Ethics and Moral Reasoning

The Facts about Religion and Its Historical Development

The Facts about Religion and Its Historical Development Religion is the worship and belief in a supernatural power, especially a god or gods. Different people belong to different religions depending on their beliefs and ideologies. Most of the religions practiced in the world today began over 2,000 years ago. From the course materials, various ‘facts’ have been identified about religion and its historical development.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on The Facts about Religion and Its Historical Development specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The first fact about religions during the pre-1500 period is that they formed an important part of human culture. During the period, religion and culture were two elements that united people in different regions. People depended on gods for revelation, healing and spiritual guidance (Lecture Notes). They did not visit a doctor or specialist for healing or revelation. The second fact is that no one can judge whether a give n religion has the right beliefs or not. All the major religions have their own unique beliefs and faiths. The outstanding fact is that human beings cannot decide whether the views, teachings and beliefs of the religions are wrong or right. This explains why there are differences in these major religions. The other important discovery is that members of a particular religion place their faith in that religion alone (Lecture Notes). This fact has made religions very complicated to understand. Human beings are free to make their own decisions about faith and beliefs without the influence of other people. The third fact about religions during the traditional world is obtained from the book The World: A Brief History: Combined Volume by Felipe Fernandez-Armesto. During the period, most of the civilizations were promoted by these ancient religions. During the traditional world, religious practices brought people together thereby promoting development. This made it easier for them to work together and promote social development. Architects wanted to build long-lasting churches and mosques. As a result, the world began to civilize slowly by slowly (Fernandez-Armesto 52). Most of the ancient civilizations are linked to the people’s religious practices. These religions led to the establishment of modern systems of education and leadership. The other fact from the book is that all the major world religions began during or before the Traditional World. These religious groups have retained their religious practices and ideologies for very many years. During the time, people from different religious groups could not coexist freely.Advertising Looking for assessment on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Individuals belonging to different religions habited different geographical regions during the traditional period (Fernandez-Armesto 57). The traditional world occupied the entire worl d until 1500 when things began to change. The traditional world was characterized by slow growth, lack of communication and poor living conditions. The world was also isolated due to geographical distances. The BBC website states another fact that Christianity was the worlds biggest religion and faith during the pre-1500 period. The website goes further to say that the religion was founded on the views and teaching of Jesus Christ. Majority of Christians believed that Christ showed them the way towards eternal justice and peace (â€Å"Religion† par. 2). Christians believe in the existence of one Supreme God, but in Him there are three elements: God the Son, the Father and the Holy Ghost. The believers worshiped in special houses called synagogues. The early Christians considered the Bible as the Holy Book. The Bible consisted of the New and Old Testament. This has remained the same even in the modern and present world. Fernandez-Armesto, Felipe. The World A Brief History, C ombined Volume. New York: Pearson, 2009. Print. Religions 2012. Web. bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/ataglance/glance.shtml

The Emergence of the Project of Development Essay

The Emergence of the Project of Development - Essay Example Scientific aspects of modernization emerged during the cold war, and applied in the decolonization period to change the world economy. Escobar (25) points out that technology emerged during the colonial period and during the world war. In the time of World War II, countries such as Germany engaged in reinvention of technology to support their armies during the time of war. The colonial government introduced technology in agriculture and this led to the change in agricultural style during the period of decolonization.In the advent of technology, colonized countries modeled their agricultural style, which formed a critical part of the project of global development. With improved productivity in agriculture, many continents including Africa and Asia developed and improved their economic independence. Briefly, the decolonization and post war period formed a critical step towards project development. However, a more interesting twist of events culminating to project development was the sp ecialization brought about by modernization. Technological advancement led to specialization in many facets of production. For instance, food processing industries focused on processing and hence able to develop at a higher rate. Likewise, all other facets were able to develop faster. In many countries, the post-colonial period became a period of political development and consequential socio-economic changes. Indeed, during the decolonization period, countries such as South Africa became conscious of identity politics.

Community and Citizenship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Community and Citizenship - Essay Example The latter is mainly about how the elements of capitalism and urban living have transformed the dynamics of the community from the solid communal relationship to a mere arena of exchanges that promote the interests of individuals. The traditional community becomes the more interesting of the two and we can see this as Robyn Ferrel narrated a rural Australian experience. In the narrative, there was the European attempt in establishing settlements and, consequently, in building new communities in an unchartered land. Such experience is characterized by several elements that are fundamental in several other discourses such as in understanding utopia, democracy and citizenship. From both of the pieces, Community and Pinjarra 1970, one finds that communities evolve. It does not follow, however, that when change occurs, the very concept of community is threatened to be eliminated. There is the lesson of history to remind us of the significance of the past and the traditions that holds soci ety together. Topic 2: Communitarian Identity In reading Mark Reinhardt and Seyla Banhabib’s works, it is easy to understand how communitarian identity is seen as the ideological opposition to the liberal identity.

Role of exercise in the management of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee Term Paper

Role of exercise in the management of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee or hip and the oral care practices that ICU nurses conduct. Roddy and Ganz Assessments - Term Paper Example The research under consideration aims at assessment of the use of Delphi technique to arrive at the 10 recommendations for the role that the administration of exercise therapy plays in the management and treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee and the hip, completing the Roddy Analysis Worksheet and assessment of the oral care practices that ICU nurses conduct; to compare these practices with the present evidence-based practice; and to determine whether using evidence-based practice (EBP) was associated with professional and demographic characteristics completing the Ganz Analysis Worksheet. After each of the two worksheets the author Analyzes and Supports whether the changes recommended are statistically valid. Introduction: Question1: Completing the Roddy Analysis Worksheet The research question: How to develop a new method for the purpose of determining the SOR and incorporating the research evidence and expert opinion. Using a multidisciplinary panel to produce 10 recommendations that relate to the role of exercise in the management of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee or hip. Independent and dependent variables: Dependent variable: management of OA of the knee and hip Independent variables: exercise therapy The sample size. The choosing of the sample size : The sample size is 95. The research has used panel sampling ... chers’ conclusion Roddy and his group conclude that when comparing existing traditional methodology the newer systems of grading SOR will be less constrained and will offer an advantage of enabling the SOR to be appraised according to expert opinions which are consistent with the fundamentals of evidence-based medicine. Controlling the error Roddy and his group control the error by assigning significant differences between the research group and a significant linearity of p= 0.001 (in both cases) Concerns with the study The research study is very thorough and binding in establishing whether existing methodology allows SOR to be appraised for recommendations with randomized controlled trials which have been rendered unethical or impractical, or not. Analyzing and Supporting Whether the Changes Recommended Are Statistically Valid It is clear that the changes recommended by Roddy et al (2006) are statistically valid and sound enough to make practice changes in a hospital. The chi ef reason for this observation is that the recommendation considers the category of the evidence (which ranges from 1 to 4) and the mean strengths of the recommendations, in order to determine the strength of recommendation (ranging from A to D). Only the ninth of the ten recommendations is not recommendable. The recommendations show logical relations of correlation and causality between aerobic exercises and health status among patients with hip and knee OA. The rationale of the research that Roddy et al (2006) conducted also confirms the validity of the research recommendations. This is because, generally, and according to Roddy et al (2006), clinical guidelines gauge the validity of the recommendations, according to the compelling nature of supporting evidence which has been adduced in the

Definition Of Outdoor Recreation Physical Education Essay

Definition Of Outdoor Recreation Physical Education Essay The term Recreation, which came from the word Recreate means to create a new. Outdoor recreationist defined recreations as recreating something new in people which they have lost while getting so indulged in their work. But the question arises, to re-create what? Therefore, what has been lost during the non leisure time that needs to be recreated during the leisure time? In line with that, Kelly, (1996) states that Recreation stems from the Latin recreatio, which refers to restoration or recovery. The term implies the re-creation of energy or the restoration of ability to function. Recreation contains the concept of restoration of wholeness of mind, spirit, and body. It presupposes some other activity that depletes, tires, or deteriorates that wholeness(p. 25). In other words, people need to move from their working environment and do some kind of activities which can fill that wholeness whining them. Hence, this can only be achieved through outdoor recreation activities. Outdoor recreation, is any leisure time activity which is being conducted outdoor where individuals engages themselves either physically or mentally from a range of choices of activities for their personal satisfaction and enjoyment. This wide range of activities can be subdivided into two categories which are namely, resource based and user-oriented recreation. The resource based recreation is known to be conducted in the natural surrounding that cannot be easily duplicated by man and on the contrary, user-oriented recreation can be provided anywhere such as theme parks. Types of outdoor activity There are a wide variety of outdoor activities which can be categorized into land based activity or water based activity. Some of the well known activities are listed below; Bicycling Camping Canoeing/Kayaking Boating Fishing Freshwater Swimming Hiking Horseback Riding Hunting Motorized OHV Riding Nature Study Picnicking Beach Activities Visiting Archeological and Historic Sites Canoeing/Kayaking Canoeing/kayaking refers to the use of one or more single or dual blades, paddles, to propel a canoe or kayak forward with only human muscle power. For planning purposes canoeing/kayaking also represents many different forms of paddling activities, such as rafting or whitewater rafting. A majority of the use is facilitated through canoe/kayak launches and designated paddling trails, although such facilities are not absolutely required. Boating Freshwater and saltwater boating is the leisure activity of traveling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat focused on travel itself. Boats vary greatly, from powerboats to sailboats or humanà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ powered vessels. Although there are many different forms of boating, their basic similarly is the requirement of a water body as their principal supporting resource. To provide access to a body of water, boat ramp facilities and marina facilities are commonly developed by outdoor recreation providers. Swimming Freshwater swimming is an outdoor recreation type embracing all of the various activities carried on in fresh water in which the participant is the sole means of locomotion. Specialized variations of swimming include diving, skin diving, and SCUBA diving. Resources and facilities commonly found at outdoor recreation areas that provide freshwater swimming include beach areas, docks and swimming and diving platforms. Benefits Framework Outdoor and adventure activities benefits have been analysed and portrayed by using a variety of models/framework in the past. As presented in the work of Stiehl and Parker (2007), these model and framework have been summarized in table 1-4. Table 1 Benefits of Outdoor Adventure (Darst Armstrong, 1980) Dimension Benefit Personal New experience adds a kick to participantsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸ lives, allows them to experience something High-risk experience facing perceived danger may help participants overcome fears, gain self-confidence, and enhance their ability to cope Escape offers release form the tensions and complexities of modern life Success allows participants to achieve a highly personal senses of accomplishment Knowledge participants learn more about themselves and the environment Physical fitness physical activity can help burn calories and increase strength, stamina, and flexibility Economic Minimal financial investment provides interesting and pleasant activities at a reasonable cost Social-psychological Socializing provides a chance to meet others who have similar interests Unity promotes cohesiveness and doing things together without the distractions of everyday life Cooperation and trust promotes better relationships through cooperation, appreciation of others, compassion and respect Nature and outdoors promotes aesthetics appreciation for nature and concern for vanishing wild places Table 2 Benefits of Outdoor Adventure (Ewert, 1989) Dimension Benefit Psychological Benefits on a personal (versus group) basis: Self concept (enhanced or strengthened view), self-efficacy (self-confidence), self-actualisation (well-being, improved self-expression, feelings of psychological health) Sociological Compassion, cooperation, respect for others, communication Educational Improved academic abilities, awareness of nature and the environment, problem solving, outdoor skills, values clarification Physical Strength, co-ordination, balance, cardiovascular endurance Table 3 Goals and Benefits of Outdoor Adventure (Webb, 1999) Dimension Benefit Recreational Enjoyment, relaxation, entertainment, excitement, catharsis, self-expression Skill Goal setting, decision making, problem solving, responsibility, physical development, nature awareness, communication, leadership Character Independence, interdependence, self-efficacy, willingness to take risks, tolerance, respect, trust, compassion Table 4 Benefits of Camping (American Camp Association, 2005) Dimension Benefit Positive identity To the participant: e.g. self-esteem, determination, dependability, ambition, independence Social skills Beyond the individual: group bonding, cooperation, conflict resolution, appreciation of differences, leadership, community, connected to others Physical and thinking skills Activity skills, technical skills; physiological benefits of physical activity Thinking skills: knowledge of safety measures, planning, problem solving, environmental awareness Positive values and spirituality Acquiring and strengthening virtue; selflessness, compassion, keeping commitments, fulfilling obligations, self-discipline, honesty à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Connection to earth, others and even a higher power Health benefits of outdoor recreation Generally, outdoor recreation is known to improve people`s health and this can be achieved by doing regular physical activities. Similarly outdoor recreation contribution to health is often considered in the context of Wellness. According to the World Health Organisation (2003), health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. This definition shifts from a strict medical model of health to a simple concept of well-being. Hence, the Alberta Centre for Well Being (1989) found that the concept of well-being or optimal health involves a delicate balance among physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual and social health. In the same way, outdoor recreation covers all those aspects of health and also helps in not only enhancing the physical health but also the emotional well being of humans. During a research and promotional campaign, Carney (2001) confirmed the fact that physically inactive people have greater risk of having numerous health problems like coronary heart disease and some form of cancer rather than smoking, having a poor diet or drinking. Hence people can improve their health and those particularly in relation of coronary heart disease through regular exercise and activities like walking and cycling which are relatively inexpensive activities and which does not require any special skills to perform and it can also easily fit in people`s the daily routine. Hence in regards to that, The Health Education Board of Scotland has been promoting and encouraging walking through it`s campaign named walk about a bit. General health benefits of Outdoor Activity There is a wide range of outdoor activity; for example, Bird Watching may involve walking along with interpreting sounds and visual clues as well as meeting and socialising with other fellow Birdwatchers which contributes to wellness. Similarly, walking itself is known to be the most common outdoor activity and brisk walking for whether one hour per day or three hours a week helps to lower the risk of heart diseases by 30 to 40 percent in women (AARP 2008, citing the 20-Year Nurses Health Study). Therefore, walking have many health benefits specially for older adults which are: managing weight; controlling blood pressure; decreasing risk of heart attack; boosting good cholesterol; lowering risk of stroke; reducing risk of breast cancer and Type 2 diabetes; avoiding need for gallstone surgery; protecting against hip fracture; preventing depression, colon cancer, constipation, osteoporosis, and impotence; lengthening lifespan; lowering stress levels; relieving arthritis and back pain; strengthening muscles, bones, and joints; improving sleep; and elevating overall mood and sense of well-being. Thus, outdoor activities that include walking help to maintain a good health and wellness. In addition, many researchers (Driver and Knopf 1976; Driver and Cooksey 1977; Driver 1985; Godbey et al. 1992; Tinsley et al. 2003; Kaczynski and Henderson 2007) have found beneficial effects of outdoor recreation on two problems in particular which are stress and obesity. Stress and outdoor activity According to Godbey and Blazey (1983), strolling in parks is seen as beneficial to older visitors since it helps in stress reduction and More and Payne (1978), also added that it helps to decrease the level of anxiety, sadness and negative mood by spending time in parks. Hence, the longer people stay in parks, the less stressed they feel (Hull and Michael 1995). The American Institute of Stress (2008) found that 43 percent of adults in U.S suffer from acute or chronic stress. Moreover stress also lead to heart attack, blood pressure and is also linked with obesity (Bell et al. 1998; Brand et al. 2000). Hence, numerous studies have shown that when being in the natural surroundings, people tend to recover quickly and have fever illness (Frumkin 2001; Moore 1981; Ulrich 1984; Parsons et al.1998). therefore performing an activity within the natural environment have a rejuvenating effect over the peoples health while they are in contact with wilderness area (Hartig et al. 1991; Kaplan 1984), community parks (Canin 1991; Cimprich 1993), prairies (Miles et al. 1998). Obesity and outdoor activity Obesity is seen as an epidemic and it is closely linked and contributes to increased risk of disease such as hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, respiratory disease and many others. Although there are multiple causes of obesity and it is not completely understood by researchers, sedentary that is insufficient physical activity is known as one of the factors causing obesity. Between 1991 and 2001 obesity in United States have been steadily studied and it was found that obesity rates have increased to 75 percent among adults and that only 25 percent are engaged in doing recommended activities. Figure 1 below shows more detailed information about obesity rates in California. Figure 1: The Growth of Obesity in California: Percentage of Californias Population Percent (%) Year Source: CDC, 2002a Obesity also affects a large number of children (Milnes, 2008). Children, who are overweight at their younger age, tend to become overweight adults later and this contributes to low self esteem and alienation (Healthlink, Medical College of Wisconsin, January 14, 2009). Furthermore, studies carried out on preschool children showed that being outdoor plays a major role in performing physical activities like playing games with friends (Sallis et al. 2000). Likewise, outdoor temperatures whether hot or cold act as a stimulus and prompt the body to burn more calories than rather being in heated and air conditioned environment. Economic benefits of outdoor recreation According to the research of Mackay (n.d.), outdoor recreation is beneficial to the Scottish economy. Due to the fact that throughout years, to perform any particular activity, people have to move and travel to the specific site, need to spend money on equipment, food and accommodation and this help to bring income in rural areas of Scotland which gives way to new businesses and sustain the economies of these areas. Moreover, according to the survey carried out in 1998 in Scotland, it estimates that 137 million day visit were made to the coast and countryside and on average,  £6.50 were spent by each persons on each visit (National Centre for Social Research 1998). A more detailed survey carried out in 2000 showed that people spent more than  £900 million while participating in walking and other outdoor activities in the countryside and at the coast. Hence, the expenditures were on average people spend  £6.20 per party,  £1.55 was on fuel and  £3.07 was on food and drinks ( NOF System Three Scotland 2000). To explore the economic impact of a multi-use rail trail in Victoria, Australia Beeton (2006) surveyed 140 groups, during Easter 2006, total accounting for 625 people. The length of journey was from 0.5 days to 30 days. The average expenditure per person per day was at about $258, $147 on food and beverage; of which $27 was accommodation; $47 on transport; $10 on cycling and $27 on other. The average economic contribution per person was $482.94(after the application of multipliers). The social benefits of outdoor recreation Outdoor recreation is often regarded as having positive impacts on the society. The physical benefits of outdoor recreation on health have been well documented by researchers but not much emphasis is made on the social benefits linked with these activities. Some of the social benefits of recreation are known as reduced crime rate, promotes stewardship, encourage voluntarism and strengthen the communities. According to the Californian mayors, they believe that parks and recreation facilities helps to strengthen and bring communities together (DPR, 2002). Similarly, 77 percent of Los Angeles citizens were surveyed after the riots of 1993 and they listed that improved parks and recreation facilities are important or Absolutely critical to the restoration of their community (TPL, 1994). Participating in recreation activities helps to promote voluntarism. Hence, adults who frequently use parks and recreation facilities and who participate in recreation programs are generally the one who volunteered rather the one who does not use these services (Busser and Norwalk, 2001). Moreover, following a survey, 95 percent of Americans agreed that outdoor recreations help to generate appreciation for the nature and surrounding (ARC, 2000). Faulks et al (2007, p. 11) found that research conducted on the Central Otago Rail Trail in New Zealand showed that the range of social benefits to the community due to the rail trail, both as a resource and as a place of physical activity, included: Mental and physical well-being for participants; Education benefits regarding an understanding about working on a railroad; Bringing families together; Meeting like-minded people; Introducing new people into the community; and Generating a sense of pride and a heightened community identity. Outdoor Education There has been a wide range of outdoor programs that have been conducted within educational contexts in recent research which include the Duke of Edinburgh style programs (Bailey, 2004), that is Extended Stay Outdoor Education Programs (ESOEPà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸s) (Gray, 1997; McLeod Allen-Craig, 2007), cross-curriculum programs (Eglington Broderick, 2008; Haddock, 2007a), environmental education centres (Ballantyne Packer, 2007) as well as several traditional outdoor education programs (Hales, 2006; Haskell, 2000; Purdie, Neill, Richards, 2002). Moreover, from such diverse programs, the results reported were also wide-ranging. Hence, by participating in the Duke of Edinburgh program, it showed improved relationships among the participants and also problem solving skills and self confidence had been enhanced which have resulted in gain in academic achievement due to involvement in outdoor education programs (Haddock, 2007a, 2007b). in addition through these programs, students have been able to learn and apply eight dimension which are: Time management; Social competence; Achievement motivation; Intellectual flexibility; Task leadership; Emotional control; Active initiative; and Self-confidence. On average, outdoor education programs appear to have a small to moderate effect on participants perceptions of their own qualities and capabilitiesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦(roughly equivalent to à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ other types of self-concept change programs). These results are a positive endorsement of outdoor education as a legitimate and effective educational training method Outdoor education definitely has something to offer. (Neill and Richards, 1998, p7) Sport, recreation and tourism Understanding the motivations and expectations of participants is essential when trying to provide outdoor programs. Kiewa (2001) carried out a qualitative study using in-depth interviews and diary entries of rock-climbers. She analysed the responses of 14 females and 17 males over a 12-month period, attempting to develop an understanding of the role of gender and motivations and reasons in practicing these sports. The result showed that outdoor adventure programs are constructed with the view that both men and women will benefit from programmes designed to support skills associated with the opposite genderà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸ (Kiewa, 2001, p.11). Furthermore, in seeking to understand the needs, expectations motivations and of participants, another survey was carried out on a different adventure sport which was rafting trip near Melbourne. The research showed that there were significant differences in the motivations and needs of the participants. While the newer participant tend to focus more on the challenges of the activity, the frequent and experienced ones focus more on the ancillary benefits like spending time with friends and family, resting and relaxing in outdoor environment (Fluker Turner, 2000). In addition, in a less challenging context, two surveys were carried out on visitors to Mt Kosciuszko where more than 2,000 people may visit the summit during peak periods on any one-day. The earlier survey was conducted during Easter 2005 and had 494 participants while the other one was conducted over summer 2005/6 and had 2,492 responses (2007b; 2007c). In each case, visitors both expected and experienced wilderness, even though there are several structures to protect the environment. The main factor that motivates the participants to visit Mt Kosciuszko, was the scenic beauty and nature then followed by enjoying the outdoors and climbing. For more than 50% of respondents, encountering and experiencing wilderness was very important to them. Although, due to high level visitation subsequent track management work, visitors still had high satisfaction level just by participating and experiencing the nature of the area Factors motivating outdoor participation A growing number of research supports the proposition that individuals who live in activity friendly environments are more likely to be physically active during their leisure time (Sallis et al. 2000; Humpel et al. 2002; Killingsworth 2003; Owen et al. 2004). Active Living Research summarizes the important facts of such research which are: the proximity, supply, safety and design of recreational spaces. Other well known factor influencing participation is the availability of leisure time. The following subsections consider these variables. Leisure Time On average, Americans have 35 to 40 hours of free time per week (Robinson and Godbey 1999; BLS 2006). However, the majority of this time comes in small portions during weekdays, rather than in big blocks on weekends. Hence, watching TV takes up about half of all free time (Table 5) and adding to this, 27 hours per month goes on Internet use for both work and leisure (Nielsen and Hansen 2007). By contrast, sports, exercise and outdoor recreation account for only about 8.5 hours per month. Therefore, outdoor recreation, then, is comparatively rare. Moreover, if travelling is considered as an indoor activity, most Americans spend 95 percent of their time indoors (Robinson and Godbey 1999). Table 5: Americans Leisure Time, 2006 Leisure activity Average minutes per day Watching TV 156 (2.6 hours) Socializing, communicating 46 Other leisure activities 29 Reading 22 Relaxing, thinking 19 Playing games, using computer for leisure 19 Sports, exercise, recreation 17 Total 308 (5.1 hours) Note: Data include persons ages 15 and older. Data include all days of the week and are annual averages. Source: American Time Use Survey, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2006. Furthermore, while being on vacation, people spend more time outdoors, like walk more, and watching TV less (Robinson and Godbey 1999). Vacations then alleviate perceived job stress and burnout (Westman and Etzion 2001). In short, vacationing may be good for ones health (Gump and Matthews 2000). Proximity to Outdoor Spaces Proximity to outdoor recreation is a critical variable in explaining participation rates. Creating and improving the recreational facilities and spaces can spark a 25 percent increase in those who exercise at least three times per week (CDC 2002). Hence, the closer people live to a bikeway, the more likely they are to use it (Troped et al. 2001). Moreover, Kaczynski and Henderson (2007) summarize the facts founds concerning the role of park proximity in physical activity. In addition, eight of 13 articles indicated positive associations between physical activity and park proximity. For example, a survey conducted on U.S. adults showed that perceived access to parks and recreational facilities were related to increased physical activity (Brownson et al. 2001). Similarly, adults in New York City, Baltimore, and North Carolina, were 28 percent more likely to engaged in recreation activities if the parks and recreation facilities was within five miles of their home. Likewise, having faci lities within one mile encouraged higher levels of physical activity among African Americans and Hispanics (Diez-Roux et al. 2007). Safety of Parks Powell et al. (2003) reported that four studies which were carried out found no significant relation between safety aspect and walking in ones neighborhood, but the three other studies found such a relation. One of the latter indicated that recommended activity levels were met by 43 percent of peoples who had safe places to walk within 10 minutes of home and on the contrary only 27 percent of those without safe places (Powell et al. 2003). An onsite survey in a large metropolitan park revealed that among older adults, female park visitors had significantly more fear of crime than did males (Raymore and Scott 1998). Fear of crime was found to be an important factor, and former crime victims (9 percent of all those surveyed) were particularly fearful. Respondents reported that traveling to and from the park were more worrisome than being in the park itself. Supply of Outdoor Spaces The number parks and playgrounds in a community are related positively to physical activity levels. For instance, a study of some 500 adults from 56 neighborhoods in Oregon, Portland, found that both the area of green or open space and the number of recreation facilities were related to high levels of physical activity (Li et al. 2005). Although the number parks and green spaces in a community positively influence on physical activity, researchers cannot say that large parks are no more likely to be associated with higher levels of physical activity than smaller parks. For example, a study of four neighborhoods in Ontario found no such relationship between the size of parks and their use for physical activity (Kaczynski et al. 2008). The provision of facilities The benefits of engaging in physical activities, particularly outdoor activities, are dependent on the type of infrastructure provided to participant. According to Aldous (2006), he noted that in the context of leisure planning, providing adequate infrastructure and green spaces in urban areas was important in creating and broadening appreciation for the nature and environment. Similarly, Crilley (2007) studied the theme of infrastructure provision to understand the important attributes of trails. Hence, it resulted in the five top trail attributes were: easily accessible; the trail should be safe; well-maintained surface, have adequate signage along the trail and that the trail should be well maintained. Park and Playground Design and Features Parks with soccer fields, courts, basketball courts, volleyball courts, tennis and racquetball and playgrounds were associated from moderate to vigorous levels activity (Floyd et al. 2008). In another study, some researchers have examined 28 features of ball fields, bike paths, and so forth in 33 parks they found that parks with several features were more likely to be used for physical activity rather than parks with fewer features. Moreover, according to Kaczynski et al. (2008) parks with paved trails, for instance, were 26 times more likely to be used for physical activity than parks without paved trails. A study of four park types (neighborhood park, waterfront park, city park, extreme park) showed that levels of moderate or vigorous activity were highest in the areas having courts, sports fields, playgrounds, and paths, whereas sedentary activity was observed in open green spaces (Shores and West 2008).

Latin America And Slavery Essay -- essays research papers

Prior to its independence Latin America had been controlled by external forces for hundreds of years. To be freed of control from these outside interests did not in any way guarantee Latin America a return to the status quo. In fact, the inhabitants of Latin America had done very well in assimilating their in house controllers. They adopted European language, religion, color, and just about everything else that the European culture had to offer them. Although they were free to do as they please and run their own affairs in the global neighborhood as we know it, they struggled to create an entity for themselves. They embody too much of what is not native to their region, yet the people that used to represent their land 500 years earlier were a truly unique culture. Let us go back to that point in time and trace the route Latin America has taken, from an isolated civilization with a unique, independent culture to a Europeanized puppet continent with little cultural identity.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Latin America began as a secluded land of aboriginal inhabitants that was cut off from the rest of the world. It was first discovered by Europeans while trying to find more efficient trade routes to India and China. These Europeans noticed the vast resources present in Latin America and smelled money. Europeans are very greedy and would do anything for their country if it meant higher social status when they returned. Soon the monarchs of their respective countries were sponsoring conquests and colonization of the Latin American lands in turn for profits and goods from the lands they took. Due to the tropical climate that encompasses most of Latin America, colonization meant growing sugar on plantations in the coastal regions of the continent. Labor was the main expense of this operation, so enslaving the natives and putting them to work on these plantations seemed like the most economically sensible thing to do. This was the first step to sterilizing the identity of the continent. Diseases introduced by the immune Europeans took their toll on the natives and killed many off. Coupled with the stress of working in the fields and in other aspects of enslaved life the aboriginal population soon dwindled to next to nothing. Looking at just the aboriginal population, there was a traumatic fall. Birth rates were very low, especially given that the newer â€Å"mixed† ch... ...ly communist governments around, but was communism actually a Cuban idea? I do not think so. Any radical ideas expressed by the individual in Cuba is however put down. The government in Cuba and Mexico try to keep people from returning to their roots. In Mexico there is a lady who puts on plays which call for social reform. The Mexican government is all over her case too. When the government tries to tell you who you are and what you do, you cannot identify with anything but an institution you have no desire to be a part of. Hence, you become something else. For Cubans, they are a raft ride away from becoming Americans. They do not want to identify with something they do not believe in. Why force it upon them? As long as the governments are poor in Latin America, there will be no unity. To be one as a people they need to be able to go back to their roots and start again. They need to overthrow the governments in their areas and install democracies that work for the people. Or els e they can progress at the snail’s pace which they are right now and have an identity later. When things change drastically all over the place. As things stand right now, they will be Euro-American clones.

Mountain Biking Is My Favorite Sport Essay

Sweat dripping into my eyes, blurring my vision. My legs feel weak, making it difficult to pedal. I pause and allow myself to take a deep breath before speeding down hill. The adrenaline rushing through my veins, and the thrilling thought of what is to come next demands my body to get ready and keep going. I speed down the hill narrowly missing a couple of big jagged stones sticking up through the trail and trees. The intensity and extremity of mountain biking make it undoubtedly my favorite sport. Furthermore, mountain biking is my favorite sport because it is great for the body and mind, it brings about a challenge, and it allows me to have a positive environmental impact. Mountain bike riding is a great way to exercise both the body and mind. It is a sport that allows you to build muscle in addition to building up your cardiovascular endurance. It targets almost every muscle in the body, particularly arms, abs, shoulders and legs. Furthermore, it is a great way to boost your energy, remain in shape, and in fact according to many studies, by biking at least three hours per week, your chances of heart disease can be decreased by approximately 50 percent. However, the biggest benefit from mountain biking is being able to exercise outdoors. It allows the mind to open up and expand its thoughts. Personally, I get a sense of clarity and I feel more in tune with details. There are also no worries, doubts or fears crossing my mind. Aside from the unquestionable benefits for the body and mind, mountain biking inspires a great sense of confidence and authority. Before and as I take on the many obstacles and hurdles in the trails, I either plan or have to think on the spot to prevent injury. While biking, I have control of my approach, performance and outcome. Facing challenging obstacles and being able to successfully beat them, builds a sense of empowerment. In the real world these feelings evolve my ability to know what I want and to act on it effectively. It further boost my leadership skills at work, in school and in everyday situations. In addition to its positive physical and mental impacts, mountain biking has a positive environmental impact. As a mountain biker, I enjoy a pollution free environment to ride in. Mountain bicycles use no fuel, do not require toxic batteries or motor oils and take less energy to make than a car. It also increases outdoor advocacy by generating a connection to nature. Many mountain bikers, including myself, are dedicated to protecting and maintaining the natural and cultural resources of where they ride. Adopting trail designs that eliminate soil erosion, avoiding sensitive habitats and protecting wetlands, are some examples of how to minimize environmental impacts. Mountain bike riding is my favorite sport because it is a way in which I disconnect my mind and soul from reality, and allow all of my senses to engage in the moment. Moreover, it is a sport in which I build strength, power, stability and agility. Also, through the obstacles and hurtles encountered in the exhausting yet exhilarating trails, I gain a stronger sense of authority and confidence that I implement in the challenges of the real world. Lastly, it is my favorite sport because it is pollution free and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Microsoft Word Tips Adding and Removing Watermarks

Microsoft Word Tips Adding and Removing Watermarks Microsoft Word Tips: Adding and Removing Watermarks Watermarks are faint images or words that sit behind the text in a document. There are many reasons you may need to use a watermark, especially in the business and professional publishing worlds. In this post, we’re looking at how to use watermarks in Microsoft Word. Why Use a Watermark? The most common uses of watermarks are to prevent an image being copied without permission or to show the status of a document. Here, we will focus on their use in written documents. Common cases where a watermark may be used in a document include: Using a â€Å"DRAFT† watermark for a work in progress Using a â€Å"CONFIDENTIAL† watermark for a document that contains sensitive information Adding a company logo to the background of each page in a document The faded writing would usually appear behind the text of your document. We will explain how this works in practice below. Adding a Watermark Microsoft Word offers a range of default text watermarks. These are categorized as follows: Confidential (e.g., â€Å"CONFIDENTIAL† and â€Å"DO NOT COPY†) Disclaimers (e.g., â€Å"DRAFT† and â€Å"SAMPLE†) Urgent (e.g., â€Å"ASAP† and â€Å"URGENT†) You can add one of these to your document by: Going to the Design Page Background on the main ribbon Clicking Watermark to open a dropdown menu Selecting a watermark from the options available Adding a watermark. This will add the selected watermark to every page. You cannot add a watermark to just part of a document. If you want to add an image to the background of specific pages in a document, you will need to insert the image and then use the wrapping and image formatting options. Removing a Watermark Removing a watermark from a document is very simple. All you need to do is: Go to Design Page Background Click Watermark Select Remove Watermark This will remove the current watermark from throughout the document. Removing a watermark. Custom Watermarks Finally, you can also add a custom watermark to a document if none of the default options are suitable. To do this, go to Design Page Background Watermark and select Custom Watermark. Custom watermark options. This will open a new window, offering two main options: Picture watermark – Here, you can select an image to use as a watermark (e.g., a company logo), the size the image will appear on the page, and how faded it should be (the Washout option). Text watermark – In this case, you will find options to control what the watermark says, as well as the font, size, color, transparency, and angle of the text. Once you have selected a watermark, simply click OK or Apply to add it to your document.

Ethics and Morality essays

Ethics and Morality essays Moral relativism and Nazism seem to go hand in hand. Moral relativism basically is the idea that morals and ethics do not necessarily reflect the objective or universal moral truth, but instead they relate to societies, culture, and even personal conditions. Thus, as a Nazi, moral relativism fits right in with my culture and societal beliefs that whites are supreme, Jews are inferior, and the world needs to be won over to Nazism. It would be very attractive to me because it would allow me to believe what I wanted to believe, despite the clear ethical and moral problems concerned, and it would even help me rationalize my behavior against "inferior" races, such as the Jews. It would in effect help me become racist and evil by allowing me to create my own alternative morals and ethics, whether they had anything to do with real reality and morality or not. Captured terrorists should be treated as prisoners of war because that is what they are. They are waging war on the western world, killing as many people as they can, and they feel they are justified because of their religion. They are prisoners of war, because if they were not in prison they would be waging more war on America and other nations, and so, they should be treated as prisoners of war. They should not get any special treatment, and they should not be treated any worse than the standards for prisoners of war allow. But, they should be treated as prisoners of war and enemies of the western world. The purpose of punishment is to deter the offender and others from committing future crimes. That is why prison is so harsh and uncomfortable. Offenders should not want to stay in prison or return to prison, they should want to get out and not go back, and that should help deter them from committing further crimes. The purpose of punishment, no matter whether it is in prison or not, it to stop that behavior and replace it with a more acceptable behavior. ...

Argumentive essay on Why the government should own public

Argumentive on Why the government should own public transportation - Essay Example Since decisions upon providing service are generally market driven, there is no public transit in these places, or they may be somewhat served by private companies with limited and expensive service. The rationale: not enough people will use it to make it profitable. Any suggested funding for public transport is always at the bottom of everyone’s budget list. The rationale there: we should not spend public money if the service is not used by a majority of the people. If this seems prejudicial, it is, since getting around is a necessity not a privilege. Unfortunately, too many people in the U.S., while admiring the wonderful benefits of the European mass transit systems when they travel, do not see themselves using such a system at home. And most assuredly they do not see themselves funding such a system with their tax money, as do European governments believing the service a crucial necessity for the people they govern. One might conclude that in Europe, good reliable mass tra nsportation for everyone everywhere is considered a right rather than a privilege. It is not totally dependent upon the profit model. The discussion of whether our own government should be running a system similar to Europe’s in the United States has been ongoing, and attempts, as in the case of California, to provide a seamless way for people to get around using mass transit have been sporadic. One online site states, â€Å"In most states, intercity passenger train service is provided solely by Amtrak, with no assistance of any sort from State or local governments† (History of Amtrak California, par. 1). Using California as a case in point, The History of Amtrak California discusses how the state subsidizes its growing system with state and local money largely from the federal government. Its success over the years in promoting and funding a growing mass transportation system has proven quite successful, considering California’s notorious love affair with

Guam Governor Island Address Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Guam Governor Island Address - Dissertation Example He lauds the growth in the private sector and that many business permits have been issued as well as the licensing of over a thousand private contractors, which is attributed by the reduced restrictions to investments resulting in job growth. Moreover, educational reforms have been instituted enabling more children to enroll in school and to stand better chances of employment, and this has also benefited adult learners; in addition, he claims that the education system still requires to be adjusted for it to be both practical and match to international standards. Moreover, he discusses ways to solve housing crisis, the projects in place to build 3000 units by 2017, the achievements made in solving land crisis are mentioned, and he promises to ensure food production is improved for the island to become self-sufficient. These developments will improve the tourism sector and hopes to see tourist hotels fill up, he projects that the Russian and Chinese markets will continue to grow result ing in additional tourists (Calvo 8). Furthermore, he mentions the revitalization of the Hagatna highway and promises that more roads will be developed; museums of the local culture would also be constructed, and that the Guam museum is already under construction. He criticizes the rising cost power and proposes the use of GPA and CCU systems, which would reduce the cost, but also the environment, damage (Calvo 9). He also discusses the need for lifestyle change since the three top killers, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer were lifestyle related, and many people have no access to medical care and the main hospital needs more funding to cover the needs of everyone (Calvo 4). He addresses the need for more projects to honor and assists the veterans and war heroes in making smooth transitions; in addition to the poor and voiceless such as those afflicted with mental problems will be considered. He announces that in his tenure, tax refunds have been prompt and compensation has been c ompletive, he also claims that there have not been new taxes and employees are rewarded on the basis of merit in order to motivate them. He mentions victories in the fight against corruption and discusses the importance of transparency, and pledges to solve understaffing in the police force and congratulates them for a good job, and he assures resident that his administration would crack down crimes, especially the sexual predators with the collaboration of the police. He critics the federal government concerning the funding crisis and imbalance between the state and federal government, and promises to do all he can to fix this to the extent of suing the federal authorities. Finally, he calls the people’s attention to the changes in government over the last few years and its increased efficiency under his governance, he promises in time to turn the extraordinary to commonplace in Guam. Response Drawing from the speech, it is evident that the governor is confident and proud of the accomplishments achieved in his tenure and rightfully so, from the PDFs provided, the claims in his speech are much more than political rhetoric. He makes a clear, coherent and well-organized presentation supported by statistical and concrete evidence, thus, he engenderers the transparency he is trying to institute and thus leads by example. In