Friday, November 29, 2019

China and America Economic Analysis

Table of Contents China and US Economic Indicators US and China’s Capitalism impact on Economic Growth Internet impact on US and China’s Economic Growth Personal Freedom impact on economic growth Democracy impact on economic growth Bibliography Footnotes China and US Economic Indicators There has been a lot of comparison of China’s economy with the United States due to the economic growth China has been experiencing in the recent years. The United States however still remains quite ahead of China in terms of economic indicators such as employment and GDP. The GDP of the United States in 2009 was nearly $15 trillion while the China’s GDP was $ 5 trillion.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on China and America Economic Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The income levels for the average American was ten times more than for the average Chinese individual. These measures of GDP and income levels may not show the gains made by the Chinese economy. The purchasing power of the Chinese has been increasing yearly. A higher number of consumer goods are cheaper in China enabling the people to purchase more with their income. The purchasing power is therefore a better measure since the same amount of money should be able to buy the same types of goods in any place in the continent. The GDP of China adjusted by the current purchasing power shows that the country’s GDP is nearly $10 trillion. The gap of $5 trillion could be closed in the next few years considering the high GDP growth of the China[1]. The inflation in China has been increasing at a faster rate than the US causing the World Bank in 2005 to adjust the PPP measure of the country downwards by 40%. The inflation rate has continued to be higher than the United States even after 2005. The GDP growth of the United States over the period 1981 to 2010 increased 4.7 times however the Chinese GDP incr eased by over 30 times over the same period. In the area of trade, China has been able to surpass the United States in the area of exports. China is the biggest world exporter. In the period 1998-2000, there was a significant gap between the two countries however in 2006, China caught up and in 2010 and there is a gap with China leading. The export industry has shown significant progress. In the area of foreign debt, the United States over the years has been increasing its debt at a fast rate. It has made the experts and scholars in the country to be concerned as it currently stands at $4.45 trillion. China’s foreign debt on the other hand is a lower level of $785.17 billion. In light of all the economic indicators discussed, the world is watching China and it is expected in the next few years it be the world leader in the economy. US and China’s Capitalism impact on Economic Growth China’s capitalism is different from the United States since it practices state capitalism. The government controls the economy in a vertical economic structure. At the top there are monopolistic state companies which control the key industries while at the lower end, the government has allowed the state companies to face private competition[2].Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The state controls the petroleum and natural gases, electricity and power, banks, transport and information technology industries. The trade liberalization policies adopted by the country especially when the country joined the WTO in 2001, caused a lot of expansion in private competition at the lower ends which caused high demand of the products sold by the state owned corporations in the key industries. The structure combined with labor abundance and openness has helped the state corporations to perform better than the non-state owned corporations. The vertical structure enables the country to increase its economic growth despite the disadvantages attributed to state controlled capitalism. State capitalism has caused the country to perform well as its GDP rose pushing the country from position six to position two in the world. In the period 2001 to 2011, the GDP had an average growth rate of 10.5%. The United States operates on a political system of free-market capitalism. There is high liberalization of the economy with competition being highly encouraged. The government only interferes when there is a need to do so. The free market structure has caused the economic growth of the country to increase. There has been increased innovation, research and development that have positively affected the GDP. However, there are dangers of free market economy as corporates may take advantage of investors. Due to unethical practices, the United States faced a financial crisis that forced the government to come up with economic stimulus to help these companies and ensure that individuals are still able to live their lives comfortably. There had been declining employment, business investment and personal consumption therefore the economic stimulus really helped the country. The financial crisis did not affect the Asian countries. It mainly affected the countries in the western world. Internet impact on US and China’s Economic Growth There is a lot of control on internet access in china by the government and there have been concerns on the adverse effects of these actions on the economy of the country. The people are only allowed to access the internet sites that they need. The strategy is meant to protect the people from outside influences that would cause the people to challenge its leadership. The main national party, the Chinese Communist Party wants to enhance the country’s national sovereignty. The internet restriction has not had high adverse effect as the country implemented an â€Å"open door† policy in econom ic activities that caused the country to grow economically[3]. The country became more involved with the internet in the 1990s and registered its use in 1994. China’s use of the internet has increased and in 2008, it replaced the United States as the biggest internet user in the world.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on China and America Economic Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The country has enjoyed the benefits of internet technology as they have global accessibility to conduct their businesses. The telecommunications and internet sector has grown tremendously contributing highly to the country’s economic growth. The censorship on the internet encouraged the development of indigenous IT development. The censorship has therefore not discouraged the development and growth of information technology. In the United States, the internet is not restricted in any way and the people are a ble to access all sites and get the information that they want. They are therefore able to question the government and leaders on the economic decisions that they make at a particular time. The leadership is put to task to explain the economic decisions they have taken. Internet freedom helps in protecting individual and human rights. There is however certain income that America gets that China may not get through the internet through internet censorship. In America with the internet freedom given to the users, in 2011, it was noted that 247.2 million people spent time on the internet which is double the amount of people in 2010. These people spent an average of 81 billion minutes on social networks and blogs. A lot of Americans transact online, purchasing goods and services with a high percentage of the products promoted through the blog sites and social sites. In the United States, it was noted that internet activity accounted for 4.7% of the GDP in 2010, which is approximately $6 8.2 billion. The internet therefore contributes more to the national economy than industries such as information and technology, education, agriculture, construction and recreation. 5% of all the country’s retail activities are conducted over the internet. In China, on the other hand, in the period 2004- 2009, the internet contributed 3% to the country’s GDP which is lower than the 4.7% of US internet contribution. The United States has also put appropriate measures in place to ensure that information technology in the country grows in order to contribute to the overall economic growth. There have been substantial innovations in the information technology sector. Personal Freedom impact on economic growth The censorship of the internet and control of government in businesses has caused scholars to study the impact of personal freedom on the economic growth of a country. Are the countries with more personal freedom wealthier than the less free ones? There was a study ca rried out on 150 countries to test this hypothesis. The 150 countries were divided into four categories of free, mostly free, mostly unfree and repressed countries. The researchers were looking at variables of freedom as level of government intervention, level of property rights and level of foreign investment barriers. The variables which would be assessed to assess the economic growth were inflation rate, balance of the current accounts and the gross domestic product. For a free country, there would be little or nil government intervention in business and the economy.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More To determine the government intervention, the researchers also looked at the share of government ownership of the businesses and the percentage of government consumption in the economy. In looking at property, the focus was on whether the private property was legally granted or forbidden by the government. Does the country have few barriers to foreign investments or the barriers are quite high? Inflation and balance of current account were used as a control as they influence GDP and the interest in the study was the impact of personal freedom on economic growth. The data for the analyzed countries showed that the countries with more personal freedom had a higher rate of economic growth. In choosing to restrict personal freedom, china was reducing its rate of economic development. Furthermore, of the 25 competitive countries as ranked by the World Economic Forum, it was noted that 80% of the countries were in the free countries category. Democracy impact on economic growth Another co ncept that has interested scholars is democracy and its impact on economic growth. United States is a democratic country while China is under authoritarian rule. Democracy has been noted to have a significant positive effect on economic growth. An analysis of the effects of democracy on economic growth was undertaken which focused on four countries. The four countries chosen were China, authoritarian rule, America, democratic rule, Botswana, democratic since the time it attained freedom and Chile is classified as intermittently democratic. The researchers were interested in the impact of democracy over a relatively long period of time. The period chosen for the study was 1950-2000. The GDP was found to have a significant positive relation with democracy. It increased significantly as the country’s political democracy increased[4]. The countries that have experienced high levels of industrialization in the last 50 years have been located in Asia. The Asian countries were Singa pore, Thailand, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia and Malaysia. However, for the economic development to occur, the countries had to transition from socialist, closed economies to more democratic and open societies where foreign investment and market competition was encouraged[5]. They also instituted political reforms that increased political and personal freedom and with these actions, the country’s political growth has continued to expand. There have been higher levels of domestic consumption and the services industries have matured. In analyzing the countries that are politically unfree, it is noted that aside from the oil producing nations, all the other countries’ GDP are at lower levels compared to the free countries. China is growing at a very fast rate however it would grow at even a faster rate if it increased the personal and political freedom of the people. The United States on the other hand should have strategies to deal with the challenges it i s facing economically. It has however put great systems in place such as internet accessibility, personal and political freedom that will enable economic growth to continue and offer stability. Bibliography Gerring, John, Philip Bond, William Barndt and Carola Moreno. â€Å"Democracy and Economic Growth: A Historical Perspective.† World Politics 57(2005): 323-364. Li, Xi, Xiuwen Liu and Yong Wang. â€Å"A Model of China’s State Capitalism.† Social  Science Research Network Working Paper (2012): 1-65. Minteh, Binneh. â€Å"Internet Censorship and Economic Growth in China.† Global  Vision Institute Working Paper (2011): 1-14. Scissors, Derek. â€Å"The United States vs. China- Which economy is bigger, Which is better.† The Backgrounder 2547(2011): 1-10. Tisdel, Clem. â€Å"Economic Reform and Openness in China: China’s Development Policies in the Last 30 Years.† Economic Analysis Policy 39, no 2, (2009): 271-294. Footnotes Scissor s, Derek. â€Å"The United States vs. China- Which economy is bigger, Which is better.† The Backgrounder 2547(2011): 3. Li, Xi, Xiuwen Liu and Yong Wang. â€Å"A Model of China’s State Capitalism.† Social Science Research Network Working Paper (2012):3 Minteh, Binneh. â€Å"Internet Censorship and Economic Growth in China.† Global  Vision Institute Working Paper (2011): 8. Gerring, John, et al. â€Å"Democracy and Economic Growth: A Historical Perspective.† World Politics 57(2005): 350. Tisdel, Clem. â€Å"Economic Reform and Openness in China: China’s Development Policies in the Last 30 Years.† Economic Analysis Policy 39, no 2, (2009): 274. This research paper on China and America Economic Analysis was written and submitted by user Natasha Montoya to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Synthetic vs. Conventional Motor Oil

Synthetic vs. Conventional Motor Oil According to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, 85 percent of the motor oil changed at home by do-it-yourself-ers. About 9.5 million gallons a year in that state alone ends up disposed of improperly in sewers, soil, and trash. Multiply that by 50 states and it is easy to see how used motor oil might well be one of the largest sources of pollution affecting groundwater and U.S. waterways. The implications are startling indeed, as one quart of oil can create a two-acre sized oil slick, and a gallon of oil can contaminate a million gallons of fresh water. The Lesser of Two Evils Conventional motor oils are derived from petroleum, whereas synthetic oils are replicas manufactured from chemicals that are really no kinder to the environment than petroleum. Plus, those chemicals used to make synthetic oil also come from, ultimately, petroleum. As such, conventional and synthetic motor oils are about equally guilty when it comes to how much pollution they create. But Ed Newman, Marketing Manager for AMSOIL Inc., which has been producing and selling synthetics since the 1970s, believes that the synthetics are environmentally superior for the simple reason that they last about three times as long as conventional oils before they have to be drained and replaced. Additionally, Newman says that synthetics have lower volatility and, therefore, do not boil off or vaporize as quickly as petroleum motor oils. Synthetics lose from 4 percent to 10 percent of their mass in the high-heat conditions of internal combustion engines, whereas petroleum-based oils lose up to 20 percent, he says. Economically, however, synthetics are more than three times the cost of petroleum oils, and whether or not they are worth the difference is the subject of frequent, inconclusive debate among auto enthusiasts. Do Your Homework But before deciding for yourself, consult your car’s owner’s manual regarding what the manufacturer recommends for your model. You can void your car’s warranty if the manufacturer requires one type of oil and you put in another. For instance, many car manufacturers require that you use only synthetic motor oil for their higher-end models. These cars can now go up to 10,000 miles between oil changes. Natural Alternatives While synthetics seem to be the lesser of two evils for now, some promising new alternatives derived from vegetable products are coming of age. A pilot project at Purdue University, for example, has produced motor oil from canola crops that outperforms both traditional and synthetic oils with regard to both performance and production price, not to mention greatly lessened environmental impact. Despite the benefits, though, mass production of such bio-based oils would probably not be feasible, as it would require setting aside large amounts of agricultural land that could otherwise be used for food crops. But such oils may have a place as niche players as the worldwide market for petroleum products diversifies due to dwindling reserves and related geopolitical tensions. EarthTalk is a regular feature of E/The Environmental Magazine. Selected EarthTalk columns are reprinted on ThoughtCo  by permission of the editors of E. Edited by Frederic Beaudry

Thursday, November 21, 2019

MGM600-0803B-02 Applied Managerial Decision-Making - Phase 4 Group Essay

MGM600-0803B-02 Applied Managerial Decision-Making - Phase 4 Group Project - Essay Example Factor analysis is a regressive element to showcase the company’s worth and standing in a given period. It does this by combination of factors as the name suggests. It does not allow for what is not factor to impinge in the analysis. It is devoid of any method and simply analytical. It reduces space from larger number of variables to smaller number of factors (Factor Analysis). We are dealing with factor analysis. We want to find out why and when factor analysis is to be preferred to other form of statistics. There is sometimes preference for factor analysis. It takes precedence over other form of statistics. There is the case when factor analysis was preferred over other form of statistics. It is like this. In a case where â€Å"not applicable† was confused with â€Å"strongly disagree† or â€Å"strongly agree† it was ultimately decided the best course of action was to remove â€Å"not applicable† altogether. Nothing was lost (4 Factor Analysis). Figure this out with another system. The cluster analysis will find it difficult to use same example because it treats â€Å"not applicable† as part of the cluster (Cluster Analysis). Even in the case of Multidimensional Scaling the acceptance of â€Å"not applicable† is there (Multivariate Statistics). Thus, we conclude the importance of factor analysis. It significantly narrows down the endeavor of any enterprise by pruning the elements in the analysis. It functions on the basis of relevant

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Persuade Your Employer That You Deserve a Raise Essay

Persuade Your Employer That You Deserve a Raise - Essay Example I was indeed workaholic. Working for late hours even after the fixed office hours was a trend which was rarely seen in American companies. Admittedly, it was the sincerity and passion I had toward my work that kept me boosted always. The task of recruiting hardware engineers for the iPhone and iPad projects were the most challenging and voluminous task in the whole span of my professional life. In many of the days, I was the only one who remained after the office hours and managed the extensive documentation works of the human resource department. I travelled through technology institutes to find young, vibrant and innovative engineers, of design, hardware and software for the successful accomplishment of the projects. It is clear that my diplomacy was beneficial for the company to persuade engineers and designers from other IT giants like Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo etc to work with Apple. And my expertise in computer programming was a surplus advantage for the company, for I got t he duty of supervising the iOS for iPhone and iPad. It must be noted that it was when many officers in the C level disagreed to supervise the immense task of supervising the development of iOS that I had to take up the responsibility. All this makes me upright to stately say that I played a substantial part in the successful completion of the iPhone project in 2007 as the HR manager as well as a software developer. I believe I have been loyal to my superiors in the company right from the day I joined Apple; and I have always been friendly with my colleagues too. I was always appreciated by my superiors in the HR department and my contributions and suggestions to the research and development wing was always well-considered. Our CEO Mr. Steve Jobs was always ready to listen to our opinions and suggestions. It is a unique feature in Apple that even though I am an employee in the HR department, my expertise in computer programming was also considered and exposure was given to me in the software development section. Such an easy and liberal working environment makes Apple a professional’s dream. The only thing that disappointed me in Apple is that there has been no change in my position and no additions to my salary apart from the usual annual increments. I have completed 10 years in Apple by now, and I am one of the well-qualified employees in the human resources wing. I graduated in business administration specializing in HR as well as computer science from the prestigious Harvard University. I was a topper in the university and that’s the reason for which Apple recruited me directly from the campus. It was my efforts that provided Apple a handsome amount of savings by taking up market analysis within the company instead of outsourcing it to external analyzers. This step was found exorbitantly helpful in maintaining a good position in the stock markets constantly throughout the financial years. Though I have such long stories of success to speak abo ut from the course of my work at Apple, I feel I never received a raise that I deserved while comparing with my track record at Apple. And I had to see many who were less academically qualified than I moving to higher positions in the firm. Apple had been always known as an employer who carefully listens to the concerns of its employees. Today Apple is the leading brand

Monday, November 18, 2019

Portfolio Asset Allocation on LEE Pension Fund Research Paper - 1

Portfolio Asset Allocation on LEE Pension Fund - Research Paper Example ate bonds had the lowest correlation (-0.011827), implying it would be a desired asset for risk reduction, among the portfolios, by means of increased diversification. Standard deviations (SD) and means were also calculated in order to give a relative comparison between the different asset classes with regard to return and risk. Before 1970s, real estate never existed as a recognizable and established investment â€Å"asset class.† As an alternative, the portfolios of organizational investors like pension funds entailed almost exclusively of bonds, stocks, and cash. However, this situation was changed as inflation and modern portfolio theory caused the establishment of real estate one institutional investment asset class. The current undesirable performance in equity market implies real estate is progressively registering mixed-asset portfolio. Nevertheless, determining whether the desired return in real estate is one long-term phenomenon or a temporary thing is a concern that remains hugely unanswered. In simple terms, little or no even evidence exist to prove whether real estate ought to play an unswerving function in mixed-asset portfolio across long-term and short-term investment horizons. We intend to explore and give more light with regard to the uncertainty surrounding mixed-asset portfolio. T his was our primary concern as far as this paper is concerned. So as to protect the portfolios from any short-term or long-term fluctuation in the market, the pension systems spread assets across a wide range of asset classes. This allowed each portfolio to uphold stability through the turbulent market cycles. Every systems asset was invested in bonds, stocks, real estate, and global asset allocation strategies, with a small asset allocation to associate partnerships. The assets incorporated in the analysis were given as follows: These investment categories exhibited imperfect correlations since when one category was wavering, another was doing exceedingly well or

Saturday, November 16, 2019

History of the Piano

History of the Piano Blake Stutts The piano is a string percussion instrument which makes sound with vibrations. The cause of vibrations are the hammers inside the piano which strike the strings, and then the vibration of the strings is transmitted to a soundboard. Even though the sounding system of early and modern piano is pretty similar, there are some differences between of them. The modern piano has a cast-iron frame capable of withstanding the tremendous tension of the strings which makes a louder sound than earlier ones. Modern hammers are covered with felt, but earlier generations hammers were covered with leather. On the other hand, early piano had wood frames, and they could only lightly string. The piano is a well-made instrument that can be traced back through the centuries to create masterpieces. The piano is the most popular instrument. It is not too much to say that more people know how to play the piano than any other instrument. The piano has been many things and performed many tasks. The history of making the piano and different piano technique has had a lot of development since the 18th century. There were many forms of piano system and techniques in earlier times. A lot of attempts and efforts since then have created a well-done and popular instrument. Many musicians used the piano to create their well-known music pieces. These are only examples of differences between past and present pianos. In fact, there are many differences between the two kinds of instrument. The first piano was invented in Florence, Italy in 1700 by Bartolomeo Cristofori, a craftsman who repaired harpsichords for Italys royal court (Hoover, Adams and Rucker). He conceived Gravecembalo col piano e forte, which is a harpsichord which can produce soft and loud sounds, in 1709. In the mid-18th century, the piano had become widely popular. (Ehrlich) Throughout the centuries piano occupied a dominant place in music and society from Mozart to modern day music. Piano is the origin to most music due to the fact that the piano allows you to use all ten fingers to produce ten different notes and pitches including the use of your feet. Many pianos have had pedals or levers that comes in three causing the music to become softer, longer, or louder known as the soft pedal (una corda), sostenuto, and sustain pedal (23-24). The word piano is a shortened form of pianoforte, the Italian term for the early 1700s versions of the instrument, which derives from gravicembalo col piano e forte[1] and fortepiano (Fine and Gilbert). The piano was influenced on earlier innovations in keyboard instruments such as the clavichord and the harpsichord. In a clavichord, the strings are struck by tangents, while in a harpsichord, they are mechanically plucked by quills when the performer depresses the key (23-24). Over the centuries as the harpsichord developed the mechanic had shown instrument builders the most effective ways to construct the case, soundboard, bridge, and mechanical action for a keyboard intended to sound strings. A popular medium for musicians to create musical masterpieces, Pianos started to rise during the baroque, classical, and the romantic period. Well known composer and musician that used the piano to create their masterpiece are Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, Frederic Chopin, Franz Liszt, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. There are four types of vertical pianos, which is based on the pianos height: Spinet, Console, Studio, and the Upright. The standard width of an upright piano is about 5 and the depth is between 2 2ÂÂ ½. The total floor space should be about 5 wide by 5 deep, including bench space. The height of the piano makes no difference in the floor space needed but it makes a major difference in the quality of sound the piano produces (Types Sizes of Pianos Bluebook of Pianos). The size is measured from the floor to the top of the lid. The spinet piano is the smallest of the vertical pianos because of the dropped action that transfers the force of striking the key to the hammer strike-ng the string. The console is the most popular of the vertical pianos due to the speed of the hammer. The additional height of the studio piano gives it a richness and tonal quality comparable to those of many grand pianos. The upright piano is the final vertical piano that is the tallest of the vertical p ianos. The grand pianos is the only type of horizontal piano, but it has many sizes due to the width and length that influence the volume and the tone quality of the piano (Types Sizes of Pianos Bluebook of Pianos). Having a piano is a pain in the butt to the fact pianos are very heavy yet delicate instruments. They require professional piano movers to use special techniques for transporting both uprights and grands pianos to prevent any damage. Pianos need regular tuning to keep them on pitch and regular maintenance to ensure the felt hammers and key mechanisms are functioning properly. The tuning of a piano involves the adjustment of the tensions of the pianos strings. Aligning the intervals among their tones so that the instrument is in tune[2]. The relationship between two pitches, called an interval, is the ratio of their absolute frequencies. Two different intervals are perceived as the same when the pairs of pitches involved share the same frequency ratio. The easiest intervals to identify, and the easiest intervals to tune, are those that are just, meaning they have a simple whole-number ratio (Fine and Gilbert). The construction and components of a piano can be difficult because they ca n have an upward of 12,000 individual parts, supporting six functional features: keyboard, hammers, dampers, bridge, soundboard, and strings. Most pianos now a day the casing is made of hardwood, typically hard maple or beech. The first electric pianos from the late 1920s used metal strings with a magnetic pickup[3], an amplifier and a loudspeaker. Pressing keys on the electric pianos has the same action as a regular piano. Pressing keys causes mechanical hammers to strike metal strings, metal reeds or wire tines, leading to vibrations which are converted into electrical signals by magnetic pickups, which are then connected to an instrument amplifier and loudspeaker to make a sound loud enough for the performer and audience to hear (Ehrlich). Most people think the electric piano is the same thing as the electronic pianos, but they are the totally opposite. Electronic pianos are non-acoustic; they do not have strings, tines or hammers, but are a type of synthesizer that simulates or imitates piano sounds using oscillators and filters that synthesize the sound of an acoustic piano (Dacies). Luckily with the electronic pianos maintenances is not require regularly. They are really inexpensive due to their popu larity in pop and rock music in the 1960s and 1970s (Hoover, Adams and Rucker). They also allow a person to practice with a headphone on to avoid disturbing others. Digital pianos are also non-acoustic and do not have strings or hammers because they use a digital sampling technology to accurately reproduce the acoustic sound of each piano note, while connected to a keyboard amplifier and speaker to produce sound The piano is one of the most beautiful sounding instruments that can range in sound from as low as a water well, to as high as the sky. It has evolved over time and become an amazing instrument. We can thank Bartolomeo Cristofori for his hard work. The piano was accepted very well in history and it has generated many changes in the music industry. The piano was also used a lot in society and has had many applications grow from it. Without it, many classical masterpieces as well as modern songs wouldnt have been possible. Work Cited Dacies, Hugh. The New Gravoe Dictionary of Music and Musicians (Second edition). London: Macmillan, 2001. Book. Ehrlich, Cyril. The Piano: A History. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1990. Bool. Fine, Larry and Douglas R Gilbert. The Piano Book: Buying and Owning a New or Used Piano (4th ed.). Brookside Press, 2001. Book. Hoover, et al. Piano Notes: History. 2001. Web. 10 October 2016. . Kamien, Roger. Music An Appreciation 8th Brief. New York: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015. Book. Pianos, Bluebook of. Types Sizes of Pianos Bluebook of Pianos. 2015. Web. 8 October 2016. . [1] Pollens (1995, 238) [2] A particular fixed set of pitches. [3] a transducer that captures or senses mechanical vibrations from stringed instruments

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

History of Web Based Learning :: Internet Computers Technology Essays

History of Web Based Learning Most students canÏ€t wait to graduate high school and move on to college. They canÏ€t wait to get away from home to experience new things. What happens if a student canÏ€t afford college or they just arenÏ€t ready to leave home? How do you complete a Masters or Doctorate program at the age of 51 with three children? This is where web-based learning comes into play. When people think of web-based learning, they tend to picture a man talking you through the computer. That is what I believed until my sister decided to get her master degree online. She worked like a dog; writing papers, attending mandatory chats online, watching videos, and implementing lessons into her classroom. It was not the easy ride that I believed. The emergence of powerful computers has rekindled the hope that machines might act as teachers and make learning easier. Each person learns in his or her own way. No matter what, people need to actively participate to absorb knowledge. Web based learning has a history that isnÏ€t just sitting back watching the computer monitor. Computers can only make knowledge acquisition more interesting or less expensive or both. This is why the student who canÏ€t afford to go to college can take some courses from home. Also, many people simply canÏ€t learn in a classroom environment. Using the web gives the learner a change of pace that makes learning fun. Many forty to fifty years olds may feel very uncomfortable walking around on a college campus. They may be seeking career changes and the Internet allows for the anonymity that is not available anywhere else. Web based learning does not have to take place solely on a college campus. Many elementary and secondary school teachers may assign web projects because à ¤since its ease of use makes the Internet trivially accessible to pupils with no prior knowledge of computers, programming or even networking, making it more tempting for teachers to take advantage of it. My teachers did not utilize the web that often, but when they did, I enjoyed it be cause it was a change of pace.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Toxic Shock Syndrom

About Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a serious but uncommon infection caused by either Staphylococcus aureus bacteria or by streptococcus bacteria. Originally linked to the use of tampons, especially high-absorbency ones and those that are not changed frequently, it's now also known to be associated with the contraceptive sponge and diaphragm birth control methods. TSS also can arise from wounds secondary to minor trauma or surgery incisions where bacteria have been able to enter the body and cause the infection. TSS also can affect anyone who has any type of staph infection, including pneumonia, abscess, skin or wound infection, the blood infection septicemia, or the bone infection osteomyelitis. Most often, streptococcal TSS appears after bacteria have invaded areas of injured skin, such as cuts and scrapes, surgical wounds, and even chickenpox blisters. Symptoms of TSS can include sudden high fever, a faint feeling, diarrhea, headache, a rash, and muscle aches. If your child has these symptoms, call your doctor right away. Symptoms Toxic shock syndrome starts suddenly, often with high fever (temperature at least 102 ° F [38.  ° C]), a rapid drop in blood pressure (with lightheadedness or fainting), vomiting, diarrhea, headache, sore throat, or muscle aches. A sunburn-like rash may appear anywhere on the body, including the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. A person also might have bloodshot eyes and an unusual redness under the eyelids or inside the mouth (and vagina in fem ales). The area around an infected wound can become swollen, red, and tender, or may not even appear infected. Other symptoms may include confusion or other mental changes, decreased urination, fatigue and weakness, and thirst. If TSS is untreated, organs such as the liver and kidneys may begin to fail, and problems such as seizures, bleeding, and heart failure can develop. Prevention The bacteria that cause toxic shock syndrome can be carried on unwashed hands and prompt an infection anywhere on the body. So good hand washing is extremely important. Girls can reduce their risk of TSS by either avoiding tampons or alternating them with sanitary napkins. Girls who use only tampons should choose ones with the lowest absorbency that will handle menstrual flow, and change the tampons frequently. On low-flow days, girls should use pads instead of tampons. Between menstrual periods, store tampons away from heat and moisture (where bacteria can grow) — for example, in a bedroom rather than in a bathroom closet. Because staphylococcus bacteria are often carried on hands, it's important for girls to wash their hands thoroughly before and after inserting a tampon. If your daughter has her menstrual period, talk to her about taking these precautions. Any female who has recovered from TSS should not use tampons. Clean and bandage all skin wounds as quickly as possible. Call your doctor immediately whenever a wound becomes red, swollen, or tender, or if a fever begins. Diagnosis and Treatment TSS is a medical emergency. If you think your child has TSS, call a doctor right away. Depending on the symptoms, a doctor may see you in the office or refer you to a hospital emergency department for immediate evaluation and testing. If doctors suspect TSS, they will probably start intravenous (IV) fluids and antibiotics as soon as possible. They may take a sample from the suspected site of the infection, such as the skin, nose, or vagina, to check it for TSS. They may also take a blood sample. Other blood tests can help monitor how various organs like the kidneys are working and check for other diseases that may be causing the symptoms. Medical staff will remove tampons, contraceptive devices, or wound packing; clean any wounds; and, if there is a pocket of infection (an abscess), a doctor may need to drain pus from the infected area. People with TSS typically need to stay in the hospital, often in the intensive care unit (ICU), for several days to closely monitor blood pressure, respiratory status, and to look for signs of other problems, such as organ damage. TSS is a very rare illness. Although it can be fatal, if recognized and treated promptly it is usually curable. When to Call the Doctor Call your doctor immediately if your child has any signs or symptoms of toxic shock syndrome. Once you realize that something is wrong, it's important to get medical attention right away. The sooner your child gets treatment, the better. Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD Date reviewed: January 2011 Note: All information on KidsHealth ® is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.  © 1995-2011 The Nemours Foundation. All rights reserved.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Free Appearances Informative Essay

Free Appearances Informative Essay Appearances The social order of a modern theater differs from that of the Elizabethan era At that time, theaters were open-air and served as the main places of entertainment for all classes. Consequently, they were attended by everyone, from workers to lords and the Queen. The rich and noble were also anxious to be seen in all their grandeur, and those who strived to seem richer and rise above the crowd could achieve it when attending a theater. In theaters of old times, there were two distinct areas. The first was a cheaper, not prestigious yard with many inconveniences from rain, snow, and terrible smell to pushing neighbors and pickpocketing. The second area was the galleries, partially or fully free from this discomfort, but also featuring seats. Seating higher and closer to the stage in the galleries was also directly associated with prestige. As the above-mentioned inconveniences are not present in modern theaters, and everyone now has a seat, those criteria are no more relevant. Today, the main criterion for choosing a seat is how well the performance can be seen from it So, the best seating is in the front orchestra. Prices there are the highest, and the seats are referred as premium. However, they do not contribute to the status of people sitting there; it is merely an optimal angle of view and distance. Because of these changes, the boxes are not generally considered a good place for watching a production; though in Britain, for instance, private boxes keep their traditional exclusive status and are used by the high class. Nevertheless, in general, people from high classes craving for publicity can obtain it elsewhere without visiting theaters. As people now can have their quantum of fun by watching TV, going to cinemas, surfing the Internet or reading books, theater is not the only entertainment for them. So, poor people and people with a low education level go to the theater less frequently than in Shakespeares time. These days, theater audience mostly consists of those who love theatrical performances or just want to be more intelligent and exp and their experiences.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Nike Marketing Research Paper Example

Nike Marketing Research Paper Example Nike Marketing Paper Nike Marketing Paper For years, we thought of ourselves as a production-oriented company, meaning we put all our emphasis on designing and manufacturing the product. But now we understand that the most important thing we do is market the product. Weve come around to saying that Nike is a marketing oriented company, and the product if our most important marketing tool. -Phil Knight1[i] Marketing is a group of activities designed to expedite transactions by creating, distributing, pricing, and promoting goods, services, and ideas. [ii]Marketing is an extremely important aspect of every single company because it is what introduces the company and the companys products to the public. Through marketing businesses try to respond to what the consumer wants and needs and to foresee changes in the environment. Marketing is what sells the product. Marketing is more than just advertising; it is about pleasing the customer. The main focus of marketing is to generate utility, which by definiti on, is a products ability to satisfy human needs and wants. 1[iii]A product should make a customer happy, and make them want to buy again in the future. It is quite common that companies have to change their marketing campaigns in order to satisfy the public opinion. Although marketing is enormously important, it wouldnt be very effective without creating a quality product. In order for a customer to want to buy from that company again they have to be satisfied with their first purchase, and this satisfaction cannot be attained without creating a product of the highest quality. A company must have an expansive research and development team to improve the product and to offer the highest quality product to its consumers. This team has to undergo a process that includes brainstorming, screening, developing, and testing new products. This process allows for the development of a high quality product, and a product that consumers are going to want to purchase. Nike has been able to develop successful advertising campaigns and effectively market their products through the hard work of the Wieden and Kennedy Advertising agency, which understands the needs and desires of consumers and has successfully throughout the years marketed the products of Nike. Throughout the years Nike has had many different advertising campaigns, some more successful than others, but always created to reflect public opinion. What is most important though, is that Nike has changed their campaigns, in order to satisfy public preference. In the 1980s Phil Knights company, Nike, exceeded a billion dollars and the company never again looked back. It was than that Phil Knight realized that he needed to not only improve but also expand upon his marketing tactics. Nike continued to grow and to establish itself as the number one in its industry. Nike has effectively marketed their products and in addition understands the importance of a quality product. They are continually improving their shoes through new technologies that are developed by their research teams. An example of this is their Shox sneakers, which are designed to add a little spring to your step. This is a new technology that Nike has developed. Other new concepts or technologies that Nike has marketed and developed throughout the years has been their Alpha Line, the Nike ID line; which allows customers to customize the shoes that they purchase, the AirMax line, the Hyper Flight; Nikes lightest weight basketball shoe ever, Air Presto Faze; a lace less, slip-on running shoe. In addition to understand the importance of a quality product Nike also understands the necessity of effective marketing and this requires an understanding of public opinion. In the last few years Nike has seen a change in the focus of their advertising because a change in society and how society views professional athletes. During most of the 1980s and 1990s professional athletes were looked up to as heroes and kids and adults wanted to be like them and aspired to attain this greatness that these athletes carried with them. But this new group of professional athletes that society is currently seeing can no longer be considered heroes. Many of them have had problems with the law; they have had drug and alcohol problems or have even been arrested. Children no longer aspire to be these athletes. Children no longer strive to be like someone else as much, they have this desire to be the best person that they can be and society stresses the importance of the individual. In 1984 Michael Jordan joined the Nike team. Michael Jordan became an official spokesman for Nike. He appeared in many of their advertisements. Nike used Michael Jordan and other great athletes to capitalize on the youths desire to be like them. This is where the slogan Be Like Mike came from. People wanted to be like Michael Jordan, Nike understood this and used it to sell their products. If people wanted to be athletically as talented as Jordan, they would also want to look like him, and wear the shoes that he played in. If he was able to play so great in these shoes maybe I can to, is the idea, which Nike was working off of. Using professional athletes in their advertising campaigns was both efficient and effective for Nike. Phil Knight in an interview in the Harvard Business Review quoted It saves us a lot of time. Sports are at the heart of American culture, so a lot of emotion already exists around it. Emotions are always hard to explain, but theres something inspirational about watching athletes push the limits of performance. You cant explain much in 60 seconds, but when you show Michael Jordan, you dont have to. 1[iv] Sports marketing was a major part of Nikes advertising campaign up until recently. Although Michael Jordan was the major spokesperson for Nike, he was not the only athlete that Nike used to sell their products. Nike has included women athletes such as Monica Seles and Mia Hamm. Both us these women represented strength and were positive role models for young girls. Nike used this to market their products to girls and to inspire woman through successful women athletes. Nike has also used other men in their campaigns; a few are Michael Johnson, Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, and Andre Agassi. These male athletes were positive role models and athletes in which people aspired to be. When Michael Jordan retired in January of 1999 Nike needed to find a new hero, a new athlete as great as Michael Jordan and as widely accepted for children to aspire to be. Unfortunately the professional sports market no longer boasted any Michael Jordans. Nike started promoting Tiger Woods and a golf line, but Tiger Woods is just not an athlete that all children look up to and want to be. Black respondents said hes corny and acts like hes white, while white respondents said his clothes look funny. 1[v]Nike could not find an athlete that replaced Michael Jordan. Many of the professional basketball stars are not the kind of people that children look up to. Athletes like Litrell Sprewell and Allen Iverson who are excellent athletes and talented basketball players have had problems with the law, and are not people that adults want children to look up to. Not only have young people lost some of the respect that they hold for professional athletes because of their behavior, some young people are turned off by the contract wars that goes on between athletes and team managers. And also the competition that occurs over having the highest salary; for example many people were turned off by Alex Rodriguezs 250 million dollar contract, because they felt that professional sports were no longer about sports, but about money. In addition to the changing caliber of professional athletes there is a greater emphasis placed on the individual. And being your own person. People are proud of their uniqueness and individuality and they want to express this. With this new school of thinking Nike has created new advertising campaigns to satisfy public opinion. Dave Larson, Nikes brand initiatives director stated, The idea for the marketing campaign came from some of Nikes own research. We went out and asked kids whom they aspired to be. We figured that we would hear, I want to be like Mike, but what we heard was I want to be my own me. 1[vi]Nikes new campaigns no longer revolve around professional athletes, but rather individual athleticism and individual success. Nike has departed from using athletes as their main form of advertisement and has moved to advertising the everyday man and woman and expressing the importance of individuality. Recently Nike has launched many new advertising commercials. The first is a commercial that shows a city and is based on the premise that adults never stopped playing tag. A man is tagged from behind and then the bustling city becomes deserted as everyone runs to hide. This man is now IT, and he cant continue on with his day until he tags someone else IT. The second commercial is called Shade Running, and it follows a woman running through a city, but she can only run where she finds shade. The third commercial is called tailgating. This commercial follows two people, one man following close behind the other, tailgating him and invading his personal space; by bouncing a basketball as close to this individual without actually touching him. These three commercials are supposed to send out the message that there is joy and simplicity to expressing ones individualism through sport. Have a little fun dont limit yourself to narrow rules or succumb to the thats how its always been done trap. ( nikebiz. com/)1[vii] These three campaigns are supported and aided by what is known as Nike Play. This campaign runs both commercials and events, and is the epitome of the shift that Nike has undergone to reflect the changing public opinion. Nike has created a website ( nike. com/play)1[viii] that tells the story of this campaign and allows viewers to view short videos of kids putting their own take on sports. It shows people showing off their moves in events such as basketball moves, soccer dribbling, BMX biking, double-Dutch break-dancing and other extreme and individual events. Nikes Play campaign stresses individual achievement and encourages everyone to participate. Another new campaign that Nike is currently running is its Boing advertisements. These are for Nikes Shox sneakers and Wieden and Kennedy have coined a term to describe the experience that these sneakers offer for you. Displays for Shox at sneaker stores, allow customers to hear the Boing sound. The public has responded positively to Nikes new advertising campaigns and the difference in their focus. Many people have attended the Nike Play festivals in support of the new Nike campaign, which is based around individualism and individual sports. Many citizens have recently questioned some of what professional sports have come to stand for. Some people feel that these teams are no longer about promoting athleticism, but rather about making the most money. In addition people feel that these professional athletes are no longer role models for the countries youth and are not people to aspire to be. With this switch in public opinion more emphasis has been placed on the individual and on the simplicity of athleticism. In the near future, Nike will more than likely continue on with its trend of supporting the individual and athleticism as opposed to revolving its entire campaign around professional athletes. This is because of a changing view in society and because more emphasis has been placed on the individual. Successful marketing advertises public opinion, and that is what Nike is doing through their new marketing strategies. Nikes marketing campaign reflects the popular preferences in society and the stress that society is putting on individual uniqueness.

Monday, November 4, 2019

Ownership of Medical Record Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Ownership of Medical Record - Term Paper Example To transfer and data through ROI procedure, the patient has to submit a written request to the hospital. If the request is found to be bogus or invalid, then it is rejected. The medical records of a patient can be amended on the patients’ request. The changes in any type of information are to be updated as soon as it occurs for the fluent working of the hospitals. To alter any information, the patient has to make a complete request with his name record number and password (if any). The request must also consist of the changes to be made, for example, if the address is to be changed then the new address must be submitted along with the older one. Any alterations without the permission of the patient must be fined heavily. A patient can also revoke his record if needed. Revocation of any record should also be done according to the rules set by HIPAA (health insurance portability and accountability act). To cancel the account patient has to visit the hospital once and get all his information deleted. The hospital must delete all private and disclosed data available. After the revocation, the hospital will no longer be responsible for the duplication, abuse or loss of that data. The alteration or cancellation of a medical record must be done within a specific time period. The thing that deals with this rule is the timely response mandate.

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Country eassy 5 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Country eassy 5 - Essay Example Some of the main wood products that the country exports to other parts of the world include plywood, veneer, wooden floors, and lumber core plywood (Liu). Deforestation is not a major issue for the government of Taiwan. The annual rate of forest loss in the country is nearly 3 to 5 percent which is recovered using plantation of more plants and trees. The major causes of deforestation in Taiwan are large-scale industrial development, logging, and increased rate of population growth. The government of Taiwan takes huge interest in preserving its asset of natural forests. The Forestry Bureau under the Council of Agriculture (COA) is laying the role of a guardian for the country’s one of the most valuable natural resources. It is not only working to increase forest productivity and improve forest health but also it is playing its role in making people aware of the need to protect the forestland of the country (Forestry Bureau). Liu, C. Does the country export wood products to other parts of the world. Hla.hlc.edu, n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2012.