History and Major Milestones

History and Major Milestones History and Major Milestones History and Major Milestones History and Major Milestones History and Major Milestones History and Major Milestones

We Must Stop Gun Control - 967 Words

Today’s statistics present that hundreds of thousands of other people in our communities committed suicide with a gun and nearly half a million people suffered other gun injuries(4,name) And this is no surprise,as this nation continues to grow rapidly in number.But this nation must not continue to let these statistics to rise,nevertheless continue homicide victims [to be] armed in disappropriate numbers:[as] large and growing proportion of victims are criminals themselves(Polsby,2)The people of the nation must take action by drawing a limit and supporting gun control,for it not only affects the safety of an individual citizen,but as a nation altogether.With the laws established they will make society safer, not interfere with civil liberties,and will work towards saving lives and dissolve gun violence. To initiate,bringing gun control will make society safer.In order to undertand the subject of this controversial item,onewould first need to understand the reason why there is a need for guns. When asking a single person why there is a need for guns,it attacks a physiological problem.’They [gun owners] say guns give people the power or self defense--and dissuade criminals from victimizing people who might be armed.’(Smith,3)The people have a tendency to believe that owning a firearm will ensure protection and their safety.Therefore,owning a gun is equal to feeling safe to some.This is an often misconception because †being safe is not equal to being safe.†(Polsby,2) AShow MoreRelatedIssue of Gun Control871 Words   |  4 PagesGun control has been a controversial issue in the past, but it has recently been popping everywhere on the news, considering the recent occurrences of abuse. I believe we need a system in which citizens do not need to fear, but we al so need a system in which rights are not being taken away. European countries such as United Kingdom have extremely strict laws on firearms. This extremeness has actually proven to work causing fewer deaths by guns. . Assault weapons are far too dangerous for regularRead MoreThe Issue Of Gun Violence1550 Words   |  7 PagesGun violence has run rampant in America. Due to this many Americans have this issue at the forefront of their minds. Everybody seems to think that they have the solution to this problem. The reality here is that the violence lies not in the gun, but in whomever carries out the act of using the gun in a violent manner. Many people fail to see this though, and think by removing guns completely from society the violence will cease. The people who take this side, are tired of innocent people being killedRead MoreGun Control And Its Effect On The Country1310 Words   |  6 Pagesbut guns are the instrument of death. Gun control is necessary, and delay means more de ath and horror† (BrainyQuote, n.d.). Many people say that gun control will not affect violence rates in a country. Also, they say that if everyone has a gun, then that will stop mass massacres. The people who believe that gun control is not needed are wrong. This is because gun control has been proven to improve the safety of a country. For example, In Australia and Britain reduced violence caused by guns by puttingRead MoreThe Shootings That Affect Our Society1362 Words   |  6 Pagesschools throughout the Unites States have created a great divide among Americans on what we should do as a nation to prevent further violence with guns from happening. Many people believe that imposing laws when purchasing weapons and requiring background checks, holding adults responsible for the actions of their children and requiring gun locks on weapons to prevent children from obtaining such weapons will stop these massacres in our schools from happening. There are many issues that need to be lookedRead MoreWe Have The Right Of Bear Arms1449 Words   |  6 PagesTrey Leis Mrs. Swenson English 11 College Bound 17 September 2015 We have the Right to bear arms This country is known for its freedom, but it’s slowly being taken away from us by the government and protesters who think that guns kill and cause violence and murders. The protesters like to blame the gun for what people do, the gun doesn’t shoot itself, and it’s the ignorant person behind it. America is known for their gun power and strength and if you take that all away then countries will be ableRead MoreThe Importance Of Gun Control917 Words   |  4 Pagesfirearms? Guns play a major part in the World, whether they are for protection or to do harm to others. While people can defend themselves, gun control needs to be more strict because guns are sold from and bought by people who do not fit the qualifications, children are accidentally killed, and the number of deaths in America are greatly rising. What is a huge way to decrease deaths in America? To decrease deaths in America people need to be aware of all situations that are happening and put a stop toRead MoreGun Control Persuasive Essay1539 Words   |  7 PagesTighter Gun Control Once again the topic of gun control has risen due to the most recent mass shooting in Las Vegas, which was the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history. This shooting resulted in the loss of 58 innocent lives and the harm to more than 500 others. As we can see, these events are happening far too often and we must make a change soon. While this Letter to the Editor gives me a place to express my concern on this issue, I will also use Facebook and Twitter to reach as many viewersRead MoreShould Gun Laws Be Stricter Gun Control?1354 Words   |  6 PagesRights for Guns We have all been through that pain of losing a love one either it was to an incurable disease, old age, and car accident or during time of war. Nevertheless, we have lost more love ones through gun violence. People have own guns since the time guns were invented, but â€Å"Are guns for everyone?† We have heard of gun laws throughout the whole United States of America some enforce those laws and other do not. The government enforce stricter gun control laws so the public can be safe, toRead MoreEssay on Reasons for Gun Control936 Words   |  4 PagesSome of the reasons for gun control are that it will help the government get a control on us.Hitler in world war 2 used gun control against the jewish people to better control and corral them. Historians have documented most everything about it except what made it so easy to attack the defenseless Jews without fear of resistance. Their guns were registered and thus easily confiscated.(stephen halbrook)If the government started reg istering guns and know their location left and right they could overthrowRead MorePresident Obama s Gun Control Plan949 Words   |  4 Pagesmany awful violent crimes that are committed in our country each day involving the use of a gun or firearm? It has come to the time when our country really needs a change to keep our children safe and to prevent violent acts involving guns at a minimum. To accomplish this goal President Obama has constructed a plan to reduce gun violence and that plan includes requiring criminal background checks on all gun purchases, illegalizing military style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, making

Prison Term Policy Recommendation Paper Free Essays

string(59) " may resort to criminal activity to obtain what they want\." In September 2011 there will be a vote on a bill that will double the prison sentence of anyone committing armed robbery, in the state of Wisconsin. The hope of the bill sponsors is that the increased penalties will deter a person from committing armed robbery. Senator McKenzie is aware of popular support for the bill; however, he has asked for my recommendation of whether or not the measure will have any genuine deterrent effect on the rate of incidence. We will write a custom essay sample on Prison Term Policy Recommendation Paper or any similar topic only for you Order Now When State Senator McKenzie asked me for my recommendation, I looked for studies on the deterrent effect of lengthy sentences, for armed robbery. The studies I read indicate that, whereas there may be a slight decrease in recidivism, the reduction was not significant enough to indicate that a longer sentence has a significant deterrent effect on those commit armed robbery. The reduction of crime is not directly contributable to the length of sentence. Rather than focus, too intently, on studies of the deterrent effect of stiffer penalties, I believe that it is more important to look at the other factors, which may lead a person to commit an armed robbery. There are three criminology theories in particular, which may influence a criminal’s decision to commit a violent crime. The biological theory theorizes that some people are ‘born to be bad’; something in his or her biological makeup causes them to behave in a violent fashion. The rational choice theory theorizes that people have free will and, if they commit a violent act it is that they choose to do so. Finally, the psychological theory theorizes that there is a psychological deficiency that leads a person to commit criminal acts. What is Armed Robbery? To begin, it is important to understand why armed robbery should receive greater penalties than non-armed robbery. When a person commits armed robbery, he or she is using, or threatening to use, a weapon; the criminal is intimidating the victim into relinquishing his or her money or property (CriminalDefenseLawyer. com, 2011). When weapons are involved, the danger that someone will be seriously harmed or killed significantly increases. The purpose of the bill, on focusing on armed robbery, is to deter criminals from using violence in the commission of his or her crime. The main question to be considered is; why does a criminal commit an armed robbery? Understanding this question may eventually lead to the genuine determination of how to reduce and eliminate crime; three theories of criminal behavior in particular may hold the key. Biological Theories The first theory to consider is the biological theory. Is there something in the fundamental makeup of an individual that may lead him or her to violence and criminal activities? Cesare Lombraso, a 19th century Italian medical doctor, is one of the best known scientific biological theorists. One of his theories posited that, if a person had an underdeveloped brain (e. g. inferior brain) they would be incapable of conforming to the rules and laws of society; because they would be unable to understand why what they are doing is wrong. Lombroso performed autopsies on numerous criminals, including an Italian soldier who attacked and killed eight of his fellow soldiers, and found deformities of the criminals’ brains. This led him to conclude that a reason for the criminal’s behavior was that the criminal had inferior reasoning capabilities, and therefore, the criminal could not understand the difference between what is right and wrong (Schmalleger, 2009). A biological theory, by evolutionary theorist Charles Darwin, theorized that because life favors the strongest and best individuals, those who are able to attain power and possessions are most likely to procreate, thus continuing his or her genes. Animals, including humans, are driven to ggression, and crime, to improve his or her economic and social positions; to facilitate his or her search for a mate (Schmalleger, 2009). Lombraso and Darwin determined that biology is the cause behind aggressive and criminal behavior. Rational Choice Theory A second theory is the classical school of criminology referred to as the rational choice theory, or free will. This theory posits that a person chooses to commit criminal acts; that circumstances su ch as social and economic hardships lead a person to commit crime. The theory maintains that a person will consider the pros and cons of committing a criminal act; if the benefits outweigh the punishment, the person will commit the crime (Law Library: Free Legal Encyclopedia, 2011). According to this theory, a person with low social standing, and often impoverished would be more likely to commit armed robbery to improve his or her economic conditions, thus improving his or her social position. Classical theorists Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham were two theorists who believed that if the punishment were greater than the benefits of the crime, individuals would be deterred from committing criminal (Schmalleger, 2009). However, this theory does not appear to take into account the desperation factor; if someone is impoverished, possible living on the streets, his or her desperation for basic requirements may be such that there is no deterrent strong enough to stop him or her. Psychological Theory The third theory is based on psychological factors. Sigmund Freud and J. Dollard proposed theories that, when a person is significantly frustrated, over a long period, aggression is the natural outcome (Schmalleger, 2009). According to this belief, if a person lives in depravation long enough, the individual will eventually become frustrated enough that he or she may resort to armed robbery, to improve his or her economic status. Another psychological theory, which is popular in current times, is that violent video games, television, and movies, are the driving force behind violent criminal activity. Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman, a former assistant professor of psychology at West Point, calls video game, â€Å"hypnotic murder simulators† (Schmalleger, 2009, p. 231). This theory posits that people become desensitized to violence and lose perspective; they no longer see right and wrong, therefore they may resort to criminal activity to obtain what they want. You read "Prison Term Policy Recommendation Paper" in category "Papers" Whether any, or all, of these theories have merit, it is clear that there are factors other than simple greed that can lead to a person committing a violent crime such as armed robbery. Without being able to narrow down the factors of why a person is likely to commit an armed robbery, it is difficult at best to determine what will deter him or her from committing the crime. It is my belief that too many factors contribute to a person’s decision to commit the crime, to believe that simply lengthening the sentence will be effective. Studies Two studies in particular, on the deterrent effect of longer sentences on criminals committing armed robbery, indicate that although there may be a slight deterrent effect, there is not a significant deterrent effect by increasing sentence length. In 2006, Italy passed a bill that gave clemency to thousands of criminals with three or fewer years left on his or her sentences. If the criminals were to commit any further crimes within the next five years, not only would the individual have to serve the sentence for whatever crime was committed, the sentence would be extended by whatever time had not been previously served (University of Chicago Press Journals, 2009). This gave three scientists, Francesco Drego, Roberto Galbiati, and Pietro Vertova the opportunity to study the deterrent effect of longer sentences on recidivism rates. In 2009, the scientists published their discoveries in the Journal of Political Economy; the results indicate that an increase of sentencing, by as little as one month, reduced the recidivism rate by 1. 3% in less serious crimes; however, for criminals committing more serious offenses, of which armed robbery is one, there was virtually no deterrent effect (University of Chicago Press Journals, 2009). Although this study is encouraging for less serious crimes, it does not indicate that there is a significant reduction of serious and/or violent crimes because of the longer sentencing. Another study conducted by the economists David S. Lee of Columbia and Justin McCrary of Michigan, focused on Florida recidivism rates, discovered that even though imprisonment and sentences increase from three to 17% after the age of 18, depending on the seriousness of the crime, there was no significant drop in recidivism rates when juvenile criminals transitioned to adult courts. It was, in fact, because the individual was incarcerated and unable to commit more crimes that there was a drop in criminal activity between the ages of 17 and 19 (Waldfogel, 2007). Conclusion There are too many factors, which may cause a person to commit an armed robbery, to believe that simply lengthening the prison term will be effective. If a person is biologically inclined toward criminal activity, longer sentences will not be sufficient to override his or her biological ‘programming’. If they have inferior cognitive abilities, because of underdeveloped brains, they will be unable to comprehend the significance of a longer sentence; a longer sentence would have no more significance to them than a shorter sentence. If the person has endured frustration long enough that they feel his or her only choice it to take what they want by force, they are unlikely to consider the prison sentence before they commit the act. Or they may determine that even if they are caught, at least they will have a roof over their heads, food on their plate, and clothes on their back, if they are sent to prison. For some criminals this may, in fact, be an inducement to commit the crime. If a person has become psychologically ‘warped’ by social media, they may have lost the capability to judge right and wrong, thereby losing the capability to consider the consequences of his or her actions; a longer sentence would not be sufficient deterrence. Finally, if the person has made the choice, of his or her own free will, to commit an armed robbery, even after weighing the pros and cons, doubling his or her sentence is going to have very little deterrent effect. Many criminals believe that they will not be apprehended; or they believe they will be able to reduce their sentence through a plea bargain. When a criminal chooses to commit a crime, they are also choosing to accept the penalty should they be caught. Of the three theories, I believe that a criminal who falls under the rational choice theory has the best chance of being deterred. This criminal is the one who is most likely to understand the significance of a longer sentence. However, as the Italian and Florida studies indicated, imposing longer sentences did little to deter violent criminals. As violent crime is not, in my opinion, a rational act, it is unlikely that armed robbers would fall under the rational choice theory; hence, they are unlikely to be deterred by doubling their prison sentence. My Recommendation While I do not believe that doubling the prison sentences of armed robbers will have a significant deterrent effect on armed robbers, I do believe that it will have an effect on the crime rate. If the criminal is incarcerated for a long period, they are unable to commit further armed robberies. They will be segregated from society, and will be unable to further victimize society. Society will also receive psychological benefits from the new law; they will feel comforted by the fact that the individual is no longer able to victimize society. As the bill has popular support, from both the legislature and the public, I recommend that Senator McKenzie vote to pass the bill, when it comes up for a vote in September 2011. References CriminalDefenseLawyer. com. (2011). Armed Robbery. Retrieved 10 January 2011, from http://www. criminaldefenselawyer. com/crime-penalties/federal/Armed-Robbery. htm Law Library: Free Legal Encyclopedia. (2011). Classical School of Criminology. Retrieved 30 January 2011, from http://law. jrank. org/pages/14359/classical-school-criminology. html Schmalleger, F. (2009). Criminology Today: An Integrative Introduction, Fifth Edition. Retrieved 30 January 2011, from CJA 314. University of Chicago Press Journals (2009). Potential Criminals Can Be Deterred By Longer Sentences, Study Suggests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved 30 January 2011, from http://www. sciencedaily. com /releases/2009/05/090518111726. htm Waldfogel, J. (2007). The Irrational 18-Year-Old Criminal. Slate. Retrieved 30 January 2011, from http://www. slate. com/id/2158317/ How to cite Prison Term Policy Recommendation Paper, Papers

Django Jimmie by Willie Nelson Merle Haggard free essay sample

It’s with a heavy heart that I pen this review of â€Å"Django Jimmie,† because sadly, Merle Haggard passed away just two months ago, and if our lives are comparable to seasons, Willie Nelson is firmly gripped by the arthritic hands of winter. Nelson and Haggard witnessed some of the greatest moments country music has ever seen – Johnny Cash’s performance at San Quentin in 1958, for example – and most of those occurred more than 50 years ago. In another 50 years, will there be a single star from the current charts who will have built a legacy tangible enough to create a new, original album in their eighties? I fear not. Regardless of the trends in modern music, â€Å"Django Jimmie† is a relevant and remarkable album that dares to remind us that these two are veteran musicians. This album shows us why being absorbed with the â€Å"next big thing† and trends that come and go is not to our benefit, and it may reintroduce a new generation to classic country. We will write a custom essay sample on Django Jimmie by Willie Nelson Merle Haggard or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The title track is a fun one, as is â€Å"It’s All Going to Pot,† but the true standout here is â€Å"Unfair Weather Friend,† which is reminiscent of a time when music was good for more than a one-time listen. Truthfully, Nelson’s and Haggard’s voices show their age – each a bit more gravelly and a tad more wizened than in decades past – but rather than being a distraction, it’s charming. The styling is appropriate and the instrumentals are nothing but classic country, without an EDM beat or synthesizer in sight. â€Å"Where Dreams Come to Die,† aside from being one of the strongest tracks, is evidence that Willie Nelson can still write a good song 50-plus years after he penned â€Å"Crazy† for Patsy Cline. That, right there, is something to be noted. Although some have said that â€Å"Django Jimmie† could have done with a few more serious moments in place of the lighter, less substantial material, I sincerely disagree. Nelson and Haggard have earned the right to record and perform whatever they please, and this album reflects the essence of these legends. This album is of very real importance, because these two are country music’s giants. They are the roots, the foundation, of a genre that has become almost unrecognizable of late, yet in an unpredictable and dynamic industry, they have remained where they began. It’s a good thing that â€Å"Django Jimmie† has seen the light of day, because there may not be an adequate replacement for talent and legacy of this magnitude in generations to come. They may truly be the last outlaws.

Task Centred Approach And The Crisis Intervention Social Work Essay Essay Example

Task Centred Approach And The Crisis Intervention Social Work Essay Paper This short survey takes up the rating and appraisal of two societal work intercession theories, viz. the Undertaking Centred Approach and the Crisis Intervention Method, with particular respect to their deductions and applications for societal work pattern. Social workers, in the class of their pattern, are frequently called upon to assist people in get bying and covering with different types of troubles in their lives. Human beings face state of affairss of crisis at one clip or the other during their lives ( Roberts, 2000, p 11 ) . The crisis theory postulates that the happening of crises is normal to life. Such crisis state of affairss can happen all of a sudden, like household unwellnesss or a loss of occupations, or be unpredictable, like come ining school or turning older ( Roberts, 2000, p 11 ) . Persons attempt to get by with crises with their available mechanisms, but face jobs when such mechanisms do non work or when earlier unsolved crises get reactivated. Social workers are frequently called upon to step in with persons and assist them in get bying with their crises ( Roberts, 2000, p 11 ) . We will write a custom essay sample on Task Centred Approach And The Crisis Intervention Social Work Essay specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Task Centred Approach And The Crisis Intervention Social Work Essay specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Task Centred Approach And The Crisis Intervention Social Work Essay specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The task-centred attack is a progressive and goal-orientated method for societal work pattern. It constitutes a practice-based attack that is built on research and is being used in a diverse scenes and fortunes ( Nash, et Al, 2005, p 33 ) .A It represents a societal work method wherein clients are assisted in transporting out job cut downing undertakings within specific clip periods. It is structured, job focused and time-restricted and is being progressively used in modern-day societal service intercessions ( Nash, et Al, 2005, p 33 ) . Crisis intercession is frequently grouped together with the undertaking centred attack. Malcolm Payne ( 1991, p 4 ) sees important common land between crises intercession and undertaking centred attacks to societal work pattern. Both methods focus on job resolution, trade with brief intercessions and are related to larning theory. This essay takes up the scrutiny and appraisal of these two theories, with exceptional respect to their communalities, their differences and their relevancy for societal work pattern. Due respect is given to the deductions of anti-oppressive pattern. 2. Crisis Intervention Theory The crisis theory states that it is of import for people to decide their crises state of affairss and experiences in order to get by with new developments and crises ( Aguilera, 1998, p 47 ) . If persons are unable to decide their earlier crises, they become more vulnerable to inability to decide new crises. Persons who learn new accomplishments to decide their crises are on the other manus strengthened in get bying with future crisis state of affairss ( Aguilera, 1998, p 47 ) . Human existences have considerable capacities for managing or covering with hard state of affairss. It is merely when such troubles assume important proportions and people do non hold appropriate resources, personal, emotional, societal, religious or physical, to cover suitably with nerve-racking fortunes or events that they become involved in crises. Difficult or nerve-racking events do non by themselves result in crisis state of affairss ( Aguilera, 1998, p 47 ) . Crisiss are really determined by the respon ses of persons to specific nerve-racking fortunes or events and their responses to them. Crisiss develop merely when persons perceive specific events to be important and threatening, seek to manage such events with their usual header schemes without success, and are non able to utilize other options ( Aguilera, 1998, p 47 ) . Behavioural and psychological experts perceive crises to be kindred to provinces of psychological disequilibrium. Persons sing crises are likely to see a scope of emotions like feelings of apprehensiveness, anxiousness, fright, guilt and weakness ( Nash, et Al, 2005, p 37 ) . Other indexs include changes in feeding and sleeping forms, activity and energy degrees and ability to concentrate. Peoples in crises are besides normally known to endure from depression and withdraw from societal intercession ( Nash, et Al, 2005, p 37 ) . Social work experts argue that whilst the bulk of crises run their class or make some gloss of stableness within one or two months, it is necessary for skilled intercession to take topographic point to beef up the get bying mechanisms of persons. The failure to make so will ensue in the being and continuation of crisis associated behaviors, even as the chance for alteration will be forgone ( Nash, et Al, 2005, p 37 ) . Peoples in crisis frequently have little by manner of solutions and are receptive to external aid and aid ( Roberts, 2000, p 19 ) . The provisioning of skilled intercession by societal work practicians during the happening of the crises can ensue in chances for persons sing crisis to larn new accomplishments, achieve good behavioral alteration, and regain stableness. Persons who have been able to successfully get by with crises are strengthened by such experiences and can utilize their accomplishments in future times of trouble ( Roberts, 2000, p 19 ) . Crisis intercession is basically a professional response that is limited in footings of clip and is used to help persons, households, and groups ( Hepworth, et Al, 2002, p 83 ) . Social workers aim to measure the openness of persons sing crises to larning of new accomplishments and mechanisms for get bying. They besides help persons in cut downing their feelings of weakness, isolation, and hurt and utilize societal resources to assist in reconstructing persons to their anterior functional degrees, every bit shortly as practically possible ( Hepworth, et Al, 2002, p 83 ) . Such societal work intercession is done through hearing, proof, credence, standardization, reassurance, instruction, protagonism and brokering resources ( Nash, et Al, 2005, p 38 ) . Crisis intercession can be specifically segregated into 7 phases, viz. ( a ) constitution of communicating and development of feelings with persons that fortunes can go better, ( B ) appraisal of state of affairs, ( degree Celsius ) g eographic expedition of available strengths and resources, ( vitamin D ) end puting with the usage of such strengths and resources, ( vitamin E ) execution of program, learning of new accomplishments and mobilization of other support if required, ( degree Fahrenheit ) rating and accommodation of the program and ( g ) follow up and expiration of relationship ( Hepworth, et Al, 2002, p 83 ) . It is of import for societal workers to be skilled in crisis intercession because of the changeless demand upon them for assisting people in crisis state of affairss ( Roberts, 2000, p 19 ) . Social workers are apt to meet clients with diverse demands, which may in bend require research, strategic planning and the providing of individualized individual centred support ( Roberts, 2000, p 19 ) . The nature of crisis intercession work besides calls for confidentiality and emotional separation in order to present services in a professional mode ( Roberts, 2000, p 19 ) . 3. Undertaking Centred Approach The undertaking centred attack emerged in response to the slow and unequal consequences that were being achieved through traditional casework methods ( Reid, 1997, p 134 ) . Traditional casework methods in societal work were felt to be of limited usage because of their resource intensive nature, their deficiency of focal point, and their equivocal results, which were hard to measure and quantify ( Reid, 1997, p 134 ) . Reid and Shyne engaged in extended survey in the late sixtiess to research alternate attacks to casework and developed the undertaking centred attack for societal work pattern, which called for limited but intensely focussed intercession periods. The attack was basically client oriented and required the societal worker to move as a facilitator ( Reid, 1997, p 134 ) . With the undertaking centred attack assisting clients to better their troubles rapidly, the procedure was shortly adopted for reproduction and development in the United Kingdom ( Reid, 1997, p 134 ) . Surveies on the undertaking centred attack revealed that unfocussed aid, as was provided by the psycho-social attack and the instance survey method, over long periods, resulted in decrease of hope and self assurance on the portion of the client ( Nash, et Al, 2005, p 42 ) . It besides resulted in negative dependence and unneeded fond regards to specific administrations or peculiar societal workers ( Nash, et Al, 2005, p 42 ) . It was besides seen that the scene of clip bounds for accomplishment of specific results helped in constructing outlooks of the possibility of rapid alteration and enhanced participant energy and motive ( Nash, et Al, 2005, p 42 ) . Whilst the undertaking centred attack proved to be practically good for clients and besides served, cut down and optimize use of limited societal work resources, it besides facilitated a displacement towards the individual centred attack, the negation of the premise of the professional being the lone beginning of expertness, and helped in accomplishment of greater authorization and decrease of subjugation ( Naleppa A ; Reid, 1998, p 63 ) . The undertaking centred attack calls for attending to be paid to societal and external issues that affect persons instead than on comprehending persons and their psychological histories to be the chief cause of their troubles ( Naleppa A ; Reid, 1998, p 63 ) . The undertaking centred attack involves a structured method wherein the societal worker foremost assists the service user in jointing the jobs in the ways perceived by service users ( Hepworth, et Al, 2002, p 87 ) . The societal workers later helps the service user to detail and breakdown the jobs, taking attention to redefine them wherever necessary and assisting the service user to turn up of import countries for action ( Hepworth, et Al, 2002, p 87 ) . The societal worker eventually motivates the service user to categorize and prioritize his or her single job in line with his or her perceptual experiences ( Naleppa A ; Reid, 1998, p 63 ) . The societal worker and service user thenceforth work in partnership to ( a ) specify and place results, ( B ) agree to contracts and ( degree Celsius ) reappraisal and assess advancement. Social workers who use the undertaking centred attack should be able to positively prosecute service users and instil trust and assurance ( Hepworth, et Al, 2002, p 87 ) . Commonalties in Task Centred and Crisis Intervention Approaches Undertaking centred attacks and crisis intercession methods appear to unify good in both theory and pattern ( Watson, et Al, 2002, p 96 ) . Social work research indicates that the usage of these methods have proved to be effectual with a broad scope of clients. Both theories emerged in response to the seemingly uneffective results of instance work attacks that were grounded in psychodynamic theory ( Watson, et Al, 2002, p 96 ) . Both methods to boot focus on brief and short term intercessions. They are connected to larning theory and based upon job work outing thoughts ( Watson, et Al, 2002, p 96 ) . Both these attacks call upon societal workers to prosecute in participative and joint activity with service users, foremost to measure and analyze jobs and their causes and so take action to cover with such jobs ( Sandoval, 2002, p 63 ) . The application of these methods therefore calls for the usage of the individual centred theory, the demand to put the service user at the Centre of the issue and the urgency of sing the issue from his or her position ( Sandoval, 2002, p 63 ) . Social workers need to be really good hearers in order to be able to turn up the existent issues that are disturbing service users and thenceforth be able to assist them with steps to undertake their troubles ( Sandoval, 2002, p 63 ) . Like other societal work methods, the undertaking centred attack does hold its restrictions. It is in the first case predicated upon the reason of service users and their willingness to work with societal workers ( Nash, et Al, 2005, p 53 ) . It is besides hard to use it without appropriate bureau support. Despite such restrictions the two attacks continue to be really utile, particularly because of their instrumentality in increasing authorization and their built-in anti-oppressive attack ( Nash, et Al, 2005, p 53 ) . The methods increase the abilities of service users through the ingraining of new accomplishments and let them to cover, non merely with their current state of affairss but with future fortunes of trouble and subjugation ( Nash, et Al, 2005, p 53 ) . Decisions Social work pattern is influenced by many factors that require the taking history of the positions of service users, societal workers, bureaus and society. The attack of single workers is bound to be influenced by legion factors that can go forth them confused and looking for counsel in their undertaking of helping service users in troubles. The undertaking centred attack and the crisis intercession theory provide utile tools to service users to measure the true conditions of service users, take part with them in structured, clip edge and joint declaration of jobs and authorise them to confront and get the better of subjugation. Social workers do nevertheless necessitate to understand the deductions of these theories and chorus from labeling their actions in all hard state of affairss to be task centred or critical intercession in nature. The true apprehension of the potency and usage of these theories will assist them significantly in their pattern scenarios.

The Taming of The Shrew Analys essays

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Stackelberg Leader Follower Models For Strategic Decision Making Engineering Essay

Stackelberg Leader Follower Models For Strategic Decision Making Engineering Essay This paper reviews some Stackelberg Leader-Follower models used for strategic decision making. The simple Stackelberg duopoly is looked at first, and a generalisation of the Stackelberg duopoly problem is given. By studying the models by Murphy et al. (1983) and Smeers and Wolf (1997), the paper reviews Stackelberg model from its classical form to the recent stochastic versions. The paper looks at the mathematical formulation of both a nonlinear mathematical programming model and a nonlinear stochastic programming model. Towards the end of this paper, a simple numeric example is given and practical applications of Stackelberg Leader-Follower models are discussed. Chapter 1: Introduction In economics, an oligopoly is considered to be the most interesting and complex market structure (amongst other structures like monopolies and perfect competition). Most industries in the UK and world- from retailing to fast food, mobile phone networks to professional services- are oligopolistic. Given the current financial climate, it is imperative for firms to be sure that they make decisions accurately, maximising not only their profit, but also their chances of remaining competitive. Many mathematicians and economists have attempted to model the decision making process and profit maximizing strategies of oligopolistic firms. For example, A. A. Cournot was one of the first mathematicians to model the behaviours of monopolies and duopolies in 1838. In Cournots model both firms choose their output simultaneously assuming that the other firm does not alter its output (Gibbons, 1992). Later, in 1934, H. V. Stackelberg proposed a different model where one of the duopoly firms makes its output decision first and the other firm observes this decision and sets its output level (Stackelberg, 1934). The classical Stackelberg model has been extended to model a variety of strategic decision making. For example, Murphy et al. (1983) model the output decision making process in an oligopoly. Later works by Smeers and Wolf (1997) extend this model to include a stochastic element. More interestingly, in a model by He et al. (2009), the Stackelberg theory is used to model the interaction between a manufacturer and a retailer when making decisions about cooperative advertising policies and wholesale prices. The objective of this paper is to review the Stackelberg models from its classic form to the more recent stochastic versions. In chapter 2, the simple Stackelberg duopoly is reviewed and a generalisation of the Stackelberg duopoly problem is given. In chapter 3, more complicated and recent models are reviewed. The mathematical formulation of Murphy et al.s (1983) and Smeers and Wolfs (1997) model is given. At the end of chapter 3, a numerical example is applied to Smeers and Wolfs (1997) model. In chapter 4, practical applications of Stackelberg leader-follower models are discussed. Chapter 4 also looks at the drawbacks of and possible extensions to Stackelberg models. Appendix 1 explains the Oligopoly market structure and economics involved in profit maximisation. Chapter 2: Classical Stackelberg Leader-Follower Model 2.1 Duopoly Behaviour Stackelberg (1934) discussed price formation under oligopoly by looking at the special case of a duopoly. He argued that firms in a duopoly can behave either as dependent on or independent of the rival firms behaviour: Referring to the two firms as firm 1 and firm 2, respectively, firm 1s behaviour can be generalised as follows: Firm 1 views the behaviour of firm 2 as being independent of firm 1s behaviour. Firm 1 would regard firm 2s supply as a given variable and adapts itself to this supply. Thus, the behaviour of firm 1 is dependent on that of firm 2 (Stackelberg, 1934). Firm 1 can view the behaviour of firm 2 as being dependent on firm 1s behaviour. Thus, firm 2 always adapts itself to the formers behaviour (firm 2 views firm 1s behaviour as a given situation) (Stackelberg, 1934). However, according to Stackelberg (1934), there is a difference in the firms actual positions; each of the firms could adapt to either of these two positions, making price formation imperfect. Stackelberg (1934) describes three cases that arise from this situation: Bowler (1924) first described a situation when both firms in the duopoly strive for market dominance. According to Bowler (1924), for this to happen the first firm supplies the quantity it would if it dominated the market with the second firm as a follower. This supply is referred to as the independent supply. By supplying this output level the first firm tries to convince the second firm to view its behaviour as a given variable. However, the second firm also supplies the independent supply since it is also striving for market dominance. This duopoly is referred to as the Bowler duopoly with total supply of the duopoly equalling the sum of two independent supply. According to Stackelberg (1934), the price formation under the Bowler duopoly is unstable because neither of the firms tries to maximise profit under the given circumstance. The second case described by Stackelberg (1934) is a situation where both firms favour being dependent on the other firms behaviour. The first firm would have to match (in a profit maximising manner) its output level to the each output in the second firms feasible set of output. The second firm does the same and both firms are thus followers. This is a Cournot duopoly, first described by A. A Cournot in 1838. According to Stackelberg 1934, the price formation here is unstable because neither of the firms tries to achieve the largest profit under the given circumstance. The third case is a situation where one firm strives for independence and the other favour being dependent. In this case both firms are better off doing what the other firm would like. Both firms adapt their behaviour to maximising profit under the given circumstance. This situation is referred to as the asymmetric duopoly or more commonly as the Stackelberg duopoly. The price formation is more stable in this case because, according to Stackelberg (1934), no one has an interest in modifying the actual price formation. The Stackelberg model is based on the third case of a Stackelberg duopoly. 2.2 The Model In the Stackelberg duopoly the leader (Stackelberg firm) moves first and the follower moves second. As opposed to other models like the Bertrand model and Cournot model where firms make decisions about price or output simultaneously, firms in the Stackelberg duopoly make decisions sequentially. The Stackelberg equilibrium is determined using backwards induction (first determine the follower firms best response to an arbitrary output level by the Stackelberg firm). According to Gibbons (1992), information is an important element of the model. The information in question is the Stackelberg firms level of output (or price, Dastidar (2004) looks at Stackelberg equilibrium in price). The follower firm would know this output once the Stackelberg firm moves first and, as importantly, the Stackelberg firm knows that the follower firm will know the output level and respond to it accordingly. Inspired by the work of Gibbons (1992), Murphy et al. (1983) and Dastidar (2004), a general solution to the Stackelberg game (duopoly) is derived in the parts that follow. 2.2.1 Price function, cost functions, and profit functions Suppose that two firms in a duopoly supply a homogeneous product. Denote the demand function of this market as, where is the total level of output supplied by the duopoly (is the Stackelberg firms output level and is the follower firms output level). The price function can be re-written as. Denote the cost functions (Appendix 1) as for the Stackelberg firm, and for the follower firm. The profit function of the Stackelberg firm is given by: Similarly, the profit function of the follower firm is given by: 2.2.2 Backward induction to derive the best response functions and Stackelberg equilibrium According to Gibbons (1992), the best response for the follower will be one that maximises its profit given the output decision of the Stackelberg firm. The followers profit maximisation problem can be written as: This can be solved by differentiating the objective function and equating the differential to zero (as seen in Appendix 1). Using chain rule to differentiate equation [2] and setting the differential to zero, the following result is obtained: Note that this is a partial differentiation of the profit function since the function depends on the demand function which depends on two variables. Equation [4] gives the followers best response function. For a given the best response quantity satisfies equation [4]. As a result, the Stackelberg firms profit maximisation problem becomes: By differentiating the objective function in equation [5] and equating the differential to zero, the following result which maximises the Stackelberg firms profit is obtained: By solving equation [6] with the follower firms best response profit maximising output, is obtained by the Stackelberg firm given the followers best response. Gibbons (1992) describes as the Stackelberg equilibrium (or the Nash equilibrium of the Stackelberg game). 2.2.3 Example Gibbons (1992) considers a simple duopoly selling homogeneous products. He assumes that both firms are identical and the marginal cost of production is constant at. He also assumes that the market faces a linear downward sloping demand curve. The profit function of the firms is given by: where, with representing the Stackelberg firm and representing the follower firm. Using backward induction, the follower firms best response function is calculated: Solving equation [8]: The Stackelberg firm anticipates that its output will be met by the followers response. Thus the Stackelberg firm maximises profit by setting output to: Solving equation [10]: Substituting this in equation [9]: Equations [11] and [12] give the Stackelberg equilibrium. The total output in this Stackelberg duopoly is. Note: Gibbons (1992) worked out the total output in a Cournot duopoly to be (using this example) which is less than the output in the Stackelberg duopoly; the market price is higher in the Cournot duopoly and lower in the Stackelberg duopoly. Each firm in the Cournot duopoly produces; the follower is worse off in the Stackelberg model than in the Cournot model because it would supply a lower quantity at a lower market price. Clear, there exists a first mover advantage in this case. In general, according to Dastidar (2004), first advantage is possible if firms are identical and if the demand is concave and costs are convex. Gal-or (1985) showed that first mover advantage exists if the firms are identical and have identical downward sloping best response functions. Chapter 3: Recent Stackelberg Leader-Follower Models The classical Stackelberg model has been an inspiration for many economists and mathematicians. Murphy et al. (1983) extend the Stackelberg model to an oligopoly. Later, Smeers and Wolf (1997) extended Murphy et al.s model to a stochastic version where demand is unknown when the Stackelberg firm makes its decision. In a more recent report by DeMiguel and Xu (2009) the Stackelberg problem is extended to an oligopoly with multi-leaders. In this section the models proposed by Murphy et al. (1983) and Smeers and Wolf (1997) are reviewed. 3.1 A Nonlinear Mathematical Programming Version The model proposed by Murphy et al (1983), is a nonlinear mathematical programming version of the Stackelberg model. In their model, they consider the supply side of an oligopoly that supplies homogeneous product. The model is designed to model output decisions in a non-cooperative oligopoly. There are followers in this market who are referred to as Cournot firms (note that from now onwards the follower firms are referred to as Cournot firm as opposed to just follower firms) and leader who is referred to as the Stackelberg firm (as before). The Stackelberg firm considers the reaction of the Cournot firms in its output decision and sets its output level in a profit maximising manner. The Cournot firms, on the other hand, observe the Stackelberg firms decision and maximise their individual profits by setting output under the Cournot assumption of zero conjectural variations (Carlton and Perloff, 2005, define conjectural variation are expectations made by firms in an oligopolistic market about reactions of the other firm). It is assumed that all the firms have complete knowledge about the other firms. 3.1.1 Notations and assumptions For each Cournot firm, let represent the output level. For the Stackelberg firm, let represent the output level (note that is used here instead of, as seen earlier, to distinguish the Stackelberg firm from the Cournot firms). is the total cost function of level of output by Cournot firms and is the total cost function of level of output by the Stackelberg firm. Let represents the inverse market demand curve (that is, is the price at which consumers are willing and able to purchase units of output). In addition to the Cournot assumption and assumption of complete knowledge, Murphy et al. (1983) make the following assumption: and are both convex and twice differentiable. is a strictly decreasing function and twice differentiable which satisfies the following inequality, There exists a quantity (the maximum level of output any firm is willing to supply) such that, For referencing, these set of assumption will be referred to as Assumption A. Assumption 2 implies that the industrys marginal revenue (Appendix 1) decreases as industry supply increases. A proof of this statement can be found in the report by Murphy et al. (1983). Assumption 3 implies that at output levels the marginal cost is greater than the price. 3.1.2 Stackelberg-Nash-Cournot (SCN) equilibrium The Stackelberg-Nash-Cournot (SCN) equilibrium is derived at in a similar way to the Stackelberg equilibrium seen in chapter 2. Using backward induction, Murphy et al. (1983) first maximise the Cournot firms profit under the assumption of zero conjectural variation and for a given. For each Cournot firm let the set of output levels be such that, for a given and assuming are fixed, solves the following Cournot problem: According to Murphy et al. (1983), the objective function in equation [15] is a strictly convex profit function over the closed, convex and compact interval. This implies that a unique optimum exists. The functions can be referred to as the joint reaction functions of the Cournot firms. Murphy et al. (1983) define the aggregate reaction curve as: The Stackelberg problem can be written as: If solves, then the set of output levels is the SNC equilibrium with To get this equilibrium, the output levels need to be determined. Murphy et al. (1983) use the Equilibrating program (a family of mathematical programs designed to reconcile the supply-side and demand-side of a market to equilibrium) to determine: Let the Lagrange multiplier associated with the maximisation problem [19] be. Murphy et al.s (1983) approach here is to determine for which the optimal. The following result, obtained from Murphy et al. (1983), defines the optimal solution to problem [19]: Theorem 1: For a fixed, consider Problem suppose that satisfy Assumption A. Denote by the unique optimal solution to and let be the corresponding optimal Lagrange Multiplier associated with problem [19]. (In case since alternative optimal multipliers associated with problem [19] exist, let be the minimum non-negative optimal Lagrange Multiplier.) Then, is a continuous function of for. is a continuous, strictly decreasing function of. Moreover, there exist output levels and such that and . A set of output levels optimal to Problem, where, satisfy the Cournot Problem [15] if and only if, whence, for. (This theorem is taken from Murphy et al. (1983) with a few alterations to the notation) The proof of this result can be found in the report by Murphy et al. (1983). This theorem provides an efficient way of finding for each fixed. For example, one can simple conduct a univariate bisection search to find the unique root of. 3.1.3 Properties of and Murphy et al. (1983) describes the aggregate Cournot reaction curve as follows: is a continuous, strictly decreasing function of. If the right hand derivative of with respect to is denoted as (the rate of increase of with an increase in ), then for each : The proof to these two properties can be found in the report by Murphy et al. (1983). Murphy et al. (1983) state that if solves the Stackelberg problem [17], then the profit made by the Stackelberg firm is greater than or equal to the profit it would have made as a Cournot firm. Suppose that is a Nash-Cournot equilibrium for the firm oligopoly. is the output the Stackelberg firm would supply if it was a Cournot firm. solves: But since solves the Stackelberg problem [17], the following must hold: In fact, is the lower bound of. The proof to this can be found in Murphy et al. (1983) From assumption 3 in Assumption A, it is clear that. Thus, it is clear that is an upper bound. However, according to Murphy et al. (1983) another upper bound exists. In a paper by Sherali et al. (1980) on the Interaction between Oligopolistic firms and Competitive Fringe (a price taking firm in an oligopoly that competes with dominant firms) a different follower-follower model is discussed. In this model, the competitive fringe is content at equilibrium to have adjusted its output to the level for which marginal cost equals price. Murphy et al. (1983) summarise this model as follows: For fixed and suppose is a set of output levels such that for each firm solves: and For the Stackelberg firm, let satisfy: In addition to Assumption A, if is strictly convex, then a unique solution exists and satisfies conditions [23] and [24]. The Equilibrating Program with a fringe becomes: Theorem 1 holds for with and which implies that. In fact, if is strictly convex, is the upper bound of. Collectively, is bounded as follows: 3.1.4 Existence and uniqueness of the Stackelberg-Nash-Cournot equilibrium Murphy et al. (1983) prove the existence and uniqueness of the Stackelberg-Nash-Cournot (SCN) equilibrium. Their approach to the proof is summarised below: Existence For the SNC equilibrium to exist, and for should satisfy Assumption A. Since is bounded and is continuous (as is continuous), the Stackelberg problem [17] involves the maximisation of a continuous objective function over the compact set. This implies that an optimal solution exists. From Theorem 1 it is seen that a unique set of output levels, which simultaneously solves the Cournot problem [15], exists. As a result the SNC equilibrium exists. Uniqueness If is convex, then the equilibrium is unique. Since is convex, the objective function of the Stackelberg problem [17] becomes strictly concave on. This has been proven by Murphy et al. (1983) and the proof can be found in their report. This implies the equilibrium is unique. 3.1.5 Algorithm to solve the Stackelberg problem Murphy et al. (1983) provide an algorithm in their report to solve the Stackelberg problem. This algorithm is summarised as follows: To start with the Stackelberg firm needs the following information about the market and the Cournot firms: Cost functions of the Cournot firms, satisfying Assumption A. The upper bound as per Assumption A. The inverse demand function for the industry, which also satisfies Assumption A. With this information, the Stackelberg firm need to determine the lower bound and split the interval into grid points with, where and (from [26]). A piecewise linear approximation of is made as follows: Here, is an approximation to and from equation [20] it follows that: Note that at each grid point the approximation agrees with. The Stackelberg problem [17], thus, becomes: can be re-written as: Where and Thus problem [30] becomes: The objective function is strictly concave and solvable. Let be the objective function of the Stackelberg problem [17] and the objective function of the piecewise Stackelberg problem [32], then: Suppose is the optimum level of output. First, suppose that is an endpoint of the interval, then. Now suppose that, that is, . Then needs to be evaluated in order to determine. Theorem 1 can be used here. Recall that is a continuous, decreasing function of. To find the point where (part iii of Theorem 1), the following method is suggested by Murphy et al. (1983): Figure : Method for determining Source: Smeers and Wolf (1997) (alterations made to the notation) First determine using the bounds. Next, determine using the bounds. Then determine using the bounds.Next, determine using the bounds and so on. If then evaluate using the bounds. Having evaluated for some grid points, the game can either be terminated with the best of these grid points as an optimal solution or the grid can be redefined at an appropriate region to improve accuracy. Murphy et al. (1983) go on to determine the maximum error from the estimated optimal Stackelberg solution. This is summarised below: Let be the derivative of with respect to , then: Let be the marginal profit made by the Stackelberg firm for supplying units of output, Let be the actual optimal objective function value in the interval with the estimate being . Then the error of this estimate is defined as: satisfies the following: This concludes the review of Murphy et al.s (1983) nonlinear mathematical programing model of the Stackelberg problem in an oligopoly. 3.2 A Stochastic Version Smeers and Wolf (1997) provide an extension to the nonlinear mathematical programming version of the Stackelberg model by Murphy et al. (1983) discussed in subsection 3.1. In the same way as Murphy et al.s (1983) model, the Stackelberg game in this version is played in two stages. In the first stage, the Stackelberg firm makes a decision about its output level. In the second stage, the Cournot firms, having observed the Stackelberg firms decision, react according to the Cournot assumption of zero conjectural variation. However, Smeers and Wolf (1997) add the element of uncertainty to this process. When the Stackelberg firm makes its decision the market demand is uncertain, but demand is known when the Cournot firms make their decision. This makes the Smeers and Wolfs (1997) version of the Stackelberg model stochastic. Smeers and Wolf (1997) assume that this uncertainty can be modelled my demand scenarios. 3.2.1 Notations and Assumption For the costs functions, the same notations are used. is the total cost function of level of output by Cournot firms and is the total cost function of level of output by the Stackelberg firm. The demand function is changed slightly to take into account the uncertainty. is a set of demand scenarios with corresponding probabilities of occurrence As such, is the price at which customers are willing and able to purchase units of output in demand scenario . has a probability of occurrence. The same Assumption set A discussed in subsection 3.1.1 apply here with alterations made to conditions [13] and [14]. Assumption set A can be re-written as: and are both convex and twice differentiable, as before. is a strictly decreasing function and twice differentiable which satisfies the following inequality, There exists a quantity (the maximum level of output any firm is willing to supply in each demand scenario) such that, For referencing, these set of assumption will be referred to as Assumption B. 3.2.2 Stochastic Stackelberg-Nash-Cournot (SSNC) equilibrium Smeers and Wolf (1997) use the same approach seen before to derive the SSNC equilibrium. The Cournot problem [15]can be re-written as follows: For each Cournot firm and each demand scenario, let the set of output levels be such that, for a given and assuming are fixed, solves the following Cournot problem: Note that is the output level of Cournot firm when the demand scenario is . For each, according to Murphy et al. (1983), the objective function in equation [40] is a strictly convex profit function over the closed, convex and compact interval. The functions can be referred to as the joint reaction functions of the Cournot firms for a demand scenario. The aggregate reaction curve becomes: The Stackelberg problem with demand uncertainty can be written as: Note the Stackelberg problem defined problem [42] differs from that defined in [17]. This is because of the element of uncertainty. The Cournot problem [40] is similar to the Cournot problem [15] because the demand is known when the Cournot firms make their decision. In the Stackelberg problem [42] note the element. This is the estimated mean price, that is, the Stackelberg firm considers the reaction of the Cournot firm under each demand scenario and works out the market price in each scenario, and it then multiplies it by the probability of each scenario. The summation of this represents the estimated mean price. If solves the stochastic, then the set of output levels is the SSNC equilibrium for demand scenario. To get this equilibrium, the output levels need to be determined. Smeers and Wolf (1997) use the same approach as Murphy et al. (1983) in doing so. The Equilibrating program is the same as that in [19], with changes made to the Cournot output and demand function: For each demand scenario , Theorem 1 lays out a foundation on how to solve the Equilibrating program in problem [19] and can also be used to solve [44]. Smeers and Wolf (1997) Summarise Theorem 1 as follows: Theorem 2: For each fixed, An optimal solution for the problem satisfies the Cournot problem [40] if and only if the Lagrange multiplier,, associated with the Equilibrating program [44], is equal to zero. This multiplier is a continuous, strictly decreasing function of . Moreover, there exists and such that: (This theorem is taken from Smeers and Wolf (1997), with a few alteration to the notations) The properties of are the same as those discussed in subsection 3.1.3. The existence and uniqueness of the SSNC equilibrium is shown in the same ways as the SNC equilibrium of Murphy et al.s (1983) model discussed in subsection 3.1.4. 3.2.3 Algorithm to solve the Stackelberg problem The Stackelberg problem here is solved in the same way Murphy et al. (1983) proposed (discussed in subsection 3.1.5). In their report, Smeers and Wolf (1997) do not specify the upper and lower bound of, thus, it is assumed that is bounded by.The interval can be split into grid points with, where and . The piecewise linear approximation of in [27] can be re-written as follows: Here, has the same properties as [29]. The Stackelberg problem [42], thus, becomes: Hereafter, the algorithm summarised in subsection 3.1.5 can be used to solve this problem. 3.3 Numerical Example In Murphy et al.s (1983) report a simple example of the Stackelberg model is given. They consider the case of a linear demand curve and quadratic cost functions: It is assumed that the Stackelberg firm and Cournot firms are identical. The Cournot problem [15] becomes as follow, with as the optimal solution: Solving this problem yields: Note the upper bound of is found by setting. The working to get equation [51] is shown in Appendix 2. The aggregate reaction curve can be written as: Using this information, this example is now extended to Smeers and Wolfs (1997) model with numerical values. Note that the functions listed in equations [49], [50], [51] and [52] satisfy Assumptions A B and other properties discussed in previous sections. Suppose and. And suppose demand is unknown when the Stackelberg firm makes its decision. The cost functions of the firms will be as follows: Figure : Different Demand Scenarios The tables below describe the possible demand scenarios, probability of each scenario occurring, the joint reaction curve and aggregate reaction curve for, and: Scenario, Demand, Probability, = Demand falls, = Demand remains unchanged, = Demand Increases, Scenario, Joint reaction curve, Aggregate reaction curve, Using this information, the Stackelberg problem [42] can be solved. First, the estimated price element can be calculated as follows: Substituting this result back into the Stackelberg problem [42] gives: This problem can easily be solved by differentiating the objective function and finding the value of for which the differential is equal to zero. The working to obtain the following optimal solution is shown in Appendix 2. Using this result, the following result is obtained for each demand scenario: Figure : Optimal Output, Price and Profit 1 260.870 98.02 652.96 147.04 2 260.870 134.39 798.42 201.58 3 260.870 170.75 943.87 256.13 Stackelberg firm Profit, Cournot firm Profit, Industry Profit, 1 21,243.87 12,010.81 69,387.12 2 35,573.12 22,574.95 125,872.92 3 49,802.37 36,444.87 195,581.87 The tables in figure 3 state the SSNC equilibriums for each scenario, and the profits made by each firm in this oligopoly and the total industry profit in each scenario. Note that since is strictly convex, the equilibrium obtained for each scenario is unique. Also note that in all three scenarios, the Stackelberg Output and profit is greater than that of the Cournot firms, illustrating the first mover advantage. Chapter 4: Discussion In this section, the practical applications, drawbacks and possible extensions to Stackelberg models are discussed. 4.1 Practical Applications of Stackelberg models Stackelberg models are widely used by firms to aid decision making. Some examples include: Manufacturer-Retailer Supply Chain He et al. (2009) present a stochastic Stackelberg problem to model the interaction between a manufacturer and a retailer. The manufacturer would announce its cooperative advertising policy (percentage of retailers advertising expenses it will cover-participation rate) and the wholesale price. The retailer, in response, chooses its optimal advertising and pricing policies. When the retailers advertising and pricing is an importan

God Chosen Essay -- essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  God’s chosen examples. When God calls you must answer, my Baptist preacher bellows from his pulpit. Everyone has a purpose on this earth, but God has chosen a special few to help him carry out his divine plan, he continues. Countless Sunday mornings I spent listening to my pastor preaching about man’s encounters with God. He explains the significance of the encounters to the people of antiquity and he even relates the encounters to our every day lives. If one has met with God and seen His glory he is truly blessed. My pastor is correct no man has walked away from an encounter with God without being blessed, or the experience altering his life. Each divine experience occurs under very different circumstances, but all of them end with man having a better understanding of his purpose on this earth. The character could wrestle with the Lord and demand a blessing, like Jacob, or like Moses he could have been drawn to God by his own curiosity. The Lord came to Elijah when he was at the lowest point of his life and he wanted nothing more than to die, and He blessed him. Isaiah volunteered to help God to teach to the people of Israel, and the Lord blessed Isaiah for his enthusiasm. Job’s encounter with God is a combination of each of the above experiences. His experience exemplifies the individual relationship with God. The encounters with God may appear to be similar and indeed they do have common elements, but there is an important difference in the way God selects each character to fulfill his mission. In the early encounters, God selects the individuals. He calls and they answer. Towards the end the accounts however, the characters go in search for God’s blessing, unlike their early counterparts they demand or challenge God and their enthusiasm is rewarded. The different episodes show the gradual change between God and humanity. Throughout the accounts in the Bible God has loses favor with man, and this loss of favor is due chiefly to man’s failure to obey God ’s laws. God’s selection of His chosen people reflects clearly God’s love for the early patriarchs. God did love the later characters, but towards the end of the accounts God loses a tremendous amount of faith in humanity. Nonetheless the God does bless all whom He encounters, and His presence to each character help... ...ion of how an individual could find favor in God. The answer was even if one has nothing and can not stand on your own have faith in God and He will prevail. Job’s story gave individuals hope, because even if God was angry with the group one might be saved if he lived right and had faith. The story summed up the tenacious attitude of Jacob, the curiosity of Moses, the downtrodden sprit of Elijah and the humility of Isaiah. The story of Job was an every man story, because it combined tenants, which all men could relate to their lives. God blesses all everyone who recognizes and accepts His power. From Job’s story humanity is given guidelines to follow in order to be blessed by God. Jacob and Moses’ stories demonstrate God’s earlier position on the condition of humanity, and later character’s stories depict how the relationship disappears over time. After the story of Isaiah, man feels abandoned and all hope seems lost. However, the prophecy of the Messiah by of Isaiah and Job rejuvenates the hope of continuity for humanity. A promise, which was given to man a long time ago, but due to his disobedience over time man, has lost the essential tenants to uphold his end of the bargain.

Patient and Hybrid Record Essay

1. What is the potential impact of the copy/paste functionality on the integrity of the data and information contained in an EHR? The copy/paste function opens the possibility for fraud, medical error and risk for malpractice claims. Fraud could occur when a copy/paste function is used and than an insurance company is billed for the procedure/services 2 or 3 times. When in reality the procedure/service was only completed once. Medical error can occur with the copy/paste function, when a nurse reads a chart made by a doctor who copy/pasted instructions or initiates a procedure that was already completed but the doctor didn’t realize that they copy/pasted it again. Than the nurse completes the procedure again, which can have fatal results. Thus opening the door for malpractice and even criminal suits. Thus the integrity of the whole file would have been compromised by on click of a button. 2. How does copy/paste functionality affect reimbursement? The copy/paste function can affect reimbursement because your insurance could get billed several times for the same procedure that was only completed once. Than your insurance could potentially deny the whole procedure leaving you with the bill and the headache of getting it sorted out. The other side of the coin is that with copy/paste function being used could make it to where someone else’s insurance gets billed if the last copied document is from another’s file than they clicked onto your file and though they highlighted something new but didn’t causing a whole new set of problems. 3. What measures can a hospital take to improve data integrity in their EHR while still achieving their goal of streamlining the documentation process? There needs to be educational training on the functionality of the copy/paste function and when and where it should and should not be used. EHR professionals need to come up with some new software applications that would cut down on the amount of functions that can be implemented into one document without a review by a trained professional. New better software and proper training is the way to go in my opinion. Don’t let staff get lazy and complacent with using the copy/paste function. 1. What impact can a hybrid record have on patient care? The hybrid record could have negative and positive effects on patient care. One negative effect would be that it would take longer to access and put together if a whole file is requested. Another negative would be just where exactly is all of these paper records being kept. A positive effect of the hybrid record is that if the computer system is compromised in some way there would be a paper record. 2. How might the hybrid record change health information management? The hybrid record would change health information management because you would have to have employees to care for all these records, as well as employees for the computer files thus creating more staff and costing more. There would of course have to be training on how to properly handle the hybrid record having thus an effect on the health information management team. Who would have to implement training, schedule personnel off to take the training find yet others to cover for that training. Again costing more money and time. 3. How might a hospital overcome some of the issues created by the hybrid record? To overcome some issues created by the hybrid record you would have to have good education/training in implementation of new data, new software and soft- ware development. Different sections of the hospital should help in the development of software that would be beneficial to the entire hospital or clinic, so that no one section is left out of the decision process, so all need are attempted to be met. Educate not only the HIM staff but the hospital or clinic as a whole so that everyone knows where things are kept and how they are stored.

Opening remarks. President of ASO Essay

Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen. First, let me warmly welcome you all to this meeting of the Associated Students Organization (ASO). I hope that my introductory remarks will help to give us all a sense of direction and a common purpose for our work within the guidelines set out in the ASO Charter of July 2005. Let me begin by briefly revisiting last year’s ARO sponsored career day: ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · Over 7500 students attended 550 businesses had booths 15 distinguished speakers ( Steve Jobs, Colin Powell to name a few) All branches of services were represented 45 business development services offering workshops on starting businesses The responses last year were some of the largest we have ever seen even with this weak economy. The goal for this year is to aid our students to get hired before they leave for the day. I would like us to focus on more career planners and workshops to help these students plan for their life long career. When our students graduate, they are competing with a high unemployment rate, thus making securing the job as well as keeping it difficult. Business development can aid our business majors with the consideration of starting their own business and being their own boss, not to mention maybe if they are successful, they can hire others within their communities that need employment. Our challenges are tough, but I believe that we are successful if 80% of our graduates get hired as a result of this career day, we have been a success. Thank You.

Essay on Bio Notes

Essay on Bio Notes Essay on Bio Notes Vocab Genetic diversity: the level of biodiversity, refers to the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species Species diversity: is the effective number of different species that are represented in a collection of individuals Structural Diversity: is the divisions in a community that result from having many different physical characteristics Protista: free-living or colonial organisms with diverse nutritional and reproductive modes, diverse group of eukaryotic microorganisms Bacteria: a member of a large group of unicellular microorganisms lacking organelles and an organized nucleus, including some that can cause disease, consist of prokaryotic microorganisms Fungi: an organism of the kingdom Fungi lacking chlorophyll and feeding on organic matter; ranging from unicellular or multicellular organisms Binomial nomenclature: the system of nomenclature using two terms, the first one indicating the genus and the second the species Morphology: the form or structure of an organism or one of its parts Extinction: the state or process of a species, family, or larger group being or becoming extinct, no longer existing Natural selection: Theory by Darwin that organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring compared to other organisms. Main process which leads to evolution Phylogeny: branch of biology that studies how groups of organisms are related in terms of how they evolved. Speciation: The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution Niche: a position or role taken by a kind of organism within its community Mutation: the changing of the structure of a gene, resulting in a variant form that may be transmitted to subsequent generations, caused by the alteration of single base units in DNA, or the deletion, insertion, or rearrangement of larger sections of genes or chromosomes Mimicry: the close external resemblance of an animal or plant (or part of one) to another animal, plant, or inanimate object Adaptation: a change by which an organism or species becomes better suited to its environment Survival of the fittest: as the environment changes, those members of a species who, by accidental genetic variation, happen to have traits best fitted to the new environment are most likely to survive long enough to generate offspring Haploid: when an organism has a single set of unpaired chromosomes Diploid: when an organism contains two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent Spindle: a slender mass of microtubules formed when a cell divides. At metaphase, the chromosomes become attached to it by their centromeres before being pulled toward its ends Synapsis: the fusion of chromosome pairs at the start of meiosis Gamete: a mature haploid male or female germ cell that is able to unite with another of the opposite sex in sexual reproduction to form a zygote Zygote: a diploid cell resulting from the fusion of two haploid gametes; a fertilized ovum Heterozygous: zygosity refers to the similarity of genes for a trait (inherited characteristic) in an organism. If both genes are different, the organism is heterozygous for that trait Homozygous: if both genes are the same, the organism is homozygous for the trait Allele: one of two or more alternative forms of a gene that arise by mutation and are found at the same place on a chromosome Plasmid: a genetic structure in a cell that can replicate independently of the chromosomes, typically a small circular DNA strand in the cytoplasm of a bacterium or protozoan. Plasmids are much used in the laboratory manipulation of genes Trisomy: a condition in which an extra copy of a chromosome is present in the cell nuclei, causing developmental abnormalities Non-disjunction: the failure of one or more pairs of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate normally during nuclear division, usually resulting in an abnormal

Life Span (Human Development)fe Span (Human Development) Essay

Life Span (Human Development)fe Span (Human Development) - Essay Example The basic theoretical issues in regard to this include: Issue 1: Is development active or reactive? Issue 2: Is development continuous or discontinuous? The mechanistic model believes that human development results from responses to stimuli, and the organismic model considers human development as a response that occurs from internal activeness. The five theoretical perspectives include psychoanalytic approach, learning theory, cognitive theory, contextual perspective, and evolutionary approach, which are further discussed in the following section (Chapter Two, n.d., pp.23-25). Cognitive developmental theories – This theory reflects on the development of reasoning and logical development of human beings from the time of their birth to infancy to the stage of adolescence. A key focus is concerned with the role that human culture and teaching processes have on human beings. Learning theories – This theory emphasizes on the theories that are learned by human beings over time, through observations and experiences clearing the understanding of individuals of values, expectancies, and goals. Cultural theory – This theory focuses on bringing out the culturally diverse world around human beings reflecting on the development of human beings that is based upon the guidance offered by the nature of culture. Social role theory – This theory emphasizes on the development of human beings in the context of social life. This determines the multiple social roles that human beings play in their lives over their development. Systems theory – This theory develops an understanding of the different elements in the system of human life that are interdependent on each other. Self-regulation and self-organization are guided by the behaviours of such elements. The debate of nature versus nature in relation to growth and development of human beings has been in

Business Strategy in Kellogg Company Term Paper

Business Strategy in Kellogg Company - Term Paper Example The main external environment that necessitates firms to develop strategies include the general environment which entails demographic, economic, political/legal, socio-cultural, technological, global and physical trends, the interplay of the industry environment that often impact on the relationship between its customers and suppliers and competitors environment and analysis (Ireland, Hoskisson, & Hitt, 2008:59). Business strategy is a key plan of action for companies after the assessment of the above market factors and business environment and is often aimed at positioning the company, influencing the market balance and exploiting changes in the industry. This paper examines business strategies that have been employed by Kellogg Company and the reasons why such strategies have proved to be successful to the firm. Kellogg Company Business Strategy Kellogg Company is the leading producer of cereal and convenience foods such as cookies, toaster pastries, cereal bars, fruits snacks, fro zen watts, and veggie foods in the world. Kellogg Company manufactures its products in more than seventeen countries and markets them across the world (Kellogg Company, 2012). The core reason for the establishment of Kellogg Company was for the Company to produce high quality, nutritious and great tasting food. The company has made tremendous growth and this can be evidenced by its ever-expanding market share and increased profits. The success can be attributed to the existence of key business strategies that ensures the growth of Kellogg Company amidst increased competition and entry of other players and dynamics of the market. Key Terms Kellogg Vision To be the food company of choice Mission statement To drive sustainable growth through the power of our people and brands by better serving the needs of our consumers, customers and communities. Objectives Encourage and support of among all sectors of the population Use of resources to run and sponsor community programmes for its con sumers and public Increase the association between Kellogg and physical activity Use the cereal packs to communicate the ‘balance’ message to consumers Introduce food labeling that would enable consumers to make decisions about the right balance of food Goals Remain consumer centric Product innovation Priority to win Continuous efficiency improvements Core Competence Baking The Vision and Mission Statements Business strategies of firms can be evaluated based on the design and definition of their vision and mission statements. This is because of the crucial role that vision and mission statement play in current business environment as they convey the aspirations of the organizations. Kellogg Company has exploited this concept and has formulated a vision and mission statements that focuses on sustainable growth of the company, social responsibility, its stakeholders (people) and its brands. Whereas the vision statement of Kellogg Co