Thursday, October 31, 2019

Prevalence of CKD among the Aboriginal and the Risk Factors Essay

Prevalence of CKD among the Aboriginal and the Risk Factors - Essay Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that kidney damage shown by the passing of protein in the urine, is widespread among the Aboriginal, and proportions of treated chronic kidney disease among the Aboriginal have at times been reported to be more than 30 times the levels of other Australians. Though data on the occurrences and prevalence of CKD among the Aboriginal is not present at the national level, the big burden resulting from CKD within this population is shown by the high rate of prevalence of CKD, the high cases and prevalence of ESKD, the high hospitalization cases and mortality rates related with CKD among the Aboriginal. The biggest challenge facing the Aboriginal is accessibility to healthcare. Risk factors for chronic kidney disease are greatly prevalent among the Aboriginal communities. Poor nutrition, alcohol abuse, tobacco smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and other preventable diseases are widespread among many Aboriginal and have been related to kidney problems within this community. Data from the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organization indicated higher levels of diabetes, obesity, smoking, and high blood pressure among the Aboriginal in comparison with other Australians. Add this to the poor social-economic conditions and usual remote regions resulting in poor accessibility of health services and you get increased cases of CKD as well as other chronic illnesses among the Aboriginal. There is also higher cases of low birth weights among the Aboriginal and this according to McDonald contributes to increased risk for kidney disease, outside other risk factors.

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Global Climate Change Essay Example for Free

Global Climate Change Essay Climate change pertains to the deviation in the global temperature through a course of time. It portrays the alterations in the standard condition of the atmosphere for a particular period of time, extending from years to centuries. It has been determined that climate change is the result of various courses, both internal and external with respect to the planet. The phrase climate change has lately been applied to issues of environmental planning strategies and approximately 90 – 95% of this variation has been attributed to human activities. This human derived concept has then been categorized as anthropogenic climate change and the media has then presented this phenomenon as global warming. Other non-governmental agencies have also referred to this occurrence as climate variability. In this paper, climate change and global warming will be used interchangeably to refer to the increase in temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere. DETAILS OF CLIMATE CHANGE Climate change pertains to the increase in temperature of the atmosphere based on the entrapment of gases that are emitted from activities on the surface of the earth. The increase in temperature is a direct result of the greenhouse effect, which involves heat that originated from the sun, which is entrapped within the atmosphere due to several factors. Scientists have determined that the atmosphere’s temperature has increased since the industrial revolution, which has maximized the use of chemicals in manufacturing various kinds of materials in industry. There are four principal gases that have been identified to be primarily responsible for the onset of global warming. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is accountable for approximately half of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (Pearson and Palmer, 2000). This gas is a by-product of fossil fuel combustion, which involves burning of coal, natural gas and oil. It is also generated from deforestation activities, which have increased for expansion of industrialization areas. Trees utilize carbon dioxide in their photosynthetic reactions, but it there are fewer trees in the environment, less CO2 is removed from the atmosphere, leaving the environment with excess amounts of CO2. Another gas that has been determined to be responsible for global warming is chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are the primary constituent of plastics and aerosols, as well as refrigerants in air conditioners. Chlorofluorocarbons make up approximately 25% of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Thirdly, methane gas (CH4), which comprises approximately 12% of the greenhouse gases, is also accountable for global warming. Methane gas is released during the decay of organic matter, as well as in the stomachs of cattle, sheep and termites, yet, most of the gas is currently generated by industrial companies. Lastly, nitrous oxide (N2O) is responsible for approximately 6% of the greenhouse gases. It is a by-product of industries, as well as nitrogen fertilizers, volcanic eruptions and livestock manure. HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF CLIMATE CHANGE The process of global warming through the greenhouse effect was historically described in 1824 by Joseph Fourier. The details of the greenhouse effect were eventually examined in 1896 by Svante Arrhenius. These investigations resulted in the determination of the mechanisms behind the increase in temperature through the absorption and release of infrared radiation by gases that existed in the atmosphere. The radiation in turn increased the temperature of the Earth’s surface and its adjacent surrounding atmosphere. Research has shown that the greenhouse effect is a natural occurrence that is influenced by gases that are naturally present in the atmosphere. It has actually been postulated that the initial greenhouse effect of the Earth is beneficial for biological species to survive because it warms the Earth’s surface to a temperature of approximately 33oC. Should the greenhouse effect be absent, any biological species would not be able to survive through the harsh cold temperature of the Earth. However, the accumulated effect of human activity during the last few centuries has affected the greenhouse phenomenon, resulting in a significant increase in the concentration of particular gases. This increase in concentration subsequently influenced the atmospheric temperature to increase. The first greenhouse gas that was identified is water vapor. This gas comprises around 36 to 70% of the total greenhouse effect. Another greenhouse gas that was recognized is carbon dioxide which makes up 9 to 26% of the total atmospheric complex. Approximately 4 to 9% of the atmosphere is also composed of methane gas, while around 4 to 9% is made up of ozone. Historical atmospheric analysis has shown that the amount of these gases has increase by almost 75% since the 18th century industrial era. Geological research has indicated that the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has reached its highest concentration in the last 20 million years of the Earth’s existence.

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Literature review of reducing barriers and reoffending in juvenile offenders

Literature review of reducing barriers and reoffending in juvenile offenders This assignment will be a literature review of reducing barriers and re-offending in juvenile offenders at Wetherby secure college of learning through education and training, and to draw out any key themes that have been highlighted from published research. It has for a long time been accepted that there is a long standing connection of both public and professional opinions, the link between those juvenile offenders who commit crime to barriers and education, training and skills. This literature review will draw on books, published research, home office and government journals and agencies such as the YJB, OLASS- offender learning and skills service. This bibliographic information was selected using home office, government and agency resources and also using databases such as Educational Resources Information Centre (ERIC). The government has a duty to punish those as a deterrent who commit crime, but also has a duty to address the reason why these young juvenile offenders fall into a vicious circle of committing crime. The review will look at how the government intend to raise offender skills and get more offenders into work and stop repeat offending. Research has Identified a key falling of the criminal justice system that over half off all offences are committed by ex- offenders, Barbary (2007) and out of all offenders that were released from custody in 2004 over sixty five per cent went on to re-offend, Home Office (2007). This being a massive cost to the government and to the tax payer by ex-offenders estimated to be around  £11 billion per year Social Exclusion Unit (2002). The interest I have in this area is that I have been working with young offenders on and off for the last twenty two years and for the last ten years in a teaching capacity. Over this period of time I have dealt with these young people with a whole range of learning and educational difficulties, and we need to look at, and to stop the huge number of them re-offending and coming back into custody. And that is to equip them with the right skills so at least they have a better chance of progressing through life. For my research I would like to take a sample of offenders who have improved their education whilst in custody and to follow them on release to see if it has had an impact on stopping them re-offending. The back ground to this review starts with the youth justice board, the YJB were introduced to oversee the provision of all 15-18 year olds in custody serving detention training orders. This agency brought a renewed focus as their role spans both custody and the community to monitor key services to prevent re-offending under the crime and disorder act 1998. Review of Literature Evaluation of Literature suggests custodial institutions are attempting to meet the needs of the young juvenile offenders who are beset with multiple disadvantages. In terms of education and training, the young peoples immediate antecedents are mainly characterised by lack of access and/or nonparticipation and long-standing deficits in literacy and numeracy. The YJB commissioned Ecotec consulting to undertake an audit of the provisions of education and training within the juvenile estate. The YJB could then use this as a base to measure any success that arose. The outcome of this audit gave an eye opening evidence based snapshot of a system failing to provide juvenile offenders with their entitlement to a good education. The audits evidence revealed a picture of a disconnected, inadequate and an impoverished service ECOTEC (2001). There were three main areas where education appears to be significant in creating a likelihood of offending: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ The impact of custodial interventions; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Educational under-achievement, particularly with respect to literacy and numeracy; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Permanent exclusion and non-attendance at school. A re-occurring thread of research done on young people in custody is that a majority have low levels of educational or training qualifications, with significant literacy and numeracy deficits in particular. The Social Exclusion Unit Bridging the Gap report noted that 80 per cent of young offenders in custody had no qualifications, and that over two-thirds of young offenders sent to custody were at NVQ Level 1 or below for reading, writing and numeracy YJB (2006). A survey carried out by INCLUDE for the YJBs Basic Skills Initiative (2000) of the basic skills needs of young people with whom Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) are working revealed reading ages averaging six years behind chronological ages. Evidence from other researchers were in agreement with ECOTEC consulting, findings revealed similar key factors that are closely associated with offending by young people: * detachment from education * low attainment (especially in literacy and numeracy skills) * influence of the school (including lack of a clear school ethos, poor discipline) * experience of custody and local authority care, which are associated with detachment from education and low attainment, Blythe, Haywood, Stevenson (2004). Research over the last decade has suggested that young people who do not succeed at GCSE level are less likely to move onto further education between the ages of 16 and 18, this evidence in itself, is the most important indicator of unemployment at age 21 (Social Exclusion Unit, 1999). Work carried out by Croll and Moses (2003) supports the view that early exits from the education system are typically associated with limited career prospects and other restricted life chances. This is also viewed by the researchers mentioned earlier, that the earlier young people remove themselves or are removed by exclusion or suspension from education in their early teens are likely to go on to become young offenders. Evidence from the literature suggests that, to curb the dis-engagement of the young offenders from learning before they get into the criminal justice system was: For schools to respond quickly to non- attendance/ involve the parents with support/ and to arrange full time programmes for students who have become detached from education To have individualised learning plans for students with difficulties And to promote a good school ethos and staff- student relationships. All the literature review so far is in agreement with what is happening and what needs to be done to help young people overcome these barriers and promote education to the dis-effected youth I see on a day to day basis in my work environment. The four main risk factors for the onset and continuation of offending occur within the remit of education, training and employment, these are, detachment from education, low attainment in literacy and numeracy, influence of the schools and receiving a custodial sentence or placed into care. Research evidence also suggests that engagement in education and training is most probably the single most important protective factor in reducing offending and reoffending (YJB, 2002; Berridge et al, 2001; Lipsey, 1995; Farrington, 1996). What is less clear from all of this evidence is the direction of the relationship between cause and effect with these particular risk factors. Does low attainment make the young person more likely to absent him or herself, or are those who absent themselves more likely to be low attainers? Does being excluded from school lead people into offending, or are actual or potential offenders more likely to be excluded? (YJB 2006). Some literature argues that, it is unclear whether these young people being out of school for long periods of time and associating with an older delinquent cohort fall into crime (Berridge et al, 2001; Farrington,2001) or the increase exposure to drug taking, or is it when the young people drop out from education, its the delay in re-attachment back to mainstream education that is driving them into engaging in offending behaviour (Parsons, 2000). But the literature does suggest that being exposed to one or all the risk factors mentioned increases the risk of offending behaviour (YJB, 2006). If we look more closely at the high risk factors of causes of offending in young people and possible resolutions. Detachment The YJB funded education programmes has shown direct correlation in numeracy and literacy attainment and in low rates of offending (YJB,2003). Post sixteen education, training and skills interventions were a big predictor in getting employment. An Audit Commission Report (1999), reported that on any one day that there are four hundred thousand children, five per cent of the eight million children that should be in school that or not. The Audit Commission Report (Audit Commission, 2004) recognised that the extent of out of school population was unknown and recommended that LEAs should undertake a census of young people not in school, including authorised and unauthorised absences and those not on a school roll. The Tomlinson Report (DfES, 2004) observed that: Disengagement peaks during Key Stage 4 and is manifest in absenteeism, exclusion and bad behaviour. Some of the causes of disengagement are cultural, social and economic and not easily addressed through changes to curriculum and qualifications. While recognising that the causes of disengagement may be complex, the Tomlinson Report proposals had the stated aim of raising participation and tackling the educational causes of disengagement through: * offering a choice of relevant programmes and activities that allow young people to pursue their interests and aspirations * sign posting progression routes within a diploma framework and making it easier for learners to follow a route of their choice * ensuring that all young people developed the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to access the curriculum * enabling young people to build confidence by gaining credit for small steps of achievement. There are four additional messages from the current literature. * It is much clearer about what to do than the detail on how to do it Reattaching young people to education and training is far harder than preventing detachment in the first place * There is limited evidence available of the transfer of learning between different environments such as custody to the community * Delays and poor communication between the education and youth justice systems are a major constraint (YJB 2006). Conclusions The literature review supports the importance placed by the YJB on education and training to reduce recidivism among young people who offend. The emerging research evidence provides broad guidance for principles of effective educational interventions. Several types of intervention have been evaluated as demonstrating a high degree of effectiveness in reducing important risk factors. The evidence also indicates that early and sustained intervention on the crucial matters of attainment and attachment have a higher chance of success than trying to equip older teenagers who have become completely detached from mainstream learning with literacy and numeracy skills.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Fiorello LaGuardia Essay -- New York Mayor Biography Essays

Fiorello LaGuardia Fiorello LaGuardia was born on December 11th 1882 to immigrants of Italian and Jewish ancestry in New York. He served as the mayor of New York City from 1945-1945. He is considered to be one of the mayors who redefined New York City politics. Fiorello had a very long career in politics before serving as mayor. After graduating New York University law school in 1910, LaGuardia practiced law and was appointed Deputy Attorney General. He also served many terms in Congress as a republican. LaGuardia lost his first try at the Mayor’s race to Jimmy Walker in 1929, but was successful on his second try in 1933.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  LaGuardia expressed his interest in the Mayoral running after he lost his final term in Congress, November 1932. On November 22, 1932 LaGuardia invited â€Å"Key men and women in politics and all walks of like to attend an anti-Tammany (present mayor) meeting at town hall† (Mann, P.66). At this meeting, LaGuardia knew that it was too early to talk about candidates. But he did offer a very clear and powerful outline of his beliefs to a reporter for the ‘nation’. He states: â€Å"While everybody is talking about the necessity of a change in our City government, there is nothing really practical, concrete and definite being done. Public opinion must not only be crystallized, but must be translated into action through the medium of an actual fighting organization of determined men and women. The election machinery cannot be over-looked. The best intentions and good will even of a majority of the people cannot, unless properly prepared, overcome th e crookedness, corruption and violence of an entrenched political machine† (Mann, P. 66).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After his meeting at Town Hall, LaGuardia returned to Washington to finish his Congressional term, namely his New Deal legislation, leaving many New Yorkers something to think about. He returned to his East Harlem residence on March 4th, 1933. Although LaGuardia was a Republican, and Tammany was a Democrat; he learned that the Fusion party was setting up potential candidates to run against Tammany. LaGuardia saw this as an opportunity to break in to the candidacy. â€Å"The Fusion Conference Committee, as it came to be called, consisted of delegates from groups traditionally hostile to the Wigwam: conservative Republicans, the business community, and the Good Government associations† (Mann, P.67). The fus... .... While there, he introduced his new policy regarding enforcement zones for the officers. Before LaGuardia, the police would enforce where they wanted to enforce. Conveniently ignoring certain areas where organized crime and other criminal activities took place. He recognized this and stated that he will not tolerate it. Along with introducing formal patrol zones, he added 250 more officers to the force.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  LaGuardia not only did well in general but did exceptionally well for the city of New York considering the time period he entered office. Prohibition was just ending, the era of the depression was looming in the air and the city of New York was almost bankrupt. LaGuardia also implemented a large public works plan, and the civil service bureau which brought many jobs and revitalized the economy. However, his plan did include several tax hikes; it brought the cities budget out of deficit.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Still to this day LaGuardia’s work does not go overlooked. He brought New York City to a new level post World War II, and it didn’t faze him one bit. Not only does this prove him to be one of the greatest mayors New York has ever had, but one of the greatest leaders of all time.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Neighborhood Watch

The theory of Opportunity-Reduction supports Neighborhood Watch program. This theory assumes that the initiative of potential crime victims or the citizens could help reducing the risk of criminals’ attack (Kilpatrick, 2004). The Opportunity-Reduction model involves four categories such as (1) increasing perceived effort, (2) increasing perceived risks, (3) reducing anticipated rewards, and (4) inducing guilt or shame (or removing excuses, Clarke, 1997) (Clarke and Homel, 1997). The last category which is inducing guilt or shame was eventually omitted in the work of Wortley (2002) since the strategies under this category do not involve the reduction of criminal’s opportunity to attack but rather it encourages and gives the offender more chances of doing illegal actions (Wortley, 1997, 1998). Instead of inducing guilt or shame, Wortley replaces it with precipitation-control. Accordingly, this can be more effective in reducing permissibility for potential offenders or criminals. Wortley (2002) also adds another category which is increasing anticipated punishments which is based on the learning theory that views anticipated rewards can reduce crimes. This is an effective mean of overcoming crime problems and it is also applicable in real prison management (Severson, 2004). Opportunity-Reduction approach also supports Neighborhood Watch programs through crime prevention and self-defense training courses available for community police and citizens as well as focusing on quality of life by citizen participation   (Kilpatrick, 2004; Whittemore, 1989; Baker, Wolfer, & Zezza, 1999). The Canterchase residents should be able to create partnerships, support and collaborate with each other. They need to communicate effectively by reporting or sharing information, use security or warning devices, use detectors or watchdogs. They must also apply problem-oriented policing in order to discuss the nature of problems, assign citizens in taking their responsibilities on crime reduction and solving crime-related problems. Techniques like the SARA or scanning, analysis, response, and assessment (Baker, Wolfer, & Zezza, 1999; Wolfer, Zezza, 2001) are useful in community policing and crime prevention. References Baker, T. E., Wolfer, L., & Zezza, R. (1999) â€Å"Problem-Solving Policing Eliminating Hot Spots.† The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin 68(11). Clarke, R. V. (ed.) (1997) Situational Crime Prevention: Successful Case Studies 2nd ed. Albany, NY: Harrow & Heston. Kilpatrick, D. G. (2004) Interpersonal Violence and Public Policy: What about the Victims?. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 32(1), 73+. Whittemore, L. S. (1989) Appendix C the Success of Community Crime Prevention. Canadian Journal of Criminology 31(4), 489. Wortley, R. (1997) Reconsidering the role of opportunity in situational crime prevention. In G. Newman, R. V. Clarke and S. G. Shohan (eds.), Rational Choice and Situational Crime Prevention, Aldershot, Ashgate Publishing, pp. 65–82. Wortley, R. (1998) A two-stage model of situational crime prevention. Studies on Crime and Crime Prevention 7, pp. 173–88. Wortley, R. (2002) Situational Prison Control: Crime Prevention in Correctional Institutions. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.   

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Buddhism and Christianity Essay

Thesis: While both Christianity and Buddhism were religions that encourages kindness and renunciation of wealth, Christianity caused a stir with Jesus’ hatred against the greedy rich and powerful and his alliance with the lower class, which eventually lead to his execution, whereas Buddhism’s leader, Buddha, spread a message that was not threatening to the high class, letting him live his life until his natural death at 80. This Venn diagram compares and contrasts Buddhism and Christianity. It represents my key knowledge and thinking skills by showing my ability to diagnose important similarities and differences between the two major religions, My Venn diagram is okay, but there is room for improvement. It lists some key similarities and differences, but they are worded in an awkward manner. Christianity Christianity * First Christians were persecuted by the Roman Empire (because of the Christians’ refusal to worship the roman polytheistic religion) * By the time Theodosius was Emperor, Christianity became the preferred official religion of the Roman Empire. * Women’s role in church slowly deteriorated * The Great Schism split Christianity into two religions, Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox. * Saint Paul spread the small religion  * First Christians were persecuted by the Roman Empire (because of the Christians’ refusal to worship the roman polytheistic religion) * By the time Theodosius was Emperor, Christianity became the preferred official religion of the Roman Empire. * Women’s role in church slowly deteriorated * The Great Schism split Christianity into two religions, Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox. * Saint Paul spread the small religion Changes Changes Continuities Continuities * Strong denial of gods of other Religions * The Bible stayed a constant Main religious text for Christianity * Extremely Monotheistic * * Went from worshipping Brahma to three deities (Vishnu, Siva and Brahma) * Women were not allowed to perform sacrifices anymore  * Went from having sacrifices of animals to personal sacrifices (fasting) * Changed from Brahmanism and lunar and solar lineages to Hinduism. * Went from worshipping Brahma to three deities (Vishnu, Siva and Brahma) * Women were not allowed to perform sacrifices anymore * Went from having sacrifices of animals to personal sacrifices (fasting) * Changed from Brahmanism and lunar and solar lineages to Hinduism. Changes Changes Continuities Continuities Hinduism Hinduism Open to everyone * Caste system * Intentional misinterpretation of Hindu texts To keep patriarchy Thesis: While Christianity and Hinduism both had continuities of (respectively) a strong sense of denial of other religions’ gods and a strong caste system, both had major changes such as going from a heavily persecuted religion to the Roman Empire’s official religion and switching from animal sacrifices to personal sacrifices. The two tables show changes and continuities for two  major religions, Christianity and Hinduism. The table shows my key thinking skills by being able to point out key continuities and changes. My Table is a little bit sparse on the continuities side, but the changes for Christianity are plentiful. I need to work on researching with more effort. Thesis: Although the four main religions, Buddhism, Brahmanism, Hinduism and Christianity affected the role of women, the poor social role of women outside of church was uniform in all the regions of these religions. Patriarchy is very much alive in all of them. My spoke diagram shows a variety of religions. The statements are also positive and negative towards patriarchy. It shows my key thinking skills by displaying quotes for all the statements. My spoke diagram could use more statements, five seems like enough, but more would be better. I think I did a great job on putting quotes for all the statements. Analyze similarities and differences in attitudes and treatment towards women in TWO of the following societies in the Classical period. Han China (206 B.C.E.–220 C.E.) Mauryan/Gupta India (320 B.C.E.–550 C.E.) Imperial Rome (31 B.C.E.–476 C.E.) or Analyze similarities and differences in methods of political control in TWO of the following empires in the Classical period. Han China (206 B.C.E.–220 C.E.) Mauryan/Gupta India (320 B.C.E.–550 C.E.) Imperial Rome (31 B.C.E.–476 C.E.) cause of the cast system and its traditions, India had more of a social code of conduct instead of rigid laws. Tradition of having local princes also was a cause of the fall of the Maurya Empire, because they made it easier to rebel against the main government China During the HAN dynasty, Confucianism came back into government with high sights on education, the tradition of using the mandate of heaven ensured that the Han Empire fell by 3rd century CE. And the Qin Empire fell in a mere 20 years since he lost his mandate of heaven Confucianism taught orderly society with relationships. The tradition of bureaucracy in the Chinese government kept power in the wealthy class. * So they traveled on the Silk road and also traveled to Spain and France * All the provinces conquered by the Roman empire now were influenced to become Christians * So he wrote the gospels * So he used the Roman Roads and traveled all across the Empire, spreading the word of Christ * So they traveled on the Silk road and also traveled to Spain and France * All the provinces conquered by the Roman empire now were influenced to become Christians * So he wrote the gospels * So he used the Roman Roads and traveled all across the Empire, spreading the word of Christ Cause and Effect of the spread of Christianity Cause and Effect of the spread of Christianity Cause Effect * Christians were expelled from the Roman Empire * Theodosius made Christianity the  Roman Empire’s Official religion * St. Paul wished to make Christianity A major religion * St. Paul wanted to spread the Religion throughoutCause and Effect of the spread of Buddhism Cause and Effect of the spread of Buddhism Roman Empire Effect * His word was spread in India, but not much more than the Ganges River. * Buddhism spread even more in India, to northern India even. * The monks made the Chinese believe in Buddha * He promised himself to make up for it by spreading Buddhism by erecting stupas Effect * His word was spread in India, but not much more than the Ganges River. * Buddhism spread even more in India, to northern India even. * The monks made the Chinese believe in Buddha * He promised himself to make up for it by spreading Buddhism by erecting stupas Cause * Buddha traveled in India * After Buddha’s death monks also traveled in India * Monks traveled along the Silk Road * Asoka was appalled by the bloody Battle of Kalinga Thesis: Although both Christianity and Buddhism spread along the Silk Road, Christianity moved along this trade network because of exiled Christians who were seeking a home away from the Roman Empire, whereas Buddhism spread voluntarily, with monks successfully trying to convert the Chinese. The cause and effect table lists the causes and the effects of the spread of two major religions, Buddhism and Christianity. It displays my abilities to  make connections to major effects and their causes. The table is okay. It has four causes and effects for both religions, which is not great. For Buddhism, it seems a little too focused on monks traveling to spread Buddhism. Thesis: Although both China and India’s political systems were influenced by tradition, India’s caste system created no need for laws, while the qin dynasty’s legalistic system created very rigid ones. The two flowcharts show a continual effect of tradition or religion on India and China’s political systems. It displays my abilities to connect separate events into one continuous lineage of facts. The flowcharts do point out main ideas I was trying to display, but they seem a little bit incoherent at times.