Ethical Problems associated to Information Technology Essay Example for Free

Ethical Problems associated to Information Technology Essay Information technology has been continuously booming with new technological products that create a more diverse information environment. There have been dramatic changes associated with the IT, and these changes create ethical problems and upheavals that usually have something to do with ethics. True, there has been technological development in the arena—one that occurs â€Å"when either the technological paradigm is elaborated in terms of improved concepts, theories, and methods, or in instances of the paradigm are improved† (Moor, 2008, p. 27), such as in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, and safety. This creates an enormous social impact, and it has led to a technological revolution that considerably takes time and is difficult to predict. Information technology has gone over the introduction stage and the permeation stage. We are on the power stage wherein the technology is readily available, affecting people directly and indirectly. This creates an impact that is superbly enormous; yet, there are always the ethical problems that springs forth in the arena. Ethical problems that surround the self-identity, anonymity, and privacy of a person are always attached when it comes to IT. The technological revolution has a large-scale effect that transforms the society, while affecting the manner in which the society functions (Moor, 2008, p. 29). It is evident that open technological revolutions in open societies still need some enhancements, so that the ethical problems would be controlled and maximized. Main Body There are a number of important issues that surround the technological paradigm of IT, especially in relation to ethics. Some of these are in the form of self-identity, anonymity, as well as privacy. There are also other unethical issues (e. g. , cheating, hacking, wardriving) that are attached to the technological paradigm of IT. Ethical problems in self-identity The self-identity is being constructed according to how the individual interacts with the society and with himself or herself. In the social landscape of modernity, there are numerous major changes in the external social environment that affects the individual during this social transformation. In the age of the IT, people get to have the capacity to reconstruct the universe through the everyday realities and circumstances that take place in their specific worlds. It is a continuous state of affairs that largely creates the self-identity and the personal feelings attached to this paradigm. This new sense of identity are being formed with the intrusion of the IT in a person’s life, and people get to have personal relationship even with people who are unknown to them—people who suddenly pop out in their computer’s screens, with names that may or may not be factual. Personal relationships help form the self-identity, offering opportunities for self-expression and the self-renewal. According to Giddens (1991), The modern world is a ‘runaway world’: not only is the pace of social change much faster than in any prior system, so also is its scope, and the profoundness with which it affects pre-existing social practices and modes of behavior. (Giddens, 1991, p. 16) With this, it is apparent that the IT becomes an active component in the continuous transformation of a person’s identity, as it creates and affects the social practices and the modes of a person’s behavior. Thus, problems that affect the personal life of the individual could affect not only the self-identity, but the social practices and the environment as a whole. Ethical problems in terms of anonymity and privacy, for example, can lead to an identity that is blemished because of unethical conduct. Despite the fact that people always carry discursive interpretations of their behavior, this practical consciousness drives the person into creating or destroying the ontological security of human activity in a culture. As an effect, people tend to write comments anonymously while hiding their true identities. Ethical problems in anonymity According to the article that Richard Perez-Pena (2010) wrote entitled ‘News Sites Rethink Anonymous Online Comments’, it says that Internet users usually make use of the digital disguise, revealing their power and their sentiments without acknowledging their true identities to the viewers. This constitutes a sort of freedom for the digital users, and this is most typical in news sites, wherein the viewers are allowed to post comments without indicating their true identities, keeping their privacy in a world that is being presented in public. As indicated in the article, â€Å"Anyone could weigh in and remain anonymous† (Perez-Pena, 2010, p. 1), and this leads to the question on whether or not viewers of Internet sites should be allowed to remain anonymous when dictating their comments and suggestions. This is a very significant ethical problem associated to IT, since it has been ethically accepted that any type of idea or sentiment should be associated to the respectful person who has formed the idea. According to Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post, Anonymity is just the way things are done. It’s an accepted part of the Internet, but there’s no question that people hide behind anonymity to make vile or controversial comments. (Perez-Pena, 2010, p. 1) It has, therefore, been advised that viewers should indicate their factual names, especially when making a significant commentary about the society. They should use their real names, and this may be done by requiring people to register first before posting their commentaries. Ethical problems in privacy According to the article that Scott Rosenberg (2010) wrote entitled ‘Online Comments Need Moderation, Not Real Names’, there is also the statement that defines how newspaper website managers have been reacting in terms of anonymity and privacy keeping. As stated, â€Å"If only they could make people sign their real names, surely the atmosphere would improve† (Rosenberg, 2010, p. 1). Online conversation spaces make media outlets turn the common software on and then leave them as it is, as if the discussions would â€Å"magically take care of themselves† (Rosenberg, 2010, p. 1). The problem, however, is that the commenters should not be faceless and should carry identities that are open for the other viewers. This problem is in the identity system, with the Web having no identity system that would ethically reconnect the idea to the person who has declared it. As stated in the article, The Web has no identity system, and though the FBI can track you down if the provocation is dire enough, and if you get editors mad enough they can track you down, too, most media companies aren’t going to waste the time and money. (Rosenberg, 2010, p. 1) Ethical privacy problems can also be in the form of ‘hacking’ or â€Å"using unauthorized access to an information system† (Floridi, 2008, p. 43). This indulges privacy and confidentiality. Conclusion There are other ethical problems associated with the IT of the modern social world, such as using the new technology in order to cheat one’s taxes, or deviating the user from his or her true name or identity. It can also be in the form of wardriving wherein people try to connect wirelessly to other people’s networks (Moor, 2008, p. 33). All these unethical conducts can create an enormous social impact that leads to technological revolution that can contract IT in its power stage. With proper management, it can develop the IT into something that is more powerful and enormous, without the ethical problems that have large-scale effects on the society. It is evident, therefore, that open societies through the IT still need some enhancements, so that the ethical problems would be controlled and maximized. References Floridi, L. (2008). Information ethics: its nature and scope. In Eds. Jeroen van den Hoven and John Weckert’s Information technology and moral philosophy. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Giddens, A. (1991). Modernity and self-identity: self and society in the late modern age. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. Moor, J. (2008). Why we need better ethics for emerging technologies. In Eds. Jeroen van den Hoven and John Weckert’s Information technology and moral philosophy. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Perez-Pena, R. (2010, April 11). News sites rethink anonymous online comments. Retrieved May 7, 2010, from The New York Times Company database: http://www. nytimes. com/2010/04/12/technology/12comments. html. Rosenberg, S. (2010, April 13). Online comments need moderation, not real names. Retrieved May 7, 2010, from Salon Media Group, Inc. database: http://www. salon. com/news/feature/2010/04/13/newspaper_online_comments_moderation_open2010.

Surface Water And Groundwater

Surface Water And Groundwater The hydrological cycle describes the continuous movement of water above, on, and below the surface of the earth. The water on the Earths surface surface water occurs as streams, lakes, rivers as well as bays and wetlands. The water below the surface of the Earth primarily is ground water, but it also includes soil water (Sphocleous, 2000). Interactions between groundwater and surface water play a critical role in the functioning of riparian ecosystems. These interactions can have significant implications for both water quantity and quality. Identifying potential exchange of water between the aquifer and stream channel has therefore been investigated by many researchers using a variety of methods (USGS Ground Water Information, 2008). Assessing groundwater-surface water interactions is often complex and difficult. There are many factors which influence groundwater-surface water interactions such as river bed characteristics, geology, geomorphology and climate. In general a number of methods have been used to ascertain the nature of groundwater surface water interactions across different catchments. These methods include several tracers used to identify the exchange of surface and groundwater, such as heat, ion chemistry, isotopes and viruses. Potential surface aquifer interactions have also been quantified using remote sensing and models (USGS, 2008; Kalbus et al, 2006). The purpose of this essay is to review the various techniques used to determine groundwater and surface water interactions and their importance whilst encompassing significant case studies from around the world and within Australia. Discussion Surface water and groundwater (GW-SW) have long been considered separate entities, and have been investigated individually. Although chemical, biological and physical properties of surface water and groundwater are indeed different, they are not isolated components of the hydrologic system, but instead interact in a variety of physiographic and climatic landscapes. Therefore development or contamination of one commonly affects the other (Kalbus et al, 2006). To understand GW-SW interactions, it is necessary to understand the effects of the hydrogeological environment on GW flow systems, that is the effects of topography, geology, and climate as these factors are the major influences on the type of techniques use to determine GW-SW interactions (see figures 1, 2 3) (USGS, 2008). Figure 1. Groundwater seepage into surface water Figure 2. Subaqueous springs resulting from ground water flow through highly permeable sediments (USGS, 2008) (USGS, 2008) Figure 3. Ground-water flow paths vary greatly in length, depth and travel time from points of recharge to points of discharge in the ground-water system (USGS, 2008) Many studies of GW-SW interactions involve the use of more than one technique in attempting to determine nature of exchanges. Environmental tracers are naturally occurring dissolved constituents, or physical properties of water that can be used to track water movement through water sheds. Often tracers such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), conservative and non-conservative ions, stable and radio-isotopes can be coupled with piezometric monitoring and computer modelling to aid in determining the movement and character of GW or SW (Hohener et al, 2003). CFCs are synthetic halogenated volatile organic compounds that have been manufactured since 1930 and can be detected analytically in water in small concentrations. Previous review articles have occasionally summarised the use of CFCs as tracers for dating pristine groundwater as a failure due to local CFC contamination in excess of the equilibrium with modern air. However, CFCs do provide hydrogeological tracers and dating tools for young groundwater on a time-scale of 50 years (Hohener et al, 2003). Since the mid 1970s, CFCs have been used routinely by hydrologists and various disciplines, for dating and tracing water masses. Using gas chromatographs and electron capture detectors, analytical methods for CFCs in water with detection limits for some particular CFCs, have been developed. Generally, the presence of detectable concentrations of CFCs in groundwater indicates recharge after the late 1940s, or mixing of older water with younger water. Groundwater samples with CFC concentrations between the analytical detection limit and the equilibrium with atmospheric concentrations at recharge temperature can potentially be used for age-dating. The use of CFCs dating techniques allows hydrologists and scientists alike to determine groundwater recharge and mixing aiding in detecting GW-SW interactions (Hohener et al, 2003; Schilling et al, 2010). Researchers utilize a wide variety of conservative and non-conservative tracers for hydrological studies. In addition, stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen, which are part of the water molecule, are used to determine the mixing of waters from different sources (USGS, 2008; Rodgers et al, 2004). This is successful because of the differences in the isotopic composition of precipitation among recharge areas, the changes in the isotoic composition of shallow subsurface water caused by evaporation and temporal variability in the isotopic composition of precipitation relative to groundwater. For example, 87Sr/86Sr ratios can be used to distinguish between groundwater discharge and surface mixing. Strontium isotopes used in combination with more conventional tracers such as deuterium and 18O have helped to establish the sources of differing groundwater types entering lakes (Rodgers et al, 2004). Radioactive isotopes are useful indicators for the amount of time that water has spent in the groundwater system. Deuterium and 18O have been used together with both radioactive tracers (3H/3He) and other non-conventional tracers like rare earth elements (REEs) to determine groundwater inflow and outflow from large lakes such as East African Rift Valley lakes (Ojiambo et al., in review). Lyons et al. (1998) also have used sources of both radioactive (36Cl) and non-radioactive (37Cl) tracers to ascertain sources of solutes for Antarctic lake systems (Lyons et al, 1998). Another useful indicator is 222Radon which is a chemically inert radioactive gas that has a half-life of only 3-4 days. It is produced naturally in groundwater as a product of the radioactive decay of 226radium in uranium-bearing rocks and sediments (Lyons et al, 1998). Several studies have documented that radon can be used to identify locations of significant groundwater input into a stream, such as from springs. In France a study was conducted where radon was used to determine stream-water loss to groundwater as a result of ground-water withdrawals (USGS, 2008). As shown in figure 4, sharp changes in chemical concentrations were detected over short distances as water from the Lot River in France moved into its contiguous alluvial aquifer in response to pumping from a well. An environmental tracer was used to determine the extent of mixing of surface water with ground water, and radon was used to determine the inflow rate of stream water. Then the rate at which dissolved metals reacted to form solid phase during movement of stream water toward the pumping well could be calculated (USGS, 2008). Conservative and non-conservative ions as tracers can also be used to parameterize groundwater models as well as to calculate the age and recharge location of ground waters. This can be done by directly introducing 3H in a groundwater system to determine groundwater flow paths which assists in the model parameterization coupled with the use of deuterium, 18O, 3H/3He ratios, and the recently developed 4He in-growth technique to guide parameterization of a groundwater model of a regional aquifer (Sophocleous, 2000). Familiarity with the use and limitations of numerous conservative and non-conservative tracers to ground water and surface water environments is an important component with potential applications of these techniques, GW-SW interactions can be inferred (Sphocleous, 2000; Schilling et al, 2010). In Australia, the transport of saline groundwater from local and regional aquifers to the lower River Murray is thought to be influenced by lagoons and wetlands present in adjacent floodplains. In the study by Banks et al, (2009), interactions between a saline lagoon and semi-confined aquifer at a floodplain on the River Murray were studied using hydrogeological techniques and environmental tracers (Cl-, ÃŽÂ ´2H and ÃŽÂ ´18O) (Banks et al, 2009). The results showed using piezometric surface monitoring that the lagoon acted as a flow-through system intercepting local and regional groundwater flow. The mass balance was determined using chloride, and showed that approximately 70% of the lagoons winter volume was lost due to evaporation. Next a stable isotope mass balance was used to estimate leakage from the lagoon to the underlying aquifer. This showed that approximately 0-38% of the total groundwater inflow into the lagoon was lost to leakage, as opposed to 62-100% groundwater inflow which was lost to evaporation (Banks et al, 2009). Through the use of piezometric surface monitoring and tracers, Banks et al, (2009), were able to determine GW-SW interactions. This allowed them to conclude that the floodplain wetland behaved as groundwater flow-through systems, intercepting groundwater discharge, concentrating it and eventually recharging more saline water to the floodplain aquifer. Being able to trace, determine and understand GW-SW interactions such as those presented here, ultimately benefits effective management of salinity in Australia (Banks et al, 2005). Further studies of the Murray River and the Murray Basin have concluded that salinity could also be contributed to by flow regulation and water diversion for irrigation as this could considerably impact the exchange of surface water between the Murray River and its floodplains (Allison et al, 1990; Lamontage et al, 2005). Through use of piezometric surface monitoring and environmental tracers (Cl-, ÃŽÂ ´2H and ÃŽÂ ´18O), Lamontagne et al, was able to conclude that Murray River was losing under low flow conditions. Environmental tracer data suggested that the origin of groundwater is principally bank recharge in the riparian zone and a combination of diffuse rainfall recharge elsewhere on the flood plain. This information was critical in deciphering that bank discharge occurred during some flood recession periods and understanding that the way in which the water table responded to changes in river level was a function of the type of stream bank present (Lamontage et al, 2005). In the Western Murray basin, the clearing of native vegetation in a semi-arid region of southern Australia is thought to have lead to increases in Groundwater recharge. Unsaturated zone chloride and matric suction profile estimates suggest there is a significant time delay in aquifer response to pre and post clearing recharge (Allison et al, 1990). Predictions of the time delay lag in aquifer response have been verified using bore hydrographs. The results show that in some areas of light soil and shallow water table the water is now rising, however in other areas of heavy soil the water is not yet beginning to rise. The effects of increased recharge on the salinity of the River Murray, a major water resource, have been predicted that the salinity of the river will increase about 1Â µS cm -1 year -1 over the next 50 years. These results show the crucial role hydrological analysis and environmental tracers play in major resource management throughout Australia and potentially the worl d (Allison et al, 1990). Conclusion Groundwater and Surface water are not isolated components of the hydrological system and therefore should not be studied or managed as such. There are many factors which influence and control both GW and SW flow paths and interactions within the hydrological cycle. Through use of monitoring systems, modelling, and environmental tracers a better understanding of the complex interactions between GW-SW can be gained. Although further study is needed and techniques can be improved upon, it is through a better understand of the hydrological cycle and its complex interactions that more appropriate management plans can be made to ensure the resource is available to all in the future.

Overview Of Wilmar International Limited Company Marketing Essay

Overview Of Wilmar International Limited Company Marketing Essay Wilmar International Type Public (SGX: F34, ASX:à ¿SGT) Industry Agribusiness Headquarters Singapore Key people Kuok Khoon Hong, Chairman Products Palm Oil Revenue $23.89 billion USD (March 2010) Operating income $1.88 billion USD (March 2010) Total assets 23.36 USD (March 2010) Total equity 30.31 USD (March 2010) Employees >80,000 Website Wilmar International Homepage Wilmar International Limited[1] founded in 1991, is today Asias leading agribusiness group. It ranks amongst the largest listed companies by market capitalisation on the Singapore Exchange (second largest as of Sep 2010)[2]. It is a Singapore-based investment holding company that provides management services to its 400+ subsidiary companies[3]. Wilmar International business activities include oil palm cultivation, edible oils refining, oilseeds crushing, consumer pack edible oils processing and merchandising, specialty fats, oleochemicals and biodiesel manufacturing, and grains processing and merchandising. Wilmars merchandising and processing segment encompass (1) merchandising of palm oil and laurics-related products; (2) operations of palm oil processing and refinery plants; (3) crushing, further processing and refining of a range of edible oils, oilseeds, grains and soyabean. Its consumer products segment has oil bottling business in Peoples Republic of China, Vietnam and Indonesia. Its plantation and palm oil mills segment engages in oil palm cultivation and milling. Other segment includes manufacturing and distribution of fertiliser and ship-chartering services. Another success of the company are become a largest global processor and merchandiser of palm and lauric oils; it has a largest plantation companies in Malaysia and Indonesia; one of the largest palm biodiesel manufacturer in the world; a leading consumer pack edible oils producer, oilseeds crusher, edible oils refiner, specialty fats and oleochemicals manufacturer in China, in India, one of the leading importers of edible oils into East Africa. These are news about its successes: Primarily in the core agricultural business, Wilmar has chalked up US$21.3 billion in revenue following increased sales volume in oilseeds and grains and consumer products as well as higher selling price of agricultural commodities. Under the deal, Wilmar is buying Malaysia-listed PPB OIl Palms Bhd, Kuok Oils Grains Pte Ltd and PGEO Group Sdn Bhd for 4.1 bln sgd in an all-share deal. Wilmar will issue to the Kuok Group 2.4 bln new shares at 1.71 sgd each as payment for the acquisitions, giving the Kuok Group a 31 pct stake in the merged entity. The stake of Wilmar Holdings Pte Ltd in Wilmar International will be diluted to 48.5 pct from 81.90 pct after the merger is completed. Separately, Wilmar International said it is buying the edible oil and grains businesses of Wilmar Holdings , including the interest of Archer Daniels Midland Asia Pacific in the said businesses, for 2.5 bln sgd. (http://www.forbes.com/feeds/afx/2006/12/14/afx3254056.html 12.14.06, 5:28 AM ET) 2. CSR : Corporate Social Responsibilitties of the Company Like all the big and famous companies, they always focus on the responsibilities to the increasing demands of society for greater Corporate Responsibility, They are interesting in protect the environment, they participated into the Sustainable sourcing activities, and Community and Social Benefit, News from Businessweek.com/news / 2010, Wilmar International bought a CSR Ltd sugar unit: By Wendy Pugh and Luzi Ann Javier July 5 (Bloomberg) Wilmar International Ltd., the worlds largest palm oil trader, agreed to buy CSR Ltd.s sugar unit for A$1.75 billion ($1.5 billion), beating Chinas Bright Food Group Co.s bid for Australias biggest refiner. The offer includes A$1.35 billion in cash and A$403 million in assumed net debt, Singapore-based Wilmar said today in a statement. Sydney-based CSR is the worlds second-largest exporter of raw sugar and Australias No.1 producer of sugar- based ethanol and renewable energy generator from biomass. (http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-07-05/wilmar-to-pay-a-1-75-billion-for-csr-s-sugar-business.html ) In official website of the company, they wrote these as undertaking to the society : Our business activities have a direct impact on livelihoods and quality of living, both on our employees and our neighbouring communities. The nature of our business means that we sometimes operate in the most remote parts of developing countries. We have benefited much from these countries and we wish to do our bit for these countries too. We recognise our ability, and our responsibility to better the quality of living conditions of our neighbours, especially for the rural poor. Our approach is to ensure we bring meaningful and lasting benefits to the communities in areas where we operate, while we maintain the continual viability of our business. We reckon one of the best means to achieving this is to build open, honest and mutually beneficial relationships that promote harmony with them. To this end, we are committed to progressive socio-economic policies and programmes in the local communities and economies we operate in In a nutshell, we firmly believe that environmental conservation and economic prosperity through sustainable agriculture can work in practice. (http://www.wilmar-international.com/sustainability/community.htm on March 04, 2011) And how do they face to Climate changes? They said : Human pressure on the global climatic system is largely the result of economic and industrial activities that have increased the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases, associated with the greenhouse effect and subsequent global warming, are caused by the accumulation of mostly carbon dioxide and other gases such as methane and nitrogen oxide in the atmosphere. We monitor our GHG emissions and are constantly looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint in our plantation and industrial operations.à ¿ For example, our mills make use of biomass to generate electricity, including agricultural wastes such as empty fruit bunches, tree fronds from the plantations, by-products from mills like shells and mill fibre. à ¿This helps to cut down our consumption of fossil fuels, by reducing our dependence on electricity from the national and local grids, as well as diesel-fired plant generators. These biomass energy plants generate carbon-neutral electricity, and some are registered as Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects. Under the Kyoto Protocol, aà ¿protocolà ¿to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), industrialised countries (countries listed in Annex B) can fulfil their commitments to GHG reduction, by participating in project activities in developing countries, which are certified to reduce GHG emissions. (http://www.wilmar-international.com/sustainability/stewardship_climate.htm on March 6, 2011) The concept of High Conservation Value Forests (HCVF) is defined by the Forest Stewardship Council as having outstanding and critical importance due to its high environmental, socio-economic, biodiversity, or landscape values. For example, the forested areas may contain rare, threatened or endangered ecosystems, or the areas may provide basic services of nature in critical situations such as erosion control. The concept is conceived as a way of reconciling socio-economic progress with environmental protection. (http://www.wilmar-international.com/sustainability/stewardship_land.htm on March 6, 2011) Subtainability But while fulfilling these obligations, businesses are often caught in a trade-off between the desire for economic growth and the imperative to protect the natural environment and safeguard the interests of the population; from climate change and environmental degradation, to the imbalance between rising population and depleting resources, as well as the widening rich-poor divide. In our endeavour towards achieving business excellence, we have learned from others as well as from our own experience that sustainable development is the way forward. With this appreciation, striving for the right balance between growth and sustainability becomes our principal goal. Amidst the impoverished regions of the developing economies in which we operate, our presence has brought relief and stability to many who live on the poverty line. In our farming practices, we have also adopted a responsible plantation management approach that enables us to enhance natures biodiversity without compromising yields or plantation profitability. In a nutshell, we firmly believe that environmental conservation and economic prosperity through sustainable agriculture can work in practice. At the same time, we also recognise we can do much more to benefit the world with help and support from other stakeholders. This refers to engaging stakeholders through listening and addressing their concerns into our business decisions and actions, as well as forming strategic collaborations with them, where relevant. Indeed, palm oil production can enjoy longevity if operators subscribe to the same set of principles and adopt the same set of responsible best practices They take care the Employee Welfare also as : Training and development have always been an integral aspect of continual investment in our human capital, to enhance individual and organisation effectiveness. We work to ensure that every employee has an equal opportunity at career development. We also encourage our employees to take up overseas assignments or postings to further their learning. Health and safety are Wilmars top considerations concerning the employees. Wilmar pays careful consideration to the safety of our employees at the workplace, for our plantation operations all over the world. We conduct regular trainings and implement programmes to foster awareness of occupational health and safety risks. Additionally, we inculcate stringent health and safety policies, as well as practices amongst our staff in all our operations. With a significant portion of our employees based in the plantations, we take an extra interest in their welfare. This is reflected in a series of undertakings to support their work and livelihoods. We provide rice at subsidised rates for our employees. In areas where oil palm cultivation is not suitable, we have converted the flood-prone lands to paddy fields for rice cultivation. The produce is then sold to employees at subsidised rates ( http://www.wilmar-international.com/sustainability/community_welfare.htm on March 6, 2011) Just look at the company website, we might have not a overall view of all, from another source we find out more about this : SYDNEY/SINGAPORE (Reuters) Singapores Wilmar International Ltd (WLIL.SI) on Monday struck a surprise deal to buy Australian conglomerate CSR Ltds sugar business for A$1.75 billion ($1.47 billion), trumping Chinas Bright Food Group. By Michael Smith and Charmian Kokin SYDNEY/SINGAPORE | Mon Jul 5, 2010 3:17am BST (http://uk.reuters.com/article/2010/07/05/us-csr-idUKTRE66328B20100705) While other companies either struggled or sank during the economic downturn last year, Singapore-headquartered agribusiness group Wilmar International had a busy 2009, continuing its growth strategy of previous years and making two large oleochemical investments. (http://www.icis.com/Articles/2010/09/30/9397836/wilmar-boosts-growth-in-oleochemicals.html on 30 September 2010 18:49) Will Wilmar Hit The Property Jackpot? Despite this, a challenging operating environment, lower margins and a hike in various expenses have brought about a 30% fall in Wilmars bottomline. Nevertheless, Wilmar generated 4.9 times increase in cash flow from operating activities. Notably, Wilmar was able to maintain its proforma net gearing at a healthy level of 0.7 times as at 30 September 2010, despite a 46.7% jump in net loans and borrowings. These speak volumes about the strong financial position Wilmar is in. (http://www.sharesinv.com/articles/2011/01/17/will-wilmar-hit-the-property-jackpot/ 17 January 2011) Why could they face with the world crisis? They were undertaking to protect environment, protect human work right, they had good policies to expand to another countries like China, and India which is along with the globalization large champagne, so the company could be faced to world crisis in recent years. Another way, in the company website, they said : Our business strategy involves building an integrated business model which captures the entire value chain of the agricultural commodity processing business, from origination, processing and transportation to the branding, merchandising and distribution of a wide range of agricultural products. Our business model enjoys lower cost due to economies of scale, integration, logistical and distribution advantages, and superior market intelligence. (http://www.wilmar-international.com/business_index.htm on March 7,2011) I think this is the main key of the company which it makes them overcome the crisis, while the world is faced the big inflation. Due to lower cost, supply for big customers with large volume of quality goods, they keep on the success way to maintain the reputation and revenue of the company. This is its strategy over past few years, Significance: Wilmars latest investment is in line with its long-term processing strategy and may see the company reap benefits in the future from rising commodity prices as palm oil is one of Indonesias main export commodities. (Singapore Daily Bulletin 08/02/11) The Markets it has focused are China, India Market to exploit the potential factors of these land while these countries are on the way to develop: that is the large market, great number of labours, and good source of materials etc for its improvement. The Globalization Strategy of the company is that process. And they have success on this strategy rather quickly, from 2006 until now. 5. Vision, Mission, goals: As the above evidence, we found out that the vision of Wilmar OUR VISION To become the best, reliable, honorable oil palm plantation and put on the international level. OUR MISSION To manage healthy and innovative oil palm plantation and processing industry and to put priorities on quality and environmental sustainability through the implementation of Good Corporate Principles in ensuring the goals of all companies stakeholders. (http://recruitment-wip.com/ on March 7, 2011) And what are goals: that is bring the value things to life for stakeholders, customers, environment, society and so on. REFERENCE: WILMAR INTERNATIONAL LIMITED (Company Registration Number: 199904785Z) (Incorporated in the Republic of Singapore) Page 1 of 3 NOTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 704(11) OF SGX-ST LISTING MANUAL List of persons, occupying managerial positions in the Issuer or any of its principal subsidiaries, who are related to a Director, CEO or Substantial Shareholder of the Issuer.

Neil Armstrong Essay -- Moon Flying Armstrong Biography Essays

Neil Armstrong When Neil Armstrong was two years old he loved going to the Airport to watch the planes take off and land. He got so excited just watching. When he was five years old he pretended that he was hovering over his bed. He wanted to fly! He loved airplanes and at six years old he had his first airplane ride. He was so smart in school that they moved him from second grade into third grade because he was reading at a fifth grade level. Every airplane book he got his hands on he read. He always liked building model airplanes. When Neil was in high school he worked in the Chemistry lab. In his basement he made a wind tunnel. And on the roof of his garage he built an observatory where he had telescopes to look at the moon and the stars. He learned so much and was so excited that he couldn't wait to fly. He worked in a pharmacy to pay for his flying lessons. When he was only sixteen years old he got his pilots license! He graduated high school and went to Perdue University on a US Navy scholars hip. He learned everything he could about planes and rockets. After college graduation he was a pilot in the Korean War. After the war he went back to Perdue to learn even more. He became a test pilot for experimental X-15 rocket planes which flew to the end of the earth's atmosphere. He didn't want to stop there, he wanted to just keep on going. So in 1962 when NASA was taking applications for astronauts he applied and was accepted. His first mission was on Gemini 8. He and D...

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and the Presidential Election Essay

The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and the Presidential Election America has lost sight of the big picture. The war on terror is not going to be won through military endeavors or through appeals for international cooperation. Sure, those are both essential parts of combating terrorism, and Americans strive to achieve in both categories. However, this is not a war to simply meet indiscriminate aggression against aggression. This is neither a World War nor a Cold War. Only about one-third of the battle against terrorism is fought through military means, and that’s the easy part. The remaining 66 percent – the bulk of the big picture – deals with convincing those hostile to American intentions that flying planes into buildings, strapping bombs to chests and planting mines near roadsides is a waste of time, energy, and valuable lives. What can America do to offer people of the Middle East alternatives to terrorism while simultaneously standing unequivocally opposed to terrorism and its tactics? Whatever policy it chooses to pursue, one thing is certain: the starting point is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is from America’s stance in this situation that all hostilities towards the United States stem. Here’s the thing: Arab nations strongly sympathize with the Palestinian cause. For most of them, it is their number one foreign policy issue, even though it really has nothing to do with the interests of the individual states. Many Arabs feel that it is their duty to do everything in their power to oppose the aggressor, Israel, and its main supporter, the United States. If you combine this with a largely uneducated and population without jobs that’s frequently manipulated by radical clerics, you have a r... ...;http://english.aljazeera.net/HomePage>. 2. Bennet, James. Israel Rightists Endorse Pullout from Gaza Strip.† New York Times 19 April 2004: N1+. 3. Foreign Policy: Working for Peace in the Middle East and Security for Israel. John Kerry for President. 20 April 2004 . 4. Friedman, Thomas L. â€Å"Kicking Over the Chessboard.† New York Times 18 April 2004: WK13. 5. Middle East. 20 April 2004. BBC News. 20 April 2004 . 6. Myre, Greg. â€Å"Leader of Hamas Killed by Israel in Missile Attack.† New York Times 18 April 2004: N1+. 7. A National Security Strategy that Meets the Challenges of Our Time. Bush Cheney ’04. 20 April 2004 . 8. Paula Zahn Now (Replay). CNN. 20 April 2004, 2:00 a.m. – 3:00 a.m.

Schizophrenia

People afflicted with schizophrenia may have a sense of reality that is noticeably dissimilar from the reality perceived and shared by others around them. Schizophrenics, live in a world that is distorted by hallucinations and delusions, so those with schizophrenia may feel frightened, anxious, and confused (Smith et al, 2006).   Partly due to the different reality they experience, shizophrenics are known to behave differently at various times and events. At times they can be distant, detached or even seem preoccupied.   Some may sit rigidly, like a stone, unmoving and utterly silent.Other times they may shift relentlessly – occupied, wide-awake, vigilant, alert, and even hyperactive. Schizophrenia is a severe, chronic, and generally disabling brain disease (Smith et al, 2006). While the term schizophrenia literally means â€Å"split mind†, it should not be confused with a â€Å"split† or multiple personality. It is more accurately described as a psychosis â €” a type of disease that causes severe mental turbulence that disrupts normal thinking, vocalizations, and deeds. Schizophrenia is supposed to be secondary to a combination of hereditary and environmental factors.The course of schizophrenia, its symptoms, and triggers vary greatly among those who are affected. People with schizophrenia may demonstrate a varied combination of symptoms, triggers, and course. Each of these combinations may produce different clinical pictures. In fact, some clinicians have argued that schizophrenia is actually a group of separate disorders that share common features or symptoms.Comer (2007) notes that the indication of schizophrenia fall into three main categories:Positive symptoms, which are unusual thoughts or perceptions that include hallucinations (disturbances of sensory perception), delusions (false beliefs) and thought disorder.Delusions: Delusions are faulty interpretations of reality. Delusions may have bizarre content such as thoughts of being controlled by others, ideas of persecution by others, etc.Disordered Thinking and Speech: These may include loose associations, neologisms, and clanging.Heightened Perceptions: These are feelings of being flooded by sights and sounds, making it impossible to attend to anything important.Hallucinations: Hallucinations are faulty sensory perceptions. Auditory hallucinations are the most common form of hallucinations.Inappropriate Affect: Inappropriate affect is smiling when you are sad or angry or bearing a blank look when you should look happy. This may be related to the experience of hallucinations.Negative symptoms, which stands for a loss or a decrease in the ability to initiate plans, speak, express emotion, or find pleasure in everyday life (Comer 2007). These symptoms are harder to recognize as part of the disorder and can be mistaken for laziness or depression.Cognitive symptoms (or cognitive deficits), which are problems with attention, certain types of recall, and the executive occupation that allow us to plan and organize. Cognitive deficits can also be difficult to recognize as part of the disorder but are the most debilitating terms of leading a normal life.One may note that the cornerstone of schizophrenia is psychosis. Psychosis is a state characterized by loss of contact with reality (Comer, 2007). In this condition, the affected person's ability to perceive and respond to the environment is significantly disturbed, and it may affect the person's ability to function. Psychotic symptoms may include hallucinations, which are false sensory perceptions and/or delusions which are false beliefs. Psychosis may also be substance-induced or caused by brain injury, but psychosis most commonly appears in diagnoses of schizophrenia. Fowler (2000) notes that normally individuals with psychosis are not conscious of the consequential links between their symptoms, life experiences, disposition and beliefs. By helping someone understand his or her problem a s partly one of belief and interpretation, rather than actual and current threat, can be beneficialTreatments for SchizophreniaTreatment is aimed at reducing symptoms and preventing psychotic relapses and is believed to be most effective when begun early in the course of the illness. Schizophrenia is initally treated with antipsychotic medication (Comer, 2007). Once acute symptoms have lessened, a combination of medicine and psychosocial/rehabilitation interventions can be beneficial. As a chronic condition, disease management is life-long process.Barrow (2005) states that the most common modern medications currently prescribed are: risperidone (Risperdal ®), olanzapine (Zyprexa ®, Zydis ®), quetiapine (Seroquel ®), ziprasidone (Geodon ®). And then there is aripiprazole (Abilify ®), which acts in a different way on the brain than others. All these drugs block dopamine in those parts of the brain where excessive dopamine is causative to psychosis. They mainly diminish pos itive symptoms, but they may also help with negative symptoms.   Counseling, psychotherapy and social rehabilitation can help with more of what we call â€Å"negative symptoms.† Although Barrow notes that this often gets lost at first because ‘positive symptoms’ gets therapists too busy,   but people also lose inspiration, the capacity to communicate socially, and the capacity to organize themselves as they used to do before.ReferencesBarrow, K (2005). Reality Distortions: Balancing the Mind in Schizophrenia. Healthology Online, retrieved 7 April 2008 from http://www.healthology.com/mental-health/article1007.htm?pg=2Comer, R. J. (2007). Abnormal psychology (6th ed.), New York: Worth Publishers.Fowler, D. (2000). Cognitive behaviour therapy for psychosis: from understanding to treatment. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Skills, 4(2), 199-215.Smith B, Fowler D, Freeman D, Bebbington P, Bashforth H, Garety P Dunn G & Kuipers E., (2006) Emotion and psychosis: links bet ween depression, self-esteem, negative schematic beliefs and delusions and hallucinations. Retrieved 7 April 2008 from http://eprints.ucl.ac.uk/2182/1/Microsoft_Word_-_Schiz_Res_02_04_2006__2_.pdf Schizophrenia People afflicted with schizophrenia may have a sense of reality that is noticeably dissimilar from the reality perceived and shared by others around them. Schizophrenics, live in a world that is distorted by hallucinations and delusions, so those with schizophrenia may feel frightened, anxious, and confused (Smith et al, 2006).   Partly due to the different reality they experience, shizophrenics are known to behave differently at various times and events. At times they can be distant, detached or even seem preoccupied.   Some may sit rigidly, like a stone, unmoving and utterly silent.Other times they may shift relentlessly – occupied, wide-awake, vigilant, alert, and even hyperactive. Schizophrenia is a severe, chronic, and generally disabling brain disease (Smith et al, 2006). While the term schizophrenia literally means â€Å"split mind†, it should not be confused with a â€Å"split† or multiple personality. It is more accurately described as a psychosis â €” a type of disease that causes severe mental turbulence that disrupts normal thinking, vocalizations, and deeds. Schizophrenia is supposed to be secondary to a combination of hereditary and environmental factors.The course of schizophrenia, its symptoms, and triggers vary greatly among those who are affected. People with schizophrenia may demonstrate a varied combination of symptoms, triggers, and course. Each of these combinations may produce different clinical pictures. In fact, some clinicians have argued that schizophrenia is actually a group of separate disorders that share common features or symptoms.Comer (2007) notes that the indication of schizophrenia fall into three main categories:Positive symptoms, which are unusual thoughts or perceptions that include hallucinations (disturbances of sensory perception), delusions (false beliefs) and thought disorder.Delusions: Delusions are faulty interpretations of reality. Delusions may have bizarre content such as thoughts of being controlled by others, ideas of persecution by others, etc.Disordered Thinking and Speech: These may include loose associations, neologisms, and clanging.Heightened Perceptions: These are feelings of being flooded by sights and sounds, making it impossible to attend to anything important.Hallucinations: Hallucinations are faulty sensory perceptions. Auditory hallucinations are the most common form of hallucinations.Inappropriate Affect: Inappropriate affect is smiling when you are sad or angry or bearing a blank look when you should look happy. This may be related to the experience of hallucinations.Negative symptoms, which stands for a loss or a decrease in the ability to initiate plans, speak, express emotion, or find pleasure in everyday life (Comer 2007). These symptoms are harder to recognize as part of the disorder and can be mistaken for laziness or depression.Cognitive symptoms (or cognitive deficits), which are problems with attention, certain types of recall, and the executive occupation that allow us to plan and organize. Cognitive deficits can also be difficult to recognize as part of the disorder but are the most debilitating terms of leading a normal life.One may note that the cornerstone of schizophrenia is psychosis. Psychosis is a state characterized by loss of contact with reality (Comer, 2007). In this condition, the affected person's ability to perceive and respond to the environment is significantly disturbed, and it may affect the person's ability to function. Psychotic symptoms may include hallucinations, which are false sensory perceptions and/or delusions which are false beliefs. Psychosis may also be substance-induced or caused by brain injury, but psychosis most commonly appears in diagnoses of schizophrenia. Fowler (2000) notes that normally individuals with psychosis are not conscious of the consequential links between their symptoms, life experiences, disposition and beliefs. By helping someone understand his or her problem a s partly one of belief and interpretation, rather than actual and current threat, can be beneficialTreatments for SchizophreniaTreatment is aimed at reducing symptoms and preventing psychotic relapses and is believed to be most effective when begun early in the course of the illness. Schizophrenia is initally treated with antipsychotic medication (Comer, 2007). Once acute symptoms have lessened, a combination of medicine and psychosocial/rehabilitation interventions can be beneficial. As a chronic condition, disease management is life-long process.Barrow (2005) states that the most common modern medications currently prescribed are: risperidone (Risperdal ®), olanzapine (Zyprexa ®, Zydis ®), quetiapine (Seroquel ®), ziprasidone (Geodon ®). And then there is aripiprazole (Abilify ®), which acts in a different way on the brain than others. All these drugs block dopamine in those parts of the brain where excessive dopamine is causative to psychosis. They mainly diminish pos itive symptoms, but they may also help with negative symptoms.   Counseling, psychotherapy and social rehabilitation can help with more of what we call â€Å"negative symptoms.† Although Barrow notes that this often gets lost at first because ‘positive symptoms’ gets therapists too busy,   but people also lose inspiration, the capacity to communicate socially, and the capacity to organize themselves as they used to do before.ReferencesBarrow, K (2005). Reality Distortions: Balancing the Mind in Schizophrenia. Healthology Online, retrieved 7 April 2008 from http://www.healthology.com/mental-health/article1007.htm?pg=2Comer, R. J. (2007). Abnormal psychology (6th ed.), New York: Worth Publishers.Fowler, D. (2000). Cognitive behaviour therapy for psychosis: from understanding to treatment. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Skills, 4(2), 199-215.Smith B, Fowler D, Freeman D, Bebbington P, Bashforth H, Garety P Dunn G & Kuipers E., (2006) Emotion and psychosis: links bet ween depression, self-esteem, negative schematic beliefs and delusions and hallucinations. Retrieved 7 April 2008 from http://eprints.ucl.ac.uk/2182/1/Microsoft_Word_-_Schiz_Res_02_04_2006__2_.pdf

Compare and Contrast Paper: Abraham Maslow and B.F. Skinner

According to Maslow, all of us are motivated by our needs. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs states that we ought to satisfy each need in turn, starting with the first, which deals with the most obvious needs for survival itself. According to Skinner, people are motivated through the way that they are rewarded. Reinforcement is the key element in Skinner's model. In order for individuals to do well, they have to have positive reinforcement. In addition, negative behaviors should be reprimanded.How motivation changes for elementary versus secondary student Maslow states that motivation changes for elementary and secondary students in that younger children needs basic needs met first (basic needs) and once those needs are met; the students can development towards advanced needs such as intellectual needs. Work from easy to complex steps; performance/feedback motivation and actualization changes; amount of reward changes; kind and quality of reward changes.Similarities/Differences Both Maslow and Skinner's theory sustain the notion that individuals must development through stages. The two theories are unlike in that they differ in the method in which the people meet their needs. Maslow suggests that people should be rewarded in order to progress to the next level wile Skinner emphasizes reward and punishment.Both Maslow and Skinner's theory sustain the notion that individuals must development through stages. The two theories are different in that they differ in the method in which the people meet their needs. Skinner suggests that positive and negative reinforcement can shape the behavior, unpleasant experience (such as punishment) are negative reinforce it causes learners to avoid desirable response to stimuli Applied in classroomEducators ought to utilize self actualization to assist students reach his/her full potential, positive reinforcement ought to be used to remain students motivated, and continuing to research in order to help students reach their full potentia l. Educators ought to use motivation in the form of rewards, develop the Operant Conditioning model in order to educate/ reinforce lessons, and continuing to research in order to help students reach their full potential.In conclusion although Maslow and Skinner both has influences positive impact in the classroom and positive outcome on student’s progress, but we as educators must continue to research ways and use different instructions to reach the needs of our students. Computers and other technology within the today’s classroom have become student’s rewards. This week lesson have shown me that Maslow needs is best describe in the way we as people live and to be happy; were as Skinner behaviorist theory is want need to be used in order to teacher and conduct in a classroom.