Obama Vs. Clinton Essay

The Affordable Health Care Act is a very in-depth process. The changes to the health care system were attempted to be passed in prior years by Bill Clinton. However, it failed at this time and was implemented in the United States by the current president Barack Obama. The Congress diversity of Democrats vs. Republican’s was very similar in both Clintons and Obamas time in office. There were many steps that were taken in creating this policy, and some of those steps succeeded, and some of those steps failed. Any new process would be expected to have some issues to work through as it was created. The Affordable Health Care Act still has some issues to work on, but many steps succeeded and that is why it has been implemented during Obamas term. Health Care Reform was in some ways similar in both Obama and Clinton’s proposals, but greatly different as well. Clinton’s main focus in the policy was to make health care mandatory for all Americans and have universal coverage. Employers would pay 80 percent of the cost of health insurance premiums, with the employee covering the remaining costs (Khan, 2014). However, both policies have the same goal of providing health insurance to all people. Each policy creates the ways of completing this task differently. Clinton’s health care reform plan was very complex. It involved high levels of government involvement in the health care industry. A federal national health board would have overseen the health system, and would be tasked with regulating premiums and overseeing benefits (Khan, 2014). Health care alliances at the state level would conduct a similar task, and states would have had the authority to regulate plans and have the option to create a single-payer system (Khan, 2014). The policy would be more of a government takeover, than assisting Americans with health  insurance. This was something that was not found to be favorable by many stakeholders. Obama’s reform allows for people with private insurance to keep their insurance. He is creating a government insurance company to compete with the private insurance companies. However, Obama still faces struggles with Republicans being opposed to this idea as well. The concern of finances was also purposed similar in both policy creations. Both presidents plan on the bill not adding to the deficit of the country. Another similarity between the two plans was that insurances companies could no longer deny a client because of their previous medical conditions. This has been another successful step in the process. Health Care Reform was created very similar but still with great differences between each president. The Affordable Health Care Act was successful for Obama mostly because of the way he pushed the bill through congress. Obama used Clinton’s health care reform failures as lessons and a blueprint of what not to do. This made him about to learn from past failure and make changes along the way. Different steps were taken in creating both of the policies. As Clinton moved slowly on this policy, Obama pushed his through quickly (Oberlander, 2014). Moving quickly was a decision that helped the policy succeeding, whereas, moving slowly caused it to fail. However, both presidents did pitch their speech about the Affordable Health Care Act before a joint session of Congress. This was not a successful step for either president. Both Obama and Clinton did not have great support for the policy, and this caused great suffering. Obama allowed for alternative methods in this policy whereas Clinton did not. Although both presidents had a wonderful idea, the steps that they took in implementing the policy are what changed the success of it. Both policies have similar stakeholders. When discussing health care insurance the stakeholders do not often change because the policies were slightly different. Stakeholders consist of business, insurance companies, and the American Medical Association. Other stakeholders consist of the people of the United States of America. There was much skepticism about the policy plans that both presidents were rolling out by the people of America. It is important that the presidents did not only look at stakeholders of large companies, but the everyday people of the community and employees of the health care industry as stakeholders as well. There were also government stakeholders in both  policies. However, the government level of stakeholders was greater in Clinton’s policy because his consist of government takeover. Stakeholders are crucial to the success of any policy. The Affordable Health Care Act has so far been successfully implemented by Obama. However, like any other new policy there are some issues still to be worked on. Obama was a success on passing this policy because he used the mistakes of the past to make his policy succeed. Even though there were struggles and steps that failed in Obama’s plan as well, there were more that succeed. Clinton’s policy was more government based and had many failures. The stakeholders for both presidents’ policies were similar. The Affordable Health Care Act has been in progress by many presidents for many years. However, it has been Obama’s plan that has been the most successful. Reference Oberlander, J. (2014). Long Time Coming: Why Health Reform Finally Passed. Retrieved from http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/29/6/1112.full Khan, H. (2014). Throwback to 1993? What’s New About Democrats’ Health Care Plans. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/HealthCare/health-care-reform-president-obama-path-bill-clinton/story?id=8675596

Regional Integration Essay

The Pacific Forum region seeks a region of peace, harmony security, and economic prosperity. The diversity of its peoples seek value, honor in their cultures. The Pacific Region’s objectives include obtaining respect for its governance, sustainable management of its resources and its democratic values. The partnerships with their neighbors, to improve communications and secure a sustainable economy for all are the primary objectives for its members. Established in Bangkok, Thailand on August 8, 1967 the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) was founded by Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. ASEAN is now comprised of 10 members including Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (ASEAN, 2013). An important and landmark agreement that ASEAN entered into was the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement. The region in which the ASEAN- China Free Trade Agreement will reach is about 1. 9 billion people. This agreement will surely test not only the members of ASEAN, but China as well. The region in which the ASEAN- China Free Trade Agreement will reach is about 1. 9 billion people. This agreement will surely test not only the members of ASEAN, but China as well (ASEAN, 2013). Positive Influence of the Asean-China Free Trade Agreement January 10, 2010 marked a ten year negotiation with China, when the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area Agreement became effective. Tariff reductions between China and six ASEAN members Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, will experience more than a 90 percent of products with a drop to near zero in both parties’ tariffs. The agreement was established with the idea that ASEAN countries’ natural resources and China’s large market would both benefit (Shamsi, 2010). Countries like Cambodia and Laos will benefit from the ASEAN-China agreement with zero tariffs on over 7000 goods from China, which will benefit these under developed countries tremendously. Less developed countries especially those with no stock market system will welcome this agreement and benefit greatly (Shamsi, 2010). The ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement is China’s first free trade agreement and the first negotiated agreement ASEAN has been involved in with another country. The importance of this agreement will be seen when ASEAN nations being to use China’s currency Yuan. This can drive China’s Yuan to become a major global trading currency. This agreement is important in the movement for the regional economic environment (Shamsi, 2010). Negative Impact of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement The economic head of ASEAN is Indonesia. The idea of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement is not beneficial to ASEAN countries and should be re-considered. Indonesia has pointed out that the economy of China has recently increased and become powerful in global terms. The exemption from custom duties for Chinese goods ill challenges the local business survival with an influx of less expensive Chinese goods (Shamsi, 2010). Bankruptcy is a real possibility for industrial areas in the small and medium sized zones according to the chairman of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association. The automotive industry in Malaysia is also wary of this agreement in that the impact on local auto industries could be hit hard. The view from many ASEAN members is that the agreement much more benefits China than the ASEAN countries. China in size alone has a large market for domestic consumption and ability to export on a grander scale than that of ASEAN countries (Shamsi, 2010). The overall feelings in most ASEAN countries are that of mixes feelings, but mostly worry concerning the agreement. The population of China with 1. 3 billion people compared to the 600 million combined of ASEAN region is notable differences in terms of markets. The concept that took ten years to come to light, seems that with the changes seen in the economy of China, that the agreement still has the same fruitful benefits initially anticipated (Shamsi, 2010).

Lief Liddy

Dear Hiring Manager: My experience as in signal analysis and several other specific forms on intelligence gathering while serving as a liaison between the U.S. Army and the Royal Air Force are simply the beginning of the reasons why I am the perfect candidate for the Intelligence analyst position you are currently advertising. I saw among the qualifications you are seeking is the ability to obtain a Top Secret/SCI with Lifestyle Polygraph security clearance. Why waste the company’s money obtaining that clearance for someone else when I currently possess Top Secret/SCI with CI polygraph clearance?   I have spent the past five years conducting signals intelligence analysis on foreign soil and reporting my findings to high-ranking officials in several governments. My duties have also included assuring that my team maintains compliance and security standards including supervised drug tests. In addition to my on-the-job training that makes me a prime candidate for your position, I am currently a third-year student at the University of Maryland pursuing a bachelor of science in computer and information science. The combined field knowledge and technical training make me ideal for the position. As an added benefit, I have worked in the field for which we will be designing products, giving you the advantage of my first-hand experience. I look forward to the chance to meet with you and discuss how my skills can benefit your company. Thank you for taking the time to review my credentials. The best way to contact me is via email at [email  protected] or [email  protected] Sincerely, Sgt. Lief Liddy U.S. Army

Choose one of the specifeic food u like, make an argument, and write Essay

Choose one of the specifeic food u like, make an argument, and write about it - Essay Example In that context, it may sound strange, but canned and frozen foods and vegetables are a veritable source of nutrition, which satisfy a range of consumer choices and expectations. Though canned and frozen foods and vegetables happen to be processed foods, yet the good thing is that they provide people with the much needed nutrition, in a safe, convenient and cost effective manner, while complying with the environmental norms and criteria. The one amazing thing about canned and frozen foods and vegetables is that they have a high nutrition value and content (Belasco 57). It is a fact that fresh foods like fruits and vegetables do lose much nutrition during transit to the stores. In contrast, the canned and frozen foods and vegetables are processed when the food items are still fresh and thereby have a high nutrition value. The processing of fruits and vegetables resorts to an array of traditional activities like peeling and cutting and the subsequent boiling or freezing of the available fresh foods. Thereby, once the fresh fruits and vegetables are canned or frozen, their nutrition potential gets preserved and remains intact for a long period of time. The consumers can consume these canned and frozen foods while benefiting from their high nutrition value. Going by the hectic schedules and scarcity of time that the contemporary consumers have to contend with, canned and frozen foods and vegetables are indeed convenient and save on time (Belasco 70). Canned and frozen foods do save on time in the sense that they are cut, peeled and cooked in advance, and can thereby be readily consumed without resorting to any elaborate processing or cooking procedure. The same cannot be said of the fresh foods, vegetables and fruits. Besides, canned and frozen foods and vegetables are also convenient as they allow the consumers an

Framework for Ethics Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Framework for Ethics - Coursework Example is end, Anandarajan (2002) observed that it is of an importance measure the organization’s structural and ethical behavior through some structured frameworks. It is evident that various organizations employ these models to measure their structural and moral conduct as a way of saving the trust of stakeholders. This can be alluded to the successful ends that these models attain in establishing ethical culture in an organization, steer moral decision making as well as enhancing the overall execution of results (Anandarajan, 2002; Ferrell, Fraedrich & Ferrell, 2013). The scope of this paper is thus limited in the discussion of only two of these frameworks that organization can employ, namely; Balanced Scorecard and the Triple Bottom Line. The component of these framework models would be analyzed in relation to how they can be used to enhance ethics and business performance. Moreover, the paper presents how organization can make use of these models as approaches of driving ethical decision-making as well how organization incorporate the ethical models in the corporate relations. Balanced scorecard model is defined as a multidimensional way of making executive estimations and administration control within a particular organizational structure (Henriques, 2004). In other words, Balanced Score Card (BSC) can be defined as an execution metric which is used mostly in strategic management to improve and advance various internal functions and so their resulting external outcomes (Boatright, 2009). A single most formidable quality of the model is the great emphasis it places on ensuring that performance measures are linked with the activity plans at all levels within a business unit. To further explicate on BSC, Brown (2000) posits two significant approaches to implementing it; centralized and decentralized. Centralized approach is mainly a tool for top management to impart centrally formulated strategies down the organizational administration. On the other hand, a

Present and critically assess Kolodny's account of love Essay

Present and critically assess Kolodny's account of love - Essay Example Kolodny selects appropriate relationships which can serve as reason for love according to three characteristics defined in his theory; he finds that appropriate relationships are ongoing, historical and existent between particular people. He also notes that love has a symmetrical nature and applies it to all kinds of relationships reviewed in his paper. I believe that his theory tries to simplify love by excluding degenerate kinds of love from it; the nature of love is complex and it can appear in the situations which are excluded by Kolodny (2003) in his theory. The complexity of love is easy to prove. For instance, there is no clear definition of love shared by all people. Since love is often treated as a set of beliefs about valuable relationships, the definition of these relationships will also be individual. For example, in love relationships between two partners both participants do not necessarily define their finally valuable relationships similarly. For one person the present relationships can be fully appropriate because they meet all beliefs and expectations shared by this person. The other person can be unsatisfied with present relationships because they fail to become a realization of all beliefs shared by this person. As a result, one person will consider these relationships to be appropriate to reason love while the other person will not treat them as love at all. Even though such relationships meet all criteria set by Kolodny (2003), they are not symmetrical in their realization. In this way, the proposed model fails to consi der such a situation where people in relationships define their finally valuable relationships in different way. There are even more examples of degenerate relationships which are excluded from Kolodnys theory, but they can reason love. For instance, Kolodny (2003) believes that the relationships between student and teacher are not

Social Awareness Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Social Awareness - Assignment Example The wife would rest her hand on her husband’s shoulder when she wanted him to stop so they could go inside a store. The husband would always let his wife enter a store first before him. Either of them would shake their head if they did not like the other’s suggestion. The non-verbal signals did not appear to make the interaction between the two of them difficult even without words. 4. Their non-verbal communication made it easy for me to think they are married. I think couples who are married are always close to each other. Couples who are not married do not just hold hands. They have their arms around each other’s waist or on each other’s shoulders. This is why I formed this impression about them very fast. 1. The next interaction I observed was in the grocery store. It was also noisy at this place. There were noises coming from the cash register, public announcement system, music and grocers. I see a lot of families today. It is a Sunday. I chose a family of three. The father was carrying a baby and pushing a grocery cart. The mother was holding a pen and checking off of a list. I heard the baby crying so I chose them to observe. 2. There were many signals for non-verbal communication I saw. The baby was crying and the father was moving the baby up and down his arm. I think this was his way to make the baby quiet. The baby did not stop. The mother was frowning. She got a pacifier from the baby bag and gave it to the father. I watched the father’s mouth form the word â€Å"Sshh†. I think the noise of the mall made the baby uncomfortable. The behavior of the baby affected the mother. She started choosing things faster. 3. The interaction was informal. I decided this because the woman and man stood close to each other. Also, the woman touched the man’s hand or shoulder many times. She passed grocery things to him quietly and he put them in the cart. They looked very comfortable with each other. 4. I quickly

Choose by your own no specific topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Choose by your own no specific topic - Essay Example it were a rational fallacy in perfect harmony with the fallacy of composition; the exposure of such eliminates metaphysical and naturalistic ethics and makes the arguments of intuitionists correct. However, on a deeper analysis, naturalistic fallacy is an assumption, not a tool to resolve the debate. The concept of a naturalistic fallacy has been related to the idea of a split between the descriptive and the normative and between the ‘is’ and the ‘ought’. However when the intuitionists confirm the split of the ‘is’ and the ‘ought’, they suggest more than the idea that ethical principles cannot be inferred from non-ethical principles. As pointed out by Moore, ‘pleasantness’ and ‘yellow’ cannot be defined in non-ethical ways, yet they are natural aspects and part of ‘is’ concept. . It is evident that the naturalistic fallacy cannot be considered a logical fallacy, because it could be included even if the premise is true. Of the fallacies known and recognized in philosophy the naturalistic fallacy is the most popular or widely used. For scholars of a given type of ethical theory, which is widespread in the Americas and Europe, and which is diversely referred to as ‘intuitionism’, ‘non-naturalism’, or ‘objectivism’, have often criticized their rivals for perpetrating the naturalistic fallacy (Foot, 2002, 51). Several of these rivals have intensely rejected the accusation of fallacy, others have reacted to it briefly, and in all the concept of a naturalistic fallacy had a major importance in ethical texts. However, despite its popularity and controversy, the naturalistic fallacy has been largely ignored (Foot, 2002), and, thus, this paper analyzes this concept. Specifically, this paper argues that naturalistic fallacy is essential, especially in the field of ethical theory and practice. The naturalistic fallacy was defined and coined in 1903 by G.E. Moore, a British philosopher. According to him, a naturalistic fallacy is

Financial Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Financial Management - Essay Example The company is deemed to be the third largest retailer with respect to the amount of revenue that it produces (Potter, 2011; Deloitte, 2010). To examine and analyze the financial performance of the company, the ratio analysis technique needs to be used. Ratio analysis is a technique which uses a set of different financial measures known as financial ratios, in order to analyze the financial performance of a company. These financial ratios of the company would be compared with its prior year ratios to understand whether there is any improvement in the performance of the company (Shim et al, 2000). The financial ratios for Tesco plc are as follows: Ratios 2010 2009 Liquidity Ratios Current ratio 0.73 : 1 0.75 : 1 Quick ratio 0.44 : 1 0.61 : 1 Gearing Ratios Gross debt-equity ratio 74.9% 109.6% Net interest cover 3.1 times 7 times Profitability Ratios Gross Profit Margin 8.22% 7.76% Net Profit Margin 4.1% 3.99% Investment ratios Earnings per share 29.33 cents 27.50 cents (Annual Report, Tesco plc, 2011) . Liquidity Ratios evaluate a company’s ability to pay off their debts when they fall due. Basically it gives a basic picture of a running position of a company. Current ratio illustrates a company’s ability to pay off its short term obligation/ current liabilities (amount due within 12 months time) with the current assets that it holds whilst the quick and the cash ratio illustrates a company’s ability to pay off their debts with the most liquid assets and cash respectively. Current ratios on the other hand analyze a company’s ability to pay off their respective debts/liabilities through their most liquid (easily converted to cash) assets. The ratios in the above table indicate that the liquidity position of the company has worsened in 2010 as compared to 2009; both the current and the quick ratios have deteriorated over the year. The current ratio has fallen from being 0.75:1 in 2010 to 0.73:1 in 2009. The quick ratio has also fallen f rom being 0.61:1 in 2010 to 0.44:1 in 2009. This should be a concern for the company as the liquidity ratios are a measure of company’s subtleness and long term sustainability. With the help of the profitability ratio, a company can ascertain the increase/decrease in the level of costs, revenues and profits over any given period of time. These ratios help in ascertaining the company’s performance with respect to the profits that the company/organization has generated. Gross Profit Margin/Net Profit Margin ratios help in ascertaining a company’s gross profit/net profit with respect to the revenue that the company has generated; this ratio helps in understanding the changing trends of the operational costs within any particular period of time. Both the Gross Profit and the Net Profit margin ratios have improved for the company over the one year concerned. This is a good sign for the company with respect to its growth, the company’s gross profit margin has i mproved from being 7.76% in 2009 to 8.22% in 2010, this is both because of the fact the company has increased its sales revenue and it has controlled its cost as well. The net profit margin has also increased from being 3.99% in 2009 to 4.1% in 2010, although the change is not a huge one but still for a large company like Tesco plc, this change is worth noting as it has increased the company’

Media Worldview Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Media Worldview - Assignment Example It is trust that anchors strong friendship with potential to flourish. It’s a wonderful life movie provides an alternative to trust with the view that individuals can decide to trust everyone they meet or choose fail to uphold the value. Trust in the modern setting promotes friendship similar to that narrated to George Bailey that an individual who maintains good friends rarely fail in life. The movie encourages society members to embrace the act of civil companionship as a champion of peace and protection against misery (Crowther 1). Bailey notes that $8,000 remains the primary factor that would determine his survival. He however, recalls the good relations he had created with his friends. The thought of his friends helps rescues him and he narrowly escapes death. Similar meditations are reminiscent of the contemporary society and those who believe in change escapes wraths of destructive thoughts. George way of life is a contrast to that of Mr. Potter. While Potter is a rich mean self-centered and power hungry individual, George is an honest man who capitalizes on humanity in spite of his poverty. Greediness of Mr. Potter isolates him and compels his conscious to set George up with failure. Mr. Potter finds the lost $ 8,000 money that George intended to use in salvaging Bailey Bros building. When George realizes that the Money is actually in the wrong hands, he begs for mercy but Mr. Potter does not give an audience to the demands. George finally contemplates on committing suicide but the heavenly angel rescues him. The movie portrays some important and influential characters that a society should have. Bailey acts as a savior to the world and without his presence; the town would lag in sin, insanity, corruption and death. It is evident when Mr. Potter sets up clubs and bars for drinking and committing sinful acts in the absence of Bailey. George emotions and beliefs cause him disagreement and misery in the town, as he hates immoral

Teacher Competency Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Teacher Competency - Essay Example Students, meanwhile, also expect to be able to learn from the teacher. Some even think that teachers can make them smart, an expectation which can not be discounted. Although intelligence is primarily a result of a student’s diligence and genes perhaps, a teacher’s input is a major contributing factor. This is where teacher competency comes into the picture. For a teacher to be able to facilitate learning, he must be competent. Now what is competency? Competency is â€Å"the ability to perform a particular skill or to demonstrate a specified level of knowledge† (D. Sadker & M. Sadker, 2005, p. G-2). A competent teacher therefore is one who not only facilitates learning but does so in a specified, and shall we say exemplary, level. There are a lot of characteristics or qualities that make a competent teacher, all of which are related to the dimensions of one’s personality – intellectual, physical, social, ethical, and emotional (Zulueta, 2006). However, there is no standard which can be considered as the universal set of characteristics a teacher must have in order to be called competent; these qualities are dynamic in that what works for one teacher may not work for another, or what is effective for a student may not be as effective for another, or what applies now may not be applicable years from now. Lack of knowledge on a subject and inability to answer a question is such a horror to think of. Teachers fear it too. It must be understood that learning is a continuous process and no one, not even a teacher knows the answer to everything. Some students are ruthless; they like to test the extent of a teacher’s knowledge. Teachers must be prepared for such events. Although there may be times that he will not be able to answer a question without further research, these instances must be kept to a minimum. Looked up to as a fountain of knowledge, a teacher must therefore be a master at the subject

Compare the play Killed with Blue Remembered Hills Essay Example for Free

Compare the play Killed with Blue Remembered Hills Essay In this essay I will compare the two plays Killed and Blue Remembered Hills. The play Blue Remembered Hills was written by Dennis Potter, I have been studying the Samuel French LTD edition. It is set in 1943 in the south west of Britain. Killed was written by Fred Hawksley, it is set mostly in France with flash backs to Manchester. Both plays are set in war times, Blue Remembered Hills takes place in the Second World War and Killed is set in the First World War. In Blue Remembered Hills the war is a back ground to the story; it is referred to but never seen, unlike Killed where the war is what makes the story. When we acted out the play Blue Remembered Hills I played John, he is a child who is part of a gang, a lot like the 14 platoon in Killed. In both there is a strong sense of hierarchy; in Killed there is no answering back to the one in charge this being the R.S.M. and in Blue Remembered Hills the character in charge is Wallace Wilson, although ever elusive on stage he is constantly mentioned in the dialogue as no.1 in the group. The speech in Blue Remembered Hills is very naturalistic using slang to enhance the informal feel of the play. Killed uses a more formal register when someone is in the presence of the R.S.M but takes a more natural tone when Billy remembers life in Manchester. They both have similar story lines where a group of friends are forced, or accidentally kill another one of their friends. They are both tragedies because the endings are sad and a friend ends up dead. In Blue Remembered Hills war is an exciting and glorified vision in the minds of the children. In Killed Billy is executed by his own side in the First World War and shows the harsh reality of being a solder in the trenches on the front line. The two plays have very different views of war. The characters in the two plays have very different personalities, yet they resemble some of the personalities from the other, for example the R.S.M. and Peter being a kind of leader figures bossing the members of the group. Billy and Donald also show similarities as they both die and their friends play a part in their deaths. The two plays would be performed very differently, Blue Remembered Hills is very natural; running in almost real time unlike Killed which is very stylistic and happens over two years with narrated flash backs. I would show these flash backs via the flash back being acted out on stage while Billy addresses the audience not being able to interact with the flash back although he tries to. I would create a simple set for Killed maybe some seats and a table for Billys home in Manchester and some staging lined up to make the lip of the trench. For the Blue Remembered Hills set we made a barn behind a woodland scene so that the whole scene could take place without any changes to the set and used the whole stage well. For costumes I would have Billy from Killed in a First World War uniform and in Blue Remembered Hills I would try to find some clothes that could help an actor inhabit the role of a child in the 1940s. The two plays are both very interesting and conjure different visions of war, in Blue Remembered Hills the World War engulfs all lands over seas and yet the children in mainland Britain have only heard the glorified version of the war, whereas Billy in Killed believes he will become a hero but finds that war is not as heroic as he thought.

Empirical Analysis On The 7ps Of Pizza Hut Marketing Essay

Empirical Analysis On The 7ps Of Pizza Hut Marketing Essay Abstract and aim By using personal survey questionnaire, 150-200 students of City University of Hong Kong will be asked, in order to find out the competitive advantage of Pizza hut and compare with Spaghetti House for places to buy food in names and addresses from Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New Territories. Addresses were area code to census tracts. Based on individual factors are traditional explanations for the inability of some people to change dietary habits. This study examines the food service by Pizza Hut and its competitive advantages over Spaghetti House Aim This work aims to find out the successful factor of other competitors and to provide suggestions and evidences in order to increase the sales and profits of Pizza Hut by improve Pizza Huts services and its competitive advantages. Background / outline Hong Kong is an international city. There are seven million residents and lots of tourists would love to shop in Hong Kong thus there are different social cultures exist including diet habit. Foreign food is playing an important role in Hong Kong to suit customers different needs. There are a lot of western restaurant in Hong Kong such as, Spaghetti House, McDonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and Pizza Hut etc. Lots of people especially teenagers like Pizza Hut very much, they love to eat western foods, so Pizza Hut attracts a bulk amount of regular customer for a long period. Pizza Hut is an American famous restaurant chain, offering different styles of pizza along with side dishes including pasta, buffalo wings, breadsticks, and garlic bread, Pizza Hut is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., the worlds largest restaurant company, with approximately 34,000 restaurants, delivery-carry out units, kiosks in 100 countries. Pizza Hut has been serving Hong Kong for almost 30 years. The first Pizza Hut restaurant opened in Hong Kong in 1981 with its first delivery service began in 1992, while the business of Pizza Hut is still increasing every year. Since 1987, Hong Kong Pizza Hut franchise has owned by the Jardine Matheson Group. At present, Hong Kong Pizza Hut has a total of over 70 branches and more than 3000 employees. The main competitor of Pizza Hut is Spaghetti House. Spaghetti House is also a famous western restaurant in Hong Kong. The menu of Spaghetti House is similar to Pizza Hut; its target market is a little different from Pizza Hut. Pizza Hut vs Spaghetti House  ¼Ã… ½Which one is more famous?  ¼Ã… ½Which one do customers prefer?  ¼Ã… ½Which products are more competitive? We hope to find the answer during this project. In this project, well analyze the 7Ps of market strategies of Pizza Hut and take the personal survey in order to find out the competitive advantage of Pizza Hut and the comparison with Spaghetti House in Hong Kong. More, we can also know that which one is better and more famous. Secondly, we focus on physical evidences from customers opinions to improve the environments of both restaurants. Finally, we refer to the result gained from questionnaires to make the recommendations and suggest new marketing strategies to Pizza Hut for the improvement. Objective and research questions Study the demographics of target customers Determine which attributes of pizza are the most important to the customers Determine the preference of product package by the customers Determine the acceptance of new products by our target customers Identify the purchase behavior of the customers Identify which promotion channels are the most effective Measure the satisfactory level of customers towards Pizza Hut Critical Literature Review Western fast food chains development and impact in Asia Majority scholar to believe food is more affected by culture to restrict in consumption product. As far as relatively other products concerned, that is more difficult to change the customers behavior such as U.S breakfasts manufacturer Kelloggs to spend 20 years time in Japan, ability success to entry use as major rice and kelp soup make breakfast of consumption market. Some country and district such as Japan and Hong Kongs children as regards coke, pizza and spaghetti etc foreign countrys food never again, but that local food is accompany children to grow and combine in local culture. From the above, Pizza Hut can identify market opportunities and develop targeted promotion plans. Therefore, research and development professionals stay on HK of competitor initiatives and explore demand for fast food products. Advertising agencies working with clients in the food industries understand the product buyer to develop messages and images that compel consumers to purchase Italian food products. Business development executives understand the dynamics of the market and identify possible partnerships. Finally, information and research center librarians provide market researchers, brand and product managers and other colleagues with the vital information they need to do their jobs more effectively. A 360 ° View of Fast Food and Impulse Habits Here has huge market growth potential for manufacturers and retailers to development in fast food chains and fast food services. According to the ACNielsen survey result, citizens average monthly purchase frequency in fast food, impulse food and drinks is around 20. Monthly Purchase Frequency for Impulse Food and Drinks in Hong Kong In addition, in a global consumer survey conducted over the Internet by ACNielsen in October 2004, 30 percent of Asia Pacific consumers claimed to eat takeaway at least once a week, closely behind the US (33%). As the result, eight of global top tens fast food consumption market from Asia Pacific, and Hong Kong ranks is the worlds No.1, have a fast food than traditional 26% higher than the United States , hard upon is Malaysia (59%) and the Philippines is 54%, 12% said never again to eat fast food, have 35% eat fast food even more. ACNielsens data also showed that although in the United States have 97% of adults do not mind eat fast food, but this data has also been Asia exceeded. From this result, fast food culture can popular in Hong Kong is about the Hong Kong peoples to demand fast and convenient lifestyle. Many people require swift and convenient, hurried cadence of life may not have time to cook at home, it affects our lifestyle, make to popularity of fast food culture in Hong Kong. As the same time because of the convenient location, the price is cheaper. In additional, because may about Hong Kong peoples personality, most are not satisfied to spend too much time on waiting. However, teenagers usually to eating fast food more during the noon or after school. While an adults to eat breakfast is out of home that provides an opportunity for suppliers and retailers. So, fast food culture is the most sales in Hong Kong. Top 10 Global Markets for Weekly Fast Food Consumption Hong Kong 61% Malaysia 59% Philippines 54% Singapore 50% Thailand 44% China 41% India 37% US 35% Australia 30% New Zealand 29% Source: ACNielsen Online Survey, October 2004 Modeling repurchases frequency and customer satisfaction for fast food outlets In this competition environment of Hong Kong, leading the company is necessary customer that requires spending many resources to enhance customer loyalty and satisfaction with the company. Therefore, the company need understanding what factor is affect customers behavior and satisfaction, and then try to improve the customer services quality in the fast food industry, thus help make more loyalty customers. Improving service quality has become one of the most important strategies a service provider can use to differentiate itself from its competitors and thus position itself more effectively in the marketplace (Cronin and Taylor, 1992). Rust and Oliver (1994) suggested that quality is one dimension on which satisfaction is based. Although many studies provide a theoretical basis for studying the relationship between waiting time, consumer satisfaction and return frequency, they have failed to investigate the relationship between waiting time and the return frequency. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of waiting time and other service quality factors on customer satisfaction and return frequency in the fast food industry. As waiting time appears to be a vital factor of the services in fast food operations, therefore, fast food industry is chosen for our research purpose. Based on a survey of fast food outlets, we formulate a repurchase frequency model and a satisfaction model. The repurchase frequency model describes the relationship between the number of return visits and service quality factors including waiting time. The overall satisfaction model describes the relationship between the customers overall satisfaction level, the waiting time and other service quality factors. These models will help managers to identify root causes for customer satisfaction and loyalty and thus enable them to make focused improvements in critical areas to improve profitability. Hong Kong fast food culture Hong Kong is a delicacies paradise, and also is a fast food paradise, various Chinese and Western fast food restaurant at Hong Kong everywhere, lunch take-out to office are also has good idea or business. Hong Kong fast cadence of life, high working performance, many things have to stress efficiency and effectiveness of demand. It is because fast food more emphasize fast, therefore many foods have prepared cooked and heating for consumers. So, fast food culture offers fast and convenient especially popular for peoples. Nowadays, the purposes to co-operate for healthy fashion, fast food already changed into emphasize foods quality and sustenance, many foods have consumer to pay or order then start cook. Therefore, foods will more fresh and higher quality than prepared cooked. At the other hard, fast food chain to be particular about decoration than before, show the high class and city lifestyle; Detrude of fast-food restaurants in recent years, hot pot, iron meals and other food types, making customers to stay longer in the fast-food restaurants, but also because of the fast-food restaurants to make food choices many more customers are willing to patronize fast food restaurants. A financial tsunami to assist development fast food industry Although global financial tsunami cause economic recession, but fast food always is catering trades exotic flowers, Pizza Hut, Burger King, McDonalds and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) these fast food chains have grow a business volume in this period. Cafà © De Coral, Pizza Hut etc. also want to development this period. Due to economic crisis affected unemployment and so on reason, thus affected consumers confidence. However, relatives enhance of fast foods attraction, increasing peoples in order to save times or money abandoned traditional restaurant meals, and tend to choice fast food. Therefore, fast food chain has obtained more market. Form the above; Pizza Hut should continue its diversification strategy to gain more market share. It should incorporate or develop healthier food include low-carbohydrate pizzas to satisfy the needs of different customer. If it is able to stay ahead of the competition in this aspect, they will have a strong competitive advantage over other companies. Service quality in the fast food industry Service quality has become a predominant part of all advanced organizations strategic plans. Increasing attention paid to service quality has resulted in more progress and profit for organizations. At an international marketing level, in a struggle for a share of market, managers have to understand and know how to modify their operations for success in the various cultures of Hong Kong. From the above reason, can organization provide good service; staffs quality and skills have important influence. Therefore, enhance staff with the training and improve the quality of services, Including improves the quality of staff and customer service and provide effective services such as staff is advised to review the guests a la carte in order to reduce opportunities for error, the menu and dishes can be coded to facilitate data input, restaurant customers should be informed in advance of waiting or cooking time and adoption a recognized service standards and guidelines etc. These can be satisfying consumers needs and attraction their have to patronize. Research methods/ Methodologies Category Options The degree to which the research question has been crystallized 1. Exploratory study 2. Formal study The method of data collection Monitoring Communication Study The power of the researcher to produce effects in the variables under study Experimental Ex post facto The purpose of the study Reporting Descriptive Causal-Explanatory The time dimension Cross-sectional Longitudinal The topical scope Breadth and depth of the study Case Statistical study The research environment Field setting Simulation The participants perceptional awareness of the research activity Actual routine The main purpose of our study is needed to find out the comparison of Pizza Hut and Spaghetti house. We need to collect the primary data and secondary data to analysis Pizza Huts 7Ps mainly. (Product, Price, Place, Promotion, People, Process and Physical environment) First, we collect the secondary data from internet to know backgrounds, histories, objective, and the annual reports of Pizza Hut and Spaghetti House etc. Then, we collect other useful information on the internet. Afterwards, we go to libraries to find books such as population information and literature. After that, we use Self- Administered Surveys (Intercept and computer) and Personal Interview (Questionnaire) to collect the primary data. Indeed that information is related to our objective. To collect primary data, we will design a set of questionnaire about 7Ps. The method is taken by samples in Hong Kong (different regions in Hong Kong, Kowloon and New Territory). The proportion will be 60:80:60, a half of male and female. It can be avoided unfair saturation. The sample size will be 200 that it can be reduced bias. The age distribution limits are 10 to 40. Our survey method is face-to-face interview, after the interview well give them a gift. (Such as coupon) We can understand Pizza Huts competitive advantage through information and make the recommendations on new market strategies for Pizza Hut for further improvement. However, we have limited information in secondary data. In conclude, our information mainly come from primary data. Secondary data is collected from other peoples or organizations, general major secondary datas sources are internet and daily, moreover including survey, census and companys records. However, the primary data is reversing the secondary data, its major used in survey research works. Secondary datas advantages is save more collect datas time, because many background work may carried out or complete, such as some reviews and case studies was carried out, statistics and published book may used to media promotion. And about the secondary datas disadvantages, because the data sources not every is trusty, even authorities data may undependable. Secondary data can be obtained from two different research strands Quantitative and Qualitative. Quantitative included housing, social security, census and other related databases. Qualitative included focus groups transcripts, observation records, structured interviews, semi-structured, research-related documents and other personal. Any required respondent to complete the questionnaire by oneself is referred to as a self-administered survey. The most survey method is via use internet, fax, newspaper and e-mail, or via restaurant and shops feedback form. According to this self-administered survey is require some inaccurately questionnaire considerations, because have some respondent may cause sensitive question or other special reason thus to indiscriminate answer the questions. Self-administered surveys advantage is using anonymous form to answer the questionnaire, thus make the questionnaires answer have more effective and true. At the other hard, can make respondent more convenient to answer, and can eliminate the bias, the cost is more than telephone and personal interview cheaper. However, the most of self-administered survey also not actual to control who to answer questionnaire, the respondent may read other part of respondents answer, thus affect their feedback. A personal interview is one of direct research method that allows face to face conversation between an interviewer and the respondent at home, in shopping centers or everywhere. The use of personal interviews provides interviewers with opinions, and the process of interaction via understanding. Personal interviews allow analyses of thoughts, attitudes, behaviors, and opinions that have a high level of content validity (Babbie, 2006). Personal interviews are an appropriate qualitative data collection methodology in a variety of settings including exploration of issues in sensitive areas such as internal agency evaluations or internal agency satisfaction studies. Personal interviews allow participants to share qualitative information in a manner that allows freer expression of ideas and opinions. Advantages of personal interviews: 1. Qualitative data obtained from small sample. 2. Rapport leads to fewer refusals. 3. In-depth answers possible. 4. Observation improves accuracy. Disadvantage of personal interviews: 1. Invasion of privacy. 2. Interviewer bias. 3. Cost: Professional Interviewer expensive. 4. People not at home. 5. Can be slow and time consuming. 6. Postal surveys: Distributing or mailing door to door a written questionnaire to a sample of buyers for their completion at home or at work. Project Plan/Gantt Chart

The Advanced Construction And Building Technology Construction Essay

The Advanced Construction And Building Technology Construction Essay In decades, the conventional construction industry has been considered as a labour-intensive, low-tech industry with low productivity. It seems construction sector has been left behind by technologies innovations and sciences developments that have already reshaped many other industrial sectors. Construction industry facing challenges to responds to change technical, economic and social conditions, there is an increasing need of changing construction technique, communication and management strategy within the sector. Mass production and automation was introduced in the early twentieth century. It was a method of producing products in large quantities with relatively low cost. The product were produced in many different components and assembled into a finish product through an assembly line, the approach of this method has reshaped manufacturing industry especially in the sector of automobile, aircraft, train etc. it has proved that automation is the key to increase productivity. Industrialized construction (modular, panelised, sub-assemblies etc.) became popular during the post-war period, due to the huge demand in housing. Because of the nature of the concept, instead of adopting automation technology to traditional construction methods, there is a potential opportunity to integrate and apply manufacturing technology to enable a revolutionary change in construction sector in terms of design, production and management. The aim of this paper intends to discover and recognise the opportunities and challenges that advanced technology and modern manufacturing process offer to the industrialized construction sector, and how would the sector to embrace automation and enhance the way its operate, along with the introduce of a integrated management system from manufacturing industry. The paper will also provide an overview of the issues and difficulties the industry will face during introducing new technology innovations and adopting advanced automated production process into construction sector. Introduction Challenges emerged and changes need to be made within construction sector due to the changes in global phenomenon, economic, science and technology. There is a need for construction industry to improve its productivity, quality and flexibility, along with requirement to adapt technologies and management methods of other manufacturing industry. The formation of off-site construction sector has the advantages to adapting technologies directly from manufacturing sectors which support the principles of mass production and customization. Off-site construction methods can easily provide an efficient design and management process to allow customized products at mass production prices with a better quality, so that an entire building will be no longer constructed with conventional methods but to be produced as a product. There are numerous advantages of using off-site construction methods. As the production process is carried out in a factory environment which provides better communication between clients, designers and engineers, to ensure high quality standards, increase the speed of production as well as minimise impact on the environment by eliminating wastes. In recent years, there is a growing interest in the area of adopting automation technologies to construction and many building systems have been developed by implementing robotic technology to assist both on-site and off-site activities. The principle of future automated construction is to create a highly efficient automated system and to produce a customer orientated product, which involves apply advanced technologies both off-site and on-site, new design methods will be launched to develop of a new building systems, customized software and different management approach will be integrated in manufacturing process. Development of integrated construction automation and robotics building processes will assist component producing process and onsite construction. Life cycle of a building will be increased by use of new materials and new definition of building construction. However, in order to optimise the use of automated construction methods, it is important that design concept is compatible with technology available. It is necessary that research and development (RD) sector plays a very important role in terms of select and discover available approach for manufacturing methods. While designers and engineers need to apply the concept of automation whereby adjusting the design to fit production as a result the structural, functional, and the flexibility of the building could be implemented. Under one roof Design method evolution The goal of Industrialised building construction is to establish a new method of producing a per-engineered product rather than building in conventional method. Finished design is completed by a group of assembled components. A building will be no longer to be designed as a whole but developed as a range of components and accessories. The changing of design process results in the changes of practices. Traditional building design methods will be challenged by automated design methods. From the success of other manufacture industry has shown the benefit of using automated production methods. Building product development stage will be a systematic process; building system will be designed with flexibility of using robotic erection. Compare to conventional method, Designers will be increasingly relying on using CAD system and assisted with other technologies such as virtual reality system (VR). Virtual reality system creates a computer- simulated environment, which enables a physical presence, interaction with real environment. Client assisted by the system enable the simulation of the design process. An on-line virtual tool provides a selection of components; simulate real-time designing and environment, then client can import selected 3D design elements such as window, doors, roof into the system, to enable designer to gain a good perception of the project, the use of computer simul ated tool in conjunction with automated data collection tool to schedule and manage the project. The cost, design, material usage and assembling specification of the project can be generated automatically. In the past two decade, Automobile industry has benefited from using Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) the system has not only changed the productivity of automobile manufacturing but also defined the concept of customer oriented product concept. While the construction industry still based on labour intense type of work, there is a need for automating building process, thus an improved productivity, quality and better working environment could be achieved. Overview of Industrialised building system (mainly on residential housing sector) Nowadays, with housing stock market reaches highest demands in many countries, take UK for example, government aiming to build 50,000 units a year to fill the gap, however, if just rely on conventional methods this target is unlikely to meet. Thus, sustainable and modern design approaches became more and more crucial. Highly industrialized building method (modular, panelised, sub-assemblies etc.) has been wildly accepted and recommended. Factory manufactured homes (prefab homes) are transported on site sim-finished, which may only take days or even hours to complete, while in traditional construction method, homes are built from tons of basic materials using on-site labor and technique, which cost more and take longer to finish build. Advanced technology and automation in manufacturing industry has set up a successful example to construction industry. Due to the uniqueness of construction process, it is difficult to adopt automation techniques from other manufacturing sector directly . The advanced manufacturing methods which chosen have to be amended then integrated gradually into construction process. Compared with traditional methods of construction, the advantages that prefab offers shown as below: Reduce labor costs, for example, to build a small family house in England, client expect to pay up to  £250 a day to cover contractors and builders cost, this not even including costs of materials and equipments, also weather condition could effect on speed of on-site construction, as in extremely cold or damp condition, mortar will take longer to set due to frost, and one coat of plaster could take up to a day to set, this will slow down speed of construction dramatically and increase costs of labour. In comparison, off-site construction has most of their role carried out in factory environment with tight quality control and completely weather proof, specialist worker will produce building components at maximum efficiency. Reduce material costs; normally, client or contractor will have to set up an account with local building merchants and price charged is depending on the amount of material purchased. On the other hand, off-site manufactures whose order certain material in bulk directly from suppliers will normally receive better prices. Environmental friendly, as most components is produced off-site and ready for on-site assembly, it will reduce the amount of waste during on-site construction, Many prefab components are made of recyclable material and the building is to be designed more energy efficient. Prefab building is not something new, but it was once re-homed tens of thousands families in Britain after the Second World War. However after decades, prefab housing has not been as marketable as traditional housing. There are numbers of barriers and disadvantages of using such system have also occurred in several cases. Design limitations, while a prefab wall component are designed for a flat roof to sit on, and then it is unsuitable for it to be adapted for a different roof design. Components are manufactured in huge quantity, if there is a fault appeared on one, and then the same issue could be found on all. This could lead to unnecessary time waste. Lack of individuality, has shown on many post-war off-site designs. Even today, most off-site designed home is virtually same as traditionally built house, they are often been treated as lower-grade or temporary shelter by the general public. Skill shortage, builders and contractors are not familiar with the system, so on-site assembly will be carried out by factory engineers and specially trained labor, this would reduce the need of employ local contractors and cost local labor market. Despite the disadvantages of modular system, industrialized construction attribute vast numbers of benefits, there is a potential opportunity of future prefab building industry to adopt advantages and reassess the disadvantages , developing new prefab techniques and materials to provide a better performed building system. Prefab System Performance In many countries, such as Japan, Germany, manufacturers are reinventing the process of home construction by adopting assembly line automation methods to achieve mass production. A number of new construction materials are starting to be used as components in prefab housing. Such as, structural insulated panels (SIPs) and insulating concrete forms (ICFs). There are systems developed by using prefab technique, include prefab foundation systems, steel framing, concrete framing, large-modular systems, and so on. Prefab Foundation system Due to different site condition, different Materials, drainage system and engineered structural support could be applied. Initially, in house designers and engineer teams will exam soil type, contamination hazards of the site, and other critical natural elements of the given location, such as flood hazard zone, or seismic area, once all data is collected and appropriate system will be finalized, the chosen system needs to be designed subject to local building regulation requirement and to be reviewed by local authorities over construction period both off-site and on-site. The system is designed and manufactured as prefabricated components with consideration of drainage system used and complete integrated service installation points. Furthermore, according to different type of floor chassis system used, connection devise and method maybe vary, such as direct fastening system, direct bolting system, or welding system. Once the site is ready, the foundation components will be delivered onsite and drop in to the footing or trenches while connecting with service point. Panelised Wall Floor and Roof systems Panels can be produced in an automated factory environment, using computer program that transfers panel-cutting instructions directly from digital CAD (computer aided design) drawings. The finished product will be inspected and then transport on to jobsite. There are many types of panelised system available, such as light gauge steel, insulating concrete forms (ICFs), aluminum concrete and fiberglass components. They are consist of pre-engineered panels, factory manufactured, that will be erected on site to form a structural envelop. The most common, Structural insulated panel (SIPs) which consist of an insulating layer of rigid polymer foam sandwiched between two layers of structural board, offering superior insulation, structural capacity. SIPs are durable, light in weight and dimensionally stable. The system will significantly simplify on-site farming and reduce the risk of health and safety issues occurred from on-site construction. Compare with other modular system, SIPs provide more flexibility in terms of design, complicated shapes can be produced with considerably low price. Structurally, SIPs wall panel is deceptively strong, which could perform as load-bearing wall, roof structure, as well as internal dividing wall. Due to the exceptional load-bearing performance of the wall panel means variety of floor systems could be utilized. Compare with conventional wood framing technique, SIPs offer a dense, uniform and continuous air barrier with few thermal bridges, and little opportunity for internal convection, therefore less air leaks and reduce condensation occurred by cold bridging. Eco-joists are one of the best flooring system for SIPs structure, they are consist of parallel stress grade timber overhangs connected with V shaped galvanised steel webs. They share the same advantages as SIPs, they are pre engineered, designed and manufactured according to deferent loads requested by the project. The systems are lightweight and easy to handle on site, in addition all services such as electrical cables and waste pipes and ventilation dust could easily install between the open webs. Meanwhile, roof construction could achieve maximum useable space by using SIPs, because there will be no requirement of roof trusses going across loft space, and it offers continuous insulation to increase energy performance. As a result, combination of these two systems provides an excellent sample of advantages of using prefabricated components in modern construction. Lifecycle of the Prefab system Product orientated design Firstly, building will be marketed as a product rather than a traditional building. To be able produce them in large quantities with relatively low cost, the key is to mass produce, but with infinite personal taste, the combination of mass production and personal taste is mass customization, to give customer choices but within a manageable range. This will keep manufacturing processes sample and economies of scale can be implemented. For example, car manufacturers allow customer to choose the colour and certain specifications of a car model. However, customers are unable to specify the colour of the steering wheel, and design of the seats, even if it is achievable. Future prefab system will be designed to be more flexible; while components can be mountable and de-mountable for reuse. Proposed building site will be assisted by construction robots with little human intervention on site. The development of prefabrication in construction sector has demonstrated it is possible to adopt manufacturing technique into construction process and to achieve automation. Prefab building process will adopt an automated system in terms of, design, engineering, and construction, which means future construction process will proceed in an automated manner. For example, customer could pick different colours of wall finish and flooring or kitchen and bathroom pods from a product catalogue to fit into a standard floor plan, just like buying a car with choices of different body paint and interior accessories. The main building components will be mass produced such as wall and floor panels, and accessories such as different designs of kitchen pods to be produced only w hen ordered, to allow parts arrive into production just when needed. A new joining, and installation method will be developed with consideration of later on-site installation; building component will operate systemically as well as interchangeable to maximize system performance and lifespan. While on-site, construction robots will perform multiple tasks to cope with variety of site conditions, robots will have sequence or digital controlled. Construction robots will interact with each other on-site; identify issues and automatically response to site personal such as, project manager. In case of technical failures, all building activities should be able to handle by works manually. The house has been designed flexible and adaptable to allow future alteration. To alter existing house, traditionally, clients have to seek professional help to carry out the building work or relocated to a different property. In contrast, due to the way that house been constructed, the internal and structural wall, roof and floor can be easily disassembly from existing structure and proposed components will be plug-in to form an improved floor layout or provide an additional accommodation to suit clients requirement. The dealer will provide data from their database to cover information from the time of construction on the materials used, floor plans, piping and electrical lines, etc. Client then can use these specifications to obtain quotations from the dealer or other service providers. Site visit and inspection will be carried out by the selected manufacturer, data collected and design requirements of the project will be incorporated by computer integrated construction (CIC) syste m, design specification and cost will be produced pro manufacturing. The fully automated construction process shall precede pro to the final approval from the client. Second hand housing market and renovation market will be fulfilled with a new definition, second hand house will be put on the market and buyer is no longer necessarily to relocate to where the house is. Second hand house will be dissembled and transported back to the factory for inspection and renewal; inspected components are finished off with new fittings and equipments. The building components will be transported to the new site, by using the same technique, the building will be reassembled and ready for the new owner to move in. The same concept also applied on to those clients who extremely emotionally touched with their beloved home, instead of ditch the old one, alternatively the house could be relocated wherever they go. The efficient, flexible and mass production concept of future prefab industry enable a niche market to emerge within the construction sector; a prefab house will be affordable to purchase but offer high degree of design, flexibility. Customer will engage in the design process which will give the project their personal taste, incorporate with the mythology of mass customization, and offer customer with more choices. The lifecycle of a building could be extended longer by reclaim and disassembly the existing structure. In addition, the future prefab industry has the potential to achieve automation in all construction phases. Strategy action of Future Prefab construction Standardization For achieving the requirement of prefab building mass production, all components need to be standardized for production. Similar to automobile industries, same parts might be produced and used on fabricate different model, consequently, materials can be utilized in the most efficient manner to produce wide range of standardized components, such as universal wall, floor and roof system. Then the usage of same production process, machinery, and skilled workers can be maximized then maximum productivity achieved. Specialization Mass production and standardized product allow a high degree of labor specialization with the production process. It is an opportunity to use single task robots to conduct specific rule repetitiously. In such working condition, automated technology could be applied and tested within the prefab construction sector. Integration In order to obtain an optimal result, a high degree of coordination must exist between various relevant parties such as designer, manufacturer, owner, and contractor. This is achieved through an integrated system in which all these functions are performed under a unified authority (1) Automation in future prefab construction industry Robotic industrial applications are very well established in the manufacturing industry, while there is a very limited influence on the construction sector. A number of benefits are anticipated from these automated systems, including improved construction productivity, to eliminate the dependence on labor, and improved safety and quality. The impact of this integrated automation approach is expected to be significant due to its high level of management between resources and processes, and well defined environment for information transfer. As a follow-up to this effort, several research issues need to be considered, including the design of materials handling systems which will maintain the efficiency of the automated building construction approach. In Japan, the success of the automobile industrys automated assembly plants, combined with the construction industrys worker shortage, has helped encourage the development of Japans automated and robotic construction operations. Although th e trend toward automation itself has produced some gains in productivity, the primary goal is to do a specific task with fewer people in a safer environment. (2) The need for automation in construction is clear; as most construction activities are repetitious, labor-intensive, and dangerous so that it is perfectly suitable for robot automation. T. Bock (2007) illustrated a robotic precast concrete panel factory that uses a multipurpose unit which allows flexible production of the concrete floor, wall and roof panels. Here, according to certain CAD data, a multi functional gantry type robotic unit with two vertical arms places magnetos on the steel production table. The unit also attaches shutters on top of the magneto and then places horizontal, vertical and triangular reinforcement bars, as per design. A CAD-CAM controlled concrete distributor spreads the right amount of concrete while controlled by a CAD layout plan, which takes into account installation, window or door opening. (3) Swedish company Randek has developed a number of high-performance position controlled systems for prefab house manufacturing. Those systems were developed similar to the manufacturing industry and were intended to perform routine task in on location. For instance, their latest wall, floor and roof production line system SF021 is developed to be a flexible system for effective production of insulated wall elements. Firstly, a framework is built with studs and top and bottom plates installed by using a CAD-CAM controlled nailing gun, and then wall sheet will be nailed in while the whole wall component is flipped over and ready for the next work station. Second step, the wall component will be insulated. The final stage, the insulated wall will be flipped upside down and another wall sheet to be nailed on to seal up the component. The wall component is completed and ready for site delivery. The whole process is computer controlled, and it is only require 3-4 operators to over see the op eration. In Japan, there are more than 85 present of the houses are prefabricated, several leading construction firms have developed fully automated system for manufacturing building components, such as Sekisui chemical, robots has played active roles at the production line. Robotic manipulators were used as assistants to human. This approach allows the robot to be less autonomous and technically simpler, needing only limited sensing abilities. According to this approach, the human performs the vital parts of the task, and the robot is used to expand the human physical limits. Such systems, of less autonomous performance, can be more easily adapted for assistance in a variety of building tasks. (4) Off-site production sequence may have successfully adopted automation concept, robots are capable of conduct many factory based roles such as handing heavy materials, and it has benefited construction industry greatly. On the other hand, robots still face many difficulties due to the dynamic nature of construction site and economical challenge. Construction industry has a variety combination of sectors and it has to cope with variety of circumstances on each project and site. In construction automation, the building also serves simultaneously as the work environment. Construction robots will face great challenges when cope with complexity of on-site tasks. To tackle this, single-task robots need to be designed not only to assist human but also interact with human and enhance the over all performance; robots with specific function will be programmed to work independently, such as on-site single-task robots will perform most of the assembling and heavy lifting roles, as well as problem solving and data collection roles. Single-task robots been designed for a factory systematic environment free-standing robots will be moving along a production line on wheels to complete production roles. While suspended robots usually have lifting mechanisms to help it move up and down. Mobile Robotic system also developed for material handing on-site. Personal interior finishing robot is developed to reduce human interaction. Engelbert westkà ¤mper et al (2000) developed a robotic system for the automatic laying of tiles within certain tolerances on prefabricated modules. The pilot work consisted of a tile laying system that consists of tile positioning equipment, a centering and measuring system and transport unit; a tile supply system consisting of a store and a measuring unit; system for generating process parameters; and handing and positioning system having industrial robot and process control. (5) Moreover, Neelamkavil,J (2009) have illustrated that single-task robots technology will progresses quickly through the development of human-robot cooperative (HRC) system, key technologies development such as motion generation, remote control ,operation control, and mobility, there will be more interaction between humans and robots in workplace, human and robot will assist each other and exchange forces on site. Construction Automation Construction automation system consists of four fundamental components; An on-site factory protected by an all-weather enclosure. an automated jacking system an automated material conveying system a centralized information control system These systems have followed manufacturing principle as well as using just-in-time principles for delivery of materials and bar coding for tracking and placing materials once delivered on-site. The numbers of single-task robots used depends upon the job. (6) SMART (Shimizu Manufacturing system by Advanced Robotics Technology) has demonstrated a computer integrated construction (CIC) approach, which realized the objectives on; automated production off-site, with robotic assembly on site, handing heavy components and interact with one another. It has also utilized automatic planning and construction site management technology, with using a computerized controlled system to monitoring building process on-site. The system has fully integrated industrial production methods with construction, where the theory of Just-in-time (JIT) and constancy could be realized throughout the construction process. (7) Economically, due to the high cost of developing such automation system has affect on the speed of putting robotic systems in to practice. The most development has been done by some leading construction practice supported by large numbers of research organization. For example, in Japan most of major construction companies has large amount of research budgets and in-house research department working closely with universities and other institutes. Without strong financial capability an automated construction site will be impossible to implement. Software and IT integration Automated construction processes are not only relying on software and IT technology, but also associated with other related technologies, such as data processing, and Virtual Reality technology. These technologies control of construction machines and improve the construction efficiency. But more importantly, software integration is crucial for implementing the concept of computer integrated construction (CIC), which will enable to integrate prefabrication design process, advanced planning and management methods through a software system to programming on site robots and simulate the construction process. Neelamkavil,J (2009) reported The EU Future Home projects, the projects have developed the AUTOMOD3 system- an automatic modular construction software environment, the system successfully integrated all stages of house-building construction process and automated construction methods in to a CAD program. Through using this program, each stage is simulated; from transfer 2D plan into 3 D model to onsite robotic assembly each task can be carried out automatically. The introduction of Computer aided design (CAD) has changed attitudes towards accuracy and efficiency within construction industry. The developments of newest software such as AutoDesks Revit Architecture, SolidWorks are an upgrade of traditional CAD-based software, which enables designer, engineers, constrictors to analysis each stage of the buildings lifecycle, from its concept stage to demolition and recycling, it will monitoring the whole building process. Through sharing information sources between key players within the company such as design data, financial data, legal data, and service layout, this will improve team communication and increase efficiency, constructability and ultimately predictability of all projects. Summary Construction industry facing challenges to responds to change technical, economic and social conditions, there is an increasing need of changing construction technique, communication and management strategy within the sector. This paper has explored the opportunities and challenges that advanced technology and modern manufacturing process offer to the construction sector, and illustrated few examples of how did the development of robotic technology is increasingly affecting the process of construction automation. The need for improved automation and productivity of the construction industry is clear. There are numbers of factors are needed to be stressed, and will affect on future implement; Change of construction methods, result in organizational revolution. Design practice, client communication, product development, on-site assembly, use of construction robots, project management, and software development issues are highlig

Defining Beauty for Men and Women in Portraiture Essay -- Masculine Fe

Defining Beauty for Men and Women in Portraiture " ... A thing of beauty is a joy forever : It's loveliness increases ; it will never Pass into nothingness ... " What is beauty? Seemingly a continually evolving and infinitely elusive ideal - mankind has been obsessed with the concept of beauty throughout the ages. Portraiture, as an essential channel of visual communication, has traditionally been the medium through which definitions of beauty are graphically expressed. Particularly in the Renaissance where portraiture often served celebratory or commemorative purposes, it was crucial that portraits were accepted as aesthetically pleasing reflections of the social ideals of the time. Hence by comparing and contrasting a range of different portraits of depicting men and women of the Renaissance such as Titian’s La Bella, Bronzino’s Eleonora de Medici, Sofonisba Anguissola’s Self Portrait, Vasari’s Alessandro de Medici, Bronzino’s Cosimo de Medici as Orpheus and Pedro Berruguete’s Portrait of Federico da Mentelfeltro, viewers can gain an understanding of the conceptual differences in definitions of masc uline and feminine beauty during this period. Titian’s La Bella – Portrait of a Woman in a Blue Dress (1536) is a captivating example of Renaissance ritratto (portraiture) demonstrating ideals of feminine beauty. It presents the image of a vibrant young woman. With smooth, light skin tone and delicate rounded face the woman is clearly defined as an exceptional beauty. Framed at a slight angle to the picture frame, La Bella emerges from the dark neutral background with subtly averted gaze, at once both inviting and refrained. Through the conflict of La Bella’s seductive yet submissive presentation, the portrait captures the essence of Renaissance female beauty perfectly, presenting the mildly sensual nature of the woman’s image as a joy in itself. To complement her dignified demeanour, La Bella wears an amazingly intricate and extravagant blue gown. For a period when women were without a public voice and remained dependant on signs of visual identity such as clothing and jewellery, such a display of finery implies significant wealth and social status. Considering the seductive rendering of the fabric utilising costly lapis lazuli, it is clear Titian desired to present an image of ultimate feminine loveliness. The portrait is free from overt art... ...re often used as vital means of propaganda communication. Beyond these conventional images we have such images as Cosimo de Medici as Orpheus and Self Portrait by Sofonisba. Which, although rare, were recognised as beautiful portraits of the time, and present and much more unusual and intriguing visions of beauty. Through the exploration of this diverse range portraiture, the contrasting ideals of masculine and feminine beauty in the Renaissance have been explored. Yet overall, no matter what the gender orientation of the subject, it the discovery of such passionate and artistic talent presented which is essentially ‘beautiful’. Consequently, the grand appeal of such glorious images is still appreciated today, and will continue to delight viewers for generations to come. Bibliography Paola Tingali Women in Italian Renaissance Art (Manchester 1997) Geraldine A. Johnson & Sara Greico Picturing Women in Renaissance and Baroque Italy (Cambridge 1997) Patricia Simons Portraiture: Facing the Subject ed Woodhall (Manchester 1997) Lorne Campbell Renaissance Portraits (Yale 1990) Alison Cole Art of the Italian Renaissance Courts (Everyman Art Library 1997)

Emotionally Disturbed Students Essay -- essays research papers fc

Emotionally Disturbed Students Students with emotional and behavioral disorders (E/BD) frequently exhibit academic deficits alongside their behavioral deficits, particularly in the area of reading; however, there are very few studies examining ways to address the reading problems of this population of students at the middle and high school level. The academic deficits exhibited by students with emotional and behavioral disorders (E/BD) are well documented in research literature. As outlined in the federal definition of emotional disturbance, students with this disorder demonstrate an inability to learn and, as a result, pose instructional challenges alongside the behavioral problems that they exhibit in the school environment. Many of these students require intensive instruction to maintain the academic skills they have been taught and to improve their academic deficits. For many students with E/BD, achievement problems are particularly troublesome in the area of reading (Maughan, Pickles, Hagell, Rutter, & Yule, 1996). Unfortunately, there has been very little published research in the area of reading instruction with this population of students. In their review of reading interventions in the area of E/BD, Coleman and Vaughn (2000) identified only eight published studies that reported the results of reading interventions for students with E/BD. The majority of these studies were conducted with students younger than 12 years of age. The need for additional research in the area of reading instruction is particularly true for adolescents with E/BD. The reading failure of secondary students with behavioral problems has been consistently documented and, as reported in the findings from the National Longitudinal Transition Study (Malmgren, Edgar, & Neel, 1998), these reading deficits likely contribute to the dismal outcomes for these students such as high dropout rates, grade retention, and overall poor achievement. In addition, the absence of empirically derived reading practices for older students with E/BD is particularly problematic given the current emphasis on achieving state curriculum standards and participating in content-area learning (Deshler et al., 2001). As noted earlier, students identified with E/BD typically show significant deficits in the area of reading. This is particularly true for secondary-age students with this condition. In a... ...eiman (Eds.), Reading acquisition (pp. 145-174). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publishers. Popkin, J., & Skinner, C. H. (2003). Enhancing academic performance in a classroom serving students with serious emotional disturbance: Interdependent group contingencies with randomly selected components. School Psychology Review, 32, 282-295. Scott, T. M., & Shearer-Lingo, A. (2002). The effects of reading fluency instruction on the academic and behavioral success of middle school students in a self-contained E/BD classroom. Preventing School Failure, 46, 167-173. Skinner, C. H., Smith, E. S., & McLean, J. E. (1994). The effects of intertrial interval duration on sight-word learning rates in children with behavioral disorders. Behavioral Disorders, 19, 98-107. Wehby, J. H. (2003, February). Promoting academic success as an incompatible behavior. Paper presented at the Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders International Forum, Las Vegas, NV. Wehby, J. H., Lunsford, L. B., & Phy, E. (2004). Comparing the reading profiles of students with concomitant behavior and reading problems to a normally achieving, reading-matched sample. Manuscript in preparation.

Care of Suicidal Patient in Ed

This article Is about caring for pediatric patients who are suicidal. I believe In coincided with what we have recently been learning about during our clinical experience. I was also Interested in this article because I had worked In pediatrics for six years prior to working in a rehab/nursing home setting. After reading this article, I learned ways to carefully screen the pediatric patient, how to do an assessment and how some families act and what measures of support they need during their families time of crisis.This oracle gave a case study of a boy that was brought Into the emergency apartment with his mother and grandfather. When the nurse met him in the reception area he was sitting In a chair with his legs pulled up to his chest and his shoe laces were untied. He avoided eye contact during their meeting. The mother in the case study was visibly upset.This boy was brought to the emergency department because this young boy was found in the kitchen holding a butcher knife to his neck, when his mother walked In and got the young boy to give her the knife, Prior to this day there were many changes in the young boys life, he recently started a new school and he was diagnosed with Espalier's syndrome. This boy also had trouble making friends in his school and he was being bullied. Other children at school were threatening this boy. This story made me think of all the children that are In POEMS and how he seemed to have a lot of things In common with them. They were all in similar situations.The nurse after obtaining this history from his mother and asking about any medications, vaccinations, allergies, possible exposures to communicable diseases also needed to obtain his vital signs and head to toe assessment The young boy let the nurse do his height and weight but as soon as the nurse put the stethoscope to he boys chest he felt his heart pounding and he thought It meant he was going to die. The boy had anxiety during the assessment so the nurse stopped the a ssessment and showed what she needed to do on his mother and after the boy relaxed a little bit, he allowed the nurse to finish the assessment on him.The nurse got a one on one to stay with this patient because he was at risk for doing harm to himself. The nurse also had to obtain an EGG and urine drug screen. In our clinical setting, I have seen the urine drug screen used on every patient but not the EGG. According to this article, It Is Important to obtain a baseline EGG because many psychophysiology agents can affect the conduction system of the heart. After the boy was medically cleared, he was eligible to meet with the psychiatrist and social worker. He had to wait for the psychiatrist and he became agitated and started kicking the wall.Security had to be called Into the room and the safety door was lowered. The nurse removed their name badge and their bandage scissors as they were both safety hazards. The nurse re-entered the room keeping their pathway to the door unobstructed . All dangerous items were removed from the room. The nurse used many different techniques to deescalate the situation and used the mother to get Information of things that have worked In the past. When the boy was ready to discharge, the nurse gave them education on a safety plan the called tort keeping knives out to the boys reach and tallow up tort outpatient care.No medications were given to calm him down. The suicide rate in the entire world has increased over the past few decades with a greater number of boys attempting suicide then girls. In 2010, there was a study hat found 14% of children ages 11-20 reported having suicidal thoughts within the previous month. According to this article, Native American males have the highest suicide rate in the United States for children over 10, and non-Hispanic black females have the lowest rate.Some psychosocial risk factors include, the presence of an underlying psychiatric condition, a history of prior suicide attempts, a history of phy sical or sexual abuse, and a lack of mental health treatment. Poor coping skills have been identified as a predictive of a suicide attempt in both sexes. Environmental and social risk factors include owning a gun in the household, being homeless or living in a corrections facility or group home, poor parent-child communication, social isolation, bullying and difficulties at school.Many emergency rooms are using the five level triage classification systems called Emergency Severity Index Triage Algorithm. This takes into account not only the acuity of the patient but also the number of resources that will be required during the evaluation. A level 1 patient would require immediate life-saving intervention. A level 2 patient would be considered in the â€Å"danger zone,† and needs emergent retirement. Level 3 patients need more the 1 resource, level 4 patients require 1 resource and level 5 patients require none.At the Children's Hospital Boston, the use a screening tool that c onsists of 4 questions, â€Å"Are you here because you tried to hurt yourself? † â€Å"In the past week, have you been having thoughts about killing yourself? † â€Å"Have you ever tried to hurt yourself in the past other than this time? † â€Å"Has something very stressful happened to you in the past few weeks? † If the patient answers yes to one or more of these questions they become characterized as SSI bevel 2, and the nurse would explain the policy on physical and chemical restraints which are only used as a last resort.Some strategies that nurse's use to promote successful interactions with the patient and their family members include active listening, close observation of behavior, attending to non-verbal body language, asking open-ended questions, conveying a non-judgmental attitude, clarifying information, and providing support. The patient's safety is always the greatest concern as well as the staffs safety. Family education is very important wh en working with suicidal patients, because heir care is often managed at home.It is important for them to follow up with outpatient care, outpatient psychiatric support, and a home safety plan. Also, the nurse needs to let the family know if when they will need to seek emergency care again. This article has helped me gain a better understanding of the psychiatric patient, no matter the age, even though it focused on pediatrics. All these techniques can be used when dealing with suicidal patients. Our role as nurse's plays an important role in managing our patient's care while they are in our care and promoting their health y educating our patients and their families.

The Rise of Autism

â€Å"In February 2007 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised the prevalence figures for ASD to one in every 150 individuals† (Richard, 2008, p. 26). There are many theories for this increased incidence. One factor discussed is the ability to finally fully diagnose the disorder. Since the increased awareness of autism, scientists have been busy researching and modifying the diagnostic criteria for autism. Correctly diagnosing is a very important step in helping children improve skills that are affected by autism. The other factors discussed are the general developmental disorders that take place during early childhood. There are many possible factors, such as vaccinations and genetics, that have led to the rise of autism and because of this rise funding for autism research has increased tremendously, as has the cost of treatments. Autism used to be a low incidence disorder now it is one of the fastest growing developmental disabilities in the United States. There is still not one explanation for this sudden change in history, but scientists are getting closer and closer to the answer everyday. Since scientists have discovered a diagnosis for autism, they have been able to better understand autism and the possible causes for its existence. Proper diagnosis has been a huge factor in the rise of autism, but that still doesn’t mean the cause of autism is not important. There is a reason for this rise and finding the cause is the only way scientists are going to be able to prevent this increased incidence from growing in the future. One possible factor that scientists are researching is environmental toxins. Evironmental toxins have been a long suspect for the cause of autism. There are many ways that children can be exposed to these toxins. Children could be exposed even before birth, during excessive ultrasounds and even electronic devices. One scientist conducted a study on the drug terbutaline, a drug used to stop pre-term labor in pregnant woman. He found a direct correlation in the continued use of terbutaline and the increased likelihood of autism among twins (Patel & Curtis, 2008, p. 83). This is just one study that has been proven to show a link between environmental toxins and autism. Mercury is another issue that has been researched. Mercury has been put in the air through coal-fired power plants, as well in vaccines. Mercury and other chemicals have been shown to alter the normal development of the brain during fetal development in the womb and during early childhood development (Kirby, 2005). Findings have indicated that many children have a metabolic impairment that reduces their ability to rid their bodies of heavy metals and other toxins (Wallis, 2008). This suggests that there is some link between the two, environmental toxins and autism, even if toxins are not the sole cause of the disorder. Another possible factor is nutritional problems among autistic children. Autistic children have significantly low levels of nutrients in the hair, blood and other tissues. Along with the lack of nutrients, they usually have low levels of magnesium, zinc, selenium, vitamins A, B-complex, D and E, omega-3 fatty acids, and carnitine (Patel & Curtis, 2008, p. 82). Therefore, this proves that nutritional deficiencies is a common problem among autistic children and may link scientists to a possible cause. Another issue scientists have found in autistic children deals with the allergies towards gluten and casein. Gluten is a protein found in wheat and other grains and casein is a protein found in dairy products. Scientists have found that children who have allergies to gluten and casein experience odd behaviors. If an autistic child would eat either of these two substances it would send them into hours of disturbing behaviors (Simontacchi, 2008, p. 10). Scientists have found because of this study that children that are a gluten-free and casein-free diet, they do not experience as many tantrum behaviors. This also helps support the fact that nutritional problems can cause autism. The last possible factor discussed is the possibility of genetics and its connection to autism. Most scientists believe that genetics is one of the major causes for autism. There are many findings that have led scientists to believe this is true and one of these is simply because this disorder has been known to run in families. Studies have shown that if one child is autistic, his or her sibling has a three to six percent chance of being autistic as well. Identical twins have a much greater probability of being autistic than fraternal twins (Merriman, 2008, p. 8). This is more than enough evidence to show that there is a connection between genetics and autism. Scientists have also discovered a variety of genes that have showed signs that link to autism. Scientists are still not positive which gene has more of a connection with autism, but they definitely have found a relation between the two. One of the areas that researchers in the Autism Consortium have identified is the 25-gene area on chromosome 16 that when duplicated or deleted could account for a small percentage of autism cases (Merriman, 2008, p. 18). Scientists have uncovered a lot of new evidence to support the connection between autism and genetics. The rise in autism has increased funds for autism research tremendously. Since scientists have been able to fully diagnose autism, government involvement has grown immensely. There have been many new foundations introduced to help research for autism. One of the many include The Autism Research Foundation, which is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to researching the neurological underpinnings of autism and other related developmental brain disorders (Chmura, 2008). The Autism Research Foundation has a big impact on the future for autism research. A recent news release in April 2008 stated that, â€Å"The FY08 Defense Appropriations Act provides $6. 4 million for the Department of Defense Autism Research Program to improve the lives of individuals living with autism spectrum disorder now† (Chmura, 2008). This contribution has been an enormous help in the funding for autism research. The rise of autism has also caused an increase in cost for the families of the autistic children. Families of the autistic child spend thousands of dollars on treatment. Most of this money families spend is just trying to find the right treatment for their child because not all treatments work for the same for every child. New technology has also been a factor in the increased cost for autism treatments. Not only is the cost of the treatments expensive so is the cost of screening and diagnosis. Many groups have started grant programs to assist those families with an autistic child who are in financial crisis. One of these grants is brought by the National Autism Association. Families who live in the United States with a child, no older than age eighteen, on the autism spectrum may qualify for the grant. The maximum dollar amount one can request is $1,500. This money is to only be used for biomedical treatments, supplements or therapies for the child (â€Å"CDC study†, 2007, p. 6). These grant programs will be a huge help for families who are struggling to pay for these expensive treatments and screening tests. Scientists are still in the process of finding the exact cause of autism. One day scientists may finally be able to find a cure and put an end to this rise of autism children. Knowledge of autism has come a long way since the first diagnosis of autism and hopefully that trend continues into the future. Diagnosis has been a very important part in helping autistic children improve their skills as well as helping scientists better understand autism altogether. Now scientists have a lead in the possible factors like environmental toxins, nutrition, and genetics. Once the pieces are put together, scientists will finally be able to control and hopefully put an end to the rise of autism among children in the United States. Reference http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1821595,00.html