Concept maps Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Concept maps - Essay Example A main characteristic of the concept map is that it employs hierarchy in representing the various concepts. The top of the map contains the general and most inclusive concepts and the less general and specific concepts are at the bottom of the map. Also the concept map is best constructed with reference to a particular question known as the focus question (Novak & Canas, 2011). Therefore the hierarchical structure of the map depends not only on the knowledge domain but also the context in which it is applied. Therefore it is very effective in capturing knowledge and to plan for an expert system. The cross-links feature of the concept map is another vital feature which links the various concepts in the map. It helps to understand the relationship between the knowledge that is represented in the map (Novak & Canas, 2011). In capturing of knowledge it is vital to have continuity and link the various concepts. Also in an expert system it is required to be able to trace the root of various concepts and how various concepts interact or related to each other. This is made possible by the concept. Therefore, a concept map is a very effective design technique but also extreme care must be taken in constructing the concept map. Novak, J.D. & Canas, A.J. (2008). The Theory Underlying Concept Maps and How to Construct and Use Them. [Online]. Available at: http://cmap.ihmc.us/publications/researchpapers/theorycmaps/theoryunderlyingconceptmaps.htm. Accessed on 8th Feb,

The Nature of the Industry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

The Nature of the Industry - Essay Example This paper purports to determine the nature of the engineering and construction industry in UK. The engineering and construction is considered as one of the most complex and hazardous form of industries. This involves various workforces from skilled to unskilled since it entails different and numerous ranges of activities starting from the design to construction stage as well as during the productive use of the built environment. Basically, engineering and construction involves complex and critical operation process. Hence, it includes various construction personnel who works together in order to complete a built structure based on client’s specifications, costs, time and building standard quality. Usually, the team is consists of the following personnel: Architect, Mechanical and Electricity Engineer, Site-Based Cost Control Surveyor, Site Engineer and Site-Based Environmental manager. As cited in APUC, these personnel have their own specific tasks and responsibilities to per form in every stage of the built environment projects and they are the ones accountable and liable to these tasks in case errors or defects emerged. In engineering and construction, the architect plays a very crucial and important role because he/she will lead the design and planning team of the built environment project. The architect is the one accountable in the conceptualization of the design up to the provision of detailed floor plans and sets of building construction drawing designs which is necessary to start the actual construction of the project. The purpose of the design stage of building construction is to integrate the requirements specified by the client according to the project budget and timescale as well as to assess the possible occurrence of design risks. In addition, it is also the responsibility of the architect to look the overall coordination of the built environment design including space planning, appearance, and materials/equipment used in construction and t he furniture to be placed in the built structure upon its completion. The architect will work hand-in-hand with the site engineer during the construction phase to ensure that all the requirements specified in the design are properly installed and able to meet the client’s design preferences (APUC, 2007). Mechanical and Electricity Engineer The mechanical and electricity engineer is the one responsible in ensuring that the electrical and mechanical facilities and equipment to be installed in the built environment are environmentally sustainable which features energy efficiency use. The purpose is to minimize the consumption of energy to lessen/reduce carbon emission. In addition, the M & E Engineer is also the one responsible in the estimation of cost related to his/her specific task, which in turn forwarded to the Cost Control Surveyor for cost planning. The M & E Engineer will closely work with the Architect and Site Engineer in order to ensure that the

Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada Research Paper - 2

Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada - Research Paper Example It deals with the issues concerning its organizational culture that encourages excellence by shielding itself from a nefarious effect of political influence which can negatively affect its organizational objectives of providing an efficient transport system for the region's population not only today but fifty years from now. It had adopted transparency in all its transactions with the publication of all relevant data and information on its Web site regarding its activities, agenda and future plans so that all the agency's community investments are maximized. The paper also gives a brief background on the dynamic region of southern Nevada and how the RTCSN plays an important part in its vital transformation. The agency is well managed as an empowered organization through its internal advocacy (like re-organization) and external advocacy (in cases like plans for transport systems such as building new roads) to minimize traffic congestion and future transport challenges. Introduction Th e region of southern Nevada includes the five counties of Clark, Esmeralda, Nye, Mineral, and Lincoln; this is incidentally also the region where the majority of the state's population live due to the rest of the state being an inhabitable desert. This region encompasses the Las Vegas Valley and the region is a major educational center of the area. Moreover, most of its economy is based on the tourism-related industries of gaming (gambling), leisure, vacation (senior retirees), hotel, hospitality, and travel. This means there is a lot of movement within this region, which is a reason for existence of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTCSN) to regulate and plan all the transport-related concerns of this region with regards to this sudden population expansion due to the influx of tourists (both local and foreign), migrants (temporary workers seeking jobs, mostly in construction) and those potential retirees attracted by the warm climate, no state taxes and na ture attractions at Lake Tahoe. It is estimated Nevada entices some five million visitors annually with revenues of about US$ 6 billion (Leong, 2008, p. 2). Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada is the agency mandated by state and federal governments for maintaining a continuing, cooperative and comprehensive (3C) transportation planning process. The RTCSN has been re-named (in 1981) as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for southern Nevada in view of its expanded responsibilities. This new agency has to operate using the same modern management tools used in all big corporations and is the subject or topic of this paper. Among other things, it has to operate within budgets, use organizational skills to attract the best-qualified people to its ranks and obtain the cooperation of the riding public to achieve its goals of efficiency and sustainability (RTCSN, 2012, p. 1). Discussion The RTCSN has to be operated like any private enterprise in order to maximize all the resources given to it and achieve its mission of sustainability such as maintaining the air quality through encouragement of Club Ride Commuter Services that promotes walking, biking, pooling of cars and vans, and in the use of the mass transit system, which it operates and carries about 64 million passengers per year.  

American Government and Politics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

American Government and Politics - Essay Example Many writers both supporters and criticizers of the efficacy of Reagan have come up to indicate their knowledge about the president’s life, activities and thoughts. This has brought about several arguments concerning the president’s thoughts and feeling on the government organization and performance. One of the key members in this relation is Michael Deaver through his several books that he wrote (Deaver, Guide to Federal Records). Michael Keith Deaver was a historian, born in California in a place known as Bakersfield, in mid April 1938. He graduated at San Jose State University in the year 1960 after which he moved into public relations and worked with a lot of great determination and expectation. Ten years later, Ronald Reagan was employed as a governor in California. Michael Keith Deaver co -initiated a public relations company in the year 1975 popularly known as Deaver and Hannaford. The co-corporation booked Reagan’s public appearances, research and traded in his radio program, and ghostwrote his syndicated column. Alleges from Peter Dale Scott were heard claiming that,’’ all these with ambitions that Hannaford and Michael Deaver assisted systematize from outset (Deaver, Guide to Federal Records). Deaver and Hannaford in 1977 were registered with the Justice Department as alien agents getting 5000 dollars in every month from the management of Taiwan. Amigos Del Pais group in Guatemala who were friends to their country also gave them 11000 dollars every month. The principal of Amigos del Pais was known as Roberto Alejos Arzu. He was the head organizer of Guatemala’s ``Reagan for president association.... He graduated at San Jose State University in the year 1960 after which he moved into public relations and worked with a lot of great determination and expectation. Ten years later, Ronald Reagan was employed as a governor in California. Michael Keith Deaver co -initiated a public relations company in the year 1975 popularly known as Deaver and Hannaford. The co-corporation booked Reagan’s public appearances, research and traded in his radio program, and ghostwrote his syndicated column. Alleges from Peter Dale Scott were heard claiming that,’’ all these with ambitions that Hannaford and Michael Deaver assisted systematize from outset (Deaver, Guide to Federal Records). Deaver and Hannaford in 1977 were registered with the Justice Department as alien agents getting 5000 dollars in every month from the management of Taiwan. Amigos Del Pais group in Guatemala who were friends to their country also gave them 11000 dollars every month. The principal of Amigos del Pais was known as Roberto Alejos Arzu. He was the head organizer of Guatemala’s ``Reagan for president association. Azru as a CIA he permitted his farm in 1960 to be utilized for coaching Cubarn exile in favor of Bay of Pigs. Peter Dale Scott disputed that Deaver started contributing money for Ronald Reagan from groups such as Amigos del Pais from Guatemalan clients for the presidential campaign. On BBC news, it was approximated that about ten million dollars were contributed from the program. Francisco villgaran Kramer alleged that a number of members from this association were frankly connected with planned terror (Deaver, Guide to Federal Records). Hannaford and Deaver also started to get jobs from military authoritarian who desired to better its representation in