Crime Rates Essay

What we usually have in mind when we talk about the crime rates is a well known fact that crime rates are increasing. So,people who are related to this issue should try to find a solution so as to solve the problem .Up to now many countries have tried to decrease crime rates. However,many of them have failed .Everybody has a significant roles so as to decrease the crime rates such as parents and governments. First of all, it is worth bearing in mind that parents should train their children so children will not change the crime rates .Thus,crime rates will not increase . Parents should raise awareness their children because according to research conducted children who are conscious about crime do not commit a crime besides parents should not leave unattended their children because generally rambling children have amount of influence on the crime rates.Also parents should be interested in their children .Experts said that slummy person involve in a crime easily .Therefore parents take care of their children. Read more:Â  Increasing Crime Rate in Today’s Society in India It is last but not least governments should make provision as fight with crimes because researchers believe that only if governments attach importance to crime rates , can they decrease the crime rates .Governments should provide equipments so as to overcome to crimes.Thanks to more equipments , governments can reduce the crime rates .Governments should be in contact with other governments because increasing of the crime rates are not seem just one government.So, they can help each other about this situation. To sum up Ä ±t should be noted that parents have a considerable amount of effect as decrease the crime rates .Nowadays every segment of society is looking for a way to solve as decrease the crime rates.

Albert Bandura Theory Essay

Albert Bandura’s theory (The Bobo Doll Experiment) states that children learn aggressive behavior through the media, and by observing others and the environment. He stated that many individuals believed that aggression will produce reinforcements. â€Å"These reinforcements can formulate into reduction of tension, gaining financial rewards, or gaining the praise of others, or building self-esteem† (Siegel, 1992, p. 171). Bandura believes that this aggressive like behavior is stemmed from a process called aggressive modeling. I disagree with this theory because there are too many people in the world to base his theory on something that is not even factual. There are many factors when considering a child’s behavior. Does that child have a violent nature? Is that child a natural introvert? These variables play a huge part when considering if a child will respond to violence. An introvert child is a child who is better off being alone (Dictionary.com). They shelter within themselves. They draw energy and confidence from being alone and staying to themselves. A child like this tends to shy away from groups and group activities. Often times, violent crimes and aggressive behavior are spawned by a group or gang of likeminded people. Introverted children will more than likely not be involved with such gathering of behavior. According to an article, Children and TV Violence, Sarah Davis (2010) indicated that â€Å"While some children emulate the violence they see on the TV, more introverted children get scared instead† (www.livestrong.com). Sometimes, children just take a natural attraction to violent behavior. It does not necessarily have anything to do with the upbringing or environmental state. In some cases, the best parents have the worst children. No one is responsible for the outcome of that child’s behavior but the child itself. The child is the only beholder of what they decide to become in the future. For example, I know a set of twin boys who were both brought up in the same household. They attended the same school and were exposed to the same environment. Yet, the younger twin led a life of aggressive behavior and made a career of being out of being a criminal. However, the older twin chose a path of positivity. He graduated from high school and went to college. He also recently got engaged and is now working on a career in Business. However, his brother is currently serving a sentence for burglary and aggravated assault with the intent to do bodily harm. This simple comparison with these twin boys is called the Classical Choice Theory. The Classical Choice Theory has evolved into modern rational choice theory, which argues that criminals are rational decision makers: before choosing to commit crimes, criminals evaluate the benefits and costs of the contemplate criminal act; their choice is structured by the fear of punishment (Siegel, 2011, p. 13). This theory states that criminals or children who commit crimes have the rational choice to commit crimes without any influence of their environment, other people or the media. Others might not agree with me on the Albert Bandura Theory, stating that the media, other people and the environment are some reasons for negative behavior of a child. Parenting a child is not a science; it cannot be put into a scientific method and used to rear and develop a child. However, each child is different; therefore, each technique has to be executed accordingly to a child’s behavior. Unfortunately, some children live in low income societies and are exposed to violence. Nevertheless, if you rear a child with the proper guidance, that child still withholds his future in his hands. Each child has the ultimate say-so of what they will or will not do when it is time for them to make that dangerous choice. References (N/A) (N/D) Introvert Retrieved on July 31, 2012 http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/introvert?s=t Davis, S.(2010). Children and tv violence. Retrieved August 6,2012, from http://www.livestrong.com/article/75671-children-tv-violence/#ixzz22mr0G2ui Rathus A. Spencer (2012). Psych. 51. Mason, Ohio: Wadsworth. Cengage Learning. Siegal, L. J. (2011). Criminology: The core (4th ed.). Florence, KY: Wadsworth Publishing.

IP Internetworking Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

IP Internetworking - Assignment Example However, as a result of the gigantic growth in the internet industry and the forecasted exhaustion of the available addresses, a better IP version (ipv6) that uses 128-bit in 1995 was developed. The addresses of the IP are binary numbers, but are mainly displayed in notations that human-readable like 172.12.243.1 for the IPv4 and for IPv6 as 2001:db8:0:1234:0:567:8:1 and mainly stored as text files. The use of IPv4 is that it limits the addressing space to about 2^32 mainly unique addresses. IPv4 also reserves addresses for particular purposes like multicast addresses (~270 million addresses) or private networks (~18 million addresses). The representation of IPv4 is mainly in dot-decimal notations consisting of four decimal numerics, ranging from 0 to 255 and separated by dots like 172.16.254.1. Every part of the four numerics symbolizes a collection of 8 bits attached to the address. In technical writings, various addresses of the IPv4 can be presented in octal, hexadecimal, or binary representations. During the early phases of IP development, network administrators clustered the IP addresses to two parts, which were the host number and network number portion. The most crucial eight bits in the address was the network number, while the rest were denoted as host identifier or rest field and were associated with hosting numbering in a network. Due to the growth in technology and internet, the method was outdated and researchers introduced the architecture of the classy network. The design of the classful network allowed for the design of the fine-grained sub network and an increased number of the individual network assignments. The starting three bits of the most crucial octet in the IP address was stated to be a class. There were three classes defined A, B, and C addressing of the universal unicast. Depending on the derived class, the network identification is based on the octet boundary sections associated

Government Business Relations Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Government Business Relations - Research Paper Example Regarding to this, the core purpose of this paper is to evaluate and understand the philosophical underpinning of different perspectives concerning knowledge and theory. As a matter of fact, there are number of paradigms which have been substituted in order to provide reasoning and conducting inquiry for a respective subject of matter. Careful consideration will be given to paradigms of inquiry including positivism, post positivism, critical theory and constructivism. Furthermore, the paper incorporates a framework outlining ontology, epistemology, methodology and methods along with distinction to all the aforementioned paradigms. This is to form a basis for the development of research protocols insisting understanding of the relationship between government and business impacting economic and public policies in Azerbaijan.   Subjective and Objective Perspectives Reality, knowledge and truth have been long debated by those who have tried to discover the meanings and indications with in their environment. It is due to this reason that truth and knowledge have been discussed and interpreted by different schools of thought including subjectivism and objectivism. Herein, it is integral to note that objectivism view truth as a scientific figure which can be revisited and measured. Any statement which has been posed in contradiction to measureable results is considered as false according to objectivism perspective of knowledge and truth (MacDonald, 2009). In order to evaluate the subjectivist view of knowledge and truth, it is imperative to discuss truth in distinction to objectivism. As noted above, objectivism views truth to be measureable which is an inappropriate stance for philosophers and investigators who believe that truth and knowledge is subjective. It has also been marked that anything and everything that has concerns or impact over humans have to be studied through the lens of subjectivism. Meaningfulness to the beliefs has determined knowledge and truth about objects and aspects within environment. Subjectivism suspends the presence of factual information which is measurable. Consequently, any statement which is presented in the form of figure is considered as non-social inquiry for subjectivists (MacDonald, 2009). According to the identified distinctions of subjective and objective perspectives of reality, knowledge, truth and theory, the perspective of current research that is to see the influence of the relationship of government and business on public and economic policy of Azerbaijan is subjective. Its subjective perspective is based on the issue which the thesis is relating to that is the assessment of public and economic policy of Azerbaijan in the context of government and business relationships that requires a combination of reflective and critical thinking. In order to assess the aimed question of inquiry, it is important to acquire a subjective perspective of truth, knowledge, reality and theory (MacDonald, 2009). More a ppropriate reasons and significance of this will be developed in the following headings. Philosophical Orientation The philosophical orientation of the issue of inquiry on the bases of developed ontological and epistemological grounds is found to be identified in the scope of critical theory. Critical theory is the school thought which propose to inquire the society and culture with the perspective of reflective thinking upon it. Critical theory emphasizes to pose critique on society and cultu

Is Bullying a Contributing Factor to Teenage Eating Disorders Essay

Is Bullying a Contributing Factor to Teenage Eating Disorders - Essay Example The eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia may develop as a result of bullying. Bullying instils feelings of insecurity and low self esteem as they try to conform to what is considered acceptable by people around them. This paper investigates whether bullying contributes to eating disorders among the teenagers. The paper comprises of four sections. The introduction section gives the background and definition of key terms relating to the topic. The second part is the literature review. The author has reviewed the comparative figures, impact of the bullying disorders and bullying, and complexity of eating disorders and public health issues. Section three reviews bullying in UK; the trends, statistics, current research and preventive measures, while section four is the conclusion. Bullying entails the use of threat, force or coercion that aggressively imposes domination on others repeatedly. This may involve physical assault, emotional, cyber or verbal harassment based on differences in class, religion, race, sex, reputation, or appearance among others. On the other hand, eating disorder entails the abnormal eating habits characterized by excessive or insufficient intake of food to the detriment of mental or physical health of an individual (Nelson 2008, p. 32). Teenagers live in a world characterized by a lot of pressure to conform to the perspective of the society on ideal weight. When combined with other factors in life, this may set a background for the eating disorders. This threatens the ability to learn as well as affect their physical health (Harris et al. 2004, p. 24). According to the British press, most of the teenagers diagnosed of eating disorders reported that bullying contributed significantly to the problem. Most teenagers develop eating disorders because of many reasons. Mostly, pressure from the outside sources forms one of the contributing factors.  

A major British international food retailer has appointed you as a Essay

A major British international food retailer has appointed you as a consultant. The company is considering investing in one of th - Essay Example This paper will seek to analyze the political, economic, cultural and ethical risks that might affect Asda’s expansion into an Asean member state particularly Philippines. The paper will also identify and evaluate business opportunities in this country. Political analysis Asda is a high street supermarket located in Britain retailing a large variety of food products and may deliver at a customer’s doorstep upon an online order (Oxford Business Group, 2009:26). This company is planning to expand its investment prospects into Philippines as part of its long-term investment plans and looking into this country’s political system can help the business consultant understand the kind of risks or opportunities that the company should expect to face (Schwab, 2011:46). Generally, political stability and the system of governance of a country act as a substantial factor of consideration at times when a firm is planning to invest internationally (Hill, 2011:70). This is so be cause, every country in this world maintains unique and/or different political and economic systems pointing out that when doing business in any overseas country; it is advisable that you be familiar with that country’s market availability and its leadership structure (Cavusgil, Knight and Tiesenberger, 2011:49). The Philippines’ political system is not that complex, but for a British food retailer like Asda, changing its structure to accommodate certain rules and regulations is necessary (Daniels, Radebaugh and Sullivan, 2011:89). The Philippines’ political system is a structured framework constituting a presidential, democratic and representative republic, where the president is both the head of government and the head of state within a system characterized by pluri-form multi-party (Menipaz and Menipaz, 2007:84). Reliable sources establish that different political systems influence the functioning of a business. Philippines have a transitional business enviro nment where the political structure allows for international investment. Since 1986 when Corazon Aquino took over as the president of Philippines, the country formulated its political system with constitutional amendments being the first to change (Schwab, 2011:62). The country’s political administration system has three bodies, which consist of the judiciary, executive and the legislative branch. It has other administrative divisions that facilitate the proper administration of the cities, municipalities and barangayas among other regions. Despite a bit of political turmoil at times, there is no surmountable business pressure or threat posed by these issues (Oxford Business Group, 2009:50). Adequately, the people of Philippines are peaceful and they have a strong liking for investors from the west a particularly in such countries as Britain and the United States (Menipaz and Menipaz, 2007:106). Thus, Asda is at a considerable position to expand its food retailing services in to the Philippines since the political system of this country allows for favourable working conditions. Bearing in mind that political issues erupt at any given time, Asda should prepare for such risks in the

AD campaign Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

AD campaign - Essay Example These reports are majorly based and founded typically on psychological insights. A real campaign regularly assists brands in avoid commoditization the pressure of competing with the only the only price. Goodwill and loyalty are increased and encouraging buying of across more items within the umbrella brand. Finding of the relevant secret message behind the brand is not easy to be found broadly, and its productions will be done well. The database used in the report is the document-oriented and public domain. The validity found in the assessment of the presented reports revealed that in the campaign, there is a production of the metrics needed by the end user so that the campaign will be well understood (Belch, 2004). In document-oriented database format, the campaigns in most circumstances, store and retrieve their information on the computer. Compared to a relational database, text-oriented has a bigger difference. The encoding of some information that is readable to the user through the sense of English is a central concept of this database. In the other perspective, public domain uses a principal that the information available can be used by anyone in any form and for the user’s desired purpose (Belch, 2004). Complying with relevant rules is a requirement for the proper attribution of the author. Along these reports, there are some disadvantages. The operation of sending out the unidirectional message to the entire audience at the same time through general advertising and sustainability advertising is created. Ability to connect with a consumer and the changes for the response incurred is somehow limited. From this connection inability, generation of feedback relationships and cooperation to the consumers is also disadvantaged. Another challenge faced in these reports is the complexity of the risk message that needs

Online Discussion for Accounting class Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Online Discussion for Accounting class - Essay Example The financial performance of a company can be analyzed either using single date statements or by comparing the performance across time. The four financial statements are the income statement, balance sheet, statement of retained earnings, and statement of cash flow (Weygandt, Kieso, Kimmel, 2002). These statements provide a summary of the financial performance of a company during a financial period. The balance sheet shows the position of the company at a specific point in time. The use of ratio analysis is one of the best ways to evaluate the performance of a company during a period. Another methodology to assess the performance of a company is by using comparative statements. Two financial techniques that can be used to compare financial statements are vertical and horizontal analysis. I think that techniques that compare performance across time are more effective because they show trends in financial performance. Companies that have rising performance across time are more desirabl e than firms that have declining

Financial Reporting Systems and Economic Development Essay

Financial Reporting Systems and Economic Development - Essay Example The role of the financial reporting system, as supported by accounting standards, the law and the ethics, in economic development is reviewed and analyzed in this paper. Particular emphasis is given on faithful representation, as an indicator of the reliability of financial statements. Also, the circumstances under which true and fair override apply are identified and explained. It is proved that faithful representation, in its current form, is something more than simple a compliance with accounting standards. One of the most critical issues when having to evaluate the quality of financial statements is that these statements should achieve faithful representation. In order to understand the role of ‘faithful representation’, as an element of the financial reporting systems, it would be necessary to refer to these systems, as the basis on which a firm’s financial practices are usually based. In accordance with Uddin et al., two major financial reporting systems are considered as the most credible for businesses in all sectors: the US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP) and the IFRS.1 The use of one of these systems, which have been appropriately tested as of the effectiveness in financial reporting, results to the increase of credibility of the local economy. From this point of view, it has been proved that the use of these systems within a particular country leads to the increase of the foreign direct investment (FDI) to the above country. Thus, accounting standards and financial reporting are closely related to the performance of the local economy, of course under the terms that global financial markets are stabilized, i.e. that these markets do not suffer from delays in the implementation of financial and other projects. In the literature the term ‘faithful representation’ has been given various explanations, which are all similar. For example, in the study of Hussey reference is made to the use of the term fait hful representation in order to show the reliability of the financial statements involved.2 In other words, the specific term is used in order to indicate the fact that the information included in the financial statements is accurate and responds to the actual financial status of the organization. Apart from reliability, the term ‘faithful representation’ also reflects the completeness of information included in the financial statements.3 The financial statements are considered as complete when they include all necessary information.4 A similar approach in the description of faithful representation is included in the study of Needles et al. In accordance with the above researcher, the term ‘faithful representation’ means that the financial statement involved is ‘complete, neutral and free from error’.5 It is further explained that the phrase ‘free from error’ does not imply the full accuracy of the particular financial statement, a s such requirement is quite difficult, almost impossible, to be achieved since financial statements are highly based on estimations.6 At this point, the following problem appears: how the reliability of financial statements is proved? The fact that there are some transactions that cannot be measured, at least not precisely, is highlighted in the study of Hussey.7 On the other hand, the availability of the data involved is an issue that needs to be carefully considered when having to

Hume-Faith and Reason Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Hume-Faith and Reason - Essay Example Faith is necessarily an internal asset, which lies beyond the comprehension of the sensory organs. In his book â€Å"An enquiry concerning human understanding,† David Hume observes, â€Å"Our most holy religion is founded on faith not on reason; and it is a sure method of exposing it to put to such a trial as it is, by no means fitted to endure.†(Hume 1999, p.98) Instead of beating about the bush, Hume expresses his views clearly when he explains, â€Å"Divinity of theology, is it proves the existence of a Deity, and the immortality of souls, is composed partly of reasoning concerning particular, partly concerning general facts. It has a foundation in reason, so far as it is supported by experience. But its best and most solid foundation is faith and divine revelation.†(Hume 1999, p.122) Howsoever brilliant may be the rational justification for beliefs and disbeliefs, they open the door to more questions. This is the problem with the revealed knowledge that leans heavily on faith. But even for the scientist, the starting rules of the game, and the initial syllabus, are based on faith. â€Å"Each solution still gives rise to a new question as difficult as the foregoing, and leads us on to farther enquiries. When it is asked, what is the nature of all our reasoning concerning matter of fact? The proper answer seems to be, that they are founded on the relation of cause and effect. When again it is asked, what is the foundation of all our reasoning and conclusions concerning that relation? It may be replied in one word, Experience.† (Hume, 1910) Human mind accepts nothing beyond the evidence of one’s senses. It works on the foundation of reason. But again the problem is, who is to judge, or where are the resources available that one’s way of thinking is accurate representation of the operation of the external world? As many minds, so many opinions and options! The detailed analysis of this issue made by Hume and its

Characters in Two Kinds Essay Example for Free

Characters in Two Kinds Essay Both, Madame Loisel and the daughter from two kinds, find themselves in similar situations. The situations seem different but in reality they arent, as both of them are expected to do certain things, the only different is that the daughter from to kinds in forced to do thing and Madame Loisel just feel like she had to do or to have a certain thing. The difference in the expectations between the two characters, is made by making one character want a certain thing, and the other to be forces to do something. So in other words one of the characters is wants to have certain thing and feels like the society expects the character to have these things. And the other one is made or forces by on other person or character from the story to do certain things, and is expected of certain things. The daughter is the forces character this is because the mother makes her do what she doesnt want to. Her mother tries to make he a wonder kid and to change the way the daughter is. The mother tries to make her daughter a wonder kid and the daughter starts to respond in a way that she just doesnt care. Then in some time the daughter be really tiered of the testes that the mother is making her that and the fact that the mother is trying to change her. And so, she starts to take short cut, and with the only intention to stay the way she it, the stops listening to her mother, doesnt pay intention at the piano lessens. On the other hand there is Madame Loisel, which is a character that just feels that it is her duty to be what the society expects of all women. She feels that she has to be in the high class, that she is worth a lot and that all because of her beauty should adore her. She also had an opinion that if she wants something she has to get it or it is the end of the world. In addition, her believe is that her just deserve, also for whom she is, expensive cloths, and expensive necklace. Both of the characters respond very similar to their pressures and expectation that they are faced in the story line. The daughter responds by not agreeing to her mother and by trying to do the opposite of what she is told to do and in addition, she doesnt listen nor try her best at the test that her mother makes her face. and a bit similar, Madame Loisel responds to  the expectations of society in a way that she just wants something and if she doesnt get it its the end of the world, as if she just is the centre of the world and that she deserves all. So in other words she believes that she is worthy of having the best of the best. Then furthermore, both of the characters change in the end of their own stories. Madame Loisel becomes more realistic about life and gets a true self-esteem for what she had actually achieved. And in addition she loses her opinion that everything that she gets or receives is granted. Then, the daughter listens to her mother in the end of the story and starts playing the piano. As a conclusion both of the characters result in the same position in other words both of the characters are dramatic characters. This is because their view and their characteristics change and became completely different in the end of the story. Madame Loisel changes in a way that she becomes more aver of life and stops taking everything for granted. The daughter also changes to the positive site as she in the end of the story starts playing the piano and in other words listens.

Artificial Intelligence And Fuzzy Logic Controller In A Plc System Computer Science Essay

Artificial Intelligence And Fuzzy Logic Controller In A Plc System Computer Science Essay In this research paper, I am trying to analyse more about advanced Programmable logic controllers.Today it is hard to imagine a industry without PLC and other automatic controllers. As the production becomes more and more efficient, the controller work faster and the system become more complex. Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques reduce the complexity and they are used through PLC-based process control system. The working of artificial intelligence consist of -diagnostic, knowledge, expert and the structure of an AI system. Function such as AI fault diagnostics in process help in controlling and successfully predicting the outcomes based on resident knowledge. Here i will be researching more about the applications of PLCs such as use of PLC s with fuzzy logic. Basic fuzzy logic and also its fundamental concepts will be analysed. Use of the fuzzy logic controller in practical applications include providing real time logical control systems. In the end i will be concluding on how advanced PLC are more efficient than the conventional PLCs. In industry use of automatic controllers is increased, the use of PLCs. The programmable logic controllers are based upon the on/off logic, in PLCs we use normally closed or normally open switch, and these switch can turn on or turn off the devices. PLCs contain a small processing unit, memory, input and output interfaces. But the PLCs are not able to represent the all data of the process and they are not able to take action to remove the faults. But with the help of the Artificial Intelligence we can make the system to make the decision on faults. Artificial Intelligence is the branch of computer science. In AI we use the data from the process to solve the many faults in the industry. All the information used by the AI is gathered from the person working in the plant/machine and log book also provide information about fault. The information about the fault-what kind of fault that was and how that was solved. Once all the information we gather from the process, all information is sto red in the memory of the PLC or elsewhere will be used by the PLC to solve the complex problems of the process. . II. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN A PLC A. Three type of AI system The classification of AI system is very difficult because they are used in the many applications but however we can classify in three types: 1.diagnostic 2.knowledge 3.expert.All three type of AI system have similar characteristics. The system become more and more sophisticated as the size of the data base increases and the extent how the process data is used. Diagnostic AI system. This type of system is the fault detecting systems. They detect the fault in the application and they do not solve the problem. For example if the temperature of a tank is decreased the diagnostic system can diagnose the fault by reading the thermocouple values. These system use the knowledge to reach on a fault conclusion, these type of system are used in the applications that use a small data base and knowledge. Knowledge AI system An knowledge AI system is the enhanced diagnostic system. These type of systems are able to detect the fault and process behaviours based on the knowledge and they are also able to take the decisions concerning the process and/or the possible cause of a fault. Expert AI system This type of system comes on the first position in AI applications. Expert systems are more capabilities than the knowledge system. The expert system provides a further capability for examining process data with the help of statistical analysis and the system predict outcomes of the process that are based on present process assessments. The outcome calculation may be a decision and with the help of that decision process maintain the output in spite of a fault detection. The knowledge used in the expert AI systems are more complex than in the other AI systems; these type of system generate more feedback information. The expert systems also require more refined software programming to make decision, since their decision trees involve more options and attributes. The implementation of the expert systems is only done by with the help of extra programming and they also need more hardware. The system use the transducers to make the decision in the process and the total number of transducer used in this system is more than the other system. Programmable logic controller use the AI system, it will need two or more than two processer to make the all programming for the system. PLC system require more speed to operate in real time, the system should be fast. The system has large data to operate in the real time due to large data system also need large memory to store that data . B. Artificial Intelligence System Architecture The block diagram (Figure 1 ) shows the basic architecture of an AI system. It has three primary elements: 1 Global database, 2 Knowledge database, 3 Inference engine. The block diagram show that expert block first, that block provide the knowledge to the AI system and the knowledge is received from a person who know about the plant/process, how the machine perform their operation. The expert sends the all information (about system maintenance, faults) to the knowledge engineer. The process of transmitting the knowledge and gathering data is known as knowledge acquisition. C:UsersPARVEENDesktopimg3.jpg Figure.1 Artificial Intelligence system Architecture Global Database Global database contain the information about the process and the system, how to control them. The information contained by the global database is about the input and output data flow from the process. The global database is the storage area, the information about the process stored. The data stored in global database can be used any time to make the AI decision to control the process. PLC have memories to store the data and the Global database resides in the memory of the system that makes the system to take the AI decisions. We can also use the AI system with computer and the Global database will be in the hard disk of the computer. Knowledge Database The knowledge database store the information as the global database store about the process and the all information is supplied from the expert. It also contains information about the faults, process, causes of the problems and their solutions as well. Moreover, all the rules that help to make the decision are also stored in the knowledge database. The diagnostic system has knowledge database and that is less complex than the knowledge system. The knowledge system is less complicated than the expert system. It stored in the system memory. Inference Engine All the AI system has inference engine. All the decisions are made in the inference engine. Inference engine use the knowledge database to make the decision about the process and after that inference engine execute the rules in the process. It also uses the historical data of the process to make the real time decision. PLC system contain the central processing unit, CPU perform all the operation for the system and the inference engine may be inside the CPU or it may not be inside data that depends upon the diagnostic, knowledge, expert. C. Knowledge representation In the knowledge representation all the AI strategies are organised and the knowledge engineer represent the input of the expert. The knowledge database is used for the storage of the representation. The knowledge from the expert is changed in the form of rules (IF and THEN/ELSE) and we call it rule-based knowledge representation. It make the system capable to take action and decision. A PLC system is used with AI, all the control strategies are executed by software programs. Whenever a fault is detected by the system and at that time system makes a decision, inference engine also use the knowledge representation. The decision will be in the form of software. D. Rule-based knowledge representation It uses the knowledge from the expert and make the decision with the help of that knowledge. The rules contain two parts, first part antecedent (IF something happens) and the second part consequent (THEN take this action). All the rules are made for the process and they can be complex. A simple rule-based System may make a simple diagnostic rule, such as: IF the temperature of a tank is less than the set point, THEN turn on the heater. A more complex diagnostic formula may contain rules that further depend on a more complex diagnostic formula and they involve the rules that are depend on Parent rules: IF case 1, THEN  ¾Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  ELSE nothing â‚ ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã‚ ½ IF case 2, THEN  ¾Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  ELSE something â‚ ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã‚ ½ IF case 3  ¾Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  THEN nothing â‚ ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã‚ · â‚ ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã‚ · The decision tree makes the system capable to take the decisions. The figure 2 shows how the decision tree works to get a decision on the given process data. C:UsersPARVEENDesktopimg4.jpg â‚ ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Figure 2 â‚ ¬Ã‚  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Decision Tree E. Knowledge inference This is the method used to draw conclusion by gathering the data. When the system execute the main control strategy at that time the inference of knowledge takes place in the inference engine. The knowledge inference is also takes place in knowledge database when computation of rule is going on. In the small control system the knowledge inference takes place on local basis. But in case of large systems knowledge inference takes place in the hierarchical system. To design a AI based PLC we need hardware, the need of hardware depends on the involvement of the AI. In all AI systems some common methods of rules are used for the implementation of knowledge inference. Methods are: 1. Forward Chaining, 2.Backward Chaining. Forward chaining-This method is used to find out the outcomes of a given data and receives the information from the global database. Forward Chaining is done by two methods: depth first, breadth first search. Backward chaining-This is also similar to the forward chaining. Basically it is used to find the antecedents. F. Basic Architecture of an AI based PLC Large and complex distributed control systems are made by the combination of small systems. They can communicate with each other either directly or with the help of local area network. The AI is added in the large systems, global database, knowledge database and knowledge inference from these is distributed all over the system. These large systems are made by the combination of small system and all the local system has their own local data base and knowledge database. The PLCs in the diagram shows they perform inference engine computations. In the large systems the supervisory PLC use the all subsystem and their local database to make a complex decision. The main computer we call it blackboard hold the all information from the small units. The main computer applies all the complex AI solution. C:UsersPARVEENDesktopimg5.jpg Figure 3 Architecture of an AI based PLC III. FUZZY LOGIC IN A PLC In industrial automation Programmable Logic Controller combine the simplicity, and reliability. Fuzzy logic is a part of AI which deals with reasoning used to imitate human decision making and thinking in machines. The reasoning is transformed in algorithms. These algorithms are used when the data cannot be converted in the binary form. The output of the process is the input for the fuzzy controller. Fuzzy logic performs three main actions. First is fuzzification, in this action the data received at the input is converted in the fuzzy form. Second is fuzzy processing, which involves the transformation of the input data according to IF†¦THEN rules formed by the user at the time of design and programming of the fuzzy control systems. After finishing the fuzzy processing (rule-processing stage) the fuzzy controller reach an outcome. Third is defuzzification process, this is final step of the fuzzy controller. In this step the final output data is converted into the real output data and after that the data is sent to the process with the help of output interface. The fuzzy logic controller is placed in the PLC rack in this case the controller does not have a direct contact with the process, the fuzzy logic controller will send the defuzzification data in the PLC memory location and PLC send that data to the process by the interface module. In the most of the fuzzy logic controller have their independent interface ports and they are also connected to the PLC with the help of the plug. The fuzzy controller can communicate with the process through the PLCs input/out ports. PLC can be interfaced with the intelligent fuzzy controllers. Interface of Fuzzy logic with PLC A Fuzzy logic controllers input interface can read the data from the 8 devices and it can transmit the data to 4 output devices with the help of the output interface. This interface is able to perform 128 rules, each rule can have maximum IF conditions and the action will be in the form of two THEN. The fuzzy logic controller has capability to perform all its computations in only in 6 msec if fuzzy logic unit works separately of the processer, as a result it providing fast functioning of fuzzy logic control. Fuzzy Logic and I/O Communication In below given Table 1, the Fuzzy Logic Unit (FLU) uses the programmable controllers memory to store the control parameters and fuzzy logic controller uses 10 words or registers. The position of the FLU module in the rack tells about the registers addresses. Assuming that the position of the FLU module takes the addresses 110 through 119, the use of the addresses by the FLC module as follows: The first four bits (0-3) the first word is (word 110) and its first four bits(0-3) enclose, in BCD, the FLU module uses as the number of inputs. 15 number bit turns on the fuzzy processing of this word. The second word (word 111) specifies that the location of the input data stored in the PLCs memory. It tells the starting register address. TABLE I inputs: bits 0-3 of word 110 specify the number of inputs to be read (8 max) (e.g., I = 8) Word 111: starting address where input data is located (length of I) (e.g., address = 120) Outputs: bits 0-3 of word 112 specify the number of outputs to be written (4 max) (e.g., O = 4) Word 113: starting address where output data is located (length of O) (e.g., address = 130) Word 114: used for flags and settings Words 115-119: available as working word addresses 3) As the first word, the third word is (word112) and the first four bits enclose the outputs in BCD. 4) The fourth word (word 113) store the address where the output data is stored, the output data is obtained by the fuzzy logic computations. Because fuzzy logic controller work with the other I/O interfaces, their input/output data must be send to the I/O modules working with them. Figure 4 shows how the memory addresses (words) used by the Fuzzy Logic Controller and it also shows the location of the input and output data according to the input/output devices. C:UsersPARVEENDesktopimg2.jpg Figure 4 The working of the Fuzzy Logic Unit works with I/O interfaces We can also use the block transfer instruction to transfer the data between FLU and input/output interfaces (Figure 5). C:UsersPARVEENDesktopimg1.gif Figure 5.Block Transfer of instructions IV CONCLUSION When we apply artificial techniques to a system, we need to add hardware as well as software to in the system. The program that system needed is depending upon the fault in the system, the fault detection is complex then the program will be more complex. We design a system that also has intelligence; this is possible by adding the data from the process. The data should be about the process regarding the last time fault and what type of fault that was, how that was solved and when was the last maintenance performed. The addition of artificial intelligence and fuzzy logic controller in a PLC make the system faster and the system will be able to take decision about the process. The system will be better than the conventional PLCs. . . V REFRENCES [1] Bikash Pal, Balarko Chaudhuri, Robust control in power systems, Spinger, 2005 . [2] Fuzzy Logic Toolbox Users Guide, The MathWorks, Inc.,2008. [3] PLC-5 Programmable Controlers, Rockwell Automation, USA, 2007. [4] C. P. Chuang, X. Lan, J. C. Chen, A systematic procedure for designing state combination circuits in PLCs, Journal of Industrial Technology, 1999;15(3):2-5. [5] S. Manesis, K. Akantziotis, Automated synthesis of ladder automation circuits based on state-diagrams, Advances in Engineering Software, 2005;36:225-233. [6] A. Rullan, Programmable logic controllers versus Personal computers for process control, Computers and Industrial Engineering, 1997;33:421-424. [7] J. Jang, P. H. Koo, S. Y. Nof, Application of design and control tools in a multirobot cell, Computers and Industrial Engineering, 1997;32:89-100. [8] P. Klingstam, P. Gullander, Overview of simulation Tools for computer-aided production engineering, Computers in Industry, 1999;38:173-186. [9] L. A. Bryan, E. A. Bryan, Programmable Controllers, Theory and Implementation, An industrial text company publication, U.S.A. 1997, p. 785.

The Perceptions Of Sexual Health Services Young People Essay

The Perceptions Of Sexual Health Services Young People Essay Objective: To investigate young peoples perceptions of sexual health services that they demand and sex education provided children. Design: Questionnaires based on open-ended questions. Setting: 30 young people (aged 19-21 years) surveyed at Anglia Ruskin University. Method: I interviewed young people using the questionnaires. Results: 80% young people think that Confidentiality and Friendly atmosphere and staffs easy to talk to are the important factors, when they ask someone sexual questions. On the other hand, they dont think that general advice about sexual health and other health matters is important factors. Also, they think that children should be taught different sexual health educations, such as How to say no to sex, Contraception, and Sexuality, Religious and Morality, at around 13 years old at school. Conclusion: I identified that young peoples demands towards sexual health services are comfortable atmosphere and reliable staffs, not sexual health knowledge and counsellors advice itself. Also, I felt that young peoples versions of the proper ages that children should learn each sex education are almost the same as that of general Japanese through this study. [Definition] The  World Health Organisation (WHO)  define sexual health as Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled. (1) According to AVERT which is an international AIDS charity define sex education as Sex education, which is sometimes called sexuality education or sex and relationships education, is the process of acquiring information and forming attitudes and beliefs about  sex, sexual identity, relationships and intimacy. Sex education is also about developing young peoples skills so that they make informed choices about their behaviour, and feel confident and competent about acting on these choices. It is widely accepted that young people have a right to sex education. This is because it is a means by which they are helped to protect themselves against abuse, exploitation, unintended pregnancies,  sexually transmitted diseases  and  HIV  and  AIDS. It is also argued that providing sex education helps to meet young peoples rights to information about matters that affect them, their right to have their needs met and to help them enjoy their sexuality and the relationships that they form. (2) [Introduction] Nowadays, the attentions on sexual health services and sex education towards young people have been increasing, because there are facts that the concept of sexually transmitted diseases, such as AIDS, Chlamydia, and Syphilis, has become more familiar to young people, and the number of unwanted pregnancies is increasing. Governments and organisations try to deal with the problems through providing places where people can learn sex education, or establishing special institutions providing sexual health services. In fact, there is The Sydney Sexual Health Centre in Sydney, Australia. They state on their site, The Sydney Sexual Health Centre provides a confidential and comprehensive service that helps put you in control of your sexual health. We do this by providing screening, vaccination and management of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) including HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, womens and mens sexual health care, education, individual and couple counselling, and needle and syringe program. The service is free and a Medicare card is not required. (3) They supply people with knowledge, advice, and testing for different sexually transmitted diseases for free. As a matter of course, there are many similar institutions in the UK, and such sexual health services are provided by National Health Service in each area. According to AVERT, the purpose of sex education is the following. Sex education aims to reduce the risks of potentially negative outcomes from sexual behaviour, such as unwanted or unplanned pregnancies and infection with sexually transmitted diseases including HIV. It also aims to contribute to young peoples positive experience of their sexuality by enhancing the quality of their relationships and their ability to make informed decisions over their lifetime. Sex education that works, by which we mean that it is effective, is sex education that contributes to both these aims thus helping young people to be safe and enjoy their sexuality. (2) I think that the supplies of sexual health services and sex education to young people are important for their health and future, so I decided to investigate whether they were taught about sex education at their school or not, and what images young people in Cambridge have regarding it. [Method] I created questionnaires which are consisted of open-ended questions, and those questionnaires are based on questionnaires designed by C Reeves, R Whitaker, R K Parsonage, C A Robinson, K Swale, L Bayley in their research paper, Sexual health services and education: Young peoples experiences and preferences. (4) I asked respondents to comment on services they expect counsellors or facilities providing sexual health services, and the right ages that children should be taught sexual relationship education at school. I interviewed 30 young people at Anglia Ruskin University. I tabulated the data, and I assessed the differences between groups. [Results] Young peoples demands towards sexual health services I asked young people, If you went for information/advice regarding contraception/health matters, how important would each of the following be to you? For your information, you can choose as many as you feel appropriate. Table 1 showed the results. According to the table 1, 80% young people answered that Confidentiality and Friendly atmosphere and staff easy to talk to are the significant aspects. Surprisingly, they replied that counsellors character and comradely atmosphere are more important than their advice or knowledge. As the third best answer, Tests for HIV and other sexual infections were an important factor for young people. 63% respondents agreed Emergency contraception is also a weighty factor. Those two aspects were concrete and visible rather than abstract and sensuous such as top two factors. Following that, Not telling your parents without your permission was the fifth best factor. This might mean that young people are afraid of their parents views of their sexual lives. Unplanned pregnancy counselling, and Pregnancy testing, were important factors, with 53% and 50% respectively. These results might show that young peoples contraceptive use is low when they have sexual relationships wi th their partner. Also, they look that they understand a risk of having a sexual relationship without a contraceptive item, such as a condom. Next, Young people answered that Being able to go without an appointment and General advice on sexual health are less important that above sections, with 33% and 30% each. Last, Advice on other health matters was the least important element for them. As I told above, to sum up, young people put importance on sexual health professionals character and the mood. On the other hand, they dont care about advice or knowledge from sexual health professionals. [Table 1] The proper ages of being taught each sex education Table 2 shows that the proper ages that children should be taught different sex education topics from the views of young people. According to the table 2, young people think that children should be taught the following sex education at around 13 years old. Interestingly, each age of Homosexuality and lesbianism, Sexuality, religions and moral values, HIV/AIDS and other STDs, Rape, Abortion, and Sexual abuse was slightly higher than other items. All of these items are related to individual belief regarding sexual relationships, or solemn problems, such as sexually transmitted diseases, and sexual violence. On the other hand, the ages of children being taught Contraception, How to discuss contraceptive use, and How to say no to sex were marginally lower than above one. Also, young people answered that children should be educated Role of emotions in sexual relationships sooner than others. According to the table 2, these 4 topics under 13 years old are more basic and central topics than the one over 14 years old. To sum up, young people believe that children should be taught sex education around 13 years old, but they also feel that there are proper stages of being taught each sexual education topic. [Table 2] [Conclusion] I found out that young peoples perceptions of sexual health services and sex education through this study. Firstly, I discovered that the strongest demand of sexual health services of young people is the mood and personality of counsellors providing sexual health services, not their knowledge and their advice itself. I think that the reason is young people can get information on sexual problems itself through the Internet, TV, and books. Therefore, I feel that they need the environment and people that provide them with the sense of safety and a feeling of trust in the counsellors. Similarly, their concern about sexually transmitted diseases was a high score, so this might mean that sexually transmitted diseases spread young people. According to the Health Protection Agencys report in the UK between 1999 and 2008 (5), the number of Syphilis rose dramatically from 223 to 2524. In the same way, there was a striking increase in the number of Chlamydia from 56991 to 123018. Also, the patients caused by herpes considerably increased from 17509 to 28957. Total number of patients went up by appro ximately 150000 only 10 years. In 1999, similarly, just over 3000 people were diagnosed with HIV in the UK. However, there were 7298 new diagnoses of HIV in 2008, so the increase was more than twice. On the other hand, young people dont need advices of sexual health and general health so much. As I stated above, I think that the reason why they dont put importance on these aspects is that they can get similar advice or much better information which are related to their problems through different ways, such as the Internet, magazines, and TV. Hence, they demand friendly atmosphere and conversable staffs on sexual health services. When I was 11, 12 years old, I studied sex education at my elementary school. So, I found that the ages that young people in Cambridge were taught sex education at school is almost the same as that of general Japanese people experienced at school. According to the table 2, young people think that children should be taught primary and fundamental sex education, such as Role of emotions in sexual relationships, Contraception, How to say no to sex, faster than others. I think that it is hard for children who are around 12 years old to understand completely the meaning of taking sex education, because most children dont have an interest in sexual activities at the age. However, sex education would be important for them in a few years later, so they should be taught basic sex education at the early stage. After that, they should learn more ethical and serious sex education, such as Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Abortion, and Rape. In my opinion, at the same time, I feel that governments and organisations should establish institutions providing sexual health services and sex education for some children who want to study and need it. In a consequence, childrens understanding about sex education would improve, so unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases would decline from a long-time point of view. I found out that young peoples demands towards sexual health services and the staffs, and their notion of the ages when children should be taught sex education at school through this study. However, I didnt explore the differences between gender, generation, and countries on this time. As future prospects, I feel that I should increase the number of respondents, and ask their gender, religion, gender, and nationality, and analyse the data. As a consequence, I could get more interesting and broad information regarding the perceptions of young peoples sexual health services and sex education.

School Vouchers are Good :: Argumentative Persuasive Argument Essays

School Vouchers are Good Wise men say you cannot predict Supreme Court decisions based on questions raised during oral argument, but the justices' go-round on the school voucher question may prove an exception to that rule - as this essay will demonstrate. Lead counsel for each side respectively provided a textbook example of how to argue, and how not to argue, before the High Court. The justices see their share of both types but rarely in the same case. Judith French, assistant attorney general of Ohio, defended the Cleveland program brilliantly. She was poised, calm, deliberative, and engaging. She listened to questions from the bench and fitted her responses within the doctrinal parameters of prevailing case law. Her chief opponent, Robert Chanin, counsel for the National Education Association, at one point or another frustrated or annoyed almost every member of the Court, including those whose support was essential to his cause. He was by turns rigid, hectoring, and evasive, sometimes cutting justices off in mid-question(WCBS). On the merits, his argument was a one-trick pony: Vouchers are but a backdoor transfer of government funds to religious institutions in violation of the Establishment Clause. Doctrinal secularism of this sort warms the blood at ACLU and teachers' union rallies, but it will not bear scrutiny in serious debate. Under the Cleveland program, the state does not distinguish between eligible religious and secular schools and has no control over where the money ends up. Parents and parents alone -- decide which school their children will attend. Chanin's argument might have secured some purchase with the Court 30 years ago, but no longer. The dominant constitutional tests of recent years speak in terms of government neutrality and non-endorsement. The Cleveland program was neutral, French said, because it gave no preference to religious schools, and endorsement was not at issue because tax dollars can get to a recipient institution only after the independent, intervening decision of parents. Chanin's only response was to assert without demonstration that the carefully drawn criteria of the Cleveland plan were sham. But no matter how often he said so, it was strikingly apparent that most of the justices (even those presumably sympathetic to his side) weren't buying his formulaic mantra. Justice Sandra Day O'Connor repeatedly tried to move Chanin beyond ritual incantation toward the specific facts at issue, but he rebuffed the invitation(Supreme Court). By refusing to concede even the slightest constitutional plausibility to the opposing argument, he essentially implied that much of the Court's First Amendment jurisprudence of the past 20 years was wrongly decided.

Nurse Practitioner Essay -- Persuasive, Quality Care

In today’s world a big debate that families debate between and spend time trying to research is what the best possible options are for their children and spouses health care. A question often asked is if seeing a nurse practitioner is just as effective and safe as seeing a doctor. Many parents worry if their child will get the full attention needed when seeing a nurse practitioner. Nurse practitioners have the training and time to give children and their families the support and care necessary (Should My Child See a NP 2). A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who is highly educated and has gone through clinical training in their health care specialty areas (Pediatrician v NP 1). In order for them to practice they must have four to six years of training and pass all their licensing exams to practice (Quality of Care 1). For students to become a prepared registered nurse they must complete an additional master’s level training on top of their baccalaureate prepared classes (Duties and Responsibilities 1). In order for someone to even prepare to go into the field of nurse practitioners a high school student should take challenging classes in English, Math, and Science (Duties and Responsibilities 1). Many nurse practitioners work side by side with a licensed doctor, but that is not always the case. The career of being a nurse practitioner began back in the 1960s (Pediatrician v NP 1). There was a huge shortage of physicians and I need for care to people under served (Pediatrician v NP 1). Nurse practitioners work in manly rural and urban settings such as public health departments, community health centers, hospitals, physicians' offices, nursing homes, HMOs, student health clinics, and home health agencies. Where state law pe... ...e practitioners provide nursing and medical services to not only families, but individuals and groups as well, emphasizing health promotion and disease prevention (Pediatrician v NP 1). Something they also provide for families, individuals and groups is teaching and counseling (NP Services 1). If necessary your nurse can provide you with prescription of pharmacologic agents and treatments. They can also provide non-pharmacologic therapies (NP Services 1). Even though nurse practitioners are a very good idea in many cases it is still very important to have a regular doctor that you can see in certain situations. Nurse practitioners are a great alternative for routine check ups minor visits when sometimes seeing your doctor is hard to do. You can be assured that with a nurse practitioner you will be tended for while receiving a warm and welcoming visit each time.

The Violence of Virgils Aeneid :: Aeneid Essays

The Violence of Virgil's Aeneid      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The story of Virgil's Aeneid was drawn from many sources, the most influential being the work of the Greek poet Homer.   Virgil based the first six books of the Aeneid on the Odessey and the last six books on the Iliad both written by Homer.   The Aeneid describes the adventures of Aeneas, the legendary Trojan hero who survived the fall of troy, sailed westward to Italy and founded Rome.   During the time that Virgil wrote the Aeneid he incorporated all known Rome history up to his own time.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The book is world renowned and also is said by many to be one of the best works ever.   The last chapter of the Aeneid has caused some problems for readers.   The first problem that is evident is the manner in which Aeneas deals with Turnus.   In book XII Turnus states that the fight should be between the two men as apposed to both armies fighting any further.   Turnus had every right to dislike Aeneas who came unannounced, tried to take his fiancà ©, Aeneas' son killed their sacred deer, and he took his land.   They have a great dual and Aeneas disarmed Turnus by striking him in the leg.   With his sword to his chest Turnus makes a last request for his body to be returned to his family, as Aeneas is considering the request he notices that Turnus is wearing the sword belt of Pallas and the stoic ways of Aeneas leave him as rage, fury, and anger run through his body.   He kills Turnus in anger and dedicates his death to Pallas. This loss of control and act of violence is the opposite of stoicism and the way Aeneas had been portrayed the rest of the epic.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Turnus has to die for the founding of Rome to occur but he should not have been killed in such a way.   The killing was payback for the dishonorable way that Pallas was killed.   The sword belt had images that reflect Augustinian Rome as did the shield in book eight.   The theft of the belt from Pallas can be compared to the stolen helmet and the youth slain when his guard was down and

Jazz concert

As much as I enjoyed attending a classical music concert in November, I thoroughly enjoyed myself at the Jazz concert I attended on Monday night. Though two vastly different types of music, the theory almost remains the same; variations on a theme. Since Jazz music is a little more my speed, I have to be honest when I say that I was looking forward to this assignment slightly more than the classical concert. I found a Jazz club called Zinc Bar on Houston in New York City that seemed to have reasonable prices and a wide selection of shows and musicians playing at ifferent times. We decided to attend the nine p. . show not knowing exactly who would be playing. Already this is a huge difference between the classical and Jazz concerts. Arriving early, we decided to eat some dinner at a restaurant called Arturo's right down the block from the club. As soon as we walked in, our first sight was a set of musicians and a singer playing live free Jazz music for the restaurant patrons. The band included an upright bass, a piano, and auxiliary percussion instruments and a male singer. They stuck to Jazz standards for the most part but eing that we were at an Italian restaurant we got a generous helping of Frank Sinatra.The musicians really set the tone for the entire establishment. Everywhere you looked, even though time with the music. Needless to say when we left the restaurant, we couldn't help but feel swept away by the entire New York Jazz experience. The ambiance continued inside of the Zinc Bar. The club itself was a small, very intimate setting, with a banquette and small tables on one wall and a long bar on the other. The band was positioned at the end of the bar facing out towards the entrance. The lighting was inimal save for a few candles and colored lights.There was a two drink minimum at the tables whereas the classical concert reserved the drinking to coffee at intermission. The crowd is sparse in the beginning but grows to a full bar towards the end, which we find out is a result of the main head-liner playing at 1 1 p. m. Ron Afflf. But we had very little regrets seeing this first band, the Alexis Cole Trio. The trio consisted of a singer, Alexis Cole, Ben Stivers on the keyboards, Bill Pace on the upright bass, Ryan Scott on guitar, and Greg Ritchie on drums.The lead singer would ntroduce all of the songs before they were played unlike the classical concert where listeners relied on their programs to inform them of the upcoming pieces. The first song they played was by Bob Marley and one of my favorite tunes, â€Å"Redemption Song†. The song was faster than Bob Marleys version and in the middle, Ms. Cole transformed her voice into many different instruments as she scatted her way to the final chorus. In this song, and in every song where the band was involved, each instrument had their own chance to â€Å"scat† and improvise on their respective instruments.After each musician finished their solo, the audience was encou raged to clap which is in stark movements. The second piece was an original composition by the keyboard player, Ben Stivers, called â€Å"East of the Sun† and again featured all members of the band. I found my feet really tapping to this tune and I really enjoyed the piano solo. It had Just the right rhythm and well-balanced solos that I never felt bored. The third and fourth songs were by Thelonius Monk and unfortunately Ms. Cole never mentioned the names. Ms. Cole almost took a back seat in these songs and really let usicians go to town.The solos were intricate and involved seemingly removing the musician from the room and into his heart and mind. The listener couldn't help but be totally transfixed. I also felt that in this section the bass player really took the most risk rhythm wise and possibly might have made a mistake. I say possibly only because if he did make a mistake, he recovered so well it's possible we were Just imagining things. The fifth song was by Billy Str ahorn called â€Å"My Little Brown Book† which Ms. Cole introduced as a song about regret. This tune was only or the singer and the keyboards and was extremely intimate.One really got the sense that Ms. Cole was trying to give you something. The sixth song was another original and by far the most experimental. It started slow and soft and grew into a myriad of sounds with the guitar player playing with certain pedals on the floor. The more they played and the more she couldn't help but feel like I was caught in a windstorm. It culminated into what sounded like a disorganized Jumble of chords and solo material but somehow ended up right back at the original melody and rhythm. It was impressive to say the least.For their last song they decided to take a request from the audience and after much heckling from the crowd it was decided that they would end with â€Å"My Funny Valentine† which the keyboard player had arranged in G minor and in 3. It was an interesting take on an old standard and done in a beautiful smoky tone. It was really a nice end toa perfect New York Jazz experience. As different as classical and Jazz are, I couldn't help but feel that Jazz had at least drawn on the basics of classical music. Start with a melody, make it your own, and then tell your story. I feel that music will forever enrich my story.

Depilacion Masculina

Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico Recinto Bayamon Bienestar y Calidad de Vida La depilacion Masculina Alexander Rosa Rosa Y00224459 Bienestar y Calidad de Vida EGEF 3000 Prof. Carlos J. Santiago Bibiloni Introduccion La depilacion masculina es un tema que hoy puede abordarse sin problema, con total confianza. Cada vez son mas los hombres que acuden a este tipo de proceso ya sea por razones esteticas, higiene o deportivas. No obstante hay diferentes tipos de depilacion, entre ellas estan la depilacion con, ceras, electrica, cremas, cuchillas, pinzas, foto depilacion y laser que es mas famosa del siglo XXI. Siempre se debe consultar a su medico dermatologo para ver cual de las alternativas de depilacion es la mas segura para su piel. Segun el articulo â€Å"En boga la depilacion masculina†, de la Revista Contorno desde hace algun tiempo los hombres estan optando por deshacerse de el vello corporal y lo hacen sometiendose a la depilacion laser, esto por razones esteticas como higienicas. Los hombres que mas usan este servicio de depilacion son los ciclistas, nadadores, fisiculturistas, bailarines, modelos o cualquier hombre que le moleste el vello en exceso o el vello que le provoca mucha transpiracion. Segun una encuesta de la revista Men’s Fitness, â€Å"si los hombres pudieran cambiar una parte de sus cuerpos, el 54. 9% cambiaria sus foliculos capilares mas que sus musculos† (Clayton, 2008  ¶ 1). Las zonas que mas demandadas por los hombres para ser depiladas por laser son las siguientes (de mayor a menor importancia): zona inferior de la barba, espalda y hombros, torax y abdomen, entrecejo, orejas, manos, pomulos y otras mas como piernas, brazos, nalgas†¦ Como menciona este articulo, la depilacion laser es un tratamiento que se aplica de acuerdo el caso. Este procedimiento dirige el haz de una luz continua que actua por foto termolisis selectiva: se trata de una longitud de onda que atraviesa las capas superficiales de la piel y que es absorbida por la melanina (pigmento presente en todo tipo de vello salvo en las canas y el vello rubio), la cual al absorber la energia luminosa se calienta provocando la destruccion de la matriz del vello y del foliculo piloso. Es un metodo rapido y comodo que consigue una depilacion duradera y en muchos casos definitiva. Este tipo de depilacion es efectiva tanto para hombres como mujeres y se puede utilizar en casi todas las partes del cuerpo. Por ejemplo, no se puede realizar en la parte interna de la ceja, por ser poco seguro para el globo ocular. En las zonas en donde que se consiguen mejores resultados en los hombres son la espalda, el torax y la barba. Muchos varones se aplican varias sesiones de este tratamiento para perder densidad en su barba y no sufrir irritacion al afeitarse. Es importante que la depilacion laser en la barba se haga de forma cuidadosa. En cada sesion de laser el paciente pierde un porcentaje de vello que no vuelve a salir nunca, ahora bien, un varon joven mientras tiene sus niveles de hormonas masculinas alto, tiene un estimulo continuo de crecimiento de vello en las zonas androgenodependientes, entre ellas, la barba. En este caso, una vez finalizado el tratamiento, necesitaria sesiones de repaso cada cierto tiempo para poder mantenerse totalmente depilado en esa zona. Para mejores resultados de una depilacion laser es si se tienen la piel clara (con poca melanina) y pelo oscuro. ?Motivo? Porque la melanina es la que absorbe la energia luminica y se calienta. Asi, la piel se calienta poco y el vello mucho, que es lo que interesa. Si tienes la piel y los pelos oscuros o claros, o la piel oscura y el pelo claro, tampoco hay problema, pero hay que adoptar precauciones. Asi como es una buena solucion, tambien hay que tener en cuenta que no todo el mundo puede hacerse la misma por que podria causarle algun dano. Contra quien esta contraindicada esta manera de depilacion laser, a personas con Acne severo, soriasis activa, herpes simple activo, infeccion de cualquier tipo y fiebre, diabetes mellitas, epilepsia, condiciones que requieran tratamiento. Es importante que a la hora de elegir un centro de depilacion laser, hay que fijarse en la experiencia acumulada, utilizacion de equipos de ultima generacion, que sea un centro autorizado por sanidad y con profesionales medicos especializados en estetica. Opinion La depilacion masculina hasta hace algunos anos era algo del cual no se hablaba mucho y se categorizaba a las personas que lo hacian como personas gay. Desde que comenzo la moda del metrosexualismo hace algun tiempo se comenzo a ver que algunos iconos de la moda como actores, cantantes etc. omenzaron hacer este tipo de cosas que presentan a un hombre moderno y mas preocupado por su salud e higiene, entre estas opciones esta el que nos depilamos alguna parte del cuerpo de la cual nos pudiera causar alguna molestia, como la barba, axilas o piernas. En mi opinion no veo de malo que nosotros los hombres nos depilemos alguna parte de nuestro cuerpo ya que esto nos ayuda a mantener una mejor higiene y apariencia. Algunos ejemplos que tenemos de celebridades son Don Omar y Daddy Yankee que se depilan las cejas para que luzcan menos abundantes. Esto es opinion y es una decision personal de cada cual. Hoy en dia las mujeres se fijan mucho a este tipo de cosas, las cuales en estos ultimos tiempos a muchas de ellas les gusta tener a su lado una persona que mantenga una buena apariencia e higiene a traves de la depilacion a traves de cualquiera de sus alternativas. Referencias Revista Contorno. (2008, Verano). En boga la depilacion masculina. Recuperado el 20 de febrero de 2010 desde: http://revistacontorno. com/articles/depilacion. htm Rosa, E. (2009, 28 de abril). Auge en la depilacion masculina. Recuperado el 0 de febrero de 2010 desde: http://www. primerahora. com/diario/noticia/moda/vive a_tu_manera/auge_en_la_depilacion_masculina/293374 Clayton, V. (2008, Verano). Is Hairless More?. Recuperado el 21 de febrero 2010 desde: http://www. mensfitness. com/lifestyle/mens_grooming/33 Redaccion Mujer,(2005, 23 de junio) Diferentes tipos de Depilacion. Recuperado el 20 de febrero 2010 desde: http://mujer. orange. es/moda y_belleza /cuerpo_y mente/1270_1. html

Dirt Bike Usa

TABLE OF CONTENT I. DIRT BIKES USA COMPANY I. IS REQUIREMENT AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE II. COMPETITIVE STRATEGY III. OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE: 1. rent or buy decision for hardware and software 2. CUSTOMER DATABASE 3. SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT SOLUTION 4. E-COMMERCE STRATEGY 5. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT 6. COMPONENT PRICE CHANGES. I – DIRT BIKES USA COMPANY: Dirt Bikes USA is Dirt Bikes production company based in California.It was founded in 1991 by Carl Schmidt and Steven McFadden, two young but experienced bikers with engineering backgrounds who saw that dirt bikes were becoming very popular in the United States as both sporting and racing motorcycles. 1. Goals and Culture * Culture: Carl Schmidt and Steven McFadden founded dirt bikes USA. They noticed that Dirt bike was becoming popular in the United States. They were founded on a friendly, family type atmosphere, attention to detail and quality, and continual learning and innovation.With these values Dirt bikes has excelled to one of the top companies, competing with the likes of Honda, Yamaha, and Kawasaki. * Goals: Dirt bikes goals are very ambitious, and if fulfilled will bring them to the top of the list. They want to improve on their services, and products, and innovate cutting edge technology that will hopefully propel them to the top. They want to increase sales in both the domestic and international market. 2. Products and services: * Dirt Bikes does not sell directly to retail customers, relying on a network of 40 distributors concentrated in the Western and Midwestern United States.A small percentage of Dirt Bikes are sold in Europe using independent distributors that sell other brands of dirt bikes and motorcycles as well as Dirt Bikes. Dirt Bikes motorcycles, parts, and service, including warranty repairs, can only be obtained through an authorized Dirt Bikes dealer. All motorcycle and spare parts sales, shipping and set-up must be handled by a certified dealer. If a potential customer lives more than 50 miles from the nearest authorized Dirt Bikes dealer, the customer can purchase a Dirt Bike or Dirt Bike parts through a certified independent motorcycle dealer.Retail customers can purchase spare parts directly from Dirt Bikes only by verifying that they live more than 50 miles from an authorized Dirt Bikes dealer. The engines for Dirt Bikes are Rotax engines from Austria and tires are from Dunlop, but many of their parts, such as shock absorbers, front wheel forks, exhaust pipes, and headlights, are from the United States. Dirt Bikes currently produces four models: the Enduro 250, the Enduro 550, the Moto 300 and the Moto 450. The two Enduros are endurance racers, while the Motos are for motocross racing.All four are very modern, with such technology as both kick and electric starters, steering stabilizers, and liquid cooling 3. Organization: Carl Schmidt is the CEO of Dirt Bikes USA and Steve McFadden serves as President and COO. The employees of this company are involved in the design, engineering and production aspects, and include 3 full-time designers, 3 full-time engineers, 4 full-time parts specialist, and a 10-employee service department. There is also a marketing manager whose job is to oversee 5 sales representatives. Overall, the company employs 120 people and has expanded greatly since the early 1990’s.The strengths of this organization is that production department is divided effectively in smaller parts, they can easily control the operations. However, the weaknesses of organization is moderately hierarchical & small, there are no separate managers for service, shipping & receiving, parts and design & engineering and manufacturing. II – INFORMATION SYSTEM REQUIREMENT AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE: Dirt Bikes USA relies heavily on database software such as Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access. This is to keep track of sales, inventory, and employee matters.The best selling product of Dirt Bikes USA has been the Enduro 550 and th e worst selling product has been the Moto 450. Sales by Model| Model| 2003| 2004| 2005| 2006| 2007| Enduro 250| 1201| 1663| 2291| 2312| 2195| Enduro 550| 2832| 3290| 3759| 4078| 3647| Moto 300| 1755| 1932| 2454| 2615| 2627| Moto 450| 463| 598| 661| 773| 823| TOTAL| 6251| 7483| 9165| 9778| 9292| In the first three years, international sales were consistently rising from 2003 – 2005, and then started to fall during the last two year. They have never contributed more than 10% of the total sales.International sales have grown relative to Domestic sales, however, in 2006, there has been a decrease in international sales while domestic sales have also increased. Domestic vs. International Sales| | 2003| 2004| 2005| 2006| 2007| Domestic| 5723| 6843| 8254| 8889| 8530| International| 528| 640| 911| 889| 762| TOTAL| 6251| 7483| 9165| 9778| 9292| % International| 8. 4%| 8. 6%| 9. 9%| 9. 1%| 8. 2%| | | | | | | Figure 2: Domestic vs International Sales from 2003 to 2007 Consolidated State ments of Income (in thousands)| | 2007| 2006| 2005| Revenue| | | |Net sales| 60,144 | 64,063 | 61,529 | Cost of goods sold| 45,835 | 43,155 | 41,072 | Gross profit/(loss)| 14,309 | 20,908 | 20,457 | Gross margin| 23. 8%| 32. 6%| 33. 2%| | | | | Operating expenses| | | | Sales and markering| 4,733 | 4,537 | 3,944 | Engineering and product development| 3,141 | 2,992 | 2,339 | General and administrative| 1,913 | 1,601 | 1,392 | Total operating expenses| 9,787 | 9,130 | 7,675 | Operating income/loss| 4,522 | 11,778 | 12,782 | | | | | Other income/expense| | | | Interest income/expense| 1,747 | 175 | 80 | Other income/(expense)| (6,254)| (2,914)| (3,080)|Income before provision for income taxes| 15 | 9,039 | 9,782 | Income taxes| 1,459 | 1,729 | 535 | Net income/(loss)| (1,444)| 7,310 | 9,247 | Net margin| -2%| 11%| 15%| | | | | Summary Balance Sheet Data| | | | | At December 31| 2007| 2006| 2005| Current assets| | | | Cash and cash equivalents| 6,994 | 7,197 | 6,891 | Accounts reveivabl e| 13,083 | 12,981 | 12,872 | Inventories| 6,315 | 5,931 | 5,843 | Total current assets| 26,392 | 26,109 | 25,606 | | | | | Property plant, and equipment| 36,920 | 34,515 | 32,002 | Other assets| 1,765 | 1,903 | 1,834 |Total assets| 65,077 | 62,527 | 59,442 | | | | | Current liabilities| | | | Accounts payable| 8,943 | 8,694 | 7,592 | Accrued expenses and other liabilities| 10,877 | 9,382 | 8,654 | Total current liabilities| 19,820 | 18,076 | 16,246 | | | | | Long-term debt| 9,772 | 9,338 | 8,890 | Total liabilities| 29,592 | 27,414 | 25,136 | | | | | Shareholders' equity| 35485| 35113| 34306| Total liabilities + shareholders' equity| 65,077 | 62,527 | 59,442 | The income statement and balance sheet are the primary financial statements used by management to determine how well a firm is performing.The income statement, also called an operating statement or profit and loss statement, shows the income and expenses of a firm over a period of time, such as a year, a quarter, or a month. The gross profit represents the difference between the firm’s revenue (or sales) and the cost of goods sold. The gross margin is calculated by dividing gross profit by net sales. Revenue is not growing steadily, from 2005 to 20046 the revenue increases at rate of 4. 12%; from 2006 to 2007 the revenue decreases at rate of -6. 12%.Cost of goods sold increases steadily from 2005 to 2007, while revenue just increases from 2005 to 2006, and decreases from 2006 to 2007. Gross margin and net margin decreases from 2005 to 2007 Operating expense increases from 2005 to 2007 A company has more current assets than current liabilities, firm has enough working capital to fund investments in new products and information systems. Firm has assets to pay for expenses and to finance the development of new products and information systems. III – ANALYZING COMPETETIVE STRATEGY 1. VALUE CHAIN OF DIRT BIKE USA:The company provides value to its customers by designing and manufacturing high qu ality custom motorcycles, and by servicing those motorcycles. Dirt Bikes choose top components from different famous suppliers around the world to make sure that each component of their product perform the best quality to customer. This activity make it become a unique spirited style for which company is noted. Moreover, all of Dirt Bikes’ product are warranty repaires, shipping and set-up must be handled by a certificate dealer, if the customers living within 50 miles from the nearset athoritizedDirt Bike dealers, they can purchase a Dirt Bike or Dirt Bike parts through a certified independent motocycle dealer, and so forth. The fact showing Dirt Bike’s concentration on providing the best products and services to its customers is that the company’s parts and service department is responsible for 15% of the total revenue. Furthermore, the most significant evidence to prove that Dirt Bike has provided the best quality products can be seen in the numbers of races that this brand wins each year. Besides, focusing on diversity of products is also a reason create value for Dirt Bike in the high competitive market.The company has produced many forms of racing dirt bike such as racing specifically for different size bikes, for short distances, long distances, and even for up to six days. Currently, Dirt Bike produces the highest value product is the Enduro 550, which is the top selling bike focused toward the dedicated beginner and semi-professional racer. By products lines that represent the needs and request of customers, Dirt Bike has gained the satisfation and trust from its customers. One of the most activities creating the most value for Dirt Bike is advertisement.Most of its advertisement is at racing event or racing magazines. Although known as one of the supplier selling the highest quality to customer, Dirt Bike use a very competitive level of price to against others competitors. Honda :2012 Honda CRF ® 450R $8,440| Dirt Bike 2012:Mot o 450 $8,995 The Enduro 250 $3,250The Enduro 550 $7,600The Moto 300 $4,295| Yamaha motocross :2012 Yamaha YZ 250F $7,290| | KTM: 2012 KTM SX 250| $6,899| | | | Kawasaki2012 KX450F US MSRP Price: $8,399| | Other ways to provide value to customers are the policy of listening to customers’ feedback on how to improve the product, sharing their experiences and informing the newest products to them through Dirt Bikes USA Owner Group. In addtion to adding value to its products and customers, Dirt Bikes also have a professtional employees who communicate with customers and show up the high quality as well as the differences of Dirt Bike directly. 2. RIVALS There are many company which produce and sell dirt bikes in the world.Among of such a huge competitors, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha represent as Dirt Bike’s primary competitors. Those companies are known for completely custom in-house design. Besdides that, they not only sell products but also the parts of their bikes ,which allow them to expand theirs business and control the quality as well as the revenue of company. Furhermore, Having a large Expenditure budget on advertisement helps them build a significant image in customer’s trust, gain a strong loyalty with long-term customer, appear popular on other retailers’ websites.Four brands shoould have been consider as the â€Å" big four† threaten Dirt Bikes USA. Honda Advantages: * Slimmed -down fuel tanks * Wide-ratio gearing * Electric starting Suzuki Advantages: * Loads of mid-range * Lightweight handling Yamaha Advantages: * Lightweight frame * Lightening- quick handling * Smooth power delivery 3. FACTORS INFLUENCE DIRT BIKE INDUSTRY: * Internet: the fast development of Internet is always a good sign for society and all manufacturing process whole the world. However, it is also considered as a potential threat of any industry, not except dirt bike.The ease of access allows Dirt Bike as well as other competitors to search the information of lower price supplies, high quality but cheaper parts as well as labor or advance advertisement. There is the same source for all compaies, therefore, it is hard for Dirt Bike to make the differences from other exitsting competitors as well as new potential competitors who are going to step into this segment. * Economy situtation: There is no exactly prediction about the world in the future, especially the current economy in Europe is not a optimistic view for Dirt Bike when its the largest market is almost in those Western countries.When there is a recession, people tent to reduce their demand in leisure activities; as a result, the revenue of dirt bike industry will steadily decrease. * The policy of goverment: It can not deny the relationship between economy and politic. Lower tax on import goods and service as well as afforable tax income, so forth are factors can determine the supply and demand of dirt bike industry. When governemnt carry out the tighten poli cy, selling those products will get the big trouble. * Taste of customer: Taste is also an important factors influent on dirt bike industy.It is very simple to see that switching hobby from using dirt bike to other vehicles will cause a headache for producer to motivate their customer to spend money on unnecessary procucts. * Quality: When Dirt Bike came into this industry, it made a promise on providing high quality and services to its customerl; therefore, it must keep its promise as its competitive advantage against others rivals. * New competitors: a market with many competitors will also cause some problems to existing company in dirt bike market. The organization as well as strategy will change along with behaviors of new enterprises. . COMPETITIVE STRATEGY: The most suitable strategy that Dirt Bike USA should follow is Low-cost Leadership. As we know, it has 4 big competitors who make Dirt Bike have to apply the most attractive strategy to gain more loyalty, interest from cus tomers as well as keep its market segment in long term. Others set the higher prices for their products as the claim on the quality. If Dirt Bike could produce such high quality products but sell at an attractive price, this competitive advantage would help Dirt Bike become unique in this industry.Moreover, Dirt Bike should apply some methods to improve its business besides the Low-cost Leadership: * Firstly, Dirt Bikes is known as one of the highest quality suppliers in the world. Its warranty on satifation of customer with Dirt Bikes’ products is its competitive advantage and it should continue to make use of this advantage to expand its business to others segment or others countries. It can do the same as other rivals by selling the parts to satisfy full demand of customers or expand its business to ATV or road motorcycles, which will help Dirt Bikes’ revenue as well as gain a better profit. Secondly, Dirt Bikes alsmot sell its products through its distributors. The information they keep is just information about those distributors not its customers. Another way to improve its business is develop its information system. Set up a large source of information about about all customers not only help Dirt Bike with managing customer profile more easily, spreading out needed information faster but also create a great bridge to build a long-term relationship with customer. * Finally, it should spend more money and time in advertisement, especially E-commerce.Its website should be redesigned to make customer as well as employees has a clearly look at all products it is selling. Providing more detail, technical information, comparision to others same line products. Those essential information has to be uploaded on the Website, beautiful and clear design to help customer more knowledgeable about products they would like to buy and support employees when they talk about products customers would like to know or they would like to sell. What is more, Dirt Bikes should invite famous riders to ride advertise for their products. This method will raise the trust in customer more. . INFORMATION SYSTEMS WOULD BE SUITABLE FOR THE CHOSEN STRATEGY: * CAD/CAM: technology allows engineer and draftspeople to design systems. * Communication and collaboration systems: allows all employees to communicate effectively and efficiently via e-mail, voice mail, call center and others. * Data warehouse: allows managers and knowlegde workers store huge amount of data that can be easily accessed and manipulated for decision support. * Mobile computing systems: supports mobile employees who work with cusomer or business partners outside the physical boudaries of the organization.Supply Chain Management System: This system may allow the company to manage their inventory levels more efficiently. * * IV – OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE: * Developing a website privacy policy: developing a web site privacy policy There are some kind of personal information the web site can collect in order to serve customers well such as name, address, email, phone number†¦these database can be collected through: Order form If customers order products, the company requires personally identificable information. With these database, the company will deliver products exactly and on time.Email is very useful to provide services for customers. For example, a customer has a problem about his product, he can send email to service center to get the help instead of going to the company, or when the company has promotional campaign, it will send information to customers to announce about the news and encourage customers to buy new products. Surveys or contests: Participation in these surveys is completely voluntary. The requested information certainly includes contact information. Clickstream, web bacons: he company can use information collected from clickstreams to well understand about what customers are interested in, what they need; since the company set up pl ans to satisfy customers or provide services they needs. Although the website collects customer information and uses them as marketing and business purposes, it is ensured that security is very important to the company. When customers enter sensitive information such as social security number or credit card number on order forms, the company always warrant that information is encrypted by using secure socket layer technology (SSL).Additionally, not share personal information to the third party is a goal of the company. 1. Improving decision making: Making the rent or buy decision for hardware and software a. Rent or purchase software | | 2 tables above shows that the cost of purchasing software is less than the cost of renting hosted software. Thus, purchasing software is the best solution | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | b. Strengths and Weaknesses of renting vs purchasing | Rent| Purchase|Strengths| -cheaper cost -alternative new software easily-having most of the required features-minimal IT staffs| -free management to deal with product's core competence forever-have guaranteed appreciation over a time period time-minimal IT staffs| Weaknesses| -limited time using-limitation on the software customization-uncomfortable when the software is out of date-frequent software updates-long term reliance on vendor support| -expensive cost-expense when alternative new software-limitation on software customization-incompatible with company needs-frequent software updates-long term reliance on vendor support|If the company rent software, it can change into another software when the old one doesn’t fit company needs. The cost paid for rented software is cheaper than purchased software, so the cost for changing does not take much as well. Suppose the rented software is not out of date, the company also does not waste available resources as well as the money spending. Software is usually sold in a package. The c ompany has to buy full package even though it may not use all the functions. Thus, the company will waste the big money for spending useless functions of the software which is going to be released.Otherwise, the company has free management to deal with software’s core competencies forever. The company do not need to concern about time using as renting. That is uncomfortable when someday the software is out of date but the company still need to use it, the manager will have to sign a new contract for continuously using. That affects to company’s operations and waste time. Renting and purchasing need to be updated frequently to ensure that they always fits to company demands, hence both of them rely on vendor support in long term. Additionally, limitation on the software customization need to be considered as well.The company rent or purchase any software, it just has authority to use this software for helping the business to run effectively. It is not allowed to transfe r or copy into many versions to sell. However, minimal IT staffs is a strong point of both renting and purchasing. Software helps the company to handle well with a large information that human can not do although amount of staffs is large. c. Other factors need to be considered (beside cost): * Duration of need (long term or short term) If the company want to use in short term (usually under 6 months), then renting is optimal solution.In contrast, purchasing will be the best solution if time using is over 6 months (long term) * Compatibility Software run on iphone can not run on android. That is example about compatibility. Similarly, Microsoft 2010 can not run on window XP SP1, SP2, rather than they are window XP SP3, win 7 or later * Friendly interface Software that is easy to use will increase efficiency for the company. * Efficiency Microsoft 2007 is better than Microsoft 2003 because Microsoft 2007 has more functions than Microsoft 2003:colorful interface, beautiful templates.F urthermore, office 2007 can open XML files which are files of older office version†¦More functions are shown on ribbon. That helps users manipulate quickly. * Supporting The software should provide support for common tools used for the volume digitization of paper documents and integration with other devices that generate digital documents such as fax servers. 2 – CUSTOMER DATABASE: Dirt Bikes USA does not sell its products directly to retail customers; however, these transactions are primarily made through its distributors’ network.The information of a customer will be collected by the company’s distributors when this sale is made. This database is then forwarded to Dirt Bikes. Figure 1: Customer Database collected from distributors. Figure 1 shows the customers’ information that distributors forwarded to Dirt Bikes. This table includes many kinds of information: customer name, address (street, city, state, and zip code), telephone number, model pur chased, date of purchase, distributor, customers’ interests and tastes (their ages, level of education, and favorite sport), and their attentions to racing events.Storing all the information at only one place is so complicated and when it develops into thousand-record table, it is difficult to manage all information effectively. Moreover, it may take a lot of time to withdraw a piece of data as needed. To be able to market aggressively, therefore, the database needs to be redesigned. The new database will include tables and reports that allow the company to know certain information about the customers. The Marketing department would also like to be able to keep the customers updated on certain events, such as races and sales, depending on their ages, education level, and their previous purchases.Using Microsoft Access program (version 2007), the database that we designed is very simple to use, yet very effective. From the main database (Figure 1), 3 sub-tables are adding and each table manages 1 kind of information withdrawing from the main data. Figure 2: Distributor table The table shows the list of distributors’ names and their IDs. Managing distributors’ information by their IDs can avoid confusions and help looking up this information easily and quickly. Figure 3: Model table This table shows the models of dirt bike that the company produces and sells in the market.Each model is managed by 1 ID. Figure 4: Purchase table This table show previous purchases. Each record comprises Customer ID (the customer that made this transaction), Model ID (model ordered), date purchase of such transaction, and Distributor ID (distributor that made the transaction with the customer). Purchase ID is the primary key of the table. Figure 5: Relationship between 4 tables. This figure shows the relationship between 4 tables: Customer table (main table), Purchase table, Model table, and Distributor table.Specifically, Customer ID is the primary key in Custo mer table and in Purchase Table; Customer ID is the foreign key. Model ID is primary key in Model table and the field with the same name in Purchase table is foreign key. Distributor ID in Distributor table is the primary key and is the foreign key in Purchase table. All these relationships above are in one-to-Many type because the primary keys of tables of Customer, Distributor, and Model can appear many times in Purchase table. It means that one customer can make many transactions with many distributors and buy many models as well.Figure 6: Identify repeat customer by query. This table shows the way we design query to count the number of transactions that customers have made so far with source is Purchase table. Based on the result of this query, we can report frequent customers of Dirt Bikes USA. Figure 7: Repeat Customers. This figure shows the process that we create report of frequent customers. Customers that bought more than 1 product of the company will be reported with thei r names, phone number, model they ordered, dates of purchases and the distributors they bought dirt bikes from.Besides knowing who are valuable customers that the company needs to take good care of, Marketing department can also recognize effective distributors to give them acknowledgements for their good jobs (rewards, bonus, etc. ). Additionally, more reports can be added to better suite the needs of the company. Several reports that may be of need to Dirt Bikes USA are Racing events report, which show customers are avid racers, as well as the ages of the customers. Below are some examples of the reports needed by the Marketing department of Dirt Bikes USA. Figure 8: Racing events.This figure shows the way we made report of Racing events. The report shows customers that will attend racing events. This information is useful to Dirt Bikes USA because it enables the company to notify customers of when certain racers are being held. This way, the customers are aware of races and event s that they are interested in attending or racing in. Figure 9: Customers’ ages, Education levels, and favorite sports This figure shows the way we design the report of Customers ‘Ages, Education Levels, and favorite sports. The report allows the Marketing department to see their customers’ tastes.It can also help the company know which group of customers they are serving. From this information, Dirt Bikes USA can improve their performance in Customer services as well as improving its products’ designs and quality to fit customers’ interests. 3 – SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT SOLUTION: A supply chain is defined as a network of organizations and business processes for procuring materials, transforming raw materials into intermediate and finished products, and distributing the finished products to customers. Fulfilling orders on time is becoming increasingly harder for Dirt Bikes.This is due to the delays of obtaining certain parts to the motorcycles , especially their fuel tanks. This is a serious issue because this could lead to loses in sales because customers do not want to wait so long for their orders to be filled. Finding a different fuel tank supplier is very necessary. In response to the supply chain problems that Dirt Bikes USA searched for alternate suppliers on the internet. There are three possible alternative suppliers that were found: Company| Location| Cost of part| Cost of shipping| Motosport. com| Gresham, OR 97230| $247. 9| Fedex: free 2days| Motocyle-superstore. com| Medford, OR 97204| $273. 99| Free ground| Xrsonly. com| Hesperia, CA 92345| $249. 95| UPS 3 day: $26. 39| The suitable choice is motosport. com. They have the cheapest price and their website guarantees 30 day price matching. The shipping is not only free but 2nd day by Federal Express. The motosport. com website also looks more professional, and has a contact page that shows a picture of their administration offices, and the address of their war ehouse. It is possible that Dirt Bikes USA could be aided by implementing supply chain management software. Logility: Voyager SupplyPlanning| Wolin Design Group: da Vinci| Features| – Maximize probabilitycost for effective solutions- Optimizing sourcing and decision making. – Helps balance resources, constraints and customer service levels. – Analyses of customer orders-Evaluate costs and revenues| – Easy to report cost of effective solutions- Free training- Allows implementation of all or one applications- Optimizing resources. – Helps balance resources, constraints and customer service levels- Analyses of customer orders| Dirt Bike USA should also invest in good supply chain management software.The figure below compares the features of The Logility Company’s Voyager Supply Planning software with Wolin Design Group’s da Vinci software. The suitable option is the da Vinci software. There are some reasons for this, first of all, the co mpany does not require the purchase for all the components of the software; a company can choose to buy only certain applications. There are even add-ons to the standard software package. Before the company purchases the product, they are allows to do a demo with employees from Wolin Design Group.If the company is not satisfied with the product, the company will not have to purchase the software. Once the demo is complete and the company purchases the software, the implementation process begins. There is a Help Desk that can answer any questions or fix any problems that may arise. The actual software package itself provides Dirt Bikes with great services. Da Vinci is a whole database where every part of the ordering, financing, and inventory side of the company can be kept. It allows tracking of the products and shipping aspects.Inventory Management and other reports are easy to access because of the tracking. There are reports for the profit, revenue and costs of Dirt Bikes, as wel l as management reports. The reports help with the decision making and the everyday success of the company. The software also tries its best to minimize the cost of building the bikes and the all around costs in general. Voyager Supply Planning software is a great option, but da Vinci provides services that are more suitable for Dirt Bikes USA. 4- E-COMMERCE STRATEGY: Internet is becoming more and more popular in modern life as well as in business.E-commerce is an useful application for seller and buyer to reach their willingness.. Almost everyone has a computer with internet connection. By having a website, Dirt Bikes would be able to expand its business better because it will reach out to many people. Customers will also find it more convenient to do their shopping online. The customers have more time for choosing products and the shopper has a chance to read about all the different kinds of bikes. It also enables them to compare bikes to one another, as well as see pictures of al l of them. E-commerce allows the company to be more competitive.Dirt Bike should sell not only motorcycle but also parts on the Web, the customers will have more option when looking its website. Advertisement about the new products, popular product on the front page of the website is also a good way to attract customer. Although there are many benefits from E-commerce, Dirt Bike has to face with risks that derive from online trading. * Buyers from all over the world may use fake or stolen credit cards and online payment accounts or they outright lie about delivery. Many claim non-delivery or damaged goods in order to get refunds.This is turn makes it costly for sellers, as they are faced with the reality that now they have lost both their inventory and money. * Sellers may take money without ever sending any product or forwarding inferior goods to the customers. * When a company accepts a customer's credit card and personal data, unless the business takes measures to protect that in formation, data is easily stolen through hacking, making both the seller and the buyer vulnerable. Solutions for better E-commerce strategy: One e-commerce company that provides excellent services is NetSuite.It allows a small to medium company to be managed completely on this one software. Some of the services : website and web store building and hosting, built-in analytics and reporting, low-cost customer service, and superior e-commerce marketing tools. In order for the e-commerce software to be a profitable investment for Dirt Bikes, the cost savings need to increase. The increase should be more than the company has made in the past, and then some because of the cost of the e-commerce software. Advantages: * Managed Completely on on Software. Website and Web store building and hosting * Built-in analytics and reporting * Low-cost customer service * Superior e-commerce marketing tools 5 – KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT: The most important explicit knowledge of Dirt Bike USA assets a re its engineering designs, its customer relations management, and its sales/marketing processes. This is the explicit and tacit knowledge, most of the knowledge can be documented. The engineer can graph his or her design and the customers or sellers can save their information in their documents.There is also tacit knowledge, the designers have to think about the new ideas to refresh the products and attract people, the engineers have to think about the techniques to deal with employees and customers as well, they have to think the ways to increase the employees’ productivity, some tricks that can be used by the sellers to persuade the customers to buy their products. However, the knowledge assets of Dirt Bike is not only internal asset but also external assets. The Dirt Bike use outside engine manufacture so it has be knowledgeable about the engine products that are produced and developed by their engine suppliers.The marketers also use outside media to know about the market trend, the customers interest to increase the investment from outsiders to expand the company. Knowledge management system is the system that would contain as much information as possible that can be documented and organized, from raw data to data studies. The system brings many benefits for employees and company itself. The engineers can use the data from this system for the correct engine designs and knowing whether the engine products from the suppliers are qualified are or not. The designers can use the data and get the materials for the products.The marketers can use external and internal data for making marketing plan and getting investment. The sellers can use the data for market segmentation, and determine the time for selling suitable kind of product. The managers can know the information quickly to update about the new plan, new economics trend to have better react. Finally, the company can get the products’ feedback from customers, make the survey about the custom ers’ interest. With many benefits from the Knowledge management system Dirt Bike need to use it but the problem here is how can they find he Knowledge management system company that suitable for them? The appropriate knowledge management system for Dirt Bike is Safeharbor (http://www. safeharbor. com/solutions/knowledge-management-services/) it has almost everything that suitable for not only Dirt Bike but also many different companies. Its Knowledge Engineers work directly with the company’s teams to help with some or all of the following: Content assessment, Content creation and testing, Analysis and reporting, Contact center alignment, Taxonomy, Best practices.It has some functions that other companies do not have like multi-language which is necessary for the company to have agencies in different countries, multi-currency for faster transaction and Boolean search for faster searching. The company has 3 competitive advantages: simple and intuitive, powerful and cust omizable, cost effective. It provides: Internal Knowledge base: * Powerful Search Engine. * Easy Article Creation and Content Management. * Powerful Knowledge Base Management Tools. * Improved Agent Effectiveness * Moderator Controls. * Reporting & Analytics * Cloud Mobility. External Knowledge base: Extremely Customizable. * Intuitive Self Service. * User Feedback. * Community Forums. Component| Component No. | Source| Unit Cost| Quantity| Extended Cost| | Brake cable| M0593| Nissin| 27. 81| 1| 27. 81| | Brake pedal| M0546| Harrison Billet| 6. 03| 2| 12. 06| | Brake pad| M3203| Russell| 27. 05| 2| 54. 10| | Front brake pump| M0959| Brembo| 66. 05| 1| 66. 05| | Rear brake pump| M4739| Brembo| 54. 00| 1| 54. 00| | Front brake caliper| M5930| Nissin| 105. 20| 1| 105. 20| | Rear brake caliper| M7942| Nissin| 106. 78| 1| 106. 78| | Front brake disc| M3920| Russell| 143. 80| 1| 143. 80| | Rear brake disc| M0588|Russell| 56. 42| 1| 56. 42| | Brake pipe| M0943| Harrison Billet| 28. 52| 1| 28. 52| | Brake lever cover| M1059| Brembo| 2. 62| 1| 2. 62| | | | | Total cost| | 657. 36| | | | | | | | | * Integrated Help Desk and Call Center. 6. COMPONENT PRICE CHANGES The table above shows the cost when it is not affected by any impacts. However when the front brake caliper increased from $103 to $107,the extended cost would increase, too and if the brake pipe increases from $27 to $30 the extended cost increases. The brake system represent 30 percent of the total materials cost for one complete Moto 300 motorcycle.Therefore, not only does the cost of the brake system increase, but the whole motorcycle price. | | | Brake Pipe| | | Total Cost| 657. 36| 27| 28. 00| 29| 30. 00| | 103| 653. 64| 654. 64| 655. 64| 656. 64| | 104| 654. 64| 655. 64| 656. 64| 657. 64| Front Brake caliper| 105. 00| 655. 64| 656. 64| 657. 64| 658. 64| | 106| 656. 64| 657. 64| 658. 64| 659. 64| | 107| 657. 64| 658. 64| 659. 64| 660. 64| The table shows the total cost increase when the price of the brake pipe and front brake caliper increase. Finally when the front brake caliper and brake pipe increase up to $ 107 and $30 the total cost increases to $660. 64. REFERENCES: