Transient Over Voltages Analysis In Power System Engineering Essay

Transient Over Voltages Analysis In Power System Engineering Essay Transient over-voltage is one of primary driver for unscheduled break in power transmission and appropriation frameworks including a keen matrix. A flood over-voltage because of lightning and exchanging activity brings about harms in an electrical force framework and regularly prompts power blackouts. Prescient computations of over-voltages created by the lightning and the exchanging activity in the transmission and dissemination frameworks are generally basic for a prudent protection structure and a dependable activity of the transmission and dispersion frameworks. The transient over-voltage can be high recurrence, medium recurrence or low recurrence. The transient over-voltage is risky to the two lines just as the associated hardware and may make harm the gear. This task investigates the transient at the heap subsequent to exchanging. This undertaking will examine about dissecting a transient over-voltages which is the reason and the impact of the transient over-voltages. The strat egy to illuminate this transient over-voltages likewise been talked about in this undertaking. The PSCAD recreation is utilized for the transient examination in this task to structure the force framework circuits. Issue Statement Voltage transient in Electric Power System seem a few unsettling influences, here and there risky for the electrical hardware life, for the earth and for the human life. Exchanging transient wonders produce in Power Systems over-voltages, over-flows and electrical fields, which havent to disregard. In this manner was displaying and reenacted the exchanging transient wonders, thusly the electric fields and the conceivable negative impact about electrical gear, condition and human life. Voltage transient in power framework are cause by exchanging activity, lightning and blames in the framework. The over-voltages can be hazardous to both the lines just as the associated gear and may make harm the hardware. Motivation behind this task is to break down the transient over-voltages at the heap and to recognize the technique to lessen the impact of transient over-voltages. 1.2 Project Objective The target of this venture is as per the following: Recognize the impact and the reason for transient over-voltages and furthermore the strategy to unraveling transient over-voltages. Mimic the transient over-voltages at the heap in the wake of exchanging and structure the force framework circuits by utilizing PSCAD reenactment. Investigate the outcome in the wake of exchanging and after use pre-addition resistor. 1.3 Project Scope So as to accomplish the goal of this task, there are a few extensions had been sketched out as follows: Examination on the dispersion framework. Creating the transient over-voltages waveform by utilizing PSCAD reenactment. The examination is simply centering into transient over-voltages that happen in light of the exchanging capacitor. Part 2 2.0 Literature Review 2.1 Introduction Voltage drifters in power frameworks are brought about by exchanging activities, lightning and blames in the framework. Various marvels make various sorts of homeless people. Oscillatory homeless people are caused for the most part by exchanging marvels in the system. The most widely recognized exchanging activity is capacitor bank exchanging. The most extreme homeless people are brought about by capacitor invigorating while capacitor de-empowering just motivations a minor transient. Oscillatory homeless people are portrayed by span, extent and phantom substance. There are subclasses of oscillatory homeless people contingent upon the prevailing recurrence. In this undertaking it will more concentrate on exchanging gadgets. 2.2 Power System Electric force framework is a significant piece of the foundation of present day society. The force framework today is mind boggling interconnected system. Electric force framework is the framework that can change and change the type of the vitality into electrical vitality and transmit it to buyer. Innovation today despite everything can't store the power that has been created. The electrical vitality possibly produce when required or it will use after it is created. As the impact, the administration on the power turns out to be hard and troublesome. The force framework might be partitioned into the four significant subsystems which are Generation subsystem, Transmission subsystem, Distribution subsystem and use subsystem. Figure 2.1 shows the force framework that isolated into age, transmission and conveyance. Figure 2.1: The Electric Power System 2.2.1 Generation Subsystem There are two significant parts in the age framework which is generators and transformers. For generators, a fundamental part of intensity frameworks is the three stage rotating current, air conditioning, generator known as simultaneous generator or alternator [1]. The wellspring of the mechanical force, usually known as the central player, might be water powered turbines, steam turbines whose vitality originates from the consuming of coal, gas and atomic fuel, gas turbines, or every so often inside ignition motors consuming oil [1]. Some substitute sources utilized are sun based force, geothermal force, wind power, flowing force and biomass. The force transformer move power with high effectiveness starting with one degree of voltage then onto the next level [1]. The transformer is been utilized to step up or step down the voltage. Protection necessities and other down to earth plan issues limit the created voltage to low esteem, generally 30 kV. The progression up is utilized for transmission of intensity. At the less than desirable finish of the transmission lines, step down transformers are utilized to lessen the voltage to appropriate qualities for dispersion or use. The power in an electric force framework may experience four or five changes among generator and purchasers [1]. 2.2.2 Transmission Subsystem An overhead transmission organize move electric force from producing units to the dissemination framework which at last supplies the heap. It likewise interconnects neighboring utilities which permit the monetary dispatch of intensity inside areas during typical conditions, and the exchange of intensity between locales during crises. The system that interconnected between the utilities and burden is called framework network [2]. The transmission line can be arranged into two classes which are high voltage transmission line and sub transmission line framework. The contrast between these two frameworks is in the voltage where for the high voltage, the level for transmission line voltage can arrive at 500kV and for sub transmission are in the middle of 69kV to 138kV. All the transmission will be ended at the substation [1]. 2.2.3 Distribution Subsystem The conveyance framework associates the dissemination substations to the purchasers administration entrance gear. The voltage for this sort of framework has been decreased by utilizing step down transformer from 66 kV to 22 kV and underneath. The auxiliary appropriation arrange lessens the voltages for usage by business and private customers. Lines and links not surpassing two or three hundred feet long at that point convey capacity to the individual customers. The optional conveyance serves a large portion of the clients at levels of 240 V for single stage and 415 V for three stages. Dispersion frameworks are both overhead and underground. The development of underground appropriation has been amazingly fast and as much as 70 percent of new private development is by means of underground frameworks [1]. 2.2.4 Utilization Subsystem The utilities framework or force framework loads are separated into three fundamental classifications which are mechanical, business and private. Mechanical burdens are composite burdens and enlistment engines structure a high extent of these heaps [1]. These composite burdens are elements of voltage and recurrence and structure a significant piece of the framework load [1]. Then again, business and private burdens comprise to a great extent of lighting, warming, cooling and cooking [1]. These heaps are free of recurrence and devour unimportantly little responsive force [1]. The heap changes for the duration of the day and force must be accessible to purchasers on request. The day by day load bend of an utility is a composite of interest made by different classes of clients. The best estimation of burden during 24 hour time span is known as the pinnacle or most extreme interest [1]. 2.3 Transient Over-voltages Transient is an abrupt increment in current or voltage in a circuit that can harm touchy parts and instruments. Transient overvoltages are a voltage top with a most extreme term of short of what one millisecond. It tends to be high, medium, or low recurrence. Transient overvoltages on power framework are because of different causes and can be grouped into two primary classifications, outer and inner overvoltages [3]. Common overvoltages on low voltage systems are brought about by direct lightning strikes. Lightning is an outer overvoltage. The elevated level of vitality contained in an immediate lightning strike on a lightning conductor or an overhead low voltage line prompts extensive harm of the establishment. The overvoltages can be more than multiple times the ostensible voltage. Working or exchanging overvoltages connected to a systems hardware make overvoltages of a lower level 3 to multiple times the ostensible voltage yet happen considerably more as often as possible, in this way causing untimely maturing of the gear. Exchanging overvoltages is an inward overvoltage. Transient overvoltages are commonly oscillatory and appear as a damped sinusoid. The recurrence of these overvoltages may fluctuate from a couple hundred Hz to a couple of kHz and it is represented by the intrinsic capacitances and inductances of the circuit. 2.2 Switching Capacitor Hardware containing electronic exchanging segments is likewise liable to create electrical aggravations practically identical to over-voltages. The results of which on touchy gear, yet not obvious, are no less impeding: untimely maturing and eccentric or short lived breakdowns. Working over-voltages are delivered when receptive or capacitive gear is turned here and there. Moreover, interfering with processing plant creation, lighting or transformers can

Did German Ambitions for World Power Make War Inevitable in 1914 free essay sample

The First World War was the greatest and bloodiest war to have been battled with present day innovation and caused wide spread turmoil and disaster that until that date was unrivaled in Europe. Of the 65,038,810 individuals prepared to battle from all the nations included 8,556,315 kicked the bucket, 21,219,452 troopers were harmed, and 7,750,945 were accounted for missing/P. O. W. Since the war was battled on such an enormous scope, and caused such wide spread catastrophe, all inside living memory, it makes it both a fascinating and disputable subject, and due to this there are a wide range of hypotheses about what the reason for WWI was. The most reprimanded party for the flare-up is Germany. There were a wide range of elements associated with the occasions prompting war, and Germany wound up at the foundation of most of them somehow. Indeed, even German history specialist F. Fischer was cited saying â€Å"Germany had a will to war† in his book Griff nach der Weltmacht (Germany’s points in the First World War) [1] Fischer’s hypothesis on the causes of WWI was that Weltpolitik was actuated on the grounds that Germany needed a war. We will compose a custom article test on Did German Ambitions for World Power Make War Inevitable in 1914? or on the other hand any comparative subject explicitly for you Don't WasteYour Time Recruit WRITER Just 13.90/page Anyway the effect of the occasions encompassing death of Franz Ferdinand must be considered, just as the different power’s activities/reactions. In 1890 after the excusal of Bismarck for Caprivi, Germany’s Weltpolitik started with three principle points; provincial extensions, production of financial ranges of authority, and development of the naval force. It very well may be contended that Germany realized that every one of these strategies would cause struggle with different forces, and that they were presented not just to make Germany an extraordinary force yet in addition to impel a war. In his first years in power Caprivi endeavored to unwind the mind boggling arrangement of collusions and responsibilities Bismarck had made during his long remain in office, and it tends to be said that his most significant choice as per Weltpolitik was his choice not to recharge the Reinsurance Treaty among Russia and Germany[2], anyway this was chiefly because of Holstein-a senior authority in the outside service who figured out how to utilize Caprivi’s absence of experience of remote issues to apply incredible impact over German strategy. By wanting to extend their naval force as a component of Weltpolitik Germany started a maritime pro with Britain. In 1898 came the primary German Fleet Act, after two years a second multiplied the quantity of boats to be worked, to nineteen ships and twentyâ€three cruisers in the following twenty years By expecting to have a greater naval force than different forces Germany planned to turn into an incredible force, and to have impact ov er the Balkans, and to have the option to increase a frontier empire[3]. It very well may be contended that, in light of the fact that as a feature of the maritime extension arrangement was to keep Britain in obscurity about it, Germany realized maritime development would incite the British and that it could prompt a battle between the forces. With their cryptic maritime race and the production of the Dreadnought, Britain turned out to be seriously incited and soon Germany and Britain were transformed into adversaries. Germany and England had recently been agreeable because of France being their common adversary, yet with the cryptic beginning of a maritime race with Britain Germany drove them away and towards another Britain, Russia and France union. This was assuredly a huge contributing element to the occasions prompting WWI, and guaranteed that Britain would not take Germany’s side-a factor that they were not well arranged for and would in the end lead to their loss of the war. Germany’s aspiration for overall extension, however, is seemingly the absolute most conspicuous occasion whose waves caused World War One. By 1890 practically the entirety of the pilgrim domains that were wealthy in trade merchandise and had a decent atmosphere, for example, Africa, were at that point split and part of the major power’s realms so when Germany concluded that she needed to extend her domain overall there was little land to be picked up, and the land that was accessible to be asserted was unwelcoming or poor thus Germany was confronted with the alternatives of taking area that nobody needed or to attempt to take the land from another nation. England had wished to have great relations with Germany, yet didn't need its options limited by mainland responsibilities, or, as Prime Minister Lord Salisbury put it:  Britain wished to dodge the â€Å"encumbering commitment of an alliance†. Relations with Britain improved, on account of the motions by Germany, for example, the Helgoland-Zanzibar Treaty of 1890[4], which killed provincial strains in East Africa and furnished Germany with a maritime base in the North Sea. Russia helped by the dread of an Anglo-German partnership, aligned itself with France in 1892, stopping many years of French seclusion, which had been one of the points and most prominent accomplishments of the Bismarck framework. Germany made insignificant increases, while a disillusioned France had now increased an incredible partner on Germany’s eastern flank, something which Bismarck had looked to maintain a strategic distance from for his whole time as chancellor. Had Germany not had any desire to cause struggle that could end in war then they would have attempted to pick up lands by political methods, buy or simply agreeing to land that was at this point unclaimed. Anyway Germany chose to attempt to take French and British terrains in Africa, estranging them from Germany as well as driving them together and shaping their political companionship and bolster that would later prompt the triple union. [5] During the Boer war Germany began to help the Boers and giving them the most recent rifles to battle the British with in an expectation that they would rather pick up the terrains and the gold and jewels to be found there by â€Å"diplomatic† implies after the British had been beaten. Their offer for the Boer lands was fruitless, and they drove the judgment of the Boer war, and the British’s utilization of death camps and the killing of detainees without preliminary amusingly some 40 after 50 years they would themselves utilize this strategy for a bigger scope are still sentenced right up 'til today for it. This drove Britain and France into establishing a collusion in 1904, and the Moroccan emergencies of 1905 and 1911 just served to drive them closer together for security against Germany’s hostility. Germany’s activities additionally made different powers amazingly antagonistic towards her, making mass clash. It was this forceful mentality combined with different nations dread and worry that made mass pressure all through Europe. Because of their forceful international strategy and expansionism plans, by 1912 Germany ended up encompassed by threatening nations. The Kaiser and driving military pioneers held a war bureau meeting to talk about â€Å"how to escape this mess†. It was concluded that as they were encircled by unfriendly nations that they would require a partner to help battle out. The choice to align with Austria as opposed to Russia is the thing that prompted the marking of the â€Å"Blank Cheque† of help for Austria[6]. It was likewise concluded that if a war happened that it would undoubtedly be in the Balkans, and that the sooner it happened the better supposing that Russia had additional time they could turn out to be too solid to even think about defeating, and as their partner Britain would be hauled into it in favor of Russia-something that Germany didn't need as they looked for Britain as partners. In spite of the fact that it very well may be said that Germany set the wheels of WWI moving, it tends to be contended that it was not at Kaiser Wilhelm’s heading alone, it was likewise because of Bismarck. Bismarck’s partnership frameworks had made competition and doubt between the forces, causing overall strain. The first of the significant unions to be framed was Germany with Austria-Hungary shaping the Duel Alliance to battle Russian impact in the Balkans, and in 1882 extended to incorporate Italy and turned into the Triple Alliance. Bismarck’s Franco-Prussian war of 1871 finished in France being vanquished by the Germans, and the development of a partnership framework to segregate France, and afterward Germany constrained France to pay Germany reparations. This collusion framework, albeit fleeting, permitted Germany to get more grounded and permitted her to feel that she could pull off a progressively forceful international strategy in the coming a very long time as there had been close to nothing/no intercession with their war with France[7]. In 1892 the Triple Entente, a collusion between France, Russia and Britain was shaped to check the power of the Triple Alliance and prompted increased strains as Germany wound up circled by unfriendly powers. A ton of accentuation is put on Germany’s inclusion in and activities paving the way to WWI anyway there are numerous other unmistakable contributing elements that can be said to have caused the war. One of these is the precariousness in the Balkans. After the decay of the Turkish Empire there was a â€Å"power vacuum† in the Balkans[8]. Both Russia and Austria needed to control the Balkans as were not solid in a union together, thus Germany decided to reestablish a collusion with the Austro-Hungarian Empire instead of Russia. Serbia a driven Slavic state won its freedom from the Turkish Empire aligned itself with Russia, and the Austrians assumed responsibility for Bosnia in 1908 making them nearly reach boiling point with Russia who had trusted that the â€Å"Black Hand† from Serbia would absorb Bosnia into Serbia. Austria thought back to the Duel union among themselves and Germany, who vowed to help them in the event that they battled with Russia. [9] After the death of the Arch-Duke Franz Ferdinand from Austria by an individual from the Black Hand the Balkans ended up split in two, with Serbia and Russia on one side, an

How to Spot Fraud Using Forensic Accounting

How to Spot Fraud Using Forensic Accounting Fraud is a serious problem companies need to prepare for.It can have a devastating effect on a business and damage the company’s reputation and workers’ morale aside from the obvious financial damage.So, what can companies do to detect fraud?In this guide, I’ll be outlining one popular way to spotting fraud: use of forensic accounting.What is forensic accounting and what is fraud all about?I’ll provide an overview of the concepts along with the techniques and processes used by forensic accounting to identify whether fraud has occurred.WHAT IS FORENSIC ACCOUNTING?Let’s break down the term forensic accounting first.According to Merriam-Webster, ‘forensic’ means, “relating to or dealing with the application of scientific knowledge to legal problems”.Therefore, when we combine it with the word ‘accounting’, we have a scientific study of accounting and any possible legal breaches within it.Essentially, the objective of forensic accounting is to analyze accounting pro cedures and findings and examine whether they are valid in the eyes of the law.You can, perhaps, understand the field better when you consider when forensic accounting takes place. Not all accounting is forensic â€" forensic accountants are called upon when there is a litigation happening or when litigation is expected to take place.Forensic accounting is most used to solve disputes and find answers â€" if things don’t add up in the accounting, for example.It is used, therefore, to investigate and analyze the financial activities of an entity and determine if there has been malpractice, either intentional or not.Forensic accounting is used to determine:How â€" The way in which the divergence has taken place.Where â€" At what point of the procedural chain has the divergence occurred.What â€" Is the divergence an intentional or not.Why â€" The motive or reason for the divergence, especially in terms of intentional divergence.Who â€" The person or other entity that is at fault.Now, f orensic accounting is useful for finding out whether fraud has taken place in the business.However, forensic accounting doesn’t just deal with fraud, but it can also be used in other non-fraud situations to determine the full picture of the financial matters.Whether forensic accounting finds fraud or is even supposed to look into possible fraud, the objective is to find and present evidence that could stand in front of the law.The process is aimed at finding evidence that can be presented in court in order to debate and dispute a resolution â€" for example, convict a company or a person for fraud.You can get more insight into forensic accounting by watching this short clip about a typical workday in the life of a forensic accountant: WHERE CAN FRAUD OCCUR?Fraud seems such a big word to use.To most of us, the word is something distant and the event of fraud is something that happens to others and not us.Since it seems such a drastic thing â€" fraud even sounds dramatic â€" it’s e asy to think it wouldn’t happen in your business.People in charge of small- or medium-sized businesses are especially shortsighted sometimes in terms of fraud.The truth is, fraud can happen anywhere. Small, big, new, old, international, local, brick-and-mortar, or online-only; your company could be faced with fraud and you should be aware of it, rather than hide from it.The nature of the fraud will depend on what your business does, as well as the kind of opportunities that are available to exploit.However, there are a few common areas of fraud.Fraud commonly takes place in situations of:Employees abusing their position. It could be a matter of hiding or changing information in order to benefit from the situation. For example, an employee might claim they’ve conducted work on things they haven’t actually worked on.Third-party suppliers or other business partners taking advantage of their position. The fraud can also be external â€" a supplier might lie about the number of prod ucts they are supplying, for example.Theft of confidential information that occurs either internally (someone in the organization stealing) or externally (an outsider steals information; an example could be hacking). Sensitive information can be stolen by an employee or an outsider and then used to damage the business.The above examples highlight the areas in which fraud often occurs.Since the avenues for the possibility of fraud are rather varied, it’s important that companies take it seriously.Creating business relationships that are built on trust is essential, but every company also needs proper checks and balances to limit the risk of fraud.Simply thinking it would never happen for your business is not solid protection against fraud.WHAT CONSTITUTES AS FRAUD?While fraud can happen in any kind of business, it’s important to also understand what actually constitutes as a fraud. Merriam-Webster defines fraud as:“intentional perversion of truth in order to induce another to p art with something of value or to surrender a legal right”“an act of deceiving or misrepresenting”From the above, two things point out in terms of what is fraud.First, the act must be conscious and intentional â€" unwittingly writing an extra zero in the income bracket is not fraud; if you do it intentionally, it is.The second point is about the act leading to a gain, which could be financial but it doesn’t have to be so.The act must provide some kind of benefit to the person or entity doing it or infringe on the legal rights of someone else.Now, the specific definition of fraud in the eyes of the law can vary from country to country. Nonetheless, those two points generally always appear in the legal definition in one form or another.With all of that in mind, three core elements can help you understand whether something is fraudulent or not. These are:The law of the land will determine whether the act constitutes as fraud. This is always determined on a case-by-case basis an d the available definitions and test cases will be set out by the regional or national court under which the business operations would fall into. Forensic accounting would always use this legal definition of fraud as the basis for determining whether there has been fraud or not.The auditor cannot determine what constitutes as fraud. The forensic accounting team is not to make judgments or determine if fraud has taken place â€" it’s role is only to investigate and present evidence to the court of law, which makes the ultimate decision.Fraud always requires intention. In all events, fraud cannot take place without intention and part of the forensic accounting team’s job is to find if there is enough evidence to show there has been an intentional effort to change, tweak or other how mishandle the information.WHEN CAN FORENSIC ACCOUNTING BE USED?With all that in mind, when can forensic accounting be used to spot a fraud?There are essentially two clear cases in which forensic account ing is the perfect tool for detecting fraud and presenting evidence that it might have happened.Forensic accounting can be used in situations where there is a possibility of fraudulent accounting and reporting. This would occur if a company suspects that an employee or a third-party supplier has been doing something illegal.The problem could be spotted by the accounting team within the company and reported to management.The possibility of fraud can also be something spotted by an outside â€" for example, during a random audit or when annual taxes are being checked by the authorities.Once a possibility of fraud has been established, the forensic accounting team is called in to investigate the situation.As noted above, the forensic accountant won’t make a judgment on whether the fraud took place, so at this point, legal teams are involved in determining what happens with the evidence presented by the forensic accountant.The other case for seeking help with a forensic account is when there has been a clear misappropriation of assets.Again, this can be something directly spotted by the internal teams â€" accounting or likewise â€" or it can be noted by external entities. These are situations where the assets have been taken but the forensic accountant’s job is to find evidence to suggest or support the event has been fraudulent.For example, the company might notice it is missing part of its income and the forensic accounting team will begin investigating whether there has been fraud or just another unintentional error in reporting.THE PROCESS OF USING FORENSIC ACCOUNTING TO SPOT FRAUDSo, forensic accounting can be used when there’s a suspicion or strong possibility of fraud.But what about the process?How does forensic accounting go about finding evidence to support either argument?Essentially, forensic accounting uses processes similar to a normal audit â€" it follows four specific steps in order to draw its conclusions.Planning the investigationFirst, the i nvestigation must be planned.Forensic accounting requires the use of forensic accountants, which have to be hired from outside of the firm to ensure partiality in the investigation.Once the investigators have been found and hired, the forensic accounting team can start preparing for the investigation.The team generally starts by laying out the objectives it wants to achieve. These are the how, what, where, when and why of the investigation, which I’ve already outlined above.Forensic accounting will look at each objective and identify the different ways these can be achieved and how evidence can best be identified and gathered.At this point, the team will create a schedule of operating and determine who is in charge of which part of the investigation (in case a bigger team is needed).Gathering evidenceThe second part of the investigation process is the most demanding and long-lasting.It is about gathering the evidence to disprove or prove the action of fraud.The focus at this point is on ensuring there is enough evidence for the courts to make a decision â€" the how, what, where, when and why are at the heart of this process, with each method and technique used to find information on these points.There are a number of techniques forensic accounting can use to gather evidence.The three most common techniques in terms of identifying fraud will be outlined in the next section.But to give you an idea on what happens during the process, here are a few evidence gathering things forensic accountants might use:Using testing controls to identify weaknesses in the system and noticing how and why the fraud could have taken place.Utilizing analytical procedures to compare trends in the data and making comparisons between different areas of the business to spot deviations.Interviewing employees and other key members that could have information regarding the fraud.Taking advantage of computer assisted auditing software to identify issues of timing and other relevant data i ssues.Opting for substantive techniques, which include things such as cash or asset counts.Reporting the findingsOnce the forensic accounting team has been able to gather all the evidence, they will need to report the findings.The report is often used for determining whether legal action shall be brought forward or if there is no evidence to suggest fraud has taken place.The main function of the report is to summarize the evidence and to provide a conclusion whether the deviation or loss of assets was due to fraud or not. You will also be able to read an answer to the core questions â€" how the fraud took place and when it is suspected to have happened, for example.The report is often also used for identifying possible recommendations for strengthening the accounting in the business and preventing future frauds.Dealing with possible court proceedingsThe fourth step in the process can technically be obsolete if the report doesn’t find any evidence to back up a claim of fraud.Howeve r, if fraud is still suspected, the forensic accounting has to be prepared to deal with the possible court proceedings.Team members will in most cases need to be part of those proceedings and they are often called to testify and explain the evidence to the jury and judge.The forensic accounting team has to be able to provide and present the evidence in a way that is accessible to the wider audience â€" the judge and the jury might not have specialist knowledge of accounting and thus the evidence must be laid out in layman’s terms.THREE FORENSIC ACCOUNTING TECHNIQUES TO DETECT FRAUDWhen it comes to detecting fraud, there are three forensic accounting techniques used. These are data mining with computers, review of other documents using various methods and conducting interviews.Data mining with computersData mining is about looking for anomalies, trends and patterns in the data relating to the business and its finances.These could include the digital accounting files available or fi les and datasets relating to products, suppliers and so on.As the world is increasingly moving from traditional paper filing to digital filing, data mining is becoming a more important tool for forensic accountants.The data mining is often done with automated software that has been designed to notice anomalies or patterns. Occasionally, a person reviews the data and the forensic accounting team studies any noticeable differences further.A big part of the data mining involves around the concept of Metadata. This is the information related to the organizations computer programs and the specific files used. Metadata is used to identify things like:The date when the file was created and whether it had been modified.The location of the file and whether it has changed.The identity of the person who has modified and changed information or the location.Finding and understanding the trail of the digital files is important because it can reveal fraud.For example, if the financial figures are wrong, data mining can identify whether they have been wrong since the start (i.e. possibly as a result of a typing mistake) or if they have been tampered with later (i.e. changed to create stronger income figures and thus pointing to a fraudulent and intentional action).Aside from the metadata, forensic accounting also uses data mining to review the information in the file and the patterns revealed by data.Forensic accountants can spot fraud by data mining with actions like:Evaluating the frequency of payments and consistency of financial figures.Finding gaps in ledgers or missing data files or information.Examining the vendor and supplier information, including addresses.Data mining also utilizes different mathematical formulas for spotting fraud. Among the most popular is the Benford’s Law. The technique is explained further in the video below: Data mining is performed on any computer or another device that is used by the organization and which could include information that mi ght help the forensic accounting team.These include things like personal computers, network servers, answering machines, digital cameras, fax machines, printers, GPS systems and so on.Reviewing other documentsOf course, information isn’t always in digital format and forensic accounting has to use document reviewing strategies to spot fraud. Reviewing physical documents can be tricky for the forensic team because they need to ensure they follow the right legal procedures in accessing, storing and managing these files.For example, they can’t illegally obtain business documents and then use them to accuse the business of fraud â€" everything has to follow the correct and legal route.Generally, when the forensic team receives an invitation to perform the investigation, a legal contract is formed that issues the forensic accounting team with the rights and responsibilities regarding the documents.In certain instances, the contract also has to deal with the proceedings for digital doc uments and any documents that might be accessed on employee premises.Interestingly, a big part of the document review is identifying the carbon copy of these documents. This means checking whether the documents have been modified after the date they are meant to have formed or simply added in later.Let’s say an employee would try to tamper with sales numbers, he or she might re-print the invoices with different figures.The review of other documents uses similar techniques to above in finding trends and patterns.Reviewing will be more laborious if it has to be done manually but forensic accounting teams often scan and create digital data files of the documents to allow data mining.Conducting interviewsBut forensic accounting doesn’t just have to rely on data. Talking to employees and other key parties is another crucial technique to help identify data.For example, by interviewing the organization and the supplier, different stories of the invoicing procedure might come up and poi nt to the system being fraudulent. Indeed, sometimes the fear of the investigation can make people talk and admit fraud â€" helping the forensic team to find the answers to the questions they might have.Again, it’s crucial to ensure the interviews are conducted professionally and within the legal boundaries of the country.The process must be coordinated with the legal teams and generally, there has to be some kind of record of the interview (this can be used in the court as evidence, rather than have a situation of ‘he said, she said’). The purpose of the interview is to identify the following things, which could point out a possibility of fraud:Knowledge of the information being examined.Opportunities to change, swap or manipulate data.Understanding of the procedures being used in the organization.The forensic accounting team has to be good at communicating with people and use a logical approach to getting to the bottom of things.It’s important to realize that you might not receive a pure admission of guilt â€" the person’s unusual behavior might be a sign there is something suspicious going on that needs to be investigated.CONCLUDING REMARKSFraud is not just something that occurs in big, popular companies. It can happen to small or big businesses in all industries.Detecting it can be difficult but forensic accounting provides quite a good number of solutions to identifying whether a fraudulent activity has taken place.It uses modern technology in the form of data mining to notice anomalies and patterns in data.But it also helps spot fraud by focusing on the people involved in the situation â€" using documents and interviews to see whether things are out of the ordinary.It is essentially picking the pieces apart and seeing whether putting them back together leads to the same results or if things are out of the ordinary.

A Brief Note On The Treaty Of Versailles - 1584 Words

After having to pay compensation for World War I due to the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was in shambles; people were unemployed, humiliated, and divided almost to the point of a civil war. They were in need of a strong leader to bring them together, and Adolf Hitler, with his powerful speaking skills and manipulative speeches, seemed to be the desirable candidate. His speeches and charisma, timing and strategy, and the fact that Germany was in disarray, allowed him to quickly rise through the ranks of the German Worker’s Party and seize the hearts and minds of his fellow Germans. The Treaty of Versailles, an important element leading to Hitler’s rise to power, divided Germany and provided the perfect conditions for a new ruler to take†¦show more content†¦Sure enough, the treaty sent Germany into an economic downward spiral and the government quickly went bankrupt. To fix this the German government tried to print more money, but hyperinflation followed, backf iring and making money practically useless. People, including Adolf Hitler, were left homeless, hungry, and desperate for any type of work. â€Å"There was never really an effort to deal with the damage done in World War I,† said Leon Panetta, the 23rd US Secretary of Defense, in the TV series, The World Wars, â€Å"failure to do that is what ultimately produce the seats for Hitler and Nazism.† The German people were dealing with the damage by themselves and had no one to help them. They were in dire need of a savior, and Adolf Hitler, a new member of the German Worker’s Party, would prove to be just the man they needed. He took advantage of the state Germany was in and used it to become a powerful figure. People wanted someone strong and stable to help them and needed a person or group of people to blame their problems on; Hitler offered both of these, himself and the Jewish. Taking advantage of the German people at their worst would be an important part of Hit ler’s rise to power; however, to do this Hitler would first need to make himself

Ancient Chinese Invented Gunpowder

Few substances in history have had as profound an effect on human history as gunpowder, yet its discovery in China was an accident. Contrary to myth, it was not simply used for fireworks but was put to military uses from its time of discovery. Eventually, this secret weapon leaked out to the rest of the medieval world. Chinese Alchemists Tinker With Saltpeter and Make Gunpowder Ancient alchemists in China spent centuries trying to discover an elixir of life that would render the user immortal. One important ingredient in many of the failed elixirs was saltpeter, also known as potassium nitrate. During the Tang Dynasty, around 850 A.D., an enterprising alchemist (whose name has been lost to history) mixed 75 parts saltpeter with 15 parts charcoal and 10 parts sulfur. This mixture had no discernable life-lengthening properties, but it did explode with a flash and a bang when exposed to an open flame. According to a text from that era, smoke and flames result, so that [the alchemists] hands and faces have been burnt, and even the whole house where they were working burned down. Use of Gunpowder in China Many western history books over the years have stated that the Chinese used this discovery only for fireworks, but that is not true. Song Dynasty military forces as early as 904 A.D. used gunpowder devices against their primary enemy, the Mongols. These weapons included flying fire (fei huo), an arrow with a burning tube of gunpowder attached to the shaft. Flying fire arrows were miniature rockets, which propelled themselves into enemy ranks and inspired terror among both men and horses. It must have seemed like fearsome magic to the first warriors who were confronted with the power of gunpowder. Other Song military applications of gunpowder included primitive hand grenades, poisonous gas shells, flamethrowers and landmines. The first artillery pieces were rocket tubes made from hollow bamboo shoots, but these were soon upgraded to cast metal. McGill University professor Robin Yates notes that the worlds first illustration of a cannon comes from Song China, in a painting from about 1127 A.D. This depiction was made a century and a half before Europeans began to manufacture artillery pieces. The Secret of Gunpowder Leaks Out of China By the mid- to late-eleventh century, the Song government had become concerned about gunpowder technology spreading to other countries. The sale of saltpeter to foreigners was banned in 1076. Nonetheless, knowledge of the miraculous substance was carried along the Silk Road to India, the Middle East, and Europe. In 1267, a European writer made reference to gunpowder, and by 1280 the first recipes for the explosive mixture were published in the west. Chinas secret was out. Down through the centuries, Chinese inventions have had a profound effect on human culture. Items like paper, the magnetic compass, and silk have diffused around the world. None of those inventions, however, have had quite the impact that gunpowder has, for good and for bad.

The beach, the place I come to when I finish the day Free Essays

The beach, the place I come to when I finish the day†¦. It’s the perfect place to relax after the pressure of working at a Caribbean bar. Everyday I come to the beach and sit around, it allows me to cool off from work and think about how bad or good my day has been. We will write a custom essay sample on The beach, the place I come to when I finish the day or any similar topic only for you Order Now The beach is always empty at this time and is perfectly located, right outside my house. Stretching a mile in either direction there is plenty of room for people to go who want to be alone, who want time to gather their thoughts and work out what has actually happened to day nd what hasn’t. It’s also the time when you usually realise you forgot to do something, that’s basically why I come here. As I look off down the beach I see the island as night approaches, in the distance the lights of hotels come on, the occasional car lights, the boats in the harbour turn their lights on and the lone cruise ship coming in lit up like a Christmas tree. The sunsets in the distance falling slowly behind the vast spread of water and already high in the sky the moon begins it’s over watch. The beach, now cast in a reddish old light begins to cool off from the hot day and the sea, sparkling in the fading light rolls quietly in. The palm trees behind, mostly in shadows sway in the gentle breeze. The occasional bird fly’s in to roost and the night creatures come out. On the beach a small crab dashes from hole to hole in search of food and like an opaque blob a jellyfish patiently waits for the sea to return. By now the beach is quiet, only the relaxing sounds remain, the sea as it sloshes up the beach the breeze as it gently blows through the alms, the birds calling their night calls and the nocturnal animals announcing that they are awake. I feel much more relaxed and cooled off now, it like someone has lifted all the weight of the days work off my shoulders allowing me to slouch here and do nothing. I start to play with the sand as a sit and stare out to see, I feel the grains running though my fingers like dry water, the coolness of the sand also helps to relax me. Also the cool breeze coming in from the sea seems to refresh me from the typical Caribbean heat. As I look around and consider going in another crag sidesteps in front of me, its legs sounding like small pebbles as the hit the sand, I smile as it randomly changes direction as though it were lost on to him is a vast desert like beach. Sitting here, alone makes me feel like nothing matters, that however bad things can get there is peace you just need to know where to find it and I have, here. Sighing I get up and plod back into my house, thinking of the horror awaiting me at the bar tomorrow. How to cite The beach, the place I come to when I finish the day, Papers

Interpersonal Communication for Feedback and Organizations

Question: Discuss about theInterpersonal Communication for Feedback and Organizations. Answer: Interpersonal communication has always existed for so long since human beings are social in nature and in one way or another they need to share information or feelings. The process through which people are able to exchange meaning, feelings or information is referred to as interpersonal communication (Beebe, Beebe Redmond, 2014). Personal communication is the face to face communication between an individual that occurs through either verbal or non-verbal modes. Interpersonal communication involves how the message is communicated through features such as body language, the tone of voice or gestures. Feedback is an important integral of interpersonal communication and effective feedback facilitate smooth flow of information. An effective feedback should be clearly heard, understood and accepted. To give effective feedback there are several guidelines and considerations to be observed. The feedback should be as specific as possible as this will make it easy for the other party to under stand it. The feedback should be timely and you should think about what you are going to say and how at the appropriate moment. While giving feedback one should concentrate on behavior and their effect and not on personality. The interpersonal skill of feedback is very important in a workplace since it promotes teamwork and effective communication within an organization (Amanda, 2013). Good interpersonal communication promotes good leadership since it promotes empathy and trust within members of staff. Effective feedback skills play a critical role in promoting credibility and customer satisfaction. Personal relationships are important in the workplace and this can be fostered and maintained by the existence of effective interpersonal communication mechanisms within an organization (De Janasz, 2014). In conclusion, interpersonal communication skills consist of how people communicate both verbally and non-verbally. Effective feedback skills have to follow certain guidelines that ensu re the feedback given is clearly understood and accepted. References Amanda Baker (2013) Feedback and organizations: Feedback is good, feedback-friendly culture is better Year: 2013 Pages: 260-268 Volume: 54 Issue: 4 Journal Title: Canadian Psychology (remaining authors omitted deliberately). Beebe, SA, Beebe, SJ Redmond (2014) Interpersonal Communication: relating to others, 7th edn, Allyn Bacon, Boston (Blackboard Reading List tab, and referenced as a hard copy book, not as a chapter from a book). De Janasz, SZ, Crossman, J, Campbell, N Power, M 2014, Interpersonal skills in organisations, 2nd edn, Mc-Graw-Hill Education, North Ryde, NSW (Blackboard Reading List tab, and referenced as a hard copy book, not as a chapter from a book).

Violence Essays - Dispute Resolution, Criminology, Media Influence

Violence The last five years have seen an increase in the stand on violence in movies. As action movies with their big stars are taken to new heights every year, more people seem to argue that the violence is influencing our country's youth. Yet, each year, the amount of viewers also increases. This summer's smash hit Independence Day grossed more money than any other film in history, and it was full of violence. The other summer hits included Mission: Impossible, Courage Under Fire, and A Time to Kill. All of these movies contained violence, and all were highly acclaimed. And all, with the exception of Independence Day, were aimed toward adults who understood the violence and could separate screen violence from real violence. There is nothing wrong with having violence in film. If an adult wants to spend an evening watching Arnold Schwartzenager Save the world, then he should have that right. Film critic Hal Hinson enjoys watching movies. In fact, he fell in love with movies at the same time that he remembers being afraid for the first time. He was watching Frankenstein, and, as he described in his essay ?In Defense of Violence,? it played with his senses in such a way that he instantaneously fell in love with movies. . The danger was fake, but Hinson described that it played with his senses in such a way that he almost instantly fell in love. Hinson feels that most movie lovers were incited by the same hooks as himself. Movies were thrilling, dangerous, and mesmerizing (Hinson 581-2). Hinson says that as a culture, we like violent art. Yet this is not something that is new to today's culture. The ancient Greeks perfected the genre of tragedy with a use of violence. According to Hinson, they believed that "while violence in life is destructive, violence in art need not be; that art provides a healthy channel for the natural aggressive forces within us" (Hinson 585). Today, the Greek tragedy is not often seen, but there are other shows movies that embody and use violence. Tom and Jerry, The Three Stooges, and popular prime time shows including the highly acclaimed NYPD Blue and ER are all violent. There is a surplus of violent movies in Hollywood. Usually, the years highest moneymakers are violent. Even Oscar winning movies, those movies that are "the best of the year," have violence in them. Silence of the Lambs, Unforgiving, and In the Line of Fire are just a few. Even with all this violence on both the small and big screen, Hinson makes a clear statement that real-life violence is the problem, not movie violence. He feels that people fear screen violence because they fear we might become what is depicted on screen. Hinson feels that to enjoy violence, one must be able to distinguish between what is real and what is not (Hinson 587). Another essay, this one entitled ?Popcorn Violence,? illustrates how the type of violence seen in film and television is completely different than real life violence. The author, Roger Rosenblatt, describes how young children can be exposed to screen violence early on in life, yet the type of violence is so fictional that the connection between what is seen on television and what goes on out in the streets is never made. The example Rosenblatt uses to illustrate this point is wrestling. In professional wrestling there are good guys, such as Hulk Hogan and Randy ?Macho Man? Savage, and bad guys, which includes the likes of The Undertaker and Rowdy Piper. Every Saturday morning they go into the ring and fight. Its good versus bad. The show, of course, is humorous, as it is meant to be. The characters are so strange that they are comical. They roam around the ring, yelling and screaming, looking quite ridiculous. They play to the crowd, either making them boo or cheer. Occasionally, for example, if say Hulk Hogan is winning a fight, the bad guy's friends might join in and gang up on Hulk. All of this violence, and the kids love it (Rosenblatt 589). The same occurs in ?action? movies. There is a good guy and a bad guy, but the bad guy usually has lots of friends, and they all gang up on the good guy. Rosenblatt explains that sometimes you root for the good guys, and other times for the bad guys. He says that we root for the bad because sometimes ?you're simply bored with the good guys and the bad are beautiful?

The Development and Evolution of the CIAs Directorate of Science and Technology

The Development and Evolution of the CIAs Directorate of Science and Technology The CIA’s directorate of science and technology was founded on the recommendations of the Dulles committee, the Hoover commission, and the Eberstat committee who analyzed the intelligence programs of CIA and other government agencies in 1948 and found that scientific intelligence was wanting. It has its headquarters in Langley in McLean, Virginia.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Development and Evolution of the CIA’s Directorate of Science and Technology specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is known by various names that include, Langley, the company, and the CIA. However, most of the important research installations are secret and some are hidden underground for security reasons (Richelson 181). The United States government created the first central intelligence agency, the office of strategic services (OSS) during world war one. It was tasked with special operations which included espionage, sabota ge, and counterintelligence among many other functions. After the war president Harry Truman disbanded OSS, and its functions taken by the war and states department. This led to the formation of the CIA. The CIA was made more powerful by the National Security Council directive on office of special projects in June 1948 (NSC 10/2) that mandated it to attack hostile elements including states, groups, or individuals secretly to totally absolve the United States in the minds of the public eye from blame. The central intelligence act of 1948 completely legalized the secrecy of the agency and hence it was not answerable to the public domain. The military arms of the government and the CIA had almost the same mandate because they complemented each other and sometimes it led to disagreements as in the case when the CIA put a stop to the Air Force attempt to take over a project they had initially rejected (Richelson 15) In 1953, the CIA under Allen W. Dulles became highly innovative and many scientific breakthroughs were made through his directorship. One area he succeeded was scientific intelligence gathering. It required extensive research to develop advanced technology and the CIA was mandated to come up with the technology to collect intelligence, analyze it, and come up with fail proof strategies to safe guard the American people and their soil. This resulted in the creation of the deputy directorate of research in 1962, which evolved to the deputy directorate of science and technology in 1963 later renamed the directorate of science and technology in 1965. Under Dulles, the most celebrated spy satellites, the U-2, A-12 and the Berlin tunnel were successfully built (Richelson 94). This was a major advancement in the espionage and signals intelligence as it gave the US the capability to analyze foreign countries weaponry.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More With these technologies, USA was able to spy on foreign countries including those viewed as hostile and aggressive towards it and hence it could be able to strategically create a defense system in response to the threats against it. Intelligence gathered could prevent costly and sometimes fatal missions to gather information that was previously done by trained soldiers or civilians. This hence explicitly showed that the future of power lay on intelligence and hence the CIA directorate of science and technology grew rapidly and became a force to reckon with. Many important medical technologies were discovered and are used extensively today including the heart pace maker. Despite the major advances in espionage technology and weaponry, the CIA directorate of science and technology felt the need to influence other foreign nations and hence lost tract of its mandate. Rear Admiral Roscoe Hillenkoetter, who was the first director of the CIA, successfully supported the Christian Democrats of It aly plunging USA into the world of foreign power manipulation to achieve its own end. This created a lot of resentment and distrust and major countries including the Soviet Union started a race to become as powerful as (or more powerful than) the United States. The CIA with its vast resources would have pioneered other projects that could have increased America’s security and sustainability. The competition for oil supplies was another front the CIA was directly involved in, and with its finances and technology it overthrew the Iran’s Premier Mohammed Mossadegh in 1953 through a coup. This was a direct provocation and most of the enmity and suspicion felt towards the United States by Arabian countries stemmed from the push to control oil resources in foreign countries notably Arabic countries. The Kennedy administration was responsible for the failed assassination attempt of the Cuban dictator Fidel Castro in 1961, famously known as the Bay of Pigs invasion. The United States government through the CIA trained 1500 Cuban exiles; who were supposed to invade Cuba and cause an uprising which would topple the dictator. The attempt backfired nastily and the president accepted to shoulder the blame in which some of the exiles were killed in action. The mess was a total embarrassment for the United States government and its intelligence agency as its intelligence had gone wrong. Fidel Castro became a hostile enemy of the United States and probably this rivalry would not be present had the United States kept out of the country’s affairs.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Development and Evolution of the CIA’s Directorate of Science and Technology specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More President Ronald Reagan also continued his predecessor’s footsteps and despite the United States government having several scandals, his administration secretly sold arms in the 1980s to Ir an to be used against Iraq. This was despite the fact that the two countries were arch enemies. It was alleged that the proceeds from the secrets arm deals were used to fund terrorist groups attempting to overthrow the Nicaraguan government. This was against the congressional legislations and the United Nations directives. This illustrates the high handedness of the CIA as they could get away with anything despite having good legislation. These incidents clearly show that the agency was operating without restrain In the 1970s, under President Nixon, the curtain began falling on the agency perpetuated by the Watergate scandal where President Nixon using the CIA tried to unofficially impede the federal bureau of investigations from investigating a burglary in the Watergate headquarters carried out by ex-CIA agents. When the truth was finally out the president had to resign. Following revelations of the excesses of the CIA that included attempted assassinations, domestic citizen, spyin g, and other violations the congress sought to correct the problem by curtailing the powers of the CIA; through the church committee in the senate and in the House of Representatives through the pike committees. Somehow, these unfortunate incidents led the CIA to start modernizing its operations but with some delays (Richelson 234). It is true to say that to a large extent the CIA has failed in its inherent mandate of gathering and analyzing information. Contrary to its mandate of tracking down weapons of mass destruction, it failed to predict the Indian nuclear tests in 1974, though it had prior knowledge of the developments. In September 11, 2001, Al-Qaeda managed to stage an attack in United States soil with huge losses in life and property. Lack of sharing information between intelligence agencies led to this catastrophic terrorism attack but an executive summary report indicated that the agency was not fully prepared to deal with the threats posed by Al-Qaeda. In 1986, the CIA set up a counterterrorist center to deal with terrorism. Regrettably, some of the most dangerous terrorists that have caused havoc and loss of innocent lives were a creation of the CIA. Osama bin laden who founded Al Qaeda was financially supported and given military training by the CIA in the late 80s.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The support of his group was initially aimed at fighting covert battles for the United States but the plan backfired and Osama bin laden became an extremist sorely focused to destroy American interests. Had the CIA stuck to its mandate and avoided active roles in foreign countries, probably terrorism activity would not be of the same magnitude as it is today and the strength that Al Qaeda had was a direct result of the early influences of the CIA. To counter terrorism, the CIA rose to the occasion and actively pursued terror masterminds whom they killed using advanced technology through drone attacks. Notably, in 1996 the CIA set up stations specifically to monitor and try to track Osama bin Laden through information supplied by Al-Fadl who defected to the CIA in 1976 a feat accomplished in 2011. With extensive and advanced technology, the CIA can and would have led the war on drugs and human trafficking especially in the United States soil; it could have predicted and stopped the o nset of genocides in Africa and other parts of the world. The CIA should have used its resources for the betterment of humanity through research in medicine, alternative power, and environmental conservation. There are many areas in the world today that require dedicated and continued research to solve some of the emerging issues and with its capability the CIA can succeed where others have failed. Richelson, Jeffrey. The Wizards of Langley: Inside the CIA’s Directorate of Science and Technology. Boulder, Co: West view Press, 2001. Print

Strategic Planning at the Chronicle Gazette Term Paper

Strategic Planning at the Chronicle Gazette - Term Paper Example Introduction The goal of this paper is therefore to provide succinct visions to the management of chronicle newspapers about the current states in newspaper industry and project the trends in the next decade. The report analyses the current states of newspaper publishing industry, problems facing newspaper publishing, causal factors and how they impact on the newspaper industry. In addition, the paper also defines external assessment and internal assessment to determine the reasons as to why there is rapid decline in the circulation and revenues and the counteractive measures and technologies to be embraced to toughen their market position. Furthermore the appropriate strategies to be adjusted by chronicle newspaper so to be able to handle the challenges and procedures involved to deal with the challenges. In the past years, The Chronicle Gazette has been the leading newspaper especially in the urban setting with over 200,000 customers. However, in the years, the newspaper sells has been reducing and this has greatly impacted negatively on the revenue of the newspaper. Indeed there is great need for the company to revise it business strategies so that it can survive in this competitive world. State of the newspaper publishing industry today Data on declining circulation and revenue The Chronicle Gazette is first-rate newspaper with over 200,000 customers and is the main newspaper read among the urbanites. In the recent years, newspaper subscription has been dwindling steadily and its estimated that, in the past eight years, subscription had declined by over 30% and advertising revenue by over 25%.Reduced advertising revenue has affected the daily operations of the newspaper industry for example maintenance of equipments and staff allowances. Status of newspaper leaders Financial problems in newspaper publishing industry have been swiftly declining advertising revenues and it’s estimated that from 2006, the revenue accrued from newspaper sell has been falling by over 40%. Trends in 2010 remained negative with less severe rate of revenue loss of over 6%. In reference to the released figures from Audit Bureau of Circulation, The Wall Street Journal tops all U.S newsp aper with over 3.5% incremental sum paid circulation in 2010. The journal continues to expand it circulation and it leads other newspapers by selling over two million newspapers a day. The main rival of jounal circulation the USA Today is in the second position having fallen by over400, 000 copies. In terms of online sites, over400, 000 paid digital readers have registered with wall street journal placing the journal at the top of paid online site four times or more than Detroit free which hold the second position. In spite of the setbacks, USA Today has benefited for having over 400,000 paid digital readers. The New York Times, the third placed Newspaper had over 10% fall in income revenue because of untargeted or poor advertisement methods which declined by nearly 6% in 2010. However, there was 11% rise in online advertisement which accounts to over15% of company revenue. Why newspapers are facing declining circulations and revenues There are many reasons why customer subscription and revenue has fallen. These can be Classified into two categories; External assessment Internal assessment External assessment This involves the assessment of factors outside the industry which impacts either positively or negatively to the operation and the accrued profit of the industry. They include Economic forces Social, cultural,

The Impact of Web Based Cancer Information on Patient Outcomes Article

The Impact of Web Based Cancer Information on Patient Outcomes - Article Example There is a plethora of information available online on almost every known cancerous condition and the patients are aware about the treatment modalities available both in the modern western system of medicine as well in alternate systems of therapy. Self-help groups, blogs, renowned hospitals, pharmaceutical and disease-specific organizations besides the government healthcare departments and international healthcare authorities like the WHO (World Health Organization) offer the latest information on their websites which is accessible to the patient at all times. The latest research and development (R&D) findings are continuously updated to keep the data current. Due to this information and communication explosion, the patient has become more enlightened and is now fully aware of the implications of compliance with the recommended healthcare guidelines. Patient outcomes, therefore, stand to improve tremendously in the coming years as more progress is made in this direction. Studies on the impact that ICT has made on patient outcomes have been vigorously pursued in the recent past and research and analysis show that it has had a deep and permanent effect on the practice of modern medicine. The growth of the evidence-based practice, immaculate record keeping and vigorous follow-ups after treatment have improved the administration of healthcare protocols and yielded better results in patients. Increased use of patient interactive software has allowed the physicians to identify and know their patients in a better manner and this has resulted in ensuring better patient compliance. The overall effects have been positive in nature and the level of satisfaction has increased for both the patient as well as the healthcare professional.

Increase In Natural Disasters Health And Social Care Essay

Increase In Natural Disasters Health And Social Care Essay Extreme weather temperatures and increase in natural disasters in recent years have finally made the policy makers think earnestly about Climate change and Natural disasters. The stern review and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changes fourth (revised) assessment report in 2008  [A]  had clearly stated that increase in natural disasters due to climate change will have adverse affects on social and economic sectors. The report which had declared that climate change will cause increase in natural disasters in coming years, has lived up to its prediction. According to UNISDR from year 2008-2011 natural disasters have been responsible for economic damages worth 730 Billion USD, have adversely affected 843 million people and killed about 598,000 people around the world. There has been an increase of more than 50% in the number of floods in the last decade in comparison to the 1990s and similarly the occurrence of total natural disasters has also increased over the last decade. [Error: Reference source not found] The increase in both the intensity and frequency of floods over the last decade has raised concerns within development agencies, governments and regional co-operations; natural disaster management has gained priority among all stakeholders. In 2005 U.N created The Hyogo Framework for Action  [B]  ; a global blueprint for disaster risk reduction efforts with a ten-year plan, the framework was adopted in January 2005 by 168 governments at the U.N World Conference on Disaster Reduction. [2]Although all 168 countries did accept the framework in principle, however there has been little done to reduce greenhouse emissions or adapt disaster risk reduction strategies across the board. Similarly in response to the December 2004 tsunami and the earthquake of December 2005 in South Asia, a Special Session of the SAARC Environment Ministers (Malà ©, 25 June 2005) adopted the Malà © Declaration on a collective response to large scale natural disasters. A SAARC Disaster Management Centre (SD MC) was established in New Delhi in October 2006, the SDMC was created to provide policy advice and facilitate capacity building including strategic learning, research, training, system development, expertise promotion and exchange of information for effective disaster risk reduction and management. [3] Policy making has also been activated at the state level, for example the government of Queensland in Australia has taken initiative on a state level of creating a policy framework to reduce and tackle natural disasters. The framework called the Disaster Management Strategy Policy framework includes Research, Policy and Governance, Risk Assessment, Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, Relief and Recovery, Post-Disaster Assessment. [4] One might be of the opinion that disaster events are probabilistic events and their occurrence can only be calculated on a probability basis and there is no escape from their destruction. However it is important to understand the consequences of the occurrence and what can be done to help the affected populace overcome the calamity natural disasters cause. Research has shown despite the scale of the disaster, a combination of national and international policy can help ward off disease and death in countries with functioning governments. This literature review investigates previous studies conducted on the socio economic impact of floods in context to Gender. The 2010 floods in Pakistan The geological department of the Australian government defines floods as the covering of normally dry land by water that has escaped or been released from the normal confines of: any lake, or any river, creek or other natural watercourse, whether or not altered or modified; or any reservoir, canal, or dam. [4]Floods primarily impact the human community either directly through contact with the water or indirectly through the damage the water does to the natural and human built environment. [5] Localized floods can have a significant impact on peoples physical and mental health. [6] The 2010 monsoon floods were one of the largest floods in the history of Pakistan causing unprecedented damage and killing more than 1,700 people. The floods affected over, 20 million people, inundated almost one fifth of the countrys land and caused loss of billions of dollars through damages to infrastructure, housing, agriculture and livestock, and other family assets. [8]The World Bank and Asian Development Bank estimated that the flooding had caused the economy $9.7 billion in losses. [9] Cases of malnutrition, gastroenteritis, diarrhea, skin infections, cholera, typhoid, malaria, and hepatitis were reported. Food prices dramatically increased after the flooding, putting an economic strain on the entire population. The southern province of Sindh was hit quite heavily by the floods, it was reported that nearly Seven million people were affected by floods in the province; thousands were trapped by flood waters and had been in need of assistance. Our study region the southern district of Thatta was affected in a catastrophic manner by the floods, as the flow of the flood waters touched 9,50,000 cusecs the feeble dykes built to protect the districts populace overflowed causing both banks of the Indus River to flood causing enormous amount of destruction. At the time of flooding the state machinery which included both the provincial and federal government along with many international and national NGOs led the relief efforts and was able to avoid the occurrence of any larger catastrophe such as far spread hunger or famine. However in recent years continuous acts of terrorism have kept the government preoccupied with matters of public safety and security, this has diverted the governments attention from institutional reform to matters of ad-hoc nature. The presence of situational challenges has reduced state capacity to productively provide basic services for which resources had already been deficient. This has limited governments response to natural disasters mostly to needs assessment and immediate relief operations. The assessments have typically focused on direct damages of capital assets which includes number of deaths and injuries, damages to buildings and public infrastructure, loss of crop and livestock. Assessments of disaster impacts on social sectors such as health and education are also limited to the measurement of damages to school and hospital buildings, the assessments tend to ignore the long term affects on the health and education levels of the affected populace. Long term assessments of social sectors is critical even more so for a country like Pakistan as it already struggles with low social development indicators, ranking 145 out of 187  [C]  countries in the Human Development Index and a Gender Development Index (GDI) ranking of 120 out of 146  [D]  countries. Approaches to measure impact of natural disasters Researchers across the world have used diverse approaches to determine the impact of floods. In Pakistan the EU has previously employed the EMMA (Emergency Market Mapping and Analysis), which is a rapid market analysis designed to be used in the short term aftermath of a sudden-onset crisis. A better understanding of the most critical markets in an emergency situation enables decision makers (donors, NGOs, government, other humanitarian actors) to consider a broader range of responses. The aim of the approach is to gauge and understand the structure and functioning of key markets in the short term so that immediate recovery programs are in consistent to the on the ground situation. Although the research is useful in providing immediate relief, however the approach does not take into consideration the long term effects of the disaster. [10] Likewise another approach which can help donors target their recuperation efforts is ECLAC, ECLACs methodology is related to post disaster evaluation; it focuses on rehabilitation and recuperation. It advocates using a dynamic and sectoral perspective that enables the researchers to calculate future losses derived by the destruction of productive structures and forfeitures of business opportunities and its middle/long term effects in different terms. The methodology aims to enable its users to try to define if and which type of international cooperation the community affected needs. Although precise knowledge of various sectoral damages and losses, present and future, suffered by the communities enables the disaster relief agencies to execute more specific rehabilitation projects, however usage of a macro-perspective to gauge the damages and provides losses in monetary terms leaves out the impact on social sectors and chiefly focuses on economic costs. [11] In a Flood-site project report on the Mulde River in Germany the researchers have taken the bottom up perspective to analyze social vulnerability posed by floods. The methodology seeks to categorize the circumstances that make an individual or a community vulnerable and investigate how some groups in these circumstances might be more vulnerable than others. The researchers who define social vulnerability as the characteristics of a person or group in terms of their capacity to anticipate, cope with, resist, and recover from the impact of a natural hazard primarily focus on how communities and social groups are able to deal with the impacts of a natural hazard. The approach provides valuable insight into the dynamics of social capital, but lacks detail of sectoral assessments. [12] Along with well targeted programs it is important that recovery programs are sustainable. In Sudan, AIACC has employed a research method based upon the sustainable livelihood conceptual framework; the research method aims to evaluate the performance of sustainable livelihood and environmental management measures. International Institute for Sustainable Development defines sustainable livelihoods as being concerned with peoples capacities to generate and maintain their means of living, enhance their well-being, and that of future generations. Sustainable livelihood assessment is intended to generate an understanding of the role and impact of a project on enhancing and securing local peoples livelihoods. It primarily relies on a range of data collection methods, a combination of qualitative and quantitative data indicators and, to varying degrees, application of a sustainable livelihoods framework. The model focuses on five types of capital namely; natural, physical human, social and f inancial. The framework employs the Livelihood Assessment Tracking (LAST) System to measure changes in coping and adaptive capacity. Quantitative and qualitative indicators are combined with the LAST system for its use; the LAST system is developed through creation of development indicators by the help of the local community. [13] All the above mentioned frameworks, even with their short-comings provide valuable inputs into the assessment methods of disaster impacts. However, the above discussed frameworks which focus on immediate needs assessment, macro-economic impacts, social capital, and sustainable livelihoods do not seem to be gender sensitive and lack concentration on social sectors in a gender sensitive manner. It has been time and again noted that women are most adversely affected by natural disasters. Sara-Bradshaw in her paper socio-economic impacts of natural disasters advocates the use of a gender approach; the paper states that the first step to ensuring that the specific basic needs of women are addressed over the short and long term is to collect data broken by sex and age segments immediately after the occurrence of a disaster. This is important because breaking up of data helps realize the affects of the flood on women in particular and assists in highlighting the specific requirements of the gender. For example in many cases in a Muslim country women might opt not to visit a male doctor, hence if the researchers have the number of women who need medical attention they can arrange female doctors accordingly. [14] Gender Aspects of Natural Disasters International Enarson et al 1998, Fordham 1998, Morrow 1999 and Tapsell et al 2000 are of the view that floods and other disasters can impact upon men and women in different and distinct ways. Similarly It is believed that men and women will be faced with different vulnerabilities to climate change impacts due to existing inequalities such as, their role and position in society, access to resources and power relations that may affect the ability to respond to the effects of climate change (WEDO 2007; Commission on the Status of Women 2008; Carvajal et al 2008; Bridge, 2008). [15][16] [17] [18] [19] It is a basic fact that majority of the women in developing countries and particularly in the South Asian region are at a disadvantage when compared to their male counterparts. International Literature such as Tapsell et al 2003 illustrates that women suffer markedly more than men at the worst time of flooding. Research has shown that due to socially constructed roles and responsibilities, women seem to bear the most burdens resulting from climate variability impacts. Due to the traditional gender roles in many developing countries, it is seen that women are in charge of the house and responsible for household needs such as cooking, washing, hygiene, children and raising small livestock. Children, in particular girls share these responsibilities. In Africa, women do 90% of the work of collecting water and wood, for the household and food preparation. It is noted that women have to work extra workloads when faced with natural catastrophes as they try to manage their everyday tasks during an emergency situation. [20] [21] Qualitative research suggests that this is because women have the main responsibility for, and probably, a greater emotional investment in the home than men. They also usually have the key responsibility for the care of children and the elderly in the home, for example even in a post flood situation it is the central responsibility of the woman for getting the home back to normal after the flood. [22] In many developing countries and especially in the south Asian region, food hierarchies favor male nutritional requirements and often women nutrition and health requirements are ignored. In Bangladesh it has been reported that Given the already precarious nutritional state of large numbers of girls and women in Bangladeshà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦any further increase in discrimination would have serious consequences. In poor households, throughout the world, women go without food for the benefit of their children or male family members. [30][31] Moreover an ADB report in 2001 found that in Bangladesh of the 20-30% female headed households, 95% are living below poverty line. Even in developed countries such as the U.K, lone parent and single pensioner households-the majority of which are female headed are most likely to be living in poverty. It is noted that in some instances pressure on families has been so severe that there have been reports of children being offered for domestic employment, a nd of female children being sold. The evidence informs us that women headed households already tend to have limited economic resources and hence a natural disaster can have a greater impact on their livelihoods in comparison to others. Other than the over-all poverty rates, health and education are two sectors where women in the region still lag behind men. The poor nutritional status of women makes them more susceptible to disease infection, particularly in developing countries where there is little social provision and limited or no access to proper medical care. Poor nutrition also makes women more vulnerable to disasters, and makes the physically strenuous tasks of water and fuel collection more difficult. Research in India has found that girls nutrition suffers most during periods of low consumption and rising food prices , which is common during disaster situations [36][37]. Fewtrell and Kay (2006) provide evidence of floods causing Bacterial, fungal, respiratory disease, and gastrointestinal infection along with earache and skin rashes among others. It is widely acknowledged in health research that some groups, such as women (especially pregnant women), the young, the elderly and immune compromised people are more vulnerable to health impacts (especially infection) than other people (e.g. Flynn and Nelson, 1998; White et al., 2002; WHO 2004). [28] Moreover floods can also have an impact on the mental health of the affectees. It has been suggested that women may suffer more mental strain in certain situations, due to cultural norms. Women in poor health prior to the flood are more likely to experience the flooding as traumatic. When whole families move to urban slums or relief camps the women face challenges adapting to the new environment. Problems include harassment, lack of security, unreliable water supplies which increases their workload, and gender insensitive conditions such as lack of privacy also have a tolling effect. Long journeys to the relief camps can cause both physical and mental stresses when coupled with experiences of sexual harassment on these journeys. Womens dramatically expanded care giving roles following a disaster, and putting family needs before their own, may explain overall decline in emotional well being. [29] Gender Aspects of Natural Disasters Pakistan The international literature on women in relation to climate change clearly highlights the severe vulnerability and adverse exposure natural disasters pose to women in particular. Similarly research studies have been conducted by different development organizations to gauge the impact of the severe floods that hit Pakistan recently. The research results are in line with international research literature. As Pakistani women particularly tend to mainly have reproductive and domestic roles in the households and are barely visible in the public spheres, particularly in rural areas, these characteristics make way for a greater impact on their socio-economic conditions from natural disasters. The existing situation of women in Pakistan cannot be fully valued without an understanding of the ways in which religion, culture and traditions have organized social relations and fractured society along class, racial, ethnic and gender lines. Pakistan therefore, presents a distinctive situation fro m a socio-economic perspective. In Pakistan Men and boys are given more weightage over the family resources in comparison to women and girls. A survey conducted by OCHA as a Needs Assessment study on the 2011 floods in Sindh found that 37% of households had reduced or skipped food intake; practice adopted by women and girls in the household to meet the ration requirements, which is similar to findings mentioned earlier from Bangladesh. [32] Nazish brohi et al have analyzed emerging trends and data, relying primarily on the Gender Needs Assessment (GNA), the Multià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ cluster Rapid Assessment Mechanism (McRAM), case studies and emerging secondary information. Their study includes case studies based on the various experiences of women to floods. The women respondents in the study have insisted that they had no prior information about the floods and many were taken back by surprise. The unexpectedness of the floods magnified its impact and also increased the exposure of the flood victims. The study present insights into the experiences of women through case studies, for example in Mianwali, a thirty year old woman, Jawwahi, rushed out with her family in waist high water and saw her house crumble before her; in Charsadda, women awoke to cries and found water rushing into their houses. Similarly the study also illustrates how women hygiene had been affected due to floods. For example in Kalabagh district, Baghat Bi bi, a sixty year old woman with her three daughters and three daughters in law visited the river every few days and submerged themselves in the water to clean themselves and their clothes, and then dry themselves while wearing the same clothes it is reported that the they had been doing it for over three weeks. As women in rural areas are not used to moving about in public spaces other than their villages; girls and women are often embarrassed to be seen accessing lavatories and hence do so during nightfall or early morning. Such overwhelming circumstances coupled with cases of harassment can have profound impacts on mental health. [35] The Preliminary Gender Needs Assessment report by UNIFEM  [E]  reports that the women were under severe stress as the devastation caused by the floods destroyed their limited assets, worsened their personal security situation, and changed their responsibilities as they were forced to respond to emergency conditions. The report stresses upon the fact that even though womens health is vital to the well-being of their families, after disasters, traditionally as caregivers, they tend to place their needs last. It also affirms that in certain provinces, cultural norms such as purdah limit women from being able to express their needs, additionally women also tend to have a chance of going unnoticed in the compensation process as their economic contributions are usually unseen. Similarly the women interviewed by IDMC in Sindh alleged that access to income-earning opportunities has been their biggest challenge and a major concern for women heads of household. The slow pace of recovery from the extensive damage the floods caused to the agricultural sector was expected to have a major impact on womens employment. Women also lacked the documentation to prove their property rights. As a result, widows and women heads of household interviewed by IDMC reported great difficulty in claiming inheritances, land and possessions left at home when they fled. [23] A March 2011 report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) found that internally displaced women and girls across the country could not venture out to receive emergency food aid without being threatened for violating purdah. [24] Women complained that most health services available in the aftermath of the floods concentrated on primary health care with little specialized focus on reproductive health for women. [25] A 2010 assessment by the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) quoted women as reporting sexual harassment in flood displacement camps where different tribes, families and villages were placed together. [26] Hence it is essential that researchers while assessing the effects of flood take both long term and short term health impacts into account. It is important for the research study to describe the characteristic impacts of floods on health outcomes, describe the factors that influence human health as a result of floods, describe the direct health impacts of floods and develop a conceptual framework to aid in the management and evaluation of flood related health management. The literacy rates of women in developing countries are much lower than their male counterparts. A study by UNICEF in the aftermath of the 2010 floods showed that there are gender disparities in supply side factors in Sindh including availability of schools for girls and boys. Pre flood institution break up by gender, level and sector shows that at the primary level there are 60% mixed schools in the public sector and 42% mixed schools at the middle level. At the primary level parents are more comfortable with sending their girl child to mix school; however there is reluctance when it comes to middle school when the girl attains puberty, the dropout rates are also highest at that point and majority of the dropouts occur when girls move from primary to middle level. Similarly the study provides evidence of gender disparities existing in Thatta; the study demonstrates the trends in pre and post flood situations in primary enrollment. [38] Lack of access to education isnt always related to scarcity of schools however the unavailability of this supply side factor can play a major role in decreasing access to education along with the unavailability of female teachers as well. Economic costs, social traditions, and religious and cultural beliefs also limit girls educational opportunities particularly when it comes to middle and high level schooling. As these social development indicators become worse due to the affects of climate change it is important for the authorities to not only measure them but also address them with sustainable development programs. Given that men and women in the study area are poverty-stricken with dependency on agriculture and natural resources for their livelihoods, natural disasters pose a high risk for them. As evident by the literature reviewed vulnerability seems to be higher for women as they do not have alternative means of employment and most of all employed women in the study area are employed by the agriculture sector. More and more researchers have concluded that it is important to opt for a gendered analysis when researching on flood impacts, Sarah Bradshaw in her study Socio-economic impacts of natural disasters: a gender analysis states The first step towards ensuring that the specific basic needs of women are addressed over the short and long term is to collect data broken down by sex and age segment immediately after a disaster. The breaking up of data helps researchers understand women specific needs better, which in turn can help policy makers design and implement women specific strategies a nd programs. [27] Even though the evidence provided above from both international and local research literature clearly advocates the case for greater vulnerability of women from natural disasters; not much has been done to assess the post disaster impact of floods on women. Research studies have remained limited to rapid assessments or need assessments, post disaster impact have not been concentrated upon. In order to design long term sustainable gender sensitive recovery programs it is crucial to understand the post disaster impact of floods on women, keeping this in mind the present study Social-Economic Impact of Flood in District Thatta: A Gendered Analysis is a pioneering work in Pakistan in which SPDCs researchers have gone a step ahead from other studies and have tried to assess the post disaster impact of one of the worst floods of the century. Furthermore, research has shown that despite obstacles faced by women, they are already developing effective coping strategies which include adapting their farming practices. Literature such as (WEDO, 2003; Gurung et al., 2006; Mitchell et al., 2007) pointed out that women are very knowledgeable and experienced with regards to coping with climate related impacts. They are aware of their needs and are very innovative in the face of change. Communities on the frontline in adapting to the effects of natural disasters need but so far often lack, adequate information about climate change and adaptation strategies. Due to the womens lower literacy levels in many regions, and other barriers to accessing information, such as culture, it is vital that womens needs are addressed in efforts to provide necessary information. [43] Ariyabandu and Wickramasighe (2005:26) suggest that although women are often more vulnerable to disasters than men (owing to conventional gender responsibilities and relations) however they are not just helpless victims as often represented. Women have valuable knowledge and experience in coping with disasters. Yet these strengths and capabilities of women are often ignored in policy decisions and in mitigation, thereby, allowing these valuable resources to go to waste and sometimes creating dependency situations. Ignorance of gender differences in the past has led to insensitive and ineffective relief operations that have not been able to target womens needs and their potential to assist in mitigation and relief work. [44] Hence this research is also important because not all is gloomy, as international research has suggested that in developing countries already experiencing negative effects of climate change, women have been identified as particularly adaptive and innovative, there fore the current research study shall play a valuable role in making policy makers better understand the long term issues of Pakistani women in particular and identify their strengths and weaknesses. Taking the above into consideration, SPDC has designed a gender sensitive research study to determine the impact of the 2010 flood of Thatta. A gender sensitive primary survey is vital in helping identify Gender gaps, hence SPDC researchers created separate questionnaires for men and women. The study helps understand the differences in the socio-economic impact of the flood on women, men, girls and boys. This includes gathering gender sensitive data on the sectors of education, health, economic, flood coping capability and the overall impact of the flood. In order to assess and evaluate the effect of flood on the household welfare and behavior, the study collects individual and household information from both male and female respondents separately, making use of gender sensitive approaches which in the past have been limited to needs assessments or rapid assessment studies.