What Is a Smart House What is Domotics

A smart house is a home that has highly advanced, automated systems to control and monitor any function of a house — lighting, temperature control, multi-media, security, window and door operations, air quality, or any other task of necessity or comfort performed by a homes resident. With the rise of wireless computerization, remote-controlled devices are becoming smart just-in-time. Today, its possible to pin a programmed chip onto any occupant and have systems adjust as a person passes by and through a smart house. Is It Really Smart? A smart home appears intelligent because its computer systems can monitor so many aspects of daily living. For example, the refrigerator may be able to inventory its contents, suggest menus and shopping lists, recommend healthy alternatives, and even routinely order groceries. The smart home systems might even ensure a continuously cleaned cat litter box or a house plant that is forever watered. The idea of a smart home may sound like something out of Hollywood. In fact, a 1999 Disney movie titled Smart House presents the comical antics of an American family that wins a house of the future with an android maid who causes havoc. Other films show science fiction visions of smart home technology that seems improbable. However, smart home technology is real, and its becoming increasingly sophisticated. Coded signals are sent through the homes wiring (or sent wirelessly) to switches and outlets that are programmed to operate appliances and electronic devices in every part of the house. Home automation can be especially useful for the elderly, people with physical or cognitive impairments, and disabled persons who wish to live independently. Home technology is the toy of the super-wealthy, like Bill and Melinda Gates home in Washington State. Called Xanadu 2.0, the Gates house is so high-tech that it allows visitors to choose the mood music for each room they visit. Open Standards Think of your house like its one, big computer. If you ever opened up the box or CPU of your home computer, youll find tiny wires and connectors, switches and whirling discs. To make it all work, you have to have an input device (like a mouse or a keyboard), but even more importantly, each of the components has to be able to work with each other. Smart technologies will evolve more quickly if people didnt have to buy entire systems, because lets face it — some of us arent as wealthy as Bill Gates. We also dont want to have 15 remote control devices for 15 different devices — weve been there and done that with televisions and recorders. What consumers want are add-on systems that are easy-to-use. What small manufacturers want are to be able to compete in this new marketplace. Two things are needed to make homes truly â€Å"smart,† writes research journalist  Ira Brodsky in Computerworld. First are sensors, actuators and appliances that obey commands and provide status information. These digital devices are already omnipresent in our appliances. Second are protocols and tools that enable all of these devices, regardless of vendor, to communicate with each other, says Brodsky. This is the problem, but Brodsky believes that smartphone apps, communication hubs and cloud-based services are enabling practical solutions that can be implemented right now. Home energy management systems (HEMS) have been the first wave of smart home devices, with hardware and software that monitors and controls a homes heating, ventilation, and air conditioning  (HVAC) systems. As standards and protocols are being developed, the devices in our homes are making them appear smart—very smart! Prototype Houses The U.S. Department of Energy encourages new smart designs by sponsoring a Solar Decathlon, held every other year. Architecture and engineering college student teams compete in a number of categories, including intuitive control of devices and appliances. In 2013 a team from Canada described their engineering as an integrated mechanical system controlled by mobile devices. This is a student prototype of a smart home. Team Ontarios design for their house is called ECHO. Domotics and Home Automation As the smart house evolves, so, too, do the words we use to describe it. Most generally, home automation and home technology have been the early descriptors. Smart home automation has derived from those terms. The word domotics literally means home robotics. In Latin, the word domus means home. The field of domotics encompasses all phases of smart home technology, including the highly sophisticated sensors and controls that monitor and automate temperature, lighting, security systems, and many other functions. No need for those pesky robots, however. These days most mobile devices, like smart phones and tablets, are digitally connected and control many home systems. And what will your smart home look like? It should look just like what youre living in now if thats what you want. Sources Amazon Lets Users Create Their Own Smart Home by à ngel Gonzà ¡lez, The Seattle Times for Government Technology, April 6, 2016Sources: 19 Crazy Facts About Bill Gates $123 Million Washington Mansion by Madeline Stone, Business Insider, Nov. 7, 2014; The race to create smart homes is on by Ira Brodsky, Computerworld, May 3, 2016 [accessed July 29, 2016]

Where Is English the Official Language

The English language developed in Europe in the middle ages. It was named after a Germanic tribe, the Angles, that migrated to England. The language has been developing for over a thousand years. While its roots are Germanic, the language has adopted many words that originated in other languages.  With words from many different languages making their way into the modern English lexicon as well.  French and Latin are two languages that had a large impact on modern English. Countries Where English Is an Official Language AnguillaAntigua and BarbudaAustraliaBahamasBarbadosBelizeBermudaBotswanaThe British Virgin IslandsCameroonCanada (except Quebec)Cayman IslandsDominicaEnglandFijiGambiaGhanaGibraltarGrenadaGuyanaIreland, NorthernIreland, Republic ofJamaicaKenyaLesothoLiberiaMalawiMaltaMauritiusMontserratNamibiaNew ZelandNigeriaPapua New GuineaSt. Kitts and NevisSt. LuciaSt. Vincent and the GrenadinesScotlandSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSolomon IslandsSouth AfricaSwazilandTanzaniaTongaTrinidad and TobagoThe Turks and Caicos IslandsUgandaUnited KingdomVanuatuWalesZambiaZimbabwe Why English Is Not the Official Language of the United States Even when the United States was made up of various colonies, multiple languages were commonly spoken. While most colonies were under British rule, immigrants from all over Europe chose to make the New World their home. For this reason, during the first Continental Congress, it was decided that no official language would be chosen. Today many think declaring an official National language could violate the first amendment, but this has been untested in the courts. Thirty-one states  have chosen to make it the official state language. English may not be the official language of the United States, but it is the most widely  spoken language in the country, with Spanish as the second most common language. How English Became a Global Language   A global language is one that is spoken by millions of people around the globe. English is one of these languages. But as an ESL student will tell you, English is one of the hardest languages to master. The sheer size of the language and its many linguistic oddities, like irregular verbs, can be challenging for students. So how did English become one of the most commonly spoken languages in the world? After World War  II, technological and medical advances in English speaking nations made the language a popular second choice for many students. As international trade grew larger each year, the need for a common language also grew. The ability to communicate with clients all over the world is a valuable asset in a global economy. Parents, hoping to give their children a leg up in the business world, also pushed their children to learn the language. This helped propel English towards being a global language. The Language of Travelers When traveling the globe, its worth noting that there are few places in the world where a little English wont help you out. While its always nice to learn some of the language of the country youre visiting, having a shared common language to fall back on is great. It allows speakers to feel like they are a part of the global community.

Anti Depressant For Seven Years - 1790 Words

I have taken the anti-depressant Paxil for seven years. This summer I began a gradual tapering off the anti-depressant medication. Each time that I have tried to quit taking paxil, I experience acute dizziness. Doctors call this Anti-Depressant Discontinuation Syndrome. I call it miserable. As I enter my sixth week weaning off from the paxil, I m noticing more and more problems with dizziness, vertigo, balance and nausea. It is compounded by heat, humidity and allergy issues. The last time I missed several doses of paxil, I had an acute attack of dizziness, nausea, disorientation, hallucinations and violent half awake dreams. The doctor diagnosed it as BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo). I was prescribed an anti-histamine which†¦show more content†¦Any eye or head movement causes a violent chain reaction of dizziness, sensations of swimming vision and mini tremors of shock waves of the brain. Needless to say this terrific dizziness sets off waves of nausea as well. Even lying down, with eyes closed the swimming vision continues. Doctors mention that many people mistake these withdrawal symptoms as a return of symptoms masked by the Paxil or anti-depressant. Many return to the medication to prevent the symptoms. Managing this antidepressants discontinuation syndrome and concomitant dizziness and vertigo isn t easy. I have read that it can take several months to a year to be rid of them. For more information on at-home therapeutic techniques for coping with Anti-depressant Discontinuation syndrome and the dizziness it causes, visit me at www.healthhelp4u.blogspot.com. Depression Realism - Self delusionI made a lot of important decisions in my life when the situations were most demanding. There was little time to indulge in research. I had to make assumptions and submit entirely to Almighty and make the decision. And surprisingly, those decisions have had a life changing effect, for the better. 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Accounting Policy on Corporate Tax Avoidance

Question: Discuss about theAccountingfor Policy on Corporate Tax Avoidance. Answer: The Vision and Mission Statement The vision and the mission statement of the organization summarize their goals and objectives. Both of them serve differently for the company. The mission statements concentrate on the present; the mission outlines what a company wants to do now and a vision outlines what the company wants to do in the future. The focus of the vision statement is the future. It is a source of the inspiration and motivation. The mission statement informs about the desired level of the performance. Therefore, it can be said that the mission statement talks about primary objectives and the purpose of the organization and the vision statement is the statement, which states where one wants to be. Brambles is a supply chain logistics company which has its presence in over 60 countries(Blackmores.com.au). The largest operation of the company is in North America and Western Europe. Brambles have its headquarters in Sydney. Brambles provide services related to the supply chain logistics to its customers. Blac kmore is the Australias leading health company. The main aim of the company is to inspire people to control and invest in their well-being. Blackmore is the leading company in Australia for over 70 years. The vision of the company is to become the primary choice healthcare of the country. The company wants to establish a strong culture that promotes patients care, staff engagement by the help of new technologies and strategic alliances. The mission statement is to promote the healthier communities through the compassion and comprehensive health and human services, regardless of the activity to pay. The mission of Brambles is to be the worlds leading provider of the innovative business solutions in the support service. The company creates value by providing the outsourcing expertise to add exceptional value in the eyes of the customers. The company also creates value for the shareholders through the people and their enterprising spirit. The companys vision is to provide its primary i mportance to the customers. The company strives for success. The company is committed to provide safety, diversity, people and the teamwork. The company thus, believes in the culture of innovation. The Values of the Company The values that are associated with the blackmores company is the natural healthcare that will be considered as the core of the organization. It is not just the philosophy rather it is how they do the business. As per the company, the success of it depends on putting focus on the customers, innovative thinking along with responsible action towards the local community and the environment. All the values of the company are known as PIRLS, they are behavioral and aspiration. The values of the brambles are committed to zero environment harm including eliminating deforestation; to protect, restore and promote sustainability in terms of the use of forest in the value chain of the company. The Corporate Social Responsibility For the last two year, Brambles limited is included in the Dow jones sustainability world index (DJSI), this index identifies organizations that led their companies in the corporate social responsibility (CSR) (brambles.com). Therefore, it can be stated that Brambles works mainly through the CHEP and IFCO brands and it provided the supply chain solutions to its customers. In June 2015, CHEP North America introduced the corporate social responsibility, which included unique services to help the consumers to optimize their supply chains and therefore, to support the corporate social responsibility initiatives. The portfolio of the solutions is developed to assist the partners to shift products from firms or the shift various product to the different stores from the production center efficienly, addressing the damage of the product and the failed unit loads and empty the transport miles (brambles.com). CHEP North America had identified the process of efficient elimination of the waste o f the company and the way to improve the supply chain performance by considering certain facts like logistic, supply chain platforms, international trade, transportation and others.. One of the retailer joined with CHEP to test the new transportation solution and it is been estimated that the retailer will fill almost one million empty trailer miles which would generate a revenue of US $ 2.5 million (brambles.com). The three of the main retailers of grocery, which uses the unit load optimization solution, reduced damage at their distribution centre and the retailer saves about US $ 300000 in their supply chain (brambles.com). The DJSI considers the analysis of the corporate economic, environment and social performance, it assess issues that relates to the corporate governance, management of risk, branding of the product, mitigation in the climate change, the standards of the supply chain and the labor practices. According to the index, the name of the Brambles Limited has been included in the DJSI because of the code of conduct and the corporate governance. The company also ranked higher in the scale of the climate strategy and the policy meant for the environment. Therefore, according to the employees of the company it is been stated that the company is built on the principles of the sustainable. They are building a long-term relationship with the sustainable business that aims at serving the customers, the employees and the shareholders of the company. The company also supports the longleaf pine restoration in the USA (brambles.com). The Longleaf Alliance is a nonprofit organization that helps to promot e to retain, manage and restore the Longleaf Pine around the country. Therefore, CHEP USA has supported the organization for a number of years. In the year 2015, the collaboration assisted landowners and partners with planting of trees 2.99 million trees (brambles.com). The financial assistance is provided by the CHEP for the planting of trees (Navi 2012). Blackmore has committed to the sustainability and the social responsibility. Being the corporate and the responsible citizens, they believe that the issues of environmentally sustainable practice relating to all aspects of the business must be addressed by them. The business should demonstrate care, respect for the people and the compassion and the safe and the healthy community. Blackmore keeps on exploring the ways to reduce the product packaging impact on the environment. The recycling of the packaging product shall be increased and the company should develop the sustainable packaging solutions. The company is the founding signatory to the Australian packaging covenant, a sustainable packaging initiative that thus, changes the culture of the business. The agreement between the industries and the companies that have been made tries to aim at the packaging sustainability issues and provide funds for the same. Blackmore has started using glass in the container since early 60s comparing with the longevity and the protection that it provides to the product. The glass can be recycled easily. In the year 2014, the company made use of the process of closed loop for the bulk deliveries. The use of the closed loop will eliminate the plastic waste (Zentes et al. 2016). It reduced the handling time and the operational costs have also reduced to a certain level and have become environment friendly. The quality of materials that are used by the company is environment friendly and does not include any of the toxic items like mercury. The company is the company has initiated the the use of the Planet ark Australian recycling label and the use of paperless order picking. The entire environment and the sustainability initiatives are managed by the company along with the maintenance of the compliance with the Therapeutic Goods Administration high standards, which is related to the goods manufacturing practice that ensures high standards of manufacturing the goods. Blackmores company primary focus is to protect the environment from the harmful particles that are emitted by the packaging industry (Blackmores.com.au). The company in its headquarters has a high range generation plant, which fulfills the need of the energy of the company. The company also supports various charitable and the non-profit making institutions by providing funds in the charitable institutions. Some of the institutions that the company supports are as follows- cancer council, Chris OBrien life house, cure brain cancer foundation, heart research institute, WWF, Quest for life foundation. Heart Ali an d many others.The company also supports Australian athletes named- Collingwood football club, holy Wawn and sam bloom (Blackmores.com.au). The companys festival that was named as Blackmores Sydney running festival raised $ 1.2 million for 33 official charities and attracted 32,000 participants. The company raise an amount of $ 15.5 million for the charity (Blackmores.com.au). The company also provides the employee charitable scheme for the employees where the employees are motivated to participate in the charitable scheme. The participating employees is provided with the deduction in the taxation paid by them by 0.5 percent (Blackmores.com.au). Value Created by the Shareholders However, with the investor point of view the Blackmore Company has the dividend payout and dividend reinvestment plan for the investors. Blackmore provides dividend to the shareholders of the company in March and September (Blackmores.com.au). The Brambles Limited have provided interim as well as the final dividend in the year 2016. In the year 2015, the company has provided final dividend to its shareholders. Between the years 2012 to 2014, no dividend was paid to the shareholders (Amiram et al. 2012). In the year, 2009 and 2010 the dividend and interim dividend both were paid to the shareholders (Blackmores.com.au). Reference Amiram, D., Bauer, A.M. and Frank, M.M., 2012. The effect of the shareholder dividend tax policy on corporate tax avoidance.Unpublished, University of Virginia, Darden School Foundation. Blackmores.com.au. (2016).About us. [online] Available at: https://www.blackmores.com.au/about-us [Accessed 8 Dec. 2016]. Blackmores.com.au. (2016).Dividend information. [online] Available at: https://www.blackmores.com.au/about-us/investor-centre/dividend-information [Accessed 8 Dec. 2016]. Brambles Corporate Site. (2016).Annual Reports. [online] Available at: https://www.brambles.com/annual-reports [Accessed 8 Dec. 2016]. Brambles Corporate Site. (2016).Brambles. [online] Available at: https://www.brambles.com/ [Accessed 8 Dec. 2016]. Brambles Corporate Site. (2016).Corporate Governance Overview. [online] Available at: https://www.brambles.com/corporate-governance-overview [Accessed 8 Dec. 2016]. Brambles Corporate Site. (2016).Dividends. [online] Available at: https://www.brambles.com/dividends [Accessed 8 Dec. 2016]. Brambles Corporate Site. (2016).Investor Centre. [online] Available at: https://www.brambles.com/investor-centre [Accessed 8 Dec. 2016]. Navi, S.T., 2012. Corporate social responsibility. Zentes, J., Morschett, D. and Schramm-Klein, H., 2016. Corporate Social Responsibility. InStrategic Retail Management(pp. 207-226). Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden.