Prison life and strategies to decrease recidivism upon an inmate's Research Paper

Prison life and strategies to decrease recidivism upon an inmate's release from prison - Research Paper Example Such person who has propensity of committing crimes after release from prison is a recidivist. Different jurisdictions have different laws, definitions and coverage on what recidivism should be but they are more or less similar. Since prisoner rehabilitation is part of the program of reforming the convict, the government has to devise strategies in order to avert recidivism among ex-prisoners. Correctional officers and staff though must function according to the goals of reducing recidivism. Tewksbury and Demichele (2003) said that prison personnel generally view that the correctional process is more on â€Å"incapacitation, deterrence and retribution† (p. 4). Implementers should revisit the support given to the program since it generally varies at according to time and place (Tewksbury & Demichele, 2003). It was posited that such variation may be attributed to the substantially fast turnover rate of 20 to 50 percent, which means that many are new to the job, or that the priso n system are hiring lesser personnel (Tewksbury & Demichele, 2003). ... With the ballooning recidivism, it was suggested to better leave out abstract values in mission statements and instead focus more on end-goals of the operation. This paper will show that socially and humanitarian based interventions in the prison system will lessen the propensity of a released prisoner toward recidivism. Medical Care One of the concerns that a person encounters upon entering prison is the lack of freedom to seek the health care provider one desires. The condition inside prison cells, such as congested spaces, limited movement, mixture of cultures, etc. might have a toll upon the mental and physical health of an inmate. Thus, adequate health service must be provided inside the prison so that the health of the prisoner can be adequately managed. The Bureau of Prisons provide four levels of medical care to which inmates are assigned by the Designation and Sentence Computation Center (DSCC) based on the information gathered from the investigation report (Ellis, 2008). Up on arrival at the facility, the provisional care for the inmate is reviewed by the prison clinicians (Ellis, 2008). Non-provisional care is assigned depending on the needs of the inmate, which takes into consideration the ability to function without assistance from another (Ellis, 2008). Provision of medical care to inmates also varies depending sentence or status of the case. Thus, inmates whose sentence has not been read, those with sentence below 12 months, or pre-trial inmates are not eligible to â€Å"medically appropriate-not always necessary† health service, â€Å"limited medical value,† as well as â€Å"extraordinary† service (Ellis, 2008, p. 44). Some categories of illnesses such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, etc. may also

Marketing Strategy for Next Generation Gym, UK Essay

Marketing Strategy for Next Generation Gym, UK - Essay Example It is a combination of all these factors that lead young people and professionals to join gyms and sports facilities all over the world, and the UK is no exception. In fact the trend for a healthier and happier lifestyle is catching on here. Being in good shape and eating a healthy diet not only help get us noticed and appreciated more at the office and on the street, but also make us irresistible to the opposite sex (Adcock et al, 2001, 17). Most of all, it makes us happy. This paper will look at the comparatively new concept of pay as you go gyms in the UK, with particular reference to Next Generation Club Gyms, a business registered in Hertfordshire, UK. It also has a branch in Swindon. Pay As You Go, a New Concept in the Sports Industry In fact, Next Generation Club Gyms have been the subject of quite rapt attention by sport enthusiasts and marketers alike, since it has introduced the concept of pay as you go in the UK. Similar in concept to schemes for mobile phones, this new in novation has made it easier for people who would like to get into shape or practice some sort of sport activity not on a regular but on an infrequent basis, when they get the time. Of course, it is always better to follow a regular schedule when you can but many of us have varying responsibilities at different times of the day, week or month which does not give us the opportunity to live a really scheduled life. For example, a salesman who has to travel to customers for offers and closing deals can hardly know in advance where he will be at a certain time of the day or how long the next sales call will take. One can similarly get stuck with a last minute assignment at the office, or have to stay an extra shift because somebody is ill or cannot make it. For these individuals, pay as you go certainly makes sense (Perner, Pricing, 2011). When you come to think of it, pay as you go also makes sense for lazy individuals who are not self determined enough to follow a regular schedule. So the idea certainly has merit for most of us. Pay as you go is not only cheaper; you can book a time slot in advance and ensure availability of facilities and equipment that lets you exercise, swim or play tennis at ease and without waiting in line for people to clear out before you get a chance. The concept caught on in the USA some time ago but has only been recently introduced in the UK (Garvin, 1988, 20). Available Facilities and Activities Presently the activities available at Next Generation Gym Club in Swindon are swimming, exercise, racquets and relaxing opportunities. Swimming allows you to relax after a hard day’s work, play casually in the pool or if you are more competitive, even learn some new strokes and increase your lap speed. There are swimming lessons for kids and grownups as well, including aqua aerobics for anyone who is interested. Training for body strength and flexibility include Body Blast, Body Pump, Body Pump Express, Pilates, Spin, Yoga and Boxercise , all scheduled at different times. A monthly schedule is drawn up in advance. Facilities for NG Kids include rugby, basketball, soft play activities, make and create, karate, teen gym street dance academy and booking for parties. There are also squash, tennis and badminton facilities with professional coaching available. The cafe and

Theories of the Causes of Black Holes

Theories of the Causes of Black Holes Black Holes The phrase â€Å"black holes† is introduced to scientific world not by a physicist but a journalist, Ann Ewing in 1964, who made a report on a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (Ewing, 1964). Some elegant French argued that the phrase has annoying sexual insinuation. After that, the famous physics John Wheeler spread the â€Å"black holes† widely in physics and the public view. Actually the concept of an object so massive that even the light can’t be escaped is proposed by Michell (1783), as well as by Laplace (Gillispie, 2000) But this idea was so radical at that time when the light was thought to be massless. The golden age of black holes came along with the establishment of the generally relativity by A. Einstein (OConnor, 1996). Schwarzschild and Droste solved the Einstein field equations independently and a solution describing a point mass was found (Schwarzchild, 1916; Droste, 1917). The properties of the black holes are dev eloped and explained by a group of important works. G. Lemaitre and R. Oppenheimer have interpreted the singularity (Hooft, 2009; Ruffini, 1971). The event horizon is defined as a boundary inspace and time, inside which an event can’t be observed by the outsider (Wheeler, 2007). The no-hair theory of the black hole is completed by the work of Carter (1971), Israel (1967) and Robinson (1975), declaring that a stationary black hole can be described by only three parameters: the mass, the charge and the angular momentum. The black hole thermodynamics is interpreted by Bardeen et al. (1973). In order to get a direct physical picture of a black hole, an illustration of a non-spinning black hole is given. Based on mathematically solution, a non-spinning black hole possesses a spherically symmetric boundary, which is also the event horizon. The center of the non-spinning black hole is a singularity where the gravitational forces become infinite. The distance between the singularity and the event horizon is called the Schwarzschild radius. The surface gravity of a stationary black hole is constant over the event horizon. One thing to be noted, it is impossible by any procedure, no matter how idealized, to reduce the surface gravity to zero by a finite sequence of operations. Aphoton sphere, the radius of which is 1.5 times of the Schwarzschild radius, is a  spherical  special region where  gravity  forces the  photons  to travel in orbits. Generally the black hole is classified to four groups according to their mass: micro, stellar, intermediate-mass and super ma ssive black hole. Generally the size of a black hole is approximately proportional to its mass, the heavier of a black hole, the bigger of its size. A black hole with mass of 1000 times of solar mass has a radius like the earth. The formation of a black hole is a mystery. Einstein thought that the exotic object, like black holes, would not exist in nature even there are such solutions to Einstein gravitationalfield equations. However, more and more theoretical calculations and even important astronomical observations have proved that Einstein is wrong. Most astrophysicists have reached an agreement that the formation of a black hole usually evolves many stages. First the primary process of the evolution is the gravitational collapse, which is usually occurs after the death of a heavy object, like stars. When a star doesn’t have enough â€Å"fuel† to keep its temperature through nuclearreaction or the star is keeping absorbing matters around it by universalgravitation. After the collapse, if the mass of leftover exceeds over 3 to 4 times of solar mass, it has an opportunity to form a black hole. The second stage is the formation of the event horizon, which is also the way to distinguish the blac k holes and other forms of objects, such as neutron stars, which are also a result of the gravitational collapse. Thanks to the work of Kerr (2009), who proved that the event horizon could be physical not just mathematical. According to the black holes thermodynamics, the area of the event horizon of each black hole does not decrease with time. After the presence of the event horizon, a singularity will form in a black hole (Penrose, 1965). This is considered to be the third stage. A black hole can continually grow up by absorbing the matters and interstellar dust or even merges with other stars or black holes. This is considered to be a way to super massive black holes. The last stage of black holes is the evaporation. If the Hawking’s theory can be verified, a black hole is not totally black but emits its thermal radiation with a quite small quantity. This means that a black hole would loss its mass by Hawking radiation (Parikh, 2000) and vanishes eventually. Simulation res ults show that a small black hole owns very strong emission effects. The Hawking radiation will be discussed in details. Once the scientific world accepts the concept of black holes, a question is launched: are the black holes keep growing and expanding? Hawking says no! By applying quantum field theory into a stationary black hole background, he found that a black hole should radiate particles like a black body near the event horizon (Hawking, 1974). Physical picture to this bizarre phenomenon is the radiation is not come from the black holes directly, but the results of particle-antiparticle formation just beyond the event horizon. Specifically, a particle-antiparticle pair generated from the vacuum fluctuations appears close to the event horizon. One of the pair escapes forms the boundary while another one falls into it (Droste, 1917). Another interesting question is: how can be detected a black hole where even light can’t escape? The direct way is to probing the Hawking radiation, unfortunately the simulation results show that the Hawking radiation is too small to be detected from the Earth. In 2008 NASA launched the Fermi Gammar-ray Space Telescope to search the Hawking radiation which is strong in the last stage of a black hole (Naeye, 2008). Beyond the detection of Hawking radiation. Many indirect approaches to detecting black holes are proposed and realized by astrophysicists. The X-ray binaries, a binary star system, emit bright X-ray spectrum. The XUV radiation is generally considered to be caused by a compact star being accreting interstellar gas and dust. The presence of the X-ray binary gives an opportunity to locating a black hole. In 1999, Celotti reported the existence of the sofr X-ray transients and predicted that a black hole may be formed in the region (Celotti, 1999). Still more data and needed to verify this finding. Another way to detect a black hole is based on the massive gravitational effect caused by the black holes. On candidate is the gravitational lens effect which deforms the space structure to bend the light as if a lens. The way to observe the gravitational lens effect is to observe the orbit of a star near the vicinity of a black hole. The evidence of the black holes caused gravitational lens i s found by Bozza et al. (2010) around Sagittarius A*. A widely accepted view is that a super massive black holes exists in nearly the center of every galaxy, not just active ones. When an observer is falling into a black hole, what kind of experience would he have? Theorists argue that if another observer out of the black holes tries to describe the falling one he should never be able to cross the horizon. This means, the falling one should take infinite time to cross the event horizon if he were not torn apart by tidal forces even before reaching the horizon. On the other hand, for this observer falling across the event horizon, he takes only a finite proper time in his own coordinate. However, he will not find any Hawking radiation. In fact this paradox comes from the contradiction between the general gravitational theory and the quantum mechanism. The two theories are successful in their own regions, general gravitational theory for cosmic and the quantum mechanism for atomic particles, but they can’t fit each other. The funny thing is that Einstein is against the quantum mechanism even he is one of the founders to it and even he was rewarded the Nob ile Prize for his important work in quantum mechanism. Until now this is still an open question to the theoretical and astronomical physicists. The black holes attract attentions both from scientists and the public. At first, it is only a mathematical expression for a special space time structure where nothing can be escape from it and described in scientific fictions. However with the appearances of more and more indirect evidences, it turns out to be reality with certain possibility. From scientific view of point, the black holes own unique properties and components, such as singularity, the event horizon, Hawking radiation. The black holes can provide particular physical conditions where new physical laws and principles can be verified. The researches on black holes push the frontier of astronomy, including worm holes, interstellar travel between stars, cosmic settlement. Fortunately we have plenty of time, maybe millions of years. References Bardeen, J. M. et al. (1973). The four laws of black hole mechanics. Communication Mathematical Physics, Vol. 31. pp. 161-170. Bozza, V. (2010). Gravitational lensing by black holes.General Relativity and Gravitation, Vol. 42. No.42. pp. 2269–2300. Carter, B. (1971). Axisymmetric black hole has only two degrees of freedom. Physical Review Letters  Vol. 26. No. 6. pp.331-333. Celotti, A.; Miller, J. C.; Sciama, D. W. (1999). Astrophysical evidence for the existence of black holes.Classical and Quantum Gravity,  Vol. 16. No.12. pp. A3–A21. Droste, J.(1917). On the field of a single centre in Einsteins theory of gravitation, and the motion of a particle in that field.  Proceedings Royal Academy Amsterdam, Vol.19.No. 1. pp. 197–215. Droste, J.(2009). On the field of a single centre in Einsteins theory of gravitation, and the motion of a particle in that field.  Proceedings Royal Academy Amsterdam,Vol. 19. No.1. pp.197–215. Gillispie, C., Laplace, P. (2000). 1749–1827: a life in exact science. Princeton University Press. Hawking, S. W. (1974). Black hole explosions?  Nature,Vol. 248.No. 5443. pp. 30–31. Hooft, G.t. (2009). Introduction to the theory of black holes. Institute for Theoretical Physics / Spinoza Institute. pp.47–48. Israel, W. (1967). Event Horizons in Static Vacuum Space-Times.Physical Review  Vol. 164. No. 5. pp. 1776-1779. Kerr, R. P. (2009). The Kerr and Kerr-Schild metrics. Spacetime. Cambridge University Press. Michell, J. (1784).  Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, No.74. pp. 35–57. Naeye, R.(2008). Testing fundamental physics. NASA. OConnor, J.J., and Robertson, E.F. (1996). General relativity.University of St. Andrews, Scotland. Parikh, M., Wilczek, F. (2000). Hawking radiation as tunneling. Physical Review Letters, No. 26. No. 21. pp. 1344-1346. Penrose, R.(1965). Gravitational collapse and space-time singularities. Physical Review Letters,Vol. 14. No.3. pp. 57-59. Quinion, M.(2008).  Black Hole.World Wide Words. Robinson, D. (1975). Uniqueness of the Kerr black hole.  Physical Review Letters,Vol. 34. No. 14. pp. 905-906. Ruffini, R.;Wheeler, J. A.(1971). Introducing the black hole.Physics Today,Vol. 24No. 1. pp. 30–41. Schwarzschild, K.(1916). ÃÅ"ber das gravitationsfeld eines massenpunktes nach der Einsteinschen theorie.Sitzungsberichte der Kà ¶niglich Preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften,No. 7. pp. 189–196. Wheeler, J. Craig. (2007).  Cosmic catastrophes. Cambridge University Press.

Essay on Contrasting Couples in The Taming of the Shrew -- comparison

Use of Contrasting Couples in The Taming of the Shrew      Ã‚   William Shakespeare's comedy, The Taming of the Shrew illistrates the difficulty of trying to tame a headstrong, stubborn, and a high-spirited woman so that she will make a docile wife. The one attempting to tame Kate, the shrew, is Petruchio. They contend with each other with tremendous vitality and have a forced relationship. In contrast, there is another romantically linked couple who seemingly possess an ideal relationship. These young lovers, Bianca and Lucentio, share a love that is not grounded in reality, but in fantasy. These two sub-plot characters are stock characters and Shakespeare creates the irony of the play through the differences between the two couples. It is through his use of stock characters and irony that the differences between the two couples are revealed.    Bianca and Lucentio are considered stock characters in this play for many reasons. On the surface of things, Bianca is a sweet, mild-tempered young woman. She shows obedience towards her father and fosters his favoritism for herself by playing the part of a noble victim who cannot marry until her shrewish sister is wed. "Bianca is the epitome of a stock character. She is the sweet, innocent girl that all the g... ...terary Criticism Vol. IX, Detroit, Michigan: Gale Research Co., 1983. Shakespeare, William, The Taming of the Shrew New York, New York, Washington Square Press, 1963. Snider, Denton J., "William Shakespeare" on The Taming of the Shrew, Shakespearean Literary Criticism Vol. IX, Detroit, Michigan: Gale Research Co., 1983. Wade, Charles, "William Shakespeare" on The Taming of the Shrew, Shakespearean Literary Criticism Vol. IX, Detroit, Michigan: Gale Research Co., 1983. Webster, Margaret, "William Shakespeare" on The Taming of the Shrew, Shakespearean Literary Criticism Vol. IX, Detroit, Michigan: Gale Research Co., 1983.

Airborne Express case Analysis Essay

1 Company Background: Airborne express is an express delivery company and cargo airline, which by1997 had 16% of the domestic express mail market share. They operate in a niche by targeting business clients located in the United States. Their main service is next morning delivery which is also the flagship of the industry. Airborne are Target Business clients  able to differentiate by holding a position as  primarly with next morning  delivery services  cost leaders while providing high quality  services, equal to that of their competitors. In addition, Airborne Express is perceived  as the flexible, solution orientated express  Provide  carrier. They possess the ability of adapting  Able to offer the  Flexible- solution  lowest price on  needs of business customers, without it  orientated  the market  express service  affecting the price structure of their services. Figure 1 Airborne’s wheel of success Competitive advantage: The mail express industry is characterized by a cost structure with high variable costs and relatively low fixed costs. Firms’ competitive advantage lies mainly in providing their service at the lowest possible cost. Airborn Express’ Infrastructure Marketing  and sales and  offer Inbound  logistics Sorting  operations Package Shipping Delivery services Figure 2: Airborne’s express value chain Marketing, sales and technology: ï‚ · Low advertising costs; sales mainly through a strong sales-force that establishes personal relationships with their clients. ï‚ · No research and developments costs in research and development. Ability to copy and integrate quickly when competitors’ adopt new successful innovations. Inbound logistics: ï‚ · Airborne express own its main hub (purchased at a very low price because of rural location) on which it collects its parcels. ï‚ · No landing fees, because of ownership, which substantially reduce their costs. Sorting operations: ï‚ · Sorting operation rely mostly on labor than machines, compared to competitors. As labor is none-unionized labor, it provides Airborne with cheaper labor force. ï‚ · Operations mainly situated in one location (sorting facility and warehouses), allowing a lower cost structure in addition to some economies of scale. 2 Package shipment: ï‚ · Fleet of 175 aircrafts, mostly McDonnell Douglas type, purchased used at low price. ï‚ · Deliveries mostly concentrated in top 50 US metropolitan areas, as most businesses are located in such areas, allowing high utilization rate of aircrafts (80%), and therefore some economies of scale. Delivery services ï‚ · Pickup and delivery services mostly operated by independent contractors (paid by the mile or parcel), 10% cheaper than company owned pickup and delivery services. ï‚ · More parcels per stop because clients are situated in mostly metropolitan areas. ï‚ · No retail service centers (little need as most clients are business clients), compared to competitors who are dependent on such service centers. Industry Analysis: Exhibit 1 gives an overview of attractiveness of industry. Positive for companies operating in this sector is: market for express deliveries is difficult to access. Capital requirements are high; market is saturated with established companies operating the industry. (To FeDex for example, has become synonym to overnight shipping). In addition there is little supplier power. Main suppliers are pickup and delivery service companies, and these are exposed to high competition which contributes to low bargaining power. On the other hand, it is a very saturated market. The market leaders, FedEx and UPS operate in most of the parcel markets (international, domestic, businesses, private †¦). The remaining companies target niche markets and are either direct competitors of either FedEx or UPS. What differentiates them is usually price and image. In general, the industry is characterized by strong competition between firms, as firms provide similar services, with a high degree of substitu tability. With a sector exposed to such competition, profit margins outsights are relatively low. Generic strategies: 100% 80% Market share 60% Airplane utilization rate Operating margins Price/ Performance – Next morning delivery 40% 20% 0% Fedex UPS Airborne Delivery quality Price/ Performance Next afternoon delivery Figure 3: graphs based on numbers from Exhibit 2 3 Operating Margin 10% 10% 9% 9% 8% Average price (all parcel types) $35 8% 7% $34 7% 6% $33 6% 5% $32 5% $31 4% $30 4% 3% $29 3% Average price (all Operating 2% $28 2% parcel types) – next 97% 98% 99% 100% 1% 96% morning Market deliveries 1% 0% Share 0% $25,00 0% 10% $30,00 20% 30% $35,00 40% 50% Both FedEx and UPS are currently looking for marginal revenue opportunities. History of industry has showed importance of innovation .Currently, UPS has adopted a new pricing strategy that has been followed by FedEx. The question is whether Airborne should adapt same pricing strategy as their competitors. Cost/ Benefit analysis Advantages of adopting new pricing system – Maintain pace of competitors, – Not to lose profitability and market share as a result of competitors’ overtaking shorter distance mail market due to lower pricing. – Market sensible to market innovation. Illustrated by the innovation war between FEDEX and UPS in the 90’s. – Brand known as flexible, so why not adopt a flexible pricing system? Disadvantages of adopting new pricing system – Imposing a new costly system – Increase costs and decrease profits if prices are  still lower than competitors in the overnight  morning delivery and in the lower weight  products. – Businesses are the clients, and services are  probably set by contracts and negotiations on volumes and not per unit. – Distance based pricing mostly influence  decisions of consumers rather than businesses. Maintaining the status quo – lose profitability and markets share; competitors’ overtaking short distance mail market due to lower pricing. – Long term effects: Airborne risks operating only on longer more costly transportation routes, and will largely influence profitability if only operating in specific markets. Airborne Express Adotping Not adopting Competitors Little worse This chart chose us the probable effects  of not adapting new pricing system  given that we already know they have  implemented the changes. Much worse Adopting Much better Same Much worse Not adopting Little worse Much better Same Figure 4: Game theory Recommendation The real risk of not following in competitors footsteps is that Airborne express might lose clients, especially smaller business clients. The effects would be the risk of operating in only long distance deliveries, which are also the most expensive. In addition, Airborne has an image of being flexible and solution orientated. Not implementing distance based pricing can dilute their brand image, especially in an industry where innovation is important. Given the risks, recommendations for Airborne Express (in order not to lose paste to competitors), is to implement distance based pricing. 4 Exhibit 1: Porter’s five forces analysis Threat of new Entrants (low) – Saturated markets – High capital requirements – Established brands – Some economies of scale – Low product differentiation Determinants of Supplier Power (Low) -Input, little dependent on suppliers: * aircraft carriers bought used *Pickup and delivery services companies are exposed to high competition, and therefore have little bargaining power. Rivalry among firms (high) – 3 big competitors and 6 second players: * Ups operate in all markets, * Remaining operate in niche markets. – Provide similar services. Fedex Determinants of buyer power (high) – Many suppliers – Low product differentiation – Low switching cost – High variable costs – Some brand loyalty – Low buyer switching costs – Competitive advantage through innovation – Discounts with volume – Price sensitive Threat of substitute products (High) – Low switching costs, unless contracts have been negotiated. – Similar product quality,(99% of package on time with UPS, FED and 97% with Airborne – Prices are similar, except Airborne has lower price for the industries flagship product – Other products such as electronic mail Exhibit 2: Numbers for radar Graph Companies Utilization rate Avg price overnight morning delivery, 1-10 lbs Avg price overnight next afternoon delivery 1-10 lbs Delivery quality Operating Margins (19961997) Domestic market share Fedex 65-70% 20,53 UPS 65-70% 21,54 Airborne 80% 18,55 21,65 18,52 16,63 99% 6.1% 99% 9.1% 97% 7.9% 45% 25% 16% 5

Implications of Islamic finance for securities law in New Zealand Essay

The global growth and development of Shari’ah compliant financial products has been more pronounced in the last three decades, when several countries already had established laws and regulations governing finance and securities. The materialization of variety of capital market products, compounded by progression of market activity, not confined to the traditional jurisdictions in Asia and the Middle East and the development and advancement of technology has led to global trade in Shari’ah compliant products not limited by the geographical boundaries, whereas New Zealand has laws governing investment and finance, what are the implications of Islamic finance for securities law in New Zealand? Furthermore how has the development of Shari’ah compliant financial products occurred in New Zealand and what is the regulatory treatment of these products? Introduction Islamic capital securities and Shari’ah compliant products, which were previously predominantly viewed as a preserve of Middle East and East Asia, has received geographical expansion beyond the traditional spheres of activity. The global impacts of Shari’ah compliant products resulted to the recognition of such products, hence International Organization of Securities Commissions hence creating Islamic Capital Market Task Force to access the compatibility of IOSCO? s core principles with the products and practices of Islamic finance. The securities of several countries were created and implemented before the global recognition of Islamic laws concerning finance and securities. In New Zealand, several laws which govern securities were implemented long before IOSCO’s creation and recognition of Islamic Capital Market Task Force, these laws include The Securities Act 1978, Securities Regulations 1983, The Securities Markets Act 1988, Securities Act (Contributory Mortgage) Regulations 1988, Financial Reporting Act 1993, Securities (Fees) Regulations 1998 and the Securities Markets (Fees) Regulations 2003. The growth of compliant financial services as experienced global growth and several measurement metrics have been recognised, such as FTSE Global Islamic Index Series, Global Dow Jones Islamic Market Index , FTSE Shari’ahh Global Equity Index , Bursa Malaysia Hijrah Shari’ahh and EMAS Shari’ahh indices, FTSE SET Shari’ahh Index, FTSE SGX Shari’ahh Index Series and the FTSE SGX Shari’ah Index Series which on critical analysis reveals that the global performance of Shari’ah compliant financial services has been on the positive trend, however New Zealand does not have Islamic compliant Series and as such, whereas the laws have been amended and changed several times, the global influence of Shari’ah compliant products is bound to have adverse impacts on the securities law in New Zealand. Literature Review The Islamic finance sectors in terms of Shari’ah compliance incorporate diverse spectrum of financial services such as securities, banking, insurance, non-bank monetary arbitration and capital markets where these products are influenced by the common Shari’ah legal maxim where any action is permitted unless expressible prohibited by law According to El-Hawary, Grais & Iqbal the growth of Islamic finance in the 1980’s and 1990’s involved mainly the augmentation of banking and trade-related financing activities. The Islamic finance sector is a product of Shari’ah laws, which are founded on Qur’an, Ahadith , Ijma, Qiyas, and Ijtihad, the laws however traverse the Islamic way of life in entirety, where associated influence of rules, laws and interpretations of Shari’ah is demonstrated in the religious, cultural, social, political and communal aspects of Muslims. According to Muhammad Ashraf , the convergence of the country’s regulatory laws, and the Shari’ah compliancy should be based on the principle of concordare leges legibus est optims interpretandi modus which dictates that the best mode of interpreting laws is to make laws agree with laws. New Zealand being a member of International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) which mandated the formation of an Islamic Capital Market Task Force (ICMTF) is envisioned to embrace fully and conform with international defined standards of Shari’ah compliancy, however the Securities Act 1978, which regulates primary markets in New Zealand forms a basis of regulation, Securities Markets Act 1988 regulates secondary markets, furthermore there exists legislations that impact on securities such as Unit Trusts Act 1960, Financial Reporting Act 1993, KiwiSaver Act 2006, and Companies Act 1993, these acts come in force before the prominence of Shari’ah compliant financial products. Mansoor H Khan , and argues that the implications of Islamic finance on laws are a challenge based on divergence of Islamic banking courts and conventional court systems, where disputed cases of the Islamic banks are subjected conventional legal system while in essence the nature of the legal system of Islam differs, he further argues existing laws, are repugnant to injunctions of Islam, yet they are expected to promulgate Shari’ah compliant legal cases and products. This supports the argument by Yong-Jae Chang , and Jun-Hee Choi , where existent laws are identified as inhibitors to development of Shari’ah compliant products, and advocates amendment of existing laws since Islamic banking resembles universal banking, consequently, laws and regulations need to be amended accordingly to provision for the universal approach, this complies with Securities Act 1978, which grants the Securities Commission leeway to co-operate with similar bodies overseas. The connotation of Islamic finance are disposed by the Shari’ah laws governing finance and investment, which are bound to have influence is the principle of materiality where financial transactions should bear material in terms of actual monetary transaction. In this case Shari’ah compliancy in terms of financial reward achievement is based on musharaka, in terms of joint ventures, where risks and financial results are shared by the contributing partners and mudaraba centred on trust financing where the outcome of business venture is shared by capital contributor and the managing partner. Shari’ah laws also prohibits predetermined interest rate, referred as riba or usury set ex ante, in this regard banks are disallowed from charging additional interests, which do not equally benefit the client, consideration of New Zealand laws, Securities Markets Act 1988 , requires brokers and investment advisers offer customers written disclosure statement and forbids market manipulation, hence agreeing with Shari’ah. With the principle of risk-sharing, the finance provider as well as the loaned party share risks, in exchange of profits and losses, the attractiveness of such arrangement has enhanced the growth of Shari’ah compliant especially to risk averse investors, regulations however have to be modified to suit such an arrangement. The Securities Act 1978 & Securities Regulations 1983 allows clients to cancel allotment of security midterm as a result of misleading information, on the Islamic perspective, Shari’ah dictates murabaha (mark-up financing), which occurs in terms of Basic Murabaha, Commodity Murabaha and Reverse Murabaha in which a financing institution buys products for a client and sells them on on a deferred basis, adding an agreed profit margin , however the agreement can be cancelled midterm, this conforms with existing laws on securities and can foster development of Shari’ah compliant products. Ijara which governs operating Lease and Ijara wa Iqtina which governs finance Lease are also products which demand less amendment of existing laws, since they are modelled on conventional sale agreements where the financial institutions acquire assets and leases them to a customer who may purchase the said assets at a later date, this is also exhibited in Diminishing Musharaka. On contrast however, qard hassana which prohibits charging interest on loans and bai’salam or bai’salaf is based on delivery or the purchased commodity, are different from the conventionally accepted principles of financial institutions which are geared towards achieving profits by charging interests. According to IOSCO report, Shari’ah law prohibits gharar or improbability or speculation, in actual sense however, financial markets are laden with vibrant and fickle behavior, whereas Shari’ah principle states that complete disclosure of information is a requisite and disallows indiscretion of information in a contract, while allowing improbability with controllable on the society, in New Zealand, the Financial Reporting Act 1993 , agrees with the Shari’ah laws and further defines the terms of compliance by defining the punitive measures against truant financial institutions. Conclusion The global pace of market development hint on interest to offer Shari’ahh compliant financial products by financial institutions globally, the fact that regulatory bodies such as International Organization Of Securities Commissions distinguishes these products means that global recognition and regulation of Islamic finance is eminent, with collaboration, information exchange and thematic work by financial institutions globally, New Zealand financial institutions will be compelled to offer Shari’ah compliant products, in essence this shall contribute to altering of the country’s laws to accommodate the new product.

Queen Nefertiti essays

Queen Nefertiti essays Queen Nefertiti. The mystery queen of Egypt. Who was she? Why is she so mysterious? Why does such mystery shroud her life and her death? What really happened to her? These are some of the questions that will be covered in this essay. Along with the events of her life, the events of her death will also be covered. The beautiful One has come, the meaning of Nefertiti certainly fits her image. The beautiful painted limestone bust of Nefertiti was discovered in 1912 during a German excavation at Tell el-Amarna. This famous icon now abides in the West Berlin Museum. The German Egyptologist Ludwig Borchardt found this masterpiece. Before her reign as queen there is little known of Nefertiti. Some scholars believe, because her name means the beautiful one has come, that she was from a foreign land and traveled to Egypt. While others maintain, she was from An Egyptian royal bloodline. Others even say that she was in fact not of royalty but her father was a high official, possibly a grand vizier to the king, a man named Ay. The information that is known of Nefertiti comes mainly from tomb scenes, the Aten temple at Karnak, inscription at the Amarna court and now the discovery of tomb KV35 discovered by Victor Loret in 1898, is believed by Egyptologist Joann Fletcher to contain the mummy of Nefertiti, (more will be said about this). Nefertiti lived during the New Kingdom at the end of the 18th Dynasty, in a period known as the Amarna period, from 1353-1336 B.C.E. During the New Kingdom, the 18th Dynasty is depicted in artifacts as a thriving culture. There are farmers who were winnowing and carrying grain to granaries. There are depictions of grape picking in vineyards, herdsmen inspecting cattle, and fishermen using fish hooks. The economy must have been thriving as well, for we see many traders and craftsmen such as goldsmiths, jewelers, engravers and butchers. The depictions of domestic l...

That Tally Stick Essay Example

That Tally Stick Essay Example That Tally Stick Paper That Tally Stick Paper So many people have keepsakes to symbolize their love for one another. Couples have pictures and mementos to remind them of their special times. In â€Å"The Tally Stick†, Jarold Ramsey introduces us to a couple who use a tally stick rather than pictures to represent what is important in their lives. Ramsey takes us from the beginning of the relationship, when the stick is bare, to the end when it is carved end to end. We learn of the outside events that build their love, as well as internal measure, upon which their love is built. According to Ramsey the stick is a part of the couple’s relationship. The tally stick shows that love can be a long-lasting bond defined by failure and success that strengthen their relationship. Before there is a single notch in the stick the narrator shows its significance. Ramsey indicates the stick is a gift, which represents the couple’s lifetime together. Saying, â€Å"From our first of days†¦/ I have carved our lives in secret on this stick† (1; 2). Their unique and extraordinary bond is directly represented by the type and length of the â€Å"Mountain mahogany† stick, Measured by â€Å"the length of your arms/ outstretched†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (3; 4). Also, because their relationship is so concrete and red with passion, Ramsey describes â€Å"the wood† as â€Å"clear red, so hard and rare† (4). In the opening stanza Ramsey shows that the tally stick embodies every part of this relationship, and its characteristics signify more than just important events. The first and most elaborate notch on the stick is the couple’s wedding. It is very detailed and enables them to relive their wedding. Like their lives â€Å"the grains /converge and join† (6; 7). The details of the notch are so specific the couple can tell â€Å"who danced, who made up the songs, who meant† them â€Å"joy† (9). The complex structures not only depict their wedding but the intricacy of their relationship, its specialness and how much they mean to each other. Inscriptions along the grain show the love they have for their children and how they want them involved in their lives’, indicated by â€Å"little arrowheads along the grain† (10). During times of grief the couple’s heavy hearts are exposed to the reader. Ramsey uses â€Å"heavy crosses† to mirror the couple’s mood during /â€Å"the deaths of† their â€Å"parents, the loss of our friends† (12; 13) Ramsey shows us that the difficult times made their onnection grow stronger. Death was not the only hardship they had to endure. Stanza three outlines all the external hardships the pair suffered through. Historic events were randomly cut against the grain, symbolizing occurrences that tried their relationship. â€Å"Hashmarks cut against the swirling grain† show how certain events could de stroy what they have (16). The poem indicates all the events their love survived, and shows their love has lasted many years. They remember what they thought was â€Å"the year the world went wrong† and â€Å"the days the Great Men fell† (17; 18). The third stanza ends with the power of the couples love, â€Å"The lengthening runes of our lives† that â€Å"run through it all† (19). This line from the poem signifies the strength their love possesses. There love persisted through hard times and their marriage grew stronger. These lines show that nothing compares to the love the two have for each other. Despite hardships their love continued to grow. In the final stanza the narrator talks about what it is like to look back on all the events that shaped the couple’s life. The stick is full of memories and represents a long lasting relationship. This relationship is made stronger by the events shown on the tally stick, every notch made them stronger and although the stick is beginning to wear, their love is not. â€Å"Our tally stick is whittled nearly end to end; delicate as scrimshaw, it would not bear you up† (20). Ramsey mentions that the stick is polished with regrets. Because they both have regrets that helped build their love, the couple clusters those regrets with all other mishaps â€Å"hand over hand† (22). The author ends the poem with the couple looking back on everything they have done. Running their fingers from beginning to end they will explore everything that shaped their relationship and forgive each other’s regrets. Ramsey refers to their blameless eyes, telling us that the two no longer blame one another and can go on loving through old age. Starting from when they were children, they follow the grain all the way to adulthood and â€Å"talk softly as of ordinary matters and in one another’s blameless eyes go blind† (27). The Tally Stick† is symbolic of everything this couple shares with each other. It not only shows special occasions like a picture but tells a detailed story of their life together. The couple relives the significant times they spent together by running their thumbs through the intricate notches. Detailed depictions of their wedding, the births of their children, the tragedies they have gone through can all be found within the stick. This stick defines the relationship, and is part of the each of them. The marks indicating internal events are the ones that remain special and are intricately drawn, where as the historic actions are just random marks, indicating they are not as exceptional as the internal dealings and everything random just fades away. â€Å"The Tally Stick† is a physical representation of this couple’s love for one another. It tells a practical story of the couple’s companionship, nothing on the stick is idealistic and depicts real events that drove their love, not what their relationship could have been, but what it is.

The Ins and Outs of a Necropsy

The Ins and Outs of a Necropsy Necropsy is a dissection of a dead animal to determine the cause of death. In essence, it is an autopsy performed on an animal, such as a whale or shark. Necropsies can help us learn more about the biology of an animal, how it is affected by disease or how human interactions may impact animals. Veterinarians regularly perform necropsies on livestock in order to determine whether the cause of death is due to sickness or other environmental factors that may affect the rest of the livestock. If caught early, we can use the information to prevent or contain outbreaks. Zoos  and other institutions that care for animals also perform necropsies on animals that have died in their care in order to ensure the safety of other animals who may be affected. Common Necropsy Procedures Some of the procedures for a necropsy include collecting samples from one or more of the internal organs, examining the stomach contents and looking for signs of trauma. The blood will also be examined in order to determine enzyme values and other factors.  From the necropsy, researchers and veterinarians are able to determine how old an animal is, whether or not a female had been pregnant and what the animal ate.   When it comes to whales, skeletons are kept after the necropsy and sent to universities, schools, and museums so that the specimen  can be studied well into the future.

Managing Staff Nurses Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Managing Staff Nurses - Assignment Example I as a manager of this unit have to facilitate a professional environment with a physically and mentally comfortable working conditions for the employees In order to ensure this some key objectives have to be achieved which are: 1 An objective analysis of the given working conditions 2 Understanding my employees, in this case, my staff nurses 3 The responsibilities delegated to them viz a viz their seniority and capabilities. So to begin with the working conditions of the unit has to be explored in order to establish its favorability for the household show a little care free attitude towards work. This is just an assumption based on general observation and is therefore not a verdict. All this need an objective analysis based on realities on the ground. Moreover, the injustice in delegation of work responsibilities bears a great significance in establishing the output of a staff member. Therefore, I will ensure a fair dealing with all staff nurses in this regard. Apart from this, it is also important to lay out a plan, in case a problem arises between two or more staff members. This requires an effective code of conduct to be written in order to contain such issues from happening and guarantee a peaceful atmosphere in the unit. The code of conduct constitutes a list of behavior patterns in terms of the dos and don’ts to be strictly observed. It will include: 1 be honest 2 be friendly 3 show professional approach 4 Respect each other’s dignity and space. 5 Mind one’s own business ... So to begin with the working conditions of the unit has to be explored in order to establish its favorability for the household show a little care free attitude towards work. This is just an assumption based to general observation and is therefore not a verdict. All this need an objective analysis based on realities on ground. Moreover, the injustice in delegation of work responsibilities bears a great significance in establishing the output of a staff member. Therefore, I will ensure a fair dealing with all staff nurses in this regard. Apart from this, it is also important to lay out a plan, in case a problem arises between two or more staff members. This requires an effective code of conduct to be written in order to contain such issues from happening and guarantee a peaceful atmosphere in the unit. The code of conduct constitutes a list of behavior patterns in terms of the dos and don'ts to be strictly observed. It will include: 1 be honest 2 be friendly 3 show professional approach 4 Respect each other's dignity and space. 5 Mind one's own business The Don'ts include 1 don't be irritable 2 don't be careless 3 don't back bite 4 don't be a gossip monger If one or more of the staff members found violating any of these, they will either be warned and next time a recurrence of such behavior will cost them a heavy penalty or even their job depending on the severity of the matter. However, sometimes a problem occurs which has nothing to do with a code of conduct; instead it happens between two staff members which require the manager to intervene and resolve the issue to both party's satisfaction. This requires an effective problem solving strategy. In this regard I have read different material on issue resolving skills, one of which is

CYBER BULLING A SOCIAL PROBLEM Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

CYBER BULLING A SOCIAL PROBLEM - Research Paper Example According to Wanamaker (2012), the abuses from cyber bullying are as hurtful to the victim as physical abuse. In most cases, it has resulted to low self-esteem and to some extent suicide. Cyber bulling is a developing social problem that needs social workers to tackle. Many social workers today are inadequately equipped to handle the issue between students. Because cyber bullying can lead to mental harm, the social workers do not have the right skills for handling the problem properly. Cyber bullying mostly occurs over the Internet hence it has become difficult for staff and social workers to monitor the issue. Since social workers are essential to school mental health services and offer crisis intervention services compared to staff members, they will be important in developing effective and accurate cyber bullying policies. People may claim that cyber bullying has declined, but the more people become aware of the problem they realize that many kids are involved in it. To those kids and teens involved, it has become a game given the anonymity associated with it. The anonymously that the Internet provides has highly encouraged cyber bullying. Due to this aspect of the Internet, cyber bullying has become an online version of teasing and cruelty that usually exists in schools. While the Internet provides anonymity, it also provides a wide range of opportunity to reach, many people as it is open to anyone. Therefore, since many people can access the Internet and the fact that it is difficult to establish who said what, this encourages people to use the Internet to bully others. Education is truly essential when it comes to cyber bullying. While the upcoming Internet-based networking sites might appear to challenge to any user, children and teens do not likely have the maturity of using these sites. The well-educated parents keep

Tools, stucture & sing in Design Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Tools, stucture & sing in Design - Assignment Example Surprisingly, there was not permanent structure with caves been the first to be developed (Bramle & IDMME Conference, 2005, p. 156). Need for protection from animals led to development wood and mud structures driven by designer/maker/user. Structures developed based on age of needs with people disturbed by the need to protect themselves from animals and hence constructing mud and wooden based structure such as cliff dwellings of American Southeast. The color forms the basic element evident here as red color has been used to indicate need for life savers. It matches earlier signs that printed such signs in red and black using charcoals while ochre stones were painted by yellow oxides. The signs have used red colors and a plus sign to visually create a perception on the significant of such signs, red color is always attached to blood and danger and hence a person is attracted to pay attention to such

Outer Space and Inner Space Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Outer Space and Inner Space - Essay Example This paper seeks to discuss why Theremin became popular during this period, how it works, its effect on the audience, and the various ways in which it is used in both outer space and inner space movies. Theremin is named after it inventor- a Russian inventor known as Leon Theremin. This is an early electronic music instrument that functioned without the control of the performer. The instrument was patented in 1928 with the sole intention of using it for melodic music in the traditional vein. Several years after its invention, Theremin was widely used in the making of several films. However, its application in film was limited to some types of films such as suspense and science fiction films where the technique of sound manipulation was effective. The1950 time period was the perfect period for this electronic music instrument as it was highly popularized in Hollywood. According to Weird Vibration (2002), during that period, â€Å"Hollywood was hard-pressed both by the court-ordered selling of studio-owned theaters and by competition from the new medium of television from the new medium of television; the financial pressures reminded producers that it was cheaper to build one monste r than a series of planet landscapes and props†. Following the popularity of these types of films in the 1950s, â€Å"Hollywood composers looked to technology for the alien Other’s stereotypical voice† (Weird Vibrations, 2002). As such, music composers and film makers popularized the use of Theremin due to its strong semiotic properties. Science fiction and suspense films that used this electronic instrument stood out as opposed to those that were non-Theremin-flavored. According to Weird Vibration (2002), †Also there is an important difference exists between the Theremin-flavored musical ideas with which composers for the science fiction films limned their extrater-restrial others and Hollywood’s standard musical depiction of outsiders. The difference

Systems Analysis and Design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Systems Analysis and Design - Essay Example At this stage, the systems engineer is required to â€Å"design the user interface and identify all necessary outputs, inputs and processes† (Shelly, Cashman and Rosenblatt, 2008, p. 22). In this report, the major information systems techniques and tools will be discussed with special reference to the managerial implications of different CBIS components, techniques and tools. There is special focus on addressing business needs as per the perspective of information systems. Discussion Business Information System Components The main components of an information system are people, data, processes, hardware, software and communications. This holds true for a business information system (BIS) too. People are the element of a CBIS who design, install, communicate, execute processes, and manage the databases. Data can be defined as the information part of CBIS. It is essential for running the software and understanding various organisational issues and scenarios. The element of proce sses is the set of definitions, descriptions, rules and instructions, which guides the people in implementing and operating the CBIS. Further, hardware consists of the computers and their peripherals which are a part of the CBIS. It also includes the networking devices such as switches and routers. Software applications play a functional role in the CBIS. Software is necessary developing and running the system design and running the CBIS. Finally, communication is the component that helps in staffs’ and departments’ coordination inside a business house (Stair and Reynolds, 2011) So dividing the BIS (that is, a corporate level CBIS) among the components of people, data, processes, hardware, software and communications is advantageous for a systems engineer to standardise the system design and compare with available paradigms and benchmark. For example, dividing a given information system into standard components helps a systems engineer to organise the different program ming techniques using advanced programming languages like Java and UML (Dennis, Wixom and Tegarden, 2012). Dynamic Diagrams and Rich Pictures Dynamic diagrams are based on isometric projections  that help in mapping web sites, developing software programs like MAPA, and publishing certain advanced blogging systems (Kahn, Lenk and Kaczmarek, 2001). Rich Pictures, on the other hand, are a category of diagrams that can help to relate one’s own experiences and observations to a certain problem situation presented before him/her. This further involves organisation of the development of different business related concepts visibly (Avison, Golder and Shah, 1992). The most important advantage of dynamic diagram is that it helps the user to navigate through the systems. Moreover, it helps the systems designer to detect would-be navigation issues. For example, pictorial representation of the sitemap of a corporate website is helpful for both the customers and systems engineers of the company. Advantage of using rich pictures is that it helps to establish relationships between situations and technologies. For example, user experience with a technology can be described through visible illustrations with the help of rich pictures. Krishnamurti (2011) has used rich pictures to successfully illustrate that how 3D graphics can be applied to enhance construction site management and technology (see Figure

Business Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Business Strategy - Essay Example There are other products and services that were added which include Shops, sothebys.amazon.com, electronics, home improvement products and many others. Their continued broadening of spectrum is directly related with their goal of making customers find anything they want online. Huge market capitalization of Amazon.com enabled it to stage an aggressive expansion in the market through introduction of several products and services. Websites were opened in several countries and are expected to continue by also forging partnerships with other internet service providers around the globe (Paavo, Arash, and Alain 2013). The amazon.com in United Kingdom and Germany are listed as the leading sites in sales. In Amazon.com followed a strategy of developing software specialized to their type of business and acquiring commercially made applications. 2,461 million dollars’ worth of assets with inventories representing 7 per cent of total assets was realized in 2002. This shows the strength of the company significantly in that year even before they had began their expansion process in France and Japan. The Amazon.com Commerce Network strategy basically leads the company to earn high revenues with high margins which is also risky provided it acts as a venture capitalist. The company reduces significantly the cost of goods sold by increasing their own distribution channels which allows to the company concentrate on their main focus which is customer service. Ravi suria an analyst at Prudential Securities Company was concerned Amazon was not generating good cash flow essentially because it was swiftly expanding from less than 10 million dollars cash out lay. He also had a genuine worry about the reducing stock turnover of the company as it increased their distribution channels in 1999. Despite of Amazon being one of the largest online retailers, they had been able to hold on to profit making and had fallen in the eyes of the investors. (Rainer, Turban,

Systems Analysis and Design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Systems Analysis and Design - Essay Example At this stage, the systems engineer is required to â€Å"design the user interface and identify all necessary outputs, inputs and processes† (Shelly, Cashman and Rosenblatt, 2008, p. 22). In this report, the major information systems techniques and tools will be discussed with special reference to the managerial implications of different CBIS components, techniques and tools. There is special focus on addressing business needs as per the perspective of information systems. Discussion Business Information System Components The main components of an information system are people, data, processes, hardware, software and communications. This holds true for a business information system (BIS) too. People are the element of a CBIS who design, install, communicate, execute processes, and manage the databases. Data can be defined as the information part of CBIS. It is essential for running the software and understanding various organisational issues and scenarios. The element of proce sses is the set of definitions, descriptions, rules and instructions, which guides the people in implementing and operating the CBIS. Further, hardware consists of the computers and their peripherals which are a part of the CBIS. It also includes the networking devices such as switches and routers. Software applications play a functional role in the CBIS. Software is necessary developing and running the system design and running the CBIS. Finally, communication is the component that helps in staffs’ and departments’ coordination inside a business house (Stair and Reynolds, 2011) So dividing the BIS (that is, a corporate level CBIS) among the components of people, data, processes, hardware, software and communications is advantageous for a systems engineer to standardise the system design and compare with available paradigms and benchmark. For example, dividing a given information system into standard components helps a systems engineer to organise the different program ming techniques using advanced programming languages like Java and UML (Dennis, Wixom and Tegarden, 2012). Dynamic Diagrams and Rich Pictures Dynamic diagrams are based on isometric projections  that help in mapping web sites, developing software programs like MAPA, and publishing certain advanced blogging systems (Kahn, Lenk and Kaczmarek, 2001). Rich Pictures, on the other hand, are a category of diagrams that can help to relate one’s own experiences and observations to a certain problem situation presented before him/her. This further involves organisation of the development of different business related concepts visibly (Avison, Golder and Shah, 1992). The most important advantage of dynamic diagram is that it helps the user to navigate through the systems. Moreover, it helps the systems designer to detect would-be navigation issues. For example, pictorial representation of the sitemap of a corporate website is helpful for both the customers and systems engineers of the company. Advantage of using rich pictures is that it helps to establish relationships between situations and technologies. For example, user experience with a technology can be described through visible illustrations with the help of rich pictures. Krishnamurti (2011) has used rich pictures to successfully illustrate that how 3D graphics can be applied to enhance construction site management and technology (see Figure

Chapter Guide for Twilight of Atheism Essay Example for Free

Chapter Guide for Twilight of Atheism Essay The classical version of atheism is vastly different than the atheism that is known today. Some consider â€Å"modern atheism† as one of the greatest achievements of human intellect. Immortalization in Greek myths meant â€Å"infinite extension of existence, not the infinite projection of moral qualities† Classical Greek atheism denied â€Å"traditional religion of the Athenian establishment† Protestant reformers wrote against church’s corruption and straying from â€Å"authentic models of the New Testament† Protestantism eventually gained popularity in Western Europe in 1600s -â€Å"Historical origins of modern atheism lie primarily in an extended criticism of the power and status of the church The 18th century was regarded the â€Å"most creative period of atheist experimentation and reflection† Historians date the birth of ‘avowed’ or intentional atheism in Britain to around the year 1782 Credit for the serious advancement of atheism on he eve of the Victorian era is most due to William Godwin. He believed that social vision rested on the assumption of the perfectibility of humanity through reason. Mary Robinson wrote that, â€Å"nature was emancipated from being God’s creation, and became a divinity in its own right. Percy Shelley argued that since compelling evidence for the existence of God is lacking, here is no intellectual obligation to believe in God. However, Shelley never explicitly denies the existence of a God in general. Shelley seems to argue against institutional religion. Mary Ann Evans aka George Eliot, grew up an evangelical, but turned into an atheist because she was of the increasingly dogmatic and impersonal constructs of the Christian faith. Evans/Eliot turned to a religion of human sympathy, she believed that the moral aspects of faith could be maintained without Christianity. A. C. Swinburne was more avant-garde and aggressive in his approach to spreading atheism. He visualized god as a birch-wielding tyrant that oppresses humanity. Swineburne believed that only the rejection of God would open the way to human self-fulfillment. By the middle of the Nineteenth Century Jesus was seen as a moral sage, or as a role model. George Tyrrell was appalled that Jesus was seen as less captivating, but conceded that the Christ was a â€Å"pale reflection† of his biblical self. Chapter 6 Dostoyevsky was a Russian novelist that wrote on a fictional Russia that turned to atheism to solve its problems. While he showed attractive of that choice, he also presented some of its more troubling features. His criticisms were directed more toward the world God supposedly created, more than critiquing God himself. Nietzsche emphasized that the belief in the Christian God became unbelievable. Nietzsche admits that the realization that â€Å"God is dead† will travel slowly because it is just too â€Å"unthinkable†. For nihilism, a religious worldview is oppressive because it insists that we will be held accountable for our actions. In a nihilistic view, there are no sins, because nothing matters in the end. Albert Camus argued that human life is rendered meaningless by death, which prevents the individual from making sense of existence. For Camus death is not to be seen as a realize but as a denial of all of our accomplishments. However Atheism did not materialize as well in the United States. Many thinkers believed that if God was not in heaven, he could be found somewhere else. Chapter 7 â€Å"new atheism† embraces those who question God; people who consider themselves Agnostic. McGrath writes that atheism is not about the suspension of judging whether God exists, he states that true atheism is a firm disbelieve in God. He writes that true atheists view religion as outdated, enslaving, and a self-contradiction. McGrath criticizes the idea that if there was a God, why does he allow suffering, by showing the fact that many of the atrocities committed to humans are caused by other humans the ones that are supposed to be the â€Å"new gods† In the 19th century people were invited to in-vision a world without God, but in the 20th it had already been attempted through the Soviet Union. But by 1980 it was obvious that this had not happened, in seemed to have reversed. John Henry Newman wrote that Christianity was a, â€Å"living organism still in the process of evolving and developing†. Pentecostalism seemed to become very popular in the years after the second World War. Pentecostalism stresses a direct, immediate experience with God, apposed to the more dry forms of worship in Christianity. It also uses a language that allows it to bridge cultural gaps easily. Chapter 8 McGrath believes that Protestantism helped Atheism develop in some way. -Durning the Reformation the distinction between nature and God were widened a bit. The idea that the natural world was not sacred spread amongst popular thinkers. -They believed that even if God did create the world, we could not conceive God through it. They believed that God had to be known indirectly. Protestant reformers suspected that that medieval Catholicism occasionally degenerated into a folk religion of nature. -They believed that God revealed himself through the bible and preaching. He states that Protestantism encouraged the notion that God was absent from human culture and experience. This idea seems to mirror some of the ideas the budding ideas of Atheism. McGrath argues that protestantism took away some of the creativity of religion, which in turn made atheism seem more appealing. Atheism had a view of universality and a notion that it was above the common person. Atheism has always been on the sidelines of American life and perhaps will remain there. Signs of loss of confidence in atheism. â€Å"Sun seems to be setting on an†¦Ã¢â‚¬Ëœempire of the mind’† Chapter 11 -Future of atheism lies in private belief, not in the public domain it once had. Proved situation specific, not universal, and oppressing and not liberating. -Radical religious change led to tinkering with vocabulary instead of eliminating vices. Atheism confirms this theory. Nietzsche wrote, â€Å"God is dead, as a meaningful reality, but the people had to believe in something else if that was the case†. -Sigmund Freud stated that, â€Å"religion encouraged unhealthy and dysfunctional outlooks on life†. -Growing awareness for spirituality instead. -Religion brings together groups of people such as immigrants, creating communities. -In the US, atheism spawns orga nizations, not communities. -Atheism has not learned from their leader’s mistakes, and needs to grow leaders to fix it Greatest virtue: moral seriousness. But atheism is in a twilight zone at the moment.

Comparison of Goldman Sachs and Close Brothers Annual Report

Comparison of Goldman Sachs and Close Brothers Annual Report International Financial Accounting – Comparison of the Annual Reports 2005 of Goldman Sachs and Close Brothers Description of activities and source and type of revenues Goldman Sachs has three main types of activities Investment banking. This covers services like merger and acquisition advice, helping clients raise debt. Trading and principal investments. This covers trading and investing in fixed income and equity products, currencies and commodities. This is the largest division in terms of net revenues and generated 66% of net revenues in 2005. Asset management and security services. This division provides advisory and financial planning services including brokerage and advisory services to wide range of clients like pension fund and hedge funds. Table 1 shows the net income of the above three divisions in 2005. Table 1 – Goldman Sachs: Net income in the year ended November 2005[1] Division Net revenues, $ billion Revenue as % of total Investment banking 3.67 15% Trading and principal investments 16.36 66% Asset management and security services 4.75 19% Total 24.78 100% Close Brothers provides following main activities Investment banking. Close Brothers has three main divisions under investment banking: Asset management. This division manages assets of private clients, trust funds and offshore funds. Corporate finance provides merger and acquisition, financial restructuring and debt advisory services to corporate clients. Market-making division specialises in providing liquidity to the London retail market-making markets in UK and many international shares. Banking division normal banking services like deposits and foreign exchange facilities to personal and professional clients. Table 2 shows the distribution of operating income, as a measure of revenues, of different divisions Table 2 – Close Brothers: Operating income in the year ended 31 July 2005[2] Division Operating income as % of total Asset management 21% Corporate Finance 7% Market-making 24% Investment banking 52% Banking 48% Total 100% Profitability of the two companies from the company and shareholders perspectives The table 3 shows the profitability of Goldman Sachs in the years ended November 2004 and 2005 Table 3 – Goldman Sachs: Profitability[3] 2005 2004 % change Net revenues, $ billion 24.78 20.55 20.6% Pre-tax earnings, $ billion 8.27 6.68 23.8% % of revenues 33.4% 32.5% Net earnings, $ billion 5.63 4.55 23.7% % of revenues 22.7% 22.1% Diluted earnings per common share, $ 11.21 8.92 25.7% Return on average common shareholders equity 21.80% 19.80% 10.1% Goldman Sachs increased its net revenues by 20.6 % in 2005 whereas pre-tax earnings increased by 23.8 % in the corresponding period. This shows that the company achieved not only higher profits in 2005 but also increased the profitability by limiting growth in expenses. This is supported by the fact that pre-tax earnings as a percent of net revenues were 33.4 % in 2005 compared to 32.5 % in 2004. Net earnings also increased by 23.7 % in the year 2005 in line with growth in pre-tax earnings. The higher growth in net earnings compared to net revenues shows that higher sales were not achieved at the expense of lower margins. Profitability for shareholders is measured in terms of diluted earnings per share. The growth in diluted earnings per share was 25.7 % in 2005. This was even higher than the growth in net-earnings. Shareholders’ profitability is also measured in terms of return on shareholders equity which is net earnings divided by the shareholders equity. This increased by 10% from 19.8 % in 2004 to 21.8 % in 2005. Higher return indicates Goldman Sachs is using equity to earn higher profits. The table 4 shows the profitability of Close Brothers for the years ended July 2004 and 2005 Table 4 – Close Brothers: Profitability[4] 2005 2004 % change Operating income,  £ m 448 401.2 11.7% Pre-tax profit,  £ m 108.62 101.34 7.2% % of operating income 24.2% 25.3% Profit after tax,  £ m 70.75 67.42 4.9% % of operating income 15.8% 16.8% Diluted earnings per common share,  £ 0.47 0.45 4.4% Profit attributable to shareholders,  £ m 68.58 65.21 Shareholders equity,  £ m 540.32 509.26 Return on average common shareholders equity 12.69% 12.80% -0.9% Close Brothers increased its operating income by 11.7 % in 2005 whereas pre-tax earnings increased by 7.2 % only in the corresponding period. This shows that the increase in pre-tax profits was countered by a much higher increase in expenses. The operating margin dropped by 1% from 25.3 % in 2004 to 24.2 % in 2005. Operating margins of Close Brother were about 9 % lower than that of Goldman Sachs indicating that Close Brothers operates in a more competitive environment. Similarly profit after tax as a percent of revenues were 7 % lower in case of Close Brothers – 15.8 % for Close Brothers compared to 22.7 % for Goldman Sachs. The growth in diluted earnings per share was only 4.4 % in 2005. This is much lower than the growth in Goldman Sachs earning per share. The return on common shareholder equity was only 12.70 % in case of Close Brother which means that from shareholders point of view return in Goldman Sachs is higher than Close Brothers. Long-term financial structure of two companies Table 5 shows the financial structure of Goldman Sachs looking at its short and long-term borrowings along with shareholders equity. Table 5 – Financial structure of Goldman Sachs[5] 2005 2004 $ billion % $ billion % Short term borrowings 55.22 36% 54.96 41% Long term borrowings Secured 15.67 10% 12.09 9% Unsecured 84.34 54% 68.61 51% 100.01 64% 80.7 59% Total borrowings 155.23 100% 135.66 100% Cash and cash equivalent 10.26 4.36 Net debt 144.97 131.30 Shareholders equity 28.00 25.08 Long term debt to equity 78% 76% Net debt / (net debt + equity) 84% 84% The % of long-term borrowings has increased from 59 % to 64 % in the year 2005. This has mainly come from the increase in unsecured long-term borrowings. The company is highly geared and its net debt to total capital ratio is 84 %. As of November 2005, 84 % of Goldman Sachs was financed through net debt, i.e., out of every $1 of its capital, 84 cents came from debt. The table 6 shows the financial structure of Close Brothers. Table 6 – Financial Structure of Close Brothers[6] 2005 2004  £ m %  £ m % Short term borrowings 132.22 15% 287.36 40% Long term borrowings 729.28 85% 434.00 60% Total borrowings 861.5 100% 721.36 100% Cash and cash equivalent 1.25 0.85 Net debt 860.25 720.51 Shareholders equity 540.32 509.26 Long term debt to equity 57% 46% Net debt / (net debt + equity) 61% 59% Company’s long-term borrowings have increased significantly from 60 % to 85 % in the year 2005. Close Brothers gearing are more on long-term borrowings as compared to Goldman Sachs. The net debt to total capital ratio is 61 % which means that Close Brothers is less geared compared to Goldman Sachs. Because of higher equity percent in Close Brothers, the long-term debt to equity ratio of Close Brothers is only 57 % in 2005 as compared to 78 % of Goldman Sachs. Analysis of difference in cash flow from profit Cash flows differ from profits because of the following major items: Inclusion of non-cash items like depreciation and amortisation in net profits Cash inflow and outflow in purchase and sale of property and businesses. In case of purchase, no impact is on profit and loss. In case of a sale, only profit or loss over the cost price is included in the profits and not the full amount of sale. Cash inflow or outflow from the financing activities like raising or retiring loan, issue of equity. This impacts cash flow but is not included in the profit and loss statement. We now look at the above sources of difference for both Goldman Sachs and Close Brothers. Table 7 shows the cash flow calculation from net profits of Goldman Sachs for the year 2005. Table 7 – Comparison of cash flow and profits of Goldman Sachs[7] $ bln Net profits 5.63 Cash flow Net profits 5.63 Non-cash items in net earnings 2.16 Cash used in assets and liabilities -20.203 Cash used in operating activities -12.413 Cash from investing activities -1.06 Cash from financing activities 19.37 Change in cash 5.90 Goldman used $12.4 billion of cash in operating activities in 2005 and this includes $20.20 billion of cash used in assets and liabilities. Operating activities also include $2.16 billion of non-cash items like depreciation and amortisation, deferred income tax and stock options. Another $ 1 billion of cash was used in purchase of businesses, property and leases. The cash outflow from operating activities was compensated by cash inflow from financing of $19.37 billion. This was mainly made up of cash inflow of $43 billion from long-term borrowings. Table 8 shows the cash flow calculation of Close Brothers for the year 2005. Table 8 – Comparison of cash flow and profits of Close Brothers for the year ended 31 July 2005[8]  £ m Profit after tax 70.75 Cash flow Cash flow from operating 521.52 Tax -37.82 Net cash flow from operating activities 483.70 Cash from investing activities -171.23 Cash from financing activities -67.98 Change in cash 244.49 While the profit after tax was only  £70.75 million, cash increased by  £244.49 million in the year 2005. This was mainly due to net cash inflow from operating activities of  £483 million. The differences in the sources of cash generation arise between Goldman Sachs and Close Brothers arise from the way they include cash items under different categories. Close Brother was able to show high cash inflow from operating activities because of classification of reduction in loan advances of  £190 million and loan notes issuance of  £260 million under trading activities. If we take out the above two ash inflows form operating activities, then net cash inflow from operating activities would be only  £33.7 million (483.7 – 190 – 260). Also then the cash flow form financing activities would change from - £68 million to  £382 million. Examples of accounting transactions subject to different GAAP Goodwill amortisation and impairment. Goldman Sachs is listed at New York Stock Exchange and subject to US GAAP. Under US accounting SFAS No. 142 â€Å"Goodwill and Other Intangible Asset†, Goldman Sachs tests goodwill each year for impairment[9]. It amortises intangible assets over the useful life which was on average 16 years in 2005[10]. Close Brothers follows Financial Reporting Standard No. 10 and amortised the goodwill over 20 years[11]. Where Goldman Sachs has an option to choose the useful life, companies in UK normally follow the option of 20 years. The change in amortisation years results in difference in profits even though this is a non-cash item. Share based compensation. Goldman Sachs followed US accounting principles SFAS 123 and SFAS 148 under which the compensation expense is recognised over the relevant service period[12]. Close Brother didn’t expense the share based compensation in the year 2005 and expects that future alignment with International Financial Reporting Standards on expensing of share based award will reduce profits by  £ 4 million[13]. Summary of non-numeric information in the annual report and importance to the shareholders Summary of information for Goldman Sachs Investment banking backlog increased in 2005 over 2004[14]. This means that the company was expecting more business to materialise in fees in 2005 and also shows the healthy environment in financial markets. The company increased its market risk in equities and interest rate products in the second half of 2005 assuming that market conditions will remain favourable[15]. If market conditions turn against Goldman Sachs assumption, the riskier investments would lead to higher losses. The business is very prone to financial market conditions and hence it is difficult to predict future earnings[16]. Investors with good knowledge of financial markets – mainly sophisticated institutional investors – can predict with some reasonability future earnings of a company like Goldman Sachs. It would be difficult for individual investors to do the same and hence they have to rely on credible sources for future earning potential of Goldman Sachs. Summary of information for Close Brothers The business performance is subject to economic conditions in UK[17]. Bad debt charge was low in 2005 due to low interest rate and full employment. Increase in interest rate and low employment would increase bad debt charge and reduce profitability. Reputation risk is the most importance and any public failure can lead to significant reduction in income[18]. Implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards could have a material impact on income because of issues like recognition of share based awards[19]. BIBLIOGRAPHY Goldman Sachs, Annual Report 2005, http://www2.goldmansachs.com/our_firm/investor_relations/financial_reports/annual_reports/2005/ Close Brothers, Annual Report 2005, http://www.closebrothers.co.uk/uploads/cbg2005full.pdf Footnotes [1] Goldman Sachs, Annual Report 2005 [2] Close Brothers, Annual Report 2005 [3] Goldman Sachs, Annual Report 2005 [4] Close Brothers, Annual Report 2005 [5] Goldman Sachs, Annual Report 2005 [6] Close Brothers, Annual Report 2005 [7] Goldman Sachs, Annual Report 2005 [8] Close Brothers, Annual Report 2005 [9] Goldman Sachs, Annual Report 2005, Pg. 74 [10] Goldman Sachs, Annual Report 2005, Pg. 89 [11] Close Brothers, Annual Report 2005, Pg. 31 [12] Goldman Sachs, Annual Report 2005, Pg. 73 [13] Close Brothers, Annual Report 2005, Pg. 8 [14] Goldman Sachs, Annual Report 2005, Pg. 24 [15] Goldman Sachs, Annual Report 2005, Pg. 25 [16] Goldman Sachs, Annual Report 2005, Pg. 25 [17] Close Brothers, Annual Report 2005, Pg. 5 [18] Close Brothers, Annual Report 2005, Pg. 6 [19] Close Brothers, Annual Report 2005, Pg. 8

John Cabot :: essays research papers

Earlier this week received word that the famous explorer John Cabot died. He died mysteriously, no one really knowing when, where, or how he died. He was born in Genoa, Italy in 1450. His name was actually Giovanni Caboto, but he would be remembered by the English translation, John Cabot. In 1476, Cabot lived in Venice, Italy, the main trading center for the entire Mediterranean region. He worked there as a merchant and a navigator. Horrible experiences with Arab traders probably influenced Cabot’s decision to find a new sea route to the Far East which would allow merchants to trade directly with Asian traders instead of the Arab traders.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In 1483, Cabot moved to Bristol, England. He believed that Asia could be reached by sailing west. In 1493, when word of Columbus’ reports of his successful journey to the New World arrived, Cabot convinced King Henry VII that England did not have to sit still while Spaniards helped themselves to the New World. Even though the Pope had given Spain control of all of the new lands in the New World, King Henry VII liked Cabot’s idea. He had this to say about Cabot, â€Å"He was so Passionate about helping England I just couldn’t turn him down.† He paid for Cabot to begin an exploration of the New World because Cabot convinced him that it was possible to reach Asia on a more northerly route than Columbus had taken, and this route would be even shorter. The idea that a northern route existed started the search for the Northwest Passage to the Indies.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Cabot sailed out of Bristol with his ship, the Matthew, on May 2, 1497. He landed in the New World, believing that he had landed on the east coast of Asia. Even now, we don’t know exactly where he landed. He may have landed in Maine or Newfoundland, Canada. Wherever he landed, he claimed it in the name of King Henry VII. Cabot became the first European explorer to discover the mainland of North America. He sailed further north, making the first recorded attempt to find the Northwest Passage, only to find icy waters. John Cabot :: essays research papers Earlier this week received word that the famous explorer John Cabot died. He died mysteriously, no one really knowing when, where, or how he died. He was born in Genoa, Italy in 1450. His name was actually Giovanni Caboto, but he would be remembered by the English translation, John Cabot. In 1476, Cabot lived in Venice, Italy, the main trading center for the entire Mediterranean region. He worked there as a merchant and a navigator. Horrible experiences with Arab traders probably influenced Cabot’s decision to find a new sea route to the Far East which would allow merchants to trade directly with Asian traders instead of the Arab traders.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In 1483, Cabot moved to Bristol, England. He believed that Asia could be reached by sailing west. In 1493, when word of Columbus’ reports of his successful journey to the New World arrived, Cabot convinced King Henry VII that England did not have to sit still while Spaniards helped themselves to the New World. Even though the Pope had given Spain control of all of the new lands in the New World, King Henry VII liked Cabot’s idea. He had this to say about Cabot, â€Å"He was so Passionate about helping England I just couldn’t turn him down.† He paid for Cabot to begin an exploration of the New World because Cabot convinced him that it was possible to reach Asia on a more northerly route than Columbus had taken, and this route would be even shorter. The idea that a northern route existed started the search for the Northwest Passage to the Indies.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Cabot sailed out of Bristol with his ship, the Matthew, on May 2, 1497. He landed in the New World, believing that he had landed on the east coast of Asia. Even now, we don’t know exactly where he landed. He may have landed in Maine or Newfoundland, Canada. Wherever he landed, he claimed it in the name of King Henry VII. Cabot became the first European explorer to discover the mainland of North America. He sailed further north, making the first recorded attempt to find the Northwest Passage, only to find icy waters.

Free Essays on Homers Odyssey:Discussion of the Final Volume, Book XXIV :: Odyssey essays

The Odyssey: A Discussion of the Final Volume, Book XXIV Homer’s epic, The Odyssey is the classic story of the homecoming of the warrior and king Odysseus. It is one of the most enduring pieces of literature known to man. The lessons and tales from the epic are unforgettable. However, there are several difficulties that the contemporary reader has with The Odyssey. These include issues such as difficult language, tangential stories, and the verse style it was written in. However, the focus of this paper is the final volume of the epic. This volume, Book XXIV, is usually noted as rather anticlimactic. Many believe that it is simply an epilogue (having the epic really ends in Book XXII when Odysseus killed the suitors.) Some scholars believe that the final book is not even Homeric. This essay shall discuss why Book XXIV is a good conclusion and how it relates to the rest of the story, which would provide a case for it being Homeric. In Book XXIV, entitled "Warriors, Farewell," Homer does not seem to want to have a grand ending, but rather neatly wrap up all of the loose ends. There are three major parts to this book, they include: the voyage of the suitors’ shades to Hades and dialogue between Agamemnon and Amphimedon; the story of Odysseus and Telemakhos visiting Odysseus’ father, Laertes; and the start of tje feud between the families of the suitors and the house of Odysseus and Laertes (which could have torn the country of Ithaca apart) which was stopped by the Zeus and Athena. Homer starts Book XXIV in Hades as Agamemnon and Akhilleus greet the shades of the suitors that Odysseus killed in Book XXII. One of the shades tells Agamemnon of how Penelope was faithful and how Odysseus returned to take his revenge. Agamemnon, who upon his homecoming after the Trojan war was killed by his adulterous wife, was surprised by this tale. This is perfectly consistent with the earlier depiction of Agamemnon in Hades (Book XI) in which he tells Odysseus to beware of Penelope for she may have been unfaithful. This meeting between Agamemnon and the shades of the suitors makes sense since the story of Agamemnon was one often referred to during the epic. This sort of finishes off the Agamemnon story. The introduction of the suitors’ shades also serves to yet again reinforce the theme of hospitality.

Computers in Sports Essay

Computers in Games and Sports Practically everybody has played sports video games on a computer. It’s fun to pick a team and see how well you can play against a â€Å"virtual† rival. However, the uses for computers in various games and sports go far beyond video games. If you ask a cricket bowler how he throws a ball, he may not be able to tell you. He may say it’s just â€Å"instinct. † It’s something that comes naturally to him. The fact is that there are ways to help bowlers become better bowlers and batsmen become better hitters. And computers are important in making this happen. Cricket players from the major leagues down to city and school teams can now have their batting and pitching analyzed. First, the player’s movements are videotaped. Then, these videotaped images are transferred into a computer. Special application software analyzes the images. It measures the exact angle at which the player is holding his arms and legs. The speed and efficiency of each body movement is measured. This process is called motion analysis. One pitch can be compared with another. This can be useful because the bowler can see how changes in movement affect the result (such as how fast a ball travels). Some systems can even measure pitching and hitting motions during an actual game. This allows coaches to give immediate feedback to players. These computer applications also can be used to compare the movements of two different players. These comparisons, for example, can help explain why different players tend to hit the ball in different directions. There are also computer applications that help coaches keep track of exactly where each ball crosses the pitch. A radar gun can be attached to the computer to measure a pitch’s speed. This information is stored in the computer so that the bowler and coach can study it later. While motion analysis applications are important tools, it still takes a good coach to know how to interpret the results. The coach must look at the information the application provides and then use it to help the player improve. Everybody knows how important statistics (or stats) are in sports. How many games has your favourite batsman played this year? Which player on the Kolkata Knight Riders has the best batting average? The quantity of statistics used in sports is enormous. Without computers, it would be very difficult to keep these statistics up-to-date. Not only are there team statistics, but there are also statistics on each individual player. For example, statistics on an individual cricket player might include times at bat, batting average, and number of runs scored b him. Spreadsheet applications are often used to keep track of statistics. Spreadsheet applications are computer programs that can store and manipulate numbers. For example, they can find the average of a list of twenty numbers. Even small league teams often use spreadsheet applications to keep track of player statistics. Going to a cricket stadium is almost like going to the circus. There are hotdogs, popcorn, and a scoreboard complete with a gigantic TV-like screen. Stadiums, such as the Eden Gardens Kolkata, have very complex scoreboards. The new scoreboard is 56 feet tall and 180 feet wide. It includes a giant screen to add to the excitement. The best-known type of giant screen is the Sony Jumbotron. The pictures on these screens move from the players to the crowd. They show cartoons of the team’s mascot. They may display the words to â€Å"Time Is Up† so that everybody can join in the singing. These scoreboards and giant screens are controlled by an entire group of computers. Each computer supplies the scoreboard with different information. One computer might keep track of statistics on particular players, while another might contain commercial advertisements. These giant screens can even be used for educational purposes. In 2000, the University of Tennessee’s athletics and physics departments joined together to create a group of 60-second videos. These videos were shown on the school’s Jumbotron during home games. The purpose of the videos was to teach fans about the science of football. This was a fun way to join together sports and education. Athletes who depend on speed to win will stop at nothing to reduce their times. Some Olympic swimmers wear full-body â€Å"skinsuits† so they can glide through the water more easily. So, it shouldn’t be a surprise to hear that they use computer applications to improve their speeds. At the U. S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado, coaches use a computer application to develop perfect swimming strokes. This simulation software attempts to copy the way water flows around parts of the swimmer’s body, such as the arms and hands. The swimmer’s goal is to move through the water as smoothly as possible. Water turbulence can slow a swimmer down. The application allows the user to change the positions of the swimmer’s hands and arms. The user can then see how these changes affect the amount of water turbulence. This information is used to design the best swimming stroke. Coaches can then teach swimmers to use this stroke to obtain their greatest speed. Simulation software has also been used to design racing yachts. It can help in determining how to shape the yacht’s hull so that it moves through the water with the least amount of resistance. Computers have many other uses at the Olympics. At the 2010 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah, tiny computer chips were used to track skiers. A chip was strapped to each skier’s ankle. Electronic devices were buried in the snow along the track. When a skier passed over one of the devices, his or his chip sent information to the device. This information included the skier’s location, speed, and number. This information was sent to a central computer. Judges and other Olympic officials could then look at it. Do you want to know if the Kolkata Knight Riders have a home game on July 14? Or who the Sri Lanka is playing next Wednesday? Just go to their Web site. Professional, college, and even some high school sports teams have their own WEB SITES. The information available on sports teams’ Web sites is amazing. Some of it includes:†¢ Schedules. Game dates and locations are available. †¢ Statistics. Up-to-the-minute information on teams and individual players is ready whenever you want it. †¢ Team News. Web sites contain coach and player interviews, information on injuries, and so forth.