West antarctic ice sheet Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

West antarctic ice sheet - Research Paper Example The irony is that the human species has only one earth to live on and in case the environment of earth degrades beyond a certain level, it could positively jeopardize the very survival of the human species. The thing that needs to be understood is that environment stands to be a closely interconnected and integrated system, and it relies for its well being on a range of biological, geological, geographical and physical systems and features like animal and plant species, weather systems, water currents, atmospheric phenomena, water bodies, mountain ranges, air currents, glaciers, ice sheets, etc (Johnson 167). In that context, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet stands to be an important constituent of and a major determinant of the environmental health in the current times. Varied experts and research groups are urgently pointing to the fact that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, which is one of the Earth’s salient ice sheets, could eventually collapse going by the augmenting pace of glo bal warming, thereby leading to drastic climatic and environmental changes (Plimer 9). Simply speaking, an ice sheet happens to be a large mass of glacial land ice with a span of more than fifty thousand square kilometers (Allaby 79). During the ice age, many important ice shields covered large expanses of land in North America, Europe and varied other parts of the world. However, in the current times there are only two surviving ice sheets that are the Greenland ice sheet and the Antarctic ice sheet (Allaby 79). Ice sheets are formed only in those areas where the snow accumulated during the winters does not totally melt during the summers (Allaby 79). Over a long period of time spanning across thousands of years, this snow gives way to large masses of ice which further get compressed and packed as the new snow presses the snow from previous years (Allaby 80). One important thing

Passwords adopted Essay Example for Free

Passwords adopted Essay In the use of password authentication systems, users are the biggest enemy. According to the second discussion article by Johnson, S, he realized that he needed a password strategy after forgetting his password three times thereby being forced to go through a process of creating a new password. To overcome this problem of forgetting passwords, he resorts to using uncomplicated passwords. The average password user rarely makes an attempt to remember a well constituted password. A well constituted password should be complex enough to prevent what are known as dictionary attacks i. e. passwords constituting letters that make up words that are easy to guess or deduce. Passwords are not foolproof as it is and poor passwords make the whole security measure weaker. Thus, poor password practices always undermine system security. Password reuse is another form of password abuse. Users usually adopt the same passwords or variations of the same password because they are easier to remember. Similarly, users will normally opt to use simple passwords on occasions where the repercussions of intrusion are relatively mild e. g. hat are generated for them. First, these passwords are often temporary and users are given specific instructions to immediately change the password to something different than what was generated. Secondly, people may want to reuse their password they could just change the generated password into something they commonly use for an unimportant website. To help ease the problems that arise in creation and remembering of passwords, password managers are used. A password manager is software that assists users to organize their passwords in a retrievable manner. A typical password manager has a database or files that store encrypted password data. Many password managers also work as form fillers whereby they fill the user and password data automatically into the forms. Unfortunately, many users keep a written record of their passwords. Users who are subjected to complex passwords generated by password managers either change them frequently or end up writing them down. This is itself creates another problem because some users write down their passwords on sticky notes etc. while others keep their passwords as text files n their computers or mobile device, where the passwords can be easily lost or stolen. Recommendations. Educating users on password security is effective. However, this should not deter efforts made at looking into security measures beyond passwords. An example is some companies that have branched into biometrics to increase security. Biometrics is the science and technology of measuring and analyzing human biological data. In the context of information technology and more specifically security measures, biometrics refers to technologies that measure and analyze human body characteristics. These characteristics include fingerprints, eye retinas and irises, voice patterns, facial patterns and hand measurements etc. These characteristics are unique to individual human beings and can thus be used for authentication purposes. Biometric authentication is becoming increasingly common in corporate and public security systems, consumer electronics and point of sale (POS) applications. In addition to security, convenience has been another attractive aspect in Biometrics. Biometric devices, such as retina iris scanners, consist of a scanning device, software that converts the scanned information into a digital format and finally compares the resultant match points with those stored in a database containing biometric data for comparison. Another recommendation is the implementation of a layered strategy. It could start out with one password to gain general access, then as the risk rises, the user should be required to provide combinations of something in their knowledge and which is a secret. It could be a smart card, a secure ID token, etc For systems that are limited to the use of keyboard based passwords, the following measures would greatly assist in strengthening the passwords adopted: 1. Avoid letters from familiar phrases. 2. Combine the use of uppercase and lowercase letters in the password. 3. Avoid abbreviations of common phrases or acronyms. 4. Use punctuation in the password. 5. Use a password of at least six characters. 6. Avoid common literary names. 7. Mix up two or more separate words. 8. Create an acronym from an uncommon phrase. 9. Avoid passwords that contain your login ID. 10. Use numbers in the password. 11. Use homonyms or deliberate misspellings.

US Dollar And Turkish Lira Exchange Rate

US Dollar And Turkish Lira Exchange Rate In finance, the exchange rates which are also known as the foreign-exchange rate, forex rate or FX rate between two currencies is how much one currency is worth in terms of the other. In other words, it is the value of a foreign countrys currency in terms of the home countrys currency. Furthermore, the foreign exchange market is considered as one of the largest markets dominating in the world, and approximately about 3.2 trillion USD of currency changes transactions takes place every day. Specific currencies become more valuable when demand for it is greater than its supply. On the other hand, it will become less valuable or in other words it will depreciate whenever demand becomes lower than its supply. Investors all over the world will probably choose to buy certain currencies only if the return on this particular currency is high. Therefore, the higher the countries interest rate, the greater will be the demand for that countries currency. We chose to compare the $U.S against the Turkish Lira as we know that turkey is a very strong country with a floating currency; that is, not fixed exchange rate. Turkey is well known and popular for exporting textiles and clothes all over the world and taking to consideration its past history at a stage in time it had ruled many parts of the world and so it was among the most powerful countries ruling most of the Arab countries. Therefore, we chose to select the Turkish Lira and compare it to exchange rates of the $U.S and analyze what events or factors have lead to the depreciation or the appreciation of the Turkish lira. Our aim in this research project is to develop a general understanding of the forex market world and be able to compare and analyze different markets in the exchange market as well as relating national and international events and factors contributing to the success or the failure of a particular currency. Moreover, we will gain the knowledge of tips of smart international business activities such as currency exchange investments for instance when to buy or sell certain goods under certain currencies. Turkey Economy Overview: Government Type: Parliamentary ,Representative, Democracy. Currency: Turkish Lira Turkey economic is largely dominated by modern industries and the services sector. Also, its one of the leading countries in world in producers of agricultural products; textiles; motor vehicles, ships and other transportation equipment; construction materials; consumer electronics and home appliances and they import non-auto consumer goods, fuels, production machinery and equipment, non-fuel industrial supplies, motor vehicles and parts, food, feed and beverages to partner in European Union, China, Canada, Mexico and Japan Furthermore, the gross domestic product it worth in December 2099 -6.50% -7.00% Jun 2009 of the world economy, according to the World Bank.  [1]   As we can see from the table above, the Turkish lira inflation rate has experienced a noticeable disinflation rates which is defined as the slowing in the rate of the inflation as well as a remarkable decline in the volatility of inflation which is due to some factors such as tight fiscal and monetary policies. However, previously since the 1970s and the 1990s the Turkish lira had been depreciating in its currency value due to turkeys constant inflation. US Economy Overview: Government Type: Constitution-based federal republic; strong democratic tradition. Currency: US Dollars. The economic history of the United States has the largest national economy in the world in both nominal and purchasing power parity. In addition, US have a stable overall GDP growth rate, a low unemployment rate, and high levels of research and capital investment. The United States Gross Domestic Product is worth in December 2009 -1.90% September 2009 -2.50% of the world economy, according to the World Bank. The US has several export import; first the export is machinery and equipment, industrial supplies, non-auto consumer goods, motor vehicles and parts, aircraft and parts, food, feed and beverage to partner Canada, European Union, Mexico, China and Japan. In addition, US import non-auto consumer goods, fuels, production machinery and equipment, non-fuel industrial supplies, motor vehicles and parts, food, feed and beverages. To the Main import partners are: European Union, China, Canada, and Mexico and Japan  [2]  . N/A ,0.03%(Jan 2009) Table Source: InflationData.com (2003- 2009). Inflation Rate in Percent for Jan 2000-Present. Retrieved on 8-12-2009. http://www.inflationdata.com/inflation/Inflation_Rate/CurrentInflation.asp On the other hand, U.S.A seems to have similar inflation rates across the years, as the U.S economy is considered to be the largest in the world. Forex rate system used in Turkey: Turkeys exchange rate has been changing over the past years and this can be related to its economy validated in many ways. In 1990-1997 Turkey exchange rate system was considered as a crawling band which means that the Currency is maintained within certain fluctuation margins around a central rate is adjusted periodically a fixed preannounce rate or in response to change in selective quantitative indicators  [3]  . However the exchange rate in 1998 -2000 was crawling peg which define as the currency is adjusted periodically in small amount at a fixed preannounce rate or in response to change in selective quantitative indicator.  [4]   Since 2001 the exchange rate change to independent floating which can be defined as the exchange rate is market determine with any foreign exchange intervention aimed to moderating the rate of change and preventing undue fluctuation in the exchange rate rather than at establishing a level for it  [5]  . This change has taken place after the financial crisis the country had at the same time which result the Turkish lira to depreciate against the euro.  [6]   After conducting Turkey the floating exchange rate system had lost more than 50% of the Turkish lira value. Therefore the lira appreciated in the mid of 2002; however their sensitivity fluctuated in the exchange rate. After this appreciation, the lira depreciated again due to the Iraq crisis. On the other hand the Turkey government takes some action to prevent the lira and its economy from certain events such as switching to formal inflation target regime. On 2006 the central bank implemented the formal inflation target and it used the interest rate as a short instrument which was the result to depreciate the lira again.  [7]   Forex rate system used in US: As a matter of fact, the U.S mainly went through two different exchange rate regimes. The first referred to what is commonly known as the Bretton woods system of fixed exchange rates and this has been the period from 1958 till 1973. However, after that period and until this day the exchange rate regime is referred to as the managed floating .The first, which lasted effectively from December 1958 to March 1973, was the Bretton Woods system of fixed exchange rates. In the second, which began in March 1973 and has continued to the present, exchange rates have been subject to managed floating which is characterized by fluctuating exchange rates on a daily basis however they are affected by the intervention of the U.S central bank in order to stabilize their currency by buying and selling their own currency. Turkish Lira history: First lira Turkish lira is the currency of turkey that is subdivided into 100 Kurus. Turkish liras symbol is TL and according to the international standard its code is TRY. Turkish lira had experienced many difficulties and changes in its history. To begin with, the Bimetallism system was adopted in turkey between 1881 and 1884. Bimetallism refers to the fact that the country functions on a double standard in other words both gold and silver were used. According to turkey at that time: 1 lira = 519 grams pure gold = 99.8292 grams pure silver  [8]  . Then, the classical gold standard was adopted in turkey from 1881 until the 1914. Gold standard means that under this particular standard the exchange rate between any two currencies will be determined only by their relative gold contents.  [9]   However this system vanished and the gold lira was worth nine lira money. As a result, and after all those changes that took place in turkeys monetary system, they pegged to British pound, then to French France, and finally to U.S.A dollars  [10]  . Second lira:- After all the difficulties in January 2005 six zeroes has been deleted from the lira currency and the Turkish lira generally became the official currency and unit of payment in turkey. The categories of liras book notes were 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100. In addition the coins Category were 1, 5,10,20,50,100.  [11]   As a matter of fact, a lot of countries drop zero(s) from their currency in order to facilitate their transactions and avoid any mistakes. Dropping six zeroes and the effort to decline the inflation impact on the currency is a useful way for turkey to have a good reputation in its lira currency. Therefore dropping the zero from its currency had reduced the mistakes and problems that had arisen in the calculation side and record problems. In short, the transition to the New Turkish lira was necessary both for the expected positive effects on the currency, as well as for its reputation. Furthermore, the New Turkish Lira is considered also as a symbol or a sign of Turkeys determination to reduce inflation.  [12]   Turkish Lira against the U.S. Dollar during the past 5 y The below graph demonstrate the behavior of the exchange rate of Turkish Lira against the U.S. Dollar during the past 5 years, which reflects the economic situation in both countries. Table Source: Yahoo! finance (2009). TRY/USD (TRYUSD=X). Retrieved on 8-12-2009. http://finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?s=TRYUSD=Xt=5yl=onz=mq=lc Table outlining the exchange rates desired on a daily basis: In our research, we are going to study the exchange rate fluctuation between the Turkish Lira (TL) and the U.S Dollar (USD) during the period from 14 September to 4 December 2009. Our study depends on using the daily data of FX of TL against the USD and will focus on analyzing the factors and events that affect the exchange rate and interpreting the causes of fluctuation during the period of study. The exchange rates graph on a daily basis: Analysis of national and international events contributing to results we obtained from the graph: 17 September to 1 October As observed from the graph, the Turkish Lira had a downward sloping against the US Dollar starting from 17th September to 1st October 2009; this may be due to the fallowing factors and events. Events:- Turkish bond yields rose on due to worries about the countrys widening budget deficit Reduction in Turkeys GDP which has lead to the depreciation of the Turkish lira against the $U.S. Turkey seeks bids for sugar factories. Turkey is selling six factories that produce sugar to finance the global slow down economy. Turkey also trying to reduce the government control in its economy. However this event will test turkey privatization  [13]  . Factors:- September 2009 Balance of Payment Budget of the government: The current account deficit realized a huge increase by 60.5% from 558 in August 2009 to 869 in September 2009. This reflects the increase on the country expenditures over revenues that negatively affected the TL exchange rate The level of the country trade: The deficit of the goods and services increased by 18%, which is a mean of increase of TL supply over demand that is reflected negatively on the TL exchange rate, and put a pressure on the TL to depreciate against US Dollar.  [14]   US inflation decreased from -8.90 in June to -9.90 in September. Therefore US $ appreciated over the TL. Turkeys industrial production fell by 8.6% in the year to September. The biggest decline was in the production of capital goods, the output of which fell by 18.2%.  [15]   1 October to 15-October:- During this period our graph direction went up due to the below factors and events Events:- In October 2009 the annual meeting of the World Bank held in Istanbul, this was the fist time the meeting being held in a country other than the United State. The country outlook rating of Turkey outlook has been upgraded by the two rating agencies Moody and Standard Poors. In addition to that, there is a strong probability to upgrade Fitch rating agency of the Turkey outlook rating. This is due to Turkeys policies in handling the financial crisis and its ability to implement policies to stabilize the economy.  [16]   Factors:- Inflation: the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey decreased the inflation rate from 5.27 in September to 5.08 in October 2009. This is considered a positive indicator that leads investors to invest in TL, consequently, TL appreciated. We can observe that the Turkish Lira firmed in October than its performance in September against the US dollar and this was due to the fact that the central Bank of Turkey stated that the annual inflation in October would be low despite the end of stimulus tax cuts on durable goods and a near 10 percent hike in power prices. 16 October to 28 October:- During this Period our graph has a downwards sloping due to the below factors and events. Factors:- Interest rate: a Central Bank of Turkey lowered its interest rate from 7.75 in September. To 6.75 in October 2009. As a result the TL depreciated ay the beginning of October reflecting the expectations of the investors that the currency will have downward direction. Budget: Finance minster of Turkey stated that Turkey end-2009 budget deficit of 62.8 billion lira ($43.1 billion) before a fall to 50.1 billion lira in 2010 which affect TL negatively. 29 October to 8 November: As the Graph show the TL lira appreciate in this period due to some factors and events. Events:- As reported in Turkey newspaper four officials at the tax office were suited for damages caused by the record tax office the case was brought by the media group. Factors:- Oil: the crude oil prices went up on November 2009 this is in indicator that investors shift their investment from dollars to oil leading dollars prices down, accordingly TL appreciated against US dollars. US dollar: Federal Reserve on Wednesday 5th November offered a caution economic outlook and kept borrowing costs near zero as a result the US dollar depreciated and the TL appreciates. The Turkish bank Turkey Ekonomi Bankasi have reach 47 % rise of profit which leads to upward TL sloping . 9-Novamber to 25 November The graph illustrate that the TL has been depreciated in this period for those factors and events. Factors Financial stability report: the CBRT has published the financial stability report, the report indicates that Turkey economy would notice a slow improvement, and in banks profitability levels in 2010 would decrease. According to the report the consumption levels is expected decline which will lead to lower the investment expenditures. This news has affected the public confidence in the economy of turkey and resulted in a decline of the TL exchange rate. Unemployment rates: According the Hurriyet Turkish news paper unemployment rate problem would still grow and would not be solved anytime soon. This is also a negative indicator that TL value will decline. US Gross Domestic Product: The third quarter economy statistics of the US have been published on 24 November 2009, it shows that the US GDP has increased at an annual rate of 2.8%, this increase in US GDP is a result of the positive contributions from personal consumption expenditures (PCE), exports, private inventory investment, federal government spending, and residential fixed investment that were partly offset by a negative contribution from nonresidential fixed investment. As a result USD gained more confidence and rose against the TL. 26 November to 30 November As the graph shown in this period the TL has a downward slop which is the most negatively sloping at the analysis period of our project. Events:- From 27 to 30 November Turkey government and business sector had a public holiday to observe the occasion of Eid Al Adha. The economy during this period slow down and this caused the downward of the TL exchange rate against the USD. The global crisis has hit turkey trade especially turkey exports to neighborhoods decrease to 7.7 % as publish in Hurriyet Daily News and Economic. EU to ask Turkey to adopt a more European Iran policy The European Union welcomes Turkeys stabilizing role in the Middle East but feels uneasy with its Iran policy,  [17]   Factors Oil: Oil price decreases on 25 of November which attract investor to buying oil by dollars as a result the TL depreciate. Inflation: in November the turkey inflation rate increases from 5.08 on October 2009 to 5.53 in November which lead to depreciate the TL in this time. Balance of trade: Turkey balance of trade increase from -2573.0 to -3948.0 deficits which mean that turkey import increase in November increasing the supply of TL which leads to downward TL. 1 December r to 4 December:- As we observe after the deep down wards at the end of November the TL appreciate at the beginning of December leads to upwards slopping. Events:- Turkish news has announced that Turkish lender Sekerbank has signed a deal loan with the international finance cooperation to finance the agriculture and foods project that worth 30 millions. Turkey news has announced that turkeys poverty rate has decreased from 17.79 percent in 2007 to 17.11 percent in 2008which leads to strong Turkish lira reputation. Factors Gold : the gold price increase from 1054.00 on November to 1115.40 on December as a result the investor shift their investment direction to invest more in safe assets which is gold leading to supply the market by dollars as result the dollars depreciate and the TL appreciate . Government Budget: the Turkey government budget has 989.80 surpluses on December after having a budget deficit for the past month. As a result the TL appreciated. Current Account : the current has increase from -863.0 on September to 671.0 on December which mean the export is greater than import and the demand of TL is greater than supply leading appreciate TL on December 2009. Conclusion:- In conclusion, we have benefitted a lot from this study as we were able to analyze the Turkish lira exchange rate against the U.S Dollar as both economies have many factors and events affecting this exchange rate phenomenon such as gold reserves, balance of payments of each country, unemployment rates in addition to inflation rates, crisis in other countries, as well as many other implications .Furthermore, As for the exchange rates instability during the past three months as was required for us to analyze, the Turkish-dollar exchange rates observed several highs and lows which was generally due to multiple political, economical, social factors, and fiscal monetary policies by both countries the U.S and Turkey. We benefitted a lot from conducting this research study as it gave us the knowledge of relating the international and national events with the currency performance along with understanding the role of the exchange rate system applied in analyzing the appreciation as well as de preciation of the currency. References: ANKARA Anatolia News Agency. (2009). Crisis hits trade relations with neighbors. Retrieved on 8-12-2009. http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=crisis-hits-trade-relations-with-neighbors-2009-11-30 ANKARA Bloomberg. (2009). Fitch lifts Turkish outlook, poised to upgrade rating. Retrieved on 14-11-2009. http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=fitch-lifts-turkish-outlook-poised-to-upgrade-rating-2009-10-27 ArticlesBase.com (2005-2008). Export Import in Turkey. Retrieved on 14-11-2009. http://www.articlesbase.com/ask-an-expert-articles/export-import-in-turkey-1219667.html ASIM ERDÄ °LEK. (, 2009). How vulnerable is Turkey to an external financial shock?. Retrieved on 10-11-2009. http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/columnists-137712-how-vulnerable-is-turkey-to-an-external-financial-shock.html Bankim Chadha, Eswar Prasad. (1997). Real exchange rate fluctuations and the business cycle: Evidence from Japan. International Monetary Fund. Staff Papers International Monetary Fund, 44(3), 328-355. Retrieved December 15, 2009, from Research Library. (Document ID: 22542091). Burak Sansal ( 1996-2009). Turkish Economy. Retrieved on 14-11-2009. http://www.allaboutturkey.com/economy.htm Bureau of Economic Analysis is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.(2009). Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Corporate Profits. Retrieved on 3-12-2009. http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/gdp/gdpnewsrelease.htm Burka Sansal (1996-2009). New Turkish Lira. Retrieved on 8-11-2009: http://www.allaboutturkey.com/ytl.htm CBS Interactive Inc.(2009). U.S. exchange rate policy: Bretton Woods to the present includes glossary. 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Turkey GDP real growth rate. Retrieved on 14-11-2009. http://www.indexmundi.com/turkey/gdp_real_growth_rate.html IndexMundi (2009). Turkey Inflation rate (consumer prices). Retrieved on 8-12-2009. http://www.indexmundi.com/turkey/inflation_rate_(consumer_prices).html InflationData.com (2003- 2009). Inflation Rate in Percent for Jan 2000-Present. Retrieved on 8-12-2009. http://www.inflationdata.com/inflation/Inflation_Rate/CurrentInflation.asp Investopedia (2009). Managed Currency. Retrieved on 8-12-2009. http://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/managed-currency.asp Investopedia (2009).Disinflation. Retrieved on 8-12-2009. http://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/disinflation.asp ISTANBUL Hà ¼rriyet Daily News (2009). Turkeys poverty rate at 17.11 percent. Retrieved on 8-12-2009. http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=turkey8217s-poverty-rate-at-17.11-percent-2009-12-01 ISTANBUL Hà ¼rriyet Daily News (2009). Central Bank foresees slow, gradual recoveryRetrieved on 3-12-2009. http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=the-bank-foresees-slow-gradual-recovery-2009-11-24 ISTANBUL Hà ¼rriyet Daily News (2009). Executives eye competition and innovation. Retrieved on 8-12-2009. http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/h.php?news=executives-eye-productivity-and-2009-11-05 Joanna Stryjek(2007). Exchange Rate Regimes in the Middle East and North Africa Countries. Retrieved on 12-11-2009:http://www.arabia.pl/english/content/view/414/16/ Koà §Ãƒ §at, H.. (2008). Exchange Rates, Exports and Economic Growth in Turkey: Evidence from Johansen Cointegration Tests. International Journal of Economic Perspectives, 2(1), 5-11. Retrieved December 15, 2009, from ProQuest Central. (Document ID: 1809709051). Meyer, C., Zanetti, A.. (2008). Unit Labour Costs, the Real Exchange Rate and Swiss Competitiveness. Aussenwirtschaft, 63(1), 43-68,109. Retrieved December 15, 2009, from ProQuest Central. (Document ID: 1474657321). 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Oxford Analytica Daily Brief Service,1. Retrieved December 15, 2009, from ProQuest Central. (Document ID: 1688053781). Turkish Embassy Office of the First Economic Counsellor, London. (2004-2008). ECONOMIC OUTLOOK OF TURKEY. Retrieved on 14-11-2009. http://www.turkisheconomy.org.uk/economy.html Turkish Press. (1997-2009). I Am Proud With Value of Turkish Currency, P.M. Erdogan. Retrieved on 10-11-2009. http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=253819 Wikipedia (2009). Turkish lira. Retrieved on 8-11-2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_lira Wikipedia (2009). Economy of Turkey. Retrieved on 14-11-2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Turkey Wikipedia (2009). Managed float regime. Retrieved on 8-12-2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Managed_float_regime XE Corporation. (1995 2009). CORRECTED-Turkey Factors to Watch on Nov 5. Retrieved on 10-11-2009. http://www.xe.com/news/2009-11-05%2002:37:00.0/781409.htm?c=1t XE Corporation (1995-2009). Turkey Factors to Watch on Nov 1. 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Shaping Identity in William Gibsons Neuromancer Essay -- Numbers Gibs

Shaping Identity in William Gibson's Neuromancer The number â€Å"one† is not a thing. Math has no definitive reality. Numbers are a social construct, a system of symbols designed to express the abstractions through which properly developed societies explain aspects of reality. It follows that, as humanity seeks to understand more of what it is to exist, bigger numbers are needed. Soon, we need machines to understand the numbers. Society plants a base on information technology, efficiency, and a mechanical precision that is startling. What is desirable in a product is distilled to a formulaic essence and packaged neatly. Humans, too, are boiled down to science. Glossy shots, red lipstick, concrete biceps, and an ever-decreasing waistline set the standard. People are reduced to little more than the sum of their parts, a pair of matchstick legs, a rippled midsection, the right shoes and right make-up. Information technology makes the dissimilation of these trends mercilessly easy: In response to the Atkins Diet, tens of thousa nds of Americans strike carbohydrates from their diets. A cell phone that simply calls someone is archaic at best; people need infinite text messaging and a built-in digital camera (with no roaming charges) so that they can e-mail pictures of their new car to their friends in California, New York, or Antarctica. Jessica Simpson mistakes canned tuna for chicken and millions of viewers laugh at her in unison. Still, â€Å"one† is not a thing. These societal constructs chip away at the very humanity of the people who live amidst them. In William Gibson’s Neuromancer, a motley cast of characters face this cold steel reality, that their humanity is being systematically stripped, and that even attempts to take advantage... ... as perceived in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and William Gibson's Neuromancer.† 1996. Retrieved November 16th, 2004. http://www.geocities.com/Paris/5972/gibson.html. Meyer, Chuck. †Human Identity in the Age of Computers: Cyberpunk Identity.† April 1997. Retrieved November 20th, 2004. http://fragment.nl/mirror/Meyer/CyberpunkIdentity.htm. Myers, Tony. †The Postmodern Imaginary In William Gibson's Neuromancer.† 2001. Retrieved November 20th, 2004. http://www.postanarki.net/myers.htm. Saffo, Paul. †Consensual Realities in Cyberspace.† Phrack Magazine. 1989. Retrieved November 16th, 2004. http://www.phrack.org/show.php?p=30&a=8. Shaw, Debbie. †THEREFORE I AM - TECHNOLOGY & HUMAN IDENTITY.† Updated January 1997. Retrieved November 16th, 2004. http://learning.unl.ac.uk/humanIT/cybersf/ident.htm

Benefits of a Marketing Plan for Small Business

Research Topic 5: â€Å"I’ve got a small business with only 3 full-time staff. Marketing Planning’s no real practical use to me! Besides, I can’t afford the time and/or the money to do it† The writing of a marketing plan is extremely important step in the functioning of an effective and successful business. A marketing plan will give a snapshot of where the business currently stands, where the business hopes and wants to be and what needs to be done to achieve this. This is crucial if the business wants to grow or maintain its current level of profit. It could even be helpful if a business needed to down-size. Marketing plans can be as detailed as required, and as such are useful tools for large corporations and small businesses alike. The creation of marketing plans can be quite daunting without previous experience, and this is one reason why many small businesses don’t create a plan. Ross Cameron, of Cameron Research Group states â€Å"†¦there appeared to be a large number of small business owners who were not interested in growing. It is possible this is because many small business owners don’t know how to grow† (Hartnett and Keisler 2008, p. ) Many of the smaller businesses don’t understand the benefit of creating a marketing plan, and therefore avoid creating one. One benefit of creating a marketing plan is in analyzing the current situation. Particularly in small businesses, the ability to step back and take an external view of the business is often difficult for an owner, as that time can be put to use elsewhere, and the results of a situational analysis can often be confronting (Hartnett and Keisler 2008). Most successful entrepreneurs of the world are able to view and analyze the business from the outside. Another benefit of producing a marketing plan is the potential for â€Å"greater co-ordination of effort† (Overton 2007). In having a clearly defined plan for the direction of the business, as well as an idea of how to get there, all of the employees can be focused towards that same goal. A business that has no marketing plan can potentially have employees pulling the business in many different directions, as the goal is not clear. Producing a marketing plan can also help measure the success of any efforts put in to improve the business. In creating a marketing plan, it is best to quantify the desired achievement. For example, if a business wanted to improve its sales by 25% over the course of a twelve month period and this goal is identified within the marketing plan, then it can be reviewed after twelve months (or at intervals during this period). The results of the review measures the effectiveness of the marketing plan. If sales figures have grown by 25% or more, then it is seen as successful. If sales grew by under 25%, or worse, declined, then the marketing plan has not been as effective as it should be. The measurement of success of a marketing plan can also be used as a benchmark to set future marketing plans. Using the perceived effectiveness or not of the previous marketing plan, can be a useful tool for looking forward. It can inspire a business to set higher growth in sales figures, or to set the benchmark lower, to enable a sales figure that is a little bit more achievable, based on the previous marketing plan (Overton 2007). A marketing plan can also help a business by looking at its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (also known as a SWOT analysis). In providing this analysis, a business has a better viewpoint from which to build upon. Analysis of strengths provides important information about what the business does well in its operations. For example, it could be how the business differs from its competitors, or what makes the business more successful than others in certain aspects. For instance, this could mean that the employees of the business are better trained or motivated than at rival businesses, the business has higher valued intellectual property, or various other reasons. Similarly, the analysis of weaknesses provides information and comparisons with other businesses to enable better decision making and potential improvements. The analysis of opportunities and threats document how the business could be impacted in the future, for better or for worse. Opportunities enable a business to look at future growth potential, future trends in the marketplace, opportunities to take advantage of competitor’s weaknesses, or any other factor that may or may not have been identified in the strengths or weaknesses. Threats are basically negative opportunities and can be current or future factors that may possibly have a negative impact on the business. In drawing up the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) for the business, and similarly for its competitors, the business can have a greater understanding of its current situation, and moving forward, a greater understanding of any potential hurdles or windfalls that may impact the business (positively or negatively). This in turn provides a better platform from which to determine the way forward, and to provide a plan to achieve the goal of the business successfully. One of the main benefits gained by creating a marketing plan is the actual documenting of the businesses goals and direction. By having a plan in hard copy, and having all employees working towards the same goals and in the same direction, the business is more likely to succeed in reaching those goals. A marketing plan is also beneficial in setting a budget for effective marketing. A marketing plan will allow the business to look at its target objectives and determine the amount of money to be spent on that goal. Stephanie Paul (2010) insists that a marketing plan is â€Å"†¦Often considered the most effective budgeting method†¦Ã¢â‚¬  and that many experts believe that it is definitely the most logical way of setting a marketing budget. Similarly, a budget can also help create realistic strategies when looking at objectives from a budgeting aspect. â€Å"Understanding the return on investment on a marketing activity enables you to determine whether to keep them running or stop them and try something else†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Murphy 2009) Many small businesses feel that they don’t have time to develop arketing plans and strategies, but a marketing plan can be as thorough as the business needs it to be. In the case of most small businesses, the owner of the business inevitably works â€Å"in† the business, and has very little time to work â€Å"on† the business. However, a marketing plan doesn’t have to take up a lot of time. Whilst a large business may need h undreds of pages for a marketing plan, many small businesses can create effective marketing plans using as little as â€Å"half a dozen pages† (How to Create a Marketing Plan) McDaniel (2003) states â€Å"Developing a marketing plan is free and can be as simple as a time line of when to order business cards, networking opportunities, organizational meetings, speaking engagements and deadlines for publications†. The article also goes on to quote Ronelle Genser of Genser International Consulting â€Å"†¦there are three secrets to marketing. Commitment, Investment (not just money but of time, energy, and talent, as well), and consistency. † A marketing plan would be difficult without these aspects (McDaniel 2003) Around 98% of small business owners state that marketing is the hardest part of their job†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (McDaniel 2003). As seen above, a marketing plan can be effective at any scale, and should be a necessary tool for succeeding in business. For addressing the issue of time management in preparing a marketing plan for a small business, How to Create a Marketing Plan suggests taking â€Å"a couple of months to write the plan, even if it’s only a few pages long†¦Ã¢â‚¬  In conclusion, there are many benefits for writing a marketing plan, even for the time-poor owner of a small business. It enables the business owner to analyze the past and the present, as well as plot and plan the future direction of the business, the money spent on that plan and measuring the effectiveness of past, current and future plans. These are all practical uses of marketing plans, and for the basis of successful businesses, whether they are large multi-national corporations, or a small home business with few or no employees. Bibliography Hartnett R. , Keisler, K. , 2008, Small Business, Big Opportunity: Winning the right customers through smart marketing and advertising, Second edition, Sensis, Melbourne How to Create a Marketing Plan, 2010, Entrepreneur, viewed 2nd April 2010, Murphy, D. , 2009, Marketing Budget – Where do I start? , Vista Consulting, viewed 2nd April 2010, Overton, R. , 2007, Marketing Simplified, An introduction to marketing, eBOOK version, Martin Books, EBL EBook Library, viewed 2nd April 2010 Paul, S. , 2010, Cost of Marketing: What Is the Average Budget? , LegalZoom, viewed 2nd April 2010, < http://www. legalzoom. com/business-management/promoting-your-business/cost-marketing-what-is>

Nursing Shortage Problem

Nursing Shortage Problem Introduction Nursing shortage is a problem that is encountered by most of the healthcare providing institutions in many nations. It refers to a state where nursing professionals’ demand is higher than the number that is supplied to an institution. The role of nurses in health institutions is vital and cannot be assumed. This is because of crucial services they offer to patients.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Nursing Shortage Problem specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is through nurses that clients gain or lose trust of health services provided by any health institution. This means that the services of nurses is so crucial that anything that may hinder or make them compromise safety of patients should be eradicated. However, it is equally important to ensure that nurses’ workload is not too much for them to bear. This is to mean that for delivery of effective health care to patients, the right number of nurses should always be maintained in an organization. Just like in many countries, in United States, only the registered and licensed nurses can offer health care services in healthcare institutions. Currently the State is facing a problem of nursing shortage. There is a rising demand for nurses in many health institutions in United State, an issue that require to be addressed. Failure to address this issue in time may make nurses to compromise health status of patients in many hospitals. Several factors have led to shortage of nurses across nations. These factors include education systems that do not favor enrollment of nursing as a career and governmental or organization’s policy among others. Method of Obtaining Necessary Approval The organization’ leadership To win approval of organization’s leadership in addressing the issue require presentation of health facts related to nursing shortage in the institution. The statistics of health status and provision and its relationship of nursing shortage in the organization can provide a valid basis for the management to raise concern and approve the proposal. These statistics will provide the recommended workforce for each nurse. It will equally show the effects of shortage of nurses in this organization in relation to the workload of each nurse. This information will convince the organization’s leadership as to why they need to approve the proposal. Fellow staff members One of the best ways to get support and approval from fellow staff member is by unveiling the truth of the matter in this organization. This can be done by asking them some relevant questions concerning their workload in general and the effectiveness of the services they render to patients. By doing so, the staff will be a position to get the facts.Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The organization may for example reflect on the ratio of patients that die to the ratio of those that survive in every 500 patients. In 2005, out of every 500 patients, only five would die and 495 patients would survive in this firm. Since the shortage of nurses’ problem arose, the healthcare is deteriorating each year.   In the year 2010, out of every 500 patients, statistics show that 10 patients died and 490 survived. It also shows that the workload for each nurse has tremendously increased with the increase of overtime working hours and the quality of services provided has generally decreased to a point of making many clients to lose trust with the services rendered by this firm. This is a clear indicator of how nursing shortage problem has affected the institution and why there is a need of fellow staff members to approve and provide necessary support towards the proposal. Description of Current Problem, Issue, or Deficit Requiring a Change The policy of every health care organization shou ld be drawn with a lot of consideration on issues that arise on daily basis and several other possible factors should as well be keenly considered. According to the policy of this organization, it is stated that a specific number of new nurses should be employed every financial year. However, this policy did not consider cases that arise and cause shortage of nurses in the institution, hence, affects the quality of health provision in this institution. Some of these cases include death of some of the nurses, transfers, firing and aging cases of others. All these cases constantly occur in this institution with no replacement of such nurses until another financial year. This leads to continuous shortage of nurses in this organization, a deficit that is not covered even by the subsequent employment of nurses, as the number employed does not include those fired, dead, transferred, or aged. Detailed Explanation of Proposed Solution To solve the problem of shortage of nurses in this insti tution, there is a need for leadership management to revise the policy and make any necessary adjustments. In this policy, the recommended workload for each nurse should be clearly defined and followed strictly. The issue of employing nurses at the end of every financial year also requires some adjustments. It should allow a room for frequent replacement of the nurses that die, those transferred, aging and those that are fired within the course of the year. This way, the organization will be in a position to solve the problem of shortage of nurses and avoid overworking them for provision of quality healthcare services to its clients.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Nursing Shortage Problem specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Having enough nurses will also help the management monitor carefully the work of every nurse. This is because the management can be able to assign nurses to various and specific wards or other area s for easy monitoring. Rationale for Selecting Proposed Solution Selecting the proposed solution was because it is the only way to provide a lasting solution to nursing shortage, improve the deteriorating healthcare in this institution, and hence restore the lost trust of clients with the organization. It will also reduce relieve nurses from being overworked to enable them deliver efficient and effective healthcare services to the patients. By so doing, health safety of patients will not be compromised. Mortality rate will reduce greatly as nurses will be enough to attend to every patient at a convenient time and in an effective manner.  The module clearly describes the problem of nursing shortage. It states how this problem affects the general population in United States. It explains some of the factors that lead to nursing shortage that needs to be addressed to solve this problem. In addition to enhancing favorable education system to nursing, the module states what nursing admi nistration and policy makers have to do in addressing the issue of nursing shortage in United States. The article explains that that the aging nurses reduces the total workforce each year. This means that there is need for an organization to replace constantly the aging nurses to avoid insufficiency of nurses in a medical institution. Description of Implementation Logistics The implementation of the change and its integration to the organizational structure should be implemented as soon as the report is approved. The integration can be done by making necessary amendments to the organizational structure and hiring the needed number of nurses to meet the demanded number. Both the top management and the middle level management will spearhead the whole implementation process. They are in the best position of initiating change in this organization, train the incoming and the continuing nursing staff and to ensure that the implementation process is has taken place successfully and suits w ell in the culture and workflow of the organization. It is also important for the management of this organization to collaborate with policy makers and other health providers in amendment of any unfavorable nursing policies.Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Resources Required for Implementation The main resources in the implementation of this proposal are finances and the human resource. Funds will aid in publishing the materials for advertisement on recruitment of nurses. These materials may include posters, pamphlets among others. Finances will also help the organization to use like television media for wide spread of the information on the same in order to have many nurses getting the information for application. Human resource is needed in the form of the interviewing panel to choose the most qualified and competent team for nursing positions. In carrying out the interview, funds will be required in providing the necessary materials for the same. Funds will also be needed to print and make copies to enhance the training sessions for the successfully recruited nurses and for other necessities in incorporation of the change in the work structure of this organization.