Camera Positions in Strictly Ballroom Movie Review

Camera Positions in Strictly Ballroom - Movie Review Example He faces umpteen amount of resistance and criticism. Evidently Ballroom Dancing forms the crux of the story. In the world of movie-making, the camera is one of the main sources of adding life to the story and the characters, by capturing the drama, emotions and characterization; which carry forward the whole essence of the storyline and the objective behind making the movie. Similarly, the Camera Movement in the movie captures the very essence of Ballroom Dancing! Since the whole movie revolves around dancing as its theme, the camera too lends free movement and style! In the first few scenes in the movie that establish the dance movements, the camera is used to capture pan shots that sway from one side to the other and long shots. These camera movements set in the feel and mood of graceful dance movements, complementing them at each stage! In the next instance, when Latin dance movements comes into the forefront, the camera plays its role to the finesse, by capturing quick, fast-paced movements to carry home to the viewers, the agility associated with Latin dancing. This exhibits the impact the camera can create, in capturing pace! As mentioned in the outline of the story, 'Strictly Ballroom' relates the efforts of Hastings to

Reason Behind Democracy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Reason Behind Democracy - Essay Example Human reason is central to humanity and people who believe in it also consider that it is critical in making rational decisions, where rationality is related to what is right. Milton believes in Reason that allows people to make rational choices (Lim 44). Human reason enables people to think in a moral, organized, and productive manner. Cicero highlights that speech makes relations among humans more â€Å"delightful† and that of writing enables â€Å"conversations to be carried on with people who were far away† geographically and in time (R III.3 qtd. in Hauben). Human reason guides communication processes and products, which is critical in forming understandings about the world and organizing themselves, so that they can attain common ends. Milton emphasizes the importance of Reason in making moral choices (Lim 44). Cicero argues too that common Reason allows each individual to scrutinize nature and come to comprehend what nature urges him/her to do (qtd. in Hauben). T hese understandings produce the Natural Law. Cicero calls it: â€Å"The highest reason, inherent in nature which enjoins what ought to be done and forbids the opposite† (L I.18 qtd. in Hauben). The Natural Law enables people to provide certainty and order in their lives. To follow natural law in one’s life is what Cicero refers to as justice and thus â€Å"justice comes from nature† (L I.33 qtd. in Hauben). He understands that corruption comes from â€Å"bad habits† and can be â€Å"so great that it extinguishes, so to speak, the sparks given by nature and allows

Studying Modern Agriculture In Sri Lanka

Studying Modern Agriculture In Sri Lanka 1. Modern Agricultural sector plays a very important role in contributing to the economy of the country. Agriculture represents 13% of the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Rice is the main staple food in Sri Lanka. Paddy sector contributes 16.5 % of the GDP of the agriculture sector. Paddy farmers represent considerable percentage of the labor force of the country. Rice is the oldest crop on earth and rice is the main consumer food in Sri Lanka and the main substitute for rice is the wheat flour. Sri Lanka has two major agricultural seasons namely Yala and Maha. About 5.75 lakh hectares were being bought under paddy farming in the Maha season from October to February and another 3.5 lakh hectares under the Yala season from April to August. Sri Lanka is country which Agricultural sector plays a main role in the economy. Paddy is produce in two seasons in a year. Every Government has identified the importance of the Paddy industry and has been a political focus so far. Mahaweli P roject is the one of the most successive project done in the country to increase the land available for the paddy cultivation. However farmers in rural provinces faced many hardships to obtain adequate harvest and revenue from paddy cultivation and vegetable cultivation due to lack of new technology  [1]   2. There are three major economic activities which contribute to the Gross National Product (GNP) in a country, Namely Agriculture sector, Industrial sector and Service sector. Beginning of 1950s Sri Lankan economy was mainly based on agricultural sector and by mid 1950, service sector contribution remarkably increases and maintained the highest contribution to the GNP at present. With the change of political and security situation of the country, it is essential to develop agriculture sector to achieve the self sustainability of the country. In 2008 recorded the highest sectoral growth of 7.5 percent (%) over the growth of 3.4 % recorded in 2007. Output of domestic agriculture products were increased in 2008 mainly due the record increasing of paddy production during the year seasons. 3. Sri Lanka Rice Sector alone contributes 30% to the agricultural GDP which accounts for 16.8% of GDP in year 2007.The present Annual value of the rice production is Rs. 49 billion which is at an increasing trend, although the relative contribution of the rice sector to the GDP is diminishing.  [2]  In 2008 paddy production increased by 24% recorded levels of 2.63 million metric tons of rice. This recorded target was archived through enormous difficulties faced by the farmers in rural provinces. It is essential to implement an effective government policy and an efficient mechanism to the development of the paddy sector in Sri Lankan in each province to increase income of the rural farmers. GENERAL OUTLINE 4. Paddy is widely grown in the all over Sri Lanka and it is a popular food crop among all communities in country. As the labor and other requirements of paddy are high it provides direct employment to a large number of people besides its contribution to indirect employment in input supplies and providing other services associated with the industry. However, there are several constraints that affect the development of paddy crop in Sri Lanka. Among the most important constraints are, high cost of the new technology, low productivity of paddy land, and high disease prevalence in paddy growing areas due to prevailing conductive environment for disease occurrences STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM 5. The statement of problem can divided in to two major parts: a. Social Presently at the country most of farmers are using Traditional agriculture in Sri Lanka and it will effect for there personnel income with out using new technology . b. Economic Without using new technology for traditional agriculture in Sri Lanka will not enable to increase of production in agriculture. Mal usage of the modern technology caused low productivity in local agriculture SCOPE OF THE STUDY 6 This research attempts to identify the relationship between the traditional agriculture and modern agriculture in Sri Lanka and the number of farmers who had abandoned the cultivating of paddy. The research will focus only on the paddy farmers in Sri Lanka and the benefits of using new technology in traditional agriculture. JUSTIFICATION 7. As it effects to the national income of the country it is reasonable to do a research on this topic. 8. As it effect to the loosing of jobs in agricultural field it is a responsibility of the government to look in to this problem. 9. As the agriculture is the oldest traditional occupation in Sri Lanka it is very much needed to research on this field and its out come. OBJECTIVES General Objectives 10. The general objective, this research is to study increase production by using new technology for traditional agriculture in Sri Lanka Specific Objectives 11. The following objectives are identified. a. To study what is the traditional agriculture in Sri Lanka. b. To study technology used for traditional agriculture and modern agriculture in Sri Lanka. c. To examine traditional paddy farming cultivation of paddy in Sri Lanka and its increase drastic production. c. Agro biodiversity and related traditional systems. d. Recommendations based on the findings. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS 12. Use of new technology will enable drastic increase of the production of traditional agriculture in Sri Lanka CHAPTER 2 METHODOLOGY 1. This study will be based on a survey. The data will be gathered from primary and secondary sources to analyse the situation and the data obtained from Agriculture department and other relevant source Primary Source 2. A literature survey will be carried out by referring various types of articles, books and World Wide Web to gather information on the field of the paddy cultivation and data gathered by agriculture department and other agriculture research centres ORGANIZATION OF THE PAPER 3. Since the main idea of this study in to analyze that there is specific relationship between the diminishing trend of yield and the trend of abundance of paddy cultivation in Sri Lanka, the paper analyses this relationship and its effect to the paddy farming. The first chapter introduces the subject and other details of the research. In the second chapter contains the History Methodology Organization of the paper Data collection method Limitation. In the fifth chapter all gathered data are analysed and the last chapter contains findings, recommendations and conclusion SAMPLING 4. Selected 10 paddy farmers randomly to represent every part of the country who are currently engaged in the paddy cultivation. DATA COLLECTION METHOD 5. The source of data collections is details gathered from the Government Officials those who are engaging in the cultivation. Further, past statistics were collected from the Hector Kobbekaduwa agriculture Research Centre in Colombo, and the Public Library in Colombo LIMITATIONS 6. a. proceeding with a research the following limitations was identified. b. The time available to carry out this research was only 3 months. c. Commonly most of the farmers were not in the position of giving accurate figures regarding their individual farm management. CHAPTER 3 WHAT IS TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURE IN SRI LANKA 1. Rainfall and its variation Sri Lanka is a tropical country, but climate of the country shows variation across the Island due to differences in rainfall, elevation and soil factors. Further, the central hill masses, which act as an orographic barrier and the Indian Ocean, surrounding the Island also influence the climate of Sri Lanka. 2. The rainfall of Sri Lanka shows seasonal fluctuations and is dependent on mostly monsoon, Four precipitation seasons are clear in Sri Lanka, namely southwest monsoon from mid-May to September call Yala season, northeast monsoon from December to February call Maha season and two inter-monsoon periods, the first and second inter-monsoons last from March to mid May and from October to November respectively. Total annual rainfall of the country varies from 750 to 5000 mm two broad climatic regions, namely the dry and wet zones are recognized based on total annual rainfall and distribution of dry months. The rainfall is one of the significant factors for determining agricultural land use as well as use of various genetic resources. The distribution pattern of rainfall throughout the year is further important than the total annual rainfall. The rainfall distribution in the majority areas of Sri Lanka is markedly seasonal. Seasonal distribution of rainfall and distribution of wet and dry months in different climatic zones influence the type of paddy grown by farmers in different seasons. The bi-model pattern of rainfall distribution is characteristic of the wet zone whereas the dry zone exhibits a uni-model rainfall pattern. The rainy season of the wet zone lasts from May to November (7 months) which is much shorter in the dry zone (3-4 months; October to January). In the dry zone, southwest monsoon allows only a small crop (Yala season) whereas the main season (Maha) is effectively the wet season. Cropping patterns, farming practices and genetic resource utilization are markedly different according to this rainfall distribution patterns along with the other factors. 3. Agro ecological zones Agricultural land use and land management necessities at a given location depend on the climatic conditions together with soil properties and conditions. The areas with similar climatic and soil conditions are identified and demarcated as agro ecological regions. Twenty-four agro ecological regions based on rainfall, elevation and soil types are demarcated in Sri Lanka Agro ecological classification is very useful since it provides basic climatic and edaphic differences of the country for various agricultural productions and farming practice. 4. Agro biodiversity and related traditional systems Genetic assets or germplasm are biological resources of animal, plant and microbes that contain the hereditary information required for life and are responsible for their useful property and ability to replicate. Agro biodiversity can be defined as selection and variability of animal plant and microbial organisms on earth that are for main food and agriculture. It is a key subset of genetic resources as it is the basis of food security and an essential feature of farming systems around the world. People have managed genetic resources, selecting crops, harvesting medicinal plants etc. Genetic resources remain the basis for the improvement of agricultural crops, for medicines of about 75% of the world population that relies upon traditional, largely plant-based, treatments for its primary healthcare, and for a myriad of other products such as pharmaceuticals, crop protection products and perfumes. 5. Agriculturally used domestic plants have been basically altered from their wild relatives and they have been reshaped to meet human being needs and wants. Paddy genetic resources and agro biodiversity is the product of thousands of years of evolutionary process. There are two types of selection distinguish crop evolution in Sri Lanka namely natural and artificial. These evolutionary processes continue in order to agriculture systems to remain viable. Paddy evolution has been altered by our enhanced ability to produce, locate and access genetic stuff. Both farmers and scientists have relied on the store of genetic diversity present in paddy plants that has been accumulate by hundreds of generations who have observed, selected, multiplied, store, traded and kept variants of paddy plants. 6. Sri Lanka is well thought out as a valuable repository of crop germplasm and agro biodiversity. These varieties show great adaptability to a large range of climatic and soil conditions and pest and infection problems. They also exhibit difference in grain size and quality some with medicinal property and fragrance and others that are used for cultural and formal procedure reasons and also show differences in maturity period. The existence of genetic and species diversity has special significance for the maintenance and improvement of productivity in agricultural crops in Sri Lanka which is characterized by very varied agro-climaticand diverse growing situation. Such variety provides safekeeping for the farmer against disease, pests, drought and other stresses. The genetic variety also allows farmers to develop the full range of highly various microenvironments in the country, conflicting in characteristics such as soil, water, warmth, elevation, slope and fertility. 7. The occurrence of heterogeneous agro ecological situation with seasonal and inter annual difference, socio-cultural and ethnic differences, application of different traditional paddy farming practices including dry and wet land paddy farming, deliberate and inadvertent selection of variety and a choice of systems of beliefs allow to develop various indigenous and traditional paddy cultivation practices and techniques for selection, maintenance and utilization of planting materials. 8. Furthermore these traditional paddy farmers represent centuries of accumulated experience and skills of peasants who often continuous yields under adverse paddy farming environment using locally available resources. The establishment for such paddy farming is comprised of the traditional landraces. Landraces are crop plant populations that have not been bred as variety but have been modified throughout years of natural and artificial variety to the conditions under which they are paddy cultivated. Maintenance of species and genetic diversity in farmers fields is essential to sustainable agriculture, especially for resource-poor farmers practicing agriculture under low-input conditions in marginal lands. Aboriginal knowledge has been brought down from generation to generation and forms part of the information base for a culture. The indigenous knowledge can be defined as local information that is unique to a given civilization or society. Each society has a variety of type of aware ness systems. Indigenous people have a great knowledge of the ecosystem they live in and ways to guarantee that natural resources are used sustainably. Therefore, indigenous awareness which has been accumulating over hundred years has potential value for sustainable development. It can help other people to learn how to live in the natural world in a sustainable approach as well as to increase agronomic practices for paddy cultivation and utilization of materials. 9. The agricultural landscape of the country consists mainly cultivation of rice (780,000 ha), plantation crops such as tea, rubber, coconut, sugarcane, spices (772,000 ha), vegetables (110,000 ha), other field crops (128,000 ha) and home gardens (98,000 ha). Sri Lankas farming systems, particularly rice, other field crops and home gardening have evolved over thousands of years including a rich array of farming systems and cultivated plants such as grains, vegetables, fruits, spices and livestock. New local cultivars have been developed in the agriculture sector formally and informally. In addition, many farmers have selected local landraces. The long history of cultivation, presence of cultural diversity and wide range of eco-edaphic conditions present in the country have resulted in a wide variety of farming practices in Sri Lanka. The following section describes the traditional farming principles and systems reported in Sri Lanka during the survey. TRADITIONAL AND ORGANIC PADDY FARMING SYSTEMS 10. Lowland paddy farming. The most widely practiced farming system in Sri Lanka is lowland paddy farming. Lowland can be defined as areas, which receive enough water or which can be irrigated. The lowland also called Wel yaya  [3]  and is mainly cultivated with rice. In lowlands, rice is the dominant crop both in terms of land use and dietary importance, and it has been the backbone of Sri Lankas agriculture over 2500 years. Lowland paddy farming is started with deep ploughing to create a hard pan at the onset of rain or with irrigated water. Harrowing and leveling under submerged conditions follow ploughing. Initiation of agricultural operations is begun at an auspicious time with special ceremony and rituals. Sowing, transplanting, weeding, pest and disease control, water management, manuring (with compost, cow dung and green matter from plant bio mass) and harvesting are other main operations involved in rice farming and each component has special traditional methods and perf ormances. 11. Upland (organic) paddy cultivation. Upland can be defined as land above the water sources, which therefore can be cultivated only under rain fed conditions or by providing lift irrigation. Following ploughing, the land up to two inches using buffalo and traditional plough, seed paddy soaked overnight is sown when rain is expected. The soil is mixed using a fork. This method increases the soil nutrients and water retention / absorption capacity of soil. Sometimes, broadcast field is covered with straw as mulch, which enhances weed control, soil moisture and nutrient retention. When grasses and hedges are grown in the field, they are cut and allowed to dry for incorporating in the field. The field is turned using hoe. Two to three weeks after turning, harrowing is done. Then seed is broadcast during mild rain. Intensity of management practices such as chemical weeding, fertilising, chemical pest and disease control are very low in this system. Water management is entirely dependent on rainfall. Usually, only is Maha season cultivated with paddy. CHAPTER 4 WHAT IS THE MORDEN AGRICULTURAL POSSIBILITIES IN SRI LANKA 1. Utilization of modern technology in agriculture and related industries can be categorized in several ways. In this study it is being categorized according to the type of streams of technology used. The main areas of technology which are being using in Sri Lankan Paddy farming can be identified as follows: ELECTRO-MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGICAL IMPROVEMENTS 2. Mechanization of agronomic practices: This includes the crop cultural practices from seed sawing to harvesting In paddy farming the first main step is pre planting land preparation and that is been mechanised with tractors including two wheels and four wheels, ploughs, rotervators, harrows etc. In Sri Lanka this step is highly mechanised specially in commercial paddy farming.Seed sawing or crop establishment is the next main step in paddy farming. There are two main methods called direct seeding and transplanting. Sophisticated machines as well as simple machines are available for the both methods. Still Sri Lankan farming community does not use hi-tech methods for this step The next main step which is been mechanised in paddy farming is harvesting and harvest cleaning. Wide range of machines are using for this process. That includes very sophisticated machines like combine harvesters which harvest, thresh and clean the harvest at once in the paddy field itself 3. Mechanization of post harvesting activities Technology is been using in this step for storing, weighing, threshing, boiling, cleaning and polishing rice. 4. Biological improvements New paddy verities Almost all paddy farmers except very few isolated farmers cultivate improved varieties. The paddy verities been improved for high yield, to minimise lodging, to gain resistively for pest and diseases. This improved the per acre yield in the country over the last three decades 5. New breading technologies New breeding technologies like genetic engineering, germplasm transplants, mutations, selective breeding are extensively using for develop new verities 6. Biological pest and diseases control methods Biological pest and disease control methods are promoting extensively among the farming community to minimize the threat for the environment and as effective and sustainable control method. These include usage of plant extracts as repellents and insecticides, introduction of parasitic insects, introduction of insect pathogens, introduction of sterile technologies etc. 7. Chemical improvements a. Fertilizer This became one of the key inputs of farming and the new improved varieties are highly sensitive for fertilizers. Improvement of fertilizers including chemical components, slow releasing fertilisers like chelates, development of new fertilizer ratios, mixing methods can be considered under this. b. Insecticides Development of new environmental friendly verities like Aparathyroid, new types, new chemicals, new application methods, bio-degradable chemical developments comes under this. c. Herbicides Development of new environmental friendly verities, new types like selective weedicides, new chemicals, new application methods, bio-degradable chemical developments comes under this d. Fungicides Fungal attacks can be effectively controlled by application of fungicides. Development of new environmental friendly verities, new types, new chemicals, new application methods, bio-degradable chemical developments comes under this. There are no effective chemical control methods for bacterial and viral diseases CHAPTER 5 FINDING RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION FINDINGS 1. During the survey it was found that the main problem faced by farmers in Sri Lanka was the insufficient average of traditional agricultural yield. Further high cost of technology , lack of high quality seeds, cost of cultivation, Non awareness of technology and low market prices were the another identified problems in this area. Further I found that following strengths and weaknesses while observing the traditional and modern agriculture in Sri Lanka. a. Production possibilities and potentialities are tremendous in the country. b. Increase of local food production is an urgent need. c. It is pre requisites for acceleration of agricultural transformation and economic growth in the country. d. Production directly affects on the increase of farmers income. e. Increase of production will reduce the level of malnutrition. f. Production market is sensitive areas that affect the political and economical background of the country. 2. Weakness observed in the paddy farming System. a. Low production of traditional farming system and modern farming productivity has discouraged the farming system. b. Land and soil degradation are leading factors for the decision of abundance of paddy farming. c. High Cost of Production has discouraged the farmers. e. here is a wide gap between the potential level and farmer yields. f. Inadequate technology transfer at village level farms. CONCLUSION 3. The general tone of the conclusion of this paper identifies that there are many obstacles and problems in paddy cultivation as well as many opportunities and potentialities for improving the high average of yield in modern and traditional agriculture in Sri Lanka. Modern Agricultural sector plays a very important role in contributing to the economy of the country. Agriculture represent 13% of the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Rice is the main staple food in Sri Lanka. Paddy sector contributes 16.5 % of the GDP of the agriculture sector. Paddy farmers represent considerable percentage of the labor force of the country. Rice is the oldest crop on earth and rice is the main consumer food in Sri Lanka and the main substitute for rice is the wheat flour. Every Government has identified the importance of the Paddy industry in Sri Lanka. Mahaweli Project is the one of the most successive project done in the country to increase the land available for the paddy cultivation. Howeve r farmers in rural provinces faced many hardships to obtain adequate harvest and revenue from paddy cultivation and other crop cultivation due to lack of new technology. 4. Presently at the country most of farmers are using Traditional agriculture in Sri Lanka and it will effect for there personnel income with out using new technology. Also without using new technology for traditional agriculture in Sri Lanka will not enable to increase of production in agriculture. Mal usage of the modern technology caused low productivity in local agriculture 5. Thus hypotheses of this research can be proven. RECOMMENDATION 6. Implementing programme which can be help for the purpose of the training about new agriculture technology with an aim of encouraging the rest of potion of farming population for new method of farming. 7. Introduction a mechanize system through agriculture department and relevant authority for remote farmers to reach new technology writhing short period of time with its proper efficiency. 8. changing of attitudes in remote farmers towards use of new technology a they are in strongly believe that modern technology can harm there traditional system of agriculture and socio-culture values which they have being practicing for long time of period. 9. Arranging possible educational programme to educate many of farmers about positive impact on the harvest where they will not be reaching through traditional method of agriculture. 10. in order to prevent the risk of loosing traditional occupation in the field of agriculture by using new modern mechanization farmer should be encourage to change their box thinking and seek for positive and possible alternative job opportunities regarding and relevant to the field of agriculture as starting of business of chemical, agriculture equipment, machinery repair and ext. 11. Government should involve specially in this problem with the purpose of upgrading the productivity which can strongly correlated to the national economy as follows. a. implementing the infrastructure specially in remote area b. opening buying centre where farmers can obtain stable income through out the year c. government should provide to facilitate technical support relevant to agricultural industry on free or low cost basis BIBILIOGRAPHY 1. Activating All Powers in Sri Lanka Agriculture- G.K. Upawansa and Rukman Wagachchi 2. Handy guide to agriculture by Dr. Thilak T. Ranasinghe 3. Directory of Research Centers in Sri Lanka 4. National Agricultural Information Network 5. A Policy Rule for the Liberalization of Agriculture in Sri Lanka HN Thenuwara 6. Rice production on acid soils of the tropics by EN Ponnamperuma 7. Harti agricultural commodity review 2006 8. Harti agricultural commodity review 2007 9. Harti agricultural commodity review 2008 Web Sites Referred 10. www.seedquest.com/News/releases/2007/may/19217.htm 11. http://www.agridept.gov.lk 12. http://www.statistics.gov.lk 13. www.sttistics.gov.lk ANNEX A QUESTIONNAIRE 1. This Questionnaire to find out to main issues encountered by the paddy cultivation in Sri Lanka and also to find out the possibility to improve the industry with new technology. This is only for the training purposes. 2. All information provided will be treated as a Confidential; please do not provide your name or any other details other than required details. Those details will not be an impact on your cultivation. 3. This Questionnaire will help me to assess the main issues faced by the impact of new technology for tradition agriculture in Sri Lanka. After completion the Questionnaire please return to Major Sarath Dasanayake by hand or post to following address before 1th March 2011. 4. Further any information and clarification you may write to or call

Reaction Rates of Sodium Thiosulphate and Hydrochloric Acid Essays

Reaction Rates of Sodium Thiosulphate and Hydrochloric Acid at Various Concentrations Introduction/ plan ------------------ I am experimenting into the reaction rates of Sodium Thiosulphate and Hydrochloric acid when under different concentrations. Both Sodium Thiosulphate and Hydrochloric acid are clear solutions but when they react together they produce a cloudy solution, the solution become so cloudy you cannot see through it. To measure the rate of reaction I am going to print off a cross from the computer onto a piece of paper, place it under the beaker with the solution in it and record the time taken for the cross not to be visible. The Symbol equation for my experiment is: Na S O (aq) + 2HCl (aq) 2NaCl (aq) + H O (l) + S (s) + SO (g) The Word equation for my experiment is: Sodium Thiosulphate + Hydrochloric Acid Sodium Chloride + Water + Sulphur + Sulphur Dioxide Equipment --------- Below is a list of the equipment I will be using throughout my experiments: * Computer draw crosses * 400ml Beakers to put solution in * 20ml beakers to place hydrochloric acid, sulphuric thiosulphate and water in * Measuring Cylinders * Pipettes to measure liquids accurately * Thermometers to check temperature is constant * Stop Clocks to record rate of reaction * Paper towels to dry equipment To make all of my experiments fair I will keep some factors the same: * The volume of solution - 40cm * The volume of hydro...

Building Technology Sba

Building Technology School Based Assessment Name: Kevan Taylor Subject: Building Technology School: Meadowbrook High School Centre Number: 100075 Territory: Jamaica Topic: Concrete Production Year of Exam: 2011 Introduction This research focuses on the production of concrete at a concrete producing factory, Pre-Mix Jamaica, located in the corporate area of Kingston and St. Andrew. The aim of this research was to get a substantial and in depth analyses of the concrete producing company so that a report can be presented.In the report, definitions, descriptions and explanations will be given on the contents presented and also, the details of the aggregates used and the tests done to ensure acceptable quality of the products ; this will be outlined with the aid of pictures and diagrams. The data was collected by visiting the production site where an analysis was done after interviewing managers, specialists and other officers and personnel on the ground. Cameras were used to take photos of critical areas of production and testing. Table of Contents Topics Page ? Jamaica Pre-Mix Ltd. †¢ Careers †¢ Norms/regulations/codes Impact of technology on careers †¢ Employment/Unemployment †¢ Security or Processing †¢ Environmental ? How Moral and ethical issues are addressed †¢ Legal policies on safety, health and welfare †¢ Moral approaches to handling health, †¢ safety and welfare issues ? Summary ? Appendices Jamaica Pre-Mix Ltd. Careers As with any other organization, Jamaica Pre-Mix Ltd. has workers of several different career fields in each of their departments. Through the employment of these various professionals and skilled workers the company is able to adequately function and achieve its objective. In fig. 1. a sample of the various skilled areas and career/posts are shown. |Careers | | | | |Site Managers |Quality Controller | |Drivers |Office staff | |Pump Operators |Security personnel | |Supervisors |Maintenance | |Batchers |personnel |Table outlining the career fields present a Jamaica Pre-Mix Ltd. Fig 1. 1 Norms/Regulations/Codes For any organization to function properly there must be regulations and codes to guide its operations. Every organization also has a culture, norms and values that it develops overtime. Outlined below are norms that were observed as well as some of the codes and regulations, that governs the operations of Jamaica Premix Ltd. Codes- †¢ The workers in the production department wear vests of different colours. This is done as a means of identification. Workers |Colour Codes | | | | |Supervisors |Red | |Driver |Green | |Pump Operators |Orange |Table outlining the colour codes of the workers Fig 1. 0 †¢ While some of the workers wear vests, others wear formal clothes on which the logo of the company is attached. Norms/Regulations- †¢ While on the plant, it is ensured that safety precautions is taken, such as wearing safety gears. Some of the safety gears worn ar e goggles, hard hats, gloves ,hard boots and dusks masks. Pictures of some of the safety gears used on the plant Fig1. 2 †¢ Before each batch of concrete is dispatched to its destination, samples are taken and tested.This is done to ensure that the best quality is delivered at all times †¢ Concrete mixing/ delivery trucks and other concrete carrying equipment are weighed before and after they enter and leave the plant in order to ensure that they contain the right amount of concrete desired by costumers ; and also to ensure that their weights are appropriate to traverse the public roads. Impact of Technology on Careers Employment/unemployment Technology has great impacts on jobs and opportunities in organizations on a whole.Through the employment of machines, the need for an intensive labour force is reduced. This will result in reduced labor cost and may subsequently result in reduced production cost. Pre-Mix Jamaica has made much use of technology for its everyday operat ions which has made them less reliant on human labor for certain every day routine tasks. Processing Technology has impacted careers involved with processing in both positive and negative ways. Careers such as quality controlling, batching and maintenance engineering all involved some form of processing.Positives- †¢ Tasks are able to be carried out more efficiently and in a logical manner, for instance, one mixing truck can mix much more concrete than several laborers mixing manually. Negatives- †¢ The application of technology to processing can result in loss of jobs for unskilled workers †¢ It can also make us overly dependent on machines such that we loose our craftsmanship. †¢ Technology is antisocial and thus can promote this at the workplace. Environmental Careers relating to the environment are very important and they also are greatly impacted by technology.Pre-Mix Jamaica is located in a built up area where there are institutions such as schools and othe r business close by. Hence Pre-Mix has the responsibility to be as environmentally friendly as possible, especially because their production of concrete produces a lot of pollutants. In mitigating against this problem, the supervisors at the complex ensure that the compound is watered regularly using water trucks. Methods of addressing Ethical and Moral Considerations Legal policies on safety, health and welfareAt any established organization, the safety health and welfare of the staff must be considered. In other words, policies have to be put in place to ensure that the staff rights are observed and respected. Companies such as Pre-Mix Jamaica Ltd. adhere to guidelines or regulations that are enforced by trade unions such as the National Workers Union. Some of the policies at the Pre-Mix Jamaica Ltd. involve; †¢ Providing health covering arrangements such health insurance through the company for the benefit of the staff and their familiesMoral approaches to handling health, s afety and wealthfare issues As welfare issues are encountered in our day to day lives whether at home or at a plant, moral approaches have to be made concerning how they are handled. Pre-Mix Jamaica Ltd. ensures that they make responsible approaches in handling these matters as they are mostly dealt with by persons in authority such as their managers or their human relations officers. †¢ Before entering the plant, visitors are briefed on the rules and regulations concerning their safety while on the plant. Personnel from the Ministry of Health visit the plant to make sure the immediate surrounding contains uncontrolled toxic elements that could threaten the life of anyone. †¢ Vehicles are made available so that that if anyone on the plant should have an accident, reliable transportation Summary Major Findings ? Jamaica Pre-Mix Limited is the only fully computerized concrete plant on the island of Jamaica ? The have maintained a high standard of being the islands top produc er of concrete. ? The company is a ready mix organization, meaning they manufacture in a batching plant according to a set recipe, then deliver to construction sites.Recommendations ? It is recommended that enough protective gears are available to visitors on the site for future use. ? It is also recommended that the organization is given advanced notice for research visitors so that they can be well prepared. Limitations ? The length of time of the visit was too short; hence it limited the amount of knowledge that could be gained. ? Not all departments were visited at the company; therefore a lot of useful information was unfortunately not received. Appendices Fig1. 3 Figure 1. depicts concrete being batched into a mixing truck from one of the silos. The Aggregates will then be mixed into the truck so that the concrete may be suitable for use. Fig1. 4 Figure 1. 4 shows samples of concrete placed into moulds. After they are hardened, they are demoulded then placed into a curing tank for seven days. Their strength is then tested by compressing them with machines. Fig1. 5 In Figure 1. 5, there is a heavy duty machine seen on the plant. It is used to get large quantity of materials such as gravel from one point to another. [pic]

Racism in “Snow Falling on Cedars” by David Guterson Essay

In Snow Falling on Cedars, the theme of racism stands out most strongly. Events, characters’ attitudes, and emotions are all directly related with the surrounding environment of racial tension, caused by war hysteria. This prejudice retains a strong hold over the people of San Piedro Island, as well as all over America at this time. Events in the novel take place as a direct result of bigotry, such as the search for a â€Å"right handed Jap.† This comment made by Horace Whaley to Sheriff Moran, caused a search warrant to be issued, with special attention to persons of physically apparent Japanese descent. Even while in court, a supposed place of justice, racial barriers still existed. Nels Gudmundsson attempted to overcome this obstacle by his statement of â€Å"†¦the shape of Kabuo Miyamoto’s eyes, the country of his parents’ birth — these things must not influence your decision. You must sentence him simply as an American, equal in the eyes of our legal system to every other American.† to the jury. Most characters in the novel are racist against the Japanese, except Arthur Chambers, who is accused of siding with the â€Å"enemy† for contributing Japanese points-of-view into his newspaper editorials, and his son, Ishmael, who later views Japanese in a negative light. Ishmael’s change in attitude occurs because of his frustration in the failure of his pursuit of Hatsue. Etta Heine’s attitude towards the Japanese is among the worst of any character in Snow Falling on Cedars. She does not see the Japanese as an equal race, but as an evil, vengeful race with ulterior motives. Etta’s skepticism becomes obvious in the meeting between Carl, Zenhichi, and herself, through her thoughts; â€Å"he was always nodding†¦It was how they got the better of you–they acted small thought big†. David Guterson developed the theme by the general condescending attitude and actions by the whites towards the Japanese. There is constant tension between characters of different races (Etta and Zenhichi), problems with interracial relationships (Ishmael and Hatsue), and a fearful, bigoted dialogue; â€Å"They’re Japs†¦We’re in a war with them. We can’t have spies  around.† The majority of elements in the novel revolve around racial issues, as Guterson creates an important and poignant theme of a difficult era in American history.