Are Sales Taxes More Regressive Than Income Taxes

Q:: Im a Canadian who has been following the Canadian elections. I heard one of the parties claim that a reduction in sales taxes help the wealthy not the middle class or poor. I thought sales taxes were regressive and were mainly paid by low income people. Can you help me out? A: Great question! With any tax proposal, the devil is always in the details, so its hard to analyze the exact impact a policy will have when all that exists is a promise that could fit on a bumper sticker. But well do our best with what we have. First we should determine exactly what we mean by regressive taxation. The economics glossary defines a regressive tax as: A tax on income in which the proportion of tax paid relative to income decreases as income increases. Theres a couple things to note with this definition: Even under a regressive tax, higher income earners pay more than lower income earners. Some economists prefer to use the term regressive rate taxes to avoid confusion.When looking at taxes, progressive or regressive refers to levels of income, not wealth. Thus to say a progressive tax is one where the rich pay proportionately more is a bit of a misnomer, since we usually think of someone as rich who has a lot of wealth. Thats not necessarily the same thing as having a high income; one can be rich without earning a dime in income. Now weve seen the definition of regressivity, we can see why sales taxes are more regressive than income taxes. Theres typically three main reasons: Wealthier people spend a small portion of their income on goods and services than poorer people. Wealth is not the same thing as income, but the two are closely related. Income taxes typically have a minimum income level at which you do not have to pay taxes. In Canada, this exemption is for people who make around $8,000 or less. Everyone, however, is forced to pay sales taxes, no matter their income.Most countries do not have a flat tax income rate. Instead the income tax rates are graduated - the higher your income, the higher the tax rate on that income. Sales taxes, however, stay the same no matter your income level. Policy makers and economists realize that the, on average, citizens are not in favour of regressive rate taxation. Thus theyve taken steps to make their sales taxes less regressive. In Canada the GST is exempt on items like food, which poorer people pay a disproprtionately larger portion of their income on. As well, the government issues GST rebate cheques to lower income households. To their credit, the FairTax lobby proposes giving every citizen a prebate cheque in order to make their proposed sales tax less regressive. The overall effect is that sales taxes such as the GST is more regressive than other taxes, such as income taxes. Thus a cut in the GST would help low- and medium-income earners more than a similar sized income tax cut. While I am not in favour of a cut in the GST, it would make the Canadian tax system more progressive. Do you have a question about taxes or tax proposals? If so, please send it to me by using the feedback form.

Architectural Engineer Essay - 2344 Words

Architectural Engineer nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;An architectural engineer designs structures such as houses, skyscrapers, and bridges based on his knowledge of materials and how they handle forces. I. Introduction A. History B. Definition II. Education A. Suggested high school education 1. General subjects 2. Types of people B. College C. Post-College 1. Internship 2. Becoming registered III. Employment A. Specialization B. Acquiring a job C. The building industry IV. Structures A. Cottages B. Solar houses C. New Jersey Aquarium V. Conclusion nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Architectural engineers are in demand wherever buildings are being designed or constructed (â€Å"Architectural†¦show more content†¦Students are also encouraged to take courses in computer science if such courses are available. In addition, students able to obtain a part-time job in an architect’s office can gain valuable experience (â€Å"Architecture Careers†634). nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; The type of person who chooses architecture as a profession tends to be highly creative, curious, and inclined to propose global solutions to problems. On the other hand, the type of person who chooses to be an engineer is usually pragmatic, unimaginative, and inclined to compile data to find the best solution. Architectural engineers combine both ways of thinking to learn which way of thinking should be used in certain situations on certain projects. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Architectural engineering students take courses in the theory and practice of aesthetic design, and architectural history with architecture students. They also take courses in calculus, physics, and materials science with engineering students (Belcher 3). â€Å"The most difficult classes were those that involved mechanical and electrical engineering because they only touched on subjects that require years to master (Cox Personal Interview).† nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;There are several steps to becoming an architectural engineer. The first step is to obtain a Bachelor of ScienceShow MoreRelatedEssay on Architectural Engineering978 Words   |  4 Pagesspecialties, the goal of the engineer is the same. The goal is to be able to come up with a cost effective design that aids people in the tasks they face each day. Whether it be the coffee machine in the morning or the roads and highways we travel, or even the cars we travel in, it was all an idea that started with an engineer. Someone engineered each idea to make it the best solution to a problem. 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A Sample of Fine Art Essay Example For Students

A Sample of Fine Art Essay It is true that a work of art has a certain message embodied in it and an intended emotional response; however, With fine art the experience is different from person to person. Great artistic compositions do trigger similar responses in the viewer; yet, each individual has their own unique interpretation of the meaning and orientation of feelings towards the piece. No matter how similar or different these results are, none of them are the same. Out of all the amazing creations at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, four paintings stand out among them all. These are Paul Cezannes Bottom of the Ravine, Paul Sanguine Area II, Vincent van Sagos The Rocks, and Georges Caesuras Young Woman powdering Herself. What makes these painting prominent idols to attraction is the tact that they are so simple, yet they convey a deep meaning. And like all fine art each viewer has their own personal perception and reaction to these paintings, perhaps because of their uncomplicated surface appearance. What all of these compositions have in common is that they all depict natural occurrences. Whether or not the events and the contents are based on something or a scene that actually did exist is irrelevant. What matters is that these paintings are composed of images and settings which actually can exist or loud have existed. This elicits a personal connection between the viewer and these fine arts since What they are viewing is something that is actually tangible rather than surreal and abstract. Paul Cezanne was a painter Of the Post- Impressionism era Which was a further extension of Impressionism with fewer boundaries; yet, both of these styles contained images that can exist in the real world. The major difference the distinguishes these bono different styles of painting is that Impressionism strives to achieve a photographic type of quality (just an example of the degree of which hose paintings resembled real life since cameras were not yet invented), whereas Post-Impressionism does indeed contain elements that do exist in life but with a less rigid attempt to depict how the images would appear in real life, Thus, Post-Impressionism is less limited by precision yet composes elite-like scenes, This gives these paintings an almost cartoon like appearance, This era is also distinguished trot symbolism in that symbolism is more to a reflection of ideas. Paul Cezanne was the genius behind the composition Bottom of the Ravine. This painting fits perfectly into the scheme of post-Impressionism as it displays mountainside, a life-like image, but in a loose cartoon-like fashion. This is done by using fewer colors and shades than would actually appear on a real mountain and also having each color distinguished from its surroundings rather than blending together as it would naturally occur. The main subject in this piece is the mountain that is prominent because of its large size and the fact that it is the dominant figure With all the Other Objects, which are trees, existing on it and the background, the sky, being the only thing contrasting With it. The sky is far too plain to be the subject Of the painting and ACH trees is too undistinguished to be the subject; yet the fact that it contrasts with the mountain causes it to play a vital role in this work in that it brings out the green shrubbery and the mountain as a whole. The colors are shades mainly of blues, yellows, and greens. They were applied with blotted strokes and dabs, but they come together in such a way that the scene as a whole gives an invigorating, refreshing, and happy feel all while having a three-dimensional appearance, This is done by the natural setting of the mountain being uninterrupted by people and all the colors together giving a freezing natural feel; the pure blue sky especially contributes to this overall This painting was actually based on something that did exist. It was the hills behind Cezannes mothers house in Statuesque, France. Cezanne pays special attention to the facets and nooks in the mountain which is composed of the sun- baked earth. F. Scott Fitzgerald was a writer during the Jazz A EssayThis is an oil painting with both blots of paint and long strokes built up to give this painting a lot of texture. The colors do not flow together or blend with one another; rather, they are clearly separate from one another contributing to the cartoon-like characteristic of the Post-Impressionism The emotions evoked by this painting are negative even though most of the colors are bright. This is because the subject has a lot Of dark in it especially at its core. Also the tree is being swayed by the wind when nothing else is. This tree represents strength and sturdiness and the fact that it is being swayed by the Wind indicated that it is not serving its function. The weaker, less significant foliage is remaining stagnant and since this is so, it makes the meaning clear absolute strength and power can easily become corrupt. The last artist who had painted one of the most fabulous works of art in all of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, is Georges Serrate. The title of his painting is Young Woman Powdering Herself. This painting also belongs to the Post. Impressionism era and it fits its characteristics perfectly. First off, it is composed of something that could have really happened. Secondly, the colors are lacking the necessary shades that would allow this painting to actually look real. The subject of the painting is an attractive woman holding a powder puff. She has very large and round breasts which contribute to her attractiveness, She seems very upset as she is applying her makeup. The colors in this work are very light and are pastel colors. There are different shades that do blend together but it is the fact that they are so faded and pastel-like that causes his painting to seek unreal in its appearance. The painting is composed of tiny little dots that come together to make the painting as a whole and allow the painting to look solid from a distance; this is the same effect a television set has. The fact that the woman is so upset while she is putting on her makeup, gives the sense that she does not want to be objectified any longer. Obviously she is getting ready to somewhere and with somebody and she feels obliged to have to do this. This causes the viewer to feel a strong sense of compassion and sympathy for the subject. The light colors also play a part in this feel in that they are faded just as this womans dignity is. These paintings have their similarities and differences. They are similar in that they all come from the same era and for this reason and because they have the same basic characteristics of this time period. The Bottom Of the Ravine is similar to The Rocks in that they both have a mountainous setting; however, both of these works are different from the Other two works because they lack people as subjects. Furthermore, besides the similarity that they both contain people, Area II is drastically different than Young Woman Powdering Herself since the former has a handful of people in it, dark colors, and a happy theme whereas the latter has only one person in it, light colors, and a sad theme. Whatever a critiques taste in art is, they can surely appreciate any work that makes them feel something. These four paintings are rich with emotional undertones causing the viewer to have a certain attachment to these works, Beans of their quality of evoking emotion in the individual experiencing the painting, these tour compositions are clearly samples tontine art.

Strategic Initiatives XM and Sirius Essay Example Essay Example

Strategic Initiatives: XM and Sirius Essay Example Paper Strategic Initiatives: XM and Sirius Essay Introduction One of XM’s attempts to appeal to broader demographics has been its wide variety of receivers—from personal portable systems to smart phone capabilities and all the way up to home theater systems. However, a positive short-term strategy would be to build more of a potential lifetime base of customers by targeting young people. To this end, they should focus on a demographic of 18-25 year olds. One of the simplest ways to do this is for the company to form agreements with major colleges to sell (and aggressively market) XM personal systems in campus bookstores. In turn, XM can launch a new, exclusive channel to broadcast the sports events of these universities.particularly ones that are unlikely to get major media attention. In the longer-term, this will result in more new subscribers. Another way of reaching a younger demographic it to find a way to break into the podcast phenomenon that is most commonly associated with Apple’s iPods. Integrating a recording feat ure in future models that synchs up with a wireless communication program would allow individuals to record their own podcast and, if within range of a wireless network, to go ahead and upload it. Such features are important as smart phones get more and more advanced—for all intents and purposes, all portable electronics devices are competing with what smart phones are increasingly capable of. XM already allows play through existing smart phones, such as â€Å"iPhone or Blackberry† (â€Å"Change the Way You Listen†). Integrating more interactive technology may help give XM a needed edge, though by definition this is a short-term strategy, and XM will need to adapt to newer technology and trends as they emerge. Best of all, such a feature is not that different from the existing ability to â€Å"[let] consumers record songs onto special receivers† (Numeister). Strategic Initiatives: XM and Sirius Essay Body Paragraphs One of the key long-term prospects of appealing to a younger demographic is appearing more eco-friendly. A way of doing this that doesn’t really alter how XM devices are made is to reach a partnership with companies like Prius to have XM radio already installed in those vehicles. This can be accompanied by advertisement campaigns linking environmental friendliness and XM radio in customer’s minds—slogans like â€Å"Satellite radio—so Earth-friendly it’s out of this world† with a visual focus on a satellite. The cherry on the top of this campaign would be for the monthly fee of Prius-owning XM subscribers donating a percentage to an eco-friendly charity of their choice. The final key to XM’s future is to embrace their own past. Their previous programming agreement with Clear Channel radio allowed them to appeal to conservative listeners who favored programs such as Glenn Beck’s radio talk show. Beck, particularly, is a good entit y to have a commercial agreement with, because of his ability to help sell merchandise on both his radio and his TV programs. If XM was willing to re-negotiate with Clear Channel radio and reach a similar agreement as they had before, it would be a great â€Å"quid pro quo† long-term way of marketing XM to an extremely broad audience over the airwaves. Better still, though a longer shot by far, would be an attempt to reach an exclusivity agreement with a right-wing media figure. For all intents and purposes, it would be the more conservative answer to the Sirius agreement with Howard Sterns—if XM was suddenly the only way for conservative audiences to portably hear a figure such as Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh, it would greatly increase both system sales and new subscribers, as well as bring old subscribers back into the fold. Value Added, Lessons Learned and Insights Gained nbsp; The value added to the company by such changes would be significant. By expanding the cust omer base, XM will receive both short-term and long-term benefits by bringing in new subscribers and illustrating to existing ones the company’s dedication to offering a variety of services to a variety of clients. These recommendations are all centered on what amounts to the key issue regarding any form of satellite radio to a potential new customer: why should they pay for the radio, when the radio in their car is free? These recommendations form a kind of variegated rhetoric to draw in different customers: individuals can feel like they’re able to follow their favorite talk-show pundit, bringing in customers based on loyalty. They can feel like they are helping to save the world by helping themselves to XM’s services, which appeals to them emotionally. They can feel like they are imparting their unique vision to the world through broadcasts, which appeals to their aggrandized sense of self. And they can also feel like embracing XM radio makes them a more soli d part of their college community, which appeals to both their sense of school spirit and, to be frank, their sense of peer pressure. The insights from this exercise are chiefly centered on this.it is surprising to learn the difficulty of how to appeal to a mass of people while still offering the vision of a company as unique and individual. However, it is rewarding to find out that such a task is far from impossible. Recommendations for Strategic Initiatives: Sirius Radio An admirable recent move on the part of Sirius to branch out from their traditionally-perceived image as a haven for bad boys such as Howard Stern is the inception of the Sirius Backseat TV initiative, offering streaming video of kid-friendly programming such as Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, and Cartoon Network. One logical extension of this progression would be to offer a cheap (less than $50), colorful receiver model (that is limited to kid-friendly music channels) that is marketed to young children. This would a ppeal to children of existing Sirius customers that wish to emulate their receiver-owning parents and, in some cases, the reverse: children requesting it as a gift from their parents may actually get their parents to purchase a receiver for themselves. Especially if an incentive was included with the children’s models which stated that their subscription to the limited â€Å"kid-friendly† stations would be free if another individual in the household purchased a receiver and a full subscription within thirty days. Otherwise, the â€Å"kid-friendly† subscription would be $5 a month. On the opposite spectrum, it would be wise for Sirius to expand an initiative they started in 2003 by launching Sirius OutQ, which appeals to the LGBT audience and invites listeners to hear â€Å"news, information, and entertainment for the gay and lesbian community.† It would be wise for Sirius to launch exclusive channels concerning music and talk radio for other minority audi ences. This is something that would appeal to a teenage and young adult demographic, which would certainly help to sell units and subscriptions among a target audience that represents years of possible subscriber income. It would also dovetail well with the image of Sirius as a more â€Å"liberal† radio station, willing to grant controversial audiences their own voice.something that is often stifled, if not outright prevented, by mainstream media. Sirius currently offers a â€Å"Sirius Music for Business† model in which businesses can legally use commercial-free Sirius broadcasts in everything from â€Å"on hold† telephone music to conference presentations. It would be profitable to expand this model to other venues, such as colleges and universities. A program with a clever name such as â€Å"Sirius for U† could provide music in university dormitories, cafeterias, and student centers. This functions well as a long-term strategy because it means exposing a rotating crop of students to Sirius programming for a period of four years. This will inevitably drive sales, and would offer a chance for universities to feature their own radio station on the Sirius network. In this way, both the university and Sirius radio will benefit. A solid long-term strategy for Sirius would be to acquire exclusive radio rights to NBA games. This would serve as an answer to XM’s exclusivity with MLB games, and help reinforce the image of Sirius as hip and sports-friendly. A short-term way of doing this would be to focus on more obscure sports—Sirius already has the world’s only horseracing talk show, and adding channels focusing on poker, chess, and even dodgeball would add a quirky charm that rival services cannot offer. One humorous hook for such a channel would be to name it â€Å"The Ocho,† in honor of the movie Dodgeball’s humorous vision of an ESPN channel that focuses exclusively on quirky sports. Value Added, Less ons Learned and Insights Gained The value added to Sirius through these suggestions primarily centers around expanding on the services it already offers. There is a reason for this—as the most recognized brand of satellite radio, Sirius has had years to throw almost every idea against the wall, and see what sticks. These ideas represent an expansion of stickiness—appealing to those who feel like mainstream outcasts while, at the same time, appealing to the nuclear family of traditional values through kid-friendly programming. It also represents an opportunity for ongoing customer appeal—the institution of a â€Å"Sirius for U† program, particularly, means that thousands of students can experience Sirius every day that otherwise would be unfamiliar with it. A continued focus on sports serves as the second part of a one-two punch that starts with the appeal to college students.a group that is traditionally sports-focused, and likelier to stick around as par t of the Sirius customer base if they feel that their favorite sport (to watch or to play) is being featured. The insight of this experience is primarily centered on perfection, as opposed to creation.as elaborated on above, Sirius is a company that has tried an impressive variety of marketing tactics over the years. The challenge comes from singling out the ones that have further potential from the ones that, rightfully, were discarded by the wayside. However, the evolving nature of business means that businesses must be constantly evolving; perfection of the moment can easily be the defects of the future, so business models must constantly strive for change. Works Cited Numeister, Larry. â€Å"Suit by Record Companies Against XM Going to Trial.† The Washington Post. n. pag. Jan 20 2007. Web. 30 May 2010 Sirius. â€Å"OutQ Radio.† n. pag. 30 May 2010 XM Radio. â€Å"Change the Way You Listen.† n. pag. Web. 30 May 2010 nbsp; nbsp; We will write a custom essay sample on Strategic Initiatives: XM and Sirius Essay Example specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Strategic Initiatives: XM and Sirius Essay Example specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Strategic Initiatives: XM and Sirius Essay Example specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer

How Fossil Fuels Affect The Environment Research Paper Example

How Fossil Fuels Affect The Environment Research Paper Example How Fossil Fuels Affect The Environment Paper How Fossil Fuels Affect The Environment Paper Essay Topic: Renewable energy Describe and explain how the use of Fossil fuels may affect the environment and discuss measures, which could be taken to reduce the harmful consequences Fossil fuels include gasoline, oil, coal, or natural gas. Whenever we burn them, more pollutant gases are emitted into the atmosphere. They are burned to run cars and trucks, heat homes and business and power factories and are responsible for about 98% of U. S carbon dioxide emissions, 24% of methane emissions and 18% of nitrous oxide emissions. Because of the harmful effects of these pollutant gases, produced when fossil fuels are burnt, they pose a major threat to the environment. Almost all air pollutants are the result Of fossil fuel combustion, either in the home, by industries or the internal combustion engine. Smoke is tiny particles of carbon suspended in the air, produced as a result of burning coal and oil. While smoke remains in the air, it can reduce the light intensity at ground level; hence reduce the overall rate of photosynthesis. Deposits of smoke, or more particularly, soot and ash, may coat plant leaves directly reducing photosynthesis by preventing light penetration or even by clogging stomata openings. The pollutants involved in acid rain are sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, zone and various volatile organic vapors given off from gasoline stations. Fossil fuels contain between 1% and 4% sulfur and consequently around 30 million tones of sulfur dioxide is emitted from the chimneys of Europe each year. Its effect in high concentrations, are harmful to plants in that it reduces growth, especially in barley, wheat and lettuce and others such as lichens may be killed. Sulfur dioxide (ASS) dissolves in water forming sulfurous acid (HASPS). This is then converted to sulfur trioxide (ASS) then to sulfuric acid (HASPS). Acid rain is harmful since it causes acidification of the soil. Changes in soil pH change the solubility of the ions present, in acid soil; essential minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium and trace elements start to be lost by leaching. In very acid soil (pH below 4. 5) aluminum ions may appear in the soil at very poisonous concentrations. Aluminum ions may also be leached into lakes and rivers and kill fish and other marine life. Since the industrial revolution, CO gases emitted into the atmosphere have increased by 27%. The pre- industrial concentration was in 1 860 was pump where as the present concentration is estimated at 368 pump. Methane, another greenhouse gas has more than doubled. The main cause Of the increased CO level is due to the combustion of coal and oil. For every tone of carbon burnt, 4 tones of CO are liberated Scientist argue that this extra CO in the air, trap heat and produce a greenhouse effect, causing expansion of the ocean, melting of the polar icecaps with a consequent rise in sea levels. This would in turn cause flooding of low- lying land. The greenhouse effect is not entirely bad, since it maintains the average of the earths surface at 1 5?SQ rather than 18?CO, in the absence of greenhouse gases. CO is transparent o short wave radiation from the sun, but strongly absorbs the long wave radiation that the earth irradiates into space. Global warming is responsible for an increase in 0. 5 1. 0 ?CO of average world temperature, since the late 19th century. If emissions of CO gases are not reduced significantly, the average global temperature is expected to rise by 1. 58 ?CO in the next century. Not only will this increase directly damage plant life, but evaporation will increase as the climate warms, which will increase average global precipitation. Soil moisture is likely to decline in many regions and intense mainstream are likely to be more frequent. These are all serious repercussions of global warming. The relatively inert oxide Of nitrogen, denigrating oxide, is formed during fossil fuel combustion. In the stratos phere, in the presence of u. V. Radiation, denigrating oxide is no longer inert. It reacts with atomic oxygen to form two molecules of nitrogen monoxide radicals (NO?s). These then react with ozone molecules, converting them to molecular oxygen and reforming nitrogen monoxide radicals. Radicals speed up the destruction of ozone because they constantly re-emerge to trigger another reaction. The destruction of the ozone layer results in a significant increase in u. V. Radiation reaching the earths surface. Ultra violet radiation is absorbed by the Purina and pyridine bases in DNA and modifies tem, with consequences affecting the expression of genetic information. In humans this results in a higher incidence of skin cancer. In higher plants grown as crops the effect of increased exposure to u. V radiation is to reduce yields. Aquatic organisms including fish larvae and plankton are very sensitive to u. V light. Disruption in the ecological balance in the ocean may not only affect marine food chains, UT the contribution of the ocean to the absorption of carbon dioxide. In order to reduce the effects of fossil fuel combustion, the primary measure that should be employed is to find alternative energy sources. Renewable energy comes from the exploitation of wave power, wind power, tidal power, solar energy, hydroelectric power and biological sources including biomass (wood charcoal, crop residues, dung and other organic materials). Many of these forms of renewable energy have a low environmental impact hence may be relatively environmentally friendly. Biological fuels, for instance can e used to supply humans growing energy needs. The Gasohol programmer in Brazil, where sugar cane wastes are used to produce a motor vehicle fuel, is such an example. This will reduce the effects of fossil fuel combustion emissions. International efforts can be established to control carbon dioxide emissions as well as implement usage of alternative sources of energy, instead of depleting the worlds fossil fuel reserves, which is expected only to last another 500 years. Governments can also educate the public on the dangers of energy inefficiency. They might choose to promote more efficient use of energy in moms and businesses, including electrical energy since burning fossil fuels generates most of the electricity. They can set energy efficient standards for domestic appliances. They could also change building regulations to ensure that new houses, offices and public buildings are more energy efficient, for instance in cold climates, measures can be taken to reduce heat loss to surroundings like double glazing windows. They may also increase duties on petrol and diesel fuel, to try to reduce their consumption. Schemes may be considered to convert the industries CO emissions into liquids or solids. One present concept for capturing CO from Waste gases involves MEA (Indetermination). Other techniques include physical absorption, chemical reactions to methanol, polymers and co-polymers aromatic carboxylic acids or urea. Individuals can also conserve energy within the home. Re- using materials, like plastic bags are one such way. Recycling newspapers, glass bottles and plastic bottles can also be done in the homes and business. Other simple measures can be employed within the home like buying energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs for the most used lights in the home. Whenever Seibel individuals should bike, walk, carpool, or use public transport to get to their destination. They can also buy minimally packaged goods, choose re- useable products instead of disposable ones. If they live in hot climates, the house should be painted a light color. Fossil fuels provide 90% of the energy we use now, but at a price of urban air pollution, acid rain, potential global warming and ozone layer depletion. As we burn fossil fuels and continue to use gasoline dependent transport, we increase the level of CO in the earths atmosphere and continue to harm the environment.

Designing a database to manage references for a protein structure data Essay

Designing a database to manage references for a protein structure data set using MySQL - Essay Example The database should be able to perform frequent searches on structure resolution, author name and initials, institution name, and structure release date. It should also be able to frequently retrieve the information about journal articles, PDB code, and name of given protein structures. It should be able provide data in specified order for example, as per the resolution, or as per the number of articles and institution, or both resolution and number of articles and institution, or even as per a specified institution, etc. The database is for storing and managing data regarding macromolecular structures that are partly derived from the Protein Data Bank (PDB). The data is provided by organizations that deposit, process, and distribute the information about protein sequences. Due to the complexity of this data care needs to be taken to ensure minimum data errors like missing data, size, alignment, propagation, ambiguity, and labeling. The application should be designed such that, on a user level it provides data management across the various database domains shared, by using a schema that allows the required data processing. The data should be retrieved, modified, and saved from tables using queries. The data is manipulated through applications that access the database in the database management system. The data model of the database defines data structure and behavior. Different aspects of the database are considered for creating models such as logical and physical model diagrams. It also gives detailed specifications of the attributes, rows and columns for tables, and files used to populate the database. 2. Logical schema of the database The logical model is used to document the data. The defined schema components represent the navigation in the schema diagram. The logical schema is constructed as a model independent of the management system and other physical considerations. The logical schema for the relational database design of the current database can be derived using normalization. Applying the normalization methods such as 1NF, 2NF, and 3NF obtains the physical schema result. 2.1 The Tables and their normalization process I. 1st Normal form (1NF): Table : Article Here, the entity Article has multiple authors as more than one people can author one articleabout various protein data structures. Therefore, to reduce redundancy by normalization 2NF is performed. II. 2nd Normal form (2NF): Table : Article Here, the entity Authors with its attributes have been created for the articles written by them. To further reduce redundancy, 3NF is performed. III. 3rd Normal form (3NF): Table : Article Here, the protein table has been created for the entity Protein to reduce the redundancy. This was because the attribute for Authors had redundancy regarding the protein structure; many authors can work on the same protein structure and therefore this was necessary. The logical structure of a database can be given graphically using an entity relationship (E-R) diagram. 2.1.1 Entity-Relationship diagram Attributes that are common to all domains belong

Predict the performance of emerging financial markets through the Essay - 1

Predict the performance of emerging financial markets through the financial reports of companies - Essay Example As a consequence, any event occurring in one part of the world will definitely have an impact on the rest of it. The recent recession has led to the downfall of many financial companies, banks, manufacturing companies and stock markets all over the world. Companies have been wiped out or taken over, property rates have crashed and gold prices have soared in the past one-two years. The situation has however not been too grave in emerging markets like China, India, Brazil, UAE and Argentina. The subprime crisis which was the cause of the economic meltdown did not affect emerging markets to a great extent. This was possible because the lending policies in these countries were strict and banks and financial companies could not lend to people with bad track records. At a time when global economy is reeling under one of the worst recessions and uncertain market conditions, there is an urgent need to study and analyze in detail the possibility of predicting the performance of markets. This prediction assumes more importance under emerging market conditions. When many companies and banks have gone bankrupt in the developed world, surprisingly, in the case of emerging markets, this has not been witnessed. In this study, we will examine certain companies and their financial statements for the previous five years and see if we can arrive at a conclusion about the relevance of predicting the future of emerging markets. The results of the study would not only be beneficial to students, researchers and economists, but also to decision making bodies that might be planning huge investments in emerging markets. The need of the hour is a stable global economy and this can be achieved only if there is very low level of risk and uncertainty when huge investments are made by individuals, business houses and governments. Not much literature is available about the results of previous research in the field of predicting emerging markets based on the performance of companies in Saudi