Thursday, October 31, 2019

Longitudinal Data Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Longitudinal Data Analysis - Essay Example Since, the data is of longitudinal nature therefore it would be appropriate to use weighted data for adjusting unweighted data over the period of consideration. Weighting of individual data has been made for non-response of individuals within households i.e. same individuals were missing to participate in later waves of data collection. Individuals’ response data weights have been collected for 12 years from a variable – xLRWGHT included in the data set. Selection of Variables In order to study the relationship between educational qualifications and income levels of individuals the following variables have been identified and selected from BHPS dataset. Dependent Variable: The dependent variable selected for the study is the financial position of individuals. The associated variable from the dataset is ‘xfisit’ from BHPS dataset for 12 waves of data collected. Independent Variable (Covariate): The independent variable selected for the study is the highest e ducation qualification. The associated variable from the dataset is ‘xiqfedhi’ from BHPS dataset for 12 waves of data collected. Fixed Variable: The analysis is performed on the basis of ethnic background of individuals. For this purpose, variable ‘arace’ has been selected which is described as ethnic group membership. There are nine subsets under this variable including White, Black-Carib, Black-African, Black-Others, Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, Bangladeshi, and Other Ethnic Groups. Hypotheses Establishment: In this study the relationship between education qualifications and financial position of individuals over a period of 12 years is investigated for testing out the following research hypothesis: H0: There is... The independent variable selected for the study is the highest education qualification. The associated variable from the dataset is ‘xiqfedhi’ from BHPS dataset for 12 waves of data collected. Fixed Variable: The analysis is performed on the basis of ethnic background of individuals. For this purpose, variable ‘arace’ has been selected which is described as ethnic group membership. There are nine subsets under this variable including White, Black-Carib, Black-African, Black-Others, Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, Bangladeshi, and Other Ethnic Groups. Hypotheses Establishment: In this study the relationship between education qualifications and financial position of individuals over a period of 12 years is investigated for testing out the following research hypothesis: H0: There is no significant relationship between educational qualifications and financial position amongst individuals from different ethnic backgrounds. H1: There is a significant relation between educational qualifications and financial position individuals from different ethnic backgrounds. Methodology: The methodology that has been adopted for the current study is aimed at providing a detailed examination of the data that has been collected through BHSP for providing vital information regarding education qualifications and financial position recorded amongst individuals belonging to different ethnic backgrounds. This is carried out using Explore and Cross Tab options available in SPSS for descriptive statistics.

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

The Interprofessional Working Environment with Vulnerable Adult with Essay

The Interprofessional Working Environment with Vulnerable Adult with Learning Disabilities - Essay Example As individuals, health practitioners and society are informed, take concern and progressive actions, various professional groups backed by government institutions and private ones are assigned either by choice or by obligation to individuals that need the help and assistance to lead a healthy, normal productive life. This study would try to delineate the current status of interprofessional working condition with regards to government programs and support, public and private agenda and contributions, as well as the actual process, problems and situations involved in being an occupational therapist with a vulnerable adult with learning difference. Occupational therapists (OTs) work with individuals with mental, physical, emotional or developmental disabilities to help them improve their ability to do everyday tasks at home and at work (BLS, 2005) with the goal to make clients have independent, productive, healthy and satisfying lives. The Deaprtment of Health through the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom provide for the necessary support in order to attain a holistic output in all efforts undertaken by both the health and social services sector. As the agency mutate and change over time adopting new policies and programs and discarding those which they deemed outmoded and outdated, professional groups from various agencies are hauled in the scene altogether. Pietroni (1994) described inter-working professional relations developed through hospital teamwork among surgical teams and mental health teams. But the Community Care Act further required social care assessment so that team membership became extended to psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and most recently, music and art therapists. But also a part of the growing network are from education, housing, court solicitors, voluntary and private sectors (Kingdon, 1992). Stott (1995) observed that by 1990s, the practice-based primary care in the UK have developed into a continuing and comprehensive care that shifted away from the personal doctor. West (1994) added that challenge is already focused to continuing personal care as well as achieving effective teamwork through shared vision, objectives and protocols. The 28 Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs) were introduced in 2002 that led to strategic developments that disbanded former health authorities and also underlined a major NHS issue which is constant change (Leathard, 2003). So that with this preconception, change has been equated to policies and legislations that affect health and social care since. As agencies and professionals with differing background and duties come together to handle individuals with special needs such as vulnerable adults with learning disabilities, a work environment is changed. Many believe that evaluation is still much needed but more also support his integration of different professionals. In a study conducted by Fawcett (2002), it was indicated that among 183 adults who self-reported learning disabilities, over 60 percent admitted that the disabilities persist into adult life. This is prevailing notion as well as a fact that beseech individuals with LD. Here, occupational

Sunday, October 27, 2019

A Two Port Network Biology Essay

A Two Port Network Biology Essay A  two-port network  a kind of  four-terminal network  or quadripole is an  electrical network  circuit or device with two pairs  of terminals to connect to external circuits. Two terminals constitute a  port  if the currents applied to them satisfy the essential requirement known as the  port condition: the  electric current entering one terminal must equal the current emerging from the other. The ports constitute interfaces where the network connects to other networks, the points where signals are applied or outputs are taken. In a two-port network, often port 1 is considered the input port and port 2 is considered the output port. The two-port network model is used in mathematical  circuit analysis techniques to isolate portions of larger circuits. A two-port network is regarded as a black box with its properties specified by a  matrix  of numbers. This allows the response of the network to signals applied to the ports to be calculated easily, without solving for all the internal voltages and currents in the network. It also allows similar circuits or devices to be compared easily. For example, transistors are often regarded as two-ports, characterized by their h-parameters (see below) which are listed by the manufacturer. Any  linear circuit  with four terminals can be regarded as a two-port network provided that it does not contain an independent source and satisfies the port conditions. Examples of circuits analysed as two-ports are  filters,  matching networks,  transmission lines, transformers, and  small-signal models  for transistors (such as the  hybrid-pi model). The analysis of passive two-port networks is an outgrowth of  reciprocity theorems  first derived by Lorentz. In two-port mathematical models, the network is described by a 2 by 2 square matrix of  complex numbers. The common models that are used are referred to as  z-parameters,  y-parameters,  h-parameters,  g-parameters, and  ABCD-parameters, each described individually below. These are all limited to linear networks since an underlying assumption of their derivation is that any given circuit condition is a linear superposition of various short-circuit and open circuit conditions. They are usually expressed in matrix notation, and they establish relations between the variables (Two-Port Networks. (n.d.). In  Wikipedia. Retrieved October 25, 20012, from http://en.wikipe dia.org/wiki/Two-port_network) The experiment is divided into two parts: Part 1 is focused on determining two-port network parameters (admittance and transmission parameters only). The process of measurement and calculations will be briefly illustrated in Theoretical Supplement part. We are aiming to investigate the relationships between the individual parameters and the parameters of two-port networks in cascade and parallel. Part 2 is focused on finding out the transient responses in two-port networks containing capacitive and inductive reactances. Theoretical Supplements: Measurement of Admittance (Y-) Parameters: The equations to determine the parameters are: I1 = y11V1 + y12V2 I2 = y21V1 + y22V2 i.e. [I] = [Y].[V] [Y] = y11 y12 y21 y22 where are the Y parameters of the two-port network. Experimentally these parameters can be determined by short circuiting the ports, one at a time. Hence these parameters are also termed as short-circuit admittance parameters. The following diagrams show the method to calculate the parameters: When output port is shorted (as shown in Figure 2 below): V2 = 0.1 Figure 2 y11 = I1 / V1 y21 = I2 / V1 When input port is shorted (as shown in Figure 3 below): V1 = 0 2 Figure3 y12 = I1 / V2 y22 = I2 / V2 Measurement of Transmission Parameters: The equations to determine the parameters are: V1 = AV2 BI2 I1 = CV2 DI2 Or3 Where [t] is the transmission parameters of the two-port network. Experimentally, the t-parameters can be obtained by short circuiting and open circuiting the output one at a time. The following procedure shows how to calculate the parameters: Output port is open-circuited: i.e. I2 = 0 4 Figure4 A = V1 / V2 C = I1 / V2 Output port is short-circuited: i.e. V2 = 0 1 Figure5 B = V1 / I2 D = I1 / I2 Cascade Interconnection of two 2-port Networks: Considering the 2 networks A and B which are connected in cascade, as shown in Figure 6 below. From this the transmission parameters of the combined cascaded network (N) is obtained. The method is demonstrated below. 5 Figure 6 [t]N = [t]A.[t]B 7 Hence, the following result is obtained. 8 Parallel Interconnection of two 2-Port Networks: Considering the two networks A and B which connected in parallel, as shown in Figure 7 below. The overall y-parameters of the combined network N can be obtained as follows: 6 Figure 7 I1 = I1A + I1B I2 = I2A + I2B V1 = V1A = V1B V2 = V2A = V2B; And H:DropboxCamera Uploads2012-10-25 05.41.34.jpg It can be seen that the overall Y-parameters can be obtained by summing the corresponding Y-parameters of individual networks A and B, when the A and B networks are not altered by the parallel connection. Transient Responses of Two-Port Networks: Damping Ratio  Ã‚ º is defined as the ratio of the actual resistance in damped harmonic motion to that necessary to produce critical damping. It is also known as relative damping ratio. We divide the transient responses into three types on the basis of damping ratio  Ã‚ º, Over damped response ( Ã‚ º > 1), Under damped response ( Ã‚ º Critically damped response ( Ã‚ º = 1). The various conditions stated above are described in detail below. Over damped Response: In this case the roots of the characteristic equation are real and distinct. The solution to the input signal is a decaying exponential function with no oscillations and the transient response will be over damped. The response to the input signal is slow and has no overshoots or undershoots. Under damped: The roots are complex in this case. The transient response will be under damped when  Ã‚ º Critically damped: When  Ã‚ º = 1, the roots are real and equal, and the transient response to the input signal will be critically damped. There will be no oscillations whatsoever. This case is a desirable outcome in many industries. In this experiment, we are mainly using the second type, which is the under damped response. And the characteristic equation is given by: S2 + 2 Ã‚ ºÃƒ Ã¢â‚¬ °nS + à Ã¢â‚¬ °n2 where à Ã¢â‚¬ °n = undamped natural frequency = 1/à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã… ¡( LC ) à Ã¢â‚¬ °n à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã… ¡ (1  Ã‚ º2 ) = damped natural frequency {A484D667-ABED-4193-B38C-40120C378004}  Ã‚ º = damping ratio = Further critical details have been illustrated in the Appendix B of Laboratory manual of Experiment L212. Objectives: To measure the admittance-parameters and transmission parameters of two-port network To investigate the relationships between individual network parameters and two-port networks in cascade and parallel connections To study the transient response of a two-port network containing capacitive and inductive reactances. Equipment: Digital Storage Oscilloscope Function Generator (50ÃŽÂ ©) Digital Multimeter Inductor with 2 inductance steps Capacitors: 22ÃŽÂ ¼F, 100ÃŽÂ ¼F Resistors: 33ÃŽÂ ©, 100ÃŽÂ © (2 numbers), 220ÃŽÂ ©, 330ÃŽÂ ©, 560ÃŽÂ ©, 680ÃŽÂ ©, 3.9kÃŽÂ ©, 4.7kÃŽÂ © (2 numbers), 5.6kÃŽÂ ©, 6.8kÃŽÂ © Bread-board Procedure: Measurement of Admittance-Parameters and Transmission Parameters and to investigate the relationships between individual network parameters and two port networks in cascade and parallel connections Setup A Connect the resistive network A as shown in Figure 8 below. With the network connected in the circuit, apply a sinusoidal voltage of 1 kHz, and amplitude 10 volts from peak to peak at: Port 1 with port 2 open-circuited Port 1 with port 2 short-circuited Port 2 with port 1 short-circuited In each case measure the voltage and current at the input and output terminals The input voltage is measured by observing the peak to peak value on the scope of the oscilloscope while the output voltage is measured with the digital meter. Tabulate the results in Table 1. (all the values measured should be in rms) Figure 8: The resistive network A{DA60CACE-9B44-4522-A111-F57AC9F95897} Setup B: Connect the resistive network as shown in the Figure 9 below. With the network connected in the circuit, apply an identical sinusoidal voltage as in Setup A at: Port 1 with port 2 open-circuited Port 1 with port 2 short-circuited Port 2 with port 1 short-circuited Measure the identical reading as in Setup A in the same way. Tabulate the results in the same Table 1.{0536D217-3D48-4F28-B37B-77F1CB823EEA} Figure 9: The Resistive Network B Cascaded Setup: Connect the networks A and B in cascade as shown in the Figure 10 below. Measure the identical parameters with the identical voltage and applying the voltage at the same positions as was done in the previous two setups A B. Tabulate the readings in Table 1 again.{32E83E0D-6633-4D97-A59B-4374AF22F541} Figure 10: The Cascaded Network of Networks A B Parallel Setup: Reconnect the individual networks A B in parallel as shown in Figure 12 below. Repeat the same procedures above with the same voltage as above to this network. Tabulate the readings in Table 1.{591F8FFC-7083-4E49-88AD-96E019FAD63C} Figure 12: The Parallel Network of Networks A B Table 1: (All values in rms) Results I2 = 0 V2 = 0 V1 = 0 I1 (mA) V1 (V) V2 (V) I1 (mA) I2 (mA) V1 (V) I1 (mA) I2 (mA) V2 (V) Network A (measured) 2.38 3.45 2.52 5.09 3.82 3.45 4.00 5.65 3.46 Network B (measured) 0.72 3.49 3.22 3.27 2.82 3.45 2.89 3.18 3.45 Cascaded (measured) 2.66 3.47 2.07 3.42 1.31 3.44 Parallel (measured) 13.28 11.59 3.46 10.34 12.55 3.46 Questions: The voltages V1 and V2 should not be connected to channel 1 and 2 of the scope simultaneously. Why? It can be observed from the circuit that both the ports V1 and V2 have different grounds. If V1 and V2 are connected simultaneously to channel 1 and 2 of oscilloscope respectively, then the ground terminals of V1 and V2 will be short-circuited as they are connected through the oscilloscope. This would change the circuits configuration and would give us the readings for a completely different circuit which would differ a great deal from the accurate values. What should you do to the readings of peak to peak voltage in order to make them compatible with the currents measured by the digital meter? The relationship between peak to peak values and its respective rms values is: peak to peak voltage = 2 x à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã… ¡2 x rms voltage The current measured by the digital meter is in root-mean-square value (rms). So it is mandatory to convert the peak to peak voltages to its rms value in order to be compatible with the currents measured by the digital meter. Hence the peak to peak value is divided by 2 x à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã… ¡2 to so that it is compatible with the currents measured by the digital meter. Compare the theoretical results with the measurement readings recorded in Table 1 for the interconnected two-port networks. Explain any of the differences in the two sets of results. Two kinds of parameters values are calculated and shown in Table 2 and Table 3. With this parameter values we can compare the difference in values of the measurement and theoretical readings. The parameter values in Table 2 shown below are defined as When the output-port is open, I2 = 0 Then: A = V1 /V2 C = I1/V2 When the output port is shorted, V2 = 0 Hence: B = V1/I2 D = I1/I2 And Cascade (theoretical) is obtained by [t]N = [t]A . [t]B Transmission parameters A B C D Network A (measured) 1.36 677.80 0.00094 1.33 Network B (measured) 1.08 1223.40 0.00022 1.16 Cascade (theoretical) (Network A * Network B) 1.62 2450.07 0.0013 2.69 Cascade (measured) 1.68 2625.95 0.00129 2.61 Percentage difference between cascade (measured) and (theoretical) 3.70% 6.69% 0.78% 3.07% Table 2 As it can be seen from the Table 2 above that there are slight differences between the theoretical and experimental results of the transmission parameters of the individual network and the interconnected two-port networks. The difference is observed due to the experimental human errors, tolerance levels of resistors in networks and slight deviation due to the slight inaccuracy of equipment. The parameter values in Table 3 shown below are defined as When the output port is shorted, V2 = 0. Then: y11 = I1 /V1 y21 = I2/V1 When the input port is shorted, V1= 0. Then: y12 = I1/V2 y22 = I2/V2 And Parallel (theoretical) is obtained by Network A values + Network B values Table 3: Admittance Parameters Admittance parameters y11 y12 y21 y22 Network A (measured) 0.00148 0.00156 0.00107 0.00163 Network B (measured) 0.00095 0.00084 0.00082 0.00092 Parallel (theoretical) (Network A + Network B) 0.00243 0.00240 0.00189 0.00255 Parallel (measured) 0.00384 0.00299 0.00335 0.00363 Percentage difference between Parallel (measured) and Parallel (theoretical) 36.72% 19.73% 43.58% 29.75% From Table 3, it can be observed that the difference between experimental and theoretical admittance parameters are quite large. The large difference is due to the same experimental errors and small tolerance of resistors or the existing voltage drop of the multimeter. Measurement of Transient Response of Two-Port Networks: {ECB52EDE-2A5E-423C-AE62-ECF870EBA09C} Figure 13 Connect the circuit as shown in the Figure 13 above with C = 22  Ã‚ ­F Using a storage scope and with the inductor setting at position 1, inject 10V peak to peak square wave at V1. Choose frequency f of the input voltage such that the square waves leading edge simulate a step input with the transient response completed before the next voltage change. The frequency f is chosen to be about 4 Hz. Record the output waveform V2 with the storage oscilloscope. Sketch the waveforms and when the waveforms have been captured, use the oscilloscope cursor to measure the oscillation period T and the voltages Va and Vb as shown in the Figure 14 below. The waveform is shown in Figure i) below. {71B3E9F8-C513-4F5A-9441-0C73C0A0C9B8} V1 Input Voltage V2 Output Voltage Tin Input signal period T Transient Oscillation Va / Vb Transient Oscillation Voltage Ratio Period Figure 14 Repeat the above procedure for the inductor setting at position 2. The waveform is shown as in Figure ii) below. Repeat the procedure for the two inductor settings with the capacitor changed to 100ÃŽÂ ¼F. The waveforms are show as Figure iii) and iv) below respectively. Add a resistor R2 of 33 ÃŽÂ © in series with inductor L as shown in Figure 15 below and select the inductor setting at position 1 with the capacitor = 100 ÃŽÂ ¼F. The waveform is shown as in Figure v) below. Repeat all the procedures with R2 values of 100 ÃŽÂ © and 220 ÃŽÂ ©. The waveform with R2 as 100 ÃŽÂ © is shown in Figure vi) below. All measurements are recorded in Table 4 below.H:DropboxCamera Uploads2012-10-25 06.12.32.jpg Figure 15 Figure a Figure b Figure c Figure d Figure e Figure f Figure g Condition C=22ÃŽÂ ¼F L = 1H C=22ÃŽÂ ¼F L = 200mH C=100ÃŽÂ ¼F L = 1H C=100ÃŽÂ ¼F L = 200mH C=100ÃŽÂ ¼F L = 1H and add R2=33ÃŽÂ © C=100ÃŽÂ ¼F L = 1H and add R2=100ÃŽÂ © C=100ÃŽÂ ¼F L = 1H and add R2=220ÃŽÂ © T(ms) 48.0 19.0 38.5 94.5 80.20 Period = 253.0 Άt1 =130.0 Άt2 =46.00 V2 =2.531 Va(v) 3.00 1.46 0.791 1.80 1.687 1.250 Vb(v) 0.633 0.700 0.408 0.516 0.3750 0.5000 Table 4 Waveform Figures: L:AAADS0001.BMP Figure i) L:AAADS0003.BMP Figure ii) L:AAADS0006.BMP Figure iii) Figure iv)L:AAADS0007.BMP L:AAADS0008.BMP Figure v) Figure vi) L:AAADS0009.BMP Questions: Why are square waves at a higher frequency not used as input? Square waves at higher frequencies are not used as input because frequency is related to time period by the relationship f = 1/T. So as the frequency is increased, the time period will become shorter and shorter. So it will take shorter time for the output power levels to stabilize after the input circuit stops drawing power. Hence the waveform obtained from the oscilloscope will not be clear enough for proper distinction. What causes the step input voltage to become an oscillating output voltage? The oscillating output voltage is caused due to the presence of the two reactive elements in the circuit, the inductor and the capacitor. The effect of charging and discharging of the capacitor and inductor causes the output to become an oscillating voltage. What are the effects of increasing the values of L and C? The undamped natural frequency à Ã¢â‚¬ °n equals to 1/à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã… ¡( LC ). If the values of L and C are increased, the undamped natural frequency will reduce simultaneously. Hence the oscillations will become more damped. Thus the number of output oscillations will reduce. Calculate the theoretical frequencies of oscillation and compare with the experimental results. The theoretical frequency is given by the relation ft = 1/ (2  Ã‚ ° à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã… ¡(LC)) Hz and the oscillation frequency is given by the relation f = 1/T. Using this relation we can tabulate the values. Figure a Figure b Figure c Figure d T(ms) 48.0 19.0 38.5 94.5 1/T(Hz) 20.83 52.63 25.97 10.58 ft (Hz) 33.93 75.87 35.59 15.92 Percentage difference 38.60% 30.63% 27.03% 33.54% The difference in the values is caused by the tolerance levels of the reactive elements used in the circuit i.e. the inductor and the capacitor. Consider the circuit shown in Figure 13. Obtain the expression for the damping ratio of the circuit.{A484D667-ABED-4193-B38C-40120C378004} Damping Ratio is given by the formula,  Ã‚ º = The natural undamped frequency is given by the relation à Ã¢â‚¬ °n = 1/à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã… ¡ (LC). Since R2 = 0, R1 = 330 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦ and R3 = 100 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¦, deriving the damping ratio of the circuit as shown in Figure 13, the result is:  Ã‚ º = à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã… ¡(L/C)/860. Obtain the condition for the underdamped response in Figure 13. From the derived result obtained above,  Ã‚ º = à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã… ¡(L/C)/860. For an underdamped response, the damping ratio, ÃŽÂ ¾, should be less than 1, thus à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã… ¡(L/C)/860 What is the effect of adding resistance R2 in the LC circuit? {A484D667-ABED-4193-B38C-40120C378004} According to the formula of damping ratio  Ã‚ º = When R2 is added, the total value of  Ã‚ º increases. Depending on the value of R2,  Ã‚ º 1, even if the number of undershoots and overshoots is reduced, the response will be slower. Conclusion: The parameters of the two-port network, especially the Y-parameters and Transmission parameters (A, B, C, D) were determined experimentally. They can also be calculated theoretically. This experiment is aimed at comparing the differences between the experimental and theoretical values. The relationship between individual network parameters and two-port networks in cascade and parallel connections were also investigated. The results obtained for these were shown in the calculations in the Questions answered previously. Hence if every individual parameter of the networks can be determined, the parameter of the combined system can be determined. Part 2 was focused on studying the transient responses of the experiment. The responses to the change of values in the RLC circuit in the two-port networks were recorded. By varying the values of the capacitor, resistor and inductor, it was observed that increase in the capacitor and inductor values decrease the oscillating frequency and also reduce the number of undershoots and overshoots in the response signal. By adding a resistor in series with the inductor, it was observed that the resistor increases the damping ratio of the circuit but the effect is still dependent on the final damping ratio of the circuit,  Ã‚ º. To summarize the conclusion, all the objectives as stated earlier were met in course of the experiment and a lot of important observations came to light in the area of two-port networks.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Essay --

Have you ever wondered who invented the modern computers we use today?Now, you would probably say Microsoft or Apple; however the truth is modern computers were invented by Alan Turing. He invented the Turing Machine, which is a computer that could process anything. In other words he created the first programing language. Not only did he contribute to computer science, but also in biology, chemistry, physics, and especially mathematics. He has countless number of achievements including his contribution of cracking the Nazi enigma code, which seemed at that time, â€Å"unbreakable†. Now lets dive into the life of Alan. Now where is better to start than his early life. Alan was born into a wealthy family. He was born on the June of 25, 1912 in London, Maida Vale, Warrington Crescent, and Warrington Lodge. He was christened on july 7, 1912 at the St. Saviour's church. Alan did not live with his father early on in his life because his father, Julius Turing worked for a civil service in India. He worked for the Madras Presidency. There he met alan mother Ethel Stoney. Alan was the youngest in his family. He has one older brother named John Turing. He his 4 years older than Alan. Alan was a very curious boy. He always questioned how thing are done. He was always not shy and ready to greet anyone. He also acted a lot more mature for his age. He loved to use large words as a child. However he did enjoy the company of figures. Extraordinarily, he thought himself to read in 3 weeks by using an interesting method he deceived called the â€Å"knowing spot†. He had a problem of not remembering to read t he figures from left to right or vise versa. Alan then used his left hand’s thumb as a marker for reading the figures. He called it the â€Å"knowing spot†. L... ...t the same yard as his father. He did have a rule to eat an apple a night. He also loved to chant the poison apple brewing scene from snow white as a child. Some people misunderstanding that the Apple Logo does not come from this reason ,but instead because the bite helps distinguish it from a cherry. However Steve Jobs says, "God, we wish it were" Alan Turing was a man who accomplishments countless number of things in his life. Varying from computers, biology, physics, and mathematics. However he lost his life at such a young age for a reason unknown to us. He helped win WWII and created the concept of programming when everyone else says it is impossible. Also he did not stop there but also defined what makes a computer smart. He created the first Artificial intelligence. He still use all use methods today. He was the man known as the father of modern computers.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

How is Crooks presented in Of Mice and Men? Essay

Towards the beginning of the passage Steinbeck describes Crooks’ belongings to be basic and simple. He owns ‘a tattered dictionary and a mauled copy of the California civil code’. This means that Steinbeck presents Crooks to be intelligent of a black man at this time as very few could read and the fact that he owns books is showing his ability to read. Also because he owns ‘the California civil code’ it is showing that he knows his rights and although he might not be racially the same as everyone else he still has rights and makes sure he knows them, portraying him to be aware and alert. As Crooks has no new clean items as they are all described as ‘tattered’, ‘mauled’ or ‘dirty’ it could show that Steinbeck wants to show Crooks to be a man with little luxury and someone who has no experience or a standard of living as he tends to keep his items even when they are falling apart. Within this passage Crooks’ room is described as ‘swept and fairly neat’, this is showing that although Crooks lives on his own he still wants to keep his room tidy even though he is living alone and no one ever visits him, so he has no need to keep his room clean. This could mean that Steinbeck wants to portray Crooks to be more than a simple stable hand as he is showing him to have quite a high level of intelligence for someone in his situation and also someone who cares about how his surrounding look as he likes to keep his room clean. Within the novel and this passage Crooks is portrayed to be in pain and suffering due to his injures, he is ‘bent over to the left by his crooked spine’ and he has ‘pain-tightened lips’, showing the suffering he has to endure due to his back. This could be showing Crooks to be weak as he is in constant discomfort, showing that he would be unable to defend himself if he was put in the situation where he would need to. As Crooks is in constant pain but he still does his job to the best of his ability it could be showing him to be resilient and a willingness to keep on going in order to make money and to be able to sustain himself. He may have acquired these traits as he is a black man living in 1930s America and this means that you would have to been tough and strong willed in order to survive. Steinbeck introduces Crooks as ‘a lean negro head, lined with pain, the eyes patient’. This is immediately implying the acceptance of racism as the word ‘negro’ is showing him to be of a different colour. This could suggest that he is excluded and isolated from the rest of the characters as he is the only person described like this. The phrase ‘the eyes patient’ confirms that he is used to waiting on orders from other people and this is further showing his loneliness within the novel. Steinbeck later goes on to show his isolation further, as he explains how he sleeps in ‘a little shed that leaned off the wall of the barn’, separated from the rest of the ranch workers. This is implying that Steinbeck might have wanted him to be shown as isolated to portray the racism and segregation at that time. This is a clear way of showing Crooks to be segregated due to his race as he is literally separated from the rest of the ranch workers as he has to live in a different place, with no one to socialize with, portraying the sense of the way black people were treated in society at this time. A character within the novel that Crooks doesn’t agree with is Curley’s wife as she clearly showing him how she has a higher authoritative class and that she can control him. In chapter four when Crooks starts to open up and social with Lennie and Candy, Curley’s wife then brings Crooks back down to the level she thinks he should be because of his colour. As on the ranch Curley’s wife has no power over any of the workers as they are considered to have a higher social class, Crooks is then the only person that Curley’s wife feels she can control in this way as he is black. When Curley’s wife tells Crooks that she could get him ‘strung up on a tree’ Crooks immediately turns introverted and scared to defend himself again in case of her following up her threat, showing that he has no power over anything and that she has a higher social ranking than him.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

The Ceo’s Decision-Making Process Model on Service Offshore Outsourcing: Using Theory of Reasoned Action (Tra)

THE CEO’S DECISION-MAKING PROCESS MODEL ON SERVICE OFFSHORE OUTSOURCING: USING THEORY OF REASONED ACTION (TRA) Mark Yang Department of Information, Operations and Technology Management College of Business Administration The University of Toledo 2801 W. Bancroft St. Toledo, Ohio, USA 43606 Phone: (419) 787-3453 Fax: (419) 530-2290 E-mail: [email  protected] utoledo. edu Jeen Lim Department of Marketing and International Business College of Business Administration The University of Toledo 2801 W. Bancroft St. Toledo, Ohio, USA 43606 Phone: (419) 530-2922 Fax: (419) 530-4610 E-mail: jeen. [email  protected] du ABSTRACT This present study attempts to fill the gap through providing the CEO’s decision-making process model with regard to service offshore outsourcing activities which becomes important strategy to maintain firm’s competitive advantage. Arguably, the CEO is the main domain of decision making authority on such important agenda of the firm as service off shoring. The research model includes 1) key antecedents of service offshoring deriving from various outsourcing literatures, 2) CEO’s propensity (attitude and subjective norm), intention and behavior, and 3) regulatory environmental factors.As a theoretical base, Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) will be used. Managerial implication as well as future research direction will be provided. Keywords: Offshore outsourcing, Key Antecedents of Service offshoring, Decision-making process, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) INTRODUCTION Recently, service offshoring has brought the tremendous increasing attention and concern to both practitioners and researchers due to the rapidly-changing structure of the U. S. mployment and the growing importance of its significant impact on the U. S. economy. This trend has been more and more visible due to â€Å"the rise of globally integrated knowledge economy†, which has both good and bad impact on the U. S. econo my: it may be good because U. S. firms may enjoy the cost benefits, utilizing large best pools with relatively low cost; it may be also bad because they are likely to lose control of their core businesses or lose white-collar jobs of the U. S. counterpart.Up to now, large body of research has addressed the various issues of service offshoring. However, current scholarly works tend to be fragmented and especially, few attempted to examine inside of firm’s decision-making process with regard to service offshore outsourcing. Such decision-making process model may be useful to contribute to the previous – 4491 – body of research on service offshore outsourcing in that to my knowledge, very few papers produced from top management perspective (except [47]) and this process model may help top management, esp.Chief Executive Officer (CEO) avoid to make hasty decision, resulting in saving huge economic losses. This paper is organized as follows. The following section pro vides literature reviews. The third section presents the research model which includes such variables as 1) key antecedents which are major criteria for determining service offshoring drawn from the extant literatures on outsourcing activities; 2) CEO’s propensity; 3) CEO’s Intention and Behavior; and 4) regulatory environment (moderating variable). Series of research propositions are developed.The conclusion section provides the managerial implication as well as future research direction. LITERATURE REVIEW The role of top management on affecting firms’ strategy choices and performance has been well-documented [13] [14] [40] [9] [15]. Quality of leadership of top management, esp. CEO, determines the fate of the firm. For example, under Jack Welch’s leadership General Electric Company (GE) within 20 years has been drastically transformed into one of the largest and most admired company with $ 500 billion’s market value from a market capitalization o f $12 billion.It shows the critical role of CEO in advancing the firm in terms of organizational performance. Excellent outcomes start with wise and prudent decision-making. In that regard, CEO is considered the main domain of decision-making authority on important agenda of the firm such as offshoring service. Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) [12] [2] is a general model that does not specify the beliefs that are operative for a certain behavior [8]. The TRA postulates that one’s behavior is determined by his /her behavioral intention (BI) to perform the behavior.BI is divided into two conceptually distinct variables: 1) one’s attitude (A) toward performing the behavior, and 2) one’ subjective norm (SN) about performing the behavior. Once attitudes and subjective norms are formed, CEO may have inclination whether or not to make certain choices. Actual behavior is the transmission of such intention into action. Significance of the role of environment on the strate gy formulation and organizational outcome has been extensively examined [25] [29] [16] [24]. The CEO’s decision to offshore services will be greatly contingent on the regulatory environment a firm faces.The regulatory environment can, to some extent, act to facilitate or hinder offshoring. Regulation environment becomes a moderating variable that can weaken or enhance the relationship between (1) the drivers of offshoring and top management’s propensity; and (2) top management’s propensity and intention and actual behavior. RESEARCH MODEL The research model is about the CEO’s decision making process on service offshore outsourcing. It includes four key antecedents (i. e. , decision-criteria) of service offshore outsourcing and the CEO’s propensity, intention and behavior.This model also attempts to examine the moderating role of regulatory environment between (1) the key antecedents and the CEO’s propensity; and (2) the CEO’s propensi ty and the CEO’s intention and behavior. Cost Advantage ([18] [19]) Cost advantage refers to the extent to which a client firm can achieve cost reduction, productivity or profitability through service offshore outsourcing activities. One of the most commonly quoted reasons is that managers feel that they can gain cost advantages by employing – 4492 – outside suppliers to perform certain services and produce certain products.Cost reduction remains the major explanation for the drivers of outsourcing. Some researchers argue that an important foundation of cost reductions is the outsourcing firm’s access to economies of scale and the distinctive know-how or expertise that a large outsourcing vendor (i. e. , supplier) can bring. [4] [32] Nohria and William [30] discovered that to be a steady industry winner, a firm must increase its productivity by around twice above than the industry’s average. There are a number of studies that focus on explaining th e relationship between outsourcing and productivity growth.Today’s knowledge and service-based economy offers numerous opportunities for wellrun companies to increase profits through outsourcing [30]. When used properly, outsourcing can boost profitability to the firm in many ways (i. e. , staffing, capabilities, facilities, and payroll, etc). The most obvious reason why a firm offshores services is also for cost advantage. In regard to offshoring activities, wage differential (i. e. , lower labor cost with comparable quality of work) between U. S. and other developing countries motivates top management to offshore. Risk Control ([17])Risk control refers to the degree to which a client firm control the risk such as amount of involved outsourcing value (i. e. , scale of the contract), outsourcing complexity (i. e. , level of contract difficulty) and outsourcing duration (length of the contract) that might occur through outsourcing. Management needs to assess and evaluate the r isks and their impact at various levels such as strategic, tactical and operational levels [43]. The level of contract complexity also can influence on the level of risk. Complexity refers to the degree to which activities are diversified with the outsourcing function.The more complex a contract is, the more risky its implementation is. Length of contract duration [19] can affect the complexity of an outsourcing relationship. When an outsourcing contract’s duration requires a longer period of time, both diversity of business relationships and complexity of contract management increase. As a result, longer duration contracts expose the outsourcing company to greater level of risk due to managerial uncertainty. Infrastructure Maturity ([17] [23]) Infrastructure maturity refers to the degree to which both firms (i. e. , client and vendor) have developed telecommunications (i. e. Internet and mobile telecommunication) and transportation (i. e. , logistics, 3PLs) infrastructure. T echnology advancement makes organizational and national borders less significant when it comes to the decision regarding relocation of service functions. Telecommunication infrastructure is essential for electronically transmitted services. Lack of telecommunication system will be a hurdle for trade with U. S. Transportation infrastructure refers to the availability of logistics. The increase in competition and growing awareness of the role of logistics lead more companies to exploit the potential of outsourcing.Cultural Compatibility ([20]) Cultural compatibility refers to the degree to which both firms (i. e. , client and vendor) can interchangeably accept cultural dissimilarities including language (i. e. , English), ethnic linkage, or cultural difference. In the context of a firm’s offshoring decision, language similarity between a client and vendor firm is important. Language similarity is measured by the extent to which a vendor firm is exposed to English (i. e. , Engli sh fluency). Ethnic linkage is also important for offshoring outsourcing service activities. Ethnic linkage between the managers of both firms (i. . , client and vendor) in origin and destination countries increases cultural compatibility. Such – 4493 – linkage improves social capital [45]. Cultural difference refers to the degree to which firms may not accept a counterpart’s culture. These cultural differences may increase difficulties associated with managing employees. We propose that four factors that have influenced firms’ outsourcing decision will affect to some extent firms’ service offshoring decision. Therefore, we regard these four factors as the key antecedents of the CEO’s decision for service offshore outsourcing.Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) In firms’ decision-making for service offshoring, CEO is the key person who actually involves in that process with collaborative effort of top management and board of directors. Ac cording to TRA, attitude toward offshore outsourcing services is generated by the individual’s salient belief about the consequences of adopting service offshoring practices (behavioral beliefs) and evaluation of these consequences (i. e. , positive or negative outcomes). Positive feelings toward offshoring will lead top management to form optimistic attitude, in turn intention to behave (i. e. willingness to offshore outsourcing services). After careful examination of the four key antecedents, i. e. , cost advantage, risk control, infrastructure maturity, and cultural compatibility, the CEO forms positive or negative attitude toward offshoring. Subjective norm is generated by the normative beliefs that the person attributes to what relevant others (i. e. , social referents) expect her to do with respect to adopting offshoring services as well as her motivation to comply with those beliefs. Social referents possibly include firm’s board of directors, stockholders, firm ’s customers, or CIO [47].The strength of social referents’ normative belief and motivations will actually determine the CEO’s final decision to offshore services. Once attitudes and subjective norms are formed, the CEO may have inclination whether or not to make decision for offshoring services. In turn, actual behavior will be transmitted from such intention. The above discussions lead to: Proposition 1: The key antecedents of service offshore outsourcing, (a) Cost Advantage, (b) Risk Control, (c) Infrastructure Maturity, and (d) Cultural Compatibility will have a positive impact on top management’s attitude and subjective norms to offshore outsourcing services.Proposition 2: Top management’s positive attitude and norms that was formed through careful assessing key antecedents of service offshoring will have a positive impact on top management’s actual behavior (i. e. , both intention and decision to offshore services). Moderating Effect: Regulatory Environment ([17] [20]) Regulatory environment refers to explicit regulative processes, existing laws and rules that influence offshoring outsourcing [49]. In this case, government plays a major role.For example, in case of offshoring software industry, government can affect restrict or facilitate the import and export of equipment, software, or data across the country. Government is also the main enforcers of intellectual property laws (i. e. , patent, copyright) 36]. Companies in the U. S. will not choose to offshore key functions if they are concerned about the security of key processes or products [37]. Generally, three types of regulatory factors can be categorized: 1) Tariff/ Non-tariff barriers; 2) privacy laws and 3) rule of law.We propose that above regulatory environment factors will play moderating roles in affecting the relationship between the key antecedents and the CEO’s final decision to offshore outsourcing services. Proposition 3: The relationship between (1) the key antecedents and the CEO’s propensity and (2) CEO’s propensity and intention and behavior for offshore outsourcing services will be moderated by regulatory environment. – 4494 – Table 1: Key constructs (Definitions and Supporting Literatures) Construct Definition Literature Cost Advantage (CA) The degree to which a client firm can achieve cost reduction, operating efficiency (i. . , productivity) or profitability that is related to economic benefit through service offshore outsourcing activities Smith et al. , 1998; Jiang et al. , 2006; Jiang et al. , 2007 Risk Control (RC) The degree to which a client firm controls the risk that might occur through service offshore outsourcing activities, risk such as amount of involved value (i. e. , Scale of the contract), complexity (i. e. , Level of contract difficulty) and duration (Length of the contract). Smith et al. , 1998 Stremersch et al. , 2003; Carson, 2007; Jiang and Qureshi, 2006; Jiang et al. , 2007 Infrastructure Maturity IM) The degree to which both firms (i. e. , client and vendor) have developed telecommunications (i. e. , Internet and mobile telecommunication) and transportation infrastructure. Cultural Compatibility (CC) The degree to which both firms (i. e. , client and vendor) can interchangeably accept different cultural backgrounds including language (i. e. , English), ethnic linkage, or cultural difference. Kshetri, 2007 Regulatory Environment (RE) Explicit regulative processes, existing laws and rules such as trade barriers, privacy laws and rule of law that influence service offshore outsourcing activitiesScott, 1995; Jahns et al. , 2006; Kshetri, 2007 Jahns et al. , 2006; Metters and Verma, 2008 Figure 2: Theoretical Model Key Antecedents Cost Advantage (CA) Risk Control (RC) Infrastructure Maturity (IM) H1 The CEO’s Attitude and Subjective Norms toward offshoring Hservices 3 (PROPENSITY) Cultural Compatibility (CC) H3 Regulatory Environment (RE) – 4495 – H2 The CEO’s DecisionMaking to offshore services (INTENTION) (BEHAVIOR) CONCLUSION Nowadays, outsourcing and offshoring decision is not an alternative option to choose but a mandatory passport to lead firms to sustain competitive advantages over rivals.In this regard, this paper seems to be of less value because many firms offshore service jobs anyway. However, the key antecedents that were shown in present study may help management as useful decision tools and become critical in succeeding to reap the full benefits of the offshoring activities to the firm. This is a meaningful attempt to go inside of firms’ decision-making process though it may not be perfectly useful for managerial decision. It is primarily because through this model, management can rethink before they launch the service offshoring activities, asking themselves â€Å"why we pursue† and â€Å"then, how we can reap the full benefits. This present study attempted to c onsider four key antecedents of service offshoring which are important decision-credentials for top management, esp. CEO to offshore. Although these are not direct determinants of service offshoring decision, they are the ones in which firms need to consider before actual decision is made in that they encompass different aspects. Cost advantage and risk control are considered economic aspects. Since cost elements are always one of the most important reasons for firms’ decision of certain activities, cost advantage and level of risk control needs to be carefully examined before initial launch is kicked off.Infrastructure maturity is considered environmental or infrastructural aspect. Availability and development of telecommunication and transportation infrastructure is critical for service offshoring—its fast and reliable delivery. Lastly, cultural compatibility is considered cultural aspect. Language (i. e. , English) fluency, ethnic linkage, or cultural difference wil l actually determine long-term relationship between a client and vendor firm across the country.These decision-criteria will help top management to consider the different aspects of offshoring activities, which are economic, environmental (infrastructural) and cultural dimensions. This present study also identified three different aspects of regulatory environment which are trade barriers, privacy laws, and rule of law. Trade barriers are associated with a relation-type regulatory factor in that they determine the magnitude of relationship between countries which are involved in offshoring activities.Privacy laws are coupled with a risk-type regulatory factor in that lack of privacy laws will make a client firm to be exposed to information (data) loss. Rule of law such as political institution, court system or sound citizenship is linked with security-type regulatory factor in that poor rule of law (i. e. , vendor firm) is regarded as major obstacles to offshoring and cause to criti cal security problems. For future research, three major works need to be done. First, to make empirical study possible, measurement items for each key antecedent and CEO’s propensity, intention and behavior need to be developed.For operationalization of key variables, more refined work should be continued. In this case, both secondary data and survey method may be appropriately used. Second, for completeness of the model or further analysis, outcome and performance measure might be added. Third, for extension of this paper, it might be an interesting attempt if general decision-making process model which includes other top management teams and board of directors is provided. * References Available Upon Request (Mark Yang: [email  protected] utoledo. edu) – 4496 –