Cultural issues in management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Cultural issues in management - Essay Example Key issues in International HRM In the contemporary environment of competitive business, expanding business must understand the changing socio-cultural background of the country, where one needs to establish the business interests. Social scientists assert that national cultures are vital elements that determine the negotiator’s assumptions and help evolve business strategy based on behavioral pattern (Cohen, 2004; Rubin & Sander, 1991). China has a culturally distinct economy. The socio-cultural value systems are vastly different and business practices are very sensitive to behavioural pattern and intrinsically linked to their socio-cultural value system. Dowling et al (1999) argue that Chinese socio-political and cultural environment is complex, especially as Chinese nationalism remains key obstacle for foreign firms and poses serious challenge to their IHRM. Many scholars strongly support use of local talent and resources as important part of joint ventures that promote loc al economy as people prefer to deal with local professionals rather than expatriate managers (Schuler, 2001; Poole, 1999). This is a highly pertinent issue for foreign firms as they tend to spend huge amount on training and cross-cultural adjustments. There is lot of conflict if the expatriate manager tries to impose his/her own values on the local people. Chinese culture promotes ‘guanxi’, a shared language and a shared culture, where Chinese employees prefer to interact with people who are well versed in their language and culture (Dunning & Kim, 2007; Chen & Starosta, 1998). Thus, IHRM has huge responsibility vis-a-vis managing its human resources and optimizing performances when their business has to be conducted with Chinese, within or outside China. The need to understand the Chinese...Microsoft’s HR strategies were highly creative which were able to exploit human competencies. It promoted a facilitating organization culture that emphasized cross-cultural u nderstanding, trust-building and mutual respect. Preparing cross cultural teams Microsoft promoted multicultural team. Microsoft’s success in China was mainly due to their understanding of Chinese culture and people which was exploited by the HR leadership. Negotiation Business negotiations are intrinsic part of corporate strategy which is designed to reduce conflicts and promote mutually satisfying partnership contract vis-Ã  -vis business goals, financial outcome, terms and conditions, scope etc. In international business across national borders, negotiations are sensitive issues due to different value system, socio-cultural perspective, currency, legal paradigms and market conditions. Culture is integral part of negotiation. Effective CI practices CI practices are intrinsic part of global business planning which rely on information gathering regarding various aspects of business in countries which are perceived to have huge potential for business expansion (Adidam et al, 2009). China, being a major developing economy with vast potential, is highly attractive for foreign businesses. IHRM practices must be dynamic for effective negotiation and running of businesses in countries like China which offers huge opportunities.

External Marketing Environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

External Marketing Environment - Essay Example A firm is frequently oblivious to the factors that affect its future. A marketer can comprehend the marketing environment through conducting a marketing research. Acquaintance to the environment assists an organization to modify its promotional mix and recognize new opportunities. Lamb et al (2011, p. 110) cite economic, cultural and social, business, legal and political and demographic elements as the constituents of the external marketing environment. Economic Environment There is no more significant component in the external environment affecting marketing than the economic environment. Lamb noted that the affects the operation of a company on both at micro and macro levels. Micro-level refers to the individual company while the macro level implies the broader industry, country or international. i. Supply and Demand When there is the absence of government intervention and control, supply and demand are the basic underlying forces of the economic dimension. Supply refers to the num ber of goods and services sellers and producers are willing to bring to the market at given prices at a given time (Lamb et al., 2011, p. 112). Demand, on the other hand, refers to the number of goods and services the buyers are willing to buy at a given price and time. ... When such a situation occurs, there is either a shortage or a surplus. In a competitive market structure, when a surplus or a shortage occurs, changes occur until equilibrium is restored. In the case of a surplus, the price is usually lowered to meet the demand level in the short run. In the long run, either the supply will decrease, as the quantities offered are decreased by some firms making production cuts or by other firms going out of business. When a shortage occurs, a company must carefully assess whether this condition id temporary or is actually a market need not being satisfied. ii. The Market and Exchange In every market economy there is a way for the market equilibrium price and quantity to be achieved. The mechanism for doing this by bridging the gap between supply and demand is the marketplace itself. Marketplace bridges the gap between what is produced and what is consumed, making the right quantity available to meet the market need (Lamb et al, 2011, p., 113) iii. Gen eral Economic Change The economic conditions in a country and the state of national economy change over time. Movements and fluctuations in the economy often follow patterns and have been described as business cycles (Lamb et al, 2011, p. 113). These cycles historically have consisted of four stages which include recession, prosperity, depression, and recovery. Cultural and social Environment In reference to Lamb et al (2011, p. 114), the cultural-social environment is replicated in the other four major environments external to the organization’s marketing mix.  

Cambridge Engineering Selector CES Computer Science Essay

Cambridge Engineering Selector CES Computer Science Essay In this particular assignment we are going to find the best material for a part of land-based gas turbine. For this research we are going to use the Cambridge Engineering Selector (CFS) software. We are going to find the manufacturing process. We are going to make a report by the help of CES software on eco-audit for the existing material and the material we choose. We have some information and data given by the company on the existing material. The component shows below is the part of the land-based gas turbine. j230comb Fig. 1 The part of land-based gas turbine It is made from Hastelloy X material which is a Nickel-Chromium-Iron-Molybdenum alloy. It has excellent strength and oxidation resistance. Its approximate chemical composition is Ni 47%, Cr 22%, Fe 18%, Mo 9%, and Co 1.5%. It has a good ductility thats why it can be forged and can be cold-worked. So this material is good for welding. The component has 0.75 m in diameter, 10 mm in thickness and 200 mm of depth. The component is on service for 10 years and need to be replaced. The component need to be operates on some require condition i.e. temperatures up to 800oC, good thermal shock and corrosion resistance. It should be capable of being manufactured by casting. By using the CES software we have to specify the manufacturing process. And if require we have to do coating to achieve the heat and corrosion resistance. We have some more data given which is Minimum Tensile Strength 300MPa, Has to operate above 550oC, Maximum thermal expansion 15 ÃŽ ¼ strain/o C, Minimum Yield Strength 300MPa. Cambridge Engineering Selector (CES) It is a software package which help designer to make decision over which materials and design process to use in the development of new equipment. We can use the CES software for general analysis and optimization applications by material universe data module. By the help of CES software we can design or redesign components with highest performance and lowest cost. CES software consists of three levels. Level 1 for Introductory-level students, providing introduction to the world of materials and processes and helping them to select the materials and processes with limited datasets of 67 materials and 75 processes. Level 2 for Intermediate-level students, providing the structured methodology for more materials and processes in the depth investigations with 98 materials and 107 processes with more information. Level 3 for Advanced/graduate students, providing the full materials and processes used in industry with added design notes with the vast selection of materials. In this particular level there are 3000 materials and more than 200 processes. CES software consists of the following main windows. C:UsersRANJANDesktopFINAL ASSIGNMENTHigh Temperature Materials and Applicationsphoto of cesmain windows of ces.jpg Fig. 2 CES main window Browse This window contains a list of the tables in the database and the classification tree for the selected table. Select This window is the central navigation point for selection projects, showing the selection settings, the project stages and the selection results. Search This window is used for text searches on records in the database. Graph Stage This window displays selection charts which show the relationships between attributes. Limit Stage This window is used to enter selection criteria as limits on individual attributes. Datasheet This window displays a list of attributes for individual records. There can be many of these on the screen at a time. As the requirement of the assignment, the company ask for the more efficient and economical material for the land-based gas turbine part. The part should be fulfilling the required properties and condition. For the particular material for the part of the land-based gas turbine, level three is reliable containing more than 3300 materials. In level three, by selection the select windows it will show the selection data. In selection data pane there is an option to select materials universe: all bulk materials. C:UsersRANJANDesktopFINAL ASSIGNMENTHigh Temperature Materials and Applicationsphoto of cesselestion atage all bulk materials.jpg Fig. 3 selection data pane (All bulk Materials) The selection Results contains a list of all of the records that have passed the selection stages. C:UsersRANJANDesktopFINAL ASSIGNMENTHigh Temperature Materials and Applicationsphoto of ces2945 materials.jpg Fig. 4 All bulk Materials Selection stage of CES 1. Selection with the TREE stage To create a new tree stage selects new tree stage from the select menu or the click the tree button. The tree stage properties will appear. For the project, the material for the part of land-based gas turbine should be metals and alloys, so insert it. C:UsersRANJANDesktopFINAL ASSIGNMENTHigh Temperature Materials and Applicationsphoto of cesfirst tree for metals and alloys.jpg Fig. 5 Tree stage (Metals and Alloys) In the Tree Stage window, for a single relationship, click the Show button. This opens the Cell Contents dialog, listing the names of records that fulfil the link selection criterion for the row. In the Cell Contents dialog, Click on a column heading to sort the list by record name C:UsersRANJANDesktopFINAL ASSIGNMENTHigh Temperature Materials and Applicationsphoto of ces1607 materials.jpg Fig. 6 All Metals and Alloys By applying the condition of metals and alloys in this tree stage, it will show only the metals and alloys from all universe materials. 2. Selection by limit stage To create a limit stage, select new limit stage from select menu or click the limit button in the selection stages pane of the select window. A limit stage window will appear, and the stage will be listed in the selection stages pane. C:UsersRANJANDesktopFINAL ASSIGNMENTHigh Temperature Materials and Applicationsphoto of cesfirst limit.jpg Fig. 7 Limit selection stage Before we going to apply all the limits, lets check the requirements of the company. The company wants the part should be operate up to 800oC, so the maximum service temperature should be 800oC and it also require that it should be operate above 550oC so the minimum service temperature should be 550oC. The tensile strength and yield strength should be minimum 300 MPa. The Maximum thermal expansion should be not more than 15 ÃŽ ¼strain/ oC. However, the tensile strength and yield strength are mechanical properties and service temperature and thermal expansion are thermal properties of the material. Tensile strength: maximum load that a material can support without fracture when being stretched, divided by the original cross-sectional area of the material. Yield strength: The stress at the yield point. And the stress needed to produce a specified amount of plastic deformation. Thermal expansion: Increase in volume of a material as its temperature is increased, usually expressed as a fractional change in dimensions per unit temperature change. When the material is a solid, thermal expansion is usually described in terms of change in length, height, or thickness. C:UsersRANJANDesktopFINAL ASSIGNMENTHigh Temperature Materials and Applicationsphoto of cesapply limit mechanical properties.jpg Fig. 8 Applying Yield strength and Tensile strength C:UsersRANJANDesktopFINAL ASSIGNMENTHigh Temperature Materials and Applicationsphoto of cesthermal limits.jpg Fig. 9 Applying service Temperature By applying the mechanical and thermal properties of material, it will show 171 materials which fulfil the conditions. C:UsersRANJANDesktopFINAL ASSIGNMENTHigh Temperature Materials and Applicationsphoto of ces171 materials.jpg Fig. 10 Metals and Alloys after applying mechanical and thermal properties Manufacturing process It is important to make the right manufacturing decisions early in the design process, before the cost-penalty of making changes becomes too high. The selection of the most appropriate manufacturing process of which there are a very large number is one such decision. Taking a broad view, a process is a method for shaping or finishing or joining a material (Esawi, 1997). The kingdom of processes contains broad families: casting, deformation, moulding, machining, compaction of powders, and such like. Each family contains many classes: casting contains sand-casting, die-casting, and investment casting, for instance. These in turn have many members: there are many variants of sand-casting, some specialized to give greater precision, others modified to allow exceptional size, and still others adapted to deal with specific materials. The land-based gas turbine should be capable of being manufactured by casting. By applying another tree stage for the manufacturing process in trees pane click on process universe and in shaping process, select the casting and insert it. C:UsersRANJANDesktopFINAL ASSIGNMENTHigh Temperature Materials and Applicationsphoto of cestree manufacturing process.jpg Fig. 11 Tree stage for manufacturing process After applying the casting limit to the materials selected, its eliminated all the materials which can be shaped by casting. There are only 67 materials left. C:UsersRANJANDesktopFINAL ASSIGNMENTHigh Temperature Materials and Applicationsphoto of ces67 materials after casting.jpg Fig. 12 Materials which can be shaped by casting As the company requirement the material should be half or less price than the original material. It is made of Hastelloy X material which is one the alloy of Ni-Cr alloy group. The Hastelloy X materials cost is 15.7- 17.3 GBP/kg. C:UsersRANJANDesktopFINAL ASSIGNMENTHigh Temperature Materials and Applicationsphoto of ceshastelloy x.jpg Fig. 13 Hastelloy X materials details By applying the graph for the price for the selected materials. The existing material price is 15.7- 17.3 GBP/kg and the requirement is the half and less than the existing price. By the help of the selection box its easy to eliminate the expensive materials from the graph. Selecting the materials from less than 9 GBP/kg by the help of selection box. C:UsersRANJANDesktopFINAL ASSIGNMENTHigh Temperature Materials and Applicationsphoto of cesprice graph.jpg Fig. 14 The bar chart of selected material with price After applying the condition of price, there are only 11 materials left. C:UsersRANJANDesktopFINAL ASSIGNMENTHigh Temperature Materials and Applicationsphoto of ces11 materials.jpg Fig. 15 Materials selected after the condition of price Esawi, A. M. K. and Ashby M. F., Computer-Based Selection of Manufacturing Processes, Cambridge University Engineering Dept Report, CUED/C-EDC/TR50, May 1997.

School Violence :: Youth Children Violent essays research papers

There is definitely a problem with school violence today. The last three years have shown us that violence in our schools society is more common today then ever before. Whether the violence has to do with guns, knives, or just a simple fight, school violence is getting a little out of hand. There have been several school shootings in the last few years, and the number of school shootings seems to be growing rapidly these days. When the last figures were taken by the government educators had found more then 2,000 weapons stashed by students in lockers, backpacks and pockets in the 1996-97 school year. These school shooting and the findings of all these weapons makes parents wonder if their children really are safe at school anymore. When parents begin to worry about their children at school, everyone should realize there is far to much violence at school. School violence is a big issue, and the problem seems to be getting worse every year. National statistics show schools are the safest place in children's lives, but are we all so sure that this is true anymore? School violence has been growing rapidly for the past three years. Every time there is an occurrence of violence more kids are afraid to go to school. Every child has the right to an education in a safe and secure environment, and violence in our nation's schools seems to come as a threat to this right. This is one sign that school violence is out of hand, and something has to be done. School violence is probably one of the biggest problems in the nation, this is said due to all the school shootings that have taken place in the past three years. School violence is an issue that everyone may recognize but not everyone is doing something to help prevent it. In the past three years several school shootings have taken place, starting the 2nd of February 1996, in Moses Lake, Washington. Barry Loukaitis opened fire in his algebra class, killing 2 students and a teacher. There was another shooting in the same month, February 19, 1996. This shooting took place in Bethel, Alaska, killing the principal and a student. There were three more shooting in 1997, including the shooting in Pearl Mississippi on October 1, where two students were killed and seven were wounded, by a 16 year old boy.

Hewlett-Packard Case Study Essay

Carly Fiorina was hired in Hewlett-Packard as Chairwoman, CEO and President of Hewlett-Packard in 1999 but before that, she earned recognition being one of the most powerful women in America.   Her career in H-P was a combination of ups and down leaving the company with a lot more controversy. Carly Fiorina’s performance at HP caught the attentions of the people in America and the world. Was CEO Carly Fiorina an example of internal or external succession at H-P and why? Carly Fiorina’s appointment in Hewlett-Packard is an example of external succession because she was not a former H-P employee or member of the board; her expertise and renowned popularity made the H-P Board to hire her service.   Specifically, her achievements at Lucent and AT&T impressed the executives of H-P, which at that time was at a point of â€Å"downslide† (Boldman & Deal, p. 111), who thought that Fiorina could bring â€Å"drastic action and new leadership to shake things up† (ibid). Describe the changes made at Hewlett-Packard under CEO Fiorina. Carly Fiorina obviously was really smart and an innovator as evident in her achievements in her former companies.   However, her true ability was tested in Hewlett-Packard that left her torn-apart caused by the consequences of the massive scale she imposed on H-P.   She succeeded in some ways and failed in some aspects. Nevertheless, Fiorina made three changes in HP in her six-year term that greatly affected the HP culture according to Craig (2008).   First, she redirected the spending of the company from â€Å"nurturing employees to financial performance† (Craig) that resulted to growth in earnings and revenues during her term.   Secondly, she changed the reward system given to employees from profit-sharing to an incentive program.   The last change she made was restructuring the whole company by merging similar units to one resulting to having only four units from the original 84 units.   Reduction of smaller independent businesses of HP resulted to job losses of many employees but improved the communication and internal transaction of the company. Likewise, the merging of Hewlett-Packard and Compaq caused Fiorina’s strategy brought more negative consequences than positive ones.   Though she got what she expected, but the fact that people were hurt by her aggressive action they all retaliated against her.   Unbelievably, only during her term that HP experienced so many job losses and employee apprehensions. These changes damaged the company as employee dissatisfaction grew further until 2005 and the stock reduced by half while its competitors such as Dell and IBM continued soaring high. What is your opinion of what ultimately happened to her at HP, as illustrated by the second article? Fiorina lost her credibility at HP which was contrary to her previous achievements she made prior to her appointment at HP.   I think she was overwhelmed by the shining glory of her achievements during that time that she promoted herself rather than the company’s future.   She failed to understand what the company really needed; instead she went on her way without fully analyzing what correct actions to take. Basically, she relied to herself totally that she never noticed the cultural forces that raged against her.   She lost her focus as many turned into opposition to her plans; in the first place, she never got to the heart of the problem of HP that she misunderstood many of the remarks and words of expectation she received at the time she was appointed at HP. How would you describe the most recent succession that occurred at H-P? External succession with Fiorina was the first attempt made by the company and I think that experience gave them a great lesson to ponder on because the succession brought chaos to the company, which was opposite to what they expected.   HP was quite stable though some downslides occurred already when Fiorina was hired in 1999.   Fiorina was appointed as chairwoman in order to enhance further its competitiveness in the market but her leadership style did not meet the expected changes that she promised to them. In the first place, HP became irrational by associating the success of Fiorina at AT&T and Lucent to Hewlett-Packard.   It failed to see competent and able leaders within the company who could replace the parting person.   Getting the right person for a very sensitive position must be done with care. Monk and Wagner suggested that in line with succession, it is important that a company create a succession plan that â€Å"incorporates every level of the organization† (2008, p. 174). The succession plan will guide the company in cases like Fiorina. Conclusion In the case of Carly Fiorina in HP, it is appropriate to assume that succession must be according to the plan and besides the company must set a ruling regarding succession.   Fiorina could be the right person in HP but the lack of clear vision and orientation of the culture and expectation of the company; she developed her own approaches that only harmed the people in the company.

RCC Jazz in Concert Essay

On October 20, I attended a concert by the RCC Jazz in featuring Lanny Morgan at the Digital Library Auditorium. The name of group members which are used were Doug Webb (Tenor Sax), Tom Ranier (piano), Chuck Berhofer (bass), and Steve Schaeffer (drum â€Å"The Magic Flea† is an upbeat tempo song with mostly eighth notes, it features the Lanny Morgan as the guest artist on the alto sax. It has many key changes in the solo that he tore through liked pro, Smack Dab in the Middle. This song was a mid tempo song, closer to the paid back style of playing features accidentals to make a jazzy sound out the piece, â€Å"Better Days Ahead†. This song featured the guitar. The soprano sax played as lead accompanied by the first trumpet and the first trombone. Sam Nestoco, Pat Metheng, Morgan Luwis, Dave Wolpe they are all composers of the Jazz. Sometime, the rhythm section got off beat, but got back on. The base player was out of tune in the first song, which made the dynamics grea t. They were intense with short notes, crescendos, and stopping at the same time. In â€Å"The Magic Flea†, the melody was fast pace with eighth notes, and usually ending in a long note, or Staccato note. In â€Å"Smack Dab in The Middle† the Melody was laid back to correspond with the beat. It has two key changes, which are concert F, and concert A Flat,† Better Days Ahead† had a pushing tempo, with the guitar as the melody. The guitar player was a great soloist, who used many eight and sixteen notes. He played many notes that amazing in the chords the Sax player in the Smack Dab in The Middle used repetition to make his solo interesting. He hit a few high notes that matched perfect with the chords. Attending this concert taught me how talented these students are with their improvisation and great feel of time. They created a story with the music as it flowed while featuring individuals. I learned dynamics make a different when controlling the intensity of the piece. I learned that phrasing plays a huge part in Jazz by making epic stops learned that certain notes are perfect in key changes, and some create a Jazz tone that separates the genre from others. I also learned that the drummer contributes to determining how loud and soft the band gets. At the end of the performance, I was glad I had attended. It was an  interesting and entertaining performance. I was able to speak briefly with the musicians before leaving the concert. They were very helpful in answering my questions about the Jazz music. This was my first experience hearing live jazz in the concert. I enjoyed both the music and the ambiance of the concert, and I plan to return there soon.

Looking At The Effects Of Community Care Social Work Essay Essays

Looking At The Effects Of Community Care Social Work Essay Essays Looking At The Effects Of Community Care Social Work Essay Essay Looking At The Effects Of Community Care Social Work Essay Essay Community attention basically aims to supply persons in demand with societal, medical and wellness support in their ain places, every bit far as possible, instead than in residential constitutions or in long-stay establishments. The passage of the NHS and Community Care Act in 1990 marked a watershed in the development of community attention pattern in the UK ( Means, et Al, 2002, p 71 ) . Implemented after old ages of treatment on the societal and fiscal viability of keeping people in establishments and places, the NHS and Community Care Act, initiated by Margaret Thatcher, showcased her desire to radically alter the pattern and bringing of societal and wellness attention in the UK ( Means, et Al, 2002, p 71 ) . The old ages following the passing of the Act have witnessed important developments in the pattern and bringing of societal work in the state. This short essay efforts to look into the basic grounds for the passage of the NHS and the Community Care Act, its basic political orientation and push, and its impact on the societal work sector of the state. The essay besides surveies the developments in societal attention that have occurred in the old ages following the act, with peculiar focal point on direct payments for people with larning disablements, societal attention commissariats for carers and the modern-day accent on personalisation. NHS and Community Care Act 1990 Whilst the induction of the policy of community attention in the UK is by and big attributed to Margaret Thatcher s conservative authorities, the construct of community attention, even at that clip, was non precisely new ( Borzaga A ; Defourny, 2001, p 43 ) . The demand for community attention existed from the beginning of the fiftiess. It aimed to supply a better and more cost effectual manner to assist persons with mental wellness concerns and physical disablements by taking them from impersonal, old, and frequently rough institutional environments, and taking attention of them in their place environments ( Borzaga A ; Defourny, 2001, p 43 ) . Although assorted authoritiess, since the 1950s, supported the demand to present community attention and tried to convey in appropriate alterations, deficiency of concrete action on the issue resulted in changeless addition of the figure of people in residential constitutions and big establishments during the 1960s, 70s and 80s ( Borzaga A ; Defourny, 2001, p 43 ) . With legion negative narratives coming out in the media on the hard conditions in such constitutions, Sir Roy Griffiths was invited by Margaret Thatcher to look into the issue of community attention for the occupants of such constitutions and do appropriate recommendations ( Harris, 2002, p 11 ) . The Griffiths, ( 1988 ) , Report named Community Care: Agenda for Action , followed by the publication of a White Paper Caring for Peoples: Community Care in the Following Decade and Beyond in 1989 led to the passage of the NHS and Community Care Act 1990 ( Cass, 2007, p 241 ) . Apart from being a strong effort to better the lives of people in long term establishments and residential constitutions, the jurisprudence was besides an result of the conservative authorities s desire to convey market reforms into the public sector and excite the private sector to come in the societal services, every bit good as its strong belief that competitory markets would be better able to supply more economic services than a bureaucratised populace sector ( Harris, 2009, p 3 ) . With societal services being among the highest gross disbursement sections at the local authorization degree and domiciliary and residential services for older people devouring the majority of societal service financess, community attention for older people presented an obvious country for debut and execution of market rules ( Harris, 2009, p 3 ) . The act split the function of local and wellness governments by changing their internal constructions, so that local authorization sections were required to determine the demands of persons and thenceforth purchase required services from suppliers ( Lewis, et Al, 1994, p 28 ) . Health administrations, in order to go suppliers of such services, became NHS trusts that competed with each other. The act besides required local societal service and wellness governments to jointly hold to community attention programs for the local execution of single attention programs for long term and vulnerable psychiatric patients ( Lewis, et Al, 1994, p 28 ) . The act has nevertheless come in for changing grades of unfavorable judgment from service users, perceivers and experts, with some perceivers claiming the altered attention conditions to be unresponsive, inefficient and offering small pick or equity ( Malin, et Al, 2002, p 17 ) . Other experts, who were non so pessimistic, stated that whilst the system was based upon an first-class thought, it was small better in pattern than the old systems of bureaucratic resource allotment and received small committedness from societal services ; the lead community attention bureau ( Malin, et Al, 2002, p 17 ) . The committedness of local governments was diluted by the service bequests of the past and vested professional involvement, even as societal services and wellness services workers were unable to work good together ( Malin, et Al, 2002, p 17 ) . Small coaction took topographic point between societal and wellness services and the impact of the reforms was undermined by chronic authorities un derfunding. The voluntary sector became the chief donee of this push for the development of a assorted economic system of attention ( Malin, et Al, 2002, p 17 ) . Developments after the Enactment of the NHS and Community Care Act The premise of authorities by the labor party in 1997 resulted in the progressive acceptance of legion forward looking policies in assorted countries of societal attention. The publication of a white paper in 1998 reinforced the authorities s committedness to publicity of community based attention and people s independency ( Means, et Al, 2002, p 79 ) . The paper focused on helping people to accomplish and keep independency through bar and rehabilitation schemes, with specific grants being introduced to ease their execution. The Health Act of 1999 removed obstructions to the joint working of wellness and societal services sections through commissariats for pooling of budgets and meeting of services ( Means, et Al, 2002, p 79 ) . The preparation of the NHS program aimed to better partnership between wellness and societal attention, the development of intermediate attention and the building of capacity for attention through hard currency for alteration grants for development of capac ity across societal and wellness attention systems ( Means, et Al, 2002, p 79 ) . Direct Payments for Persons with Learning Disabilities The Community Care ( Direct Payments ) Act 1996, which came into operation in April 1997, marked a extremist alteration in the proviso of community attention for people with disablements, including those with larning troubles ( Tucker, et Al, 2008, p 210 ) . It was illegal, prior to the execution of the act, for local governments to back up people with disablements by doing hard currency payments in stead of supplying community attention services. Policymakers nevertheless realised that many local governments were successfully back uping independent life strategies, Centres for independent life and personal aid strategies ( Tucker, et Al, 2008, p 210 ) . Such strategies handled community attention payments for handicapped people and provided them with aid to organize aid or support. The Community Care ( Direct Payments ) Act built on this state of affairs, leting direct payments to be made to replace attention services, which otherwise would be given by societal service sections ( Tu cker, et Al, 2008, p 210 ) . Direct payments provide flexibleness in the manner services are provided to eligible people. The giving of money, in stead of societal attention services, helps people to accomplish greater control and pick over their lives and enables them to make up ones mind on the clip and manner of bringing of services ( Tucker, et Al, 2008, p 210 ) . Direct payments can non merely be used for services to fulfill the demands of kids or their households but besides enables carers to buy the services they need to prolong them in their functions. Research conducted in 1997 in the use of direct payments by people with larning troubles revealed that whilst use of direct payments by people with larning disablements was increasing, such use was low among adult females and persons from minority or black cultural groups ( Tucker, et Al, 2008, p 210 ) . Research besides revealed the presence of broad differences in the reading of the capacity of individuals for accepting to direct payments by local govern ments. Whilst some local governments felt that direct payments could be sanctioned to all individuals with larning troubles who were able, with aid, to successfully command and utilize direct payments, other governments did non mind the fact that such people could so be assisted to pass on determinations and accordingly assumed their inability to accept to direct payments. Such readings, it was felt, could suspend many people in demand from obtaining the installation for direct payments ( Tucker, et Al, 2008, p 211 ) . Aid for Carers Recent old ages have seen a figure of societal attention enterprises for easing the status of carers. Carers are people who provide aid and support, without payment, to household members or friends, who are unable to pull off without such aid, on history of unwellness, infirmity or disablement ( Government Equalities Office, 2010, p 1 ) . Carers can include grownups who care for other grownups, parents who care for handicapped or sick kids, or immature people who care for other household members. The authorities s societal attention policies for carers include back uping people with caring duties for ( a ) placing themselves at early phases, ( B ) recognizing the worth of their part, and ( degree Celsius ) affecting them from the beginning in planing and be aftering single attention ( Government Equalities Office, 2010, p 1 ) . Such policies aim to enable carers to ( a ) satisfy their educational demands and employment potency, and ( B ) provide personalised support, both for carers and the people they support, to bask household and community life and stay physically and mentally good. Whilst the NHS and community attention Act 1990 looked at carers as valued resources because of their ability to supply support, it did non mention to their rights ; trusting alternatively on rhetoric to present the message of their value to society ( Government Equalities Office, 2010, p 2 ) . Succeeding old ages have nevertheless witnessed greater focal point on the demands of carers and to progressive debut of suited Torahs and appropriate policies. The passing of the Carers ( Recognition and Services ) Act 1995 drew attending to the demands of carers. This was followed by the passing of the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 and the Carers ( Equal Opportunities ) Act 2004 ( Government Equalities Office, 2010, p 2 ) . T hese Acts of the Apostless entitle carers for ( a ) appraisal of their demands, ( B ) services in their ain right and support in accessing instruction preparation, employment and leisure chances. The proposed equality measure introduces four new chances for carers. It ( a ) requires public governments to give due consideration to socio-economic disadvantages, whilst exerting strategic planning maps, ( B ) takes history of associatory favoritism with respect to handicapped people, ( degree Celsius ) provides for bar of indirect favoritism, and ( vitamin D ) calls upon public organic structures to guarantee that their policies are designed to extinguish torment and favoritism and farther equality of chance ( Government Equalities Office, 2010, p 2 ) . Personalisation The construct of personalisation in societal attention, whilst discussed for some old ages, was officially inducted into societal attention pattern in the UK with the publication of Puting People First in 2007. The covenant outlined the construct of a individualized grownup societal attention system, where persons will hold extended control and pick over the services received by them. The authorities committed that societal services would increasingly be tailored to run into the penchants of citizens, with individual centred planning along with ego directed support going mainstream activities, assisted by personal budgets for maximizing control and pick ( Aldred, 2008, p 31 ) . Whilst personal budgets and direct payments form an of import facet of personalisation, the thought concerns suiting services to the demands of people, concentrating on results, and recognizing the worth of the sentiments of service users measuring their ain demands, be aftering their service, and bring forthing their results ( Aldred, 2008, p 31 ) . Decisions and the Way Forward This essay investigates the grounds behind the passage of the NHS and the Community Care Act and surveies the developments in societal attention that have occurred in the old ages following the act, particularly in countries of direct payments for people with larning disablements, societal attention for carers and personalisation. It is obvious from the consequences of the survey that societal attention in the UK has experienced important alteration and metabolism since the passage of the 1990 act. Whilst important advancement has been made a consensus s turning that the British societal attention system is confronting a crisis because of drivers like increasing demographic force per unit areas, changes in household and societal constructions, lifting public outlooks, increasing desire for greater pick and control, and eligibility for services ( Glasby, et Al, 2010, p 11 ) . The demand to travel people out of local adjustment because of lifting rents exemplifies the challenges faced by the societal attention system. With the fiscal system going more ambitious, the societal attention system will hold to happen ways of bettering efficiencies without thining the quality of attention ( Glasby, et Al, 2010, p 11 ) . The following unit of ammunition of societal reforms, whilst trying to accomplish better bringing efficiencies will hold to regenerate its committedness to fulfilling societal outlooks and basic human rights, cut downing costs, forestalling future demands, assisting people to recover independency, liberating persons to lend, and back uping carers to care and lend to society ( Glasby, et Al, 2010, p 11 ) .

Intelligence Reforms in the USA

Intelligence Reforms in the USA The term â€Å"intelligence† in the context of national security refers to analyzed and refined information that is useful in the decision-making process of policymakers. The US government has developed several strategies aimed at bringing reform to intelligence in the verge of improving national security.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Intelligence Reforms in the USA specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Such reforms include the creation of the DNI (Directors of National Intelligence) and the ODNI (Office of the Directors of National Intelligence).1 However, these reforms face several challenges as discussed hereinafter. The intelligence reforms face a huge challenge in terms of reception. First, the introduction of the ODNI, according to intelligence officials, makes the already unwieldy intelligence community more complicated.2 While the ODNI is at the top tier of the intelligence community, the Pentagon and th e CIA are still at the helm of the operations, and they still plan budgets for the intelligence infrastructure. Therefore, the Directors of National Intelligence have little actual control over the intelligence community. The reduced capacity of the DNI to give adequate directions turns enforcing the change into a challenge since the position of a DNI member requires power sharing skills and close coordination. The introduction of a new post and a new office in the intelligence community creates an additional budget entity. Therefore, the efficiency of the intelligence community reduces since the national budgetary allocation for intelligence remains constant. Moreover, the new office increases the number of bureaucratic layers in the intelligence community; thus, the implementation of action plans takes longer, yet the quality of operations and data analysis remains the same.3 The ODNI also faces numerous challenges in integrating the different agencies of the national intelligence community.Advertising Looking for essay on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The issues related to intelligence reforms will have adverse effects on the operations of the intelligence in the 21st century. For instance, the US government purposes to build satellites for the needs of the intelligence service; these satellites will act as assets for collection of imagery for improved tactical operations.4 However, building such a satellite costs approximately $800,000,000, and the creation of the launch vehicle requires additional $300,000,000. This might not be possible because of the creation of the new office, the ODNI. As it was stated earlier, the ODNI creation, which is the most significant part of the intelligence reform, has trouble in integrating the diverse intelligence agencies. The coordination of the intelligence collection process becomes a challenge since every agency continues to operate in th e same way.5 Regardless of the aforementioned challenges, policymakers are moving in the right direction as they work tirelessly to improve sharing of information and promote strategic unity in the intelligence community. The policymakers have succeeded in breaking the technological and cultural barriers in the intelligence community. For instance, the coordination between domestic and foreign US intelligence has led to the disruption of threats to the US Homeland by confirming the existence and purpose of the uranium enrichment facility in Qum, Iran.6 Moreover, under the supervision and coordination of the ODNI, relevant intelligence agencies provided the public with information about the H1N1 virus and, thus, reduced its ramification.7 With the help of the new Rapid Technology Transition Initiative, the ODNI was capable of funding several security enhancing initiatives. Among the funded technologies, there was the biometric identification system that facilitated the capture of mor e than 50 intelligence targets in different parts of the world. 8 The intelligence community, under the ODNI, has experienced improved interoperability and access through the introduction of new information-sharing platforms like encrypted emails.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Intelligence Reforms in the USA specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Bibliography Best, Richard. Intelligence Issues for Congress. Washington, DC: Congress Research Service. 2009. Dupont, Allan. Intelligence for the Twenty-First Century. New York, NY: Frank Cass. 2012. Maguire, Mike, and Timothy John. Intelligence, surveillance and informants: Integrated approaches. London, UK: Home Office Police Research Group. 1995. Neary, Patrick. â€Å"The Post 9/11 Intelligence Community. Intelligence Reform, 2001-2009: Requiescat in Pace?† Studies in Intelligence 54, no. 1 (March 2010): 1–16. Posner, Richard A. Preventing Surprise Attacks: In telligence Reform in the Wake of 9/11. Stanford, CA: Hoover Institution. 2005. Prados, John. Pentagon Power Play: Turf Wars and Bad Analysis are just two likely Products of the Disastrous New Intelligence Reform. Chicago, IL: Educational Foundation for Nuclear Science, Inc. 2010. Warner, Michael and Kenneth McDonald. US Intelligence Community Reform Studies Since 1947. Washington, DC: CSI. 2005.Advertising Looking for essay on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Footnotes 1. Richard Best, Intelligence Issues for Congress (Washington, DC: Congress Research Service, 2009), 19. 2. Allan Dupont, Intelligence for the Twenty-First Century (Washington, DC: Frank Cass, 2012), 17. 3. Mike Maguire and Timothy John, Intelligence, surveillance and informants: Integrated approaches, (London, UK: Home Office Police Research Group, 1995), 6. 4. Patrick Neary, â€Å"The Post 9/11 Intelligence Community. Intelligence Reform, 2001-2009: Requiescat in Pace?,† Studies in Intelligence 54, no. 1 (March 2010): 4. 5. Richard A. Posner, Preventing Surprise Attacks: Intelligence Reform in the Wake of 9/11 (Stanford, CA: Hoover Institution, 2005), 196. 6. Richard A. Posner, Preventing Surprise Attacks: Intelligence Reform in the Wake of 9/11 (Stanford, CA: Hoover Institution, 2005), 27. 7. John Prados, Pentagon Power Play: Turf Wars and Bad Analysis are just two likely Products of the Disastrous New Intelligence Reform, (Chicago, IL: Educational Foundation for Nuclear Science, Inc., 2010), 11. 8. Michael Warner and Kenneth McDonald, US Intelligence Community Reform Studies Since 1947, (Washington, DC: CSI, 2005), 33.

The Guard Family

The Guard Family The Guard Family The Guard Family By Mark Nichol Guard is the basis of a family of words pertaining to protection; these terms are listed and defined in the post below. Guard, from the French verb garder (formerly also spelled guarder and warder), meaning â€Å"defend† and related to the Old High German term warten, meaning â€Å"take care,† has several senses: It refers to someone (or a group) assigned to protect someone or watch something or to the act of defending someone or keeping an eye on something, or the state of being protected. It also pertains to a protective component or device, to an athlete who has a defensive or protective role in competition, or to a defensive attitude, position, or state. One can be said to be on guard, or in a state of readiness, or to be off guard; the latter phrase is generally seen in the phrase â€Å"catch (or â€Å"caught†) off guard.† It is also a verb, and the adjective is guarded, guardedly is the adverbial form, and guardedness describes the state of being alert. Guard appears in the open compound â€Å"guard dog† and the closed compound guardrail. It is the root of guardian, a word describing a person in a protective role (such as an adult who serves as a surrogate parent for a minor); the state of being a guardian is guardianship. The phrase â€Å"guardian angel,† based on the notion of a protective supernatural being, now often refers to a flesh-and-blood person in such a role. â€Å"En garde,† taken directly from French, means â€Å"on (your) guard† and serves in fencing as a spoken warning for competitors to be prepared to defend themselves. Regard, as a noun meaning â€Å"consideration† or â€Å"judgment† (with the antonym disregard) or, as a verb, â€Å"consider† or â€Å"judge,† is from the French verb regarder, meaning â€Å"look at.† As a noun, it also has the sense of â€Å"respect,† and as such is used in correspondence in plural form as a sign-off. Self-regard refers to consideration of oneself or one’s interests. Regardless is an adjective with the sense of â€Å"in spite of† or â€Å"without consideration†; irregardless is an unfortunate and unnecessary variant careful writers will assiduously be on their guard to avoid. An advance guard or vanguard was originally a military unit that preceded the main body of troops into battle; the latter term now usually refers to a person or group at the forefront of a movement. Avant-garde is the French equivalent, borrowed into English with that sense but now figuratively describing an innovative artist, musician, or writer, or a work of art or literary or musical composition that is ground-breaking, or an entire creative movement considered as such. A rearguard, by contrast with a vanguard, protects a retreating force, and by analogy the word also pertains to resistance to an overwhelming phenomenon. â€Å"Honor guard† refers to a member of the military who has a ceremonial function or to a small unit of military personnel with such a role. Closed compounds with guard as the second element include bodyguard, referring to an individual assigned or hired to protect someone or to a group or unit in that role; lifeguard, originally a synonym for bodyguard but now the designation for a person trained to rescue people from a body of water when they are at risk of drowning; and safeguard, which means â€Å"something that provides protection.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Punctuating â€Å"So† at the Beginning of a SentenceStory Writing 101Drama vs. Melodrama

Where does the thoroughbred come from Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Where does the thoroughbred come from - Essay Example This paper will also show how the creation of British â€Å"Classic† races late in the eighteenth century and early in the nineteenth century changed the nature of racing and thus changed the way Thoroughbreds were being bred. Ths paper will also detail the distinctive physical appearance of the Thoroughbred which is the result of several centuries of selective breeding. The paper will also detail the history of how the breed first emerged in other countries and on other continents and how it prospers today as the hub of two multibillion dollar international industries, agribusiness and legalized gambling. This paper will also describe the way the Thoroughbred’s speed and stamina have created other breeds such as the Standardbred and The Hackney Horse. It will also discuss how the Thoroughbred has been utilized to improve other breeds of horses, such as the Quarter-Horse, the Morgan and the Irish Draught Horse. Paleontologists have traced back the origin and development of the horse about fifty million years. The species evolved from a four-toed, flat-footed herbivore known as Eohoppus, who stood only two feet high. The most ancient discoveries of the species were found in North America. Researchers believe that the horse disappeared from that continent by 10,000 B.C. and would not return until European settlers imported horses beginning in the sixteenth century. The assumption is that the Eohopppus was able to move from North America to Europe and Asia utilizing the land bridges between the continents which existed in the Ice Age. From the Eohoppus, or â€Å"Dawn Horse†, the species evolved into its present form as a grazing animal with solid hooves and strong, long teeth. It was more than four thousand years ago when man was first able to tame and domesticate the horse. Originally, they raised the species for its meat and its milk. But with the development of the chariot and then the saddle, the horse became a main source for transportation, both

Analysis of the Film Star Trek Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Analysis of the Film Star Trek - Essay Example Technology has played a big role in shaping global politics and global powers, which in turn affects the global economy. It is evident that technological advancements in a country determine its international economic influence. For instance, the US holds its current position in global politics and economy due to its state of technology. Other nations such as China and India have invested a lot in technology to gain international recognition. The film also illustrates the key sectors that countries invest their technology. The first area of interest is communication. Unlike past technology, modern communication devices have numerous capabilities and therefore numerous implications for the governance of a country. The film indicates the greater development of technology and therefore greater impacts on governance. Since the time of the scientific revolution, the government has played a great role in the development of science and technology (Asherman 134). For instance, the most sophis ticated technology is applied to the production of military types of equipment. In addition, the current mobile technology was applied by the military before communication devices for civilians were made. This indicates the influence that political governments have on science and technology. Space science the other aspects of technology that is of interest to the global leaders. Different world powers have a keen interest in space technology at their own capacity. America was the first country to conduct successful space explorations with the 1960 s landing on the moon been their climax in space exploration. This made Russia initiate its own space exploration programs aimed at countering the efforts of the US. Their 1970 s landing on the moon came as a surprise attack to the US. Tensions and rivalry between the US and Russia heightened during the cold war and each of these powers used its space exploration programs to demonstrate its military capabilities. Since the end of the cold war, space exploration has not received much progress and enthusiasm. This is a contradiction since missions conducted in the 1960 s and 70s did not involve the state of the art technology that is available in the modern world (Asherman 34). This indicates that political systems in the world are critical to such discoveries. Recently the Chinese and Indians have shown their interests in continuing the works initiated by Americans and Russians. China and India have launched their own satellites into space and they intend to send astronauts to the moon. The progress has been made by China and India indicates the shift of political and economic power from the west to the east. Although the film depicts the capabilities that technology has over governance, it also shows the negative aspect of technology on governance. The film demonstrates incidences of attacks on communication systems. Cyber attacks are the next battlefield in the modern world. Incidents of cyber attacks have been repo rted in various countries. This shows the role that technology plays in shaping global politics. Iran has reported cyber attacks on computers that operate its controversial nuclear facilities. According to BBC news agencies, the cyber attacks that were carried out on Iranian nuclear facility have the capabilities of slowing Iran’s nuclear ambitions for a period of five years.  Ã‚  

What does The Walt Disney Company do related to anthropocene, Research Paper

What does The Walt Disney Company do related to anthropocene, environment and ecosystem - Research Paper Example icated the actions of man from the time of earlier development to late on the environment, the company Walt Disney has focused some of their returns and activities to promote environmental conservation aspects. The study focuses on the different contributions that the company has made to this regard. Based on this, the thesis of the study is the fact that the Walt Disney Company does not only concern on their financial aspects that focus on their profits and business development, but also the different environmental concerns. As such, it considers all anthropocenic aspects that have generated different environmental effects leading to extinction of other species and a negative effect to the environment. The study focuses on the different efforts that the company has put in the achievement of environmental goals and supporting the environment, the reasons as to why the company engages in environmental aspects, and the targets that the company aimed for in developing the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund. The reflection of the different themes in the movies developed by the company all symbolize the commitment that the company has over the environmental effects. These aspects are all discussed in the work below: Walt Disney Company does numerous activities to promote ecosystem and environmental aspects that range from the development of advocacy aspects. The development of the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund and the development of property that is curved to the environmental aspects. Through these, programs such as sustainable tourism have come to start. Sustainable tourism refers to tourism activities that encourage the tourism aspects that protect the environment, the inclusion of different economic activities cultures that promote local experiences in improving the environment. Walt Disney Company has developed solid conservation aspects through policies and practices that have put the company on top in relation to environmental aspects. The leadership of

Team Working and Team Leadership are just 'idealised' managerial and Essay

Team Working and Team Leadership are just 'idealised' managerial and orthodox OB textbooks aspirations - Essay Example 16). According to Mullins in Original Emphasis, leadership is defined as ‘a relationship through which one person influences the behaviour or actions of other people.’ Mainly, there are two schools for the leadership, while one states that â€Å"good leaders are made not born† and the other states that â€Å"good leaders are born not made.† The two schools have their own supporting cases to claim that they are right. But in any situation the most important element of leadership is communication. Proper communication through any mode between leader and followers will make the process easy. The leadership is a quality achieved by desire and willpower. Endless process of self-study, education, training and experience is necessary for effective leadership. Here is one best example from an academic review about effective leadership. It states that â€Å"leader should primarily work through and with other people. In addition, effective leader should also help in establishing the conditions that enable their subordinates to be motivated and effective part of the organisation and the society. Aside from this, it can also be said that an effective leader should also credible. Credibility should always be considered as the foundation of  leadership. A leader should be credible for him to lead. Furthermore, to become a good leader, one must be honest, competent, aspiring and have the quality of having forward-looking approach.  In line with the political and business view, effective leadership proves to be quite beneficial. Effective leaders aids in efficiently meeting job-related demands. In addition, it also helps in creating higher-performing teams, as well as fostering renewed loyalty and commitment among the subordinates. However, this so-called effective leadership is not that easy to achieve. Effective leaders entail a lot of hard work, dedication, and other factors to mould an individual to become an efficient leader and to become a greater part of the success of the organisation† (Leadership Case Problem – Latham’s Leadership Lessons Leadership & Management 2011). Some leaders are getting best results from their team members or from the followers while some of them getting poor efforts. This is happening not only because of the poor employee skills, different kinds of leadership techniques and styles also have a part in it. These are the all things that we can understand from the orthodox text book aspiration of the Organizational Behavior Studies. But in reality, the management is always ends up with dissatisfied work groups and frustrated team leaders. Problems in Team Working: The main reason behind this is individual dysfunctional conflicts which decrease the creativity as well as productivity of the company. Working under poor leadership can be too frustrating and intimidating. If the team members are not confident about their leader what they should do? Certainly they will not be mot ivated or inspired by the leader’s activity. The important dysfunctional activities found in corporate are defensiveness, reluctance, romantic idealism, loss of confidence and disrespect. Some other problems in Team work are, Self Centeredness: Self centeredness is nothing but selfishness. These people always think about themselves only and that damages the interest of team. The solution for this problem is selflessness. The solution is not

Indiana Geology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Indiana Geology - Essay Example ich are lignite, sub-bituminous, bituminous and anthracite that greatly differ in hardness and the harder the coal, the less the wetness and the more useful it is for fuel. However, bituminous coal, which has very little moisture but high heat value and is widely used in electricity generation coke making in the steel industry is the type discovered in Indiana. The discovery of Bituminous coal along river Wabash was one of the greatest findings in Indiana due to its priceless nature and this Indiana ranks number 15 in the nation’s energy affordability sixth and third in coal production and coal use nationwide respectively. Its mining began in 1830 and by 1918, it had significantly surpassed 30 million short tons that worth approximately $817 million dollars, which ranked it 8th in the nation in coal production and later reduced due to World War I. The chief mining method used in Indiana was deep mining until around 1940s when the introduction sophisticated excavation machines enabled the use of surface mining that was very cost effective. Surface mining has been very successful method contributing almost 70% of Indiana’s recent production (Indiana Business Research Centre Web). The Indiana coal is of a very great quality and has substantial distinction in chemical and physical properties. The infrastructure system especially transport system favored the mining process where there were single line and two line rail service that helped to export the coal. The rise of interest and opportunities in coal facilitated the building of infrastructure particularly in Ohio River and Lake Michigan, watercourse transfer points and equipment of main lines to help high-speed unit-trains that had big waits. There are sufficient road networks within the state to help trucking coal to their production points thus improving the economy of the state. Indiana coal has a very wide market both domestically and overseas using inland watercourse system and private terminals along

Statistics Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Statistics Assignment - Essay Example According to Gore and Altman (1992), Chi-square test is used in situations where the data table has two or more rows and columns and where there is no cell with less than 5 as a value. In this case, Chi-square tests can be performed since the table obeys the two conditions. If otherwise, the Chi-square exact goodness of fit test is used since it takes care of cells with less than value 2. In case of less than two rows, then independent t-test will be used. The ANOVA test compares the variations due to regression (SSR) and un-explained variation (SSE). Further, the analysis computes the F statistics (F computed) using the formula; F = MSE/MSR and compares it with the F tabulated value; qf(.95,1,198) = 3.89 and then compares the two values. According to Gore and Altman (1992), the regression model is significant if F (computed) > F (tabulated). The analyzed data further assures that there is no significant difference between the two groups with F =1.929 (p=.166; p>.05). This is so because, F (computed) = 1.926 .05 we reject the null hypothesis that the impact of the two groups is statistically significant at 95% level of significance. The two groups explain about 4.805 (sum of squares due to regression) of the variations in back pain improvements. The difference between participating in group discussions and group exercises is about 4.805 regression sum of square with. The un-explained variation (residual sums of squares) is about 493.995. Statistically, the interaction between certain factors may have a negative impact on the data being modelled. Considering each factor alone is encouraged to avoid the negative effects of interactions. Adjusting for extra factors changes the outcome results. For example, in this analysis, fully adjusting the explanatory variables results into a different p-value although statistically significant. The interaction between age, race and sex adjusted and

Indiana Geology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Indiana Geology - Essay Example ich are lignite, sub-bituminous, bituminous and anthracite that greatly differ in hardness and the harder the coal, the less the wetness and the more useful it is for fuel. However, bituminous coal, which has very little moisture but high heat value and is widely used in electricity generation coke making in the steel industry is the type discovered in Indiana. The discovery of Bituminous coal along river Wabash was one of the greatest findings in Indiana due to its priceless nature and this Indiana ranks number 15 in the nation’s energy affordability sixth and third in coal production and coal use nationwide respectively. Its mining began in 1830 and by 1918, it had significantly surpassed 30 million short tons that worth approximately $817 million dollars, which ranked it 8th in the nation in coal production and later reduced due to World War I. The chief mining method used in Indiana was deep mining until around 1940s when the introduction sophisticated excavation machines enabled the use of surface mining that was very cost effective. Surface mining has been very successful method contributing almost 70% of Indiana’s recent production (Indiana Business Research Centre Web). The Indiana coal is of a very great quality and has substantial distinction in chemical and physical properties. The infrastructure system especially transport system favored the mining process where there were single line and two line rail service that helped to export the coal. The rise of interest and opportunities in coal facilitated the building of infrastructure particularly in Ohio River and Lake Michigan, watercourse transfer points and equipment of main lines to help high-speed unit-trains that had big waits. There are sufficient road networks within the state to help trucking coal to their production points thus improving the economy of the state. Indiana coal has a very wide market both domestically and overseas using inland watercourse system and private terminals along

Social Problems Work Essay Example for Free

Social Problems Work Essay When referring to social problems, society generally looks at them from a larger objective or standpoint. The problem is going to include some typified examples, general terms that are associated with the problem, and statistics created in the claimsmaking process. This macrosociological approach relies on what the media has portrayed the problem to be. It is the job of social problems work to narrowly tailor aspects of a social problem in order to attempt to solve or address it in a practical and immediate manner (Best 227). Best explains that social problems workers, such as doctors and teachers, have encountered stereotypes of their roles that require them to perform grand feats but they work in highly regulated systems and industries. Bureaucratic procedures make it difficult for the workers to effect change directly. This also leads to varied amounts personal discretion that social problem workers possess. Since social problems work is narrowly tailored, specific individuals receive personal attention. These cases can be a doctor and patient’s interaction, a teacher’s conversation with their student, or a police officer’s interaction with a citizen who has made a call. When they are trying to make accurate assessments of each case, the social problems workers have to ask themselves questions like â€Å"What seems to be the problem Which aspects of the case are relevant†¦ Does this seem to be a serious matter†¦ What is the nature of the subject†¦ Are other people watching†¦ Are there work-related considerations†¦? (Best 236-239). Because the nature of their work can be so sensitive, social problems workers find that they are caught in the middle or blamed for the outcome or consequences from their work. As expected, social problems workers expect for the subjects to cooperate with their plan of action in order to help eliminate their issues, but when they do not, the workers are left to deal with the consequences. â€Å"Social problems worker try to control the flow of information about their activities. They generally prefer that others learn about the work they do directly from them†¦Ã¢â‚¬  in order to prevent the possibility of information being distorted by media outlets looking to portray their work in a certain way (Best 248). Some social problems workers go the extreme and tamper with the information they submit to reporting agencies to ensure that they are seen in the best possible light. They are able to get away with this because there are many situations in which workers are required to use their own personal discretion with out having to defer power to their supervisors or bosses until afterwards. Social problems workers are required to bring larger, abstract problems to a personal, more detailed level. Doing this can benefit certain claims by bringing an actual face and story to a social problem. It does not only create the perfect victim, but it gives a face and a personal account of how the social problem has directly affected their life or wellbeing. Activist as claims makers would benefit from using social problems workers, their subjects, and cases as a method to personify their claim. Experts as claims makers would only be able to capitalize off of social problems work by using the possibly skewed data and statistics they provide in order to give an overall picture. By looking at individual workers and cases, there is a chance they can encounter a unique situation that is not consistent with the data or point they are trying to make. In lecture, we discussed the need for claims makers to not only have statistical and concrete information to prove and advance their claim, but the need for the public to be able to relate to it and see how is also affects them or their loved ones. If it does not, there will be no reason for them to want to support the cause. Social problems work is an ideal way for this to be done because it finds a medium between expert testimony and activists. Many people have interactions with social problems workers, so it is easy for them to bring up their concerns with a particular problem and see how and if they can help or are at risk. For example, child abuse is a social issue that draws attention because of the underage status of its victims. People see children as helpless and in need of a nurturing guardian. Any adult can as a police officer, doctor, or teacher what resources are available to serve as a safe haven for abused children. I feel as though the media and social problems workers have made efforts to use each other for their own gain and benefit. Various media outlets can call upon social problems workers to boost their ratings by bring sensationalized stories and cases. This is used to play on the emotions of the public and â€Å"guilt† them into advancing their cause. This can be seen with infomercials regarding poor children in â€Å"third world countries†, children with cancer, and animal abuse advocates. Organizations like Feed The Children use images of celebrities or former government officials next to images of poverty stricken, starving children. Viewers are made to feel guilty because they are told that the amount of money they use on their daily coffee can provide essentials for that child. Once the viewer has made the connection between how much their Starbucks cost and the idea that their child does not have to live that life, they are then compelled to donate to the organization. The social problems worker in the commercial has been used a pawn for donations and ratings. Similarly, hospitals that specifically cater to children with terminal illness show individual cases of these children and their doctors. Sometimes their parents explain that their child would have not survived without the donations from viewers because the hospital does not charge for their services. The doctors also add their perspective as to how much their procedures would have cost. After they have explained the financial aspect of the individual child’s care, they then proceed to use the medical terminology for their condition with images of young children attached to massive hospital equipment. After watching the commercial and listening to the doctors, the public generally assumes that they are correct and donates to the organization. The media does this as well with animal abuse advocates. They show footage of domestic pets with lesions and injuries. Viewers are led to assume that they came from their owners. While the intentions of social problems workers are usually genuine, they are put on display on these commercials for the benefit of the organization and the network airing it, not necessarily the actual social problem or those affected by it. Social problems workers have the hard task of doing their jobs and helping their subjects in their particular cases. This is a difficult task because of the bureaucratic red tape and policies that they work through. For them to try to solve an entire social problem by themselves would be an endless task, especially due to the added consequences and stresses from the general nature of their work. This can lead to embellishments in their actual efficiency and a lackadaisical attitude towards the issue entirely. Different types of claims makers have attempted to use social problems workers to benefit them and not the entire problem, but despite this, their social problems worker and those they come in contact with are an invaluable aspect to ridding society of the issue in its entirety.

The Fundamental Role Of Concrete In Roman Architecture History Essay

The Fundamental Role Of Concrete In Roman Architecture History Essay The development of concrete in Roman style architecture was of great use in producing many world famous, monumental buildings that are representative of the Roman era. Not only did concrete provide a unique scheme in the production of Roman architecture, it was also a convenient and functional tool when other raw materials were unattainable. In this essay, I will discuss the development of concrete, concretes properties, surfacing techniques, concretes ease of use and labour requirements, and the construction of the famous Pantheon as a prominent example of the immense benefits of concrete to the Romans. Concrete was not invented by the Romans, but simply an adaptation of different mortar usages in earlier construction. MacDonald describes a mortar as, materials of mixed composition in a semi-fluid state at the time of construction. Because Romans didnt possess marble quarries like the Greeks, mortar became the practical alternative. Volcanic rock was the most common building material located in the Italian region, and was therefore, the most basic tool to create mortar, which would develop into useful concrete. As early as the 4th and 3rd centuries B.C., the observation of limestone walls with rock debris between each stone was made in Pompey. From this point onward, Roman concrete and mortar use became more and more prominent and by the late 3rd century B.C., Romans had improved the recipe of mortar to include lime and clay. When combined with different types of filling elements, also known as aggregates, as well as different types of facings, Roman mortars were able to create stro ng and dense walls. By the 1st century, the use of concrete is said to have been perfected by the Romans. In order for concrete to become a useful building technology, the properties of concrete must be carefully examined. The Romans used concrete for a wide variety of purposes. Concrete has been used in Roman buildings as strong base foundations, as well as in the highest vaults. In order to give structure and substance to mortar, aggregates, or stones of different sizes mixed into the mortar, were used. Not only did aggregates give mortar structure and substance by increasing the mortars mass, but they also helped to strengthen the building material. Aggregates were an essential part of concrete construction because they work together with mortar to defy crushing that can be caused by immense weights. This is clearly important when concrete was used as a foundation. Different types of stone were used to produce aggregates dependent upon the use of the concrete. For strong solid base foundations, heavier rock materials were used. In these types of foundation, aggregate was often times two thirds of the volume of the entire fabric. For lighter concrete forms, including high vaulting, lighter rock materials (such as pumice) were used. Debris from destroyed structures was also a common form of aggregate, including buildings and sculptures. Concrete is an indefinite, nearly fluid substance from the time that it is mixed to the time that it is set. Composed of lime, clay and aggregate, dry concrete is mixed with water, and this compound (opus caementicum) will harden into a solid mass. With this property in mind, Roman concrete construction was relatively simple. Generally wooden frames were set to pour the concrete mixture into and allow it to harden. Therefore, to produce this type of Roman architecture, both a mortar substance and a frame were necessary. Until Augustan times, the concrete used by Romans was a simple lime mortar. When limestone is burned, quicklime is produced. This quicklime is then slaked to produce calcium hydroxide, which is then mixed with sand. Once evaporated, calcium carbonate crystals are formed. These crystals are the fundamental bonding element of this basic concrete. Mixing more sand with the crystals increases the mortars strength because the crystals bind to coarse surfaces. A great benefit of concrete use was fireproofing buildings. By the late 2nd century B.C., a new kind of mortar came into existence that not only aided in fire proofing the structural design, but also in waterproofing it. Romans came across a type of volcanic ash near the city of Pozzuoli, Italy, which they used to create fine cement that reacts in a different manner than the simple lime mortar. This type of mortar is called pozzolana, and is also known as hydraulic cement. Pozzolana is composed of silicates and aluminates. When combined with lime, pozzolana forms a hydrated silicate of calcium. Comparatively, this combination of chemicals does not need to lose water through an evaporative process; it actually retains water into its structure. In doing so, pozzolana mortars can set in damp areas. This new found type of concrete was of great importance in waterproofing buildings. It helped to prevent decay and corrosion to buildings, allowing them to survive longer. Pozzolana is one of the most standard features of concrete in central Italy. To further aid the waterproofing of concrete, different types of stone facings were developed. Facings were originally used to protect the surfaces of concrete. Typically, facings of stone and other material were set into wet concrete to create a strong casing when the concrete dried. Facings are of valuable importance in dating buildings, and there are several different types that evolved over the centuries. During the late 2nd Century B.C., Opus Incertum, or concrete faced with small irregular shaped stones, was commonly seen. Concrete faced with small four sided stones in a definite pattern, called Opus Reticulatum, is dated shortly after 100 B.C. Opus Testaceum, concrete faced with brick, was found throughout the early empire until the 4th century B.C. Opus Mixtum is concrete facing characterized by a combination of brick and stone in a decorative pattern, and dated from the same period as the former. Principally, concrete facings were both practical and decorative, used for prot ection as well as ornamentation. For the Romans, using concrete in constructing buildings was just as convenient as it was practical. In terms of labour, the majority of workers necessary to complete any type of Roman structure did not need to be skilled or educated. Generally, the only highly skilled workers that were involved in the projects included the architect, the master masons and master carpenters. The tasks of mixing, carrying, hauling and pouring concrete were performed by rather unskilled labourers. This same demographic also fit into the category of creating forms into which the concrete would be poured. The timetables of such workers were scheduled around the drying of the concrete. It was certainly possible for Roman architecture to be built of stone, but this type of work would require labourers to dress the stones to exact dimensions, a more challenging task than that of concrete use. Because of this fact, the ease of using concrete made it a more prevalent type of building technology. Designed by Roman Emperor Hadrian, The Pantheon is a prime example of concrete use by the early Romans. Hadrian was known for advancement in the vaulted style, and The Pantheon exemplifies this style with its impressive concrete work. Work on The Pantheon began sometime between July of 118 A.D. and July of 119 A.D., and was completed between the years of 125 and 128 A.D. During the period of construction, concrete was used vastly. The Pantheon is built on a foundation of concrete, nearly 90 percent of the intermediate block and rotunda is made of concrete, and roughly 5,000 metric tons of concrete make up The Pantheons dome. As in many concrete buildings, The Pantheons construction was completed in levels, where different strengths of aggregate were used in each plane. The Pantheon is said to have five different layers of concrete with five separate types of aggregate. Naturally, the lowest level contains the densest and most cohesive aggregate. As the levels of concrete ascend, a lighter form of aggregate is used than the previous layer. The dome of The Pantheon is made of the lightest aggregate in the entire structure, pumice. The Pantheons major features were methodically configured. Carpenters were required to construct castings used to pour concrete for foundations. The rotunda walls were created by pouring a dense concrete and aggregate mixture into short, wide trenches. Once dried, more concrete was set atop the original trench in layers, until the dome terrace was reached. At this point, the dome had to be poured. The dome is one of the greatest features of The Pantheon. Again, the concrete that was used to create the dome was poured on to a wooden form built in a half sphere shape. The dome form was held in place with wooden struts and timber to allow a light aggregate concrete mixture to dry atop it. Castings of coffers, or sunken panels, were attached to the wooden form to create the domes intricate detail. As the dome was being poured, circular brick dams in the form of step-ring buttraces formed the domes exterior. Step upon step, concrete was poured until it reached the more nearly horizontal region of the dome, where tacky concrete was used. At the top most point, vertically set horizontal tiles finished the dome. As one of the greatest achievements of concrete work, The Pantheon represents the fundamental function of concrete in Roman Architecture. It is obvious that concrete played an essential role in the construction of Roman buildings. The development and adaptation of concrete in the Roman world was the most practical means of construction. Not only was concrete an available source of building material, constructing with concrete was also an uncomplicated and efficient technique. Fire and water proofing of Roman buildings were just a few of the practical functions that concrete provided. Concretes properties allowed for Roman architecture to survive throughout the centuries; because such a useful material was discovered and widely utilized, we are still able to view and study some of the worlds most brilliant structures.

Relationships of Waverly Jong and Jing-mei Woo in The Joy Luck Club Ess

The Relationships of Waverly Jong and Jing-mei Woo in The Joy Luck Club  Ã‚        Ã‚   Amy Tan in her novel The Joy Luck Club presents us with daughters who are striving to place themselves beyond the control of strong mothers and become individuals. Adrienne Rich in her book Of Woman Born calls this splitting from the mother, "matraphobia" (Rich, 235), and later notes: "The mother stands for the victim in ourselves, the unfree woman, the martyr. Our personalities seem dangerously to blur and overlap with our mothers; and, in a desperate attempt to know where mother ends and daughter begins we perform radical surgery." (Rich, 236) Tan shows us two characters in her novel who consciously split from their mother when they feel unable to claim their true selves. These two characters are Waverly Jong and Jing-mei Woo.    Waverly's break from her mother comes when she perceives her mother's pride in her ability to play chess being something that increases her mother's own self worth. Waverly tells us: "I knew it was a mistake to say anything more, but I heard my voice speaking. 'Wh...

Differences and Similarities of Short Stories :: The Withered Arm The Red Room Essays

Differences and Similarities of Short Stories In this essay I will be comparing the differences and similarities of four short stories I have read, , 'The Signalman', The Red Room', 'The Man with the Twisted Lip' and 'The Withered Arm' also I will be looking at how the writers have created an atmosphere. The four stories are all of mystery and try to keep the reader gripped until the end, all have areas in which there is suspense. In 'The Signalman' Charles Dickens keeps the reader in suspense because when the ghost visits the signal man you don't really know who the haunting warning is for. In 'The Red Room' H.G. Wells keeps the reader in suspense because when the ghost is sighted it is never really described. In 'The Man with the Twisted Lip' Arthur Conan Doyle keeps the reader in suspense by not actually telling if it is a murder on just disappearance. Also in 'The Withered Arm' Thomas Hardy keeps the reader in suspense because you find out who Gertrude catches the rash from. Each writer had a setting and different historical background 'The Signal Man' was written in 1866 by Charles Dickens, the surroundings for his story was an old railway station with old steam trains. The Man with the Twisted Lip' written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was written in 1860. This story was one of many Sherlock Holmes tales which display aspects of life in the last decade of Victorians reign. 'The Red Room' by H.G Wells was a Gothic horror story, which had traditional scenery at a castle (Loraine castle). 'The Red Room' was written in 1894, H.G Wells makes it obvious how ancient and old fashioned everything in the castle was. 'The Withered Arm' by Thomas Hardy was written in 1865 and located in Wessex, around Dorchester which Thomas Hardy calls Caster bridge the county town of Dorset where most of his stories were set. 'The Signalman' by Charles Dickens was set at an old rail way station, with steam trains. The idea of a signal box in the countryside and being manually operated, gives a sense of historical background for today's readers. 'The Man with the Twisted Lip' by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was set in the streets of East London. A few years before the story was written a famous sequential killer 'Jack the Ripper' murdered people on the very same streets where the story was based on in the story it said "An endless succession of sombre and deserted streets. This gives the effect that the streets are frightening and vicious. 'The Red Room' by H.G Wells is a Gothic Horror story set in a

Why I Deserve a Scholarship

I believe that I deserve a Big33 Scholarship for several reasons. My high attendance, academic achievement, determination, time management, financial need, motivation for college and to achieve better are all reasons I will discuss of why I believe I deserve a scholarship. The first reason is because I am very diligent in my studies and attend my classes every day. In my entire schooling career I missed very minimal amounts of school. I have obtained perfect attendance in grades 9th, 11th, and am working on 12th grade. In my 10th grade year I only missed one day of school. I have also had high honor roll every year in high school and plan to continue it throughout college. Another reason is I am very determined when it comes to both work and school. I take both of these aspects very seriously and when I’m given an assignment or task, I feel very obligated to not only complete it, but do so both correctly and in a timely manner. Also I am very good at managing many things at one time. For example, in my sophomore and junior year in high school I managed school, homework, church volunteer work, practicing the piano and attending my lessons and performances, babysitting (about 40 hours per week on the weekends, overnight) family and church activities and spending time with my friends, family and boyfriend. In my senior year I am managing school, homework, work, college and scholarship applications, practicing the piano and attending my lessons and performances, babysitting my nephew about one night per week, family activities, church events, student government events, and spending as much time as I can find with my friends, family, and boyfriend. Also, with just working a minimum wage job, I do not have enough money to go to college on my own funds. I am putting away a little bit of money from each pay check since I started my job but this, though it does add up and will help greatly is not going to be enough to cover my total of six years of schooling that is required to reach the position that I desire. My main motivation for going to college is to get ahead of the society. I want to make something of myself instead of being like so many Americans today and not having enough education to stay employed in the jobs that are bombing and have a high potential for growth. Nursing greatly interested me because I enjoy working with people and like to make their day better in any way I can. I absolutely love infants and that is why I want to continue my education until I reach a level of a Neonatal nurse. I want to obtain a job that I love to go to everyday. The quote by Confucius â€Å"Choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life† is a huge motivation to me. That is why I chose nursing as my major, so I would get to work with infants, my favorite thing to do. These are a few reasons of why I believe that I deserve a scholarship from Big33 so that I can continue my education from high school and attend college.

Graded Assignments Essay

The following sections contain student copies of the assignments. These must be distributed to students prior to the due dates for the assignments. Online students will have access to these documents in PDF format, which will be available for downloading at any time during the course. Graded Assignment Requirements Assignment Requirements documents provided below must be printed and distributed to students for guidance on completing the assignments and submitting them for grading. Instructors must remind students to retain all handouts and assignment documents issued in every unit, as well as student-prepared documentation and graded assignments. Some or all these documents will be used repeatedly across different units. Unit 1 Assignment 1: Match Risks/Threats to Solutions Learning Objectives and Outcomes You will learn how to match common risks or threats within the seven domains of a typical IT infrastructure with solutions and preventative actions. Assignment Requirements This is a matching activity. You will receive the Match Risks/Threats to Solutions worksheet, which contains a numbered list of common risks and threats found in a typical IT infrastructure. You must enter the letter for the correct solution or preventative action in the blank to the right of each risk or threat. Required Resources Worksheet: Match Risks/Threats to Solutions Submission Requirements Format: Microsoft Word Font: Arial, Size 12, Double-Space Length: 1 page Due By: Unit 2 Self-Assessment Checklist I have correctly matched all the risks or threats within the seven domains of a typical IT infrastructure with the solutions and preventative actions. Unit 1 Assignment 2: Impact of a Data Classification Standard Learning Objectives and Outcomes You will learn how to determine the impact of a data classification standard on an organization’s IT infrastructure. Assignment Requirements You are a networking intern at Richman Investments, a mid-level financial investment and consulting firm. Your supervisor has asked you to draft a brief report that describes the â€Å"Internal Use Only† data classification standard of Richman Investments. Write this report addressing which IT infrastructure domains are affected by the standard and how they are affected. In your report, mention at least three IT infrastructure domains affected by the â€Å"Internal Use Only† data classification standard. Your report will become part of an executive summary to senior management. Required Resources None Submission Requirements Format: Microsoft Word Font: Arial, Size 12, Double-Space Citation Style: Chicago Manual of Style Length: 1–2 pages Due By: Unit 2 Self-Assessment Checklist I have identified at least three IT infrastructure domains affected by the â€Å"Internal Use Only† data classification standard. In my report, I have included details on how those domains are affected. Unit 2 Assignment 1: Calculate the Window of Vulnerability Learning Objectives and Outcomes You will learn how to calculate a window of vulnerability (WoV). Assignment Requirements You are reviewing the security status for a small Microsoft workgroup LAN. The workgroup contains many distinct separations in the network determined by group memberships. An example of the network divisions is as follows: Windows laptops: Traveling salespeople, remote suppliers, branch offices Windows desktops: Accounting group, developer group, customer service group Windows servers: Administrative server, Microsoft SharePoint server, Server Message Block (SMB) server A security breach has been identified in which the SMB server was accessed by an unauthorized user due to a security hole. The hole was detected by the server software manufacturer the previous day. A patch will be available within three days. The LAN administrator needs at least one week to download, test, and install the patch. Calculate the WoV for the SMB server. Required Resources None Submission Requirements Format: Microsoft Word Font: Arial, Size 12, Double-Space Length: 1 page Due By: Unit 3 Self-Assessment Checklist I have accurately calculated the WoV. Unit 2 Assignment 2: Microsoft Environment Analysis Learning Objectives and Outcomes You will learn how to analyze a mixed-version Microsoft Windows environment and to identify the issues described in Microsoft Security Advisories. Assignment Requirements You are reviewing the security status for a small Microsoft workgroup LAN. The workgroup contains many distinct separations in the network as determined by group memberships. The network consists of computers working on a variety of client platforms, such as Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7, and server products in a single environment. An example of the network divisions is as follows: Windows laptops: Traveling salespeople, remote suppliers, branch offices Windows desktops: Accounting group, developer group, customer service group Windows servers: Administrative server, Microsoft SharePoint server, Server Message Block (SMB) server Microsoft Common Vulnerability and Exposures (CVEs) are addressed through security advisories with a corresponding advisory ID. Other CVE sources attach a CVE ID to advisories. Go through the archive of Microsoft Security Advisories on the following link: http://www. microsoft. com/technet/security/advisory/archive. mspx (accessed September 15, 2010) Answer the following questions based on the advisories for the past 12 months: 1. What vulnerabilities exist for this workgroup LAN based on the advisories? List five of them. 2. Do any vulnerabilities involve privilege elevation? Is this considered a high-priority issue? 3. Identify and document at least three vulnerabilities and the solutions related to the client configurations. Required Resources Internet Submission Requirements Format: Microsoft Word Font: Arial, Size 12, Double-Space Length: 1–2 pages Due By: Unit 3 Self-Assessment Checklist I have identified at least five vulnerabilities for this workgroup LAN? I have identified privilege elevation as a high-priority issue? I have identified and documented at least three vulnerabilities related to the client configurations? Unit 3 Discussion 1: Access Control Models Learning Objectives and Outcomes You will learn about access control models for different scenarios. Assignment Requirements In this assignment, you have a handout on the access control models. Read the handout and discuss it with your classmates to collect answers for the following questions: Select an access control model that best prevents unauthorized access for each of the five scenarios given in the worksheet. Which types of logical access controls should be used in each scenario? Justify your recommendations. Respond to at least two other students’ views to engage in a meaningful debate regarding their choices or to defend your choice. Required Resources Worksheet: Access Control Models Submission Requirements Format: Microsoft Word Font: Arial, Size 12, Double-Space Citation Style: Chicago Manual of Style Length: 1–2 pages Due By: Unit 3 Self-Assessment Checklist I have correctly selected an access control model that best prevents an unauthorized access for each of the five scenarios given in the worksheet. I have selected the correct types of logical access controls that should be used in each scenario. I have included justifications for my recommendations. I have responded to at least two other students’ views. Unit 3 Assignment 1: Remote Access Control Policy Definition Learning Objectives and Outcomes You will learn how to design a remote access control policy definition for an IT infrastructure. Assignment Requirements Richman Investments is an investment and consulting firm. The company wants to expand its business operations both in the U. S. and in foreign countries. It intends to eventually have 10,000 employees in 20 countries. The Richman corporate headquarters is located in Phoenix, Arizona. Currently, there are eight branch offices in: Atlanta, Georgia Chicago, Illinois Cincinnati, Ohio Denver, Colorado Los Angeles, California Montreal, Canada New York City, New York Washington, D. C. The North American offices have a total of 5,000 employees who use desktops, mobile computers, and wireless devices. The Phoenix office has an Internet connection to all remote offices because redundancy is extremely important to the company. There are several sensitive applications that all offices use. The management from each office share application information that is hosted at the corporate office. Design a remote access control policy for Richman using the appropriate access controls for systems, applications, and data access. Include the design and justification for using the selected access controls for systems, applications, and data access. Required Resources None Submission Requirements Format: Microsoft Word Font: Arial, Size 12, Double-Space Citation Style: Chicago Manual of Style Length: 1–2 pages Due By: Unit 4 Self-Assessment Checklist I have correctly designed a remote access control policy for the given scenario. I have correctly selected appropriate access controls for systems, applications, and data access. I have included my justification for using the selected access controls for systems, applications, and data access. Unit 4 Assignment 1: Enhance an Existing IT Security Policy Framework Learning Objectives and Outcomes You will learn how to research standards. You will learn how to write Remote Access Standard. You will learn how procedures and guidelines fit within an IT security policy framework. Assignment Requirements You will receive the worksheet entitled Enhance an Existing IT Security Policy Framework. It contains a scenario and an illustration of a portion of a company’s security policy framework. After studying the worksheet, complete the following tasks: Research Remote Access Standards on the Internet. For the given scenario, write a draft Remote Access Standard that will reduce the occurrence of risks, threats, and vulnerabilities in the Remote Access domain of the given IT infrastructure. Make sure you include the minimum remote computer configurations, the use of anti-malware software, and the secure virtual private network (VPN) access in the Remote Access Standard. Indicate the names of procedures or guidelines that you would add under the Remote Access Standard. Required Resources Worksheet: Enhance an Existing IT Security Policy Framework Internet Submission Requirements Format: Microsoft Word Font: Arial, Size 12, Double-Space Citation Style: Chicago Manual of Style Length: 1–2 pages Due By: Unit 5 Self-Assessment Checklist I have written an appropriate Remote Access Standard, which includes the minimum remote computer configurations, the use of anti-malware software, and the secure VPN access. I have included the names of at least two procedures or guidelines that would appear under the Remote Access Standard in the framework. Unit 4 Assignment 2: Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) Definition Learning Objectives and Outcomes You will learn how to research and compare AUPs enforced by other organizations. You will learn how to compose a portion of an AUP for an organization. Assignment Requirements You are a networking intern at Richman Investments. An employee of the company used employer-owned equipment to access the Internet and check his personal Web-based e-mail account. He followed a link in a spam e-mail, downloaded games to his hard disk, and inadvertently infected the computer with malware, which spread to the network server. The security officer at Richman has asked you to research and to define â€Å"the acceptable use of Richman assets regarding Internet and e-mail access,† including the actions that are prohibited. . Then, the employees must be restricted from using the Internet at work for personal use, other than to occasionally check Web-based personal e-mail accounts. Personal downloads must be strictly prohibited. Your definition will become part of the overall AUP. For this assignment: Research acceptable use policies on the Internet. Find the actual policies of real companies. Compare the portions that address Internet and e-mail access of at least three different companies. Create an AUP definition for Richman Investments that defines the acceptable and unacceptable use of Internet and e-mail access at Richman. Required Resources Internet Submission Requirements Format: Microsoft Word Font: Arial, Size 12, Double-Space Citation Style: Chicago Manual of Style Length: 1–2 pages Due By: Unit 5 Self-Assessment Checklist I have conducted adequate research of AUPs before defining the policy. I have included the appropriate statements that address both acceptable and unacceptable use of the Internet and Web-based e-mail accounts. Unit 5 Assignment 1: Testing and Monitoring Security Controls Learning Objectives and Outcomes You will learn to recognize security events and baseline anomalies that might indicate suspicious activity. You will learn to identify policy violations and security breaches and to appropriately monitor threats and control activity across the network. Assignment Requirements Refer to the handout Testing and Monitoring Security Controls. It contains information on security events or breaches and baseline anomalies. After studying the handout, answer the following questions: Identify at least two types of security events and baseline anomalies that might indicate suspicious activity. Given a list of policy violations and security breaches, select three breaches, and consider the best options for controlling and monitoring each incident. Identify the methods to mitigate risk and minimize exposure to threats or vulnerabilities. Required Resources Worksheet: Testing and Monitoring Security Controls Submission Requirements Format: Microsoft Word Font: Arial, Size 12, Double-Space Length: 1–2 pages Due By: Unit 6 Self-Assessment Checklist I have identified at least two security events and baseline anomalies. I have indicated the best options for controlling and monitoring three of the policy violations and security breaches from the list. I have identified the methods to mitigate risk and to minimize exposure to threats or vulnerabilities. Unit 5 Assignment 2: Define an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) Learning Objectives and Outcomes You will learn to successfully identify inappropriate activity on a network and to develop a basic AUP that describes the handling of such incidents. Assignment Requirements Richman Investments requires the enforcement of strict ingress-egress filtering policies for network traffic. Certain traffic is expressly forbidden: No peer-to-peer file sharing or externally reachable file transfer protocol (FTP) servers No downloading executables from known software sites No unauthorized redistribution of licensed or copyrighted material No exporting internal software or technical material in violation of export control laws No introduction of malicious programs into networks or onto systems No accessing unauthorized internal resources or information from external sources No port scanning or data interception on the network No denying service or circumventing authentication to legitimate users No using programs, scripts, or commands to interfere with other network users No sending unsolicited e-mail messages or junk mail to company recipients No accessing adult content from company resources No remote connections from systems failing to meet minimum security requirements Define a LAN-to-WAN, Internet, and Web surfing AUP that restricts usage of the company’s Internet connection and permits the company to monitor usage of the corporate Internet connection. Carefully evaluate the implications of each policy and how implementations might impact the IT infrastructure, both positively and negatively. Weigh the benefits and the disadvantages of each method. Consider whether or not a proposed solution causes an interruption to the legitimate users and how it might bring security at the expense of preventing a perfectly legitimate activity. Required Resources None Submission Requirements Format: Microsoft Word Font: Arial, Size 12, Double-Space Citation Style: Chicago Manual of Style Length: 1–2 pages Due By: Unit 6 Self-Assessment Checklist I have defined an effective LAN-to-WAN, Internet, and Web surfing AUP. I have evaluated the implications of each policy. I have carefully considered the benefits and disadvantages of each policy enforcement control. I have proposed strong ideas for acceptable and unacceptable resource usage. Unit 6 Assignment 1: BCP, DRP, BIA, and Incident Response Plan Mix and Match Learning Objectives and Outcomes You will strengthen your understanding of details regarding a business continuity plan (BCP), disaster recovery plan (DRP), business impact analysis (BIA), and an incident response plan. Assignment Requirements In this assignment, you are provided with a handout on the major elements that are part of a BCP, DRP, BIA, and incident response plan. You must properly align the elements with their corresponding plans. Required Resources Worksheet: BCP, DRP, BIA, and Incident Response Plan Mix and Match Submission Requirements Format: Microsoft Word Font: Arial, Size 12, Double-Space Length: 1 page Due By: Unit 7 Self-Assessment Checklist I have correctly matched all the elements with the plans. Unit 6 Assignment 2: Quantitative and Qualitative Risk Assessment Analysis Learning Objectives and Outcomes You will be able to analyze real-world scenarios and perform a quantitative risk assessment and a qualitative risk assessment by performing proper calculations. Assignment Requirements In this assignment, you are provided with a handout on a quantitative risk assessment and a qualitative risk assessment. Go through the scenarios given in the handout and answer the questions. Required Resources Worksheet: Quantitative and Qualitative Risk Assessment Analysis Submission Requirements Format: Microsoft Word Font: Arial, Size 12, Double-Space Length: 1–2 pages Due By: Unit 7 Self-Assessment Checklist I have correctly calculated the values for Single loss expectancy (SLE), Annual rate of occurrence (ARO), and Annual loss expectancy (ALE). I have determined the effectiveness of the safeguard of buying insurance. I have determined whether or not Richman should buy the insurance. I have supported my choice with an explanation. I have correctly calculated the risk level of each of the risk given in the scenario. I have correctly prioritized the given risks. I have created an effective risk matrix for the given scenario. Unit 7 Assignment 1: Select Appropriate Encryption Algorithms Learning Objectives and Outcomes You will learn how to select the appropriate encryption methods and techniques for real-world business applications. Assignment Requirements In this assignment, you are given a handout which contains a list of the common encryption algorithms and five scenarios. Match the common encryption algorithms with real-world business applications and the requirements for given different scenarios. Give justification for your selections. Required Resources Worksheet: Select Appropriate Encryption Algorithms Submission Requirements Format: Microsoft Word Font: Arial, Size 12, Double-Space Length: 1 page Due By: Unit 8 Self-Assessment Checklist I have selected the appropriate encryption algorithms and the methods for the given scenarios. I have justified the selections I have made. Unit 7 Assignment 2: Design an Encryption Strategy Learning Objectives and Outcomes You will learn how to design an enterprise encryption strategy. Assignment Requirements In this assignment, you are given a handout that contains the scenario of Richman Investments which needs an enterprise encryption strategy—a public key infrastructure (PKI) that supports internal employees, external business partners, and clients. You need to design the enterprise encryption strategy for Richman Investments. In your design, include the following: Select appropriate encryption algorithms and methods. Identify and justify the selection of encryption solutions that support internal employees, external business partners, and clients. Required Resources Worksheet: Design an Encryption Strategy Submission Requirements Format: Microsoft Word Font: Arial, Size 12, Double-Space Citation Style: Chicago Manual of Style Length: 1–2 pages Due By: Unit 8 Self-Assessment Checklist I have selected the appropriate encryption algorithms and methods. I have identified and justified my selection of the encryption solutions that support internal employees, external business partners, and clients. Unit 8 Assignment 1: Network Hardening Learning Objectives and Outcomes You will learn the essentials of network hardening for a given network layout. Assignment Requirements In this assignment, you are given a handout which contains four different network layouts. Your instructor will assign one of the four layouts to you. For your layout, you are required to devise at least three strategies for hardening the network environment throughout the seven domains of a typical IT infrastructure. Support your decisions with your justification. Required Resources Worksheet: Network Hardening Submission Requirements Format: Microsoft Word Font: Arial, Size 12, Double-Space Length: 1–2 pages Due By: Unit 9 Self-Assessment Checklist I have identified at least three network hardening strategies for the given network layout. I have given the justification for my decisions. Unit 8 Assignment 2: Network Security Applications and Countermeasures Learning Objectives and Outcomes You will learn how to determine where certain security countermeasures apply across the seven domains of a typical IT infrastructure. Assignment Requirements In this assignment, you are given a worksheet that contains a list of network security applications and countermeasures. You need to identify where they belong, within the seven domains of a typical IT infrastructure and what confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA) function they provide. Complete the worksheet and submit to your instructor for evaluation. Required Resources Worksheet: Network Security Applications and Security Countermeasures Submission Requirements Format: Microsoft Word Font: Arial, Size 12, Double-Space Length: 1–2 pages Due By: Unit 9 Self-Assessment Checklist I have accurately placed security countermeasures within the seven domains of an IT infrastructure. I have identified the portions of the CIA triad affected by specific security countermeasures. Unit 9 Assignment 1: List Phases of a Computer Attack Learning Objectives and Outcomes You will learn how to identify the activities that occur during each phase of a computer attack. Assignment Requirements In this assignment, you need to pretend to be ethical hackers who need to protect their organization from a computer attack. List the general phases of a computer attack. Thinking like an attacker, you should add items to each phase that an attacker would consider when performing a successful computer attack. You can refer to the textbook for this course. Required Resources Textbook: Fundamentals of Information Systems Security Submission Requirements Format: Microsoft Word Font: Arial, Size 12, Double-Space Citation Style: Chicago Manual of Style Length: 1–2 pages Due By: Unit 10 Self-Assessment Checklist I have identified at least three phases of a computer attack. In my answer, I have included the factors the attackers take into consideration when targeting computers or networks. Unit 9 Assignment 2: Summary Report on a Malicious Code Attack Learning Objectives and Outcomes You will learn how to mitigate the threat of a virus or malware attack. Assignment Requirements Select a well-known virus or malicious code attack, and write a summary report explaining what kind of malicious attack it was, how it spread and attacked other devices, and how it was mitigated. Indicate how you would defend the attack from recurring on a network you control. You may use the Internet for research. Consider the following: The severity of the outbreak The propagation methods and speed The targets of the attack The success rate of the attack vector Additional complexity: self-armoring, self-updating, and so on The ways to defend infection in every domain The ways to defend intrusion at every layer Required Resources Internet Submission Requirements Format: Microsoft Word Font: Arial, Size 12, Double-Space Citation Style: Chicago Manual of Style Length: 1–2 pages Due By: Unit 10 Self-Assessment Checklist I have included the following in my summary report: The type of malicious attack How it spread and attacked other devices How it was mitigated I have specified details on how to defend the attack from recurring on a network. Unit 10 Assignment 1: Examine Real-World Applications of Security Standards and Compliance Laws Learning Objectives and Outcomes You will learn to relate a well-known standard or law to real-world applications. Assignment Requirements In this assignment, you are given a handout on security standards and compliance laws. The handout contains a list of international and domestic information security standards and compliance laws. You need to select one and describe its real-world applications in both private and public sectors. Required Resources Worksheet: Examine Real-World Applications of Security Standards and Compliance Laws Submission Requirements Format: Microsoft Word Font: Arial, Size 12, Double-Space Citation Style: Chicago Manual of Style Length: 1–2 pages Due By: Unit 11 Self-Assessment Checklist I have correctly described real-world applications of the chosen standard or law. I have included examples in both the private and public sectors. Unit 10 Assignment 2: Small- to Medium-Sized Business Analysis Learning Objectives and Outcomes You will learn how to apply the Payment Card Industry’s Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) standard to a small- to medium-sized business. Assignment Requirements Meager Media is a small- to medium-sized business that is involved in the sale of used books, CDs/DVDs, and computer games. Meager Media has stores in several cities across the U. S. and is planning to bring its inventory online. The company will need to support a credit card transaction processing and e-commerce Web site. Write a summary report detailing what Meager Media must do when setting up its Web site to maintain compliance with the PCI DSS standard. Obtain a copy of the PCI DSS standards document from the following Web site and address all 6 principles and 12 requirements in your report: https://www. pcisecuritystandards. org/security_standards/pci_dss. shtml (accessed September 14, 2010) Required Resources Internet Submission Requirements Format: Microsoft Word Font: Arial, Size 12, Double-Space Citation Style: Chicago Manual of Style Length: 3–4 pages Due By: Unit 11 Self-Assessment Checklist I have presented a detailed plan for creating a PCI DSS-compliant Web site. I have addressed all 6 principles and 12 requirements of the PCI DSS. Project Security Domains and Strategies Purpose This project provides you an opportunity to apply the competencies gained in various units of this course to identify security challenges and apply strategies of countermeasures in the information systems environment. Learning Objectives and Outcomes You will learn the purpose of a multi-layered security strategy. You will understand the information systems security (ISS) fundamentals including the definition of terms, concepts, elements, and goals. You will incorporate the industry standards and practices with a focus on the confidentiality, integrity, availability, and vulnerabilities of information systems. You will fulfill the role of a security professional implementing proper security controls in a specific business situation based on Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP ®) Common Body of Knowledge domains. Required Source Information and Tools To complete the project, you will need the following: 1. Access to the Internet to perform research for the project 2. Course textbook 3. (ISC)2 SSCP ® Common Body of Knowledge available in the SSCP ® Candidate Information Bulletin Project Logistics The project is divided into one smaller and one major assignment as per the details below: Activity Name Assigned Due By % Grade Project Part 1. Multi-Layered Security Plan Unit 1 Unit 2 6 Project Part 2. Student SSCP ® Domain Research Paper Unit 2 Unit 11 15 Deliverables Project Part 1 Multi-Layered Security Plan Introduction The components that make up cyberspace are not automatically secure. This includes cabling, physical networks, operating systems, and software applications that computers use to connect to the Internet. There is a raging information security war. The goal is to protect national security and business information. Therefore, IT is in great need of proper security controls. Scenario Richman Investments is a mid-level financial investment and consulting firm. The Richman corporate headquarters is located in Phoenix, Arizona. Currently, there are eight branch offices in: Atlanta, Georgia Chicago, Illinois Cincinnati, Ohio Denver, Colorado Los Angeles, California Montreal, Canada New York City, New York Washington, D. C. Tasks You are a networking intern at Richman Investments. This morning, you received an e-mail from your supervisor stating that you need to create an outline of the general security solutions planned for the safety of data and information that belongs to the organization. You are told that every month, the networking division needs to submit a report to the senior management about the security plan for the month, and this time, your outline will become a part of that report. Therefore, you need to research the elements of a multi-layered security plan and to create an outline. Your outline should indicate one or more general security solutions for each of the seven domains of a typical IT infrastructure. For this project part, you may use the book for this course and the Internet to research the concept of a multi-layered security plan. Include several applicable layers for the plan, and describe at least one layer of security for each of the seven domains. Project Part 1 should be submitted in the following format and style: Format: Microsoft Word Font: Arial, Size 12, Double-Space Citation Style: Chicago Manual of Style Length: 1–2 pages Self-Assessment Checklist I have included several applicable layers for the plan. I have described at least one layer of security for each of the seven domains. I have conducted adequate independent research for the report. Project Part 2 Student SSCP ® Domain Research Paper Introduction The (ISC)2 SSCP ® is frequently viewed as the first step in an information security career path, leading to the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP ®) and other advanced certifications. Scenario Continuing the Richman Investments scenario explained in Part 1 of the project, the offices have a total of 5,000 employees, and the office technology inventory includes desktops, mobile computers, and wireless devices. There is a mix of computers running Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Mac OS X. Most of the managers have BlackBerry devices for instant communication, and all employees are provided cell phones. A Windows Active Directory forest with domains is set up for each office, and seven file and print servers are located in the Phoenix office. The Phoenix office also contains two proxy servers, configured as an array, that provide Web cache services and Internet access control for the organization. The majority of applications are Web-based and hosted from the Phoenix office. The Phoenix office has an Internet connection to all the remote offices, and the redundancy is extremely important to the company. There are several sensitive applications that all offices use. The management from each office shares application information that is hosted at the corporate office for accounting and reporting purposes. All employees have Internet access. There is no policy on the use of removable media. Several of the branch offices have encountered issues with malware recently. Richman hosts an intranet for employees to access information about the company and to enroll in company benefits programs. Richman also hosts an extranet for its business partners. Due to many recent technology and process improvements within Richman, the corporate security policy is out of date, and each branch office policy differs. Tasks You are a networking security intern at Richman. You have been asked to submit a proposal to Richman senior management. In the proposal, you must choose to address one of the following and relate it to the appropriate SSCP ® domains: 1. Based on the premise that Richman has 5,000 employees throughout the main office and several branch offices, you must research solutions and detail the appropriate access controls including policies, standards, and procedures that define who users are, what they can do, which resources they can access, and which operations they can perform on a system. 2. Based on the premise that most of the managers have BlackBerry devices for instant communications and all employees are provided cell phones, you must research and detail the cryptography methods to protect organizational information using techniques that ensure its integrity, confidentiality, authenticity, and nonrepudiation, and the recovery of encrypted information in its original form. 3. Based on the premise that there is a mix of computers running Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Mac OS X, you must research and devise a plan to thwart malicious code and activity by implementing countermeasures and prevention techniques for dealing with viruses, worms, logic bombs, Trojan horses, and other related forms of intentionally created deviant code. 4. Based on the premise that all employees have Internet access to browse the Web, there is no policy on the use of removable media, and several of the branch offices have encountered issues with malware recently, you must research and formulate a plan to implement monitoring and analysis. You must determine system implementation and access in accordance with defined IT criteria as well as how to collect information for identification of and response to security breaches or events. 5. Based on the premise that Richman hosts an intranet for employees to access information about the company and enroll in company benefits programs, and that Richman also hosts an extranet for its business partners, you must research and devise a method to secure networks and communications. This should include the network structure, transmission methods and techniques, transport formats, and security measures used to operate both private and public communication networks. 6. Based on the premise that the Phoenix office contains two proxy servers configured as an array, which provide Web cache services and Internet access control for Richman, and that the majority of applications are Web-based and hosted from the Phoenix office, you must assess risk, response, and recovery. Conduct a review of the implementation processes essential to the identification, measurement, and control of loss associated with uncertain events. 7. Based on the premise that the corporate security policy is out of date and each branch office policy differs, you must research and define security operations and administration including the identification of information assets and documentation of policies, standards, procedures, and guidelines that ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability. You need to write the proposal as detailed in the instructions above. Be sure that you create a professional, well-developed proposal with proper documentation, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. In addition, document the vulnerabilities, methods, and controls effectively. Project Part 2 should be submitted in the following format and style: Format: Microsoft Word Font: Arial, Size 12, Double-Space Citation Style: Chicago Manual of Style Length: 4–5 pages Self-Assessment Checklist I have created a professional, well-developed proposal with proper documentation, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. I have successfully identified appropriate SSCP ® domains and related them to the scenario. I have documented the vulnerabilities, methods, and controls effectively. I have conducted adequate independent research for the proposal.