Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Diversity at Illinois

Diversity at Illinois Here at Illinois, diversity is not just a word, it is a hallmark. There is no other university that can make the claims of diversity that ours can. For years, our universitys leaders, students, and alumni have tirelessly made a consistent effort to make Illinois an environment of inclusivity and openness. Each of our residence halls has a Multicultural Advocate that serves as a resource for residents to learn more about social justice and inclusivity in our community. The Multicultural Advocate plans and hosts many activities and events within their hall that encourage community conversations that will help Illinois students to learn more about inclusivity and openness in an environment where sharing of opinions and perspectives is encouraged. Many students will find that their Multicultural Advocate is a major part of what makes the Illinois residential experience so valuable. Our campus is also a major hub for cultural centers that focus on helping students to engage with many diverse cultures. These includes centers for African Americans, Asian Americans, LGBT students, and so many more. Going to these cultural centers gives students insight into avenues of cultural awareness and diversity that they may not experience elsewhere. Every week, these centers host dinners and events that engage with students about their mission. I highly recommend that every Illinois student explore these cultural centers and expand their horizons. Anyone that comes to Illinois will not only gain a world-class education in their field of interest but also social justice. It is such an important part of our identity here at Illinois. It is at the forefront of every decision that our university makes. This not only makes our university very forward-thinking but also truly unique. Courtesy of Washington State University-Vancouver Jacob Class of 2019 I’m an Advertising student within the College of Media. My hometown is a place called Fairmount, Illinois, which is about 30 minutes from campus. I began my Illinois journey in the Division of General Studies.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

The Internet and Censorship - 940 Words

The internet is a diverse pool of information that anyone nowadays can have access to. One of the more controversial topics that involves the internet, is the censorship of the internet. Internet censorship can be defined as the control or suppression of what can be accessed, published or viewed on the internet. It’s been hot topic in recent years because many government organizations have been trying to pass many reforms to help push the censorship of the internet, either directly or indirectly. Things like Net neutrality and SOPA/PIPA have been playing major roles in censorship of the internet. They show how both private companies and the government want to suppress our use of the internet as well as what we can do on it. The most recent topic that has been playing a part in the censorship of the internet is Net neutrality. To sum the idea up, Net Neutrality is the idea that ISPs or Internet Service Providers and the government need to treat all data on the internet equally. These companies and private sectors of the government have been trying to come up with ways to make the way people surf the internet both more complicated and more expensive. Their current mindset of distributing the internet is as follows. Currently, consumer like you and me pay ISPs to bring our own share of the Internet pool to our homes. However, ISPs have been trying to milk the system in a very simple yet effective way. What they do is down throttle or slow down either certain thing that youShow MoreRelatedCensorship And Censorship Of The Internet985 Words   |  4 Pagesissue of Censorship of the Internet in America has become a trending topic. The internet has been commonly censored to comply with the Digital Millennium Rights Act, but in recent times our government has been requesting more aggressive censorship in order to provide a safer cyberspace. If the American government began to censor the internet, the restriction will result in suppression of freedom of the press , hindering freedom of speech, and reduce the plethora of information on the internet. If AmericaRead MoreCensorship And Censorship Of The Internet1754 Words   |  8 PagesCensorship of the Internet is on the rise in highly populated states today. Although the Internet is considered as one of the most significant tools for the public sphere, many users have decried the Internet’s benefits and seen the Internet as a ‘double-edged sword’. Even as the Internet connects most of the world and gives valuable access to information, the same tool allows access to material that may be considered dangerous or harmful. The recent increase in discussion on the act of censorshipRead MoreThe Censorship Of Internet Censorship3057 Words   |  13 Pages Internet Censorship Student’s Name: Institution Name: Internet Censorship Internet censorship refers to the suppression and control of what people can access, publish, or view on the cyberspace (Reynolds, 2014). It may be done by regimes or private firms at the command of the government. It can be a government’s initiative is or carried out by regulators. Organizations and individuals may practice self-censorship for religious, business or moral reasons to comply with societal normsRead MoreInternet Censorship And The Internet941 Words   |  4 Pages More than two decades ago, the Internet was yet to be ubiquitous in the homes of the general public around the world. Today, global users of the Internet has surpassed the 3 billion mark, or approximately 45% of the world population, a trend that is not likely to slow down anytime soon (World Internet Users Statistics and 2015 World Population Stats, 2014). The idealistic vision of self-governance of the Internet has proved to be insufficient and threats to the Internet’s core principles areRe ad MoreInternet Censorship1799 Words   |  8 PagesTechnologies Used In Internet Censorship and Control Murdoch (2013) opines the Internet as an entity where control is always fought over for by those that use it. He further demystifies the internet, breaking it down to the two protocols that define it. These are the transmission control protocol – TCP- and the Internet Protocol –Ip. It is these protocols that enable the connection of two separate networks to each other. The protocols enable the easy connection of separate networks, without theRead MoreThe Importance Of Internet Censorship1378 Words   |  6 PagesInternet Censorship The Internet has become a growing source of entertainment and information over the past years. As more and more people become familiar with the Internet, the potential of its contents grows rapidly, at an uncontrollable rate. With something such as the Internet, which contains virtually an infinite amount of space, more is being added than taken away. Therefore with the growing amount of users, the content grows as well. Different people use the Internet for different things withRead MoreCensorship on the Internet Essay908 Words   |  4 PagesCensorship on the Internet Five years after the first world wide web was launched at the end of 1991, The Internet has become very popular in the United States. Although President Clinton already signed the 1996 Telecommunication ActI on Thursday Feb 8, 1996, the censorship issue on the net still remains unresolved. In fact, censorship in cyberspace is unconscionable and impossible. Trying to censor the Internet its problematic because the net is an international issue, there is no standard forRead MoreInternet Censorship Essay1329 Words   |  6 PagesInternet Censorship Used Around The World Some people wonder who came up with the idea of internet censorship. Other people want to know which countries use it. Some ponder over the idea of what really is internet censorship. Internet censorship is controlling what can be viewed, and which sites can be used on the internet. Some things about internet censorship are countries that use it, and who started the idea of it. There are lots of countries that use internet censorship. A few of them are ChinaRead MoreInternet Censorship Essay886 Words   |  4 PagesInternet Censorship Presently, it seems that the Internet is playing a very important role in everyones daily life. This multipurpose network has many different functions useful for everyday work and entertainment. Due to the freedom of the Internet various debates and protests have come to disagree with its open form of communication. Because of the misuse of the internet many people believe that there should be some kind of internet censorship, while others are against internet censorshipRead MoreThe Importance Of Censorship On The Internet1558 Words   |  7 PagesPolitics October 30 2017 Censorship The internet is a vast database that allows for the entire world to be connected. However most people while surfing the internet have come across a censored page, or a website saying that this site has been â€Å"legally† blocked by the government. Censorship is defined as the suppression or prohibition of free speech by preventing a person from saying what they want to say. Typically in modern society, censorship takes place on the internet when certain items are deemed

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

North Carolina State Acceptance Rate, SAT/ACT Scores, GPA

North Carolina State University is a public research university with an acceptance rate of 46%. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, NC State offers over 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and ranks consistently among the top North Carolina colleges and top Southeast colleges. Considering applying to North Carolina State University? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students. Why North Carolina State University? Location: Raleigh, North CarolinaCampus Features: The main campus of NC State is defined by its attractive red-brick buildings and the 115-foot bell tower. Located in North Carolinas Research Triangle, the campus is a hub for science, technology, and innovation.Student/Faculty Ratio: 13:1Athletics: The NC State Wolfpack competes in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference for most sports.Highlights: The largest university in North Carolina, NC State has many strengths in science and technology fields, and was also awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong programs in the liberal arts and sciences. Acceptance Rate During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, North Carolina State University had an acceptance rate of 46%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 46 students were admitted, making NC States admissions process competitive. Admissions Statistics (2017-18) Number of Applicants 30,193 Percent Admitted 46% Percent Admitted Who Enrolled (Yield) 34% SAT Scores and Requirements NC State requires that all students submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 49% of admitted students submitted SAT scores. SAT Range (Admitted Students) Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile ERW 620 680 Math 630 710 ERW=Evidence-Based Reading and Writing The admissions data tells us that most of NC States admitted students fall within the top 20% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to NC State scored between 620 and 680, while 25% scored below 620 and 25% scored above 680. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 630 and 710, while 25% scored below 630 and 25% scored above 710. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1390 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at North Carolina State. Requirements North Carolina State does not require the SAT writing section. Note that NC State participates in the scorechoice program, which means that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each section across all SAT test dates. SAT Subject tests are not required for admission to North Carolina State University. ACT Scores and Requirements North Carolina State requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 52% of admitted students submitted ACT scores. ACT Range (Admitted Students) Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile English 26 33 Math 26 30 Composite 27 31 This admissions data tells us that most of NC States admitted students fall within the top 14% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to NC State received a composite ACT score between 27 and 31, while 25% scored above 31 and 25% scored below 27. Requirements NC State does not require the ACT writing section. Unlike many universities, North Carolina State superscores ACT results; your highest subscores from multiple ACT sittings will be considered. GPA In 2018, the average high school GPA for incoming North Carolina State University freshman was 3.76. All incoming first-year students at NC State had GPAs ranging from 2.0 to 4.0, and nearly 90% of admitted students had GPAs of 3.50 and above. These results suggest that most successful applicants to NC State University have primarily A and B grades. Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph North Carolina State University Applicants Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph. Â  Data courtesy of Cappex. The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to North Carolina State University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account. Admissions Chances North Carolina State University, which accepts fewer than half of applicants, has a selective admissions process. Most successful applicants have strong grades and SAT/ACT scores. In the scattergram above, the blue and green dots represent accepted students. You can see that most successful applicants had B or higher averages, SAT scores of about 1150 or higher (ERWM), and ACT composite scores of 24 or above. Higher numbers clearly improve your chances of getting an acceptance letter, and you can see that the great majority of applicants with A averages and high test scores were admitted. In addition to grades and test scores, the NC State admissions folks take into consideration the rigor of your high school courses, the strength of your application essays, and your commitment to extracurricular activities, leadership experiences, and community service. And, since NC State is an NCAA Division I university, excellence in athletics can play a role in the admissions process. All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and North Carolina State University Undergraduate Admissions Office.

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The City vs. the Country Preserving the Memories in a Fast-Paced World Free Essays

Romantic poets of the past attempted to portray the idea that emotion is more important than reason.   Perhaps they are reacting to the new emphasis of reason and rationalism and feared that people might forget the more esoteric benefits of nature and emotion and reflection. In William Wordsworth’s â€Å"Lines Composed a Few miles Above Tintern Abbey,† the city and the country are contrasted for the reader through the use of reflective imagery and symbolism in an effort to reconnect the reader with these passions and to encourage his use of memory to summon strength. We will write a custom essay sample on The City vs. the Country: Preserving the Memories in a Fast-Paced World or any similar topic only for you Order Now Wordsworth believed, as did all romantic poets, in writing from the heart.   Thus his poem is a reflection of his two visits to Tintern Abbey, a former medieval church.   The beauty of this natural surrounding is the subject of the poem. His first solitary visit occurred five years earlier than his second visit with his sister.   He hopes to give her an escape from her grief and sadness in the future by providing her with the memories of this visit.  Ã‚  Ã‚   In addition, the reader can be seen as an extension of the sister, the symbol of all people who need to find solace in nature and the love and peace it produces. The second visit, for Wordsworth, is different from the first.   Upon his first visit, he recalls his initial passion about nature which he has since lost.   He recalls his love of nature and the comfort it had given him in lines 23-28: Here he gives his sister, and the reader, a look into his feelings about the view that he has missed.   He notes that he was not ‘blind’ to the view, but has called upon it while in the noisy and tiring cities.   Here, life in the city is presented negatively, as being an oppressive and unhealthy environment, while the natural, peaceful environment of Tintern Abbey is calming, soothing, and healing. Life for the speaker now, as a city dweller, is symbolized in line 39 as a â€Å"heavy and weary weight† and refers to his life there as one â€Å"of joyless daylight; when the fretful stir / Unprofitable, and the fever of the world, / have hung upon the beatings of my heart† (lines 52-55).   This gives the city life an essence of disease and pain while his second visit to the abbey gives him the rushing hope â€Å"That in this moment there is life and food / for future years† (lines 64-65). How to cite The City vs. the Country: Preserving the Memories in a Fast-Paced World, Papers

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Advanced Risk and Uncertainty Management

Question: Describe about the "Melbourne Metro Rail Project". Answer: Introduction: The Melbourne Metro Rail Project which is commonly known as the Metro Rail Capacity Project was a planned infrastructure assignment in Melbourne. The project involves the designing of the twin tunnel to make a way from South Kensington railway station to South Yarra. This project was a master piece out of several infrastructure projects which were designed to increase the pool capacity and also transforming the suburban computer based system to metro style rapid transport system. The project would deliver two rail tunnels of nine kilometres each. In the year 2014, the Andrews Government revived the main Melbourne Metro Rail Project. In this literature review various risk models, the risk associated with the project and its management have been discussed (Hale, 2015). Risk definition: As stated by Carey (2013), every project revolves around d certain risks. Risk related to the financial crisis, human resource, management, material resources, communal risk, ethical issues, etc. Risk can be defined as assess the probability, exposure to all the different hazards and severity of all the activities. For any infrastructure project there exists a chance of risk since everything might not give the same outcome as planned. In this metro project, there is a risk of an architect or design of the project. This risk should be identified, analysed and managed based on certain models and techniques (Drehmann Nikolaou, 2013). Risk analysis models: In order to assess the risk use of certain models are important. According to the Ayyub (2014),the models have the potential to give rise to poor design, disaster due to uncertainty flexibility or inappropriate interpretation. There are various models associated with risk analysis. The first model is the Risk Management model. It is an approach for systematic recognition, analysis and response to the risk of the project. This model suggests the way to deal with the risk associated with the project. Risk control is a part of this plan. Monitor and review of the height of risk and capability to manage the risk is a part of the model plan. Firstly, the context needs to be defined involving the clients need and stakeholders analysis. Secondly, the risk needs to be identified and also the constraints that might affect the project must be recognised. Thirdly, the risk needs to be assessed and the impact and rate of occurrence need to be quantified. Lastly, the responses based on the risk a ssessed needs to be defined and also the implementation (McNeil et al. 2015). The second model is the "Simulation modelling." Whenever iterative simulation is used the Monte Carlo technique is often used along with software programme. The simulation involves the input that reflects the possible risks with proper distribution. The model randomly produces a value in reference to the risk and accumulates them if multiple risks are included in the model. The whole system is computerised. The output refers to the distribution of the grand cost, period and the measurement used to qualify and safety associated with the risk. The result obtained from the output could be used to schedule the durations and complement the budget so that risk associated with the project could be reduced (Fishman 2013). As stated by Gueudr et al. (2014), the Generic Model is associated with six modules which involve project definition, identification of the risk, quantification of the risk, risk evaluation, implementation as a risk response, and monitoring linked with controlling. Figure: Model-based on risk assessment Types of risks in railway Projects: A literature review states a rail project is associated with several risk generally the financial and safety risk involved with the construction of the projects. The risk potentially prevents the project from functioning leading to uncertainty in the cost overruns, delay of the project, issues associated with the safety, system reliability and integrity (Kendrick, 2015). The various risks associated are as follows: Technical risks Commercial and procurement risk Interface risk Financial risk Legal and political risk According to Kendrick (2015), the technical risk involves the risk of completeness of the design. If the design is not according to the clients requirement, then there might be complications and problems. Moreover, if the designing lacks integration and is not according to the intellectual property rights, there might remain a risk. In any constructional project there always remains a risk of communal and labour safety. Even the use of unapproved or outdated technology might cause risk. Geographical location or climatic condition can also sometimes cause hindrance in the project (McNeil et al., 2015). The size of the project if it is long, if there are budget constraints or type of contract, dispute resolution, etc. might cause risk associated with the project. Interface risks are also a significant issue that is associated with the railways. As discussed by Kendrick (2015), the financial risks such as budget constraints and funding can also be a big issue. The funding given by the government should not be restricted or the project might get hampered due to an elevation of the budget that was not predicted. Inflation of the currency and modifications in the exchange rate can also be reasons for risk. The political corruptions and uncertain regulatory atmosphere could be a significant constraint in the railway project. Moreover, literature review reflects that taxation can bring about huge loss to an organisation funding the project. Huge tax charged can, therefore, be a hindrance (McNeil et al., 2015). Risk management in railway project: As stated by Teller et al. (2014), the risk associated with the infrastructure projects should be managed in order to complete the project successfully. This can be done by using risk management which is an ongoing process which is continuous throughout the project and include identification, evaluation, allocation, mitigation and review after monitoring. According to Williams et al. (1997), methods were developed by which risk management was practised. The methods were software intensive programs based on these specific road maps were designed. Such approached helped in conducting the project and make the practices. In a literature review, it was stated that due to the dynamic environments of the designing of the project and the complexity results in high degree of risk and uncertainty. In one of the literature review regarding the Korean high-speed railway states that after eight years of the railway construction, a new Korean train Express was planned. The project was complex thus requires proper planning and management. As stated by Bhattacharya et al. (2012), the risk management involves new high-speed railway system, new technologies, etc. The risk management involved in the project was technical management related to engineering and construction risk management, financial management, social and also political management (Teller et al., 2014). Project risk management" chiefly comprises expenditure and "schedule uncertainties" and risks linked with every activity of the "project network." It has been recognised the main "risk sources" and "quantified the risks" in stipulations to probability, impact and rigorousness in a "complex infrastructure project" for the creation of new and innovative designs related to railways (Bhattacharya et al., 2012). Conclusion: The "Melbourne Metro Rail Project" involves the designing of the twin tunnel to make a way from "South Kensington railway station" to "South Yarra." For any infrastructure project there exists a chance of risk since everything might not give the same outcome as planned. In this metro project, there is a risk of an architect or design of the project. The models have the potential to give rise to poor design, disaster due to uncertainty flexibility or inappropriate interpretation. In terms of the "Melbourne Metro Rail Project," the "Simulation modelling" can be applied. The reason behind this is that the project aims at developing a high-tech metro station with modern amenities which could be fulfilled by the use of computer system analysis and system generated outputs. The output would offer the estimation of the budget, time management and quantify the safety associated with the project. The risks associated with this project can be checked by using risk management which is an ongoin g process which is continuous throughout the project and include identification, evaluation, allocation, mitigation and review after monitoring. Such activities and regulations can lead to the success of the Melbourne Metro Rail project. References: Ayyub, B. M. (2014).Risk analysis in engineering and economics. CRC Press. Bhattacharya, A., Romani, M., Stern, N. (2012, May). Infrastructure for development: meeting the challenge. InCentre for Climate Change Economics and Policy, Londres. www. cccep. ac. uk/Publications/Policy/docs/PP-infrastructure-for-development-meeting-the-challenge. pdf. Consultado el(Vol. 15). Carey, A. (2013). Is road or rail the answer to Melbourne's congestion problems?.Geodate,26(4), 2. Drehmann, M., Nikolaou, K. (2013). Funding liquidity risk: definition and measurement.Journal of Banking Finance,37(7), 2173-2182. Fishman, G. (2013).Discrete-event simulation: modeling, programming, and analysis. Springer Science Business Media. Gueudr, T., Dobrinevski, A., Bouchaud, J. P. (2014). Explore or exploit? a generic model and an exactly solvable case.Physical review letters,112(5), 050602. Hale, C. (2015). Planning Melbourne metro: Why every centimetre and every dollar counts.Planning News,41(11), 16. Kendrick, T. (2015).Identifying and managing project risk: essential tools for failure-proofing your project. AMACOM Div American Mgmt Assn. McNeil, A. J., Frey, R., Embrechts, P. (2015).Quantitative risk management: Concepts, techniques and tools. Princeton university press. McNeil, A. J., Frey, R., Embrechts, P. (2015).Quantitative risk management: Concepts, techniques and tools. Princeton university press. Teller, J., Kock, A., Gemnden, H. G. (2014). Risk management in project portfolios is more than managing project risks: a contingency perspective on risk management.Project Management Journal,45(4), 67-80. Williams, R. C., Walker, J. A., Dorofee, A. J. (1997). Putting risk management into practice.IEEE Software,14(3), 75. Advanced Risk and Uncertainty Management Question: Discuss about the Advanced Risk and Uncertainty Management. Answer: Introduction The construction industry is categorized as a service industry. The industry provides employment to many people and market for industries manufacturing cement, iron, steel, bricks among other material used in construction. It is among the industries that play a great role in the development of any country, considering that any country needs to develop infrastructure for it to grow economically.(construction Industry Development Council of India, 2014) Establishing a construction company Establishing a construction company needs a huge capital base which makes it be a high-risk industry. While starting construction, one needs to consider the start-up cost and think of how they can be met. Marketing your company is also another important factor that one should think of. (Li, P2017). The following are steps starting a construction company. Write a business plan Like any other business starting a construction company requires a written business plan. This acts as a guide since it includes your goals and the way these goals will be attained. It also outlines the financial plan of the business, the clients, suppliers , and way of advertising your company. Source for funds According to Li, P(2017) A written formal business plan can be used in sourcing funds from banks in case you do not have enough start-up capital. Explain why you have chosen to start the business and the opportunities that make you believe it will succeed. Consider the option that the bank may give you for instance types of loans, interest rates and the duration given to pay back the loans. Consider legal requirements for a construction company According to Beesley, C (2012) For any company to operate in the country, it requires seeking legal licensing and permits for it to operate. A construction company also requires business insurance and surety bonds. Business license and permits- most construction companies require special licensing to operate beside the general business licenses. It is important to seek for assistance inform the government departments dealing with licensing of businesses. Surety bonds- construction bond is a legal requirement for the operation of any construction company. Surety bonds serve as a cover in case the contract obligation between the company and the client were not fulfilled. The regulations governing the issuance of surety bonds varies from country to country.Insurance- the company requires different types of business insurances such as workers compensation, property and vehicle insurances among others. Come up with occupational health and safety plan It is a requirement that a contraction company should create a safe and healthy working environment for its workers to protect them from dangers posed by construction work. (Beesley, C ,2012) Purchase the required tools and equipment Tools and equipment are basic requirements for any construction company. Different construction work requires different tools and equipment and therefore considering the services you have planned to offer in your company purchase the required tools to work with. Find labour There are four sources of labour for a construction company that is employees, subcontractors, labour brokers and independent contractors. One should consider the best option among the ones given above. (Beesley, C, 2012) Advertise your new construction company The advertisement is a basic requirement for any business to grow. It is a way of creating awareness about the existence of your company. It also gives information about the services that your company offers thus connecting you with your targeted clients. Advertisement can be started in through informing people close to you about your business, and they can spread the information to others. (Li, P, 2017) Risks that face a construction company Construction companies are faced with many risks. The stakeholders in this business such as project owners, contractors, consultants, suppliers among others face different fears that come as a result of the possible risks. The risks involved in the construction company can lead to great financial losses to all stakeholders.(construction Industry Development Council of India, 2014) According to Cavignac, J (2009) below are some of the risks that face most of the construction companies. Economic fluctuations This is referred to as seasonal slowness. Economic depression can result in financial difficulties which may affect the progress of the project. This may extend the time that was planned for the completion of a given project which leads to losses. The contractor needs to be prepared in advance in order to cover the extra expenses that may be incurred during these periods. Equipment damage In the construction work, the wearing and tearing of equipment are inevitable. The equipment will need to be repaired from time to time while others need to be replaced. However, some of the equipment are too expensive to be replaced on a regular basis. Such equipment requires insurance to cover them against loss, damage or theft. Accidents at the workplace During construction, work accidents are likely to happen and may involve the workers or third parties. It is important to be aware of such hazards and take necessary steps to avoid occurrences of many accidents. General liability insurance is necessary for any construction company in order to cover the third parties who may be involved in an accident. Faulty work Sometimes the work done by a construction company may not satisfy the client. This may call for reconstruction or other legal steps which may cost the company a lot of money. The construction company must, therefore, comply with the building regulation of the country. Failure to meet deadlines Due to unpredictable reasons which may delay the completion of a project the construction company may fail to meet the deadline of the project. In case there are any inconveniences it is, therefore, advisable to keep communicating with the clients to agree on new changes that may lead to the extension of deadlines. Risk analysis models Risk analysis according to Prince2 (2005) is a guided process of controlling risk. Risk analysis helps in identifying and evaluating events that may have an impact on the project and come up with ways of controlling them. There are various models of risk analysis, but I will focus on Prince2 P-1 Grid for risk analysis model and the DREAD model. According to Czagan D, (2014)The DREAD model in full stands for; Damage potential. Exploitability Affected users Discoverability Both models rate risks from low to highest each with numerical range. Depending on the impacts that a risk may have on the business, every risk is measured and ranked between a given range of numbers, for example, the DREAD risk analysis model has a range from 1 to 15. However Prince2 P-I risk analysis model is used for quantitative risk analysis while DREAD model is used for qualitative risk analysis. In the P-I risk analysis model, the results of the assessment are presented in a graph with x and y-axis. on the x-axis, there is the probability of a risk occurring while on the y-axis there is the exposure. To assess the severity of the risk one find the product of the probability and the impact. While on the DREAD analysis model assessment results are presented in a table according to ranges example from 1-5 low, 8-11 medium, and from 12-15 high. The severity of the risk can simply be determined by checking its rating fall between which ranges. I would recommend the use of the Prince2 P-I model in a construction company since it uses numerical information which is available in construction work. This model would help in giving a more accurate and hence dependable risk analysis. Managing risk in a construction company According to Plato, A (2014), risk management is the process of identifying a risk and then making decisions on how to put the risk under control. Risk management can also be defined as a process of predicting and evaluating risks them coming up with ways to avoid the risk or reduce its effect. As a company there are a number of steps or measures that can be taken to manage risk they are as follows; Risk analysis- this is the first and most step in risk management. It helps in identifying the vulnerability of the company to a given risk. Proper risk analysis of a company can be done through the reference to its documents such as financial documents, contracts among others. Risk control- it refers to laid down plans that will help in reducing the impacts of a given risk. For instance having a well trained human resource is one way of controlling risks. Risk transfer- when the risk facing the company is too much for the company to handle on its own it is considerable to seek for risk transfer, for example, getting insurance cover to cover unforeseeable risks such as accidents. References Bansal, S (2014) , Difference between Quantitative and Qualitative Risk Analysis. Retrieved 13 may 2015: https://www.izenbridge.com/blog/differentiating-quantitative-risk-analysis-and-qualitative-risk-analysis/Beesley, C (2012), How to Start a Small Construction or General Contracting Business. U.S Small Business Administration ArticlesCavignac, J (2009) Managing Risk In a Construction Company, Construction Business Owner, Article Curtis, T (2014), Risk assessment Basics. Retrieved at: https://www.airsafe.com/risk/basics.htm -- Revised: 19 January 2014. Czgan, D (2014), Qualitative Risk Analysis with the DREAD model. Infosec Institutte Articles retrieved May 21, 2014 at: https://resources.infosecinstitute.com/qualitative-risk-analysis-dread-model/ Li, P (2017), How to Start My Own Small Construction Company. Retrieved from: https://smallbusiness.chron.com/start-own-small-construction-company-2257.html National Research Council, (2005), 4 Risk Identification and Analysis, The owners Role in Project Risk Management. Washington DC. Plato, A (2014),Communication Risk to Executive leadership. Prince2 (2005), Risk assessment model assessment .Retrieved at: https://www.stakeholdermap.com/risk/risk- Shah, N (2015), Qualitative vs. Quantitative Assessments. A journal on advisory. Sims, S (2012) Qualitative vs. Quantitative Risk Assessment, SANS Technology Institute Journal.

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

The First Reactor Essays - Nuclear Technology, University Of Chicago

The First Reactor The First Reactor The First Reactor chronicles the conception and implementation of the first self-sustaining nuclear pile. The booklet has three main sections to it. The first one tells of the history and background of the organizations and research that were used for the momentous experiment, as well as the actual proceedings that occurred on December 2, 1942. The second section is basically a brief synopsis of the first. The third section documents part of Enrico Fermi's life and the secrecy surrounding his work, from his wife's perspective. Years of research went into the culmination of the first self-sustaining nuclear reaction. Different preliminary experiments were done by many scientists to discover the properties and intricacies of neutron production and interaction. All leading up to the fateful day under the west stands of Stagg Field when the first successful self-sustaining reaction occurred, or as they cleverly say in the booklet, ?The Italian navigator has landed in the New World.' The secrets of the nuclear projects were closely guarded. So close in fact, that not even Enrico's own wife was allowed to know. In the section written by her, telling of her bewilderment, we get a sense of how strongly the classified information was kept from the people who didn't need to know. Science

Saturday, March 7, 2020

Avatar Film Review Essay Example

Avatar Film Review Essay Example Avatar Film Review Essay Example Avatar Film Review Essay Example Avatar is a fictional film produced in America in 2009 by James Cameron and starring Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington, Michelle Rodriguez, Stephen Lang, and Sigourney Weaver (French, 2010). It is about the human colonization of Pandora, a fictional land in the star system inhabited by ape-like beings called Navi. The environment of the place is not suitable for human life, and the interest of the colonialists was only mining mineral deposits of unobtanium. The film is significant as it depicts things that happen in the real human societies such as the scramble for Africa by the European powers that implied the invasion, occupation, colonization, and annexation of territories (Chamberlain, 2014). Avatar thus reflects on the real life situations in a number of ways. The Comparison of the Fictional Treatment of Na’vi to Real Life Cases The native inhabitants of Pandora lived in a wilderness setting, and they coexisted with their ecosystem that included a dense forest (Horwitz, 2009). The colonialists from the Earth land there with the interests of mining the unobtanium minerals, and this threatens the forest as well as the indigenous population. Just like in the film, the European powers such as Britain, Portugal, Spain, and France among others invaded Africa and destroyed forests to pave the way for mining of minerals such as copper, construction of roads and farming among other uses (Shillington, 2005). In Avatar, the colonizers send spies to gather information about the Hometree, a sacred place where the Na’vis used to pray, after discovering the possibility of the presence of mineral deposits under the tree. They later send a bulldozer to destroy the shrine and pave the way for mining (Cameron, 2010). The European colonial masters also destroyed African forests and shrines in a bid to exploit the resources of their interest (Chamberlain, 2014). The humans forcefully evict the Navis from their lands doing this is through bloodshed that led to deaths of the locals and some of their leaders. They also disregard the Navis deity by destroying the shrines and trying to change their wilderness culture and life (Cameron, 2010). However, the Navis begin to resists the human oppression, and they wage rebellions that lead to the expulsion of people from Pandora. In Africa, the European colonial masters forcefully ejected native inhabitants from their lands and confined them in reserves. They also disregarded the native religion and tried to introduce Christianity (Shillington 2005). In the film, the humans had no intentions of settlement and thus they were just interested in destroying the forests and mining the unobtanium minerals (Cameron, 2010). European colonialists in Africa, in their turn, had the intentions of displacing the natives and settling on their lands for large scale farming. These distinctions clearly differentiate the interests of the invading parties in both instances. On the one hand, in Avatar, the invasion of Pandora was purely economic because the human had the interests of mining the unobtanium minerals (Cameron, 2010). The European invasion of Africa, on the other hand, was a combination of both the economic and political purposes. Apart from mining and farming, the powers were interested in establishing the direct rule, annexing territories, and obtaining fighters to support their armies during the world wars (Chamberlain, 2010). The invasion also fuelled slave trade that saw the capturing and transportation of Africans to foreign continents as slave workers. Security Contractors Security contractors work under the incentive of making profit, and they have no moral obligation to the civilians. Due to the greed for money, they tend to promote a culture of violence as opposed to the official government militaries that work to promote peace, and they have a duty of serving the nationals in their given jurisdiction (Gomez del Prado, 2008). Unlike the military officers, private security guards work under little or no oversight and thus they tend to violate the rights of the civilians to maximize their profit gains. It was very unethical for the guards in the Avatar film to open fire on Jake and Grace, and that shows how the private officers disregard the lives of their comrades (Cameron, 2010). The private guards also tend to use excessive force against non-combatants, and this may involve indiscriminative shootings. For instance, in the Avatar film, the Resource Development authority’s private security officers killed the non-combatant Na’vis in a b id to expel them from their shrines (Cameron, 2010). Military officers, in their turn, work under regulations and thus they rarely violate the rights of civilians due to strict oversight (Gomez del Prado, 2008). Private security guards, on the one hand, operate using unidentified vehicles, and this makes it easy for them to engage in misconduct. On the other hand, the military has branded vehicles that are easy to be identified (Gomez del Prado, 2008). The governments of various jurisdictions need to regulate the private security firms to prevent them from engaging in crime as well as violating the rights of civilians in their areas of assignments (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2014). There is the need for oversight to hold the officers accountable for their actions and this could assist in taming them. Regulations are also necessary to limit the number of private security companies because their aim is not serving the public but to maximize their profits while disregarding the civilian rights (Gomez del Prado, 2008). According to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2014), regulations are inevitable to prevent the possibility of corruption amongst the private security officers as well as their companies. Cameron’s Message on Environmental Sustainability and Corporate Greed Cameron uses the film to blame business organizations for the wanton destruction of the environment as well as the depletion of natural resources. He demonstrates a scenario in 2154 when there is an energy problem due to the exhaustion of natural resources, and this might compel the scientist to try other options, for instance, the metaphor of human beings mining unobtanium in the Pandora space that is beyond the planet earth (Horwitz, 2009). The resistance by the natives as well as the final expulsion of the human from the planet shows that most options in the projected time will not be fruitful, and this might lead to the collapse of all industries. The film is, therefore, an eye opener to corporations to be mindful of the future when they exploit the natural resources. In the movie, the invasion and the attempts to mine unobtanium on the Pandora planet threaten the forests and the lives of the natives and thus the indigenous population resists the move (Horwitz, 2009). Cameron tries to explain that the greed for resources diminishes people and has the potential to lead the investors outside the planet of Earth. The fictitious conflict between the Resources Development Authority and the Pandora is an imagery of what happens to business organizations and their host communities. In extreme situations, people directly attack the businesses or launch demonstrations against the same organizations to expel them from their land. Cameron also intended to pass the message that corporations should respect the culture of the natives of their areas of operation. The Resources Development Authority destroys the Pandora forests that houses the Na’vis shrines and this is a total disregard of the hosts’ culture, religion and their deity (Horwitz, 2009). The result is the rebellion war that leads to mysterious intervention of wild animals for the Navis, and this forces the human beings out of Pandora. This fictitious image shows that organizations must respect the hosts’ culture for them to succeed in that setting. Cameron also indirectly speaks about the corporate social responsibility that entails organizational acts of giving back to the societies in their vicinities as a sign of appreciation for their accommodating nature. The Resources Development Authority’s (RDA) action of clearing forests and destroying shrines in Pandora as well as killing the locals represents how the modern business organizations harm the host communities in various ways such as destruction of the environment and the indirect killing of people through air and water pollution among others. Just like the RDAs expulsion from Pandora, every modern industry that disregards the welfare of the host population is doomed to fail. Cameron tries to pass the message that corporate firms are to be blamed for the environmental deterioration as well as the depletion of natural resources. He visualizes an energy problem in 2154 where industries will have all the resources exhausted. He strengthens his argument through the fictitious Pandora example whereby the RDA mining activities threaten the lives of the natives as well as their eco-system. Cameron portrays the arrogance of such organizations through the RDA’s act of using force against the hosts and destroying their shrines. His message is that organizations must reverse the energy use trend as well as the exploitation of the non-fuel resources to save them for the future use. In conclusion, Avatar is a fiction film but it depicts the immorality that takes place in the real life situations. For instance, the RDAs greed of mining unobtanium in the Pandora in disregard of the environment and the welfare of the natives represent what modern industries do. The unprofessional behaviour of the security guards in the film is a replica of how modern security guards operate. Avatar bears a warning to the industrialists to take care of the host communities as well as their environment as otherwise, sooner or later, their businesses will collapse.