Cmgt 555

|[pic] |Course Syllabus | | |College of Information Systems & Technology | | |CMGT/555 Version 10 | | |2/19/2013 – 4/1/2013 | | |Systems Analysis and Development | Copyright  © 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Course Description This course provides a background in analysis and design techniques for business system and application development. Although the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is fundamental to the course, other methodologies and tools are examined from a managerial perspective. PoliciesFaculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: †¢ University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. †¢ Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum. University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Pol icies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality. Course Materials Dennis, A. , Wixom, B. H. , & Roth, R. M. (2009). Systems analysis and design (4th ed. ). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Kendall, K. E. , & Kendall, J.E. (2011). Systems analysis and design (8th ed. ). Prentice Hall. Valacich, J. S. , George, J. F. , & Hoffer, J. A. (2009). Essentials of systems analysis and design (4th ed. ). Prentice Hall. Software Microsoft Visio ® (Recommended) Supplemental Resources Element K. (2010). Introduction to Software Life Cycle Models. Element K. (2010). The Fundamentals of Requirements Elicitation (Inquestra) (Part 1 of 8). Element K. (2010). Determining a Project's Objectives (Inquestra) (Part 2 of 8). Element K. (2010). Defining Project Scope (Inquestra) (Part 3 of 8). Element K. (2010). Describing Business Process (Inquestra) (Part 4 of 8). Element K. (2010 ).Determining Information Requirements (Inquestra) (Part 5 of 8). Element K. (2010). Describing Functional Business Requirements (Inquestra) (Part 6 of 8). Element K. (2010). Documenting Requirements Meetings (Inquestra) (Part 7 of 8). Element K. (2010). Eliciting Data Warehouse Requirements (Inquestra) (Part 8 of 8). Article References Bather, M. (2007/2008, December/January). Put your data where your work is. Supply & Demand Chain Executive, 9(1), 22. Brache, A. P. (2008, January). Nine variables affect innovation within today's Enterprise Model. Tooling & Production, 74(1), 16. Chisckowski, E. (2008, November). Built-in security. Baseline, (90), 36-38. Gotterbarn, D. & Miller, K. (2010). Unmasking your software’s ethical risks. IEEE Software, 27(1), 12. Gould, L. S. (2008, January). On-demand ERP is here. Automotive Design & Production, 120(1), 46-48. Grenier, L. (2010). AJAX web development techniques. Faulkner Information Services. Greiner, L. (2010). ASP. net architectu re. Faulkner Information Services. Grenier, L. (2010). Java-based application development technology. Faulkner Information Services. Grenier, L. (2009). Outsourcing the Enterprise development project. Faulkner Information Services. Hugos, M. H. (2008, January 7). Calling on IT to do the impossible. Computerworld, 42(2), 21. Nicolaisen, N. (2010).Choosing mobile phone operating systems. Faulkner Information Services. Nicolaisen, N. (2010). Developing mobile applications. Faulkner Information Services. Nicolaisen, N. (2010). Open source development platforms. Faulkner Information Services. Woodward, K. (2010). Project management planning and scheduling. Faulkner Information Services. Woodward, K. (2009). Project management software market trends. Faulkner Information Services. Woodward, K. (2010). Setting project goals and measuring performance. Faulkner Information Services. Woodward, K. (2010). Service oriented architecture. Faulkner Information Services. All electronic materials ar e available on the student website. Week One: Systems Development (2/19 – 2/25) | | |Details |Due |Points | |Objectives |Define the systems development life cycle. | | | | |Examine systems development methodologies. | | | |Course Preparation |Read the course description and objectives. | | | | |Ensure you have access to the required and recommended software: | | | | | | | | | Microsoft Visio (Recommended) | | | | | | | | | |Review the Learning Team Toolkit. | | | |Readings |Read Ch. 1, â€Å"Systems, Roles, and Development Methodologies,† of Systems Analysis and Design. | | | | |Read Appendix B, â€Å"Agile Methodologies,† of Essentials of Systems Analysis and Design. | | | | |Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. | | | |Participation |Participate in class discussion. 2/25 |2 | |Discussion Questions |Respond to weekly discussion questions. |2/21 |2 | |Learning Team Instructions |Complete the Learning Team Charter. | | | | | | | | | |The Learning T eam will complete Service Request SR-rm-004, Analyze HR System. Create an 8–16 | | | | |page report of the project that includes the requested business requirements definition for | | | | |the development of an HR system.Also create a Microsoft PowerPoint ® presentation of the | | | | |project. The report and presentation are due in Week Six. | | | | | | | | | |The report should contain: | | | | | | | | | |An executive summary that eveals the areas of the business to be improved, identifies the | | | | |purpose of the project, and lists the stakeholders associated with the project | | | | | | | | | |An identification of the business requirements of the service request | | | | | | | | | |An articulation of the business requirements in terms of specific processes or business | | | | |development needs | | | | | | | | | |The implementation approach for the project | | | Week Two: Systems Analysis (2/26 – 3/4) | | |Details |Due |Points | |Objectives | | | | | |Explain sc ope and feasibility. | | | | |Define systems analysis and systems requirements. | | | |Readings |Read Ch. 3, â€Å"Project Management,† of Systems Analysis and Design. | | | | |Read Ch. 5, â€Å"Determining System Requirements,† of Essentials of Systems Analysis and Design. | | | | |Read Ch. , â€Å"Structuring System Requirements: Process Modeling,† of Essentials of Systems | | | | |Analysis and Design. | | | | |Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. | | | |Participation |Participate in class discussion. |3/4 |2 | |Discussion Questions |Respond to weekly discussion questions. |2/28 |2 | |Learning Team Instructions |Begin work on Service Request SR-rm-004, Analyze HR System. |3/4 |2 | | |Prepare a 2–4 page Executive Summary of the project. | | |Individual |Select a system for development that would benefit your workplace. Prepare a 2–3 page plan |3/4 |10 | |Systems Development Paper |for determining the feasibility of the systems deve lopment. | | | |Week Three: Systems Design (3/5 – 3/11) | | |Details |Due |Points | |Objectives | | | | | |Define design specifications. | | | |Explain human computer interaction. | | | |Readings |Read Ch. 7, â€Å"Moving Into Design,† of Systems Analysis & Design. | | | | |Read Ch. 8, â€Å"Architecture Design,† of Systems Analysis & Design. | | | | |Read Ch. 8, â€Å"Designing the Human Interface,† of Essentials of Systems Analysis and Design. | | | | |Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. | | | |Participation |Participate in class discussion. 3/11 |2 | |Discussion Questions |Respond to weekly discussion questions. |3/7 |2 | |Learning Team Instructions |Continue work on Service Request SR-rm-004. |3/11 |2 | | |Prepare a 2–4 page identification of the business requirements of the service request. | | | |Individual |Prepare a 2–3 page plan for gathering requirements. Build on the systems development selected|3/11 |10 | |Requir ements Paper |in Week Two. Begin gathering the requirements for the project.State any assumptions you | | | | |make. State the difficulties of gathering the requirements. | | | |Week Four: Systems Development and Implementation (3/12 – 3/18) | | |Details |Due |Points | |Objectives | | | | | |Analyze development. | | | | |Analyze implementation. | | | |Identify methods of information system security. | | | |Readings |Read Ch. 12, â€Å"Moving Into Implementation,† of Systems Analysis & Design. | | | | |Read Ch. 16, â€Å"Quality Assurance and Implementation,† of Systems Analysis and Design. | | | | |Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. | | | |Participation |Participate in class discussion. |3/18 |2 | |Discussion Questions |Respond to weekly discussion questions. 3/14 |2 | |Learning Team Instructions |Continue work on Service Request SR-rm-004. |3/18 |2 | | |Prepare a 2–4 page section of the report that will use process flow charts, procedur es, | | | | |and/or policy statements to articulate the business requirements in terms of specific process| | | | |or business development needs. | | | |Individual |Prepare a 3–5 page requirements document for the systems development selected in Week Two. 3/18 |15 | |Requirements Document |Include the following areas of analysis: | | | | | | | | | |Technical: Describe any proposed hardware and software requirements. | | | | |Performance: Specify expected response time and/or throughput requirements. | | | | |Usability: Describe the human-computer interface, documentation, any new procedures, etc. | | | |Reliability: Define requirements for system dependability, such as up-time, error detection, | | | | |etc. | | | | |Security: Identify user access requirements and conditions under which access may be granted. | | | |Week Five: Maintenance (3/19 – 3/25) | | |Details |Due |Points | |Objectives | | | | | |Identify types of maintenance. | | |Readings |Read Ch. 10, â€Å" Systems Implementation and Operation,† of Essentials of Systems Analysis and | | | | |Design. | | | | |Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. | | | |Participation |Participate in class discussion. |3/25 |2 | |Discussion Questions |Respond to weekly discussion questions. |3/21 |2 | |Learning Team Instructions |Continue work on Service Request SR-rm-004. 3/25 |2 | | | | | | | |Prepare a 2–4 page section of the report that will identify the implementation approach for | | | | |the project. The implementation approach should identify software testing and installation | | | | |activities as well as the training consideration. Include, also, the identification of the | | | | |training method(s) and the audience to be trained. | | | | | | | | |Begin work on PowerPoint ® presentation of the project. | | | |Individual |Prepare a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the design and implementation of the systems |3/25 |15 | |Request for Proposal |development selected in W eek Two. The outline guides the type of information that should be | | | | |included in a RFP. | | | | | | | | |RFP | | | | | | | | | |Introduction | | | | | | | | | |Description of company, including type of organizational structure | | | | |Business goals | | | | |Project goals | | | | |Scope of project | | | | |Time constraints | | | | |Budget constraints | | | | |Other | | | | | | | | | |Requirements | | | | | | | | | |Technical: | | | | | | | | |Standards | | | | |Existing system | | | | |Hardware | | | | |Operating systems | | | | |Networking | | | | |Application software | | | | |Communications | | | | |Security | | | | |Scalability | | | | |Availability | | | | |Reliability | | | | |Maintenance | | | | |Disaster recovery | | | | |Other | | | | | | | | | |Training /Documentation | | | | |Installation issues | | | |Cost | | | | |Other | | | | |Administrative Information | | | | | | | | | |Who may apply | | | | |How to apply | | | | |Confidentiality | | | | |Refer ences | | | | |How to get clarification | | | | |Proposal format | | | | |Submission schedule | | | | |Decision schedule | | | | |Selection criteria | | | | |Other | | | |Week Six: Development Standards (3/26 – 4/1) | | |Details |Due |Points | |Objectives | | | | | |Examine development standards. | | | | |Apply systems analysis. | | |Readings |Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. | | | |Participation |Participate in class discussion. | | | |Discussion Questions |Respond to weekly discussion questions. | | | |Learning Team |Complete work on Service Request SR-rm-004. |4/1 |12 | |Report |Finalize and submit the 8–16 page paper summarizing the project proposal. | | | |Learning Team |Finalize and submit the PowerPoint ® presentation of the project. 4/1 |10 | |Presentation | | | | Optional Discussion Questions Week One Discussion Questions †¢ Describe at least one risk inherent in each phase of the SDLC. †¢ Based on Hugos’ 2008 article, what is the relationship between IT infrastructure and new development? Which one comes first, or can they be built in tandem? †¢ Based on the Greiner (2010) article, how has the Ajax development methodology influenced the SDLC for developing Web-based customer facing applications? †¢ Based on the Greiner (2010) article, how has the ASP. NET facility of the Visual Studio. NET methodology influenced the SDLC for developing Web-Based customer-facing applications?How would you compare Ajax with ASP. NET? Week Two Discussion Questions †¢ Based on Gould’s (2008) article, what is the main attraction for open source ERP? †¢ Based on the Grenier (2011) article, what do you think is the largest benefit and the largest drawback for using mobile devises in the workplace? Consider extensibility, integration, manageability, security, etc. Week Three Discussion Questions †¢ Based on Brache’s 2008 article, what are the three ways a business process is conside red an innovation lever? †¢ Based on the Nicolaisen (2010) article, what accounts for the increased reliance on open source development methodologies to develop new application solutions?Do you think proprietary development methodologies are loosing market share? †¢ Based on the Greiner (2010) article, how has Java-based application development technology influenced the growth and acceptance of open source development platforms? Week Four Discussion Questions †¢ According to Chisckowski’s (2008) article, what are some of the advantages of incorporating security measures into the design and implementation of information systems? What obstacles may be encountered? †¢ Based on the Woodward (2010) article, how should unpredictable delays, failures on the part of third parties, and other obstacles accommodated by the traditional SDLC? Week Five Discussion Questions Based on the Woodward (2010) article, why is measuring project performance in a way that is agree d on by all stakeholders essential for securing agreement that the application solution meets business goals? †¢ Based on the Woodward (2009) article, how has measuring project performance been affected by portfolio management systems that view projects across the entire enterprise for securing agreement that the application solution meets business goals? Week Six Discussion Questions †¢ Based on the Woodward (2010) article, how has service oriented architecture (SOA) provided efficiencies in the design, development, implementation, and deployment of applications? Based on the Greiner (2009) article, how has outsourcing the enterprise development provided efficiencies in the design, development, implementation and deployment of applications? Copyright University of Phoenix ® is a registered trademark of Apollo Group, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft ®, Windows ®, and Windows NT ® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U nited States and/or other countries. All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Use of these marks is not intended to imply endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation. Edited in accordance with University of Phoenix ® editorial standards and practices.

The Return: Nightfall Chapter 19

Matt was knocking at the Bryces' door, with Elena at his side. Elena had disguised herself by stuffing all her hair into a Virginia Cavaliers baseball cap and wearing wraparound sunglasses from one of Stefan's drawers. She was also wearing an over-large maroon and navy Pendleton shirt donated by Matt, and a pair of Meredith's outgrown jeans. She felt sure that no one who had known the old Elena Gilbert would ever recognize her, dressed like this. The door opened very slowly to reveal not Mr. or Mrs. Bryce, nor Jim, but Tamra. She was wearing – well, close to nothing. She had on a thong bikini bottom, but it looked handmade, as if she'd cut a regular bikini bottom with scissors – and it was beginning to come apart. On top she had two round decorations made of cardboard with sequins pasted on and a few strands of colored tinsel. On her head she wore a paper crown, which was clearly where she'd gotten the tinsel. She'd made an attempt to glue strands onto the bikini bottoms as well. The result looked like what it was: a child's attempt to make an outfit for a Las Vegas showgirl or stripper. Matt immediately turned around and stood facing away, but Tami threw herself at him and plastered herself to his back. â€Å"Matt Honey-butt,† she cooed. â€Å"You came back. I knew you would. But why'd you bring this ugly old whore with you? How can we – â€Å" Elena stepped forward, then, because Matt had whirled with his hand up. She was sure that Matt had never struck a female in his life, especially a child, but he was also over-sensitive about one or two subjects. Like her. Elena managed to get between Matt and the surprisingly strong Tamra. She had to hide a smile when contemplating Tami's costume. After all, only a few days ago, she hadn't understood the human nakedness taboo at all. Now she got it, but it didn't seem nearly as important as it once had. People were born with their own perfectly good skins on. There was no real reason, in her mind, to wear false skins over those, unless it was cold or somehow uncomfortable without them. But society said that to be naked was to be wicked. Tami was trying to be wicked, in her own childish way. â€Å"Get your hands off me, you old whore,† Tamra snarled as Elena held her away from Matt, and then she added several rather lengthy expletives. â€Å"Tami, where are your parents? Where's your brother?† Elena said. She ignored the obscene words – they were just sounds – but saw that Matt had gone white around the lips. â€Å"You apologize to Elena right now! Apologize for talking that way!† he demanded. â€Å"Elena's a stinking corpse with worms in her eye sockets,† Tamra sang glibly. â€Å"But my friend says she was a whore when she was alive. A real† – a string of four-letter words that made Matt gasp – â€Å"cheap whore.You know. Nothing's cheaper than something that comes free.† â€Å"Matt, just don't pay any attention,† Elena said under her breath, and she repeated, â€Å"Where are your parents and Jim?† The answer was littered with more expletives, but it amounted to the story – truthful or not – that Mr. and Mrs. Bryce had gone away on vacation for a few days, and that Jim was with his girlfriend, Isobel. â€Å"Okay, then, I guess I'll just have to help you get into some more decent clothes,† Elena said. â€Å"First, I think you need a shower to get these Christmas doodads off – â€Å" â€Å"Just try-hy-hy! Just try-hy-hy!† The answer was somewhere between the whinny of a horse and human speech. â€Å"I glued them on with PermaStick!† Tami added and then began giggling on a high and hysterical note. â€Å"Oh, my God – Tamra, do you realize that if there isn't some solvent for this, you may need surgery?† Tami's answer was foul. There was also a sudden foul smell. No, not a smell, Elena thought: a choking, gutcurdling stench. â€Å"Oops!† Tami gave that high, glassy giggle again. â€Å"Pardonmoi . At least it'snatural gas.† Matt cleared his throat. â€Å"Elena – I don't think we should be here. With her folks gone and all†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"They're afraid of me,† Tamra giggled. â€Å"Aren'tyou ?† – very suddenly in a voice that had dropped several octaves. Elena looked Tamra in the eye. â€Å"No, I'm not. I just feel sorry for a little girl who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But Matt's right, I guess. We have to go.† Tami's whole manner seemed to change. â€Å"I'm so sorry†¦. I didn't realize I had guests of that caliber. Don't go, please, Matt.† Then she added in a confidential whisper to Elena, â€Å"Is he any good?† â€Å"What?† Tami nodded at Matt, who immediately turned his back to her. He looked as if he felt a terrible, repulsive fascination for Tami's ridiculous appearance. â€Å"Him. Is he any good in the sack?† â€Å"Matt, look at this.† Elena held up a small tube of glue. â€Å"I think she actually did PermaStick that stuff to her skin. We have to call Child Protective Services or whatever, because nobody took her to the hospital right away. Whether her parents knew about this behavior or not, they shouldn't have just left her.† â€Å"I just hopethey're all right. Her family,† Matt said grimly as they walked out the door, with Tami coolly following them to the car, and shouting lurid details about â€Å"what a good time† they had had, â€Å"the three of them.† Elena glanced at him uneasily from her place in the passenger seat – with no ID or driver's license, of course, she knew she shouldn't drive. â€Å"Maybe we'd better take her to the police first. My God, that poor family!† Matt said nothing for a long time. His chin was set, his mouth grim. â€Å"I feel somehow as if I'm responsible. I mean, I knew there was something wrong with her – I should have told her parents then.† â€Å"Now you're sounding like Stefan. You're not responsible for everyone you meet.† Matt gave her a grateful glance, and Elena continued, â€Å"In fact I'm going to ask Bonnie and Meredith to do one other thing, which proves you're not. I'm going to ask them to check on Isobel Saitou, Jim's girlfriend.You've never had any contact with her, but Tami might have.† â€Å"You mean you think she's got it, too?† â€Å"That's what I hope Bonnie and Meredith will find out.† Bonnie stopped dead, almost losing her hold on Mrs. Forbes's feet. â€Å"I am not going into that bedroom.† â€Å"You have to. I can't manage her alone,† Meredith said. Then she added cajolingly, â€Å"Look, Bonnie, if you go in with me, I'll tell you a secret.† Bonnie bit her lip. Then she shut her eyes and let Meredith guide her, step by step, farther into this house of horror. She knew where the master bedroom was – after all, she had played here since childhood. All the way down the hall, then turn left. She was surprised when Meredith came to a sudden stop after only a few steps. â€Å"Bonnie.† â€Å"Well? What?† â€Å"I don't want to frighten you, but – â€Å" This had the immediate effect of terrifying Bonnie. Her eyes snapped open. â€Å"What?What? † Before Meredith could answer she glanced over her shoulder in fear and saw what. Caroline was behind her. But not standing. She was crawling – no, she was scuttling, the way she had on Stefan's floor. Like a lizard. Her bronze hair, unkempt, hung down over her face. Her elbows and knees stuck out at impossible angles. Bonnie screamed, but the pressure of the house seemed to choke the scream back down her throat. The only effect it had was to make Caroline look up at her with a quick reptilian movement of her head. â€Å"Oh, my God – Caroline, what happened to your face?† Caroline had a black eye. Or rather, a purplish-red eye that was so swollen that Bonnie knew it would have to turn black in time. On her jaw was another purple swelling bruise. Caroline didn't answer, unless you counted the sibilant hiss she gave while scuttling forward. â€Å"Meredith, run! She's right behind me!† Meredith quickened her pace, looking frightened – all the more frightening to Bonnie because almost nothing could shake her friend. But as they lurched forward, with Mrs. Forbes bouncing between them, Caroline scuttled right under her mother and into the door of her parents' room, the master bedroom. â€Å"Meredith, I won't go in th – † But they were already stumbling through the door. Bonnie shot quick darting glances into every corner. Caroline was nowhere to be seen. â€Å"Maybe she's in the closet,† Meredith said. â€Å"Now, let me go first and put her head on the far side of the bed. We can adjust her later.† She backed around the bed, almost dragging Bonnie with her, and dumped Mrs. Forbes's upper torso so that her head rested on pillows. â€Å"Now just pull her and put her legs down on the other side.† â€Å"I can't do it. I can't! Caroline'sunder the bed, you know.† â€Å"She can't be under the bed. There's only about a five-inch clearance,† Meredith said firmly. â€Å"She's there! Iknow it. And† – rather fiercely – â€Å"you promised you'd tell me a secret.† â€Å"All right!† Meredith gave a complicit glance through her disheveled dark hair. â€Å"I telegraphed Alaric yesterday. He's so far out in the boonies that telegraph is the only way to reach him, and it may be days before my message gets to him. I had an idea that we were going to need his advice. I feel bad, asking him to do projects that aren't for his doctorate, but – â€Å" â€Å"Who cares about his doctorate? Godbless you!† cried Bonnie thankfully. â€Å"You did just right!† â€Å"Then come on and swing Mrs. Forbes' feet around the bottom of the bed. You can do it if you lean in.† The bed was a California king-size. Mrs. Forbes was lying at an angle across it, like a doll thrown on the floor. But Bonnie halted near the foot of the bed. â€Å"Caroline's going to grab me.† â€Å"No, she won't. Come on, Bonnie. Just get Mrs. Forbes' legs and give one big heave†¦.† â€Å"If I get that close to the bed, she'llgrab me!† â€Å"Why should she?† â€Å"Because she knows what scares me! And now that I've said it, shedefinitely will.† â€Å"If she grabs you, I'll come and kick her in the face.† â€Å"Your leg's not that long. It would bang on the metal bed-frame thingummy – â€Å" â€Å"Oh, for God's sake, Bonnie! Just help meheeeeeeere !† The last word was a full-fledged scream. â€Å"Meredith – † began Bonnie, and then she screamed, too. â€Å"What is it?† â€Å"She's grabbing me!† â€Å"She can't be!She's grabbingme ! Nobody has arms that long!† â€Å"Or that strong! Bonnie!I can't make her let go!† â€Å"Neither can I!† And then any words were drowned in screaming. After dropping Tami off with the police, driving Elena around the woods known as the Fell's State Park was†¦well, a walk in the park. Every so often they would stop. Elena would go a few steps into the trees and stand, Calling – however you did that. Then she came back to the Jaguar, looking discouraged. â€Å"I'm not sure that Bonnie wouldn't be better at this,† she said to Matt. â€Å"If we can brace ourselves to go out at night.† Matt shuddered involuntarily. â€Å"Two nights were enough.† â€Å"Do you know, you never told me your story from that first night. Or at least, not when I could understand words, spoken words.† â€Å"Well, I was driving around like this, except almost on the other side of the Old Wood – near the Lightning-Split Oak area†¦?† â€Å"Right.† â€Å"When right in the middle of the road something appears.† â€Å"A fox?† â€Å"Well, it was red in the headlights, but it wasn't like any fox I've ever seen. And I've been driving this road since I could drive.† â€Å"A wolf?† â€Å"Like a werewolf, you mean? But, no – I've seen wolves by moonlight and they're bigger. This was right in between.† â€Å"In other words,† Elena said, narrowing her lapis lazuli eyes, â€Å"a custom-made creature.† â€Å"Maybe. It sure was different from the malach that chewed my arm up.† Elena nodded. Malach could take all sorts of different forms, from what she understood. But they were siblings in one way: they all used Power and they all needed a diet of Power to live. And they could be manipulated by a stronger Power than they had. And they were venomous enemies of humans. â€Å"So all we really know is that we don't know anything.† â€Å"Right. That was the place back there, where we saw it. It just suddenly appeared in the middle of the – hey!† â€Å"Go right! Righthere !† â€Å"Just like that! It was just like that!† The Jaguar screeched almost to a stop, turning right, not into a ditch but into a small lane that no one would notice unless they were looking directly at it. When the car stopped, they both stared up the lane, breathing hard. Neither had to ask whether the other had seen a reddish creature zip across the road, bigger than a fox but smaller than a wolf. They looked up at the narrow lane. â€Å"The million-dollar question: should we go in?† Matt asked. â€Å"NoKEEP OUT signs – and hardly any houses on this side of the wood. Across the street and down a way there's the Dunstans'.† â€Å"So we go in?† â€Å"We go in. Just go slowly. It's later than I thought.† Meredith, of course, was the one to calm down first. â€Å"Allright , Bonnie,† she said. â€Å"Stop it! Now! It's not going to do any good here!† Bonnie didn't think shecould stop it. But Meredith had that special look in her dark eyes; the one that meant she was serious. The look she'd had before laying Caroline out on Stefan's floor. Bonnie made a supreme effort and found that somehow she was able to hold in the next shriek. She looked dumbly at Meredith, feeling her own body shake. â€Å"Good. Good, Bonnie. Now.† Meredith swallowed. â€Å"Pulling doesn't do any good, either. So I'm going to try†¦peeling her fingers off. If anything happens to me; if I get – pulled under the bed or anything, then yourun , Bonnie. And if you can't run, then you call Elena and Matt. You call until you get an answer.† Bonnie managed something almost heroic then. She refused to picture Meredith being pulled under the bed. She wouldn't let herself imagine how that would look as Meredith, struggling, disappeared, or how she would feel, all alone, after that. They'd both left their purses with their mobile phones in the entryway to carry Mrs. Forbes, so Meredith wasn't saying to call them in any normal sense. She meant Call them. A sudden radical burst of indignation swept through Bonnie. Why did girls carry purses anyway? Even the efficient, reliable Meredith often did it. Of course Meredith's purses were usually designer handbags that enhanced her outfits and were full of useful things like small notebooks and keychain flashlights, but still†¦a boy would have his mobile phone in his pocket. From now on, I'm wearing a waist pouch, Bonnie thought, feeling as if she were raising a rebel flag for girls everywhere, and for just a moment also feeling her panic recede. Then she saw Meredith stooping, a hunched figure in the dim light, and at the same moment she felt the grip on her own ankle tighten. Despite herself she glanced down, and saw the outline of Caroline's tanned fingers and long bronze nails against the creamy white of the rug. Panic burst out in her again, full force. She made a choked sound that was a strangled scream, and to her own astonishment she spontaneously hit trance and began to Call. It wasn't the fact that she was Calling that surprised her. It was what she was saying. Damon! Damon! We're trapped at Caroline's house and she's gone crazy! Help! It flowed out of her like an underwater well that had been suddenly tapped, releasing a geyser. Damon, she's got me by the ankle – and she won't let go! If she pulls Meredith under, I don't know what I'll do! Help me! Vaguely, because the trance was good and deep, she heard Meredith say, â€Å"Ah-hah! It feels like fingers, but actually it's a vine. It must be one of those tentacles that Matt told us about. I'm – trying – to break one of the loops – off†¦Ã¢â‚¬  All at once there was a rustling from under the bed. And not just from one place, either, but a massive whipping and shaking that actually bounced the mattress up and down, even with poor little Mrs. Forbes on it. There must be dozens of those insects under there. Damon, it's thosethings! Lots of them. Oh, God, I think I'm going to faint. And if I faint – and if Caroline pulls me under†¦Oh, please come and help! â€Å"Damn!† Meredith was saying. â€Å"I don't know how Matt managed to do this. It's too tight, and – and I think there's more than one tentacle here.† It's all over,Bonnie sent in quiet conclusion, feeling herself start to go at the knees.We're going to die. â€Å"Undoubtedly – that's the problem with humans. But not justyet ,† a voice said from behind her, and a strong arm went around her, taking up her weight easily. â€Å"Caroline, the fun's over. I mean it. Letgo!† â€Å"Damon?† Bonnie gasped. â€Å"Damon? You came!† â€Å"All that wailing gets on my nerves. It doesn't mean – â€Å" But Bonnie wasn't listening. She wasn't even thinking. She was still half in trance and not responsible (she decided later) for her own actions. She wasn'therself . It was someone else who went into rapture when the grip on her ankle loosened, and someone else who whirled around in Damon's grip and threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the mouth. It was someone else, too, who felt Damon startle, with his arms still around her, and who noticed that he made no attempt to pull away from the kiss. That person also noticed, when at last she leaned back, that Damon's skin, pale in the dim light, looked almost as if he had flushed. And that was when Meredith straightened up slowly, painfully, from the other side of the bed, which was still jouncing up and down. She hadn't seen anything of the kiss, and looked at Damon as if she couldn't believe he was really here. She was at a great disadvantage, and Bonnie knew she knew it. This was one of those situations where anyone else would have been too flustered to speak, or even stammer. But Meredith just took a deep breath and then said quietly, â€Å"Damon. Thank you. Do you think – would it be too much trouble to make the malach let go of me, as well?† Now Damon looked like his old self. He gave a brilliant smile aimed at something no one else could see and said sharply, â€Å"And as for the rest of you down there – heel!† He snapped his fingers. The bed stopped moving instantly. Meredith stepped away, and closed her eyes for a moment in relief. â€Å"Thank you again,† she said, with the dignity of a princess, but fervently. â€Å"And now, do you think you could do anything about Caro – â€Å" â€Å"Right now,† Damon cut in even more roughly than usual, â€Å"I have to run.† He glanced at the Rolex on his wrist. â€Å"It's past 4:44, and I had an appointment I'm already late for. Come around here and prop up this dizzy bundle. She's not quite ready to stand by herself.† Meredith hastened to switch places with him. At that point, Bonnie discovered that her legs were no longer wobbling. â€Å"Wait a minute, though,† Meredith said rapidly. â€Å"Elenaneeds to talk to you – desperately – â€Å" But Damon was gone, as if he'd mastered the art of simply disappearing, not even waiting for Bonnie's thanks. Meredith looked astonished, as if she'd been certain that the mention of Elena's name would stop him, but Bonnie had something else on her mind. â€Å"Meredith,† Bonnie whispered, putting two fingers to her lips in amazement. â€Å"I kissed him!† â€Å"What?When? â€Å" â€Å"Before you stood up. I – don't even know how it happened but I did it!† She expected some kind of explosion from Meredith. Instead, Meredith looked at her thoughtfully and murmured, â€Å"Well, maybe it wasn't such a bad thing to do, after all. What I don't understand is why he turned up in the first place.† â€Å"Uh. That was me, too. I Called him. I don't know how that happened either – â€Å" â€Å"Well, there's no point in trying to figure it out in here.† Meredith turned toward the bed. â€Å"Caroline, are you coming out of there? Are you going to stand up and have a normal conversation?† There was a menacing and reptilian hiss from under the bed, along with the whipping of tentacles and another noise that Bonnie had never heard before but which terrified her instinctively, like the snapping of giant pincers. â€Å"That's answer enough for me,† she said, and grabbed Meredith to drag her out of the room. Meredith didn't need dragging. But for the first time today they heard Caroline's taunting voice, lifted childishly high. â€Å"Bonnie and Damon sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love, then comes marriage; Then there comes a vampire in a baby carriage.† Meredith paused in the hallway. â€Å"Caroline, you know that that isn't going to help matters. Come out – â€Å" The bed went into a frenzy, bucking and heaving. Bonnie turned and ran, and she knew Meredith was right behind her. They still didn't manage to outpace the singsong words: â€Å"You're notmy friends; you're thewhore's friends. Just you wait! Just youwait !† Bonnie and Meredith grabbed their purses and left the house. â€Å"What time is it?† Bonnie asked, when they were safely in Meredith's car. â€Å"Almost five.† â€Å"It seemed like so much longer!† â€Å"I know, but we've got hours of daylight left. And, come to that, I have a text message from Elena.† â€Å"About Tami?† â€Å"I'll tell you about it. But first – † It was one of the few times Bonnie had seen Meredith look awkward. Finally she blurted, â€Å"How was it?† â€Å"How was what?† â€Å"Kissing Damon, you nitwit!†

Cell Biology ADHESION WRITE UP Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Cell Biology ADHESION WRITE UP - Essay Example Cadherins are found as trans-membrane proteins (Rastogi, 2007). There are four main types of classical cadherins, with the epithelial cadherin playing an important role in the growth of tumours (Asano et al, 2004). Cells possessing cadherins generally adhere to other cells possessing cadherins. By exploring these cell adhesion mechanisms with an assay, it is possible to understand more fully the role of the intracellular matrix and the reactions which occur within it. The assay described below relies on the interesting effects that trypsin has on these cadherin molecules. In the presence of calcium and trypsin, the cadherins are protected from cleavage, but in the presence of a trypsin and EDTA mixture, the cadherins are removed from the cell surface and thus the cells stop aggregation. Results Trypsin is commonly used to detach the adhering cells (Humphries, 2001). Prior to the addition of trypsin, the cells were adhering to each other forming a suspended clump of cells within the w ells. However, after the trypsin was added, there was less evidence of adhesion and the cells were in the matrix singularly. After fixing, only the adhering cells were found in the well. This again gave a ‘clumped’ look to the cells. After viewing this, the wells were stained with methylene blue, and this the wells had a typical blue appearance in the top two rows, suggesting normal adhering cells were present. ... Raw Data 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 A 0.935 0.685 0.798 0.857 2.35 2.323 2.253 2.523 2.427 2.809 2.58 2.416 B 0.445 0.488 0.632 0.401 2.165 2.13 2.308 1.708 0.774 0.851 1.072 0.814 C 0.028 0.023 0.037 0.028 0.025 0.025 0.025 0.025 0.026 0.025 0.026 0.027 D 0.029 0.031 0.027 0.029 0.028 0.023 0.029 0.026 0.027 0.026 0.035 0.03 E 0.027 0.033 0.028 0.03 0.022 0.013 0.029 0.028 0.032 0.022 0.032 0.03 F 0.028 0.024 0.026 0.028 0.027 0.028 0.022 0.028 0.017 0.014 0.021 0.027 G 0.028 0.032 0.024 0.026 0.037 0.021 0.029 0.017 0.018 0.016 0.024 0.034 H 0.032 0.019 0.025 0.023 0.025 0.014 0.028 0.014 0.018 0.013 0.022 0.025 Graph 1 A1-4 A5-8 A9-12 B1-4 B5-8 B9-12 Mean 0.819 2.362 2.558 0.492 2.078 0.878 Standard Dev. 0.105 0.115 0.183 0.100 0.258 0.133 Graph 2 A1-4 A5-8 A9-12 B1-4 B5-8 B9-12 Mean 0.201 0.370 0.346 0.158 0.325 0.407 Standard Dev. 0.009 0.023 0.067 0.020 0.031 0.021 Discussion ECM Component Preference As was previously discussed, cadhesins are of various different types and thus may have different preferences for the extra-cellular matrix in which they react. In the data above, the cells A1-4 represent matrix 1, A5-8 represent matrix 2, and A9-12 represent matrix 3. The cells B1-4 represent the BSA and B5-8 and B9-12 represent tube 1 and 2 respectively. In this case, the data obtained experimentally shows that there is a definite component preference for matrices 2 and 3, with the first one having a very low absorbance value and thus a very low amount of adhering cells. The sample data also show a similar trend, although the amount of adhering cells in matrix 1 are not so low as in the experimental data. There is another small difference in

International Marketing paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

International Marketing paper - Essay Example It can also be viewed as a mechanism for optimising economic use of scarce resources such as forests, which are threatened by paper manufacture. As an example, all of Europe now uses 240 volt 50 Hz AC mains grids and GSM mobile phones, and measures lengths in metres. The United Kingdom has officially accepted metres for business purposes but feet and inches are still widely used by the general public. The existence of a published standard does not necessarily imply that it is useful or correct. Just because an item is stamped with a standard number does not, by itself, indicate that the item is fit for any particular use. The people who use the item or service (engineers, trade unions, etc) or specify it (building codes, government, industry, etc) have the responsibility to consider the available standards, specify the correct one, enforce compliance, and use the item correctly. Validation of suitability is necessary. We define different ways of organising and controlling each of the different kinds of projects. A general assumption is that it's good to be different and require industry-specific or custom solutions to demonstrate that we are different. Companies usually adopt standardisation when catering to a huge global market with products equally acceptable to the various segments of the market. While in contrast, differentiated products are made when customers demand unique features or when a particular segment has specific demands. In the context of social criticism and social sciences, standardization often means the process of establishing standards of various kinds and improving efficiency to handle people, their interactions, cases, and so forth. Examples include formalization of judicial procedure in court, and establishing uniform criteria for diagnosing mental disease. Standardization in this sense is often discussed along with (or synonymously to) such large-scale social changes as modernization, bureaucratisation, homogenisation, and centralization of society. In the context of business information exchanges, standardization refers to the process of developing data exchange standards for specific business processes using specific syntaxes. These standards are usually developed in voluntary consensus standards bodies such as the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT), the World Wide Web Consortium W3C, and the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS). Standardisation helps in ensuring that brand uniformity is strong in order to maintain the brand image and loyalty. Brand image increases the loyalty towards the brand when it is supported by the actual service that the consumer receives. Companies can trim down the production and marketing costs by standardising the various features of their products and strategies to market their products. Research shows that standardisation is just another of the many strategies to enter the international marketplace effectively. Standardisation is not always the best strategy and often for smaller companies when they need adapt to local cultures while exploiting their exclusive images to gain local market share. (Levitt, 2003, 91) It is evident that when a company pursue a cost leadership strategy,

Operation management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 4

Operation management - Essay Example Developing a competitive edge within the competing colleagues thereby requires detailed analyses of demographics of the surrounding environment, and most essentially, the nature of the existing competitors. Moreover, even if one is successful in from the onset, new competitors could intrude into the market and snatch away the existing/regular clients. Therefore, existing restaurants never hesitate adopting successful and unique competitive strategies from their competitors (Mack, 2013, p. 13). This research thereby examines and analyzes the diverse forms of competitive strategies employed by restaurants within Cardiff in order to maintain their market share within the competitive restaurant industry. In close relations, the paper drills deep into the performances or operations of the already established restaurants in Cardiff, through dependability, flexibility, speed, cost, and quality analysis. In its methodology of data collection and data analysis procedures, the paper explores s everal research journal databases available within the university’s system. It follows the screening for certified scholarly research articles, after which, the content analysis and taxonomy is employed in order to identify the prevailing trends within the restaurant industry. The Cardiff’s rising need for ready food for consumption by travelers, visitors, college students, and traders who move along with goods has simultaneously upraised an equal need for restaurant establishments within strategic social areas in order to meet the growing demand for food. Consequently, the establishment and/or increasing number of restaurants and/or food stores also creates a stiff competition within the restaurant industry. Therefore, every restaurant has the obligation of attaining competitive advantage in order to cope with challenges resulting from fellow competitors within the competitive market. In order to compete positively within the highly competitive market, Cardiff restaurants form

Critically assess whether strategic HRM leads to 'high performance Essay

Critically assess whether strategic HRM leads to 'high performance - Essay Example Hence to survive in such a globally competitive environment organizations emphasize on attaining a competitive edge. An aligned strategy with HRM is a source to successful competitive edge businesses can achieve that focuses more on company’s resources than its costs. This is the reason that the role of HRM has been under the limelight recently as it serves as a competitive advantage to the companies it also has to deal with the challenging changes (Armstrong 2011). Unlike personnel management human resource management is linked to strategic level planning of the organization and execution of those plans in order to improve the organization’s overall performance. Human Resource Management is related to company’s vision, philosophies, practices, and policies that are influencing the management of people in a company. Strategic HR means aligning HR function with the company's strategies and then formulates and implements those strategies accordingly with the help o f HR activities such as recruiting, selecting, training and rewarding personnel. (Armstrong 2011; Reilly 2012) There are few theoretical perspectives to the Strategic Human Resources Management. First approach is the Universalist approach .This approach refers to one best way of dealing human resource to improve business performance only. It is also known as the best practice human resource management. This approach states that there is only one way people can be managed in order to improve the performance of the organization. Regardless of differences amongst different organizations, differences like size of the organization, to which sector it belongs, all organizations can be managed in same way by identifying a set of best HRM practices, committing to them despite the practical difficulties and applying and implementing them. This approach also measures organizational success in terms of financial performance. Results from past experimentations reveals that this approach leads t o high performance and it is becoming common to group or combine HR practices in order to create more coherent explanations of the HRM-performance link. (Gooderham, Cranfield, Ringdal, 2008 pg 7) Second theory is the Configurational theory that proposes that the relationship between HRM and performance involves complex interactions between bundles of HRM activities and outcomes. Once these complementary practices are bundled they produce high performance results and outputs than individual HRM practices. Firms have realized that rather than altering individual policies, their combinations are a better determinant and should be altered and worked upon to achieve better productivity. (Gooderham, Cranfield, Ringdal, 2008) There is a drawback of this approach as this approach has this assumption that HRM bundles and combinations are ideal and will give the same effective result under all circumstances. Secondly both universalistic approach and cofigurational approach are closely related approaches and it is problematic to differentiate between these two approaches at times. Groups of HR practices combined additively may clearly be universalistic but the identification of a configurational approach is sometimes problematic. (Gooderham, Cranfield, Ringdal,2008) Second, approach is the Contingency approach. Contingency approach is to create a positive impact on businesses by aligning HR

Read the assignment carefully before you start Essay - 1

Read the assignment carefully before you start - Essay Example Law and economics is more likely than other branches of legal examination to use empirical or statistical methods to measure these responses to incentives. Law and economics shares with other branches of economics the supposition that individuals are rational and respond to incentive My choice was also based on the economic principle of how people respond to incentives. As people make decisions by comparing costs or benefits, their behavior might change when the costs or benefits vary. This is a characteristic of law and economics as it emphasize on incentives and people’s responses to these incentives. For instance, the resolution of damage payments in an accident, law is not to reimburse injured victims, but rather to offer an incentive for potential injurers to take effective cost-justified insurances to evade causing the accident. In sum, law and economics will enable me to minimize on the financial frauds such as bankruptcy, creditors-debtors misery. Specializing in law and economy will assist in intensifying contracts and corporations in order to gain efficiency in any branch of economics. That is to say, law and economy crosscuts all the branches of

Five Star Beer Breweing--Pay for Performance Case Study Essay

Five Star Beer Breweing--Pay for Performance Case Study - Essay Example There are also cases wherein foreign matters are found inside the beer bottles, even unfilled or short filled and poor labeling and sealing of bottles and cans. In line with increasingly tight competition in the domestic and global markets, Mr. Zhao implemented the â€Å"Pay for Performance† system in order to increase the quality of Five Star beer production. In the process, Mr. Zhao believes that monetary punishment and rewards could be used as a strong incentive to motivate employees work a better performance. China’s new policy is to establish a new social welfare system and implement a state-owned enterprise (SOE) reform will eventually allow the domestic and foreign-funded companies to have a strong control over wages including the power to hire, discipline, and terminate employees. Problems to solve in the case of Five Star Brewing Co. include the production efficiencies particularly on the bottle-filling line where high cases of unfilled or half-filled bottles and cans as well as the packing line where most of misaligned labeling of bottles and cans occurred; the poor sanitation within the rice mill area causing insect infestation and a threat of flammable explosion; and the improvements in the company’s sales force. To solve the problem regarding the company’s bottle-filling line, Mr. Zhao should consider the technical causes that may result to the half-filled or empty sealed bottles and cans including the poor packaging. Considering that the company has been established back in 1915, there is a huge possibility that the company’s machinery used in bottle-filling line and packing line is already obsolete and outdated. In order to improve these technical errors, it is highly recommended that the company should consider investing on a new bottle-filling and packing machinery to improve its efficiency. In the long run, it is possible for the company

Research ENG Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

ENG - Research Paper Example The sociopolitical setting of the movie is eerily current and accompanied by an equally bleak portrayal of environmental decay. This imagery may spark in the viewers’ minds the emerging scientific truths of climate change and the associated ecological ruin that will accompany it more and more. The decaying natural surroundings in the movie add to the post-apocalyptic atmosphere, evoking anxieties felt after 9/11. Cuaron uses images that recall online pictures of America’s occupation of Iraq and possibly illegal detention of enemy combatants of Guantanamo Bay and other detention camps (Bruce, n.d.). This depiction creates a vital part of the movie’s ethical stance. Three key parallels between scenes in Children Of Men and recent news footage function in Cuaron’s critique of domestic and foreign policy after 9/11. The parallels show the nature and impact of terror, the violence committed by governments in the name of national security, and love and goodwill as a suitable solution. In figure 1, lead character Theo Faron escapes a terrorist bomb detonation supposedly set off by â€Å"The Fishes.† â€Å"The Fishes† were a clandestine group that fights the inhumane treatment of refugees in Britain. Later in the film, this group of radicals claims that it was not responsible for the incident and diverts blame to the government (Bruce, n.d.). In figure 2, threats-consulting organization Maplecroft  released statistics of the increasing risks of terror in select countries around the world. The countries, Iran, Pakistan, and Somalia, are riddled with extremist groups that orchestrate attacks similar to the one depicted in this photo. Children of Men, is full of images that tread an equally weighted line dividing the seeker and the sought, which are the victor and protector. The movie suits key pictures from contemporary art in its story of radicalism and infertility in one of the most poetically achieved futures. Extremists

Potential ethical, moral, or legal issues Essay Example for Free

Potential ethical, moral, or legal issues Essay Evaluate any potential ethical, moral, or legal issues and Cite specific career competencies that are helpful or can be used in debate. Legalizing marijuana could lead to potential ethical, moral, and legal issues concerning its uses. Legalizing marijuana could be both ethical and unethical depending on whether its use is for medical or recreational purposes. While the raw marijuana plant may not be safe, medicinal marijuana is beneficial to cancer and AIDS patients. Marijuana is used to alleviate a lot of medical ailments such as nausea in cancer patients from chemotherapy, loss of appetite due to diseases such as HIV/AIDS; helps relax muscle tension and spasms, and chronic pain (Jacques Luling, 2013). Medicinal use of marijuana would be ethical and moral because it is beneficial to ones health. The main active chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, more commonly called THC acts upon specific sites in the brain called cannabinoid receptors that lead to the high that users experience when they smoke marijuana affecting functions in a variety of ways, causing distorted perceptions, impairing coordination, causing difficulty with thinking and problem solving, and creating problems with learning and memory (Office of National Drug Control Policy , n.d.). However, the recreational use of marijuana would be unethical and immoral because it is being using to get high and alter the state of mind. Legalizing marijuana does not keep you out the clear for legal issues, as there are still guidelines, regulations, and laws one must follow. It is important to recognize that these state marijuana laws do not change the fact that using marijuana continues to be an offense under Federal law and state laws do not change the criteria or process for FDA approval of safe and effective medications (Office of National Drug Control Policy , n.d.). Laws have been initiated to control the amount of marijuana a person can have in their possession as well as the illegal distribution and sale of marijuana but keep in mind that laws vary from one state, county, or city to another (Office of National Drug Control Policy , n.d.). The use of marijuana determines whether it is ethical, unethical, moral, or immoral and not following laws could lead to legal issues . Legalizing marijuana has the potential to create jobs and contribute cash  into state and local economies. The Cox (n.d.) website stated that the burgeoning medical marijuana industry is quietly creating thousands of jobs across the country but there is no exact number on how many new jobs have been created by medical cannabis nationwide. 14 jobs available in medical cannabis are recommending physicians, physicians assistants, growers, budtenders, dispensary operators, security guards, dispensary administrators, solar panel specialists, delivery drivers, lab techs, marketing specialists, lawyers, insurance agents, and government jobs (Cox, n.d.). Not only does it create jobs but it also contributes money to state and local economies through taxes and business license fees (Cox, n.d.). Reference Cox, T. (n.d.). AlterNet. Retrieved from http://www.alternet.org/story/152487/14_kinds_of_jobs_sustained_by_marijuana?paging=off ¤t_page=1#bookmar Office of National Drug Control Policy. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/frequently-asked-questions-and-facts-about-marijuana#harmless

Business Intelligence to Maximise Profits

Business Intelligence to Maximise Profits Objective (Industry over view, BI summary) I have chosen this topic because the decisions made in oil and gas companies have a huge impact on global economy and overall environment. Requirements of the developed economy for liquid natural gas and oil both as fuel and as in raw materials for the chemical industry is steadily increasing. Demand lifting has led to sharp increase in the prices for oil and for hydrocarbon raw materials as a whole, which has caused increase in extraction of these products in all countries possessing deposits of hydrocarbons. The oil and gas sector became the main donor of financial resources for the state budget of the country. This topic will cover how Business Intelligence (BI) tools support management to consolidate procedures and to maximize profits, through cutting costs and data integration. BI along with data warehouses and business analytics represent that toolkit which allows oil gas companies to take a maximum of the information from the available primary data, to reveal the basic trend s and to construct forecasting models, i.e., finally, to transform the available company data into a source of additional profit. In addition to BI, terms like business performance management (BPM), business process management (also BPM), corporate performance management (CPM), and business activity monitoring (BAM), have also emerged. All of these are a part of BI. They are all dependent on BI tools, but it should be noted that BI is not dependent on them. In my understanding BI-projects need to be considered not only as object of reduction of expenses, but also as the tool of development which can bring profit to company. Functions of analytics and forecasting which are intended for the decision of strategic questions, will help to place priorities during crisis time, to define principal causes of expenses and potential sources of growth. Having found out them such company can work over deduction of favourable clients and increase of profitableness of business at the expense of attraction of the new. Only with the help of BI it is possible to carry out forecasting of situation, setting different conditions and receiving results of forecasts depending on the set parameters. The primary application of BI in oil and gas companies is to help management consolidate operations and cut costs. The basic goals have been to shorten the time required to create reports and analyses, improve the accuracy of information and create a single information repository. The most common application areas for BI have been to provide financial reports and analyses, and support business operations with a special focus on ERP. In our days the modern large oil and gas companies represent vertically integrated companies. Vertical integration describes the ownership or control by a firm of different stages of the production process, e.g., petroleum refining firms owning downstream the terminal storage and retail gasoline distribution facilities and upstream the crude oil field wells and transportation pipelines. It can be achieved through MA (mergers and acquisitions) or investment. Upstream is a term which describes the exploration and production sectors within the oil and gas in dustry. Downstream, in the context of the oil and gas industry, applies to the refining and marketing sectors of the industry. Oil and gas products are commodities and are, therefore, competitive based on price. This makes the industry cost-conscious and highly dependent upon the price of crude oil, the basic business driver in the industry and the raw material for production (Skriletz, 2002). Purpose of the research The increased requirements to efficiency and quality of accepted decisions at all levels of operations in oil gas companies leads to finding of decision-making support techniques. It assumes possession of the actual universal information on a condition and tendencies of development of business by methods and BI means. Thus the volume of the information which is necessary for considering for formation of optimum well-founded decisions steadily grows. It leads to a situation when it becomes effectively impossible to operate the company without use of modern means of information support. Transactional data is good for keeping track of what is happening in an organization, but is not well suited to finding out why things are happening or predicting future performance. In other words, after years of putting potentially valuable financial data into your corporate databases, it is now time to put the tools in place to get the data out of the same systems and organize it in useful ways to s upport the decision-making process. The purpose of the research is to show that BI is such a tool which gives the chance to the organisations to transform the accumulated data in the information on business, and then the information into additional source of profit. The research question is how the value of BI should be considered in the context of profitable business action. BI has become an expected business competency for improving decision-making effectiveness. Leading enterprises are establishing competency in aspects of BI such as decision modelling and support so that all workers, managers and executives can take the most effective action in a given business situation. Lacking worthy BI tools oil companies risks to stay competitive or even to sustain in a business. What is more I want to apply my research outcomes in KMG, the problem is that BI is not so developed in Kazakhstan, so I hope my knowledge will be gainful to my company as employer and to me as employee. Literature There is currently enough media attention focusing on this subject and about this topic. A majority of these can be found in IT magazines, newspaper articles and on the internet, but the credibility of these sources is questionable. They can also be written by people who dont know a lot about the subject and have formed an opinion based on minimum information. IT magazines articles are often written in a biased way in terms of being in favour of one vendor, such as company propaganda or from the point of view of the writer. This data can be misleading, articles written by Gartner and TDWI analysts have more credibility and raise important questions and viewpoints which I believe should be considered in my report. Below is the list of books and resources I am willing to use during my research: The Profit Impact of Business Intelligence (2007), Williams S., Williams N.. Morgam Kaufmann Publishers This book contains plenty of mini-cases and useful information for my project. Business Intelligence, The Savvy Managers Guide (2009), D.Loshin, Morgan Kaufmann Publishers This book provides a knowledge base for the decision makers to determine the value of integrating BI into the company. In this book I want to look at the modern view of the collection and integration of transactional and reference data as a valuable resource that can be used for analytical purposes. BI Success Factors: Tools for Aligning your Business in the Global Economy (2009), O.Parr Rud, John Wiley Sons Financial BI : Trends, Technology, Software Selection and Implementation (2002), Nils Rasmussen, Paul S. Goldy, Per O. Solli, Publisher: John Wiley Sons; 1 edition This book will help me to review how managers can quickly and easily analyse the financial data in the corporate databases in order to be able to make more intelligent decisions about the future. Consequently it will help me to analyse the impact of BI financial tools. TDWI Best Practices Reports Series This series is designed to educate technical and business professionals about new BI technologies, concepts, or approaches that address a significant problem or issue. Research for the reports is conducted via interviews with industry experts and leading-edge user companies and is supplemented by surveys of BI professionals. Gartner Inc. Gartner source is the most comprehensive collection of analysis and advice for the users and vendors of technology. Methodology In my research I want to follow multi -method, which will contain: Interview: To get more practical point of view I am going to interview those who work on implementation of BI tools and use SAP-ERP in gas transportation, to be more precise financial department in KazMunayGas and KazTransGas. KazMunayGas is the state-owned oil and gas company of Kazakhstan and KazTransGas one of KazMunayGaz subsidiaries responsible for gas transportation. Trend analysis: Phenomena that are or have been in the process of change are examined to identify and report the directions of trends and to make interpretations and forecasts. Literature: As I mentioned previously Qualitative data sources (TDWI and Gartner) will contain different cases in my research. Conducting qualitative research requires an open attitude in order to understand how others experience their situation. Qualitative research is characterised by the fact that the researcher works on the basis of an open question Qualitative research represents the general name for a group of investigative procedures with common characteristics. Also, qualitative research is empirical in the same sense as other recognized forms of scientific inquiry. It relies on observation. Qualitative research encompasses several forms of the investigation. They all share this characteristic: The data used do not accommodate readily to quantification, specification, objectification, or classification. Because of that, common statistical procedures cannot be used for data display or analysis. Typical of such data might be reports of participant observation or the texts of in-depth and relatively unstructured interviews. Project plan and schedule

Assisted Reproductive Technology Essay -- Infertility Medicine Papers

Assisted Reproductive Technology The act of reproduction is vital in sustaining the existence of any living creature. In fact, anthropologist Dr. Helen Fisher cites in her book Anatomy of Love that "the most essential thing the human animal does is reproduce" (Rutter, 1996). It is survival of the species: reproduce or die out. In the human race, it is not a problem of extinction, but of conforming to social expectations. Fisher notes that men feel the pressure to "plant the seed" and women feel that motherhood is the sole factor of "femaleness", while others feel that it is just an issue of humanity's need to control nature (Rutter, 1996). Granted, these are the opinions of only a few individuals, yet the topic of procreation is obviously a very important issue between marriage partners. But what happens when one cannot reproduce? An estimated one out of every six couples in the United Sates has difficulty conceiving a child (Rogers, 1988). Fifty years ago, these infertile partners had only three options: continue t rying to have a baby through natural sexual intercourse, adopt a child, or simply remain barren. However, recent developments in reproductive technologies have created many alternative methods for conception. Assisted reproductive technologies caught on quickly, and in 1995 three million American couples sought procreative help (Rutter, 1996). Along with the emergence of any new technology comes ethical and legal issues which must be considered, especially in Christian settings. However, it is possible that assisted reproductive technologies can be a realistic and ethical option for infertile couples, without compromising the covenants of the faith community. Definitions In order to understand the issues t... ...496. Lockwood, M. (1985). (Ed). Moral dilemmas in modern medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Nelson, J. B. (1973). Human medicine: ethical perspectives on new medical issues. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House. Neuberger, J. A. (1988, April 22). Tug of love troubles. Nursing Times, 22. Rogers, J. R. (Ed). (1988). Medical ethics-human choices. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press. Rutter, V. T. (1996, March-April). Who stole fertility? Psychology Today, pp. 46-49. Snyder, G. F. (1988). Tough choices. Elgin, IL: Brethren Press. Thomasma, D. C. & Kushman, T. (Eds). (1996). Birth to death. New York: Cambridge University Press. Weltman, J. J. (1997). Points to consider on the subject of surrogacy. [Online]. The American Surrogacy Center, Inc. Available: http://www.surrogacy.com/legals/articles/points.html (1997, October 23).

Love Poison Essay -- Social Issues, Mistrust, Jealousy, Power

What is love? Love is a strong affection out of personal ties. Those who misunderstand and misuse it will have terrible consequences, and those who know the true meaning of it will have benefit from it. The example of misunderstand it will happen when one person mixes s/he’s own feeling with love, something terrible. For examples: jealousy, manipulate one and others, mistrust and desire for power. In the Macbeth by William Shakespeare, love has taken into a lot of different forms some are bad and some are good. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth ‘s desire toward the crowned is one example of misunderstand of love. Lady Macbeth manipulates her husband to kill King Duncan is another example of misunderstanding of love. Later on Lady Macbeth is suffers from nightmare because she misuses the concept of love. Macbeth is suffering from his own problem which is the death prophecy. In the other hand, Maduff and his family is the one that are using the love in a positive way. The love p rotection from Lady Macduff to her son, from her son protects his father, from Macduff to protect his family. Even thought, Macbeth has order to kill Macduff family, Macduff is still survives the suffering, he uses this as his power to revenge for his family. Macduff become the victor in the end, which is the example of those who use it wisely can be either benefit from it or have good feedback. The first time that indicates Macbeth misuse that love as the desire is right after he heard about what witches have said to him. Him lost in his desire, â€Å"My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, Shakes so my single state of man That function is smothered in surmise, And nothing is but what is not. ( Act 1, scene3, line 151-155).† At this moment he is alread... ...h’s head on his hand. He revenge for his son and his love, Lady Macduff and what he gain is a peaceful night with respect from others. He turned the anger into his power and blessed by his family. The one who knows how to use the love can benefit from it. Love is a lot of thing, sometimes love can show by kissing someone or just simply caring for someone. Sometimes people manipulate love into something else while thinking they are doing for the right reasons. Those who misunderstand and misuse it will have terrible consequences, and those who know the true meaning of it will have benefit from it. Those who does not use it properly will end up like Macbeth for losing s/he’s own mind. Those who use it property will end up something good, although during the process, there might be some obstacles, but as long as s/he can survive it, then it will all ends up good. Love Poison Essay -- Social Issues, Mistrust, Jealousy, Power What is love? Love is a strong affection out of personal ties. Those who misunderstand and misuse it will have terrible consequences, and those who know the true meaning of it will have benefit from it. The example of misunderstand it will happen when one person mixes s/he’s own feeling with love, something terrible. For examples: jealousy, manipulate one and others, mistrust and desire for power. In the Macbeth by William Shakespeare, love has taken into a lot of different forms some are bad and some are good. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth ‘s desire toward the crowned is one example of misunderstand of love. Lady Macbeth manipulates her husband to kill King Duncan is another example of misunderstanding of love. Later on Lady Macbeth is suffers from nightmare because she misuses the concept of love. Macbeth is suffering from his own problem which is the death prophecy. In the other hand, Maduff and his family is the one that are using the love in a positive way. The love p rotection from Lady Macduff to her son, from her son protects his father, from Macduff to protect his family. Even thought, Macbeth has order to kill Macduff family, Macduff is still survives the suffering, he uses this as his power to revenge for his family. Macduff become the victor in the end, which is the example of those who use it wisely can be either benefit from it or have good feedback. The first time that indicates Macbeth misuse that love as the desire is right after he heard about what witches have said to him. Him lost in his desire, â€Å"My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, Shakes so my single state of man That function is smothered in surmise, And nothing is but what is not. ( Act 1, scene3, line 151-155).† At this moment he is alread... ...h’s head on his hand. He revenge for his son and his love, Lady Macduff and what he gain is a peaceful night with respect from others. He turned the anger into his power and blessed by his family. The one who knows how to use the love can benefit from it. Love is a lot of thing, sometimes love can show by kissing someone or just simply caring for someone. Sometimes people manipulate love into something else while thinking they are doing for the right reasons. Those who misunderstand and misuse it will have terrible consequences, and those who know the true meaning of it will have benefit from it. Those who does not use it properly will end up like Macbeth for losing s/he’s own mind. Those who use it property will end up something good, although during the process, there might be some obstacles, but as long as s/he can survive it, then it will all ends up good.

Lyndon B. Johnson: An Inspiration Essay

Recently, I had the opportunity to be a â€Å"Presidential Classroom† student in which I attending a two week forum in Washington D.C. While there, I was awarded the opportunity to meet with a multitude of public officials and to discuss domestic and foreign policy with students from across the nation. While in Washington D.C., it is clear the city has not forgotten its history as images of past presidents adorn many walls. When looking at the pictures past presidents, there is one president who does not appear as prominently as other. That president is Lyndon B. Johnson, a former president whose legacy influences me a great deal. Johnson was one of the most care-giving of all the presidents as his Great Society concept provided a variety of social programs with the intention of eliminating wide scale poverty in the United States. Sadly, President Johnson’s original plans for the Great Society were curtailed by the escalation of the Vietnam War, but several aspects of the Great Society did survive and remain helpful to many people in the United States to this very day. This is among the noblest goal that a president could seek and remains a goal that resonates a great deal with me today and had so in the past as it guided me on my academic and scholastic path. In my senior year, I served as one of the 12 International Ambassadors at Poly High School. The purpose of the Ambassadors is to represent the various ethnic groups at the school. This was the most prestigious of the school civics positions and is reserved for members of the senior class who have achieved high academic standards and a willingness to represent the needs of the numerous groups that make up the student body. Again, Lyndon Johnson remained a major influence on me as I served in this position. When Johnson first entered congress, he sought to fairly represent the poor Texas towns that sent him to Washington as a representative. Often times, the needs of the people in poor, rural Texas towns were often neglected. This was not because there Admission Essay was anything set in place to exclude these people; it was that they did not have any providing a voice for them. Johnson eschewed seeking the interests of the big money lobbies and stuck to his convictions and early promises. Johnson drove a great deal of legislation through congress that aided these people and, when elected to the office of the president, Johnson used a great deal of his experience helping people in the rural town to successfully draft the famous Civil Rights Act of 1964. As an International Ambassador, it was easy to see how certain voices could be overlooked. When reading about Lyndon Johnson’s successful exploits serving his constituency, I was inspired by the fact that he showed a voice could be heard if there is effective help. Many students have serious concerns, but are either unaware of as to how to have their voice heard or are too intimidated to initiate a dialogue. Considering that President Johnson provided a voice for the many people, I would frequently review his past deeds as a way of understanding the skills required to perform such tasks. As such, President Johnson was then and remains today, a huge influence on my life.

In the Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway Essay

In the Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway, alcoholism is an important theme in the novel. Alcoholism is a large part of Ernest Hemingway’s novel â€Å"The Sun Also Rises†. Drinking is the greatest escape that the characters use and the author employs it very often in the novel. All throughout the novel, the characters are drinking excessively. They use drinking to also help prove themselves. Because of Jake’s war wound made him physically unable, he feels that he must prove himself to people so he uses drinking to prove himself. Jake also uses wine to forget the things that he doesn’t like about his friends such as the fight between Mick and Cohn, when Mike was mad that Cohn is always looking at Brett and holding in to her everywhere she goes. â€Å"There was much wine and ignored tension, and a feeling of things coming that you could not prevent happening. Under the wine I lost the disgusted feeling and was happy. It seemed that they were all such nice people† (Hemingway 150). In reality, all that drinking does is to give them something in common so that they can relate to one another in some parts of their lives. They are always drinking together and talking about their life difficulties. Often, drinking provides a way of escaping reality and allows them to avoid their problems by avoid thinking about them. In conclusion, in Hemingway’s the Sun Also Rises, it is clear that alcohol dependency is a main theme.

Book report sample Essay

INTRODUCTION On-the-job training (OJT) is one of the best training methods because it is planned, organized and conducted. OJT is generally the primary method used to broaden skills and increase productivity. OJT is dependent upon the trainer having sufficient knowledge and experience to impart to the trainees. OJT is important and the quality of OJT can be considerably improved through effective design. OJT has its advantages, first, trainees will have an opportunity to practice their selected fields. Second, they can practice their punctuality. Next, they can improve their skills and have an additional knowledge in the real world and lastly the trainees can have their immediate feedback. Trainings can be an eye opening because it will really help us to think for a better future. Morale, productivity and professionalism will be trained on the organization during our OJT. Those characteristics must be developed on our OJT to be a high world citizen that is creating and building our future careers . ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The trainees would like to acknowledge the people who helped them to make this On-the-Job Training to be possible. They are very thankful to the Lord for giving them strength, good health and courage to finish this training. They want to express their sincerest gratitude to their family for supporting them financially, emotionally and spiritually. For their friends  and classmates who cheer them up to fulfill this training. Also to their co-OJT’s who helped them to finish their duties. They would also like to thank the staffs of Wide Vision Tours for giving them a chance to be a part of the company and for giving them additional knowledge on their field. We are gratefully thankful to our professors for always being there for us to make us an effective World Citizen. To our Dean, Ms. Rhodora Lintot, we thank you for being kind and you let us experience what we are likely to face in real life. To our professor, Ms. Edwina Paz Perez RND, for supporting us in every step we take, for giving us importance and for awakening us in real world. Company Profile History of the Company Wide Vision Tours is a DOT accredited tour agency and one of the leading travel agency of group package tours in the Philippines for over thirteen years. Our tour packages cater to the following: College tours and exposure trip, educational tours for preschool to high school, adventure packages which include eco-adventure and surf camp, company outings and team building seminars. We also do airline bookings and ticketing. Mission Statement Wide Vision Tours aims to provide the top quality services while keeping the cost in control. We aim to provide high quality services and totally safe trips at best possible price. As our company motto says, â€Å"Enjoy ka na, Safe ka pa†. We have huge plans to progress within Philippines as one of the leading travel service provider and destination management company. Organizational Chart Owner/CEO Tour Consultant Tour Facilitator Ticketing Officer Tour Counselor Location Wide Vision Tours is located at Unit 2- 2nd floor L. Bldg. Barangay Mayamot, Sumulong highway Antipolo City. Features and Services Wide Vision Tours offers a fun and excitement tour packages that fits to every person who wants enjoyment. Wide Vision Tours packages cater to the following: College tours and exposure trip Educational tours for preschool to high school Adventure packages which include eco-adventure and surf camp Company outings and team building seminars They also do airline bookings and ticketing Summary Conclusion Recommendation Personal Experience As a Tourism student, I am thankful that I already finished my first On-the-Job-Training. Being in a Travel Agency is not that easy for me, we are the one who makes itineraries whenever we have a customer who is asking for a tour package. There are times that the clients are demanding, but we have to explain them what we have to. We are also the one who will ask for the rates of some places in Manila so that we can make a package for the high school students. We get brochures from the Department of Tourism (DOT) that we knew that they were located near Luneta Park but then when we got there, people said that DOT was transferred at Makita. It was a productive day, but was a tiring day. We also depart our clients to the Airport, they are 32 persons that booked at Wide Vision Tours but they are divided into  two because there are no availability on the same time of travel to Malaysia. There are times that we need to attend a awarding, the first was at Star City, Wide Vision Tours is t he 7th placer, the company brings a lot of students at Star City this is because of Sir Jun’s hard work. The second awarding was held at Kidzworld, Dasmarià ±as, City. Wide Vision Tours is the 13th placer in the Lucky Me! Happy House Plant. We are proud that we have given a chance to attend those awarding, and we are thankful that no matter what, Wide Vision Tours is always the one who makes our tours. To be in a Travel Agency is happy, we can learn a lot, we can do things that we didn’t think that we can. Like waking up at 1:00 A.M because we are one of the tour guides. Yes, we have experienced to be a real tour guide. We went in Bataan to have their Visita Iglesia. It was a long trip, I’ve experienced to sit in the stairs of the bus because there are no sits available, it was all occupied by our passengers. It is nice for me that I have experienced that thing. We have learned a lot from this company, and it is like we have faced the real world. They let us experience what the real work is. They touch us how to be responsible, they train us well and give us enough knowle dge that we can apply on our future careers.

Forgive My Guilt

In this poem, the Ol' Higue tells of her frustration with her lifestyle. She does not like the fact that she sometimes has to parade around, in the form of a fireball, without her skin at night. She explains that she has to do this in order to scare people, as well as to acquire baby blood. She explains that she would rather acquire this blood via cooked food, like every-one else. Her worst complaint is the pain of salt, as well as having to count rice grains. She exhibits some regret for her lifestyle but implies that she cannot resist a baby's smell, as well as it's pure blood.The ‘newness' of the baby tempts the Ol' Higue, and she cannot resist because she is an old woman who fears death, which can only be avoided by consuming the baby's blood. She affirms her usefulness in the scheme of things, however, by claiming that she provides mothers with a name for their fears (this being the death of a child), as well as some-one to blame when the evil that they wish for their chil d, in moments of tired frustration, is realized. She implies that she will never die, so long as women keep having babies.Poems: ‘Ol’ Higue’ and ‘Le Loupgarou’ The what – Content: Theme – The supernatural, stories used to explain unknown or phenomena. Beliefs held by society custom – culture Ol’ Higue – name given to woman who haunts babies – this results in sickness or death. Practices govern how this situation is treated – use of salt, rice grain and the sun. This belief has held its root and will not go away – because as long as babies get sick and die – blame will be cast on Ol Higue.The Form – Layout of poem  3 stanzas written in free verse – this facilitates the type of poem – dramatic monologue – persona’s expression of her feelings. This also allows for introspection as well as involvement of the reader/listener to participate in the situation. The How – Structure Dramatic monologue Diction – use of colloquial and expression relating to society eg. ‘dry-up woman’ Movements among and within paragraphs – reader/listener invited to sympathize with her pleading to listeners – then to justification of actions – acceptance of relevance to society and mothers.Use of punctuation and lineation – question marks, ellipsis, exclamation – facilitates the dramatic monologue style, supports the changes in emotions and the need for the listener/reader to see from her point of view. Use of imagery – ‘few drops of baby blood’ blood running in new veins, ‘fly come’(literal and figurative) ‘Believe me-‘short line – to prepare the reader and solidify what is to come – an acceptable truth. See Notes on English B pg. 32-33 Comparison to other poem‘Le Loupgarou’ – a sonnet – hence more structure is e vident in terms of lineation, rhyme scheme Use of end and eye rhymes, poem divided into an octave and sestet Delving in the world of the supernatural – a realistic situation – a man Le Brun – being used and told as something supernatural. Story told as a rumour – section about him turning into a werewolf – this is to both facilitate the extent of his actions what happened to him and the women’s dislike of him. Use of imagery and literary devices – oxymoron ‘Christian witches’ howled and lugged.Both poems Caribbean in nature – custom and tradition – affects practices done and treatment given to and by people. Ol’Higue’s story facilitates the mothers’ explanation for the unexplained (sick or dead baby) – while the story of Le Brun and what has been added on by the women – facilitates their gossip and what the community holds on to. You will observe that both poems deal with t he supernatural. The Soucouyant is the counterpart of the Le Loupgarou. They both make a pact with the devil to engage in mysterious and fiendish dealings. They both are greedy and are ruined through their greed.They both evoke fear in the people around them. Derek Walcott was born in 1930 in the town of Castries in Saint Lucia, one of the Windward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. The experience of growing up on the isolated volcanic island, an ex-British colony, has had a strong influence on Walcott's life and work. Both his grandmothers were said to have been the descendants of slaves. His father, a Bohemian watercolourist, died when Derek and his twin brother, Roderick, were only a few years old. His mother ran the town's Methodist school.After studying at St.  Mary's College in his native island and at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, Walcott moved in 1953 to Trinidad, where he has worked as theatre and art critic. At the age of 18, he made his debut with 25 Poems, but his breakthrough came with the collection of poems, In a Green Night (1962). In 1959, he founded the Trinidad Theatre Workshop which produced many of his early plays. Walcott has been an assiduous traveller to other countries but has always, not least in his efforts to create an indigenous drama, felt himself deeply-rooted in Caribbean society with its cultural fusion of African, Asiatic and European elements.For many years, he has divided his time between Trinidad, where he has his home as a writer, and Boston University, where he teaches literature and creative writing. From Nobel Lectures, Literature 1991-1995, Editor Sture All?n, World Scientific Publishing Co. , Singapore, 1997 This autobiography/biography was written at the time of the award and first published in the book series Les Prix Nobel. It was later edited and republished in Nobel Lectures. To cite this document, always state the source as shown above.

Capstone Project Paper: Hernando County Essay

Hernando County is located in the Tampa Bay area and is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico to its West, Pasco County to its South, Sumter County to its East, and Citrus County to its North. Hernando County has a population of 172,778 people (Hernando County Profile, 2012). According to Justia. com Hernando County is about seventy-six percent urban setting and the rest rural non-farming. The size of Hernando County is 53,927 square miles (County Information, 2012). The three major private sector employers are Wal-Mart Distribution Center, Oak Hill Hospital, and Spring Hill and Brooksville Regional Hospitals. Oak Hill Hospital, Spring Hill Regional Hospital, and Brooksville Regional are the major health care systems in the county (Hernando County Profile, 2012). The age group range of forty- five to sixty- four years old comprises the largest percentage of residents in Hernando County (Florida Charts, 2012). Five percent of the population is black people, and ninety- three percent is white people (Florida Charts, 2012). Nine percent is Hispanic, while ninety- one percent is non-Hispanic (Florida Charts, 2012). Twelve percent of families in Hernando County and fourteen percent of families in Florida are below the poverty level (Florida Charts, 2012). Eighty- six percent of the population in Hernando County greater than age twenty- five have a high school diploma. Eighty- five percent of the population in Florida greater than age twenty- five have a high school diploma (Florida Charts, 2012). Two percent of the population greater than age five in Hernando County do not speak English, and seven percent of the population greater than age five in Florida do not speak English (Florida Charts, 2012). Overview of Healthy People 2020 â€Å"Healthy People 2020 provides science-based, 10-year national objectives for improving the health of all Americans (Healthy People 2020, 2012, p. 2). † The United States Department of Health and Human Services manages the site. Healthy People 2020 was developed to improve the nation’s health among all socioeconomic groups by monitoring the effects of prevention methods, educating people on healthy lifestyle decisions, promoting healthy environments, and establishing what research should be conducted. The goals of Healthy People 2020 include: Attain high-quality, longer lives free of preventable disease, disability, injury, and premature death. Achieve health equity, eliminate disparities, and improve the health of all groups. Create social and physical environments that promote good health for all. Promote quality of life, healthy development, and healthy behaviors across all life stages. (Healthy People 2020, 2012) The Leading Health Indicators come from the list of Healthy People 2020 objectives. The Leading Health Indicators of Healthy People 2020 are the issues of our nation’s health given the greatest priority in resolving (Healthy People 2020, 2012). The Leading Health Indicators were made to communicate high- priority health concerns and measures that can be taken to deal with them. According to Healthy People 2020, â€Å"The indicators will be used to assess the health of the Nation, facilitate collaboration across sectors, and motivate action at the national, State, and community levels to improve the health of the U.  S. population† (Healthy People 2020, 2012, p. 7). The Leading Health Indicators of Healthy People 2020 are the issues of our nation’s health given the greatest priority in resolving. They include the following: access to health services; clinical preventive services; environmental quality; injury and violence; maternal, infant, and child health; mental health; nutrition, physical activity, and obesity; oral health; reproductive and sexual health; social determinants; substance abuse; and tobacco (Healthy People 2020, 2012). Healthy People 2020 suggests that organizations who are working towards making the goals a reality, submit their LHI success stories to the Healthy People 2020 website so that Healthy People 2020 can use them to their benefit. These stories can give other people and organizations hope for success to attain their own goals. Furthermore, Healthy People 2020 proposes to MAP-IT in order to implement indicators in a community or population. The MAP-IT strategy can be used in any community to ultimately achieve Healthy People 2020 goals. One must mobilize supporters, assess the needs of the community, plan how to address these needs, implement the plan, and track the progress (Healthy People 2020, 2012). Analysis of Strengths and Needs The three leading health indicators of strength for Hernando County are maternal, infant, and child health; nutrition, physical activity, and obesity; and tobacco (Indicators for county: Hernando, 2012). For maternal, infant, and child health, Hernando County is in the first quartile (most favorable) for early prenatal care (care began first trimester), infant death rate, and neonatal death rate. Hernando County is also better than the state of Florida by having less premature births, births to teens fifteen to nineteen years old, and repeat births to mothers fifteen to nineteen years old and a lower post neonatal death rate. Regarding nutrition, physical activity, and obesity, Hernando County beats the Healthy People 2020 goals of thirty- three percent of the adult population engaging in no leisure-time physical activity with a percentage of twenty- seven percent and thirty- one percent of the adult population being obese (Indicators for county: Hernando, 2012). Concerning tobacco, Hernando County is in the first quartile (most favorable) for the percentage of adults who are current smokers (Florida Charts, 2012). The three leading health indicators of need in Hernando County are injury and violence, social determinants, and oral health (Indicators for county: Hernando, 2012). In regards to social determinants, Hernando County is in the fourth quartile (least favorable) for unemployment rate and is in the third quartile for median income (in dollars) (Florida Charts, 2012). Unemployment rate is a social determinant as it describes the conditions that the community is living in. For injury and violence, Hernando County is in the fourth quartile (least favorable) for unintentional injuries age-adjusted death rate and for suicide age-adjusted death rate. Additionally, Hernando County is in the third quartile for motor vehicle crash age-adjusted death rate and for domestic violence offenses (Florida Charts, 2012). There is a need to lower the injury and violence rate in the county because as compared to the state of Florida, Hernando is one of the most violent counties in Florida (Florida Charts, 2012). In concern of oral health, Hernando County is in the fourth quartile (least favorable) for adults who had a permanent tooth removed because of tooth decay or gum disease (Florida Charts, 2012). Oral health is designated as the priority health indicator. Oral health care is extremely important because people need to prevent infections of the mouth, cavities that cause pain, and cancer. But the primary concern is periodontal disease and how it can lead to more severe diseases. Such diseases caused by periodontal disease range from diabetes to heart disease. Previously stated, Hernando County is in the fourth quartile (least favorable) for adults who had a permanent tooth removed because of tooth decay or gum disease (Florida Charts, 2012). Community Health Models Determinants of Health â€Å"are broad categories of factors that influence health and illness† (Clark, 2008, p. 66). The Determinants-of-Health Model is a combination of other models such as the producing health, consuming health care model and the mandala model. The Determinants-of-Health Model can help the Community Health Nurse develop interventions that address a population based health concern because it has different categorical determinants with topics imbedded in each determinant. The Community Health Nurse could use this model to figure out which determinant is applicable for a certain health issue and use the model to narrow down topics for immediate intervention (Clark, 2008). Human biology, the health system, environment, and lifestyle are factors that can contribute to oral health and are part of the Determinants-of-Health-Model (Clark, 2008). Human biology, like one’s gender, can predispose a person to a certain quality of oral health. A study done in South Asia revealed that women were more likely to get dental caries than men due to genetic and hormonal factors (Lukacs, 2011). The utilization part of the health system also plays a role in oral health, which is shown in research done by the National Survey of Children’s Health 2007. This research showed that children with poor oral health care are more likely to utilize dental health services when they are young, but less likely to go to the dentist when they are older than those that with adequate oral health (Bell, Huebner, & Reed, 2007). Furthermore a study in Australia proves that the addition of fluoride to public water, which is a part of built environment and the environmental determinants, has a positive correlation with the quality of oral health (Armfield, 2010). The lifestyle choice of smoking significantly lessens oral health quality, as confirmed by a study performed in Croatia (Zajc, I. , Brajdic, D. , Biocic, J. , Bosan-Kilibarda, I. , Kopic, V. , Siber, S. , & Macan, D. , 2011). Population Diagnosis The population diagnosis for the priority health issue of oral health is that large adult population in Hernando County is at risk of oral health degradation related to lack of knowledge in proper dental care, evidenced by: (a) Hernando County is in the fourth quartile (least favorable) for adults who had a permanent tooth removed because of tooth decay or gum disease, (b) Hernando county is in the second quartile for adults who had their teeth cleaned in the past year, and (c) Hernando County is in the second quartile for adults who visited a dentist or a dental clinic in the past year (Florida Charts, 2012). The Interventions Wheel The Interventions Wheel â€Å"consists of 17 identified community health nursing interventions that cross over three levels of population-based practice: individual-focused, community-focused, and systems-focused practice† (Clark, 2008, p. 75). The Intervention Wheel is supposed to integrate the idea of determinants of health as all factors that affect health, not just disease or health-related behaviors. The authors of the model also indicate that the model â€Å"emphasizes health promotion and illness prevention† (Clark, 2008, p. 7). To apply the Interventions Wheel to the previously mentioned population diagnosis, the community-focused intervention of social marketing could be utilized. By using social marketing, the county could write a grant to fund a media campaign to spread the word about the importance of dental care (Clark, 2008). Levels of Prevention â€Å"Nursing interventions for identified health needs in the population are planned within the dimensions of health care. The dimensions of health care derive from the public health concepts of levels of prevention and include primary prevention, secondary prevention, and tertiary prevention† (Clark, 2008 p. 72) If you perform an intervention that is designed to prevent a health issue from happening, then it is primary prevention. For instance, â€Å"Immunization is a protective measure for communicable diseases† (Clark, 2008, p. 73). If the intervention is supposed to fix an existing issue, it is secondary prevention. This prevention includes â€Å"screening and early diagnosis as well as treatment for existing health problems† (Clark, 2008, p. 73). When a performed intervention is designed to prevent long-term consequences of a former problem, it is a tertiary prevention. An example of a tertiary prevention would be â€Å"exercise after a broken leg†¦ to prevent muscle atrophy and contractures† (Clark, 2008, p. 73). All three of the preventions mentioned apply to the priority health issue of oral health. For instance, a primary prevention would be going to the dentist routinely for cleaning to prevent cavities and disease of the mouth. A secondary prevention would be to use fluoride after the dentist identifies the degradation of tooth enamel. A tertiary prevention would be the use of a mouth guard after a hockey player lost their tooth and got it replaced by the dentist. Evidence Based Interventions For the primary level of prevention, a community-focused intervention could be utilized in support of the priority health issue of oral health. Health teaching could be done by working at local festivals and fairs promoting a teeth cleaning campaign. The campaign would be funded by local legislators in the county. The community health nurse could have a booth set-up at these local festivals and fairs teaching the community about the importance of oral health care. An article in the International Journal of Cardiology 2011 says that oral health promotion activities seem to produce improvements in periodontal health (Lam, O. , Zhang, W. , Samaranayake, L. , Li, L. , McGrath, C. , 2011). For the secondary level of prevention, a system-focused intervention could be used in support of the population diagnosis previously mentioned. By working with local health care providers to develop systems for screening, follow-up appointments, and treatment for cavities and gum disease, the rates of tooth loss in Hernando County could be lowered. The community health nurse would meet with other health care providers and help make these services available. An article in the American Journal for Public Health 2011 states that the dental practice is responsible for screening for disease in both oral and general health (Lamster & Eaves, 2011). For the tertiary level of prevention, an individual-focused intervention could be employed in support of oral health. By working with local health care providers, the community health nurse could establish follow-up care for patients with gum disease. Compliance of the patient could be monitored by seeing how many follow-up appointments the patient attends out of the suggested amount of appointments scheduled by the dentist. The dentist could monitor the treatment effects with subsequent visits by the patient. The patient could be educated on how to better his oral health care to prevent further negative impact and the spread of the disease. According to the Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2010, people that take better care of their teeth have a greater likelihood of showing up for follow-up care (Kakudate, N. , Morita, M. , Yamazaki, S. , Fukuhara, S. , Sugai, M. , Nagayama, M. , Kawanami, M. , & Chiba, I. , 2010). Conclusion Health policy plays a direct role on the health care received by patients. Health policy develops protocols on what procedures should be performed for certain situations. The health policy proposal is a secondary level prevention with a system-focused approach. The health policy proposal is that people who have been diagnosed with gum disease should seek follow-up care during the next two years to prevent tooth loss. â€Å"Dental care is necessary to prevent and treat orofacial disease, infection, and pain, as well as restore form and function of dentition† (Policy on medically necessary care, 2011, p. 20). The health policy proposal will decrease the number adults who had a permanent tooth removed because of tooth decay or gum disease in Hernando County.