and 35. They make up almost 60% of the country’s total population. Majority of South African people are computer literate. South Africa has seven international airports meaning that the country is easily accessible by air. The

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Writer's choice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 27

Writer's choice - Essay Example Krauss and Reed observe that the increase in the production and supply of oil especially in the case of Saudi Arabia is because domestic consumption oil within the country has increased due to a surge in the number of middle-income class of its population. This has led to an annual growth in domestic consumption of 6 percent over the last ten years. Moreover, this growth in the middle-income proportion of the population has also resulted in an increase in taste and demand for luxurious commodities. To meet this ever-increasing demand, Krauss and Reed observe that the Saudi government has spread its refinery business to other nations such as Japan, US, etc., a factor that gives them a huge refinery network that keeps them abreast their competitors. A point to note is that despite the decline in oil prices, the country has no plans whatsoever to reduce their production in their future. This is because the country wants to maintain its market share, and if possible, even expand it, a dream that cutting on production may curtail. Additionally, Krauss and Reed quotes Husseini, a former vice president for Saudi Aramco as saying that it would be unwise second-guess market trends, hence the need to continue with the current production rate. Regarding how the article relates with the course structure, the article outlines a circumstance where the supply of a product, oil in this case, remains unaffected by a decrease in demand prices. While theoretical market dynamics in such a situation expects a correction mechanism that most likely would have been a decrease in supply in order to raise profit margins as outlined by McEachern (2012), the course is totally different. The theoretical concepts as outlined in the course relate to a free market structure, typical of the one observed in the oil industry. Currently, the oil market is self-adjusting

Monday, August 26, 2019

Impact of climate change on timber engineering structures Research Paper

Impact of climate change on timber engineering structures - Research Paper Example The differing opportunities and threats posed by timber structures and climate change are outline below. 1. TIMBER STRUCTURES AND BUSHFIRES Climate change has been related to bushfires directly and increasing temperatures have been taken as a sign that bushfires are only bound to increase in the future. An estimate puts the change in temperature due to global warming in Australia between 0.4 and 2oC by the year 2030 above the 1990 levels while the change by 2070 is projected between 1 and 6oC. (Preston & Preston, 2006) It could easily be expected that the exposure of timber to bushfires would result in the timber structures being damaged beyond repair by fires. However this is not entirely true as timber structures do not face any real threats as long as the heat from the bushfires is radiant in nature. Appropriately AS 3959-2009 specifies three classes of timber that can be used in areas at risk of bushfires. These ratings are based on the BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) ratings and include timber with a seasoned density of 650 kg/m3, 750 kg/m3 and timber that is resistant to bushfire. Timber is made resistant to bushfire t hrough the use of the materials inherent properties, by dousing and coating with fire retardant chemicals or through the application of fire retardant substrates. (Standards Australia, 2009) However AS 3959-2009 does not place any constraints for using special timber classes in places where no direct exposure to heat is speculated. Such regions of timber usage include the floors, wall frames, roof framing walls, ceiling lining etc. The timbers specified for use in the standard mentioned above are found abundantly in Australia. Seven kinds of timbers with high densities are specified as being fire resistant and their testing has proved the levels of endurance that could be expected with their use. Based on these pieces of evidence it can be inferred that timber can be used in increasing numbers without the risk of significant impacts from climate change on timber engineered structures. 2. Spread of Termites and Other Pests Another major impact of climate change has been its help to spread various species of insects beyond their normal modus operandi. The increase in temperatures is driving more and more species to occupy newer areas. In the Australian context there has b een a net migration of a number of different plants, animal an insect species towards the south as temperatures are on the rise. The increasing temperatures provide these species with better breeding grounds that are favourable so a net migration occurs. The case of malaria moving farther down south is just one such manifestation (McMichael, 2003) where the operating areas for mosquitoes have increased as global temperatures are on the rise. A similar problem is exhibited through the spread of termites to newer locations as temperatures become more and more favourable for their breeding and growth. Regions like Victoria are more at danger than others because 30 of the 78 municipalities in Victoria do not require any anti-termite protection for buildings. This indicates that most of the buildings, houses and other structures in these municipalities will be prone to termite infestations in the near future. At present there is little to no action on the part of the government to mitiga te such threats. The various builders, developers and purchasers should be alerted by the local government as to expected chances of termite and other pest based infestations. Moreover there is dire need for coordination between government regulatory agencies and etymologists in order to identify the migration patterns of termites and other such pests that could cause large damages in the future. 3. Increased

Rules of Engagement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Rules of Engagement - Essay Example ROE can be specific or general. Since they were developed, ROE have had large variations between various wars. It should be noted that ROE may be derived from national or regional law in order to be applied in a particular operation. It is designed to ensure victory through disciplined and appropriate use of force (Collins, 2005). This paper will seek to correlate the understanding of ROE with the limited war ideology and its assumptions as they are seen through the experiences and perspective of the six levels in the Vietnam War: individual soldiers in the field; battalion commanders; division commanders; General William Westmoreland; Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara; and President Lyndon Johnson. In the Vietnam War, President Lyndon Johnson made a decision of not mobilizing the National guards because he felt that doing so might signal wrong intentions to the Chinese and Soviets, leading to direct intervention into the war (Moss, 2010). The then Secretary of Defense Robert McNa mara recommended to President Johnson on July 20, 1965, that he should mobilize about 235,000 National reserves and guards. However, the President felt that the war in Vietnam would end within one year and that the soldiers would be needed to be involved in a war in Korea in case it erupts again (Dorschel, 2011). It came to emerge later that the United States failed because it underestimated the scale of the challenges in the war. Also, it failed because it backed undemocratic and unpopular government and failed to gain the approval of the people of America (Schulzinger, 1998). In direct correlation of ROE to the war, it occurred that the ranks of the National Guards swelled at the same time as the resentment of the active army. The active army started to view the Guards as dodgers. The period after the Vietnam War witnessed the beginning of the Total Force Policy era which saw the active army treating the National Guards with indifference and bias (Moss, 2010). What became clear wa s that the Guard infantry soldiers were able to rise to the occasion as required by ROE and completed their missions successfully (Logevall, 1999). ROE requires that the employment of National Guard combat units should be done by the combatant combatants for planning and requesting their participation in the campaign. The National Guard is the Army’s reserve force. They are trained and are always ready for deployment to areas of operations and can also assume the departing active units’ role. The Active Army is made up of 33 combat bridges (Moss, 2010). In the Vietnam War, General William Westmoreland commanded the United States’ military operations during its height from 1964 to 1968 (Dorschel, 2011). Later on, he served as the Chief of Staff of the Army. In accordance to ROE, General Westmoreland expressed optimism in his public statements regarding the war; he reported that American ground and air forces were wearing down the Army of the North Vietnam (Schulz inger, 1998). It should be pointed out that ROE relates ideology with international or aggressive actions. It is against this background that the American foreign policy during the war was aimed at pushing the American’s mission, and particularly safeguarding its security interests in the international arena (Collins, 2005). Ideology served to define the legitimacy of the action, as well as defining what

Sunday, August 25, 2019

The growth of new media has changed the way media products are Essay

The growth of new media has changed the way media products are produced and consumed. Particularly, mobile phones, the Internet, - Essay Example To understand this further, I supplement my discussion with reference from combined cognitive behavioral theory in communication and mass media. In this essay, I will be discussing the importance of cognitive and behavioral approach in creating a successful message direct to the audience, which must have been the case Apple used in order to generate future substantial market share particularly in urban populations in Asia. In this paper, I am able to argue that the advancement of effective communication channel from the new media creates a successful integration of information, which makes cognitive and behavioral appeal so appealing and effective. Cognitive and Behavioral theory Cognitive and behavioral theories have their focus on psychology of individuals. Marketing products is remarkably about trying to understand customers’ behaviors, especially on their buying behaviors. These are all observable activities that marketers for many years considered important information pr ior to creating product or service offerings. These can all be measured or observed as behavioral psychology focuses on observable behaviors (Feldman, 2006). However, down deeper in understanding what are the things going on prior to a certain behavior, some experts believe that customers or people in general have internal mental processes, so this is the point of cognitive theory (Feldman, 2006). One therefore could not be able to understand the internal mental processes within a person, unless a certain behavior which is believed to be a certain output is observed. Marketers for many years have tried to understand the complex human behavior in order to integrate product or service offerings that have messages to make sense with its target audience when already out in the market. However, today, companies like Apple Incorporated have been trying to create a need for their product and service offerings for the belief that there must be something unconscious needs in everyone that re quire to be unleashed, which could only be realized when a person finally would come to consider seeing something to motivate such unconsciousness. Sigmund Freud believed that our behavior is motivated by the unconscious, a part of us that we are not actually aware (Feldman, 2006). Apple Incorporated in its goal to innovate possibilities tries to impress us with its fresh innovation. We can actually live without smartphones, but Apple is trying to reach such unconsciousness in us, by creating it to a point that we must live to a necessary luxury. Apple is therefore successful in creating a need for its product offerings, as its innovation has become one of the leading products out in the market today. Apple therefore has been successful in reaching the unconscious part in its prospective and target customers, in a way that could be proven from the actual behavior of consumers towards its product offerings, but this could be applicable in other parts of the world somewhere, for the m ean time. In Asia, the potential market such as Indonesia and India are still price conscious and would be willing to invest in products that could satisfy such criterion, but it cannot be denied Apple has become a personal choice even if the price of its offerings was not comparable to other related products in its industry (Arakali and Master, 2012). In this case, I am trying to construct the idea

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Life Transitions of Women in Their 50s-60's Research Paper

Life Transitions of Women in Their 50s-60's - Research Paper Example The physiological change, as well as the psychological effect brought about by menopause together with post parental experience, retirement and changing roles of women, can be better understood if taken together with the women’s context, family and social relations, career, society, gender, traditions, norms and the subjective individual attitude, personality and self-perception. As a counselor, the issue challenges me to take an extra care in not boxing women within the frame of theoretical assumptions but in understanding their paradigm within in their unique experience and context. Women’s lives are often understood neither from a distance nor from the pedestal, rather via the narratives of their experiences and their lived lives. In this way, women’s lives are made more concrete and no longer relegated in the periphery of the human story. However, as one looks into the title of this research, one immediately gets the gargantuan tasks ahead. This claim is based on the supposition that the research intends to delve into the combination of three important notions, namely, middle life, life transition, women and life. Individually considered, these notions are deemed as complex (Elder, 1994; Levinson, 1986; Lachman, 2004; Young, 1980). Complex since lifespan in adult development is considered as still in its neophyte stage. Since if compared with early lifespan, less attention, and studies have been conducted regarding this subject matter (Levinson, 1986; Elder, 1994). While, on the middle life on the hand, is perceived as a fluid concept that is not just defined by biological age which is normally set â€Å"between 40 – 64† (Levinson, 1986, p 5) but is influenced and affected by various factors such as tradition, culture, ethnicity, gender, society, norms and individual subjective personality, attitude and self –perception. All of these combines contribute in setting the parameters of what may be considered as middle life (Lachman, 2004).

Friday, August 23, 2019

Information communication Technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Information communication Technology - Essay Example Precisely, flying to Barcelona is the cheapest of the four destinations. The costs of airport transfers also vary from destination to destination and are cheaper in Europe than in the US. For this case, it requires  £ 34.17 in Miami, Florida,  £ 40.30 in New York,  £ 25.13 in Barcelona and  £ 33.67 in Rome. Considering that the elder members of the family can both drive, there is a need that they hire a car upon their arrival in their destinations. For this case, it will cost the family  £ 250.17 to hire a car for the entire period of stay in Miami, about 250.24 in New York, 339.62 and 268.94. The most expensive element of the trip will be the expenditure on the hotel because of the ten-day stay will cost about  £ 2612.85 in Miami, Florida. The same services cost 2224.97 in New York City,  £ 1885.15 in Barcelona and  £ 10 193 in Rome, Italy. The cheapest rates of travel insurance for British Airline are an assumed flat rate of  £ 28.24 for a period of 31 days. The presented values represent the cheapest rates of travel for the first-class coaches and five-star hotels. However, the prices do not include entry charges for venues that the family may wish to tour. It is therefore comparatively cheaper to tour Barcelona from London the remaining places. For this case, the total for all the expenses up to the return journey are  £3786.99 for Barcelona against higher charges for the rest of the preferred destinations. The most expensive place to visit is Rome, for which case the family will pay  £11176.90. The quoted figures are all combined for the entire family based on the age category. The figures also represent the lowest in the market, for which the family has the choice of choosing otherwise. If they chose otherwise, the costs would rise depending on the airline that they will use. In the spreadsheet, the entered figures and their summation occur for each column enabling a comparative analysis of the costs of the travel. As it emerges from the

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Ethical Considerations and Implications Essay Example for Free

Ethical Considerations and Implications Essay To digress into the philosophical and ethical discussions of state punishment is not to alienate the concept of punishment from justification for crimes done but to offer an insight into the principle of proportionality. Ideally, it is not possible to stifle concerns of the legalized infliction of harm and the trampling of inalienable human rights even in the face of incriminating evidence on the part of the offender. Punishment serves to advance the states responsibility of maintaining harmony through legal infliction of considerable harm for the purposes of retribution for wrongs done and the maintenance of law and order in the society. Reflections of punishment are as old as the very onset of philosophical thinking (Ryberg 2004). The proportionality principle lies at the very core of legislative reforms that determine the structure of the state punishment system (Ryberg 2004). It is the meeting point between philosophical thinking that purport to eliminate the structures of punishment on one side and penologists on the other hand. Because the existence of punishment of criminal acts is not a matter of question in recent days, proportionalism only seeks to determine the extent to which certain crimes may be punishable. It is about quantitative distribution of punishments and that is why it elicits ethical tones. Surveys of public opinion have always been harsh on the criminal. When this is coupled to political pressure on the judicial system to institute harsher penalties, notable ethical implications may arise with respect to the application of the law proportionately to the seriousness of crime as well as policy objectives of the legal statute. A crisis of confidence has always marked the ability of the criminal law and criminal justice system to built a just and crime free society (Fagan 2008). Several statutes have been enacted to try and achieve this end objective but there still remains a gap in community justice. Supermaximum Prisons Supermaximum prisons or â€Å"supermax† prisons as they are commonly called are ideally jails within prisons. The prison is a classic scenario of an enclosure where individuals are kept as they undergo correction. However this controlled environment does not prevent some individuals from engaging in assault or violent acts, incite disturbances, prey on weaker and vulnerable inmates, attempt to escape or exhibit any other form of disruptive behavior (Riveland 1999). Since order and safety remain the basic priorities of the correctional facility, such people must be isolated from the general prison population as they exhibit behavioral characteristics that threaten the order and safety of the prison populace. Different correctional facilities have their own form of such isolation. Some call it disciplinary segregation, punitive segregation or just segregation to differentiate it from the general prison housing. Such a confinement exists in complete isolation. Structurally, it is a single, windowless cell where inmates are made to spend 23 or more hours a day. In such isolation, inmates are solely dependent on staff that patrols the tiers, push mail, toilet paper or meals through small spaces in the heavy doors. For the few minutes that prisoners gain the opportunity to be led out, they are often shackled and cuffed under full prison guard. This only happens during showers or a little solitary wander in the yards. The extremity of the confinement defines the prison systems success in isolation (Rhodes 2005). According to the prison officers or the media these are the manifestations of the worst cases of criminal behavior. While it can be confirmed that there are cases where such confinement is meant only for prisoners who have been convicted of serious crimes, the reality is that most of these cases involve prison misbehavior by individuals under protective custody or those convicted on minor offenses. Statistically, United States prisons may be holding up to 20,000 people in such conditions (Rhodes 2005). Therefore for minor behavioral discrepancies an individual may receive a gift of a punitive and individualistic form of punishment. There are a number of select factors that are independent of prisoner behavior but which propagate the shift towards segregation units. From political pressure on the judicial system for harsher sentences, economic deprivation of the low income rural localities, inherent population pressure in prison establishments and staffing issues, the supermax prison phenomenon is rife in America today and policy backups to address this clearly defined ethical issue is non existent. Rhodes notes that such facilities are seldom put under the limelight in public prison debates and budgetary allocations. When this is coupled to the fact that the facilities are completely out of bounds to the ordinary public arena, salient ethical issues arise that need to be addressed. The pragmatical and philosophical aspect of the supermax phenomenon presents grave complications to the forgotten prisoner languishing in solitary confinement (Rhodes 2005). Health studies have found out a direct nexus between solitary segregation and the pathological development and progression of mental illness. Initially, decompensation sets in as a result of psychological damage caused by isolating an individual from fellow inmates (Lovell 2004). The cost-benefit, operating costs, legal and ethical issues of supermaximum facilities raise an uproar in debates. While the continued construction of supermaximum facilities can be attributed to political pressure, the overall constitutionality behind the insistence on such programs still remains unclear (Riveland 1999). Priority on human control has given rise to a host of debilitating mental conditions. Research publications are more focused on the eventuality on recidivist criminal behavior while the damage to the psychological integrity of inmates takes a backbench. When large numbers of characteristically dissimilar inmates are incarcerated, such diversity has the potential to potentially damage any notable correctional improvements creating a situation where the prisons act only as a maturing ground for worse cases of criminal activity. Unfortunately, policy makers have not been as astute in presenting solutions to such ethical dilemmas like they legislate for the building of segregation units (Riveland 1999). Several research studies on the supermaximum prison facilities have concluded that despite the insistence that such facilities are necessary for meting out harsher sentences, they only serve to increase the prevalence and incidence of mental illnesses and sink budgetary financial allocations with no apparent social or economic benefits (Pizarro et al 2004). Legal ambiguities have been the cause of dire ethical implications and complications as regards punishment policy making initiatives. Zero tolerance as a concept is not fully defined even though it is representative of an approach to policing. Legal debates have raged as to the true nature of the term. Invariably, it has been linked to a variety of definitions. Being tough on crime is an example of the definition of the term. While being tough implies that something is about crime in general it usually lacks requisite explanation as regards punishment. Curiously though, being tough on crime has been the most commonly accepted denotion of zero tolerance policing and as such legal enforcement has been in the context of being tougher ion crime through harsher penalties. On the other hand, zero tolerance policing implies a strict non-discretionary context of law enforcement. Such a definition explains a key aspect of law enforcement where police activity is at its highest and the community at large takes a precautionary measure to desist from falling into the hands of the law enforcement offices. Moreover under such a policy, officers arrest or report offenses with no exception to the type of illegal act committed (Marshall 1999).

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Persecution in the Church Essay Example for Free

Persecution in the Church Essay In the book of Matthew 28: 16-20 Jesus Christ give us what is known as the â€Å"Great Commission† in this passage of scripture Jesus says I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world. † 1 In the centuries following the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ the church did just that. However not without resistance from local governments, Christianity was considered a rouge movement that defied the governmental establishments of the time. While Christians were simply seeking to live their life in worship to the living God, the government especially in the Roman Empire saw them as outliers and a threat to the roman way of life. While other religions were generally accepted by the roman government, Christianity was different. Romans were religious people, they had their pantheon of gods, but they did not see Christianity as a religion, they saw it as â€Å"superstitio† or a superstition. In fact Pliny a Roman governor circa 110 AD called Christianity â€Å"superstition taken to extravagant lengths. 2 Roman distrust for this new religion continued to swell with each century. Some emperors were tolerant and some were intolerant to the point of killing Christian non-conformist. Despite growing and widespread persecutions, imprisonments, and Martyrdoms 2. Robert L. Wilkin, The Piety of the Persecutors. Christian History, Issue 27 (Vol. XI, No. 3), p. 18 Church of Jesus Christ grew. Through the bravery, tenacity, and audacity of early Christian men and women we today have a surviving legacy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When it would have been easier to succumb to the Roman government and its edicts and religious institutions, God gave his people the willingness and power to stand up for what they knew was the truth. The Roman Government thought they could intimidate Christians to silence but they were wrong. Persecution of the church started almost at the beginning and continued sporadically through the next three hundred and fifty years. During this period Christians endures minor persecutions to the more extreme measures of persecution. At times the persecutions were local and at times they were empire wide. There was generally what is considered tem great periods of persecution. History of Persecutions The Persecution under Emperor Nero in Circa 64-68AD The Persecution under Emperor Nero was the beginning of what is considered the ten periods of persecution. it was under Nero’s rule that the Apostle Paul was martyred. At his second trial before Nero he knew that he would not be acquitted of the offences against him, the Roman government saw him as a threat and wanted him dead. His exact manner of death is unknown however it is generally accepted that he was beheaded.3 Nero is also responsible for the _________________________ 3. Albert Barnes, Scenes and Incidents in the Life of the Apostle Paul: Viewed as Illustrating the Nature and Influence of the Christian Religion (Ulan Press, 2012), 1. Martyrdom of the apostle Peter. Peter was by all accounts crucified, but he was said that he felt himself to be unworthy to be put to death in the same manner as his Master, and was therefore, at his  own request, crucified with his head downward.4 this was only the Beginning of the persecutions, many more followed Persecution under Domitian (r. 81-96). The Emperor Domitian was a cruel man, not only to Christians he murdered his own brother, and killed high ranking governmental officials so that he could confiscate their land and estates. He successfully raised the second persecution of Christians by demanding that anyone who came from the lineage of David be killed. Fabricated stories were made up about Christian during this time in order to scare the roman public. For example people were told that just about any natural disaster was the fault of the Christians. Christians were brought before the magistrates and ordered to take a test oath, if the person failed to take the oath they were sentenced to death, if they claimed faith in Jesus the same sentence was pronounced. The Roman government passed a law, That no Christian, once brought before the tribunal, should be exempted from punishment without renouncing his religion.5 â€Å"The notable martyrs during this persecution were St. John, who was boiled in oil, and afterward banis hed to Patmos. Simeon, bishop of Jerusalem, who was crucified; and Flavia, the daughter of a Roman senator, was also banished to Pontus6 _________________________ 4. William Byron Forbush, ed., Foxs Book of Martyrs: a History of the Lives, Sufferings, and Deaths of the Early Christian and Protestant Martyrs (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978), Chapter 11. 5. William Byron Forbush, ed., Foxs Book of Martyrs: a History of the Lives, Sufferings, and Deaths of the Early Christian and Protestant Martyrs (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978), Chapter 11. 6. ibid Persecution under Trajan (112-117) During the third Persecution, the persecution of Trajan from 122-117 AD Christianity was officially outlawed, however the government of Rome did not seek out Christians to imprison or kill them at this time. If a Christian was imprisoned for some reason during this persecution they would have however been killed in particularly gruesome ways. For example many Christians were crucified on Mt. Ararat, the officials would use crowns of thorns as well as pierce the sides of Christians in mockery mimicking what was done to Jesus himself. Ignatius was probably the most noted martyr during this period. Appointed the Bishop of Antioch after Peter, because he confessed Christ he was handed over to the wild beast as tradition holds. He wrote to the church in Rome saying; Now I begin to be a disciple. I care for nothing, of visible or invisible things, so that I may but win Christ. Let fire and the cross, let the companies of wild beasts, let breaking of bones and tearing of limbs, let the grinding of the whole body, and all the malice of the devil, come upon me; be it so, only may I win Christ Jesus! I am the wheat of Christ: I am going to be ground with the teeth of wild beasts, that I may be found pure bread. 7 Finally during this time Quadratus, bishop of Athens, made an apology to the emperor on behalf of Christians. This apology coupled with an epistle written by a philosopher in the city, relaxed the emperors views toward Christians to relent8 _________________________ 7. William Byron Forbush, ed., Foxs Book of Martyrs: a History of the Lives, Sufferings, and Deaths of the Early Christian and Protestant Martyrs (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978), Chapter 11 8. ibid Persecution under Marcus Aurelius (r. 161-180) During the persecution under Marchs Aureluis, The torture Christians received during this period, was so grievous that even spectators to the torture would shudder at the extent of it. Christians were severely tortured during this period. They were often scourged to the point that their muscles and veins were visible; they were made to walk over nails, sharp shells, and thorns with feet that were already badly injured. The fate of their lives weren’t much better, if they did not succumb to the torture they were made to endure, they were beheaded, pressed together with weights, or burnt at the steak. The notable Martyrs of this period are Polycarp, who after being captured by  Roman guards was permitted an hour to pray. After the hour was done the guards who had watched him pray so fervently, actually repented that they had been instrumental in his capture. He was then dragged before proconsul and urged Swear and I will release thee;reproach Christ. 9 Upon his refusal he was burned in the market place. Justin was another notable martyr during this period. Justin was a notable scholar, philosopher, and teacher. After finishing The Second Apology Justin the emperor was angry and as a result Justin and six of his companions were imprisoned and forced to make sacrifices to pagan gods, when they refused the were scourged and the beheaded. 9. William Byron Forbush, ed., Foxs Book of Martyrs: a History of the Lives, Sufferings, and Deaths of the Early Christian and Protestant Martyrs (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978), Chapter 11 10. ibid Persecution under Septimus Severus A.D. 192 The emperor Severus, was not especially violent toward Christians. One had saved his life from a sever sickness. However ignorance in the people coupled with outdated laws put in place to execute Christians is what drove the persecution during this period. Pleasure on the Emperor by The masses, made Severus make a new edict that any new believer to Jesus Christ should be executed. Many Christians were inevitably killed under Severus because of this edict Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons was one of the notable martyrs of this period. His zeal for the things of God made the Emperor take notice of him, after a considerable amount of resentment grew Irenaeus was tortured and beheaded.11 Perpetua and Felicitas were two other notable figures in this period. Bothe women were married Perpetua was nursing and infant son and Felicitas was pregnant at the time of her capture and later gave birth in prison. On the day appointed for their execution, they were led to the amphitheater. Felicitas and Perpe tua were stripped, in order to be thrown to a mad bull, the bull attacked Perpetua first and then darted at Felicitas, and gored her. Both women survived being attacked by the bull, but were later executed by sword. The audience watching the torture and execution was said to have been sickened by the sight of Felisitas’ lactating breast from  her recent birth. 11. William Byron Forbush, ed., Foxs Book of Martyrs: a History of the Lives, Sufferings, and Deaths of the Early Christian and Protestant Martyrs (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978), Chapter 11 12. Alexander Roberts et al., 10 Early Christian Saints: Polycarp, Perpetua and Felicitas, Cyprian, Eusebius, Antony, Athanasius, Chrysostom, Jerome, Patrick, Benedict (publication place: Error, 2012), 1. The Sixth Persecution, Under Maximus, A.D. 235, mn During the sixth persecution under the Emperor Maximus the president Seremianus was on a mission to kill as many Christians as he could. Many Christians were sentenced to death without ever even receiving a trial, Christians were killed in mass killings and dumped into mass graves not unlike the genocide bestowed upon the Jews, during Hitler’s reign of terror in the early part of the 1900’s. Christians were denied any or the respect or decency that so called â€Å"loyal Roman citizens† would expect in their death and burial. Many Christians were killed or tortured during this period; most notable are Pontianus, bishop of Rome, Anteros, his successor, who gave offence to the government by collecting the acts of the martyrs. As well as Hippolitus, a Christian prelate (high ranking member of the clergy) 13, who was cruelly tied to a wild horse, and dragged until he died. Persecution under Decius (250-251) After a time of relative peace and an emperor that was deemed a Christian, the emperor Decius had a decidedly vigorous hate for Christians. Decius goal was to erase even the name â€Å"Christian† at any cost. His decrees to kill Christians emboldened the heathens who were happy 13. Merriam-Webster, The Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (Springfield, MA: Merriam Webster Mass Market, 2004), 1. 14. William Byron Forbush, ed., Foxs Book of Martyrs: a History of the Lives, Sufferings, and Deaths of the Early Christian and Protestant Martyrs (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978), Chapter 11 to honor the decrees by killing any Christian they could find. The More Christian deaths attributed to one heathen the higher that heathen’s merit would be. Fabian, the bishop of Rome, was the first person of prominence to fall victim to this murderous rampage. The previous emperor, Phillip thought highly of Fabian and made the bishop his treasurer; however Decius did not think so highly of Fabian. On January 20, A.D. 250, he was beheaded Peter, a young, strong man, was stretched upon a wheel, by which all his bones were broken was beheaded for refusing to sacrifice to Venus. He was quoted as saying I am astonished you should sacrifice to an infamous woman, whose debaucheries even your own historian’s record, and whose life consisted of such actions as your laws would punish. No, I shall offer the true God the acceptable sacrifice of praises and prayers. 15 An innumerable amount of Christians were killed during this time. Christians are actively sought out by requiring public sacrifice. If they refused they would be killed or they could buy certificates (libelli) instead of sacrificing. The latter was against the rules of the church and carried a severe punishment16 Persecution under Valerian (257-59) Valerian took his position in A.D. 257 and maintained his position for three and a half years. During his reign there is no number that can be put on how many Christians were martyred during this time. A couple of the martyrs that were named were bishops with in Rome. There was Stephen who was beheaded and then there was a Toulouse who refused to sacrifice. 15. William Byron Forbush, ed., Foxs Book of Martyrs: a History of the Lives, Sufferings, and Deaths of the Early Christian and Protestant Martyrs (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978), Chapter 11 16. Ferguson, Everett. Church History. 2 vols. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2005-2013. Pp 161-162 Idols, which had his feet tied to the tail of a bull that ran down stairs causes his head to be smashed. Sextus who succeeded Stephen was very  courageous during his time a bishop. It was during his time that the government released an order to put to death all Christian clergy in Rome, Stephen as well as his deacons where martyred. With no regard of age, sex, or title Valerian continued to martyr Christian until he was captured and brought into slavery by the emperor of Persia. After being a slave for seven years, Valerian had his eyes removed and was flayed alive by the emperor, which is what caused Valerian to die. In A.D. 260, Gallienus, who was Valerian, succeeded his father and actually during his time, enjoyed peace with the church17 Persecution under Aurelian (r. 270–275) In A.D 274 Aurelian was in emperor of Rome and had been mainly responsible for the martyrs of two known Christians. The first being a bishop named Felix, who was an advanced prelate to the Roman see. He was later martyred by being sentenced to death by being beheaded. The other known martyr was a gentleman named Agapetus, who sold everything and gave it all to the poor. He was arrested for being a Christian, tortured and then beheaded for this deed. Although Aurelian is not tied together with many martyrs, we planted the seed that was later picked up by a leader named Diocletian. 17. William Byron Forbush, ed., Foxs Book of Martyrs: a History of the Lives, Sufferings, and Deaths of the Early Christian and Protestant Martyrs (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978), Chapter 11 Severe persecution under Diocletian and Galerius (303-324) In A.D 303 were succumbed to a new leader that had a vision of removing all Christians and everything related to the faith. A Roman leader named Galerius was persuaded by his adopted son Diocletian to start the  persecution of Christians. The persecution that was set forth towards became so bad that the time frame of these leaders became known as the Era of the Martyrs. This Era began on February 23, A.D 303 by churches being forced open and all books were removed and set to flames. Not being satisfied by the burning of the books Diocletian and Galerius had all churches levelled to the ground and all Christians render as outlaws. Many Christians were seized, severely tortured, and then burned alive. Enable to increase the persecution of Christians Galerius ordered the imperial palace to be set on fire and charge Christians with the crime. This lead to Christian homes being set on fire while families were in them and perishing in the fire. Some families were tied together with rocks around their necks and thrown into the sea. This kind of tortured last ten years and got to the level were new inventions were created on how to conduct torture as well as an entire city named Phrygia, was burnt to the ground with all the Christians from the town dying in the flames. At one point many of the governors came to the imperial court submitting how they were ti red with the slaughtering of the people. From that point on, since they could not be put to death, Christians had their ears, eyes, noses, or limbs removed to make life as hard as possible. During this time there was a Christian officer of the emperor’s guard at Rome named Sebastian. Not willing to give in to the pagan believe that was being taught to him as a guard, Sebastian was shot to death with arrows. Once the execution was completed, other Christians were allowed to recover his body for burial. It was during this time, that they found life in his body and proceeded to help him recover. Sebastian decided to confront Diocletian, who was overcome with surprise to see him alive, and reprehended him for various cruelties and prejudices against Christian. Sebastian was sentenced to death by beating and was thrown into the sewers where his body was later recovered and buried by Christians. The Christian Response One would expect for Christianity to have died out after so many centuries of  an all-out demonic attack against the people of God. That’s not what happened though. Despite all torture, discrimination. And mass killings. Christianity grew tremendously. In the face of immense persecution, many Christians decided that it was worth it to die before they would deny their Lord and Savior. Justin Martyr was quoted as saying Though beheaded, and crucified, and thrown to wild beasts, and chains, and fire, and all other kinds of torture, we do not give up our confession; but, the more such things happen, the more do others in larger numbers become faithful.20 The killing of Christians was meant to dissuade other citizens from becoming Christians and to persuade Christians to turn their back on God. Martyrdom was meant to be a dishonor; instead it became the highest honor for a Christian. Many onlookers marveled at the fact that Christians could be put through so much and still be str ong in their faith. 19. William Byron Forbush, ed., Foxs Book of Martyrs: a History of the Lives, Sufferings, and Deaths of the Early Christian and Protestant Martyrs (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978), Chapter 11 20. Justin Martyr, Michael Slusser, and Justin, Dialogue with Trypho (Selections from the Fathers of the Church), Revised ed. (Washington, DC: Catholic Univ of Amer Pr, 2003), 1. The very thing that was supposed to deter Roman citizens from Christianity was in actuality driving them toward it. Another Christian response to persecution was to write an apology, not an apology in the sense of the way we use the term today, but as a defense of Christianity. The Apologist as they are known wrote apology’s to defend Christians and their faith, against pagan actions and misconceptions. These apologies were mainly aimed at emperors to dispute the erroneous claims that pagans held about Christians, and to promote Christians as Good citizens of the Roman Government that held differing religious beliefs. Christians were not cannibalistic, law breaking, people who involved in orgies and this is what the apologies tried to convey, in hopes that the persecution of the time would subside. Conclusion From the beginning of the Christian faith there was always demonic opposition to the growth of Christianity. Satan used people as his pawns from the moment of the birth of Jesus to exterminate Gods plan for the world. After the death and resurrection of our Savior this demonic influence was kicked into overdrive. Roman Emperor after Roman Emperor tried to eradicate Christianity, but because of the strength and faith of many early Christians this did not happen. Today we can thank the early church fathers for laying the foundation and planting the seeds of the Church that we have today and especially in America take for granted. This does not mean that the devils all-out assault on the Christian church is over; it is still under attack even today. Still in many party of the world Christians are tortured and die every day because they refuse to deny the truth. The struggle of the early church seems to be so far away for some of us who live comfortably and have the freedom to worship ho w we want. In reality as a people we are not that far removed from it. Every Christian person should be aware of the price that was paid for the Christianity there is today. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Wilken, Robert L. The Christians as the Romans Saw Them. 2nd ed. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2003. 2. Barnes, Albert. Scenes and Incidents in the Life of the Apostle Paul: Viewed as Illustrating the Nature and Influence of the Christian Religion. Publication place: Ulan Press, 2012. 3. Forbush, William Byron, ed. Foxs Book of Martyrs: a History of the Lives, Sufferings, and Deaths of the Early Christian and Protestant Martyrs. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978. 4. Roberts, Alexander, James Donaldson, St. Athanasius, Philip Schaff, St Patrick, and Tertullian. 10 Early Christian Saints: Polycarp, Perpetua and Felicitas, Cyprian, Eusebius, Antony, Athanasius, Chrysostom, Jerome, Patrick, Benedict. publication place: Error, 2012. 5. Merriam-Webster. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Springfield, MA: Merriam Webster Mass Market, 2004. 6. Ferguson, Everett. Church History. 2 vols. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2005-2013. 7. Martyr, Justin, Michael Slusser, and Justin. Dialogue with Trypho (Selections from the Fathers of the Church). Revised ed. Washington, DC: Catholic Univ of Amer Pr, 2003.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

The Bitumen Stabilised Materials Engineering Essay

The Bitumen Stabilised Materials Engineering Essay The following section looks at what bitumen satbilised materials are and how they are implemented in construction. As many aspects of bitumen emulsion and foamed bitumen overlap this section looks at them both together, which sub-sections outlining the differences between the methods. Introduction Bitumen Stabilised materials Bitumen stabilized materials are materials which have been treated with either bitumen emulsion or foamed bitumen. When adding either type of bitumen the quantity of bitumen should not exceed more than 3% of the total mass of the dry aggregate, as this would mean it is more than a stabilizing agent. Furthermore in many situations an active filler in the form of cement or hydrated lime can also be added to the mix. If it is added however it should not exceed more than 1% of the bitumen stabilizer added. If it does the materials is considered to be cement treated. It is also important to note that this stabilisation agent does not the material into solid asphalt like material. In undergoing this treatment the material will remain in a granular state similar to how it was before stabilisation. It is only its behavioral characteristics which will change. The material will experience an increase in material strength and a reduction in moisture susceptibility as a result of the manner in which the bitumen is dispersed amongst the finer aggregate particles. The fact that the material will remain in a granular state means that this treatment method is dramatically different from all other pavement materials. The dispersed bitumen changes the shear properties of the material by significantly increasing the cohesion value whilst causing little change to the internal friction angle of the material. It will also have a void content similar to that of a granular layer, not like and asphalt. Bitumen Emulsion As the name suggest in this process bitumen is emulsified in water. This means that bitumen is dispersed in water, with the knowledge that they will not mix; due to the fact an emulsifying agent is used. The emulsifying agent will also give the bitumen emulsion a charge, making the bitumen emulsion either cationic or anionic. This mixture is then added to the aggregate which will make up a part of the pavement structure. As the bitumen droplets are charged, they will be attracted to the aggregate particles. In attraction they will be drawn to the smaller particles as they have the greatest surface area and charge concentration features. For these reasons the type and moisture of the aggregate in the mix is crucial in efficiently dispersing the bitumen emulsion and preventing premature separation of the bitumen from the water during mixing. Once it has been mixed the separation of the water from the bitumen needs to occur. This will allow the bitumen to act as a binder. This separation should only occur after the material has been fully compacted. The mixing process involved with Bitumen Emulsion occurs offsite in a manufacturing plant. Here it is can be stored for several months. The diagram below shows a simplified version of the manufacturing process. Foamed Bitumen To produce foamed bitumen water is injected into hot bitumen, which results in instant foaming of the bitumen. In the foaming process the hot bitumen is turned into vapour, which is trapped in thousands of tiny bitumen bubbles. These bubbles dissipate in less than a minute. When the bubbles burst they form tiny bitumen particles. These spread throughout the aggregate attaching themselves to the finer particles of the aggregate mixture. When the aggregate is compacted, the bitumen covered particles are pressed against the larger particles in the aggregate. As a resultant of this localized non-continuous bonds are formed, like spot welds. Behaviour As the material treated with bitumen will remain in an unbound state, it will act similar to the original material. The only difference will be an improved cohesive strength and reduced moisture sensitivity, which are both favorable outcomes. This is because the bitumen only disperses amongst the finer particles, which forms a bitumen-rich mortar between the coarse particles. This also means that opposite to the common misconception that the material will become black and sticky like a hot-mix asphalt. The material will only slightly darken in colour. Through numerous tests around the world of bitumen stabilized pavements a number of initial observations on how the pavement will behave have been made. The following behaviours have been assumed. Materials treated with either bitumen methods will experience an increase in cohesion. The friction angle of the treated material will remain similar to the untreated material. They obtain flexural strength. Which will mean the pavement is less likely to crack when subjected to tensile stresses. Moisture sensitivity and durability are improved. This is due to the fact the finer particles are encapsulated and immobilized blocking flow channels. The most common mode of failure is permanent deformation. All these behaviors will depend on the following: The local climate (Temperature, Average rainfall, likeliness of frost or snow) The properties of the parent material The density of the layer The quantity of binder added The use of any active fillers The properties of the supporting material It is important to note here that BSMs behave very different to asphalt and cement treated materials. Benefits There are a number of benefits associated with using BSMs. These include: Increased strength The ability to replace higher quality materials, meaning a cost saving Improved durability Improved moisture sensitivity Can provide cost and time savings Typical failure mode is permanent deformation, which requires less effort to rehabilitate when compared to a material that will fail due to full-depth cracking They are not temperature sensitive If the road requires rehabilitation BSMs propose little treat to the environment They are not overly sensitive, meaning the amount of bitumen added can vary slightly The process does not require heavy construction traffic. This limits the damage cause to newly constructed layers during construction Limitations When considering whether to use BSMs or not there are three main limitations. These should be carefully considered when making the decision to use BSMs. The three limitations are; Economics Bitumen treatment can add significant costs to a project. Its use of lower caterogory roads should be carefully examined as it could not be worth it. Design Expertise as they are currently been developed and act differently from all other pavement materials careful design is required. Construction Expertise the construction process requires attention to detail. This means special training of the work force is required. Along with this limitations the both bitumen emulsion and foamed bitumen have their own disadvantages Bitumen Emulsion With bitumen emulsion come the following disadvantages By adding the water present in the emulsion process, the original material may go over its optimum water content. This will mean the material cannot be compacted properly. A quick setting time is required allow the material to gain sufficient strength the construction process must be completed with care. If the bitumen breaks prematurely it will not mix properly. If the material is to stable it can take months for the bitumen to break Foamed Bitumen With foamed bitumen come the following disadvantages it requires sufficient fines. They required to ensure the bitumen mixes thoroughly. Foaming equipment needs to be up kept and be in correct working order. The foamed bitumen needs to be sprayed in uniform, consistent manner. The process requires specialist equipment, as the two liquid are not compatible. Materials Suitable for treatment For bitumen stabilisation to work a suitable material must be selected. First of all the material must be granular. For this reason materials that are suitable for treatment include; Crushed rock Previously untreated natural gravels, such as basalt, granite, limestone, quartz, sandstone Reclaimed asphalt It can also be said that calcrete gravels can be used for bitumen emulsion; however it will not work with foamed bitumen. Design Approach Design Sequence The first step in a typical design for a BSM involves an investigation of the conditions. This includes expected traffic volumes, the materials available, the climate and the pavement structure for recycling projects. Once this has been done a laboratory investigation of the proposed material takes place. This involves determining the materials class. The next step is to design the mix and make the final material classification. Once all of these steps are completed the structural design is completed. In this design if it is shown that the road is not economically viable the mix design will be redone and the steps repeated. Shown below is a flow chart of the steps involved. Mix Design In using a stabilizer it is important that the stabilizer meets its intended purpose. The process of design the mix will be mainly dependent of the design traffic, the material available and the cost considerations. However n creating a mix design it is also important to consider the following; The primary failure mode this will define the materials performance requirements. Appropriate laboratory tests tests need to be selected that will identify the key performance criteria and failure mechanisms. Identifying key mix properties and intrinsic material properties. Taking into account variability in material properties Environmental factors Climate and moisture conditions. The ability to effectively compact the material. In designing the mix it is important to note that optimum bitumen content is not always selected for the mix design. This is because although the optimum bitumen content will provide the maximum material strength, this will mean other characteristics are forfeited. For example a high strength design will often lead to brittle inflexible pavement layers that are susceptible to cracking. In designing the mix it is important that the design is balance so that it will be suitable to it requirements. Classification of BSMs Currently South Africa has divided Bitumen Stabilised Materials into three classes. These classes are dependent on the quality of the original material and the design traffic. The three classes include: BSM1 The parent material has a high shear strength, and is normally the base layer for large volumes of traffic. Source materials include well graded crushed rock or reclaimed asphalt. BSM2 The parent material has a moderately high shear strength and is normally the base layer for moderate traffic loads. Source materials include graded natural gravel of reclaimed asphalt. BSM3 The parent material is soil-gravel and/or sand, stabilized with higher bitumen contents. It is a base layer that can only handle low traffic volumes. It is thought that Australia will have a classification system similar to this. Mix design BSMs behave in a very complex manner, which gives engineers a great flexibility when it comes to designing a mix that will best meet the design conditions. The mix is made up of aggregate, bitumen and sometimes an active filler where required. In design the mix there are two fundamental failure mechanisms that need to be designed for in the mix these are; Permanent Deformation This is dependent on the materials shear properties as it is caused by the accumulation of shear stresses. Resistance to permanent deformation as known as rutting is improved by: Improved aggregate angularity shape, hardness and roughness Increased maximum particle size Improved compaction Reduced moisture content Addition of limited amounts of bitumen Addition of an active filler Moisture Susceptibility this is the damage caused by the exposure of a BSM to high moisture contents and pore-pressures caused by traffic. This then means a loss of adhesion between the bitumen and the aggregate. Due to water been involved in the mixing stage and the partially coated nature of the aggregate makes moisture susceptibility an important consideration in the evaluation of material performance. Moisture resistance is improved by Increased bitumen content Addition of an active filler Improved compaction Smooth continuous grading It is interesting to note here the difference in recommended bitumen content. To help prevent deformation limited amounts of bitumen are recommended. However to improve moister resistance increased bitumen contents are recommend. This means that a compromise must be made, by using the laboratory testing to determine a bitumen content which will meet the demands of the design. Mix type selection As stated in sectionXX the three main factors the influence the type of BSM used are: The design traffic The quality of aggregate available The cost Once the type of BSM has been selected there are three main factors that affect the bitumen and active filler selection for the mix design; Traffic design (volumes and loadings) Climate (particularly moisture considerations) Supporting layers (strength) The influence these factors have is demonstrated in the following figure. As it can be seen heavy traffic loads, a wet climate and weak supporting layers all mean an increased amount of bitumen is required to ensure design requirements are meet. Mix Design Procedure To create the best design mix possible several procedural steps need to be done. This ensures that that every criteria is meet, as there are numerous variables that need to be checked. The first step of the mix design is to test the material which will be treated. This is done to ensure that the material is appropriate for testing. These tests include standard laboratory tests to determine the materials grading curve, moister, density and Atterberg limits. The next tests which are undertaken are the level 1 mix design tests. These provide an indication of the application rate of bitumen and active filler required to achieve an indicated class of BSM. Level 1 starts with the preparation of samples that will be used to manufacture the specimens required for all levels of mix design testings. testing at this level involves preparing 100mm diameter specimens which are compacted and cured for the purpose of undergoing Indirect Tensile Strength testing. These testing results are used to: Indentify the preferred bitumen stabilizing agent Determine the optimum bitumen content Identify if there is a need for an active filler and its type Tests after level 1 are done depending on the design traffic. The first of these are Level 2 mix design tests. The test at this level involves making a sample which is 150mm in diameter and 127mm in length. These are manufactured using vibratory compaction and then cured at the equilibrium moisture content. This sample then undergoes Indirect Tensile Strength to optimize the required bitumen content. The level 3 mix design test is only recommended for high capacity roads. This test involves preparing 150mm diameter by 300mm in length specimens, which allows for a higher level of confidence. It then undergoes the same Indirect Tensile Strength test. Mix Constituents Aggregate A wide range of mineral aggregates are suit for use with both types of bitumen treatment. These include aggregates ranging from sands to weathered gravels to crushed stone and can either be virgin or recycled. These must however fall into certain quality standards to ensure the road will be at it required class. When examining a material its following properties will be checked: Durability characteristics of the untreated aggregate Plasticity Grading Spatial composition Weathering characteristics Aggregate source The aggregate used can come from three different sources, Virgin Aggregate, Recycled Granular Layers and Reclaimed Asphalt Quality of Aggregate In using bitumen to stabilize the material it is possible to use a poorer quality of aggregate. For virgin aggregates four tests are used to identify material limits. Soacked CBR Grading completing a grading will identify any deficiencies in the material Percentage passing through the 0.075mm sieve higher fines contents mean a higher need for bitumen Plasticity Index for bitumen emulsion the materials PI should be less than 7. For foamed bitumen the materials PI should be less than 10. Materials with a high PI can be treated with lime. For recycled granular layers the materials quality will depend on: The structure of the existing pavement Construction variability Depth of recycling Age of the pavement Degree of patching and repair on the existing pavement Thickness and nature of old surfacing seals. Using reclaimed asphalt needs serious consideration as some material may not meet the quality standards required. This is particular important on highly used roads, where traffic loads are going to be large. When deciding whether the quality of the reclaimed asphalt will meet standards, the following needs to be considered. Climatic region if the material is going to be placed in a warm climate, shear tests must be carried out to represent that climate Axle loads high stresses will result in accelerated deformation of the road. This means that if the road is to carry heavy traffic its shear properties will need to be carefully considered Reclaimed Asphalt Composition if needed crusher dust can be added to the mix. This will provide an angular skeleton that will improve the mixes shear resistance. Grading The grading requirements for both types of bitumen stabilisation is different. This is due to the fact that the bitumen will disperse differently. The graph and table below give an indication of the grading required for each type of stabilisation. XXXXXX Bitumen Emulsion As the above table shows a minimum filler content of 2% is required. This is because the bitumen emulsion will coat the large particles of the aggregate better than the foamed bitumen. Foamed bitumen Foamed bitumen requires more filler; approximately 5% filler content is required. This is because the bitumen droplets disperse through the material, only partially coating the large particles. It uses the filler to create a spot welds connecting the larger particles using the fines. Bitumen Selection The bitumen selected plays an important part in how well the BSM works. Penetration grade bitumen is used to produce both bitumen emulsion and foamed bitumen. In the next two sections the specific bitumen requirements for each form of stabilisation is given below. Bitumen Emulsion For bitumen emulsion base bitumens with a penetration value between 80 and 100 are normally selected. In saying this around the world softer and harder grades of bitumen have successfully been used. In recent years there have been many technological advances which have allowed the bitumen emulsion to have improved stability without prolonging the break time. However sufficient testing of the bitumen mix needs to take place both in the mix design phase and during construction trials. This will ensure the correct bitumen has been chosen. Another important consideration is the compatibility of the bitumen emulsion and the aggregate. This is because the type of bitumen chosen is influenced by the type of aggregate been treated. Certain materials are not suitable for catatonic treatment and others are not suitable for anionic treatment. The table below gives an indication of the compatibility of the emulsion with a aggregate. Aggregate Type Compatible with Cationic Emulsion Anionic Emulsion Dolerite Yes Yes Quartzite Yes No Hornfels/Greywacke Yes Yes Dolomite Yes Yes Granite Yes No Tillite Yes Variable Basalt Yes Yes Syenite Yes No Amphilbolite Yes Yes Marble Yes Yes Rhyolite Yes No Felsite Yes No Sandstone Yes No Andesite Yes Yes Furthermore it is normally recommended that the undiluted bitumen emulsion is heated to between 50 and 60Â °C. This will prevent premature breaking of the bitumen emulsion while pumping in the construction equipment. It is also important to note here that when diluting the emulsion the emulsion must be added to the water. This will prevent premature breaking. Foamed Bitumen When it comes to foamed bitumen a softer grade of bitumen can be used without compromising stability. This is because foamed bitumen only requires low percentages of bitumen in the mix. However like bitumen emulsion typical penetration values are between 80 and 100. Harder bitumen is normally avoided due to the poor quality of foam it produces. There are two main properties that determine the suitability of the bitumen for foamed bitumen stabilisation. These are its Expansion Ratio and its Half-Life. The expansion raito is a measure of the viscosity of the foam. This is what determines how well the bitumen will disperse through the mix. It is calculated by finding the ratio between the maximum volume of foam in relationship to the original volume of bitumen. The half-life is a measure of the stability of the foam and provides an indication of the rate of collapse of the foam during mixing. It can be calculated by determining the time it takes for the foam to collapse to half its maximum volume. The table below shows the minum limits of the expansion ratio and the half-life of the bitumen. XXX The greatest factor which will influencing the foam properties is the water injected into the expansion chamber. A greater injection of water will mean a higher expansion ratio, but this is offset by the fact it will mean a short half-life as the foam will subsided faster. Furthermore a higher bitumen temperature is usually recommended as it will create a better quality foam. Active Filler There are two types of fillers which can be used to improve the results of bitumen stabilisation; these are active and natural fillers. An active filler is a filler which will chemically alter the mix properties. There are various active fillers which can be used, examples of these are cement hydrated lime and fly ash. Natural fillers are fillers such as rock flour. These fillers can be used either by themselves or in a combination with another filler. Their use will depend on their cost, efficacy during use and the materials availability. Research has shown that it is almost impossible to predict the effectiveness of a filler. The only way to gain an idea of their effect is to complete experiments using different mixes. Active fillers are added to the bitumen in order to; Increase the stiffness of the mix Increase the rate at which the mix will gain strength Improve the dispersion of bitumen in the mix Improve adhesion between the bitumen and the aggregate Improve the curing time of the compaction mix Along with these general improvements, there are specific benefits for both treatments. For Bitumen Emulsion a filler will: Control the breaking time of the emulsion Improve the workability of the emulsion For Foamed Bitumen a filler will: Assist in dispersing the bitumen droplets Natural fillers on the other hand only act as a supplement for a lack of fines in the material which is needed for dispersion. It is important to note that when adding an active filler the time between the bitumen is mixed and it application is dramatically reduced. When an active filler is added the reaction begings immediately when it comes into contact with moist material. The longer the delay between mixing and application the less the filler will work. Water To ensure a high quality product it is important that the water used in mixing meets certain standards. Each technique requires different water qualities. Bitumen Emulsion For bitumen emulsion the pH levels of the water are extremely important. For cationic bitumen the water cannot be alkaline. If it is hydrochloric acid can be used to decrease the waters pH. For anionic bitumen emulsion the opposite applies, the water cannot be too acidic. To make the water more alkaline lime or caustic soda can be added to the water. Foamed Bitumen The standards for foamed bitumen arent as high as they are for bitumen emulsion. It is acceptable for the water used to contain some impurities, however this should be avoided. This is because the water can affect the mixing machinery. Specimen Preparation Moisture Moisture plays an important part in using bitumen to stabilize material. The role that moisture plays in the two types of BSM is explained in the table below. Component Bitumen Emulsion Foamed Bitumen Bitumen Contributes to fluids for compaction Does not effect Moisture in aggregate Reduces absorption of bitumen emulsion water into aggregate Separates and suspends the fines making them available to bitumen during mixing Prevents premature breaking Acts as a carrier for bitumen droplets during mixing Extends curing time and reduces early strength Reduces early strength Provides workability at ambient temperatures Reduces friction angle and lubricates for compaction Provides shelf-life for the mix The term for the best moisture content in the material is the optimum mixing moisture content or OMMC. It is important to note that for bitumen emulsion this moisture value is the moisture in the aggregate plus the moisture from the emulsion. The introduction of modern rollers has allowed for high energy compaction. In the case of BSM this means a lower fluid content can be used to produce the same quality of compaction. This has the added benefit of increasing the strength of the BSM. Material Preparation Below is the basic procedure for the material preparation involved in the mixing design. Determine the grading curve of the aggregate and its optimum moisture content of the natural material Determine the materials Atterberg Limits Determine the moisture and density relationship of natural material to obtain optimum moisture content Determine the moisture and density relationship of the treated material to obtain optimum moisture content Determine the moisture and density relationship using vibratory hammer compaction to obtain optimum moisture content Mixing It is recommended that a pugmill mixer is used in both mixes. The use of different mixers can produce up to a 25% difference in strength. Experiments have found that the pugmill mixer provides the most comprehensive mix. Compaction Correct compaction of the material is extremely important as it reduces the voids and improves particle contact. The use of bitumen emulsion will help improve the compatibility of the mix, while the use of foamed bitumen will promote the adhesion of the bitumen mastic to the stone. Curing Curing is the process where the water is removed from the compacted layer. Water can be removed from either evaporation, particle charge repulsion and pore-pressure induced flow paths. The reduction in moisture content will lead to an increased tensile and compressive strength as well as add stiffness to the mix. The curing process is different for both methods Bitumen Emulsion It is chemistry that controls the way bitumen emulsion treated material cures. By removing the water from the mix breaking of the emulsion occurs. To do this the water is removed by means of evaporation and migration. This curing will take longer than foamed bitumen curing, due to the higher moisture contents. Foamed Bitumen The curing of the foamed bitumen is a natural process. It is cured through the migration of water during compaction and continues as the water is evaporated. Testing There are two main tests which are used to check the various mix designs, they are the Indirect Tensile Strength test and a Triaxial Test Indirect Tensile Strength This test is completed to measure the flexibility of the material and give an indication of its tensile strength. The table below gives a guide for interpreting the results of the test. Test Specimen Diameter (mm) BSM1 BSM2 BSM3 Purpose ITSdry (kPa) 100 >225 175-225 125-175 Indicates optimum bitumen content ITSwet (kPa) 100 >100 75-100 50-75 Indicates need for active filler ITSequil (kPa) 150 >175 135-175 95-135 Optimise bitumen content ITSsoaked (kPa) 150 >150 100-150 60-100 Check value on ITSwet Triaxial Test This test is completed to meause the cohesion of the material, the friction angle and the retained cohesion. The table below gives a guide for interpreting the results of the test. Test or Indicator BSM1 BSM2 BSM3 Cohesion (kPa) >250 100-250 50-100 Friction Angle (Â °) >40 30-40 Retained cohesion (MIST) >75 60-75 50-60 Structural Design As discussed in Section XX the structural layers purpose is to protect the subgrade by dispersing the traffic loads. This means that the pavement structure and subgrade must work together to ensure the required design capacity. Construction For both stabilizing methods once the material has been mixed into the material, the various construction operations are relavitivily the same as those if the material wasnt treat

Monday, August 19, 2019

Snake, By DH Lawrence Essay -- essays research papers

Snake When the snake first came to the water-trough, the narrator was excited and glad "he had come like a guest in quiet, to drink at my water trough." He "felt so honoured" at this visit whilst at the same time, the voices of his "accursed human education" advised him to kill it, for it was a gold snake and therefore venomous. Those voices said to him, "If you were not afraid you would kill him." The narrator "picked up a clumsy log And threw it" at the snake when the snake was leaving. Like for a moment, the majestic spell of awe was broken and the voices overpowered him so his real cowardice shone through. He had asked himself whilst feeling this awe, if it were "cowardice, that I dared not kill him?" but his real cowardice came when the snake's "back was turned." I also think that when he threw the log at the snake, it was almost a cry out that he was not to go. He said that it was his voices, but it seems to me that he used that as an excuse. That he was almost trying to punish the snake for leaving him. The narrator says he felt "A sort of horror, a sort of protest against his withdrawing into that horrid black hole" then he threw the log. The use of words like silently, softly, in the beginning when he is first describing the snake and the snake's motions, serve to get ...

Times Of War :: essays research papers

The sweat hung heavy on Steven's cold features. He was walking as calmly as he could down the corridor. Given the chance he may have been described as handsome, but none gave him the chance and Steven didn't really want them to. He was keeping a close eye on the shadows that covered every doorway, as people who were less fortunate than him often lurked there waiting for someone to mug. Who would have thought that the Human race would have come to this? Locked in an intergalactic war that had lasted several millennia, but he was going to change that, it would be as the war had never happened and indeed if he succeeded, it wouldn't. Suddenly he stopped and gazed out of the nearest view port, he saw nothing but a thin sprinkling of stars and an awful lot of black, it was pretty much the same view he had had for the past thirteen weeks. At fist he found it awe-inspiring and then slowly that had given way to just plain dull and then very dull and then deeply dull. This depressed him greatly not because he loved to marvel at the beauty and intricacy of the universe, but because it remaindered him of his own life, stark and bleak with only a few pin pricks of excitement or hope in the near blank empty shell that was his life. He only got depressed when he was bored, bored or nervous, and at this moment it was the latter. Time Travel, two little words that have caused so much conflict and so many scientists to pull out their hair and have to be put into tax exile which is the usual fate of those determined to make a fool of themselves in public. Steven didn't much like the idea of time travel, meddling in the past to affect the present it was to complicated. How could he go back in time to stop a war that was the reason that he went back in the first place, if it's done it should be done the bastards should leave it alone. There was also the issue that if some thing went wrong he would be broken down into a mixture of hydrogen carbon and ozone and would then be spread to any place in the entire universe and at any point in that places history. In short he would die a horrible, horrible death.

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Irish Studies in the Informatics Age :: Irish Culture European Research

Irish Studies in the Informatics Age [†¦] and Gutenmorg with his cromagnom charter, tintingfast and great primer must once for omniboss step rubrickredd out of the wordpress else is there no virtue more in alcohoran. For that (the rapt one warns) is what papyr is meed of, made of, hides and hints and misses in prints. Till ye finally (though not yet endlike) meet with the acquaintance of Mister Typus, Mistress Tope and all the little typtopies. Fillstup. Finnegans Wake (London: Faber & Faber 1939), p.20. Television kills telephony in brothers' brawl. Ibid., p.52. This essay aims to trace the history and development of the electronic book in Ireland with some consideration of wider cultural issues involved in the very notion of digitising literature for the computer-based reader. In regard to digitising, the Irish book is subject to precisely the same conditions as any other literary product, so considered; that is to say, the processes applied by computers are precisely the same, be the books Irish or otherwise. In consequence the subject of this essay properly concerns textual archives and collections rather than discrete texts, whether held on national servers or linked together in cyberspace in such a way as to constitute a definite cultural topography for the internet user. The electronic Irish book is, then, less the name for a new way of producing literature than a new medium for the 'Irish anthology'—that is, a library of digital texts, however extensive, which has been created to represent (in sample or totality) the Irish lite rary tradition. In prevailing cultural conditions, each item in such a library is likely to be a digital copy of a formerly printed work of the kind in question rather than a new cultural entity generated ab initio within a new cultural medium. As to whether we call our subject the 'electronic Irish book' or the 'Irish electronic book', the difference is roughly analogous to that between 'smoked Irish salmon' and 'Irish smoked salmon'—a significant consideration for shoppers since the former implies a greater authenticity of actual contents than the latter, though not necessarily a superior dining experience. For practical purposes, it is Irish texts that concern us here, whether digitised in Ireland or elsewhere. Texts of other national provenance, whether in English or in another language, are the equivalent to 'Irish smoked salmon' in the foregoing culinary comparison; these may well abound to the degree of greatly outnumbering the others (as they do in any sizeable bookshop), but they are not the subject of this essay.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

All Animals Are Equal Essay

In order to understand Peter Singer’s article â€Å"All Animals Are Equal†, one has to look at his viewpoint and perspective. Singer is a utilitarian, which is someone who believes that best outcome is something that causes that greatest amount of pleasure (or the least amount of pain) for the greatest number of people. However, in this definition the word ‘people’ is used, as to mean only humans. This is the point that Singer is trying to argue. Who is to say that animals don’t feel pain or experience happiness? Singer believes in the equal consideration of interests, and that we should extend this basic principle to other species. In Singer’s first point on extending equal consideration, he poses the question, if a lesser intelligence cannot be used to morally discriminate against humans, then how can it be used to discriminate against animals? Singer explains that he’s not saying both groups should be treated exactly the same, because there are differences between species, therefore they should have different rights. Singer states, â€Å"The interests of every being affected by an action are to be taken into account and given the same weight as the like interests of any other being† (LaFollette, 110). For a being to have interests, they must have the capability to enjoy life and suffer. He points out that any animal would have an interest in not being tormented, so it does not suffer. We could be sure that animals feel pain based on the fact that they show the same signs used by humans that show they feel pain. For example, if a person would to step on a dog’s tail he might bark, t he same as if a human had their hand slammed in the door they would yell. Singer brings up the issue of sexism and racism. No matter how we may try to look at it, not all humans are equal. He argues, â€Å"†¦a person’s sex is no guide to his or her abilities, and this is why it is unjustifiable to discriminate on the basis of sex† (LaFollette, 109), and the same goes for racism – basing a person’s abilities based on the color of their skin is just as absurd. Racism and sexism are both morally wrong, therefore so is speciesism. Another point the Singer brings up is how humans let their own interests take priority over other species. The fact that we eat animals shows that we  think of them as nothing more than a â€Å"means to our ends†. This is true because there are other, more nutritional, ways to meet our needs. By doing this we cause additional suffering for animals. Moreover, the cruel behavior that we put these animals through before they are killed for us to eat. Yet another type of discrimination we perform on these animals is experimentation to see the affects of substances and if they are safe on humans. Basically, animal experimentation and consumption is wrong except if we were willing to perform the same acts on a human with similar capabilities. Singer reasons that, â€Å"a full-grown horse or dog is beyond comparison a more rational, as well as a more conversable animal, than an infant of a day, or a week, or even a month† (LaFollette, 110). He argues that if we cannot experiment on humans with severe brain damage or defective infants, then we should not experiment on animals. Furthermore, killing animals for food would be the same as killing these humans for food. Singer is saying that if instead of treating these defective infants that don’t stand a chance, we should use them to test medical treatments, which in the end is the greater good for more people. The last aspect of speciesism that Singer talks about is philosophers trying to draw a distinct, clear line between the equality of humans and animals. However, in order to include all humans it would have to be a broad generalized definition, which could not go without including some animals also. Though an infant may not have superior characteristics to that of a dog, doesn’t mean that we can research on the infant; though it is looked at as quite all right to do research on a dog. Singer presents a sound argument on the rights of animals. As I have pointed out, all of his premises are true, and well backed up. For the most part I agree with his argument, except for the point he made on experimenting with infants or disabled humans. Though he did present his point well and backed it up, that just seemed to be the most controversial statement. I can understand his point of view of experimenting on a perfectly healthy animal who can feel pain, so why not a person who doesn’t have much of a future ahead, however I don’t agree with it. It comes down to quality of life. It might work as a hypothetical situation about some unknown infant, but what  family would actually give up their child for experimentation? Or even a loved one who may be disabled? There is an emotional standpoint that I think Singer needs to address. Furthermore, I agree that since there are other means of getting the nutrition that we need, people should make an effort to eat less meat. Nonetheless, people will continue to eat meat due to the fact that they ignorant as to what exactly the animals go through before they are killed for us to eat. Personally, I believe that that is how people like it. Then that way they don’t have to feel guilty every time they pick up a hamburger, and they can just go on enjoying it. This is a controversial topic, and Singer proved his point that animals should be extended the equality of consideration that a person shows his own species. LaFollette, Hugh. Ethics in Practice. Published 1997. Copyright 1997, 2002. â€Å"Singer’s Utilitarian Animal Rights†. April 20, 2004.

Friday, August 16, 2019

Nike’s CRM Essay

Nike manufactures shoes also athletic clothing such as shorts, shirts, jackets and under armors; wristbands, bag packs, jerseys and socks are also sold by Nike (Rao, 2012). The Nike slogan, Just Do It, have placed it’s brand in the mind of consumers, through the recognition of it’s products and promotional tools used worldwide (Rao, 2012). Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is focusing on meaningful, long term relationships and not immediate profit with the customers (2010, p.202). According to the research, in 2012, Nike launched a new business division called Nike Digital sport (NDS). The objective of NDS was designing to develop technologies that allow the users to track their personal performance while Nike collected and stored data relating to customer needs. Because of NDS, Nike has been able to communicate more effectively with customers about their needs. Nike also has it’s own social networking service called Nike+ (Rao, 2012). This social networking service focuses on building social networks and relationships among people and communities. Nike has built relationships between the company and customer by understanding the customer’s needs and preferences. CRM programs implemented by Nike are mainly operational and strategic. For example, Nike Fuel enables customers to record their progress through the use of Nike Plus devices. These devices are designed to update customers on the latest Nike sports trends and insights, and allow them to communicate with Nike. Another CRM program implement by Nike is Nike + Connect apps. It is a free app developed by Nike that uploads customer’s Nike+ data from plus devices to their accounts. Nike also created a Nike+ running app that enables customers to share their experience on social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook. According to the research, Nike reaches over millions of fans every day in an interactive dialogue, rather than having to rely on big sponsored events to reach this number (Stokes, 2012). The massive volumes of freely shared user data produce meaningful brand insights, lead to product innovations, and allow the brand to get closer to consumers. Effective CRM has enabled Nike to collaborate with customers, drive business processes, maximize Return on Investment (ROI) and support brand development (Stokes, 2012). Nike promises to stand behind all of the company’s products for both consumer and retail accounts (Nike, 2014). Nike’s web site enables its customers to use the search function to search for information related to Nike’s customer service policies. The answers are provided by the use of intelligent automates response technology. The website also provides customers with answers of Frequently Asked Question (FAQ). Through the implementation of this program, Nike is able to have an open communication line with and a better understanding of customers. Customer facing process results in a product or service that is received by an organization’s external customer (Stokes, 2012). In 2010, Nike created a division called Nike Digital Sport (DS). DS provides skilled resources, budget, and coordination across the enterprise (Cendrowski, 2012). Nike’s goal was to create a combined consumer experience that shapes responds to the evolving preferences of consumers (Cendrowski, 2012). Nike DS leads most customer-facing digital projects, releasing products under the Nike Plus brand. Personnel, designers and a team of marketers work together to develop new digital innovations. Together, they work to find new ways to mine large amounts of highly accurate customer data, which is a key strategic asset for marketing and product development in the highly competitive digital space. Nike plans, in the future, to become ever-closer to each of its customers around the world. I think in the future, Nike should considering incorporating a link similar to zapdata.com to the Nike web site. Customers can click on the link and contact Nike in real time via text-chat software hosted by a second party such as a live person. Customers can click on a text-chat button and the  site launches a new window and have questions answered by a live representative. Customers can continue to browse Nike while a support representative answers their question(s). If after asking the question a customer is still having difficulty finding the information, the representative from Nike online can simply send the page to the customer with the information that he or she was seeking for. This might impose a high cost to Nike starting out, but the increase in sales will quickly cover the expenses and further enhance the company’s customer support and satisfaction. Reference 1. Cendrowski, S. (2012). Nike’s new marketing mojo. Fortune Magazine. Retrieved on June 17, 2014 from: http://fortune.com/2012/02/13/nikes-new-marketing-mojo/ 2. Naveed, H. (2012). Nike, Inc. Website Analysis. Website Analysis. Retrieved on June 16, 2014 from:https://sites.google.com/a/email.vccs.edu/bus100hnaveed/home/website-analysis. 3. Nesbitt, S. (2011). Measuring the ROI of Social CRM. Social Technology Review.Retrieved on June 17, 2014 from:http://www.socialtechnologyreview.com/articles/measuring-roi-social-crm 4. NIKE, INC. (2014). Business Overview. Nike Global Growth Strategy. Retrieved on June 17, 2014 from: http://nikeinc.com/news/nike-inc-introduces-2015-global-growth-strategywww.nikeresponsibility.com/report/content/chapter/business-overview 5. Rao, A.S. (2012). Digital Marketing at Nike: From Communication to Dialogue. IBS Center for Management Research. PDF Document.