Football betting

Football betting has been legalized recently. Although someone says legalizing football betting will benefit Hong Kong, there have been both arguments for and against this practice so I am going to discuss it. Addiction to football gambling can cause a lot of problems. One of the examples is financial difficulties. Gambling needs money. If a person gambles in a long-term, he may lose a lot of money. Not every time you can win some money from it, you couldn't earn a lot. It would spend your time and money. It may destroy your financial plan for retirement. There would be problems on work or even unemployment. You use all the time for gambling, you don't have energy and can't concentrate on your work. You work badly and your boss will punish you. Therefore, you may think you have to carry more and more pressure. It makes you more emotional, worsen work will be more. At last, you may get fired from your boss. Gambling will destroy your family relationship. They will leave you because you ignore them. There is an advertisement is talking about a father has gambling addiction on football. He puts all the money on gambling. He never knows what has happened in his family, even though his child leaves home secretly. At last, he thinks gambling is more important than family relationship, he and his wife divorces. Football betting could cause emotion problems. Gambling addiction is a mental-health problem that is understood to be one of many kinds of impulse-control problems a person may suffer from. The person has broken the law in order to obtain gambling money or recover gambling losses. This may include acts of theft, embezzlement, fraud, or forgery. He would try to hide the extent of his or her gambling by lying to family, friends, or therapists. Despite the disadvantages mentioned above, some people think legalization of football betting has benefits to Hong Kong. Football gambling is supported because Hong Kong government can earn tax from the gambling. Government thinks that earning money from the public and use the money back to the public for the treatment and promotion is the best way. There may be illegal organizations would be caught by police. They don't need to hide secretly to do the gambling. People can publicly gamble for football and people who gambled can entertain themselves happier. Government established a charitable fund to finance gambling-related problems for the implementation of preventive and remedial measures, and selected Caritas and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals to run two counseling and treatment centers for providing services to problem and pathological gamblers. When gambling is legalized, there will be a rise for employment rate. This is because there will be more demand of staff need to help gambler when gambling is legalized. If gambling is prohibited in law, resulting staff being fired. After weighting both advantages and drawbacks of football betting, I think legalization of football betting may become a disaster in our society.

On-The-Job Training at Max’s Restaurant Essay

The Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology is one of the courses offered in the Palompon Institute of Technology requiring a one year exposure of the student in their field of specialization in the industry. The Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology can complete the academic requirements if a student will undergo a practicum or OJT. The practicum will be provided whether in public or private thus; it provides the student an opportunity in the actual field of work I the preparation for their future work. The cooperating industry will provide the necessary skills and knowledge learned in school. Through observation in the actual work, the student will become more competitive and efficient when they get a job in the future. The practicum also provides the student some important insights on management developed in modern science and technology used in advance countries. Summary As a student trainee, I need to do my best inspite of my shyness, so that I  can be strong to face the challenges ahead of my work and maintain a good working relationship with them. They oriented me about the rules and regulation, safety guidelines, standard operating procedures. And they also taught us some tips on how to manage the restaurant properly. At first, I felt nervous in working with them. They introduce me to my co-workers. At first I was so shy, but after a few days I was able to inject jokes with them. I’m so thankful to my co-workers because they helped me in my works. In fact they told that they are just like me when they were starting their job. They gave me advice and comforted me when I’m sad. I was assigned at the kitchen department when the kitchen supervisor told me that I was to be in the pantry which will prepare foods and as well as portioning, tagging dates. I observed what they did everyday until I learned how to manage my own self. I really enjoyed working with the everyday. I am used to be friendly and nice to them. At first as a pantry, I was so slow in preparing food ordered and the kitchen supervisor advices me that I need to be fast in preparing orders. But still I did my job well in preparing food so that it will appear presentable and clean to the customers. My second assignment was in the Bar Station; organizing and making some dessert, drinks and others. I really enjoyed when we have other functions such as parties and take outs. I enjoyed preparing foods for the customers and I experienced these every end of the month when we are having our inventories and quality assurance inventory and when MGP are to inspect the expired foods and services extended to the customers. And I observed also if employees are on the night time to serve the order of the customers. I did my job very well in this area. Overall, in my on the job training, I was so glad that I had my training at Max’s Restaurant because they were so good to me. They helped me in my work. There were so many things that I have learned from them that I can use in my future job. Problems Encountered by the OJT Having OJT is a big problem already for some students especially those who  are taking it, because you don’t know where will you be going to have OJT. And you will be the one to apply for a job in the restaurant or hotels unlike other schools their instructors will be the one to guide them to their prospective places for deployment aside from the endorsement letter. In my on job training it’s difficult for me to cope with the new environment especially they are kapampangans. Though there is a quotation ‘we can please anybody but we cannot please everybody.’ Since we are in the kitchen we feel the pressure in handling some co-workers. We have to be patient according to kuya Chiefs, a regular employee. They were taught something about dealing with customers and co-workers. They taught me how to build confidence that I have now in treating different people. Being patient and understanding to co-workers and customers to avoid conflicts and misunderstandings. My stay in Max’s Restaurant for almost five months was really enjoyable. I am glad that I was able to gain my first working experience from a prestigious restaurant. Conclusion/ Recommendation As a college who will graduate soon, I must prepare myself to be a responsible person. One of my concern is to help students who are in the on the job training. And because my course is Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology major in Foods, it’s easy for me to cope with everything because it is related to my course. Having a work experience in an established and popular restaurant like Max’s, I have a closer look on how things work in a busy dinning, from proper food preparation to portioning vegetables, tagging dates and organizing bar. I have learned many good experiences for my training. I am sure many students liked me especially the BSIT-Foods will find that the training in a restaurant is worth rewarding. Based on my personal experience, I will recommend Max’s Restaurant as a good venue. Difficult from the start, but through hard work and patient are important virtues to improve ourselves. I kept these in mind and apply in appropriately so that if ever I ventured in my own business I can apply everything I learned into use. Hopefully my business will prosper like Max’s.

Children in Conflict with Law: Scenario of Crimes Committed and Justice Delivery System for Juveniles in India Essay

As per the recent report of the National Council for Protection of Child Rights (2013) that there are approximately 32,000 children a year at any point of time as ‘Children in conflict with the law‘. Within this smaller universe, looking at NCRB data for 2012 the report find that 8569 children were apprehended for murder, attempt to murder, rape and theft which is about 25.45 %. Further, as against all forms of crimes recorded each year, NCRB‘s compilation of data reflects that juvenile crimes for the years 2001 and 2012 accounted for 16509 and 33668 which is only 0.9 % and 1.3 % percentage respectively of the total crimes committed in the country. The fact that there is only a miniscule number of children in conflict with law and that too that they have not been given protection has to be factored in while discussing either reduction in age or increase in punishment of the juvenile (NCPCR, 2013). Juvenile delinquency during 2012 As per the data provided by NCBR, in 2012 there was increase in the number of juveniles apprehended for committing almost all the types of cognizable offences over 2002 and quinquennial average during that period (Table 1). From the table it appears that the increase in the juvenile apprehended for various offences in absolute terms is very less than what appears in percent. For example there were only 33 cases of counterfeiting recorded during 2012 but it shows increase of 1000 percent over 2002. Further there was 333.3 % increase in 2012 in death caused due to negligence over such cases recorded during 2002. Most of these cases were associated with rash motor vehicle driving. Table 1.1 Comparison of select offences committed by juvenile delinquents during 2007-12 in India |No. |Type of Offence |Quinquennial Average |Offences Recorded in|Percent increase |Percent increase | | | |offences recorded |2012 |over QA average |over crime recorded | | | |during 2007-11 | | |in 2002 | |1 |Murder |765 |990 |29.4 |86.4 | |2 |Attempt to commit murder |580 |876 |51.5 |86.8 | |3 |Preparation and assembly for |62 |92 |47.9 |100 | | |Dacoity | | | | | |4 |Dacoity |137 |174 |176.2 |176.2 | |5 |Robbery |516 |767 |270.5 |270 | |6 |Death due to negligence |161 |260 |61.3 |333.3 | |7 |Counterfeiting |14 |33 |132.4 |1000 | Causes of juvenile delinquency: Of the various factors affecting the juvenile delinquency socio-economic conditions of the children are considered to be of most importance. In the year 2012 a total of 39822 delinquents were apprehended under various offences. It was found that there is direct correlation with the economic status of the delinquent. With increasing income of the family there was reduction in the number of delinquents apprehended for various offences. Fig. indicates that during 2012 of the total delinquents apprehended in the country 52 % were belonging to lower income group having annual income of less that Rs. 25,000/-. The percentage of delinquents reduced with the increase in the annual income of the parents. Thus there were only 0.84 % delinquents belonging to upper income group having annual income of more than Rs. 3,00,000/-. Similar situation was observed in Gujarat where of the total (2406) delinquents apprehended 71 % belonged to the lower income group having annual family income less than R s. 25,000/- while in the upper income group (annual income more than Rs.3,00,000) there was no child recorded to be in conflict with law. As per the data provided by NCRB (2012) delinquency in the children is also associated with the educational status of the children. The children who have never attended any school (illiterates) and those who have attended the school for a short period (having received primary education) represent 60 % of the total delinquents (illiterates -14 % and primary education- 46 %). As against earlier reports (Mishra—-), the NCBR report of 2012 states that during 2012 the percentage of illiterates in the total delinquents was a mere 14 %. The percentage of delinquent having received secondary education than was reported to be 31 %. The percentage of delinquents who have received higher education was least. Figure 1 shows the overall picture of educational status of the delinquents apprehended during 2012 in India. Similar situation was observed in the case of delinquents apprehended Also the age and sex of the delinquent plays a very important role. During 2012 of all the juveniles apprehended for various offences 66.5 % were belonging to the age group 16-18 years. Moreover, there was increase of 22.2 % in the juveniles of age group 16-18 years apprehended under IPC and other SLL in 2012 over 2011. Also of the total juveniles apprehended since 2001 to 2012 the percentage of girls has never exceeded 7 %. It was 5.9 % in 2012. The increase in number of juveniles of the age group 16-18 years associated with various crimes including murder; attempt to commit murder; rape; kidnapping; dacoity; burglary; theft; etc., and the gang rape of a girl in Delhi had led many activists to approach the Apex Court with a petition to reduced the age of juvenile as defined in S. 2(k) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, 2002. The event of gang rape of a 23-year-old girl in Delhi in December 2012 wherein a juvenile was one of the accused had created uproar. Among other things, petitions were filed in India’s Supreme Court to examine the constitutional validity of a provision of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 that treats a person younger than 18 years as a minor for crimes committed. The Supreme Court refused to reduce the age of juvenile from 18 to 16 years and dismissed a plea that minors involved in heinous crimes should not be protected under the law. On 17th July 2013 a bench headed by then Chief Justice Altamas Kabir said that interference in Juvenile Justice Act is not necessary and dismissed a batch of PILs which were filed in the aftermath of the December brutal gang rape and murder case in which a minor was also allegedly involved. The fact that of the percentage of delinquents in the total crimes committed in the country is around 1.0 % and that at the age of 16-18 years boys are more aggressive justifies the argument of keeping the age of juvenile as per the existing provisions of the JJ Act. An argument put forward by the sociologist that the child in care of parents is less likely to become delinquent than those having no parents or living with guardians or homeless is not applicable in cases of juveniles apprehended for committing various offences during 2012. There were more than 81 % of the delinquents (Fig.—-) living with their parent who were apprehended during 2012. Thus living without parents is not a cause for Disposal of del inquent’s cases: To ensure speedy proceedings, the JJ Act specifies that proceedings â€Å"shall be completed within a period of four months from the date of [their] commencement,† but with exceptions if the â€Å"period is extended by the Board having regard to the circumstances of the case and in special cases after recording the reasons in writing for such extension.† This discretion permits cases to languish in the system indefinitely (Rickard, 2008). The figures given by NCBR indicates that there are a total of 10721 cases pending with various JJ Boards that accounts for 36.84 % of the cases admitted in these boards. Thus there is a need for quick disposal of pending cases. The data provided by NCBR (2012) show that there are a few states where the rate of disposal of cases is very high (e.g. Tamilnadu- 81 %) where as in other states it is not so (Haryana – 38.15 %). In states like Jammu and Kashmir the disposal of cases is very slow (12.2 %). View of Apex Court on punishment Another important question that requires urgent attention is that large numbers of cases of juvenile were tried in regular Court having criminal jurisdiction and where ever the courts have found the accused guilty, sentences have been awarded. The provision of S. 7 of the JJ Act regarding determination of the age of the accused is overlooked in such cases. At later stages when the accused comes to know about his/her right as juvenile fresh appeals are filed in the High Courts or the Supreme Court. In one of such cases M B Lokur J. of the Apex court had to decide three issues (Jitendra Singh @ Baboosing and ors. Vs. State of Uttar Pradesh on 13th July 2013- unreported). 1. Whether the appellant was a juvenile or a child as defined by Section 2(k) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 on the date of occurrence of the offence he was charged with. 2. Whether the conviction of the appellant can be sustained on merits and, if so, the sentence to be awarded to the appellant. 3. Whether any appropriate measures can be taken to prevent the recurrence of a situation, such as the present, where an accused is subjected to a trial by a regular Court having criminal jurisdiction but he or she is later found to be a juvenile. Considering the facts of the case, provisions of the JJ (Care and Protection) Act 2002 and after taking in to consideration past judgements of the apex courts Lokur J. decided that: 1. The documentary evidences (school admission register) and medical examination proves beyond doubt that the appellant was about 17 years of age when the incident had occurred and that he had set up a claim of being a juvenile or child soon after his arrest and before the charge sheet was filed. In other words, the appellant was a juvenile or a child within the meaning of that expression as defined in Section 2(k) of the Act. 2. Also majority of children dealt with under the JJA come from the lowest wealth strata and do not have a birth certificate. The medical report provides a range of age and does not determine it accurately giving a wide discretion to the judges who determine the age using various factors (Ved Kumari, 2009). 2. Based on the evidences presented by the prosecution it was held by both t he sessions and the High Court that the case of causing dowry death had convincingly been made out against the appellant. Therefore, the conviction was upheld by the Apex Court. 3. While awarding the sentence to the appellant who was juvenile on the date of commission of crime, the Apex Court noted that there existed many views: a. Conviction was upheld but the sentence quashed (Jayendra V. State of Uttar Pradesh (1981) 4 SCC 149). Similarly in Bhoop Ram v. State of U.P. (1989) 3 SCC 1, Pradeep Kumar v. State of U.P., 1995 Supp (4) SCC 419, Bhola Bhagat and other v. State of Bihar, (1997) 8 SCC 720, Upendra Kumar v. State of Bihar, (2005) 3 SCC 592, Gurpreet Singh v. State of Punjab, (2005) 12 SCC 615, Vijay Singh v. State of Delhi, (2012) 8 SCC 763. b. In another category of cases the Apex court had upheld the conviction but the sentence awarded was modified to the period of detention already undergone e.g. Satish @ Dhanna v. State of Madhya Pradesh, (2009) 14 SCC 187 and in Dharam bir v. State (NCT of Delhi), (2010) 5 SCC 344. c. In a third category of cases wherein the juvenile against whom conviction was proved, appeal against his conviction was allowed and the entire case remitted to the Juvenile Justice Board for disposal in accordance with law e.g. Hari Ram v. State of Rajasthan, (2009) 13 SCC 211 and Daya Nand v. State of Haryana, (2011) 2 SCC 224. d. In yet another category of cases the apex court upheld the conviction but sent the entire records of the case to Juvenile Justice Board for awarding suitable punishment e.g. Ashwani Kumar Saxena v. State of Madhya Pradesh, (2012) 9 SCC 750. Considering the provision made in Section 20 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 in the instant case the matter was referred back to the Juvenile Justice Board for award of punishment. Regarding the preventive measures to be taken to avoid such situation the Apex Court observed that every Magistrate before whom an accused is produced to ascertain, in the first instance or as soon thereafter as may be possible, whether the accused person is an adult or a juvenile in conflict with law. The reason for this, obviously, is to avoid a two-fold difficulty: first, to avoid a juvenile being subjected to procedures under the normal criminal law and de hors the Act and the Rules, and second, a resultant situation, where the ‘trial’ of the juvenile is required to be set aside and quashed as having been conducted by a court not having jurisdiction to do so or a juvenile, on being found guilty, going ‘unpunished’. This is necessary not only in the best interests of the juvenile but also for the better administration of criminal justice so that the Magistrate or the Sessions Judge (as the case may be) does not waste his time and energy on a trial’ . 1. Every Magistrate must ascertain that when an accused is produced before him, and if the Magistrate has any iota of doubt about the juvenility of an accused produced before him, Rule 12 provides that a Magistrate may arrive at a prima facie conclusion on the juvenility, on the basis of his physical appearance. In our opinion, in such a case, this prima facie opinion should be recorded by the Magistrate. An inquiry into the juvenility of the accused must be done at an early stage preferably on first production. 2. Due to the poor socio-economic condition of the juvenile the court observed that it is difficult to expect a juvenile in conflict with law to know his rights upon apprehension by a police officer and if the precautions that have been suggested are taken, the best interests of the child and thereby of society will be duly served. Therefore, it may be presumed, by way of a benefit of doubt that because of his status, a juvenile may not be able to raise a claim for juvenil ity in the first instance and that is why it becomes the duty and responsibility of the Magistrate to look into this aspect at the earliest point of time in the proceedings before him. We are of the view that this may be a satisfactory way of avoiding the recurrence of a situation such as the one dealt with. 3. Attention may be drawn to Section 41-B of the Code which requires a police officer making an arrest to prepare a memorandum of arrest which shall be attested by at least one witness who is a member of the family of the person arrested or a respectable member of the locality where the arrest is made. The police officer is also mandated to inform the arrested person, if the memorandum of arrest is not attested by a member of his family, that he has a right to have a relative or a friend named by him to be informed of his arrest. 4. Every police officer making an arrest is also obliged to inform the arrested person of his rights including the full particulars of the offence for which he has been arrested or other grounds for such arrest (Section 50 of the Code), the right to a counsel of his choice and the right that the police inform his friend, relative or su ch other person of the arrest. 5. According to the provisions of S. 54 of the CrPC when any person is arrested, it is obligatory for the arresting authority to ensure that he is got examined by a medical officer in the service of the Central or the State Government or by a registered medical practitioner. The medical officer or registered medical practitioner is mandated to prepare a record of such examination including any injury or mark of violence on the person arrested. 6. If these procedures are followed, the probability of a juvenile, on apprehension, being shown as an adult and sent to judicial custody in a jail, will be considerably minimized. If these procedures are followed, as they should be, along with the requirement of a Magistrate to examine the juvenility or otherwise of an accused person brought before him, subjecting a juvenile in conflict with law to a trial by a regular Court may become a thing of the past. 7. The Court also directed that whenever an accused, who physically appears to be a juvenile, is produced before a Magistrate, he or she should form a prima facie opinion on the juvenility of the accused and record it. If any doubt persists, the Magistrate should conduct an age inquiry as required by Section 7A of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 to determine the juvenility or otherwise of the accused person. In this regard, it is better to err on the side of caution in the first instance rather than have the entire proceedings reopened or vitiated at a subsequent stage or a guilty person go unpunished only because he or she is found to be a juvenile on the date of occurrence of the incident.† Conclusion Over the years the number of children coming in conflict with law is increasing and percentage children in the age group of 16-18 years apprehended for committing various offences is also on rise. Poor economic condition of the children coupled with no education or less education is considered to be the important factors for this. The demand for reducing the age of children coming in conflict with law from 18 years to 16 years has rightly been refused by the Apex Court. The Apex Court has also suggested that the provisions of Ss 41-B, 50 and 54 of the CrPC be followed strictly to avoid the trial of juvenile with regular Court. If the Magistrate before whom the delinquent is produced has slightest doubt about the age of the accused, he must ascertain it as per the provisions of S-7 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, 2002. References: 1. Altmas Kabir CJI, S S Nijjar J. And J. Chelameswar J (2013). Writ petition (C) N0. 10 of 2013. Judis.nic.in/supremecourt/imgd1.aspx?filename=40584. Last accessed on 13th Aug. 2013. 2. Mishra B N (1991) Juvenile Delinquency and Justice System, Ashish Publishing House, New Delhi, India. 3. National Crime Records Bureau (2013) Crime in India 2012, www.ncbr.gov.in/ Last accessed on 13th Aug. 2013. 4. NCPCR (2013) Status of Children in 14-18 Years: Review Of Policy, Programme and Legislative Framework 2012-2013. 5. Rickard Erika (2008) Paying lip service to the silenced: Juvenile Justice in India, Harvard Human Rights Journal 21: 155-166. 6. Supreme Court (2013) Jitendra Singh @ Baboosing and ors. Vs. State of Uttar Pradesh on 13th July 2013- unreported. www.indiankanoon.org/doc/70248453/ Last accessed on 13th Aug. 2013. 7. Ved Kumari (2009) Juvenile justice : Scuring the rights of children during 1998 – 2008. NUJS L. REV.557-572.

Assessment Proposal, Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

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Paramedic Science (Medical) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Paramedic Science (Medical) - Essay Example The area deprived of blood supply is said to have suffered ischemic injury. The ischemic injury, if severe enough to cause the complete block of oxygen and nutrients causes death of the heart tissue, which is termed as Myocardial Infarction (Guyton et al 200, Ganong 2005). The blood vessels supplying the heart are called coronary arteries. There are three main coronary arteries which supply different areas of heart along with their branches. These are 1) Right coronary artery, 2) Left anterior descending artery, 3) Left circumflex artery. Above 90% cases of myocardial infarction occur as a result of coronary artery blockage, thus the disease is also referred to as coronary artery disease (CAD). The most common and dangerous cause of coronary artery obstruction, and thus MI is Atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis refers to the narrowing of arteries because of accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are basically thrombi composed of lipid foam cells (cholesterol) and differe nt cell components including smooth muscle, macrophages and collagen fibres. In most instances, the ischemic myocardial infarction is precipitated by the phenomenon called acute plaque change. Acute plaque change results from the rupture of pre-existing thrombi that partially occlude the lumen. The rupture exposes the underlying thrombogenic endothelium. The plaques are also termed as vulnerable plaques as they contain lipids in high amounts, along with collagen fibres and inflammatory cells. When ruptured, the reactivity of these components causes the inflammatory destabilization and result in the infarction (Libby P 2001). The acute phase reactant, C reactive protein (CRP) is thus found to be high during the acute myocardial infarction (Blake et al 2003). The infarction can occur in either of the two patterns, complete occlusion of a single coronary artery referred to as transmural infarct, which results in complete ischemia of the area supplied by that particular coronary artery. Subendocardial infarcts on the other hand occlude the arteries incompletely, and thus allow some perfusion. But since subendocardium is the least perused area of the myocardium, it is more prone to ischemic death. The aim of reperfusion is to save the viable muscle from necrosis (Huber et al 1996). The myocardial injury is reversible for up to 30 minutes after the ischemic attack, thereafter the injury becomes irreversible. The entire muscle becomes necrotic within six hours, if the collateral arteries are not well developed (Robbins et al 2005, Mohan 2007). The development of atherosclerotic plaques and pathogenesis of the process into the myocardial infarction is a complex one. It is a chronic disease taking years to evolve before it causes any modifiable consequences. The evolvement is subtle and the resultant damage is severe. The pathogenesis of the disease involves several factors. The balance among these factors in the long run determines the outcome of the condition. These factors can either be modifiable or non-modifiable. The modifiable factors are the ones that a person can control by bringing about certain changes. They include controlling the level of fats in diet, cessation of smoking, regular exercise and maintaining the blood pressure in the normal range (Manson et al 1996). The hyperlipidemias, i.e. elevated low density lipoproteins and

Information security in wireless local area networks Essay

Information security in wireless local area networks - Essay Example Man in the Middle (MitM) is a real information security concern for the Wireless Local Area Networks. In the MitM attack, address of the proxy server changes with any fake address and hacks the wireless network in the form of traffic tunnelling, proxy attack, DNS poisoning, and rout mangling. This paper also outlined the solution of the major information security issues through the development of the techniques and protocols. Alloy model is the core focus in this paper, which contains the written code. Execution of this code is verified whether it met the expected function. Development of these techniques and protocols is aimed to ensure the data integrity and security. C# is the core programming language for the client side and PHP programming is used for the server side. Model checking involved the testing of the written features of the application in terms of verification of the descriptions. Static analysis, deductive verification, dynamic analysis and software model checking are the best examples of technology, which use the theorem proving for the validity of verification. Information Security in Wireless Local Area Networks Summary and Conclusion Introductory chapter of thesis narrates the aims and objectives of the work, and describes the structure of the thesis. This early chapter is focused on the Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), which is the biggest segment in the Wireless products’ market. Wireless Local Area Networks facilitates the communication and computing in spatial domains including the enterprises, hospitals, offices and campuses. In these environments, WLAN expands and complements the coverage in the existing networks. There are three main objectives behind the information security for the wireless networks such as the data integrity, confidentiality, and availability. Data Integrity; It is ensured that no data or information has been modified. Confidentiality; It is ensured that nobody other than receiver can see or read the inf ormation. Availability; It ensures the availability of information needed at any time. The second chapter of this thesis work has been on the history and background of the study. This chapter describes the ways of the wireless detection using when data packets pass through the Network Interface Card (NIC). Managed and â€Å"rfmon† modes of data transferring through NIC are stated. The function of the Kismet has been specified when data packets pass through the NIC and saved in the file named as â€Å"pcap†. Beacon frame is most wanted for the sniffer that contains the information about sniffing operation. Data sending and receiving over the WLANs need the connection with Access Points. The requirements of the encryption protocol for the data encryption of the beacon frame are also realized in this part of the thesis. A hacker attacks the wireless network and selects a wireless channel from where it attacks the network. Hacker uses the two probing techniques such as act ive and passive. NetStumbler tools works as active probing and receives the Service Set Identifies (SSID) and host information. An active probe detects the access points in scope of hackers’ transmission. Passive Probing technique is used to drop the data packets over a channel and neither data receiver nor the data sender can detect the attacker’s presence. Surveillance is a passive technique that a hacker uses to capture the data traffic over a

Structural Stagnation Dilemma Forum Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

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Social Problems Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

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Errol John and his work of "Moon on A Rainbow" Research Paper

Errol John and his work of "Moon on A Rainbow" - Research Paper Example Kenneth Tyran was aware about what happens in in theatre, in the year 1957, frustrations due to lack for sharp new writing, he went on to convince the observer that a play completion be launched. Moon on a Rainbow Shawl, by Errol John got the first prize, however, in spite of Joh’s play’s fresh force, John had struggle to get the play staged. It happens to be a shame that such talent could be overlooked as well as statement to the Nation that fifty years on, a stage for suitable stature for such a vibrant as well as subtle play has been found (Billington). Errol John, born in the year 1921 in Trinidad was a journalist before he moved to England in the year 1951 to look for a job in the theatre. Errol appeared in several productions in London stage. One of the well-known ones is in the Old Vic Theatre by the ear 1962, in the part of Othello. John made a number of appearances in film and television productions as well, although he played comparatively minor black characters that included the 1953 Heart of the Metter, the 1952 African Queen and the 1955 Simba, while head key starring roles within the BBC series such as the 1956 A man from the Sun as well as the 1967 Rainbow city. The themes of Moon in a Rainbow Shawl, which are now regarded as canonical work for black theatre, happen to be currently relevant with the play’s depiction for immigration, aspirations of the post war community that lives in poverty as well as the struggles that the African diaspora faces (Erdinch). Set in a Spanish Port, Trinidad, the play opens up on some hot, late evening within a yard of two decrepit buildings. Ephraim happens to be returning from job where he works as a bus driver, as he and Esther Adams are having a conversation. Esther, who is a quite intelligent as well as studious girl is discussing the manner in which it is not possible for her family afford school fees for her education. Secretly, Ephraim is envious of her youth as well as her opportunity to create a

The Social Issues of Racism Essay Example for Free

The Social Issues of Racism Essay Racism, by its true definition, has existed since the beginning of time and it can be defined purely as conflicts in social issues through the ramifications of discrimination. Dictionaries, for the most part, are not much help in understanding what the true meaning of the word is. There in its self is where the greatest conflicts lie. â€Å"They usually define it as the belief that ones own ethnic background or race is superior to others, or as the belief that culture and behavior are rooted in race†. Taken from â€Å"What is Racism? † By Thomas Jackson vol. II, No. of American Renaissance. Racism, in any entity, creates such strong social conflicts among groups of people that there have been wars, bloodshed and major family battles over issues pertaining to the symbolic interactionism to the opposition. â€Å"Thus, the interactionist theorist sees humans as active, creative participants who construct their social world, not as passive, conforming objects of socialization, but as organized and patterned interactions among individuals . † Taken from â€Å"Symbolic Interactionism† by Max Weber (1864-1920) and that is how individuals create he structural functionalism that exists with in their own societies. Racism has become, in its own right, a national obsession. Universities have become on full alert for it, newspapers and politicians denounce and campaign against it, often religions preach about the bad or the good of it, The United States is said to be consumed with it. We create and internalize our own reactions to it and what we teach with in the walls of our homes in the most important part of our reactions. So, how do we define racism? The guess is, it depends on your own ethnic race or background.

Cross Layered Approach for Network Selection

Cross Layered Approach for Network Selection A Cross Layered Approach for Network Selection in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks M. Deva Priya, Dr. M. L Valarmathi, D.Prithviraj Abstract: Service delivery in a heterogeneous wireless network environment requires the selection of an optimal access network. Selection of a non-optimal network can result in undesirable effects such as higher costs or poor service experience. Consequently, network selection techniques play a vital role in ensuring quality of service in heterogeneous networks. Network selection in such an environment is influenced by several factors, with different relative importance, the access network selection problem is usually looked at from the aspect of multi-criteria analysis. The proposed mechanism is based on a modified Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) steps to assist the Mobile Subscriber Stations (MSSs) in selecting the top candidate network dynamically. The performance analysis reveals that this network selection scheme yields a better results in selecting the better network. Keywords: MCDM, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), WiMAX–Wi-Fi Scenario Introduction: The 4th Generation (4G) wireless networks aims at integrating various heterogeneous wireless access networks such as GPRS, 3G, Wi-Fi, WiMAX over an Internet Protocol (IP) backbone. With the integration of different access networks, wider ranges and higher Quality of Service (QoS) can be provided to the users. The next generation wireless networks have been designed to provide support for multimedia services with different traffic characteristics, different QoS guarantees and to satisfy different types of service level agreements (SLAs) for an increasing number of mobile users. The integration of different wireless network technologies is required to provide a â€Å"seamless† interoperability, integration and convergence among the heterogeneous technologies. Several heterogeneous wireless networks that consist of Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) and Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) networks have started to be operated. IEEE 802.16 WiMAX: WiMAX, a broadband wireless technology, developed by the WiMAX Forum [IEEE standard] is based on the 802.16 standard. The main objective is to provide high speed data transfers over the air. It has a frequency range of about 2-11 GHz for Non-Line-of- Sight and 10-66 GHz for Line of Sight. The signal range for Line of Sight and Non Line of Sight are 30 miles and 5 miles respectively. There are two types of WiMAX, say Fixed and Mobile WiMAX. WiMAX supports different types of traffics like Best Effort (BE), Unsolicited Grant Service (UGS), nrtPS (Non- Extended Real-Time Polling Service), rtPS (Extended Real-Time Polling Service) and ertPS (Extended Real-Time Polling Service). It is a technology for next generation with potential applications such as cellular backhaul, hotspot, VoIP mobiles and broadband connection etc. Itis a standard based wireless technology that provides internet access and multimedia services at very high speed to the end user. IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi: WLAN (or WiFi) is an open-standard technology that enables wireless connectivity between equipments and local area networks. Public access WLAN services are designed to deliver LAN services over short distances. Coverage extends over a 50 to 150 meter radius of the access point. Connection speeds range from 1.6 Mbps, which is comparable to fixed DSL transmission speed, to 11 Mbps [Part 11 -1]. New standards promise to increase speeds to 54 Mbps. Today’s WLANs run in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radio spectrums [Part 11 2]. The 2.4 GHz frequency is already crowded—it has been allocated for several purposes besides WLAN service. The 5 GHz spectrum is a much larger bandwidth, providing higher speeds, greater reliability, and better throughput [Part 11 3]. Handover Process: When a Mobile Subscriber Station (MSS) moving in an overlapping area, continuous service must be need so the technique â€Å"HANDOVER† is done. The handover technique is mainly used to redirect the mobile user’s service network from current network to a new network or one base station (BS) to another BS or one access point (AP) to another AP with same technology or among different technologies to reduce the processing delay in the overlapping area. Handover technique has the two types, Horizontal Handover and Vertical Handover. The homogenous wireless network performs horizontal handover, if there are two BSs using the same access technology, in current system called horizontal handover. This type of mechanism use signal strength measurements for surrounding BSs to trigger and to perform the handover decision. In heterogeneous wireless networks, the MSS or BS will be equipped with multiple network interfaces to reach different wireless networks. When an emerging mix of overlapping heterogeneous wireless networks deployed, vertical handover is used among the networks using different access technologies. Handover technique has the four phases: Handover Initiation, System discovery, Handover decision, Handoff execution. Handoff Initiation phase: The handover process was modified by some criteria value like signal strength, link quality etc. System discovery phase: It is used to decide which mobile user discovers its neighbour network and exchanges information about Quality of Service (QOS) offered by these networks. Handover Decision phase: This phase compares the neighbour network QOS and the mobile users QOS with this QOS decision maker makes the decision to which network the mobile user has to direct the connection. Handoff Execution phase: This phase is responsible for establishing the connection and release the connections and as well as the invocation of security service. The scope of our work is mainly in handover decision phase, as mentioned in the decision phase; decision makers must choose the best network from available networks. Multi – Criteria Decision Making: Handover decision problem deals with making selection among limited number of candidate networks from various service providers and technologies with respect to different criteria. Network selection schemes can be categorized in to two kinds: Fuzzy Logic based schemes and multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) based schemes. Three different approaches for the decision of the optimal access network selection are as follows: the network centric, the user centric and the collaborative approaches [Hwang, C. L, Meriem, K]. In network centric approach, the decision for the access network selection is made at the network side with goal to optimize the network operator’s benefit. The majority of network centric approaches are using game theory in order to select the network that will optimize the network operator’s profit. In the user centric approach, the decision is taken at the user terminal based only on the minimization of the user’s cost without considering the n etwork load balancing or other users. The selection of the access network is determined by using utility or cost or profit functions or by applying MCDM methods. The selection of an access network depends on several parameters with different relative importance such as the network and application characteristics, user preferences, service and cost etc., the access network selection problem can be solved by applying different MCDM algorithms. In the collaborative approach, the decision for the access network selection is made at the profits of both users and network operator. Multiple criteria decision making deals with the problem of selecting an alternative from a set of alternatives which are categorized in terms of their attributes. Generally there are two processes in MCDM techniques: (1) Weighting and (2) Ranking. Most popular classical MADM algorithms are SAW, TOPSIS, AHP, and GRA. In Simple Additive Weighting (SAW), overall score of a candidate network is determined by weighting sum of all the attribute values. In Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), the chosen candidate network is one which is closest to ideal solution and farthest from the worst case solution. Analytical hierarchical Process (AHP) decomposes the network selection problem in to several sub-problems and assigns a weight value for each sub-problem. Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) is then used to rank the candidate networks and selects the one with highest ranking. Related Work A novel optimization utility is presented [Pervaiz, Haris, Qiang Ni, and Charilaos C. Zarakovitis] to incorporate the quality-of-service (QoS) dynamics of the available networks along with heterogeneous attributes of each user. The joint network and user selection is modelled by an evolutionary game theoretical approach and replicator dynamics is solved to seek an optimal stable solution by combining both self-control of users’ preferences and self-adjustment of networks’ parameters, our study innovates over related efforts. This paper [Mehbodniya, Abolfazl, Faisal Kaleem, Kang K. Yen, and Fumiyuki Adachi] presents a novel approach for the design and implementation of a multi-criteria vertical handoff decision algorithm for heterogeneous wireless networks based on the fuzzy extension of the Techniques for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) which is used to prioritize all the available networks within the coverage of the mobile user and to achieve seamless mobility while maximizing end-users satisfaction. A network selection mechanism based on two multi attribute decision making (MADM) methods namely multiple analytic hierarchy process (M-AHP) and grey relational analysis (GRA) method is proposed [Lahby, Mohamed, and Abdellah Adib]. The M-AHP is used to weigh each criterion and GRA is used to rank the alternatives. This paper [Rao, K. R., Zoran S. Bojkovic, and Bojan M. Bakmaz] provides a survey on fundamental aspects of network selection process and deals with network selection concept as a perspective approach to the always best connected and served paradigm in heterogeneous wireless environment. A cross-layer architectural framework for network and channel selection in a Heterogeneous Cognitive Wireless Network (HCWN) [Haldar, Kuheli Louha, Chittabrata Ghosh, and Dharma P. Agrawal] is proposed. A novel probabilistic model for channel classification based on its adjacent channels’ occupancy within the spectrum of an operating network is also introduced. Further, a modified Hungarian algorithm is implemented for channel and network selection among secondary users. A two-step vertical handoff decision algorithm [Liu, Chao, Yong Sun, Peng Yang, Zhen Liu, Haijun Zhang, and Xiangming Wen] based on dynamic weight compensation is proposed. It also adopts the filtering mechanism to reduce the system cost and improves the conventional algorithm by dynamic weight compensation and consistency adjustment. A speed-adaptive system discovery scheme [Yang, Peng, Yong Sun, Chao Liu, Wei Li, and Xiangming Wen] before vertical handoff decision, which effectively improves the update rate of the candidate networks set is introduced. Then a vertical handoff decision algorithm based on fuzzy logic with a pre-handoff decision method which reduces unnecessary handoffs, balancing the whole network resources and decreasing the probability of call blocking and dropping. A context-aware service adaptation mechanism [Chang, Jie, and Junde Song] under ubiquitous network relying on user-to-object, space-time interaction patterns which helps perform service adaptation is presented. Similar Users-based Service Adaptation algorithm (SUSA) is proposed, by combining entropy theory and fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process algorithm (FAHP). This approach adopts a suitably defined utility function [Pervaiz, Haris, and Qiang Ni], which at the same time takes into account the users importance for the considered attributes and the quality offered for these attributes by the available networks. The dynamics of network selection in cooperative wireless networks is modeled using an evolutionary game theory where an evolutionary equilibrium is sought as a solution to this game. A bandwidth allocation algorithm is proposed [Fei, Wenchao, Hui Tian, and Rongrong Lian] for Constant Bit Rate (CBR) and Variable Bit Rate (VBR) services depending on utility fairness among different networks and the fairness between new arrival and ongoing services. A utility function is introduced whose parameters are determined by the modified multi-state Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) which adapts to different load levels according to dynamic thresholds. A novel load balancing algorithm based on analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is proposed [Song, Qingyang, Jianhua Zhuang, and Rui Wen], which helps the heterogeneous WLAN/UMTS network to provide better service to high-priority users without decreasing system revenue. A novel selection policy [Sasaki, Misato, Akira Yamaguchi, Yuichi Imagaki, Kosuke Yamazaki, and Toshinori Suzuki] for a communication system in heterogeneous wireless networks, which applies the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) algorithm by taking into account the mobility of the user terminals is proposed. An intelligent context-aware solution based on advanced decision approaches like fuzzy logic and analytic hierarchy processes that considers both users and services requirements is proposed in [Zekri, Mariem, Badii Jouaber, and Djamal Zeghlache]. REFERENCES: IEEE Std 802.16-2009. IEEE standard for local and metropolitan area networks. Part 16: Air interface for broadband wireless access systems; 2009. Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specification, IEEE 802.11 WG, Aug. 1999. Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specification: High-Speed Physical Layer Extension in the 2.4 GHz Band, IEEE 802.11b WG, Sept. 1999. Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specification: High-Speed Physical Layer in the 5 GHz Band, IEEE 802.11a WG, Sept. 1999. Hwang, C. L., Yoon, K. (1981). Multiple attribute decision making: Methods and applications. In A state of the art survey. New York: Springer. Meriem, K., Brigitte, K., Guy, P. (2008). An overview of vertical handover decision strategies in heterogeneous wireless networks. Elsevier, Journal of Computer, Communication, 37(10). Pervaiz, Haris, Qiang Ni, and Charilaos C. Zarakovitis. User adaptive QoS aware selection method for cooperative heterogeneous wireless systems: A dynamic contextual approach.Future Generation Computer Systems(2014). Mehbodniya, Abolfazl, Faisal Kaleem, Kang K. Yen, and Fumiyuki Adachi. A novel wireless network access selection scheme for heterogeneous multimedia traffic. InConsumer Communications and Networking Conference (CCNC), 2013 IEEE, pp. 485-489. IEEE, 2013. Lahby, Mohamed, and Abdellah Adib. Network selection mechanism by using M-AHP/GRA for heterogeneous networks. InWireless and Mobile Networking Conference (WMNC), 2013 6th Joint IFIP, pp. 1-6. IEEE, 2013. Rao, K. R., Zoran S. Bojkovic, and Bojan M. Bakmaz. Network selection in heterogeneous environment: A step toward always best connected and served. InTelecommunication in Modern Satellite, Cable and Broadcasting Services (TELSIKS), 2013 11th International Conference on, vol. 1, pp. 83-92. IEEE, 2013. Haldar, Kuheli Louha, Chittabrata Ghosh, and Dharma P. Agrawal. Dynamic spectrum access and network selection in heterogeneous cognitive wireless networks.Pervasive and Mobile Computing9, no. 4 (2013): 484-497. Liu, Chao, Yong Sun, Peng Yang, Zhen Liu, Haijun Zhang, and Xiangming Wen. A two-step vertical handoff decision algorithm based on dynamic weight compensation. InCommunications Workshops (ICC), 2013 IEEE International Conference on, pp. 1031-1035. IEEE, 2013. Yang, Peng, Yong Sun, Chao Liu, Wei Li, and Xiangming Wen. A novel fuzzy logic based vertical handoff decision algorithm for heterogeneous wireless networks. InWireless Personal Multimedia Communications (WPMC), 2013 16th International Symposium on, pp. 1-5. IEEE, 2013. Chang, Jie, and Junde Song. Research on Context-Awareness Service Adaptation Mechanism in IMS under Ubiquitous Network. InVehicular Technology Conference (VTC Spring), 2012 IEEE 75th, pp. 1-5. IEEE, 2012. Pervaiz, Haris, and Qiang Ni. User Preferences-Adaptive Dynamic Network Selection Approach in Cooperating Wireless Networks: A Game Theoretic Perspective. InTrust, Security and Privacy in Computing and Communications (TrustCom), 2012 IEEE 11th International Conference on, pp. 1609-1616. IEEE, 2012. Fei, Wenchao, Hui Tian, and Rongrong Lian. Utility-Based Dynamic Multi-Service Bandwidth Allocation in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks. In Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC Spring), 2012 IEEE 75th, pp. 1-5. IEEE, 2012. Song, Qingyang, Jianhua Zhuang, and Rui Wen. Load Balancing in WLAN/UMTS Integrated Systems Using Analytic Hierarchy Process. InRecent Advances in Computer Science and Information Engineering, pp. 457-464. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2012. Sasaki, Misato, Akira Yamaguchi, Yuichi Imagaki, Kosuke Yamazaki, and Toshinori Suzuki. Novel Communication System Selection Applying the AHP Algorithm in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks. InWireless Communications and Applications, pp. 241-249. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2012. Zekri, Mariem, Badii Jouaber, and Djamal Zeghlache. Context aware vertical handover decision making in heterogeneous wireless networks. InLocal Computer Networks (LCN), 2010 IEEE 35th Conference on, pp. 764-768. IEEE, 2010.

An Analysis Of The Financial Situation Marketing Essay

An Analysis Of The Financial Situation Marketing Essay Upon the successful completion of ACCAs fundamental level, I met the eligibility criteria of BSc Honours Programme, offered by Oxford Brookes University in partnership with ACCA for ACCA students. I had to select a topic from a vast variety of more than twenty topics to embark upon. After short listing them one by one, I decided to choose Topic 8 The business and financial performance of an organisation over a three year period for my research project. There were several reasons for choosing this particular topic. Apart from my personal interest, I wanted to apply my academic learning into a real world scenario as studying F7, Financial Reporting in the fundamental level of ACCA and P2, Corporate Reporting in the Professional Level, gave me high conceptual grip of financial analysis. It would also prove helpful to me in the future as I have a strong desire to invest into Plcs through the stock exchange once I start my career as an Investment Banker. I wanted to analyze on an organisation that operated in a highly competitive environment so that I would be able to compare its results with a competitor to see the financial and operational performance and the relation to the proposed strategy. This would also help make the report more interesting for the readers. Increasing trend in fashion, new clothing brands being introduced and the rapidly changing style sense of people, brought me to the conclusion to select an organization in the clothing retail industry. After researching on a few of the leading brands in the clothing industry of UK, I decided to analyse the financial performance of Next Plc and to compare it with Marks and Spencers. United Kingdom Clothing Market: In 1992, the United Kingdom clothing market emerged from the recession of the late 1980à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ²s and has continued to benefit from the renaissance of High Street spending throughout the 1990à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ²s. In late 1996, early 1997, the clothing retail industry showed signs of being boosted by the continued growth in personal spending, aided most recently by the payments consumers received from the building society conversion. In order to prevent economic overheating, the United Kingdom government and its major financial institutions were keen to dampen consumer spending. This occurred with the Bank of Englandà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ²s decision to raise interest rates. The introduction of new entrants into the clothing market and their, expansion, growth and diversification of outlets both in the chain and independent sector at all ends of the market i.e high, mid, and low were also important factors in the development of the United Kingdom clothing industry. Furthermore the retailers, revolutionized and thought to introduce new ways to sell their products. One of the popular methods was via the mail-order catalogues. This has now been super seeded by the arrival of television and Internet-based clothing outlets. There are in excess of 25,000 clothes retailing businesses in the United Kingdom, with a combined outlet total of 45,500 outlets. 1.2 Company Profile The Next retail chain was launched in February 1982 and the first store opened with an exclusive coordinated collection of stylish clothes, shoes and accessories for women. Collections for men, children and the home quickly followed. Next clothes are styled by the in-house design team to offer consistency of style, quality and value for money with a contemporary fashion edge. (Next Plc, Business Overview, The Next Brand [online]) Next Plc is a brand name in the United Kingdom clothing market for stylish, trendy men and women between 20 and 40 years of age. Menswear, womenswear, childrenswear and babywear is part ot the expansion into all the sectors of the clothing market under the NEXT brand label. Today Next Plc employees over 30,000 people and operates from more than 500 stores in the UK and Eire and over 170 franchise stores overseas, including Europe, Asia and Middle East. This makes Next Plc, one of the biggest High Street retailers in the United Kingdom. Over the last few years several larger format stores have opened across the UK and, in October 2005, Next opened the anchor store at the Manchester Arndale Centre with a store in excess of 80,000 square feet. Next Plc mainly operates through 5 basic divisions: Next Retail operates the high street shops through more than 330 stores covering the UK and Ireland; Next Directory is the mail order division which also contain the e-commerce platform; Next Overseas operates retail outlets in the United States, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East through franchise agreements; The company also provides home shopping and financial services, that make up the other 2 divisions: Ventura runs the financial services division by providing customer services management to clients wishing to outsource their customer contact administration and fulfilment activities Other activities include telecommunications software services and property management. For the first time in August 1985, Next launched its interiors range of soft furnishings for the home. Following the success of this diversification and the introduction of Next directory and home shopping, later in 1993, Next Plc announced its brand strategy, of One Brand Two Ways of Shopping, bringing together the common ranges across both retail and home shopping formats. 1.3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE REPORT The primary aim of this report is to evaluate the business and financial performance of Next plc between, the three years ended, from 28th January 2006 to 24th January 2009. The main focus of this report can be summarized into: To understand Next Plcs Business Strategy; and how it has facilitated Next Plc to achieve success. To analyze and present financial information in a manner which will enable to evaluate the overall financial performance of Next Plc from the year-ended 28/01/2006 to 24/01/2009. To analyze the nature of clothing retail industry and the competitive environment in which Next Plc operates, and the affects it had on the company. 1.4 Executive Summary Exciting,beautifully designed,excellent quality clothing and homeware;presented in collections that reflect the aspirations and means of our customers (Annual Report 06) Next Plcs aim is to provide its customers with good quality clothing at a reasonable price. According to Michael Porter, in terms of Porters Generic Strategies this would be more of a stuck in the middle position, as it is competing with the market cost leaders as well as product differentiators. However, the success of Next Plc has shown that it has successfully operated in such a mid-market position and has done very well to implement its strategy. The overall business strategy has been successful. Despite an ongoing programme of expansion over the last few years, the company has continued to increase profits, besides the decline in 2009 due to the unstable economy of United Kingdom. It has been forced to close only four outlets due to poor performance over the past years. The above chart shows a steady increase of 32.3% during the years 2004 to2008. This followed brand-strengthening strategies and a new perspective in overseas development. During the three fiscal years ended, the performance of the group can be summarised as follows; Turnover increased by 7.17% Profit before tax increased by 10.91% Earnings per share incresed by 32.41% Dividends increased by 25% Overall the figures are not much high, but they look promising and have shown a steady improvement over the years except in 2009 when the figures declined steeply. The group has set a target to increase its sales turnover in the years to come and increse its earnings per share, that is one of the most important financial objective. Uncertain economic outlook, rising tax rates and weakinig pound against euro and dollar may act as barriers to this target, but it is highly probable that it will be achieved, by better and efficicient stock, margins, costs, including overhead and administration cost controls. 2 INFORMATION GATHERING 2.1 Sources used and their reasons 2.1.1 Primary Research Primary research is the research in which the researcher collects original data directly about the product, market and organization by whatever means appropriate to answer the research questions i.e it is specificially related to a particular Research Project. It is data that did not exist before. Due to the availability of sufficient information from secondary sources, I felt that there was no need of primary data. Hence, most of my work is based on secondary sources. 2.1.2 Secondary research I used two main sources for the secondary research. Library I went through various books in the College library. I used BPP study text Success in your research and analysis project which gave me an initial outline, approach, and structuring for the project. Studying the Bsc Oxford Brookes Information Pack gave me the essential information on how to go about the project. The study texts published for ACCA examinations provided me with an array of analytical tools to use in achieving the aims of this report. Electronic research I mainly relied on the Internet to formulate this report, as there was vast information available on the internet, needed for this report. The various databases and search engines to collect the information I needed for the report were: Next Plcs website was the most important and authentic source of information. It provided me with the annual reports, company profile, its history and all the other information I needed for this report which includes the audited financial statements aswell. The website also had an archive of company news which gave me a hindsight of the more immediate matters faced by the company. Competitor websites (for the same reasons) Reuters website (http://stocks.us.reuters.com), this provided me with the financial statements of Sainsburys and Tesco for the past five years along with ratios of both companies and the industry averages for the current period. London Stock Exchange website, providing details of historic share performance and relevant industry and competitor news Using internet search engines (Google, and Wikipedia) to gather information related to Next Plcs and the UK clothing retail industry. Other business related databases used to obtain relevant industry and competitor news are: Financial Times (www.ft.com) Accountancy age (www.accountancyage.com) Business Week (www.businessweek.com) BBC (www.bbc.co.uk) 2.2 Methods Used Information gathering is a critical and crutial phase, as the whole of the research is based on the information gathered, so it should be done in an organized and systematic way. Information access has become simpler with extensive details and volume available online and offline therefore a plan has to be made beforehand to be able to extract the relevant and accurate material in order to form a well-structured and organized report, which is easy to understand to the users of the report. Main method I used to collect the information was to use the GOOGLE search engine. By just entering a few key words in the search bar it provided me with the links of numerious different websites, that contained loads of information, which was both relevant and irrelevant for this report,. So I went through all the information and chose the one that was relevant and necesaary to formulate this report. I wanted to have the relevant material in hand before I actually started the report writing process. I started my research way before I actually started to write the report, so as I used to browse different websites, I bookmarked the web pages which had the relevant articles so that I would not have any problems referencing the information if I had chosen to quote it in my report. I printed the Financial Statements of Next Plc that I downloaded from its website and had also imported it into MS Excel to perform the ratio analysis on. 3 ANALYSIS 3.1 PORTERS GENERIC STRATEGIES Next Plcs aim is to concentrate on the design, quality and value of the product, together with excellent customer service and deliver. ( John Barton, Chairman Next Plc, Annual Report 2009) Michael Porter identified three generic strategies (See Appendix A) by which organizations gain competitive advantage. Porter argued that to be successful an organization should select and implement one of the strategies, i.e. either cost-leadership or differentiation. According to Porters viewpoint Next Plc would be a classic stuck in the middle whereby it is trying to compete with the Industry Cost Leaders, Primark etc. as well as the Product Differentiators, House Of Fraser However, the overall success of Next Plc has proved quite the opposite and there exists another viewpoint that a single generic strategy is not always best because within the same product customers often seek multi-dimensional satisfactions such as a combination of quality, style, convenience, and price. Next Plc seeks to provide its customers with fair price products without compromising on their quality and has been successfully operated in such a mid-market position. When interpreted narrowly as referring to the appeal of a product to its target buyers, the proposition that firms should not be stuck in the middle should not be taken to imply that companies must be down-market or up-market, but nothing in-between. Such a view is belied by the evident success of companies such as Next Plc, which earn substantial economic rents in a mid-market position. PIMS (Profit impact of marketing strategy) data and other evidence shows, however, that intermediate positions are indeed profitable and are successfully exploited by many firms. (Michael Cronshaw, Evan Davis and John Kay (1994), pp. 19-33) 3.2 SWOT ANALYSIS Next Plc STRENGTHS Brand Name Niche strategy WEAKNESSES E-Commerce Concentrated market OPPORTUNITIES Expand into EU Marketing Opportunity THREATS Competitor price war Economy Strengths BRAND NAME Next Plc uses its own label Next to sell its products. Customers of Next associate themselves with the Next label. As they use their own brand it is easier for them to react on customers wishes and to adapt them very quickly keeping control over the quality management. NICHE STARTEGY Next Plc adapts a niche strategy and its main target group is between the ages of 20-40. This strategy has worked quite well over the past years and it has emerged as one of the strengths of Next Plc, designing adult fashion wear for the people between 20-40. While some of its competitors have problems to satisfy this segment, NEXT managed it very well in the past, selling their stylish products at reasonable prices. WEAKNESSES E-COMMERCE Although Next Plc introduced its online shopping in 1999 and the entire collection is available to shop from on the internet, but Next Plc does not invest a significant amount on e-commerce as its competitors do. Debenhams for example invest approximately GBP 5m on internet technology while on the other hand Marks Spencer spend around GBP 50m on e-commerce and digital TV. Trend of internet shopping is increasing rapidly; therefore Next Plc should reconsider their IT strategy and invest more into e-commerce to stay in the competition. CONCENTRATED MARKET Next operates in a highly competitive retail clothing market, therefore there is concentration of similar type of clothing manufactures, e.g. Marks Spencer, Arcadia. This can damage Next, if competitors gain the market share or if consumers change their habits and Next does not adapt to these changes quickly. OPPORTUNITIES EXPAND INTO EU More than 90% of the revenue generated by Next Plc is within the UK under the brand names of Next Retail and Next Directory. However there is an opportunity to increase the revenue and sales by expanding its operation into EU countries. Next Plc has already its operations in mainland China, Hong Kong, Romania, Sri Lanka, India, Turkey but if it expands into EU it can diversify the risk of the concentration of UK retail market and the strength of Great Britain Pound over Euro, which currently is not that high due to the recession but in future this can be a good source of income. MARKETING OPPORTUNITY Next plc is already running a groundbreaking mail order operation Next Directory, which was launched in 1988 with a hardback, creating the blueprint for catalogue retailing. It is ranked number one among the High Street names that offer mail order clothing. This is an effective marketing techniques added by Next Directory, i.e. the online shopping service for its targeted age group 20-40 as they have little time to do their shopping. This could be a great opportunity for Next to increase its market share. THREATS COMPETITOR PRICE WAR The UK clothing retail industry is a highly competitive industry. Next Plc has over the past few years managed to compete very well and occasionally offering sale and promotions as well. However if cost-leaders retaliate this, it may have serious consequences as the business strategy of Next Plc is different to the cost-leaders, such as Primark, and it may not be able to compete with them in this area. Also indulging in a price war would mean that the quality of its products may have to be compromised. ECONOMY Due to the recent credit crunch, UK economy generally is facing a downturn. This has affected many industrys including retail. This is one of the main reason for the downfall in the revenue of Next Plc in 2009. The other worrying factor is the weakning of pound, this affects adversly to Next Plc due to its international suppliers. According to the analysts, UK economy will improve in 2010, and bringing back the sales for Next Plc. PEST Analysis Political: A stable and sound political environment is the basis for long-term decisions. The United Kingdom, as a Member State of the European Union, fulfils this prerequisite. The government has to act within a definite political framework to achieve the conditions of the European Union and this guarantees Next Plc a higher scope of economic actions. Another advantage of the European Union is the open transfer of goods. This makes it easier for Next Plc to sell their products in the different European countries. There are no trade barriers that aggravate sales. Economic United Kingdom had a stable economy in the last few years but since 2008, it is experiencing one of the worst recession in the history. This has affected almost all of the businesses in the United Kingdom. Due to this, Pound has become weaker than Euro and Dollar. This can be alarming for Next Plc, as these two are the main purchasing currencies oof the group. Secondly, due to this, foreign investments have become expensive for the group and it may become a hurdle for the group in order to expand overseas. The group now, can not exploit the favourable economic conditions of United Kingdom, when the Pound was exceedingly stong in the past few years where the group expanded its operaions the most. Social: The social structure has changed dramatically over the last few years. People are eager to find more convinent way to shop e.g internet shopping and shopping from home, due to the busy life and lack of time to go and shop from the retail stores. Nexts target customers are in the range of 20 to 40. People in this age group are much busier than rest and prefer to shop online, due to their interest in technology. In order to retain this customer age group, Next Plc must need to understand the needs of people and respond immediately. This will also result in customer satisfaction and an increase in market share for the group if it tends to satisfy its customers . Techinlogical: The age of Internet and the reception of new media reveal a lot of potential opportunities for Next Plc to boost profits Therefore the group relies heavily on its sub-brand Next Directory, through which customers can shop online, conveniently from home or through a mail order catalogue and the products are delivered the next day. Using this method the group can react instantly to changes in behaviours of its customers. 3.4 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE The activities of the company in recent years have resulted in an exceptional financial performance. 3.4.1 SALES REVENUE The sales revenue of the group increased reasonablly well in the two years 2006-2008. Revenue incresed from  £ 3106.20m to  £ 3283.80m during the year ended 27th January 2007 resulting in an increase of 5.71% and in the year ended 28th January 2008, revenue further increased by 1.37% showing a consistant performance. This was achieved by roburst performance of Next Directory, and an effective cost control system. These are good results in a period of economic slowdown and are a reflection of the efforts we have made in building and improving the Next brand. (John Barton, Chairman Next Plc, Annual Report 2008) In 2009 the revenue of the group fell by 1.73% from  £ 3329.10M in 2008 to  £ 3271.50M in 2009. It was a tough year for the group, mainly because of the unstable economic conditions of UK as a whole, which began by the end of 2008 and still continues to worsen. Another reason for the decline in the turnover was the weakening of Great Britain Pound against dollar and euro, which are the main purchasing currencies of the group. But still the group did well to survive in these conditions and the management was pretty much optimistic about the financial conditions of the country. 3.4.2 PROFITABLITY RATIOS Gross Profit Margin The gross profit margin changed a little over the three years, this is because of the highly effective and efficient cost management of Next Plc. Revenue has increased over the years but the cost of sales hasnt changed much, proving that the group is cutting down its cost to save its customers from higher prices. In 2009, even under the tense economic conditions, the group has managed to decrease its cost of sales by 0.7% from  £2380m in 2008 to  £ 2,363m in 2009. This became possible due to the effective supplier management and good buying terms with its suppliers, even though pound got weaker against dollar and euro, which are the two main purchasing currencies of the group and higher tax rates, Next Plc aimed at reducing its costs rather than charging its customers with higher prices. Their response has been excellent,working hard with our suppliers to protect our customers from unaffordable price increases and our own margins, as far as possible. ( John Barton, Chairman Next Plc, Annual Report 2009) Marks and Spencers G.P margin was 38.6%% in 2008 and this decreased to 37.2% in 2009. This shows that the economic conditions were affecting everyone. But still GP margin of Marks and Spencers is better than Next. This is due to the increased amount of revenue generated by Marks and Spencers over the years from 2007 to 2009, in contrast with Next Plc. Net Profit Margin In 2008 net profit increased by 0.68% from 15.45% in 2007 to 16.13% in 2008. This was mailny due to the increase in revenue and effective management of overhead costs. In 2009, net profit declined by 9.3% from 16.13% in 2008 to 14.62% in 2009. Along with the weak economic environment and the decline in sales, another reason for this decline was the 39.9% increase in the overhead costs since 2008. This increase in the cost was due to the overseas expansion of the operations and the investment to strenghthen the Next brand. We are also extending the Next Brand into new overseas markets where we believe there are opportunities to build profitable businesses. If this is successful it will bring new sources of growth over the longer term. (John Barton, Chairman Next Plc, Annual Report 2008) Our goal has been to put a little of the magic back into the Next Brand through our product ranges, marketing and shopfit (Simon Wolfson, CEO Next Plc, Annual Report 2008) In contrast to this, the Net Profit Margin of Marks and Spencers is quite low as compared to Next Plc. It showed a varied trend over the three year period, being 10.9% in 2007, increasing to 11.8% by the year ended March 2008. In 2009, net profit declined by 22.16% from 11.8% in 2008 to 9.6% in 2009. Marks and Spencers incurs a very high cost on its admin, selling and general expenses amouting to almost  £2400m on average every year where as, Next Plc incurs just  £ 345m a year. Return on Capital Employed The return on capital employed (ROCE) assesses profits with the amount of funds (capital) employed to make the profits. This increased from 49.77% in 2007 to -53.27% in 2008. This represents an increase of 3.5%. But due to the economic unstability, the group could not maintain its high ROCE over the years and it declined by 9.85% from 53.27% in 2008 to 43.42% in 2009. On the other hand Marks and Spencers ROCE in 2008 increased by 0.44% to 22.37%. In 2009, it declined by 9.75% to 12.62%. This difference shows that Next is managing its resources much better, despite the fact that the revenue generated by Next Plc is approximately 37% lower than Marks and Spencers. The reason for a low ROCE for Marks and Spencers is the high overhead costs. It must control its costs in order to generate a higher return and free up additional extra capital invested. 3.4.3 LIQUIDITY RATIOS Current Ratio: This is a measure of the adequacy of companys current assets to meet short-term liabilities as they fall due, i.e its a basic liqiudity ratio. A ratio between 1 and 2 thought to be a standard level of liquidity. Next Plcs current ratio was 1.33, 1.11 and 1.50 in 2007, 2008 and 2009 respectively. This shows a healthy situation of the group as it has more current assests than its current liabiliteis as the ratio is greater than 1, therefore there does not seem to be any alarming situation for the group. If we compare the ratio of 1.50 in 2009, with the industry average of 1.93, it is very reasonable for the group but it can be improved by more efficient working capital management. Comparing the ratio to Marks and Specers, it was 0.52,0.59,0.60 respectively in 2007,2008 and 2009. This is because Marks and Spencers have a relatively high amount of current liabilities than Next Plcs, almost 30% more in year 2009. Quick Ratio: This differs from current ratio as it eliminates inventory from current assets providing a more useful position of the company to settle its immediate liabilities. Norms for quick ratios range from 0.7 to 1. Quick ratio of less than this is seen as a signal of illequidity. However, the trend of the ratio over time and comparison with the sector average are the most important indicator, as they are with current ratio aswell. Next Plcs quick ratio has been 0.82, 0.54, 0.93 for 2007 2008 and 2009 respectively. The ratio had a sharp decline in 2008 because of the  £242.7m short term debt raised by the company during the year in order to expand internationally. In 2009, the ratio was 0.93 which is quite good as compared to the industry average of 1.35. In comparison Marks and Spencers quick ratio was 0.22, 0.25, 0.30 in 2007, 2008 and 2009. This is quite alraming for the company as compraed to Next or the industry average, as it is very low. This is maily due to the high amount of debt finance invested in the group. This can be an alrming situation for the group as it can lead to illiquidity. This trend shows that Next Plcs in a better liquidity position and it may not face any problem settling short-term debts, whereas there may be pressure on Markss and Spencers suppliers. It indicates that Next Plc is making better use of its working capital. 3.4.4 GEARING RATIOS Capital Gearing Ratio: This indicates the extent to debt finance involved in a business. Next Plcs gearing ratio changed from 74.26% in 2007 to 111.22% in 2008 and 81.5% in 2009, whereas Marks and Spencers gearing ratio was 50.71% , 58.9%, 59.3% in 2007 2008 and 2009 respectively. In 2008, gearing ratio crossed over a 100% for Next Plc because of high level of debt taken by the group in order to finance the expansion and it exceeded the level of equity present in the group. We continued to invest in the Next Brand, spending  £39m refitting stores, maintaining advertising spend and improving the quality and design of our clothing and Home ranges (Simon Wolfson, CEO Next Plc, Annual Report 2008) Interest cover: The interest coverage ratio indicates the extent of which earnings are available to meet interest payments. An interest cover ratio of more than 3 times is considered safe as even if profits are reduced to half the company will still be able to meet its financing costs. Next Plcs had a very high interest cover of 15.37 in 2007. It then decreased to 12.38 and 9.74 in 2008 and 2009. On the other hand, the interest cover of Marks and Spencers showed a varied trend. It increased to 10.15 from 9.14 in 2008 and then decline by 51.6% to 5.24 times in 2009. Interest covere declined for both the companies in 2009. This was mailny due to the financial crisis the economy of UK is going through, but still it is much more than the safety margin i.e 3 times, therefore both the companies are in the position to settle their financial obligations. 3.5 INVESTOR OUTLOOK The earnings per share measures how much profit after tax is made for each individual share. (EPS) has been quite high for the group despite of the fall in the revenue in the 2009. The EPS of the group was 127.4p and it increased by 15.4% from 146.1p in 2007 to a record high of 168.7p in 2008. In 2009, EPS fell to 156p due to the fall in revenue. The continued use of surplus capital to buy back shares has again enabled us to deliver superior growth in earnings per share, our main financial objective ( John Barton, Chairman, Next Plc, Annual Report 08) The dividend per share of Next Plc was 44p and it then increased by 12.24% from 49p in 2007 to 55p in 2008. The group managed to maintain the same dividend per share of 55p in 2009, which is covered 2.8 times by earnings. Marks and Spencers EPS was 39.1p in 2007 and increased to 49.2p in 2008 before declining to 32.3p in 2009. The dividends per share were 18.3p, 22.5p, 17.8p in 2007,2008 and 2009 respectively. Despite having a very high EPS, the dividend payout ratio of Next Plc is much lower than Marks and Spencers. It was 33.5%, 32.6%, 35.2% in 2007,2008 and 2009 while the ratio of Marks and Spencers was 46.8%, 45.7%, 55.2% in 2007,2008 and 2009. This shows that Next Plc retains much of its profit as compared to Marks and Spencers. This can turn out to

Trifles Essay -- essays research papers fc

Little Trifles Add Up to a Big Case Detectives are always looking for little pieces of evidence when investigating a crime. After all, it is this evidence that can turn a trial around, whether be it for the good or bad. This is especially the case in Susan Glaspell's Trifles. When Mrs. Hale comes across little pieces of evidence, she passes them off as being "trifles", hiding them from the detective. She is the sole reason that very little evidence is collected that would convict Mrs. Wright, and can be believed to have some sort of involvement in the murder of John Wright. Mrs. Hale, being estranged from Mrs. Wright for over a year, had something to prove when she went into the house that day. Whether it is out of guilt from not seeing Mrs. Wright, or because she was actually an accomplice in helping Mrs. Wright get away with the act, we'll never know. However, Mrs. Hale knew what she was doing when she started to dismiss evidence before the detective's eyes had seen it. She was also very committed to showing that Mrs. Wright wasn't a bad homemaker, dismissing most of that evidence also. Mrs. Hale first shows signs of her guilt when she defends some bad housekeeping evidence, blaming it on things that men do. When attention it brought to a dirty towel, Mrs. Hale dismisses it because " Men's hands aren't always as clean as they might be"(1121). Her actions are then...

Eve’s Food Preparation: Art and Experience in Eden :: Research Papers

Eve’s Food Preparation: Art and Experience in Eden The arts of the first couple before the Fall have been extensively written on. It seems that most critics view prelapsarian art as congruous and natural to Eden, as evidence of prelapsarian splendor. Ann Torday Gulden states that art in Eden is socially neutral: â€Å"Surely art is innocuous [in Eden], an integral part of paradisal bliss† (18). Indeed, Eve’s artistic activity makes Eden seem all the more delightful to the reader. However, with a careful examination of how Eve’s art is perceived by the poem’s male characters, it becomes evident that Eve’s aesthetics do not quite fit. It is tempting for the reader, who lives in a â€Å"fallen† world, so unequivocally in favor of artistic culture, to praise Eden for examples of cultural activity within it. However, just about every example of Eve’s artistic activity is characterized by an aloofness from divine discourse. The male authoritative characters of Paradise Lost primarily ignore Eve’s examples of talented artistry, giving neither praise nor disapproval. But while the lack of recognition speaks volumes about her low status, it allows her an expansive autonomy from the divinely recognized modes of Edenic worship and devotion which serve to revere God. If the authoritative male characters regard her creativity as inconsequential, then there is almost no limit to the degree of autonomous creativity she can have within that localized sphere of artistry; no one is watching her or correcting her. The way in which Eve prepares food for the dinner guest, the angel Raphael, is a prime illustration of both Eve’s removal from the divine discourse and her expansion of a cultural, creative realm in which she can act, rather than follow. The first thing to recognize about the scene of Raphael’s arrival to instruct Adam and Eve is that Eve is excluded from proximity to the divine by Adam. To some degree, Adam actually forces her removal. The first one to see Raphael coming is Adam, of course. He says: Haste hither, Eve, and, worth thy sight, behold Eastward among the trees what glorious shape Comes this way moving; seems another morn Risen on mid-noon. Some great behest from Heaven To us perhaps he brings, and will vouchsafe This day to be our guest. But go with speed, And what thy stores contain bring forth, and pour Abundance fit to honour and receive Our heavenly stranger... (5.308) Adam’s language is unquestioning. It is clear that he knows a guest from Heaven is on his way. The speed with which he recognizes that the thing on the horizon is from Heaven shows that he has an intuitive