Monday, September 30, 2019

Analysis of Environmental Issues and Economic Performance

Analysis of environmental issues and economic performance and population density Executive summary The main goal with the report was to analyse the relationship from 16 different countries on how, if any, CO2 emission per capita is getting affected by population density and GDP per capita by using descriptive statistics and regression. The conclusion is that CO2 emission per capita is affected by changes in GDP per capita and that population density has no significant relation to CO2 emission per capita. Introduction Global warming is one of the biggest problems in the international societies today.The politician keeps discussing how they can find solutions together to decrease the CO2 emissions worldwide. In this report we will try to examine if well-established countries have a higher CO2 emissions and we will examine how population density are affecting emission in our society today. Aim The aim with this report is first to examine the relationship with GDP per capita and CO2 emis sion and population density and CO2 emission. Then we will examine if high GDP per capita leads to higher CO2 emission per capita and if countries with low population density are polluting more than countries with high population density.Hypothesis 1. 1 I believe that a country with high GDP are more likely to have a higher CO2 emission per capita since a country with high GDP are more likely to have higher productivity achieved through higher energy use. We will then start with measuring the linear association between these variables. H0: ? 0 1 GDP? 0 (Correlation) H1: ? 0=? 1 GDP=0 (No correlation) Hypothesis 1. 2 I believe that a country with high population density are more likely to have a lower CO2 emission per capita since the inhabitants need travel shorter and less often.We will therefor measure the linear association for CO2 emission per capita and population density. H0: ? 0 2 pop. density? 0 (Correlation) H1: ? 0=? 2 pop. density=0 (No correlation) Main hypothesis We wan t to find out how much linear association the two variables has on CO2 per capita. This can be done with this model: CO2per capita = ? 0+ ? 1 GDP+? 2 pop. density+ ? H0: ? 1 GDP? 0 H1: ? 1 GDP=0 H0: ? 2 pop. density? 0 H1: ? 2 pop. density=0 We can then see how strong the association these two variables are against the dependent variable CO2 emission per capita. Further on we want to test the significance of these variables.Data and descriptive statistics The data (GDP per capita, CO2 per capita and population density) in this report is a sample of 16 different countries and are downloaded from the International Monetary Fund, US department of Energy and OECD. All the data are ratio scale and are continuous. Some potential problems with the associated data is: * Some countries may have a high productivity achieved by the efficient labour force and not trough higher energy use. Both ways of high productivity leads to higher GDP per capita, its unlikely to achieve it by efficient labo ur force, but it can occur. Some countries (e. g. Australia) may have low population density although they mainly have big populated cities since they have a large amount of landmass that is not suitable for life. * The different data is not from the same years. CO2 emission per capita is from 2004, population density is from various years and GDP per capita is from 2010. To get an idea of how the dataset looks like we need to use descriptive analysis. Mean: x=xn Median: x=n+12th S. D: sx=x2-nx2n-1 Sample variance: s2=x2-nx2n-1 Range=xh-xlFor Co2 per capita the mean is 9,285 and the median is 9,49, this will suggest that the data is normally distributed and we can see in the graph in the appendix that there are 8 countries on each side of the mean. The skewness is 0,71, since the number is positive it will imply that Co2 emission per capita is slightly skewed to the right. The mean (26226) and median (27407) for GDP per capita show that this data is normally distributed as well. We can also here see that there are 8 countries on both side of the mean. The skewness for GDP per capita is close to zero (0,08) and therefor the distribution is close to symmetric.For population density we have 10 countries underneath the mean. This will imply that the data is not perfectly normally distributed. We can also see that mean (151) and the median (118) differs a bit too much too be normally distributed. Since the mean is higher than the media it suggest that the mean is affected by the high extreme values in the distribution like South Korea. The skewness for population density is 0,94, this show that the distribution is skewed to the right. It is important to remember that the data sample is less than 30 and therefor it makes it difficult to determine if the data is normally distributed or not.In all the 3 different data’s we see that the range is high, this is due extreme values on both sides of the mean (countries in totally different stages when it comes to wea lth, industry, population, size and general development). The high spread within the distribution will therefor lead to and high S. D, it’s also important to notice that the sample is relative small and will not give a totally correct picture. Correlation First we will start with to calculate the Pearson correlation coefficient to measure the linear association between the two variables in hypothesis 1. 1 and 1. 2.After that we will test the significant of the correlation coefficient. The reason we will use the Pearson correlation coefficient instead of Spearman correlation coefficient is that the data are continuous and in ratio scale. sx=x2-nx2n-1 sy=y2-ny2n-1 sxy=i=1n(xi-x)(yi-y)n-1 rxy= sxysxsy t=r1-r2n-2~tn-2 For the calculation see table 1 and 2 in the appendix. The table and the graph 1. 1 show that there is a strong relationship between Co2 emission per capita and GDP (0,7319). In graph 1,2 and the table we see that Co2 and population density have a weak negative corr elation (-0,3118).Further on we will need to use a t-test in order to determine the significant of the correlation coefficient and to find out if we are going to keep or reject our hypothesis 1. 1 and 1. 2. critical value of t: t(n-2,? 2)=t(14,0. 25)=Â ±2,145 (with 95% confidence interval) The t value in the table shows that there is a significant relationship between Co2 emission per capita and GDP since 2,145

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Community South Medical Center Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Community South Medical Center - Essay Example Currently, the issues confronting the Community South Medical Center are shortage of clinical staff, non-interfacing information technology, antiquated facilities and infrastructure, decline in T.J.C. compliance, and a shift in financial mix. These issues correlate either directly or indirectly with the need we have identified. The shortage of staffs is what makes the organization to improve its technology so that it can improve the efficiency of the existing staffs. Non-interfacing information technology and antiquated facilities and infrastructure are what make addressing of this need to be more difficult. Decline in T.J.C compliance is because of failure of the organization to change according to the changes experience in the medical sector. Advancement in technology is one of the most recent changes in this sector in which the organization has not been able to comply fully. Shift in financial mix is what makes the organization to have a challenge of financing programs to address the identified need. Strategic mission and plan have not been revised in the past three years. This might be the reason why the organization has not been able to advance its information technology in the past three years. Therefore, this is the most appropriate time for revising the strategic mission and plan. If this is done, then the process of addressing issues confronting Community South Medical Center will be much easier. The CEO should address these issues now since the magnitude is likely to increase if the issues are left for another year before they are solved

Friday, September 27, 2019

Write a critique on Jib Fowles article, Advertising's Fifteen Basic Essay

Write a critique on Jib Fowles article, Advertising's Fifteen Basic Appeals - Essay Example gh his essay â€Å"Advertisings Fifteen Basic Appeals† has given the information about the emotional appeals that advertisers use to make the consumer buy the products, and hence making us consumers smart enough not to become a prey to their gimmicks. His effort is to make us aware about the visual gimmicks that are being used to make us believe in certain things that are not true. Fowles has done a great job by giving us examples of different advertisements and talking about the different emotional and subconscious drives they are trying to appeal to. The essay is sort of good as far as information goes, however, I personally think that it has missed the essence by not mentioning the word ‘mental association’ and by downplaying the importance of sex in the advertisements. Let us understand one thing, right from the advertisements of the bikes, shaving blades, medicines, cosmetics and laptops, sex plays a huge part. Maybe not directly, but certainly indirectly. If a medicine commercial says that it keeps you young, it certainly gives you an idea of biological pleasures of remaining young and sex is one of the pleasures. The Pepsi commercial can make a person to buy a cold drink not because he likes the cold drink but by ‘arousing’ him and mentally associating him with Michael Jackson [2] . The Honda commercial, in flat one minute thirty seconds, pumps up the adrenaline and in the end makes you believe that owning a Honda is to experience the power of dreams [3] . Through the power of music, speed, victory and success, this commercial takes you to the peak of your feelings and arouses you to believe in the story. No matter what product is being advertised, sex plays a major

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Criminal Justice Organizations- Assignment 1 Essay

Criminal Justice Organizations- Assignment 1 - Essay Example As noted in chapter 1 of Stojkovic, Kalinich and Klofas’s book police departments are complex public entities. If the county sheriff’s department served me, this would be easier because it is cheaper. It is expensive to starting a police department because it requires a person to have the means to get special vehicles and equipment, garage space and a big office. Stojkovic, Kalinich and Klofas, (2014) assert that criminal justice administrators have to deal with so many obligations even when the laws are difficult to work with for the administrator. Even if the community is small, it becomes hard to provide full-time coverage when there are very few officers. One of the advantages of having a large department over the small department is that there are more officers in large departments since most get a higher pay than those in small departments. Well paid officers depict a motivated workforce who serve the community better and are more committed to their work (Stojkovic, Kalinich & Klofas, 2014). Another merit is that a large department has many officers from different communities; the officers are also from different ethnic backgrounds. Having many officers from different ethnicities makes it easier to curb criminal gangs in many areas since, criminals tends to listen to officers they can relate to through languages, cultures or races. Small departments have high rates of turnover, fewer promotions and new recruits tend to complain that it takes too much time before they learn new things in the

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Editing Strategies Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Editing Strategies - Assignment Example It might be helpful to highlight the transition words and phrases as well to see if the right structures are used to introduce new ideas. Another key point to consider in the essay is its style and form. At this point, the best technique is to read the paper aloud. Reading aloud can help the author to notice the words or phrases that do not fit the context of the paper. As a rule, such vocabulary units include bookish or formal words, colloquialisms, terms used without sufficient explanation. Having pinpointed those words, the writer should consult the dictionary or thesaurus to find a suitable synonym or explain the terms used in the paper. What is more, highlighting or underlining key words in every paragraph can help avoid redundancy and wordiness. Finally, the paper should be checked for spelling, punctuation and grammar errors. Then, it is useful to read a paper again aloud slowly, making logical stress on the topic words and sentences, and then quickly. Reading aloud quickly ca n emulate the readers’ perception. Sometimes the structure of the sentences used by the writer is very complicated and the readers would have to go back to particular areas of the text to get the idea. If the writer finds it hard to find the ideas that should be stressed in the sentences or paragraphs while reading aloud quickly, it means that such sentences would be confusing for the readers. In this case, it is better to opt for restructuring the complex sentences. At the end of this stage, the essay can be submitted.

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

The Ku Klux Klan in the Reconstruction Era Research Paper

The Ku Klux Klan in the Reconstruction Era - Research Paper Example Members of the Ku Klux Klan waged underground campaigns of intimidation and violence against white and black Republican leaders and, despite the Congress’s legislation that aimed to curb Klan terrorism, the KKK organization carried out its primary goal of establishing white supremacy by ensuring Democratic victories in state legislatures particularly in the southern states around 1870’s. The Ku Klux Klan has persisted over the decades, sometimes declining in influence, only to re-emerge later, renewed and powerful than before, thereby leading to the different chapters of the organization that have no connection with one another; this paper provides a detailed account of the Ku Klux Klan particularly in the reconstruction era. The reconstruction era The Reconstruction era in the US refers to the period 1865 to 1877, following the American Civil War, during which many efforts towards addressing the inequalities of slavery together with its socio-economic and political leg acy (Ramold 164). Conventionally, the reconstruction period is a time when vindictive radical republicans imposed black supremacy upon the defeated Confederacy, though, the late 2oth century reconstruction period is an experimental moment for interracial democracy. ... ttance into the Union; the laws and constitutional amendments that laid the foundation for the most radical phase of the reconstruction era came in place from 1866 to 1871, granting freedmen equal rights under the constitution. Following these reconstruction amendments, blacks were voting and taking political office; a politically mobilized black community coupled with their white allies brought the Republican Party to power, with a redefinition of government responsibilities. The Ku Klux Klan in the reconstruction era had one primary objective, which was to trounce the Republican attempts to establish equal political and economic rights for the blacks through intimidation and violence that was directed to both white and black Republican legislatures. The Ku Klux Klan fired violence was so pervasive that Congress had to pass the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, granting authorization for military protection of the blacks against the Klan violence and terrorism. The reconstruction era was a significant mark in the history of civil rights movements in the US (Wiesenberger 951), though, most historians remain highly critical of this period’s failure to curb white supremacy effectively. The Ku Klux Klan then The Ku Klux Klan was a construct of the former Confederate soldiers and it was very active in the period following the Civil War, lasting throughout the reconstruction era; the group was largely comprised of Democratic ex-Confederate veterans, poor white farmers, as well as, white southerners, who were sympathetic to the declining white supremacy. The Ku Klux Klan of the reconstruction era was a highly organized entity that spread fear and violence systematically; the Ku Klux Klan system was largely a militant politico in nature, and it was meant to influence power

Monday, September 23, 2019

Military Operations Based on Climate Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Military Operations Based on Climate - Essay Example fferent climatic changes such as high and low temperatures, drought and floods, high and damaging winds, and heavy or blowing snow have significant impacts on military operations. These may lead to increased risk to life and safety, injury, and a degrading effect on mission performance. The effects of snow are felt across a range of tasks from intelligence gathering by sensors to mobility of vehicles and personnel. At the tactical level, the climate and its extremes affect soldier and unit issues such as doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leaders, personnel, and facilities. Proper training and doctrine have At the operational level, climate and extreme weather have an effect on the design and organization of successful campaigns, theater operations, and battles. When the campaigns are launched in the environments of tropical storms, monsoon season, or extreme desert heat these are clearly affected by the expected climate. Extreme weather events can cause delays and disruptions in plans for mobility, lines of communication, point of embarkation, logistics and support. At the strategic level, climate and extreme weather affect the national and international resources. The requirements for developing new aircraft, ground vehicles and ships are also affected by the range of extreme weather conditions. The operating and maintenance costs that are tied to both climate and the frequency of extreme weather, such as heating and cooling costs, damage by tropical storms and periodic floods. There have been many examples in the past when military attack has been affected by the extreme climatic conditions. During World War II the bad weather in Europe was the worst enemy of the air operation. Bad weather is the enemy of the side that seeks to launch projects requiring good weather, or of the side possessing great assets, such as strong air forces, which depend upon good weather for effective

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Stereotypes in the Media Essay Example for Free

Stereotypes in the Media Essay Over the past couple of decades the usage of offensive stereotypes have played a big role in popular films, TV shows, music videos, and comedy routines today. In fact one can only argue that these offensive stereotypes have increased considerably and will only continue to grow. There are many reasons as to why these stereotypes have only increased and have led to the creators of these films making millions and millions of dollars. The main reason behind this is making fun of race, color, poverty, and other cultures and using straightforward offensive words to do so is humorous to a large part of the US population. Although most of us would feel insulted if these offensive racial stereotypes were directed toward us. The purpose of comedy routines/films was to bring laughter for the media today, which was not the case decades ago. The reason why the media displayed much discrimination and stereotypes in the films was to portray minorities as dangerous, uneducated and unsuccessful. Though now the media has showed much improvement in how they portray minorities, there are many films showing Blacks/Hispanics being the main character and successful such as Will Smith has played the heroic and professional character in many films such as Independence Day, Men in Black, Bad Boys etc. This has helped pave the way for Black’s reputation on the big screen and real life. Antonio Banderas is another actor who has been very successful in his career and received awards and nominations for his roles in movies where he has played famous Latin artists. This is another positive way for minorities to be looked as equal to Whites in the media and not just be portrayed as the stereotypical characters. The media that helped make these diverse programs so successful for many years; the focus is on the entertainment rather than just the diversity and stereotypical views of minority characters. This has changed the mindset of many who thought that minorities were only to be displayed at delinquents on television. I believe Black and Hispanics characters will continue to grow on TV and the big screen. On the comedic perspective, perhaps people will be able to see past all the stereotypical and racial jokes because the media has gotten passed it. The film â€Å"Ethic Notions† was one of the first films that the media discriminated against black Americans from the early 1900s to the present. It showed the appalling ideas and thoughts that whites presented through the media about black people in America. As a result, blacks were depicted in the media as frightening savages. A Broadway play was introduced in which black males tried to attack young white virgins. Even black children were depicted as unruly savages. Whites created degrading nursery rhymes in which the children played violent games and accidentally killed each other. Such images were put forth to suggest that blacks needed to be controlled and that America should return to the good old times with slavery. 20th century the images and the depiction of black Americans didnt change at all. The only difference now is the hate is now on film. Blacks began to enter theater and they used it as a step in the right direction to get out of the south and start a new life with opportunities. Through the 1940s the blackface became discarded but its image left its mark on society. Soon cartoons became the voice for racism. This way when any violence or mistreatment were occurring it would be entertaining and humorous. The cartoons had the power to influence young minds to see stereotypes as being entertaining by making references to black. Movies and crime shows have often show Black and Hispanic males as the offender, running from the police, being disrespectful or involved in hostile situations. The problem is not that they show this behavior but they show it constantly, over and over again, overwhelmingly portraying negative images, and therefore, racial stereotypes of Black and Hispanic males. This, in turn, perpetuates racial stereotypes. Showing these images repeatedly creates a racial stereotype in the minds of those watching. Pretty soon the viewer believes all Black and Hispanic males act a certain way. Movies, in particular the ones about gang violence or living in urban areas, focus on black males committing crimes, running from the police, and being hostile or angry. A movie called Menace to Society, which was produced by Black men, was a complete disservice and totally negative portrayal of black men. These same producers could have produced a movie showing black men in a positive light, instead of getting caught up the desired â€Å"street life† and perpetuating the myth that there is something good and respectable about being a thug and involved in criminal activity. Other movies like Colors portrayed black men as animals, showing no emotion and knowing nothing more then to engage in violent, criminal behavior, a racial stereotype. They could be used to raise awareness for the following reasons: fight against the belief of these stereotypes, to show how hurtful these stereotypes can be, and the fact that they exist today and are causing harm one way or another. On the other hand in most music video and comedy routines they are used to bring laughter, to show that offensive stereotypes sell, and lastly to show that we should not be bothered by these stereotypes because it is only those who are ignorant and negative that use these stereotypes to cause harm. The first one is because humor keeps society entertained and shows individuals to not take the issue so serious, and humor breaks tension between different races to not make feel people inferior to others. The second one shows that inter-racial skits in movies/shows do well in box office/television. For example a hit show out now is Modern Family, they have a character played by Sofia Verger, who plays a Colombian woman and is married to a White man played by Ed O’Neil who is a remarried man alongside with her son from her previously marriage back in Colombia. This show demonstrated the life of an inter-racial marriage and their own comedic ways whether it be Sofia yelling at Ed and he does not understand a word she is saying because of her accent or Sofia dragging Ed to a Spanish fiesta also known as a Spanish formal party. This is a very popular show that has received high ratings and does well for the ABC network. The last one is to show we are all in this country for the same opportunities and there are many celebrities from different races who have done well for themselves. Ultimately it is up to us whether we blame the media for reinforcing these stereotypes or we thank them for bringing this to our attention through comedy or documentaries and it does not matter who is producing the content but how we are influenced by it in a positive way. Another hit show mentioned by S. Robert Lichter and Daniel R. Amundson, was I Love Lucy, with the character of Cuban band leader Ricky Ricardo played by Desi Arnaz and his wife played by Lucille Ball. This show was based on Lucy’s schemes and adventures going wrong with a touch of Ricky’s comedic way and displays of â€Å"Latin† temper. I Love Lucy was the most-watched show in the United States in four of its six seasons. Even though this was not the break-through for Hispanic characters on television it had high ratings and Ricky’s character was not displayed as a villain, criminal, or threat to society simply as an ordinary man trying to make a living as an up and coming Cuban singer in New York. Lichter and Amundson mentioned that this and other show shows with Spanish characters such as Chico and The Man did not explore the Latin culture or Hispanic contributions to American history, ethnic comedies became the hottest new TV trend in the 1970s. It is not surprising that Latinos were depicted in stereotypic negative ways by the mass media when they are also denied access to positions of employment where they might help to produce more realistic and humanistic portrayals of themselves. When the media refers to or are revolved around offensive racial stereotypes there will always be an argument as to whether the film should reinforce or subvert the stereotypes. It would be nice to think that we can all be influenced from childhood to not judge or take offense from stereotypes that have been made by the media but rather laugh it off and not take insult from it. Our nation abides by one of the most important amendments, which is freedom of speech that is protected by the First Amendment to the United States of America and by many state constitutions, state and federal laws. Judgment of the government and advocacy of unknown ideas that people may find offensive or against public policy, such as racism, sexism, and other hate speech are generally permitted in the media. There are many organizations that support the first amendment, one being The Creative Coalition, which was formed for the charitable and educational purposes of bringing together artists and entertainers to learn about pressing issues so they can better teach and influence the community and our nation. Their programs focus on their special services to its members to help prepare them for public roles as advocates and spokespeople for The Creative Coalition program. The Coalition believes informed advocacy is the way to be an effective advocacy, and encourages the continuing education of its members as they exercise their rights as citizens in public settings I must admit it does not help when the media focus on crime, drug use, gang violence, and other forms of anti-social behavior among African-Americans, it presents a misconception of all African-Americans. When a Black actor is chosen to play the villain in a violent movie, this plays into the hands of those who believe the stereotypes. The consequence of this; was that it brainwashed and influenced society to have their set perspective on Blacks/Hispanics on who they were in America. This was unfair and unreasonable for minorities; this left many to think whether it was safe to be around minorities. For example in the documentary â€Å"Ethnic Notions† it takes you back in time when Blacks were used as slaves, and why the evolution of racial stereotypes started in America. The media can have control of this stereotype that has grown into the minds of White American if they continue to use a diversity of actors/comedians and movies based on different cultural experiences from each individual. With the continuation of using a diversity of backgrounds in storylines of movies and educating our children to not fall into the racial stereotype beliefs, we can decrease this misconception portrayed in our media today. For example like Justin Lewis and Sut Jhally used The Cosby Show, as a form to reconstruct race and role of social class should be looked at in television. As Bill Cosby was a physical education teacher, which help pave the way for African Americans as he represented that his race can also become part of the middle class. The episodes brought some humor, but the show concentrated on bringing out intelligent character studies and real-life situations. The Cosby show was created to change the ways African Americans were portrayed on television and was the turning point for racial tolerance for white viewers that Blacks have become ordinary and could be successful professionals. The Cosby Show had much success with high ratings on television from 1984-1990. This show was a proof that the media did not need stereotypes to be funny it actually challenged stereotype. In the media today Hispanic characters were less likely to play the villain than they were in the 1992 network prime time schedules. On a positive note, according to Lichter and Amundson, the drop in criminal portrayals is down 63 percent, which is better than it was before 16 percent. For new reality series some of the highest changes were seen in shows such as COPS an America’s Most Wanted in 1994-1995 the crime rate for both Hispanics and Blacks lowered down from 45-16percent for Latinos and from 50-20 percents for Black criminals. This is a huge improvement for society and minorities. In conclusion, from the information provided above the media has came a long way from representing minorities on the big screen/TV as the typical stereotype such as the villain, criminal, or from the lower class. The media did help characterize minorities into a negative character on television but has also paved the way for much success for the minority celebrities in the media. Therefore we can sit and take offense on racial jokes or stereotypical characters but it should not be instilled in us to judge or take offense on this. The media has actors such as Ricky Ricardo and Bill Cosby who have shown much success in their careers; also two actors from different races such as Antonio Banderas to Morgan Freeman have shown success today. These actors today have been portrayed, as the heroic and villain character in movies but this should not give a reason to stereotype their race. As much as these stereotypical materials are used in the media, it is only used to entertain audiences and to continue to bring back their targeted audiences. The same also goes for comedians with their racial jokes, it is simply used to attract their audiences and keep them entertained through laughter, that why we have seen comedians such as Eddie Murphy, Dane Cook and George Lopez mocking not only those from their own race but from other races, because they know this will sell and bring back their audiences. Society has come a long way from setting stereotypes and making judgment on how minorities are portrayed in the media by the changes made in the media and the success it has brought to TV as well as to prove on reality shows. Bibliography 1. Freedom of speech that is protected by the First Amendment to the United States of America and by many state constitutions, state and federal laws ( First Amendment wikipedia 2010 par. 1) 2. Gallager, Charles A. (2008) Rethinking the Color Line: Television and the Politics of Representation, Distorted Reality: Hispanic Characters in TV Entertainment 302-320 3. Riggs, Marlon (1986) Ethnic Notions.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Foreign Policy Essay Example for Free

Foreign Policy Essay This paper seeks to analyze and discuss American Foreign Policy in relation to globalization. This paper will include a review of the history behind the issue being debated and its relevance to American foreign policy and will be followed by a summary of the arguments in favor of the American foreign policy and the last will attempt to make on personal opinion or conclusion on the issues discussed. 2. Analysis and Discussion 2. 1. Review of History on American Policy and Globalization It may be stated that the primary historical process that has affected international relation in the recent past is globalization. Globalization is not a new development; it has been progressing for most of human history Globalization is the integration of human activity across geographic space. This covers many areas of human activity including, social and cultural contact, environment, and economics. (University of Arizona, 2007), It is a process and not an event as it continues to take place across time. It is also multidirectional and not smooth as it could progress and retreat as may be seen by the fact that some areas are more affected than others. However, it affects all actors in international relations, but with different consequences. Globalization in the modern era, for purposes of simplicity is divided into several categories as follows: economic, social, cultural, military, and environmental (University of Arizona, 2007) As a result foreign policy which a realm in politics affects and is affected by all these areas. It may also be observed that all five areas are driven by technology. As communications, transportation, and production technologies improve it becomes easier to interact across geographic space. This could be illustrated or observed in the industrial revolution spread a new form of production that has made transportation and communication easier via rail and water transport. This also caused the creation of control of particular resources that are vital for military security such as in the case of coal, iron, and others (University of Arizona, 2007). Global integration has accelerated in fits and starts for the past 150 years with the World Bank having focused on economic integration and which has identified three â€Å"waves† of globalization. The first wave covers the period 1854 to 1914 and is characterized by: (a) industrial revolution and colonialism both economically and militarily thus causing the integration of the global economy that came from the integrated colonial systems under European, the US and Japanese domination and (b) economically integrated world as felt today in terms of capital transfer and movement of persons. University of Arizona, 2007) The period between 1914 to 1945 may be considered an interregnum due to a few world wars and a depression. It must be stated however that the IMF was born on December 27, 1945 to address the 1930’s depression. The IMF was later found to assume more rules in globalization waves after World War II. The second wave therefore is from 1945 – 1973, where the following are observed: (a) economic integration resumes, but under divided conditions; (b) integration of Soviet bloc in a command economy system and of US bloc under the Bretton Woods System; and (c) integration of the Western bloc causing it to become generally market-driven (University of Arizona, 2007). The third wave of globalization is the post 1973 era ,where the following events could be observed: (a) the East-West division which started strongly and only to fade in the mid 1980’s and to fall apart by the 1990’s; (b) material and big changes in production and communications technology and economic integration. The shift towards more global integration may be seen with more states opting to adopt the Western Institutions which may be explained as follows: The mid 1980’s saw the tide turning to the US in the Cold War; and (b) more freedom was made possible as the US block has become very free. This particular wave is characterized also by the emergence of market-driven integration, hence one could see the integration of the global economy spreading further to a much larger part of the world, and thus accelerated after the Cold War ends (University of Arizona, 2007). It is from this wave that the World Trade Organization came into existence on the basis of the conduct of its negations through the so called rounds as the Uruguay Round has commenced in September 1986 and has continued until April 1994. WTO’s current works basically started from these negation and there were subsequent ones and have until today. 2. 2 Summary of arguments in favor of globalization Democracy presupposes free enterprise and free enterprise could only be back bone of globalization hence for US to support globalization it must support democracy not only in its country but also all over the world. Given this theoretical frame, it is not hard to appreciate the consistency of the US in supporting democracy all over the world. Even today many will readily see how the US states are showing its support for democratic nations since this best support US national interests. It could therefore be argued that for the US, democracy is the one national interest that will help to secure all the others. Democratically governed nations would have their governments decided by the right thinking citizens as against the whims and caprices of dictator and this would likely â€Å"secure the peace, deter aggression, expand open markets, promote economic development, protect American citizens, combat international terrorism and crime, uphold human and worker rights, avoid humanitarian crises and refugee flows, improve the global environment, and protect human health. (Washington Post, 2006) . The US support for democracy could be appreciated from the words of Former President Bill Clinton saying: Ultimately, the best strategy to ensure our security and to build a durable peace is to support the advance of democracy elsewhere. Democracies dont attack each other. (Clinton, 1994) It is believed by many that democracy is also good for business since nations that embrace political reforms using democratic principles are more likely to pursue economic reforms that improve the productivity of businesses. This could be evidenced by the fact since the mid-1980s, an increase in levels of foreign direct investment going to emerging market democracies relative to countries that have not undertaken political reforms has been recorded (Childs, 2007). The United States has maintained by its declaration about its support for democracy and human rights through several means although its commitment to human rights is doubted and questioned by human rights organizations (Satter, 2007). As regards to those who oppose globalization, it may be asked: â€Å"If globalization is not promoted or supported, what could be the possible alternative? Could countries isolate themselves? † One could see what happened with North Korea. At the guise to trying to show to the whole world that it cannot be made to submit to stop its nuclear program, it recently made a declaration for its need of help such as oil from the other countries and so the US was willing to lend a hand. The WTO is one of the organizations that would help promote globalization. It has the stated goal of improving the welfare of the peoples of its member countries, in bringing down trade barriers as well as promoting trade negotiations as it main mission is has to do with ensuring smooth and predictable trade flows This main mission is further specified in certain core functions serving and safeguarding five fundamental principles, which are the foundation of the multilateral trading system (Lowenthal, Abraham ,1991), which include (a) overseeing the execution, administration and operation of the covered agreements; (b) providing a forum for negotiations and for settling disputes. (c) reviewing the national trade policies, and to ensure the coherence and transparency of trade policies through surveillance in global economic policy-making (World Economic Outlook, 1994). WTO assists developing, least-developed and low-income countries in transition to adjust to WTO rules and is a center of economic research and analysis and cooperates closely with the IMF and the World Bank under the principles of the trading system which may be considered to promote globalization. Since the WTO also establishes a framework for trade policies but not to define or specify outcomes, it must be concerned with setting the rules of the trade policy games and part of these principles include: First is nondiscrimination which includes two major components the most favored nation (MFN) rule, and the national treatment policy. Although these components are part of the main WTO rules on goods, services, and intellectual property, their precise scope and nature still manifest variability on different e areas. The MFN rule necessitates a WTO member to apply the same conditions on all trade with other WTO members. When one grants someone a special favor to someone and the said country must have to do the same for all other WTO members, too. National treatment on the other hand requires that imported and locally-produced goods must be treated equally, which must start after the foreign goods have entered the market at the minimum (Wold, 1996). Another principle is reciprocity which reflects both a desire to limit the scope of free-riding that may arise because of the MFN rule, and a desire to obtain better access to foreign markets. This must be done as requirement in terms of reciprocal concessions in order to ensure that the gain from doing so (from multilateral liberalization is better r than the gain available from unilateral liberalization; intend to ensure that such gains will materialize. The person objecting to the benefits of globalization may find it hard to contradict the existence and application of these principles and alternatives available could not be as good as asserted. Another challenging question that may be posed against the opponents of globalization is this: â€Å"How the problem of the environment could be solved with out a world effort that could be best helped by globalization? † It may be argued that globalization promotes not only economic interactions but also social and environmental ones. Global warming is never a national problem alone. It has become a global problem that requires global attention (Gardiner, 2004). With countries forming their alliances and organizations they also make rules to protect the environment. An isolationist has therefore no place in this globe. 3. Conclusion Globalization is a phenomenon. It was not made by America. Rather it has been a natural phenomenon that the expansion of knowledge has brought to mankind. Even early philosophers may have seen it birth long time ago and it still continuing. It could be reduced into simple proposition â€Å"no man is an island†. By the same analogy it is hard to see a country isolating itself from other countries. This could be seen in the history of mankind it self. Even those countries which were at war are now trading partners because there are more tendencies to help each other and live than killing its other. For the US therefore to go against globalization in its foreign policy would be the most inconsistent and absurd thing to happen since allied with globalization are its other interest which must also be attained.

Friday, September 20, 2019

The Career Of Ray Charles Music Essay

The Career Of Ray Charles Music Essay Ray Charles has been described by many of his contemporaries, Such as Frank Sinatra, who said, Ray Charles is the only genius in the business. I am going to discuss to what extent Ray Charles contributed to popular music. Ray grew up alongside both gospel and country music and was heavily influenced by these two genres. I am going to discuss how through his integration of gospel and rhythm and blues in releases such as I Got a Woman helped Ray create his own musical identity but ultimately helped to create a whole new musical style Soul. Finally I will discuss how his fusion of white country music through Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music helped to break barriers and introduced country music to a mainstream audience. Nat King Cole and pianist-singer Charles Brown, much to similar style of Cole had a great effect on Ray Charles. Ray closely imitated these artists as a teenager and during his time with Swing Time Records, headed by Jack Lauderdale. However, for Ray too be more successful he would have develop his own musical identity. During the 1950s Ray Charles would begin to blend RB and secularise gospel styles, which would ultimately lead to birth of Soul. He would begin to incorporate the chord changes, song structures, call and response techniques, and vocal screams of gospel. The influence gospel had on Ray is present from an early age. Ray grew alongside church music and would listen to Wings Over Jordan and the Golden Gate Quartet. During his time at school he would regularly sing in a choir and also organise his own informal singing group, which would sing rhythmic gospel music. In 1953 Whilst recording for singer Tommy Ridgeley at the JM Studio, New Orleans, Ray would play a couple of tunes after the session. He performed Feeling Sad funeral march and Guitar Slims and Rays I Wonder Who. His performance is characteristically blues, as ray weeps his way through the lyrics as horns drone sombre chords. However as Micheal Lydon states that after re-listening, Ray opens his voice in baby steps, exploring how to shade his vocal textures. This recording shows that Ray would need to push himself further with his emotional range. Around his birthday after Ray begins to widen his emotional range his friends in New Orleans would notice a change he began to sound like a gospel singer. Trumpeter Wallace Davenport recalls The first time I heard him I thought he was Charles Brown, then he started getting into that church thing. As Ray began to incorporate gospel into his music he would listen to gospel radio and read the Braille bible he carried. Renald Richard explained how Ray loves the blues singers like Joe Turner, but most of all he loved gospel singersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦He used to talk about Archie Browne, the lead singer with the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, how much he liked them. He would then begin to sound like them by turning and playing around with his notes, which would be much to the enjoyment of the audience. Later on in December 1953 whilst with Atlantic Records, Armet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler would listen to four arrangements Ray had made on radio station, WDSU. In this you can hear three distinct elements: Jazz, Deep Blues and fervid Gospel, coming together in an early stage, not a sound which is fully refined but one that sounds like Ray Charles. If there was a single turning point in the career of Ray Charles, it probably occurred on November the 18th 1954 at a radio station in Atlanta. It was here Ray and his recently formed band would record I Got a Woman. This was his first hit Ray had with a gospel influence. In October 1954, Ray was touring with his first band toward Indianna. Whilst searching the radio stations he would stop when he found a gospel station. Renald Richard remembered vividly a gospel tune that came on with a good groove and started singing. Ray sang something like I got a woman and I answered yeh she lives cross town then shes good to me. Renald then wrote the song for the next morning to the satisfaction of Ray. I Got a Woman is an archetypal 16 bar secularisation of My Jesus is all the World to me. Others have seen it as a straight rewrite of I Got a Saviour. The songs Ray had performed before like The Suns Gonna Shine had the hortatory tones of a preacher in the pulpit. I Got a Woman was a preacher a t a picnic. Light heartened gospel spiritual joy into sexual delight. It would lift the listener with each of its 4 bar chord change, confirming his optimistic lyrics. Just as the church would joyfully celebrate the glory of God. I got a woman was a record for every happy couple in America, black, white and in-between. The band first performed I Got a Woman for Ahmet and Jerry as they arrived at the Peacock club in Atlanta. Ahmet described how the power and precision had stunned Jerry. Jerry stated that something fantastic had happened, Ray had hatched, ready for fame. Through blending gospel with blues, Ray had the first time fused two strict idioms. In the African-American community the blues and gospel are both part of their culture. However a blues singer didnt sing gospel and a gospel singer didnt sing the blue. It was taboo. Many people believed that it was sacrilegious to mix blues with spirituals says Big Bill Broonzy and American blues singer. However, it quickly rose to the top of the charts in early 1955, the success of I got a woman being down to good attention from both white and black markets. Before, Ray had recorded songs like Mess Around by Ahmet Ertegà ¼n, which were big in the RB charts but not the white charts. A year after its first recording, Elvis Presley would confirm the impression it made by his own cover of I Got a Woman at RCA. In Jan 1955 Billboard quotes as I Got a Woman as one of the most infectious blues sides to come out since the summer. At the following recording session for Atlantic in Miami. Rays defining sound would be clearly and precisely heard. Ray recorded four charts, two straight blues and two gospel charts. The gospel songs This Little Girl of Mine and A Fool For You would reiterate Rays push of his gospel influence. This Little Girl of Mine is an up tempo shouter with a rhythmic Latin feel based on the gospel song This Little Light of Mine. A Fool For You is a 6/8 double time waltz with Rays sanctified singing but without the heavenly lyrics, accompanied by piano gospel licks and preaching horns. Although, like I Got a Woman these two gospel and RB charts was seen as sacrilegious, the mix Ray had created appealed to so many audiences across the nation, and introduced a new music that would have a lasting effect, which would be later labelled as Soul music. As the 1950s progressed vocal groups following Ray Charles, began to add a sense of urgency and meaning- Soul, to their style of music resulting in the groups of Motown and others, including groups like the Chicago based family band called the Staple Singers who had hit songs which were centred around Gospel and RB. Their success followed on into the 1970s. In the late 1950s into the 1960s girl groups joined male Doo-Wop and RR groups, which resulted in groups like The Shirelles, Marveletess and The Supremes. Their material was largely written by the Brill Building writers and received hit records but never usually lasted. As Ray Charles added the gospel influence to his music, such as the call and response backing vocal groups like the Raylettes so too did Aretha Franklin. She reinfused her female backing groups with a gospel influence, which are present in her mid 1960s Atlantic recordings. Other artists like James Brown, who started his career as a singer with the Gospel Starlighters, following the style of Reverends Julius Cheeks and Claude Jeter added RB to their style. The vocal urgency and syncopated dance rhythms of gospel along with top notch RB house bands came together most clearly in the music of James Brown. Combining a Little Richard- style act with other theatrics from Joe Tex and a pleading version of Ray Charles gospel/soul. He then recorded his hit Please, Please, Please. In 1959 Ray released Whatd I Say, a song that became a top ten pop hit and would be one of his last singles with Atlantic before his move to ABC. There are clear gospel influences combined with the sexual innuendo in the song made it not only widely popular but very controversial to both white and black audiences. In the middle of the song. Charles indicated that The Raelettes should repeat what he was doing, and the song transformed into a call and response between Charles, The Raelettes, and the horn section in the orchestra as they called out to each other in ecstatic shouts and moans and blasts from the horns. This improvised interchange between himself and the Raylettes and between the band and audience is much like that of a Preacher and his congregation. Ray also uses gospel dialouge with unuh-uhnnh over charles moans and cries. He also uses phrases like shake that thing and I feel alright, and expression for the body instead of the lord. During Rays early life the influence of country and western music is ever present. When Ray Charles was growing up, the south was full of Country or Hillbilly music. Ray explains how there wasnt a single Saturday night that he wouldnt listen to the Grand Ole Opry on the radio. I loved Grandpa Jones and other characters. I could hear what they were doing and appreciate the feeling behind it. Ray would listen to Jimmie Rodgers, Roy Acuff, Hank Snow, Hank Williams and later Eddie Arnold. I listened to them all the time, I certainly dug it and paid it some mind. In 1948 Ray joined a Hillbilly band called the Florida Playboys. It took just one audition to convince the Playboys that Ray could play country music with genuine flavour, and they hired him, no questions asked about race. For seven months he gigged with the band, playing current country hits of the day like Kentucky Waltz and Anytime in white honky-tonks in and around Tampa, learning to yodel and singing, Waiting All for You. Even as black, blind man, Ray was accepted and applauded just like anyone else by the audience. I could play the music right and I could do country music with as much feeling as any other southernerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. I had been hearing it since I was a baby. Long before the birth of his own country music, Charles looked back with pride on his stint with the Playboys.Lydon. In an outtake of a 1950s recording, Ray plays a limpid country lick. The producer chuckles over the studio intercom and says that he didnt know Ray could play Nashville. Ray then replies Man, Didnt you know I gigged with the Florida Playboys His time with the Florida Playboys, though brief would plant a seed in his mind that would rise during the 1960s. After leaving Atlantic Records in 1959, Ray joined ABC and at the end of 1961. He asked Sid Feller to get together 40 country hits from the last twenty years with the idea to record a country album. Sid Feller had not know at the time that Ray liked County and Samuel Clark and Larry Newton the executives at ABC Records were adamantly opposed to the idea that Charles brought to them. The ABC executives said, You cant do no country-western things.Youre gonna lose all your fans! However Feller believed that Ray understood Country music. He describes how Ray loved the simple plaintive lyrics, and he felt that giving the music a lush treatment would make it different Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music is a dozen tunes that runs the whole scope of Nashville from the traditional Careless Love to the rock and roll Bye Bye Love and from Hank Williams to the B-side fail of I Cant Stop Loving You. The tracks alternate from big band to string and voice. However regardless of all the jazz and symphonic effects present, the heart of every arrangement is a simple strummed guitar. Rays bluesy melismas wring every tear out of the country weepers, all the poetry out of their monosyllabic lyrics. I Cant Stop Loving You has a folk song strength, major scale melody, marching up and down over 3 chords and operatic grandeur created by his baritone voice and orchestra. He also uses his trademark letting the chorus lead the lyric with his voice following. Ray sings County in his own way, expanding the country sounds without distorting its colour. Rays own blend obscures the fact that Modern Sounds was his boldest album, which breaks many barriers. Invading white country music in the 1960s was something black pop-jazz singers didnt do. You had to be Country in 1962. After Modern Sounds it became a major player in Rays repertoire and on popular music. His unique blend of Country, Pop, Jazz and RB introduced country music to people of the city and showed to record companies and producers how to arrange their music to reach a much wider audience. Ray Charles played a pivotal role in shaping the course of a seemingly very different genre of popular music. In the words of his good friend and sometimes collaborator, Willie Nelson, speaking before Charles death in 2004, Ray Charles the RB legend did more for country music than any other living human being. The landmark album that earned Ray Charles that praise was Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, which held at number 1 for 14 weeks and stayed in the charts for 2 years. His single release I Cant Stop Loving You ruled at number 1 on RB and Easy Listening charts for weeks in the summer of 1962 dipping to 3rd in July and beginning to fall in august. As Charles told Rolling Stone magazine a decad e later, But Charles recognized the quality of songs like I Cant Stop Loving You by Don Gibson and You Dont Know Me, by Eddy Arnold and Cindy Walker, and the fact that his version of both of those country songs landed in the Top 5 on both the pop and RB charts was vindication of Charless long-held belief that Theres only two kinds of music as far as Im concerned: good and bad. Following the massive commercial success and notice of Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, country music experienced an immediate increase in popularity. According to music writer Daniel Cooper, the album raised the genres profile, specifically Nashville sound, of which Charles had covered. Benefiting from this were songwriters, music publishers and country singers who covered the subgenres material. As noted by Cooper, by the end of 1962, Nashville country publishers were being held as the hottest source of music material in the record business these days. Ray Charless success with the stylistic fusion of country and soul on Modern Sounds later lead to country soul efforts from performers, such as Candi Staton and Solomon Burke who were both greatly influenced by Charless Modern Sounds recordings. Many country music artists, such as Willie Nelson and Buck Owens, have cited Charless take on country music and Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music as their major influences. In an interview for Country Music Television, Nelson said of Modern Soundss influence that the album did more for country music than any one artist has ever done. Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music has also been perceived by many critics and writers as a landmark album in American music, as the record was the first to blend the two racially distinct genres of country and soul. Ray Charles all-embracing attitude toward music was one that he developed during his childhood and early career. Ray was immersed in the sounds of jazz, blues, gospel and country in his youth, playing in RB bands and a Country Hillbilly band. Ray Charles pioneered soul music, which had a great effect on popular music. In secularising certain aspects of gospel music with RB, Ray received his first gospel and RB hit I Got a Woman, which received attention from both black and white audiences. Subsequently, further releases like Whatd I Say and the Hallelujah I Lover Her So album attracted a large mainstream audience. His fusion of white country music earned Ray mainstream and crossover success, with his album Modern Sound in Country and Western Music which broke racial stereotypes and exposed country music to city dwellers. It also helped other country artists; particularly them orientated around the Nashville sound, reach a wider audience, raising the genres profile. To him, the bounda ries between those styles of music were made to be crossed, and he made a career out of doing just that having a great effect on popular music.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Not In My Backyard Attitude Interferes with Resolutions Essay -- Argum

Not In My Backyard Attitude Interferes with Resolutions Not In My Backyard (NIMBY) conflicts have many characteristics that make successful resolutions difficult to achieve. A typical NIMBY conflict, such as a proposal for a landfill site in a vacant lot behind a low-income housing district, often carries with it controversial problems of environmental justice, distributional equity, and procedural justice. The public affected by the Locally Unwanted Land Use (LULU) raises questions such as à £why me?à ¤ and à £you're targeting me just because I'm a minority.à ¤ Some people find out they are affected by a LULU after it is approved, and claim that they had no notification about the proposed project. Another type of problem with land use conflict centers on the local groups opposed to the project. These people, or NIMBYs, are generally underfunded, highly stressed, inexperienced in negotiation, and lacking political power. They want to participate meaningfully in the decision-making process about their LULU, but many find it difficult to obtain anything but an adversarial position in the process. Power, status, and wealth are the key attributes to gaining attention and consideration from the broader community. Unfortunately, most public NIMBYs are minorities, live in rural areas, live in the South, or have middle- to lower-class incomes (Morris, 1994). In their defense, though, NIMBYs can make harmful land uses difficult to site by creating gridlock on current standard operating procedures. NIMBY groups may break apart in the middle of the negotiating process, often due to internal power struggles. When this happens, the group tends to lose essential credibility, funding, and support from the greater public, which can become co... ...tor, 1992). Perhaps the LULU risk that the public is hearing from the à £expertsà ¤ is in fact inaccurate. As a future recommendation for NIMBY conflicts, both the public and technical community views should be treated as problematic. Also, there should not be such a stereotypical view of leaders of activist groups as being irrational, over-emotional, or ill informed. Finally, NIMBY activists should see themselves as part of the situation that the project will address, instead of focusing on just the narrow issue of opposing the project. They must see the larger picture and be willing to offer and maybe help implement alternatives to the project. References Freudenburg, W. R. & Pastor, S.K. 1992. NIMBYs and LULUs: Stalking the Syndromes. Journal of Social Issues, 48: 39-61. Morris, J.A. 1994. Not In My Backyard à ¶ The Handbook. San Diego: Silvercat Publications.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

The Role of Teachers in Preventing Child Abuse :: Schools Role in Preventing Child Abuse

There are various strategies used within schools to tackle child abuse. In order to discuss the strategies fully there is a need to define what exactly is meant by child abuse. It is also necessary to be aware of what advice and guidance there is offered through Government documentation and circulars to schools on their role in preventing child abuse. Having put child abuse and the school's role into context, then the strategies used by the school as a whole and by the teacher within the classroom can be discussed. Therefore what exactly is meant by child abuse? There is a tendency to automatically assume that abuse means sexual abuse. The 1986 draft report by the Department of Social Security [DHSS], Child Abuse - Working Together defined child abuse as falling into six categories: physical abuse, physical neglect, failure to thrive, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and potential abuse. The present definition for child abuse according to Department for Education and Skills [DfES] Circular 10/95 has been narrowed down to include only four categories: Ø sexual abuse -physical signs or a substantial behaviour change Ø emotional abuse -excessive dependence or attention seeking Ø physical abuse - regular broken bones, bruises, lacerations and burns Ø physical neglect - inadequate clothing, poor growth, hunger, or apparent deficient nutrition These are the guidelines from which schools work. However, what we as a society perceive as abuse may in other cultures/societies be seen as normal practice. There are many cultures for example where young girls, twelve years of age are taken as brides. Much publicity has been given recently to the plight of Muslim women under the Taliban regime. Females have been treated as property, not as equal citizens and suffered as a consequence. The guideline produced by Liverpool City Council for its schools actually contains within it a policy on female genital mutilation [Liverpool City Council, 2000]. This form of 'abuse seems totally abhorrent to our society, but again is an accepted form of behaviour by other

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

A Can of Bull

A Can of Bull? Impulse Energy Drink Charley’s List of Questions Energy is the capacity to do work 1. Nature of each ingredient on the cans: Xcitrusblast: Amino acid: l-taurine, l-glutamine, Acid: Citric acid, pantothenic acid, hcl Concentrated water-based extraction: adaptogen blend Sugar: sucralose, acesulfame potassium, Vitamin: Niacin, cyanocobalamin Energy: Caffeine Salt: sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, Dye: yellow 5 Redbull: Amino acid: taurine Acid: glucuranolactone, pyridoxine HCL Sugar: sucrose, glucose Vitamin: niacin, D-pantothenol, vitamin B12 Energy: caffeineSalt: sodium citrate, Dye: colors Sobe Adrenaline Rush: Amino acid: taurine, Acid: citric acid, ascorbic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride Sugar: high fructose corn syrup, , Vitamin: monopotassium phosphate, beta-carotine, folic acid, Energy: caffeine, Siberian ginseng, Salt: sodium citrate, Dye: caramel color Impulse: Amino acid: taurine Sugar: sucrose Vitamin: niacinimide, C, B12, Energy: caffeine, Dye:color s 2. Acesulfame Potassium (Sunett) – Arti? cial sweetener to provide taste. Aspartame- Low calorie arti? cial sweetener that provides taste. Ca? eine- Some studies have shown that ca? ine may improve memory and reasoning responses on tests Citric Acid- It is a precursor for the citric acid cycle (Kreb’s Cycle), which is a major pathway in the cell’s production of chemical energy. Cyanocobalamin- Important for growth, cell reproduction, blood formation, and protein and tissue synthesis. Folic Acid- Required for metabolism of carbon compounds, nucleic acids, and amino acids. Fructose – Can be converted into a form for entry into the primary metabolic pathway in which the chemical energy of its bonds is converted into ATP, the primary â€Å"energy† molecule in the body.Glucose – Enters the primary metabolic pathway in which the chemical energy of its bonds is converted into ATP, the primary â€Å"energy† molecule in the body. â€Å" Glu curonolactone- It is a normal human metabolic byproduct formed from glucose. Glucuronolactone is found in connective tissue in animals. Also regulates formation of glycogen. Small amounts shouldn’t be harmful. 1-Glutamine – Aids in muscle building and maintenance. Inositol – Controls cholesterol levels and has potential antioxidant capabilities. Niacin (nicotinic acid) – Derivatives such as NADH are required for metabolism.It is said to aid in the synthesis of amino acids, the subunits of proteins. It has not been directly linked to improving athletic performance. Niacinamide Pantothenic Acid (also known as D-pantothenol) – Precursor of coenzyme A. Helps you use fats and carbohydrates to make molecules used for energy. Potassium sorbate †¢ Chemical formula: C6 – Used to inhibit fungal growth in foods. Pyridoxine HCL – Energy production, e? cient metabolic functioning, protein digestion, as well as maintaining healthy nervous syst em, skin, hair and nails. Sucralose (splenda) – Arti? cial sweetener to provide taste.Sucrose – Can be converted into a form for entry into the primary metabolic pathway in which the chemical energy of its bonds is converted into ATP, the primary â€Å"energy† molecule in the body. 1-Taurine – Improved reaction time, concentration, and memory (not proven); essential amino acid for cats. Water – Essential for physiological processes. 3. Caffeine, Pantothenic Acid, Pyridoxine hcl, Sucrose 4. Cyanocobalamin Post Research Analysis: IMPULSE Sources of Energy Amino Acids Stimulants & Vitamins Other Pyridoxine HCl Sucrose Glucuronolactone Inositol 1-Taurine Caffeine Vitamin B12Vitamin C Niacinamide Artificial flavors Colors Carbonated Water Questions 1. Energy is the ability to do work 2. Water- Essential for physiological processes Sucrose- Can be converted into a form for entry into the primary metabolic pathway in which the chemical energy of its bonds is converted into ATP, the primary â€Å"energy† molecule in the body Taurine- : Improved reaction time, concentration, and memory (not proven); essential amino acid for cats. Glucuronolactone- It is a normal human metabolic byproduct formed from glucose. Glucuronolactone is found in connective tissue in animals.Also regulates formation of glycogen. Small amounts shouldn’t be harmful. Caffeine- Some studies have shown that ca? eine may improve memory and reasoning responses on tests; other studies have shown that ingesting 3-9mg of ca? eine one hour before physical activity improves endurance running and cycling in athletes. No adverse e? ects inhumans have been documented. Inositol- Controls cholesterol levels and has potential antioxidant capabilities Niacinimide- component of the coenzymes NAD and NADP, important in the redox reactions of metabolism pyridoxine HCL- Energy production, e? ient metabolic functioning, protein digestion, as well as maintaining healthy n ervous system, skin, hair and nails. h e B-compound vitamins are probably the single most important set of factors needed for proper maintenance of the nervous system as well as proper functioning of the cell and its energy metabolism vitamin C- : It is a precursor for the citric acid cycle (Kreb’s Cycle), which is a major pathway in the cell’s production of chemical energy vitamin B12- : Important for growth, cell reproduction, blood formation, and protein and tissue synthesis ) Pyridoxine HCl – Energy production; Sucrose, Glucuronolactone, and Inositol – all converted into ATP b) None. 3. Ca? eine is a mild CNS stimulant with a transient e? ect. 4. They help your energy boost for the short while 5. Yes, the analysis does support the claim that Impluse is an energy drink. Pyridoxine HCl, sucrose, glucuronolactone, and inositol are all sources of energy. 6. Yes, the drink could serve different purpose depending on the consumer.For instance, if the consume r is an athlete, he/she could use the drink as a source of energy, to perform better. It helps improve endurance in running, cycling, improve reaction time and concentration and Astor normal everyday people it can speed up metabolism, help control cholesterol, give energy, help maintain healthy nervous system, even improve reasoning skills on tests. If the consumer is a student, however, he/she could use the drink again as a source of energy but perhaps to work better in school, stay up to study, and do homework. . Sugar hyperglycema can occur in high in takes of sugar Caffeine hallucinations and suicide 8. No sugar doesn't cause hyperactive activity. 9. Your body uses sleep as a rebuilding time for muscles. Your muscles use energy most efficiently. If they never have time to recover then they cannot work properly. Therefore your energy can be depleted. However, lack of energy can be a sign of more serious issues such as anemia or thyroid problems. If this is an on going problem you should definitely consult your physician. 0. Yes, the energy drink contains ingredients like caffeine to temporary allow you to be boost your energy along with others and pyridoxine which helps keep a healthy nervous system some vitamins. And also has multiple ingredients to increase metabolism 11. If given the option between a can of Coke or one of the energy drinks, one should choose the energy drink. This is because the energy drink has fairly lower calorie count and less sugar. Also, the energy drinks provide more energy and have certain vitamins.Also, I would rather buy an an energy drink because it would benefit you better than buying a coke that gives no nutrition at all but instead just full of caffeine and sucrose for energy. At least with impulse you get some nutritional benefit out of it. However, energy drink is only good if taken in moderation. Assessment After conducting the assessment on the Impulse energy drink, we’ve concluded that the marketing claim for th is particular drink does prove to be legitimate and is supported by the ingredients of the drink.The drink does, in fact, acquire its energy from nutrients, minerals, and vitamins such as the ones listed on the nutrition facts. The marketing claim does not leave off any ingredients and directly inform the consumers of how each functions and its purpose. However, one thing that the marketing claim does forget to mention is that the drink should only be consumed in moderation because of the harmful effects it could have on the body if consumed in massive amounts.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Earliest Form of Buddhist Education to Be Found In Vietnam

Buddhism entered Vietnam during the beginning of first century CE. By the second century Buddhist visited a central region in Vietnam known as the Luy-Lau centre. This centre is now in the Bac-Ninh province. Luy-Lau was the capital of Vietnam and this is the reason it was an important place for the Buddhists to visit. On their way to china monks stopped at this central region and taught people about Buddhism. Many teachings were translated in this central region such as Mahayana sutras and the Agamas. These were translated into Chinese as Vietnamese culture and religion is influenced a lot by the Chinese culture .Vietnam is influenced by Chinese culture because Vietnam was occupied by Chinese during the 111 BCE and 939 CE . GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF VIETNAM Vietnam has Cambodia and Laos to the west and Chinese colossus, Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Thailand and Burma to the east and south. The eastern most part of Vietnam reaches India. The coastline is almost 2,500 kilometers. This coastli ne spreads from Mong-Cay, which is in the north to Cambodia. In early days Vietnam was the region between India and China which is actually a peninsula. This was formerly known as Funan and Campa.Being so near the two most densely populated countries, Vietnam had a lot of influence from their culture, politic and religion . BUDDHIST INFLUENCE Vietnamese are very religious. They practice quite a number of religions like, Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism etc. Buddhism first came in North Vietnam . It was then known as Giao-Chi. These were Indian or Chinese Buddhists who came here from either land or sea routes and started influencing people. Giao-Chi became the centre of everything by the end of second century as the Indian merchants started doing trade there, and with them they brought monks also.Buddhism was very influential at that time, as we can see that these traders brought monks with them because they were called the â€Å"calmer of the sea† . These monks were priests who later started preaching their religion in Vietnam. It became easier for them, because Giao-Ching was the central place where every traders and foreign travelers, Chinese and Indians met. Moreover the merchants rested here also if they were travelling between India and China. Thus monks and priests had one central place to preach their religion. They started missionary activities and as a result monasteries were built.This was the first time that monasteries were built in Vietnam during the reign of Si-Nhiep. The very first few monasteries were built in a province of North Vietnam which is now known as Ha-Bac. This was formerly known as Luy-Lau, as mentioned in the Introduction that it was the centre of missionary activities . THE FIRST BUDDHISTS IN VIETNAM The earliest form of Buddhist education was found to be given by a Taoist who later became a Buddhist. Before him, it is said, that several missionaries from China came to preach Buddhism . During the rule of Si-Nhiep, two monks named Ma Ha Ky Vuc and Khau Da La came to Vietnam.These were Indian monks. Tu-Dinh from Khmer kingdom requested them to stay there in Vietnam. The second monk however refused and went back where as Ma Ha Ky Vuc stayed. Tu-Dinh was a very religious man himself and used to fast for several days. This he said helped purify his body and soul. These two were the first monks to reach Giao-Chi. After them a Chinese Buddhist preacher named Mau-Bac came to Giao-Chi. During the time when Mau-Bac came to Giao-Chi, China was in serious political chaos. Due to this several monks and scholars came to Vietnam. Giao-Chi was under the rule of Si-Nhiep back then and was considered a safe place.Mau-Bac after coming to Vietnam studied Buddhism from an Indian monk named Ksudra. Ma Ha Ky Vuc, who had come to Vietnam before any of these, with the help of Ksudra and Mau-Bac started promoting Buddhism in Vietnam. These were the first people who started to promote Buddhism and their teaching is the very earl y form of Buddhist study to be found in Vietnam. After Mau-Bac many monks started to propagate Buddhism. Khang Tang Hoi and Cuong Luong Lau also came to Giao-Chi during the third century. Khang Tang Hoi entered a monastery when he was ten and from there started studying and practicing Buddhism.Apart from Buddhism he also studied literature, astronomy and other subjects. He translated many books relating Buddhism into Chinese. Though he was Indian born but is considered as a Vietnamese Buddhist. Cuong Luong Lau like Khang Tang Hoi also translated many Buddhist books in Chinese . The main Buddhist centre was Luy-Lau at that time; it is now known as Ha Bac and is situated in North Vietnam. Phap Van was a famous monastery in Luy-Lau and during the second and third century was famously known as â€Å"the school of doctrine† and â€Å"the lotus school†. In 968 A.D, when King Dinh Tien Hoang came in to power, Buddhism in Vietnam changed. It entered a new era. Buddhism now had a hierarchy of monks and priests and it was now accepted by the court. As Buddhism was now supported by the royal court many changes took place. Buddhists were respected and were asked advice before taking decisions. Buddhists were involved in many political and religious decisions. During this period Buddhism was at its best. It was the most predominant religion. Many kings and emperors after this period were Buddhists. Many laws came into practice in this era, which were influenced by Buddhism.Van Hanh, who is also known as the meditation master is of this era. Any ruler who was not Buddhists was at least the supporter of Buddhism. In 1010 A. D, almost eight monasteries were built in Ha Bac. All other monasteries and Buddhist temples were also repaired. Tripitaka texts, which were in China initially, were brought in Vietnam. Thousands of Buddha statues and paintings were made and set up. Festivals were set up. Many new monasteries such as Sung Kharh monastery and monastery at Mou nt Ba were built. In 1086 A. d Dai Lam monastery was built in Ha Bac.Later in 1118 A. D Thien Phat was built which had almost 1,000 Buddha statues . BUDDHIST STUDIES IN VIETNAM Buddhist studies in Vietnam can be divided in to four eras. 1. From the entrance in Vietnam to the first century 2. From 11th century to 14th century, which was the best era of Buddhist studies 3. After 25th century, which was the time of declination of Buddhism 4. Present Buddhist studies in Vietnam People have different opinions about the exact date on which Buddhism entered Vietnam. It is believed that Buddhism entered Vietnam in first century A.D; some people believe it was the year 189 of the Christian era. Historians say that Meou-Po, who was a Taoist before he became a Buddhist, was the first person to make any Buddhist teaching in Vietnam. Though many missionaries came before him, but they only laid grounds on which it became possible for Meou-Po to enter and teach Buddhism. It was very difficult to t each Buddhism at that time as very little literature was available. Vietnamese had no written script; hence a few translations were made in Chinese. The era between 544 and 602 was an independent era and was helpful in spreading Buddhism.Though there was some progress, in this era but the real progress was made during 603 to 939. During these years two major missionaries entered Vietnam. Vinitaruci and Vo-Ngon-Thong led these two missions separately. Almost 20 shrines were built at that time and there were about 500 monks preaching Buddhism day and night. These shrines were a gift from the Chinese government. During 939 and 968 there was not much development in case of Buddhist studies. In 939 Chinese reign in Vietnam ended. Buddhist teachings paused during these years, but only in Vietnam, in China Buddhism went under a lot of scrutiny.When Dinh-Bo-Linh came in to power, Buddhism started to prosper. He acted as a protector of the religion and Buddhism was studied and adopted by man y people till Dinf-Bo-Linh’s reign till 1009. The emperor made Ngo-Chan-Luu the head of Sangha (Community of Buddhist monks). Ngo-Chan-Luu was a monk, scholar and a poet. The emperor was very much impressed by this monk who was good at Zen meditation. The emperor used to take advice from Ngo-Chan-Luu in matters of politics and military. Due to his good advices and performance he was made Imperial Councillor. He got the title of Khuong Viet which means servant of Vietnam.Ngo-Chan-Luu proved to be a very good monk and helped in spreading Buddhism. During this time Tripitaka was brought from china for the first time with the help of Vietnamese missions. People in Vietnam were taught how to read and write in Chinese characters, as Vietnamese lacked written script. This helped the scholars learn more by reading more books on Buddhism and translating others into their language. Hence the monks of those times were much learned and were respected a lot all over the country as there w ere very few people who could read and write.A scholar at that time was respected a lot and as most of the scholars were Buddhists, people started to go to them in order to learn. This helped spread Buddhist teachings . Buddhism expanded a lot during 1031 as almost a hundred temples were built during this era. A lot of Buddhist ceremonies were held and they were exempt from taxes. In 1049, the emperor built the Dien-Huu temple which was actually what he saw in his dream. He later ordered it to be constructed the way he saw it in between an artificial lake. It is one of the most famous monuments in Hanoi and is known as Temple of single column.Ly-Thanh-Ton, who reined Vietnam in 1054, was a true Buddhist. During his time food and clothing were distributed among the poor. He used to reduce the punishment of prisoners also. Hence Ly-Thanh-Ton, who tried to follow the steps of Asoka, was a very great Buddhist. In 1069, when Vietnam was at war with Champa, the emperor brought back a few prisoners. What he did not know was that one of these prisoners was a Buddhist monk. When the emperor found out about him he inquired him and discovered that he had a great knowledge of Dharma. The emperor got very impressed and allowed him to preach his religion in the Khai-Quoc temple.It was also found out that he was a Chinese monk who was actually trying to preach and practice Buddhism when he was caught. The emperor was a true Buddhist and praised scholars, and hence allowed this Chinese monk to stay in the temple. Now Buddhism was under official protection and could be spread more easily and therefore Buddhism continued to be taught among all the Vietnamese. Many writings of that time show the studies of Buddhist scholars . After this emperor all the other emperors also got interested in Buddhism. Most of them followed Zen meditation and practice. One of them became a monk and abdicated from his post of emperor.The Ly Dynasty was spread over a period of 215 years. This was the only dynasty during which the religion of Buddhism was at its climax . After this came the Tran Dynasty, during the early years of which the spread of Buddhism slowed down. Though the emperors of this dynasty were more inclined towards Buddhism, but none the less during the first seventy years of this dynasty the Buddhist studies did not prosper as it did before. One of the emperors became a monk and started practicing Zen. The last dynasty definitely proved to be the climax of Buddhism, as it was now declining.China started to reign again and due to this Confucianism started to prosper and made developments in various aspects such as philosophy and literature. Taoism grew and prospered, whereas Buddhists were stopped from preaching and practicing their religion. Buddhists books were burned and temples destroyed. This dropped the level of Buddhists studies in the country. When Vietnam got independent in 1428, it was thought that now it will be easier to renew Buddhism and spread it s studies from the beginning. However, this proved wrong and Buddhists studies did not budge.Buddhism lost its original touch and purity and people started mixing it with different ideas. No new temples were allowed to be built at that time and this also hindered the prosperity of the religion. Many monks were sent back to their lay lives and were stopped from preaching Buddhism saying that they were incompetent to do so . During 1528 and 1802 new Zen sects were developed. Temples were built and Buddhism was supported a lot. Lord Tr? nh Giang ordered rebuilding of temples. Almost 6,000 workers worked day and night to build temples of Quynh Lam and Sung nghiem. In South of Vietnam Thien Temple was built which still stands.This Temple is equipped with its famous bell which is very resonant. Chinese monks were allowed to preach their religion and therefore they moved around whole of the country teaching and preaching Buddhism. Though many efforts were taken, yet Buddhism had such disto rted form that monks were made to reside over ceremonies, Buddha was taken as a god and gifts were presented to his statue. This shows that the actual Buddhist religion had changed a lot and almost nobody knew and practiced the actual teachings of Buddha. THE IMPACT OF BUDDHIST EDUCATION The impact of Buddhist education was very great.It not only effected the religious beliefs but also had a great impact on every other day to day activity. Music, which was influenced by Indian music because of the monks coming from India, was used in religious ceremonies. Today out of eight musical instruments almost six are Indian. These instruments were taken by Indian monks, first to China and then to Vietnam. It will not be false if we say that India and China are solely responsible for spreading Buddhism in Vietnam. Though China influenced mainly the northern areas whereas, India influenced the south; China had more impact on Buddhism in Vietnam than India had.The reason is that China was in co ntact with Vietnam for thousands of years and had an influence on the politics and culture of the country. India had a lesser impact as Indian merchants went to Vietnam solely for business purposes. They sometimes took it as a resting place on their way to China. Hence they had no interest what so ever in the religion in Vietnam. However, there is certainly some influence on their religion and culture by the Indians, as the first monks to enter Vietnam for the purpose of preaching their religion were Indians. Buddhism gradually spread all over Vietnam.Though there are quite a few religions practiced in Vietnam, but almost two thirds of the population practices Buddhism. People sometimes do not have clear vision for example today a Buddhist may visit Taoist temple. These sometimes lead to superstitions and practices which show their ignorance towards the religion. Sometimes even monks do not have clear concepts about Buddhism. Buddhism really had a very strong impact on the culture a nd behavior of common man. People have better morals due to Buddhism. Even people who are not educated know that bad deeds will result in bad results.They know that they should be kind towards the people. Buddhists teachings are ordinary things which everybody should know. The motif of Buddhism is Lotus Flower. Monks are vegetarians and their teachings are based on purity and compassion. BUDDHISM CONCEPT IN VIETNAM Buddhism in Vietnam is mainly Mahayana. This Mahayana tradition has compassion as main entity. They take main words or buzzwords from Buddha like, Enlightenment, Delivered etc. The monks of Mahayana tradition try and improve their spiritual life. This spiritual life is then translated into action which is based on truth.During the decline of Buddhism in Vietnam, the monks were just an entity to receive gifts in the ceremonies. Today due to the movement in 1920, they know what ceremonies are actually for. They now have clear concept. They have texts and books to refer to a nd find meditation as the best tool. The General Buddhist Association in Vietnam is a very dynamic organization representing Buddhism in the country. It represents the true picture of Buddhism in the country. They have done efforts, held conferences in order to not only promote Buddhism but paint a clear picture about the fundamentals of Buddhism.Buddhism has prospered leaps and bounds in the country. Though there are many rival religions in the country, Buddhism is by far the most popular one. As mentioned earlier, almost two thirds of the population practices Buddhism. During 968 it was made the state religion. Buddhism in Vietnam is no wonder superior than any other religion there, as it is not only accepted publicly but also helped in the moral and spiritual training of the general public. People believe it and accept it by heart. They call it the religion of compassion. The imprint of Buddhism can be seen in art and literature as well.Music has also been inspired from it. A Eur opean author writes: â€Å"Buddhism was the first foreign influence which had a powerful bearing on the evolution of Chinese thought; and the effect of such an influence was to rekindle, stimulate and develop to the highest pitch not only the religion but also all the other spheres of its civilization A casual glance, even by one who is almost completely unaware of the spiritual world of China, at the plastic arts of China shows how completely they stem from the spirit of Buddhism and how wonderfully they blossomed forth during the Buddhist period†As Buddhism in Vietnam is influenced a lot from China and India, hence it can be said that the Chinese really had an impact on Vietnamese paintings, culture, literature and art.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

The Twilight Saga 3: Eclipse Acknowledgments

I would be very remiss if I did not thank the many people who helped me survive the birthing of another novel: My parents have been my rock; I don't know how anyone does this without a dad's good advice and a mom's shoulder to cry on. My husband and sons have been incredibly long-suffering-anyone else would have had me committed to an asylum long ago. Thanks for keeping me around, guys. My Elizabeth-Elizabeth Eulberg, publicist extraordinaire-has made all the difference to my sanity both on and off the road. Few people are lucky enough to work so closely with their BFF, and I am eternally grateful for the wholesomeness of cheese-loving Midwestern girls. Jodi Reamer continues to guide my career with genius and finesse. It is very comforting to know that I am in such good hands. It is also wonderful to have my manuscripts in the right hands. Thanks to Rebecca Davis for being so in tune with the story in my head and helping me find the best ways to express it. Thanks to Megan Tingley, first for your unwavering faith in my work, and second for polishing that work until it shines. Everyone at Little, Brown and Company Books for Young Readers has taken such amazing care of my creations. I can tell it is a true labor of love for you all, and I appreciate it more than you know. Thank you Chris Murphy, Shawn Foster, Andrew Smith, Stephanie Voros, Gail Doobinin, Tina McIntyre, Ames O'Neill, and the many others who have made the Twilight series a success. I can't believe how lucky I was to discover Lori Joffs, who somehow manages to be both the fastest and the most meticulous reader at the same time. I am thrilled to have a friend and accomplice who is so insightful, talented, and patient with my whining. Lori Joffs again, along with Laura Cristiano, Michaela Child, and Ted Joffs, for creating and maintaining the brightest star in the Twilight online universe, the Twilight Lexicon. I truly appreciate all the hard work you put into providing a happy place for my fans to hang out. Thanks also to my international friends at Crepusculo- es.com for a site so amazing it transcends the language barrier. Kudos as well to Brittany Gardener's fabulous work on the Twilight and New Moon by Stephenie Meyer MySpace Group, a fan site so large that the idea of keeping track of it boggles my mind; Brittany, you amaze me. Katie and Audrey, Bella Penombra is a thing of beauty. Heather, the Nexus rocks. I can't mention all the amazing sites and their creators here, but thank you very much to each of you. Many thanks to my cold readers, Laura Cristiano, Michelle Vieira, Bridget Creviston, and Kimberlee Peterson, for their invaluable input and encouraging enthusiasm. Every writer needs an independent bookstore for a friend; I'm so grateful for my hometown supporters at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, Arizona, and especially to Faith Hochhalter, who has brilliant taste in literature. I am in your debt, rock gods of Muse, for yet another inspiring album. Thank you for continuing to create my favorite writing music. I am also grateful to all the other bands on my playlist who help me through the writer's block, and to my new discoveries, Ok Go, Gomez, Placebo, Blue October, and Jack's Mannequin. Most of all, a gargantuan thank-you to all of my fans. I firmly believe that my fans are the most attractive, intelligent, exciting, and dedicated fans in the whole world. I wish I could give you each a big hug and a Porsche 911 Turbo. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any formor by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Little, Brown and Company

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Implementation Plan

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN Overview The Implementation Plan describes how the information system will be deployed, installed and transitioned into an operational system. The plan contains an overview of the system, a brief description of the major tasks involved in the implementation, the overall resources needed to support the implementation effort (such as hardware, software. facilities, materials, and personnel), and any site-specific implementation requirements.The plan is developed during the Design Phase and is updated during the Development Phase; the final version is provided in the Integration and Test Phase and is used for guidance during the Implementation Phase. The outline shows the structure of the Implementation Plan. 1INTRODUCTION This section provides an overview of the information system and includes any additional information that may be appropriate. 1. 1Purpose This section describes tile purpose of the Implementation Plan. Reference the system name and identify informat ion about the system to be implemented. 1. 2System OverviewThis section provides a brief overview of the system to be implemented, including a description of the system and its organization. 1. 2. 1System Description This section provides an overview of the processes the system is intended to support. If the system is a database or an information system, provide a general discussion of the description of the type of data maintained and the operational sources and uses of those data. 1. 2. 2System Organization This section provides a brief description of system structure and the major system components essential to the implementation of the system.It should describe both hardware and software, as appropriate. Charts, diagrams, and graphics may be included as necessary. 1. 3Project References This section provides a bibliography of key project references and deliverables that have been produced before this point in the project development. 1. 4Glossary Provide a glossary of all terms and abbreviations used in the manual. If it is several pages in length, it may be placed in an appendix. 2MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW The subsequent sections provide a brief description of the implementation and major tasks involved in this section. 2. Description of Implementation This section provides a brief description of the system and the planned deployment, installation, and implementation approach. 2. 2Points of Contact In this section, identify the System Proponent, the name of the responsible organization(s), and titles and telephone numbers of the staff who serve as points of contact for the system implementation. These points of contact could include the Project Manager. Program Manager, Security Manager. Database Administrator, Configuration Management Manager, or other managers with responsibilities relating to the system implementation.The site implementation representative for each field installation or implementation site should also he included, if appropriate. List all ma nagers and staff with whom the implementation must be coordinated. 2. 3Major Tasks This section provides a brief description of each major task required for the implementation of the system. Add as many subsections as necessary to this section to describe all the major tasks adequately. The tasks described in this section are not site-specific, but generic or overall project tasks that are required to install hardware and software, prepare data, and verify the system.Include the following information for the description of each major task, if appropriate: †¢What the task will accomplish †¢Resources required to accomplish the task †¢Key person(s) responsible for the task †¢Criteria for successful completion of the task †¢Examples of major tasks are the following: †¢Providing overall planning and coordination for the implementation †¢Providing appropriate training for personnel †¢Ensuring that all manuals applicable to the implementation effort are available when needed †¢Providing all needed technical assistance Scheduling any special computer processing required for the implementation †¢Performing site surveys before implementation †¢Ensuring that all prerequisites have been fulfilled before the implementation date †¢Providing personnel for the implementation team †¢Acquiring special hardware or software †¢Performing data conversion before loading data into the system †¢Preparing site facilities for implementation 2. 4Implementation Schedule In this section, provide a schedule of activities to be accomplished during implementation. Show the required tasks (described in Section 2. , Major Tasks) in chronological order, with the beginning and end dates of each task. 2. 5Security If appropriate for the system to be implemented, include an overview of the system security features and requirements during the implementation. 2. 5. 1System Security Features In this section, provide an overview and discussion of the security features that will be associated with the system when it is implemented. It should include the primary security features associated with the system hardware and software. Security and protection of sensitive bureau data and information should be discussed, if applicable.Reference the sections of previous deliverables that address system security issues, if appropriate. 2. 5. 2Security During Implementation This section addresses security issues specifically related to the implementation effort, if any. For example, if LAN servers or workstations will he installed at a site with sensitive data preloaded on non-removable hard disk drives, address how security would be provided for the data on these devices during shipping, transport, and installation because theft of the devices could compromise the sensitive data. 3IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORTThis section describes the support software, materials, equipment, and facilities required for the implementation, as well as the personnel requirements and training necessary for the implementation. The information provided in this section is not site-specific. If there arc additional support requirements not covered by the subsequent sections, others may be added as needed. 3. 1Hardware, Software, Facilities, and Materials In this section, list support software, materials, equipment, and facilities required for the implementation, if any. 3. 1. 1HardwareThis section provides a list of support equipment and includes all hardware used for testing time implementation. For example, if a client/server database is implemented on a LAN, a network monitor or â€Å"sniffer† might be used, along with test programs. to determine the performance of the database and LAN at high-utilization rates. If the equipment is site-specific, list it in Section 4, Implementation Requirements by Site. 3. 1. 2Software This section provides a list of software and databases required to support the implementation. Ide ntify the software by name, code, or acronym.Identify which software is commercial off-the-shelf and which is State-specific. Identify any software used to facilitate the implementation process. If the software is site-specific, list it in Section 4. 3. 1. 3Facilities In this section, identify the physical facilities and accommodations required during implementation. Examples include physical workspace for assembling and testing hardware components, desk space for software installers, and classroom space for training the implementation stall. Specify the hours per day needed, number of days, and anticipated dates.If the facilities needed are site-specific, provide this information in Section 4, Implementation Requirements by Site. 3. 1. 4Material This section provides a list of required support materials, such as magnetic tapes and disk packs. 3. 2Personnel This section describes personnel requirements and any known or proposed staffing requirements, if appropriate. Also describe th e training, if any, to be provided for the implementation staff. 3. 2. 1Personnel Requirements and Staffing In this section, describe the number of personnel, length of time needed, types of skills, and skill levels for the staff required during the mplementation period. If particular staff members have been selected or proposed for the implementation, identify them and their roles in the implementation. 3. 2. 2Training of Implementation Staff This section addresses the training, if any, necessary to prepare staff for implementing and maintaining the system; it does not address user training, which is the subject of the Training Plan. Describe the type and amount of training required for each of the following areas, if appropriate, for the system: †¢System hardware/software installation †¢System support †¢System maintenance and modificationPresent a training curriculum listing the courses that will be provided, a course sequence. and a proposed schedule. If appropriat e, identify which courses particular types of staff should attend by job position description. If training will be provided by one or more commercial vendors, identify them, the course name(s), and a brief description of the course content. If the training will be provided by State staff, provide the course name(s) and an outline of the content of each course. Identify the resources, support materials, and proposed instructors required to teach the course(s). 3. Performance Monitoring This section describes the performance monitoring tool and techniques and how it will be used to help decide if the implementation is successful. 3. 4Configuration Management Interface This section describes the interactions required with the Configuration Management (CM) representative on CM-related issues, such as when software listings will be distributed, and how to confirm that libraries have been moved from the development to the production environment. 4IMPLEMENTATION REQUIREMENTS BY SITE This s ection describes specific implementation requirements and procedures.If these requirements and procedures differ by site, repeat these subsections for each site; if they are the same for each site, or if there is only one implementation site, use these subsections only once. The â€Å"X† in the subsection number should be replaced with a sequenced number beginning with I. Each subsection with the same value of â€Å"X† is associated with the same implementation site. If a complete set of subsections will be associated with each implementation site, then â€Å"X† is assigned a new value for each site. 4. 1Site Name or identification for Site XThis section provides the name of the specific site or sites to be discussed in the subsequent sections. 4. 1. 1Site Requirements This section defines the requirements that must he met for the orderly implementation of the system and describes the hardware, software, and site-specific facilities requirements for this area. A ny site requirements that do not fall into the following three categories and were not described in Section 3, Implementation Support, may be described in this section, or other subsections may be added following Facilities Requirements below: Hardware Requirements – Describe the site-specific hardware requirements necessary to support the implementation (such as. LAN hardware for a client/server database designed to run on a LAN). †¢Software Requirements – Describe any software required to implement the system (such as, software specifically designed for automating the installation process). †¢Data Requirements – Describe specific data preparation requirements and data that must be available for the system implementation. An example would be the assignment of individual IDs associated with data preparation. Facilities Requirements – Describe the site-specific physical facilities and accommodations required during the system implementation perio d. Some examples of this type of information are provided in Section 3. 4. 1. 2Site implementation Details This section addresses the specifics of the implementation for this site. Include a description of the implementation team, schedule, procedures, and database and data updates. This section should also provide information on the following: †¢Team–If an implementation team is required, describe its composition and the tasks to be performed at this site by each team member. Schedule–Provide a schedule of activities, including planning and preparation, to be accomplished during implementation at this site. Describe the required tasks in chronological order with the beginning and end dates of each task. If appropriate, charts and graphics may be used to present the schedule. †¢Procedures–Provide a sequence of detailed procedures required to accomplish the specific hardware and software implementation at this site. If necessary, other documents may be referenced. If appropriate, include a step-by-step sequence of the detailed procedures.A checklist of the installation events may he provided to record the results of the process. If the site operations startup is an important factor in the implementation, then address startup procedures in some detail. If the system will replace an already operating system, then address the startup and cutover processes in detail. If there is a period of parallel operations with an existing system, address the startup procedures that include technical and operations support during the parallel cycle and the consistency of data within the databases of the two systems. Database–Describe the database environment where the software system and the database(s), if any, will be installed. Include a description of the different types of database and library environments (such as, production, test, and training databases). †¢Include the host computer database operating procedures, database file and library naming conventions, database system generation parameters, and any other information needed to effectively establish the system database environment. Include database administration procedures for testing changes, if any, to the database management system before the system implementation. †¢Data Update–If data update procedures are described in another document, such as the operations manual or conversion plan, that document may be referenced here. The following are examples of information to be included: -Control inputs -Operating instructions -Database data sources and inputs -Output reports -Restart and recovery procedures 4. 1. 3Back-Off Plan This section specifies when to make the go/no go decision and the factors to be included in making the decision.The plan then goes on to provide a detailed list of steps and actions required to restore the site to the original, pre-conversion condition, 4. 1. 4Post-Implementation Verification This section describes t he process for reviewing the implementation and deciding if it was successful. It describes how an action item list will be created to rectify any noted discrepancies. It also references the Back-Off Plan for instructions on how to back-out the installation, if, as a result of the post-implementation verification, a no-go decision is made.