Business Ethics - Disussion Questions Case Study

Business Ethics - Disussion Questions - Case Study Example ork ethics will be formulated with an emphasis on loyalty and respect, a workable agreement on fair dealings, built trust, well-informed decisions on values rather than beliefs among other features. It will be important to therefore study, understand the country with its cultures and beliefs, and interact with the societies in order to deploy better relationships with the environment. The trans-cultural integrated ethical decision-making entails the aspects of addressing the need for including cultural factors in the process of ethical dilemma resolution. This trans-cultural model incorporates well-defined concepts from multicultural theories into ethical decision-making models that can be adapted primarily from an integrated model deployed. This approach is presented in a format that can be used by counselors facing ethical challenges within a variety of settings and within different cultural groups (De, 2012). The benefits of developing a transcultural corporate ethic entail the aspect of improving the welfare of a society and the interests of the organization. The social responsibility in organizations will also be improved and this will enhance the course of an organization. The management has within its power the capacity to develop a transcultural corporate ethics. They have the ability to also strive to develop a strategy that embodies a jointly developed transcultural virtues, with this virtues forming a common bond through all cultural difference. It is, therefore, important to understand that profits and ethics are essential elements in the process of evaluating an organizations activity. During profits major on showing organizations results from a quantitative viewpoint, ethics also reflects the quality of these results. In relation to this study, total is a gas company that competes with the Shell group with both being gas companies. Shell group amongst other things provides that all people should at all costs avoid conflicts of interests between

Comment 3 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Comment 3 - Assignment Example The work gives much attention to concepts that govern appropriate data collection. It can also be noticed that the author has indicated the two main types of research as either qualitative or quantitative. The supportive facts used to strengthen the viewpoint of the author in respect of using effective communication in data collection are convincing. This is in respect of the common knowledge that oral interview or questionnaires tend to be successful on sound communication skills and proper structure. Observation as a method of data collection has also been given significant focus in regard to the need for total involvement by the researcher (Easterby-Smith, Thorpe and Jackson, 2012). Adoption of a particular methodology on choice of method for data collection and analysis serves to estimate sample population and match the objective of the study. The flow of ideas from introduction on data collection, methodology and conclusion that tackles hypothesis sheds much light on research methods to a layman. This makes this work stand out is representative of the widely used research study

Philip II Of Spain Essay Example for Free

Philip II Of Spain Essay King Philip II of Spain (1527-1598) has cast a lengthy shadow over Spanish and European history for centuries. Though this might seem fitting, given that he was the first man to rule a truly global empire on which the sun never set, it is not entirely appropriate, for Philips enduring fame stems not so much from his achievements, as it does from misconceptions about his character and legacy. Within Spain itself, Philip can still be remembered to this day as a brooding, reclusive workaholic, who, despite his best intentions, poised his nation and empire on the brink of a precipitous and inevitable decline. Beyond Spains borders, Philips shadow has long been perceived as exceedingly dark and menacing. After all, how many other monarchs can claim the unhappy role of top villain in one of Schillers tragedies, or in a major opera, such as Verdis Don Carlo, which set the gloomy myth to music? In the English-speaking world Philip reigned supreme for nearly three centuries as the ultimate embodiment of the Black Legend: a sinister figure, cruel and devious beyond measure, a religious fanatic who could only be viewed through the smoke of the Armadas cannons and of the Inquisitions pyres. Philip II was present in Brussels when his father resigned to him the government of the Netherlands (October 1555) as well as of Spain itself (January 1556). International matters, mainly his marriage to Queen Mary of England and the war against France, kept him in northern Europe. In August 1557 the Spanish forces in Flanders, directed by the duke of Savoy and the count of Egmont, crossed the frontier into France and caused a crushing defeat on the French at St Quentin. Philip arrived in time to congratulate his army, however failed to follow up the advantage; negotiations started and were interrupted by the death of Mary in November 1558. Finally peace was agreed at Cateau-Cambresis in April 1559, one of the circumstances being the marriage of Philip to the daughter of Henry II of France, Elizabeth of Valois. The king sailed from the Netherlands in August 1559 and landed at Laredo in September. He never left the peninsula again. Domestic politics lapse into relative quietness during the reign, in order that events seem to depend more than usual on the personality of the king. Philip, though, was no less devoted to the problems of internal government than to the weighty matters of foreign policy. (R. Trevor Davies, 1957) Aged 28th at his accession, he was already an experienced ruler, having been regent for his father sporadically since 1543. His fair hair and blue eyes betrayed his Habsburg origin; however no ruler could have been more Spanish. Brought up in Castile and trained by brilliant tutors, he preferred Spaniards as advisers and spoke merely Castilian fluently, though he had a working knowledge of Latin. Pensive by disposition, and always unwilling to rush into decisionshence the tag of prudent kinghe had a deep sense of duty which governed both his personal and public life. His stern side as headed at the top by the council of State, shorn since 1559 of its non-Castilian members. The councils chief secretary until his death in 1566 was Gonzalo Perez, a cleric of converso origin; thereafter the post was divided between Gonzalos son Antonio as secretary for the south and Gabriel de Zayas for the north. True to his fathers policy of allowing differing views to develop, Philip tolerated a conflict of opinions, not always with fruitful consequences. The chief rivals in the council of State were the kings long-standing friend the Portuguese Ruy Gomez de Silva, and the duke of Alba. Ruy Gomez, created prince of Eboli and duke of Pastrana, married into the powerful Mendoza family, headed by the duke of Infantado, and thereby became linked with a clan of nobles from the highest grandee families, the Zuniga, Velasco and Guzman. Fernando Alvarez de Toledo, third duke of Alba and Philips most distinguished general, was head of the house of Toledo and had similar powerful connexions. The division in the council between these two a normal rivalry between clans, of the sort common both at government and at local levelalso extended to the secretaries, Antonio Perez being allied to Eboli and Zayas to Alba. Differences between the groups, as with all political factions, arose primarily out of a struggle for power. Given the complex problems that faced the Spanish monarchy, there were occasionally issues on which some took a hard line: Alba, as Charles V had warned Philip, was inclined to be authoritarian. It is however not convincing to categorise one groupAlbasas the war party, and its opponents as the peace party; even less, as we shall see, is it possible to distinguish any real difference of approach to constitutional problems. The problem over which the factions took most issue was the revolt of the Netherlands, which precipitated the famous affair of Antonio Perez. Immediately after Philips return to Spain in 1559 he began a massive effort to put the country into an adequate state of defence: Turkish expansion in the 1560s inevitably made foreign policy the first concern of government. At the same time difficulties in the Netherlands were brought to him in person when the count of Egmont arrived in Madrid in February 1565. From this period Spain was burdened by a dual commitment to northern Europe and to the Mediterranean, and the numerous mistakes made by Philip in his dealings with the Netherlanders can in part be blamed on priority given to affairs in the south. Aware, none the less, of his obligations, the king made preparations to visit Flanders in 1567. He was dissuaded from this by Alba, and in 1568 two personal crisesthe death of Don Carlos in July and then of Elizabeth of Valois in Octoberforced him to remain in the peninsula, where on Christmas Eve a major uprising of the Granada Moriscos began. The death of Ruy Gomez in 1573 made Antonio Perez effective head of the Eboli faction at court. A contemporary noted that Perez climbed so high that His Majesty would not do anything save what the said Antonio Perez marked out for him. Philip depended heavily for advice and policy on this brilliant and sinister young man whose fortunes were linked with those of Ana de Mendoza, princess of Eboli, the beautiful one-eyed widow of Ruy Gomez. Perezs arm stretched as far as Flanders, where the kings half brother, the famous Don Juan of Austria, was acting as governor. Don Juans personal secretary, Juan de Escobedo, had been a protege of Perez, who expected to be kept reliably informed of the plans and ambitions of the governor of the Netherlands. Don Juans proposals for policy in the north, however, were at variance with government intentions in Madrid, and Perez and Escobedo soon found themselves opposed to each other on a number of issues. Philip in turn was wary of the ambitions of his half-brother, the victor of Lepanto. Suspicious of the way his plans for Flanders were being blocked by Madrid, Don Juan sent Escobedo to Spain in 1577 to make enquiries. On arriving at the court it appeared to Escobedo that Perez had been duping Don Juan and presenting his case in an unfavourable light to the king. He apparently issued threats against Perez, accusing him rightly or wrongly of a liaison with the princess of Eboli, and of betraying state secrets. But Perez had already managed to convince Philip that Escobedo was the malign influence in the affairs of Flanders and in the end he persuaded the king that the only solution was to eliminate Don Juans secretary. In March 1578 hired assassins murdered Escobedo in a street in Madrid. (Townsend Miller, 1963) Popular rumour instantly pointed to Perez as the assassin, and Escobedos family, aided by Perezs rival the kings private secretary (from 1573) Mateo Vazquez, demanded justice for the murdered man. No action was taken, clearly because the king himself was implicated and had acted on reliable advice. In the spring of 1579, however, Philip was sent the private papers of Don Juan, who had died the previous October. On reading them Philip discovered that Perez had deceived him and that his brother and Escobedo were guiltless of the imputations against them. He encouraged Vazquez to make a secret enquiry into Perezs actions in office, and determined to make a clean sweep of his minister. Since his return from the Netherlands in 1573 the duke of Alba had been active in the councils at Madrid, but in 1579 was placed under house arrest for letting his son make an unauthorised marriage: he was called out only to undertake the invasion of Portugal. His disgrace was followed by Philips decision to place the direction of affairs in the hands of the Burgundian Antoine Perrenot, cardinal Granvelle, who had been withdrawn from the Netherlands in 1564 but had since served the crown with distinction in Italy. On 28 July 1579, the very day that Granvelle reached Madrid, Perez and the princess of Eboli were arrested.

The Review Of Randomised Control Trials

The Review Of Randomised Control Trials The effectiveness of the methodological approach used in any study most certainly determines the accuracy and reliability of the research hence the need to select the most viable methodology. Subsequent studies indicate that the use of a poor methodology is not only misleading but it could also lead to detrimental consequences in the event that the results of the study are used as a basis for decision making or implementation of recommendations. Further, different methodologies are expected to be more effective in particular experiments only. The use of Randomised Control Trials Research is highly popular in nursing and medicine due to its effectiveness in obtaining outcomes that are relevant, mostly in testing the safety of treatments and drugs before they can be fully utilized in the health care system. RCT as Randomised Control Trials Research is often abbreviated is popular because unlike other methodologies, allocation bias is minimised and prognostic factors that are known or u nknown to the researcher are balanced, thus giving accurate results. This paper seeks to critique Randomised Control Trials Research with a view of establish its philosophical foundation and its application in research. In this regard, the paper also includes a critique of three experiments that were done using Randomised Control Trials Research. Methodological review The history of Randomised Control Trials can be traced back to about 600 B.C. It was first recorded by Daniel Judah, whose research is probably the earliest as far as clinical research is concerned. He sought to establish the effects of royal Babylonian diet and the vegetarian diet for a time period of 10 days (Stolberg, Norman Trop, 2004). While his research was devoid of contemporary medical standards such as ascertainment bias, allocation bias and confounding by divine intervention, the research has remained an influential record in the history of Randomised Control Trials. Major advancements were recorded in the 19th century. The credit for modern CRT is attributable to Sir Austin Bradford Hill. This was witnessed during the Medical Research Council trials which sought to test streptomycins effectiveness in treating pulmonary tuberculosis. The research is considered a landmark research in medicine and since Hills achievement, the use of randomised control trials has grown except ionally (Stolberg, Norman Trop, 2004). RCT are actually considered the basis for evidence-based medicine. Randomised Control Trials are used in modern day health care and medical trials in assessing the effectiveness of interventions such as drugs and medical procedures. Randomised Control Trials Research is a methodology that is highly popular in the medical and health services sector and which has been used in testing the efficacy of drugs, treatments and health care services such as nursing and medicine (Rosenberger Lachin, 1993; Jadad, 1998). Randomised Control Trials Research (RCT) is distinguished by the fact that once the eligible study subjects have been identified, they are put through one or other of the studys alternative treatments before the intervention to be studied begins. Once the study groups are randomized, they are followed up in exactly the same way and specific care standards are given to each study group depending on the research being performed (Edwards, Lilford Hewison, 1998). The use of Randomised Control Trials Research is considered highly effective because it minimises allocation bias to a significant level. Further it is possible to balance the known and unknown prognostic factors such that the treatments are more accu rate unbiased and reliable. A significant characteristic of Randomised Control Trials Research is that tests usually include a control experiment alongside the main treatment (Charlton, 1995). These are known as placebo-controlled studies and they are used in comparing changes recorded in the active treatment group in order to ascertain that the study group that was not included in the treatment does not react in a similar manner. This serves the purpose of proving whether the active treatment actually had an impact on the active study group. RCTs are occasionally known as randomised controlled clinical trials when they are used for clinical research (Charlton, 1995). Besides their use in medical research however, RCTs are also used in education, criminology, international development and social work. The use of RCT is mostly popular because of randomisation. This involves the selection of random samples and it has been identified as an effective approach because of various advantages as follows. Firstly, it eliminates bias because the researcher selects the participants from a random sample as opposed to convenience thus eliminating the possibility of researcher bias and confounding (Edwards, Lilford Hewison, 1998). Secondly, the use of RCT enhances blinding or masking of the treatments under study from the participants, investigators and assessors thus reducing the possibility of bias and irregularities (Charlton, 1995). The use of randomisation further permits the researchers to use probability theory in expressing that differences in outcome could have resulted from chance. Despite the efficacy of Randomised Control Trials Research, the method has raised various ethical issues that are said to limit the authenticity of the research methodology. To begin with, the Zelens design used in various RCTs is considered unethical because it randomizes the subject prior to obtaining their consent (Edwards, Lilford Hewison, 1998). This unethical aspect of this design however is mostly considered where screening and selected therapies are used as opposed to common therapeutic trials. The principle of clinical equipoise is common in defending the ethics of Randomised Control Trials. The principle which represents the genuine uncertainty about a preferred treatment within the expert medical community is used as a justification for the use of RCT (Gifford, 1995). On the other hand however, the clinical equipoise also raises ethical concerns, with suggestions being put forth that equipoise cannot generally justify RCT because it is likely to conflict with the unavaila bility of personal equipoise where a person believes that a particular intervention is effective (Gifford, 1995; Edwards, Lilford Hewison, 1998). Other limitations of RCT apart from ethical issues mostly concern external validity. They include differences in where RCT is performed such that one treatment works in a particular country and fails to work in another; characteristics of the patients such that there may be differences in their natural features; study procedures, for example where RCT patients are likely to receive more intensive treatment and care, which would certainly be impossible to achieve in the real world; and incomplete reports of adverse effects recorded during the interventions (Jadad, 1998). RCTs can also be highly expensive and are therefore considered inapplicable where financial resources are limited. Stolberg, Norman and Trop (2004) further notes that RCTs cannot be used in all types of trials. They note that there are a significant number of situations in which the use RCT is not appropriate, feasible or necessary in solving the said problems. Examples include cancer screening, ability to cease smoki ng and assessment of interventions that are likely to have rare outcomes or whose outcome takes long to develop. Critical discussion The use of randomised control trials research in nursing is undoubtedly relevant in that it aids in obtaining the desired results of the interventions used. It can be established that the use of random samples helps greatly in ensuring that authenticity of data is assured. As noted by Altman, Machin and Bagant (2000), data authenticity can only be assured if it can be established that there is no bias in the selection of the sample. Furthermore, unscrupulous researchers have been known to manipulate the research samples in order to ensure that the outcome of their studies favour the desired outcome. It is also clear that there is a limited possibility of coming up with false results because randomised control trials are mostly done hand in hand with control tests. This ensures that comparison of results yields the differences that exist between the two study groups. It is these differences that can determine for sure that the active group actually underwent a change as a result of a particular treatment. In Altman, Machin and Bagant (2000) definition of a control experiment, he notes that a control experiment serves as proof that the changes recorded in the active experiment is actually true and that the effect should not be recorded in the control experiment if the results are indeed true. Further, the status of the two study groups should have been the same at the beginning of the experiment. The use of randomised control trials in nursing promises the possibility of obtaining highly reliable results. This is because the research groups can be easily sought from medical records as opposed to where the researchers have to obtain samples from highly dispersed populations (Altman, Machin Bagant 2000). Furthermore, randomised control trials unlike other forms of research do not limit the researcher to a particular geographical region but only to persons with similar characteristics to be used for the study. This could however be disadvantageous in that the inability to locate the required sample population may result in inadequate results. Such an occurrence is likely to occur in cases where potential participants refuse to take part in the study for one reason or the other. An example is where the researcher seeks to experiment a certain medication with individuals suffering from HIV/AIDS and potential participants are unwilling to participate. According to Jadad (1998), ma ny individuals actually have the fear of being used as guinea pigs without the knowledge on whether the results will have positive or negative effects on them. Case studies Further critical analysis of the randomised control trials is done through the use of various case studies in the medical field as indicated below: In a study by Dulin, Hatcher, Sasser and Baringer (2006), they sought to prove that an over the counter supplement known as Policosanol used in the treatment of elevated cholesterol levels was ineffective. The study made use of Randomised Control Trials to examine the effectiveness of Policosanol derived from sugarcane; which had not been tested since its effectiveness was questioned. The objective of the study was to examine the efficacy of the sugar cane-derived policosanol in improving the health conditions of adults with mild hypercholesterolemia. The study would take eight weeks and it involved observing the percentage change in cholesterol level among the participants. The researchers studied the total cholesterol change, triacylglycerols and lipoprotein as well as the dietary habits, blood pressure and weight of the participants. A group of 40 healthy adults with mild hypercholesterolemia were included in the study and they were to receive 20mg of policosanol orally or placebo for the 8 weeks. The results of the study indicated that no significant changes were witnessed in cholesterol levels between the 20 adults under policosanol treatment and the 20 adults under placebo. The same applied to triaclyglycerol and other components tested for. In conclusion therefore, policosanol was ineffective in altering the serum lipid profile of individuals and therefore not effective in reducing cholesterol levels. Richardson and Montgomery (2005) sought to experiment the effectiveness of a dietary supplement for use by children who suffered from developmental coordination disorder. This is a form of disorder affecting approximately 5 percent of school going children and results in learning and behaviour difficulties as well as psychosocial adjustments that are likely to be evident even in adulthood. The researchers sought to experiment whether the use of a supplement to replace the polyunsaturated fatty acids whose absence are said to cause the disorder could help in treating the disorder. The basis for this experiment was that there was insufficient evidence-based treatment for the disorder; such that experimenting with the fatty acid supplements would provide useful information for use in treating developmental coordination disorder and treating motor skills. Richardson and Montgomery (2005) used a randomised controlled trial of the dietary supplementation which consisted of -3 and -6 fatty acids. The test was compared with Placebo and included 117 children with the developmental coordination disorder, aged between 5 and 12 years. This augurs well with Jadad (1998) who explains that a Randomised Control Trials Research should include the population under study as well as a control group to be used for comparing the outcome of the research. The research which took three months included a parallel observation of the two groups in order to establish any changes in the population. This was followed by a 1-way crossover in which the placebo group was changed to active treatment for another three months. The results of the study indicated that while there was no effect on motor skills treatment, students who received active treatment showed a significant improvement in spelling, reading and behaviour. The same was observed when the placebo group was put under active treatment; while the children continuing with active treatment continued to improve or maintain improvement. I t was thus concluded that the fatty acid supplements could be used in take care of educational and behavioural challenges for children who suffer from developmental coordination disorder. In the third example of the use of CRT in medical practice, the study by Blinkhorn, Gratix, Holloway, Wainwrit-Stringer and Worthington (2003) sought to determine the importance of health educators in enhancing general dental care. The question was on whether dental health educators should be placed to educate parents of at-risk children in order to advance dental care. The study involved 269 mothers who received tooth-brushing advice, sugar control and the use of fluoride toothpaste for 2 years at intervals of 4 months each. 334 pre-school students were included in the study. 138 families and 172 children were included in the test group and 131 families and 162 children were used as a control. Mothers in the test group were required to visit a dental health educator while the rest were used as a control group. After 2 years, 271 children and 248 mothers were remaining in the study. The end result indicated that there was increased general knowledge, tooth-brushing skills and attitud es among parents who had visited a dental educator. Children in the test group however showed little difference in terms of caries experience in relation to the control group. Accordingly, primary care trusts are expected to consider the cost of sending dental health educators in relation to the outcome. According to the study, Â £40 was used in every 2 hour session for counselling 10 parents. Critique of the articles It can be established that the use of randomized control trial research is effective in testing the outcome of various treatments and interventions, mostly through the use of a placebo study group. Similarly, the use of random study groups represents the authenticity of the researches identified above as far as the randomised control trials are concerned. The use of randomised control trials main characteristic is the use of a random sample in testing the efficacy of a certain subject or practice. This is well exhibited in all the three studies where the researchers note that they selected the samples randomly. This most definitely played an imperative role in ensuring that there was no bias in the study and that the results obtained could effectively be used in representing the entire population (Altman, Machin Bagant, 1998). As noted by Jadad (1998), the nature of randomised control trial research ensures that the subjects of the study are not in any way related to the researcher and that results are not manipulated to suit the researchers purpose. The research by Dulin, Hatcher, Sasser and Baringer (2006) represents a well researched paper which is characterised by a well designed methodology. It represents a true picture of how randomized control trial research should be done in order to achieve the most desirable results. Notably, Richardson and Montgomery (2005) make use of an active group study and a placebo group. According to Altman, Machin and Bagant (1998), the use of a control group in RCT is highly imperative as it helps in establishing the authenticity of the research and in comparing the eventual results. The same is witnessed in the study by Richardson and Montgomery (2005) and Blinkhorn, Gratix, Holloway, Wainwrit-Stringer and Worthington (2003) who made use of control groups to establish whether the results obtained in their studies were actually a true representation of the real picture. Richardson and Montgomery (2005) and Dulin, Hatcher, Sasser and Baringer (2006) and Blinkhorn, Gratix, Holloway, Wainwrit-Str inger and Worthington (2003) however fail in that they make use of different sample sizes for the active participants and placebo groups. Richardson and Montgomery (2005) use 117 children indicating that the number was uneven between the control group and the placebo group. The same applies for Dulin, Hatcher, Sasser and Baringer (2006) and Blinkhorn, Gratix, Holloway, Wainwrit-Stringer and Worthington (2003) who used 138 families and 172 children in the test group and 131 families and 162 children as a control. According to Charlton (1995), such differences in the study sample are likely to cause biased outcomes because the population sample in each case does not equal the other, thus defeating the rationality of comparison. The study by Dulin, Hatcher, Sasser and Baringer (2006) consistently defines the variables and shows how the population sample was obtained. This is one of the requirements for ensuring consistency and authenticity as defined by Altman, Machin and Bagant (1998). This is because with the ability to define the population sample and how it was obtained determines the overall outcome of the study. Richardson and Montgomery (2005) also define their population samples thus giving authenticity to the study. It is notable however that in Blinkhorn, Gratix, Holloway, Wainwrit-Stringer and Worthington (2003), only the sample size is given and there is limited information on how the 269 mothers and 334 pre-school children were obtained. Conclusion Randomised control trials research proves to be an effective methodology in enhancing nursing research. This can be evidenced by the use of randomised control trials in various medical and clinical researches, aimed at determining the efficacy of certain interventions in treating various complications. It can be established that through the use of random samples and a control group, the use of randomised control trials is expected to produce highly authentic results which can be used as a basis to introduce the intervention to the rest of the population. Notably however, there are disadvantages associated with randomised control trials research methodology as well as ethical issues related to the methodology. Common limitations include external validity in the research and the justification of the use of randomised control trials in complicated cases. In conclusion however, there is no study methodology without its own limitations and randomised control trials are no exception. This means that the benefits associated with the research methodology should be given more attention as opposed to the cons in conducting effective studies in nursing research.

Ethics - Virtue of Patience Essay -- essays research papers

Virtue and Patience In order to survive these days, there need to be at least some standards and goals of morality in a person's life. Moral excellence is definitely hard to achieve, but is something worth while to attempt. Personally, there are many distractions and obstructions the present day provides, creating a difficulty of direction in my own life. I need to overcome obstacles such as peer pressure in order to become a confident, successful person. The present day provides impediments which I believe I can overcome by way of morality and virtue. I have chosen to work on more patience in my life. According to Aristotle, for every virtue there are two vices. One is in excess and the other being deficit. Patience is a deficiency in my life. In having barely any patience, I am often stressed out and make more of simple situations. Aristotle would call this vice impatience. On the other end of the spectrum, the excess of patience is being passive. Aristotle and Plato, it was all about having balance in your life. I believe this theory is still in tact today. What I am striving for is not passivity, it is a moderate amount of patience, not too much and not too little, but just enough to make me more of a moral individual. The hard part about being virtuous is not practicing virtue sometimes but mastering it and doing it consistently. I have always been impatient and it would be extremely difficult for me to master being patient. One of Aristotle’s points about being a virtuous person is not doing everything well but doing what you do well and doing it consistently. Patience is defined as â€Å"good natured tolerance of delay or incompetence.† (www.dictionary.com) for me, this definition does the word a world of just... ...s outside and we ended up waiting for and hour for him to come back. I was going to flip out and tell my mom I wasn’t going to do this and that we should just leave and come back tomorrow but I remembered this essay and my goal of becoming more patient. So I put on my headphones and I went for a walk to find my cat, when I finally found him I was so excited for myself, I really felt like I accomplished something. For me this was a gratifying process and I actually enjoyed the journaling and paper. I think I could have put a little more effort into the specific instances. But over all it was alright for me. Before this I would have never noticed what lack of patience I had and how annoying it must be for the people around me. I’m excited to continue being a more virtuous person and improving my character through practicing more patience.

marco polo Essay -- essays research papers fc

Marco Polo   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Marco Polo was born in c.1254 in Venice. He was a Venetian explorer and merchant whose account of his travels in Asia was the primary source for the European image of the Far East until the late 19th century. Marco’s father, Niccolo, and his uncle Maffeo had traveled to China in 1260 - 1269 as merchants. Despite Marco’s enduring fame very little was known about the personal life of Marco Polo. It is known that he was born into a leading Venetian family of merchants. He also lived during a propitious time in world history, when the height of Venice’s as a city-state coincided with the greatest extent of Mongol conquest of Asia. (http://darter.ocps.k12.fl.us/classroom/who/darter1/polo.htm )   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ruled by Kublai Khan, the Mongol hordes also threatened other parts of Europe, particularly Poland and Hungary, inspiring fears everywhere by their bloodthirsty advances. Yet the ruthless methods brought a measure of stability to the lands they controlled, opening up trade routes such as the famous Silk Road. Eventually, the Mongols discovered that it was more profitable to collect tribute from people that to kill them outright. Knowing this a number of European traders ventured, including the family of Marco Polo. (Marco Polo and the Medieval Explorers)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In 1269, Niccolo and Maffeo Polo arrived back in Venice, where Niccolo found out his wife had died while he was gone. Their son Marco was only about fifteen years old. Marco was raised primarily by his mother and the streets of Venice. These experiences had a big influence on young Marco.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In 1268, Pope Clement IV died, and there was about a three-year delay while another pope was being elected. This gave Marco time to mature and absorb the tales of his father and uncle. Marco was seventeen years old when he, his father and uncle set out for the court of Kublai Khan. They were also accompanied by two Dominican friars, and the good friars turned back at the first sign of adversity, another local war in Levant. Marco was the only new person in the Polo’s party, but he was a representative of the spirit of European civilization on the eve of the Renaissance. (The Travels of Marco Polo)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  On the way to Khan’s court, Marco had the opportunity to complete his education. T... ...cognize them, then they were astounded, and then were disgusted by their shabby appearance. The disgust changed to delight when the Polo’s invited everyone to a homecoming banquet, ripped apart their old clothes, and let all the hidden jewels clatter to the table.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Marco was not yet ready to settle down. He became involved in naval warfare between Venetians and their trading rivals the Genoese. In 1298 Marco was captured and put in prison in Genoa. In prison Marco met a man named Rustichello from Persia, who was a writer. To pass the time Marco dictated his observations about Asia to Rustichello. After his prison experience, which lasted about a year, Marco was content to lead a quiet life in Venice with the rest of his family. He married Donata Badoer, a member of the Venetian aristocracy. Marco died in 1324 at the age of seventy. He left most of his wealth to his three daughters.. (http://darter.ocps.k12.fl.us/classroom/who/darter1/polo.htm ) Bibliography 1. http://darter.ocps.k12.fl.us/classroom/who/darter1/polo.htm 2. The Travels of Marco Polo, Mary Hull 3. Marco Polo in China, Li Man Kin 4. Marco Polo and the Medieval Explorers, Rebecca Stefoff

The Environment In Israels Environmental Sciences Essay

It is in battling air pollution that some of the greatest progresss have been made, notably in Haifa where for old ages the population suffered from the pollution emanations of the local oil refinery and the Israel Electric Company works, non to advert the big composites devoted to chemical production such as Haifa Chemicals. In Jerusalem, it is non industrial but vehicular pollution that is responsible for the debasement of air quality. Nature protection and wildlife management- Israel has a figure of nature and wildlife protection jobs that are alone. Because of rigorous runing Torahs and really active protection of wildlife, Israel has become a safety for many native animate beings in an country where there is small protection offered. Except for Jordan, none of the environing Arab provinces have a truly effectual nature protection service and many autochthonal animate beings such as gazelles, ibex, hyenas and others are now really rare in those states. In add-on, Israel is the impermanent residence and therefore de facto defender of more than three-fourthss of Europe ‘s migratory birds, which stop over here on their manner South in the fall and on their return to Europe in the spring. Noise abatement- Israelis, by and big are a noisy batch. Like all Mediterranean people they are convinced that if you are non heard you do n't be. Radios and stereos blaring, autos honk endlessly and the transition of address is a rareness. Pesticides- Until June, 2001, there were at least a twelve pesticides in usage in Israel that are banned in most western states. Since Israel exports a assortment of fruits, veggies and cheeses, efforts are so made to maintain pesticide degrees to a lower limit, since the agriculturists and manufacturers know that nutrient transcending the rigorous European criterions will be returned. Although both the ministries of wellness and agribusiness are supposed to supervise nutrient quality, both adamantly garbage to let go of their findings to the populace, keeping that â€Å" this would confound people. †Solid WasteRather more than 95 per centum of Israel ‘s solid waste is buried in landfills, burned in alfresco cavities or left to decompose in refuse mopess throughout the state. This is in contrast with Switzerland that buries merely 12 per centum of its refuse or Japan that buries 19 per centum. Recycling in Israel is so minimum as to barely merit reference.Surface Water PollutionThe serious nature of the pollution of Israel ‘s rivers was dramatically highlighted four old ages ago when a overcrossing over the Yarkon river collapsed and a group of Australian jocks viing in the Maccabi Games were thrown into the contaminated river below. Several later died, and others were injured, non from the autumn but from the insidious toxic condition from exposure to the toxic Waterss of the chemically-polluted river.Toxic WasteToxic waste disposal in Israel has significantly improved over the past few old ages but is still a long manner from satisfactory. But the toxic waste site itself is every bit large a job as the one it was designed to work out. At the same clip, toxic waste from agribusiness and from families and little concerns has barely been addressed.Urban SprawlIn 1948, merely three per cent of the land in the state was under paving or asphalt ; by 1992 the figure had grown to over 17 per centum. Even this figure does non look big for a province that has kn own such a drastic addition in population and such rapid development, except when one realizes that 95 per cent of the entire population of Israel lives North of Beersheba. This means that about all of the paved and asphalted land is in less than half the state.Initiative taken by Israel authorities for healthy environmentReforestationIsrael is a planetary leader of re-afforestation and nature saving. aˆ? Israel is one of the few states that began the twenty-first century with more trees than it had at the beginning of the twentieth century. The JNF attentions for 100,000 estates of natural forests. aˆ? Israel has over 150 nature militias and 65 national Parkss established throughout the state. Alternate Energy- Israel-based Solel has operated a field of solar panels in California ‘s Mojave Desert since the 1980s, cut downing U.S. dependance on oil by 2 million barrels of oil per twenty-four hours. aˆ? Israeli startup Project Better Place is working to make a country-wide electric auto substructure with the backup of the Israeli cabinet. aˆ? Using bacteriums that â€Å" eat † crude oil, PetroBioClean helps clean up oil spills on land and sea.Battling DesertificationIsrael remains committed to the early Zionist end to â€Å" do the desert bloom, † non merely at place but in tonss of developing states confronting turning desertification. aˆ? Israel is one of two states in the universe in which comeuppances are shriveling instead than spread outing. In 2006, Israel hosted the international conference on battling desertification and was praised by the United Nations for its attempts. aˆ? In 2007, Nigeria and Israel agreed to a $ 17 billion undertaking to change by reversal desertification and conveying 2 million agricultural occupations to the country.DesalinationAcknowledging the limited handiness of H2O resources early in its history, Israel has focused on going â€Å" the Silicon Valley † of H2O engineering. aˆ? Israel began its desalinization attempts in the sixtiess with the innovation of desalinization via vacuity freeze. aˆ? In 2010, Israel launched its 3rd desalinization works in Hadera. It is the largest of its sort in the universe.Water ConservationFrom the 1959 Water Law ( which made all H2O public belongings ) to the popular motto â€Å" Do n't Waste a Drop, † Israel has been a leader in H2O preservation. aˆ? Israel treats 92 per centum of its effluent and reuses 75 per centum in agribusiness, the highest rate in the universe. Through the usage of advanced irrigation techniques, Israeli farms have increased H2O efficiency from 64 per centum to 90 per centum, compared to traditional furrow irrigation. aˆ? JNF has begun six preservation undertakings, which will use of course happening wetlands to purify effluent, without added chemicals or the demand for increased energy.Agricultural DevelopmentIn the tradition of the early Zionist innovators, Judaic husbandmans continue to utilize a mixture of difficult work and invention to do Israel â€Å" a land of milk and honey. † aˆ? Israeli company Bio-Bee Biological Systems uses insects like humblebees and fruit flies to advance cross-pollination and control plagues in an environmentally friendly manner. aˆ? Israel is optimising growing government variables such as visible radiation, temperature, humidness, irrigation, and nutrition to cut costs and increase harvest efficiency Environmental regulations and ordinances there are several regulations and ordinances formed by the ministry of environment protection of Israel which are as under.Air quality-Suspension of Nuisances Law, 1961 Suspension of Nuisances Regulations ( Air Quality ) , 1992 Nuisance Abatement Regulations ( Air Pollution from Vehicles on the Road ) , 2001 Condemnable Procedure Order ( Finable Offenses – Air Pollution from Vehicles on the Road ) , 2001 Extra Nuisance Abatement Regulations Hazardous Substances Regulations Hazardous Substances Regulations ( Implementation of Provisions of the Montreal Protocol ) , ( Amendment ) 2009 Clean Air Regulations ( Disclosure of Air Pollution Data from a Motor Vehicle in an Ad ) , 2009 Clean Air Regulations ( Emission Permits ) , 2010Environmental PlanningPlaning and Building Law, 1965 Planing and Building Regulations ( Environmental Impact Assessments ) , 2003 Licensing of Businesses Law, 1968 Freedom of Information Law, 1998 Representation of Environmental Public Bodies Law ( Legislative Amendments ) , 2002 Environmental Protection Law ( Polluter Pays ) ( Legislative Amendments ) , 2008 Local Authorities Law ( Environmental Enforcement – Governments of Inspectors ) , 2008 Freedom of Information Regulations ( Public Access to Environmental Information ) , 2009Hazardous SubstancesPlant Protection Law, 1956 Work Safety Regulations ( Workers with Pesticides ) , 1964 Licensing of Businesses Regulations ( Disposal of Hazardous Wastes ) , 1990 Hazardous Substances Law, 1993 Licensing of Businesses Regulations ( Hazardous Industrial Plants ) , 1993 Suspension of Nuisances Regulations ( Used Oil ) , 1993 Hazardous Substances Regulations ( Import and Export of Hazardous Wastes ) , 1994 Hazardous Substances Regulations ( Registration of Formulations for the Control of Pests Harmful to Man ) , 1994 Plant Protection Regulations ( Regulation of the Import and Sale of Chemical Preparations ) , 1994 Hazardous Substances Regulations ( Classification and Exemption ) , 1996 Public Health Regulations ( Waste Treatment in Medical Institutions ) , 1997 Safety at Work Regulations ( Material Safety Data Sheets ) , 1998 Railways Regulations ( Hazardous Substances Transport ) , 1999 Hazardous Substances Regulations ( Disposal of Radioactive Waste ) , 2002 Hazardous Substances Regulations ( Criteria for Determining Validity Periods for Poisons Permits ) , 2003 Hazardous Substances Regulations ( Implementation of Provisions of the Montreal Protocol ) , ( Amendment ) 2009 Prevention of Sea Water Pollution by Oil Ordinance ( New Version ) , 1980 Prevention of Sea Water Pollution by Oil Regulations ( Marine Environment Protection Fee ) , 1983 Prevention of Sea Pollution ( Dumping of Waste ) Law, 1983 – Translation Prevention of Sea Pollution ( Dumping of Waste ) Regulations, 1984 Prevention of Sea Pollution from Land-Based Beginnings Law, 1988 Prevention of Sea Pollution from Land-Based Beginnings Regulations, 1990 Protection of the Coastal Environment Law, 2004SUMMARY OF ISRAELS chemicalIntroductionThe chemical industry plays an of import portion in Israel ‘s economic development, consisting some 20 % of GDP by industry and a turning portion of the state ‘s exports ( from 11.1 % in 2000 to 22.1 % in 2008 ) . Safe usage and ordinance of chemicals is an indispensable constituent of Israel ‘s environmental policy. The chief models for chemical direction in Israel are the Licensing of Businesses Law, 1968 and the Hazardous Substances Law, 1993. Enforcement includes supervising on the gross revenues and acquisition of chemicals and supervising on the import of chemicals ( by Israeli Customs ) .Appraisal of Chemical RisksMechanisms for systematic rating, categorization, and labeling of chemicals, including enterprises towards a consonant system of categorization and labeling of chemicalsAt present, the bing models for industrial chemical direction in Israel modulate the user of chemicals by agencies of rigorous steps for â€Å" cradle to sculpt † supervising of the production, import, storage, storage, processes, wastes and conveyance of chemicals.Following is a short outline of the mechanisms presently in usage in Israel:Hazardous Materials Permit: Under the Hazardous Substances Law ( 1993 ) , a Hazardous Materials Permit is required for the holder of any chemical, whether the substance is in its simple signifier, assorted, or blended. A license is merely granted if the functionary appointed by the Minister of Environmental Protection is satisfied with the applier ‘s acquaintance with the characteristics of the risky substances in his ownership and with their safety demands. Israeli Standard for Labeling and Marking of Dangerous Substantives: Israel Standard ( IS ) 2302 on Classification, Packaging, Labeling and Marking Dangerous Substances and Preparations ( revised in 2009 ) presents a compulsory consonant system that regulates the labeling of chemicals ( partially correlating to the EEC Dangerous Substances Directive ) . IS 2302 specifies labeling demands for chemicals in-house, during conveyance from installation to installation within the same compound, and during the conveyance of unsafe substances by route or rail. Labeling of transported chemicals: Regulation of the conveyance of risky substances rests with the Ministry of Transport. The ministry imposes specific demands for wadding, labeling and vehicle marker. The Transport Services Law of 1997 and its 2001 ordinances regulate the transit of unsafe substances and mostly correspond to the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods – Model Regulations ( The Orange Book ) . All transported risky substances are marked harmonizing to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals ( GHS ) and include information on the maker or importer of the substance, warning Markss, exigency codifications, action to be taken, UN figure, and telephone figure of an information centre. Information and Response Center for Hazardous Substances: The Information and Response Center collects quantitative and qualitative information on risky substances that are used, produced, imported, exported, transported and disposed of in Israel. Data relate to measures, types, features and concentrations of substances found in all sectors and at all degrees, including industry and establishments on the local, regional and national degrees. In add-on, the Center maintains informations on safety, sensing, designation, intervention, and neutralisation processs for chemical accidents.Enterprises for appraisal of toxic chemicals, jeopardy and hazard appraisalPresently, enrollment and licensing of chemicals is carried out on pesticides, pharmaceuticals, decorative readyings and nutrient additives. Pesticides used for agricultural and public wellness intents constitute a important per centum of all chemicals in Israel. The usage of these pesticides is carefully supervised to guarantee environmental wellness and safety. The Ministry of Agriculture ‘s Plant Protection and Inspection Service is in charge of the enrollment and ordinance of pesticides for works protection – representing most of the pesticides used in Israel.Registration of Pesticides for Agricultural UseThe pesticide enrollment procedure begins with proving and probe over a period of two old ages, following probationary blessing for limited usage. For the intent of enrollment, the Pesticides Division of the Plant Protection and Inspection Services has established standards for subjecting toxicology file to the interministerial commission for coordination of pesticide usage.Registration of Pesticides for the Protection of Public HealthThe enrollment procedure for pesticides for public wellness intents is separate from that for agricultural usage. Israel ‘s ordinances, approved in 1994, comply with rigorous international criterions and require applications for the enrollment of a new molecule, new preparation, reclamation and alteration of name/label/packaging, etc.Registration of PharmaceuticalsThe Pharmaceutical Administration of the Ministry of Health is responsible, inter alia, for the enrollment of drugs. Each application is accompanied by elaborate certification that relates to the consequences of a broad array of clinical and other experiments. Registration is merely granted following thorough reappraisal of these paperss every bit good as the reception of a certification of quality from the Institute for the Standardization and Control of Pharmaceuticals.Engagement in assorted international and regional enterprisesThe State of Israel has signed and/or sanctioned several international pacts on the usage of chemical substances:i‚†¢ The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants ( POPs ) :The Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides ( PIC ) :The Basel Convention on the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste:Vienna Convention on the Protection of the Ozone Layer and Montreal Protocol on Materials that Deplete the Ozone Layer:Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management ( SAICM ) :Recommendations on Guideline Values for Chemical Pollutants in the AirA study entitled â€Å" Ambient Guideline Values for Chemical Pollutants in the Air † was published in March 2006, with guideline values for 110 chemical pollutants in the air which are considered harmful to human wellness. The Ministry of Environmental Protection has adopted these guideline values and uses them as indispensable tools in determination devising processes on the followers: Approval and licensing of new installations in industry or enlargement and alterations to bing installations ; Reviews of wellness hazards to the population in instance of exposure to a given pollutant ; and Appraisal of the necessity to cut down pollutant emanations from different beginnings if pollutant concentrations in the air exceed guideline values.Protecting Public HealthThe Ministry of Health is responsible for protecting public wellness including, inter alia, supervising of imbibing H2O quality and ordinance of chemical, pesticide and weedkillers residues and endocrines in nutrient. Additionally, the Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection, coordinates many epidemiological studies. Following are some illustrations: Cancer, decease, kids ‘s illnesss and hospitalization were studied between 1990 and 1999 in the Hadera country, near a coal power station ; Prevalence of malignant neoplastic disease, lung diseases, cardiovascular diseases and take a breathing jobs were studied in the Haifa country where the crude oil industry is concentrated, during 1995-2004 ; A few studies were conducted in the Tel Aviv metropolitan country sing the relation between air pollution and many symptoms. One was carried out in coaction with the US Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) ;Sound Management of Toxic ChemicalsAdvancement within the larger model of Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management ( SAICM )Israel endorses the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management ( SAICM ) , took portion in the Dubai declaration and nominated a focal point for SAICM. Relevant authorities bureaus work harmonizing to the SAICM when explicating their work programs and regulatory instruments in order to accomplish hazard decrease, administration, answerability and duty.Enterprises and inventions for hazard decrease, peculiarly taking in to account the life rhythm of the chemicalsIsrael has a broad organic structure of statute law and plans aimed at the decrease of hazards from bing chemicals, such as workers ‘ wellness and safety commissariats ; demands for Material Safety Data Sheets ( MSDS ) ; official criterions on the categorization, labelling, packaging and selling of industrial chemicals ; footings and conditions in Hazardous Materials Licenses, studies and monitoring plans. Furthermore, the Ministry of Environmental Protection on a regular basis reviews information about chemicals that may present wellness and environmental hazards.Pesticides and BiocidesThe usage of pesticides for agricultural or public wellness intents is carefully sup ervised to guarantee environmental wellness and safety. In 1997 a alteration of all registered pesticides and biocides was initiated, ensuing in the prohibition of 11 active ingredients. Emphasis was given to curtailing or censoring chemicals that were antecedently authorized for usage. Specifically, chemicals with long DTs ( clip required for 50 % of the initial sedimentation to disperse ) are non granted a gross revenues licence. The undermentioned stuffs were banned or badly restricted after 1997: Sodium Arsenite Pentachlorophenol 2,4,5-TP Monocrothophos Ethyl Parathion Chlorphenapyr Aldicarb Hexasuron Dinitro-o-cresol Methoxyethylmercuric chloride Ethylmercuric chloridePolicies and models for bar of accidents, readiness and responseIn instance of accidents affecting risky substances, an incorporate exigency response system is imperative. To this terminal, Israel has developed a national exigency eventuality program for incorporate exigency response in risky substance accidents.Duties of the Chemical IndustryThe program imposes first duty for intervention of a chemical accident on the industrial works itself. Israel ‘s industries are required to take all necessary stairss to forestall accidents, to fix exigency processs, to develop staff, and to fix suited equipment and safety cogwheel. In line with these demands, the Manufacturers Association of Israel has prepared a comprehensive study on possible agencies of covering with chemical accidents that occur during the conveyance of risky substances.Enterprises to cut down overdependence on the usage of agricultural chemicalsDecrease of pesticide usage is an of import end whi ch aims to cut down environmental exposure to these stuffs. Pesticide ordinances are meant to forestall possible harm from uncontrolled exposure to pesticides. National Maximum Residue Limits have been established for all pesticides in Israel that are based, whenever appropriate, on the Codex Alimentarius Limits. In Israel, several undertakings have been initiated to advance incorporate pest direction. They include, among others, usage of screen harvests to protect the dirt surface, insect-proof cyberspaces, insect traps, and natural enemies.