Business And Government Agencies :: essays research papers

Business and Government Agencies The primary focus of my topic is three fold, first if a high ranking official from a firm were to become the Director of an agency and his former company is asking for approval of a drug, how should the Director act in regard to this rulemaking? The second question is not a difficult, if a former Director were to assume a position at a firm asking for approval of a drug, how should the former directors position influence the decisions of the agency? Finally how could government regulation limit the potential conflicts of interest from the "Revolving Door"? The first scenario answer is both ethics and law based. It would be unethical for the Director to have any influence what so ever in this circumstance. Realistically the Director would have probably at least an influence to the degree that those who work for him would at least try and guess his desire for the outcome, at worst he would directly or indirectly tell them. Probably at this point no procedural rules have been breached. This is of course only if the director has not tried to influence the Administrative Law Judge in which case many legal issues could be raised, more on that in question three. Back to the ethics involved, it would be very important if the Director were to try and be ethical about the issue he/she should give the appearance of ethical procedure. One way this could be done is that a recommendation could be made rulemaking be in a formal format. In addition she/he should be very careful to limit ex parte contacts between himself and his former business associates. Under no circumstance should the Director have conversation of any nature involving this case. Under the circumstance that the drug was or was not approved, the case could go before Judicial review, there any appearance of unethical behavior could not only be be evidence to support a plaintiffs claims, and even case a de novo review, but even worst it could be food for the media and a public scandal. The second question if the director were to leave and become a superior for a firm. I don't see this as a big threat, the new director would have his new alliances. It would seem like any influence that the former director would have would have to be kept to a minimum in order to preserve the rulemaking under the circumstance that the findings were on the firms behalf. As a company representative he should not personally make ex parte contacts with the agency

Armstrong Helmet Company Essay

Armstrong Helmet Company manufactures a unique model of bicycle helmet. The company began operations December 1, 2013. Its accountant quit the second week of operations, and the company is searching for a replacement. The company has decided to test the knowledge and ability of all candidates interviewing for the position. Each candidate will be provided with the information below and then asked to prepare a series of reports, schedules, budgets, and recommendations based on that information. The information provided to each candidate is as follows. Cost Items and Account Balances $ Administrative salaries 15,500 Advertising for helmets 11,000 Cash , December 1 0 Depreciation – Factory Building 1,500 Depreciation – Office Equipment 800 Insurance – Factory Building 1,500 Miscellaneous expenses – Factory 1,000 Office supplies expense 300 Professional Fees 500 Property Taxes – Factory Building 400 Raw material used 70,000 Rent on production equipment 6,000 Research & development 10,000 Sales commission 40,000 Utility Costs – Factory 900 Wages – Factory 70,000 Work in process – Dec 1 0 Work in process – Dec 31 0 Raw materials inventory, Dec 1 0 Raw materials inventory, Dec 31 0 Raw materials purchases 70,000 Finished goods inventory, Dec 1 0 Production and Sales Data Number of helmets produced 10,000 Expected sales in units for December ($40 unit sales price) 8,000 Expected sales in units for January 10,000 Desired ending inventory 20% of next month’s sales Direct materials per finished unit 1 kilogram Direct materials cost $7 per kilogram Direct labour hours per unit .35 Direct labor hourly rate $20Cash Flow Data Cash collections from customers: 75% in month of sale and 25% the following month. Cash payments to suppliers: 75% in month of purchase and 25% the following month. Income tax rate: 45% Cost of proposed production equipment: $720,000 Manufacturing overhead and selling and administrative costs are paid as incurred. Desired ending cash balance: $30,000 Required: Using the data presented, do the following in your respective groups. 1) Classify the costs as either product costs or period costs using a five-column table as shown below. Enter the dollar amount of each cost in the appropriate column and total each classification. Product Costs Item Direct Materials Direct Labour Manufacturing Overhead Period Costs 2) Classify the costs as either variable or fixed costs. Assume there are no mixed costs. Enter the dollar amount of each cost in the appropriate column and total each classification. Use the format shown below. Use the format shown below. Assume that ‘Utility Costs – Factory’ are a fixed cost. Item Variable Costs Fixed Costs Total Costs 3) Prepare a schedule of cost of goods manufactured for the month of December, 2013. 4) Determine the cost of producing a helmet. 5) Identify the type of cost accounting system that Armstrong Helmet Company is probably using this time. Explain. 6) Under what circumstances might Armstrong use a different cost accounting system? 7) Compute the unit variable cost for a helmet. 8) Compute the unit contribution margin and the contribution margin ratio. 9) Calculate the break-even point in units and in sales dollars. 10) Prepare the following budgets for the month of December, 2013. a. Sales b. Production c. Direct materials d. Direct labour e. Selling and administrative expenses f. Cashg. Budgeted income statement 11) Prepare a flexible budget for manufacturing costs for activity levels between 8,000 and 10,000 units, in 1,000-unit increments.QUESTION 2 INCREMENTAL ANALYSIS (20 MARKS) Navula Company is considering the purchase of new equipment to replace the existing equipment it currently has. Details of the new equipment are tabulated below: Invoice Price $140,000 Freight Charges $ 4,000 Installation Costs $6,000 Expected useful life 5 years Salvage value 0 The new equipment is faster than the old equipment, and it is more efficient in its usage of materials. Existing equipment could be retained and used for an additional 5 years if the new equipment is not purchased and by that time the salvage value of the equipment would be zero. However, if the new equipment is purchased now, the existing machine would have to be scrapped. The current book value of the existing machine is $36,000 and the company uses the straight-line depreciation method. Navula Company’s accountant has accumulated the following data below regarding annual sales and expenses with and without the new equipment. DETAILS OLD EQUIPMENT NEW EQUIPMENT Production & Sale Output 12 000 units Increase by 10% Selling Price $100 $100 Gross Profit Rate 25% of sales 30% of sales Annual Selling Expenses $180,000 Increase by 10% Annual Administrative Expenses $100,00

A Value Based Society for Our Future Essay

Present day society has seen its share of the erosion of values ever since the dawn of technology. It is as if these values were being thrown aside for technology to take its place. And technology like a dark mist shrouding the values of a person making what we know today as materialism. This obviously puts forth proof of how flawed society can be without values being the base of it. The vision of how our future society is intended to be is undoubtedly a utopia where peace and harmony is above all else. Currently our world and society faces violence, on a general scope of this issue would be the occurrence of war, Wars in the past have been fueled by a difference of values. Now what are values you might ask, as defined by the oxford’s advanced learner’s English dictionary, values are beliefs about what is right and wrong and what is important in life. Since values are a belief on what is important in life, it is necessary that the right belief is instilled within an individual of a society, so as not to create any forms of false society norms. The topic which I intend to highlight today would be the examples of values that communities in the society should practice and apply. As well as reasons to support my points of view. From my perspective on the topic, I feel that it is important to have the values of Change, Tolerance, Teamwork and Honesty First and foremost, Change, a value portraying the will of an individual to undergo a course of development for the better. Before dwelling on what type of values should be instilled in an individual or how do we apply these values, We have to first realise the importance of possessing this will for a better change, because without this most important criteria, the instilling of new values to improve our society is impossible. Allow me to give you an analogy, what is the use of knowing what is a value which benefits society when you have no will to act so? This depicts how actions speak louder than words, and in this case the will to act is indeed very important. Secondly the value which I would like to highlight on is Tolerance. Tolerance is the willingness to accept somebody/something, especially opinions or behaviour that you may not agree with. This value plays a key role in creating an environment of peace and harmony, Because tolerance is the solution for the difference of values of which people possess, and definitely the first step to achieving peace between individuals of different values would be the acceptance of one another. To apply this in a real-life situation, when someone sees things in a different perspective, don’t discriminate or brand him weird, instead try and see things from that person’s perspectives to understand him. And if both or more parties understand and can tolerate each other, misunderstandings will be reduced and harmony on the other hand will be promoted. Moving on, I would like to emphasize on the value of teamwork. Teamwork is cooperative or coordinated effort of a group in the interests of a common cause which is usually effective. And if a value based society is the goal to reach, then it would suggest that those who are a part of the society should chip in their efforts in order to make the goal a reality instead of continuing to encase it in dreamland. Teamwork is definitely a very dear value if a better future is the main focus of the goal in the future. Teamwork can be easily applied in everyday life, for instance, when you and another person are made in-charge of something. Do not do that ‘something’ alone, because this would lead to poor results due to miscommunication. With teamwork, everything would be set just right because the resources to accomplish something are multiplied. Lastly I would like to bring forth the value of Honesty. Honesty is the quality of never hiding the truth of something. And in a value based society for the future, honesty plays a big role as well. Because through honesty, will trust be promoted. To explain this, honesty means that everyone is truthful with one another, this can break down the cautious barrier between people which has been inhibiting them from understanding and trusting each other well for a long time. And without trust let me remind everyone here, a good society is impossible to be achieved because people of both sides spend their time and effort on the precautions about one another. As a conclusion, Society in the future will have no improvement if values such as change, tolerance, teamwork as well as honesty are not what the society is based on. And society will continue to fall if these values continue to be seen as negligible in the eyes of the modern society.

Fables

Common type of story is the fable, which presents a moral, or lesson about human behavior. Fables usually feature animals behaving and speaking as humans. Among the most widely known are those from the ancient Sanskrit Pancatantra (Five Chapters), which was first written down in India perhaps 2,000 years ago. Known in Europe as The Fables of Bidpai, this collection presents animal characters in entertaining stories and poetry. Many European animal fables have at least in part descended from the Pancatantra. Among the most renowned Western fables are those attributed to Aesop, a (probably fictitious) slave from ancient Greece.One of the best-known of Aesop's stories is â€Å"The Ant and the Grasshopper,† which teaches the need to be industrious and save for the future during times of plenty. Stories that point out lessons are called fables. Nearly everyone knows the fable about the three little pigs. They leave home and go out into the world to make their fortunes. Of course, t hey have to build places in which to live. The first little pig makes his house of straw. The second little pig also takes things easily, building his house of sticks. The third little pig works hard and long to make a house of bricks—a good, sturdy house.Along comes a wolf who blows down the houses of straw and sticks and eats the two lazy little pigs. All his huffing and puffing, however, cannot blow down the house of bricks. In this fable the three little pigs show human characteristics. Two little pigs are shiftless and meet an unhappy end through their own fault. The hard-working little pig earns the reward of a good life. History of fables In very early times people told stories in which animals talk. By their actions the animals show how foolish or wise people can be. Folklore scholars think that fables probably originated among the Semitic peoples of the Middle East.The tales spread to India and then west to Greece. Many fables go back to an ancient Sanskrit collectio n from India called ‘Pancatantra' (Five Chapters). These stories were told and retold through many generations. Eventually they reached Greece. The Greeks added detail and action and made Aesop master of all the fables. The Romans translated Aesop's fables into Latin. They were translated into French in the 13th century. The first of many versions of the folktale of â€Å"Reynard the Fox† appeared in about the 12th century. Fables of Aesop’s The greatest teller of fables was Aesop (see Aesop).He was believed to be a slave in ancient Greece. His stories are simple moral lessons illustrated usually by the actions and speech of animals. Some of his best-known fables are â€Å"The Lion and the Mouse,† â€Å"The Fox and the Stork,† â€Å"The Hare and the Tortoise,† â€Å"The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing,† â€Å"The Fox and the Grapes,† â€Å"The Frogs Desiring a King,† and â€Å"The Shepherd Boy and the Wolf. † In Aesop's à ¢â‚¬Å"The Lion and the Mouse† the great, strong lion is tired of hunting. He lies down to sleep under a shady tree. A mouse runs over his face and awakens him.The angry lion is about to crush the tiny mouse with his huge paw, but the mouse begs so hard to live that the lion lets him go. Some time later the lion is caught in a hunter's trap. He roars with surprise and fury. The little mouse recognizes the roar and races to the trap. He gnaws the ropes and sets the lion free. The powerful lion is grateful for the help that his tiny friend gave him. The king of beasts thinks to himself â€Å"Sometimes the weakest can help the strongest. † Aesop's â€Å"The Fox and the Stork† shows that a tricky person does not always win. A fox invites a stork to dinner.The fox serves soup in a shallow dish. The poor stork can wet only the end of his long narrow bill in the soup. The sly fox makes false apologies and laps up all the food. The stork pretends to be satisfied and invit es the fox to dinner. When the fox comes a few days later, he finds the food served in a tall jar with a narrow neck. Down in the jar goes the stork's long bill. All the fox can do is lick his chops. This fable may have suggested the old proverb â€Å"he who laughs last laughs best. † Many proverbs and maxims are expressions of the wisdom found in fables.Some of these sayings and the fables from which they come are listed after the â€Å"History of Fables† section. Fables by La Fontaine Another great teller of fables was Jean de La Fontaine (see La Fontaine). He wrote in France in the 17th century. La Fontaine based many of his fables on those of Aesop. In the writings of both men are â€Å"The Fox and the Crow,† â€Å"The Dove and the Ant,† â€Å"The Fox and the Grapes,† â€Å"The Maid and the Pail of Milk,† and â€Å"The Fox and the Stork. † Some of La Fontaine's titles vary slightly from Aesop's. â€Å"The Fox and the Crow† tells that a fox sees a crow ith a piece of cheese in her beak settle in a tree. The fox wants the cheese. He looks up at the crow and says, â€Å"Good day, Mistress Crow. How well you look today! I feel sure that your voice must surpass that of other birds, just as your figure does. Let me hear you sing but one song so I may greet you as queen of the birds. † The crow begins to caw her best.As soon as she opens her mouth, the piece of cheese falls to the ground and is snapped up by the fox. â€Å"That will do,† he says. â€Å"That was all I wanted. In exchange for your cheese, I'll give you a piece of advice for the future. Do not trust flatterers. Another of La Fontaine's fables is â€Å"The Animals Sick of the Plague. † The lion, who is king of the beasts, asks all the animals to confess their sins. The guiltiest will be sacrificed to save the rest. The lion begins by confessing that he has â€Å"devoured an appalling number of sheep† and â€Å"the s hepherd, too. † Reynard the Fox defends the king. His plea is applauded by the lion's flatterers. Finally a poor donkey is sacrificed after he confesses that he has eaten grass on the monastery grounds. The moral of the tale is: â€Å"Thus do the courts acquit the strong and doom the weak as therefore wrong. †

Environmental Health Assessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Environmental Health Assessment - Essay Example The hydrocarbon wastes emitted by the oil refineries can do immense damage to the biological systems situated in their vicinity (Jahdali, 2008, p.34). The environmental pollution caused by the oil refineries has a broad scope that involves an above average level of pollutants in the air, large scale contamination of the soil and the above average contamination of the underground and above ground water resources (Jahdali, 2008, p.34). The gravest risk to the residents living in the neighborhoods like Torrance, which lie in the vicinity of a proposed petroleum refinery, will come from the utterly polluted air (Jahdali, 2008, p.35). The emissions from most of the oil refineries contain large amounts of sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen oxides, and heavy metals like zinc, lead, cadmium, besides loads of other pollutants like toluene, phenol and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Jahdali, 2008, p.35). Sulfur dioxide is the primary pollutant emitted by the oil refineries that gets accumulated in the lower layers of atmospheric air. Rainfall and humidity cause this toxic gas to precipitate and settle down in the surrounding soil (Jahdali, 2008, p.35). Eventually this pollutant gets absorbed by the plants including the fruits and vegetables growing in the area. Sulfur dioxide has been known to cause a range of ailments like lung cancer, allergic rhinitis, lung inflammations and a number of other respiratory and cardiovascular diseases (Opera and Mihul, 2003, p.84). The damage caused by sulfur dioxide to the people living in the vicinity of the oil refineries comes from two sources i.e. through long term inhalation of the poll uted air and through the food chain. Besides sulfur dioxide, the other pollutants emitted by the petroleum refineries are also known to cause many debilitating and sometimes incurable diseases. Another potential risk to the people living around the oil refineries comes from asbestos that is widely used for insulation in the oil refineries. Thus not only the workers employed in the petroleum refineries get exposed to asbestos, but the people living around such facilities do get to inhale asbestos particles emitted by them. Asbestos has been known to cause pleural mesotheliomas and is a medically proven carcinogenic substance (You Claim, 2002). The threat caused by asbestos emissions from the petroleum refineries is particularly pertinent in the case of the US, which has nearly 150 petroleum refineries scattered across 32 states. Besides, various scientific studies have established beyond doubt that the children living in proximity to industrial pollutants face severe problems related to academic and physical growth (Krisberg, 2006, p.3). Exposure to air pollutants emitted by facilities like petroleum refineries has been known to cause augmented instances of Preterm Delivery in the residents living around them (Leem, et al., 2006, p.1). As per a British medical study, rampant instances of childhood leukemia were noticed near petroleum refineries and oil storage installations (Gilman, 1997, p.156). It is imperative that the health hazards associated with

24 hours surviliance Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

24 hours surviliance - Case Study Example As such the paper would be discussing the surveillance of the current facility with regard to various measures that are needed to adopt to feel safe and protected. The surveillance is very important part of security measure for the multistory building which has multiple exits. The major objective of the surveillance is monitoring of intruders and suspects who could pose threat to the safety of the people inside the complex. Hence, the facility/ building and surrounding area would be under surveillance. CCTVs would be installed in all the areas of critical importance that would be interconnected and feed into the main control room. All the rooms, stairs, elevators, lobby areas, hallways would have CCTV and spy cameras. The two restrooms and cafeteria would be excluded from the surveillance but nevertheless, their entrance would be guarded by security guards and CCTV cameras. The cameras would also be installed on the strategic positions in the ground and parking to monitor the activities of people moving around the campus. The installation of CCTV cameras on a closed network would be centrally monitored by the control room continuously. Around 11 CCTV monochrome cameras would be used across the rooms and public places like elevators, stairs etc. They would also be equipped with alarm system that would be connected to the main security office which would have direct connections with the local police station. Moreover, the complex would also be guarded by 4 fully armed security guards. It is envisaged that appropriate identity cards would be issued to permanent members and visitors would be given token which would monitored electronically. These are important aspects that are designed to alert security officers to burglary/ theft in progress or identify suspects hanging around in the building, open ground or parking places so that crime can be prevented. Surveillance is key factor in security issues that helps

Punk in Fashion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Punk in Fashion - Essay Example The essay "Punk in Fashion" concerns the punk style. Punk culture laid stress on being creative and trying out new things. It involved colouring hair, and wearing clothes that were the hallmark of punk movement. Punk culture had a great influence on the contemporary fashion. Some of the essential staples of punk fashion included leather jackets most often accessorized with pictures and embossments of punk band logos, pins, studs and innovative patches. Other quintessential accoutrements of punk fashion were tight fitting stretchable jeans and shorts, heavy denim jackets most often adorned with patches, studs, pins and band logos, creepers, bondage pants, doc martens, etc. The whole objective of the punk fashion was to mock the established conventions and stereotypes of modesty and to accentuate the intention of not being able to adapt to or fit in the mainstream society. Punk fashion also adopted certain specific and peculiar hairstyles like buzzcuts, short and spiky, liberty spikes and mowhawks. Though the punk fatigue represented a tough and hard persona, the punk culture was on the contrary was very accommodating and open minded. Punk culture had a distinct impact on the fashion in the 20th century. The earlier punk fashion trends were distinctly anti materialistic. The primary focus of the punk fashion was on rebutting the excesses and pretensions inherent in the mainstream fashion by affiliating to peculiar clothing, body modifications, hairstyles, jewellery and cosmetics.