Literature Review Online Billing System - 2922 Words

CDMA BY OKAFOR CHIDUBEM KELVIN 10690152 A SEMINAR REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE MOSHOOD ABIOLA POLYTECHNIC,ABEOKUTA IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE AWARD OF NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN COMPUTER SCIENCE NOVEMBER, 2012 CHAPTER 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION Mobile communications are rapidly becoming more and more necessary for everyday activities. With so many more users to accommodate, more efficient use of bandwidth is a priority among cellular phone system operators. Equally important is the security and reliability of these calls. One solution that has been offered is a CODE DIVISION MULTIPLE ACCESS SYSTEM. CDMA is one method for implementing a multiple access communication†¦show more content†¦These systems use digital modulation and processing techniques. TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) and (narrowband) CDMA belong to the second generation systems. CDMA was introduced in 1994, by Qualcomm, Inc. Using direct sequence code division multiple access, it claimed to provide 10 times more capacity than analog systems ï ¿ ½ far more than TDMA or GSM. Today, CDMA is the basis to the third generation market in the United States and other places in the world. 2.2 Background A cellular system is called so because it divides the service area into small transmission areas called cells. Each cell contains a base station (BTS), which consists of a transceiver and a receiver in order to connect to mobile phones in the cell. Each cell is assigned a group of radio channels (frequencies). 3 2.3 The Cellular Challenge The worlds first cellular networks were introduced in the early 1980s, using analog radio transmission technologies such as AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone System). Within a few years, cellular systems began to hit a capacity ceiling as millions of new subscribers signed up for service, demanding more and more airtime. Dropped calls and network busy signals became common in many areas. To accommodate more traffic within a limited amount of radio spectrum, theShow MoreRelatedOrdering System Documentation1076 Words   |  5 PagesBASC UNIFORM AND ORDERING SYSTEM CHAPTER 1 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 1.1 Overview of the current state of the technology Nowadays, machines replace the work intended for humans primarily to lessen man power and also to eliminate human error. During the latest decade there has been a quick development in companies’ use of information technology. This creates a great demand to centralize and has a well-developed internal organization to handle the administration support/service and to provide theRead MoreSchool Billing System3634 Words   |  15 PagesBilling System Student Online Accounts Inquiry Chapter 1 The Problem Rationale In our generation so many things are different. The advent of technology has changed the way we live, work and spends leisure time. Computer was considered the lifeblood of society; they are everywhere. And the advancement in discoveries, both in hardware and software, keep coming, day in and day out. Technology changes and improves at a rapid pace and companies and institutions have cope with it. This is becauseRead MoreUsing The Conventional Shopping Processes1267 Words   |  6 Pageschange that by making the shopping at a store and maintaining a warehouse easy through Near Field Communication. The system that we are going to implement cuts down the costs of maintaining a product serial number based database and most importantly saves time in the checkout process and hence an expanding customer base for the store that it is implemented in. We intend to make the system as intuitive as possible so that it can be easily used by people who are not very technologically aware. We haveR ead MoreOnline Shopping Habits1389 Words   |  6 Pages REVIEW OF LITERATURE ONLINE SHOPPING Online shopping or online retailing is a form of electronic commerce which allows consumers to directly buy goods or services from a seller over the Internet using a web browser. Alternative names are: e-shop, e-store, Internet shop, web-shop, web-store, online store, and virtual store. An online shop evokes the physical analogy of buying products or services at a bricks-and-mortar retailer or shoppingRead MoreLan-Based Reservation System for Hacienda Gracia Resort and Hotel11674 Words   |  47 Pages1 CHAPTER I THE PROBLEM AND REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE The world is continuously changing towards the advent of a high-technological lifestyle. That is why, man’s satisfaction level gets higher, as it experiences the convenience brought by automation. From here, the researchers strive to discover and search for more effective ways on how man can conveniently live their lives. Technology such as the use of computers and networking are some discovered means to lightenRead MoreBilling System1940 Words   |  8 Pagesprocessing systems have become computerized for greater ease and accuracy. A billing system is a combination of software and hardware that receives call detail and service usage information, groups this information for specific accounts or customers, produces invoices, creates reports for management, and records (posts) payments made to customer accounts. The billing system also receives CDRs from other carriers (such as a long distance service provider). The billing system then guides the billing recordsRead MoreUsing Technology For Managers ( Adm 310-01a )1345 Words   |  6 Pagesoff when you are finished using the machine. It is proper behavior to follow these guidelines. You should follow this rule especially if you are at work using a work system. Following this rule will allow you to be the only one who knows your password and not allow the other person to know it. This can also prevent your work system from being hacked or destroyed by someone utilizing your computer with your password. HIPAA contains the federal protection of personal health records and how thoseRead MoreAssignment #1 Health Information1661 Words   |  7 Pagesorganization that delivers care, such as a hospital and doctor s surgery. Electronic medical records tend to be a part of a local stand-alone health information system that allows storage, retrieval and modification of records. EMR software would allow us to meet our goal of having a completely paperless medical record. With an EMR system from EMR Experts, your medical practice or hospital will be able to store patient records, medical histories, and prescription information digitally. With a fastRead MoreEducational Needs Assessment Annotated Bibliography1697 Words   |  7 Pagesusual practice and prevention of deep tissue injuries. It gives an in depth explanation on the methods and assessment tools used for nursing education and testing of knowledge learned during the study. Billings, J.R., Crowley, S. (2008). Approaches to community needs assessment: a literature review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 22(4), 721-730. This article sets out to explore, define and critically analyze the various approaches to community needs assessment, to facilitate a greater understandingRead MoreImportance Of Information Technology And The Healthcare Industry1452 Words   |  6 Pagesenvironment and the need for quality health care in the health sector. Information Technology systems are available in different technologically advanced devices which help deliver important information to users who in turn, use this information to make crucial decision regarding the operations of their organization. This Information Technology can come in the form of computers, robots, sensors, and decision support systems which are used to facilitate the quality of care offered in the health care field The

Dealing with Office Politics Free Essays

â€Å"There’s too much wrangling and maneuvering going on – I just hate this office politicking†. â€Å"Joe, well he’s a smart political mover – knows exactly how to get what he wants and how to get on. † Whether you hate it, admire it, practice it or avoid it, office politics is a fact of life in any organization. We will write a custom essay sample on Dealing with Office Politics or any similar topic only for you Order Now And, like it or not, it’s something that you need to understand and master to be sure of your own success. â€Å"Office politics† are the strategies that people play to gain advantage, personally or for a cause they support. The term often has a negative connotation, in that it refers to strategies people use to seek advantage at the expense of others or the greater good. In this context, it often adversely affects the working environment and relationships within in. Good â€Å"office politics†, on the other hand, help you fairly promote yourself and your cause, and is more often called networking and stakeholder management. Perhaps due to the negative connotation, many people see office politics as something very much to be avoided. But the truth is, to ensure your own success and that of your projects, you must navigate the minefield of Office Politics. If you deny the ‘bad politics’ that may be going on around you, and avoid dealing with them, you may needlessly suffer whilst others take unfair advantage. And if you avoid practicing ‘good politics’, you miss the opportunities to properly further your own interests, and those of your team and your cause. How to cite Dealing with Office Politics, Essay examples

Cell Reflection free essay sample

Reflection Questions: Summarize your amino acid comparison in paragraph form. To guide your summary, reflect on the following questions. What does it mean when scientists say that living organisms share a universal genetic code? It means that all extinct organisms have all the same genetic code. How does a universal genetic code relate to the hypotheses about the origin of life on Earth? the near-universal genetic code is that all extant things share some type of common ancestor. How are self-replicating molecules, such as RNA molecules in the â€Å"RNA World† hypothesis, essential to the most popular hypotheses about the origin of life on Earth? They reproduce, and could have been formed through abiotic chemistry on the early Earth. How might similarities and differences in genetic codes, or the proteins built as a result of these codes, be used to determine how closely related different species are? JvThe more alike the letters are in a species, the more recent the ancestor was. We will write a custom essay sample on Cell Reflection or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page If the ancestor was recent then the more alike the two different species will be. Based on the amino acid sequence data for the Cytochome-C protein, chimpanzees and humans share an identical coding sequence. What other species identified on the chart has a coding sequence that is most closely related to the humans and chimpanzees and most distantly related? Explain your answer. Humans are most related to Rhesus monkey,Horses and donkeys. The are distantly related to Bakers Yeast and Candida Yeast. References Axelrod, D. 2017. Cell-substrate contacts illuminated by total internal reflection fluorescence. on 12 May 2017. KAY, Q., DAOUD, H. and STIRTON, C. 2017. Pigment distribution, light reflection and cell structure in petals. on 12 May 2017. Mattheyses, A., Simon, S. and Rappoport, J. 2017. Imaging with total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy for the cell biologist. on 12 May 2017. Stockton, R. 2017. B-wave of the electroretinogram. A reflection of ON bipolar cell activity. on 12 May 2017. Verschueren, H. 2017. Interference reflection microscopy in cell biology: methodology and applications. Jcs.biologists.org. Downloaded from http://jcs.biologists.org/content/75/1/279.short on 12 May 2017.

Niels Bohr Essays - Atomic Physics, Chemical Properties,

Niels Bohr Niels Bohr was born in Copenhagen, he is the son of a physiology professor, and went to school at the University of Copenhagen, this is where he got his doctorate in 1911. Bohr won the Nobel piece prize for his theory of atomic structures. According to Microsoft Encarta His work drew on Rutherford's nuclear model of the atom, in which the atom is seen as a compact nucleus surrounded by a swarm of much lighter electrons. He thought that electrons are arranged in definite shells, or quantum levels, at a big distance from the nucleus. The arrangement of these electrons is called the electron configuration. The number of these electrons equals the atomic number if the atom; hydrogen has a single electron, helium has 2, and uranium has 92. The electron shells are built from a first shell to a total of seven shells. The first shell is complete with two electrons, the second can hold up to eight electrons, and the following shells hold larger numbers. The last electrons determine the chemical behavior of the atom.

Free Essays on Welfarfe

Welfare is it the solution or the problem? A 61-yr old system that was used by the government to help citizens during the great depression, but after the Great depression was it still helping; so many questions need to be answered. Why are people complaining about welfare and the government’s role in it? Why was the 61-yr old system ended? What benefits come with Welfare reform? Was it all worth it? Welfare, where did it come from? During the 1920’s or also known as the roaring 20’s, many families starting buying these items that they couldn’t afford on credit. Since no one had the actual money to buy these goods the stock market crashed. When the stock market crashed on October 29,1929 many families lost everything they had. Who was there to turn to? Here is where Welfare comes into the picture. State and local programs were helping so many families during this tragedy but it wasn’t enough, they needed additional help. The government offered their hand in and helped families find food, clothes and shelter. â€Å"The crash sent shockwaves throughout the economy, bank failed, and business closed, and millions found them out of work. The Great Depression, which would last through the 1930s, had begun.† [PG 1] The Great Depression hit everyone not only the poor but many successful workers, everyone was in need of little assistance â€Å" Even sk illed workers, business owners, successful farmers, and professionals of all kinds found themselves in severe economic difficulty as one out of four in the labor force lost their jobs,† [PG 1] Does the government play a role? Many people don’t know this but there was a form of welfare before the depression. â€Å"A federal welfare system was a radical break from the past. Americans had always prided themselves on having a strong sense on individualism and self – reliance†¦during the 19th century, local and state governments as well as charities established institutions such as poorhous... Free Essays on Welfarfe Free Essays on Welfarfe Welfare is it the solution or the problem? A 61-yr old system that was used by the government to help citizens during the great depression, but after the Great depression was it still helping; so many questions need to be answered. Why are people complaining about welfare and the government’s role in it? Why was the 61-yr old system ended? What benefits come with Welfare reform? Was it all worth it? Welfare, where did it come from? During the 1920’s or also known as the roaring 20’s, many families starting buying these items that they couldn’t afford on credit. Since no one had the actual money to buy these goods the stock market crashed. When the stock market crashed on October 29,1929 many families lost everything they had. Who was there to turn to? Here is where Welfare comes into the picture. State and local programs were helping so many families during this tragedy but it wasn’t enough, they needed additional help. The government offered their hand in and helped families find food, clothes and shelter. â€Å"The crash sent shockwaves throughout the economy, bank failed, and business closed, and millions found them out of work. The Great Depression, which would last through the 1930s, had begun.† [PG 1] The Great Depression hit everyone not only the poor but many successful workers, everyone was in need of little assistance â€Å" Even sk illed workers, business owners, successful farmers, and professionals of all kinds found themselves in severe economic difficulty as one out of four in the labor force lost their jobs,† [PG 1] Does the government play a role? Many people don’t know this but there was a form of welfare before the depression. â€Å"A federal welfare system was a radical break from the past. Americans had always prided themselves on having a strong sense on individualism and self – reliance†¦during the 19th century, local and state governments as well as charities established institutions such as poorhous...

Caesar Augustus Essay

It was the mid-1st century B. C. E. , Rome was ever-growing and the republic that once ran very smoothly was encountering many problems within itself. Wealthy land owners or patricians were gaining too much power and land and since Roman law read that only land owners could serve in the military much of the military power was reduced. Some people tried to change this, for example Tiberius, but his ideas were seen as controversial and he was assassinated in 133 B. C. E. One man named General Marius instituted a law stating that men didn’t have to own land to serve in the military. Soldiers still wanted land in return for their service though, and the general gave them land but this made soldiers more loyal to army officials rather than to the senate. After Marius retired Rome experienced a brief time of peace only to be broken by the Social War. The Social War was caused by the revolting of lower class Italians that were not entitled to full-citizenship and voting rights. This caused General Marius to come back. He ended the war and seized power of Rome. Marius died of old age and Rome started to become restless. In all of the turmoil there arose a powerful politician, Julius Caesar. Caesar created the First Triumvirate (three men) consisting of Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey (also known as Magnus). The Triumvirate really only made these men more powerful though and really didn’t help Rome overall. The Triumvirate disappeared when Crassus died and Caesar and Pompey started to fight. Caesar invaded Rome in 49 B. C. E. and became a dictator there. Then later Pompey was murdered in Egypt in 48 B. C. E. Julius increased the senate from 600 to 900 members to give himself more supporters. In five years Caesar held many powerful offices and almost succeeded in transforming Rome into an empire but was assassinated on the Ides of March in 44 B. C. E. Many wars took place after the assassination of Julius Caesar. His adopted son, Octavian, and his friend both formed the Second Triumvirate and defeated Caesars assassins in the Battle of Philippi. Many senators were killed during this time and it was not a good time for the republic. Eventually the Second Triumvirate dissipated and Octavian and Mark Antony turned on one another. Mark Antony married Cleopatra of Egypt and they committed suicide when Octavian invaded Egypt. Octavian became Augustus (exalted one) and now unofficially ruled Rome. Augustus knew that in order to successfully transform Rome into an empire he had to succeed where his father hadn’t. He supported the arts and technology. He rebuilt temples and created road systems. He pleased his people with holidays and special events. Augustus would even give free bread and wine to all of Rome’s citizens. The senate just had to sit and watch as Caesar Augustus became the total dictator of Rome. Literature grew exceedingly during this time. Under Augustus’ rule Rome entered the Pax Romana, the peaceful and golden age of Rome. So in the end Augustus obviously succeeded in the areas where Julius didn’t. Julius didn’t utilize his resources as well and didn’t realize that he needed to take away the senate’s power not enhance it. Augustus extended Rome to a great power and eventually fully ended the once-renowned republic. In a completely unnecessary comparison this story totally reminded me of the movie Star Wars, the fall of the republic and the birth of an empire. Anyways in conclusion, Augustus transformed Rome into an empire by gaining the loyalty of the citizens and soldiers while the senate lost its power. This man was so dominant that he even named the month of August after himself! Not many could have accomplished what Caesar Augustus did and many still marvel at his feats to this day. Caesar Augustus Essay It was the mid-1st century B. C. E. , Rome was ever-growing and the republic that once ran very smoothly was encountering many problems within itself. Wealthy land owners or patricians were gaining too much power and land and since Roman law read that only land owners could serve in the military much of the military power was reduced. Some people tried to change this, for example Tiberius, but his ideas were seen as controversial and he was assassinated in 133 B. C. E. One man named General Marius instituted a law stating that men didn’t have to own land to serve in the military. Soldiers still wanted land in return for their service though, and the general gave them land but this made soldiers more loyal to army officials rather than to the senate. After Marius retired Rome experienced a brief time of peace only to be broken by the Social War. The Social War was caused by the revolting of lower class Italians that were not entitled to full-citizenship and voting rights. This caused General Marius to come back. He ended the war and seized power of Rome. Marius died of old age and Rome started to become restless. In all of the turmoil there arose a powerful politician, Julius Caesar. Caesar created the First Triumvirate (three men) consisting of Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey (also known as Magnus). The Triumvirate really only made these men more powerful though and really didn’t help Rome overall. The Triumvirate disappeared when Crassus died and Caesar and Pompey started to fight. Caesar invaded Rome in 49 B. C. E. and became a dictator there. Then later Pompey was murdered in Egypt in 48 B. C. E. Julius increased the senate from 600 to 900 members to give himself more supporters. In five years Caesar held many powerful offices and almost succeeded in transforming Rome into an empire but was assassinated on the Ides of March in 44 B. C. E. Many wars took place after the assassination of Julius Caesar. His adopted son, Octavian, and his friend both formed the Second Triumvirate and defeated Caesars assassins in the Battle of Philippi. Many senators were killed during this time and it was not a good time for the republic. Eventually the Second Triumvirate dissipated and Octavian and Mark Antony turned on one another. Mark Antony married Cleopatra of Egypt and they committed suicide when Octavian invaded Egypt. Octavian became Augustus (exalted one) and now unofficially ruled Rome. Augustus knew that in order to successfully transform Rome into an empire he had to succeed where his father hadn’t. He supported the arts and technology. He rebuilt temples and created road systems. He pleased his people with holidays and special events. Augustus would even give free bread and wine to all of Rome’s citizens. The senate just had to sit and watch as Caesar Augustus became the total dictator of Rome. Literature grew exceedingly during this time. Under Augustus’ rule Rome entered the Pax Romana, the peaceful and golden age of Rome. So in the end Augustus obviously succeeded in the areas where Julius didn’t. Julius didn’t utilize his resources as well and didn’t realize that he needed to take away the senate’s power not enhance it. Augustus extended Rome to a great power and eventually fully ended the once-renowned republic. In a completely unnecessary comparison this story totally reminded me of the movie Star Wars, the fall of the republic and the birth of an empire. Anyways in conclusion, Augustus transformed Rome into an empire by gaining the loyalty of the citizens and soldiers while the senate lost its power. This man was so dominant that he even named the month of August after himself! Not many could have accomplished what Caesar Augustus did and many still marvel at his feats to this day.

Personal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 3

Personal - Essay Example For the next three hours, we tried to fix the ATV, while finding some hospitality nearby. Suddenly, as we were driving the ATV broke down as it the bump. No one knew what events were going to happen next. One of my friends was diabetic so we knew that we did not have much time. My friend tried to fix the ATV with many futile attempts. To make matters worse, couldn’t walk, and instead had to shuffle around from a  seated position. In order to gain some relief from the heat, we decided to spray themselves with their truck’ fire extinguishers. Thankfully, we got relief for a few seconds, then developed extremely painful open wounds across their skin from the blasts. The next day people started dying.  He couldn’t get a phone signal before his battery died, and he fell over when he tried to leave his car. He decided to stick with the vehicle, as it would be easier for rescuers to spot. It didn’t take long for him to become thirsty, so he went for the only available liquid—his car’s windshield fluid. However, knowing that he was d iabetic we knew we had no other choice. His lack of insulin was really a problem because we could not afford to lose him. The ATV exploded as my friends watched in vain.   Suddenly, we saw a bunch of men emerging from a view. We began to throw our hands in frenzy asking for attention. It was a very bad decision for many reasons because the men were pirates, kidnapping and stealing things to make money. They tied us up and took to their own cave and demanded us to call our parents to ask for ransom. With type 2 diabetes, we begged our friend to receive some treatment. However, they abductors were pretty much heartless and did not even give us some food/water. With our hands tied down, we tried to get out but it was not working. Our hope was completely dissolved as we thought our fate was sealed. We tried t signaling with his foil blanket, and lit fires at night with

The Two Dominant Political Parties in the United States of America Essay

The Two Dominant Political Parties in the United States of America - Essay Example The federalist also insisted that the government should be run by "best people" or the elite and not by the common people. They supported the executive branch of the government. The Republicans wanted strict and inflexible interpretation of the institution and opposed central government. They proposed that the government lessen its intervention to economy and give the power to the state because they desired more involvement of the people. They also support legislature to formulate laws in governing the populace. Federalists admired the British and wanted to copy the aristocracy of Great Britain. The Republicans favored France. The Federalists' suppression of freedom of press and speech was strongly opposed by the Republicans. There were some similarities of these two political parties. To promote their policies and ideologies, the Federalists created Gazette of the United States and the Republican set up the National Gazette. This increased the involvement of the people, dividing further the Americans. Both parties supported foreign countries: the Federalist for Great Britain and the Republican for France.

Treatment of Native Americans Essay Example for Free

Treatment of Native Americans Essay From the very beginning of American history, settlers have poorly treated the Native Americans. As some people know, â€Å"poorly† is an understatement. The treatment of the indigenous people was horrible during the 1800s from being forced to move west, having laws made against them by the government, and mass murder, even though that isn’t what our history books like to tell us today. In 1804, fur trading was established with the Oglala and became a big part of their life. Then, the Oglala and Lakota tribes decided to expand their control and influences west toward the Big Horn mountains. Then, on March 26, the United States government forced the Native Americans to move west past the Mississippi River. This meant that they would have to leave everything they had to move to a reservation where they would have to start all over again. They only had a certain amount of time to move cooperatively but when that time was up, they would be moved forcefully. If the Native Americans did not agree to move, then they were killed. Many laws and acts were passed against the native American people. In 1833, a law was made that no Native American to reside in the state of Florida, so, yet again, the indigenous people of our country were forced to drop everything thing they had to go live in a reservation in the west to start all over again. Also, in 1834, the Indian Intercourse Act was passed. The Indian Intercourse Act said that Congress created Indian Territory in the west that included the land area in all of present-day Kansas, most of Oklahoma, and parts of what later became Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming. The area was set aside for Indians who would be removed from their ancestral lands which, in turn, would be settled by non-Indians. The area steadily decreased in size until the 1870s when Indian Territory had been reduced to what is now Oklahoma, excluding the panhandle. Along with all of the laws and forced movement of Native Americans, there were also many battles that killed a lot of the indigenous people. In 1835 to 1842 was the Seminole War, the second and most terrible of three wars between the US government and the Seminole people was also one of the longest and most expensive wars in which the US army was ever engaged. Thousands of troops were sent, 1,500 men died, and between 40-60 million dollars were spent to force most of the Seminole to move to Indian Territory more than the entire US governments budget for Indian Removal. Another fight between settlers and Native Americans was in 1855. The Ash Hollow massacre was a pretty dumb battle when you think about it. Colonel William Harney uses 1,300 soldiers to massacre an entire Brulà © village in retribution for the killing of 30 soldiers, who were killed in retribution for the killing of the Brulà © chief, Conquering Bear, in a dispute over a cow. Settlers used any excuse they could think of to humiliate and kill as many Native Americans as they could. In conclusion, the treatment of Native Americans in our country was brutal. We are all told that a human is a human and everyone is equal. Well, clearly, people in the 1800s did not think so. They attacked anyone that was different in order to get ahead, including our indigenous people.

The Characters in The Matrix Essays -- The Matrix Science Fiction Movi

The Characters in The Matrix The Matrix (Wachowski & Wachowski 1999) is a battery powering an unending chatter of thought, images, productions, and discourse. In the film, a stabbing needle penetrates the black plug mounted on the back of a human skull, and the mind is overwhelmed by the matrix, an extensive simulacral world that, to its unknowing inhabitants, is in every way the same as reality, and to those merely passing through, is a sinister, green-tinted prison. The film sets, by dialogue and symbolism, a place for analysis, theology, theory, philosophy, and criticism that accommodates any stance within a language of freedom, choice, perception, reality, simulation, mind, computer code, and body. Rationalizations of and within these terms get a place at the table. This setting incites discussion as it limits it. For instance, we have a ready means to discuss what knowing a thing really means, but we are in less of a position to discuss how such paranoia gets off the ground. However, the accessible ph ilosophical vocabulary everywhere present in the film ought not overwhelm our resources to move amongst the dimly legible codes and technologies of the cinematic body and world – the stylized sequences of events that produce the reactions in a viewer that give the film meaning. In this capacity for aesthetic indulgence – and contrary to the theoretical window dressing of the script, The Matrix makes an audio-visual presentation that reformulates agency as a matter of effect rather than choice. Thinking it Everyone knows the movie is full of really captivating philosophical questions. Why is it that, when you’re hurt in the virtual world, you bleed in the real world? Very heavy stuff. The film is easy to transla... ... visible when at a computer than in everyday non-solitary life. Your mother is not watching. [11] In a sense, this pre-9/11 movie set the stage for a kind of sympathy Americans had with terrorists who they could not call cowards. The appeal of a boldness to do what they said out of nowhere and going nowhere is revealing of what disciplines such style juxtaposes itself to. [12] Or machines or computers to bring back the specter of â€Å"the place of technology† in the matrix. Idealized guns, though, are what make the movie go. Guns that never jam, are always beautiful, and are better tossed than reloaded. They are the almost the only way to kill anyone, they are always stylish and specifically chosen, and they make the same comment on how to get your way that the characters do: threats and violence.

Organisational Devlopment: Levels of Diagnosis Essay

It is pointless conducting diagnosis at the individual level, because most issues can be addressed at the organization and group level. Discuss. Within modern business practices continual evolution is essential for long term organisational outcomes. With economic pressures, a growing demand for perceptibly social and environmental responsibility and an increasingly focus towards international and worldwide trade, modern organizations are confronted with an almost constant need for change (Waddell, Cummings and Worley, 2007). Thus it is important for leaders to have a sound understanding of change issues and theories (Waddell, 2002). Organisational development (OD) is described as a systematic application of behavioral science knowledge to the planned development and reinforcement of organizational structures, processes and strategies for improving organisational effectiveness (Waddell et al. , 2007). Diagnosis it an integral part of successful OD implementation and is performed on one or more levels including ‘individual’, ‘group’ and ‘organisational’ diagnosis. Thus for successful long term outcomes it is necessary to investigate the role of diagnosis within successful OD implementation, with a focus on ‘individual’ level diagnosis in contrast to both ‘group’ and ‘organisational’. Diagnosis within organisation development is described as an intervention that develops information about the various subsystems of an organisation as well as the patterns and processes that take part in an organisation (Beckhard, 1969). Similarly, Waddell et al. 2007) depict diagnosis as the process of understanding how the organisation is currently functioning, in order to successfully develop change intervention. Thus within modern firms this process develops insight for both the client and OD coordinator into the functioning and efficiency on individual, group and organisational levels. Aldefer and Brown (1975) suggest that the process of diagnosis also serves to motivate organisational members to engage in change. Nadler (1977) reinforces this, depicting that diagnosis provides employees or members with a direction for change. As such, diagnosis within OD has been described as the ‘key’ in developing successful interventions (Burton & Obel, 2004). As well the diagnostic process is referred to as collaborative between OD consultant and client (Stacey, 2007), in which the two parties work together to develop action plans for effective change process. Waddell et al. (2007) reinforces this suggesting that the values and ethics that underlie OD suggest that both change agents and organisational members should be involved in developing and implementing appropriate interventions. Organisations, when viewed as open systems can be diagnosed as three levels, including organisation, group and individual (Waddell et al. , (2007). The highest level is the organisational level and includes the design of the organisations structure, strategy and processes. The next level consists of groups or departments within the organisational structure, including group design and interaction devices. The lowest level of organisational diagnosis is the individual level, including job design and personnel characteristics. Todnem (2005) suggest organisational diagnosis can occur at all three levels or it may be limited to problems that occur at a single level. For example, if there was a problem with output resulting from a single job design there would be only need for individual level diagnosis. Similarly Coghlan (1994) illustrates that the key to effective diagnosis is to know what to look for at each level, as well as how the levels affect each other. Waddel et al. (2007) depict the organisational level of diagnosis as the broadest systems perspective that is typically taken in diagnostic activities. This level focuses on the organisation against inputs such as the general environment and industry structure to achieve outputs such as performance, efficiency and stakeholder satisfaction through strategy and organisational design. Todnem (2005) suggests that design components within this level can also include HRM, culture and technology. Similarly the general environment can include a vast amount of extraneous variables including social, technological, economical, ecological and political (Stahl, 1997). Thus this level provides a broad basis for diagnosis within the largest environment. As such this level of diagnosis is most crucial when designing or redesigning action plans focused around the organisation as a whole. These strategies may include organisational goals and objectives, mission or organisational policies. (Waddell et al. (2007). Modern organizations are developing action plans in order to change practices to incorporate environmental and social responsibility. These plans and interventions designed at achieving change include organisational wide strategies, such as redesigning business infrastructure as well as changing major mission values/goals and policies within those companies. An example of integrating effective organisatinoal diagnosis is RIO TINTO’s continual development and change towards more sustainable, environmentally responsible mining processes in order for long term outcomes (RIO TINTO, 2010). Through external forces or inputs they developed and integrated various interventions to remodel major sectors within the firm completely. Thus developing and maintaining successful strategic design requires effective organisational diagnosis. The next level of diagnosis is group, and can apply to both larger operating division of firms such as BHP Billiton, or to smaller departments within organisations (Waddell et al. , 2007). Coghlan (1994) depicts that division or larger groups within such multinational firms generally follow the same dimension and relational fits applicable to organisational level development. Inversely Waddell et al. (2007) suggest that small departments and groups behave differently from larger divisions or organisations and thus require a suitable diagnostic model to reflect those dimensions. As such, group level diagnosis consists of organisational design as an input, resulting in outputs of team effectiveness through design components such as task structure, group functioning, performance norms, group composition and goal clarity. Stahl (1997) describes group diagnosis as relative to a small number of people working face to face on a shared task or program. Laser (1995) suggests supportive organisational design is crucial for effective groups to operate. Harrison and Shirom (1999) reinforce this depicting that group structure and components are highly interrelated to organisational wide strategy and design. Goal clarity is a major design component within group level diagnosis, and refers to how well the group understands its objectives. Waddell et al. (2007) suggest that goals should be understood by all members, moderately challenging, measurable, and monitored and, have structure for providing feedback of achievement. An example may include group targets for sales teams. Stahl (1997) illustrates that goal clarity is of crucial importance to successful group outcomes. Coghlan (1994) reinforces this depicting that clear goals provide motivation and direction to group dynamics. Group level diagnosis is considered a more specific approach to an internalized problem than organisational diagnosis and can include problem solving groups built for a specific function (Stahl, 1997). However organisational and group levels remain highly interrelated through organisational design. The lowest level of diagnosis is the individual job or position. Waddel et al. (2007) suggest that organisations are made up of numerous groups and in turn, those groups are composed of several positions. Callan (1993) depicts individual diagnosis as highly specified and dynamic. Similarily Stahl (1997) described the individual level diagnosis as having a minimal effect on the organization as a whole. As the individual level focuses on a single job design it requires a new model of job-level diagnosis (Waddell et al. , 2007). The inputs within this level are organisational design, group design and personnel characteristics, and the resulting outputs aimed at achieving are individual effectiveness, through performance, job satisfaction and individual development. The design components utilized to transform the inputs within this model are skill variety, task identity, autonomy, task significance and feedback about results. Coghlan (1994) suggests that effective feedback mechanisms are crucial to continual intervention and employee development. Feedback refers to the degree to which employees are provided with clear information about performance and effectives of their activities (Waddell et al. , 2007). Such mechanisms could include both formal and informal methods such as casual on the spot feedback or yearly performance appraisals. Conversely Callan (1993) depicts task significance as a major influence on outcomes within the individual level, suggesting that the level to which the employee’s job impacts on other people’s lives has a powerful affect on resulted outcomes. Individual level changes and restructuring can result in higher outcomes of individual’s position through higher individual interest and personnel investment in their jobs (Waddell et al. , 2007). As well higher productivity on an individual level transfers to more successful organisational outcomes, and thus benefits both the workers and the firm. The importance of diagnosis on an individual level can be relatively debatable dependent on organisational type, infrastructure and individual job function (Mclean, 2005). Individual level diagnosis relies on organisational design, group design and personal characteristics for transference into outputs (Waddle et al. 2007). Thus this job level is highly interrelated and dependent on the effectiveness of the design components of both organisational and group level. Hence, effective intervention development within the first two levels of diagnosis would result in a large proportion of successful outputs on an individual level (Harrison and Shirom, 1999). Conversely personal characteristics can include dynamic and uncontrollable extraneous variables which may result in a varied output on the job level. (Burton & Obel, 2004). Thus in order to limit a varied result within output it may be necessary to conduct individual diagnosis of job design relevant to the specific problem or concern. As well Mclean (2005) emphasizes the importance of employee satisfaction in relation to staff turnover in order for long term development and organisational outcomes. Waddel et al. (2007) reinforce this depicting a ‘two sided’ relationship between employee satisfaction and interest and the consequential favorable outcomes for the firm. Cobb (1986) illustrates that redesigning individual level jobs can be crucial for successful outcomes within specified problems. As well Beer and Spector (1993) suggest that the success of OD interventions rely heavily on the accuracy of diagnosis within organisations. Thus for a higher probability of favorable outcomes for developed interventions it is necessary to conduct diagnosis over all three levels. Organisational development is a critical process for both short and long term outcomes within modern business practice. With growing economic, social and environmental pressure, there is a greater need for organisational change than ever before. Successful OD is heavily reliant on the effectiveness of diagnosis within an organisation in order to develop appropriate interventions to develop change within the firm. All three levels of diagnosis within OD are important to developing effective mechanisms for change. Organisational diagnosis is more responsive to external influences and direct pressure for both social and environmental concerns. However both group and individual levels are highly interrelated with the success of change interventions and in particular the development of productivity and efficiency to provide support against the economic strain. Individual level diagnosis is highly interrelated within the other levels and as such may not be necessary within some OD applications.

Corrections Current Trends

When it comes to prison sentencing there are a lot of trends to go from, probably the main outline you could say is the sentencing models these models are a basic outline of what’s going to happen to an offender while being sentenced.These are the six options which include: capital punishment- for like murder offenders which includes the death penalty only in some states though, imprisonment -for those who commit violent crime and so forth usually sent to state or federal prison longer that one year, short term confinement -for minor offenders those petty crimes such as petty theft and so on normally less than a year served in county, intermediate sanctions- falls between probation and imprisonment which I would say is on the fence could go either way prison or probation which includes house arrest and electronic monitoring, then theirs probation which is a alternative of prison in which the offender is monitored within the community, and then theirs economic sanctions- which I would say an offender like this would be due to vandalism or something in that nature, in economic sanctions the offender is ordered to pay restitution or a fine for their crime.Pretrial diversion is a good system for offenders who are not constant offenders, for instance here in Odessa TX they have what I would call a pretrial diversion program which is called teen court and in teen court offenders for let’s say theft well instead of it going down in the records they chose to do some community service and avoid trial and a criminal record but this type of program is only offered to teens. For those who have the option of pretrial diversion it is a pretty good system which allows first time offenders in most cases to stay out of the system. Plea bargaining is a really good trend in sentencing, because plea bargaining is an agreement in which the defendant decides to plea guilty to the offense in return the defendant gets a lesser sentencing.Plea bargaining is a good system why because if the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser offense not only does it save time without having to go to court and the expenses they would have to put out their but most times if the defendant know that he or she did it and them pleading guilty to a lesser offense to cut back time in prison or probation most times they will take the bargain. Another great trend in sentencing is the three strikes laws which basically states that felons who commit three felonies are incarcerated for a very long time sometimes even life in prison this trend is good because most times it will keep repeat offenders from committing crimes I guess the thought of getting that third strike and going to prison for possibly life would be a really strong motivation to stay out of trouble and keep doing good.Then again this three strikes law could not be a good thing for instance in the text it talks about jerry Williams who had a record of two prior felony convictions involving violence when he stole p iece of pizza without a weapon from four children, then the judge under mandatory California law, had to sentence Williams to twenty five years in prison. I understand this man had a record and was on the verge of the third strike but I don’t think that sentencing Mr. Williams to twenty five years in prison for a pizza was really necessary that five dollar pizza now has cost the state an estimated 500,000 for the time that Williams is going to be incarcerated a simply being locked up for even a year in county would I think be more suitable and cost friendly in which saves the state a lot of money.Drug courts is also another great trend in sentencing because in drug court offenders who have had or have a problem with run in with the law due to drugs can choose to get help and drug court main goal you could say is to get the offender help and back into the community clean and on their way unlike traditional courts, drug court is not so much to punish the offender but to change the offender according to the text drug courts have proved very promising, and I would say a very good solution on handling a different kind of offender so that they wouldn’t have to go into a regular court and maybe receive six months or maybe even a worse sentence but trying to rehabilitate the offenders who need help and get them back into the community and on the right track. These trends that I listed are only a few that help the sentencing progress move along there are a lot more trends but these are only a few with a slight overview of how they operate and what goes on in the few trends that were listed.

The Causes and Aims of World War One

The Causes and Aims of World War One The traditional explanation for the start of World War 1 concerns a domino effect. Once one nation went to war, usually defined as Austria-Hungary’s decision to attack Serbia, a network of alliances which tied the great European powers into two halves dragged each nation unwillingly into a war which spiraled ever larger. This notion, taught to schoolchildren for decades, has now been largely rejected. In The Origins of the First World War, p. 79, James Joll concludes: The Balkan crisis demonstrated that even apparently firm, formal alliances did not guarantee support and co-operation in all circumstances.† This doesn’t mean that the formation of Europe into two sides, achieved by treaty in the late nineteenth / early twentieth centuries, isn’t important, just that the nations were not trapped by them. Indeed, while they divided Europe’s major powers into two halves - The ‘Central Alliance’ of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy, and the Triple Entente of France, Britain and Germany - Italy actually changed sides. In addition, the war was not caused, as some socialists and anti-militarists have suggested, by capitalists, industrialists or arms manufacturers looking to profit from conflict. Most industrialists stood to suffer in a war as their foreign markets were reduced. Studies have shown that industrialists did not pressure governments into declaring war, and governments did not declare war with one eye on the arms industry. Equally, governments did not declare war simply to try and cover up domestic tensions, like the independence of Ireland or the rise of socialists. Context: The Dichotomy of Europe in 1914 Historians recognize that all the major nations involved in the war, on both sides, had large proportions of their population who were not only in favor of going to war, but were agitating for it to happen as a good and necessary thing. In one very important sense, this has to be true: as much as politicians and the military might have wanted the war, they could only fight it with the approval – greatly varying, maybe begrudging, but present - of the millions of soldiers who went off to fight. In the decades before Europe went to war in 1914, the culture of the main powers was split in two. On the one hand, there was a body of thought – the one most often remembered now - that war had been effectively ended by progress, diplomacy, globalization, and economic and scientific development. To these people, who included politicians, large-scale European war had not just been banished, it was impossible. No sane person would risk war and ruin the economic interdependence of the globalizing world. At the same time, each nation’s culture was shot through with strong currents pushing for war: armaments races, belligerent rivalries and a struggle for resources. These arms races were massive and expensive affairs  and were nowhere clearer than the naval struggle between Britain and Germany, where each tried to produce ever more and larger ships. Millions of men went through the military via conscription, producing a substantial portion of the population who had experienced military indoctrination. Nationalism, elitism, racism and other belligerent thoughts were widespread, thanks to greater access to education than before, but an education that was fiercely biased. Violence for political ends was common  and had spread from Russian socialists to British women’s rights campaigners. Before war even began in 1914, the structures of Europe were breaking down and changing. Violence for your country was increasingly justified, artists rebelled and sought new modes of expression, new urban cultures were challenging the existing social order. For many, war was seen as a test, a proving ground, a way to define yourself which promised a masculine identity and an escape from the ‘boredom’ of peace. Europe was essentially primed for people in 1914 to welcome war as a way to recreate their world through destruction. Europe in 1913 was essentially a tense, warmongering place where, despite a current of peace and obliviousness, many felt war was desirable. The Flashpoint for War: the Balkans In the early twentieth century, the Ottoman Empire was collapsing, and a combination of established European powers and new nationalist movements were competing to seize parts of the Empire. In 1908 Austria-Hungary took advantage of an uprising in Turkey to seize full control of Bosnia-Herzegovina, a region they had been running but which was officially Turkish. Serbia was livid at this, as they wished to control the region, and Russia was also angry. However, with Russia unable to act militarily against Austria – they simply hadn’t recovered enough from the disastrous Russo-Japanese war – they sent a diplomatic mission to the Balkans to unite the new nations against Austria. Italy was next to take advantage and they fought Turkey in 1912, with Italy gaining North African colonies. Turkey had to fight again that year with four small Balkan countries over land there – a direct result of Italy making Turkey look weak and Russia’s diplomacy - and when Europe’s other major powers intervened no one finished satisfied. A further Balkan war erupted in 1913, as Balkan states and Turkey warred over territory again to try and make a better settlement. This ended once more with all partners unhappy, although Serbia had doubled in size. However, the patchwork of new, strongly nationalistic Balkan nations largely considered themselves to be Slavic, and looked to Russia as a protector against nearby empires like Austro-Hungary and Turkey; in turn, some in Russia looked at the Balkans as a natural place for a Russian-dominated Slavic group. The great rival in the region, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was afraid this Balkan nationalism would accelerate the breakdown of its own Empire  and was afraid Russia was going to extend control over the region instead of it. Both were looking for a reason to extend their power in the region, and in 1914 an assassination would give that reason. The Trigger: Assassination In 1914, Europe had been on the brink of war for several years. The trigger was provided on June 28th, 1914, when  Archduke Franz Ferdinand  of Austria-Hungary was visiting Sarajevo in Bosnia on a trip designed to irritate Serbia. A loose supporter of the ‘ Black Hand’, a Serbian nationalist group, was able to assassinate the Archduke after a comedy of errors. Ferdinand wasn’t popular in Austria – he had ‘only’ married a noble, not a royal - but they decided it was the perfect excuse to threaten Serbia. They planned to use an extremely  one-sided  set of demands to provoke a war – Serbia was never meant to actually agree to the demands – and fight to end Serbian independence, thus strengthening the Austrian position in the Balkans. Austria expected the war with Serbia, but in case of war with Russia, they checked with Germany beforehand if it would support them. Germany replied yes, giving Austria a ‘blank check’. The Kaiser and other civilian leaders believed swift action by Austria would seem like the result of emotion and the other Great Powers would stay out, but Austria prevaricated, eventually sending their note too late for it to look like anger. Serbia accepted all but a few clauses of the ultimatum, but not all, and Russia was willing to go to war to defend them. Austria-Hungary had not deterred Russia by involving Germany, and Russia had not deterred Austria-Hungary by risking the Germans: bluffs on both sides were called. Now the balance of power in Germany shifted to the military leaders, who finally had what they had been coveting for several years: Austria-Hungary, which had seemed loathe to support Germany in a war, was about to embark on a war in which Germany could take the initiat ive and turn into the much greater war it desired, while crucially retaining Austrian aid, vital for the  Schlieffen Plan. What followed was the five major nations of Europe – Germany and Austria-Hungary on one side, France, Russian and Britain on the other – all pointing to their treaties and alliances in order to enter into the war many in each nation had wanted. The diplomats increasingly found themselves sidelined and unable to stop events as the military took over. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia to see if they could win a war before Russia arrived, and Russia, who pondered just attacking Austria-Hungary,  mobilized  against both them and Germany, knowing this meant Germany would attack France. This let Germany claim victim status and mobilize, but because their plans called for a quick war to knock Russia’s ally France out before Russian troops arrived, they declared war on France, who declared war in response. Britain hesitated and then joined, using Germany’s invasion of Belgium to mobilize the support of the doubters in Britain. Italy, who had an agreement with Germany, refused to do anything. Many of these decisions  were  increasingly taken by the military, who gained ever more control of events, even from national leaders who sometimes got left behind: it took a while for the Tsar to be talked round by pro-war military, and the Kaiser wavered as the military carried on. At one point the Kaiser instructed Austria to cease trying to attack Serbia, but people in Germany’s military and government first ignored him, and then convinced him it was too late for anything but peace. Military ‘advice’ dominated over diplomatic. Many felt helpless, others elated. There were people who tried to prevent the war at this late stage, but many others were infected with jingoism and pushed on. Britain, who had the least explicit obligations, felt a moral duty to defend France, wished to put down German imperialism, and technically had a treaty guaranteeing Belgium’s safety. Thanks to the empires of these key belligerents, and thanks to other nations entering the conflict, the war soon involved much of the globe. Few expected the conflict to last more than a few months, and the public was generally excited. It would last until 1918, and kill millions. Some of those who expected a long war were Moltke, the head of the German army, and Kitchener, a key figure in the British establishment. War Aims: Why each Nation went to War Each nation’s government had slightly different reasons for going, and these are explained below: Germany: A Place in the Sun and Inevitability Many members of the German military and government were convinced that a war with Russia was inevitable given their competing interests in the land between them and the Balkans. But they had also concluded, not without justification, that Russia was militarily much weaker now than it would be should it continue to industrialize and modernize its army. France was also increasing its military capacity – a law making conscription last three years was passed against opposition – and Germany had managed to get stuck in a  naval race  with Britain. To many influential Germans, their nation was surrounded and stuck in an arms race it would lose if allowed to continue. The conclusion was that this inevitable war must be fought sooner, when it could be won, than later. War would also enable Germany to dominate more of Europe and expand the core of the German Empire east and west. But Germany wanted more. The German Empire was relatively young and lacked a key element that the other major empires – Britain, France, Russia – had: colonial land. Britain owned large parts of the world, France owned a lot too, and Russia had expanded deep into Asia. Other less powerful powers owned colonial land, and Germany coveted these extra resources and power. This craving for colonial land became known as them wanting ‘A Place in the Sun’. The German government thought that a victory would allow them to gain some of their rivals’ land. Germany was also determined to keep Austria-Hungary alive as a viable ally to their south  and support them in a war if necessary. Russia: Slavic Land and Government Survival Russia believed that the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian Empires were collapsing  and that there would be a reckoning over who would occupy their territory. To many Russia, this reckoning would be largely in the Balkans between a pan-Slavic alliance, ideally dominated by (if not entirely controlled by) Russia, against a pan-German Empire. Many in the Russian court, in the ranks of the military officer class, in the central government, in the press and even among the educated, felt Russia should enter and win this clash. Indeed, Russia was afraid that if they didn’t act in decisive support of the Slavs, as they had failed to do in the Balkan Wars, that Serbia would take the Slavic initiative and destabilize Russia. In addition, Russia had lusted over Constantinople and the Dardanelles for centuries, as half of Russia’s foreign trade traveled through this narrow region controlled by the Ottomans. War and victory would bring greater trade security. Tsar Nicholas II was cautious, and a faction at court advised him against war, believing the nation would implode and revolution would follow. But equally, the Tsar was being advised by people who believed that if Russia didn’t go to war in 1914, it would be a sign of weakness which would lead to a fatal undermining of the imperial government, leading to revolution or invasion. France: Revenge and Re-conquest France felt it had been humiliated in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870 – 71, in which Paris had been besieged and the French Emperor had been forced to personally surrender  with  his army. France was burning to restore its reputation and, crucially, gain back the rich industrial land of Alsace and Lorraine which Germany had won off her. Indeed, the French plan for war with Germany, Plan XVII, focused on gaining this land above everything else. Britain: Global Leadership Of all the European powers, Britain was arguably the least tied into the treaties which divided Europe into two sides. Indeed, for several years in the late nineteenth century, Britain had consciously kept out of European affairs, preferring to focus on its global empire while keeping one eye on the balance of power on the continent. But Germany had challenged this  because it too wanted a global empire, and it too wanted a dominant navy. Germany and Britain thus began a naval arms race in which politicians, spurred on by the press, competed to build ever stronger navies. The tone was one of violence, and many felt that Germany’s upstart aspirations would have to be forcibly slapped down. Britain was also worried that a Europe dominated by an enlarged Germany, as victory in a major war would bring, would upset the balance of power in the region. Britain also felt a moral obligation to aid France and Russia because, although the treaties they’d all signed didn’t require Britain to fight, it had basically agreed to, and if Britain remained out either her former allies would finish victorious but extremely bitter, or beaten and unable to support Britain. Equally playing on their mind was a belief that they had to be involved to maintain great power status. As soon as war began, Britain also had designs on German colonies. Austria-Hungary:  Long-Coveted  Territory Austria-Hungary was desperate to project more of its crumbling power into the Balkans, where a power vacuum created by the decline of the Ottoman Empire had allowed nationalist movements to agitate and fight. Austria was particularly angry at Serbia, in which a Pan-Slavic nationalism was growing which Austria feared would lead to either Russian domination in the Balkans, or the total ousting of Austro-Hungarian power. The destruction of Serbia was deemed vital in keeping Austria-Hungary together, as there were near twice as many Serbs within the empire as were in Serbia (over seven million, versus over three million). Revenging the death of  Franz Ferdinand  was low on the list of causes. Turkey: Holy War for Conquered Land Turkey entered into secret negotiations with Germany and declared war on the Entente in October 1914. They wanted to regain land which had been lost in both the Caucuses and Balkans, and dreamed of gaining Egypt and Cyprus from Britain. They claimed to be fighting a holy war to justify this. War Guilt / Who was to Blame? In 1919, in the Treaty of Versailles between the victorious allies and Germany, the latter had to accept a ‘war guilt’ clause which explicitly stated that the war was Germany’s fault. This issue – who was responsible for the war – has been debated by historians and politicians ever since. Over the years trends have come and gone, but the issues seem to have polarised like this: on one side, that Germany with their blank cheque to Austria-Hungary and rapid, two front mobilization was chiefly to blame, while on the other was the presence of a war mentality and colonial hunger among nations who rushed to into to extend their empires, the same mentality which had already caused repeated problems before war finally broke out. The debate has not broken down ethnic lines: Fischer blamed his German ancestors in the sixties, and his thesis has largely become the mainstream view. The Germans were certainly convinced war was needed soon, and the Austro-Hungarians were convinced they had to crush Serbia to survive; both were prepared to start this war. France and Russia were slightly different, in that they weren’t prepared to start the war, but went to lengths to make sure they profited when it occurred, as they thought it would. All five Great Powers were thus prepared to fight a war, all fearing the loss of their Great Power status if they backed down. None of the Great Powers was invaded without a chance to step back. Some historians go further: David Fromkin’s ‘Europe’s Last Summer’ makes a powerful case that the world war can be pinned on Moltke, head of the German General  Staff, a man who knew it would be a terrible, world changing war, but thought it inevitable and started it anyway. But  Joll  makes an interesting point: â€Å"What is more important than the immediate responsibility for the actual outbreak of war is the state of mind that was shared by all belligerents, a state of mind that envisaged the probable imminence of war and its absolute necessity in certain circumstances.† (Joll  and Martel, The Origins of the First World War, p. 131.) The Dates and Order of the Declarations of War

Time Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 3

Time Management - Essay Example Chris had to seek help on time management after failing in a job interview due to lateness. The head of the interviewing panel was particular to him that they would not like an employee who comes to work late. He therefore got time management skills from a management consultant to whom his brother recommended him. The consultant took him through a series of lessons on time management skills such as planning and prioritizing before testing him on the learned skills and finally subjecting him to a series of rigorous instances that required application of the skills. He was efficient in time management before the end of his scheduled exercises. Stacy however learnt her time management skills through observing her friend’s ability in time management. She severally visited her friend after learning of her efficiency in time management and helped the friend in undertaking her activities. It took her some time but she eventually adopted her friend’s potential in time managemen t (Marquis and Huston, p. 188). It is very difficult to manage time in college. This is because of scarcity of time relative to possible ventures such as attending classes, undertaking personal studies, and participating in extra curriculum

Literature Support Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Literature Support - Research Paper Example The primary methods of data collection entailed questionnaires and interviews. Through interviews, patients who are prescribed to medical regimens were asked questions by the investigator with a view of determining the behaviors that determine whether they adhere to their medical regimens or not. Furthermore, questionnaires were used to give patients sufficient time and privacy of answering various questions that are designed to investigate the behaviors that define their behaviors towards adherence to medical regimens. Inclusion criteria for the primary research involved selection of a sample from individuals prescribed with medical regimen. Therefore, patients with heart conditions, diabetes and chronic diseases were included in the investigations. Moreover, the inclusion criteria focused at ensuring that there is diversity among respondents. Consequently, individuals from various social economic backgrounds, nationality, culture and race were included in the research. This is esse ntial since it helps the investigator achieve results that cover all factors that determine the behavior that affect adherence to medical regimen. Accordingly, the research accounted for factors such as economic abilities, cultural values, family relations and social background. The exclusion criteria involved exclusion of specific age groups from participating in the study depending on the medical condition that the regimen targets. For example, an investigation of management of heart conditions targeted adults, and exclude children because heart conditions are common among adults. Secondary research methodology entailed the review of relevant information databases. Credible sources of information among these databases will be included. The study was cautious while selecting the data to be used in the study to ensure that only relevant databases were included in the investigation. Particularly, databases with medical journals such as EBSCO and Pub Med and ProQuest were targeted in the collection of secondary information relevant to the topic. In order to ensure credibility, research based, and peer reviewed articles were included in the search. Moreover, the secondary search for information was promoted by the use of keywords related to the research topic. Accordingly, the search emphasized on the keywords like adherence, non-adherence, behavior, medical regimen and factors. Irrelevant materials were excluded while publications related to factors influencing adherence and non-adherence of the medical procedures and management of the diseases were selected. The study examined conditions that require medical regimens for effective management and care. These included evaluation of heart conditions, diabetes, cancer and HIV/AIDs. Consequently, the investigator included patients prescribed for medical regimen for management of the subsequent four conditions as case studies. Summary of Research Studies Griffith, R. (2008). Improving patients' adherence to medical r egimens. Practice Nurse, 31(4), 21-26. Retrieved from: http://www.ebscohost.com.library.gcu.edu.2048/ This article is a comprehensive research based information source with wide scope that includes the causes of patient non-adherence to medical regimens and ways in which adherence can be improved among these patients. Accordingly, the article is credible and relevant to the

Military Corporate Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Military Corporate Culture - Essay Example Groups play a significant role in a soldier motivational aspect. In these groups, the members will attempt to invent ways that will ensure the success of the group. For instance, it is necessary to invent new strategies that are capable of ensuring victory. These groups act as family to the soldier and will instigate corrective measures whenever necessary. These bonds created in the groups are sufficient to motivate the group. As a leader, it is vital to encourage the creation of these groups and join them. As evidenced before, most acts of heroism done by soldiers are attributed to the functioning and cohesion of these groups. In a group, one is confident that colleagues watch over you while you do the same to them.Rewarding individuals after successive completion of an assigned duty is considered as a motivating factor in encouraging continuous undertaking of assignments. Rewards have been continuously been utilized to continuously encourage positive behavior and mentality. There a re several ways that can be used to reward successful soldiers. Certification, bonuses, rank promotions and awards are useful. However, punishment for unwarranted behavior should never be ignored. Military code of ethics guides the behavior and conduct of the military. These code of ethics are specifically spelled out in the Department of Defense Regulations 5500,7-R. Chapter 2 of these regulations specifically dwells on the standards of ethical conducts and is directed at all the security departments and personnel.

Principles of finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Principles of finance - Essay Example In this case, the debtor is the companies in question. In most cases, this is termed as assets granted, particularly by the creditor to the debtor. The debtor agrees to repay the debt with an interest. Some companies use debt as part of their strategy in corporate finance. Before the debt is issued, both parties have to agree on the standard of deferred payment. In most cases, this repayment is in the mode of currency (Blum 2006). However, this repayment can be in the form of goods and services. Payment can be paid in installments or in the whole amount at the end of a loan agreement. A company offers different kinds of debts to customers to finance its operations. There are secured and unsecured debts, depending on whether the creditors have recourse to the assets of the borrower or not. In addition, there are private or public loans depending on the parties involved. One of the main reason why companies tend not to issue as much debt as possible is the fear of becoming bankrupt. If a company issues more debt than its stipulated capital, then the possibility of bankruptcy is usually high. This is especially in unsecured debts, and the borrower happens to forfeit payment. If this happens with a considerable number of borrowers, then the company can be at an extreme risk (DePamphilis 2011). Therefore, these companies offer debts amounting to the given budget. The financial advisors of the company advise the top managers on the considerable amount of debts to issue that would not alter the normal functioning of the company in any way. Secondly, a company may not be in a position to offer as much debt as possible. This is because the company may be undergoing some harsh economic times. Therefore, the company’s initial capital might be limited to offering a given amount of debt. During this period, some companies may not offer any debt at all. Therefore, the amount of debts a company offers is often guided by the economic situations of the company particular ly the capital in place (Forsythyl 2009). In addition, most of the risks involved may deter a company from issuing as many debts as possible. The companies, with the help of their financial advisers, look into all the risks in all the risks involved before issuing the debts. These risks may be as a result of economic downtowns, variability in the interest rates experienced and changes in the conditions of the market. Some companies tend to take the risks but obviously at a minimum (Prattie 2011). Fewer companies are willing to take many risks, therefore, tending to issue a limited amount of debts as possible. Moreover, some of these companies tend to put in place a lot of terms and conditions required before one gains access to these loans. Therefore, some debtors tend to bark out of the lending process due to all these requirements. Some of the requirement of a company before issuance of debts is collateral mostly in the form of assets. The debtor may not possess the required colla teral and, therefore, may not be legible to qualify for a debt from a certain company in question. In addition, the interest rates required by the company may be too high for the debtor not forgetting the question of having to follow the covenant made in the process. More to this is that this debt has to be repaid. Therefore, the investor or debtor in question has to have a stable cash flow to be in a position to repay in the stipulated time (Black 2010). Therefore, the appetite in making investment decisions is reduced. As a result, fewer debtors would be in a position to take the risk because a few of them have a stable cash flow. They may, therefore, fear the consequences that follow a forfeited debt payment therefore reducing the amount

The Pros and Cons of Charter School Environment

The Pros and Cons of Charter School Environment Alternative Education is emerging from being a small community to becoming the standard of offering educational classes. The No Child Left Behind implemented by President Bush has given students the opportunity to acquire their high school diploma. By this statement I mean to say that the students do not have to fall between the cracks, they can afford to go to an alternative school and get their diploma since alternative schools offer their services to students up until the age of 21. Alternative Education also known as Charter Schools are becoming the norm for parents to enroll their children in. Most of the charter schools were developed by parents, teachers, students, community members and government entities to restructure the educational standard. Many of the parents felt that their children were not getting the proper education for their children. Others felt that the educational setting was not a safe one. Some parents felt that their children were being discriminated upon by teachers not taking the time to teach the students that were falling behind. Others had no patience what so ever to teach the students that were slow learners or were considered a nuisance. Peer pressure, gangs and other parable caused concerned for parents and community members to petition for charter schools. The main goal of charter schools is to provide the students with the education they deserve. According to TEA rules and regulations, Charter schools purposes are to provide a free learning environment, an opportunity to finish high school and a choice they want to attend a Charter school; unlike public school that they must attend the district that is in their jurisdiction. What is the requirement for admission? According to the rules and regulations under TEA charter school must allowed all students regardless of learning skills, social economics, demographics and or family matters to apply to charter school. Since charter school face a magnitude of problems concerning space. Many of the students are on a waiting list for the following year until space is available. Under any other circumstances charter schools cannot deny services to a student. All charter schools must adhere to the curriculum regulations that school districts must follow. Charter schools also follow the Texas Essential Knowledge Skill or TAKS, that public school are accountable for. Students are accepted regardless of their educational level as long as they follow the rules they sign at the beginning of orientation. Many environmental factors that charter schools face is the size of the schools. Many of the charter schools are held in small buildings that cannot accommodate a population of 300 at a time. In order for the school to accommodate 300 students some charters schools offer a.m. or p.m. classes. A.M. classes are held from 7:55 until 12:05. P.M. classes are held from 1:00 till 5:05 in the afternoon. Some charter schools offer tutorial afterschool or super Saturday to help students with the passing of the TAKS. Furthermore another factor that some charter schools face are that most of the students are considered at risk or drop outs. (Terry) The motto of our school is that all students are capable of learning as long as they use self discipline and are meticulous in attending classes. The teachers and staff are willing to go beyond their call of duty to help the student accomplish their dreams of getting a high school diploma. In the process of helping the students educators must learn to handle their emotions to deal with conflict. (Moore) Having teachers work in collaboration instead of isolation from one another is also a great way of getting the students to learn from one class to another. Teachers offer tutorials for students that do not pass the TAKS. During the summer the school offers day care services while the mothers and fathers are having tutorials at the school. Many of the applicants are not able to receive service because the lack of space and the limit were required to service. Some of the contextual factors the school faces are a lack of text books. The school uses research based methods of keeping track on the objective the students need help on. The school uses DMAC. DMAC is web-based software program designed to calculate the percentages of the students progress. Teachers and staff can have the developmental and assessment data available for each of the individual student in the school. The school also has available PLATO, America Preparatory Instruction (API) and C-SCOPE all of these program help students recover credits and or work on a self pace curriculum. The math department hires a consultant to help the teachers learn strategies to help the students pass the TAKS. The Language Arts department has the literature available. The school does not have a library on the premises, but the students have access to computers with internet availability. The social studies classes have an abundance of documentations of the Wars, Civil rights movement and other educational and anti gang documentation. The science department has labs available that student use to have actual hands on knowledge of the content. The students use the TEKS based curriculum. The school also offers a different approach to learning. The school does not have traditional setting implementation. Teachers are at their discretion to use whatever setting they wish to use. Teachers The curriculum being used is student-centered and competency based. The classrooms have a small group student-teacher ratio with individualized assistance. The school hours are flexible. Students can either go in at 9:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. if they are not lacking that many credits. The environment of the school is safe and respectful, the school has three security guards available and all the classes have cameras. Depending on the enrollment year seniors need a minimum credits, or recommended to receive a high school diploma; once all state requirements have been met. The students have an opportunity to learn from teacher directed instruction, and since the classes are small the students have a more interactive opportunity with the teachers. The school where Im at, four counselors are available for all students. Community in Schools program is also offered at the school, they provide bus tickets, monies to help pay for prescription glasses, and or help the family with rent. According to TEA and the accountability report card from TEA about, 50% to 90% of the students enrolled in an educational programs administered by SAPI are defined as at-risk and/or of dropping out of school as defined in TEC Section 29.081(d) (1). Most of the students we provide services to are students with poor self-concept, family difficulties, social misconduct, and poor decision-making, below grade level reading and verbal skills, the in availability to adjust to traditional method of classroom instruction at the middle and high school levels. (SAPI) Poor academic accomplishment can generate a magnitude of problems for the students behavior towards school-related areas, such as indifference from extracurricular activities; tardiness and truancy; inappropriate school conduct resulting in frequent absences via suspension, the loss of academic credit; apathy; and poor peer/adult relationships. In conclusion charter district offered an opportunity for all high school students to attend a school of their choice. Many students enjoy the interaction they get at a charter school. At a charter each student is treated equally and with respect. The teachers believe in the students; that they can succeed and charter schools have the capability to offer many services not offered in a public school setting. The teaching philosophy at charter schools is that the students are given the benefit of the doubt that they can achieve their full potential as successful, productive and caring members of the world. Students are teacher understand that regardless of their problem the student will persevere in achieving their goals of getting a diploma. One of the perks that charter school face is that if they get unacceptable performance for two consecutive years it can and will be shut down. Whereas, a traditional public schools are allowed to have five consecutive years of unacceptable perform ance before being shut down.

tough choices :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I was asked to think back about something memorable and to write an essay about a life’s lesson learned. In high school, soccer was very important to me. It was my favorite sport. My freshman year I decided to pick and focus on only one of the many sports I had played in the passed. I came to the conclusion that I should play soccer considering it was one I was strongest at. I also enjoyed soccer more than the other sports I had played because it was a tough sport, which was a challenge to me. During the years I played high school soccer I made a decision in which when I look back on, I think I could have handled differently. I never spoke up. I would just do what I was told to do. Whatever I was told to do I did it the best I could. I thought that cooperating, listening and giving it my best shot is what would get me ahead before someone else. But I was wrong and that has cost me dearly. As a freshman I played soccer for Paramus Catholic High School. I started as a forward on their junior varsity team. As the season went on the varsity coach noticed my aggressiveness and moved me up to play with our varsity team. To be picked out of all the girls on the team I can’t tell you of a better feeling of self-pride. Then as a sophomore I transferred to Hackensack High School. There, I again started as a forward for their junior varsity team. Later into the season I was brought up to practice with varsity. I practiced with varsity but only played in a couple of games. Imagine my disappointment, I joined the soccer team to play, not sit on the bench. I worked so hard in practice to prove myself but it got me nowhere, not even a chance. So I asked to be moved back down to junior varsity where I could play. At least on the junior varsity team I was recognized for my efforts. As a junior I tried again and made the varsity team at tryouts. I was excited because we had lost a lot of seniors and I expected to get more playing time. Upperclassmen always played over underclassmen. But I was wrong. Instead I sat the bench and freshmen played over me. tough choices :: essays research papers   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I was asked to think back about something memorable and to write an essay about a life’s lesson learned. In high school, soccer was very important to me. It was my favorite sport. My freshman year I decided to pick and focus on only one of the many sports I had played in the passed. I came to the conclusion that I should play soccer considering it was one I was strongest at. I also enjoyed soccer more than the other sports I had played because it was a tough sport, which was a challenge to me. During the years I played high school soccer I made a decision in which when I look back on, I think I could have handled differently. I never spoke up. I would just do what I was told to do. Whatever I was told to do I did it the best I could. I thought that cooperating, listening and giving it my best shot is what would get me ahead before someone else. But I was wrong and that has cost me dearly. As a freshman I played soccer for Paramus Catholic High School. I started as a forward on their junior varsity team. As the season went on the varsity coach noticed my aggressiveness and moved me up to play with our varsity team. To be picked out of all the girls on the team I can’t tell you of a better feeling of self-pride. Then as a sophomore I transferred to Hackensack High School. There, I again started as a forward for their junior varsity team. Later into the season I was brought up to practice with varsity. I practiced with varsity but only played in a couple of games. Imagine my disappointment, I joined the soccer team to play, not sit on the bench. I worked so hard in practice to prove myself but it got me nowhere, not even a chance. So I asked to be moved back down to junior varsity where I could play. At least on the junior varsity team I was recognized for my efforts. As a junior I tried again and made the varsity team at tryouts. I was excited because we had lost a lot of seniors and I expected to get more playing time. Upperclassmen always played over underclassmen. But I was wrong. Instead I sat the bench and freshmen played over me.

Contract Laws Essay

When it comes the laws of business there are a broad range of categories and topics. A topic that we would find when studying business law is contracts. â€Å"A contract is a legally enforceable agreement between two or more people.† (Rogers, 2012) In the world we live in learning about contract laws is very vital when entering into one. We must be aware that there is more than just on type of contract and there are several steps that both parties must follow before any contract can be legal. There are several types of contracts that individuals can enter. These types are expressed, implied, bilateral, unilateral, simple, formal and quasi contracts. An express contract are â€Å"formed by the express language of the parties—the actual words they use in their agreement—and can be either written or oral.† (Rogers, 2012) This type of contract does not have to be in writing. An expressed contract contains the offer, acceptance and consideration elements of a contract. Express contracts are usually compared to implied contracts. Implied contacts are â€Å"formed not by the express words of the parties, but rather by their actions.† (Rogers, 2012) With this type of contract the agreement is implied by actions. There are no expressed words within an implied contract. It can be either implied in fact or in law. If a contract will result in inequity or harm it will not be implied. If there is any doubt or discrepancy exists, then the court might not con clude a contractual relationship. If an implication arises that they have jointly assented to a new contract that contains the same requirements as the old agreement. Another type of contract is a bilateral contract. A bilateral contract is a† reciprocal arrangement between two parties under which both parties promise to perform an act in exchange for  the other party’s act† (BusinessDictionary.com). When entering into a bilateral contract there is a joint agreement among the two parties that entails the performance of an act. The promise made by one party constitutes sufficient consideration for the promise made by the other party. It is a common contract because we enter into a bilateral contract everything we make a purchase, order or receive any kind of treatment. Bilateral contracts are compared to unilateral contract. Unilateral contract are agreements that deal with a promise that is made by only one person involved in the contract. This agreement is when there is an exchange for the performance or non-performance of an act by the other party. Only one of the contracting parties can be enforced to comply with contract. This type of contract is one-sided because only the offeror is legally bound in complying with the terms of the contract. The offeree can comply or refrain from performing the act, but he or she cannot be sued if they do not comply. If you accept an offer from a unilateral contract it cannot be achieved by making another agreement only by performance or non-performance of some particular act. An offer can be revoked until the act has been performed or there was no act completed and the date has passed. The following contract is called a simple contract. It is in no way a lawfully recorded or legitimately sealed contract, but breeches are still frequently ruled on by a judge. It â€Å"is any oral or written contract that is not required to follow a specific form, or be signed, witnessed, or sealed.† (Rogers, 2012). They are not necessarily formalized contracts and do not entail court proceedings in order to make them binding. They are simply an agreement that is among the parties involved. They are usually compared to formal contracts. Formal contract are â€Å"a written agreement between two parties that are considered to be legally binding and enforced my law† (Laws.com). They must be in writing, signed and seal by all parties entering into the contract. In order for a formal contract to be valid it must contain three elements, which are the offer, the acceptance and a payment for the services provided or goods delivered. This type of contract eliminates any uncertainty regarding its terms and conditions. It contains a preface section which is utilized to clearly define the essentials terms that are utilized within the contract. This helps in eliminating redundancy in the use of common language. It also insures substantive terms of the contract  that are described and referenced in t he contract. Quasi contracts are the last type of contract discussed in the text. Quasi contracts are not a realistic contract. â€Å"They are a remedy that a court may offer to make things fair.† (Rogers, 2012). This type of contract is implied by law. Courts will imply a fictional contract to require one party to return benefits to the other party where unjust enrichment has occurred. Unjust enrichment doctrine deals with the equality of a quasi contract. It states that no party should profit at the expense of the other without making restitution of a reasonable value. When there is no oral or written agreement, courts depend on this doctrine to provide a legal remedy for a quasi contract. A Quasi contract can be compared to an implied contract. There are two types of implied contracts. These types are Implied-in-fact and Implied-by-law. A quasi contract is considered to be an Implied-by-law. It is different from an implied-in-fact because the courts treat the former as an express written contract because of the actions and words that both parties have expressed. Even though neither party has verbally expressed the acceptance of the contract their actions might be viewed differently. A contracted can be valid and enforceable, but can also be found to be unenforceable and can be voided. In order for a contract to be valid and enforceable it must contain the five elements of a contract to be legally binding. These elements are offer, acceptance, consideration, legality and capacity. The first element of a valid contract is the offer. An offer â€Å"is an invitation for another to enter into a contract† (Rogers, 2012). Offers can be verbal or written, but must at all times be clear terms. They can be bilateral or unilateral terms. They are not legally binding. Offers can be voided is any of the individuals involved cannot or do not comply with their promise. Offers can also be voided, repealed or annulled after parties have accepted the offer, unless there is a clause where it states that revocations are not allowed. The following element is acceptance. An acceptance â€Å"is an acquiescence to enter into a contract under the terms of the offer† (Rogers, 2012). Once an offer is made the parties must agree on the terms. All parties must be willing to enter into the agreement. Acceptances can be implied or  expressed. They can be directed to all parties involved or just one person. There are times when the individual making the offer will invite the person accepting the offer by actually performing the acts that the offeror is bargaining for. This occurs when special tribulations of notification, revoking and confidence in the form of limited performance can occur. Consideration is the next element of a valid contract. A consideration is â€Å"anything of legal value that is asked for and received as the price for entering into a contract† (Rogers, 2012). For a contract to be considered to be legally binding it must be supported by a valuable consideration. For instance, a party is required to do something in exchange for the promise that was made in a benefit of value. It is what each individual in the contact provides to the other as the established value for the other’s promise. For the most part, considerations are usually a payment of money, but are not always. At times they can be a promise to do something such as a type of work in return for something. The fourth element is legality. This is â€Å"an agreement may be considered illegal if it would violate a statute; result in commission of a tort; or violate public policy.† (Rogers, 2012). In contract law, legality of purpose is required of every enforceable contract. Agreement of a social nature are presumed not to be legally binding, but with evidence can be rebutted in court. Also, any domestic agreements such as agreements created by a parent and a child are generally unenforceable on the basis of the system of law. The last element is capacity. Capacity is â€Å"the mental competency of an individual and also with special rules for people who are under legal age† (Rogers, 2012). In other words, it deals with the competence of all parties. In order for an individual to enter into a contract they must be capable to do so. All parties entering the contract have to be over the legal age, mentally capable and cannot be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If a contract is made with an individual that is under the age of 18 or 21, depending on the jurisdiction, the contract is voidable, but is legal and enforceable until or unless the individual revokes it. In the  eyes of the law, individuals under the age of 18 or 21 are deemed to be immature and naà ¯ve to enter into a contract. The individual may avoid the legal duty to perform the terms of the agreement without being liable of breach of contract. All parties must also be mentally capable of entering into a contract. If a party does not understand the nature and/or consequences of the contract when it is formed the contract can be voided. An individual that lacks the legal capacity can be declared incompetent in a court and can be appointed a legal guardian. If someone is to enter into a contract with someone who is not mentally capable the contract will be voided and there will not be any legal effects because neither party may be legally compelled to comply with the terms. Lastly, no one entering in to a contract can be intoxicated. All parties must be sober at the time of entering a contract in order for the contract to be deemed enforceable. When someone is under the influence they are not capable of knowing what they are doing and why. They might also not comprehend the terms of the contract which makes it unenforceable. A contact can appear to be legally binding because it may contain all the elements of a contract, but there are defenses to a contract that can also make a contract unenforceable and voidable. There are two types of defense to a contract, which are lack of genuine assent and lack of proper form. Genuine assent or â€Å"meeting on the minds† is a criteria utilized to determine validity of acceptance of an offer for a contract. This occurs when the acceptance of a contract is secured through improper or illegal means such as fraud, mistake, duress and undue influence. The first type of genuine assent that will be discussed is fraud. Fraud is the premeditated falsification of an essential matter of the contract. When there is an existence of fraud in a contractual proceeding it makes the contract unenforceable and can be voided by the party upon whom the deception was perpetrated. According to our text, there are two types of fraud, which are fraud in the execution and fraud in the inducement. Fraud in the execution merely occurs when one of the individuals who entered in to the contract isn’t aware that they are entering in to one. The second fraud is when both parties are aware they are entering into the contract, but one of the  parties is deceived when entering into it. The following type that can make a contract unenforceable and invalid is a mistake. A mistake is also known as a mutual mistake. When there is a mistake this means that both parties made a mistake to something that is vital to the contract. Just because one party can make a mistake doesn’t necessarily mean that the contract is voidable. In order for it to be considered as unenforceable it must have a significant effect on the exchange or bargaining development. The following factor is duress. Duress is when one party forces the other party to sign a contract. The force can be either physical or emotional pressure. When there is use of duress the contract is voidable by the party that was under duress during signing. Duress can be defined by three categories, which are actual or threatened violence to an individual, threats to an individual’s property and/or economic duress. Economic duress is the more difficult to prove because you have to establish the boundaries of acceptance behavior of this kind of pressure. Duress is sometimes compared to undue influence, but there are different. As mentioned above, duress deals with someone being pressured into signing the contract, whereas undue influence is when a party is manipulated in to signing the contract. If one party has put inequitable and inappropriate pressure on the other in the discussions leading to the signing of the contract, common law will allow duress and undue influence to allow for the terms of the contract to be set aside. Common laws are laws â€Å"made by the decisions of judges in individual cases. â€Å" (Rogers, 2012). Undue influence is easy to recognize because it can involve the parties having a fiduciary relationship or one of the members involved depends on another due to their age, illness, infirmity, etc. A fiduciary relationship is a relationship where one individual has a responsibility to act for the other’s benefit. When undue influence occurs the individual who is suppose to be helping the other person out is taking advantage of that person. Lastly, the second type of defense to a contract as listed above is lacks proper form. This is generally when it lacks writing. There are certain types of contracts that are required to be in writing, but at times we aren’t aware. If these types of contracts are not in writing then they  cannot be enforced. It is important to learn about contract laws. They are the foundation of our society. Since we enter into contracts on a daily bases we should be aware of these laws. Contracts can be complicated and having knowledge of the different types and what makes them enforceable or voided can really be helpful. If there were no laws on contract then the agreements we make could become impractical and unworkable. References Lewinsohn, J. L. (1914). Contract Distinguished From Quasi Contract. California Law Review, 2(3), 171. Rogers, S. (2012). Essentials of Business Law. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Smith, C. A. (2012). Contracts. http://www.west.net/~smith/contracts.htm Information regarding elements of a contract and remedies for breach. Undefined. (n.d.). Bilateral Contract. In BusinessDictionary.com. Retrieved May 2, 2014, from http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/bilateral-contract.html. Undefined. (n.d.). Know the types of Formal Contract. In Laws.com. Retrieved May 2, 2014, from http://contract-law.laws.com/types-of-contracts/types-of-formal-contract.