A Comparison of the Climates in Three Locations in the World essays

A Comparison of the Climates in Three Locations in the World essays The world features a number of regions with climates that can be very diverse. I am comparing the general climates focusing on average temperatures, rainfall and snowfall amounts, and sunrise/sunset times of three locations in the world: London, England, United Kingdom; Sydney, Australia; and Verkhoyansk, Siberia, Russian Federation. London is in a temperate zone of the world, average temperatures don't vary far from freezing in the winter to quite warm in the summer. The temperatures average around just above freezing in the mid-winter, around January, to about 22C at the peak of summer, in July and August (Henson 272). Average rainfall ranges around 988 mm in January to around 315 mm in July (Henson 272). Throughout a year, London may get an average of 25 days when snow has fallen. Since London is in a temperate zone the North Temperate Zone, to be exact the Summer Solstice is either on 20 or 21 June of every year; and the Winter Solstice is on either 21 or 22 December of every year (Silverstein 29 30). Sunrise and sunset times are pretty evenly distributed across the year; with mid-March clocking in at 06:14 for sunrise and 18:04 for sunset, mid-June having sunrise at 04:44 and sunset at 21:16, mid-September's sunrise being at 06:04 and sunset at 19:14, and mid-December's sunrise occurring at 07:57 and sun set at 15:52 (Henson 272). Sydney, another city in a temperate zone this time the South Temperate Zone has similar temperature ranges as London, with approximitely 26C (in mid-December) being the highest on average found in a year and about 7C (in mid-July) being the lowest on average for the year (Henson 353). Since Sydney is in the South Temperate Zone, the seasons begin at opposite times of the year from London; with summer starting on either 21 or 22 December and winter beginning on either 20 or 21 June of every year (Silverstein 30). Rainfall is a litt ...

The 1st Punic War

The 1st Punic War One of the problems with writing ancient history is that much of the data  just isnt available any longer. The evidence for early Roman history is notoriously problematic. Roman historians developed extensive narratives, preserved most fully for us in two histories written in the late ï ¬ rst century bc, by Livy and by Dionysius of Halicarnassus (the latter in Greek, and fully extant only for the period down to 443 bc). However, Roman historical writing only began in the late third century bc, and it is clear that the early accounts were greatly elaborated by later writers. For the period of the kings, most of what we are told is legend or imaginative reconstruction.Warfare and the Army in Early Rome,- A Companion to the Roman Army Eyewitnesses are in particularly short supply. Even second-hand accounts can be hard to come by, so its significant that in their A History of Rome, historians M. Cary and H.H. Scullard say that unlike earlier periods of Rome, the history of the period of the First Punic War comes from annalists who had contact with actual eye-witnesses. Rome and Carthage fought the Punic Wars during the span of years from 264 to 146 B.C. With both sides well-matched, the first two wars dragged on and on; eventual victory went, not to the winner of a decisive battle, but to the side with the greatest stamina. The Third Punic War was something else entirely. Carthage and Rome In 509 B.C. Carthage and Rome signed a friendship treaty. In 306, by which time the Romans had conquered almost the entire Italian peninsula, the two powers reciprocally recognized a Roman sphere of influence over Italy and a Carthaginian one over Sicily. But Italy was determined to secure dominance over all of Magna Graecia (the areas settled by Greeks in and around Italy), even if it meant interfering with the dominance of Carthage in Sicily. The First Punic Wars Begin Turmoil in Messana, Sicily, provided the opportunity the Romans were looking for. Mamertine mercenaries controlled Messana, so when Hiero, tyrant of Syracuse, attacked the Mamertines, the Mamertines asked the Phoenicians for help. They obliged and sent in a Carthaginian garrison. Then, having second thoughts about the Carthaginian military presence, the Mamertines turned to the Romans for help. The Romans sent in an expeditionary force, small, but sufficient to send the Phoenician garrison back to Carthage. Carthage responded by sending in a larger force, to which the Romans responded with a full consular army. In 262 B.C. Rome won many small victories, giving it control over almost the entire island. But the Romans needed control of the sea for final victory and Carthage was a naval power. The First Punic War  Concludes With both sides balanced, the war between Rome and Carthage continued for 20 more years until the war-weary Phoenicians just gave up in 241. According to J.F. Lazenby, author of The First Punic War, To Rome, wars ended when the Republic dictated its terms to a defeated enemy; to Carthage, wars ended with a negotiated settlement. At the end of the First Punic War, Rome won a new province, Sicily, and began to look further. (This made the Romans empire builders.) Carthage, on the other hand, had to compensate Rome for its heavy losses. Although the tribute was steep, it didnt keep Carthage from continuing as a world-class trading power. Source Frank Smitha The Rise of Rome

Trifles a drama by Susan Glaspell Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Trifles a drama by Susan Glaspell - Essay Example The wives, Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale accompany the men to take some personal belongings for Mrs. Wright. The men get busy looking for evidence to account for the murder and leave the women to the â€Å"trifles†. It is then that they look around and find the various things in the kitchen and the room upstairs to establish a plausible connection between the murder and the objective. Starting out from the title, â€Å"trifles†. Trifles are things which are little, irrelevant and insignificant. The irony of the matter is that the â€Å"trifles† are so just for the men, and they mean quite a lot to the women. The ruined fruit reserves, symbolize the state of Minnie’s life - she too must have bottled up under the watchfulness of John Wright. The comment Wright makes about wanting only â€Å"peace and quiet† might throw some light on the loneliness of their lives. The messy tabletop also points out to things undone, which could have been because of the disturbed state of mind of Minnie. The coldness in the house also suggests the solemn and sad atmosphere in which they lived. Mrs. Hale comments that the house was never lively, it was down the hollow and did not look up the road and that is why she never felt like coming there. It is evident that a place which looks dreary from the outside must have been quite a burden to live in for Minnie. This coldness also symbolizes the warmth leaving the relationship between the two. The house being down in the hollow, John’s refusal to the party telephone, the childless home, all indicate the lonesomeness of the couple. Minnie who was cheerful and would dress up nice, now stayed in all the time with her songbird as her child. The death of the bird is empathized by Mrs. Peters in remembering the death of her own 2 years old child. What that meant to Mrs. Peters now meant the same to Mrs. Wright. This highlights the graveness of the wrung neck of

Arts Administration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Arts Administration - Essay Example Organizations are feeling the need to address the problem of the deficit brought about by the problems in the economy (Bonser, 2005). Arts administrators have been very much needed the past few years in various profit and non-profit organizations dedicated to the culture and the arts. This only proves that the society and the economy that caters to arts are already embracing the business component of their endeavors (Bonser, 2005). Choosing arts administration as a field of study can open up to various possibilities in the arts industry. It also promises a big contribution to the society. Arts administrators, dedicated and well-trained, are expected to help the arts institutions to confront the financial situation and organizational limits and to cater to the interests and needs of the clients and enthusiasts. At the same time, the arts administrators are also expected to have the understanding of what counts in the artistic community (Bonser, 2005). In the United States alone, there are various schools that offer Arts Administration program. These schools and universities offer considerable courses for their students and they have very comprehensive curriculum. These institutions are known for their strong commitment in developing the capabilities and skills of the students, thereby providing a strong support to the current state and the future of the arts community (Bonser, 2005). Fashion Institute of Technology The Fashion Institute of Technology or FIT is located in New York. The school is based in the middle of the city, just perfect for the institute which provides a link between creativity and commerce. It provides academic programs for students who want a career in the arts industry with at least 30 fields to choose from. The courses vary from the Master's to Bachelor's and Associate's Degree. The programs vary. There is the credit certificate program, online course and international programs (FIT, 2006). FIT recognizes the need to go beyond instilling among the students a good background in history of the arts. This is why a number of the programs FIT offers today also teach skills in technology and business. The Fashion Institute of Technology has Associate Degree and Bachelor of Science Degree Programs that have a comprehensive curriculum, covering a specific arts field and the other disciplines required in management for that specific field. Some of these programs are the Fashion Merchandising Management, Production Management and Visual Management. They incorporate the significant resources of the school in the field of Arts and Design, Liberal Arts, and Business and Technology. Through this, school aims to be able to develop the communication and business skills among the students (FIT, 2006). FIT also offers Arts Administration in its Graduate Program in Art Market: Principles and Practice. This was formerly known as the Gallery and Retail Art Administration. It prepares its students for careers in art galleries, auction houses, art market services or public art administration. There are classes in art history and history of collecting. There are also courses tackling practical disciplines like art law, professional ethics, design and management of galleries, business and marketing. Applicants for the graduate program must

Representations of Gigantism in Art and Architecture Essay

Representations of Gigantism in Art and Architecture - Essay Example While the office of the Presidency was supposed to come with a great deal of prestige, it had far less privilege and entitlement associated with it than the inherited titles of royalty that were, in the early 1800’s, the most common form of government.  One word that is used to refer to a particular degree of size is â€Å"gigantic.†Ã‚   Small children use this word when they see blimps up close, or skyscrapers, or magical characters in cartoons.   Objects (and beings) of such excessive size are beheld at once with wonder and fear, a combination which sometimes is described with the word â€Å"awe.†Ã‚   There are several ways in which the concept of the gigantic can engage the senses.   As was referenced in the opening anecdote, there is always a sense of comparison that goes on in defining the gigantic – and this sense is always accompanied by a stark sense of contrast between the size of the viewer, and the normal objects with which the viewer is g enerally familiar, and the size of the object in question.   The idea does not have to refer to a static object, of course:   the ways in which the genie Aladdin assumes such gigantic proportions in the popular Disney movie has much more to do with the swirling, undulating motions that the genie makes, than with the actual size that the genie ends up having.   It can have to do with the scope of a story, not just the size of a particular painting’s frame. When it comes to architecture, the idea of the gigantic goes back almost as far as recorded human history itself.   The Old Testament refers.

Degradation of Blood Sourced Dna on Knives

Degradation of Blood Sourced Dna on Knives Persistence of DNA: An examination of degradation of blood sourced DNA on knives, by household substances and the forensic implications A  review of relevant and current peer-reviewed literature Contents (Jump to) Incidence of homicides Knife crime Forensic presumptive tests Phenolphthalein and Leucomalachite False positives Luminol Luminol variations False positives DNA qPCR Singleplex Multiplex RFLP STRs LCN Advancing techniques Forensic Markers General Household Cleaners Bleaches Detergent All-purpose cleaner Anti-Bacterial disinfectant Similar studies Research project outline References Figures Figure 1. Incidence of homicide victims and accused 2003-2013 Tables Table 1.  Homicide figures and methods of killing from 2003-2013 Table 2.  Homicide methods in Lothian and Borders 2006-11 Abbreviations CODIS – Combined DNA index system DNA – Deoxyribonucleic acid LCN Low copy number LMG – Leucomalachite green PCR – Polymerase chain reaction qPCR – Real time Polymerase chain reaction RFLP –Restriction fragment length polymorphisns SGM – Second generation multiplex STR – Short tandem repeat Often after an assault with a weapon, i.e. a stabbing or murder, attempts are made to clean and or dispose of the weapon used. The most readily available weapon is a knife, whether the attack is pre-planned or ‘spur of the moment’, knifes are easily available to buy and are also, part and parcel with every household i.e. kitchen. Incidence of homicides Incidences of homicide in Scotland are at the lowest point for ten years, having dropped from 109 in 2003 to 62 in 2013, as seen in Figure 1. Fig 1. Incidence of homicide victims and accused 2003-2013 (ScotGov, 2013) Table 1. Homicide figures and methods of killing from 2003-2013 (ScotGov, 2013) Table 1 shows that homicide using a sharp instrument is the most common method, at the highest point in 2010-11 was 61% and at the lowest point in 2005-06 was 35.79%. Knife crime Table 2 shows that more than half (58.2%) of the murders committed in Lothian and borders between 2006 and 2011 used a kitchen knife. Table 2. Homicide methods in Lothian and Borders 2006-11, Adapted from (Kidd, Hughes and Crichton, 2013) Forensic presumptive tests Forensic presumptive tests can be used at scenes of crimes for various reasons. They can test to see what a substance might be i.e. drugs, blood. There are various reagents available for use in the presumptive testing for the presence of blood at a crime scene, using varied types of reactions. Phenolphthalein and Leucomalachite Phenolphthalein is the main reagent used in the Kastle-Meyer presumptive test for blood. This test is mainly used one unidentifiable stains, therefore this is used upon visible (patent) samples. The Kastle-Meyer test is a catalytic method, the phenolphthalein will cause an alkaline solution to turn pink after its oxidation by peroxide when blood is present. According to (Johnston et al., 2008), it will detect blood as dilute as 1 part in 10,000. False positives There are several false positives for the test and these include according to (Virkler and Lednev, 2009) chemical oxidants and fruit and may also include vegetable peroxidases. (Garofano et al., 2006), show that the Kastle-Meyer, Phenolphthalein, test is not as sensitive to blood as Luminol, which is stated as detectable to 1 part in 10,000,000. Leucomalachite Green or LMG is another widely used catalytic method to presumptive test for blood. It works by the same principle as Kastle-Meyer with the exception of the stain being gently rubbed with filter paper containing the reagent. After no colour has developed hydrogen peroxide is again added as in Kastle-Meyer and a green colour change in this case is in indicative of the presence of Blood. Johnston et al, also state that Leucomalachite green has a sensitivity similar to that of Phenolphthalein, 1 part in 10,000. Luminol Luminol is a forensic presumptive test for latent blood, i.e. blood which cannot be seen. Crime scenes are often cleaned afterwards by the perpetrator in an attempt to hide any evidence of what had occurred. Luminol allows crime scene investigators to see the full picture at a cleaned crime scene. Webb et al, 2006, State that Luminol is known as the most sensitive of the presumptive tests currently used at crime scenes. Luminol variations According to (Patel and Hopwood, 2013) There are two more commonly used Luminol formulations. These formulations were developed by Grodsky in 1951, Luminol I, and Weber in 1961, Luminol II. Luminol I or the Grodsky formulation uses a base of sodium carbonate and sodium perborate as the oxidising agent. However Luminol II or the Weber formulation uses a base of sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide as its oxidising agent. Commercial luminol products have become more readily available in the recent years and brands such as BlueStar and BlueStar Magnum and Lumiscene, have come onto the market. These products offer the advantage of being easier to prepare than the more traditional formulations. However according to (Quinones et al., 2007) The Grodsky formulation of Luminol I can have a detrimental effect on the ability to subsequently perform DNA analysis in comparison to the Weber and BlueStar alternatives. False positives Luminol’s sensitivity may be an advantage at finding the smallest drop of blood, but it is also its downfall. DNA DNA is without doubt the greatest scientific discovery of forensic use to date. PCR Akane et al., 1994 investigated the role haem from blood played in interfering with DNA and in inhibiting the polymerase chain reaction. This early study suggested that a haem-blood protein complex caused inhibition issues to the polymerase chain reaction and forwarded the investigations into a more reliable PCR technique. qPCR qPCR or real time polymerase chain reaction, RFLP RFLP or Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms STRs STRs or Short tandem repeats, are genetic markers which were first discovered in the early 1990’s. (Edwards et al., 1992) Showed that STRs were an effective tool when used for human identity testing. They showed that there were enough variation through alleles for individuals to be positively identified. STR profiling works by comparing sizes of the sample DNA STRs with standardized databased allelic ladders. New alleles are still being discovered with variations in size which may not be found in commercially available ladders. LCN (Gill et al., 2000) explain that LCN or low copy number, in a PCR amplification technique which can be applied to DNA samples with as little as Kloosterman Kersbergen, 2003, explain that ‘28 + 6’ improved efficacy of DNA sample genotyping. Their 34 cycle PCR technique instead of the normal 28 PCR cycles offered an alternative approach to genotyping forensic DNA samples, which are perhaps low quality or degraded. Low copy number analysis of DNA is not without problems. The most common issues with LCN are allelic drop-out, heterozygote imbalance, stutter peaks/products and unexpected allelic peaks. Allelic drop-out Stutter products Forensic Markers In the US a system known as CODIS is used for DNA profiling. CODIS uses 13 loci and Amelogenin. The loci used are CSF1PO, FGA, TH01, TPOX, VWA, D3S1358, D5S818, D7S820, D8S1179, D13S317, D16S539, D18S51, and D21S11. The DNA profiling system used in the UK is SGM Plus (SGM+). This system looks at 11 different loci on different chromosomes (independent inheritance) with a large number of alleles. As well as looking at Amelogenin, the sex marker, the SGM+ includes the markers D2S1338 and D19S433 along with eight CODIS overlapping loci FGA, TH01, VWA, D3S1358, D8S1179, D16S539, D18S51, and D21S11. (Cotton et al., 2000) Validated the most recent 11 loci STR DNA analysis method for use in standard forensic casework. The technique was also validated for use in casework involving > 1ng of DNA, i.e. LCN. HUMVWFA31/A (vWA) HUMTHO1 (THO1) HUMFIBRA (FGA) General Household Cleaners If you have committed a crime, disposing or destroying of the evidence is more than likely your next step. More often than not this is problem faced by forensic scientists, that a deliberate attempt to remove any of the biological material i.e. evidence, blood, using a variety of cleaning materials. Most people store their cleaning supplies in their kitchen or bathroom, so general household cleaners are to be examined. Every household will contain basic cleaning materials such as bleaches, detergents, disinfectants and perhaps multi-cleaners. Cleaning materials not only have the ability to potentially cause contamination to of any of the surviving evidence but also to degrade any DNA which may still be present on the evidence. Degradation of the DNA will make it difficult to produce and gain a profile which could be used to link the weapon to the crime. Bleaches Bleaches can cause many problems at crime scenes, thanks to the American television show Crime Scene Investigation (CSI Las Vegas) most people will know that bleach renders the forensic presumptive blood tests pretty much useless. According to (Harris et al., 2006), Out of all the cleaning products on the market bleach also has the most harmful effect on the quality of DNA available to obtain a profile. They also state that bleach seemed to cause continued degradation of the DNA over time. Common brands of household bleaches include Domestos, Harpic, Mr Muscle, Cif and Supermarket own brands. Detergent Common brands of household detergents include Fairy, Imperial leather, Carex, Daz and Bold. Anti-Bacterial disinfectant Common brands of household anti-bacterial disinfectant include Dettol, Savlon, TCP and supermarket own brands. Similar studies Research project outline This study aims to investigate whether the knife substrate has any effect on the quantity of DNA retained on the weapon after an assault; whether deliberate attempts to remove any biological material, using a variety of household cleaning materials, affect the quality and quantity of DNA that is recoverable and if DNA is recovered from a weapon, whether it was initially detected by presumptive blood tests. The knife substrates used here were, 18† Kitchen knife and 20† Serrated kitchen knife. The household cleaning materials were as follows, Bleach (Domestos), Detergent (Fairy) and Anti-Bacterial disinfectant (Dettol). Blood samples are to be applied to the blade of each knife, it should be allowed to air dry and then cleaned until no blood or residues thereof are visible. Each knife should then again be allowed to air dry and be swabbed using a double swab technique. Each cleaning material is applied to the two different knife substrates and the pairs are numbered 3-18, with knife set 1 2 being control, the initial DNA for comparison should be swabbed before the control knifes are dried and washed with warm water only. Cleaning materials should be used according to the manufacturers’ guidelines. PCR will be performed on the extracted samples using The control samples will be used to examine which was the largest contributing factor in compromising the quality and/or quantity of the sample gained. References The Scottish Government, (2013) Statistical Bulletin, Homicide in Scotland 2012-13, {Online} Available: https://alpha.scotland.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/417/Homicide_in_Scotland_2012-13_statistical_bulletin.pdf [Accessed: 02/10/2014] Cotton, E. A., Allsop, R. F., Guest, J. L., Frazier, R. R., Koumi, P., Callow, I. P., Seager, A., and Sparkes, R. L. (2000) Validation of the AMPFlSTR SGM plus system for use in forensic casework. Forensic Sci Int. Vol.112(2-3), pp.151-61. Edwards, A., Hammond, H. A., Jin, L., Caskey, C. T., and Chakraborty, R. (1992) Genetic variation at five trimeric and tetrameric tandem repeat loci in four human population groups. Genomics. Vol.12(2), pp.241-53. Garofano, L., Pizzamiglio, M., Marino, A., Brighenti, A., and Romani, F. (2006) A comparative study of the sensitivity and specifity of luminal and fluorescein on diluted and aged bloodstains and subsequent STRs typing. International Congress Series. Vol.1288(0), pp.657-659. Gill, P., Whitaker, J., Flaxman, C., Brown, N., and Buckleton, J. (2000) An investigation of the rigor of interpretation rules for STRs derived from less than 100 pg of DNA. Forensic Sci Int. Vol.112(1), pp.17-40. Harris, K. A., Thacker, C. R., Ballard, D., and Court, D. S. (2006) The effect of cleaning agents on the DNA analysis of blood stains deposited on different substrates. International Congress Series. Vol.1288(0), pp.589-591. Johnston, E., Ames, C. E., Dagnall, K. E., Foster, J., and Daniel, B. E. (2008) Comparison of presumptive blood test kits including hexagon OBTI. J Forensic Sci. Vol.53(3), pp.687-9. Kidd, S., Hughes, N., and Crichton, J. (2013) Kitchen knives and homicide: A systematic study of people charged with murder in the Lothian and Borders region of Scotland. Med Sci Law. Vol.54(3), pp.167-173. Patel, G., and Hopwood, A. (2013) An evaluation of luminol formulations and their effect on DNA profiling. Int J Legal Med. Vol.127(4), pp.723-9. Quinones, I., Sheppard, D., Harbison, S., and Elliot, D. (2007) Comparative Analysis of Luminol Formulations. Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal. Vol.40(2), pp.53-63. Virkler, K., and Lednev, I. K. (2009) Analysis of body fluids for forensic purposes: From laboratory testing to non-destructive rapid confirmatory identification at a crime scene. Forensic Science International. Vol.188(1–3), pp.1-17.

Human Gene Therapy Essay -- Science Genetics Essays

Human Gene Therapy Image what it would be like if doctors could cure Huntington's disease, muscular dystrophy, or even hemophilia. Could this be possible? With gene therapy this all could be reality in the near future. Gene therapy is a potential approach to the treatment of genetic disorders in humans. This is a technique where the absent or faulty gene is replaced by a working gene, so the body can make the correct enzyme or protein and consequently eliminate the root cause of the disease (BIO, 1990). There are two types of gene therapy treatment: Somatic cell gene therapy and germline therapy. Somatic cell gene therapy involves obtaining blood cells from a person with a genetic disease and then introducing a normal gene into the defective cell (Coutts, 1998). This type of gene therapy does not prevent the disease from occurring in the next generation because it does not affect the sperm and egg cells. Somatic cell gene therapy only effects the other body cells. Somatic cell gene therapy has to be done several times over the coarse of the patient's life because the effects do not last very long. The contrast of somatic cell gene therapy is germline therapy. Germline therapy takes place in the reproductive cells. It involves the genetic modification of germ cells that will pass the change on to the next generation (Wilson, 1997). This type of gene therapy only has to be done one time to be permanent. One type of germline therapy is to treat a pre-embryo that carries a serious genetic defect before it is placed back in the mother by in vitro fertilization. Another germline therapy is to treat adult sperm and egg cells so the genetic defect is not passed on to children (Coutts, 1998). If a genetic change occurs, it will ... ...ed age where they will be able to understand the effects of the therapy, they should then be allowed to make their own decision. There are many thoughts that have to go into this procedure, and I think people should be careful when considering a life altering gene therapy. References 1. Biotechnology Industry Organization, 1990. Gene Therapy An - Overview. Obtained from TheWWW.10/16/99: http://www.accessexcellence.org/AB/IWT/Gene_Therapy_Overview.html 2. Coutts, M.C., Human Gene Therapy. Obtained from the WWW. 10/16/99: http://www.georgetown.edu/research/nrcbl/scopenotes/sn24.htm 3. PBS On-Line. What is Gene Therapy. Obtained from the WWW. 10/16/99: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/innovation/show1/html/2sb-therapy.html 4. Wilson, J. IHGT The Institute for Human Gene Therapy. Obtained from the WWW. 10/16/99: http://www.med.upenn.edu/ihgt/info/whatisgt.html

Case Study Irs and Datawarehousing

Interactive Session: Organizations: The Internal Revenue Service Uncovers Tax Fraud with a Data Warehouse Case Study Questions: 1. Why was it so difficult for the IRS to analyze the taxpayer data it had collected? Initially, IRS data were stored in legacy systems designed to process tax return forms efficiently and organized in many different formats, including hierarchical mainframe databases, Oracle relational databases, and non-database â€Å"flat† files.The data in the older style hierarchical databases and â€Å"flat† files were nearly impossible to query and analyze and could not easily be combined with the relational data. 2. What kind of challenges did the IRS encounter when implementing its CDW? What management, organization, and technology issues had to be addressed? The challenges the IRS encountered when it implemented its CDW include: Management: Convincing the organization to undergo a sweeping upgrade like a data warehouse implementation was not easy, sin ce government agencies are normally risk-adverse and resist changes.Data warehouses require extensive effort to keep up-to-date. Organization: The structure of data wasn’t consistent because of tax law changes through the years. This made integration of the data a complicated process. The sheer amount of data that the CDW was slated to manage was far more than anything the IRS had previously handled. Data warehouses tend to require extensive amounts of money to keep up-to-date. Technology: The CDW has grown in capacity from three terabytes at its creation in the late 1990s to approximately 150 terabytes of data.The most important feature of the data warehouse was that it be sufficiently large to accommodate multiple terabytes of data, but also accessible enough to allow queries of its data using many different tools. The components that the IRS selected allowed CDW to do that. Conversion of the legacy data to the new system was not a uniform process. 3. How did the CDW improv e decision making and operations at the IRS? Are there benefits to taxpayers? The CDW enables highly flexible queries against one of the largest databases in the world.IRS researchers can now search and analyze hundreds of millions or even billions of records at one time using a centralized source of accurate and consistent data instead of having to reconcile information from multiple inconsistent sources. The CDW allows the agency to recoup many billions of dollars in tax revenue that was lost under the old system. In 2006 the IRS collected $59. 2 billion in additional revenue via 1. 4 million audits of taxpayers questioned for underreporting taxes. Using the data warehouse, analysts are able to determine patterns in groups of people most likely to cheat on their taxes.The data warehouse reduced the time it takes to trace mistakes in claims and analyze data from six to eight months to only a few hours. The CDW is more secure than the old legacy system storage tapes, thereby better protecting taxpayer data. 4. Do you think data warehouses could be useful in other areas of the federal sector? Which ones? Why or why not? Other federal agencies that might find data warehouses useful include: †¢ Department of Defense: maintain all personnel data from all four branches of the military including active duty, Guard, Reserve, and retired people.During times of war or national emergencies the data warehouse could supply information on people most qualified and available to respond to the emergency. All kinds of information and analyses could be performed if the data were consistent and complete. †¢ Federal Trade Commission: could combine data on consumer-related activities into one data warehouse that would be available to all branches of government and private organizations. Data could help analyze economic situations and factors so that businesses and governments could make faster and better decisions.

Social Security Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability Benefits How Far Back Will Social Security Pay Benefits If I am Found Disabled? Millions of American’s wait months even years for a hearing in order to determine if they qualify for disability benefits. The average wait time is almost two years and in some cases longer than some will live.The wait process is a long and brutal one for those suffering from a disability and in need of help. Many wonder â€Å"How far back will social security pay benefits if I am found disabled?†Ã‚  When it comes to back pay for those found disabled Social Security Disability is a little different than SSI in this area. Social Security Disability will pay benefits back up to one year from the date of application provided that the Social Security finds that you were disabled that far back in time.SSI will only pay back benefits as of the date of application, but will only pay back full months.  For example, if an applicant applied for SSI payments on September 2nd the effective date for payments would be October 1st or the 1st of the month following the protective fil ing date. It is important to not let the amount of time it takes to be granted SSD benefits to discourage you. If you have detailed medical records and an experienced team of Social Security Disability lawyers by your side the process will be less intimidating.If you have been denied social security disability benefits, don’t give up. Call Disability Attorneys of Michigan at  800-949-2900  for a free and confidential consultation. We’ll let you know if we can help you get a monthly check. It is very difficult trying to get social security disability benefits on your own in Michigan. Don’t worry; just call  Disability Attorneys of Michigan  for help.If we do not win your disability case, you owe us nothing. We only get paid if we win your disability benefits claim.Disability Attorneys of Michigan works hard every day helping those in Michigan get the disability benefits they need. If you are unable to work, contact Disability Attorneys of Michigan for a f ree consultation at  800-949-2900.Let Michigan’s Leading Social Security Disability Law Firm Help You Get The Benefits You Deserve.  Disability Attorneys of Michigan. Compassionate Excellence.

Biography of Mary Anderson, Windshield Wiper Inventor

Biography of Mary Anderson, Windshield Wiper Inventor Mary Anderson (February 19, 1866–June 27, 1953) was hardly a likely candidate to invent the windshield wiper- especially considering she filed her patent before Henry Ford even started manufacturing cars.  Unfortunately, Anderson failed to reap financial benefits from her invention during her lifetime, and as a result shes been relegated to a footnote in the history of automobiles. Fast Facts: Mary Anderson Known For: Inventing the windshield wiper, before a single one of Henry Fords automobiles was madeBorn: February 19, 1866 on Burton Hill Plantation, Greene County, AlabamaParents: John C. and Rebecca AndersonDied: June 27, 1953 in Monteagle, TennesseeEducation: UnknownSpouse(s): NoneChildren: None. Early Life Mary Anderson was born on February 19, 1866, to John C. and Rebecca Anderson on Burton Hill Plantation in Greene County, Alabama. She was one of at least two daughters; the other was Fannie, who remained close to Mary all her life. Their father died in 1870, and the young family was able to live on the proceeds of Johns estate. In 1889, Rebecca and her two daughters moved to Birmingham and built the Fairmont Apartments on Highland Avenue soon after their arrival. In 1893, Mary left home to operate a cattle ranch and vineyard in Fresno, California but returned in 1898 to help care for an ailing aunt. She and her aunt moved into the Fairmont Apartments with her mother, her sister Fannie, and Fannies husband G.P. Thornton. Andersons aunt brought an enormous trunk with her, which when opened contained a collection of gold and jewelry that allowed her family to live comfortably from that point forward. In the thick of winter in 1903, Anderson took some of that inheritance from her aunt and, eager to make exciting use of the money, took a trip to New York City. The Window Cleaning Device It was during this trip that inspiration struck. While riding a streetcar during a particularly snowy day, Anderson observed the agitated and uncomfortable behavior of the vehicle’s cold driver, who had to rely on all sorts of tricks- sticking his head out of the window, stopping the vehicle to clean the windshield- to see where he was driving. Following the trip, Anderson returned to Alabama and, in response to the problem she witnessed, drew up a practical solution: a design for a windshield blade that would connect itself to the interior of the car, allowing the driver to operate the windshield wiper from inside the vehicle. She filed an application for a patent on June 18, 1903. For her â€Å"window cleaning device for electric cars and other vehicles to remove snow, ice, or sleet from the window,† on November 10, 1903, Anderson was awarded U.S. Patent No. 743,801. However, Anderson was unable to get anyone to bite on her idea. All the corporations she approached- including a manufacturing firm in Canada- turned her wiper down, out of a perceived lack of demand. Discouraged, Anderson stopped pushing the product, and, after the contracted 17 years, her patent expired in 1920. By this time, the prevalence of automobiles (and, therefore, the demand for windshield wipers) had skyrocketed. But Anderson removed herself from the fold, allowing corporations and other business-people access to her original conception. Death and Legacy Although little is known about Mary Anderson, by the 1920s, her brother-in-law had died, and Mary, her sister Fannie, and their mother were again living in the Fairmont Apartments in Birmingham. Mary was managing the building where they lived when she died at their summer home in Monteagle, Tennessee on June 27, 1953. Mary Anderson was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2011. The windshield wiper, May Andersons legacy, was adapted for automotive use, and in 1922, Cadillac began installing the wiper as a piece of standard equipment on its cars. Sources Windshield Wiper Inventor, Miss Mary Anderson, Dies. Birmingham Post-Herald, June 29, 1953.  Carey Jr., Charles W. Anderson, Mary (1866–1953), inventory of the windshield wiper. American Inventors, Entrepreneurs, and Business Visionaries. New York: Facts on File, 2002.Mary Anderson: Windshield Wiper. National Inventors Hall of Fame.  Olive, J. Fred. Mary Anderson. Encyclopedia of Alabama, Business and Industry, February 21, 2019.  Palca, Joe. Alabama Woman Stuck in NYC Traffic in 1902 Invented the Windshield Wiper. National Public Radio, July 25, 2017.

Personal Statements on Historical American Events Statement

Statements on Historical American Events - Personal Statement Example The corporations started accumulating large reserves and issuing new stocks and this contributed to the stock market crash. The government has undertaken measures to restructure the corporate world through ensuring corporations are run by hired management and ensuring ordinary citizens have a chance of owning a stake through buying shares in listed companies (Zakim and Kornblith 78). The capitalism influence has been curtailed by organized labor since trade unions bargain for minimum wages and better welfare of workers. This has been occasioned by various laws that govern employment practices and more enlightened workforce. The American capitalism has transformed to cater for all stakeholders in the economy including shareholders, employees, lenders, suppliers, government, and society. The management is responsible for ensuring efficiency and balancing the competing interests of various interested groups such as shareholders and employees. The modern management practices have a sense of responsibility towards the society and general public and companies avoid activities that may harm the environment such as pollution. Accordingly, various laws aim at enhancing perfect competition and limiting the influence of cartels and monopolies. Although the recent financial crisis identified some loopholes in corporate governance, measures have been undertaken to ensure that capitalism promotes ownership of property, good business governance and social responsibility. Capitalism has not hindered the freedoms enjoyed by the citizens. The scope of government is limited in a free market economy and its primary roles include safeguarding private contracts, ensuring law and order and fostering competitive markets. The government is also diversified since state governments provide basic amenities such as schools and sewage disposal depending on their by-laws and thus ensuring

Full case study in Jobber, D. and Ellis-Chadwick, F. (2012)Principles

Full in Jobber, D. and Ellis-Chadwick, F. (2012)Principles and Practice of Marketing(7thed). London, McGraw-Hil - Case Study Example This would reveal the extent to which the company followed the formal process of marketing planning. Dixons was a product oriented company when it stated its journey in electrical retail segment. Their followed the strategy â€Å"stack-em high – sell-em cheap in brightly coloured stores.† This strategy validated the fact that Dixons focused more towards selling good product in well-designed stores, but customer satisfaction was overlooked and it did not occupy centre position in the strategic approach of the company. A general formal marketing planning process is segregated into four parts that is goal setting, analysing present situations, create marketing strategies and allocate the marketing monitoring system and resources. In the goal setting segment companies set their mission and objectives. Dixons also established its mission to stock products and sell them in brightly coloured stores. Their objective was to offer variety of products and generate lucrative return s. However, the company missed customer service, which its competitors took advantage of. So it can be said that Dixons followed the first step of marketing planning process. The second step is to analyse current situation. The company came to know about its drawbacks during the economic crisis in 2006. It identified that there were major threats of recession in the global market and its competitors Best Buy started grabbing market share by providing better services to customers. At this juncture, Dixons revolutionised its move towards customers. This proves that the company followed the second step of marketing planning process too. The third step is to create marketing strategies, which Dixons rolled out in order to face the intense competition. It can be also called a transformation strategy of the company because it changed the focus of the company from being product oriented to customer oriented. The new business model also re-defined five specific objectives for the company. T he fourth and final stage was to allocate resources and monitor the plan. The major focus was now on after-sales and support and customer choice, value and service was the major function in the new business model. This discussion proves how Dixons followed and applied marketing planning process for devising the strategies (Jobber and Ellis-Chadwick, 2012). Answer 2 Business functions are those operations that are performed in a routine manner to achieve the business objectives of the organisation. In retail chains like Dixons, there are various business functions that they perform such as selling, which include sales, marketing, distribution or logistics, research and development. In supporting functions, activities like purchasing, human resource management, etc are performed. However, these are the internal functions, while the external business function in relation to these functions are advertising, market research, recruitment among others. In this part of the report will throw light on the business functions that supported the marketing plan of Dixons to become a success (Jobber and Ellis-Chadwick, 2012). Before the transformation strategy came into existence, Dixons specifically focused on distribution, supply, purchase and sales. However, after implementing the transformation strategy marketing strategies were enhanced and objectives were altered to develop competitive advantage. According to the new business