Reagan Revolution Through President Obama

Strayer University 2012 ‘Reagan Revolution through President Obama† Prof. Jahangir Salehi Alesia Cleveland maitland campus Introduction Will the Obama Revolution advance America’s interest Washington, March 1, 2012-Thomas Jefferson once observed, â€Å"Every generation disserves a new revolution. † Depleted in war and facing economic collapse, America embraced Barrack Obama as a vanguard of the revolutionary hope in 2008. Where candidate Obama had a thin substantive record to assert the claim for highest elective office in 2008, Obama has laid down numerous markers since January 2009 that deserve and should get close scrutiny through Election Day.Turning Points in History Turning points in history can mean that changes in the ways things are done in the past, sometimes for the better and other times for the worse. Two notable turning points in history were the Industrial Revolution and also World War I. These both had some political and social impacts. The I ndustrial Revolution was a time of great change and increased efficiency. No more would be goods be produced by individual means of farming and agriculture, but now by the use of machinery and factories. Technology was beginning to increase along with the food supply as well as the population.However, this increase in population would be a greatly impact the social appearance of that time. Urbanization was becoming much more widespread. Cities were becoming overwhelming crowed and there was an increase in disease as well as severe child labor. Although child labor would be reduced somewhat due to unions, the Industrial Revolution still controlled both its posture and negative results. World War I was another turning point in history. The turning point consisted in the way war fought and how it has changed due in the advances in technology that took place during this time in the 1900s.War was triggered in the Balkans were the Ottoman Empire had once maintained control industrializati on and technology had both contributed in the advances n the development of weapons. The devastatingly was the cause of millions of deaths in World War I. War was fought in trenches and they used machine guns as well as tanks and hand grenades. There was definitely a turning point in the way of war would be fought. However, the most important turning point in the war had to be the involvement of the U. S. The U. S. tried to remain neutral in the war that ended up joining Allies.Thanks’ to the U. S. ’s involvement; however, the Allies received the help needed to win the war. In conclusion we can see the revolution and wars can be lead to positive and negative. How the Aids Epidemic was shook America’s HIV/AIDS continues to take a disproportionate toll on Americans, and Unites States leaders must take action now to address the disease’s devastating effect according to a new report. â€Å"(Arias) throughout history of the epidemic, HIV/AIDS has been a persi stent cause of death in African American community. Reports say that blacks have been affected by HIV/AIDS epidemic and more than half of the new disease diagnose, despite being only 13% of the United States population†. (Arias 1) the HIV/AIDS epidemic is an extremely serious cause of death in the African American community, but its spread can be prevented with the roper treatment and life practices. Many causes have been given on how African Americans are so seriously affected by the disease. The most suggested cause of African Americans contracting the disease is through sexual practices.Some of the sexual practices include unprotected activity. The disease is not just coming from one race but all races of people. The motivation For us to go to war with Iraq and Afghanistan the Bush administration has justified its war against Iraq on the grounds: Saddam Hussein’s alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction, his links to so-called terrorist including the notorio us terror network al-Qaeda, which carried attacks on American interests and soil, and liberating Iraqis from oppression and tyranny and bring it in the fold of democracy Advocates of war in the U.S. administration claimed that Iraq had continued to develop weapons of mass destruction (WMD’S), and with Saddam Hussein capable of making them available to terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda, it put the U. S. at a imminent risk. The Iraq carried on to seek as well as build weapons of mass destruction further holdup by the U. S. will simply allow Saddam to build up a larger and deadly armory.The Middle East and the Muslim world in wide ranging did not together in carry of al Qaeda history. The Americans public is at the moment trained for war, willing to admit causalities as well as strongly supports the president. In the past seven years there has been immense treaty of tension to the United States and Iraq the United States have been converting demeanor. References www. dail ykos. com www. aei. org/the Reagan revolution www. iv3. newsmax. com/a/real_obama

Miniver Cheevy Analysis Essay

Miniver Cheevy by Edwin Arlington Robinson is a dramatic lyric poem that acts as self-portrait satire as Robinson ridicules his own life and dreams of a living in a time period where his failures could be seen as triumphs. Through his character Miniver Cheevy, Robinson criticizes not only himself, but 19th and 20th century America using diction. Robinson gave himself away with the first line: â€Å"Miniver Cheevy, child of scorn.† Robinson’s parents were expecting a girl when he was born and did not name him for six months. His name was picked out of a hat by a stranger on while his family was on vacation. Needless to say, he did not feel wanted growing up. â€Å"He wept that he was ever born/ And he had his reasons†. As a lover of the past, Robinson appreciates the art and adventure of the Ancient Greek and Medieval time periods: Miniver loved the days of old When swords were bright and steeds were prancing; The vision of a warrior bold   would set him dancing. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. He dreamed of Thebes and Camelot and Priam’s neighbors. However, Robinson himself comes off more as an anti-modernist instead of a fond observer of Romantic history: he despised the militarism and materialism the age brought about: â€Å"Miniver cursed the commonplace/ And eyed a khaki suit with loathing† and sought to escape it. He, however, recognizes that he himself is crucial to the standard: â€Å"Miniver scorned the gold he sought/ But sore he was without it†. And though he loathes his life, all he does is drink, and drink, and drink, and drink about it and accept his fate: â€Å"Miniver Cheevy thought, and thought, and thought/ And thought about it†¦.. Miniver coughed , and called it fate/ And kept on drinking†. Edwin Arlington Robinson criticized his time period for the pragmatism and power his generation fancied. But he also realized that he couldn’t escape and didn’t succumb to these vices but grudgingly accepted their place in his life.

Assessment Criteria Questions Essay

1 1.1 Explain how and why person-centred values must influence all aspects of health and social care work. Answer Person-centred care values must influence all aspects of health and social care work. Health and social care should be based on person-centred values, and should be individualised as this is a law requirement (Human Rights Act 1998, Health and Social care Act 2012, Codes of practice for Social Care Workers, etc.). If person-centre values that underpin all work in the health and social care sector are followed as they should be then all individuals should feel that and health and social workers ensure that: †¢ the individual is supported in accessing their rights †¢ the individual is treated has an individual †¢ the individual is supported to exercise choice †¢ ensure the individual have privacy if they want it †¢ support the individual to be as independent as possible †¢ treat all individuals with dignity and respect 1 1.2 Explain how to evaluate the use of care plans in applying person centred values. Answer We must take into account the history, needs, wishes and preferences of all  individuals when planning care and support. This involves asking the individuals their opinions on every aspect of their daily lives, from what time they wish to get up and have their meals, to what they want to wear and what do they wish to do during the day. Including their personal hygiene and caring needs. Support and treat all service users as individuals and with respect and dignity when considering their needs and preferences. Refer them to the care plan and if they do not agree with something on their care plan, discuss this with them and then report and record the conversation with the manager and it is arranged that the individual should be re-assessed and an updated care plan can be made out with the changes wanted by the individual. 2 2.3 Explain how you adapt your actions and approaches in response to an individual’s changing needs or preferences. An individual care plan is created in agreement and with the individuals consent and will have recorded lots of information regarding the individual, age, family details, likes and dislikes, health needs, culture, mental health and circumstances. The care plan will need to be reviewed frequently; due to changes in the individual’s needs or preferences and any subsequent reviews will also be signed and agreed by him/herself. By including the persons personal values in their care plan you are ensuring that their needs and preferences are met. 3 3.1 Analyse factors that influence the capacity of an individual to express consent. Answer The term â€Å"consent capacity† describes an adult’s ability to understand information relevant to making an informed, voluntary decision. Impairments to reasoning and judgment which may make it impossible for someone to give informed consent include such factors as basic intellectual or emotional  immaturity, high levels of stress such as PTSD or as severe mental retardation, severe mental illness, intoxication, severe sleep deprivation, Alzheimer’s disease, or being in a coma. 3 3.3 Explain what steps to take if consent cannot be readily established. Answer If the person cannot give consent either because they cannot communicate or understand the question then the next of kin can give consent (usually in the order of spouses, parents, children, if there is no-one or in case of emergencies treating staff can give. 4 4.1 Describe different ways of applying active participation to meet individual needs. Active participation is a way of working that recognises an individual’s right to participate in the activities and relationships of everyday life as independently as possible; the individual is regarded as an active partner in their own care or support, rather than a passive recipient. Active participation treats the person as an individual, allowing the service user to actively participate in the decision making regarding his/her own care, activities and relationships of everyday life as independently as possible. In active participation the individual has as an active part in their own care, rather than just being a recipient, this promotes and protects their independence and rights. 4 4.2 Explain how to work with an individual and others to agree how active participation will be implemented. Answer It involves the individuals in making decisions about their lives. Active participation contributes to better health outcomes and the quality of care being delivered. Giving the individual the choice of what to wear, what to eat, when and where to eat it; what the individual would like to do as an activity either with company or by him/herself. This promotes independence, inclusion and autonomy and benefits the individuals by increasing their activity levels and encourages involvement in what directly concerns their life. Being fully involved in these tasks enhances the individual’s wellbeing, increases self-confidence, self-esteem and self-belief. 5 5.4 Describe how to support an individual to question or challenge decisions concerning them that are made by others. Answer By providing the individual with full information on a decision made without being biased/ judgmental in any way ensures the individual has the knowledge to be able to question or challenge any decisions made by others with the view to change then by fully supporting the individual’s rights a meeting to discuss these changes can be arranged with the manager and a risk assessment process could be used to enable the individual to make these changes 6 6.1 Explain the links between identity, self-image and self-esteem. Answer Identity and self-esteem are closely related and developing self-esteem and a strong sense of identity are very important to good mental health. Your sense of identity has to do with who you think you are and how you perceive yourself. It’s about how you define yourself. Self-esteem is how you value yourself. It has to do with your sense of self-worth. Both affect your mental health, your behaviour and how you relate to other people. 6 6.2 Analyse factors that contribute to the well-being of individuals. Answer Spiritual – factors that enrich lives and touch people and are uplifting on a deep level such as religion, music and art. Emotional – factors such as close bonds with family and friends, happy memories, having photos etc Cultural – factors that respect the individual’s likes choices and preferences and that give them a sense of what is normal to them. Religious – factors such as attending church or mosque or visits from their local religious leaders, being able to celebrate religious celebrations, having a quiet place to pray etc Social – factors such as opportunities to be with others, to communicate with others, to share in a group experience. Political – factors such as being involved and having a say in what is happening or should happen in their environment, having their opinions respected etc. 7 7.1 Compare different uses of risk assessment in health and social care. Answer 7 7.2 Explain how risk-taking and risk assessment relate to rights and responsibilities. Answer We all need to take risks in order to have a fulfilled life. Individuals have the right to be as independent as possible and sometimes this means taking risks. For example they might want to be able to take a bath with as little support as possible and this is their right. A risk assessment will provide a plan for the safest way for them to do this. Responsibilities lay with the service provider, the worker and the individual. The service provider has a duty of care to ensure the safety of the individual and employees, the worker has the duty to follow policies, procedures and care plans and not to put the individual at risk and the individual has the duty not to put others at risk. 7 7.3 Explain why risk assessments need to be regularly revised. Answer Risk assessments need to be regularly revised because things change all the time, thus your risks are changing all the time. In order to keep the service users healthy and safe, you must review risks in a timely manner to keep up with the changes. The above is an accurate record of the questioning. Learner signature:Date: Assessor signature:Date: Internal Verifier signature (if sampled):___________________ Date:_________________

SOCIAL SCIENCE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

SOCIAL SCIENCE - Essay Example The selected regions of England and Wales followed a similar pattern with Wales by far surpassing the other regions. In the North West region the percentage of good water quality was greater than fair or poor quality for the four year period. A similar situation occurred with Southern and Wales. In the regions of Midlands and Anglian, though, the percentage of fair water quality was greater than the good quality for the years 1990 and 1995. Nonetheless in 2000 and 2005 there seems to be a dramatic improvement in the quality of water. In the Midlands, the percentage increase moved from 45 in 1995 to 59 in 2000 and 2005 whilst Anglian increased from 39 percent in 1995 to 49 in 2000. Wales outperformed the regions by a great margin for the entire period. Their good water quality ranged from 79 percent in 1990 to 93 percent in 2005. North West came in second in terms of the percentage of good water quality to fair and poor. Anglian’s good water quality ranged from 17 to 46 percent. At no time were they able to cross the half mark of 50. Thus, Anglian seems to have performed the worst in terms of the percentage of good water quality. Although North West experienced the highest percentage of poor quality water of 27 percent in 1990 this figure was significantly decreased to 8 percent by 2005. Hence, North West had the greatest percent decrease of poor water quality of 19 percent during the period. Interestingly, in 1990 Anglian with 17 percent began as the worst performing region in terms of the smallest percent of good water quality. Although they made a 22 percent leap to 49 in 2000, they remained with the lowest percent in good water quality. The market economy is one that is run by the forces of a market, that is, the economy is based on the dynamic relationship between the prices of goods and services and the behavior of producers and consumers. For example, as consumers increase their demand for a particular good or service the price of that commodity

Tax Audit Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Tax Audit - Assignment Example Taxpayers facing an audit have to focus on the substantive issues to determine when the tax is due and often give little consideration to the procedural rules relating to the audit and appeal process. It is this gap of substance and procedure, compliance, and controversies that often subjects them to huge losses that would have been avoided. New York’s taxes like in many other states are self-assessed meaning that the burden of calculating the correct tax due falls on the taxpayer and not the taxing authorities. In C.I.R. v Lane-wells Co, the Supreme Court referred to our â€Å"system of self-assessment†, stating that itâ€Å"is so largely the basis of our American scheme of income taxation†. Hence it places a task on the taxpayer to complete returns accurately and on time. A tax audit is when the Department of Taxation decides to critically go through your tax returns and verify the accuracy of the incomes and deductions. For ABC partners the audit is on their partnerships 2012 tax return and their individual partner’s income tax return. This could be because the tax department needs more information validating their tax returns with the reasons such as, failure to disclose all your taxable income, claiming unearned income credit, failure to include additional income and making errors. The tax audit is to enforce and encourage voluntary compliance of the tax laws for an efficient running of the tax system

War Scroll (1QM) Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

War Scroll (1QM) - Research Paper Example From the current discussion it can be comprehended that the War Scrolls were discovered with the other Qumran Scrolls. It is a manual that lays out military strategy and organization for a serious war that seems to be the final showdown of years of divergence amongst two different groups of people. These groups are indicated in the scrolls as the Sons of Light against the Sons of Darkness. From the point of view of researcher, the War Scrolls demonstrate the theoretical framework and conception of a group of people who belonged to the sect that hid the Qumran Scrolls in the cave. The author of the discussion infers this logically because at the time that the scrolls are dated (that is 50 BCE), Ancient Israel was under Roman Rule. Roman Rule was seen by many Jews of Ancient Israel as a rule perpetrated by people of an evil background. This is because many sources including the Christian New Testament indicate that the Jewish people of Ancient Israel had little regards for non-Jews. Th ey also saw the rule of Rome as some form of evil oppression that prevented Jews from carrying out the commandments in the Laws of Moses. So it appears that the scrolls meant the final wars and battles that would be fought between Israel and the Roman nation that would ultimately liberate Israel from its enemies. However, there are numerous interpretations that have various logical backings. Content Image 1.1 The War Scrolls 1QM: Courtesy of Hebrew University of Jerusalem The War Scrolls , 1QM is made up of 19 columns (Sukenik 1955, 1). It contains descriptions of the final showdown between the Sons of Light and the Sons of Darkness. Since the display is not very clear and easily understandable to the modern man (ie it is not in chapters and verses as we have it in the Bible of today), it is divided into columns for the purpose of analysis amongst modern day theologists and social scientists. Philip Davies (1977) identifies that the 1QM or War Scrolls is divided into four main Parts . Part 1 which includes Columns 2 to 9 of the scrolls. It is about the basic elements of the war and it gives a description of the organization of the armies of the wars and the composition of the various units of the war and its spiritual implications which is paralleled with the 12 Tribes of Israel and the protection of the Covenant between Israel and God. Part 2 of the 1QM gives a background to the conflict and explains it into more details and includes some liturgical elements that makes the war more of a religious one than a secular one. It covers columns 14 to 19. Part 3 covers columns 10 – 14 whilst Part 4 is about column 1 which predicts the eventual victory of the Sons of Light over the Sons of Darkness. The extract from Image 1.1 above echoes elements from Numbers 10:9 (Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 2011 paragraph 1). This indicates that the war is to be fought with the various elements of a fair war which are outlined in the Torah in Numbers 10 and repeated by Mo ses in Deuteronomy 20. This includes amongst other things, the fact that a religious war should be sanctioned with a special priest from the descendants of Aaron who are known amongst Jews today as the Kohanim. The 1QM scrolls indicate that a special Kohen has to declare certain things to the soldiers before a religious war is sanctioned. This implies that the Sons of Light are really involved in some elements of Jewish religious life. The Sons of Light in the Qumran Scrolls are referred to as Yahad (Qumran.org). Yahad has a strong

Voice traffic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Voice traffic - Essay Example The acceptance by the telecommunications industry to converge mobile concept aims at facilitating for the incorporation of voice over WiFi (Fathi, Chakraborty, & Prasad, 2011). Nonetheless, a number of benefits and issues are evident while sending voice over a typical wireless network as depicted by the paper. There are various benefits associated with sending voice over a wireless network. For instance, the major benefit of sending voice over wireless networks is saving costs. For instance, companies have managed to save billions of dollars by making calls over wireless networks. Furthermore, it is possible to deploy voice communication over a wireless network, creating room for flexible communication. As such, it is true that sending voice over wireless networks plays a vital role in realizing cost savings, particularly because it mobilizes the workforce. Here, they can manage to address the needs of clients in an efficient manner while in the facility being served by the wireless network. Regardless of the benefits affiliated with sending voice over a wireless network, a number of issues prevail, hindering companies from utilizing the full potential sending voice over wireless networks (Geier & Geier, 2010). For instance, sending voice over wireless networks is sensitive to technology. In this case, calls should be set up as well as authenticated, while voice packets are required to reach their destination without interruption and in a timely manner. As such, companies experience challenges when designing a network stream in a continuous manner, making it prone to interruptions by data transmissions that are less sensitive. As such, in a typical wireless network voice calls suffer from weird sounds, delays, echo, and noise (Geier & Geier, 2010). Sending voice over wireless networks is also highly dependent on bandwidth. As such,

The Great Post-It Mascare Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Great Post-It Mascare - Essay Example He exemplifies Nietzsche’s observation that intelligence, mind, spirit etc. are falsely regarded as man’s highest faculties and in reality they have no privileged status within that power complex which we call a human person (Grimm, 1977, page 10). He finds a justification to his intense desire to exercise control over others by assuming that people have an inherent dislike for work and tend to avoid responsibility; they must, therefore, be pushed, punished, coerced and directed to ‘extract’ work. Such attitude is bound to prevent free and fair communication. Conflict is inevitable when there is neither motivation nor communication. It is almost a century since the Hawthorne Studies revealed the significance and benefits of informal organization. It is an irony that managers of George’s kind still abound. Positive organizational behavior recognizes employee well-being to be the heart of performance of improvement in workplace (Kinder, 2008, page 51). The perspective of Beverly or Bob is that the average worker enjoys work, is ready to accept responsibility if adequately reinforced and can exercise self-direction. Such perspectives can create win-win situations. It cannot be denied that Bob owes his success, to a great extent, to Beverly’s trust, encouragement and willingness to delegate. The approach is grounded in the awareness that ‘passing the torch from generation to generation is the primary conduit through which core lessons of leadership are learned’ (Deal et al., 2010, page 152). The benefits of the awareness are mutual. Beverly, as the COO, is still responsible for the people she has molded. She must see to it that the methods and processes initiated by her (in the interest of the employees) will be continued and improved upon by the successor. As George’s superior, she can monitor his leadership style and act as necessary. Changing the departments of

Mencius On Human Nature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Mencius On Human Nature - Essay Example To account for how some people develop bad character in life despite having been born with the disposition to do good, Mencius argued that, just as water can be manipulated and forced to flow against the low ground, it is also possible to manipulate human nature to be bad. Mencius gave the following explanation to show that human nature is naturally good.Mencius argued that human beings are born with the virtue of benevolence (heart of compassion/feeling for others), virtue of Righteousness (the feeling of disdain), the virtue of propriety (feeling of respect for others), and lastly the virtue of wisdom (the heart of right and wrong). To demonstrate what he means by claiming that human beings are born with these four virtues, Mencius gave the following example to show that every human person is born with the virtue of benevolence.In this example, Mencius argued that if people saw a child about to fall into a well, they would all, without exception, instantaneously have a feeling of s orrow and fear. Mencius concluded that this fact shows that all human beings are born with the virtue of benevolence or the ability to feel compassion for other people. Another example that can be given to show that human beings are born with some virtues is how people, all over the world, are opposed to some immoral actions.For instance, people all over the world, irrespective of their cultural, religious, political, or educational backgrounds oppose some unethical practices like corruption and murder of innocent people.

The Asch Phenomenon and Consumer Behavior Essay Example for Free

The Asch Phenomenon and Consumer Behavior Essay Imagine yourself sitting in a room with seven of your peers. You are asked a question and given a choice of three different answers: A, B, or C. You know the answer is C, yet every single person before you confidently states that the answer is B. Do you stick with your answer, or eliminate the fear of being wrong and embarrassed in front of your peers and go along with the group? This is the exact dilemma faced by subjects in the famous Asch experiment. The Asch phenomenon can be defined as the effect of a reference group on individual decision making that occurs because of a perceived pressure to conform to the stated opinions of the group members. As consumers, we should recognize the great impact this phenomenon can have on our buying behaviors. While interacting in a group setting, we may make choices that are different from what we would do when alone. Marketers and salespeople may use this idea to their advantage when presenting a product to potential customers. If they can get a few people to voice a positive opinion toward their products, it is likely that others will follow. As consumers, we should be aware of when this idea may be used unethically in order to protect our individual interests. For example, a salesperson may try to sell a product to an audience of potential consumers. However, some people working for the salesperson may be planted in the audience posing as naive consumers in order to influence the purchase behaviors of the other members of the audience. Also, marketers may use individuals’ insecurities to pressure them to go along with the group, even when it is not in a person’s best interest. An ad showing a man being ridiculed for buying a less expensive television set may unethically lead a consumer to think he needs to buy something unaffordable to fit in with his friends. Explanation of the Topic The Asch phenomenon is a concept derived from the findings of a study conducted in 1951. Solomon Asch (1907 1996) originally conducted this experiment to explain conformity to majority-established norms (Moghaddam, 1998). The subjects involved in the study were brought into a room with seven other students (who were all working for Asch and were instructed on what to do) and seated second-to-last around a table. The subjects were told that the experiment was concerned with accuracy and visual perception, and that their task was to choose which of the three bars on the right matched the length of the bar on the left and to give their answers aloud. The confederates in the study were instructed to give incorrect answers 12 out of 18 times in order to see whether or not the subject would go along with the crowd after hearing their incorrect responses (â€Å"Conformity Experiments Asch: Social Pressure†). A Test of Perception [pic] Which line in Exhibit 2 is the same length as the line in Exhibit 1? A series of experiments by Solomon Asch, testing the effects of social pressure on individual perceptions, showed that some people in some situations will go against the evidence of their own senses if the people around them seem to perceive something different. Thirty-seven of the fifty subjects conformed to the majority at least once, and fourteen of them conformed on more than half of the significant trials (â€Å"Conformity†). Overall, 35 percent of the subjects’ responses conformed to the group’s incorrect judgments. This is surprising because the control group achieved near perfect accuracy, showing that the task was not inherently difficult. In addition, when the experiment was duplicated allowing the subjects to write down their own judgments privately after hearing the incorrect responses of the group, conformity was drastically reduced (Baxter). The reasons why subjects gave in to group influence hold important ideas for salespeople and marketers. People conform for two main reasons: because they want to be liked by the group and because they believe the group is better informed than they are (â€Å"Conformity†). In this study, Asch reported that most of the participants yielded to group pressure because they assumed the majority was right and they were wrong, rather than because they wanted to be accepted by the majority (Levine, 1999). This difference is what separates the Asch phenomenon from the concept of peer pressure. Peer pressure tends to operate more in primary groups in which normative and identification group influences are at work, rather than informational group influences. A brief example may explain the differences between these three types of influences. Informational influence is at work when a person thinks, â€Å"I should buy that brand of cereal because my health-conscious friends recommend it as part of a nutritious diet. † Normative influence is at work when a person thinks, â€Å"I should buy that brand of cereal so that my friends think that I am also health-conscious, or so they won’t make fun of me for eating badly. † Finally, a person reacting to identification influence would think, â€Å"I should buy that brand of cereal because I am a member of Weight Watchers, and all of us value that brand. Asch’s findings support more of an informational influence, particularly because the conforming subjects did not even know the other members of the group. They just assumed that the group must know something that they did not know, or decided it was easier and safer to go along with the group. The Asch phenomenon occurs even when there is only a perceived pressure to conform. That is, if members go against the group they will not experience any negative consequences. However, when dealing with peer pressure, often individuals who do not conform are ridiculed, humiliated, or excluded by his/her peers. Looking at the Asch study, you can see that while a significant proportion of people conformed, the majority did not. This suggests that some people may be more susceptible to the phenomenon than others, and that certain situations may create this pressure to conform more than others. There are five determinants of reference group influence. If there is visible usage, high relevance of a product to the group, low individual purchase confidence, strong individual commitment to the group, and it is a non-necessary item, people are much more likely to be influenced by the opinions of the group members (Hawkins, 2004). Imagine shopping by yourself as opposed to shopping with a group of your fashion-conscious friends. You notice a red shirt on the rack, but don’t really care for it. One of your friends later picks up the shirt and says, â€Å"This shirt is absolutely fabulous. † The other members of the group agree, and soon you find yourself agreeing that you also love the shirt. You do this not only because you want to be accepted by the group, but because you assume the others know more about fashion than you do. In addition, if the shirt is a reasonable price and you are looking for something to wear to a party where everyone will be dressed fashionably, the opinions of the group members will affect your purchase decision even more. The Asch phenomenon has been demonstrated in a variety of settings. In one study, 58 percent of college students were persuaded to agree to the statement that â€Å"the right of freedom of speech should be suspended when the Government feels threatened,† even though not one of these subjects held this view privately (Baxter). In another study, students’ perceptions of the nutritional value of a new diet food were influenced by the opinions of other members of a group. When the other students of the group were seen as â€Å"experts,† meaning they claimed to be majoring in and had work experience with nutrition, members changed their initial responses to conform to the group even more (Lascu, 1995). Clearly, this phenomenon should not be ignored when advertising a new product or designing a sales campaign, when potential consumers’ opinions are more likely to be swayed. The technique would be useful when potential consumers see others as having greater expertise about the product than they do. However, a great deal of risk in purchasing may cause a consumer to seek out information himself rather than go off of what others say. Therefore, the Asch phenomenon may work ideally in low-expertise and low-involvement situations. Examples Examples of the Asch phenomenon can be found throughout the media. When members of a group voice their positive opinions about a product, people are more willing to go along with this stated opinion. For example, Ford Motor Company uses the Asch phenomenon to build greater brand loyalty by providing a section on their website dedicated to personal stories with Ford vehicles. By reading all of the positive stories about Ford cars and trucks, consumers may also feel pressure to think the same way about Fords. Another example of the influence group members may have on individual purchasing decisions comes from the use of infomercials in which a product is displayed to a group of potential customers. At first, the consumers are skeptical that a product could be so easy to use, so convenient, or so inexpensive. However, a consumer is instructed to use a product, is impressed by the product, and says, â€Å"Wow, I really can feel my legs and abs getting stronger† or â€Å"Wow, this vegetable chopper really does make it easy. † Soon after, other members of the group are going along with the stated opinions of the original users, and people at home begin to agree with the group too, possibly to the point of purchasing the product. Specific companies using this technique include Ronco, Body by Jake, and Tae-bo. Pampered Chef kitchen shows work in a similar way, and depend on stated opinions of kitchen experts and groups of friends. As the host displays and uses a variety of kitchen products, showing how helpful, easy, and fun to use they are, other members of the group may try them out and voice similar opinions. A person who may not have otherwise been excited by a cooking stone or apple corer/peeler/slicer soon finds these products as amazing as the other members of the group, and has ordered them without giving a second thought as to when she will actually use them. People often find it very difficult to go against the positive opinions of movie critics and reviewers. When showing commercials for films, the previews include such statements as â€Å"The funniest movie of the year,† â€Å"Absolutely phenomenal† or â€Å"The best drama since (fill in the blank). † Claims such as these, especially from credible critics and publications, are difficult to disagree with and tend to sway people to go see the movie. For example, a person sees a movie on opening day before it is heavily advertised. This person thinks the movie is ok, but does not recommend it to any friends or family to see. However, after watching several ads on television in which positive claims are made about the movie, the person may change his/her opinion to go along with these claims. Suddenly, the movie seems better, and the individual finds him/herself agreeing with the critics and recommending the movie to others. This may be because he/she does not want to be the only one who thinks differently, or because the critics have greater expertise on movies.

Shangri La Hotel Competition and Business Analysis

Shangri La Hotel Competition and Business Analysis Introduction Shangri-La Hotel is a world class deluxe Asian hotel chain which provides services and places for business and leisure travelers according to its Asian standards of hospitality. Shangri-La Hotel provides customers with a number of excellent services. More specifically, guests may enjoy high quality room services and resort, facilities such as sauna, Jacuzzi gym, lounge and pub. Moreover, the hotel chain also provides different and unique products like, The Spa at several hotels and resorts. Through its high quality services, Shangri-La receives international awards and recognition from prestigious publications and industry partners. Historical data Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts was founded in 1971 by the Malaysian-Chinese tycoon Robert Kuok and managed by Westin until January 1983. The headquarters are located in central Hong-Kong. Its name was inspired by James Hiltons legendary novel Lost Horizon. In 1982 the company incorporates Shangri-La Hotel and Resorts. Business Description Shangri-La Hotel is highly recognized for its service excellence. The hotel chain highly supports its mission statement, according to which customers should be delighted each and every timeÂÂ » More specifically, the company focuses on offering customers an unforgettable experience by blending cultures, exotic art and lively ambience. . Shangri-La Hospitality has developed five core principles: respect, humility, courtesy, helpfulness and sincerity. These core principles have positively affected the successful running of the business and thus they have as a result the creation of pleasant customers and employee relations. The service principles that Shangri-La has developed is consistent to every country they operate. In other words, customers receive the same level of services and treatment in every hotel no matter the country of location. This is very important as the customers identify Shangri-La hotels as high quality and trustworthy. The company operates 62 deluxe hotels and resorts under the Shangri-La and Traders Hotel brands in Asia and Middle East. Moreover, the company is willing to expand in Europe and North America. Apart from Shangri-Las ownership and operation of hotels, the company also leases commercial office buildings, retail space, apartments, real estate development and operation and golf club ownership and operation. Competition Competition in general is one of the factors that affect companys existence and growth. Even though Shangri-La is one of the top luxurious hotels in Asia, there is still fear from other top companies operating in the diversified hotel management industry. The profitability of every company depends on efficient operation because many costs are fixed and on effective marketing. The top three competitors of Shangri-la hotel are: The Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels Ltd which also operates in Asia, Australia and North America with 24 deluxe hotels, commercial and residential properties. New World Development is the second competitor of Shangri-La; the company develops and invests in properties in Hong Kong, mainland China, and Southeast Asia. Its property and infrastructure developments include apartments, office buildings, hotels, department stores, roads, and water and power plants. The third competitor is Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group which is incorporated in Bermuda and owns, manages and operates 40 upscale hotels in two dozen countries. The 2008 Olympic Games Event has affected Shangri-La Hotel since premium hotels such as Regent, Ritz-Carlton, Hyatt and Sheraton expanded in various cities in China, particularly in Beijing and Shanghai. Since Shangri-La is an Asian Company, it is highly recognized in Asia, the hotel chain had a competitive advantage as far as brand awareness is concerned. However, as many prestigious and luxurious hotel chains started expanding in the Asian continent Shangri-La faced more intense competition than before. The primary competitor of Shangri-La could be identified as the Marriott chain, which operates the Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance and Courtyard brands (26 hotels in China and expanding its portfolio to 100 by late 2010.) Driving forces in the company In order for the company to continue to compete within in the industry, Shangri-La decided on expanding its hotel chain. It went through a rapid expansion in the early 1980s and built 29 hotels over the next decade, and by the end of 1999, it was announced that they were operating 35 hotels within the Asian continent. Shangri-Las management group decided on expanding even more aggressively and therefore took advantage of their current success and raised fund during this period of time for further expansion. As a result during the early 00 Shangri-La began entering new markets through both management contracts and owner/operator development. In 2003 Shangri-La Dubai and Sydney were opened. The innovation of core brands of Shangri-La Asia Ltd, including the four-star Traders which was established in 1989, provides luxurious experience and sophistication to the business traveler, Rasa Resort and Spa which was launched in 2006 as a new brand spa provides treatment and relaxation based on Chinese principles, Far Eastern Plaza Hotel and Shang Palace are the force driving the changes in the industry. These hotel chains provide differentiated and unique products to a niche market. Key Success Factors: The key success factors of Shangri -La Hotel are the following: 1. Unique characteristics of Asian hospitality and high luxury quality of service and products offered to its customers 2. Differentiated products (spa and treatment in hotels and resorts) 3. The use of culture training program in everyday performance More specifically, Shangri-La Care Modules that line out what a service personnel should do and how to serve their customers in the best possible way Care 1: Shangri-La Hospitality from Caring People Making the guests feel special and important during their stay in the hotel and focusing on the core values of Shangri-Las hospitality. Care 2: Delighting Customer Delighting guests consistently not just the first time they visit but every single time in order to achieve srotng customer loyalty. Care 3: Recover to Gain Loyalty The importance of recovery when mistakes happen. A well done recovery may be an opportunity to gain further commitment and loyalty, and the other way round if recovery is poor. The five steps to recovery as developed by Shangri-La hotels: Listen, Apologies, Delight, Fix the Problem and Follow up. 4. Take Ownership. Effective promotion and special offer to attract the customers attention about the Shangri-La hotel. Promotion and special offer build long term relationship between Shangri-La hotel and their loyal customer. The promotion and special offer by the Shangri-La hotel include special festival, weekend special, value rate and value vacation. 5. Effective process management perspective. This refers to the system used to assist the organization in delivering the service. Shangri-La demonstrates processes involved in delivering the services provided into six encounters including among others check-in, room encounter, restaurant and breakfast, vacation trip, spa and check out. Check in Encounter: Shangri-La ensures that guests will be served directly at the receptionist counter or online. Room Encounter: it provides extra room accommodation for guests. For example, they provide extra bed for children under 12 to stay with their parents in the same room. Restaurant and Breakfast: Shangri-La provides Childrens Meal Plan; this accommodates hotel guests under 12 can enjoy complimentary meals in Coffee Shops and Pool Cafes. Vacation Trip: Specially trained staff is assigned in handling booklets with valuable information concerning rooms, airfare and car rental at popular Shangri-La destinations, in order to make guests planning vacation easier. The Spa: provides unique service for treatment activities such as massage, aroma therapy and bathe. Check-Out: same as check-in but may be crucial to determine the final outcome of satisfaction. 6. The use of effective advertising through television and online commercial 7. Compensation and Career Growth: this is a driving force for the employees to perform high standard performances within the company and making its employees valuable. If employees are motivated they are willing to provide and satisfy customers in any circumstances, therefore gain customer loyalty. Resource strengths and competitive capabilities of the company: Valuable organizational assets Organizational design is an important aspect in every company. Without an organized Chain of Command severe issues could occur in the company. Shangri-Las organizational design consists of five major levels in order to group its employees. More specifically: Level 1: Divisional Manager Level 2: Departmental Manager Level 3: Sectional Manager Level 4: Front Front-Line Supervisors Level 5: Front-Line Employees Note: Decision comes from the upper level of the structure Valuable intangible assets The employees are one of the most important intangible assets of Shangri-La. Therefore, Shangri Las corporate management heavily invests in employee development (to gain know-how asset) Another intangible assets of Shangri-La is its brand name, a synonymous for providing services with the unique characteristics of Asian Hospitality Unique products such as spa and treatments could also be considered as their intangible assets Valuable physical asset One of the most important and crucial physical assets of Shangri-La hotels are its architectural design externally and internally. Every single hotel of the chain has different characteristics and features that differentiate it from other Shangri-La hotels in the world. The design of every hotel matches the culture and environment where it operates. For instance, a typical Shangri-La hotel set in lushly landscaped tropical gardens with huge swimming pools that creates an oasis from the city thriving business and social center. Moreover, Shangri-La hotels and resorts provide hotel facilities like Airport Transfer, Parking, Foreign Exchange, Non-Smoking rooms, baby-Sitting or Child Care, Facilities for Disabled, Dining and Entertainment, Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Sports Leisure, Spa, Sauna, Steam Room and Fitness Center. They have invested in these assets so as to provide customers with great experience during their stay in the hotel. Competitive Capabilities One of the strongest competitive advantages of Shangri-La hotel is the service quality that is provided to its customer. Shangri-La is an award winning hotel as it is highly praised for offering world class service and gracious hospitality that has earned a reputation of excellence throughout Asia. Identifying strongest and weakest points of competitive forces Competitive pressures created by the rivalry among competing sellers Competing with other world class luxurious hotels in the world is a strong competitive force that affects Shangri-la hotels. These other hotels have strong competitive strategies to maintain their position in the market. These hotels also provide the same high quality of service to the same target group. Competitive pressure of new entrants New entrants have always been considered as a threat by the existing ones. This is a strong force for the company since they target the same customers in the market. Competitive pressure from the sellers of substitute products High quality Motels and other local hotels are considered to be substitute for Shangri-La. This is a weak competitive force in the company since Shangri-La customers seek for high and unique quality of service Competitive Pressures Stemming from supplier bargaining power and supplier-seller collaboration Supplier bargaining power is a strong competitive force to Shangri-La hotel. Shangri-La has numbers of different suppliers; for example, food suppliers, material suppliers and information suppliers. If these suppliers increase price of goods and services to its customers then Shangri-la would also increase its operating costs .As a result, Shangri-La would increase prices, in order to cover its operating costs. Competitive Pressures stemming from buyer bargaining power and seller-buyer collaboration. Buyers bargaining power is a weak competitive force for Shangri-La Hotel since Shangri-La has a fixed price charge; and this cannot be negotiated. Business Strategy Strategy for Expansion to the East and West The companys main strategic plan is to incorporate the goal of expanding the Shangri-La brand globally with a strong foundation and reputation for its excellence in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America. According to industry analysts, China was one of the most attractive destinations for tourists in 2008 since The Olympic Games were held there. For this particular reason new hotel developments started to pour in the region. Shangri-Las strategy to expand in the East is an asset since their core principles of cultural values matches most of the countries in the Asian market but is still a challenge since most of the luxurious top hotels in the world have the same approach. In general Shangri-La has slow expansion growth in other part of continents like Europe and North America. Nevertheless, it was announced that the company decided to expand its hotel chains in different parts of the world particularly in Europe, North America and Australia as to be able to compete with their major competitors in the market. Even though the company constantly enters new markets, they still maintain and provide its worldwide service quality standards to its customers and ensure that Shangri-Las quality and service standards are translated to new hotels in new markets in order to deliver consistent experience of Shangri-La Hospitality. When Shangri-La enters new markets in new countries, the company brings new cultural understanding and expectations to these markets. This is a challenge for the company since bringing the essence of the brand to new cultures is tough. Another strategy of the company is to enhance Corporate Social Responsibility activities in five key areas: Environment, Health and Safety, Employees, Supply Chain Management and Stakeholder Relations. In the Environment section its main focus is in climate change, water use management, waste disposal management, ozone depletion and indoor air quality. Shangri-La has recognized that resource conservation, biodiversity and pollution prevention are ways to maintain a sustainable environment. By providing safe and healthy environment, Shangri-La protects its customers, employees, suppliers and the public. This includes training employees for emergency situation like fire, earthquake and any other natural disaster. Also, the company promotes wellness program to improve the health and well-being of the employees. As mentioned before, Shangri-La management recognizes that staff is one of their most important assets and so they are committed to providing fair employment opportunities, dignity and staff development. Shangri-La will provide an environment where employees may achieve their personal and career goals and fair labor practices as to avoid any activity that results in human right abuse. For the company to be able to mange its direct and indirect impacts in the environment, Shangri-La has to work effectively with its supply chain partners. The suppliers need to meet the local legal requirements relating to the environment, human rights and other regulatory work practices. Also, suppliers are expected to be part of the system to ensure that the food served is safe and of high quality. According to CSR all stakeholders include customers, employees, members of the communities in which they operate, shareholders and suppliers will engage in a clear, honest and respectful way to the company. SWOT Analysis: Strengths Brand recognition Unique services and products quality (Shangri-La Hospitality) Expansion network in Asian Continent Luxurious facilities like the Shangri-La Spa and Trader Expansion globally Strong suppliers relationship Innovation of unique products Weaknesses: Not having enough number of hotel chains in Europe and N. America to compete with other luxurious five star hotels operating there. Shangri-La is dependant on other hotel owners companies since it doesnt own all of its hotel chains One of the problems that Shangri-Las hotels in China faces is the fact that front-lines employees are uncomfortable in making decisions. Chinese employees are dependent on operational guidelines Opportunities: Its market positioning in China; since China has become the worlds fourth largest economy and one of the most attractive destination as far as tourism is concerned Training program facilities to prepare first-line employees to more effectively utilize decision-making authority The Olympic Games Events in China increased Shangri-Las sales Expand to other geographic destinations Acquisition of local hotels Threats: Intense competition Local Hotels are considering forming alliances with international brands to manage and operate the business. Pressure on wages (expanding into high-wage economies) Since Shangri-La is an Asian company and has been operating in Asian territory, its management group is used to having lower labor costs compare to Europe and N. America Global recession Since Shangri-La is expanding with its principles values, its a great challenge for the company to expand beyond its Asian territory where cultures are different. Is the company able to adapt in a different environment..? Target Market Shangri-La Hotel operates in the five class hotels industry associated with luxury and well-being for customers. Hence, the target market mostly comes from the upper class. We focus on this section to the two Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts that produce greater profitability to the company. The Golden Sands Resort that is located in Batu Feringgi Beach that is mostly visited by tourists who come from European and Western countries. It is believed that these travelers have high consuming ability compared to local travelers. Therefore, Shangri-La management targeted the tourists that are of higher financial and consuming ability. The target market for Trader Hotel mostly consists of business travelers and those that come from the upper class groups of society. Business travelers can afford to purchase services from high quality hotels as their expenses are accommodated by their companies. Strategic Positioning All of the hotels and resorts of Shangri-La are located at strategic locations that are frequented by a high number of people, either for business purpose, travelling or other reasons. The location selected usually consists of places that are well known for their tourism industry and that are highly visited each year. Business Model For the fiscal year ended in December 31, 2006 the management reported that Shangri-La net income was 202.2 million dollars from its services and products. The companys sales continued to improve in 2006 with 1,002.9 million dollars sale compared with 842 million dollar in 2005. The company owns 50 hotels in Asia and the Middle East and more or less of 40 projects under development in Europe and North America. The company employs approximately 18,400 employees worldwide. Shangri-Las case is unusual among international hotel companies since it owns a significant proportion of its hotels, As shown in the table below, Shangri-La performance in the industry seem to improve every year and ascend to better market positioning. Shangri-La Income Statement Our personal Recommendations for Shangri-La Hotel Improve and give more emphasis to its employees training program; especially for the front-line employees to build their confidence and efficiency at the workplace in order to improve its hand to hand interaction with the customers. Having achieved brand market leadership in Asia, Shangri-La should now try to increase the number of hotel chains in Europe, North America and the Middle East. Since Shangri-La emphasizes its cultural values in every hotel chains, Shangri-La should take a closer look of its environment in general, to see if the products and services that they provide match the needs of the customer in general. For example, if Shangri -La operates in foreign destinations like the Middle East, they should adapt to its culture and combine it into their own to avoid conflicts between two different cultures. In general, all of the hotels and resorts of Shangri-La are located at strategic locations that are visited by a high number of people each year, either for business purpose, travelling or other reasons. The location selected is usually places that are well known for its tourism industry that are highly visited each year.

Food Clustering For Diabetes Diet Health And Social Care Essay

Food Clustering For Diabetes Diet Health And Social Care Essay The common way for Diabetes Educators to inform diabetes patients of their nutrition therapy is by introducing food substitution. The existing categorization mechanism is not efficiently for classify the food for diabetic patient. Clustering Data Mining (DM) Techniques can be a very useful tool to collect food items with the same elements into groups. This paper looks at the use of K-mean to Cluster food dataset into groups based on food elements using RapidMiner tool .The output from the clustering algorithm will help other recommendation systems software to provide patient with a good recommendation for there diabetes diet. Keywords data mining; diabetes, data set ,K-meant. 1. Introduction Food and nutrition are a key to have good health. They are important for everyone to maintain a healthy diet especially for diabetic patients who have several limitations. Nutrition therapy is a major solution to prevent, manage and control diabetes by managing the nutrition based on the belief that food provides vital medicine and maintains a good health. Typically, diabetic patients need to avoid additional sugar and fat for finding the substitution from the same food group [4].The effective clustering from the various actual nutrients is needed to apply. The clustering will encourage diabetics to eat the widest possible variety of permitted food to ensure getting the full range of trace elements and other nutrients. This paper is set out as follows. Section 2, introduces some related work of data mining and diabetic diet. Section 3, describes the used data set and summarize the main features that it contains. Data preparation process is presented in Section 4. Section 5, describes the materials and methods used in this study. In Section 6, the conclusion is given. 2. Literature Review Li et al [1], this study proposed an automated food ontology constructed for diabetes diet care. The methods include generating an ontology skeleton with hierarchical clustering algorithms (HCA)also it is used intersection naming for class naming and instance ranking by granular ranking and positioning .This study based on dataset from food nutrition composition database of the Department Of Health the dataset. Phanich et al [2], proposed Food Recommendation System (FRS) by using food clustering analysis for diabetic patients. The system will recommend the proper substituted foods in the context of nutrition and food characteristic. They used Self-Organizing Map (SOM) and K-mean clustering for food clustering analysis which is based on the similarity of eight significant nutrients for diabetic patient. This study is based on the dataset à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Nutritive values for Thai foodà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  provided by Nutrition Division, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health (Thailand). 3. Dataset Description This study is based on the dataset provided by The USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (SR)[3].the Values in the database based on the results of laboratory analyses or calculated by using appropriate algorithms, factors, or recipes, as indicated by the source in the Nutrient Data file. Not every food item contains a complete nutrient profile. The used data set is an abbreviated file with fewer nutrients but all the food items was included. The Dataset contains all the food items with nutrients with 7540 records and 52 attributes. Table1, 2 and 3 show data set attributes and their description. In order to check for missing value I used Rapid Miner tool. Table 4 present sample of data set. 4. Data Preparation The quality of the results of the mining process is directly proportional to the quality of the data. I need first to prepare the data set by applying Data preprocessing strategies. Data preprocessing is an important and critical step in the data mining process, and it has a huge impact on the success of a data mining project. The purpose of data preprocessing is to cleanse the dirty/noise data. Fig. 1 shows the different strategies in the data preprocessing phase. In this study I focused on data cleaning and data reduction. Figure 1 strategies in data preprocessing Table 1 description of data set attributes from 1- 24Table 2 description of data set attributes from 25-48 Table 3 description of data set attributes from 49-52 Table 4 Sample of dataset Shrt_Desc Water Energ_Kcal Protein Lipid_Tot Ash Carbohydrt Sugar_Tot othersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ BUTTER,WITH SALT 15.87 717 0.85 81.11 2.11 0.06 0.06 BUTTER,WHIPPED,WITH SALT 15.87 717 0.85 81.11 2.11 0.06 0.06 BUTTER OIL,ANHYDROUS 0.24 876 0.28 99.48 0 0 0 CHEESE,BLUE 42.41 353 21.4 28.74 5.11 2.34 0.5 CHEESE,BRICK 41.11 371 23.24 29.68 3.18 2.79 0.51 Data Cleaning Data cleaning, also called data cleansing or scrubbing, deals with detecting and removing errors and Inconsistencies from data in order to improve the quality of data [6]. The aim of data cleaning is to raise the data quality to a level suitable for the clustering analyses. The Methods used for data cleaning are fill in missing values and eliminate data redundancy. Missing value: It is common for the dataset to have fields that contain unknown or missing values. There are a variety of legitimate reasons why this can happen. There are a number of methods for treating records that contain missing values [7]: 1. Omit the incorrect field(s) 2. Omit the entire record that contains the incorrect field(s) 3. Automatically enter/correct the data with default values e.g. select the mean from the range 4. Derive a model to enter/correct the data 5. Replace all values with a global constant Within this study both missing and unknown data have been set to zero. Duplicated Records Duplicate records do not share a common key and/or they contain errors that make duplicate matching a difficult task. Errors are introduced as the result of transcription errors, incomplete information, lack of standard formats, or any combination of these factors [7] . The data set used in this study include data objects that are duplicate. Using RapidMiner to removing duplication .As result from this process the 7540 records decreased to 7139 record. Data Reduction Data reduction can be achieved in many ways one way is by selecting features [5], The used data set contains many Irrelevant features that contain almost no useful information for data mining task As [2] I will focus only on eight attributes out of fifty two attributes, as they are important for diabetes diet. The eight nutrients include: Carbohydrate Energy Fat protein Fiber vitamin E Vitamin B1(also known as thiamine) Vitamin C Data Normalization Data normalization is one of the preprocessing procedures in data mining, where the attribute data are scaled so as to fall within a small specified range such as -1.0 to 1.0 or 0.0 to 1.0. Normalization before clustering is specially needed for distance metric, such as Euclidian distance, which are sensitive to differences in the magnitude or scales of the attributes. The K-Means typically uses Euclidean distance to measure the distortion between a data object and its cluster centroid .However, the clustering results can be greatly affected by differences in scale among the dimension from, which the distances are computed. Data normalization is the linear transformation of data to a specific range. Therefore, it is worthwhile to enhance clustering quality by normalizing the dynamic range of input data objects into specific range [8].in this study I will normalize data to the range of [0, 1] . Figure 2 show the result from the data preprocessing Figure 2 Result from Preprocessing(Data cleaning , Data Reduction , Data Normalization) 5. Data Analysis Methodology After data preparation, a second step is using a K-means to cluster food data set. In order to work with optimal k-value as [2] used the Davies-Bouldin index [9] to evaluate the optimal k-value. The k-value is optimal when the related index is smallest. For this study, I used K=19 since it gives the smallest value. The final result is the food clusters which foods in the same group provide the approximate amount of the eight nutrients. Data analysis solution RapidMiner was used to analysis the data set and cluster food item. The whole process sequence shown in figure 3.figure 4, 5, 6 shows the final result. Figure 3 data analysis process Figure4 food Items clustered into 19 clusters Figure4 distribution of 8 Nutrients into clusters from (0-12) Figure4 distribution of 8 Nutrients into clusters from (13-18) 5.1 K-mean Evaluation a performance based on the number of clusters. This operation builds a derived index from the number of clusters by using the formula 1 (k / n) with k number of clusters and n covered examples. It is used for optimizing the coverage of a cluster result in respect to the number of clusters. By applying the K-mean model to this data set the Cluster number index = 0.997 witch indicate a good coverage. 6. Conclusion Data mining has been widely used in many health care fields. The Diabetes Diet Care was one of the health problems that data mining play role on it .this experiment are conducted based on USDA National Nutrient dataset. The results demonstrate that K-mean is very effective and it can successfully create food groups that will help in many recommendations systems.

Acid Rain :: Free Essay Writer

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Acid Rain   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Acid rain is a serious problem with disastrous effects. Each day this serious problem increases, many people believe that this issue is too small to deal with right now this issue should be met head on and solved before it is too late. In the following paragraphs I will be discussing the impact it has on the wildlife and how our atmosphere is being destroyed by acid rain. There is evidence that the rain is destroying the productivity of the once rich soils, like an overdose of chemical fertilizer. The damage of such overdosing may not be repairable or reversible. On some croplands, tomatoes grow to only half their full weight, and the leaves of radishes wither. Naturally it rains on cities too, eating away stone monuments and concrete structures, and corroding the pipes that channel the water away to the lakes and the cycle is repeated. Paints and automobile paints have its life reduce due to the pollution in the atmosphere speeding up the corrosion process. In some communities the drinking water is mixed with toxic metals freed from metal pipes by the acidity. As if urban skies were not already gray enough, typical visibility has declined from 10 to 4 miles, along the Eastern seaboard, as acid rain turns into smog. Also, now there are indicators that the components of acid rain are a health risk, linked to human respiratory disease. Not only is acid rain killing our plants and animals, it is killing our budget, in addition to contributing to acid rain, nitrogen oxides can react with hydrocarbons to produce ozone, a major air pollutant responsible in the United States for annual losses of $2 billion to 4.5 billion worth of wheat, corn, soybeans, and peanuts. A wide range of interactions can occur many unknown with toxic metals.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  At the beginning of the 20th century most rivers/lakes like the river Tovdal in Norway had not yet begun to die. However by 1926 local inspectors were noticing that many of the lakes were beginning to show signs of death. Fish were found dead along the banks of many rivers. As the winters ice began to melt off more and more hundreds upon hundreds more dead fish (trout in particular) were being found. It was at this time that scientist began to search for the reason. As the scientists continued to work they found many piles of dead fish, up to 5000 in one pile, further up the river.

Dinosaur Fossil Discoveries in Antarctica :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

Dinosaur Fossil Discoveries in Antarctica The chance of two different research groups finding two different fossils that are in fact two different kinds of species within the course of a week is close to impossible. However, this rare and lucky occurrence in the paleontology world has occured. Two research teams have retrieved fossils of two different dinosaurs in Antarctica that might possibly be unknown species. Judd Case and James Martin discovered bones, specifically those of the lower legs and feet, as well as the animal’s upper jaw and teeth. These fossils are said to be related to the carnivorous theropods, such as tyrannosaurs and velociraptors. Theropods have been related with birds and this new fossil’s feet as well as teeth relate it to the extinct carnivores. Also, due to the size and shape of the foot and leg bones, the animal is said to be a running dinosaur about six to eight feet tall. Thousands of miles away from this excavation sight and during the same week, William Hammer and his research team were in the mountains of Antarctica, about thirteen thousand feet, specifically near the Beardmore Glacier. The pelvis to a plant-eating dinosaur was found buried in solid rock. This pelvis is said to belong to a family of the sauropod, such as the brachiosaurus and diplodocus. â€Å"... Hammer and his fellow researchers believe the pelvis- one meter (three feet) across- isfrom a primitive sauropod that represents one of the earlier forms of emerging dinosaur lineage that eventually produced animals more than thirty meters (100 feet) long† (www.nsf.gov 2004). This animal is estimated to be up to seven feet tall and thirty feet long. These findings are important to paleontology as scientists work to discover more about the Earth’s past. These fossils give more insight into the Earth’s environment million’s of years ago. The fact that these fossils may be new species’ that paleontologists were not even aware of shows how little we may know about the history of the world and what other life walked on the Earth.

American Prisons

As far as memory could recall, man has continually developed laws to keep resolute civilization along with criminal sanctions to discourage the infringement of those laws. Accordingly, the number of inmates in federal and state penal colonies in the United States has soared to about 200,000 since the 1940s, and at the start of 1997, about 645 out of every 100,000 American citizens lived behind bars (Dakrat 1). However, alternative sanctions during the last decade have become prevalent in the United States, as well as in other western nations.The introduction of alternative sanctions has turned into one of the most significant developments in punishment principles in the country, in view of the fact that it reflects on the victims, offenders, community, as well as sentencing as a whole, in an absolutely different outlook. In a country with the world’s largest prison population, adding up to more than 2. 2 million, and where a number of States allocates more funds to the mainten ance of criminals than on education, alternative punishments are at this time a matter of necessity. Problems Faced By American PrisonsIt is not easy for most people to offer compassion for the millions of convicts incarcerated in the overcrowded prisons of America. A good number of the country’s population even believes that what takes place inside every prison establishments do not affect them. On the contrary, what occurs in prisons comes back to the society with a vengeance. Approximately 13. 5 million people in the country have served their own time in prisons and jails over the course of the year, and in the long run 95 percent of them are discharged back into the society (â€Å"Rising prison problems begin to trickle into society†).Because too many prisons are inhumane, unhealthy or unsafe, several of the released inmates return to the society as more hardened criminals eager to perpetrate new transgressions as well as to blame for spreading communicable disease s, such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, HIV, etc. , that were not taken cared of during the time that they were locked up. Currently, prison problems involve: 1. Corrections officers and inmates alike are constantly in fear of being assaulted. Even so, numerous prisons still do not report or collect information concerning the assaults, and when they do, the information is generally untrustworthy.2. Education lessens rule-breaking and is proven to cut the rate of recidivisms by almost half (â€Å"Rising prison problems begin to trickle into society†). However, despite the fact that the prison population has doubled since the 1990s, the pace of funding for prison vocational training and education has not persisted. 3. In excess of 1. 5 million prisoners carrying severe communicable diseases are discharged every year (â€Å"Rising prison problems begin to trickle into society†).In fact, a number of penal complex with as many as 5,000 prisoners have no more than two resident d octors. 4. Incarceration can no longer be viewed as the main form of criminal punishment given the growing expenses of both management and construction of prisons as well as the crisis of prison overcrowding (Junger-Tas 9). At this time, America is contending with the menacing economic recession that is acting as a powerful brake on advancing the country’s utilization of large funding in support to resolve the foregoing problems.The development of alternative punishments is therefore the result of the justice system’s exploration for new sentencing strategies to rise above these intertwining problems. Effects of Traditional Prison Sentence Anchored in the findings of the Center for Criminal Justice Studies at the University of New Brunswick and the Criminal Justice at the University of Cincinnati, unwarranted use of imprisonment has enormous expenditure implications. On the average, each American spends $50,000 annually to keep criminals in prison (Dakrat 2).In additio n, prisons should not be employed with anticipations of reducing illicit behavior. The soaring recidivism rate signifies that the risk of getting arrested and returned to prison does not deter criminals. Moreover, a research points out higher rates of recidivism among incarcerated youthful delinquents than those granted alternative sanctions (Dakrat 2). Incarceration devoid of appropriate treatment, criminals with severe infectious disease, criminal behavior or with mental health disorders are generally expected to leave prison in substandard health as well as character than when they initially went in.The problem can have an enormous impact on communities, since 97 percent of all incarcerated criminals are in time released from prison and live along with the entire population (Webb). Alternatives to Prison Opponents of long-established imprisonment have disputed the destructive potentiality of the punishment because it falls short of addressing the fundamental economic and psycholo gical reasons that lead individuals to perpetrate crimes (Rierden 2).Alternative sanctions, on the other hand attempt to transform behavior of criminals in addition to giving the necessary tools that will help them in not making the same mistakes again when released. Moreover, because of prison overcrowding, this modern sanction will give the country the opportunity to appropriately incarcerate and rehabilitate more serious criminals for extended portions of their prison term. There are basically an enormous number of useful alternative programs.Compensation, restitution, community service, intensive probation supervision, electronic monitoring, and regular house searches, for instance, still endure a sense of redress for the injured party and a sense of atonement to the legal order violated. In addition, there are several new and unconventional alternative programs that as well do not involve imprisonment. The most practical and astounding programs among them are the â€Å"drug tr eatment, and classes and fees: for the rich program† (David). Drug treatment program are aimed for nonviolent drug dependents with prior convictions.Criminals who qualify are required to join in a residential drug-treatment program. Those who graduate were found to be 87 percent less expected to re-offend than others (David). Conversely, while not yet put into practice, the whole idea of classes and fees program is to require corporate offenders to teach in low-income academes (David). Since a number of these offenders have been educated at first-rate schools, they are more valuable if allowed to teach in classrooms rather than be placed behind bars throughout their sentence at the taxpayers’ expense.The imposition of prison sentence should only be selective depending on each circumstances, such as: to protect the public from violent crime; when all other sanctions are incompatible taking into consideration the gravity of the crime; when the criminal is a habitual delin quent; to safeguard the morality of the criminal justice administration; and if the entire sanctions have not effected to conformity with the arrangements set forth in the punishment (Junger-Tas 7). In other words, imprisonment shall only be employed if the gravity of the offense is such that all other punishment is totally unsatisfactory.The Best Alternative The best alternative to imprisonment is one that is less restraining than incarceration yet more confining than conventional probation. Community service intends criminals to work for the advantage of the community, to make amends to the community, as well as to be penalized. Community service is expected to lessen the undesirable effects induced by imprisonment, decrease prison overcrowding, as well as offer a constructive experience for criminals for working in a typical community (Junger-Tas 11).The essential feature of the punishment lies in the supervision and control of the implementation of compulsory orders in the commu nity, instead of confining the criminal’s movement within a penal complex. In the early 1990s, developing countries regarded community service as an official alternative to prison, although it was already practiced in several communities. Community service is designed to punish criminals who are worthy of intermediate punishments.The program is applied to criminals that deserve to endure more than average probationers but not as much as criminals in prisons and jails (Samaha 428). Community service necessitates offender complete within a given time frame a particular number of hours of voluntary community work. In particular, criminals are required to wash automobiles in an agency motor pool, rake leaves or cut grass in parks, sweep up around housing projects or public structures, and clear garbage from playgrounds. Community service in the Federal courts is a special condition of supervised release or probation.However, community service is a commendable alternative for non- habitual criminals who perpetrated minor offenses or requires a prison term of one year or less. Criminals sentenced to community service must be expansively screened to get rid of those with histories of violent behavior. Because of community service, there might be a slight possibility of additional nonviolent transgressions; nevertheless, the degree the program manages to keep nonviolent offenders outside penal complex creates opportunity for the government to imprison and rehabilitate the more violent ones.Community service positively embraces the treatment factor as well on account of cautious matching of offenders to projects and services that constructively relates with their issues (Harding 78). In imposing the program, judges must consider the offenders’ availability and skills, and then match them with works available at nonprofit agencies and government. In the course of performing the community service, offenders are expected to learn how to take responsibilities as well as remunerate the communities they once damaged.However, failure to abide with the community service program results to the re-sentencing of the criminal. Many observers believe that offenders who previously benefited from community services gained confidence, self-respect, and a sense of accomplishment from their community work (Tonry and Hamilton 82). The rate of recurrence of conviction is lower among criminals who had found their experience in community service to be meaningful (Tonry and Hamilton 83). Moreover, rates of recidivism among those who completed the program are not higher than for criminals sent to prison.Not only is community service more effective and compassionate, they are as well less expensive. When both indirect and direct expenses are taken into consideration, an average-sized community service sentence is less expensive than incarceration. Imprisonment costs ranges from $30,000 to $59,000 annually, while community service generally costs only $2,000 annually and up to $20,000 in other alternative programs (Agosin 217). Conclusion The high cost of imprisonment and overcrowded prisons are among the most multifaceted concerns surrounding the criminal justice system.Unfortunately, because of these, prisons make uncertain the successful reintegration of criminals in the community. They transform the imprisoned offender, but the transformation is likely to be more depressing than encouraging. Alternative programs, on the other hand, particularly community service encourage a sense of social responsibility among criminals and permit them to enhance their character in the course of serving the community. Prison alone will never get to the bottom of the crime problems in America.Leaders and citizens alike must be more unconventional and tolerant to alternative programs. Alternative sentencing gives defense lawyers, prosecutors and judges a better range of sentencing options. It is not easy to resolve how much community service serves as a substitute for incarceration; nevertheless, one thing is for sure, that sentencing a non-habitual and less violent offender with community service works out the dilemma of prison overcrowding and saves the country an enormous amount of money. Works Cited Agosin, Marjorie. Women, Gender, and Human Rights: A Global Perspective.New Jersey: Rutgers University Press, 2001. Dakrat. â€Å"Alternatives to Prison: Why Imprisonment Doesn’t Work and What to Do About It. † 26 April 2007. Associated Content. 27 January 2009 . David, Ruth. â€Å"Ten Alternatives To Prison. † 18 April 2006. Online: Forbes Magazine. 27 January 2009 . Harding, John. Probation and the Community: A Practice and Policy Reader.London: Taylor & Francis, 1986. Junger-Tas, J. Alternative to Prison Sentences: Experiences and Developments. Netherlands: Kugler Publications,1994. Rierden, Andi. â€Å"Alternatives to Prison Mends Fences and Lives. † 23 June 1991. Online: The New York Times. 27 Jan uary 2009 . â€Å"Rising prison problems begin to trickle into society. † 11 June 2006. USA Today. 27 January 2009

Reassuring aspects in the three stories Essay

The aim of this essay is to explore the three texts (‘The Stolen Bacillus’, ‘Hop Frog’, and ‘The Adventure of the Speckled Band’) and to consider which aspects of the three stories affect us, how they influence us, and why they cause concern or console, either disturbing or reassuring us. It is concluded that there are many disturbing and reassuring aspects in the stories dependant on the perspective one may adopt. The word ‘disturbing’ means ‘to agitate the mind, causing distress, worry, or anxiety’. The word ‘reassuring’ means ‘to restore confidence and relieve anxiety’. These two definitions will help me with my investigation by giving me a guideline to work with. To get an understanding as to why different writers may have written the way that they did, I will consider the background information of the period the author was writing in and any aspects which would affect his subject material and style of writing. H. G. Wells was writing at the end of the nineteenth century at a time where there was a rapid social and industrial change, and he had a personal interest in social justice, science and politics. This is reflected in his writing as there is the bacteriologist (relating to science) and the anarchist (pertaining to social justice and politics). These issues in his work would disturb a reader of Wells’ time because subjects such as the social and industrial changes would be on the readers’ minds, and therefore cause anxiety if he were to write about them in a negative way. Edgar Allan Poe was expelled from university for drunkenness and debt, and later court martialled from the army for drunkenness again. Poe’s association with alcohol in real life is reflected in his story which has many references to alcohol within it. These references would disturb readers because Poe would be able to write a distressing truth about the affects of alcohol, because he himself had experienced it, and he wrote at a time when the truth was censored from the public. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote at a time when the British had an empire in India, this is referred to in his story as Dr. Roylott went out to do a medical degree in Calcutta, and also served a prison sentence there. This would provide a factor in the story with which readers may be able to associate with, and would either disturb or reassure them depending on the way they’d previously felt about the empire in India, and how it is depicted in Doyle’s writing. The settings and surroundings of a story can be used to great consequence when enhancing the effect of a disturbing or reassuring aspect of a tale. Arthur Conan Doyle uses his description of Stoke Moran intelligently in order to increase the disturbing nature of the whole plot of the story. The author uses very ‘gothic’ features in the Speckled Band. For example, there is reference to the middle ages as Dr. Roylott comes from ‘one of the oldest Saxon families in England’ which is an illustration of one gothic feature. Another gothic trait is Stoke Moran’s gloomy setting, the writer depicts: ‘from amid the branches there jutted out the gray gables and high roof tree of a very old mansion’. A further gothic characteristic expressed in Doyle’s writing is the ventilator in Helen’s room. Secret passages and hidden doors are another common attribute of a gothic story, and the additional detail that the ventilator is mysteriously placed in an impractical position (‘what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another room, when, for the same trouble, he might have communicated with the outside air! ‘) gives it another gothic edge as mysteries were a very frequent mark of a gothic tale. In addition to Stoke Moran’s gothic nature, the fact that the whole place is isolated and has a gloomy history further emphasizes any disturbing aspects introduced by the author. Arthur Conan Doyle’s descriptions of Stoke Moran are a great example of a dramatic structure used to augment the effectiveness of the disturbing aspects of the storyline when they emerge. This is because Doyle firstly communicates with us subliminally about the disturbing aspects of his tale via his setting descriptions, therefore giving himself some foundations on which to build up a more effective impact on his reader when he wants to disturb them.

Individual Constitution and Systems of the State Essay

During the time when the state’s first declared their independence from Great Britain there was an enormous demand for a balance in power. However, the establishment of such posed to be no easy task for our founding fathers. Originally the new state’s constitutions foundation was based off the thirteen colonial charters (Bowman & Kearney, 2011, p56). Which was modified a short while later, as the colonies were expanded, to include the â€Å"rights of Englishmen† (Bowman & Kearney 2011, p. 56). According to Bowman & Kearney (2011), â€Å"All state constitutions both distribute and constrain political power among groups and regions† (p. 55). In that such provide the basic and key components for government to allow for an even distribution of power for the three branches, while offering protection for individual rights. â€Å"Constitutions represent the fundamental law of a state, superior to statutory law. Only the federal Constitution and federal statutes take priority over state constitutions† (Bowman & Kearney, 2011, p. 55). Over the course of many years the state’s constitutions have been slowly amended to meet the needs of a growing governmental body. The current Texas constitution was created in 1876 and is composed of a preamble followed by 17 articles, â€Å"to include Bill of Rights, Legislative Department, Executive Department, and Judicial Department† (The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research, 2013). Article I of the Texas constitution is the Bill of Rights. It is in this article that individual rights are outlined for citizens in which the government cannot overlook under any given circumstance. Upon reading the Texas Constitution, the impression is given that religious freedom and for no man to be unjustly persecuted by the hand of the government pose to be the most important feature detailed in the Bill of Rights. Just like the United States Constitution there are limitations to the freedoms being granted in this portion of the Texas document (The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research, 2013). In replica of the United Stated Constitution, state level constitutions are sculpted after the federal government in which it delegates power throughout three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial (Bowman & Kearney, 2011, p.27). Article III of the Texas Constitution writes the legislative department; section 1 states that, â€Å"The legislative power of this State  shall be vested in a Senate and House of Representatives, which together shall be styled â€Å"The Legislature of the State of Texas† (The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research, 2013). Sections 2 through 7 details the composition of the legislative department to include the House of Representatives and the Senat e and also states the qualifications for such positions. The Senate entails thirty-one members and is prohibited to exceed such limit. The House of Representatives is comprised â€Å"of 93 members until the first apportionment† (The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research, 2013) then it may increase by ratio not to exceed 1 representative per 15,000 inhabitants. However the numbers are to never surpass 150 members. The remainder sections write the limitations of the legislature power, details processes, and conditions the expectations in regards to the conduct of each official (The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research, 2013). In the State of Texas, the Legislative Branch is granted the most powers in writing. One can find supporting evidence to the fact after a complete examination is done of this document. A conclusion can be drawn that as a result of all powers given, this branch is able to have a limited amount of regulation over the other two branches of government. Also, it is here that bills of law are p assed to ensure the necessary provisions stated in other articles are upheld. The power of the executive branch is amalgamated from the office of the governor (Bowman & Kearney, 2011, p. 68). Historically, the executive branch held increasingly more power and stature resulting from constitutional amendments allowing for governors to be elected by popular vote. (Bowman & Kearney, 2011, p. 59). Such unbalance in power eventually led to the people giving governors higher authority to veto legislative bills and granted longer terms. This trend continued through the early 1800s, 1830s and 1840s however, somewhat ended during the Jacksonian Era due to â€Å"the Jacksonian principle of popular elections to fill most government offices resulted in a fragmented state executive branch.† (Bowman & Kearney, 2011, p. 59). Within the Texas Constitution the executive branch powers can be found in Article IV, â€Å"The Executive Department† (The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research, 2013). The Executive Department must contain â€Å"a governor, lieutenant-governor, secretary of  State, comptroller of public accounts, tr easurer, commissioner of the land of office and attorney general† (Ericson & Wallace, 2010). Throughout the remainder of the article, elaboration of the rights and responsibilities of each member is outlined (The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research, 2013). The Judicial Branch power is bestowed in a supreme court, courts of appeal, district courts, and various other courts as authorized by the state’s constitution. Usually the state’s judicial branch is headed by the state Supreme Court who tries cases from courts of lower levels (Bowman & Kearney, 2011, p.68). Article V from the Texas Constitution includes the powers of the Judicial Department to be vested in â€Å"one Supreme Court, in a Court of Appeals, in District Courts, in County Courts, in Commissioners’ Courts, in Courts of Justices of the Peace, and in such other courts and may be established by law† (The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research, 2013). The head of the Supreme Court is governed by a chief justice and two associate justices. With further reading, the rules and regulations for the court justices and order of operations can be found written in the sections of this article (The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research, 2013). In conclusion, many amendments have been made to reflect the needs of a growing population all through history. Conferring with Bowman & Kearney (2011), â€Å"constitutional revision must be an ongoing process if the states are to cope with the changing contours of American society and stay in the vanguard of innovation and change† (p.70). In addition, meeting the need of such a vastly growing entity can be a difficult mission. Original limitations set forth by previous documents have been altered to reflect an even distribution of power and added protections for individuals. Due to the Texas constitution’s length of 63,000 plus words it is seen as one of the most verbose document of other states. According to Joe E. Ericson and Ernest Wallace, â€Å"Its wealth of detail causes it to resemble a code of laws rather than a constitution. Its many requirements and limitations on both state and local governments make it one of the most restrictive among state constitutions† (Ericson & Wallace, 2010). References Bowman, A. O., & Kearney, R. (2001). Sate and Local Government (8th edition). Boston, MA: Cengage Ericson, J. E., & Wallace, E. (2010, June 12). Constitution of 1876. Retrieved April 12, 2014, from Handbook of Texas Online: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/mhc07 The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research. (2013). Texas Constitutions 1824-1876. Retrieved April 12, 2014, from Rare Books and Special Collections: http://tarlton.law.utexas.edu/constitutions/texas1876/a1 The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research. (2013). Texas Constitutions 1824-1876. Retrieved April 12, 2014, from Rare Books and Special Collections: http://tarlton.law.utexas.edu/constitutions/texas1876/a5 The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research. (2013). Texas Constitutions 1824-1876. Retrieved April 12, 2014, from Rare Books and Special Collections: http://tarlton.law.utexas.edu/constitutions/texas1876/a4 The University of Texas School of Law: Tarlton Law Library: Jamail Center for Legal Research. (2013). Texas Constitutions 1824-1876. Retrieved April 12, 2014, from Rare Books and Special Collections: http://tarlton.law.utexas.edu/constitutions/texas1876/a3