Monday, September 30, 2019

Definition of Tourist/Tourism Essay

Throughout the academic and business world there is ongoing debate regarding the insufficient definitions of the terms ‘tourism’ and ‘tourist’. Upon researching this matter I have also come to question the validity of the ‘tourism industry’ and its ability to meet the requirements of industrial and commercial activities due to the lack of uniform and limitations of what it pertains to. The following are definitions I have chosen, in order of preference, to shed light on the ambiguous nature of these terms so that a clearer understanding can be realised for economic and educational use. Of these it can also be seen that they have been sourced from opposing areas of interest – industry, academic and dictionary, as to better illustrate the need for more than one type of definition. Furthermore, each will be deconstructed to communicate their relative strengths and weaknesses in relation to fundamental aspects of their current use. – World Tourism Organisation (cited in Tribe 2009, p.44); Tourism: ‘†¦ comprises the activities of a person’s travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited.’ – World Tourism Organisation (1993, cited in Cooper, Shepherd & Westlake (1996, p.18); Tourist: ‘†¦A visitor* who in the country visited for at least one night. *Visitor: ‘†¦Any person who travels o a country other than that in which he/she has his/her usual environments, for a period not exceeding 12 months and whose main purpose of visit is other than the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the country visited.’ – Stear (2005, p. 8&11); Tourism: ‘tourism is travel and temporary stay, involving at least one night away from the region of a person’s usual home that is undertaken with the major expectation of satisfying leisure needs that are perceived as being more enjoyably able to be satisfied by being at places outside of, and qualitatively different to, the home region.’ Tourist: ‘a tourist is a person engaging in the activities directly associated with the present or future travel and temporary stay that involves at least one night away from the region of their usual home that is undertaken with the major expectation of satisfying leisure needs that are perceived as being more enjoyably able to be satisfied by places outside of, and qualitatively different to, the home region.’ – Oxford Dictionary (2011); Tourism: ‘the commercial organization and operation of holidays and visits to places of interest.’ Tourist: ‘†¦a person who is travelling or visiting a place for pleasure.’ To begin, one of the key factors in defining tourism is determining where it begins, ends, and the stakeholders impacted along the way. As explained by Theobald (1994, p.26), ‘tourism is more like a ‘sector’ that impacts a wide range of industries’ rather than an industry itself as current statistical measurement of economic effects is unreliable and problematic. Stear’s blanket approach of tourism neglects to set parameters for quantitative study where ‘many of these businesses also serve local residents [and] the impact of spending by visitors can easily be overlooked or underestimated’(Theobald 1994, p.4). This leads to the need for segregation of the term by its main features to establish the objective of the meaning and what it aims to achieve. This is adequately explained by Tribe (2009, p.25) as ‘†¦differentiation is sought between functional definitions of the term tourist used to define and measure activities of people for the purposes of sorting and collecting data about those activities, and that of the concept of tourist, which has a much less well-understood value’. Because of this it is widely accepted that there are ‘†¦two different types of tourism definitions, each with its own rationale and intended usage’ (Theobald 1994, p.7). The suggestion of Burkart & Medlik (1981, cited in Theobald 1994) that there are both conceptual and technical definitions, the former allowing for a theoretical approach such as Stear’s in which it can be used for the teaching of this area of study, and the latter is aligned to the WTO’s approach for ‘statistical or legislative purposes†¦.that can be applied to both international and domestic settings†¦.to help standardise comparative international tourism data collection’. Similarly the World Tourism Organisation has put forward a significant division in the term ‘tourist’ as a method of discerning those who visit a place for more than twenty-four hours from those who don’t. This enables significant advancements in both technical and conceptual approaches to the definition as allowing tourists such as backpackers, cruise ship passengers and tour busses to be incorporated as well as their significant input to the ‘industry’. Stear’s definition, although broad, lacks entirely in the foresight that ‘at least one night away’ is limited to people who reside in the area overnight which is often not the case. In my experience backpacking, there are many scenarios in which time constraints urge you to visit multiple ‘attractions’ in one day and often over large distances, of one account travelling by car I had breakfast in Italy, lunch in Switzerland, followed by dinner in Germany. With no uncertainty was I tourist at all stages of this trip, therefore the following opinion of Theobald (1994) in which ‘visitors include two distinct categories of travellers’ one being tourists and the other excursionists, is fundamental to the concern of accountability of economic effects in tourist destination regions. In this case the WTO definition comprises of a tourist and excursionist approach which adequately incorporates all impacts on the relative industries. However, of the above methods of definition neither encompasses the history and definition of each word and its everyday use regardless of technical and conceptual implications. Because of this, I believe it pertinent to incorporate the dictionary definition of both tourism and tourist in their comprehensive understanding as their etymology is central to the existence of this ‘sector’. It is collectively agreed (Stear 2005, Weaver & Lawton 2010, Tribe 2009 and Theobald 1994) that tourism is a social phenomenon of the nineteenth and twentieth century’s, of a time where cultural and leisure purposes were the most prominent instigating factors. This said, many forms of ‘types of travel’ (Stear 2005, p.5) have emerged clouding the nature of its original meaning making it difficult to transcend this meaning into a contemporary societal view. As Theobald (1994, p.6) explains etymologically the Latin derivative of tour (when combined with the suffixes of –ism and –ist) describes the movement in a round-trip and in essence the journey of leaving and then returning to the original starting point. It is plain to see that this holds great dissimilarity to the aforementioned dictionary definition as it is subsequent to the influences of industry purpose. Overall, this discussion has outlined the continued difficulties in producing a unified definition that encompasses all aspects of tourists and their impacts on tourism so that statistical and theoretical conclusions can be draw for economic and academic purposes. In total, I believe each of the definitions mentioned above hold merit in varying manners when applied for specific use in their appropriate field. This does not dismiss the issue that each has limitations in regards to the standardisation of each type of definition and in conclusion until this standardisation of terms used for conceptual and technical objectives occurs, neither can be solely accepted for all application in a worldwide setting.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Developments in Public Personnel Field

This paper deals with the trends, issues and challenges that are being faced by the public personnel. These trends and issues may be categorized under (1) Management practices; (2) technology; and (3) Economic and Politics. Governments all over the world should learn this time what to do with their public personnel so that they can become more efficient and more effective in the face of all the mentioned challenges. . IntroductionPublic or Civil Service is a big part of the lives of the citizens of a nation whether they want it or not. There are a number of government agencies that require the services of public servants and professionals. These professionals are free from the political affiliations of people who serve in the bureaucracy. There are developments in the society, in the technology and other areas of management that have an impact in the lives of public personnel. This essay explores these new trends, strategies, approaches by looking at different areas that affect the l ives and performance of public personnel.These new trends, issues and emerging practices will be divided into three major categories: management practices, technology and economic situation. The first category deals mainly with the emerging issues in management such as diversity, the rights and benefits of public personnel and how the government is reacting to these trends. Secondly, the technological advancements that impact the work of public personnel will be looked at, carefully noting how these are revolutionizing the way that public personnel do their work. Lastly, the economic developments in the United States and the world will also be noted together with their impact on the lives of workers in the Civil service sector.The government as an employer should take note of these developments and keep up with the times. Oftentimes, however, bureaucracy tends to react too slowly to the changes going on in the world. If this is the case, the public personnel will be disadvantaged. N onetheless, this paper will also put forward several recommendations as to how the plight of public personnel could be improved by the government through the effective and efficient use of resources in their respective organizations.Management PracticesWorkforce DiversityOne of the most important developments in public personnel in the twenty-first century is the increasing recognition of diversity in the operations of public offices and agencies. Such diversity stems from the multicultural fabric of the American society. There are African Americans, Asians, Europeans and Latino in the United States.It is impossible to exclude these people from becoming public personnel if they possess the skills and the educational requirements of serving in the Civil Service. Through the victories won by the Civil Rights movement in the United States in the past forty years or so, the US has come a long way in granting equal rights and opportunities to people of various skin colors.The immigration to the US has also continued in the past few years that the demographic has changed. Through the process of globalization, more and more people from various nations are coming to the United States. Managing a diverse workforce is therefore becoming an imperative for most corporations and multinational companies in the US. This should also be the case with public personnel (Farazmand, 2007).There are a number of benefits that workforce diversity could offer to public offices and agencies. For one, perspectives and viewpoints in the office concerning pressing issues and concerns will be diverse, thus, providing the decision maker with the ability to look at different angles before making important decisions. Without diversity, people will, more or less, look at something from virtually same lenses and perspectives. With diversity, however, there are new perspectives that could enable a broader look at issues plaguing the civil service and the rest of the society.One factor that influ ences the occurrence of diversity in both private and public organizations is the prevalence of migration and mobility of labor. People from diverse backgrounds often find themselves mingling with people from other nationalities (Mavin & Girling, 2000). Diversity, however, is more than just a collection of nationalities within the organization. Rather, there are several sources of diversity that can serve as a point of conflict within the organization—public or private. Managing diversity, therefore, is an art that most public agencies and organizations should be dealt with effectively. These sources of diversity include gender, race, ethnicity, linguistic barriers, sexual preferences and religion.As stipulated in the Constitution and the laws of the United States, these kinds of differences should in no way affect the employment of persons or prevent them from enjoying the privileges accorded to any person within the civil service of the country. The problem, however, is tha t, in a setting such as the public agencies and organizations, there are persons who may have strong feelings, prejudices and biases against any of these sources of diversity and they may condescend to those who are not like them. As such, they might not be able to get along with certain kinds of people in the civil service.Multiculturalism and the prevalence of diversity should be met with effective public personnel management strategies. The management should not be reactive and act as if they are always pacifying people, trouble-shooting problems and ironing out conflicts. Rather, diversity should be managed well by allowing practices and the organizational culture to become attuned to diversity. After all, the labor force has become heterogeneous and there seems to be no way to stop that at this stage (Sippola, 2005).Proactive management of diversity entails understanding the cultural and other differences among different peoples who belong to the organization. This also helps t he management become more attuned to the composition of the public personnel workforce and make the necessary recommendations in terms of managing these personnel.Diversity is one thing that could help the organization thrive in the highly competitive world of the twenty-first century. Through diversity, the perspective of an organization becomes broader and the way in which the organization reaches out to people belonging to different groups.There is an increasing sense of job insecurity in the United States, work hours cannot be completely controlled and the leadership style of managers may sometimes be unsuitable to that of the expectations of the organization. The well-being of the organization should not be compromised (Sparks, Faragher, & Cooper, 2001).The Need for Entrepreneurial LeadershipAnother problem plaguing the bureaucracy and the civil service in general is too much reliance on tried and tested formula without exploring new possible ways of dealing with different prob lems and challenges that the government agencies are facing. Too often, leaders in the government fail to look beyond the proverbial horizon of their respective agencies. As such, what happens is that they rely on previous records, previously successful formula rather than on carefully crafted strategies that address the present situation of their organizations. This is where entrepreneurial leadership comes in.One of the keywords closely associated with entrepreneurship is innovation. This is the continuous pursuit for improvement and looking for new areas to improve the operations of the organization. If this were present in most public agencies, then the personnel can be empowered as they become more effective and efficient in fulfilling their tasks. Unnecessary delays and red tape in the public offices tend to affect the level of innovativeness of public agencies in information technology and other areas of operation (Moon & Bretschneiber, 2002).Entrepreneurship is also closely associated with risk. If managers are willing to engage in risk in the name of innovation, then the organization will become bolder in pursuing entrepreneurship and innovation. When this happens, the followers will emulate the example of the bosses, and they, themselves, will engage in efforts and action that could lead to a more efficient and effective public service organization.Technology  Internet, Web 2.0 and Business ApplicationsThe twenty-first century is marked by break-neck speed of technological breakthroughs and innovation. The world is still reeling from the impact of near instantaneous communication. The possibilities seem to be endless. When one company offers a product, three weeks later, a rival presents another product that is better and usually smaller than the one previously being offered. These technologies are changing the landscape of public personnel management, including the way in which business and office work are being done. These emerging technologies a re outlined in the next discussion.The Internet. The world is very much connected now, thanks to the wonder that is the Internet. With the number of websites all over the world today, the Internet has become a storehouse of articles and knowledge. Through these websites and other features of the Internet, readers and other users are able to check out the most recent breakthroughs in various fields of study in the world. More than that, with a simple click on the mouse, research can be undertaken. This means that workers can do more now that they are connected to the rest of the world (Sullivan & Lewis, 2002).Technology allowing workers to log on to the company intranet even while in a long distance from the office is now available. This is called remote access and makes use of the network of the Internet while putting forward a security means to protect the company from breach and security compromise (Sullivan & Lewis, 2002).Email is another important factor of the internet that has come to the fore of business operations in the past few years. Without email, the world will continue to rely on snail mail, which is a much slower and inefficient means of communication. With email, the sender can directly type in the message on the computer screen, hit the send button and then wait for a few seconds before the receiver opens the email. Another great thing about emails is that they can be used as vehicle of sending over large files over long distances (Sullivan & Lewis, 2011).Voice over internet Protocol. Another interesting feature of the Internet that has recently come to the attention of the world is Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). This significantly lowered the cost of voice communications over the Internet. This feature has been integrated into various instant messaging protocols such as Skype, Windows Messenger, AIM and Yahoo Messenger among others.It is also possible now to hold live video and audio streaming. This has implications in holding video con ferences over vast areas of land and territory. Hence, live video and audio streaming can help public agencies lower the cost of communication as they meet online. The security of information passed over the Internet is another important concern that must be addressed. Hence, the developments in Internet security and anti-virus technologies help users protect the users and the data that they are feeding and manipulating in the Internet. Information is a very important asset, particularly for public agencies that are serving the broader public. Thanks to the efforts of developers and anti-virus companies, most hackers are kept at bay and prevented from wreaking havoc in the systems of public agencies (Jackson & van der Wielen, 1998).The Internet, together with sound IT infrastructure is already installed in most public agencies. This enables the agencies to dispense social services more quickly and more efficiently. Without technology, such social services will be inaccessible to sev eral sectors in the society (Jones & Dages, 2003). Given the many distractions at work, however, more and more managers realize the importance of introducing regulations and control mechanisms concerning the websites that may be accessed by the public personnel at work. While they are at work, if the IT system is open, then they can listen to music while at the same time enjoy the resources for their own personal use.The reality of digital distraction and information overload among workers is also looming over the twenty-first century public personnel. As such, there should be a means of ensuring that only information pertinent to the job of the public personnel are accessed by the workers during the work session. Otherwise, they will be subject to information overload. Information technology at work is a double-edged sword. It can get a lot of things done but if improperly used, it may also be harmful to the productivity and overall performance of an individual worker (Jackson & va n der Wielen, 1998).The twenty-first century has been hailed as the coming of the knowledge economy where the workers are not only dealing with products and services but rather, they are dealing with information, data and knowledge. As such, technology is a prerequisite for the effective functioning of the public personnel in various areas of government and operations of such agencies.Teleworking and Telecommuting in the Public SectorThe advances and breakthroughs in the technology mentioned above paved the way for the emergence of teleworking and telecommuting among the professionals in the United States. There emerged a new brand of professionals who do not have to report to the office of the agency as long as they are doing the job they have agreed to. Although telecommuting is not a new phenomenon, it has been around since the late 1980s. The only difference now is that the technology has made it so much convenient for teleworkers to thrive in the present system (DiMartino and W irth, 1990).As long as a teleworker has access to computer and good internet connection, he may deliver the work he agreed to. There are also a number of telecommuters from other countries who do the work for the public and private sectors in the United States. Another related process being utilized nowadays is outsourcing. Workers and companies outside of the United States establish partnerships with companies in the US so they can handle the operations of some areas of business.With the increasing popularity of outsourcing and telecommuting, the organization should arrive at a sound plan how to manage these kinds of worker. Of primary concern is the growth of teleworkers as professionals in their field and how they get the services that they deserve (Cooper, & Kurland, 2002).Teleworking has a number of impacts on the public personnel. It might be opted by employees who are taking care of a family member at home needing special attention, by a mother who wants to spend more time wi th her kids or by any other professional who simply wants this kind of arrangement. Teleworking is being used in the private sector but it can also be implemented in the public sector.Teleworking may be considered as a really radical departure from the usual mode of working as public personnel. Teleworkers enjoy an immense level of flexibility in terms of fulfilling their role and still pursuing other interests that they want to pursue.Teleworking, however, may be considered as a security breach in an organization that holds sensitive information in its data bank. In addition to this, teleworking introduces a level of uncertainty and difficulty in managing people. This is why, management should look into an acceptable means of accommodating both the usual full-time staff and those who have opted for teleworking.As the public sector start dealing with teleworking, it should carefully look into the pros and cons of the arrangement. Through this, they can maximize the presence of the t eleworker in the organization while at the same time, making sure that its pitfalls are removed or at least minimized.Individual worker is really at the center of the teleworking arrangements. As long as there is an internet connection and computer, the teleworker can deliver his work. If possible, the organization should also undertake psychological tests to ascertain whether a certain employee is ready for the rigors and loneliness of the being a teleworker.Economy and PoliticsGlobalizationBecause of the rapid advances in communication and transportation technologies and the inter-relationships between and among the countries of the world, the nations are being brought closer together in a process known as globalization (Tomlinson, 1999).The changes being brought about by globalization are far-reaching and broad because it targets the politics, economics, culture and other areas of life (Castles, 2001). Globalization can no longer be ignored because it has impinged on important pr ocesses that go on in the society. It is also not just a national issue but a worldwide one. If this process continues, then the world can become a borderless society in which labor and other resources can move freely without a lot of hassle.In the management of public personnel, globalization has also become a real issue that must be dealt with by the bureaucracy. Globalization is also attacking the established authority of the state over a certain territory, such as a nation-state. The role of the state and the government, therefore, is changing under the relentless impact of globalization.The focus of globalization is efficiency, decentralization and the trimming down of the bureaucracy. In terms of public personnel, this means letting go of a lot of employees and retaining only those who process the core processes and who are able to continue the operations of the agencies that will be affected. With globalization, this means that there will be greater decentralization and dereg ulation of power and autonomy (Bevir, Rhodes & Weller, 2003).The government, however, cannot simply do that without major repercussions. There has to be a careful study as to the kind of jobs and personnel that will be retained and which positions will be let go. If possible, will there be roles that can be combined? This way, the government will be able to save money while at the same time ensuring that the processes being looked after by the public personnel will be continued.ConclusionThe twenty-first century world is very dynamic. Technologies are changing very rapidly, the relationships between and among the countries of the world are becoming stronger. Economies are trading more freely and governments are still in charge of running their own respective territories. This is being done with the help of public personnel who are in the bureaucracy and who are continuously serving the needs of the government and of the people they are serving.There are three main areas of concern t hat impact the changes in public personnel. These are in the areas of Management Practices, Technology, and Economics. Of particular interest is the increasing popularity and significance of workplace diversity and the manner in which public organizations should deal with it so that it can maximize its impact and its efficiency. In addition to this, the advances in technology is paving the way for alternative modes of working such as teleworking and telecommuting. Lastly, globalization also has an important impact on the way that public personnel are being treated and how the public sector can generate savings from the process. Reference Bevir, B, Rhodes, RAW, & Weller, P. (2003). Traditions of governance: interpreting the changing role of the public sector. Public Administration, 81 (1), 1-17. Castles, FG. (2001). On political company of recent pubic sector development. Journal of European Social Political Policy, 11 (3), 195-211. Cooper, CD & Kurland, NB (2002). Telecommuting, professional isolation, and employee development in public and private organizations. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 23 (4), 511-532. Daniels, K., Lamond, DA, & Stranden, P. (2000). Managing Telework. New York: CENGAGE Learning. Farazmand, A (2007). Strategic Public Personnel Administration. New York: Greenwood Publishing Group. Jackson, P. and Van der Wielen, J. (1998). Teleworking. Routledge, London. Jones, JW & Dages, KD (2003). Technology Trends in Staffing and Assessment: A Practice Note. International Journal of Selection and Assessment, 11 (2-3), 247-252. Mavin, S. & Girling, G. (2000). What is Managing Diversity and Why Does It Matter? Human Resource Development International, 3 (4), 419-433. Moon, MJ & Breschneiber, S (2002). Does the Perception of Red Tape Constrain IT Innovativeness in Organizations? Unexpected Results from a Simultaneous Equation Model and Implications. Journal of Publication Research and Theory, 12 (2), 273-292. Sippola, A. (2005). HRM of a Diverse Workforce: Challenges of Emerging Cultural Diversity. Proceedings of the 18th Scandinavian Academy of Management (NFF) Conference, Aarhus, Denmark, 18-20 August 2005. Sparks, K., Faragher, B & Cooper, CL (2001). Well-being and occupational health in the 21st century workplace. Journal of Occupational and Organizational. Sullivan, C & Lewis, S. (2002). Home-based Telework, Gender, and the Synchronization of Work and Family: Perspectives of Teleworkers and their Co-residents. Gender, Work and Organization, 8 (2), 123-145. Tomlinson, J. (1999) Globalization and Culture. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Friday, September 27, 2019

Analysis of a standardized test of ESL Assignment

Analysis of a standardized test of ESL - Assignment Example The ILETS has been designed to test the users of English language in three paramount areas that include listening, reading and writing. For a person to claim to have mastered the art of fluently using the English language, he or she should learn to listen to it effectively, be able to read it and even write. Most people who claim to use the language are found short in either of the three features, hence limiting their communication (Charge & Lynda 34). Using the English language requires one to be able to communicate well, both in written and spoken language. This hence implies that they should be able to listen and understand when another person is talking and able to respond appropriately, whether it is through writing or speaking. Considering the sample test provided, we realize that emphasize has been put on distinct vowels that will help learners know how to listen to it. The first part is a test that helps learners understand some of the vowels used in speaking the language and how to identify them in spoken speech.The listening partThe importance of the listening test is in its ability to help learners pay attention to how words are pronounced and able to respond. Contrary to assumptions that emphasize more on the written rather than the spoken, the test reveals how important it is for a person to learn the basic pronunciation of words. Most people who speak English have pronunciation difficulties that are influenced by their local dialects. Having the ability to listen to the spoken language.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Literary Analysis of Imagery in The Scarlet Ibis Essay

Literary Analysis of Imagery in The Scarlet Ibis - Essay Example The first scene contains a number of imagery, which readers can easily interpret through sensory experience. The visual symbolism in the bleeding tree, the silvery powder and the purple phlox are examples of imagery, which connote the fate facing different characters throughout the story. In addition, Hurst (1) uses olfactory imagery in his presentation of the flowers blooming at the graveyard, which he says produce smell that extends to the length of the cotton plantation. The author’s assertion that the plants rot brown magnolia flowers is rife with imagery of the attractiveness of the graveyard, and the existence of some temporal life. Moreover, the growths of ironweeds which compete with the attractive flowers symbolize the feeling of abandon of the dead. Apart from the existence of the plant imagery, there is auditory imagery in oriole’s beautiful melodies in the elm (Hurst 1). This symbolizes a sense of life and excitement in the story. In addition, the green-draped parlor is rich with visual imagery of attractive vegetation, fair weather, and rich soils, supporting the plants’ and animals’ lives. Doodle in itself is a name that brings out the visual imagery of the small doodle-bug that naturally walks backwards. This implies the character is one who would never tire of going the opposite direction on social issues affecting him and the immediate environment where he stays (Hurst 2). Further, Hurst’s use of a deafening thunder and mournful sound symbolizes the existence of powers, which are beyond the existence of animals and plants. The latter auditory imagery symbolizes mortal nature of living things on earth, even when they are seen as blossoming and death is seemingly not in sight. The two forms of imagery are complimented by the visual imagery in the green-draped parlor, which is by its description

The Main Difference Between Printed and Electronic Search Research Paper

The Main Difference Between Printed and Electronic Search - Research Paper Example The information about the ASDA supermarket in Yellow pages is brief. It is not categorized and of course, it does not provide information about up-to-date special offers. But it gives a short overview of the company, so the reader at once understands what the company does and where it is situated. There is no structure in publications about ASDA in newspapers, magazines and journals, but that information is always corresponding to the date of the article. All news and articles have a brief mention of company ownership. For example, Private Label Magazine writes: â€Å"ASDA, the Wal-Mart owned UK retailer, has relaunched ‘Meals Made Easy,’ its gourmet ready meals private label range, according to a report by Planet Retail. The range of chilled oven-ready meals has over 70 SKUs. The range features redesigned packaging and has been relaunched with a multibuy pricing promotion.† History of ASDA can be found in Internet encyclopaedia Wikipedia. Wikipedia is a multiling ual, Web-based, free-content encyclopaedia. It is written collaboratively by volunteers, meaning articles can be added or changed by nearly anyone. The project began on January 15, 2001, and is now operated by the non-profit Wikimedia Foundation. The English-language version of Wikipedia currently has 786,750 articles. According to Wikipedia, the name ASDA is a contraction of Associated Dairies and was founded in 1965 by a group of farmers from Yorkshire. ASDA went through a troubled period in the early 1990s but was then revived under the leadership of Archie Norman, who later became a front bench Conservative MP. He was chairman of the company during the period 1996–99.

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Economics in Australia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Economics in Australia - Essay Example Process of economic examination have been more and more functional to fields that occupy populace in which officials are included making choices in a communal circumstance, such as crime, education, the family, health, law, politics, religion, social institutions and war. (Barro, Robert J. 1997). Economics as a modern regulation relies on thorough styles of dispute. Objectives include putting together the theories that are simpler, more productive and more dependable in their descriptive authority than other theories. Habitually examination begins with a straightforward model to cut off associations of a changeable to be explained. Complications may be confiscated in the other things equivalent to conjecture. For example, the quantity theory of capital theorizes an optimistic association between the price level and the capital supply, ceteris paribus. The theory can be experienced using economic statistics, such as a price index for GDP and a gauge of the money supply or say cash plus bank deposits. Econometric processes can permit for the power of challenging justifications and attempt to amend for noise from other variables in the nonexistence of a proscribed research. More lately, the use of tentative procedures in economics has significantly prolonged, demanding a previo usly renowned distinguishing characteristic of some usual sciences from economics. Exhibitions of reasoning within economic structures frequently use two dimensional graphs to signify theoretical relations. At an advanced level of simplification, Paul Samuelson's dissertation foundations of economic examination, 1947, illustrated how to use mathematical techniques to examine the category of declarations called operationally significant theorems in economics, which are theorems that can possibly be disproved by experiential information. Such declarations allow examination of a theory. Some decline mathematical economics. Therefore, in the Austrian school of economics it is quarreled that whatever thing further than the simple logic is probably needless and unsuitable for economic analysis. Still, economics has experienced a methodical, increasing formalization of perceptions and processes together for the use in the hypothetic deductive way of clearing up the real world incidents. An example of the latter is the extension of microeconomic examination to apparently non-economic areas, sometimes called economic imperialism. (Foley, Duncan K. 1999). Growth economics studies issues that clarify economic growth or in other words the boost in output per capita of a state over a longer phase of time. The same features are used to give details about the dissimilarities in the level of output per capita amid the countries. Much studied features take in the rate of outlay, populace growth and technical change. These are signified in academic and experiential and in growth accounting. At a more exact level, development economics observes the economic features of the growth process in comparatively low revenue countries with a focus on ways of endorsing economic growth. Approaches in development econo

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Sega Corporation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Sega Corporation - Essay Example Learning organizations are those who look to the future; organizations which are constantly in touch with their market and one step ahead of their competition. Sega Corporation, unfortunately, is not a learning organization and, as such, has adhered to strategies which may have been successful in the past but which are no longer so. As Sega’s OD advisor, I have prepared a report which outlines the roots of its failures and argues the efficacy of its adopting a learning organizational model. The literature reviewed underscores the benefits of doing so and precisely articulates what is involved in doing so. Should Sega implement these recommendations, its business performance, as measured through both financial and non-financial indicators will experience discernible improvement. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sega Corporation has decided to transform the company into a learning organization, believing that in so doing, Sega will eventually be in a position to confront its competitors and regain the market shares it lost throughout the past decades. Indeed, Sega’s persistent failure to accurately gauge and effectively respond to changing trends in the electronic home gaming market has resulted in the almost complete loss market shares, not to mention yearly net losses on sales from the mid-1990s to the present.Sega’s inability to confront its competitors or to reclaim its lost market shares reflects a problem within the organization itself

Monday, September 23, 2019

Global Connectvity and Cyberwarfare Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Global Connectvity and Cyberwarfare - Assignment Example Increasing interconnectivity through World Wide Web and easy availability of cyber warfare tools makes it difficult to differentiate between domestic or foreign source of cyber warfare. Our adversary has the ability to change multimedia files or change public thinking by digitally manipulating the information (O’ Hara 4). The cyber warfare is never relaxed and the war remains on for 24 hours in a day. Traditional way of intelligence gathering is outdated for this sort of warfare. The same way analysis can not be carried basing on the information. Current intelligence organizations can not gain such information in cyber warfare (O’ Hara 4). This warfare does not have any boundaries. No warning for intentions and attack can be obtained before a cyber crime actually happens. Coalition can be established easily with other countries because the technical experts of other nations may not be able to handle warfare and secure own system as well (O’ Hara 5). The cyber warfare is not useful until it physically damages the target. Cyber warfare operations are not stealth operations. Countries with more advanced technologies can detect and trace the destination of cyber crime. Cyber terrorism is more pronounced because the attacker attacks and vanishes after getting the desired information. Such attack can be traced and sometimes it can not be traced (Billo & Chang 17). Billo, Charles & Chang, Welton. Cyber Warfare an Analysis of the Means and Motivations of Selected Nation States. Institute for Security Technology Studies at Dartmouth College, 2004. Accessed 30 April 2012.

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Colour Purple, Porphyrias Lover Essay Example for Free

Colour Purple, Porphyrias Lover Essay Alphonso uses many catches, all of which helped convince Mr________ to accept Celie in marriage. Some of these bribes included â€Å"You can do everything just like you want to and she aint gonna make you feed it or clothe it† and â€Å"She’d come with her own Linen. She can take that cow she raise down there back of the crib. † These quotes show how her Pa believed he owned her. The possession he held for Celie was so great that he was able to offer her for marriage not because of the person she was, but for the things she could bring with her, and the chores she was able to complete. Browning’s Poem â€Å"Porphyria’s Lover† uses the plot of this dramatic monologue to represent and tie in the aspect of possession. The man in Porphyria’s life is so engaged in the fact that Porphyria has some sense of feeling toward him and believes that her connections with the outside world is the only thing keeping her from staying with him. This man is so in love with Porphyria that she is able to make everything for him feel better. To him, Porphyria is above all else and changes the atmosphere almost automatically. When glided in Porphyria; straight she shut the cold out and the storm, And kneeled down and made the cheerless grate Blaze up and make the whole cottage warm. † Another way Walker uses her novel to develop possession, is when Celie decides to leave for Memphis with Shug, to get away from Mr______. After years of dealing with her husband’s ways of life, putting up with all the beatings, and having to deal with being owned, Ce lie decides that everything would be better off living with Shug who truly cares for her. The true feelings and the streak of possession starts to truly show when Mr______ hears of this. He exclaims to Celie â€Å"Who you think you is?.. You can’t curse nobody. Look at you. You black, you pore, You Ugly, You a woman. Goddam, he say, you nothing at all†. He uses this to try to persuade and convince Celie that she will be no good away from him, but it does not work. She follows her feelings and escapes from the life with him. Similarly, â€Å"Porphyria’s Lover† is another example of the man trying to gain possession over the women in his life. Alternatively, Browning allows the man to effectively gain this possession. On realising that Porphyria truly does worship him, and that no matter how much her heart tells her that she loves him, she cannot tear herself away from her vein attires; he becomes determined on what to do. He realises that there is only one way to keep their love together, perfect and pure. â€Å"That moment she was mine, mine, fair, perfectly pure and good. I found a thing to do†¦. And strangled her. † This example showed how the possession was so great, that Porphyria was unable to escape. An additional way Alice Walker uses â€Å"Color Purple† to develop the idea of possession, very alike to Celie and Mr_____ relationship, is the marriage of Sofia and Harpo. Harpo does not like the idea of Sofia doing her own thing, having her own ideas and independence and so he confides with his father on what he could do. Harpo becomes convinced that to remove this independence, he needs to beat her. On attempting to beat Sofia, Harpo realises that she is not going to give in that way, and how much of a fight she can put up. On deciding that there is no way he is able to win in the frame he is in, Harpo starts to eat uncontrollably in attempt to put on weight to triumph over Sofia. â€Å"He eating more and more each day Harpo eat when he aint hungry † This still does not help him to succeed in possessing his wife. In Browning’s poetry, Porpheryias’ lover actually succeeds in possessing his love. By murdering her, he was able to keep the love between them both, allowing her joyful heart no longer to be able to break. He was able to preserve the moment of perfect love and justify it despite everything. At once, he was able to hold her, and keep her forever. â€Å"Only, this time my shoulder bore her head, which droops upon it still: The smiling rose little head, so glad it has its utmost will†. The next aspect of Love developed in â€Å"Color Purple† is the Powerlessness of women. The poem that relates to this aspect is â€Å"Child Wife† written by Oodgeroo of the Tribe Noonuccal. Both these texts help to portray how women in different cultures have to deal with the same feeling of being powerless, as well as having no say in what happens in their life. Walker again uses Celie’s relationship with her â€Å"Pa† as a way to form examples of the way women lack power in their life. Alphonso uses Celie to perform many of his duties, take care of the children as well as for his pleasure. â€Å"He never had a kine word to say to me. Just say you gonna do what you mammy wouldn’t†¦He start to choke me, saying you better shut up and git used to it. † This quote from the beginning of the novel explains how Celie’s Pa used to sexually assault her and how she was never allowed to say a word to anyone. She had no choice or say in what happened to her and always had to do exactly as she was told. Child Wife† is a similar example of the Powerlessness of women. In this poem the young girl has no choice and is forced to marry an old man The cultural ties in this tribe â€Å"Noonuccal† mean that young woman’s husbands are determined by everyone but the women herself, and don’t take int o account any lovers or any other aspects in their life. â€Å"My childhood over, I must sit forever, and the tears fall down† explains how devastated this young girl is about her marriage, but does not have the rights to be able to walk away or say no. Mr______ and Celie’s marriage is again a great example of the Powerlessness of Women. Mr_____ has sex with Celie without ever discussing or caring about Celie’s feelings or wants. Celie explains, â€Å"Most times I pretend I aint there. He never know the difference†¦Never.. Just do his business, get off, go to sleep. † Sex is just an enjoyment for Mr______, a chore, part of the business of being married. Because Celie is tied to marriage with Mr______, she has no choice but to learn to deal with it. Oodgeroo, of the tribe Noonuccal, once again uses her poems very similarly to the powerlessness of women in â€Å"Color Purple†, the only thing being that this young lady is restricted by traditions as well. The tribal traditions in Noonuccal meant that all husbands are chosen by the leaders, not based on age or the girls wants, but on what the man can provide and do, as well on what they personally think would be best for her. In this case the decision is what makes this young girl the least happy â€Å"They gave me to an old man, joyless and old. This leaves her doubting her life’s happiness and wishing she could have what she really wanted. â€Å"It was love I longed for, young love like mine, it was Dunwa wanted me†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Another relationship in â€Å"Color Purple† of which the man tries to take the woman’s power is Sofia Harpo’s marriage. Harpo attempts for quite a long period to beat the independence out of Sofia to gain more power i n their relationship. The more Harpo tries to beat his wife, the more determined she becomes in doing her own thing. Eventually Sofia has enough and leaves him, taking with her all her children. â€Å"They come early one morning in two wagons to pick Sofia up. She doesn’t have much to take†¦The children. † This is Celie’s description of when Sofia’s sisters came to collect Sofia and save her from any more hassle with her husband. Harpo had attempted to make Sofia powerless, but failed, losing all his family in the process. Oodgeroo describes the young girl in â€Å"The child wife† surrounded by â€Å"Happy the small birds Mating and Nesting, Shrilling their gladness No grief may drown. Oodgeroo uses this part of the poem to explain that everything else around this little girl is happy, with no grief or sorrow, making her feel trapped by happiness. She has no choice but to be with this old man forever, powerless and drowned in pain. The third aspect of Love described in â€Å"Color Purple† and the last poem â€Å"At Seventeen† by T. S Elliot is loves absence. This aspect does not communicate the same ideas right throughout the two texts but is an aspect of which affects many characters and people in their day-to-day life’s. Whether not having experienced love, losing one that is loved or having been separated from a lover, Loves absence in either one of these texts can and does cause many emotions to evolve. Most of these emotions are powerful and are capable of accumulating into negative feelings. The only similar example, which helps to relate â€Å"Color Purple† and â€Å"At seventeen† in the same way, to the aspect of Loves Absence, is with Celie at the beginning of the novel. Celie never understood how somebody could fall in love, as she had never witnessed it herself. Nobody had ever been attracted to Celie, only ever using her for what she could do and for sex. Walker uses the quote â€Å"She not so pretty†¦Just that head of hair†¦Sure too black † to show how many people used to see Celie before Shug came along. Before Shug, Celie never really understood the meaning of true love. The same idea of Love’s absence, as shown in the first example in â€Å"Color Purple†, is shown all the way through T. S Elliot’s poem â€Å"At Seventeen†. The seventeen year old in this poem has realized that she just cannot compete with the peers her age and that she is not good enough for love. She thinks she does not have the looks or the money to attract anyone to love her. â€Å"I learnt the truth at seventeen that love was meant for beauty queens And high school girls with clear skinned smiles†. Elliot uses quotes such as this all through the poem to describe how this seventeen year old believes she is everything but glamour or beauty. Loves absence in this poem has lead this young girl to become mournful, pessimistic and depressed, at the same having a grandiose image of other girls on a pedestal compared to herself. It has lead her to believe that love is a shallow emotion only about beauty not about the person within. As a result, she leads herself to thinking she will never be able to fall in love because she feels she cannot compare. A diverse example but of equal significance in Walkers novel is between Celie and her sister Nettie. Even though the physical absence between the two sisters in this story is immense, and continues to grow and extend, Celie and Nettie still feel the same love and bonds for each other. â€Å"The years have come and gone without a single word from you. Only the sky above us do we hold in common†¦One day I will find myself gazing into your eyes†¦Oh Celie! † The passion that is showing through in this quote is becoming an all-consuming thought in Nettie’s mind, forming constant worry and anxiety about where her sister is and if they will ever meet again. The last example that transmits the same idea of Love’s absence in â€Å"At seventeen† comprises of the quote â€Å"To those of us who know the pain of Valentines that never came†¦and those of whose names were never called when choosing sides for basketball†. This does not use the same illustration as what Color purple does, as the young girl had never had a love, to lose. Instead, she wishes she had experienced the love of which others boast about. All these texts, â€Å"Color Purple†, â€Å"Porphyria’s Lover†, â€Å"Child Wife† and â€Å"At Seventeen† represent very similar but divergent issues and aspects that help develop the common theme of Love. Each one of these aspects has helped to demonstrate the boundaries and connections that can evolve in the process of Love.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

The Importance Of A Sports Doctor

The Importance Of A Sports Doctor A sports doctor is a type of doctor who pursues in the prevention and treatment of injuries that affiliated with sports athletic activity. In professional sports, a sports medicine will be in group with a specific team and will be paid to care for the health for athletes. Sports doctors are most frequently associated with injuries to the joints, bones, and muscles. They focus primarily on injuries and conditions of the feet and legs are called orthopedic procedure. Sports doctors also work in athletic internal medicine, which concentrates on cardiac rehabilitation, lung performance, and circulatory issues combined with exertion. Sports Doctor Background A sports doctor studies health employing medical and scientific knowledge to prevent, observe, manage, and recover sports injuries. Exercise and sports science is the study of physiology and biomechanics that relates to the ability of the human body to adapt to movement and physical activity. When students graduated from studying exercise and sports science programs, they usually have big educational backgrounds because they can in both clinical and academic settings. Students who have a degree in sports science can also lead to career opportunities in fitness instruction, sports medical research, and nutrition. What Sports Doctor Focus On? A sports doctor focuses a lot on the medical phase of physical activity. Professionals of sports medicine, who work in the NFL, NBA, and other professional sports, train in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries that happen during sporting events, athletic training, and physical activities. It does not mean sports medicine degree can be involve the courses in injury prevention, analysis, therapy, and management, but it will involve understanding how illnesses and disease meets health and physical performance on injured athletes. If you earn a degree in sports medicine, it can lead a new career opportunities in athletic training, personal training, physical therapy, diet nutrition etc. You would work with some teams to help athletes and active people carry on the optimal health of becoming a sports medicine. Educational Requirements for Sports Doctors Sports doctors are fully trained medical doctor who would focus on sports medicine. In order to become a sports doctor, they have to do the same requirement of training before they can proceed. Sports doctor will need a Bachelors Degree to pursue in medical residency and school. In residency level, sports doctors are very determined but they can educate their focus on pre-med with great understanding of what elective courses will be best for their future career goals. Curriculum for sports medicine majors are: Physiology, Practicum in Athletic Training, Motor Development and Learning, Sports Psychology, Rehabilitation of Athletic Injuries, and Nutritional Science. Preparing for Sports Science and Sports Medicine School For becoming a sports medicine, you must require a college. Healthcare professionals, who concentrate in sport medical, draw seriously on scientific knowledge in a degree program. The class students will have a combination of math, medical, and science courses so that they can have all the training theyll need. Before making the decision on enrolling in sports medicine degree program, you should give some careful thoughts of personal interests and career goals. Students are often engage to the field of sports medicine because they have an enjoyment for sports. They should also have a serious interest in science and medicine and be willing to study hard in order to dedicate their studies to serve the needs of other athletes and active people. Successful sports healthcare professionals enjoy helping others, have an affinity for physiology and science, and possess a strong commitment to advancing and improving the health and physical capabilities of others. Successful sports healthcare professionals enjoy helping others and have a likeness for physiology and science, and acquire a strong commitment to advancing and improving the health and physical capabilities of others. A degree in sports medicine will require intensive and advanced studies of biology, biochemistry, physiology, anatomy, and other fields of science and math. With the strong fundamental skills in sciences and math, it will help them develop the skills they need in sports medicine college degree program. Job opportunities in the field are abundant and various for sports medicine. It can often be difficult to decide exactly on what kinds of sports science college students would like to study. If students are having trouble deciding exactly which path to take, they should try conducting sports healthcare professionals in the workplace. They can take an opportunity to ask acknowledged questions about the field to the professionals because they would like to give advice, guidance, and ideas about job o pportunities in the field. This can really help themselves focus on their own studies and choices of becoming a sports medicine. Once college students have made a decision to pursue a career in this field, they will make sure they know the differences between sports medicine degree programs to find an appropriate interest and goals. When they have gathered a lot of information about the options of becoming a sports medicine, the best information will be their best decision depending on their choice. Certificate Programs in Sports Fitness Sports and fitness certificate programs are options for new college students, current athletic trainers, nutritionists, and other professionals who want to develop a new set of skills. Certificate programs will teach students how to apply accepted physical and psychological theory for the world of sports to see most professional careers in this field are requires having college degree, but students can transfer their completed certificate credits to a Associate or Bachelors Degree program that will allow them to continue there studies on becoming a sports medicine. Associate Degrees in Sports Fitness In Associate Degrees, students must complete two years of class that will allow them an access to the fundamentals of sports science or they may train players in a specific part, like exercise science and fitness. If students want to study on advance careers in sport medicine, they must have a bachelors degree with the certificate programs. It can be possible to transfer the credits if they earned and minimize their time to a degree. Associate degrees are qualified to graduate for entry-level positions of sports and fitness. Many students choose to earn these degrees because they can move on directly into the workforce and then earn a bachelors degree when they get there. Bachelors Degrees in Sports Fitness After students earned the Associates Degree, they must earn a Bachelor of Science degree because it is the minimum requirement for employment of sports medicine professions. Mostly, earning a Bachelor of Science in sports science needs to have four years of academic study in college. These degree programs acknowledge the general concepts of physiology, medical science, nutrition, health, and related training. Many schools offer different occupations like physical therapy, athletic training, and nutrition. Masters Degrees in Sports Fitness After four years of study experience to earn a bachelors degree, students can work up to earn a Master of Science degree. The Masters Degree can let them do advanced training in achieve of progressing upper-level job opportunities. There are many healthcare professionals that pursue a Master of Science degree with a study in many different kinds of sports science, such as human movement, sports psychology, sports science, etc. Masters Degree, in sports and fitness, introduce students with advanced scientific concepts and procedures that will qualify them to better serve the needs of athletes and injured individuals. It also encourages them on focusing their knowledge, abilities and skills in a way that will make them grateful successors for advanced positions. It is their decision if students who want to pursue on earning a Masters Degree while to continue working full-time. They could earn more money than a Bachelors Degree. (World Wide Learn, Guide to College Majors in Sports Medic ine Science) Other Advanced Sports Medicine and Sports Science Degrees After students earn a certificate, Associates degree, Bachelors degree, and Masters Degree, they can choose to become a Medical Doctor degree and be into a sports medicine or surgical specialties. They can earn this degree to work in professional sports, like NFL, NBA, or etc. There are many students who are interested in helping, counseling, and monitoring the mental health of professional athletes and would likely to succeed in PhD program that focuses on sports psychology and psychiatry. Students can also choose to be Sports Doctor of Education, which would mainly be interested in teaching and advising sports science to new students who want to become a sport medicine. Trends for Sports Science and Sports Medicine Careers Professional athletes from colleges and high school can continue to push themselves to perform a better, faster, and stronger body. As personal trainers and nutritionists careers increases, there will be opportunities for employment in the healthcare field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that fitness and recreation professionals, physical therapists, and athletic trainers, will grow faster than average over the next decade, and athletes and coaches will continue to grow, while nutritionists and dieticians will grow at an average rate. Salary Expectations for Careers in Sports Medicine and Sports Science According to the BLS, the median salary for fitness instructors was $25,910 in 2006. Coaches and scouts took $26,950, while nutritionists and dietitians earned $46,980. The median salary for physical therapists is approximately $66,200 per year. Salaries and earnings depend on the level of education, location of job, and experience. (World Wide Learn, Guide to College Majors in Sports Medicine Science) Certification and Licensure Areas of sports medicine or sports science are needed to acquire a certification. Students need to plan a way to acquire the certification for their workplace of sports medicine or sports science. The most popular sports certifications are: the Board of Certification (BOC) certification for athletic trainers, the American College of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer certification (cPT) and the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification. (World Wide Learn, Guide to College Majors in Sports Medicine Science)

Friday, September 20, 2019

Developing A Mobile Application For Kingston Library Computer Science Essay

Developing A Mobile Application For Kingston Library Computer Science Essay As part of my course, I will be developing a mobile application for Kingston University Library for my dissertation. The application will be designed for Android devices. I chose Android platform because it is distributed under open source licence and becoming hugely popular. Also Android app developer can take advantage of the mobile hardware design and can sell the app easily in Android market. The main users of my application will be students where they can access the system by login using their ID and password. My application will have a library catalogue search feature which will return a brief summary, book details and availability for each entry. The application will also include basic information about all libraries, such as locations, opening times, contact details etc. Accessing the online resources and Epay are currently not included in the requirements but which can be implemented if time permits or at a later stage. As the code will be written in Java, JDK from Sun has to be installed on the system. I will be using Eclipse IDE to develop the application. Android developer website offers all the guidance and required tools needed to develop an Android app which will be extremely beneficial for me as I am completely new to mobile application development. The initial stages in project development will include SWOT analysis, Use Case diagrams, requirements specification, and UML diagrams. A project plan and a risk analysis has been devised for the smooth running of the project by taking into consideration of the varying demands of each phase. Introduction and Background Mobile devices have evolved significantly during the last decade making it a necessity in everyday life. They are now more than just a means to make a phone conversation. The smart phones cater for all kinds of users whether they want to do business or just to have fun. This created a boom in mobile software applications ranges from simple games to complex navigational systems. There are apps suitable for every customer making them a must have to make life a lot easier in todayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s busy lifestyle. The most popular Smartphones in the current industry are Apple iPhone, Blackberry, Microsoft Windows Mobile, Android and Symbian. I have chosen Android platform by Open Handset Alliance to develop my application because it is open source and its members such as Google, HTC and T-mobile offers extensive developer support through its developer website. According to market research Android phones are set to increase their current market share of 9% to 30% by 2014. As the Android market offers an online application store to download both paid and free apps for its customers it is easier to access a variety of Android apps. I will be developing an Android application for Kingston University Library System that will enable the students to access the library account to login, search books, renew books and access library hours, location and contact information. My initial approach will be to focus on Android platform but if possible I would develop this app compatible with other platforms as well. Some institutions such as Cambridge University have their library app already implemented. So this will be a first step towards having a mobile library application for Kingston University. I will be looking into other organisationsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ mobile library applications as well to give me an insight into the field. The major stakeholders of this application will be I and students of Kingston University but maybe in the future this learning experience will enable me to develop apps for other institutions or create a universal library system by collaborating with other institutions. Aims and Objectives The main aim of the project will be to design and deliver a mobile application for the Kingston University Library on time. During this process I can learn about the latest trends and technologies available in the market so that after the completion of my course I can either secure a job in the mobile app development or work as a freelance app developer. This project will enable be to implement the skills I have learned so far during the course and widen my knowledge about mobile application development tools and techniques. I am hoping to produce a professional and effective library app for Kingston University. I will take this learning experience as an opportunity to explore the latest standards and approaches towards developing effective mobile applications. I am planning to implement extra functionalities that are not already available in other mobile apps such as adding credit to library card, though the security in mobile devices is questionable. Technologies and Resources Android software comes with an operating system, a middleware and key applications. It is a multi user Linux system in which each application is treated as a different user. The platform uses Java programming language. Android 2.3 is the latest version of Android operating system for Smartphone which will be used in developing my application. Android Architecture Following are the major development tools required: Sunà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Java Development Kit Eclipse IDE Android Software Development Kit The Android Developer tool (ADT) Plug-in for Eclipse The Android emulator can be used to debug applications but latest Android phones such as Samsung Galaxy S || which uses Android 2.3 can be used to run the application in a real time environment. Kingston Universityà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s current library system uses Aquabrowser by Serial Solutions which has a user friendly interface and a feature rich environment. It will be a challenge to implement all the features of Aquabrowser for a mobile device. So at this point I am concentrating on the basic library operations. During the project analysis phase, SWOT analysis will be executed to get a better understanding of the industry. A requirements analysis will be carried out to specify the functional and non-functional requirements. UML diagram is also very useful in plotting the activity and sequence diagrams so is the Use Case analysis. I will be adopting Agile software development approach to execute my project which involves iterations that are of short time frames. Project Planning A project plan has been developed using Gantt chart by breaking the project in to small manageable processes for the smooth operation. The duration allocated for each steps reflect the effort and skills needed, allocating maximum duration for implementation. Project Management Gantt Chart Tasks Start Date Duration End Date Project Proposal 01/02/2011 30 03/03/2011 Analysis 01/03/2011 32 02/04/2011 Design 02/04/2011 31 03/05/2011 Interim Report 20/06/2011 10 30/06/2011 Poster Presentation 24/06/2011 10 04/07/2011 Implementation 03/05/2011 83 25/07/2011 Evaluation 25/07/2011 21 15/08/2011 Documentation 15/08/2011 31 15/09/2011 Submission 15/09/2011 7 22/09/2011 Risk Assessment and Evaluation The major risks involved in this process that will make the project to fall behind schedule will be lack of development knowledge, hardware failure, and requirements modifications. I have developed an action plan to minimise these risks and any unforeseen circumstances not to affect the project deadline. Risks Action Requirements modifications Update the requirements and continue Conflict in requirements Update the requirements and continue Hardware failure Always back up, Locate alternatives Competitors new releases Propose something different Flaws in schedule Edit and update the schedule Lagging behind schedule Always keep a diary to note activities Poor productivity Update skills and allocate more time

Thursday, September 19, 2019

History Of Physicians Assistant :: essays research papers fc

The year is 1959, and Mr. Scott has had a migraine headache for the past few weeks and so he drives to the local Potsdam Hospital. The poignant antiseptic smell fills his nostrils as he steps unto the polished hospital floor but what catches his eye is the large number of people waiting in the lounge. Mr. Scott patiently stands behind the long line of people to sign the needed forms to be seen by the physician. An hour and a half passes, and it is finally his turn to see the receptionist. He looks at the woman behind the counter in the bright white uniform and asks, â€Å"Is it always like this?† The woman replies in a weary but irritated tone â€Å"It was not this hectic until Dr. Johnson and Dr. Smith left to specialize in Syracuse.† As Mr. Jones fills out the questionnaire about his insurance, he mutters to him self, â€Å"Boy, they need to do something about this. They should hire more doctors or something." The medical community did do something to off set th e projected decline of physicians. About thirty years ago, a new health care profession was integrated into the medical field to assist physicians to prescreen and handle the routine patient loads. At first, Physician Assistants (PA’s) met some opposition, but later they were accepted as a need and an asset to society. The following history of the physician assistant will show how a crisis caused the development of this profession, and the conditions which created the profession and how the struggles of the PA profession during the 1960’s through the 1970’s ended with the maturity phase of the 1980’s and 1990’s. A crisis caused the development of the PA profession. This problem was the widely held belief that there was a shortage of medically trained personnel , which originated from the 1959 Report of the Surgeon General’s Consultant Group of Medical Education. This report gave three main reasons why an expansion of health care was needed in the United States: 1. There was fear of rapid population growth projections with disproportionate increases of the young and elderly. These two populations statistically and historically utilize more health care than the average populace. 2. There was an increased per capita use of health care facilities. This was spurred by numerous factors. The first was improved living standards that brought higher life expectancy and lower infant mortality.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Impact of West Nile Virus on Humans Essay -- Biology Medical Biomedica

The Impact of West Nile Virus on Humans (or Why We Should Worry) West Nile virus can infect humans, but there are more drastic ways that it affects our lives. The virus normally lives in birds and is transmitted among them and other animals by mosquitoes. There is no other definite method of transmission, and people do not have to worry about contracting the virus through contact with infected humans or animals. Hundreds of species of birds and many mammals, including several endangered species, are vulnerable to the virus. Many domestic animals are also susceptible, but the virus does not create any symptoms in most of them. There is no way of getting rid of the virus once an animal has been infected, but a vaccine for horses has recently been approved by the USDA. There are also vaccines for preventing infection in humans being worked on by several companies. West Nile virus can infect humans, but infection is not the only way that it affects our daily lives. Several other animal species can also become infected by the virus, so special care should be taken to protect our wildlife, our livestock, and even our pets. West Nile virus is transmitted from birds to other animals through a vector, one of forty-three species of mosquito. Scientists have also found West Nile virus in ticks in Africa and Asia (Lee, 2003), but there has been no evidence that the ticks can also act as a vector for the virus. People cannot catch West Nile virus from any other animals, so becoming ill from the virus should not be the main concern of humans regarding the virus. However, if a human does become infected with West Nile virus, it is unlikely that it will produce any symptoms. Usually, only people over the age of 50 or very young children are... ...ional Wildlife Health Center Web site: http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/research/west_nile/wnvaffected.html Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2004, August). West Nile Virus: What You Need to Know. Retrieved August 2, 2005, from CDC: West Nile Virus Web site: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/wnv_factsheet.htm Lee, M. C. (2003) West Nile Virus: Overview and Abstracts. New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. (2005, April). NIAID Research on West Nile Virus. Retrieved August 2, 2005, from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Web site: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/westnile.htm Protecting Horses from West Nile Virus, Breakthrough Technology. (2005, July 24). Retrieved July 28, 2005, from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/ WNV’s Impact on Humans 5 medicalnews.php?newsid=27975&nfid=rssfeeds

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Online enhance corrective feedback for ESL learners

The purpose of the research is to look into the value of online enhanced disciplinary feedback for non-native talkers of English. It is analyzing in three countries which are the quality of their interaction online, their perceptual experiences and the rivals encountered. The research is done as when the research worker found that many foreign pupils in many western universities holding hapless linguistic communication accomplishments and experient civilization daze. Due to this job, they do non cognize what is appropriate and what is non. Hence, this probe on the value of online enhanced disciplinary feedback ( OECF ) is to develop their linguistic communication accomplishments and acquire them to socialise positively with the hosting pupils while prosecuting their academic classs. The research worker used qualitative and quantitative tools to garner informations in his survey. The Conversation Analysis and end-project study as the two chief instruments used both for NNSs and NSs. Conversation Analysis takes into history of the three facets of interaction in order to keep the quality discourse. There are ( 1 ) inductions of subjects, ( 2 ) petitions for elucidation and ( 3 ) elaborated replies to inquiries. To prolong the linguistic communication consciousness, the analysis included self-correction, blessings as preferable responses and incorporations of the corrected signifier or significance. The information collected was from hebdomad one to hebdomad eight. As for the end-project study, the research worker wants to cognize the penetrations on the value of OECF from both NNSs and NSs positions. By acquiring the topics to interact, the research worker was selected MSN courier for on-line synergistic tools as it is practical to the users. However, participants were reminded non to utilize their private electronic mails for this undertaking. Due to this, participants were given an option to open new histories on hotmail and trip new MSN courier. The participants were the international pupils from the Language Centre of the University of Dundee. They were 10 pupils from diverse background ; seven Chinese, one Italian, and two Indians. They were in-between stripling with small contact with NSs of English and had no friends as NSs to socialise with. Whereas, for the tutoring group or NS comprised of six pupils from the pupil community of the University of Dundee and four were from the university staff members. Most of the coachs were from Scotland and merely two came from the non English speech production backgrounds, nevertheless harmonizing to their bio-data that they possessed a good bid of English and understanding good of the British civilization. The processs are used by the research worker is the equal tutoring technique in which coachs are matched with NNSs. Both are interacting utilizing the online MSN courier in turn-taking. They are showing their thoughts and positions like inquiring inquiry, supply information and so on as though they are prosecuting in speaking but in other manner they are pass oning by typing the message online. In a conversation analysis, participants are identified for their linguistic communication consciousness such as middlemans are acquiring feedback for their grammatical and semantic inaccuracies. Furthermore, in this article, OECF is adopted few schemes from negotiated significance when a societal interaction emphasized negotiated significance in a cognitive procedure ( Long, 1996 ) . NNSs have the attempt to self-correct if they are acknowledging any mistakes during the communicating. These feedbacks could help them in their academic accomplishments. NNSs would be able to pattern their Englis h of no fright to be embarrassed when there are errors because they are non talking to the NS straight but by typing the messages. For the end-project study, the research worker developed study in a signifier of questionnaire with a five point Likert graduated table runing from Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree to mensurate NNSs & A ; acirc ; ˆâ„ ¢ and NSs positions and attitudes. In the inquiry, they will bespeak their degree of satisfaction by ranking it from 1 to 5 in which 5 is the highest mark. The analysis is considered in the eight-week intercession. In the survey of quality engagement, it showed that conversation was non being monopolized by the NS when NNSs were lending every bit much as their coach equals ; whereby they were given clip to believe, explicate and type their messages. NNSs were able to alter the flow of their on-line conversation by originating subjects and asked for elucidation if there was any misinterpretation occurred. However, it besides indicated that NNSs were effortless to take enterprises in altering subjects and inquiring inquiries due to their deficiency of assurance in pass oning in English, hence they anticipated the coachs to make most of altering subjects. Following, in linguistic communication consciousness survey, consequences indicated that NNSs had clip to read, reflect, memorise and spread out their English linguistic communication cognition repertory. NNSs were able to read their NS coachs & A ; acirc ; ˆâ„ ¢ posters, infusion, generate, exchange and construct significance from the reliable environment. Finally, the consequences from the end-of-semester studies showed that both NSs and NNSs had a positive experience while engaged in this undertaking. NNSs feedback on this undertaking had offered them a socially and linguistically rich environment to pattern the mark linguistic communication. Harmonizing to NNSs, the text-based communicating provided a positive impact in bettering both their authorship and reading accomplishments and besides on their speech production accomplishments. They perceived those as an effectual manner non merely to interchange thoughts and to inquire for and clear up information but besides to show and back up their points of position. Indeed, their errors were noticed and they were able to be self-corrected. Part C With respects to the IT demands in this century, the research does involvement me. However, there are pros and cons to be considered to transport out this survey. Talking about the benefits from this survey, it is appropriate method for cut downing anxiousness in pupils larning English. NNSs particularly will non experience shy or embarrass if they make errors in organizing the syntactical sentences when they are non interact face to face with the NSs. Harmonizing to the findings, it was a positive feedback from NNSs on this research undertaking. They said that it gave a good deduction in their English acquisition and bettering both their authorship and reading accomplishments so as their speech production accomplishments. However, based from my sentiment the research did non good conducted. The first ground is, by looking from the facets of experimental cogency, the findings were non valid. This is reported in this article that during the undertaking has started, there were participants drop out from the undertaking and go forthing merely five braces to go on. The consequences from the findings were merely based from the five braces alternatively of 10 braces. The trying drawing was uneffective to obtain the satisfaction analysis on this survey. Second, the research worker indicated that he is utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods in his research survey. Hence, the survey should follow with two groups.1 group which i s called the experimental group is given a intervention and 1 group which is called the control group does non have any intervention. Then, the consequences of the findings can be acceptable of whether the OECF truly run into it objectives. Third, the research worker should briefs the purposed lineation of the survey in order to acquire the good engagement from the participants. The research worker should aware of the different backgrounds of the NNSs participants to be matched with NSs coachs. I suggested that age is to see for choosing the NSs because harmonizing to the articles, there were four NS in their mid-twentiess and one in his late teens. Possibly, the research worker should see on the adulthood because I believe when younger NSs involves with the NNSs troubles in novice a conversation, therefore NSs will be easy acquire bored and they have the inclination of originating subjects that are more relevant to their age. Hence, the conversation failed to discourse efficaciousl y when NNSs will take a long clip to believe about the thoughts that they need to convey out. Harmonizing to the activities presented in the research article, I think the activities should be enriched with more reliable subjects, produce more light readings to the NNSs which related to the current issues and reading transitions that could arouse NNSs feedback immediately without hold. In add-on, to obtain more concise consequences, the period of survey analysis shall be extended to hebdomad 12 alternatively of hebdomad 8 hence legion activities could be planned. In general this research provides an chance for the higher instruction pupils to heighten their communicating accomplishments particularly in composing and talking. Beforehand, the research worker should clearly find his/her aims and what kind of research method that is applicable and appropriate for the survey. Often, we found that even though pupils had learnt English during a school clip but they were still confronting jobs to get the linguistic communication eloquence and truth. Therefore, this research undertaking is seen as the appropriate exercisings for pupils to modify their defects in English linguistic communication when they are able to show their thoughts and giving their ideas from the activities designed. They are affecting in two ways communicating in which their errors are being corrected by the experts or so called the coachs. On the manus of Malayan contexts, in order to implement this activities, the instructor shall look closely on the scholar involvements whereby the subjects to be discussed must be reliable, short and simple but is able to dispute their positions and able to promote them to do remarks. As a consequence, they learn more, understand the grammatical class in the sentences and larn new vocabulary each clip. Learning English should be merriment.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Behavior and personality development Essay

A person’s behavior and attitude at any point of time is the resultant effect of all factors acting on the individual. The factors, each contribute in its own way and at varying levels, having a positive effect, a negative effect, a soothening effect or even a precipitating effect. The individual then reacts as a consequence of all combined effects. There are several parameters involved in the development of behavioral patterns including cognitive-social, biological, emotions, gender, person-situation, culture, ethnicity etc. These factors effect differently, for each individual since the level of perception and understanding is varied. It should be noted here that there may be several other factors too that influence behavior patterns, that have not yet been recognized. The cognition-social perception of an individual plays an important role in the building up of the individual’s personality. Although there is a debate of whether cognition gives rise to emotions or emotions give rise to cognition, the resultant reaction has wide social perceptions. The term ‘cognition’ in emotion elicitation includes all simple sensory information processing to very complex processing. The emotion – cognition – interaction is the study on the integrative aspects of research in emotion, cognition and the interaction between the two. The complex association between emotion and cognition is analyzed using knowledge and methods from the separate fields of research. Emotions are not always associated with facial expressions. Face recognition and object recognition are performed through different functions by different areas within the brain. Several disorders like alexia, prosopagnosia and visual agnosia develop when recognition process is impaired. Social cognition attempts to relate personal-social development with intellectual development. The process of cognitive development occurs through four universal stages of infancy; toddler and early childhood; elementary and early adolescence; and, adolescence and adulthood. The development in each stage is associated with an increased level of thinking. Cognition is an important aspect of behavior development. An individual perceives a situation based on his cognitive inputs and responds appropriately. Thus feelings of sadness, happiness, anger, guilt etc. , are produced as a result of cognition. As for me, I don’t tolerate anyone talking to me in a high pitch or commanding tone. In such cases, I deliberately don’t cooperate, even if the speaker wants to help or oblige me. Gender too plays an important role in social developments. Women have been traditionally expected to perform their domestic family roles as obedient wives and daughters. They were mainly more perceived to be sexual objects in a male dominated society, with primary interests in homemaking and caring, till the end of the century. This indifference in sociology can be mainly attributed to men’s identity as the dominant social player associated with force of character while women are associated with their weaknesses and passive role. The relationship between crime and gender has been immense throughout the long period of offence observation. Men and women have differing offence rates and offence patterns, both as offenders and as victims. The opportunities and capabilities of men and women for crime are different, which is reflected in their crime pattern. The sex of offenders has always been recorded throughout the history of criminal record keeping. Lady police officers and corrections officers are also needed to tune in, to fit into the gendered criminal justice system, although their lives are very different from that of women offenders or victims. Women were allowed to take up positions of police patrol officers and corrections officers only in the 1970s. This too was achieved through several legislative changes and civil rights movements. While positions have been opened for women in the male dominated fields like policing and corrections, women are faced with challenges as to what are appropriate or not appropriate women activities, given their traditional attitude on such activities. The social role of women had been had been largely restricted, although the situation has changed considerably. However gender based perception, attitude and reaction to situations persist. I am particularly careful in my dealings with women, because I find it difficult to convince them compared to men, although they don’t argue or threaten like men. It has been established by biocriminology that heredity and body organ dysfunctions can induce an inclination in social interaction. Modern researches indicate that chromosomal abnormalities, hormonal and brain chemical imbalances, diet, drugs and alcohol are factors that contribute to aggressive and criminal behavior. The hormone ‘testosterone’ in men has been identified as the main cause of aggression and crime committed by most men. Several case studies indicate that certain foods or food constituents induce neuropsychological disorders in the form of allergic or pharmacologic reactions which may even lead to chemical imbalances in the brain, resulting in behavioral disorders. Adoption and twin studies too indicate that genetic influences play a major role in development of criminal behavior. Molecular genetic investigations and epidemiological studies suggest that criminal activity may be genetically linked to mental abnormality. Prenatal disturbances or altered normal fetal development due to maternal smoking in pregnancy period is linked to violent offsprings. Reading deficits are sometimes developed in impulsive aggressive people, which could be attributed to their early school experiences. Here, impulsive and aggressive acts are caused due to inability in discriminating visual information during social situations. Biology is an important determinant of behavior and social response. Although I don’t perceive any behavior type as due to any specific food pattern, I do believe that group behavior or specific instincts of groups has to do with their biological response. Cultural differences and its influence on behavior have been extensively studied by behavioral scientists mainly during the 1940s and the 1960s. Cross-cultural psychology is very important in understanding the psychological framework of inter personal behavior. Interpersonal behavior is a vital aspect of human daily activity and is greatly influenced by culture. In recent times, this relationship between culture and individual behavior is more explored through empirical studies rather than historical or philosophical enquiries. Findings of such studies indicate that culture moulds and defines individual attitude as much as it determines our values, our ways of thinking and our social relationships. Culture is in fact a major criteria in the determination of human behavior. Culture together with the physical environment represent one of the two important external factors that mould human behavior. These factors in combination with internal influential factors of biological and psychological aspects constitute the main determinants of human behavior. Culture is inhibited by both internal and external representations. External representation of culture is seen in institutions of education, politics, religion and economy while it is internally represented through values, worldviews, beliefs etc. All these forces act simultaneously on an individual at any given point of time. Perhaps most of the conflict and confrontation in today’s world may be attributed to cultural differences. Clash of cultures and adherence to rigid cultural beliefs, keeps up tension between communities. A mutual respect and understanding of each others culture and values is essential for the upliftment of any society. I find it difficult to live a normal life where cultural tolerance is not practiced. I personally feel that culture intolerance is a sign of undeveloped cultures. The individual at any point of time is also subject to a given situation. It is this simultaneous interaction of the person and the situation, which ultimately derives the behavior. Therefore, behavior can be described as a person-situation interaction, which is under continuous adjustment. Normal or abnormal behavior is a continuous response to the person-situation forces. The attitude and behavior of mankind is influenced by several factors, which cannot be predicted or explained using any particular theory. These include cognition, biological, behaviorist, cognitive-social, existential-humanistic, person-situation, and gender, cultural and ethnicity. It must also be understood that similar factors cannot influence everyone to the same level. A combination of several such factors may perhaps explain a particular behavior pattern. Although the role of the parameters in the development of the behavior pattern is known, we cannot conclude that all factors contributing to the same have been identified, nor the level of contribution of each factor. Newer research needs to be done on the subject, to determine further influences, given the fact that technology and lifestyle are constantly evolving.