Thursday, October 31, 2019

Scholarship, Practice, and Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Scholarship, Practice, and Leadership - Essay Example Students need to be motivated to acquire knowledge through the use of scholarly material and develop appropriate skills of critical thinking to synthesize information to optimize learning experience. The role of education leaders therefore becomes hugely important for creating a facilitating environment of learning within and outside academia for students. Significance of Information literacy Turusheva (2009) has broadly defined information literacy as the ability of individual to locate information and critically evaluate it for using it efficiently to improve learning experience. Scholarly material is important for advancing knowledge and technology greatly helps to access myriad information at the shortest possible time. Google has become major platform for accessing information on internet, both by students and people at large. The teachers become key facilitators for imparting skills and promoting effective mechanisms of locating pertinent information in academia. Indeed, the le adership initiatives of educators have increasing become critical paradigm that shapes the mindset of young scholars and encourage them for information literacy that can exploit their ability to think critically. Indeed, it has been acknowledged as important educational goal that promotes critical thinking and effective decision making for solving problems based on informed choice (Li & Lester, 2009). Information literacy has therefore emerged as vital tool for developing skills and capabilities for mastering the academic content and applying the same in learning processes as well as in their lives. The purpose is to enhance scholarship through practice and inculcate skills for life long learning. Information literacy is intrinsic part of education that should be fostered from the early education so that later on, students are better equip to synthesize information from various sources for maximising their academic achievements (Badke, 2009). This is a very pertinent issue because u nless the habit of information literacy is inculcated within students from their early years, they would not be able to discern the importance of credible information and apply it successfully within their education or use it in their lives. Russell (2009) has also corroborated that many students lack information competencies when they go for higher education. The gap makes it difficult for them to maintain their grades. Thus, it needs to be part of curricula as it broadens perspective of education and offers students with more opportunities to differentiate the important issue from the irrelevant ones. Technology has considerably contributed to information literacy. The Google search engine is the most popular tool to locate academic and no-academic source of information. But internet needs to be used judiciously for optimizing learning. While it has made it easy for students to seek information, it has also reduced one’s power of concentration and reshaped intellectual capa bilities. Carr (2002) says that internet surfers have increasingly developed the habit of skimming the text. This adversely impacts their learning processes as lack of focus and concentration also leads to lack of in-depth knowledge about important issues. Scholars’ concern on the validity of the same is therefore genuine when they question the accuracy or credibility of the information and critical evaluation of the same (Badke, 2009;

Monday, October 28, 2019

From slavery to freedom Essay Example for Free

From slavery to freedom Essay Ironically, Fredrick Douglas all but snatched the Emancipation Proclamation from Abraham Lincolns hands to make of its flat rhetoric a sharpened call for freedom and equality. Douglass had never regarded the ending of slavery as enough, either for himself or for his people; it had to be the beginning of an embrace of the black individuals fullness as a person, a beginning that would point straight toward an end, within quick reach. â€Å"For Douglass, each gain in the struggle, and the Emancipation Proclamation decidedly was one of the greatest, simply meant that America must move on to the next gain. † (Mcfeely, 1991) Douglasss commitment to abolitionism, black elevation, and womens rights outstripped his commitment to other social reforms. His major social reform passions black liberation and womens liberation underscored his egalitarian humanism. The logic and motivation for his social reform odyssey derived essentially from his quest for morality, order, and progress. Even though his interrelated social reform enthusiasms were integral to his vision of a moral, orderly, and progressive civilization, he nonetheless evinced a keen sense of the need for priorities among them. (Martin, 1984) In retelling his journey from slavery to freedom in the middle of the decade, less than a year after the Cleveland emigration convention, Douglass was responding implicitly to the arguments of Delany and other pro-immigration supporters that in the foreseeable future blacks would remain slaves, or de facto slaves, in the United States arguments that would appear to have gained added currency with the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854. Central to Douglasss continued hopefulness about blacks prospects in the United States, despite such obviously negative developments, was a renewed commitment following his 1851 break with Garrison to the informing ideals of the nations original revolutionary documents. In many ways during this period, Frederick Douglass became the prototypical American success: a peerless self-made man and symbol of success; a fearless and tireless spokesman; a thoroughgoing humanist. The most striking and enduring aspect of Douglasss heroic legacy in his day its classic, even archetypical aura has persisted down to the present. Although often viewed and used differently by others, the heroic and legendary Douglass clearly personifies the American success ethic. The key to his eminently evocative essence is twofold. Douglass’s influence had a far reaching affect. In April 1855, Uriah Boston, a prominent figure in the black community of Poughkeepsie, New York, wrote a letter to Douglass in reference to his newspaper. Boston expressed concern over the increasingly separatist tone of prominent black abolitionists like William J. Wilson and James McCune Smith. Responding to pieces they had written in the black press, Boston criticized the two for â€Å"urging the colored people to preserve their identity with the African race. † He feared that any claim of distinct national identity on the part of black people might lend credence to â€Å"the propriety and necessity of African colonization†Ã¢â‚¬â€the dreaded scheme of the American Colonization Society. For Boston, blacks could never constitute a nation within the nation. â€Å"You cannot mix nationalities,† he wrote. â€Å"No man is a proper citizen of one certain country while he claims at the same time to be a citizen of any other country. †

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Study Proposal: Causative Mutations in Optic Neuropathy

Study Proposal: Causative Mutations in Optic Neuropathy Optic neuropathy refers to degeneration of optic nerve. It is often described as optic atrophy that means loss of few or most of optic nerve fibers [1]. It can be symmetric or bilateral based on toxic or nutritional ( vitamin B12 or folate deficiency) insults and genetic defects [4]. In genetically inherited optic atrophies, retinal ganglion cells and optic nerve fiber layer are damaged. This damage can be focal (affects macular beam of optic nerve) or generalized [6]. The axons of retinal ganglion cells arise from retina and from optic nerve. The optic nerve enter cortex via optic disc where input signal is processed into vision. The retinal ganglion cells or nerve cells of inner retina form 1.2 million nerve fibers [1]. The key features of optic neuropathy results from death of these nerve cells or neurons. Autosomal recessive optic atrophies (ROAs) indicate loss of nerve fibers that form optic disc, optic nerve, optic chiasm and optic tracts [net bookmark]. The only key feature of isolated ROAs is optic nerve degeneration. To date defects in genes coding for mitochondrial proteins leads to isolated ROAs [4]. The genetically inherited atrophies can be familial that follows Mendelian pattern of inheritance (X-linked recessive, autosomal recessive and autosomal dominant) or non Mendelian (mitochondrial) [2]. In autosomal recessive Mendelian pattern of inheritance, two copies of mutant allele in affected person and one copy of mutant allele in carrier are present. When two carriers mate, there is an equal chance (25%) of being affected and unaffected. There is a 50% chance of being heterozygous (unaffected carrier). But in autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance, affected individuals have one mutant copy of allele so every individual has 50% chance of being affected or being normal. In the pure congenital autosomal recessive optic atrophy, symptoms like visual impairment appear very early and are present at birth or appear in first year of life. Affected individuals are severely impaired visually leading to visual disability or complete blindness. It is never associated with neurological disorders. It can be diagnosed very early, usually before the age of 4 years. Fundus examination reveals optic disc pallor temporally or bilaterally. A cupping may develop with age [3]. Affected individuals suffer from central scotoma, photophobia and also have red green color confusion [6]. Family history is critical for diagnosis [Hereditaryà ¿opticà ¿neuropathies: from clinical signs to diagnosis]. Clinical diagnosis involves fundoscopy, visual field testing, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography scan of the retinal nerve fiber layers, color vision analysis and standard electroretinogram. Damage from optic nerve atrophy cannot be reversed [4].To clinically distinguishes it from LHON flourscene angiography was done which fails to show any peripapillary microvascular changes, beside this retinal activity is also normal confirmed by electroretinogram. Pathology of arOA is confirmed by testing visual evoked potential which was totally absent in affected individuals. Central or cecocentral faults are diagnosed through visual field testing. Lesion in the fovea or papillomacular bundle leads to cental scotoma which ultimately affects the central fixation. Thinning of retinal nerve fiber layer is diagnosed through optical coherence tomography scan [3, 4, clinical diagnosis]. Papillomacular bundle leads to the extension of cecocentral sctoma towards blind spot. There is no effective treatment for optic atrophy because degeneration of nerve fibers is irreversible process. Although further damage can be prevented by early diagnosis and by treating underlying causes of the disorder [ net bookmark]. As environmental factor play their role in every aspect of life likewise in this disorder alcohol consumption and smoking should be strictly prohibited [Hereditaryopticneuropathies: from clinical signs to diagnosis]. Genetic counseling and proper awareness of people is very important to prevent such genetic disorders without any effective treatment. New therapies are being formulated by designing animal models or by clinical trial on affected humans these therapies mainly focuses in preventing oxidative stress. Animal models have been designed for testing the various treatments in case of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy [Treatment of hereditaryopticneuropathies]. arOA is divided into syndromic and non-syndromic form, syndromic arOA involve multiple organs other than eye which are effected just like wolfram syndrome [6, net bookmarks]. While in non-syndromic optic nerve is affected only and it also shows familial transmission more than one members of same family can also be affected [Hereditaryopticneuropathies: from clinical signs to diagnosis]. OPA 6 and 7 are the two loci which are characterized till now, mutation in any one of two leads to arOA. Disease causing gene has been localized at chromosome 8q21–q22 (Zmax of 3.41 at h ¼0 for D8S270). D8S1794 and D8S1702 markers present on OPA6 in a 12Mb interval [6]. OPA7 containing 40 known genes, only one gene TMEM126A screened as a causative agent of non-syndromic arOA [4, 7]. TMEM126A is homozygous nonsense mutation characterized as first known mutation in case of isolated arOA, this gene transcribed into mitochondrial transmembrane protein. TMEM126A helps in early nucleation of mitochondrial complexes that is why it is also termed as mitochondria-localized mRNA (MLR) protein. It play important role in function of retinal ganglion cells by arranging protein complexes essential for the proper functioning of RGCs. It is hypothesized that TMEM126A may accelerate the rate at which protein complex assemble, which otherwise occurs slowly that ultimately affect high energy demanding RGCs. While in other tissues the effect of this mutation may be substituted by some other protein of TMEM family [4, 7]. TMEM126A transcribe single ubiquitous transcript of 770bp that contain total five exons four coding and one non-coding exon. TMEM126A present on chromosome 11 and its span is 8.5 kb. Testis, fetal retinal pigmentary epithelium (RPE), fetal retina, brain (whole), cerebellum, fetal brain and skeletal muscle are the sites where strong expression of TMEM126A has been observed. Substantial amount of specific mRNA in the ganglion cell layer, optic nerve head, the outer ellipsoide length of photoreceptor inner segments, and the outer plexiform layer is detected by the process of insitu hybridization in mouse i.e. 8 month old. In the photoreceptor outer segments and outer nuclear layer (ONL) no labeling is noticed. Mitochondria specific Alpha subunit of the ATP synthase is Immunolocalized on retinal sections of the same mouse which resulted into the same pattern of expression. So it is confirmed that TMEM126A transcribe mitochondrial localized m RNA. Linkage analysis is the process helps in finding mutation or gene resulted into arOA. Potential functionality of genes with their chromosomal location is associated through this statistical method. During chromosomal recombination markers present closely or on the same area on chromosome will remain attached together are transmitted as such in offspring’s this idea is exploited in linkage analysis. If in an individual disease gene is transmitted along with some specific markers it means disease causing gene is present close to these markers. Those disorders that follow Mendelian inheritance pattern can easily be analyzed through this process [5]. This study will be the first step which further helps in identifying the causative gene responsible for arOA in Pakistani population and also help in designing therapeutic tools for the benefit of affected persons. By conducting these type of studies we can also aware our population about such type of rare disorders.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Istanbul: Memories and the City: Prhan Pamuk Essay -- Yahya Kemal, Ahm

Orhan Pamuk’s Istanbul: Memories and the City represents the first twenty-two years of his life using various approaches from autobiographical details of his own childhood memories, photographs from his family album, newspaper articles, paintings and writings on Istanbul by luminaries from different walks of life. Pamuk, appears intermittently as both the narrator and author who narrates his experiences of the city. The four famous Turkish stalwarts, Yahya Kemal, Ahmet Hamdi Tanpinar, Abdulhak Sinasi Hisar and Resat Ekrem Kocu, played a prominent role in the creation of Pamuk’s Istanbul hence providing him with an Istanbul he has never seen. Throughout the narrative, he refers to various Turkish and foreign authors who have lived, visited and written about his city. Although they had different styles, what these writers had in common was the love for the city. All four were influenced by the French tradition and attempted to express their feelings for Istanbul using Western style of writing. The writings of these four writers have provided Pamuk with the perspective of an Istanbul that he did not experience even though he has been staying there since his birth. These writers, who had witnessed the fall of the Ottoman Empire and the birth of the Turkish Republic, aimed to reinvent the identity of their city. Their aim was to create an image for Istanbul to which the people of the Turkish Republic could relate. In their attempt to create a national image for their city, these writers went into the poor back streets of Istanbul. The ruins, poverty and neglect dominating those parts of the city functioned like witnesses of the adversities that the city and its people had undergone. The ruins of the Ottoman Empire were consoling memo... ...hose parts of his city like a foreigner. He can thus become his own Westerner in the old neighborhoods, where he can feel like a stranger in the city where he has lived since his birth. The foreign gaze enables Pamuk to see the city as a new one, and explore it in a very peculiar manner because now a broken building means more than it did earlier. Before he read Gautier’s book about his experience in Istanbul a broken building was just a building destroyed due to the fall of the Empire, but now it has huzun, poetry and various other things that Pamuk can add to his narrative about his city of Istanbul. Works Cited Hande, Gurses. â€Å"Out of Place in Istanbul.† London: Ubiquity Press, 2010. Web. 7 Jan. 2014. Pamuk, Orhan, and Maureen Freely. Istanbul: Memories and the City. New York: Vintage International, 2006. Print.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Neoclassical Age

The 18th century is a distinguishing period in British literature. It is a timeline in which classical literary conventions in terms of the literary techniques in different genres are revived. After the Renaissance–a period of exploration and expansiveness–came a reaction in the direction of order and restraint. Generally speaking, this reaction developed in France in the mid-seventeenth century and in England thirty years later; and it dominated European literature until the last part of the eighteenth century.It is a period where counterfeiting and facades are very important; in some ways the country was trying to act like the Interregnum and English civil wars had not happened, and there is both a willful suppression of the immediate past and a glorification of the more distant, classical Roman past–which is why it is called the Neoclassical period. Neoclassical writers, such as Samuel Johnson, Moliere and Alexander Pope, sought clear, precise language.They st andardized spelling and grammar, shifted away from the complex metaphors employed by Shakespeare and simplified literary structures. Neoclassical writers often adopted a rigid view toward society. Although Renaissance writers were fascinated by rebels and the Romantics later idealized them, neoclassical writers felt that the individual should conform to social norms. Although society was probably corrupt, individual views could not stand against the truths found in the consensus of society.Principals of Neoclassic Age in Alexander Pope’s â€Å"essay on man† There are many concepts regarding literary criticism that are instantiated in the first part of Pope’s Essay: the problem of bad writing and criticism, and the greater danger of the latter to the public; the rarity of genius and taste in poets and critics respectively; the impairing of the capacity of critical judgment by unsound education; the causes for the multitude of literary critics (those who canâ€⠄¢t write, judge! ; and the critics need to know the limits of his genius, taste, and learning in the exercise of criticism. What is the basis for literary composition and the practice of criticism? What provides the common ground and gives guidance for both? For Pope, the answer was found in a specific eighteenth century understanding of the honorific term and concept of NATURE. First follow Nature and your judgment frame By her just standard, which is still the same: Unerring NATURE, still divinely bright,One clear, unchanged, and universal light, Life, force, beauty, must to all impart, At once the source, and end, and test of Art. (Lines 68-73) Nature is the ultimate authority (Williams 219) in Pope’s Essay, and is presented here as that canon or standard to which both with (creative poetic and literary expression) and critical judgment are to conform. Authors and critics are to write and to judge according to the clear, unchanged, and universal light just standards of in errant Nature.In literature and criticism, Nature is all-significant as its source, as its aim, and as its test. Art is from Nature, unto Nature, and by Nature. But what, exactly, does Pope mean by this all-encompassing concept? Williams expresses the eighteenth-century, neo-classical understanding of this doctrine in these terms. Fundamental to neo-classical thought about Nature is the conception of a cosmos which, in its order and regularity and harmony, reflects the order and harmony of the Divine Mind of its Creator. . . Man can perceive this order and rule in Nature because he has a rational soul made in the image of that Nature’s Creator. . . . In the view which prevails in the period Nature is the manifestation in the visible creation of the Order and Reason behind all things, a reflection of the medieval view that the likeness of God is imprinted in the very matter and organization of the universe (219-20). In concluding Part One of his Essay, Pope is so taken with th e natural goodness of the primeval authors that he has difficulty restraining himself in declaring their praise.The religious nature of their veneration is not only transparent, but also significant literarily. Here in worship before a common altar, divisions and sects and quarrels in criticism are forgotten as men unite in a single congregation. The learned from all climes and ages bring . . . their incense to a common shrine . . . . Pope’s verse . . . rises in full response to the inspiration his age received from a glorious past, a past which was both an inspiration, and a reproach, to the present (Williams 229).Creation, fall, redemption: this basic biblical schema provides the paradigm for Alexander Pope’s An Essay on Criticism. Just as the focus of the biblical narrative is on the salvaging of a sin-wrecked creation, so the movement of Alexander Pope’s Essay on Criticism is toward the restoration of a fallen classical poetics for eighteenth century England . This parallel supplies substance and shape to the Essay’s grand purpose and 13 design. And in both the Scriptures and in Pope, the goals of cosmic and poetic restoration are ones for which we can and must give thanks.Neoclassicism replaced the Renaissance view of man as an inherently good being capable of astounding intellectual growth by the image of man as a sinful and presumptuous creature with a limited intellectual capacity. Whereas the Renaissance had emphasized imagination and mysticism, Neoclasscisim emphasized order, reason, common sense, and conservatism. The  widely used prose literary forms were the essay, the letter, the satire, the parody, the burlesque, and the moral fable; and  in poetry, the  most renown  verse form was the rhymed couplet.Pope's heroic couplets are a prime example of this form. As reason should guide human individuals and societies, it should also direct artistic creation. Neoclassical art is not meant to seem a spontaneous outpouri ng of emotion or imagination. Emotion appears, of course; but it is consciously controlled. A work of art should be logically organized and should advocate rational norms. The Misanthrope, for example, is focused on its theme more consistently than are any of Shakespeare's plays.Its hero and his society are judged according to their conformity or lack of conformity to Reason, and its ideal, voiced by Philinte, is the reasonable one of the golden mean. The cool rationality and control characteristic of neoclassical art fostered wit, equally evident in the regular couplets of Moliere and the balanced sentences of Austen. Sharp and brilliant wit, produced within the clearly defined ideals of neoclassical art, and focused on people in their social context, make this perhaps the world's greatest age of comedy and satire.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Diabetes Abstract essays

Diabetes Abstract essays Diabetes Joshua Herron Page 55, March 2000, No. 5, Volume 55 Diabetes: AFRO-Americans-Health This article by Hawthorne basically talks about how people have a tendency to take diabetes for granted. Diabetes can be a very serious disease. It effects more than 16 million Americans. Of these 16 million, 3 million are Blacks. Diabetes is the seventh-leading killer in America, and is the number one cause for blindness, kidney ailment and non-traumatic amputations in Blacks. One in four Black women over 55 and one in four Black between the ages 65 and 74 are affected by this disease. Diabetes is defined as the bodys inability to produce insulin. There are two major types of diabetes: insulin dependant, and non-insulin dependant. Non-insulin dependant is the most common in adults. African-Americans over 45, persons overweight, and those who have a history of this disease in their family are most at risk. Hawthorne then explains that doctors do not know why Blacks are more susceptible to this disease. They feel that heredity and diet have a great deal to do with it. The author then talks about how anyone over 45 should be tested at least once every three years. African-Americans should begin earlier and more frequently. These people should take care of themselves and watch out for the warning signs such as excessive thirst, extreme hunger and irritability, and unexplained weight loss. I feel that the author did a good job of explaining the causes and ways to prevent the disease. I felt that that he could do a better job of explaining or giving more reasons that African-Americans are more susceptible to diabetes. Hopefully in the future science can understand the reasons why this happens and come up with ways to prevent or help the effects of diabetes. ...

Monday, October 21, 2019

Princess Catherine Ann B. Gaviola Essays - Education, Psychology

Princess Catherine Ann B. Gaviola Essays - Education, Psychology Princess Catherine Ann B. Gaviola MAEd- Social Studies LEARNING THEORIES As a teacher we have to equipped ourselves with learning theories in order to be efficient and also we have to anchor ourselves with a firm, adequate and effective theories so that we can be a caliber teacher of the 20th century. Personally I choose these three educational theories that I believe that can help me attain my goal and they are Behaviorism, Cognitivism , Connectivism. Behaviorism a learning theory that only focuses on objectively observable behaviors and discounts any independent activities of the mind. Behavior theorists define learning as nothing more than the acquisition of new behavior based on environmental conditions. Behaviorism is a worldview that assumes a learner is essentially passive, responding to environmental stimuli. The learner starts off as a clean slate (i.e. tabula rasa) and behavior is shaped through positive reinforcement or negative reinforcement. Both positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement increase the probability that the antecedent behavior will happen again. In contrast, punishment (both positive and negative) decreases the likelihood that the antecedent behavior will happen again. Positive indicates the application of a stimulus; Negative indicates the withholding of a stimulus. Learning is therefore defined as a change in behavior in the learner. Lots of (early) behaviorist work was done with animals (e.g. Pavlov's dogs) and generalized to humans. This theory can be applied during class discussion if the student misbehaves in class. The teacher will reprimand him and thus he will realize his mistake and if he will repeat his actions it will be dealt with the same manner but if he behaves himself and participate during class discussion the student will receive a reward such as praise from his teacher. Thus he will noticed that certain actions will elicit a response from his teacher. Cognitivism is the study in psychology that focuses on mental processes, including how people perceive, think, remember, learn, solve problems, and direct their attention to one stimulus rather than another. Psychologists working from a cognitivist perspective, then, seek to understand cognition. Rooted in Gestalt psychology and the work of Jean Piaget, cognitivism has been prominent in psychology since the 1960s; it contrasts with behaviorism, where psychologists concentrate their studies on observable behavior. Cognitivism focuses on the inner mental activities - opening the "black box" of the human mind is valuable and necessary for understanding how people learn. Mental processes such as thinking, memory, knowing, and problem-solving need to be explored. Knowledge can be seen as schema or symbolic mental constructions. This is the reason why we let our students during class discussion especially if the subject is Araling Panlipunan memorizes dates, events for it is used as the foundation of building rationale among the students and if the topic is all about the different time zone. The student learn to compute and analyze the effect of having different time. Connectivism is a hypothesis of learning which emphasizes the role of social and cultural context. In this sense, Connectivism proposes to see knowledge's structure as a network and learning as a process of pattern recognition. Connectivism is often associated with and proposes a perspective similar to Vygotsky's 'zone of proximal development' (ZPD), an idea later transposed into Engestrom's (2001) Activity theory . The relationship between work experience, learning, and knowledge, as expressed in the concept of connectivity, is central to C onnectivism, motivating the theory's name. It is somewhat similar to Bandura's Social Learning Theory that proposes that people le arn through contact. What sets C onnectivism apart from theories such as constructivism is the view that "learning (defined as actionable knowledge) can reside outside of ourselves (within an organization or a database), is focused on connecting specialized information se ts, and the connections that enable us to learn more are more important than our current state of knowing". The phrase "a learning theory for the digital age" indicates the emphasis that C onnectivism gives to technology's effect on how people live, communicate and learn. This are the principles of Connectivism: Learning and knowledge rests in diversity of opinions. Learning is a process of connecting specialized nodes or information sources. Learning may reside in non-human appliances. Learning is more critical than knowing. Maintaining and nurturing connections is needed to facilitate

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Shattering Glass essays

Shattering Glass essays Shattering Glass by Gail Giles is a very suspenseful and disturbing look at what it takes to be popular. In Chapter one, it starts off by saying I guess, really, we each hated him for a different reason, but we didnt realize it until the day we killed him. It gets right to the point and then starts to describe Simon Glass and what made him uncool. Simon Glass was the picture perfect image of a textbook geek. Until one day Rob Haynes, the leader of the senior class, has an idea to turn fat, uncool Simon Glass into prom king material. With the help of rich, intelligent Young ( who narrates the story), girl attracting Bob, and sweet athletic Coop. Through out the book Simon Glass begins to like his new profound popularity and starts to be less timid and a lot more outgoing, more then Rob could take. Until Simon uncovers a very dangerous secret about Rob. Then Simon takes over Robs control of votes for class favorite and confronts the group of Robs little secret, it results in a devastat ing end. I thought the book was excellent. It gets you hooked and you cant put it down. I felt Gail Giles wrote an accurate picture of high school life and its everyday life style. The book made me think twice about how we stereotype people into these stupid cliches and how we dress is what we are. I thought Giles wrote this book very well, it felt you where actually there and knew how the characters where feeling. I would recommend this book to people who are in high school and people who like suspenseful books with true meanings behind them. I probably would change the ending just a little bit. I would probably tell more about what happened to them and maybe what happened in trail and how there dealing with it. I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars.. ...

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 65

Summary - Essay Example The weak defense of the Empire led to the decline of the nation’s central government and the nation started losing to their own official in various provinces. The government had firm control over provinces such as Iraq and Anatolia but they lost grip over provinces including: Greece, Egypt and Balkan. Napoleon of the French military started invading the empire and taking over one province after the other but his efforts failed. Taking advantage of the weak local government, General Muhammad Ali a local was able to seize control of Egypt, Anatolia and Syria; Egypt was a very loss for the Island. Later British forces played a major role to save the island as the British expected that influence of the Russians will elevate if the empire falls. Ottoman Island even experienced economic competition from the European dominance in the area of textile and finished goods sector as they were able to supply goods from these sector at very inexpensive prices. The local artisans and craftsmen experienced fierce competition from European business individuals. During the 19th century, the empire became dependant on Europe for finances and the economic growth and development became heavily dependent on loans offered by European nations. The empire had to repay heavy amounts in face of interest on loan and soon it even lost the ability to repay interest and they had to accept the administration of the Europe. Another major reason of the fall of the Island was the capitulations (AÃŒ goston, 119). Capitulations refers to agreements between the empire and European influence which exempted visitors from Europe from the rules and regulations made by the empire and this even gave the Europeans to exercise their own rules and regulations over the locals. The Europeans manipulated these capitulations to penetrate in the economic side of the empire

Friday, October 18, 2019

Effect of Visual Communication on Businesses Essay

Effect of Visual Communication on Businesses - Essay Example "We exist in a visual culture. The importance of reading and interpreting signs has become a rapidly increasing concern in recent years. This book offers an intricate theoretical perspective regarding the study of visual communication and expands the academic arena for debate concerning the visual. 'The significance of Jamieson's book is that it addresses the subject of the visual arts from this wider vantage point. For Jamieson, the visual arts reveal visual communication as the means by which the body and its organs communicate with its surrounding forms.' (Professor Robert Cooper, Keele University) Worth S in Studying Visual Media expresses it as "The central thread that runs through Sol Worth's research and writings is the question of how meaning is communicated through visual images. Coming to academic life after careers in painting, photography, and filmmaking, Worth was imbued with the conviction that visual media were forms of communication that, while fundamentally different from speech, could and must be seriously examined as ways by which human beings create and share meanings." The powerful effects of this visual media of communication grew faster in the 21 century due to the ubiquitous ness of the computers and the internet. Fast paced life and neck by neck business competition made businessmen and Commercial intelligentsia aware of its powerful impact on consumers and citizens of the global world. Communication was always important means of reaching out to people but the digital technology and the revolutionised electronics have not only made life swifter but also made it essential for everyone to stay connected in order to survive in the pace of globalisation and dissolving geographical boundaries in this century.Anything that is easier, faster and effective to understand and tell is the fundamental aim of every means and mode of communication today. Visual communication thus paved its way into nooks and corners of daily lives of all who walk on the earth in the modern world. From domestic to diversified sectors of business, media, commerce, health, religion, or any faculty of society, visual communication has now become a supreme form of effective communication. Corporate offices and Multinational companies have realised the importance of reaching out to their consumers. Visual communication through graphics, designs and signage has surpassed all barricades of language as a means of communication today. A visual graphic needs neither reading nor learning as it is easy to comprehend by sheer vision. Hence it has gained immeasurable popularity in the daily world including the world of business communication. Research in visual communication has proved the magnified influence of this form of communication and there is very little doubt of its becoming a panacea of top business strategies. In Visual Communication: Images with Messages Lester (California State University) "explores how the brain

Open Table - Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Open Table - - Case Study Example Another reason is that the closest competitors such as MenuPages.com are limited in their services in that though they offer access to restaurant menus and reviews, the visitors to their site cannot make reservations and MenuPages site covers only eight U.S cities. OpenTable has also partnered with onetime competitor Urbanspoon, enabling it to acquire Urbanspoon’s reservation management system, Rezbook, thus becoming Urbanspoon’s reservation provider. Apart from that OpenTable is committed to shrewd technological investments such as mobile Web site, mobile applications that work on just about every Smartphone platform. It has introduced an iPad app that fully integrates with the ERB software and GPS enables mobile uses to locate and make reservations at nearby venues. A new addition has also enabled users to pay for meals with a credit card directly from its apps. 2. The following characteristics of restaurant market make it difficult for a reservation system to work; Foremost restaurant booking systems require a fully secure reservation and cancellation functionalities that should come with confirmation of e-mail. This particular feature is real time and ensures that you are keeping abreast with developments as they take place real time.Secondly,some user interface are difficult to use for the online visitors, making them to be not user friendly to any potential customer who may want to use them.Thirdly,the fact that while in the market of restaurant reservation system online, you require a system that is web based as compared to the one that is installed or rather upgraded on a physical machine makes it difficult for a reservation system to work. 3. OpenTable’s market is susceptible to network effects which means that the more people use it, the more utility the system delivers, which made OpenTable’s growth to continually provide diners with expanded choices. More diners have thus

Module 4 BHM415 (AUG2014-1) (CASE)Consumer Driven Health Care (SLP) Essay

Module 4 BHM415 (AUG2014-1) (CASE)Consumer Driven Health Care (SLP) - Essay Example Moreover, CDHC create an awareness of health care to consumers. With this awareness, consumers are able to weigh prices from different providers and select medical service that best suits them financially and as a result, service providers will re-price and re-package their services, in competition of patients, determined by quality and price and in the long-run the services become quality and affordable (Catherine, 2010). Furthermore, the American patients are able to utilize the internet in browsing the medical journals freely as well as the libraries for information that was not previously available to them. The parents can comfortably test their children for any ear infection while at home. This is made easy since the parents can make use of the over the counters do it yourself diagnostic kits and this assists is saving the parents from unnecessary trips to the healthcare providers. CDHC offer several services like health savings accounts (HSAs) and health reimbursement agreements (HRAs) where in each account; there is a function for deposit, accumulation, and withdrawal of payments. With health savings accounts (HSAs), the contribution deposited into the account is tax-advantaged and various medical costs are covered by the account thus cutting down on consumers healthcare cost. On the other hand, health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) are employer-sponsored and allow employees accumulate funds to cover their health care expenses. These expenses are employer-funded and the employer define how much to set aside for each employee, based on how much he can afford (Hughes, Root, & Roehrig, 2007). Nearly half (45 %) of the population in the U.S are estimated to have been infected with some type of chronic condition. Using the CDHC systems, these patients who are infected with the chronic infections can control their healthcare as well as manage their conditions e asily something that was not possible in

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Human Resource Management Models of H&M Clothing Company, UK Essay

Human Resource Management Models of H&M Clothing Company, UK - Essay Example H&M pays close attention to its corporate social responsibility by instituting self-regulating mechanisms that monitor and ensure that the company adheres to set laws and ethical standards of the company. H&M has a long established tradition of a constant long-term growth strategy of opening new stores. This is done through acquiring market share from competitors, and increasing sales, profits and popularity. H&M’s organisational functional strategy is based on research and development that enables the company versatile and diverse making its products and operations unique setting it apart from its competitors. There are various long-term plans that have been instituted by H&M that are meant to improve business operations. These include being vigilant in controling and elimination of intermediaries, bulk buying in order to accrue from economies of scale. Price controls are implemented to protect customers from unscrupulous traders and expertise within the design teams is empha sized to guarantee quality. Mergers and acquisitions are another strategy that is used by H&M as illustrated by the acquisition of FaBric Scandinavian (H&M Annual Report, 2012 p10). H&M is broadening its products range by investing in information technology launching online platforms for its products according to the company’s 2012 annual report (p34). The company’s open-door policy encourages employee and customer input in developing and improving its operations. Reward (Luliia Stakhiva) The H&M Company strives to ensure that it maintains a conducive and suitable environment for its workers and customers. H&M implements reward strategies that give career advancement opportunities in a dynamic and global company, and avail career milestones for motivation. There are training and skill development programs meant to enhance employee capabilities, and the implementation of employee rotation. This gives employees the opportunity to work in diverse fields in which they gain varied experience and skill. In 2010, H&M introduced an incentives program that was meant to encourage and gain employee loyalty, long-term support and commitment to the company’s policies. This avails information and valuable knowledge to workers making H&M an attractive company and place for employees. Reward systems and policies include monetary and non-monetary aspects that are meant to ensure employee loyalty, commitment and support for the company’s policies and goals. According to Beaumont (1993 np), rewards systems have potentially powerful impacts on an organisation’s performance at any level of production and business operations. Rewards systems primary goal is to motivate employees, which affects their behaviour and attitudes to their job and ultimately their job performance capabilities. Sillitoe (2010 np) postulates that H&M’s reward system will benefit the company’s employees and increase its attractiveness and credibility in the job market, which will make it to acquired relevant skilled personnel more easily. Fair remuneration and working hours are another incentive that is included in the company’s reward strategy, and the formation of unions to encourage career growth. H&M

HOSPITAL READMISSION REDUCTION PROGRAM Research Paper

HOSPITAL READMISSION REDUCTION PROGRAM - Research Paper Example This did not emerge as a significant issue for quality of inpatient care; although, patients were discharged untimely, which might hypothetically raise the threat of readmissions that are expensive to payers. In a Congressional Report of 2007 (Hackbarth, Reischauer & Miller, 2007), the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) categorized several hospital readmissions as probably preventable. On August1 2011, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published its inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) finale law. Incorporated in the early structure for Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP) that is intended to begin operation in the FY 2013. The HRRP was incorporated in the Affordable Care Act by the Congress. The HRRP policy is concerned with the reduction of Medicare disbursements to hospitals with a higher number of rehospitalizations for ‘appropriate conditions’ over a particular period. The policy is only appropriate to medical states chosen by the Health and Human Service (HHS) Secretary. The policy directs the Secretary to choose situations that are expensive or widespread and where there are readmissions approaches that are authorized by the body with a treaty under section 1890(a) that is the National Quality Forum (NQF). The HRRP is applicable to all hospital organizations except those offering chiefly psychiatric, rehabilit ative or long-standing care, critical admission hospitals, children’s hospitals, and some cancer or research centers. Hospitals organizations engaging in a Medicare payment demonstration scheme are subject to this program, although, can be exempted from engagement provided that their state presents a yearly report explaining the state’s plans to decrease expenses and develop outcomes and the HHS Secretary approves. Understanding the technicalities of the HRRP entails one to consider the conditions and political background adjoining the endorsement of its parent

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Module 4 BHM415 (AUG2014-1) (CASE)Consumer Driven Health Care (SLP) Essay

Module 4 BHM415 (AUG2014-1) (CASE)Consumer Driven Health Care (SLP) - Essay Example Moreover, CDHC create an awareness of health care to consumers. With this awareness, consumers are able to weigh prices from different providers and select medical service that best suits them financially and as a result, service providers will re-price and re-package their services, in competition of patients, determined by quality and price and in the long-run the services become quality and affordable (Catherine, 2010). Furthermore, the American patients are able to utilize the internet in browsing the medical journals freely as well as the libraries for information that was not previously available to them. The parents can comfortably test their children for any ear infection while at home. This is made easy since the parents can make use of the over the counters do it yourself diagnostic kits and this assists is saving the parents from unnecessary trips to the healthcare providers. CDHC offer several services like health savings accounts (HSAs) and health reimbursement agreements (HRAs) where in each account; there is a function for deposit, accumulation, and withdrawal of payments. With health savings accounts (HSAs), the contribution deposited into the account is tax-advantaged and various medical costs are covered by the account thus cutting down on consumers healthcare cost. On the other hand, health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) are employer-sponsored and allow employees accumulate funds to cover their health care expenses. These expenses are employer-funded and the employer define how much to set aside for each employee, based on how much he can afford (Hughes, Root, & Roehrig, 2007). Nearly half (45 %) of the population in the U.S are estimated to have been infected with some type of chronic condition. Using the CDHC systems, these patients who are infected with the chronic infections can control their healthcare as well as manage their conditions e asily something that was not possible in

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

HOSPITAL READMISSION REDUCTION PROGRAM Research Paper

HOSPITAL READMISSION REDUCTION PROGRAM - Research Paper Example This did not emerge as a significant issue for quality of inpatient care; although, patients were discharged untimely, which might hypothetically raise the threat of readmissions that are expensive to payers. In a Congressional Report of 2007 (Hackbarth, Reischauer & Miller, 2007), the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) categorized several hospital readmissions as probably preventable. On August1 2011, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published its inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) finale law. Incorporated in the early structure for Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP) that is intended to begin operation in the FY 2013. The HRRP was incorporated in the Affordable Care Act by the Congress. The HRRP policy is concerned with the reduction of Medicare disbursements to hospitals with a higher number of rehospitalizations for ‘appropriate conditions’ over a particular period. The policy is only appropriate to medical states chosen by the Health and Human Service (HHS) Secretary. The policy directs the Secretary to choose situations that are expensive or widespread and where there are readmissions approaches that are authorized by the body with a treaty under section 1890(a) that is the National Quality Forum (NQF). The HRRP is applicable to all hospital organizations except those offering chiefly psychiatric, rehabilit ative or long-standing care, critical admission hospitals, children’s hospitals, and some cancer or research centers. Hospitals organizations engaging in a Medicare payment demonstration scheme are subject to this program, although, can be exempted from engagement provided that their state presents a yearly report explaining the state’s plans to decrease expenses and develop outcomes and the HHS Secretary approves. Understanding the technicalities of the HRRP entails one to consider the conditions and political background adjoining the endorsement of its parent

Private Wealth Management Internship Sample Writing Paper Essay Example for Free

Private Wealth Management Internship Sample Writing Paper Essay I am a business and economics major interested in interning in a Private Wealth Management institution in Washington. I plan to have a career in Private Wealth/Asset Management also known as Private Banking. Private Banks can either be a department in a larger bank or independent investment firms. In the past, they solely served wealth individuals. However, now former middle class entertainment stars, politicians, writers are now turning affluent overnight. They will need the services of a Private Banker to oversee. This is a crucial branch of the financial industry. In view of the current crisis rocking the financial and real estate markets, most property owners want to spend less and save more in case there is a recession. Therefore, Private Bankers are necessary to guide the high net worth individual to design and implement a beneficial financial portfolio for both parties. Private Bankers assist in the management of personal and business properties. First, they protect and preserve already existing assets by applying all the business or economic competencies, accounting skills and law knowledge that they acquired through education or experience, to ensure that the client’s portfolio does not diminish in value. Alternatively, they can work jointly with other professional such as lawyers and government agencies e.g. The Trust Department. Second, Private Bankers invest their client’s properties and monies in diverse investment vehicles to grow their clients’ portfolios while reducing the risks of losses and maximizing profits. Third, these Private Wealth Managers balance the investments of their’ clients with a view to finding them fair tax regimes creating enough income to cater for expenses.   Fourth, they advise clientele on personal finance decisions including the purchases of real estate, insurance etc. Fifth, some offer distinctive services such as: planned donations for charity; transfer and running of agricultural real estate; purchase, valuation, sale and administration of art collections; assessment of intellectual properties; and liquidation of royalties accrued from book or movie sales. ( Martinez and Martinez, 1-43) Initially, I want to get an internship as a Private Wealth Management Trainee in any of the major private Asset Management firms in Washington, then later move up the ladder and open up my own firm one day. Private Wealth Management is not just about multiplying dollars, but it also has a personal side, which is why I was attracted to it in the first place. It is remnant of the banking industry of the Wild West banking style when your banker was your friend and involved himself completely in the financial activities of his customers. I prefer Private Banking because of three reasons which have nothing to do with money. One is the personal service offered to the client. The Private Banker will interact intimately with his client. They share a cordial relationship based on trust. Finances are one of the most important issues in anyone’s life. Money is vital for survival. A client should be able to know who is handling this precious commodity by face and why this private banker makes those decisions for him. Two, the investment strategies are tailored to satisfy the needs of the customer. In private banking, the managers take into account the different backgrounds and goals of their clientele. Ultimately, the client is the own who determines what path his investments will take. This is because he shares his financial dreams with the private banker who designs financial plans based on these thoughts, invest the money and adjust the portfolio accordingly. Three, there is a degree of independence. The Private Banker does not work under the same time-space constraints as banker. They deal with their clients at different locations and may work in different deadline and schedules from a corporate or retail banker. They conduct business in different environments and are not confined to offices. This freedom of movement and spontaneity is very attractive to me.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As much as Private Banking is personal, the principal in private management is making profit. I know how to calculate figures and combine varied investment media in such a way as to maximize on the benefits of the market. I make an excellent Private Banker because I already have the qualities for this career. I am patient, possess great people skills, have sound business and economic training and I am not afraid of dealing with large sums of money, prime property. My greatest asset is my good rapport with people. A Private Banker needs to have a convivial relationship with his clients and that description describes to a tee.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   While in Washington I plan to research on the diverse communication and relational methods that Private Bankers employ to attract, attain, and retain clientele. This is because the emphasis of Private Banking to me is based on not just portfolio management but client management.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In conclusion, Private Banking is an area of the finance industry that has lived for many years with the unfair tag of snobbery. However, I believe that Private Banking is the way of future. I predict in 10 years time Private Bankers will be in high demand as the financial market grows in complexity and the public becomes more educated about the importance and relevance of asset or wealth management to assure their current financial freedom and that of their loved ones. Bibliography Martinez, Mike. and Michael, Martinez. Vault Career Guide to Private Wealth Management. Vault Inc. 2007.

Monday, October 14, 2019

Cisa Questionnaire The Is Audit Process Information Technology Essay

Cisa Questionnaire The Is Audit Process Information Technology Essay This is sampling example of compliance, as it states whether controls are functional as per the policy. This will include taking samples of new user account creation forms and match it to ensure process is being followed. Variable sampling is used to determine numerical value. Substantive sampling tests the integrity of process such as credit / debit values, balances on financial statements. Stop or go sampling technique prohibits excessive sampling of an attribute. The Stop and go statistical sampling technique in a scenario where it is believed or perceived that relatively few errors will be exposed, so there is point in wasting over sampling of an attribute. Use of statistical sample for tape library inventory is an example of ____ type of sampling technique. Variable Substantive Compliance Stop or go Ans. B Explanation This is an example of substantive sampling which confirms the integrity of a process. This test will determine whether tape library records are stated in a correct manner. What is the major benefit of risk based audit planning approach? Planning scheduling in advance over months Staff exposure to varied technologies Resources allocation to areas of top concern Budget requirements are met by audit staff Ans. C Explanation The objective of risk based audit approach is focus on areas where risk is high. Various scheduling methods are used to prepare audit schedules and it does not come under risk based approach. It also does not relate to budget requirements met by staff and number of audits performed in a given year. Examples of substantive sampling technique include: Review of password history reports Approval for configuration parameters changes Tape library inventory Verifying list of exception reports Ans. C Explanation Tape library inventory is an example of substantive sampling as it confirms the integrity of a process associated with determining whether tape records are stated in a correct manner. All others are example of compliance sampling as they determine whether the process in practice is inline with the established policies and procedures. The characteristic of an audit charter is: Is dynamic is nature and keeps changing frequently as the technology changes It contains the objectives of audit, maintenance and review of internal records by delegated authority Detailed audit procedures Overall scope, ownership and responsibility of audit function Ans. D Explanation Audit charter states management objectives, scope, ownership and delegation of responsibility of audit function. It should not change frequently and approved by higher management. Also it does not contain detail audit procedures. The auditor actions and decisions impact the ___ type of risk in a major manner. Inherent Detection Control Business Ans. B Explanation Auditor selection / decisions during the audit process have direct impact on detection risks, such as enough number of samples not taken into consideration etc. Company actions manage the control risks and business and inherent risks are also not impacted by auditor. Particular threat to overall business risk can be articulated in terms of: Likelihood and magnitude of impact , where threat successfully exploited a vulnerability Magnitude of impact, where source of threat successfully exploited a vulnerability Probability of a given source of threat exploiting a vulnerability Risk assessment team group decision Ans. A Explanation The choice A addresses both likelihood and magnitude of impact and measures risk to an asset in best manner. Choice B doesnt consider the magnitude of possible damage to an asset. Choice C dont consider the possibility of damage due to source threat exploiting a vulnerability and choice D is an arbitrary method of determining risk and it is not a scientific risk management approach. Risk management approach over baseline approach in information security management gives a major advantage in terms of: Overprotection of information assets Base level protection to all assets irrespective of asset value Adequate protection applied to all information assets Equal level of protection for all information assets Ans. C Explanation Baseline approach applies a standard set of protection to all information assets whereas the risk management based approach determines the level of protection to be applied depending on a given level of risk. This saves the costs incurred on overprotection of an information asset. In baseline approach equal level of protection is applied for all information assets irrespective of asset value so as a result some assets could be under protective and some could be overprotective. Which testing method is most effective when doing the compliance testing? Attribute sampling Variable sampling Stratified mean per unit Difference estimation Ans. A Explanation Choice A is appropriate in this scenario. As attribute sampling model estimate the rate of occurrence of a specific quality in a population to confirm whether quality is present in compliance testing. The other means of sampling are used in substantive testing where details and quantity testing is done. Why email is considered a useful source of evidence in litigation in IS audit process? Wide use of email systems in enterprises as medium of communication Access control mechanisms to establish email communication accountability Backup and archiving of information flowing through email systems Data classification guidelines dictating information flow via email systems Ans. C Explanation Option C is most appropriate as archived/ backed up email files, may contain documents which have been deleted and could be recovered. Access controls only establish accountability but dont give evidence of the email. Data classification standardizes what to be communicated by email but dont provide information needed for litigation process. A post implementation review of an application is scheduled by IS auditor. What could be the possible situation which can hamper the independent assessment of IS auditor. Involved in the development of specific application and implemented specific functionality / control Integrated an embedded audit module in the application for auditing purpose Was member of application system project team but not involved at operational level Given advice on considering best practices while system was in development stage Ans. A Explanation Choice A is most appropriate in this scenario because the auditor independence is impaired in case he was involved actively during the development, acquisition and implementation of the new application. Choice B and C dont hamper auditor independence. And Choice D is not correct as auditor independence is not hampered by given advice on best known practices. What is the benefit of continuous audit approach: Collection of evidence is not required on system reliability during the processing stage Review and follow up on all information collected Improvement in overall security in time sharing environment where large number of transactions processed No dependency on complexity of organizations systems Ans. C Explanation Choice C is most appropriate w.r.t to continuous audit process major benefit as overall security is improved in time sharing environments where large number of transactions is processed but leaving insufficient trail of papers. Choice A is not correct as auditor need to collect evidence while processing is ON. Choice B is also not correct in this case as auditor does review and follows up on errors and material deficiency. Choice D is also incorrect as complexity of organization systems determines the use of continuous audit process technique. The objective of enabling audit trail is: Better response time for users Institute Accountability of processed transactions Improving operational efficiency of systems Better tracking of transactions to give useful information to auditors Ans. B Explanation Choice B is most appropriate in this scenario as accountability and responsibility can be established for processed transactions and tracing could be done end to end. Enabling audit trail dont improve user experience as it might involve additional processing which may impact user response time in other way. Choice D could also be considered valid but it is not the main reason for the purpose of enabling audit trails. In a risk based audit strategy, risk assessment is done by IS auditor to ensure: Risk mitigation controls are in place Threats and vulnerabilities are identified Risks related to audit are taken into consideration Gap analysis is done as per the need Ans. B Explanation Choice B is most appropriate in this scenario. Identification of threats and vulnerabilities is crucial in determining the scope of audit. Effect of an audit would be to develop controls to mitigate risks. Audit risks are not relevant to risk analysis of environment. Gap analysis compares the actual state to expected or desired state. A gap could be result of a risk not being correctly addressed or missed out. In order to achieve best value to organization in terms of audit resources we should : Do audit scheduling and measure the time spent on audits Training of audit staff on latest audit technologies Chalk out detailed plan based on risk assessment Progress monitoring of audits and have cost control measures in place Ans. C Explanation Choice C is most appropriate in this scenario. This will deliver value to organization in terms of dedicating resources on higher risk areas. Choice A, B and D will improve the staff productivity only. An IS audit charter includes: Plan for IS audit engagements Scope and objective of audit engagement Training plan for audit staff IS audit function role Ans. D Explanation Choice D is applicable in this scenario. Choice A is responsibility of audit management. Scope and objective is agreed on engagement letter and training of staff is again responsibility of audit management based on audit plan. In the evaluation of risk assessment of Information system. The IS auditor will first review: Controls in place Effectiveness of implemented controls Monitoring mechanism for risks related to assets Threats/ vulnerabilities impacting assets Ans. D Explanation Risks associated with using assets need to be evaluated first so choice D is most appropriate in this scenario. Controls effectiveness is part of risk mitigation stage and risk monitoring is part of risk monitoring function after risk assessment phase. During an audit plan, the most critical step is: High risk areas identification Skill set identification of audit team Identification of test steps in audit Identification of time allotted to audit Ans. A Explanation The choice A is appropriate in this scenario. The identification of high risk areas is most critical step as that will determine the areas to be focused during the audit. Skill set is determined before audit to begin. Test steps and time for audit is determined on the basis of areas to be audited. How much data to be collected during audit process will be determined on the basis of: Ease of obtaining the information records Familiarity with the environment to be audited Ease of obtaining the evidence Scope and purpose of audit Ans. D Explanation Scope and purpose will determine the amount of sample data to be collected during the audit. All other choices are irrelevant in this scenario as audit process is not hampered by ease of obtaining records or evidences or familiarity with the environment. During the audit plan, assessment of risk should provide: An assurance that audit will cover material items Material items would be covered definitely during the audit work Reasonable assurance that All items will be covered by audit work Assurance to suffice that all items will be covered during the audit work Ans. A Explanation Choice A. ISACA audit guideline G15 clearly states that An assessment of risk should be made to provide reasonable assurance that material items will be adequately covered during the audit work. Definite assurance clause in choice B is impractical, option C is also not correct as it states all items. Statistical sampling should be used by IS auditor and not judgmental sampling in the scenario: Objective quantification of error probability Avoidance of sampling risk by auditor General use audit software is available Unable to determine the tolerable error rate Ans. A Explanation With an expected error rate and confidence level, objective method of sampling is statistical in nature as it helps auditor to determine size of sample and quantify error probability or likelihood. Choice B is not correct because sampling risk is risk of sample. Choice C is also incorrect as statistical sampling doesnt need general software. Choice D is also incorrect because tolerable error rate is predetermined in statistical and judgmental sampling. The primary goal of an auditor during the IS audit planning stage is: Address audit objectives Sufficient evidence collection Mention appropriate tests Use less audit resources Ans. A Explanation As per ISACA guidelines auditor plan must address audit objectives. Choice B is not correct because evidence is not collected at planning stage. Choice C and D are also incorrect because they are not initial goals of audit plan. During an audit procedure selection, auditor will have to use professional judgment to ascertain: Sufficient evidence collection Identification of significant deficiencies and there correction in reasonable time period Material weakness identified Maintain minimal level of audit costs Ans. A Explanation Professional judgment during the course of an audit process involves subjective and qualitative evaluation of conditions. It is based more on past experience of auditor and auditor past experience plays a key role in this. Identification of material weaknesses is result of experience and planning thoroughness and also it does not deal with financial aspects of audit as stated in choice D. While evaluating logical access controls an auditor first: Documentation of controls applied to all possible access paths to system Testing of controls to access paths to determine they are functional Evaluation of security environment w.r.t. policies and procedures laid down Obtaining an understanding of security risks to information processing facilities Ans. D Explanation Choice D is most appropriate in this scenario. The first step is to gather security risks to information processing facilities, by studying documentation, inquiries and doing risk assessment. Documentation and evaluation is next step. Third step is to test access paths to ensure controls functionality. The last is auditor evaluation of security environment. The objective of forensic audit is to: Participation in investigations related to corporate fraud Evidence collection on systematic basis after system irregularity Assessment of correctness of organizations financial statements Determine if there was any criminal activity Ans. B Explanation Choice B is correct as evidence collection is used for juridical process. They are not only for corporate frauds. Financial statements correctness determination is not purpose of forensic audit. And criminal activity could be part of legal process but it is not the objective of forensic audit. An auditor is reviewing a backup log report of remote server backup. One of the entries in the backup log indicates failure to login to remote server for backup and there is no entry in log which confirms that backup was restarted. What IS auditor should do? Issue audit finding Explanation required from IS management Issue a non compliance Increase sample of logs to be reviewed Ans. D Explanation Choice D is appropriate in this case. Before issue audit finding or seeking explanation, or issue of non compliance auditor needs to gather additional evidence to properly evaluate the situation. For the purpose of auditing critical servers audit trail, auditor wants to use _______ tool to determine the potential irregularity in the user or system. CASE tools Embedded data collection tool Heuristics scanning tool Trend/variance detection tools Ans. D Explanation Trend/variance detection tools are used for determining the potential irregularity in the user or system. CASE tools are used in software development and embedded data collection tool is used for sample collection and Heuristics scanning tool used to detect virus infections. What could be the possible cause of great concern for an auditor while evaluating a corporate network for possible penetration from employees? Number of external modems connected to network Users have right to install software on there desktops Limited network monitoring or no monitoring at all User ids with identical passwords Ans. D Explanation Choice D is most appropriate in this scenario. It is the greatest threat. Choice A threat is there but depends on use of valid user id. In choice b likelihood is not high due to technical knowledge needed for penetration. Network monitoring is a means for detection. What is the major benefit of using computer forensic softwares in investigations? Preservation of electronic evidence Saving time and costs More efficient and effective Efficient search for violation of Intellectual property rights Ans. A Explanation The main purpose of forensic software is to preserve the chain of electronic evidence for investigation purpose. Others choice B and C are concerns to identify good / poor forensic software. Choice D is example of using forensic software. Data is imported from client database by auditor, now the next step is to confirm imported data is complete, what step need to be followed to verify the same. Match control total of imported data with original data Sort data to confirm data is in same order as the original data Review first 100 records of imported data with first 100 records of original data Category wise filtering of data and matching them to original data Ans. A Explanation The logical step in this scenario would be option A. this will confirm the completeness of process. Sorting may not be applicable in this scenario because original data may not be sorted order. Reviewing partial data does not suffice the purpose either. Filtering data would also need control totals to be established to ensure completeness of data. An audit is to be conducted to identify payroll overpayments in last year. Which audit technique would be best appropriate in this scenario? Data testing Use of general audit software Integrated test facility Embedded audit module Ans. B Explanation General auditing softwares include mathematical calculations, stratification, statistical analysis, sequence and duplicate checks and re-computations. So auditor can use appropriate tests to re-compute payroll data. Test data would not detect the anomalies and overpayments. Integrated test facility and embedded edit modules cannot detect previous errors. During an audit process, auditor finds out that security procedures are not documented what he should do? Auditor create procedure document Stop audit Do compliance testing Evaluate and identify exiting practices being followed Ans. D Explanation The purpose of audit is to identify risks, so the most appropriate approach would be identify and evaluate current practices being followed. Auditors dont create documentation, compliance testing cannot be done as no document is there and stopping audit will jeopardize the objective of audit i.e. risks identification. Threats and their potential impacts are identified during the course of an risk analysis stage what should be next most appropriate step? Identification and assessment of risk assessment approach of management Identification of all information assets and systems Disclosure of threats and impacts to management Identification and evaluation of existing controls Ans. D Explanation The next step would be choice D. once the threats and impacts are identified. Next step is to share them with management. Out of the following which one is the most significant concern for an auditor? Non reporting of network attack Notification failure to police of an attempted intrusion Periodic review of access rights not present No notification of intrusion to public Ans. A Explanation Failure to report a network attack is major cause of concern. Reporting to public is organization choice and notification to police is also matter of choice. Periodic examination of access rights could be causing of concern but not as big as option A. Which is the most dependable evidence for an auditor out of the following: Letter from 3rd party on compliance Line management assurance that application is performing as per design Information obtained from www Reports supplied by organization management to auditor Ans. A Explanation The most reliable evidence is the one given by external party. Choice B, C and D are not considered reliable. While evaluating a process on the basis of preventive, detective and corrective controls, an IS auditor should know? The point at which controls used as data flow through system Preventive and detectives controls are only relevant ones Corrective controls are only relevant Classification is required to determine which controls are absent Ans. A Explanation Choice A is most appropriate. Choice B and C are incorrect as all controls are important. Choice D is also not correct because functioning of controls is important and not its classification. The best evidence of duties segregation is identified by using ____ audit technique? Discussions with management Organization chart review Interviews and observations User access rights testing Ans. C Explanation Based on choice C an auditor can evaluate the duties segregation. Management may not be aware of detailed functioning, organization chart only depicts hierarchy of reporting, and testing will only tell user rights but will not give any details on function being performed by users. While reviewing a customer master file, auditor discovers that many customer names are appearing in duplicate causing variation in customer first names. How auditor will determine the amount of duplication in this scenario? Testing data to validate input Testing data to check sorting capabilities Use general audit software to detect address field duplications Use general audit software to detect account field duplications Ans. C Explanation As names are not same, so we need to use some other field to determine duplication such as address field. Test data will not help in this case and searching on account number may not yield desired result because customers could have different account numbers for each entry. While testing for program changes what is the best population to choose sample from? Library listings testing Listing of source programs Change request programs Listing of production library Ans. D Explanation The best source to draw sample or test system is automated system. Choice B would be time consuming. Program change request are initial documents to initiate changes; test libraries dont present approved and authorized executables. An integrated test facility is an efficient tool for audit: Audit of application control in a cost effective manner Integrating audit tests for financial and IS auditors Comparison of processing output with independently calculated data Tool to analyze large range of information Ans. C Explanation It is a useful audit tool because it uses similar program to compare processing with independently calculated data. This involves setting up dummy entities and processing test/production data. IS auditors use data flow diagrams to: Hierarchical ordering of data Highlighting high level data definitions Summarize data paths and storage in graphical manner Step by step details of data generation portrait Ans. C Explanation Data flow diagrams are used to chart flow of data and storage. They dont order data in hierarchical manner. Data flow not necessarily match hierarchy or order of data generation. Review of organization chart is done by auditor to: Understand workflows Identify all communication channels Responsibility and authority of individuals Network diagram connected to different employees Ans. C Explanation Organization chart always depicts the responsibility and authority of individuals in an organization. This is required to understand the segregation of functions. While performing an audit of network operating system, an auditor should review the following user feature? Network document availability online Support for terminal access to remote systems File transfer handling between users and hosts Audit, control and performance management Ans. A Explanation Network operating system user features comprise online availability of network documentation. Choice B, C and D are some examples of network OS functions. In order to ascertain that access to program documentation is only restricted to authorize users, an auditor should check: Evaluation of retention plan for off site storage Procedures being followed by programmers Comparison of utilization records to operational schedule Review data access records Ans. B Explanation Interview of programmers to understand procedures being followed is the best way to ascertain the access to program documentation is only with authorized personnel. Off site storage, utilization records and review of data access records will not address security of program documentation. Auditor is evaluating an application which does computation of payments. During the audit it is reveled that 50% of calculation is not matching with the set total. What should be the next step auditor need to follow as part of audit practice? Do further test on calculations having error Identification of variables that generated inaccurate test results Testify some more test cases to reconfirm the anomaly Documentation of results, findings, conclusions and recommendations Ans. C Explanation Auditor needs to examine some more test cases where incorrect calculations happened and then confirm with the final outcome. Once calculations are complete further tests can be performed and then report to be made only after confirmation and not before that. In order to prove the correctness of system tax calculation the best practice to be followed is: In depth review and analysis of source code Using general auditing software to recreate program logic for monthly totals calculation Simulate transactions for results comparison In depth analysis and flow chart preparation of the source code Ans. C Explanation The best way to prove accuracy of tax calculation is simulation of transactions. Detailed review, flow chart and analysis of source code will not be effective and monthly total will not confirm the correctness of tax calculations at individual level. In Applications control review , auditor must analyze : Application efficiency in meeting business processes Exposures impact Business processes performed by application Optimization of application Ans. B Explanation Application control review requires analysis of application automated controls and analysis of exposures due to controls weaknesses. The other options could be objective of audit but not specifically meant to analyze application controls. What is the most accurate evidence to prove that purchase orders are legitimate while auditing an inventory application? Application parameters can be modified by unauthorized personnel Purchase order tracing Comparison of receiving reports to purchase order details Application documentation review Ans. A Explanation Access control testing is the best way to determine purchase orders legitimacy and is the best evidence. Choice B and C are part of further actions and choice D will not serve the purpose as application documentation process and actual process could vary. Irregularities at an early stage can be detected in the best manner by using ______ online auditing technique. Embedded audit module Integrated test facility Snapshots Audit books Ans. D Explanation The audit book technique also involves embedding code in applications to reveal early detection of irregularity. Embedded audit module is used for monitoring application systems on select

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Modern Health Hazards :: science

Modern Health Hazards Modern Health Hazards, dangers arising from man made circumstances that threaten the wellbeing of humans environment. These are normally taken as hazards arising from the mistakes human's have made over the past year's affecting the Healthy status of the entire planet completely. Different hazards threat human life on earth & By the level or extent of threat the effect can be serious and sometimes even cause death. Modern Hazards mainly are pollution of different types ,Drugs , chemical usage and some day to day human activities too Air Pollution, contamination of the atmosphere by gaseous, liquid, or solid wastes or by-products that can endanger human health and the health and welfare of plants and animals, or can attack materials, reduce visibility, or produce undesirable odours. Among air pollutants emitted by natural sources, only the radioactive gas radon is recognized as a major health threat. A by-product of the radioactive decay of uranium minerals in certain kinds of rock, r adon seeps into the basements of homes built on these rocks, posing a risk of lung cancer to residents. Effects of Air Pollution Potential pollutants may exist in the materials entering a chemical or combustion process (such as lead in petrol), or they may be produced as a result of the process itself. Carbon monoxide if inhaled in excess can cause lung problems, loss of oxygen in the blood & finally cause death .In December 1984 deadly methyl isocyanate gas was leaked from a chemical plant in Bhopal, causing the deaths of at least 3,300 people. Water Pollution, contamination of water by foreign matter such as micro-organisms, chemicals, industrial or other wastes, or sewage. Such matter deteriorates the quality of the water and renders it unfit for its intended uses. Effects of Water Pollution Notable effects of water pollution include those involved in human health. Nitrates (the salts of nitric acid) in drinking water can cause a disease in infants that sometimes results in death. Cadmium in sludge-derived fertilizer can be absorbed by crops; if ingested in sufficient amounts, the metal can cause an acute diarrhoeal disorder and liver and kidney damage. The hazardous nature of inorganic substances such as mercury, arsenic, and lead has long been known or strongly suspected. Noise Pollution, adverse effects of noise in our living and working environment. Noise is, by definition, unwanted sound. It may be annoying, it may interfere with speech communication, leisure, or relaxation, and, at very high levels which may occur at work or during certain noisy leisure activities, it may result in hearing loss by causing damage to the hair-cells in the cochlea in the inner ear.

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Explain the way in which Duffy presents the strengths and limitations E

Explain the way in which Duffy presents the strengths and limitations of language in two poems. When drawing from both 'Warming Her Pearls' and 'Selling Manhattan' , it is evident that Carol Anne Duffy maintains a certain avant-garde approach to the vast array of possibilities that language presents. She acutely exposes the ambiguity that language holds in its meanings, presenting the reader with endless connotations to consider. Duffy also draws attention to its inability to fully express the extent of human emotions. Both of the above stated poems focus on societal and cultural stratification, with Duffy's use of language carefully designed to emphasise the distance between different social groups. 'Selling Manhattan' being a dramatic monologue, articulates the thoughts of the Dutch settler, Peter Minuit, who is reputed to have bought Manhattan from the North American Indians, for twenty-four dollars worth of glass beads, in 1626. A strong division and contrast exists when this is compared to the feelings of an indigenous North American Indian. Duffy uses language to demonstrate this contrast. In Minuit's glee, he states 'I got myself a bargain'. This heavily exhibits his rapacious attitude and his inability to consider the cost to others that his actions create. The value that he places on money is also shown. This is a key theme to the entire section, also entitled 'Selling Manhattan', with Duffy fiercely criticising the capitalist attitude to economics. Duffy's use of language with the words 'I ' and 'myself' in Minuit's stanza draws attention to just how self absorbed the Dutchman really is. When the reader is first introduced to the Indian a comparison is automatically made. The first line i... ...uses on intimate detail. It could also however be interpreted as being the result of an obscene and abnormal obsession. When considering that this poem is not based upon a modern society, holding modern values that are now far more accepting towards homosexuality, the ambiguity in the depth of this line creates a hindrance to any sympathy that a reader may feel. A reader may take on a similar attitude to that which is evident in the society that 'Warming Her Pearls' describes, perceiving an iniquitous abnormality. Additionally, as this possibility exists that her seeming love is in fact an obsession, the reader has no choice but to question their belief in her affections. The influence and energy of this poem is therefore abridged by this ambiguity, due to the lack of absolute meaning in language, as illustrated by the French philosopher, Jacques Derrida.

Friday, October 11, 2019

How does Hansberry write about dreams in ‘ A Raisin in the Sun’? Essay

Setting: Lorriane Hansberry wrote ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ in the late 1950’s. Hansberry’s choice of a very poor, working-class Black family in the setting of Southside Chicago in the late 1950s, underlines the important role of dreams as a driving force in the lives of people with no other hope of survival or breakthrough from poverty and despair. The Younger family is typical of most Black families in the American south in the late 1950s. The Younger apartment is the only setting throughout the whole play emphasising the centrality of the home. Most were the descendants of freed slaves who lived in ghettos, had no landed property of their own, had little or no education and were still subject to extreme forms of prejudice, racial discrimination and humiliation from the majority White population. In such an environment, dreams are the means of support of hope and aspiration. The ‘American dream’ is being able to rise through their own ability, share prosperity and have a good way of living. The play opens with the author’s vivid description of the Younger family’s cramped, cockroach-infested, two-bedroom apartment with externally shared toilet and bathroom facilities. The carpet is threadbare and faded; the furniture upholstery has been covered and the apartment is so overcrowded that Travis, the young son of Walter Lee and Ruth, has to sleep on the living-room sofa. The family poverty is so dire that the ten-year old boy has to struggle to get fifty cents out of his mother or offer to earn the money by carrying groceries for shoppers at the local supermarket. The horrible poverty despite, an audience would observe a proud, law-abiding family held together by Walter and Beneatha’s sixty-year old mother, Mama Lena Younger, whose manner portrays dignity and a set of values that date back many years. Dreams: Ruth Younger, Walter Younger’s wife. Ruth is about thirty years of age. Ruth appears in the play disappointed and exhausted. Ruth is emotionally strong. Ruth has economic and marriage problems to face in the course of the play. Walter Lee Younger, the central character of the play. Ruth’s husband and also the older brother of Beneatha. Walter Lee is revealed in the play as a desperate man in need of money. Walter despises the fact he is living in poverty and prejudice. Walter Lee is tries to provide a better standard of living for his family. Walter Lee is also passionate about seeking a business idea to overcome economic and social issues. Travis is Ruth and Walter’s son. The only child existing in the play. Travis is secluded and over protected by the adults he lives with. Beneatha Younger is Walter’s younger sister and Mama’s daughter. Beneatha’s main ambition is to become a doctor. A strong willed woman in the drama. Ruth also takes a lot of pride in being an intellectual. Mama is the mother of Walter and Beneatha and Ruth’s mother-in-law. Mama is a very strong and religious woman in the play. Mama wants her daughter Beneatha to become a doctor. Mama also supports Ruth in many ways as a mother- in- law. Joseph Asagai is an African student who is very much proud of his cultural background and also admits his love to Beneatha. Joseph also provides Beneatha African robes and records and supports her aspirations into becoming a doctor. George Murchison is the rich boyfriend of Beneatha. George is disrespectful of other black people. George is very arrogant in his behaviour with Beneatha. Beneatha who prefers Joseph to George. As a common theme of her play, Hansberry portrays dreams in a great variety of ways. It is interesting to note from the play as a whole that virtually all the characters have dreams. Some are ambitious whilst others are modest; they are a source of frustration as well as of happiness; they are a reflection of an individual’s character and personality traits and as Walter Lee demonstrates, they are dynamic and subject to change according to the prevailing circumstances. Walter Lee is the central character of the play. Hansberry portrays him as an intense, very bitter and deeply frustrated man suffering the early start of a mid-life crisis. In Act 1 Scene 1 (pg.18), he says: † I ‘m thirty-five years old; I been married eleven years and I got a boy who sleeps in the living room and all I got to give him is stories about how rich white people live.† Then again in Act 1 Scene 2, he sees into the future at edge of his days, as a big, looming blank space†¦full of nothing.† Walter’s dream is to achieve a breakthrough in business that would give his family a better life and establish him as a man who is the main breadwinner and head of his household. His immediate hope of a business venture is to invest in a liquor store the full $10,000 insurance money his mother is about to receive as a result of Big Walter’s (her husband’s) death. His dream to lay hands on that money rapidly becomes an overwhelming obsession. When neither his mother Lena nor his wife Ruth approve of such a venture, Hansberry illustrates the depth of total frustration to which a man can sink as his dream becomes more and more indefinable. He becomes abusive to his wife, implying she belongs to â€Å"a race of women with small minds† (pg. 19); he is dismissive of sister Beneatha’s dream to become a doctor, telling her â€Å"go be a nurse like other women†¦or just get married and be quiet;† and he yells at his mother when the much-awaited cheque finally arrives. Walter Lee resorts to drinking heavily when his mother refuses to support his investment in a liquor store; he shows bitter resentment towards George Murchison, whom he thinks was born with a silver spoon; he also loses interest in his regular job as a chauffeur. Indeed, he is so blinded by the obsession of having his mother’s money that he explodes with rage when Mama Lena reveals payment of a deposit on the family’s most essential need, namely: a larger house. Hansberry illustrates the nature of dreams when Walter Lee is offered $3,500 to use as he pleases. Whilst this sum is lower than the $10,000 he was originally dreaming of, it is a cruel twist of irony that in Act 2 Scene 2. A highly thrilled Walter Lee begins to dream of life as a downtown executive who attends conferences, employs bungling secretaries, sends Travis to America’s best schools, drives a Chrysler and can afford to buy Ruth a Cadillac convertible. However, through his dreams, Hansberry is able to reveal the downfalls in Walter Lee’s character: compared to his wife and mother, he is a man of very poor judgement and was extremely gullible to allow himself to be duped by his supposedly loyal friend, Willy Harris. Compared to her much older and more experienced mother, Beneatha’s dreams portray the natural idealism of youth. Despite the poverty of her family background, Hansberry portrays her as a positive thinker who dreams of becoming a doctor without knowing where her medical school fees will come from. Beneatha is all the more remarkable in her ambitions because it was very unusual in the 1950s for women to enter the medical profession and even less usual for someone from a poor Black family who lived in a ghetto of Chicago. More typically for the period of emerging Black liberation, Beneatha shows a high level of political awareness, keeps in close touch with her African heritage and even dreams of marrying Asagai and settling in Africa to practise as a doctor (Act 3, pg.113). Although she is just as idealistic as her brother (Walter Lee), Beneatha is not obsessed with money as a means to achieving her dreams. She is totally unimpressed by George Murchison’s acquired wealth, arrogance and lack of consciousness of his African heritage. She declares in Act 1, Scene 1 (pg.31), that she could never really be serious about George because he is so shallow and is heard shouting again in Act 3, towards the end of the play, that she would not marry George if he were Adam and she were Eve (pg.114). In contrast to her children, Mama Lena is a realist who has cherished a single lifetime dream, which she shared with her late husband, Big Walter Younger. Hansberry portrays her as a God-fearing, law-abiding but poor mother with strong family values. Consequently, her dream is a modest but seemingly unattainable desire to acquire a comfortable house with a garden (which she describes in Act1, Scene 1- pg.28) and to fix it up for herself and her family. Hansberry’s use of symbolism is illustrated by the way Mama Lena keeps her dream alive in much the same manner as she nurtures her potted plant. In a second reference to her wish for garden (pg.35), Mama describes her plant as the closest she ever got to have one. She compares the strong will and spirit of her family with the survival of her plant, which â€Å"ain’t never had enough sunshine or nothing† but continued to thrive against all odds. Again, it is interesting to note Hansberry’s portrayal of dreams and the human nature: when the prospect of acquiring a house actually becomes attainable, Mama Lena no longer opts for a property in Morgan Park but for a house in the more affluent and exclusive White neighbourhood of Clybourne Park. Like Walter Lee’s new vision of himself as a downtown executive, the playwright illustrates the insatiable nature of dreams. The moral of her play is that whatever their status in life or level of attainment, people will always have dreams. Although Hansberry portrays dreams as the all-important hope on which people depend for motivation and survival, she also highlights the influence of principles in the quest to achieve those goals. It is a tribute to the Youngers’ self-pride, moral fibre and strength of character that Walter Lee is compelled to discard the idea of accepting a pay-off from Mr Lindner not to move into the White neighbourhood of Clybourne Park after he had lost the bulk of the insurance money to Willy Harris. After he announced he had called Mr Lindner to accept the payment, Mama Lena says to Walter: â€Å"Son, I come from five generations of people who was slaves and sharecroppers but ain’t nobody in my family never let nobody pay. ’em no money that was a way of telling us we wasn’t fit to walk the earth. We ain’t never been that poor. We ain’t never been that dead inside†. (Act 3, pg.108). Beneatha dismisses him in similar terms, saying: â€Å"That is not a man. That is nothing but a toothless rate† and: â€Å"He is no brother of mine†. Eventually, Walter Lee is compelled to restore the family dignity by telling Mr Lindner what a proud family he came from, how they had earned the right to live in Clybourne Park and why they didn’t want his money.. By the end of Act 3, Hansberry leaves her audience with some answers to the questions created in the metaphors of Langston Hughes’ poem, from which her play derives its title: ‘A Raisin in the Sun’. From her demonstration that people will always have dreams, it can be concluded that dreams can be deferred but they do not dry up like a raisin in the sun. As Walter Lee demonstrates, dreams can become a painful obsession to be annoying like a running sore and stinks like rotten meat when they go bad. Typical examples are when his dream takes control of Walter Lee’s life to an extent that he becomes abusive to his family and resorts to drink as the dream is deferred. Likewise, as Beneatha’s experience shows, dreams can be likened to a syrupy sweet: good to have but false and elusive if they are deferred. Through no fault of her own, Beneatha’s dream is sweet and noble but it rapidly becomes as false as an illusion when Walter Lee loses the money that would have helped her enter medical school. Although Mama Lena’s dream was never a painful obsession that festered like a running sore, smelled like rotten meat or delude like a syrupy sweet, she carried for such a long period of her life that it sagged like a heavy load until she finally bought the house in Clybourne Street. Whilst Walter Lee and Beneatha’s dreams explode with the loss of most of the much-needed family capital, Mama Lena’s dream remains as flexible as her symbolic plant, which she takes for planting in the garden of their new home. Mama is the only one of Hansberry’s characters to realise her dream. For every one else, Hansberry’s reference to the sun may well be symbolic of the bright light and hope our dreams represent. The playwright creates the question: should we allow our dreams to dry up like raisins in the sun or should we remain strong and committed, nurturing our dreams like Mama’s plant until we achieve them?