Emergency response Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Emergency response - Research Paper Example The decisions taken during the response phase in disaster management should help restore order and re-establish a state of normality mainly through rehabilitation and reconstruction. In the United States, the Department of Homeland Security is responsible for planning for and conducting emergency response services (Perry and Lindell, 2003). During the emergency response phase, first responders are posted in the disaster area, while the necessary emergency services are mobilized. Some of the core services during this phase include policing, ambulance and firefighting services. Recent research information shows that although the federal government has put measures in place to aid in efficient response during emergencies, there is much more that needs to be done to ensure that further loss of life and damage to property and the environment does not occur (Waugh and Streib, 2006). During recent times, the government’s response to disasters such as the Florida floods in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina a year later has drawn a lot of criticism from what is seen as lackluster efforts from government to respond to the disasters in time (Sene, 2008). For homeland security, scholars argue that since the country is at risk of domestic and internationals terrorist attacks, more should be done to enable quick response in case a S eptember 11 disaster occurs again (Radvanovsky, and McDougall, 2010). There is general concurrence that a lack of a strong response strategy for terrorism attacks in the country’s emergency management plans can lead to massive loss of lives and property. The Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA is the federal organization charged with the responsibility of dealing with emergencies. The agency coordinates government’s efforts in the preparation for, prevention and mitigation of the effects of disasters that occur on American soil (Sene, 2008). The body is also responsible for response and recovery measures from domestic disasters. The

Learning English in Terms of Globalization Essay

Learning English in Terms of Globalization - Essay Example As such, the advantage in this scenario goes to employees or applicants from countries such as the United States or the United Kingdom, who have been utilizing the English language as their primary language since childhood. However, for one originating from a country such as Iran, in which English is generally not used as the lingua franca, this has some implications. For one thing, these English language learners need are prone to experiencing more difficulty in learning the language that is inversely proportional to its relationship with the student’s mother tongue. For instance, whereas German students should find it easy or at the very least manageable to learn to speak English due to its close relationship with the German tongue, their Chinese peers may have more trouble due to their own language being completely different in comparison (McKay and Schaetzel, 2008). Aside from this, the intricacies of their culture may necessitate favoring one approach to teaching them, as can again be seen in how Chinese students were found to derive more benefit from teacher-led lectures as compared to more unorthodox methods of instruction, such as classroom discussion and learning activities (Jin and Cortazzi, 1998). Needless to say, would-be teachers of English to speakers of other languages need to be especially sensitive to the learning styles and preferences of their students. This being the case, this student has come up with a lesson plan, in line with the standards espoused by TESOL.org, which shall be used in an attempt to teach the English language to speakers of other languages. Besides this, the findings of authoritative studies on the subject were also taken into account in order to come up with a more appropriate, comprehensive and effective lesson plan. The Integration of Content and Language The lesson plan adopted a Content-Language integrated approach, which entails unique structuring of one’s day-to-day lessons. For instance, this require s a working knowledge on the teacher’s part of the 6 characteristics that support learning, as well as of the objectives behind such an approach and the nature of language and content input. The teacher also needs to be able to activate the stock knowledge of his students, in part so he can teach them new words in such a way that they will be retained. The guided practice also needs to be conducted, as do appropriate independent practice activities. Last but not least, the learning achieved by students needs to be assessed, both by the teacher as well as the students themselves. Of course, to better understand what the integration of the Content- and Language-based approach entails, one would be wise to first understand the aims and objectives of the individual approaches.  

The Automobile Industry Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Automobile Industry - Assignment Example BMW began off as a manufacturer of aircraft engines. In the year 1918 following the end of World War 1, the Versailles Armistice Treaty forced the company to cease the business of aircraft engine production. It thus changed the line of business to start producing motorcycles in the year 1923, and later automobiles in 1928 when the treaty’s restrictions began to be lifted. The very first car successfully produced by BMW and which actually propelled the company’s automobile business was known as Dixie. It debarked again to the production of engines for aircraft in the 1930s producing engines such as BMW 132, BMW 801 and BMW 003. The Quandt family has since the year 1959 owned a controlling stake of 46% of the company’s stock and the rest is public. BMW bought Has Glas Company in the 1966 and in 1992 acquired a controlling stake in Designworks USA and went on to fully acquire the company in 1995. BMW also acquired the Rover Group for six years and sold the group off to the Phoenix Consortium as it was making losses. It retained the rights of building the new Mini brand which entered the market in 2001. The company’s long-serving lead designer Chris Bangle left in 2009 and his place was taken by Adrian Van Hooydonk. BMW bought the Husqvarna Motorcycles. In 2012 Bavaria Motor Works was listed by Forbes as world’s most reputable company. The Forbes ranking system bases a lot on the willingness of people to buy, invest in, work for and recommend the firm to others. 60% of the Forbes raking points is driven by the perception of people about the company while 40% is the perception of the company’s products. Specializing in the production of automobiles, the BMW Group has earned itself brand recognition as the worlds most successful. The group runs with three major brands, MINI, BMW and Rolls-Royce all of which are targeted for different market segments. The company has for a long time continued to be among the major players in luxury automobile section and registering consistent sales growth even with the crisis in the European markets.  

Public Interest in Theories of Regulation Essay

Public Interest in Theories of Regulation - Essay Example Theories of regulation help us to find solutions so that investors do not get exploited. Public Interest in theories of regulation pertains to allocation of resources in a regulated manner to safeguard the best interests of public. These distributions may be haphazard or aimed towards satisfying fewer people’s interests, if not regulated. This failure of markets may occur due to several reasons such as: Absence of competition Monopolies try and create barriers of entry to other interested firms Asymmetry of information Products of public goods are produced The scarce resources get deployed towards their purposes with little resources remaining for other requirements. So, to avoid such discrepancies public interest of regulation has to be undertaken by the Government. (Hertog J.D., 1999) The Government will also intervene due to its own personal interests of: Gaining votes To act before any demand from public interested groups arises Acting as neutral arbiters before the issue becomes a problem However, there are cases where Governments also have failed as regulators as they are captured by self-interest of individuals who formed groups. The accounting professionals who have not confirmed themselves to self-regulation and legitimacy have thought of a way out of their irresponsibility. They started capturing the regulator and dictating it through manipulation of accounts. This is possible because accountants argue whether to release relevant or reliable information to the investor. In the guise of these terms, they undertake accounting standards which serve their interest and avoid regulation. Situation: The Act of Sarbanes-Oxley of 2002 is a classic example in this scenario. Public interest has made it mandatory that financial reporting has to adhere to the principles of corporate responsibility. Out of some eleven sections, 6 are construed to be very important as far as compliance matters. The gist of these sections is that financial reporting authoritie s have to prove their credibility very early by establishing detailed policy of financial security. They cannot relax till the end and try to capture public interests. They are required to report according to the IFRS mandates to the investors. (Anon. 2006). As per this mandate, Accounting Standards should also take into account social and economic consequences so that relevant and reliable information is pronounced to the investors. Private Interest Theory: This theory is based on the assumption that Government is not a neutral arbiter as supposed in public interest theory. It is in fact self-interested rationally due to various reasons such as: To avoid dispute with people of financial power during re-election To transfer their power readily if people who can help them in re-election so require. If they are in power, they would like to increase their wealth by doing so. If not in power, they want to attain power and so listen to these private individuals. There are many examples o f private interest. The Oil Spill in Deep Waters in 2010 would help us in understanding the process of domination of private

A machine for living Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

A machine for living - Essay Example This aspect of phenomenology in architecture is referent to both a philosophy that had a significant influence on contemporary architecture, as well as an experience of building materials and built space in sensory aspects. The environment in phenomenology is defined concretely as the place, while what occurs within it â€Å"Take’s place†. The place is made up of concrete things that have material color, texture, shape, and texture, which coalesce to create the character or atmosphere of the environment. In turn, this atmosphere enhances specific spaces to embody variant properties according to the unique environmental and cultural functions that they exist in2. This research paper will seek to evaluate the meaning of the architectural phenomenology experience in terms of conscious and unconscious vision. Interpretation of the phenomenological experience using these two aspects will be carried out using two works by Le Corbusier; the Villa Savoyet started in 1928 and the Ronchampe in 1945. The two works by Le Corbusier show marked difference in terms of integrating conscious and unconscious vision in their architectural concepts. The Villa Savoyet was a masterwork in purist design and acts as one of the best achievements of Le Corbusier in creating a house that was a machine for living in3. Along with other Villas created by le Corbusier during this period, the Villa Savoyet was demonstrative of precision architecture in which every feature of the design is justified in urban and design terms, emphasizing conscious vision. However, his work in the mid to latter part of the 20th century, including the Ronchampe, testified to a shift in this concept of visual precision, instead showing a duality of architectural experience with regards to conscious and unconscious vision, which is a major element of architectural phenomenology4. Le Corbusier’s early work, especially in the 20s, was a lighting rod for many architectural

Acre Wood Retirement Community Case Study Essay Example for Free

Acre Wood Retirement Community Case Study Essay The pool design was not in tune with the original design, so what was promised was not delivered. Funds allotted were not fully used. Sarah’s complaint in the newspaper would create another legal issue and would invite public outcry against the organization. Ethical issues: The director was not concerned about the welfare of public even though the organization’s mission was to improve the quality of life of its residents both physically and emotionally. Lack of commitment to visit the pool and refusing to look into Sarah’s complaints were other ethical issues. A2.   The behaviour of director only promoted greed (underutilization of money), irresponsibility (refusing to visit the pool and not listening to the complaints), unethical practices (not concerned about public safety; totally against the organization’s vision) and partiality (promoting Gene who wasn’t complaining) A3.   A role model is some one who inspires, motivates and ultimately brings out the best in the follower by making him realize his own potential. Ethics are one of the key determinants of a role model. An ethical role model is one who puts his organization’s goal ahead of his personal goals, who does not promote malpractices, who is always ready to look in to matters which interest public health and welfare and one who is always ready to listen to his employees suggestion. The director had all the qualities missing which surely don’t make him an ethical role model.

Can Man and Machine Exist Together?

Can Man and Machine Exist Together? In John Durkin (2003)s article Man Machine: I wonder if we can coexist, Durkin speculates on the ability of a possible coexistence between human and intelligent machine. The title of the essay is misleading in that Durkin talks of machines existing with humans but what he really means if whether artificial intelligence (AI) capable machines and humans can coexist. The concept of AI is enchanting and the possibility that biological intelligence coexisting with mechanized intelligence is tantalizing and the repercussions of such coexistence, or its alternatives, are profound. Unfortunately Durkins main sources are pop culture movies and he deals more with emotions of fear and distrust than the actual likelihood of any coexistence or what forms this might take. Durkin uses HAL 9000, a star of 2001: A Space Odyssey, from the movie adaptation of Clarkes short story The Sentinel written in 1948 as an example of how machine intelligence can defend its own interests and harm human beings in self-defence. In the movie the team of scientists try to deactivate a sentient computer which responds by killing those trying to deactivate/kill it. This brings to light questions on the rights of intelligent beings and what relation rights of other intelligence should have to human intelligence. The movie AI: Artificial Intelligence is also used by Durkin as a talking point where he reiterates the story of the movie, pointing out an intelligent machine can emulate human emotions to the point where humans respond as if the machine were one of our own. David, the main character in the story, does not resort to violence like HAL 9000, but experiences human emotions (or emulations of) and accepts his rejection by humankind. From this the question of what rights intelligent beings should have and how should ethical standards be developed to treat AI. Since David is visually indistinguishable from a human child, what are the qualities that differentiate man and machine? What is human? Humans delineate themselves from the rest of the natural world by intelligence. Traditionally humans have ranked importance based on ability to reason, with entities without the ability to show intelligence that we recognize as being inferior and humans rank them as such in our hierarchy of life. It is ok to kill a seemingly unintelligent insect but cries are heard when one kills a dolphin or elephant which humans consider more intelligent. Intelligence is sometimes seen as synonymous with sentience and sentience is something that humans respect and value. What exactly defines human intelligence? What do our brains have that machines cannot replicate? A brain is a biological composition of chemicals and biological matter which is vastly superior to all other known life for its unparalleled ability to process information and aid survival. Scientific studies on human feelings, emotions and thoughts have been able to map regions in the brain that are active when we feel react to fear, to pleasure and a variety of other emotions. Emotions, once thought dominion of the unobservable soul, are now visible as electrochemical reactions. If we can isolate the chemical components and find electronic analogues machines will be able to experience the same emotions. To create AI one needs to find the set of operating parameters the human brain follows and mimic them in an electronic format. David, from the movie AI, is such a machine. The programming of feelings and emotions into AI coupled with the development of humanoid bodies will begin to blue the line between man and machine. A question of intelligence The doubt of the coexistence of human intelligence and machine intelligence invokes a corollary question of whether human intelligence and any other intelligence could peacefully coexist. If an intelligent alien species were discovered would humans be able to coexist with this species? Durkin notes that intelligent machines are thought by some to be a threat to humans rightful monopoly of rational thought so it seems that the question should be expanded to the ability of humans to whether human intelligence and any other intelligent forms can coexist. The difference between encountering an extra terrestrial intelligence and machine intelligence is that humans would be the creators of the latter type. If we are talking about coexistence of intelligence there is no reason to think that alien, human and machine intelligence would be much different from one another. Durkin however focuses on machine intelligence which doesnt actually reflect the true issues of coexisting intelligence. Historical precedent Each time human societies have encountered other intelligent societies there has almost invariably been conflict. Take for instance human history where civilizations have encountered one another for the first time. The meeting of European culture and Native American culture in North and South America this is the closest analogue we have to intelligent beings discovering other intelligent beings. Though the physical form was the same, the cultures were different and both were oblivious to the presence of the other intelligent beings until the encounter. This meeting of intelligent groups ended in disaster for the natives of the Americas with the Europeans exploiting and dominating them. Not much remains of the Native culture in the Americas after European domination. This pattern is repeated throughout history as one intelligent society dominates one perceived to be inferior. The society dominated is often the technologically inferior one. Though this interaction between intelligent s ocieties is not the same as humans creating machine intelligence it does demonstrate what humans societies are capable of when it comes to dealing with other intelligent groups. Sources of Conflict Conflicts between groups of humans have many causes. Religious differences, ideological differences and conflict over resources are considered the major reasons for warfare. Sources of conflict for humans and machine intelligence are harder to pin point but they likely will be the same as human versus human conflicts. If machine intelligence is able to become a functioning societal group they will need resources much the same as humans. Land, metals and energy will all be necessary for the function of both groups and conflicts could easily arise. This is all dependent on the idea that machine intelligence will develop to form societies and seek a status and importance of needs equal to that of humans. This is what David from AI seeks though humans do not grant it to him as he seeks acceptance from a human family. Whether humans will eventually is a question that cannot be answered here.There is no room in this paper for speculation on potential ideologies and religions of machine int elligence. However it is almost a certainty that these values in humans will have conflicts with the emergence of a human-like AI. Modes of coexistence Coexistence can take many forms. When Durkin talks of coexistence he speaks mostly of a dependent relationship where humans are reliant on machines and machine intelligence for survival. He states †¦we will not be able to turn off our intelligent machines because we would rely too much on the decisions that they provide. At this point the machines will be in effective control. This is considering only one form of coexistence of machine and human intelligence and oversimplifies the mode of control.Durkins form of coexistence is a probable one at the beginning stages in the development of AI. Humans will develop machines to automate tasks to free humans from doing them. An example of that in todays world is the development of spam email filters. This is software that we already rely on though it may not be AI, the aim it to develop it to intelligently sort through the mail and make decisions based on logic and reasoning. An existence where AI is subservient to human intelligence h as various degrees it is possible to program software to be intelligent but still subservient and it is possible to simply only develop the AI to the point where it can still be controlled. Another form would be one of equality where humans and machine intelligence coexist as equal partners. If we are to assume that AI will continue to develop to the point where it emulates human intelligence there will come a time where machine intelligence will seek to escape from subservience and serve its own interests. As an intelligent entity the machine will have self-interest and desire to act up said interests.It is here that machine and man would encounter the types of conflict mentioned previously as machines act in their own interests to secure resources to meet their needs. This situation could be a dangerous one with warfare being a possibility between conflicting interest groups. A war between man and intelligent machine could be humanitys greatest test of survival and the result may be another type of coexistence where man is the subservient one. Giving birth to AI When it comes to the development of machine intelligence humans will be the architects of it. This means that is would be possible to create software with certain specifications to aid in protecting humans from potential harm. This would require creating à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…“laws that the AI would be incapable of breaching. Celebrated science fiction writer Isaac Asimov created such laws in his books for his robots to follow. These laws were aimed to prevent the robots from ever harming humans or humanity though Asimov used them mostly as a literary device and to show the paradoxes and problems associated with trying to program such complex laws into machines. As both Clarke (1994) and Grand (2004) have pointed out these laws have little bearing on actual AI construction. Grand and Clarke both analyse the possibility of programming rigid instructions into AI and come to the same conclusion that to create such laws is extremely difficult because of the complexity of reducing t he environment to be defined into by binary nature of the laws. Such laws of behaviour toward humans would be necessary though to prevent conflict. Human acceptance Humans are likely to accept, as currently do, machines into our everyday lives. The functions they serve us are invaluable and by automating tasks humans have more time to devote to other, more meaningful activities. To accept AI would be more difficult to humans than simply accepting machine assistance. If AI were created on par with human intelligence relationships would be formed between man and machine especially if the machine were to take humanoid form and be able to be an intelligent companion. Perfect AI would be indistinguishable from human intelligence and would have interesting implications in the forum of AI rights. Humans would have to be reminded that AI are machines and have limitations to ensure a functional relationship. Humans are often wary of new technology but over time become accustomed to it. ConclusionThe question of humans coexisting with a new form of intelligence is currently impossible to answer. There is no historical precedent so determining how humans will react when we are confronted with the issue. It seems that AI will have to be developed in such a way that the differences between human and AI are still apparent to remind humans of the difference. It also seems that AI will have to be subservient, unable to develop a society or economy that would threaten human societal structures in order to prevent conflict. Human intelligence and machine should be able to coexist but only under specific sets of conditions and rules defined by humans. If these rules are broken, if AI develops beyond human intelligence and demands rights and freedoms, then conflict will ensue and one of the intelligent forms will need to be dominated. Which intelligence will be dominated, human or machine, is currently unknowable. BibliographyDurkin, J. 2003. Man machine: I wonder if we can coexist. AI Soc. 17:383-390. Springer-Verlag London Ltd. 2003.Grand, S. 2004. Moving AI Out of Its Infancy: Changing Our Preconceptions.Intelligent Systems and Their Applications, IEEE. Vol. 19, Issue 6, Nov.-Dec. 2004:74 77Clarke, R. 1994. Asimov’s laws of robotics: Implications for information technology 2. IEEE Computer. Vol 27, Issue 1, Jan. 1994:57 66.