Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Eyewitness: Life Essay

In the movie Eyewitness Life, I had many factual observations. First, I noted that cockroaches can survive very low temperatures up until -40c. This has been a very efficient method for their survival. They are among the few creatures that have survived from the prehistoric era. During the change of times and periods such as the ice age, most prehistoric creatures have become extinct. It is this adaptation of the cockroaches that has allowed them to withstand change and be around until today. Second, it showed that humans need to eat as much as they weigh every 50 days. This shows the balance of intake and output with respect to the usage of food we eat for survival. It shows that an adequate amount of nutrition is important to maintain one’s self. It’s amazing how every 50 days, a 70kg man actually should be taking in 70 kg worth of food which is a large quantity, much more than we’d actually notice day by day. Third, primitive life can multiply very fast at breakneck speeds. The significance of this is yet another method of survival. In the wild, there are many predators which can devour the young. Being able to quickly multiply allows nature to continually keep species alive and in good numbers despite the dangers that abound. Fourth, early giraffes may have started with short necks but as they stretched their necks for food they passed on the genes to next generation. This shows us how each specie can adapt to its environment. This allowed giraffes to adapt in order to provide for its needs. Through time, the lengthening of the neck of a giraffe is proof of an animal’s capability to adjust to its environment for survival. Fifth, some male birds catch fish to attract females. The laws of attraction are indeed as real in nature as they are among us men. Sixth, oxygen isn’t always a requirement for life. Bacteria found in deep oceans do not require oxygen. This shows us diversity in nature. Although we humans use oxygen, other creatures are capable of utilizing the other gases for their survival. Those that don’t have access to oxygen, like the bacteria, can adapt and utilize other means. Seventh, when a live sponge is shredded it will replace itself exactly the same way. Once more we see how one can adapt to its environment and survive. This method of regeneration is how the sponge protects itself from extinction. The same goes for starfish and other similar creatures. They can re-grow a lost appendage or part to replace what may have been damaged by a predator. Eighth, tortoises on the Galapagos Island have a notch in their neck, a mutated trait that is passed on to adapt to their environment. Once more, like the giraffe, nature shows how a specie can adapt through time. Ninth, birds are incredible breathing machines. Some can sing without taking another breath. This is an interesting fact. It shows a similarity of birds to us humans, where professional opera singers can mimic this birdlike quality and sing for extended periods on one breath. Lastly, snails move 0. 0013 km per hour. Indeed, they are among the slowest creatures on earth. Hence, nature for adaptation has provided them with a shell for protection, as although speed may not be used for defense, at least the hard covering may pose some resistance in order to survive. Eyewitness: trees In the second movie, the first fact I learned was that trees once covered 4/5 of Earth’s land mass. Secondly, I also noted that trees still cover half of planet area today. This tells me two things. First, trees apparently through time have been an essential part of wildlife and the balance of nature, as since they covered 4/5th of the earth before, they were very much integrated in nature. Second, it shows me how much we have already lost. To have only a half left shows how much more should be done to preserve these trees before even more are destroyed. The third fact is learned is that the oak tree offers habitat for many living things and is one of 30 thousand kinds of trees. Again, this further shows that trees are essential for animals and other wildlife, and the preservation of them is important to protect many aspects of nature. Frogs, salamanders, insects and many more depend on these trees and protecting these creatures means protecting their trees. Fourth, trees can grow almost anywhere, but occasional nature is inhospitable such as in the North and South poles. This shows us that apart from these obscure places, our protection of the forest may not only consist of preventing destruction, but of rebuilding forests as well. Industry over the years has destroyed much of them. As these trees are very capable of growing in almost anywhere, then there is even greater reason to set forth and begin the restoration of these lost forests. Fifth, I learned that from aspirin to the latest cancer drugs, we find treatment from trees. This is a major contribution of trees to our own survival. As these trees show much promise to the world of medicine, then all the more people must be made aware that they must be preserved. For each time some are taken for study, then new ones should be planted. How is the world to progress if we keep taking and taking, and one day there is no more? Another fact I learned was that it takes 4000 mature trees are needed to build a ship. Given the way industry today has taken over, this shows that thousands of trees have been taken to fill our harbors for cargo and trade. The question is: how many of them were actually replaced? It enlightens us regarding the sheer amount of trees that are being taken. In light of their many uses, such as the medicinal use, then much care should be implemented in maintaining a balance between harvest of these trees and restoration of them. Imagine this, the seventh fact I learned was that one tree provides full year oxygen for 8 people. This means that the 4000 trees taken for one ship is oxygen for 32000 people lost. These trees very much provide for us so much, and such, much more concern should be placed on their survival. Eighth fact I learned was that tropical trees grow all year, and for each year, trees grow by just adding rings around their trunk. They add up a new coat each year. I found this interesting as it shows how nature found a way to account for age just the way we do. Ninth, trees are homes for variety of animals. For example, leopards store their prey on trees. Again, not only do trees provide a way of life for the small creatures like frogs and snakes, but for the larger animals as well. A whole environment and diverse balance of life revolves around one tree, from oxygen production, to shelter, to food, and all these are deprived from creatures by their loss. Thus, by destroying trees, we are contributing to the loss of nature itself. The last fact I learned was an interesting one about the giant sequoia. This apparently is the biggest tree and can grow up until 34-storeys tall. In a tree so great and so large, imagine how much it can provide to all life around it. Amazing. Eyewitness: Mammals I learned many things from this movie as well. The first fact I learned was that elephants never stop growing. Apparently, they can live up until 80 years, however in the wild, only until 30 years. I found it interesting that the elephants can actually live as long as we do. Also interesting was how much shorter they live in the wild, precisely 50 years shorter. This shows us the role of care and resources to life. In the wild, they have to provide food for themselves and in the event of a drought and such, when food is scarce, survival time is shorter. Secondly, in the wild, they are exposed to the elements, such as wind, heat and rain, which bear wear and tear on them also decreasing life. Of course, as an additional factor, they are targets as prey for carnivores and this also can decrease their life span. When in care, they are exempt from many of these, thus they live longer lives. I’d say the same for us humans, and any other creature, who can expect longer lives when in good care and nurturing environment. The second fact I learned was that bats are only mammals that can truly fly. They have great navigation skills, can see pray without using their eyes, and have enough stealth to attack their prey without being heard. This primarily shows that bats are in fact not birds, and belong to our group of species: the mammals. It’s interesting how they have managed to adapt by garnering the ability to approach in stealth. This ensures them adequate food resource needed to survive. It also helps with their habitat, as their flight skills allow them to navigate in the dark caves where the dwell. Third, polar bear have black skin and white fur. This was interesting as it shows camouflage. Polar bears live in icy regions. Their white fur allows them to blend in the surroundings to aid in the hunt for food. Fourth, a duck that lay eggs is a mammal. As ducks are birds, there are some mammals that may look like a duck because they possess a similar foot webbing or beak, such as a platypus. Fifth, some anteaters eat 30000 ants per day. This was another interesting fact as 30000 ants a day, would mean 210000 ants a week, and millions more a month. Sixth, rabbits communicate with tail talk. Communication is one similarity between us and animals only in different form. It interesting to see how just like we do, animals have learned to coordinate by other forms of communication. As whales can use their sonar, rabbits use their tails. Seventh fact is that camels are able to detect water more than few days away. These creatures live in the deserts where water is scarce. This ability is an amazing adaptation as it allows them to survival resources in the harshest conditions. Their hump is also another adaptation is it stores energy and fat needed in the event that water and food are miles away through the desert. Eighth, a dominant male seal can mate 100 times in one season. This is a survival method. By having the capability to do so, one males can impregnate more than a hundred females thus ensuring a lot of newborn seals to increase their number by next season. It keeps them in survival despite being prey to the polar bears and killer whales. Ninth, a mouse is only pregnant 6 weeks and a cat 9 weeks. The short gestation period allows room for multiple births a year, against ensuring survival of a species through regular reproduction. The last fact was that if a hedgehog falls down from height, it bounces. This was so interesting, as it apparently has a ball like quality. This helps it survive a fall as it covering allows the bounce to reduce the pressure of impact, and helping it survive.

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Psychology †Pretty Little Liars Style Essay

Psychology The science of behavior and mental processes Nature vs. Nurture The controversy over the impact which genes and experiences have on psychological behaviors. Just like in the Bad Seed (performed at Rosewood High,) psychologists wonder if evil is something inherited or learned. Basic Research Science whose main goal is to increase the scientific knowledge base. Applied Research Scientific studies which aim to solve practical problems, like forensics being used to determine if the Liars’ evidence is real. Clinical Psychology A branch of Psychology which studies psychological disorders. Mona would have to have seen a clinical psychologist†¦ that chick cray. Psychiatry A branch of medicine dealing with psychological disorders, with physicians who often give medicine to their patients. Empiricism The concept that knowledge comes from experience via the senses, while science comes from observation and experimentation. Jenna had lost the sense of sight, so in a strange, empirical sense, she could be less knowledgeable than the Liars†¦ if not, she certainly is more crazy. Hindsight Bias The tendency to believe that after a known outcome a person had known it all along. Reminiscent of people claiming they had known Toby is part of the A team†¦ It can’t be true!! False Consensus Effect The tendency to overestimate the extent to which others share our beliefs and behaviors. Similar to how Spencer completely opened up to Toby, assuming that there was no way he was involved with A. Illusory Correlation Surely connected to the phrase â€Å"correlation is not causation,† this is the perception of a relationship where none exists. Similar to how Noel kept imagining a relationship between himself and Aria. Independent Variable The experimental factor which is being manipulated and whose effect is being studied†¦ ust like how A manipulates the Liars to watch them crack. Dependent Variable The experimental factor which is being measured. A manipulates the Liars to see how far she can get them to crack. Evolutionary Approach The study of psychology using the principles of natural selection. A seems to follow Darwin’s theories, eliminating the weakest of the NAT club one by one. Biological Approach The study of Psychology linking psychological progresses and biology, such as genetics. This is similar to A’s belief that Aria would have an affair with Ezra simply because her father had also had a student-teacher relationship. Behavior Genetics Approach A theory which determines how our environment influences our individual differences. The Liars all had secrets similar to the ones their parents had kept, be it lying, cheating, or stealing. Psychoanalytic Approach Studies using Freud’s theories on how the unconscious drives our behavior. Humanistic Approach Emphasize the growth potential of healthy people†¦. such as the ever beautiful Keegan Allen. Structuralism An early school of psychology which used introspection to explore the structure of the human mind. Similar to how Dr. Sullivan asked Hanna to think back about her relationship with Alison to help her move past her death. Functionalism A school of psychology which focused on how mental process allow an organism to adapt, survive, and flourish. In the movie Psycho (scenes from which were replicated in the episode â€Å"unmAsked†) Bates had become his mother in order to cope with his life and adapt to his condition. Human Factors Psychology The study of how people and machines interact. For instance, how the Liars are so reliant on their cellphones, even though that’s what brings them misery. Bottoms-Up Processing Perception, or analysis of sensory information, which begins with the sense receptor and works up to the brains integration of sensory information. Aria and Emily had first seen Caleb talking on the phone, and after listening to him talk, they then interpreted his conversation to mean that he was lying to Hanna. Top-Down Processing A form of higher level mental process which constructs perceptions based on experience and expectation, more similar to how Spencer learns information. Sensory Adaptation Diminished sensitivity in consequence of constant stimulation. Similar to Paige’s concern over the fact that Emily has become so used to â€Å"A† that she no longer realizes the danger she constantly is in. Associative Learning Learning that two events occur together, typically stimuli and a consequence. Similar to the Liars becoming convinced that every ad thing that happens to them is linked to â€Å"A†. Behaviorism The view that Psychology should be an objective science that studies behavior without reference to mental processes. Many people had believed that Mona was not truly sick because of her mental state, but merely because of her objective behavior. Classical Conditioning A learning style where an organism associates stimuli. Pavlov’s study of dogs salivating was a large factor. The Liars had received texts from â€Å"A† and got scared, now simply hearing their phone go off is enough to scare them. Unconditioned Response The unlearned response in classical conditioning, in this case, the fear behind the texts. Unconditioned Stimulus The stimulus which naturally triggers a response. In this case, â€Å"A†. Conditioned Response The learned response to a previously neutral stimulus. The Liars learned to fear their cellphones. Stimulus An irrelevant stimulus which eventually becomes a stimulus in classical conditioning. In this case the Liars’ cell phones. Conditioned Generalization The tendency once a response is conditioned, for similar stimuli to issue the same response. For instance, if the Liars were to then fear their computers and other technology as well. Acquisition The initial stage in classical conditioning where the stimulus first elicits a response. Like when the Liars first jumped after hearing Aria’s cell phone ring at Alison’s funeral. Extinction The diminishing of a conditioned response, such as after Mona was found to be â€Å"A. † Operant Conditioning A learning style where behavior is strengthened following reinforcement or diminished by punishment. Like â€Å"A† terrorizing the Liars to punish them for how they acted around Alison. Law of Effect Thordike’s principles that behavior followed by favorable consequences become more likely and that behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely. For instance, Byron stopped having affairs after Alison blackmailed him in punishment for his actions. Operant Chamber The â€Å"Skinner Box† used to teach rats to hit a bar in order to obtain food or water. Shaping An operant conditioning procedure in which reinforcers guide behavior toward closer and closer approximations of a desired goal, like guiding mice to a specific area of a cage. â€Å"A† does this to lure Spencer into the fun house at the founders day festival. Fixed-Interval Schedule In operant conditioning, a schedule of reinforcement that reinforces a response only after a specific amount of time. Similar to having a paycheck and a specified pay day, which Ashley did have, but it just didn’t seem to be enough. Variable-Ratio Schedule A schedule of reinforcement that reinforces a response at an unpredictable amount of responses. Similar to Lucas and his gambling problem. Latent Learning Subject matter which is learned but not demonstrated, such as Mona pretending to be less intelligent then she really is. Overjustification Act When you reward someone for doing something they already like to do, such as Emily winning anchor. They won’t see it as a reward, but that doesn’t mean former psychopaths like Paige won’t see it that way. Neuron A nerve cell, the basic building block of the nervous system. Just like how Alison was the main building block of the Liars. Dendrites The branching extensions of a neuron that receive impulses, such as the Liars receiving information from A. Axon The extension of a neuron through which messages are sent to other neurons or to muscles or glands. Toby was an extension of Spencer who sent out messages as A. Myelin Sheath A layer of tissue that encases neurons. It enables faster transmission of neural impulses. The Liars’ families and their secrets protect the Liars, yet A uses them to get across their message more clearly. Threshold The level of stimulation required to trigger a neural response. After finding Toby was A, Spencer’s threshold for tolerating Mona sunk to an all-time low. Acetylcholine A neurotransmitter that triggers muscle contraction. Such as the neurotransmitter that makes Pretty Little Liars fans twitch every time Toby comes on screen. Central Nervous System The brain and the spinal cord, which are linked to survival†¦ something Alison was terrible at. Autonomic Nervous System The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the internal organs. Such as the gorgeous boys of the show who control the hearts of the Liars. Sympathetic Nervous System The part of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body. Parasympathetic Nervous System The part of the autonomic nervous system which calms the body. Medulla The area of the brain that controls breathing and heart beats. Sensation The process of sensory receptors receiving stimulant energies from the environment. This can be analogous with the Liars gaining clues to A’s identity. Perception The process of interpreting sensory information to recognize objects and events. Analogous with interpreting clues to determine who A is. Psychophysics The study of the relationship between physical characteristics of stimuli, such as intensity, and the psychological experience of them. Absolute Threshold The minimum stimulation needed to detect a stimulus half of the time. The absolute threshold for Pretty Little Liars fans is low considering the intensity of their cliffhangers. Subliminal Something below the absolute threshold for conscious awareness. The clues that are in the show are subliminal while being watched, but only make sense when considered with hindsight bias. Weber’s Law The principal that two stimuli must differ by a constant minimum percentage to be able to tell the difference. Apparently the difference between Alison and her twin are too minimal to pass the Liars’ threshold. Sensory Adaptation Diminished sensitivity as a consequence of constant stimulation. After the blow of finding out Toby was A, it really shouldn’t surprise me that Spencer would join the A team as well. Optic Nerve The nerve that carries neural impulses from the eye to the brain. Something Jenna lacks. Sensory Interaction The concept that senses influence each other. While Jenna was blind, her lack of vision altered her taste for food. Selective Attention Focusing attention on one stimulus, such as Spencer ignoring Alex at Homecoming to pay attention to Emily and Toby. Perspectives/Approaches Methods of Research Social Psychology Biological Bases of Behavior Development Learning, Cognition, Language, Intelligence Sensation/Perception Motivation/Emotion States of Consciousness Personality Theories Abnormal Psychology People Foot-In-The-Door Theory The tendency for people who have first agreed to a small request to comply later with a larger request. This would make it easy for the A-Team to attract followers. As soon as they agree to send one taunting text to the Liars as revenge on Alison, the next thing you know they’re running over Hanna with a car. Social Facilitation Improved performance of tasks in the presence of others, often occurs with simple or well-learned tasks, but not with difficult or unmastered ones. When Toby and Spencer ran together, they probably ran faster and longer than if they had been alone.

Monday, July 29, 2019

Building Corporate Brands and Strategic Alliances

The marketing management plays an important role in the success of a pany and in improving the revenue generation of an organization (Kotler et al., 2015). It is important for capturing the market in a limited span of time and monitors the demands of the customers (Kotler et al., 2015). The managers are responsible for identifying the current trends and convert them into suitable opportunities. The aim of this report is to critically analyze the petitive and marketing environment of the CQ University based in Australia. It would discuss the marketing environment of the university and evaluate different kinds of external opportunities of the University. CQ University Australia emphasis on engagement excellence and the equity, which has led to its phenomenal growth in terms of new campus, number of students, infrastructure, reputation and impact of the research (Cqu.edu.au, 2017). It is considered as one of the greatest universities of Australia and it was found in the year 1967. It was accredited full â€Å"university† status in the year 1992. The University has several campuses in and around Australia such as Brisbane, Cairns, Mackay, Sydney, Emerald and others (Cqu.edu.au, 2017). In the year 2014, the CQ University merged with CQ TAFE, which has brought more than 175 years of experience in the education and training delivery (Cqu.edu.au, 2017). The University has highest ratio of the students belonging to low socio-economic, Aboriginal and mature age backgrounds. The Marketing Directorate aims to generate more interest in the University and responsible for the recruitment of the students. It also aims to make the University a better brand (Cqu.edu.au, 2017). The University provides support as well as advices to all the faculties as well as various divisions. There are over 15.7 million people in Australia, who belong to the age group of 15 to 64 years (Abs.gov.au, 2017). Approximately 1 in every 5 people was enrolled in some form of formal study. A majority of the teenagers between 15 to 19 years old were enrolled in some form of study. In the year May, 2016, around 25% of the people (15-74 years of age) shared that their highest level of their educational attainment is Year 11 or below (Abs.gov.au, 2017). Only 41% of the people reported having a Bachelor degree or above qualification (Abs.gov.au, 2017). This is a low figure, which implies that there is a need to increase the number of educational institutions imparting higher education courses (Abs.gov.au, 2017). The people with higher levels of education are more likely to be employed while the persons with basic qualifications would find it hard to find an employment option (Hollensen, 2015). Australia has been through profound structural shift in the past few years. The Australian ec onomy would strive to evolve more in the ing years as part of demographic and economic developments. The University engages in a bination of both mass marketing and target marketing. In mass marketing, the University primarily follows differentiated marketing tactics. They offer specialized courses such as Business, Accounting, Education, Engineering. Health, Science and Environment, Transport and others (Cqu.edu.au, 2017). The primary target market for the University is the teenagers between the age group of 15-24 years and prises of domestic, international students (Cqu.edu.au, 2017). The admission process of the University is based on their educational background as well; as their level of education (Cqu.edu.au, 2017). The secondary target market of the University includes the single mothers, middle aged persons, apprenticeships and trainees (Ehrenberg & Smith, 2016). The University follows segmentation based on the differential marketing techniques. In this kind of target marketing, the University concentrates on two or more different market segments and tries to promote their b rand within these segments (Cqu.edu.au, 2017). The University offers wide variety of subjects for the students based on their level of experience and their educational background (Cqu.edu.au, 2017). There are different courses provided to the students such as Creative, Performing, Visual Arts, Engineering, Information Technology, Science and Environment, Service Industries, Transport Services, Psychology, Health and others (Cqu.edu.au, 2017). The price of the educational courses is affected by a number of factors such as placement, petition, service quality, institution’s reputation, facilities provided, education mode, institution brand name and others (McMillan, Kinnear & Babovic, 2015). The University provides loan facilities to aid the students. The University offers both full time courses and distance courses for the convenience of the students. CQ University is known as the best providers of flexible training and education content, which provides hundreds of educational courses (Cqu.edu.au, 2017). It also provides on-campus courses which involve â€Å"face to face† classes which are carried out in weekly basis (Cqu.edu.au, 2017). The University aims to achieve brand management, creative production and engage in the creation of advertising booking as well as recruitment campaigns (Cqu.edu.au, 2017). The University also engages in the digital marketing strategies, which involves integration in the digital media platforms (Cqu.edu.au, 2017). Australian Government aims to contribute to the creation of international sustainable education sector. The monwealth has r mended an increase in the budget for schools in and around in Australia (Khanna, Jacob & Yadav, 2014). However, the NSW government has announced a cut in the budget for public schools as well as non-government school sector (Khanna, Jacob & Yadav, 2014). The TAFE sector is facing funding cuts which has fostered increased petition in the private education provider.   The international education sector has major contribution in the Australian economy through the process of migration of skilled labor (Daley, McGannon & Hunter, 2014). There are several students who prefer to reside at Australia for the purpose of pletion of their studies. The higher education sector in Australia prises of the 37 public as well 2 private institutions and 150 â€Å"non-self-accrediting† higher education institutions in the country (Daley, McGannon & Hunter, 2014). There is an average 4.7 percent increase in student enrollment every year (Abs.gov.au, 2017). The social factors include the different demographic changes such as number of admissions, inability to attract suitable manpower, changes in educational qualifications and demand of specific courses (Demediuk & Armstrong, 2014). These include the changes in the equipments or standards required in the University such as puter systems, IT lab, projectors, multimedia and others that help in the dissemination of learning. The technological advancements and the level of technology adoption determine the level of petitiveness of the University. CQ University faces tough petition from its rivals who are operating in the same market and caters to the same target market (Nelson, 2015). Some of the close petitors include University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, Charles Darwin University, University of Queensland, Charles Sturt University, Southern Cross University and others (Nelson, 2015). The strengths of CQ University includes that it has full time faculty who use to take most of the classes at both the graduate as well as undergraduate levels (Cqu.edu.au, 2017). It has world class curriculum which is at par with the industry standards (Nelson, 2015). It has accessible location and provides loan services to the students for aiding them in the payment of the fees. The University has less funding in some of the departments and they lack financial support for the support of the faculty scholarships (Cqu.edu.au, 2017). They have degrees of understaffing in some of the departments. There are innumerable opportunities in the intellectual enrichment of the students ing from diverse backgrounds (Cqu.edu.au, 2017). The University can engage in more partnerships with the local employers so that the students can be placed at their final year. There is reduced government funding, risk of losing qualified faculty and the increasing petition from the different educational institutions of Australia (Nisar, 2015). There is a similar university which offers similar educational courses, which may affect the revenue generation of CQ University. CQ University engages in connecting with the stakeholders or the munities by maintaining strong partnership relationships that are productive. The brand positioning is done with the help of spreading reputation and trustworthiness of the brand- CQ University is responsible and professional institution (He & Balmer, 2017). The brand places itself well among their target audience and has strong brand associations. The marketing environment of CQ University is determined along with the prehensive marketing plan. The market summary as well as demand assessment of the University is being done. The segmentation as well as target market of the University is being done. The current marketing mix analysis is done along with the analysis of the external environment. The PEST analysis and the SWOT analysis of the University are done followed by the brand positioning analysis. This report would broaden the understanding of the marketing tactics of CQ University. Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Government. (2017).  Abs.gov.au. Retrieved 28 March 2017, from https://www.abs.gov.au Daley, J., McGannon, C., & Hunter, A. (2014). Budget pressures on Australian governments 2014.  Grattan Institute, viewed,  21. Demediuk, T., & Armstrong, A. (2014, March). Context of Higher Education and Its Implications for Quality Teaching: An Australian Perspective. In  Journal of the World Universities Forum  (Vol. 6, No. 3). Ehrenberg, R. G., & Smith, R. S. (2016).  Modern labor economics: Theory and public policy. Routledge. He, H. W., & Balmer, J. M. (2017). Alliance Brands: Building Corporate Brands through Strategic Alliances?. In  Advances in Corporate Branding  (pp. 72-90). Palgrave Macmillan UK. Hollensen, S. (2015).  Marketing management: A relationship approach. Pearson Education. Home - CQU. (2017).  Cqu.edu.au. Retrieved 28 March 2017, from https://www.cqu.edu.au Khanna, M., Jacob, I., & Yadav, N. (2014). Identifying and analyzing touchpoints for building a higher education brand.  Journal of Marketing for Higher Education,  24(1), 122-143. Kotler, P., Keller, K. L., Manceau, D., & Hà ©monnet-Goujot, A. (2015).  Marketing management  (Vol. 14). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. McMillan, G., Kinnear, S., & Babovic, N. (2015). prehensive universities and the role of the national TAFE system: the CQUniversity context.  About the research, 16. Nelson, R. R. (2015).  The rate and direction of inventive activity: economic and social factors. Princeton University Press. Nisar, M. A. (2015). Higher education governance and performance based funding as an ecology of games.  Higher Education,  69(2), 289-302.

Business architecture definition (IT) Research Paper

Business architecture definition (IT) - Research Paper Example Typically, the business architecture artifacts and practices in business architecture frameworks concentrate on business processes and business applications. Business architecture should help business reap the benefit of business agility and visibility and must reflect the full business design, from the point of analysis of business owners and designers, rather than IT solution delivery (Born, 2012). The connection between business architecture and IT (information technology) is two-fold (Born, 2012). Primary, business architecture is a vital input to IT scheduling, business solution delivery and technology architecture. Subsequent, IT capabilities and technology trends influence business design selection in the realms of capacities, processes, value chains, and channel. Adopt-A-Farm is an online business platform that involves connections between the citizens and farmers (Adopt-A-Farm, 2014). The business treats both farmers and their potential clients as its customers. The diagram below provides the platform for connection that the business employs to connect farmers with their respective clients. Part B: customers access Adopt-A-Farm website to get information. Account manager login information is submitted then customer is authenticated. Portal application is able to automatically retrieve core customer information for its application. Sharing the information with potential customers is applicable per regions. Retrieve application history for precise account and service agreement for respective clients. Get meter data is suitable in ensuring proper transfer of data to partners (Born, 2012). Adopt-A-Farm business design is based on finding farm related information and availing the information to customers. The business structure is information oriented and customers are able to acquire information that links them (local citizens to farmers). The diagram below is a simplified structure showing how information is in shared in Adopt-A-Farm

Sunday, July 28, 2019

Multimodles in Education Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Multimodles in Education - Research Paper Example their use of technological tools in their academics and a majority of the students, some 50% rated themselves as basic, while 22% and 27% rated themselves as professional and advanced respectively (Alawami). These statistics can be said to show that a large number of students are competent enough in the use of technological tools to ensure that their learning process and environment is as comfortable as possible. It is well known that life in the current age is highly influenced by the era of technology, and the latter has come to play an important role in today's human social development. Based on this fact, it has become obligatory to take advantage of the modern technological facilities in aiding the development of education because to do otherwise would mean that there would be a considerable loss in the productivity of students in the modern age. There are, however, other hi-tech implements that can be made the most of in academics besides computers and each of these tools has i ts specific benefits and application. But while this may be the case, in order for the students to use these tools successfully, they should be familiar with the use of all types of computers as well as the Internet, and be able to interact with the techniques needed for the use of these tools. This has been the case in many academic institutions because when asked whether they had used some form of technology in their academic institutions before, all of the respondents stated that they had indeed used it. One of the greatest ideals that have come to be widely appreciated in the world today has been the development of educational technologies whose purpose has been the intended uniting of students from different cultures. Students from diverse cultures tend to have different ideas... This paper approves that a lot of value should be placed in students through the development of technological empowerment programs, which ensure that they get the opportunity to advance in the use of the technology. This is the reason why students have to be taught in an environment that has multi-modals because those who study in such an environment are likely to know exactly how such technology works and will not need a lot of time to learn. It has been found that the students’ experience in the use of technology, which is likely to have been developed after years of using its different forms, tends to work in their favor when conducting their studies. In fact, it is very likely that such students will get work done faster than those who would have studied in an environment devoid of technology because technology, such as the internet, allows students to access the information that they desire almost instantly. The experience that students gain using technology in the classr oom ensures that they know what it lacks and what it has and this enables them to work towards strengthening the knowledge they have gained further while also working towards using even more advanced technology to enhance their learning process. This essay makes a conclusion that the increasing popularity of the use of multi-modals in education is because of the fact that it is most convenient since it enables individuals to easily access information at their own convenience. This is corroborated in a survey question asking students whether they had ever taken online classes before, and fully half of those who responded stated that they had indeed taken such classes.

Saturday, July 27, 2019

Isabel Allendes novel, La Casa de los Espritus Essay

Isabel Allendes novel, La Casa de los Espritus - Essay Example A major part of the novel relates their stormy marriage and the birth of their three children, punctuated with deaths and disaster, and seasoned with Trueba's worsening temper. A democratic senator in his later life, he witnesses the changing political scene before, during and after the military coup, and the disintegration of his family, health and everything that he holds dear. Esteban is one of the narrative axes of the novel. It is often through his eyes as the first-person narrator, or his emotions via the omniscient narrator, that the reader weighs the effects of the events of the story, bearing a witness to accompany Clara's notebooks until the moment when Alba would write her "testimonio". For example, when Rosa dies by accidental poisoning, it is from Esteban's perspective that we feel the senseless tragedy in the words: "no poda nadie comprender mi frustracin por haber pasado dos aos rascando la tierra para hacerme rico, con el nico propsito de llevar algn da a esa joven al altar y la muerte me la haba birlado." (p. 25). Likewise, the deaths of Jaime and Clara, and the arrest of Alba, are filled with pathos because of his gaze and voice:"cay de rodillas al suelo gimiendo como una criatura," (p. 174). Esteban is also witness to the destruction and ruinous passage of time, as he observes: "Dej sus maletas sobre una mesa y sali a recorrer la casa, luc hando contra la tristeza que comenzaba a invadirlo. Pas de una habitacin a otra, vio el deterioro que el tiempo haba labrado en todas las cosas." (p. 34) Trueba is the cornerstone of the family saga. His violent, delusional and idealistic personality is a catalyst for the many family disasters, and to some extent, the political disaster. His chauvinistic arrogance leads him to rape, impregnate and repudiate Pancha Garcia, whose grandson, Esteban, fed on his mother's dishonour, his uncle's resentment of the patrn, and his own sense of injustice at having to live a life of bastardry, takes revenge on the family by arresting, maiming and raping Alba. His arrogance forces the lovers to hide their love, Blanca to marry Jean de Satigny against her wishes and discover his "malfico reino de los incas" (p. 156). He outcasts his sister, Ferula, out of jealousy for her (unnatural) love for Clara, relegating her to a solitary death in the slums (p. 92). A symbol of just what a destructive force he is in the life of his family is when he and Jaime go to steal Rosa's body to place it beside Clara's in the "el mausoleo color salmn". The effect of hi s egotistical desire to see her and kiss her once more is that: en un instante la novia inmutable se deshizo como un encantamiento, se desintegr en un polvillo tenue y gris. Cuando levant la cabeza y abr los ojos, con el beso fro an en los labios, ya no estaba Rosa, la bella. En su lugar haba una calavera con las cuencas vacas, unas tiras de piel color marfil adheridas a los pmulos y unos mechones de crin mohoso en la nuca. (p. 184) But aside from the havoc of his attempts at control on his family, he bears no little responsibility in stirring up the political assassination of the

Friday, July 26, 2019

Tesla Motor Company Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Tesla Motor Company - Research Paper Example The current business environment is characterized by stiffening competition levels. Hooley, Piercy and Nicoulaud (2011) contend that business environments have experienced new global competitors who are entering the market due to falling trade barriers and costs of transactions through globalization. Despite this, Tesla Company dominates most of the electric car markets in the United States. Competitive pressure has made Tesla to focus on the dimensions of total quality management in terms of product quality, portfolios, pricing and global success to outdo automotive producers of Germany, Japan and Korea. The Japanese competitors include Nissan, Honda and Toyota, which are more fuel efficient and comparatively affordable cars that were preferred especially during oil crises periods. Germany’s Daimler and BMW are classic and produced for high-end consumers. Regardless of the cutthroat competition, Tesla Company maintains its competitive advantage through customer focused techno logy, outstanding fuel economy, and excellent management styles. The United Arab Emirates is one of the vast growing markets that Tesla Company can consider in its globalization endeavors. Tesla Motors Inc. was incorporated on July 1, 2003 (Hamilton, 2011). The company designs, develops, manufactures, and sells electric automobiles and powertrain components. Tesla concentrates on commercial production of federally-compliant electric vehicles such as the Tesla Roadster and Tesla Model S. Additionally, the company designs, develops and manufactures lithium-ion battery packs, gearboxes and electric motor vehicles. Tesla is credited for having provided services and components for the development of electric powertrain to companies such as Daimler AG for its Amrt Fortwo and A-class electric vehicles (Hamilton, 2011). The company carries out its activities from the electric powertrain facility in Palo Alto, Tesla factory in California. Tesla needs to partially invest in

Thursday, July 25, 2019

HRD Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

HRD - Essay Example She somehow managed to spend the meeting with her client as they asked numerous questions. As soon as she returned to her job, she contacted her director and mentioned that she is shocked to note that she was rather introduced to the company as a CQI practitioner for which she was not hired. Since there were fewer consultants at work, it came to understanding that Kindred had to take their client. It is for this reason that Kindred had to consult academic researchers at the library as well as her class mates who were specialist. Also, she had to take help from a friend who pretended to be an assistant (Cummings & Worley, 2009). Herein, it should be noted that Kindred had to face dilemma at her job. There were three types of dilemmas which were noted in the case of Kindred namely dilemma of self, competence and confidence. Firstly, the dilemma of self notes those kindred was confused about her identity which was falsified by her director in front of clients showing her as a CQI specialist for which she was not even hired. Secondly, the dilemma of competence level was that she became doubtful about as she was skilled in different area (Cummings & Worley, 2009). The question remains that whether her lack of CQI specialty was because she didn’t aspire to learn or because of her director who presented her wrongly. And finally, dilemma of confidence which marked that she was not sure for whom she was working. The question remained in her mind that whether her director is an honest person or not. She was making many assumptions in her mind that even in the future; her director would have done similar acts by sending to clients for which she would not have been competent at all (Cummings & Worley, 2009). If I was in her position, I would have done the same because ethics are to be followed. A career growth is not expected until or unless there are subjected clauses and ethics which are

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Blood diamonds, how they originated and what's been done to clamp down Essay

Blood diamonds, how they originated and what's been done to clamp down on the industry - Essay Example However, militant groups gain access to diamonds fields in order to get access to money. The main reason that Diamonds have been able to fund civil wars is not just because they are present in conflict regions but also because diamonds are a concentrated form of wealth. Moreover they are fungible and are dealt by smugglers and arms dealers. Diamond trade is considered to be a very shady business considering that this business has financed and ‘funded wars, massive death, and refugee crisis in Angola, Sierra Leone, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Cote d’Ivoire’ (Bieri, 1). Diamond mines are often accompanied with some militant groups who want to control the diamonds mines in order to fulfill their own agendas. Many civil wars have been fought where the only source of funding for the militant groups were diamonds that were traded legally in the diamond market. The money received from these deals was then used to buy weapons to further fund civil wars. Even to this date, trade of blood diamonds continues as militant groups have been replaced by terrorist organizations such as the Al-Qaeda. Reports on blood diamonds and Al-Qaeda have revealed that Al-Qaeda has been funded to some extent by blood diamonds (Campbell, 213). Blood Diamonds have been the cause of many crimes against humanity. Militant groups that deal with blood diamonds require the services of the local people to mine these diamonds. The local people are forced to work pathetically in diamond mines just out of fear of these militant groups. In order to instill fear among the masses, a militant group by the name of RUF, amputated lips, ears, legs, breasts, and tongues of the local people. The trade of blood diamonds has also been the cause of 4 million deaths. In the 1990s, before relevant steps were taken to curb the problem, conflict diamond trade amounted to be between 3.7-20 percent of the total global diamond trade (Bieri, 1). All these diamonds were

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Ethics in Accounting - Enron (History and Background of Enron) Essay

Ethics in Accounting - Enron (History and Background of Enron) - Essay Example Lay was named the chief executive officer in 1986. This is when the company adopted the name Enron Corp. During the merger, Enron had incurred a huge debt and lost its executive rights to pipelines as a result of deregulation. In 1987, the company realized that it had made a loss of close to $ 1 billion, it worked the loss down to $ 142 million, and the loss made the company adopt a different strategy in order to cushion itself against price fluctuations (Lucian & Cristina, 2007). Jeff Skilling, a consultant hired by the company, came up with a new business plan that would help the company generate earnings. This new approach called for the creation of gas banks where Enron Corp bought gas from different suppliers and sold it to consumers (Thomas, 2002). Enron assumed the associated risks. The company started to venture into other business areas beyond the natural gas and pipeline. This saw Enron become a financial trader as well as market maker in various products and services including water, broadband, coal, power, and steel among others. In 1992, the Enron extended its operations to South America through the acquisition of Transportadora de Gas del Sur. By 1993, the company’s power plant in England began to operate. By the late 1990s, the company had started to implement a number of innovations that would help to lower the cost of electricity and gas by almost 50 percent. In 1994, the company did its first electricity trade which proved to be profitable. In 1995, after the establishment of a trading center in London, Enron ventured into the European wholesalers market. The construction of the Dabhol power plant to be located in India started in 1996, although the project was later abandoned and put up for sale due to political reasons. During the same year, Skilling was made the chief operating officer for the company. He managed to convince Lay that the gas bank model he had introduced could be applied to electric energy

Dunkirk Was a Miracle of Deliverance Essay Example for Free

Dunkirk Was a Miracle of Deliverance Essay From the 27th of May to the 4th of June, there were the nine days of evacuation of British, French, Belgian and Dutch soldiers alike. They were trapped in the small town of Dunkirk due to the port that was there. After waiting for days, the majority were eventually rescued by a combination of naval vessels and civilian boats as well as fishing boats and ferries. It is regarded as a great victory for the British as it saved many lives although a military victory for the Germans. I agree with the quotation above that â€Å"Dunkirk was a miracle of deliverance† because of the overwhelming evidence of the pros of the operation (codenamed Operation Dynamo). The first pro of the evacuation was that 338,226 soldiers were rescued in the operation itself. Much of the British expeditionary force (BEF) was also rescued as well as 139,997 French soldiers. The German causalities were also very high with 27,074 killed and 111,034 wounded soldiers. Although there were many material losses, the morale of the British was raised after the evacuation of Dunkirk, as they felt that they were helping in the war effort and that even though many had died, many lived to â€Å"fight another day†. Another pro is that after Dunkirk the Americans were more motivated to enter the war and help the allies. On the other hand I disagree with this quotation because even with the rescuing of 338,226 men, another 68,000 British soldiers were killed and 290,000 French soldiers. Nearly all of Britain’s tanks, planes, naval vessels, small arms and motor vehicles were either damaged or left behind on the beaches of France. Another point for the cons is that many civilians were injured and killed whilst trying to rescue the soldiers stranded on the beaches. All in all Dunkirk was one of the greatest military victories for the Germans due to the massive loss of British soldiers and military resources. To conclude, although this was a great military victory for the Germans, it was also a great help in raising the hope of the British population. In short I agree with the quotation above because of the points stated above as well as the fact that if Dunkirk had failed in the slightest for the British then Churchill would have probably signed a peace treaty with Hitler, allowing the Germans to win the war. In the long-term, Dunkirk was a great victory for the British although it was a very big defeat in the short-term as much military strength was lost.

Monday, July 22, 2019

Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of youth justice policies in England and Wales since 1997 Essay Example for Free

Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of youth justice policies in England and Wales since 1997 Essay Introduction When Labour took office in 1997 they claimed that they would be tough on crime and the causes of crime. The first 6 months were unprecedented, with six consultation documents being released on youth and crime each containing its own proposals these were first published in Tackling Youth Crime, Reforming Youth Justice (Labour 1996). To start this essay I will first discuss Labours 1997 White Paper, No more excuses: A new approach to tackling youth crime in England and Wales, where policy was laid out and then later legislated in The Crime and Disorder Act 1998. From this I will evaluate the weaknesses and strengths of the various elements of this policy which will include the aims of the youth justice system. Then in the second part move to evaluate the abolition of the doli incapax, the reparation order and parenting order. Thirdly I will evaluate the child safety order, local child curfew, final warning scheme, action plan order. The fourth part will be an evaluation of the detention and training order and new arrangements for secure remands of 12-16 year olds. And finally the establishment of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales, Youth Offending Teams and the duties of the local authorities and other agencies to make sure the availability of the appropriate youth justice services. And then finally bring all my findings together to produce a clear and comprehensive conclusion; which I believe has many strengths and some weaknesses. The Labour governments 1997 White paper, No more excuses: A new approach to tackling youth crime in England and Wales is a document which sets out labours programme of reform for the youth justice system in England and Wales, it aims are a clear strategy to prevent offending and re-offending, that offenders, and their parents, face up to their offending behaviour and take responsibility for it, earlier, more effective intervention when young people first offend, faster, more efficient procedures from arrest to sentence, partnership between all youth justice agencies to deliver a better, faster system Home Office (1997). According to the Home Office (1997) the aim of the youth justice system is to prevent offending by young people. And the Crime and Disorder Bill has in it a requirement that it is the duty of all people working in the youth justice system to uphold these. The requirement covers all the youth justice agencies in England and Wales like the police, social services the probation services and others working in the Youth Offending Teams, the Crown prosecution service, defence solicitors, the prison services and courts and the way they deal with young adults. The claim is that this will provide unity between them all and that everyone is striving for the same purpose. The government will also complement this with a new proposal for a new Youth Justice Board for England and Wales who will give advice on how to set standards and how to monitor performance. Also this will not take over or supersede practitioners previous roles, but will support them to understand their actions and choices when they deal with young people this can help to stop offending and can prevent avoidable delays; such as the chances of offending when awaiting sentence can be reduced, also making young people responsible for their own behaviours which can help youths understand and change their behaviours. Also community and custodial penalties whose priorities are on the causes of offending which can be enforced can help. This duty that has been stated is a clear strength bringing the various agencies and services in the same line and having one clear aim of what the task ahead is this also eliminates any confusion that might have existed. The government according to the Home Office (1997) proposes that an aim of youth justice system and the duty discussed previously and their practitioners would be supported by more complete, non statutory objectives for these agencies. These would support the proposals made by Jack Straws Youth Justice Task Force which is a variety of people and groups that have a high knowledge of the system and have now issues of victims and representatives of the governmental departments. The Task Force stated their recommendations for preventing offending which were, a speedy administration of justice so that the accused matter can be sorted out quickly, confronting offenders with the consequences of their actions, for themselves their families, victims and their communities. Punishment which reflects the seriousness and the persistence of the offending. Also to support reparation to victims by the offenders and to strengthen the responsibilities of parents and to help offenders to fix their problems and to build a sense of the personal self. This is also strength as all involved have a good knowledge of the problems and the system and would be a good resource to the system to have. And also what the Task Force has recommended is also a good step forward as it is these that have stopped the system from being efficient. Moving onto the abolition of the doli incapax the reparation order and parenting order. The doli incapax according to Muncie (2009:275) In England and Wales, children fewer than 10 could not be found guilty of a criminal offence, and the law for many years believed that those under 14 were incapable of criminal intent. But during the 1990s the doli incapax, which had been in the law since the 14th century, was being challenged by both the right and the left. This was due to the Bulger case, the policy was put under review by the conservatives after the 1994 High Court ruling. Three years later it was abolished in the Crime and Disorder Act, the reasons given for this were so that they could convict young offenders who wreaked havoc on communities this was based on the fact that they believed that 10 and 13 year olds could capable of knowing between right and wrong. This was against what the UN had recommended for The UK which they had made in 1995 then 2002 to come in line with the rest of Europe but the government went totally in the other direction. They gave no direction to the courts and to the youth offending teams that overall child welfare is the main consideration. This is a weakness as it contradicts what Labour had said in there White Paper, and the fact that the YOTs would be confused with conflicting policies. This legislation manages not to take the childs age into consideration and this can be seen just by looking at the rest of Europe are the children in the UK not the same. The reparation order is for young adults to understand the cost of their actions and to take responsibility for them. What is asked is that they repair the damage caused directly to the victim through mediation if they both agree or to the community indirectly cleaning up graffiti and other tasks around the community. This would be managed by the YOT, this can be a real strength in the rehabilitation process giving something back to the victims and the community and being able to see the damage they have caused helping to change their lives around. Also the parenting order which has been stated by the Home Office (1997) to be created so that it can give support to parents so they can control their children. The order requires parents attend a counselling or guidance session once a week for 3 months and if the courts think that it is needed then a requirement to make sure that children attend school and to see that they get home on a certain time. This is also a strength as it forces parents to be responsible as some parents let their children do what they want to and so this is a good way of making parents act so that they can help their children from offending. Now moving onto the child safety order, which according to the Home Office (1997) has been developed to safeguard children who are under ten where there is risk that these children will be involved in crime or signs of anti social behaviour can be seen. This could be available to local authorities in the family proceeding court. A court would be able to make a child stay at home at a certain time or ban them from going to certain places. They could also stop certain behaviours like truanting; this could also be combined with a parenting order. And if these are not obeyed then the local authority can start proceedings. The strength of this is a the combination of the two orders as it can be most effective this way by handing responsibility 2 both parent and child giving maximum results. Then there is the Local child curfew which is for the Childs own good and to stop neighbourhood crime and disorder and states that children should not be out without supervision at night. This can be used by the local authorities and police but they would have to get permission from the Home secretary. Also the council could then bar children under 10 from certain public places after certain times. These can last for up to 90 days and if these are to be extended then police and local community. The strength of this is that it involves the local community so determining whats best for the members of their own community. Then there is the final warning where the Home Office (1997) has replaced the cautioning with a statuary police reprimand, what happens is that the police can decide to reprimand a child and give them a final warning or to bring criminal charges to the offender. What then happens is a community intervention programme is forced which makes the offender and his family address the causes this behaviour which can help solve the problem. What the final warning entails is that the first offence the offender can receive a reprimand by the police if the crime is not that serious and if it carries on then a another final warning or criminal charges can be pressed. But on no grounds must 2 final warnings be given. The strength of this is that it lets the offender know that they will be strict and will not put up with it again a final warning is a final warning. Also an action plan order which is like a community penalty for young offenders, this is a small, rigorous programme where community intervention is used combined with punishment and rehabilitation so that the offenders behaviour can be changed and more crime can be stopped. The strength in this lies in the way that it uses various methods simultaneously like community intervention, punishment and rehabilitation which can only increase the chances of success. Moving onto and new arrangements for secure remands of 12-16 year olds. The Home office (1997) state that the government should have undeniable powers to remand to secure accommodation. For young people who are of the age 10-16 and are awaiting trial. And so The Criminal Justice Act 1991 and the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 included in its provisions to amend the Children and Young Persons Act 1969 which was to allow courts to remand 12-16 years olds directly to secure local authority accommodation with certain conditions. But this was not put into operation. The conservatives had started a building programme which was for 170 new local authority secure places, there completion date was 1998. But Labour said that these would be not enough. And so declared to use the Crime and Disorder Bill to implement court ordered remand power on some groups of youths. Priority would be gives to 12-14s then girls of the age 15 and 16 and also boys of that age when places become available. This is due to courts believing that these children are vulnerable and they are emotionally and physically immature and so there is a danger that they could harm themselves, this is also strength as it recognises that they are still young but this also does contradict other policies in this White Paper which it does on many levels. Also detention and training orders, these will give powers the Home Office (1997) states can be used for 10-17 year olds and courts can use these only if it is a very serious crime and if they are persistent offenders and the court believes it is needed to protect the public. This will also added to 10-11 year olds but would only be permitted by parliament if seen to be needed. The length of the sentence will be divided, half of it will be in custody and half in community supervision and this also could be adjusted if good behaviour is seen. This is a good as it does not just impose a detention where by this can harden the youth and in some cases lead to further crimes but with the community supervision would let the offender know that they have been given a chance to mend their ways. Then Maguire, Morgan and Reiner (2002:560) discuss Labours new youth justice which is the forming of the Youth Justice Board (YJB) and the Youth offending Teams (YOTs); and also what takes place through this legislation is a restructure of non custodial penalties in the youth court. So considering Labours main aim of having a youth justice system which prevents offending by children and young adults, the way labour went about this is to impose order from the centre. There tools to enable this was a catalogue of legislations, also the then Home secretary Jack Straw formed a youth justice task force the aim of this was to keep a tight link with all the other agencies involved with young offenders. Due to the section 41 of the Crime Disorder Act the YJB had turned into a non departmental public body which was then sponsored by the Home Office. The job of the YJB was to monitor the running of the youth justice system and the provision of the youth justice services and also the national standards and establishing the right performance measures. What also the 1998 Act made possible was for the home secretary to give the board more powers which included the YJB becoming the commissioning body of all the placements that are under 18 in a secure facility on remand or have a sentence from the courts. The YJB was also given control over commissioning places including prison services YOTs, secure training centres (STCs) and local authority secure units. This is also strength as it brings together all the agencies under one roof you could say and so the aims are understood by all and are the same this can only help. This brings me to managerialism, the reason the YJB and the YOTs were set up in the first place was because according to Muncie (2009:297) investigations from the Public Accounts Committee, Audit commission and the National Audit Office recommended and supported subjugating professional skills independent managerial ideals of what works, which could attach certain resources to credible and successful outcomes and which could initiate responsibility to law and order from a central state to a sequence of semi independent local partnerships which will include privatized bodies and voluntary agencies. Words such as individual need, rehabilitation, reformation, penal purpose and due process are replaced by techniques of classification and actuarialism, risk assessment and resource management changes all the earlier understanding of law and order from understanding motivations of crime to making crime bearable through universal coordination. This is a total difference from earlier ways and managerial system is thought to lower the standard or expectations of what a government can achieve in the youth justice system. This to me is a weakness as it is being run like a business which always has its priorities in cost and reduction, but also I can see strengths to as it can be more efficiently run with professionals running it with the right knowledge. The Act also contained anti social behaviour orders. Muncie (2009:317) explains that they are usually refer to a variety of things such as youths that hang out causing trouble making a nuisance of them and to their neighbours, making noise, vandalising property, littering, and causing graffiti to public property and drunkenness. This has been a priority in England and Wales, the key to New Labour was to strengthen the ability of the criminal justice system so they could treat disorder and the lack of respect but serious crimes too as it was clear that disorder was rising and was affecting neighbourhoods and also that it was a sign of times to come more serious crimes. The police and courts were said to be powerless against the nuisance and the anti social behaviour that was being caused and that this was being mixed in with impunity. Second at the centre was a program and wish not just to reduce crime and disorder, but to encourage a process of civil renewal and civic responsibility. Third the broken windows theory was taken aboard a it was believed that a failure to accept zero tolerance policing of lesser serious offending and signs of disorder could only further destroy already deprived and marginalized communities. The Anti social behaviour order (ASBO) was the flagship of New Labour in their 1998 Crime and Disorder Act. Muncie (2009:318) explains that this is a civil not a criminal order and can be given by the police and local authority to anyone that is over 10 years of age whose behaviour can cause alarm, distress or even harassment. The minimum time an order can last is two years. But if you breach the order it will be treated as a criminal offence and the punishment for this can be up to two years in prison for juveniles and five years for adults. Certain local authorities went even further and started to experiment with Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) which were for even lower levels of behaviours and for lower ages those below for ten years of age. And if they are given an order then they must agree and to take steps to correct their behaviour, the steps will be decided by local youth offending team (YOT) and their parents must also agree on the steps. Initially when the ASBO was introduced it was said that it was for adults that were nuisances to their neighbours, but this statement was later changed and became for young people and areas that high crime rates became the targets of this order. The Home office review, 58% were made on under 18 year olds and a further 16% on those aged between 18 and 21. There are certain steps in this that are positive but to me there are inherent weaknesses to, like to give anti social behaviour order and lock youths in their houses and stop them from going into certain locations can work but does not address the real problem, and Labour could try and find the cause of these problems as this to me is just breeding further adult criminals and as we have seen lately getting an ASBO is something t o show off so demoralising it entirely. So to conclude I have found that Labour have a lot of strengths in their Youth Policy but have inherent weaknesses which stem from various contradictions in the policy. The strength that I have found are first of all is the duty that has been put into the legislation, which brings various agencies and services together, which unifies them and sets a main agenda that all must adhere to as it is in the legislation to follow the duty and eliminates any confusion that might have existed, and another strength is to support these by the task force which comprises of professionals and people in the field that can offer the best advice. Also the reparation order is a strength as it forces parents to be responsible as some parents let their children do what they want to and so this is a good way of making parents act so that they can help their children from offending and make them responsible. Then the child safety order, the strength of this is a the combination of the two orders as it can be most effective this way by handing responsibility 2 both parent and child giving maximum results. Then the local child curfews strength lies in the way it involves the local community so determining whats best for the members of their own community. Then there is the final warning where the strength in this lies in the way that it uses various methods simultaneously like community intervention, punishment and rehabilitation which can only increase the chances of success. Which brings me to secure remands of 12-16 year olds which is also a strength as it recognises that they are still young but this also does contradict other policies in this White Paper which it does on many levels, the detention training programme has strength because it does not just impose a detention where by this can harden the youth and in some cases lead to a life of crime but with the community supervision would let the offender know that they have been given a chance to mend their ways. The forming of the YOTs and YJB is strength as it brings together all the agencies under one roof you could say, and so the aims are understood by all and are the same this can only help, and managerialism is strength as it can be more efficiently run with professionals in charge. Now I will just conclude my findings of the weaknesses which are; the abolition of the doli incapax to me is a weakness as it manages not to take the childs age into consideration and this can be seen just by looking at the rest of Europe, are the children in the UK not the same. Another weakness is the ASBO to lock youths in their houses and stop them from going into certain locations can work but does not address the real problem, and Labour could try and find the cause of these problems as this to me is just breeding further adult criminals and as we have seen lately getting an ASBO is something to be proud off and to show off so demoralising the order entirely. There are strengths and weaknesses in this policy but I have found the strengths outweigh the weaknesses. Bibliography Home Office, (1997), White Paper, No More Excuses: A new approach to tackling youth crime in England and Wales Muncie, J. (2009), Youth and Crime, 3rd edition, London, Sage publications Maguire, M. Morgan, R and Reiner, R. (2002), The Oxford Handbook of Criminology, 3rd Edition, Oxford, Oxford University Press. Goldson, B. Muncie, J. (2006), Youth Crime and Justice, London, Sage Publications Baldock, J. Manning, N. and Vickerstaff, S. (2007), Social Policy, 3rd edition, Oxford, Oxford University Press.

Sunday, July 21, 2019

Systems Theory And Change Management Information Technology Essay

Systems Theory And Change Management Information Technology Essay Change Management is important for any business transformation like new technology implementation, merger or acquisition. A common framework breaks down change management into three stages: Freeze, Change, and Unfreeze. This paper explains the concept of change management and relate it to the concepts in general systems theory. The case study on an organization is based on my experiences while implementing the change management. This case study is my understanding and analysis of the respective organization as a system of people, process and technology. This analysis will help students and change management consultants to broaden their view and correlate the general systems theory for effective change management. Whenever we have a business transformation within an organization, it impacts the process, the people and technology (Larkin, 2003). Change Management emphasis on the people side of change. Mc Kinsey and Company recently surveyed 1546 business executives from around the world, asking them if they consider their change program completely/mostly successfully: Only 30 percent agreed (Isem, Joseph and Pung, 2006). The change management approach for an organization was based on three stages: Freeze, Change, Unfreeze (Nickols, 2007). The key to the success of a change initiative is to access the previous changes and implementing the change by learnings from previous experiences and by avoiding repeating errors. To analyze the organizations readiness for a change we interact with the people who are responsible and are part of this change. In this paper we will discuss how the steps followed in change management to implement a change are also explained by Bertalanffy in General Systems Theory. We will discuss my experiences to access organizations readiness for change and correlate them with General Systems Theory. Systems Theory would enhance the understanding of an organization that would help to implement an effective change management. II. Theoretical Background: Change Management in Organizations. The first and foremost definition of change management refers to the making of changes in a planned and managed or systematic fashion (Nickols, 2007). A change within an organization could be a business transformation like implementation of new technology, merger or acquisition, layoffs etc. These changes not only affect the process and technology of an organization but also the people affected by this change. A business process transformation impacts the process, people and the technology (Larkin, 2003). Change management concentrates on the people side of change. Change Management is a process through which an organization can achieve its objective. In a conventional approach the various steps through this journey may be delineated but change management facilities to align these steps in a systematic manner to achieve success. It has not been determined whether change management is an art, science, a profession or a discipline. It is more likely composed of a little of each and a totally separate entity in itself (Ledez, 2008). It is a process through which we can predict the success of a change initiative by assessing the readiness of the organization towards change and then implement strategies to achieve the transition from the present scenario to the final transformation. Another definition of change management refers to the efforts it takes to manage people through the emotional ups and downs that inevitably occur when the organization is undergoing massive change (Sieber, Nah, 1999). With the increase in competition and technology it is necessary for an organization to initiate business transformation. The most crucial stage in the change management methodology is Freeze. As a change management consultant my focus was based on assessing the organizations readiness for change. To analyze the organizations readiness for change, we assess the change history, cultural conduciveness of the organization and the overall perception of the senior management towards this change initiative. Systems Theory and Systems Thinking. Systems Integrity is one of the underlying concepts of systems theory emphasizes on understanding the intricacies of a system before making any changes to it. A system becomes more complex with the advancement of technology. As the systems become more complex it is imperative to understand the system as a whole and the interactions within the system. Systems theory focuses on the relationships between parts and the properties of a whole, rather than reducing a whole to its parts and studying their individual properties (Ackoff, 1971). A system is defined as an entity which maintains its existence through mutual interactions of its parts (Bertalanffy, 1976). The interactions within a system occur due to its hierarchical order. The different sub-systems within a system have a particular role to play within a larger system of which it is a part (Sanford, 2004). The underlying structure of which is a nested hierarchy of increasing orders of complexity (Sanford, 2004). Ackoff believes that a systems theory concept approach is fundamental to the study of organizations, so he translated von Bertalanffys original definition of a system to organizational context (Chun, Song, Arling, Granados, 2008). A system is composed of subsystems that interact with each other. At any given time, a system or its subsystems exhibits a state, defined as its current properties or characteristics (Chun, Song, Arling, Granados, 2008). A change in the state of a system is called an event (Chun, Song, Arling, Granados, 2008). In simple terms, an event is any observable occurrence. The behavior of a system can be regarded as an event. Behaviors are events that initiate other events(Chun, Song, Arling, Granados, 2008). For example, providing incentives to the employees is a behavior that will cause another event to motivate the employees. A process is a sequence of behaviors within a system that can lead to reach its final goal (Chun, Song, Arling, Granado s, 2008). This is also related to the concept of equifinality. Equifinality is an idea that suggests that in an open system a similar result may be achieved in many different ways (Cumming, Worley, 2005). Any system that interacts with the external environment is an open system. The open systems interact with the sub-systems within or external environment through feedback mechanism. The final goal or objective of a system can be achieved by the various subsystems in an open system through different ways, paths or procedures. This concept of an open system is called Equifinality. Towards a Systems Theory approach in Change Management. The backbone of change management is composed of a variety of hard and soft sciences drawn upon psychology, sociology, business administration, economics, industrial engineering, systems engineering (Nickols, 2007). It is imperative to study the long term cultural and behavioral patterns of a system to analyze the scope of change within that system. Change Management theory includes a series of models, beliefs, concepts and principles known as General Systems Theory (Nickols, 2007). The concepts of systems theory enhances the effectiveness of change management in an organization. We will now describe the research methodology and the case study of the company where I implemented change management. Lets call that company as LSD (hypothetical name). III. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: CASE STUDY The organization as a whole can be considered as a system with various departments within the organizations acting as subsystems interacting among each other and the outside world. The people within an organization are the integral part of this system. Change is also a psychological even and any organizational change may involve some real and perceived threat of personal loss for the people involved. This event may lead to the resistant behavior by the people involved in the change initiative. The success of a change program can be brought about by appropriate connections of many activities related to human behavior. Change management in all about predicting the future. To analyze and predict the success of a change initiative within an organization we need to assess the long term patters or history and behaviors of events within the organization. Current State Assessment consisting of evaluation the change history and assessing the Cultural Conduciveness for the change will provide suggestions how to manage the change within the organization. Organizational readiness assessment will help LSD to determine how prepared they are for the future. Current State Assessment and Organization Readiness Assessment were based on the following inputs- (1) Discussions/ Interviews with the top management, (2) Dialogue with the Core Team i.e. people working on the new technology, (3) Workshops and Questionnaire administration among the key stakeholders i.e. people who are either affected by the change program or can have an impact on the successful implementation of the change program, (4) Workshops and Questionnaire administered to the Core Team , (5) Questionnaires administered among the larger work force across all the offices in the country. Workshops were conducted to sensitize the stakeholders about the importance of the change initiative (ERP implementation) prior to the questionnaire administration. In all 90 responses were collected from all the departments and offices across the country. Also a variety of designations ranging from C-Level executive to lower staff , were covered to gain a comprehensive understanding of LSDs Change History , Culture and Organizational Readiness. IV. CHANGE MANAGEMENT AT LSD LSD is one of the leading government organizations in the power and energy sector. The organization has around twenty three offices across the country with four head offices in metropolitan cities. With the growth and expansion in the last twenty years the company is deciding to switch from the paper-work procedure to ERP implementation. This implantation will streamline and shorten their business processes to cope with the industry standards and competition. I was part of this change management team that facilitated this challenging transformation. Out team included four third-party change management consultants and ten change agents across the organization. These change agents were the employees who were influential within LSD. Applying Systems Theory to Change Management at LSD. We will now correlate the methodologies used by us in change management with the concepts in systems theory and systems thinking. The approach we used to implement this change included both the quantitative analysis (i.e. by administering questionnaire and analyzing the scores) and qualitative analysis (i.e. by conducting interviews and workshops with the employees). In the change readiness assessment we included the survey from all the employees across the country that would be part of this change program. All these employees are part of the whole change management system and relates to the concept that the focuses on the relationship between parts and the properties of a whole (Ackoff, 1971). Change History Assessment. We assess the history of the previous changes within the organization to understand the system better before altering it. The analysis of previous history data will provide us with the previous trends, patterns or behavior of the system. This helps a change management consultant to predict the system better in case of any future changes and manage the system accordingly. The parameters used in the change history assessment are:- Stakeholder Identification and Commitment It is imperative for us to include all the people as a subsystem to interact within the system as a whole. Resistance Analysis and Management The change from one event to another may cause some change in behavior. When we consider the people as part of a system, changes in human behavior is also predominant. Resistance analysis is to gauge the human behavior within our system. Benefits Identification and Management This is one of the parameters that play a very important role in a balancing process. The change management approach is a goal-seeking process that tends to reach the equifinality. The various departments and the people across the organization work together to reach the final change. The resistance from the employees may imbalance the system and diverge it to reach the final goal. Benefits Identification and management is a balancing act to make the resistant employees realize the benefits for them from this change initiative. This will lead the whole system to balance and reach the objective. Communication effectiveness This is also an important variable in any change management process. As the organizations become more complex and large the effectiveness of communication is a challenge. The more effective is the communication, the more aware and supportive the employees are. We can also explain this balancing process through the diagram below: Cultural Conduciveness: Culture is something that is difficult to define accurately, but everyone knows when they sense it. The pattern in the culture helps a change consultant to sense the mindset of the organization. The culture of the organization was assessed on the basis of the following parameters like trust , team work, openness , interpersonal learning , respect for the individuals , organizational support , rewards and recognition. After realizing the problem areas from previous history assessment, we had interviews with the stakeholders to understand the story of the problem. These interviews provided very useful information on the viewpoints of the employees with respect to this change initiative and their perspective on the culture of the organization. This helps the change management consultant to be a part of the system and sensitize to the structure of the organization. The key findings of my project were: The culture for rewards and recognition was less prominent and didnt motivated employees to be enthusiastic about any developments within the organization. The lower level employees felt alienated by the senior level executives. The communication and trust between the senior and lower management was missing. This lead to dissatisfaction among the lower level and they never took in the organization activities.

Saturday, July 20, 2019

Comparing Relationship between Teller and Tale in The Merchant’s Tale a

Relationship between Teller and Tale in The Merchant’s Tale and The Wife of Bathe A relationship is usually seen between the teller of a tale and the tale that he or she decides to share. Chaucer’s pilgrim, the Merchant, uses his feelings on marriage to teach a lesson in his tale. The Wife of Bathe also relies on her life experience to tell her tale. The two relationships in the tales can then be compared. In his prologue, the Merchant recounts how he despises being married. He has only been married for two months and he regrets the decision he made because his wife is the worst of all. He takes these negative views of marriage into his tale. The old man that gets to receive the Merchant’s feelings towards marriage is January. January is happy in his marriage, quite the opposite from the Merchant, yet his wife fools him. The Merchant is blinded by the beauty and vivacity of his young wife, May. He is in love enough with her that he does not immediately understand the affair that is happening behind his back. Even when he catches sight of Da...

Theres No Defense for Affluenza Essay -- The Affluenza Defense

"The Affluenza Defense: Judge Rules Rich Kid’s Rich Kid-ness Makes Him Not Liable for Deadly Drunk Driving Accident" -- Madison Gray, Time.com The relationship between motive and consequence is a complex one, and is made even more debatable when context becomes involved. Throughout our judicial history, the line between responsibility and exemption remains razor-thin in its subjectivity. If a woman murders her husband, but was abused by him for years, why is this considered different from a murder where the perpetrator wasn’t abused? We take these mitigating factors into account in court, but they present a unique problem. How much and which extenuating circumstances are enough to change the conviction? Precedents are continually being set as new mental conditions are discovered or gain new validity, so we must be able to discern the difference between defenses that are legitimate, and the Twinkie defenses. Twinkie defenses are those, which carry no reasonable justification for diminishing the mental capacity of the defendant. The ambiguity of what we know of the mind creates this conflict, so it is important t hat we consider the context with care. A new defense known as ‘Affluenza’ was very recently introduced into this family of mitigating factors. Affluenza claims that when an individual grows up in or is subjected to an affluent environment where the real world is shielded from them, they are unable to make the connection between their actions and their consequences. Affluenza says that the access to an excess of all the things money can buy comes at the expense of all the things money cannot buy. With the absence of even the most basic role modeling of the relationship between cause and... ...l Of Behavioral & Applied Management 11.3 (2010): 232-248. Academic Search Premier. Web. 09 Mar. 2014. Hobson, Jeremy. "The ‘Affluenza’ Defense." Here Now RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2014. . "Weekday Schedule." Newport Academy. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2014. . Lunther, Suniya, and Shawn Latendresse. "Children of the Affluent: Challenges to Well Being." Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2014. . de Graaf, J., Wann, D., Naylor, T. H., & Horsey, D. (2001). Affluenza: The all-consuming epidemic. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers. Whitely, Jason. "Sentence given to Teen in Deadly Drunk Driving Crash Spurs Backlash." WFAA Wfaa.com. ABC, n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2014.

Friday, July 19, 2019

Essay --

Microbe Bug Report Candida albicans: Friend or Foe INTRODUCTION. Our bodies are made up of billions of living microorganisms. Most of these microorganisms are extremely beneficial for our health and actually contribute to our survival. However, if imbalances occur within, our naturally helpful microbes then they can become â€Å"invaders and literal harmful. I will examine Candia albicans and its important role in the body and the consequence of their imbalance. RESEARCH & CLASSIFICATION. The genus Candia is a yeast group that has approximately 150 species that belong to the eukaryote domain. The cell structure is nearly identical to that of a human cell. Candida albicans is a diploid organism with eight sets of homologous chromosomes and a genome size of about 32 Mb. It is a dynamic organelle with cell walls composed of glucan and chitin. Various proteins also exist in the cell walls and can be modified by glycosylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. Enzyme secretion occurs with substrates both within the cell and in the external environment. They are gram-positive; colonizing within 3 days and have a soft, moist, and yellowish-cream appearance that form 10 to 12 microns in diameter. Candida albicans fungus reproduces sexually and asexually in hyphal form in which they split into fragments and create new yeast-like forms (mycelia), and the other by budding and forming an ellipsoidal bud. ETIOLOGY & EPIDERMIOLOGY. Candia albicans is an endogenous organism that grows as a diploid fungus and is present in 40-80 % of human beings. It lives in our digestive tract and contributes to the population of our gut microbe by providing nutrients to our friendly gut bacterium. When the balance of C. albicans is at a healthy low ... ...roduce stable electrically conductive bio-nano-composite tissue materials that have been used as temperature sensing elements. This is an exciting new area of scientific discovery. I am eager to read more about the benefits and possibilities that exist with this new biotech process. REFERENCES. â€Å"Candidiasis.† March 8, 2001. CDC. Medline Encyclopedia† May 2005. Medline Plus. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000964.htm Tortora G., Funke, B., Case, C,. Microbiology: An Introduction (11th edition), 2013 Pearson Education. Glenview, IL. â€Å"The Fourth NIAID Workshop in Medical Mycology: Responses to Fungi.† NIAI January 5, 2001. â€Å"What is Candida?† 2004. Ninazu Health Products Inc.

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Crime Rate Soars in Abra Essay

I.INTRODUCTION: As if living up to its moniker â€Å"murder capital of the north,† shooting incidents in Abra in the first quarter of 2011 have almost tripled compared to those recorded in the same period in 2010, an election year. Based on records from the Abra Provincial Police Office (Abra-PPO), there were 14 shooting incidents from January to March in 2010 as against 36 cases recorded from January to March 27 this year. Statistically, this means that at least one shooting incident takes place every three days in this northern province. a.) Backround Of The Study Abra is a landlocked province in northern Luzon, which is consistently listed among hotspots during elections because of intense political rivalry and the presence of private armies. The current number of shooting incidents the year 2012 is more than a third of the 102 recorded shooting incidents. b.)Objectives: †¢To help people see, especially the youngsters, the negative effects of doing crimes. †¢To help people realize that crimes does not only destroys one entity but the whole country. †¢To let them see our place will not be progressive if some people will continue to do crimes specially killings. c.)Review Of Related Literature: REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7659 Sec. 5.The penalty of death for parricide under Article 246 of the same Code is hereby restored, so that it shall read as follows: â€Å"Art. 246.Parricide. – Any person who shall kill his father, mother, or child, whether legitimate of illegitimate, or any of his ascendants, or descendants, or his spouse, shall be guilty of parricide and shall be punished by the penalty of reclusion perpetua to death.† Sec. 6.Article 248 of the same Code is hereby amended to read as follows: â€Å"Art. 248.Murder. – Any person who, not falling  within the provisions of Article 246 shall kill another, shall be guilty of murder and shall be punished by reclusion perpetua, to death if committed with any of the following attendant circumstances: Sec. 7.Article 255 of the same Code is hereby amended to read as follows: â€Å"Art. 255.Infanticide. – The penalty provided for parricide in Article 246 and for murder in Article 248 shall be imposed upon any person who shall kil l any child less than three days of age. If any crime penalized in this Article be committed by the mother of the child for the purpose of concealing her dishonor, she shall suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its medium and maximum periods, and if said crime be committed for the same purpose by the maternal grandparents or either of them, the penalty shall be reclusion temporal.† Sec. 12.Section 2 of Republic Act No. 7080 (An Act Defining and Penalizing the Crime of Plunder) is hereby amended to read as follows: â€Å"Sec. 2.Definition of the Crime of Plunder; Penalties. – Any public officer who, by himself or in connivance with members of his family, relatives by affinity or consanguinity, business associates, subordinates or other persons, amasses, accumulates or acquires ill-gotten wealth through a combination or series of overt criminal acts as described in Section 1 (d) hereof in the aggregate amount or total value of at least Fifty million pesos (P50,000,000.00) shall be guilty of the crime of plunde r and shall be punished by reclusion perpetua to death. Any person who participated with the said public officer in the commission of an offense contributing to the crime of plunder shall likewise be punished for such offense. In the imposition of penalties, the degree of participation and the attendance of mitigating and extenuating circumstances, as provided by the Revised Penal Code, shall be considered by the court. The court shall declare any and all ill-gotten wealth and their interests and other incomes and assets including the properties and shares of stocks derived from the deposit or investment thereof forfeited in favor of the State.† d.)Framework: I must admit that Bangued or Abra in general is not on the top list of the many tourist attractions in the Ilocos or Cordillera Regions. The number-one most probable culprit may be the fact that some local tourists still have the stigma about NPA and the prevalent crimes in the province. And if there  are local tourists around, expect that they are just visiting for some business matters in the town capital. That leads me to my second most probable culprit: purpose of travelling. â€Å"Why should I go and visit Abra? What would I do in Bangued?† are just two of the many questions of some tourists, both local and international. e.)Statement of the problem: CRIME IS An act committed or omitted in violation of a law forbidding or commanding it and for which punishment is imposed upon conviction. Anywhere in the world is consider unsafe and dangerous. What makes a country, town or barangays even more dangerous and unsafe is when the politician themselves are busy killing each other instead of busy promoting peace and order in their respective area of assignment. Very sad to say this is the case with Bangued, Abra right now. At least here in Illinois our politicians are not at that situation yet and I hope, it will always be the case. f.)Hypothesis: I was born from Bangued, Abra and I am very disappointed to know and watch that my birthplace is becoming more of a killing fields. Abrenians are suffering because of these bad developments that our town is going through. Bad publicity doesn’t help at all when we are trying to promote our town as a good destination for tourist. It’s just very unsafe and dangerous place to be at right now. Politicians are busy killing each other instead of uniting for a better and prosperous Bangued, Abra. What a sad and proudless story to tell to our next generations. g.)Analysis: Shooting incidents have resulted in various crimes such as murder, homicide, frustrated murder, attempted murder and physical injury. It is not known if all shooting incidents have been documented by the Abra PNP. Early last year, several patients who sustained bullet wounds and checked in hospitals for treatment were not listed in police records. According to a short analysis in the Abra PNP report, the lower number of shooting incidents in 2010 was attributed to the Commission on Election’s (COMELEC) gun ban â€Å"implemented prior to the conduct of the National and Local Election.† â€Å"This  fact denotes that Total Gun Ban in the province is beneficial to the reduction of crimes committed with the use of firearms,† â€Å"Poverty and lack of job opportunities are the reasons why being a ‘hired killer’ has become a profession.†