Corporate Criminals Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Corporate Criminals - Essay Example The problem is that the justice system is terribly unfair from the beginning. The reason people get upset about corporate executives is because they are always associated with lots of money. This makes the American public angry because someone without money cannot have the same privilege as someone who is wealthy. According to Cray, these corporate executives have partnerships with the department of Justice that says they will not be prosecuted as long as they say who started the process inside the corporation. This creates a very sneaky way for executives to side step their own issues. It is important to note that some corporate executives are prosecuted more than others. As an example, Martha Stewart went to jail for her insider training deals. She was a celebrity and many people took issue with her because she was wealthy and white. She served her time, helped the female inmates by writing a book for them and came out of it unscathed by most peoples standards. However, somewhere in the soul of Martha she had to deal with people physically hurting her and she had to deal with being behind bars for a period of time. She spent the time and saw what it was like and perhaps has learned her lesson. This is supposedly what our justice system is supposed to do and in my opinion, it does not matter how long a person spends in prison; it matters that they learn from their

Jose Rizal Life in Dapitan Essay Example for Free

Jose Rizal Life in Dapitan Essay The El Filibusterismo is the sequel of the Noli Me Tangere. Both nationalistic novels were written by Dr. Jose Rizal. In Noli Me Tangere, Rizal described the full extent of slavery and abuse suffered by the native Indios at the hands of Spanish authorities. Hence in this second book, Rizal pictured a society at the brink of revolution. The Indios have started to adapt liberal ideas and guerrilla factions have started to revolt against the government. The advent of the novel starts 13 years after the events in the Noli Me Tangere, Juan Crisostomo Ibarra orchestrated a plot of evil means but heroic desires. During his travels in Europe, Ibarra changed his name to Simoun. He becomes a renowned jeweler thus his wealth grew further. He started to make new connections with the illustrious societal personalities in Spain. With his influence, he helped a military colonel to rise the ladder and be promoted as captain general of the colonial territory, the Philippines. For Simoun, it was all planned. Upon his return in the Philippines, he was dubbed as his black eminence. People saw him as an influential figure whom his majesty consults whenever decisions are to be made. After all, his majesty, the captain general owed so much to Simoun. Simoun wants to take revenge and bring back the love of Maria Clara who now resides at the convent. The jeweler was famed for his wealth and power. Hence, no one thought that the opportunists and fearsome Simoun was the same idealistic Ibarra of the past. Simoun started to look for followers. He found his allies with the oppressed and enslaved. He form an alliance with Kabesang Tales group, an outlaw whose land was grabbed by the friars corporation. He then, looks for more men. He searched the villages looking for strong willed men who have a gripe on the government. Simoun, using the influence he has on the captain general, ordered stricter and more abusive government policies a move that will make the people angrier. This was the plot of Simoun, to use the peoples hatred against the government to his advantage. Simoun also ordered attacks that will backfire and weaken the governments military forces. However, the revolution scheduled at the night of a musical play in Manila didnt come into fruition. Months, later another plan was made. At the grand wedding of Juanita Pelaez, the son of a successful businessman and the beautiful Paulita Gomez, Simoun insisted to take charge in the decorating. Simoun knew that the feast would be attended by friars, government officials and prominent figures the same people who wrecked havoc to his life. Beneath the beautiful decorations and lighting were sacks of gun powder. The whole house was filled with explosives. Simoun formed his own army of the oppressed and enslaved and with the help of government soldiers and outlaws whom he commissioned, they will start a bloody revolution. The mission, to kill all Spanish authorities and to take control of the country. At the wedding, Simoun puts a beautiful lamp at the center of the table carved with gold linings and other kind of gems and jewelries. Simoun left as soon as delivering his gift, the lamp. It was a festive celebration but unknown to the guests, the lamp is a time bomb that will explode once lifted. It will result into a huge explosion that will be a signal to Simouns troops to simultaneously attack Manila. Just before the lamp explodes, a piece of mysterious paper bearing the message You will die tonight was being passed. It was signed by Juan Crisostomo Ibarra. Father Salvi confirmed that it was the real signature of Ibarra, a long-forgotten filibuster. The guests at the wedding were all frightened. Slowly, the lamps light started to diminish and soon one will lift it and will cause a huge explosion. However, a Isagani, a student and friend of the newly-weds knew the plot and because of his undying love to Paulita threw the lamp before it explodes. After the wedding, the plot was unraveled and a shoot-to-kill order for Simoun was commissioned. Hence, Simoun, the sly fox that he is, makes sure that he wont get caught alive. He drank a poison and as it effects started to take toll on his body, he was able to confess his plans and real name to a Filipino priests. Characters Simounben zayb Basilioplacido penitente Isaganiquiroga Kabesang talesold man selo Don custodiofather fernandez Paulita Gomezattorney pasta Father florentinocaptain-general Hulipadre sibyla What is the climax of el filibusterismo? the climax of the story of El Filibusterismo found in kabanata 35 in titled ANG PISTA What are the moral values of el filibusterismo? El Filibusterismo was Rizals second novel published in Ghent, Belgium in 1891 with the financial help of Valentin Ventura. It is a sequel to his first novel, Noli Me Tangere. The main character of El Filibusterismo is Simoun, a rich jeweler from Cuba. He was Crisostomo Ibarra of Noli Me Tangere who, with Elias help, escaped from the pursuing soldiers at Laguna Lake, dug up his buried treasure, and sailed to Cuba where he became rich and made friends with many Spanish officials. After many years, he returns to the Philippines in disguise. He has become so powerful because he became an adviser of the governor-general. On the outside, Simoun is a friend of Spain. But deep in his heart, he is secretly planning a bitter revenge against the Spanish authorities. His obsessions are 1) to incite a revolution against the Spanish authorities, and 2) to rescue Maria Clara from the Sta.Clara convent. El Filibusterismo (Subversion) is the second novel by Jose Rizal, national hero of the Philippines. Written as a sequel to the Noli Me Tangere, it focuses more on dark themes and appears to favor revolution (at least as far as the main character is concerned) -by: Manuel Viloria A Filipino Family on the Web El Filibusterismo (lit. Spanish for The Filibustering[1]), also known by its English alternate title The Reign of Greed,[2] is the second novel written by Philippine national hero Josà © Rizal. It is the sequel to Noli Me Tangere and like the first book, was written in Spanish. It was first published in 1891 in Ghent, Belgium.

Literature on Working Capital Management and Profitability

Literature on Working Capital Management and Profitability Regarding the research of working capital management and profitability. This chapter consists of literature review of different researchers and their studies findings in accordance to the region their studies are based on. I will start with the region of United States of American and followed by the European countries. Studies from other countries not included in the aforementioned regions will be described in the following topic. This chapter ends with a table summarizing the findings of different authors from this literature review. Variables Description Average Collection Period on Profitability In an article wrote by Milling (1991, p. 48), he mentioned that: Average collection period measures the time that a firms average sales dollar remains outstanding as an account receivable. Average collection period is formulated by dividing accounts receivable by sales and multiplying by the number of days in a year (365). It is the average number of days which a firm manages to collect its outstanding debts from customers (Garcia-Teruel Martinez-Solano, 2007). According to Lazaridis and Tryfonidis (2006), acerage collection period is one of the components to measure the cash conversion cycle which is manageable to maximize the profitability and improve firms growth. In Raheman and Nasr (2007) research adaptation, the correlation analysis between average collection period and net operating profitability shows a negative coefficient. This means that if the average collection period increases, it will lower the profits in return. However, the Pearsons correlation proved there is a strong positive relationship between average collection period and cash conversion cycle. Most profitable firms are observed to have a shorter period of collection period (Deloof, 2003). These same firms a re also larger in size, have higher sales growth and lower debt fin ancing. Further research done by Garcia-Teruel and Martinez-Solano (2007) had its result consistent with Deloof (2003) finding. They had agreed that elongate the deadlines for customers to repay their payments may project greater payment facilities, but would negatively affect the profitability of a firm. Sales may also be increased due to the leniency of firms collection policy. To increase corporate value, a high quality accounts receivable portfolio could be created, safeguarded and realized through effective credit management. This is due to heavy investments in accounts receivable by larger corporations. Hence, Pike and Cheng (2001) felt it is important to control the credit management policy and practices choices in order to maximize value. The lower the investments placed on accounts receivable, the more reduction in interest costs, hence, a respectable increase in earnings (Milling, 1991). Besides that, there is a close relationship between sales growth and the level of current assets (Kim, Rowland Kim, 1992). The example given was that the increment in credit sales will lead to higher inventories and accounts receivable. It is unavoidable to invest in current assets in that matter. According to Deloof (2003, p.584): An alternative explanation for the negative relation between accounts receivable and profitability could be that customers want more time to assess the quality of products they buy from firms with declining profitability. Schwartz (1974) debated that firms that are able to obtain funds at lower cost would offer trade credit to firms facing higher financing cost through finance-based models. Emery (1984) was able to conclude that investments in trade credit are a much better option for short-term investment than market securities. The advantage of trade credit can be spontaneous and exist without formalities, but the limitation is that it is available for goods and services only (Hossain Akon, 1997). Inventory Turnover on Profitability Zero inventory and Just-in-time manufacturing had been a popular inventory management practices (Reynolds, 1999). In much simpler terminology, inventory turnover means the cycle of using and replenishing goods. According to Reynolds (1999), inventory turnover analysis has major importance because inventory management directly impact operations profitability. This analysis serves as a measure of firms efficiency and profitability. Inventory turnover analysis can assist financial managers in recognizing problems and can help reduce associated costs. Average Payment Period on Profitability Companies of different sizes (small, medium and large) are now taking longer time period to repay their debts (Anonymous, 2005). The same author also mentioned that was affected due to larger companies imposing longer payment terms on their suppliers, who are usually not in a position to choose. Companies in a lower part of the chain would face cash flow problems as companies on the upper chain wait for payment before they pay their suppliers. Cash Conversion Cycle on Profitability The cash conversion cycle is able to capture the impact of an effective working capital management policy, which are due to the effects from turnover of receivables, inventories and payables. The function of cash conversion cycle is defined by Jose, Lancaster and Stevens (1996, p.34): The CCC measures the time between cash outlays for resources and cash receipts from product sales. The CCC is dynamic in the sense it combines both balance sheet and income statement data to create a measure with a time dimension. Richards and Laughlin (1980) consequently operated this concept by measuring the number of days funds are committed to receivables and inventories and less the number of days payments are deferred to suppliers. Shin and Soenan (1998) are able to prove a strong correlation between cash conversion cycle and profitability. Even so, they used a substitute of cash conversion cycle called the net trading cycle. Using this cash conversion cycle, also known as cash-to-cash (C2C), companies could establish a point of reference for inter-firm comparisons. Besides improving profits earned, companies could obtain overall efficiencies and balance supply chain operations (Hutchison, Farris II Anders, 2007). Regional United States of America According to a research done by Kim, Rowland and Kim (1992), it was about the implications of working capital management practices by Japanese manufacturers in the US. This study is to determine the objectives of working capital management by Japanese manufacturers in US and to identify options for funding. As Japans foreign direct investment in the business expansion of US has increased rapidly, therefore, it is important to manage the firms working capital well. International working capital management has significant importance as total assets and liabilities of multinational corporations consist of current assets and short-term liabilities. There are few differences in financial structure between the US companies and Japanese manufacturers: Japanese firms rely more on banks short-term debt. Japanese firms project a lower level of net working capital. Japanese firms operate with about half as much equity as US firms. Japanese firms hold twice as much in long-term investments as US firms. Japanese firms reported lower inventory level; more accounts receivables and twice as much cash as US firms. Questionnaires were sent out to Japanese manufacturing companies operating in US. Executives from these Japanese-owned firms perform this survey to determine the companys working capital policies and practices. The data reverted back to researchers show that Japanese firms rated the most important objective of working capital management is to be providing current assets and liabilities in support of anticipated sales, while minimizing investments in current assets being the least important. Moreover, most of their short-term financing were sources from Japanese banks. In 1996, Jose, Lancaster and Stevens performed a research on the relationship of corporate returns and cash conversion cycle. This study examined the long-run equilibrium relationship between a measure of ongoing liquidity needs (cash conversion cycle) and measures of profitability. Data collected were from the annual Compustat tapes, which covers the twenty-year period starting from year 1974 to 1993. There are altogether 2,718 firms which have complete data required. The variables were tested using nonparametric and multiple regression analysis, with the industry and size variable controlled. Richards and Laughlin (1980) and Emery (1984) had noted the constraints of using traditional financial ratios and believed in the liquidity management measures to reflect the ability of firms meeting their short-term financial obligations. Return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) measures are also included in this study to separate asset management and financing influence. Jose, Lancaster and Stevens concluded that there are key findings for ROA and ROE. These ass et management returns and levered returns revealed an increase in performance and benefits. Shin and Soenan (1998) did a study to test the efficiency of working capital management to create profitability. They used a Compustat sample of 58,985 firms covering the period 1975 1994. The relationship between the length of net trading cycle, corporate profitability and risk-adjusted stock return was examined. Net trading cycle could be computed as below: Net Trading Cycle = (Inventory Turnover + Average Collection Period Average Payment Period) x (365 / Sales) The outcome of the study shows strong negative relation between the length of firms net trade cycle and profitability. They also considered that working capital efficiency increases profitability; there will be a negative relationship between net trading cycle and stock return. The examination of this relationship is done using the correlation and regression analysis, by industry and working capital intensity. In their study, it is mentioned that working capital is a result of the cash conversion cycle. Gentry, Vaidyanathan and Lee (1990) developed the weighted cash conversion cycle, which scales the timing by the amount of funds in each step of the cycle. On the other hand, Deloof (2003) said that this method could not be used due to incompleteness of information available for calculation. Liquidity ratios, such as current ratio and acid-test ratio, could not measure the working capital management efficiently due to reasons that these ratios include calculation of assets which are n ot readily available to be converted into cash and the ratios ignored the timing of cash conversion (Shin Soenan, 1998). In all, maximum working capital efficiency is an essential factor of total corporate strategy to create shareholders value. A research was done on the international working capital of multinational corporations by Dr. Hadley Leavell from Sam Houston State University. His journal was published in 2006. To enhance profitability of multinational corporations, Ricci and Di Vito (2000) suggested reducing the floating costs of time value, losses on outstanding accounts receivables, transaction costs and foreign exchange conversion costs when moving cash between countries. However, the difficulty to overcome regulatory and geographical barriers may lead to a loss of control and payment regulations placed on cross-border cash concentration to maximize profitability. Regional Europe In year 2003, Deloof investigated the relation between working capital management and profitability of a sample 1,009 large Belgian non-financial firms between years 1992 1996. The cash conversion cycle was considered as the comprehensive measure for working capital, whereas gross operating income is the measurement for profits. There is the weighted cash conversion cycle modified by Gentry, Vaidyanathan and Lee in 1990, but was not applied by Deloof because of the limited information availability. Deloof related the correlation and regression analysis to his research to prove that there is a relationship between working capital management and profitability. Another research done in Europe is by Lazaridis and Tryfonidis in year 2006. They investigated the relationship between working capital management and corporate profitability of a sample of 131 companies listed in the Athens Stock Exchange. Data was collected from year 2001 2004. In this research, profitability was measured through gross operating profit and cash conversion cycle. Lazaridis and Tryfonidiss research also established that larger companies are cash-management-focused with more credit sales, which led to cash flow problems. Smaller scale firms are more focused on stock management and credit management. Similar to Deloofs (2003) research, the cash conversion cycle is used to describe the effectiveness of working capital management in this study. Regression analysis used in this research showed a negative relationship between cash conversion cycle and profitability. Garcia-Teruel and Martinez-Solano (2007) were involved in a research to provide evidence about the effects of working capital management towards to profitability of Spanish small and medium-sized (SME) enterprises. Many previous researches are focused on larger form of firms. They collected a sample of over 8, 800 SMEs which covers the year 1996 2002 from the AMADEUS database. The selection was done in accordance to the requirements by Europeans Commissions recommendation on the definition of SMEs. In fact, the current assets and current liabilities of their sample of SMEs proportion is the majority of total assets and liabilities available to the firms. They used the cash conversion cycle to measure the profitability of the firms on their research sample. Their study was supported by Deloof (2003), confirmed that firms can improve profitability by lowering outstanding accounts receivables and payables and inventories. A univariate analysis was conducted to determine differences in variables, followed by a multivariate analysis to determine working capi tal management on corporate profitability. Return on Assets ratio was set as the dependent variable to establish profitability. In the correlation matrix used, they found a negative relationship between their dependent variable (return on assets) with the number of days accounts receivables, days of inventory and days accounts payable. They confirmed that by shortening the cash conversion cycle, firms could improve profitability. Regional Others Hossain and Akon (1997) did a case study on financing working capital of Bangladesh textile mills corporations. This case study covers 40 public sector textile units under the ownership and administration of Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporations. The study covered a period of twelve years from 1982 1993. According to Hossain and Akon, well-known economists believed that current assets should be considered as working capital as the whole of it helps to generate profits. In their study, it shows that a vast amount of short-term finance was used in financing fixed and current assets to the extent of 100 percent. This caused a lower capability to earn profits, but increases the risk of insolvency. The aggressive working capital financing (using short-term funds to finance fixed assets) should be tamed in Bangladesh textile mills corporations to maximize profits, by resorting to long-term funds which are less costly. Methods used to test their hypothesis are through regression analysis and comparing the calculation of financial ratios. Raheman and Nasr (2007) had done a research to prove the relationship between working capital management and profitability of Pakistani firms. A sample of 94 firms listed on Karachi Stock Exchange was selected. Firms are listed for a period of 6 years from 1999 2004. It was mentioned that an excess of current assets could lead to a firm realizing its return on investment. However, it was proven otherwise if firms have a shortage of current assets (Horne Wachowicz, 2000). The measurement of profitability used by Raheman and Nasr is the Net Operating Profitability. They used the regression analysis to assess their hypothesis. Their study includes data of regression analysis of cross-sectional and time-series data. The pooled-regression (constant coefficient models) type of panel data analysis was applied. They believe that increase in the cash conversion cycle would lead to lower profit generation (Shin Soenan, 1998; Deloof, 2003; Lazaridis Tryfonidis, 2006; Garcia-Teruel Martinez-Solano, 2007). Summary of Literature Review Author (Year) Market (Region) Evidence of Findings Kim, Rowland and Kim (1992) Japanese Manufacturers in US (USA) Objective of working capital management is to be providing current assets and liabilities in support of anticipated sales. Jose, Lancaster and Stevens (1996) Compustat (USA) Key findings in asset management returns and levered returns. Shin and Soenan (1998) Compustat (USA) Relationship between the length of net trading cycle, corporate profitability and risk-adjusted stock return. Leavell (2006) Multinational corporations (USA) International working capital and multinational corporations. Deloof (2003) Belgian non-financial firms (Europe) Application of cash conversion cycle. Lazaridis and Tryfonidis (2006) Companies listed on Athens Stock Exchange (Europe) Larger companies are cash-management-focused, Smaller firms are more focused on stock management and credit management. Garcia-Teruel and Martinez-Solano (2007) Spanish SMEs (Europe) Effects of SMEs working capital management towards its profitability. Hossain and Akon (1997) Bangladesh (Asia) Financing Bangladesh textile mills corporations. Raheman and Nasr (2007) Karachi Stock Exchange (Asia) Working capital management of Pakistani firms and its profitability. Table 2.1 Summary of Literature Review Conclusion Working capital is about establishing optimum liquidity position by effectively managing resources invested in day-to-day operations of the business. After studying the journals and researches done, it can be concluded that liquidity and profitability of firms was affected by the components and working capital management measures (accounts receivable, inventory and accounts payable).

Significance of Dying and Death in To Build a Fire :: Build Fire Essays

Significance of â€Å"Dying† and â€Å"Death† in "To Build a Fire" The significance of the words "dying and death" in Jack London's 1910 novel, "To Build a Fire" continuously expresses the man's dwindling warmth and bad luck in his journey along the Yukon trail to meet "the boys" at camp. London associates dying with the man's diminishing ability to stay warm in the frigid Alaskan climate. The main characters predicament slowly worsens one level at a time finally resulting in death. The narrator informs the reader "the man" lacks personal experience travelling in the Yukon terrain. The old-timer warned the man about the harsh realities of the Klondike. The confident main character thinks of the old-timer at Sulphur Creek as "womanish." Along the trail, "the man" falls into a hidden spring and attempts to build a fire to dry his socks and warm himself. With his wet feet quickly growing numb, he realizes he has only one chance to successfully build a fire or face the harsh realities of the Yukon at one-hundred nine degrees below freezing. Falling snow from a tree blots out the fire and the character realizes "he had just heard his own sentence of death." Jack London introduces death to the reader in this scene. The man realizes "a second fire must be built without fail." The man's mind begins to run wild with thoughts of insecurity and death when the second fire fails. He recollects the story of a man who kills a steer to stay warm and envisions himself killing his dog and crawling into the carcass to warm up so he can build a fire to save himself. London writes, "a certain fear of death, dull and oppressive, came to him." As the man slowly freezes, he realizes he is in serious trouble and can no longer make excuses for himself. Acknowledging he "would never get to the camp and would soon be stiff and dead," he tries to clear this morbid thought from his mind by running down the trail in a last ditch effort to pump blood through his extremities. The climax of the story describes "the man" picturing "his body completely frozen on the trail." He falls into the snow thinking, "he is bound to freeze anyway and freezing was not as bad as people thought. There were a lot worse ways to die." The man drowsed off into "the most comfortable and

Charles’ Law and Absolute Zero

Date of experiment: November 4, 2010 Date submitted: November 11, 2010 Introduction: As per Charles’ Law, there is a linear relationship between the temperature and volume of a gas. Charles discovered that -273Â °C is the point at which a gas has no volume. Since that's as cold as he thought things could ever get, that originated the idea of absolute zero. In this experiment, Charles’ Law was applied and made into data to determine an experimental value for Absolute Zero. To do so, a fixed amount of gas was confined in a small, uniform sample tube.The temperature of the gas was changed, by being placed in water. The expected result is that as the temperature of the gas gets cooler (decreases), the volume of gas will decrease. Procedure: A 400mL beaker was filled with tap water and place on a hot plate until the thermometer read 55Â °C. Then a sample tube filled with two mercury plugs was obtained from the instructor. With a ruler, the distance between the two mercury plugs was recorded. Using small rubber bands, the sample tube was strapped to the ruler, which was then attached to the bottom of thermometer.A cork was attached onto the top of the thermometer, and then clamped in the beaker of pre-heated water. The initial temperature and distance between each plug in the pre-heated water were then recorded. Ice was added and stirred every so often to cool the temperature of the water. When the beaker was going to overflow, small amounts of the water were removed by a pipet. The temperature and distance between each plug were then recorded every two minutes. Eight sets of temperatures were recorded when the goal temperature of 0. Â °C was achieved. Data: 1) Temperature and Distance Between Mercury Plugs Every 2mins Time (minutes)| Temperature of water (Â °C)| Distance between plugs (mm)| 0 (Plugs out of water)| 49. 8| 60. 2 (in room temp)| 2 (Plugs in water)| 46. 3| 63. 8| 4| 42. 2| 63. 3| 6| 39. 3| 62. 2| 8| 24. 9| 60. 0| 10| 19. 1| 58. 6| 12| 7. 8| 56. 6| 14| 1. 9| 55. 1| 16| 0. 1| 54. 4| 18| 0. 1| 54. 4| Calculations: 1) Line of best fit: y=0. 1981x+54. 752 Slope (m): 0. 198 mm/C Y-Intercept (b): 54. 8 mm 2) Absolute zero (V=0): -276. 8Â °C 3) % Error:Excepted value: -273Â °C Discussion: My results show that as the temperature of the water decreased, the distance between the two mercury plugs decreased. This supports Charles’ Law which states . When creating my graph, I did not include the first initial temperature and length recordings. The plot was not anywhere near the others, and would have thrown off the slope. My value for absolute zero was fairly close to the excepted -273Â °C. There was a small difference of 3. 8Â °C between the two values, with a percent error or 1. 4%.My results were expected because I was obviously not going to get the perfect -273Â °C absolute zero value, due to experimental error. Sources of experimental error that could occur are if the initial temperature of the water was over 55Â °C and if the mercury plugs were not fully submerged in the water. If the water was over 55Â °C, then the ruler would have deformed from melting. This would make the ruler’s readings unreliable. If the mercury plugs were not fully submerged in the water then they would not get the full effect of temperature change.

Biography of Aviator Amelia Earhart

Biography of Aviator Amelia Earhart Amelia Earhart the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean and the first person to make a solo flight across both the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans.  Earhart also set several height and speed records in an airplane. Despite all these records, Amelia Earhart is perhaps best remembered for her mysterious disappearance, which has become one of the enduring mysteries of the 20th century. While attempting to become the first woman to fly around the world, she disappeared on July 2, 1937, while heading toward Howlands Island. Dates: July 24, 1897 July 2, 1937(?) Also Known As: Amelia Mary Earhart, Lady Lindy Amelia Earhart’s Childhood Amelia Mary Earhart was born in her maternal grandparents’ home in Atchison, Kansas, on July 24, 1897 to Amy and Edwin Earhart. Although Edwin was a lawyer, he never earned the approval of Amy’s parents, Judge Alfred Otis and his wife, Amelia. In 1899, two-and-a-half years after Amelia’s birth, Edwin and Amy welcomed another daughter, Grace Muriel. Amelia Earhart spent much of her early childhood living with her Otis grandparents in Atchison during the school months and then spending her summers with her parents. Earhart’s early life was filled with outdoor adventures combined with the etiquette lessons expected of upper-middle-class girls of her day. Amelia (known as â€Å"Millie† in her youth) and her sister Grace Muriel (known as â€Å"Pidge†) loved to play together, especially outdoors. After visiting the World’s Fair in St. Louis in 1904, Amelia decided she wanted to build her own mini roller coaster in her backyard. Enlisting Pidge to help, the two built a homemade roller coaster on the roof of the tool shed, using planks, a wooden box, and lard for grease. Amelia took the first ride, which ended with a crash and some bruises – but she loved it. By 1908, Edwin Earhart had closed his private law firm and was working as a lawyer for a railroad in Des Moines, Iowa; thus, it was time for Amelia to move back in with her parents. That same year, her parents took her to the Iowa State Fair where 10-year-old Amelia saw an airplane for the very first time. Surprisingly, it didn’t interest her. Problems at Home At first, life in Des Moines seemed to be going well for the Earhart family; however, it soon became obvious that Edwin had started to drink heavily. When his alcoholism got worse, Edwin eventually lost his job in Iowa and had trouble finding another. In 1915, with the promise of a job with the Great Northern Railway in St. Paul, Minnesota, the Earhart family packed up and moved. However, the job fell through once they got there. Tired of her husband’s alcoholism and the family’s increasing money troubles, Amy Earhart moved herself and her daughters to Chicago, leaving their father behind in Minnesota. Edwin and Amy eventually divorced in 1924. Due to her family’s frequent moves, Amelia Earhart switched high schools six times, making it hard for her to make or keep friends during her teen years. She did well in her classes  but preferred sports. She graduated from Chicago’s Hyde Park High School in 1916 and is listed in the school’s yearbook as â€Å"the girl in brown who walks alone.† Later in life, however, she was known for her friendly and outgoing nature. After high school, Earhart went to the Ogontz School in Philadelphia, but she soon dropped out to become a nurse for returning World War I soldiers and for victims of the influenza epidemic of 1918. First Flights It wasn’t until 1920, when Earhart was 23 years old, that she developed an interest in airplanes. While visiting her father in California she attended an air show and the stunt-flying feats she watched convinced her that she had to try flying for herself. Earhart took her first flying lesson on January 3, 1921. According to her instructors, Earhart wasn’t a â€Å"natural† at piloting an airplane; instead, she made up for a lack of talent with plenty of hard work and passion. Earhart received her â€Å"Aviator Pilot† certification from the Federation Aeronautique Internationale on May 16, 1921 a major step for any pilot at the time. Since her parents could not afford to pay for her lessons, Earhart worked several jobs to raise the money herself. She also saved up the money to buy her own airplane, a small Kinner Airster she called the Canary. In the Canary, she broke the women’s altitude record on October 22, 1922, by becoming the first woman to reach 14,000 feet in an airplane. The First Woman to Fly Over the Atlantic In 1927, aviator Charles Lindbergh made history by becoming the first person to fly non-stop across the Atlantic, from the U.S. to England. A year later, Amelia Earhart was asked to make a non-stop flight across the same ocean. She had been discovered by publisher George Putnam, who had been asked to look for a female pilot to complete this feat. Since this was not to be a solo flight, Earhart joined a crew of two other aviators, both men. On June 17, 1928, the journey began when the Friendship, a Fokker F7 specially outfitted for the trip, took off from Newfoundland bound for England. Ice and fog made the trip difficult and Earhart spent much of the flight scribbling notes in a journal while her co-pilots, Bill Stultz and Louis Gordon, handled the plane. 20 Hours and 40 Minutes in the Air On June 18, 1928, after 20 hours and 40 minutes in the air, the Friendship landed in South Wales. Although Earhart said she did not contribute any more to the flight than â€Å"a sack of potatoes† would have, the press saw her accomplishment differently. They started calling Earhart â€Å"Lady Lindy,† after Charles Lindbergh. Shortly after this trip, Earhart published a book about her experiences, titled 20 Hours 40 Minutes. Before long Amelia Earhart was looking for new records to break in her own airplane. A few months after publishing 20 Hours 40 Minutes, she flew solo across the United States and back the first time a female pilot had made the journey alone. In 1929, she founded and participated in the Woman’s Air Derby, an airplane race from Santa Monica, California to Cleveland, Ohio with a substantial cash prize. Flying a more powerful Lockheed Vega, Earhart finished third, behind noted pilots Louise Thaden and Gladys O’Donnell. On February 7, 1931, Earhart married George Putnam. She also banded together with other female aviators to start a professional international organization for female pilots. Earhart was the first president. The Ninety-Niners, named because it originally had 99 members, still represents and supports female pilots today. Earhart published a second book about her accomplishments, The Fun of It, in 1932. Solo Across the Ocean Having won multiple competitions, flown in air shows, and set new altitude records, Earhart began looking for a bigger challenge. In 1932, she decided to become the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. On May 20, 1932, she took off again from Newfoundland, piloting a small Lockheed Vega. It was a dangerous trip: clouds and fog made it difficult to navigate, her plane’s wings became covered with ice, and the plane developed a fuel leak about two-thirds of the way across the ocean. Worse, the altimeter stopped working, so Earhart had no idea how far above the ocean’s surface her plane was a situation that nearly resulted in her crashing into the Atlantic Ocean. Touched Down in a Sheep Pasture in Ireland In serious danger, Earhart abandoned her plans to land at Southampton, England, and made for the first bit of land she saw. She touched down in a sheep pasture in Ireland on May 21, 1932, becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic and the first-ever person to fly across the Atlantic twice. The solo Atlantic crossing was followed by more book deals, meetings with heads of state, and a lecture tour, as well as more flying competitions. In 1935, Earhart also made a solo flight from Hawaii to Oakland, California, becoming the first person to fly solo from Hawaii to the U.S. mainland. This trip also made Earhart the first person to fly solo across both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Her Last Flight Not long after making her Pacific flight in 1935, Amelia Earhart decided she wanted to try flying around the entire world. A U.S. Army Air Force crew had made the trip in 1924 and male aviator Wiley Post flew around the world by himself in 1931 and 1933. Two New Goals But Earhart had two new goals. First, she wanted to be the first woman to fly solo around the world. Second, she wanted to fly around the world at or near the equator, the planet’s widest point: the previous flights had both circled the world much closer to the North Pole, where the distance was shortest. Planning and preparation for the trip were difficult, time-consuming, and expensive. Her plane, a Lockheed Electra, had to be completely re-fitted with additional fuel tanks, survival gear, scientific instruments, and a state-of-the-art radio. A 1936 test flight ended in a crash that destroyed the plane’s landing gear. Several months passed while the plane was fixed. The Most Difficult Point in the Trip Meanwhile, Earhart and her navigator, Frank Noonan, plotted their course around the world. The most difficult point in the trip would be the flight from Papua New Guinea to Hawaii because it required a fuel stop at Howland’s Island, a small coral island about 1,700 miles west of Hawaii. Aviation maps were poor at the time and the island would be difficult to find from the air. However, the stop at Howland’s Island was unavoidable because the plane could only carry about half the fuel needed to fly from Papua New Guinea to Hawaii, making a fuel stop essential if Earhart and Noonan were to make it across the South Pacific. As difficult as it might be to find, Howland’s Island seemed like the best choice for a stop since it is positioned approximately halfway between Papua New Guinea and Hawaii. Once their course had been plotted and their plane readied, it was time for the final details. It was during this last minute preparation that Earhart decided not to take the full-sized radio antenna that Lockheed recommended, instead opting for a smaller antenna. The new antenna was lighter, but it also could not transmit or receive signals as well, especially in bad weather. The First Leg of Their Trip On May 21, 1937, Amelia Earhart and Frank Noonan took off from Oakland, California, on the first leg of their trip. The plane landed first in Puerto Rico and then in several other locations in the Caribbean before heading to Senegal. They crossed Africa, stopping several times for fuel and supplies, then went on to Eritrea, India, Burma, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. There, Earhart and Noonan prepared for the toughest stretch of the trip the landing at Howland’s Island. Since every pound in the plane meant more fuel used, Earhart removed every non-essential item even the parachutes. The plane was checked and re-checked by mechanics to ensure it was in top condition. However, Earhart and Noonan had been flying for over a month straight by this time and both were tired. Left Papua New Guinea Heading Toward Howland’s Island On July 2, 1937, Earhart’s plane left Papua New Guinea heading toward Howland’s Island. For the first seven hours, Earhart and Noonan stayed in radio contact with the airstrip in Papua New Guinea. After that, they made intermittent radio contact with the U.S.S. Itsaca, a Coast Guard ship patrolling the waters below. However, the reception was poor and messages between the plane and the Itsaca were frequently lost or garbled. The Plane Did Not Appear Two hours after Earhart’s scheduled arrival at Howland’s Island, at about 10:30 a.m. local time on July 2, 1937, the Itsaca received a last static-filled message that indicated Earhart and Noonan could not see the ship or the island and they were almost out of fuel. The crew of the Itsaca tried to signal the ship’s location by sending up black smoke, but the plane did not appear. Neither the plane, Earhart, nor Noonan were ever seen or heard from again. The Mystery Continues The mystery of what happened to Earhart, Noonan, and the plane has not yet been solved. In 1999, British archaeologists claimed to have found artifacts on a small island in the South Pacific that contained Earhart’s DNA, but the evidence is not conclusive. Near the plane’s last known location, the ocean reaches depths of 16,000 feet, well below the range of today’s deep-sea diving equipment. If the plane sank into those depths, it may never be recovered.

The land I love essays

The land I love essays Bruce Springsteen writes a majority of his songs about prolific times in the great American past, which most Americans have vowed to forget. He stresses the importance of the mindset we must have as Americans, throughout harsh and painful times we inevitably endure. Not many people find comfort in reminiscing about the many innocents killed in Vietnam or the souls destroyed by racial profiling in the race riots of the 1960s. In Born in the U.S.A, No Surrender, and My Hometown, Springsteen engages the listener in a patriotic mode, and makes us Americans, proud to be who we are. Vietnam was a War in America that many want to forget. It was a war plagued by unexplained deaths and fought by innocent and mentally unprepared civilians Got in a little hometown jam so they put a rifle in my hand, Sent me off to a foreign land to go kill the yellow man. Many suffered extreme losses Had a brother Khe Sahn fighting off the Viet Cong, Theyre still there hes all gone. Springsteen knew Americans needed a sense of patriotism when discussing times of negativity, such as Vietnam. Throughout Born in the U.S.A Springsteen reaches out to his listeners, because both he and us were Born in the U.S.A. Us Americans need to feel as if we are that ...cool rocking Daddy in the U.S.A. in order to change our moods and focus on other aspects of life such as rock and roll, rather than War. In Springsteens No Surrender references are made to Vietnam War, yet Springsteen forces Americans once again, to feel patriotic. Tonight I can hear the neighborhood drummer sound, I can feel my heart begin to pound. Drum rolls are necessary in funerals of those who die serving our country. He recognizes Americans feel our situation in Vietnam is worthless, and recognizes many of the soldiers are indeed tired and scared, yet Springsteen lets them remember We made a promise we swore we...

Time Capsule Essays

Time Capsule Essays Time Capsule Essay Time Capsule Essay Created on December 31, 1900, scheduled to be opened 100 years later. Ii. Filled with photographs and letters from 56 prominent residents. Transition: [Now, let me enlighten you on the benefits of time capsule. ] 2. The benefits of making a time capsule. A. The element of surprise. I. Discovered a secret. Ii. Adventure style. B. Record your precious memories. I. Memories wont be lost over time. Ii. Meaningful. Transition : [ Next, I will show you the steps to make a time capsule. ] 3. Steps to make a time capsule. A. Choose a duration for your time capsule. B. Decide where you will store your time capsule. C. Select a suitable type of container. D. Collect the objects that you will put into your time capsule. E. Seal the time capsule and store it. Transition : [ Maybe you will curious, what should I put into my time capsule? So, I will give some examples here. ] 4. Things to put into time capsule. A. Your meaningful collection. B. Labels or packaging of your favorite food. C. Letters. D. Personal items which can represent you. Transition : [ Besides, location to hide your time capsule is also very important. ] 5. Location to hide your time capsule. A. Dry and clean environment. B. Out of childrens reach. C. Mysterious place. Transition : [ Eventually , let me summarize the whole thing. ] Conclusion 1 . Summary of main points. In conclusion, time capsule is a very special thing which contains our own precious memories which can let us feel surprised after we find it in the future. 2. Concluding remarks You never try, you will never know! Give yourself some time to make a time capsule to give yourself a chance to have an adventure on your own memories in future! Thank you!

Blog Spot Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Blog Spot - Essay Example Iraq was then supposedly occupied by the Americans with the initial purpose of ensuring peace, progress, and modernity there and rescuing the public of Iraq from heavy influence exercised by the rigid and exacting government. It is my argument that though America presented many justifiable reasons for invading Iraq, the deteriorating condition of Iraq and the helpless condition of the American troops patrolling there have collectively imposed such a heavy burden on the economy of America that millions of families are getting badly affected owing to this purposeless war while not meeting the criteria given by the hawks. Proponents of the invasion of Iraq had a few primary justifications. There were fears that Saddam Hussein was developing WMDs. There was concern that he had been connected to al Qaeda cells (Rumsfeld, 2009). And, of course, he was a brutal dictator. One problem was that they kept offering different justifications, saying that one was central one day and the other the next, but the case did look compelling initially. They also claimed UN Security Council support. Some had messianic justifications: Falwell also argues that the Iraq war is justifiable and was indeed initiated by God’s will and authority (2004). Meanwhile, opponents said that the war was illegal. The UN Charter makes it illegal for countries to unilaterally invade other countries, no matter what other Resolutions are on the table. The Security Council had not acted, so it was illegal. They argued that the war would lead to more terrorism, a claim that seemed to become compelling in the aftermath of the invasion as suicide bombings began in a country that did not have them prior. They also argued that Saddam Hussein had no WMDs, which was hard to tell at the time but became prescient when it was discovered that he didnt. They argued that the invasion could lead to looting of WMDs, and that the invasion was mostly about securing oil and resources for

Mini Research Project Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Mini Project - Research Proposal Example When the world real Gross Domestic Product was having a howling dread, the GDP of China was pretty much sturdily moving upward in an open contrast (Easterly, 2011). The underlying research project aims to spotlight the off budget fiscal activity and the effectiveness of the emergency fiscal policies implemented by the Chinese government by making use of the IMF’s published augmented fiscal data. Data were originally augmented by adding the general statistical output up with the off budget fiscal data. Though, this is a secondary research including the subjective approach by analyzing a number of theoretical sources to make a solid and theoretical inference so far. However the augmentation in the fiscal data is an aid to understand the underlying course of activity rather to replace the general purpose government released statistics. It was not possible to draw the judgments by using each and every part of the published augmented data; hence here I am going to exclude some of t he figures to reduce the complexity and intricacy i.e., policy banks fiscal activity data, ministry of railway net borrowing etc. In the period of the world economic crisis, local government aimed to implement several plans to reduce the impacts. Out of the most prominent activity, the most observable can be reported as the infrastructure investments to support and boost up the economic development in the country. It remained a popularized countercyclical tool to foster the internal developmental course. This developmental spending was categorized as an off budget expenditure and managed through the sales of the government inland property or Local Government’s Finance Vehicle borrowings so far internally. Thus IMF introduced the concept of augmentation in order to measure the impact of the budgeted and off budgeted fiscal activity within the economy. Without complementary augmented data, it is quite thorny to analyze the total effect and stimulus towards the tradeoff to the crisis.

California history Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

California history - Research Paper Example In addition, this region records the largest number of wild fires as compared to the other states in America. The climate of this region is mainly cool with rainy winters and hot summers. Moreover, it was the home of a great n umber of America’s natives and the indigenes communities. It had unique cultural and linguistic traits due to the inter existence of almost seventy different groups of Native Americans. In this regard, this essay will delve on the political organization of the Native Americans. The political organization of the Native Americans had unique attributes due the lifestyle of these people1. For instance, political organization of a society is the collective provision of guidance to a community or society in either a formal or an in formal way. The natives were mostly hunter-gatherers hence settled down in groupings that matched their way of life. Their political organizations were diverse in that they had further divisions according to tribe, chiefdoms, bands, and states. In essence, the band political form of the organization was a small group of closely related relatives from the household in a particular region who came together on different occasions but did not answer to any superior authority. Ideally, this form of governance was not complex since the number of those under the ruler ship was a manageable number. This system did not have a central political structure hence making this form of governance to be informal. Moreover, communities under the band2 form of had autonomous extended family groupings that formed the political set up. Bands were unable to compete for community resources since they were not complex in the execution of leadership. They had two clusters, one being the simple bands and complex bands. Simple bands were the smallest groupings, which were narrow to the level of the extended families. Ion the other hand, composite bands had larger families totaling to hundreds in numbers. Sequentially, this political for m was easier due to the constant moving of the families in these communities because of their hunter-gatherer state. On the contrary, this leadership was definitive in that it had Leaders who acquired positions of leadership by virtue of portraying leadership abilities. In addition, they became leaders through their ability to influence their societies to act in certain ways. They stayed in the position of leadership until the community no longer had confidence in them. In essence, the leaders in charge of bands were the peace chiefs. They had wisdom, kindness, and abilities in leading the community in to successful battles3. This oldest form of political organization4 was essential in the solving of community problems because the leader knew the ones in the dispute quite well. Therefore, the delivery of judgment was fair according to the community. Other forms of political organization came about due to intermarriages between communities. Secondly, the Native Americans had tribes, which were groups of independent people that occupied a specific region and shared a common language. In addition, the tribes had common cultural practices applied by certain unifying factors. Additionally, a tribe composed of different people from bands and villages integrated in to lineages and clans. This form of the organization was a temporal and formal because of the frequent attacks by other bordering communities. Remarkably, there was no central authority hence making it an inform way of ruler ship5.

A Technology World That Centers On the User Assignment

A Technology World That Centers On the User - Assignment Example As business practitioners learned, the main concern for enterprises is to satisfy the customers’ needs; otherwise, organizations fail. The phenomenon seems to be more glaring in technology-based industries because of the magnified applications that have been offered and presented by the digital world. It is therefore true that the increasing use of consumers of wide range of demographical factors and locations of the internet seemed to endanger other traditional products: books, newspapers, among others. More so, if Bilton’s future prognosis encompasses linking even the television medium to the internet to offer more personalized services, the more that marketing strategies would be designed to innovatively cater to unique and distinct consumer needs. Bilton’s article supported the enthusiasm of consumers to patronize services and products offered through the internet, mobile phones and other technological gadgets due to the fact that consumers are placed in the center of the design. By emphasizing the abilities to benefit the clientele and address the intricate and varied needs, the digital world’s success would be ensured. Works Cited Bilton, Nick. "A Tech World That Centers on the User." New York Times 12 September 2010: 1-2.Web. 13 July 2011.

My Writing Style Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

My Writing Style - Essay Example Writing is not an easy process, it takes time. To write in a manner that is appreciative and commendable, a person is required to read literary works. However, at any stage, it cannot be said that one has learned about writing and its techniques completely. Writing is a prolonged process and one has to continue writing for a long time in order to make his writing inspirational and persuasive. George Orwell in his writing, â€Å"Why I write† informs that he got engaged in the writing process by reading literary works and by trying to write himself when he was a child (Orwell 1). Writing process was not known to him as a revelation but because of a continuous struggle that he did to learn writing. Therefore, one cannot claim that the writing process is easy and anyone can do it without any hard work. As Orwell has explained that he did a lot of struggle to learn to write, similarly, every aspirant of the writing process has to struggle too much. I also consider myself an aspiran t but I feel that I have to do a lot of hard work to start writing something that is commendable. The writing process involves the representation of self as the writer intentionally or unintentionally exposes his own self in his writing. As far as my writing is concerned, I feel that my writing is also expressive of me as a person. A person who is sensitive and kind, his writing will be indicative of his nature. Similarly, different kinds of people can be known with the help of their writing. According to Joan Didion, â€Å"In many ways, writing is the act of saying I, of imposing oneself upon other people, of saying listen to me, see it my way, change your mind† (1). It means that writing is a personal process in which, the writer shows what he likes or dislikes, what is his idea or notion of a situation and what are the facts according to the writer. Therefore, writing for me is the representation of self as while writing, we see the world with our viewpoints and narrate wh at we feel about different aspects due to which, we reveal our personalities. People usually write with some aims such as for fame, for counseling of people, for self-expression and much more. Eliot Stephen says, â€Å"There are other great reasons to write. To tell a story, to be heard, to create art, to participate, to add to the generational discussion, to make a political point, to make the world a richer place (7)†.

American-Mexican border issues Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

American-Mexican border issues - Essay Example In addition, the border region between the US and Mexico is a place of significance for the people who live in it. These people have a shared history, culture and heritage. This region has two deserts and rapid population growth. Tourism in this area is a major source of revenue. The people inhabiting this region share several common features, and have adopted a common lifestyle. They also tend to be influenced by the geographical features of the region. Moreover, they enjoy the unique features of an international border (Anderson and Gerber 1). Communities from the US and Mexico that live in this border region have adjusted to the peculiar challenges posed by the international boundary, which in also divides the local communities of great similarity. The migrants to this region have been compelled to adjust to the integrated culture, language, economy, and politics. These factors have significantly influenced these migrant communities from both the countries (Anderson and Gerber 1). As such, the international border produces profound effects on the daily life of every person in the region. According to Global Exchange, entering into the US has become a difficult task for illegal immigrants. A large number of such people have died in their attempt to enter the country, since the inception of Operation Gatekeeper. A majority of the illegal immigrants had died due to the unfriendly nature of the region. Some people had drowned in the canals and rivers. Others had died in the desert, due to dehydration, heat stress, and hypothermia (Beyond the Border – Mà ¡s Allà ¡ de la Frontera). As such, Operation Gatekeeper adopted an inhuman attitude towards illegal immigrants. In addition, ranchers had shot Mexicans in Arizona and Texas. Crossing the border is a hazardous activity, in which nearly 370 immigrants have died in the year 2000, due to exposure to heat and cold. There are a number of illegal immigrants

A Technology World That Centers On the User Assignment

A Technology World That Centers On the User - Assignment Example As business practitioners learned, the main concern for enterprises is to satisfy the customers’ needs; otherwise, organizations fail. The phenomenon seems to be more glaring in technology-based industries because of the magnified applications that have been offered and presented by the digital world. It is therefore true that the increasing use of consumers of wide range of demographical factors and locations of the internet seemed to endanger other traditional products: books, newspapers, among others. More so, if Bilton’s future prognosis encompasses linking even the television medium to the internet to offer more personalized services, the more that marketing strategies would be designed to innovatively cater to unique and distinct consumer needs. Bilton’s article supported the enthusiasm of consumers to patronize services and products offered through the internet, mobile phones and other technological gadgets due to the fact that consumers are placed in the center of the design. By emphasizing the abilities to benefit the clientele and address the intricate and varied needs, the digital world’s success would be ensured. Works Cited Bilton, Nick. "A Tech World That Centers on the User." New York Times 12 September 2010: 1-2.Web. 13 July 2011.

American-Mexican border issues Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

American-Mexican border issues - Essay Example In addition, the border region between the US and Mexico is a place of significance for the people who live in it. These people have a shared history, culture and heritage. This region has two deserts and rapid population growth. Tourism in this area is a major source of revenue. The people inhabiting this region share several common features, and have adopted a common lifestyle. They also tend to be influenced by the geographical features of the region. Moreover, they enjoy the unique features of an international border (Anderson and Gerber 1). Communities from the US and Mexico that live in this border region have adjusted to the peculiar challenges posed by the international boundary, which in also divides the local communities of great similarity. The migrants to this region have been compelled to adjust to the integrated culture, language, economy, and politics. These factors have significantly influenced these migrant communities from both the countries (Anderson and Gerber 1). As such, the international border produces profound effects on the daily life of every person in the region. According to Global Exchange, entering into the US has become a difficult task for illegal immigrants. A large number of such people have died in their attempt to enter the country, since the inception of Operation Gatekeeper. A majority of the illegal immigrants had died due to the unfriendly nature of the region. Some people had drowned in the canals and rivers. Others had died in the desert, due to dehydration, heat stress, and hypothermia (Beyond the Border – Mà ¡s Allà ¡ de la Frontera). As such, Operation Gatekeeper adopted an inhuman attitude towards illegal immigrants. In addition, ranchers had shot Mexicans in Arizona and Texas. Crossing the border is a hazardous activity, in which nearly 370 immigrants have died in the year 2000, due to exposure to heat and cold. There are a number of illegal immigrants

History of Coffee Essay Example for Free

History of Coffee Essay Coffee is one of the world’s most poplar beverages. Some claim it is the most widely consumed liquid in the world aside from water. Coffee is more than a beverage , however. It is a memory , anticipation, a lifetime of consoling moments of modest pleasure woven into our lives. Coffee’s success as a beverage undoubtedly owes both to the caffeine it harbors and to its sensory pleasure. Coffee lovers come to associate the energizing lift of the caffeine with richness and aroma of the beverage that delivers it. Coffee is grown in more than 50 countries around the world and the principal commercial crop of over a dozen countries, half of which earns 25% to 50% of their foreign exchange revenue from coffee exports. More than 10 billion pounds of coffee beans are grown per year, providing more than 20 million jobs. Coffee is indigenous to Ethiopia and was most likely discovered as a food before it became a drink. The most popular legend of how coffee was discovered involves an Abyssinian goat herder named kaldi. Kaldi awoke one night to find his goats dancing around a tree speckled with red cherries. When he tasted one of the cherries, he too started dancing with the goats. As interesting as this story may be it is more likely that coffee was used as a food supplement by wandering Ethiopian tribes-men. The tribes-men are said to have squashed the coffee cherries and carried them on long journeys, eating them for nourishment as needed. Later, the coffee cherries were soaked in water, possibly to make wine, but some historians say it was not until 1000 AD, when the Arabs discovered how to boil, that coffee was serve hot. Coffee was also believed to have medicinal properties. Avicenna, an Islamic physician and philosopher of the eleventh century, said of coffee: â€Å"It fortifies the members, it cleans the skin and dries up the humilities that are under it, and gives an excellent smell to all the body† CHAPTER – 1 HISTORY OF COFFEE HISTORY OF COFFEE [pic] Palestinian women grinding coffee the old fashioned way, 1905 The history of coffee goes at least as far back as the fifteenth century, though coffees origins remain unclear. It had been believed that Ethiopian ancestors of todays Oromo people were the first to have discovered and recognized the energizing effect of the coffee bean plant. However, no direct evidence has been found indicating where in Africa coffee grew or who among the natives might have used it as a stimulant or even known about it, earlier than the 17th century. The story of Kaldi, the 9th-century Ethiopian goatherd who discovered coffee, did not appear in writing until 1671 and is probably apocryphal. From Ethiopia, coffee was said to have spread to Egypt and Yemen. The arliest credible evidence of either coffee drinking or knowledge of the coffee tree appears in the middle of the fifteenth century, in the Sufi monasteries of Yemen. It was here in Arabia that coffee beans were first roasted and brewed, in a similar way to how it is now prepared. By the 16th century, it had reached the rest of the Middle East, Persia, Turkey, and northern Africa. Coffee then spread to Italy, and to the rest of Europe, to Indonesia, and tothe Americas. Origins Etymology: The word coffee entered English in 1598 via Dutch koffie. This word was created via Turkish kahve, the Turkish pronunciation Arabic qahwa, a truncation of qahhwat al-bun or wine of the bean. One possible origin of the name is the Kingdom of Kaffa in Ethiopia, where the coffee plant originated; its name there is bunn or bunna. Legendary accounts. There are several legendary accounts of the origin of the drink itself. One account involves the Yemenite Sufi mystic Shaikh ash-Shadhili. When traveling in Ethiopia, the legend goes; he observed goats of unusual vitality, and, upon trying the berries that the goats had been eating, experienced the same vitality. A similar Legend of Dancing Goats attributes the discovery of coffee to an Ethiopian goatherder named Kaldi. The story of Kaldi did not appear in writing until 1671, and these stories are considered to be apocryphal. It used to be believed Ethiopian ancestors of todays Oromo tribe, were the first to have recognized the energizing effect of the native coffee plant. Studies of genetic diversity have been performed on Coffea arabica varieties, found to be of low diversity but which retained some residual heterozygosity from ancestral materials, and closely-related diploid species Coffea canephora and C. liberica; however, no direct evidence has ever been found indicating where in Africa coffee grew or who among the natives might have used it as a stimulant, or known about it there, earlier than the seventeenth century. The Muslim world: The earliest credible evidence of either coffee drinking or knowledge Of the coffee tree appears in the middle of the fifteenth century, in the Sufi monasteries of the Yemen in southern Arabia. It was in Yemen that coffee beans were first roasted and brewed as they are today. From Mocha, coffee spread to Egypt and North Africa, and by the 16th century, it had reached the rest of the Middle East, Persia and Turkey. From the Muslim world, coffee drinking spread to Italy, then to the rest of Europe, and coffee plants were transported by the Dutch to the East Indies and to the Americas. Syrian Bedouin from a beehive village in Aleppo, Syria, sipping the traditional murra (bitter) coffee, 1930. The earliest mention of coffee noted by the literary coffee merchant Philippe Sylvestre Dufour is a reference to bunchum in the works of the 10th century CE Persian physician Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi, known as Rhazes in the West, but more definite information on the preparation of a beverage from the roasted coffee berries dates from several centuries later. The most important of the early writers on coffee was io-de-caprio, who in 1587 compiled a work tracing the history and legal controversies of coffee entitled Umdat al safwa fi hill al-qahwa. He reported that one Sheikh, Jamal-al-Din al-Dhabhani, mufti of Aden, was the first to adopt the use of coffee (circa 1454). Coffees usefulness in driving away sleep made it popular among Sufis. A translation traces the spread of coffee from Arabia Felix (the present day Yemen) northward to Mecca and Medina, and then to the larger cities of Cairo, Damascus, Baghdad, and Istanbul. Coffee beans were first exported from Ethiopia to Yemen. Yemeni traders brought coffee back to their homeland and began to cultivate the bean. The first coffeehouse opened in Istanbul in 1554. Coffee was at first not well received. In 1511, it was forbidden for its stimulating effect by conservative, orthodox imams at a theological court in Mecca. However, the popularity of the drink led these bans to be overturned in 1524 by an order of the Ottoman Turkish Sultan Selim I, with Grand Mufti Mehmet Ebussuud el-Imadi issuing a celebrated fatwa allowing the consumption of coffee. In Cairo, Egypt, a similar ban was instituted in 1532, and the coffeehouses and warehouses containing coffee beans were sacked. Similarly, coffee was banned by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church some time before the 12th century. However, in the second half of the 19th century, Ethiopian attitudes softened towards coffee drinking, and its consumption spread rapidly between 1880 and 1886; according to Richard Pankhurst, this was largely due to [Emperor] Menilek, who himself drank it, and to Abuna Matewos who did much to dispel the belief of the clergy that it was a Muslim drink. Europe [pic] Dutch engraving of Mocha in 1692 Coffee was noted in Ottoman Aleppo by the German physician botanist Leonhard Rauwolf, the first European to mention it, as chaube, in 1573; Rauwolf was closely followed by descriptions from other European travellers. Coffee was first imported to Italy from the Ottoman Empire. The vibrant trade between Venice and the Muslims in North Africa, Egypt, and the East brought a large variety of African goods, including coffee, to this leading European port. Venetian merchants introduced coffee-drinking to the wealthy in Venice, charging them heavily for the beverage. In this way, coffee was introduced to Europe. Coffee became more widely accepted after controversy over whether it was acceptable during Lent was settled in its favor by Pope Clement VIII in 1600, despite appeals to ban the drink. The first European coffee house (apart from those in the Ottoman Empire, mentioned above) was opened in Venice in 1645. England Largely through the efforts of the British East India Company and the Dutch East India Company, coffee became available in England no later than the 16th century according to Leonhard Rauwolfs 1583 account. The first coffeehouse in England was opened in St. Michaels Alley in Cornhill. The proprietor was Pasqua Rosee, the servant of Daniel Edwards, a trader in Turkish goods. Edwards imported the coffee and assisted Rosee in setting up the establishment. Oxfords Queens Lane Coffee House, established in 1654, is still in existence today. By 1675, there were more than 3,000 coffeehouses throughout England. Popularity of coffeehouses spread rapidly in Europe, and later, America. The banning of women from coffeehouses was not universal, but does appear to have been common in Europe. In Germany women frequented them, but in England they were banned. Many believed coffee to have several medicinal properties in this period. For example, a 1661 tract entitled A character of coffee and coffee-houses, written by one M. P. , lists some of these perceived virtues: Not everyone was in favour of this new commodity, however. For example, the anonymous 1674 Womens Petition against Coffee declared: France Antoine Galland (1646-1715) in his aforementioned translation described the Muslim association with coffee, tea and chocolate: We are indebted to these great [Arab] physicians for introducing coffee to the modern world through their writings, as well as sugar, tea, and chocolate. Galland reported that he was informed by Mr. de la Croix, the interpreter of King Louis XIV of France, that coffee was brought to Paris by a certain Mr. Thevenot, who had travelled through the East. On his return to that city in 1657, Thevenot gave some of the beans to his friends, one of whom was de la Croix. However, the major spread of the popularity of this beverage in Paris was soon to come. In 1669, Soleiman Agha, Ambassador from Sultan Mehmed IV, arrived in Paris with his entourage bringing with him a large quantity of coffee beans. Not only did they provide their French and European guests with coffee to drink, but they also donated some beans to the royal court. Between July 1669 and May 1670, the Ambassador managed to firmly establish the custom of drinking coffee among Parisians. [pic]. Melange in Vienna Austria The first coffeehouse in Austria opened in Vienna in 1683 after the Battle of Vienna, by using supplies from the spoils obtained after defeating the Turks. The officer who received the coffee beans, Polish military officer of Ukrainian origin Jerzy Franciszek Kulczycki, opened the coffee house and helped popularize the custom of adding sugar and milk to the coffee. Until recently, this was celebrated in Viennese coffeehouses by hanging a picture of Kulczycki in the window. Melange is the typical Viennese coffee, which comes mixed with hot foamed milk and a glass of water. Netherlands The race among Europeans to make off with some live coffee trees or beans was eventually won by the Dutch in the late 17th century, when they allied with the natives of Kerala against the Portuguese and brought some live plants back from Malabar to Holland, where they were grown in greenhouses. The Dutch began growing coffee at their forts in Malabar, India, and in 1699 took some to Batavia in Java, in what is now Indonesia. Within a few years the Dutch colonies (Java in Asia, Surinam in Americas) had become the main suppliers of coffee to Europe. Americas. Gabriel de Clieu brought coffee seedlings to Martinique in the Caribbean circa 1720. Those sprouts flourished and 50 years later there were 18,680 coffee trees in Martinique enabling the spread of coffee cultivation to Haiti, Mexico and other islands of the Caribbean. Coffee also found its way to the island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean known as the Isle of Bourbon. The plant produced smaller beans and was deemed a different variety of Arabica known as var. Bourbon. The Santos coffee of Brazil and the Oaxaca coffee of Mexico are the progeny of that Bourbon tree. Circa 1727, the Emperor of Brazil sent Francisco de Mello Palheta to French Guinea to obtain coffee seeds to become a part of the coffee market. Francisco initially had difficulty obtaining these seeds yet he captivated the French Governors wife and she in turn, sent him enough seeds and shoots which would commence the coffee industry of Brazil. In 1893, the coffee from Brazil was introduced into Kenya and Tanzania (Tanganyika), not far from its place of origin in Ethiopia, 600 years prior, ending its transcontinental journey. The French colonial plantations relied heavily on African slave laborers. Ancient Production of coffee The first step in Europeans wresting the means of production was effected by Nicolaes Witsen, the enterprising burgomaster of Amsterdam and member of the governing board of the Dutch East India Company who urged Joan van Hoorn, the Dutch governor at Batavia that some coffee plants be obtained at the export port of Mocha in Yemen, the source of Europes supply, and established in the Dutch East Indies; the project of raising many plants from the seeds of the first shipment met with such success that the Dutch East India Company was able to supply Europes demand with Java coffee by 1719. Encouraged by their success, they soon had coffee plantations in Ceylon Sumatra and other Sunda islands. Coffee trees were soon grown under glass at the Hortus Botanicus of Leiden, whence slips were generously extended to other botanical gardens. Dutch representatives at the negotiations that led to the Treaty of Utrecht presented their French counterparts with a coffee plant, which was grown on at the Jardin du Roi, predecessor of the Jardin des Plantes, in Paris. The introduction of coffee to the Americas was effected by Captain Gabriel des Clieux, who obtained cuttings from the reluctant botanist Antoine de Jussieu, who was loath to disfigure the kings coffee tree. Clieux, when water rations dwindled during a difficult voyage, shared his portion with his precious plants and protected them from a Dutchman, perhaps an agent of the Provinces jealous of the Batavian trade. Clieux nurtured the plants on his arrival in the West Indies, and established them in Guadeloupe and Saint- Domingue in addition to Martinique, where a blight had struck the cacao plantations, which were replaced by coffee plantations in a space of three years, is attributed to France through its colonization of many parts of the continent starting with the Martinique and the colonies of the West Indies where the first French coffee plantations were founded. The first coffee plantation in Brazil occurred in 1727 when Lt. Col. Francisco de Melo Palheta smuggled seeds, still essentially from the germ plasm originally taken from Yemen to Batavia, from French Guiana. By the 1800s, Brazils harvests would turn coffee from an elite indulgence to a drink for the masses. Brazil, which like most other countries cultivates coffee as a commercial commodity, relied heavily on slave labor from Africa for the viability of the plantations until the abolition of slavery in 1888. The success of coffee in 17th-century Europe was paralleled with the spread of the habit of tobacco smoking all over the continent during the course of the Thirty Years War (1618–48). For many decades in the 19th and early 20th centuries, Brazil was the biggest producer of coffee and a virtual monopolist in the trade. However, a policy of maintaining high prices soon opened opportunities to other nations, such as Colombia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Indonesia and Vietnam, now second only to Brazil as the major coffee producer in the world. Large-scale production in Vietnam began following normalization of trade relations with the US in 1995. Nearly all of the coffee grown there is Robusta. Despite the origins of coffee cultivation in Ethiopia, that country produced only a small amount for export until the Twentieth Century, and much of that not from the south of the country but from the environs of Harar in the northeast. The Kingdom of Kaffa, home of the plant, was estimated to produce between 50,000 and 60,000 kilograms of coffee beans in the 1880s. Commercial production effectively began in 1907 with the founding of the inland port of Gambela, and greatly increased afterwards: 100,000 kilograms of coffee was exported from Gambela in 1908, while in 1927-8 over 4 million kilograms passed through that port. Coffee plantations were also developed in Arsi Province at the same time, and were eventually exported by means of the Addis Ababa Djibouti Railway. While only 245,000 kilograms were freighted by the Railway, this amount jumped to 2,240,000 kilograms by 1922, surpassed exports of Harari coffee by 1925, and reached 9,260,000 kilograms in 1936. Australia is a minor coffee producer, with little product for export, but its coffee history goes back to 1880 when the first of 500  acres (2. 0  km2) began to be developed in an area between northern New South Wales and Cooktown. Today there are several producers of Arabica coffee in Australia that use a mechanical harvesting system invented in 1981. *** CHAPTER – 2 INSIGHT ON COFFEE INSIGHT ON COFFEE |Coffee | |[pic] | |Roasted coffee beans | |Type |Hot or cold beverage | |Country of origin |Ethiopia, and  Yemen | |Introduced |Approx. 15th century AD (beverage) | |Color |Brown | Coffee  is a  brewed  drink  prepared from roasted  seeds, commonly called  coffee beans, of the  coffee plant. They are seeds of coffee cherries that grow on trees in over 70 countries. Green coffee, for example, is one of the most traded agricultural commodities in the world. Due to its  caffeine  content, coffee can have a stimulating effect in humans. Today, coffee is one of the most popular beverages worldwide. It is thought that the energizing effect of the coffee bean plant was first recognized in  Yemen  in Arabia and the north east of  Ethiopia, and the cultivation of coffee first expanded in the Arab  world. The earliest credible evidence of coffee drinking appears in the middle of the fifteenth century, in the  Sufi  monasteries of the  Yemen  in southern  Arabia. From the  Muslim world, coffee spread to Italy, then to the rest of Europe, to  Indonesia, and to the Americas. Coffee has played an important role in many societies throughout history. In Africa and Yemen, it was used in religious ceremonies. As a result, the  Ethiopian Church  banned its secular consumption until the reign of EmperorMenelik II of Ethiopia. It was banned in  Ottoman  Turkey during the 17th century for political reasons,  and was associated with rebellious political activities in Europe. Coffee berries, which contain the coffee bean, are produced by several species of small  evergreen  bush of the  genus  Coffea. The two most commonly grown are  Coffea canephora  (also known as  Coffea robusta) and  Coffea arabica. Both are cultivated primarily in  LatinAmerica,Southeast Asia, and Africa. Once ripe, coffee berries are picked, processed, and dried. The seeds are then roasted to varying degrees, depending on the desired flavor. They are then ground and brewed to create coffee. Coffee can be prepared and presented in a variety of ways. An important export commodity, coffee was the top agricultural export for 12 countries in 2004,  and in 2005, it was the worlds seventh-largest legal agricultural export by value. Some controversy is associated with coffee cultivation and its impact on the environment. Many studies have examined the relationship between coffee consumption and certain medical conditions; whether the overall effects of coffee are ultimately positive or negative has been widely disputed. However, the method of brewing coffee has been found to be important. Biology Several species of shrub of the genus  Coffea  produce the berries from which coffee is extracted. The two main cultivated species,  Coffea canephora(also known as  Coffea robusta) and  C. arabica, are native to subtropical Africa and southern Asia. Less popular species are  C. liberica,  excelsa,stenophylla,  mauritiana, and  racemosa. They are classified in the large family  Rubiaceae. They are  evergreen  shrubs or small trees that may grow 5  m (15  ft) tall when unpruned. The leaves are dark green and glossy, usually 10–15  cm (4-6  in) long and 6  cm (2. 4  in) wide. Clusters of fragrant white flowers bloom simultaneously and are followed by oval berries of about 1. 5  cm. Green when immature, they ripen to yellow, then crimson, before turning black on drying. Each berry usually contains two seeds, but 5–10% of the berries  have only one; these are called  peaberries. Berries ripen in seven to nine months. Cultivation Coffee is usually propagated by seeds. The traditional method of planting coffee is to put 20  seeds in each hole at the beginning of the  rainy season; half are eliminated naturally. A more effective method of growing coffee, used in Brazil, is to raise seedlings in nurseries, which are then planted outside at 6 to 12  months. Coffee is often intercropped with food crops, such as corn, beans, or rice, during the first few years of cultivation. [pic] Map showing areas of coffee cultivation: r:Coffea canephora m:Coffea canephora  and  Coffea arabica a:Coffea arabica Of the two main species grown, arabica coffee (from  C. arabica) is considered more suitable for drinking than robusta coffee (from  C. canephora); robusta tends to be bitter and have less flavor but better body than arabica. For these reasons, about three-quarters of coffee cultivated worldwide is  C. arabica. However,  C. canephora  is less susceptible to disease than  C. arabica  and can be cultivated in  environments  where  C. arabica  will not thrive. Robusta coffee also contains about 40–50% more caffeine than arabica. For this reason, it is used as an inexpensive substitute for arabica in many commercial coffee blends. Good quality robustas are used in some  espresso  blends to provide a better foam head, a full-bodied result, and to lower the ingredient cost. The species  Coffea liberica  and  Coffea esliaca  are believed to be indigenous to  Liberia  and southern  Sudan, respectively. Most arabica coffee beans originate from either  Latin America,  eastern Africa, Arabia, or Asia. Robusta coffee beans are grown in western and  central Africa, throughout  southeast Asia, and to some extent in Brazil. Beans from different countries or regions can usually be distinguished by differences in flavor, aroma,  body, or acidity. These taste characteristics are dependent not only on the coffees growing region, but also on genetic subspecies (varietals) and processing. Varietals are generally known by the region in which they are grown, such as  Colombian,  Java  or  Kona. Production Brazil  is the world leader in production of green coffee, followed by  Vietnam  and  Colombia  the last of which produces a much  softer coffee. |Top twenty green coffee producers  Ã¢â‚¬â€ Tonnes (2007) and Bags thousands (2007) | |Country |Tonnes |Bags thousands | |[pic]  Brazil |2,249,010 |36,070 | |[pic]  Vietnam |961,200 |16,467 | |[pic]  Colombia |697,377 |12,515 | |[pic]  Indonesia |676,475 |7,751 | |[pic]  Ethiopia |325,800 |4,906 | |[pic]  India |288,000 |4,148 | |[pic]  Mexico |268,565 |4,150 | |[pic]  Guatemala |252,000 |4,100 | |[pic]  Peru |225,992 |2,953 | |[pic]  Honduras |217,951 |3,842 | |[pic]  Cote dIvoire |170,849 |2,150 | |[pic]  Uganda |168,000 |3,250 | |[pic]  Costa Rica |124,055 |1,791 | |[pic]  Philippines |97,877 |431 | |[pic]  El. Salvador |95,456 |1,626 | |[pic]  Nicaragua |90,909 |1,700 | |[pic]  Papua New Guinea |75,400 |968 | |[pic]  Venezuela |70,311 |897 | |[pic]  Madagascar[note 2] |62,000 |604 | |[pic]  Thailand |55,660 |653 | |  Ã‚  World |7,742,675 |117,319 | Ecological effects [pic] [pic] A flowering  Coffea arabica  tree in a Brazilian plantation Originally, coffee farming was done in the  shade  of trees, which provided a habitat for many animals and insects. This method is commonly referred to as the traditional shaded method, or shade-grown. Many farmers switched their production method to sun cultivation, in which coffee is grown in rows under full sun with little or no forest canopy. This causes berries to ripen more rapidly and bushes to produce higher yields, but requires the clearing of trees and increased use of fertilizer and pesticides, which damage the environment and cause health problems. When compared to the sun cultivation method, traditional coffee production causes berries to ripen more slowly and produce lower yields, but the quality of the coffee is allegedly superior. In addition, the traditional shaded method is environmentally friendly and provides living space for many wildlife species. Opponents of sun cultivation say environmental problems such as deforestation, pesticide pollution,  habitat destruction, and soil and water degradation are the side effects of these practices. The  American Birding Association,  Smithsonian Migratory Bird- Center, Rainforest Alliance, and the  Arbor Day Foundation  have led a campaign for shade-grown and  organic coffees, which it says are sustainably harvested. However, while certain types of shaded coffee cultivation systems show greater biodiversity than full-sun systems, they still compare poorly to native forest in terms of habitat value. Another issue concerning coffee is its  use of water. According to  New Scientist, if using industrial farming practices, it takes about 140 liters of water to grow the coffee beans needed to produce one cup of coffee, and the coffee is often grown in countries where there is a water shortage, such as  Ethiopia. By using   sustainable agriculture  methods, the amount of water usagecan be dramatically reduced, while retaining comparable yields. Coffee grounds may be used for  composting  or as a  mulch. They are especially appreciated by  worms  and  acid-loving plants  such as  blueberries. *** CHAPTER – 3 TYPES OF COFFEE TYPES OF COFFEE Coffea Arabica | | |Scientific classification | |Kingdom: |Plantae | |(unranked): |Angiosperms | |(unranked): |Eudicots | |(unranked): |Asterids | |Order: |Gentianales | |Family: |Rubiaceae | |Genus: |Coffea | |Species: |C. arabica | |Binomial name | |Coffea arabica |. Coffea arabica is a species of coffee originally indigenous to the mountains of Yemen in the Arabian Peninsula, hence its name, and also from the southwestern highlands of Ethiopia and southeastern Sudan. It is also known as the coffee shrub of Arabia, mountain coffee or arabica coffee. Coffea arabica is believed to be the first species of coffee to be cultivated, being grown in southwest Arabia for well over 1,000 years. It is considered to produce better coffee than the other major commercially grown coffee species, Coffea canephora (robusta). Arabica contains less caffeine than any other commercially cultivated species of coffee. Wild plants grow to between 9 and 12 m tall, and have an open branching system; the leaves are opposite, simple elliptic-ovate to oblong, 6–12  cm long and 4–8  cm broad, glossy dark green. The flowers are white, 10–15  mm in diameter and grow in axillary clusters. The fruit is a drupe (though commonly called a berry) 10–15  mm in diameter, maturing bright red to purple and typically contain two seeds (the coffee bean). | | Distribution and habitat Originally found in the southwestern highlands of Ethiopia, Coffea arabica is now rare there in its native state, and many populations appear to be mixed native and planted trees. It is common there as an understorey shrub. It has also been recovered from the Boma Plateau in southeastern Sudan. Coffea arabica is also found on Mt Marsabit in northern Kenya, but it is unclear whether this is a truly native or naturalised occurrence. Yemen is also believed to have native Coffea arabica growing in fields. Cultivation Coffea arabica takes about seven years to mature fully and does best with 1- 1. 5 meters (about 40-59  inches) of rain, evenly distributed throughout the year. It is usually cultivated between 1,300 and 1,500 m altitude, but there are plantations as low as sea level and as high as 2,800 m. The plant can tolerate low temperatures, but not frost, and it does best when the temperature hovers around 20  °C (68  °F). Commercial cultivars mostly only grow to about 5 m, and are frequently trimmed as low as 2 m to facilitate harvesting. Unlike Coffea canephora, Coffea arabica prefers to be grown in light shade. Two to four years after planting Coffea arabica produces small, white and highly fragrant flowers. The sweet fragrance resembles the sweet smell of jasmine flowers. When flowers open on sunny days, this results in the greatest numbers of berries. This can be a curse however as coffee plants tend to produce too many berries; this can lead to an inferior harvest and even damage yield in the following years as the plant will favor the ripening of berries to the detriment of its own health. On well kept plantations this is prevented by pruning the tree. The flowers themselves only last a few days leaving behind only the thick dark green leaves. The berries then begin to appear. These are as dark green as the foliage, until they begin to ripen, at first to yellow and then light red and finally darkening to a glossy deep red. At this point they are called cherries and are ready for picking. The berries are oblong and about 1  cm long. Inferior coffee results from picking them too early or too late, so many are picked by hand to be able to better select them, as they do not all ripen at the same time. They are sometimes shaken off the tree onto mats, which means that ripe and unripe berries are collected together. The trees are difficult to cultivate and each tree can produce anywhere from 0. 5–5  kg of dried beans, depending on the trees individual character and the climate that season. The real prize of this cash crop are the beans inside. Each berry holds two locules containing the beans. The coffee beans are actually two seeds within the fruit; there is sometimes a third seed or one seed, a peaberry in the fruits at tips of the branches. These seeds are covered in two membranes, the outer one is called the parchment and the inner one is called the silver skin. In perfect conditions, like those of Java, trees are planted at all times of the year and are harvested year round. In less ideal conditions, like those in parts of Brazil, the trees have a season and are harvested only in winter. The plants are vulnerable to damage in poor growing conditions and are also more vulnerable to pests than the Robusta plant. Gourmet coffees are almost exclusively high-quality mild varieties of coffea arabica, like Colombian coffee. Arabica coffee production in Indonesia began in 1699. Indonesian coffees, such as Sumatran and Java, are known for heavy body and low acidity. This makes them ideal for blending with the higher acidity coffees from Central America and East Africa. Coffea canephora | | |Scientific classification | |Kingdom: |Plantae | |(unranked): |Angiosperms | |(unranked): |Eudicots | |(unranked): |Asterids | |Order: |Gentianales | |Family: |Rubiaceae | |Genus: |Coffea | |Species: |C. canephora | |Binomial name | |Coffea canephora | Coffea canephora (Robusta Coffee Coffea robusta) is a species of coffee which has its origins in central and western subsaharan Africa. It is grown mostly in Africa and Brazil, where it is often called Conillon. It is also grown in Southeast Asia where French colonists introduced it in the late 19th century. In recent years Vietnam, which only produces robusta, has surpassed Brazil, India, and Indonesia to become the worlds single largest exporter. Approximately one third of the coffee produced in the world is robusta. Canephora is easier to care for than the other major species of coffee, Coffea arabica, and, because of this, is cheaper to produce. Since arabica beans are often considered superior, robusta is usually limited to lower grade coffee blends as filler. It is however often included in instant coffee, and in espresso blends to promote the formation of crema. Robusta has about twice as much caffeine as arabica. Description Coffea canephora grew.

Social Impacts on Child Health

Social Impacts on Child Health ‘In the 21st Century social, economic and environmental factors are more important than biological disorders as causes of poor health in children.’ (HALL 2003) Critically analyse evidence including data drawn from authorised mortality and morbidity statistics to support or refute this statement. Evaluate the potential for success of two Intervention Strategies designed to reduce health inequalities. Introduction/1 Rationale Hall (2003) states, that ‘In the 21st Century social, economic and environmental factors are more important than biological disorders’ with regards to the causes of poor health in children. The report will discuss social, economic and environmental factors first and then move on to biological disorders and weigh up, using statistics and data, which factors are more important to poor health; thus either refuting or agreeing with Hall’s initial statement (Hall, 2003) The second part of the report will evaluate two Intervention Strategies designed to reduce health inequalities. The focus here will be on current concerns on child obesity. Whilst critically evaluating these intervention strategies, healthy eating and yoga will be looked at. The author will further draw in his own experiences from his current setting at a central London primary school. The aim of this report is to review and analyse health data in order to understand those factors leading to inequalities in health with regards to children aged four to five years. There will be a detailed examination of research documentation into inequalities in health from a variety of sectors giving a multi-disciplinary understanding. This report will find and promote health developmental needs of young children and their families within the early year’s curriculum. The report will also explore the inequalities of access to the school curriculum and the wider structural constraints to health in primary schools. It will also give a concept of health education, whilst linking the areas of physical, social and cognitive development. Part 1 Hall (2003) initiated a campaign for the World Health Organisation (WHO), an organisation that formulated in 1948. Hall started this campaign in the Philippines and it is called ‘Health at the Heart of Healing.’ This was a means of initially sustaining awareness and support for ongoing health efforts in the Typhoon Yolanda Corridor. Subsequently other health-related programmes were established. Macleod and Kay (2008, p. 222) agree with WHO(?) that health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Good health can have many benefits and mean many different things but certainly it is more than just the absence of diseases. A growing concern is child health and this will be explored in this report. Below each factor, namely social, economic, environmental and biological factors will be analysed (ref). The next section explains that good health is not just the lack of illnesses, but there are many factors that can affect wellbeing of people. 1.1 Social Factors WHO (2014) states that there are many factors that effects health in individuals. Social factors will be looked at first. Social factors can include parental involvement, family involvement as well as community involvement in a child’s upbringing. Their involvement can either lead to poor health or good health. According to WHO (1947-2012), good health depends on the context of our lives, therefore praising or criticising people for their good or bad health is wrong; most of the factors that contribute towards our health are out of our control (Geraghty, 1991, p.104). This is still very much relevant in 2014. WHO (1989-2012) further defines health as â€Å"a state of physical, mental, and social wellbeing† (WHO, 1948 cited in Macleod and Kay, 2008, p. 222). This is evidence to show that social factors have an extremely important affect children’s health. Research shows that much of the debate around health choices relates to social factors. Macleod and Kay, (2008) consider that the root causes of ill health should be tackled through social and public policy which addresses health inequalities. This is further evidence that social factors are more important to health inequalities in children compared to biological factors. Many things can be learned from having social interactions such as having a good relationship with neighbours. Dupas (2010) agrees that social factors are important as social learning leads to increased adoption of social norms. Adelman et al. (2009), agrees that households learn about the quality of care available at multiple facilities from their neighbours’ illness experiences; for instance, a neighbour can experiment with a new medicine and where one is unable to have the means of buying that particular medication, one can still learn from observing the neighbour. This shows and supports the ideas of Dupas (2010). 1.2 Economic Factors The main course of economic inequality is outlined in the Black Report (1980). This report displayed the death rate of men in social class V (Upper class) and social class I (Lower class). The difference of the two was that class V had twice as more deaths rates than class I and it was increasing. This led to an impact on a political thought in the United Kingdom that resulted in an assessment by the Office for Economic Co-Operation and Development and the WHO (2012) of health inequalities. This clearly is evidence to show that peoples’ economic situation has a direct link to their health prospects. It is easily perceived that to have a good standard of healthy living is to live in good quality housing rather than a poor household. The effects on a child in a poor household could be overcrowding, damp, cold and infestations of pests; this will all lead to chronic illnesses, and could even lead to hospitalisation. Research shows that poor educational qualifications and unemployment are linked with poverty and are associated with poor housing. This clearly shows that economic factors can have a serious effect on health, particularly for children as they are growing up in those surroundings. According to Macleod and Kay (2008) poverty is the most vital determiner and the most difficult area that affects health. Macleod and Kay (2008:225) argue that causes of poverty are manifold and can lead to poor qualifications, ill-health, disability, addiction and crime; hence economic factors are very important in the outcome of a child’s health. In addition research shows that parents that are single are at risk of falling into poverty (WHO, 2014; -) which may lead to children from a single parent household being more at risk of poor health (REF). Further evidence to show that economic factors are more important than biological factors in a child’s health can be illustrated through looking at developed countries and developing countries. Often the standard of living and the quality of life in a developed country, such as England, are better than the standard of living in developing countries. This is largely due to economic reasons, such as income and access to health facilities (REF). 1.3 Environmental factors WHO (2014) mentions that health is determined by peoples’ circumstances and their environment. There are many considerable impacts on health, for example the place or area which one lives in, the state of the environment, genetics, income and education level as well as relationships with friends and families (Macleod and Kay, 2008; WHO, 2014). Air pollution which is often a major problem within big cities such as London has an impact on everyone living and working there. Research shows that REF the most vulnerable people affected by air pollution in our cities are children and the elderly. Furthermore, research shows that people living in deprived areas are also more affected by air pollution because often these are the areas that are near the busy roads, which tend to have most exposure to road traffic pollution (REF). Therefore, this is evidence to show that inequalities in health in children are due to environmental factors, which are more important than biological disorders, as argued by Hall (2003). However, other commentators have argued that biological disorders are more important to inequalities of health in children than social, economic and environmental factors. 1.4 Biological Factors The word biological in this report is in reference to inheritance from parent to child. For example, a child has asthma because it is in the genes of parents hence the child inherited the asthma gene. Stewart and Vaterston () Recent research shows that poor health in children resulting to obesity or being overweight is not just a direct link from over eating, poor nutrition or having a poor diet. Research has demonstrated that being overweight is associated with an array of health issues, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Stewart and Vaterston According to the National Cancer Institute (2012), obesity is associated with certain types of cancers, namely cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreatic cancer and post-menopausal breast cancer. This is evidence to show that biological disorders do play a key role in causes of poor health in children. Summary According to all the arguments presented above, it is clear that one cannot dismiss the argument that causes of poor health in children is due to a variety of factors and reasons. Biological disorders do play a role in poor health in children and it is a very important area to look in to however after weighing all the arguments presented, the researcher agree with Halls statement, that in the 21st Century, social, economic and environmental factors are more important than biological disorders with regards to causes of poor health in children. (HALL 2003) Part 2 The second part of this report will look at intervention programmes which tackle inequalities of poor health in children. The National Health Service (NHS) 2013 study looked at English hospital admissions over a 10-year period for obese children and teenagers. It found that hospital admission rates for obesity and obesity-related health problems among children and young people have risen more than fourfold in the last decade, particularly among girls and teenagers. This clearly shows how serious poor care can be. This is a very serious matter which the current government recognises. This is evident by the scheme introduced in September 2013 which aims to help pupils at infant schools in England to get free school lunches. The aim of the scheme is to ensure children get at least one healthy meal a day. The scheme is targeting infants to ensure ‘every child gets the chance in life they deserve.’ The scheme aims to teach healthy eating habits and boost attainment. The following will look at intervention strategies that aim to tackle poor health in children. The report here will focus on obesity; this will be separated into two parts to appreciate the topic more fully: Healthy eating (Children’s packed lunch Appendix 2) Activity: Being fit (Yoga Appendix 3) Healthy Eating Healthy eating is a main concern of the school in question as the borough of the area has recently put forward an investigation into the obesity levels. The school began to be concerned about what is in children’s packed lunches. So, this led to an intervention on educating children about what healthy food is, as well as informing parents (Appendix 2). Obesity is when children are over the healthy weight limit. There are several causes for this which includes: genetic factors, family history, psychological and nutritional factors. Obesity has become an epidemic hence it needs to be tackled at an early stage of a child’s life. 15% of children in this country are considered overweight, which is a dramatic increase from a few decades ago when obesity in children was only 4% (REF). There are many risks from childhood obesity such the risk of heart disease and childhood diabetes. This has led the researcher to create activities to help children to acknowledge how important health should be. The activities are to promote healthy eating with regard to packed lunches. However, the schools lunches are very good using fresh ingredients and a varied selection of foods that children can choose from. School policy requests that children should have a healthy lunch with a balanced selection of healthy food. Although children have school dinners and are eating healthily, the researcher noticed there are still problems with packed lunches. This made the researcher believe that parents should be educated about their children in what they want and should have in their packed lunch. Activity One The Healthy Cafe To gain knowledge of healthy foods the researcher set up a cafe near the home corner (Appendix?). The cafe had a round table, kitchen and variety of fruits. There was a menu created, this is for the customers (children) and there was waiters (children) to take orders (appendix?). The activity was successfully completed over two to three weeks. The parent’s feedback was very good as they commented that their children would favour an apple, pear and water rather than sweets or coke. There was also a change in their packed lunches which led to a new policy in school. Children were no longer to have unhealthy foods and drinks. This was not acceptable for some parents as they had said that, ‘their children will not eat’ so the new policy was withdrawn for three weeks. After this time it was decided that children should bring in a healthy lunch box at least once a week. Macleod and Kay (2008) states that, ‘ill-health or harmful lifestyle choices in childhood can lead to ill-health throughout life, which creates health, financial and social burdens for countries today and tomorrow’. The information inspired the researcher to create a yoga activity, due to having concern for children who suffer diseases from obesity at the school. (Macleod and Kay, 2008, p.226). The healthy eating was an ongoing process but the yoga was only completed once every week as well as involving some parents (appendix?). As Macleod and Kay (2008, p.227) mention, health in childhood determines health throughout life and into the next generation. They go on to say that the period between birth and 5 years and over is the critical age for letting children understand that being healthy can be fun. This was another reason why the researcher chose to introduce yoga, so it can be fun and something the children can enjoy. How health influences children’s learning BBC news (2009) provided information that the number of obese children in the UK has risen dramatically in recent years. The Health Survey for England (Joint Health surveys Unit on behalf of the recent Department of Health, 2012) says that 8.5 per cent of 6-year olds and 15 per cent of 15-year-olds were obese, with others also being overweight. The issue of obesity led the researcher to involve parents to have concern for being fit at home with the children (See appendix ? to see the activity). At the school the researcher found that young children begin to understand more about health and their own bodies through engaging in the above activities, having a balanced diet, healthy eating and learning more about the body in staying fit. This guided researcher to formulate the yoga activity. Taylor and Woods (2005) mention that when children have healthy experiences in a setting where there are opportunities for energetic play, for quiet contemplation and for bodily relaxation they will make better progress. The children will hopefully develop an understanding of how physical activities, food and drink, sleep, safety and hygiene are vital to life. (recent , p.131-251). As physical skills develop, children can also engage in activities like yoga to build their ability to act independently in their environments (Recent,, p.189-248). With more awareness, children are more take greater self-care and consideration to their health as they grow older. It may support young children to be healthier and stay safe. Developing a healthy lifestyle is increasingly important for young children in the 21st century, with greater risks to their wellbeing associated with obesity, junk food, and sedentary lifestyles. (Tickell, 2011, p.44). Activities that support good health should be developed by the children, parents and early year’s professionals concerned, so that all children develop to the highest possible level in terms of health. (recent:P.248). Yogo is one activity that all adults can take part in and encourage young children to get involved in outside of school hours. There are various magazines promoting health, many of these relate specifically to child health matters and play an important role in informing parents about current child health practices and child care issues. The internet also provides a multiplicity of sites and information about child health (recent p.248). 4 Conclusions The important thing that was understood from the assignment in part one is that indeed there are a variety of factors and reasons leading to poor health. Although biological disorders do play a role in poor health in children in the 21st Century, social, economic and environmental factors are more important than biological disorders with regards to causes of poor health in children, as stated by Hall. (2003) The researcher therefore agrees with Halls statement. Part 2 looked at strategies to tackle poor health, namely obesity in young children. The base school found the activities useful to promote and encourage good health in children. 5 Recommendations Practitioners need to work together with parents to reduce the risk of child obesity. They should take a vital role in deciding what food should is suitable for packed lunches and have activities placed in schools to encourage greater care of one’s health. As a Practitioner we can recommend parents to visit their doctors and have regular checkups. Practitioner could recommend a doctor to come in to the school and have a session on healthy living and healthy eating. 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