Wednesday, November 27, 2019

The JSEC Essays

The JSEC Essays The JSEC Essay The JSEC Essay Also, Just like every other official business, you have to secure business permits, pay taxes and rent, and provide salary for your employees. At first glance, SEC looks Just Like every other university cafeteria with Its general layout of different stalls sitting right next to each other, tables, and people. It seems Like a regular food place where the students of the Atone regularly hang out. However, SEC is not only a venue for great food choices: Its also the home of the stereotypes. SEC is stereotypically seen as the domain of the John Koenig School of Management SMOG) majors; the arena of the future businessmen and businesswomen of our nation. They are regarded as the elitists and burghs; they rule the SEC scene. And with the prevalence of SOME people in SEC, the stereotypes attached to these students have also rubbed off to the place, pinning SEC with its very own stereotypes. SEC has become known to be the tambala or hangout place of the cool crowd; therefore, earning the name: SEC crowd. The SEC crowd is where you will usually see boys who sport polo shirts or v-necks, chino shorts, and boat shoes; girls dressed n skater skirts or cropped tops; and groups of friends facing their branded devices. These people are dressed to impress and are seemingly ready to party: thus, giving birth to the SEC outfit. And lastly, the thing that has become so famous that it has been boxed up to a certain stereotype associated with SEC: the canyon people. These are the people who use an irritating tone while speaking Carbon English or Digitalis. Some of them overly abuse the words like or though during their entire discourse. They are usually divided into two: the people who do it because they are bilingual and tend to code witch for easier flow of ideas; or the people who do It because they want to sound cool. So by looking more closely at the scene, youll see that a grand show Is happening before your eyes: but the star of the show Is not the food; It Is the people. What Is really cooked in that place are the stereotypes and the culture spiced up by the people who dominate the scene. The SEC By Catamaran is called the John Koenig School of Management Student Enterprise Center, or unique and non-mainstream proposals; because there are plenty of applicants and the SOME. Also, Just like every other official business, you have to secure business At first glance, SEC looks Just like every other university cafeteria with its general like a regular food place where the students of the Atone regularly hang out. However, SEC is not only a venue for great food choices; its also the home of the switch for easier flow of ideas; or the people who do it because they want to sound So by looking more closely at the scene, youll see that a grand show is happening before your eyes: but the star of the show is not the food; it is the people.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Custom Essay Help

Custom Essay Help Custom Essay Help Welcome to custom writing service! We are not the market leader in terms of the first positions; however, we are the leader in developing a very flexible system that brings together a professional approach to writing, adequate customer support, reasonable prices, and exceptionally high quality of every custom essay we deliver. Our writers complete custom essay orders for clients from any English speaking country. It is not a secret that English has already become a global language. Custom essay help is your chance to receive a professionally written custom essay which meets all of your requirements and expectations: Custom Essay Help Your tutor has told that you while writing term paper you have to organize your ideas. Many students prefer to create a traditional outline. By the way, every client is welcome to request free outline writing service while placing an order. However, there is another way of organizing custom essay writing. When you do have a sense of how events or things relate to each other and you can put them in a narrative structure or show cause-and-effect relationships, then you can illustrate these relationships by drawing a topic tree. The primary advantage of the topic tree is that it helps you determine whether essay ideas are related to each other and the overall topic. As with cluster diagrams, topic tree allows you to represent your thinking pictorially. However, rather than drawing essay ideas in a random, disorganized fashion, you can impose order on them, placing them from general to specific or vice versa. However, there is another way to get an essay you need - order custom essay help. Every time you place an order, you receive 100% plagiarism free custom essay written in accordance to your requirements. Every time we have an order, we assign only qualified writers to provide custom essay help. Custom Paper Writing is not a paper mill. We do not resell delivered custom essays and we do not have a database. Custom essay help is individuals. You can communicate with the writer directly, ask questions, request progress updates, and ask for free plagiarism report. We appreciate your trust and devote all of our efforts to meet your requirements. Our custom essay writers have access to libraries and can locate relevant publications very quickly. Moreover, we guarantee full and proper references and the issue of plagiarism is totally avoided. We deliver only 100% plagiarism free custom essays prior to deadline! Popular posts: Writing a Research Paper APA University Research Proposal Shakespeare Research Paper Topics Research Proposal Guidelines Research Paper Topics

Thursday, November 21, 2019

The Chinese Communist Partys Ideological Change Essay

The Chinese Communist Partys Ideological Change - Essay Example There have been many changes in the political systems and in particular to the ideology of the Chinese Communist Party, from 1978, when the then leader of the party and the country Deng Xiaoping began to initiate reforms and a movement towards a more market oriented economy. According to Misra (1998, p.272) and other scholars predicted the imminent decline and demise of the Marxist ideology in China, while other scholars who held a contrary opinion held that the ideology is not on its death bed; rather it is on its path to recovery (Brugger and David 1990, p.7). Ordinary Chinese citizens had become tired with the ideologies of the party and those of the its high profile leaders, it was perceived by the masses as more of a privileged society but less in touch with what is happening on the ground, this majorly began in the late 1990s. Currently, there is a general feeling amongst the populace that the Chinese Communist Party is riddled with corruption, and its sheer size complicates ef fectiveness of the party. Pro-democracy scholars and activist have a firm belief that the Party has lost its relevance in this century, and that the current leaders have lost legitimacy from the people and that they suffer from governance issues and this will ultimately lead to its collapse. After the death of the Chinese leader, Deng in 1997, majority of leaders in the west and particularly the United States predicted the collapse and adoption of ideologies of democracy in China. Most of them had predicted in the late 1990s that the regime would eventually collapse in the year 2010; this has happened, as the current leader is tightening these political policies but opening up the economy. In the

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

The Status of the P versus NP Problem Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Status of the P versus NP Problem - Essay Example With innovations in computational power, there has been an increase in algorithms that are much smarter than before. Under such circumstances, the pressure to tackle P versus NP problem, is considerably increasing. Moreover, this P versus NP problem is invading all fields of science as just not a theoretical question but as a basic principle. Author of the article surmises herein, the simple description of the issue and the change in working direction related to computer science attained because of efforts to solve this question. P versus NP problem actually computes combinational issues. Jack Edmonds, first in the history, provided a program that can help in developing a program to solve combination problem, and formally defined it as ‘efficient computation’. P in this problem stands for ‘Polynomial Time’ and defines problem class which has efficient solution. Likewise, NP in this problem stands for ‘Nondeterministic Polynomial-Time’ and refers to the problems that have solutions that can be verified in an efficient manner. Furthermore, author describes that extremely complicated NP problems are termed as ‘NP-complete’ problems. Examples of such problems are Clique, Partition and triangles, 3D-coloring and Hamiltonian cycle. Basically, the idea promoted by NP-complete asserts that if an efficient algorithm can be developed for one problem, it can also be developed for other complicated problems too. Thus to simplify, P defines the type or the category of the problem that comes with efficient solution whereas, NP defines a group of problems, each of which has an efficient recognizable solution. By saying P = NP, we mean to say that for any problem that has an efficient verifiable solution, we can efficiently identify that solution. However, there are many scientists who believed that P ≠  NP and defined it as inability to find the solution efficiently. The author presents several attempts to prove a problem that is

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Rene Ryman Essay Example for Free

Rene Ryman Essay Week 1 Case Study Professor Rene Ryman Case Problems – Chapter 1 – Question 1, parts a through d 1. A. How did Pine Valley Furniture go about developing its information systems? Why do you think the company chose this option? What other options were available? Pine Valley started small with the owner Alex Schuster just taking orders from customers for his custom furniture. Eventually each department had its own system, but they were still separate databases. The system has evolved into an automated system supported by in-house information system staff. I feel the company chose this option because they wanted to have their own in-house IS staff to maintain their own system. They could have outsourced the creation and support of their current system but they see the value in being self sufficient. B. One option available to Pine Valley Furniture was an enterprise-wide system. What features does an enterprise-wide system, such as SAP, provide? What is the primary advantage of an enterprise-wide system? An enterprise-wide system provides a single database as a repository for companies to centralize the management and availability of company data. The primary advantage of the enterprise-wide system is that it can be maintained at one location and supported from that location. The data is consistent and it costs less to support. C. Pine Valley Furniture will be hiring two systems analysts next month. Your task is to develop a job advertisement for these positions. Locate several Web sites and/or newspapers that have job advertisements for systems analysts. What skills are required? Required skills for Systems Analysts: Must be able to make program modifications Must be able to consolidate multiple databases into one Must be able to train support staff on new system Stay abreast of compliance rules and regulations D. What types of information systems are currently utilized at Pine Valley Furniture? Provide an example of each. Two primary information systems used at Pine Valley Furniture are for accounting and financial. As an example of each there would be a system for paying suppliers and contractors to run the furniture business. For all bills paid out of the general operating account a system needs to be in place to keep track of invoices, purchase orders and printing checks. Likewise a system is used to maintain payroll data. To pay the employees a system is needed to maintain hourly data and salary data. Along with whatever benefits are offered to employees. This system would keep all of the records, process the payroll and print payroll checks.

Friday, November 15, 2019

Organzational Leadership Essay -- Human Resources

Introduction Organizations are experiencing a rapid transformation in the environment, which has caused them to reevaluate how they do business. Economic changes, globalization, and expansions in technology have warranted the need to adapt quickly to changes in the environment (Schneider, 2002). Organizational leadership has three general components: setting the direction for the organization, organizational performance, and change management (Johnson, 2011). It is critical for organizations to position themselves in this competitive market for success. To maintain a competitive advantage an organization has to study the fluctuations within the environment and make the necessary changes. Assessing organizational strengths and weaknesses continuously allows them to take strategic steps that lead to optimal outcomes. Organizational performance management is important in ensuring the right people are in the right jobs at the right time. Weak points must be identified and strengthened so that the organization’s leadership can adapt to a continually changing environment (Johnson, 2011). In this paper I will discuss some organizational leadership principals and my beliefs, assumptions, and understanding of organizational leadership. Organizational Leadership Principals Vision â€Å"Leaders come in every size, shape, and disposition-short, tall, neat, sloppy, young, old, male, and female† (Bennis, 2009, p. 33). Unlike Johnson (2011), Bennis (2009) proposes additional components to leadership. First, there must be a vision. A leader has to have a well-defined direction and purpose. They must understand not only the direction they will take, but also the steps to achieve the stated objectives. The vision must be articulat... ...om http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/nov2010/ca2010112_608471.htm The Leaders Toolbox. (2012). Leaders toolbox principals. Retrieved from http://www.leadingforachange.com/toolbox/principles.asp Travelers. (2012). Travelers receives highest rankings on Goldman Sachs semiannual property & casualty insurance survey. Retrieved from http://inside.here.travp.net/intrahome/iwcm/insideNews/news/03-2012/CONEWS_TravelersReceivesHighestRankingsonGoldm.aspx Travelers. (2012). Travelers once again named Fortune’s world’s most admired companies list. Retrieved from http://inside.here.travp.net/intrahome/iwcm/insideNews/news/03-2012/CONEWS_TravelersOnceAgainNamedtoFORTUNEsWorlds.aspx Webster, A. (n.d.). Principles of organizational leadership. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/list_7541679_principles-organizational-leadership.html#ixzz1r5O71eyy

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Assessment of Students’ Satisfaction on the Restructured Essay

1.0 Introduction At the University of Ghana there are reports that rooms originally built to take two students, are now officially allocated to five students (after minor modifications), but unofficially occupied by as many as eight or nine – to the knowledge of the university authorities! Apart from the obvious hygiene and health hazards posed, what kind of ambience does this provide for study after classes? All of which have brought most African universities to a state of serious deterioration. This is evident not only to those who work or study in those universities but to even the most casual visitor. – (Association of African Universities, 2004) Housing is a basic human need in all societies and fundamental right of every individual. In advanced countries, housing is more accessible to all categories of people including the poor and the needy as a result of subsidies from the government. The situation is not the same in developing countries of the world. In Ghana, for example, accessibility to housing by the poor is quite a difficult situation which is worsened by the harsh economic conditions and poor enabling environment. Likewise, accessing housing facilities by Ghanaian students at the university is no exception, especially where such university happens to be the dream destination of most Ghanaians entering into tertiary institution. In tertiary institutions worldwide, the provision of accommodation to the students’ population takes different models. This includes; non-residential, where students source for their own accommodation. Residential, where the university houses all its students and dual-residential, where the university houses its student population for a period of time only, probably the first and final year, while the students during the remaining period source for their own accommodations. The experiences of students in tertiary institutions in sourcing and securing for their own accommodation around university communities are likely to be interesting and significant. However, it is worth noting that, University of Ghana, the nation’s premier university has gone through a series of development when it comes to how to accommodate its students, both undergraduates and postgraduates. 1.1 Research problem University of Ghana has undergone a series of reforms when it comes to the residential policy for its students. The ever increasing number of enrollees in the institution is what defines this restructuring of the policy governing students’ accommodation over time. In the past two years what the incumbent vice chancellor of the university term as â€Å"Decongestion† has taken place in anticipation to the fulfillment of the university achieving efficiency in its field of operation. The drive has also been fast tracked by his informal goal that the university should achieve a world-class status. Effective August, 2011, the university effectively implemented its decongestion policy allocating rooms to a maximum of three (3) students and four (4) students in the main halls and annexes respectively. This was done to address the problems of overcrowding that resulted in adverse effects of poor sanitation, pressure on residential utilities such as reading rooms and libraries, kitchen and washrooms, among other poor conditions for effective personal studies by students. Residential facilities have been increased to make the policy successful. Even though, the problem of inadequate accommodation for students is not entirely solved, the restructuring have been effective since its implementation, and it is worth investigating the effects of the new policy, whether it has achieved its goal or it is towards achieving its intended goal or otherwise. 1.2 Purpose of the study The main reason why this research is being conducted is to evaluate the satisfaction of students with the current students’ residential policy and its effects on their studies. 1.3 Objectives of the study Specific objectives of the study are as follows: 1. To assess students perception of sanitation in the halls/hostels now. 2. To assess students perception of security in the halls/hostels now. 3. To investigate students accessibility to some basic hall/hostel utilities. 1.4 Research Questions 1. What is students’ perception of sanitation in the halls/hostels now? 2. What is students’ perception of security and comfort in the halls/hostels now? 3. What is the accessibility status of students to basic halls/hostels utilities now? 1.5 Relevance of the study As a top university in Ghana and Africa and one which is striving to attain a world class status, adequate facilities should be provided and already existing ones improved, especially standards of services and facilities which include providing conducive on-campus student housing facility. The above research provides the grounding for this study and highlights the areas of new knowledge which are needed; to focus upon students’ satisfaction of residential facilities in University of Ghana. A key question is what is the level of students’ satisfaction with regards to the students housing facility (SHF) in the context of University of Ghana? The study contributes to a better understanding of SRS of UG. The results offer valuable feedback to the university authorities, facility managers and university hostel/hall administrators in terms of the present standards or the need for further improvement of the SHF through effective designs and management. The results will help to formulate guidelines in terms of allocation of rooms to students, maintenance and for future developments of student housing ensuring that the university is able to provide adequate and contemporary on-campus SHF. 2.0 Literature Review 2.1 Introduction This section reviews existing literature on the student residential facilities. It is mainly made up of previous studies, journals, articles, periodicals amongst other sources. They form the secondary source of data to the study. 2.2 The Concept of Student Residential Facility Student housing has long been regarded as an essential component of the facilities provided by the higher learning institutions in assisting students to expand their intellectual capabilities. According to Hassanain (2008), well planned student housing facilities (SHF) promote desirable educational outcomes and help to achieve the broader objectives such as social cohesion and responsible citizenship. An earlier study by Zahran (1972) reveals that a good student housing promotes interactions between roommates of different backgrounds and specializations; and thus broadens the students’ knowledge. Amole (2005) argues that facilities such as study areas or meeting places for academic discussions and social gatherings provided in the student housing will encourage informal intellectual activities outside the students’ own faculties. Price et al. (2003) related student interpersonal growth to adequate facilities and Fay (1981) highlighted the importance of students’ satisfaction in the SHF as a strategy to enhance student development. Despite the importance of SHF, little literature is available to evaluate student opinions of their housing facilities. Most studies on post-occupancy evaluation focus on family housing either public or private residences, investigating the interaction between owner-occupiers or tenants and their housing settings. Majority of these studies utilized the concept of housing satisfaction when evaluating the interactions between the residents and their physical environment (Amole, 2009b). Arguing that housing satisfaction can lead towards improving individual’s quality of life, Salleh (2008) investigates dwelling, housing services and neighbourhood factors that influence the residents of private low-cost housing in Malaysia. The study revealed that the residents are more satisfied with their dwelling units and housing services if compared to their neighbourhood facilities. Elsinga and Hoekstra (2005) study housing satisfaction among European communities and find out that except in Austria, homeowners are more satisfied than the tenants because homeownership provides security, freedom and financial benefits. In contrast, James (2008) analyses the influence of age and type of ownership on the level of satisfaction and establishes that tenant satisfaction increases with the age at a much faster rate than the type of homeownership. However, student housing and family housing are not the same. Student housing comprises of basic bedroom units with other shared facilities such as bathrooms, toilets, laundry, kitchens, common lounges and cafeterias located either per floor level, per block or for the whole student housing accommodation (Amole, 2009a). On the contrary, the basic unit for family housing is a house which includes bedrooms, bathrooms, toilets and a living area all as part of the unit with other housing facilities such as playground, shops and school at the neighbourhood (Parkes et al., 2002). In addition, student housing offers limited security of ownership and freedom if compared to family housing. Therefore, the above findings may not apply in the context of student housing. Studies on residential satisfaction (RS) from the student perspective are mostly focused on factors affecting RS; such as reasons for students to maintain their previous residence (Cleave, 1996) and predictors of student residential satisfaction (SRS) (Foubert et al., 1998; Khozaei et al., 2010b). There are also studies on student housing with narrower scopes such as the effects of floor height on over-crowding (Kaya and Erkip, 2001); students’ perceptions on indoor comfort (Dahlan et al., 2009); students’ sense of attachment with a particular student housing (Khozaei et al., 2010a); coping strategies for students staying in student housing (Amole, 2005) and the relationship between satisfaction and levels of environment (Amole, 2009b). These studies offer little guidance as to whether the students are satisfied with SHF provided. Among the limited studies on SRS are studies by Amole (2007, 2009a), Hassanain (2008) and Radder and Han (2009). Amole (2007, 2009a) investigates RS among students in Nigeria and the findings indicated a low satisfaction with the SHF provided. Radder and Han (2009) researched student satisfaction levels in South Africa and the findings indicated again a level of dissatisfaction with campus residences. Alternatively, Hassanain (2008) found that students in Saudi Arabia indicated a level of satisfaction with the SHF provided. However, the studies were conducted in countries where the culture and climate are different from that experienced in the Southeast Asia region, which is likely to affect the perceived environment of the built environment. Therefore, the results of the studies may not be applicable to the study context. 2.3 Evolution of the accommodation structure Originally, halls in the university were built to accommodate two students per room. This provision was adequate for students because not many people sought for higher education. However, as the population of Ghana increased and the need to seek higher education became prominent in the country, the number students enrolled each academic year increased rapidly as well. Residential facilities were increased and expanded to accommodate the ever increasing number of student intake which demanded restructuring of student residential policy given the limited resources the university had. In the midst of the reforms, beyond the expansion and modification of the original rooms to accommodate two persons at a time, the number increased to five (5) in a room officially, both in the main halls and the annexes. The continuous increase in the student intake amidst the unexpanded residential facilities meant that, not all students could be accommodated on campus, therefore, private hostels began to spring up to absorb the excess students who could not secure accommodation on campus. The private hostels motivation to make profit meant that they charge high prices which were unbearable by many students. This brought about one of the prominent terms that everyone who has passed through the four walls of the University of Ghana is popular with â€Å"Perching†. 2.4 The issue of â€Å"Perching† The word connotes students who illegally share residential facilities with official occupants of a room. This resulted in overcrowding in the halls, putting extreme pressure on washrooms, reading rooms, hall libraries, dry lines, among other facilities that were originally constructed for two people. This was happening who many reforms were going on. The two most popular reforms were the â€Å"in-out-out-in† and the â€Å"in-out-out-out† policies. The former meant that, all first year students were qualified for accommodation on campus, this qualification did not mean automatic allocation of rooms to freshmen but allocation was subject balloting for a â€Å"YES† or â€Å"NO† and second and third year students were to look for their own accommodation. Under this policy, final year students like first year students also qualified to be accommodated on campus; it is however, worth noting that, even for the final year students, because of the limited number of rooms available, allocation of rooms was also done via balloting a yes or no by students. The latter policy, in-out-out-out raised a lot of eyebrows as it meant that only first year students were offered accommodation on campus. And for this policy allocation to level 100 students was automatic and assured. With this policy in place the problem of â€Å"perching† worsened. The official number of occupants in a room almost doubled for almost all the halls of residence. The adverse effects of poor situation created a lot of problems; poor sanitation, insecurity, discomfort, which had direct impact on students’ health, hygiene, and efficiency. 2.5 The current residential policy â€Å"The University of Ghana Hostels with a capacity of 26000 beds, which was to be built at the University of Ghana, Legon, with partnership between the university and six banks was a dream come alive as long as finding a solution to the perennial problem of accommodation in our public universities is concerned† this was an assertion made by Professor C. N. B. Tagoe, Vice Chancellor of the university of Ghana (GhanaWeb, 2008). From the above statement I would to acknowledge the â€Å"Contingency theory† one of the prominent schools under the Open Systems perspective of Organizations. This theory as a branch of systems design emphasizes that design decisions are dependent on environmental conditions. Contingency theory is guided by the general orienting hypothesis that organizations whose internal features match the demands of their environments will achieve the best adaptation. Lawrence and Lorsch (1967), who coined the label â€Å"contingency theory†, argue that different environments place differing requirements on organizations. In a recent review article, Lawrence (1993) provides a partial list of factors that one or another theorist has considered important. They include size or scale, technology, geography, uncertainty, individual predispositions of participants, resource dependency, national or cultural differences, scope and organizational life cycle. With concentration on the resource dependency factor, it is indicative that, the adaptation and realization of the said solution was heavily contingent on the provision of financial resources by the six banks which are external to the organization. As the resources from the external environment was provided by the six banks, the expansion of the residential facilities have been a reality indeed, making it possible to establish four different hostels which accommodates about 7, 120 students. It is a combination of these factors that made it possible for the decongestion exercise in the five traditional halls feasible. Currently, some of the hostels have been restructured into halls and run as the traditional halls. The standard rooms accommodate four (4) persons as the annexes do. With other stringent measures put in place to control â€Å"perching† it is believed that, the purpose for which this restructuring was done is being worked towards. It must be stated categorically that, the main reason for this exercise is to improve students’ efficiency in the university. 2.6 Halls of Residence/Hostels The University believes in community living as an essential part of student life. It is therefore primarily residential, providing accommodation in Halls of Residence for both undergraduate and post-graduate students as well as flats and guest rooms for senior members and guests. There are five halls of residence (available to all students) and several Hostels. The present Halls and Hostels are as follows: Each Hall consists of junior members (students) and senior members (academic and senior administrative and professional staff), and is managed by a Council comprising members elected by persons belonging to the Hall. The Master (or Warden in the case of Volta Hall) is the Head of the Hall. Each Hall has Junior and Senior Common Rooms for students and Faculty, respectively. A tutorial system offers an opportunity for counseling students and ensuring their welfare at both academic and social levels. Students maintain interaction with each other and the wider community through recogni zed clubs and societies. Each Hall has a kitchen and a dining hall to cater for students’ feeding. Chapels and a mosque are also available for use by various religious denominations. A Chaplaincy Board co-ordinate the activities of religious groups. Social life on the campus is organised mainly by the Students’ Representative Council and the Junior Common Room Committees which provide various kinds of social programmes. LEGON HALL: Legon Hall was the first to be built on the permanent site of the University of Ghana at Legon and is, therefore, the Premier Hall of the University. Its foundation tablet was laid during the Michaelmas Term of 1951 and, in September 1952, the first undergraduates were accepted into residence. On Trinity Sunday, 31st May 1953, the first service was held in the Chapel and the first meal served in the Dining Hall. From these events, the Hall took Trinity Sunday every year as its birthday, celebrated by a common â€Å"Feast† for both its Junior and Senior Members. The Hall’s motto, Cui Datum (â€Å"To whom much is given†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ), was selected from St. Luke’s Gospel, in recognition of the special responsibility attached to the Hall’s seniority. Senior Members of t he University may be assigned as Fellows of the Hall by the Vice Chancellor and they usually keep their Fellowship for as long as they remain with the University. Persons of academic distinction outside the University may be elected as Honorary Fellows at a General Meeting of Fellows. The rest of the membership of the Hall is made up of persons in statu pupillari. The governing body of the Hall is the Hall Council, members of which are Fellows of the Hall. The principal Hall Officers are: The Master, the Vice-Master, the President of the Senior Common Room, the Senior Tutor, and the Hall Bursar. AKUAFO HALL: Akuafo Hall was established with the appointment of Professor D.A. Taylor, a Master-designate and a Hall Council in 1953. The Hall Council in 1954 decided to name the Hall Akuafo to commemorate the generous gesture of the farmers of Ghana in giving money for the foundation of the University College. A crest which depicts a cocoa tree, an open book and a drum, designed by Professor W.J. McCallien, and a motto, laboremus et sapiamus, suggested by Professor L.H. Ofosu-Appiah, were adopted by the Council. A commemorative plaque with a Latin inscription composed by Professor L.H. Ofosu-Appiah was set up to show the gratitude of the Hall to the farmers of the country and to the British Government who gave the University College funds for the building of the Hall. The Hall was officially opened on 17 February, 1956, but the first students, numbering 131, came into residence on the 5th October, 1955. The Hall has its own statutes governing the election of officers and the administration of its affairs. Once a year, the Master has to convene a meeting of the Fellows, who form the governing body, to receive his annual report. The Senior Common Room is open to all Fellows and their guests, and the Senior Combination Room to all senior members of the University. Senior Members may also invite students to the Combination Room. COMMONWEALTH HALL: The first batch of students was admitted into residence in Commonwealth Hall at the beginning of the 1956-1957 academic year. In the Lent Term of that academic year, Ghana attained its independence from Great Britain, and the Hall, hitherto known as the Third Hall, was officially christened Commonwealth Hall to commemorate Ghana’s admission into the Commonwealth of Nations. The official opening of the Hall was performed in March, 1957. It is, so far, the only all-male Hall of Residence in the University. The motto of the Hall, Truth Stands, was taken from a quotation from Satyre by John Donne (1572-1631): â€Å"On a huge hill, cragged, and steep, Truth stands and hee that will Reach her, about must, and about must goe† This motto combines both the physical situation of the Hall (on a hillside overlooking most of the University and beyond) and the proper pursuit of a University education, the search for truth. It is the only Hall of Residence in the University which has a theatre and Amphitheatre for lectures and plays. The Coat of Arms of the Hall depicts the strength and unity of purpose of members of the Hall deriving from the bonds of association enjoyed by the individual members of the Hall. High Commissioners of the Commonwealth countries in Ghana are accorded Honorary Membership of the Hall. There is a Hall Council which administers the affairs of the Hall, assisted by the Tutorial Board and the Senior Common Room Committee. VOLTA HALL: Volta Hall started as the Fourth Hall in the 1959-60 academic year, on 16th November, 1960. The University College Council, on the recommendation of the Hall Council, named it Volta Hall. The Hall consists of the main hall originally designed to accommodate 82 students, and an annex with an original capacity for accommodating 198 students, the occupation of which began in January 1966. The motto of the Hall, chosen during the Hall’s tenth anniversary celebrations, is in the Akan language and it is: Akokobere Nso Nyim Adekyee. This means that the secret or knowledge of life and nature is a gift to women as it is to men. The Hall has a governing Body which comprises all the Fellows assigned to it and those elected by the assigned Fellows. The government of the Hall rests with this body which delegates some of its powers to a Hall Council. The Hall Council consists of ten members, including the Warden, the Deputy Warden, the Senior Tutor and the Bursar who are ex-officio members. The day-to-day administration of the Hall is carried out by the Warden with the help of the Senior Tutor, who deals with all students’ affairs, and the Bursar. MENSAH SARBAH HALL: Mensah Sarbah Hall, the fifth Hall of the University, stands in the southern part of the campus. The Hall consists of a main Hall built around a quadrangle and a number of Annexes standing to the north and east. The last two south annexes are attached to the Hall. Until October 1991, Mensah Sarbah was the only co-ed Hall of Residence in the University, which made it quite unique among the Halls. The governing body of the Hall is the Council, which is responsible to the full body of Fellows who form the Senate. Students’ affairs are handled by students’ own elected government headed by a President, while the general administration of the Hall is under the Master who is assisted by the Senior Tutor and Tutors on the one hand and the Bursar on the other. Other Hall Officers are the Chaplai n, who is responsible for the Roman Catholic Chapel, the Prayer Room Warden, who is responsible for the Protestant Chapel, and the Librarian. Senior Common Room affairs are managed by an elected committee under the President of the Senior Common Room. The Hall is named after the famous Ghanaian jurist, writer and statesman, John Mensah Sarbah of Cape Coast. It has been customary for the Hall to celebrate the birthday anniversary of this great man every year. This anniversary is known as Sarbah Day and is highlighted by a dinner and a get-together. The Hall has a crest designed to bring out the principal features of Mensah Sarbah’s life. It consists of three elements: a pair of scales, a stool with a book resting upon it, and a hill surmounted by a castle. The scale signifies the legal profession, the stool and the book symbolise culture while the hill and the castle are intended to depict the familiar landscape of Cape Coast with its many hills and forts. At the same time, the castle is intended to symbolise strength and honour. The Hall’s motto is: Knowledge, Honour, Service – three words which aptly summarise the guiding principles of Mensah Sarbah’s life. VALCO TRUST HOSTELS: The idea to build a grad uate hostel was first nurtured when Legon Hall Annex C was prepared exclusively for graduate students of the Hall. The quest for a suitable accommodation for graduate students gained attention when Valco Trust Fund offered to finance the construction of a graduate hostel. As a further boost to this course, Legon Hall Annex C was converted into an Annex of the Hostel. The Valco Trust Hostel, donated to the University by the Valco Trust Fund to ease pressure on student accommodation, is a block of purpose-built, self-contained flats for 190 students. The Hostel, which was completed in June 1997, is the University’s first hostel for graduate students. A second block with similar facilities was opened in January 2006. Located behind Mensah Sarbah Hall on the southern part of the campus, the flats are arranged in single and double study bedrooms with en suite shower and toilet. There is a shared kitchen for every twelve rooms. Facilities in the hostels include common rooms, washrooms and a restaurant. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ HOSTELS: The International Student’s Hostels are located on the southern part of the campus off the road to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research. For a long time, it had been the dream of the University of Ghana to create and strengthen links with other universities in order to enhance the international student presence on campus. The first phase was commissioned in June 1999 and the second in January 2006. The Hostels are co-educational and each has 43 single rooms and 85 double rooms. In addition, there are facilities such as a well-fortified security system, kitchenettes and restaurants. REFERENCES Amole, D. (2005),â€Å"Coping strategies for living in student residential facilities in Nigeria†, Environment and Behaviour, Vol. 37, pp. 201-19. Amole, D. (2009b),â€Å"Residential satisfaction in students’ housing†, Journal of Environment Psychology, Vol. 29, pp. 76-85. Association of African Universities (2004), â€Å"Challenges Facing African Universities: Selected Issues†, African Studies Review (2004) Vol. 47, No. 1, 1-59 Dahlan, N., Jones, P., Alexander, D., Salleh, E. and Alias, J. (2009),â€Å"Evidence base prioritization of indoor comfort perceptions in Malaysian typical multi-storey hostels†, Building and Environment, pp. 2158-65. Elsinga, M. and Hoekstra, J. (2005),â€Å"Homeownership and housing satisfaction†, Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, Vol. 20, pp. 401-24. Fay, G. (1981),â€Å"A model for reviewing growth environments†, Journal of College and University Student Housing, Vol. 11 No. 1, pp. 46-7. Foubert, J.D., Tepper, R. and Morrison, D.R. (1998),â€Å"Predictors of student satisfaction in university residence halls†, Journal of College and University Student Housing, Vol. 21No. 1, pp. 41-6. Hassanain, M.A. (2008),â€Å"On the performance evaluation of sustainable student housing facilities†, Journal of Facilities Management, Vol. 6 No. 3, pp. 212-25. James, R.N. (2008), â€Å"Residential satisfaction of elderly tenants in apartment housing†, Social Indicators Research, Vol. 89, pp. 421-37. James, R.N. (2008), â€Å"Residential satisfaction of elderly tenants in apartment housing†, Social Indicators Research, Vol. 89, pp. 421-37. Kaya, N. and Erkip, F. (2001), â€Å"Satisfaction in a dormitory building: the effects of floor height on the perception of room size and crowding†, Environment & Behavior, Vol. 33 No. 1, pp. 35-53. Khozaei, F., Hassan, A.S. and Khozaei, Z. (2010a), â€Å"Undergraduate students’ satisfaction with hostel and sense of attachment to place: case study of â€Å"universiti sains Malaysia†, American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Vol. 3 No. 3, pp. 516-20. Lawrence, Paul R. and Jay W. Lorsch. (1967)â€Å"Organization and environment† Boston; Harvard University, Division of Research, Graduate School of Business Administration. Parkes, A., Kearns, A. and Atkinson, R. (2002), â€Å"What makes people dissatisfied with their neighbourhoods?†, Urban Studies, Vol. 39 No. 13, pp. 2413-38. Price, I., Matzdorf, F., Smith, L. and Agahi, H. (2003),â€Å"The impact of facilities on student choice of university†, Facilities, Vol. 21 No. 10, pp. 212-22. Radder, L. and Han, X. (2009), â€Å"Service quality of on-campus student housing: a South African experience†, The International Business & Economics Research Journal, Vol. 8 No. 11, pp. 107-19. Salleh, A.G. (2008),â€Å"Neighbourhood factors in private low-cost housing in Malaysia†, Habitat International, Vol. 32, pp. 485-93. www.ghanaweb.com, (Tuesday, 8th January, 2008) retrieved on 4th October, 2012. www.ug.edu.gh (2012) retrieved on 10th October, 2012 www.ug.edu.gh (2012) retrieved on 2nd November, 2012 www.ug.edu.gh (2012) retrieved on 5th November, 2012

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Simulation And Result Of Scalar Control Engineering Essay

6.0 IntroductionThis chapter focuses on scalar control in three stage initiation motor public presentation, trying to happen the intrinsic advantages and disadvantages of the method. An probe is conducted, via instance survey, into the public presentation of initiation motor thrust using the scalar control method. As package bundle, Matlab Simulink has been used and the simulation consequences are presented to turn out the dynamic behaviour of this type of control method.6.1 Matlab and simulink.In the simulation of initiation machines utilizing Matlab and Simulink are first-class for numerical computation and informations visual image ; control applied scientists use them extensively for analysis design are many different tool chests available which extend the basic map of Matlab into different application countries ; for illustration, the Matlab tool chests, â€Å" control system † â€Å" model prognostic control † and â€Å" Robust control † supply methods for computing machine -aided control system design. The simulation bundle allows a broad scope of different constellations and theoretical accounts to be investigated quickly. The Simulink Matlab application is adopted because of its intrinsic integrating of vectorized system representation in block diagram signifier. Therefore, in this bundle, the package is used as an analytical for the graphical portraiture of the clip developments of signals combined with the simple realisation of the functionality of control and power electronic excitements.6.2 The initiation motor theoretical accountThe initiation motor theoretical account has to be taken into consideration, It is of import because it is related to the control of the initiation motor. The initiation motor is used because it has perfected of features of theoretically and by experimentation. It is driven in a figure of different mentions frame, so the purpose of the theoretical account is frequently expressed in an arbitrary two-axis go arounding mention frame. This makes it easy to command ; the interior decorator can mend the mention frame to a peculiar motor measure and adjust the theoretical account consequently. All electrical parts of the machine, the variables and parametric quantities, are viewed from the stator. This is all indicated by the major marks in the machine equations given below. All rotor and stator measures are in the arbitrary two-axis rotor mention frame ( dq frame ) . The inferiors used are defined as follows: vitamin D: A vitamin D axis measure Q: A A Q axis measure R: A A rotor measure s: A stator measure cubic decimeter: A A escape induction m: A common inductioniˆ? Electrical System( 6.1 )( 6.2 )( 6.3 )( 6.4 )Where,( 6.5 )( 6.6 )( 6.7 )( 8.8 )( 9.9 )( 6.10 )( 6.11 )iˆ? Mechanical System( 6.12 )( 6.13 )Asynchronous machine parametric quantities in the rotor mention frame are defined as follows: Rs, Lls stator opposition and escape induction R'r, L'lr Rotor opposition and escape induction Lumen Common induction Ls, L'r entire stator and rotor inductions Vqs, intelligence quotient Q axis stator electromotive force and current V'qr, i'qr Q axis rotor electromotive force and current Vds, Idahos vitamin D axis stator electromotive force and current V'dr, i'dr vitamin D axis rotor electromotive force and current stator Q and vitamin D axis fluxes rotor Q and vitamin D axis fluxes angular speed of the rotor P figure of pole braces electrical angular speed ( Wr * P ) Tellurium electromagnetic torsion Thulium shaft mechanical torsion rotor angular place Joule combined rotor and burden inactiveness Hydrogen combined rotor and burden inactiveness invariable F combined rotor and burden syrupy clash Table ( 6.1 ) -rotor mention frame definitions Where the inferior s corresponds to stator, r corresponds to rotor, d corresponds to direct axis, q corresponds to quadrature axis and L corresponds to leakage. Te represents torsion, while P is the figure of poles. The tantamount circuit is shown above.6.3 Reference frame.The mention frame is used to change over input electromotive force ( abc mention frame ) to the dq mention frame and besides used for change overing the end product currents dq mention frame to ( abc mention frame ) . A pick has to be made between the following mention frame transmutations: Synchronous. Stationary ( Clarke or ii transmutation ) . Rotor ( park transmutation ) . The pick of the mention frame wave forms affects all dq variables. It besides affects the velocity of the simulation and, in some instances, the truth of the consequences. The undermentioned guidelines are suggested: If the stator electromotive forces are non balanced or non connected and the rotor electromotive forces are balanced ( or 0 ) a stationary mention frame can be used. If the rotor electromotive forces are non balanced or non connected and the stator electromotive forces ; are balanced rotor mention frame can be used. If all the electromotive forces are connexions and balanced the stationary or synchronal mention frame can be used. The undermentioned relationships explain the rudiment to dq mention frame transmutations which apply to the initiation machine block ‘s input electromotive forces.( 6.14 )I n the old equations, I? is the angular place of the mention frame, while i = i? ± – i? ±r, and the difference between the place of the mention frame and the place ( electrical ) of the rotor. Because the machines twists are connected in a three-wire Y constellation. There is no sequence ( 0 ) constituent. It besides justifies the usage of two input electromotive force lines to the line in the signifier alternatively of three electromotive force lines to impersonal. The relationships that follow depict the dq-to rudiment mention frame transmutations applied to Asynchronous machine stage currents. ( 6.15 ) ( 6.16 ) ( 6.17 ) ( 6.18 ) In the tabular array below are shown values represented by andi . In each mention frame ( vitamin E is the location of the synchronously revolving mention frame. Mention Frame Rotor R 0 Stationary 0-rSynchronous vitamin E e – R Table ( 6.2 ) , value of and in each mention frame. ( Reference Matlab )6.4 Induction Motor Drives with Scalar ControlOne manner of understanding scalar control method is by utilizing instances survey with Matlab simulation. This portion of this chapter will concentrate and discus how this method performs. The simulation consequences will be analysed and compared subsequently on with vector control.6.4.1 Case surveyThe circuit shown below as the instance survey, an unfastened cringle scalar control method with PWM inverter is used to feed the stator through the control electromotive force supply. This inverter uses sinusoidal pulse-width transition ; hence, the base of frequence of the moving ridge ‘s frequence is set at 60 Hz and the triangular bearer wave ‘s frequence is set at 1980Hz. This corresponds to a frequence transition factor medium frequency of 33 ( 60 *33 = 1980 Hz ) . A three-phase initiation motor is connected to a changeless burden of nominal value 11.9Nm.In this circuit, a three stage initiation motor is b uilt. Blocks of the machines and power electronic Matlab libraries have been used and besides in this circuit all the parametric quantities are the same circuit of vector control because the research worker wished to do a comparing between this circuit diagram of scalar control and vector control. Furthermore, the machine is used it has the same parametric quantities of vector control and scalar control. Figure ( 6.2 ) unfastened cringle simulink block diagram theoretical account6.4.2 Construction of Electrical Model Induction Machine.Figure ( 6.3 ) shows block diagram the abc transmutation to dq of the initiation machine Figure ( 6.4 ) shows implement distinct trspezoidal integrating of machine equations in rotor, stationary or synchronal mention frame. Figure ( 6.5 ) shows block diagram of the dq transmutation to abc of the initiation machine6.4.3 Simulation parametric quantities:Choosing the ode23tb incorporating algorithm, set the comparative tolerance to 1e-3, the absolute tolerance and maximal measure size to car and the stop clip to 4s. So the scalar method simulation was carried out utilizing the motor parametric quantities as shown in the tabular array below. The tabular array shows the simulation parametric quantities for constellation of the circuit Fig ( 6.2 ) Start clip 0 Integrator type 0d23 Stop clip 4s Relative tolerance 1e-3 Relative tolerance car Maximal measure size car Initial measure size car Table ( 6.3 ) the simulation parametric quantities in the simulation parametric quantities instance survey. Power, electromotive force and frequence [ pn ( VA ) Vn ( Vrms ) , fn ( Hz ) ] [ 50*746, 460,60 ] Stator opposition and induction [ Rs ( ohm ) L1s ( H ) ] : [ 0.087 0.8e-3 ] Rotor opposition and induction [ Rr, ( ohm ) Llr, ( H ) ] : [ 0.228 0.8e-3 ] Common induction Lm ( H ) : [ 34.7e-3 ] : Inertia, clash factor and pole braces [ J ( Kg.m 2 ) F ( N.m.s ) p0 ] : [ 1.662 0.12 ] Initial conditions [ 1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 ] Table ( 6.4 ) Asynchronous motor parametric quantities6.4.4 Simulation consequences:The thrust started from deadlock by stipulating 0 for all initial conditions of province variables in the Powergui interface. In this instance, the mention velocity was stepped from 120 to160 rad / s at t= 1 s and thrust variables velocity, torsion and current observed. Transeunt responses to get down the initiation motor thrust are shown below ; the first figure shows motor steady province torsion and velocity. Figure ( 6.6 ) the motor started and reached its steady province velocity of 120 rad/s ( 1800rpm ) at 1s ; at get downing, the magnitude of the 60 Hz current reached approximately 180 A, its peak current ( 127 rms ) , = = 127 Arms. Therefore, there was a high initiation motor get downing current, as was expected, because the motor has high power, whereas its steady province value was ( 20A ) and the Irms value about ( 14,14 rms ) . Besides, strong oscillations of the electromagnetic torsion at get downing were observed. On the torsion in steady province observation noisy signal with a average value of 11.9 Nm. In the three motor currents there was observed all the harmonics [ multiples of the 1980 Hz exchanging frequence ] which were filtered by the stator induction, so that the 60 Hz constituents were dominant. Sing the curves of the three stage initiation motor ( squirrel Cage ) , on get downing the motor without burden, the motor get downing currents, torsion and velocity can be observed on the range. At the terminal of simulation clip at ( 4s ) . , when the motor was reached steady province that is the torsion and velocity are changeless, So, Te – TL = 0, it was observed that the stator and rotor currents were rather ( noisy ) and the torsion and velocity had truly changeless value because the motor was non yet loaded so that is why the motor was on steady province. Figure ( 6.6 ) Simulation of the initiation motor without burden6.4.5 Get downing with burden.In the following simulation end product different simulations were used to happen out the result when the velocity is set-up at steady province at a certain clip. In this figure ( 6.7 ) , the rotor velocity started increasing from 0 to 120 rad/s, after this, the lessening velocity for short clip between 2 2nd and 2.5 second, so velocity decreased until steady province ( 100 rad/s ) , for the falling value of the velocity is 20 rad/s. Suddenly, alteration in the magnitude of the stator current resulted in transient before the torsion reached the steady province and besides alteration in the linkage of the rotor flux. The research worker could detect the motor currents were high and largely noisy get downing current and besides that the torsion starts additions from 2 seconds to 2.5 seconds and to increase until changeless value was reached ; at the same clip as cut downing velocity, the curre nt, nevertheless, was increased because the relationship between torsion and velocity are reciprocally related. Finally and clearly either the dynamic torsion control is really hapless and besides it has jobs with the transeunt response of the torsion or it is really hapless and can non be controlled by the torsion in the transient province. Figure ( 6.7 ) measure up torque response at 11.9N.m The undermentioned simulation of torsion 50N.m applied at least two seconds and a changeless velocity of 120 rad / s to see how this theoretical account of scalar controls responded to these alterations. This simulation shows the end product velocity started increasing from 0 to 120 rad / s, than at 2 seconds the velocity will be reduced to 90 rad / s, so that the torsion is applied to two seconds, so get down to cut down velocity ( a little ) at the same clip, torsion is increased until making a changeless value. The starting currents were high, up to 1.5 seconds, and so reduced until the steady province was reached at the same clip the torsion applied. Internist provinces torque and current were noisy and did non discontinue. However, the dynamic behavior of scalar control was non perfect, so in this it instance affected the public presentation of the initiation motor. Scalar control should be used at low velocity and variable velocity, for illustration as fans or pumps. Figure ( 6.8 ) simulation of the initiation motor thrust with step-up torsion Figure ( 6.9 ) shows simulation end product difference simulation status was used to happen out the result when the velocity is step up at the steady province at certain clip. At the one second the velocity starts to increase and the torsion besides increased but for short clip so the torsion starts to decreased until reached changeless value, besides this clip the velocity invariable. This means altering the velocity with the scalar control under the steady province status will be sensible. Figure ( 6.9 ) simulation of the initiation motor thrust with step-up velocity The dynamic public presentation of thrust ( public presentation relation to the velocity control mention alteration and burden torsion ) as Fig ( 6.10 ) can be studied by using two alterations in operating conditions of the thrust ; a measure alteration in velocity mention and measure alteration of the burden torsion. The torsion 50Nm was applied for 2 seconds and velocity of measure 140rad / s for 1 2nd, to see how these model scalar controls would react to these alterations. In this instance, it was observed the velocity dropped aggressively to one second, shortly, and so went up to 140 rad / s to 3.5 seconds. The electromagnetic torsion of the initiation motor was foremost variable in 0.6 seconds. After the torsion is little bead of one second when the rate was applied the torsion continuously went up to 90Nm in 3.5 seconds. In this instance, the increased velocity and torque addition were non the same as earlier. The chief job of current and torsion in 1 second is if the torsion all of a sudden drops and the current addition is more than the starting current, In this instance, the value of the burden and velocity control should be increased. Figure ( 6.10 ) simulation of the initiation motor thrust with step-up velocity and torsion. Figure ( 6.11 ) simulation of the initiation motor thrust with step-up velocity and torsion.6.5 Scalar control dissectionThe electromotive force applied to the motor must alter with frequence. The control method is really simple and easy to implement. Improves inactive public presentation of control system, but its transient capableness is non satisfactory. Accurate place control is non possible. Open cringle scalar control will be able to provide speed fluctuation ; it is non able to supply reliable control under transeunt conditions. Therefore, the scalar control is suited merely if the motor operates in steady province without velocity ordinance. Scalar control is used chiefly in applications where changeless torsion is required. Scalar control ever has hapless kineticss. Scalar control methods are used merely the magnitude and frequence ( V/Hz ) .

Friday, November 8, 2019

To Believe or To Not Believe. Professor Ramos Blog

To Believe or To Not Believe. Growing up my family never took my brother and I to Church. I remember my mom saying she grew up religious, but we never really talked about it. Nor did we ever really talk about religion in our household. I find it strange now looking back at it, but maybe my parents just wanted my brother and I to have a choice on the matter. Either way it’s safe to say my family wasn’t very religious. Sure, I had friends, girlfriends, and relatives that all went to Church on Sunday’s. Hell, even I went a couple times, but I just felt uncomfortable and couldn’t fully grasp the concept that was being preached to me. I would sit there as the pastor would talk about the word of God and the Gospel. The teachings of Jesus and the 10 commandments. I was a lot younger then, so in the Church’s defense I didn’t really pay much attention. It seemed like a wonderful idea though. The thought there is Heaven where all our loved ones gather in this paradise to meet after death. The idea of Hell keeping everyone from committing wrong-doings otherwise you burn for eternity. It was strange to me, so it didn’t take very long till I just stopped thinking about the matter all together and just moved on with my life. It just wasn’t reaching me on a deeper level like it does with most. Once I stopped thinking about it long enough, there came a time where I began to question it all. Is there really a God? Or are we just a spec in this mass universe we call space. Do our choices really matter? Or is it possible that everything is irrelevant. Does good come from the belief and worship of God? Or is it how we are raised and brought up in the world. What is it in our brains that makes us have this belief for something bigger than all of us? It eventually got to the point where I gave up. I chose to believe were all just consciously making choices for ourselves. Whether it be for good or bad, right or wrong. Just collectively learning lessons from the choices we make and analyzing the outcome of those choices to prepare for future decision making. I decided that not everything was happening for a higher purpose. That there wasn’t any type â€Å"God† influencing my life the way so many people believe God does so. I thought that if I’m responsible for my choices and actions than God must not be around. There were no signs for me that pointed to the belief there was something or someone out there looking out for me, let alone every living being. It was only two weeks after my conscious decision to become what most people call â€Å"atheist†, that my uncle Steve passed away. He was battling alcoholism for as long as I could remember. We never did talk much, and I didn’t know much about him. But I could tell he loved all his family members. He would never do anything to purposely hurt or upset them. Maybe he was just raging his own war against God and the only way to escape from his reality was to keep finding the bottom of that bottle. It was in his last few months I could barely recognize him anymore. He developed two forms of cancer and looked like the fight wouldn’t carry on much longer. He was the palest I’ve ever seen a person and there was no energy flowing through his body anymore. He was admitted to the hospital and induced into a coma shortly after the last time I saw him. I don’t even remember the last few words he or I said to each other. Just glimpses of him and I at our Thanksgi ving or Christmas parties. Almost like a photo gallery in my head. My father and my uncle Mike stayed with him every day that he was in the hospital. I probably should have visited and to this day I have no idea why I didn’t. But one of the strangest things that happened to me was the morning my uncle Steve passed away. It was the night before and I had had a dream about him. I found myself in this beautiful bright green forest with the sun rising farther than where the trees ended. I felt peace but was also conscious enough to wonder why I was there. I never had that feeling before, being awake inside a dream. It was only what felt like a minute before my Uncle Steve appeared. He had a bright glow to him, and he was heathier than I had ever seen him in his whole life. My Uncle didn’t say anything, but I felt his embrace, almost as if he was telling me he is okay. It felt like he was at peace with everything in this world and whatever world he was in also brought peace to him. He seemed comfortable, no longer in pain or fatigue. The last thing I remember was his smile before he faded away and I woke up. There was something about his smile I could never really describe. The dream didn’t last very long but the part that is strange to me is I remember waking up around 7:30am to text my Dad about the dream I had had. Only to have already received a text from him saying that my Uncle was pronounced dead at 7:07am on July 17th. My Dad and I both were caught of guard by my dream. But it really seemed to make my Dad feel a lot better about the loss of his brother Steve. As if my dad was thinking the same thing I was. Maybe there is something more after this. Some people believe in coincidences and I guess at the time I did too. This strange phenomenon seemed to put a damper on my theories and beliefs that there was nothing else after this. It just seemed too surreal to me to just be a random dream that a person has. I remember it so vividly like I just watched it on a video. This dream began to alter my state of mind. I started to open myself towards the belief that there can be a God or a spiritual life after this. That everything that has or will happen to us is meant for something bigger than just ourselves. To this day I have still only read about four passages out of the Bible or any other religious text. I’m not saying that I have become a man of God, but I do believe that there is more to life than just living and dying. I felt my Uncle was in a better place and maybe he wanted to show me a glimpse into this peaceful paradise he found himself. I still question as to why he visited me and not my Father or his Brother. All I know is that whether this dream be a coincidence or some sort of spiritual lesson, it taught me that I need to have faith in something more than myself. I’m still on the path of learning to believe in God but if it weren’t for that dream, I’d still be on the search for meaning in this world. I believe this dream has helped me find it.

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Destruction of Jerusalem Predicted by Ashkelons Fall

Destruction of Jerusalem Predicted by Ashkelon's Fall The Destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. caused the period in Jewish history known as the Babylonian Exile. Ironically, as with the prophets warnings in the book of Jeremiah in the Hebrew Bible, Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar also gave the Jews fair warning of what could happen, if they crossed him, in the way he devastated Ashkelon, the capital of their enemies, the Philistines. The Warning from Ashkelon New archaeological findings in the ruins of Ashkelon, Philistias main seaport, are providing evidence that Nebuchadnezzars conquest of his enemies was utterly merciless. If Judahs kings had heeded the warnings of the prophet Jeremiah about imitating Ashkelon and embracing Egypt, Jerusalems destruction might have been avoided. Instead, the Jews ignored both the religious rantings of Jeremiah and the unequivocal real-world implications of Ashkelons fall. In the late 7th century B. C., Philistia and Judah were battlegrounds for the power struggle between Egypt and a resurgent neo-Babylonia to take over the remnants of the late Assyrian Empire. In the mid-7th century B.C., Egypt made allies of both Philistia and Judah. In 605 B.C, Nebuchadnezzar led Babylonias army to a decisive victory over Egyptian forces at the Battle of Carchemish on the Euphrates River in what is now western Syria. His conquest is noted in Jeremiah 46:2-6. Nebuchadnezzar Fought Through the Winter After Carchemish, Nebuchadnezzar pursued an unusual battle strategy: he continued to wage war through the winter of 604 B.C., which is the rainy season in the Near East. By fighting through sometimes torrential rains despite the hazards posed to horses and chariots, Nebuchadnezzar proved to be an unorthodox, persistent general capable of unleashing terrifying devastation. In a 2009 article titled The Fury of Babylon for the Biblical Archaeology Societys e-book, Israel: An Archaeological Journey, Lawrence E. Stager cites a fragmentary cuneiform record called the Babylonian Chronicle: [Nebuchadnezzar] marched to the city of Ashkelon and captured it in the month of Kislev [November/December]. He captured its king and plundered it and carried off [spoil from it ...]. He turned the city into a mound (Akkadian ana tili, literally a tell) and heaps of ruins ...; Evidence Sheds Light on Religion and Economy Dr. Stager writes that the Levy Expedition uncovered hundreds of artifacts at Ashkelon that shed light on Philistine society. Among the items recovered were dozens of large, wide-mouth jars that could hold wine or olive oil. The climate of Philistia in the 7th century B.C. made it ideal to grow grapes for wine and olives for oil. Thus archaeologists now think its reasonable to propose that these two products were the Philistines principal industries. Wine and olive oil were priceless commodities in the late 7th century because they were the basis of food, medicines, cosmetics, and other preparations. A trade agreement with Egypt for these products would have been financially advantageous to Philistia and Judah. Such alliances also would pose a threat to Babylon, because those with wealth could better arm themselves against Nebuchadnezzar. In addition, the Levy researchers found signs that religion and commerce were closely intertwined in Ashkelon. On top of a pile of rubble in ​the main bazaar they found a rooftop altar where incense had been burned, usually a sign of seeking a gods favor for some human endeavor. The prophet Jeremiah also preached against this practice (Jeremiah 32:39), calling it one of the sure signs of the destruction of Jerusalem. Finding and dating the Ashkelon altar was the first time an artifact confirmed the existence of these altars mentioned in the Bible. Sobering Signs of Mass Destruction The archaeologists uncovered more evidence that Nebuchadnezzar was ruthless in conquering his enemies as he was in the destruction of Jerusalem. Historically when a city was besieged, the greatest damage could be found along its walls and fortified gates. In Ashkelons ruins, however, the greatest destruction lies at the center of the city, spreading outward from areas of commerce, government, and religion. Dr. Stager says this indicates that the invaders strategy was to cut off the centers of power and then pillage and destroy the city. This was precisely the way the destruction of Jerusalem proceeded, evidenced by the devastation of the First Temple. Dr. Stager acknowledges that archaeology cant precisely confirm Nebuchadnezzars conquest of Ashkelon in 604 B.C. However, it has proven clearly that the Philistine seaport was utterly destroyed around that time, and other sources confirm the Babylonian campaign of that same era. Warnings Unheeded in Judah The citizens of Judah may have rejoiced to learn of Nebuchadnezzars conquest of Ashkelon  since the Philistines had long been enemies of the Jews. Centuries earlier, David had mourned the death of his friend Jonathan and King Saul in 2 Samuel 1:20, Tell it not in Gath, proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice.... The Jews rejoicing at the Philistines misfortunes would have been short-lived. Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem in 599 B.C., conquering the city two years later. Nebuchadnezzar captured King Jeconiah and other Jewish elites  and installed his own choice, Zedekiah, as king. When Zedekiah rebelled 11 years later in 586 B.C., Nebuchadnezzars destruction of Jerusalem was as merciless as his Philistine campaign. Sources: Exile of the Jews - Babylonian Captvity, http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/israeljudaea/a/BabylonianExile_2.htmThe Fury of Babylon by Lawrence E. Stager, Israel: An Archaeological Journey (Biblical Archaeology Society, 2009). The Oxford Study Bible with the Apocrypha, New Revised Standard Version (1994 Oxford University Press). Comments? Please post in forum thread.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Why developed countries should take in more refugees Outline

Why developed countries should take in more refugees - Outline Example They have better economies to take care of the needs of refugees such as security, food, shelter, water, health care, and other needs (Bamgbose, 2008)†¢Ã‚  Developed countries have better infrastructure and refugee screening measures that would sieve out refugees who are not genuine (Lim, 2013; Wade, 2011). †¢Ã‚  Developed countries have an ethical obligation to help the less fortunate persons in developing countries (Davies, 2008)†¢Ã‚  Reducing mortality rates among the victims (Elie, 2010)†¢Ã‚   They have fledged, proven refugee policies and internal institutions (Elie, 2010)Disadvantages However, refugees’ entering developed countries could cause;   †¢Ã‚  Overcrowding and poor sanitation (Elie, 2010)†¢Ã‚  Heightened insecurity due to idleness (Davies, 2008)†¢Ã‚  Developed countries taking in refugees are implementing short-term measures to the problem of refugees in the world as many people will develop a culture of dependence (Davies, 2 008; Elie, 2010)†¢Ã‚  Taking in more refugees would justify more hostilities because perpetrators would be buoyed by the fact that victims will eventually leave (Davies, 2008)†¢Ã‚  In light of this, developed countries should alleviate the problem by taking in more refugees because they are better placed to provide the basic needs whenever necessary. †¢Ã‚  Preventive measures such as peaceful conflict resolution mechanisms in unstable countries is important †¢Ã‚  Facilitating stronger governance institutions, mediation and arbitration processes are equally important.

Friday, November 1, 2019

Anti Money Laundering Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Anti Money Laundering - Assignment Example I have now realized that money laundering is associated with unethical issues in the society and this is what has stimulated intensive research to look into the matter. Money laundering has been associated with criminal activities such as drug trafficking, terror activities and massive corruption .I think this is what has influenced massive research into the issue bringing about anti money laundering activities. The article, (Financial Action Task Force, 2005) clearly shows that anti money laundering activities are aimed at preventing issuance of money to finance these criminal activities. I have learnt that a study of the methods used and trends linked to money laundering is one of the crucial components of anti money laundering activities. Furthermore, this helps to know what the money transferred is used for. I think the financial sector is one of the main sector which helps in transfer of these large sums of money. As such, banking institutions should be required to know their customers well and the businesses they engage in to prevent such criminal activities from taking place. I have learnt that politically exposed persons are usually the most vulnerable people in the society associated with money laundering activities (Greenberg et.al, 2009). In my opinion, I think this is so because they handle large sums of money meant for the state and its citizens. However, most of these politically exposed persons use the money for their own selfish gains. Furthermore, they extort and accept bribes from citizens to enrich themselves. I tend to think that they thus use the domestic financial systems of the country to launder their stolen money. That is why they are mainly involved in financing drug trafficking activities which is a criminal offence (United States Department of State, 2012). Anti money laundering campaigns should therefore aim at identifying these people during their