Women in mathematics,Science,and Engineering Essay - 1

Women in mathematics,Science,and Engineering - Essay Example However, women are highly underrepresented in science and technology studies at the secondary and tertiary levels of education, and in the overall technical workforce. This is despite evidence that suggests further involvement of women in technology related fields would greatly improve innovations and economic development in most countries (OECD, 11). Young girls are currently less involved in technical subjects as early as in their high school level; only a third of students in OECD countries taking biology, advanced chemistry, and physics related subjects are girls. In the United States, only 15% of girls are enrolled in advanced computer science studies, despite the growing computer literacy among all young people. Therefore, there is need to critically address the low enrollment of women in science and technology based fields to bridge the large gap between male and female expatriates in science and technical fields. Currently, women in US and other OECD countries are increasingl y enrolling in male dominated engineering and mathematics fields; there has been a remarkable impact on the number of women enrolling for engineering and math intensive courses.... There is a serious under representation of women in engineering enrollment in the western world. In the US, there are evident and remarkable differences in the numbers of females enrolled in various engineering disciplines. These trends are indicative of specific university features, or some courses appearing attractive to females, resulting in higher numbers of female students in some science and technical courses compared to others (Gill etal, 392). For example, in Australia, though engineering is regarded as one of the highly paid professions, requires high tertiary scores before admission to university, and has the highest level of employment from the graduate level, females in Australia make below 14% of the total first year enrollments in engineering; this is despite the given incentives, high professional status of engineers, and high pay offered in engineering (Grill et al, 392). Moreover, in Australia, women have been leaving the engineering profession at a much higher rate compared to men, which suggests that women underrepresentation in engineering will continue to worsen. This is complicated by the fact that high performing females who overcome the barriers to score highly in math and science subjects, and would be expected to take engineering as the best course, prefer other courses such as Law and medicine, with female students making more than 50% of first year enrollments in these studies across Australia (Grill et al, 392). The trend where high performing female students in Australia prefer law and medicine to engineering hints on the social implications of being an engineer. Law and medicine are associated with

Importance Of The Trade Unions In Thatchers Downfall Politics Essay

Importance Of The Trade Unions In Thatchers Downfall Politics Essay To what extent was the conflict with the Trade Unions the main reasons for Thatchers fall? The conflict with the trade unions played a significant part in relation to Margaret Thatchers resignation, in November 1990, however there are other reasons which led to her fall in November 1990. The main issues that occurred were that Mrs. Thatchers hostility towards the European Union which caused division within the Conservative Party and a European diplomatic crisis and the introduction of poll tax. Mrs. Thatcher was committed to reducing the trade unions power because she believed their leadership was undermining parliamentary democracy and economic performance  [1]  . A view also shared by Walsh-Atkins who stated that before Mrs. Thatcher became Prime Minister, the Trade Unions had a high and possibly damaging influence on the economy.  [2]  Collins and Seldon state Thatcher was determined to prove that it was she and not the NUM that ruled Britain  [3]  . This shows the trade unions influence over how the country was run and Thatcher was determined to reduce the unions power. The miners strike in March 1984 was the climax of confrontation between the unions and Thatchers government. The strike was ordered without a national ballot. However, Lynch states Scargills NUM never had any real hope of success  [4]  as the strike was weakened by breakaway miners who remained at work, and the refusal of key unions, such as power-station workers, to join the struggle.  [5]  Eventually, the miners lost the British publics support due to the violence and economic crisis the strikes caused. Thatcher states The Battles at Orgreave had an enormous impact and did a great deal to turn public opinion against the miners  [6]  .Also backed by Walsh-Atkins stating polls had revealed the public to be strongly anti-Scargill  [7]  a view also supported by Lynch stating public opinion became largely pro-government  [8]  . Eventually the National Union of Miners conceded defeat and mines closed. This strike boosted public opinion for Thatchers government and improved relationships with the TUC. The Sunday Times states The memory was still fresh of Mrs Thatchers commitment to defeat with the enemy within  [9]  and that The polls showed throughout that most people rejected Scargills interpretation of what was at stake  [10]  and shows this was not the main reason for Mrs Thatchers downfall in 1990. Running Word Count: 560Mrs Thatcher had a very hostile approach to the EU, her views and entire debate on the EU was to arouse huge controversy  [11]  during her premiership, her views subsequently began to question her leadership, playing a key part in her fall in 1990. In 1986, when the Single European Act was signed, against Mrs. Thatchers policies of trying to denominate the neoliberal revolution  [12]  . Throughout her premiership, she was strongly against European integration and was determined to reduce the British contribution to the ECC budget  [13]  . In 1987 she had agreed to something that went against what she hoped for the UK  [14]  and Walsh-Watkins states other key figures in the party.were obviously moving in a different direction.  [15]  The Single European Act was to divide the Conservative Party and the country even more. Mrs. Thatcher had an out-and-out policy against advancements in European integration  [16]  ; however Walsh-Watkins stat es that what she argued for was a willing and active co-operation between independent sovereign nations'  [17]  . In October 1990, Thatcher was persuaded to join the Exchange Rate Mechanism by Lawson, Lowes and Major. It led to Black Wednesday and economic disaster on 16th September 1992 leading to Britain humiliatingly withdrawing from the Exchange Rate Mechanism in late 1992. As a result of her European policies, in 1990, her cabinet was divided over the issues including the European Community  [18]  . The relationship between the party and PM was edgy as most Conservatives didnt support Mrs. Thatchers ideas or views, commonly referred to as Thatcherism. This view is shared by Vinen who states European policy distance her from the two men who had been most influential in her governments during the 1980s Howe and Lowes.  [19]  Howe later resigned from office after Mrs. Thatcher refused to join the Euro, and Thatcher lost support as Howe was a key political figure in th e Conservative party. Howes resignation is seen as the key catalyst for the leadership challenge of Michael Heseltine à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. as well as Thatchers subsequent resignation.  [20]  This view is also shared by Seldon and Collings who state Howes departure made even loyal Tory MPs feel that perhaps she had to go now.  [21]  Howes resignation speech is seen as an invitation for others to come forward and challenge her  [22]  This speech was seen by many Conservative MPs as having witnessed the undoing of the Prime Minister.  [23]  Therefore, the issues regarding Europe are seen as the main reason for Thatchers fall. Running Word Count: 1,213The introduction of the poll tax, or community charge, in 1990 created civil unrest in Britain. Mass riots occurred in Central London on 31st March 1990 and support for the government dropped significantly when opinion polls were showing 2% support  [24]  Conservative MPs joined the demonstrations against setting poll tax limits and against poll tax generally. As demonstrations unfolded, speculation developed for the first time about Thatchers position as leader  [25]  . This view is also shared by Charmley stating the poll tax riots had echoes of the Peasants Revolt of 1381, which threatened to dethrone the Monarch; there were echoes of that in a contemporary situation, too, with Mrs Thatcher now cast in the role of Richard II  [26]  . One of the PMs closest advisors, Nigel Lawson, hated the idea of poll tax because he believed it put people into the tax system  [27]  rather than taking people out and Michael Heseltine walked out of the cabin et on another issues minutes before it was due to endorse the poll tax  [28]  . Heseltine later voted against the implementation of poll tax in England. After the implementation of poll tax, Vinen states Sir Anthony Meyer announced that he would challenge  [29]  Thatchers position as Prime Minister. He became anti-Thatcher due to Mrs. Thatchers anti-Europe views. Michael Heseltine also launched a leadership challenge against Mrs. Thatcher but lost by 52 votes (204-152) but Gibson states in the actual election contest Europe became relegated to a minor role and domestic issues, especially the poll tax, emerged as much more important  [30]  and thus the leadership challenge led to Mrs. Thatchers resignation and therefore shows that poll tax was the main reason for Mrs. Thatchers resignation in 1990. This view is reinforced by Lynch who states this created fury in the country at large, provided a cause around her opponents rallied and alienated some of the Conservative Part ys staunchest supporters  [31]  this is evident as Gibson states in the parliamentary by-elections in Eastbourne, where the Conservatives had a majority of 16,923 in 1987  [32]  , the Conservatives lost the by-election to the Liberal Democrats on a 20% swing  [33]  . Lynch further states that the poll tax was to destroy her position  [34]  as PM, along with Britains relationship with Europe, Gibson also states that could the government, in this case, simply made a mistake?  [35]  thus showing that questions about Thatchers leadership was under question therefore, shows that poll tax played a big part in Mrs. Thatchers resignation later on in November 1990. The Falklands War was a pivotal moment in Thatchers premiership, putting Britains foreign relations to the test and Vinen states that Sir Henry Leach  [36]  the most senior Royal Navy officer said that if Britain didnt re-capture the Falklands, Britain would be living in a very different country whose word means nothing  [37]  which implies that Foreign relations would become complex. When Britain declared war with Argentina it caused a diplomatic crisis, with the EEC and United Nations giving its support to Britain, announcing economic sanctions against Argentina  [38]  , straining Britains foreign affairs. However, when Britain reclaimed the Falklands Mrs. Thatchers support was at its highest and Baker states by transforming the spirit of the nation the Falklands war also transformed the spirit and fortunes of the Government  [39]  therefore, the outcome of the war helped Mrs. Thatcher to win the 1983 elections. This view is supported by Sergeant who states the succ ess of the Falklands War helped produce a landslide for Mrs Thatcher in 1983.  [40]  Lynch agrees stating The reward for her leadership during the Falklands crisis came in the 1983 election  [41]  therefore, clearly showing that the Falklands War was not behind Mrs Thatchers downfall in 1990. Running Word Count: 1,909To conclude based on the evidence, I think that the conflict with the trade unions was not the main reason for Margaret Thatchers fall and that the introduction of the poll tax, in 1990, was the cause of her fall.

Geography and Biodiversity of Acre in Brazil :: Geology

Acre is the Westernmost Brazilian state, and neighbor to Amazonas and Rondà ´nia, spanning about 55,000 square miles. Its capital Rio Branco is home to the 288, 907 of the total 438,489 denizens (1996). The whole of Acre is contained within the Amazon Basin and 93% of it is tropical rain forest. Notwithstanding the great extent of deforestation, the biodiversity of Acre and the surrounding Amazon Basin remains extensive; there are the mammoth trees, countless species of palm trees, vines, bushes, ferns; there are copaà ­ba, Brazil-nuts, various fruits such as cupuaà §u and graviola; species of insects, fish, the parrots, araras and other birds, so rare that scientists have yet to describe them; there are cicadas, caimans, the rays, the land-and sweet-water turtles, tapirs, the monkeys, and jaguars. First Rubber Tappers The first upsurge of immigration to the Brazilian Amazon resulted from the European and North American industries' need for rubber at the end of the 19th century. "Seringalistas " as the owners of the new rubber companies, would acquire huge areas of the Brazilian rain forest in order to extract the raw material for the rubber (the latex from the rubber trees). This "rubber boom," which brought wealth to the cities of Belem and Manaus, was eliminated with the British rubber production in Malaysia. Therefore, many of the Seringalistas went bankrupt and returned to the northeast. Once again this condition was reversed during the Second World War, when the Japanese, who were allied with the Germans, usurped the Malaysian plantations. In order to conduct war one must have a supply of rubber, so rubber was once again in high demand in order to supply the allies against the Germans with rubber. People from northeast Brazil returned to extract rubber, which caused the second wave of immigration from the northeast. This time the flood of people was termed the "rubber soldiers" because they had the choice either to go to war against the Germans or become rubber tappers (people who extract latex sap trees and later dry the sap to create rubber). Development of the Amazon Brazil had an uncharted frontier to conquer, but the Amazon was in the way. So the Brazilian government resolved to encourage the clearing of forests and the conversion of previous forestland to pastures via tax benefits and direct subsidies. "With government subsidy in one hand and a chain saw in the other, ranchers and colonists advanced over the rain forest at a frightening pace," felling and burning 23,000 square kilometers (8,880 sq. Geography and Biodiversity of Acre in Brazil :: Geology Acre is the Westernmost Brazilian state, and neighbor to Amazonas and Rondà ´nia, spanning about 55,000 square miles. Its capital Rio Branco is home to the 288, 907 of the total 438,489 denizens (1996). The whole of Acre is contained within the Amazon Basin and 93% of it is tropical rain forest. Notwithstanding the great extent of deforestation, the biodiversity of Acre and the surrounding Amazon Basin remains extensive; there are the mammoth trees, countless species of palm trees, vines, bushes, ferns; there are copaà ­ba, Brazil-nuts, various fruits such as cupuaà §u and graviola; species of insects, fish, the parrots, araras and other birds, so rare that scientists have yet to describe them; there are cicadas, caimans, the rays, the land-and sweet-water turtles, tapirs, the monkeys, and jaguars. First Rubber Tappers The first upsurge of immigration to the Brazilian Amazon resulted from the European and North American industries' need for rubber at the end of the 19th century. "Seringalistas " as the owners of the new rubber companies, would acquire huge areas of the Brazilian rain forest in order to extract the raw material for the rubber (the latex from the rubber trees). This "rubber boom," which brought wealth to the cities of Belem and Manaus, was eliminated with the British rubber production in Malaysia. Therefore, many of the Seringalistas went bankrupt and returned to the northeast. Once again this condition was reversed during the Second World War, when the Japanese, who were allied with the Germans, usurped the Malaysian plantations. In order to conduct war one must have a supply of rubber, so rubber was once again in high demand in order to supply the allies against the Germans with rubber. People from northeast Brazil returned to extract rubber, which caused the second wave of immigration from the northeast. This time the flood of people was termed the "rubber soldiers" because they had the choice either to go to war against the Germans or become rubber tappers (people who extract latex sap trees and later dry the sap to create rubber). Development of the Amazon Brazil had an uncharted frontier to conquer, but the Amazon was in the way. So the Brazilian government resolved to encourage the clearing of forests and the conversion of previous forestland to pastures via tax benefits and direct subsidies. "With government subsidy in one hand and a chain saw in the other, ranchers and colonists advanced over the rain forest at a frightening pace," felling and burning 23,000 square kilometers (8,880 sq.

Cosmic Creations Myths Across Culture Essay

Many Christians have a very vague idea about the collection of the Old- Testament. The Old-Testament books are stories of the most famous myths. The Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) is a book of Hebrew text, assemble by Jewish scholars of the seventh to tenth centuries A. D. It also contains two stories of creation. In addition, the book of Genesis is known as the book of creation of humankind. The book is also believes to be written during the reign of King Solomon and known as possessing two authors. The first story of creation states that, â€Å"In the beginning God creates the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1 – 2:4, is the story of creation in six days and resting on the seventh. The emphasis of this story is the creation of order out of chaos. The second author speaks of the creator of humankind, â€Å"Yaweh. † This story focuses more on human temptation and punishment. The creator, Yahweh made the heavens and the earth. It is said that Yahweh took dust from the moist land and shapes it into the shape of man. He breathes the breath of life into man and he comes to life. Yahweh is the creator of all things from the Garden of Eden, to the rivers that flow from the four corners of the world. He is also the creator of the Garden of Eden, the tree of life, and the tree knowledge of good/evil. One day after watching man, he decides that man should have a help-mate. He causes man to fall into a deep sleep and remove one of his ribs, creating woman. The man was Adam (earth or clay) and the woman name was Eve (life). The myth goes on to state how Adam and Eve eats the apple from the tree of knowledge after the serpent deceives them. In addition, eating the apple opens their eyes to the knowledge of good and evil. They are then ban from the Garden of Eden. Yahweh curses the serpent, Adam, and Eve. He places a half-human, half-lion creature with wings at the gates to keep them out. The emphasis of this story, generally agrees to be the older story of the two, is on the development of the problem of evil and what its origins are. Another recognizes the division of the two accounts; the first gives details accountable for the whole creation whereas the second one is focuses on the creation of man. The world consists of many myths like the universal flood. The universal flood, from the book Genesis: Chapter six-eight, is a world- wide historical myth. The Book of Genesis, believe to be written by Moses, is an interesting myth. The Old-Testament states that the earths receives rain for 40 days and 40 night to exterminate all of mankind. Liberal Christians believe the legendary Noah’s flood is just a spiritual myth. However, the Conservative Christians, believe the book of Genesis was written by Moses under the inspiration of God. Interpretations of the ark, plays an important role in early Christian doctrine. They believe the worldwide flood happens just as Moses records it. That God gives Noah instructions for building the ark: it is to be of gopher wood with the inside and out with pitch. There were three decks, one door (in the side) and a window 18 inches high probably running around the top of the vessel under the roof. It was about 450-feet, long by 75-feet in beam, and 45- high. The creation of the ark is to protect those who would reproduce the earth. The supernatural myth is that all humans and animals will be extent, except for those who made it to safety on the ark: two or seven animals of each â€Å"kind,† and Noah, his wife, and family. The universal flood was the largest genocide in history, involving the extermination of all almost every man, woman, youth, child, infant, and newborn. Christians believe God intentionally triggers the physical processes that would lead to the extermination of all of the land animals and all but eight humans in the flood because of humanity’s sinful behavior. Typically liberal Christians of the Old-Testament, Noachian, Babylonian, and hundreds of other believe a myth. There are many links in some ways of the Old-Testament and the Babylonians historic flood. There is no source of sufficient water to produce a worldwide flood that covered the highest mountains. Even if it did happen, there is no place to which the flood waters could subside. Genesis was written over an interval of many centuries by at least five author/editors. The universal flood story was derives from an earlier Babylonian myth by two of these authors. The Genesis flood myth is obviously base on an earlier Babylonian myth; there are many correspondences between the two legends. The Babylonian myth appears as an earlier legend that in turn, bases memories of the Black Sea catastrophe. The â€Å"Epic of Creation,† of the Babylonian, also known as Enuma Elish, dates to the second millennium B. C. Before anything had a name there was Aspu (sweet water) and Tiamet (salt –water). With the creation between the two they begot Lahmu and Lahamu. With the joining of the gods create Ansha, Kishar, and Anu. As the creation proceeds through generations, there is creation of Ea and his brothers. Ea and his brothers cause disruptions and Aspu becomes furious. He plots with gods of the first generation to slew Ea and his brothers. However, Ea hears of the plot and kills Aspu first. Tiamet hearing of her husband death sends out an army of creatures she creates. She creates the Kingu, a leader for the creatures, to avenge Aspu death. Ea, however; has a plan of his own. The myth states that Ea and Damkina create Marduk (Assur) to defend divine beings from the attack of Tiamet, the ocean goddess. Marduk propositions the gods and ensures their safety only if he becomes their supreme leader and forever. The gods agree that he would be their leader even after the treats pass. After agreeing to the terms Marduk slew Tiamet by ripping her body into two halves. These two halves became the earth and the sky. After the death of Tiamet the gods and Marduk in agreement and the creation of Babylon begin. Marduk creates the planets, stars, coordinate the moon, sun, and the -whether. In addition, Marduk becomes the sun. He decides to relieve the gods of external labor by creating mankind. It is said he creates bones (from the monsters he slew), cover them with flesh and breaths the breath of life forever freeing gods work. In conclusion, many parallels with the Genesis, accounts for that some historians concluding that Genesis account was simply a rewriting of the Babylonian story. As a reaction, many who wants to maintain the uniqueness of the Bible, argues either that there is no real parallels between the two accounts or that the Genesis narratives are written first and the Babylonian myth copies the biblical account.

Juvenile Justice Subsystems Essay

The role of the police is to enforce the law and maintain order in the community. In 2000, there were approximately 18,000 police agencies employing more than one million full-time sworn and non-sworn personnel. They are intimately involved in juvenile justice issues, they mostly operate locally, and are thus in close proximity to towns and neighborhoods. For juvenile offenders and victims, local police are often their first contact with juvenile justice authorities. The reason for this is simply stated: Juvenile offenders who break the law are frequently taken to the police as a first option, or the police may apprehend them while observing them committing an offense. Youths who have been victimized or whose welfare is at risk are likewise referred to police custody—for their own protection. The Judicial Subsystem The judicial component of the juvenile justice system is composed of many of the same personnel as found in the adult system. These include judges, administrators, prosecutors, and defense counsel. It is a civil (rather than criminal) system, so there is also a significant amount of participation by social workers, probation officers, case managers, and other professionals whose primary duty is to inform and advise the court on the status of each juvenile. The Corrections Subsystem Juvenile correctional institutions are regulated under state law and must comply with state and federal mandates for the humane treatment of youths who have been consigned to locked or other residential facilities. The underlying mission of juvenile corrections is to treat and rehabilitate youths. Although many facilities are highly restrictive, and confinement conditions can approximate those found in some adult facilities, it is the duty of this subsystem to â€Å"correct† the behavior of offenders.