African-American Firsts in Film and Theatre

Male Sexuality Female Sexuality - 1024 Words

Female Sexuality Female sexuality intertwines with Possessing the Secret of Joy by illustrating its power and those who fear it. History In the early nineteenth century, heightened female sexuality was considered a disorder (Studd, 2006). Doctors and psychiatrist sought ways to prevent â€Å"masturbation and decrease libido†. Issac Baker Brown- a gynecological surgeon removed the clitoris of a women who sought to use the Divorce Act of 1857 and leave her husbands as well as young women who read books and failed to follow their mothers’ rules. Women received operations to remove their clitoris preventing sexual stimulation as a way of controlling their sexual desires. Applying of leeches to the vulva and the anus also destroyed the outer portions of the vagina. In the medieval times, men were fearful of the female sexuality and the madness they believed came along with heightened states of arousal (Studd, 2006). Current Dr. Kimberly Russell says culture influences control women by saying women are less interested in sex than men, and that women prefer monogamy. Women did not say that, but women believe it (Cavanaugh, 2013). Creating an environment where women control their urges to be sexual with more than one person, is called â€Å"slut shaming.† This is an example of societal control over the libido of women. As evidence of this theory, Russell used other species who mate with several different mates to ensure procreation. More partners greater the chances for pregnancy. WomenShow MoreRelatedFemale Sexuality : Male Sexuality846 Words   |  4 PagesFemale Sexuality Female sexuality has been a controversial subject that plays a crucial role in our everyday lives. There is a constant double standard women face. In terms of sexuality both males and females are more similar than society deems them. It begins with parents; they have a great impact on how their daughters view sex and their own sexuality. Also female sexuality is considered taboo when they become mothers. There is a never ending battle of hypocrisy that women face when it comes toRead MoreGender Roles Associated With Male And Female Sexuality920 Words   |  4 PagesIntersex individuals are born with genitalia that cannot be identified as either clearly male or female. When children are born with ambiguous genitals, medical professionals often advise parents to opt for genital-normalization surgery. This procedure is used in an attempt to â€Å"resolve† some of the ambiguity and reconstruct the genitalia to more closely resemble the common features associated with male and fe male sexuality. After the surgery, the intersex individuals are raised in a manner consistent withRead MoreWhy Do We Fall in Love?1359 Words   |  6 Pagesattraction between the sexes? Sexuality is a subject about which no one is neutral. Everyone has a sexual nature, everyone has a need for sexuality, everyone has a sexual personality that has been formed by home, schooling, the trial and error of life experience, and whatever they pick up along the way from the subtle and notosoosubtle influences of the society in which they live. In seeking to make sense of our sexuality we must look to its origins. Where does our sexuality come from? In this articleRead MoreGender And Sexual Attitudes And Behavior1520 Words   |  7 Pagesdissimilarities in the topic of sexuality. Over time scholarly work has proved an abundant amount of different components correlating to the difference in sexuality resulting in the distinctions of sexual behaviors as well as attitudes among males and females. Difference in sexual attitudes and behavior can be seen between genders across various studies. This research study indicates the differences in sexuality according to gender. 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Through the rapport between the main characters, Nathan and Caleb, and theRead MoreSocial Constructionism : Sociology, History, And Philosophy940 Words   |  4 PagesSexuality is the capacity of human beings to have sexually stimulating responses towards another human being. A person’s sexual orientation can influence their sexual interest for another person. However, in society, many people want to see the opposite sex dating the opposite sex, such as a female dating a male. Whenever someone acts against that notion, such as a female dating a female or a male dating a male, people would see that as being deviant. This connects us back to history when differentRead MoreModern Culture : The Japanese Manga A Sub Culture Based Around Graphic Novels1606 Words   |  7 Pagesit is to be feminine, how the female body should look, and appropriate female sexual behaviour. Representations (and expectations) of the female form and sexuality are well depicted in the Japanese manga: graphic novel artwork that is read ubiquitously throughout Japan. Exploration of this art-form and the culture that grows around it provides a unique insight into current cultural attitudes in Japan. Shojo manga - a sub-culture based around graphic novels for females – explores fluid and expressiveRead MoreMedia s Influence On Gender Relations And Sexuality1230 Words   |  5 Pagesmedia represented gender and sexuality in the way that matched the dominant public view and mirrors the evolution of gender-related biases and stereotypes and views on sexuality. In the course of time, gender relations and sexuality evolved and changed and all these changes found their reflection in mass media (Bonvillain, 1995, 210). Mass media, in their turn, portrayed gender relations and sexuality according to the dominant cultural view on gender relations and sexuality. This is why it is possible

Mis in Microfinance Free Essays

string(145) " being used either in conjunction with a manual system or with an MIS application that does not fulfill the information requirements of the MFI\." MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR MICROFINANCE| ABSTRACT ICT can be a strategic tool in making Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) more efficient and effective. MFIs can reach more people in a more economic way by implementing the right Management Information System (MIS). While a few MFIs are making good use of technology, the majority are facing difficulties in getting the right solution. We will write a custom essay sample on Mis in Microfinance or any similar topic only for you Order Now Reasons for this include: * Insufficient organizational and human capacity * Unavailability of suitable MIS applications for microfinance * Diversity in business processes and frequent changes in procedures * Risk of failure of the MIS Diversity of geography and language * Unavailability of vendors and their capacity to implement and support IT solutions * High cost of IT solutions for MFIs * Lack of commitment of management and key decision-makers within an MFI * Lack of awareness about the importance of IT The back-office MIS is the backbone of any Information System solution and yet it has not received much attention. MFIs, whether large or small, need to have a strong back-office MIS before attempting to deploy any advanced front-end applications or delivery channels. These would be worthless without having a strong and flexible back-office MIS in place. INTRODUCTION Management information systems (MIS)  have played a key role in the traditional banking sector for years, but microfinance institutions have been much slower to utilize this technology, primarily due to budgeting shortfalls. A  2009 CGAP survey   found that many microfinance institutions lack well-functioning information systems that would enable them to grow into vigorous institutions. Technology was consistently cited as one of the greatest challenges facing MFIs. Over the last several years, however, more and more MFIs have begun implementing information systems, which has the potential to provide several benefits to the industry as a whole and to MFIs in particular; ranging from loan tracking to greater transparency and risk management. Management information systems are essentially applications which enable an institution to better organize its data for the purposes of decision-making, efficiency, and external reporting. Rather than hidden within a pile of manila folders, the data is crisp, up to date, and presented in a compelling and practical form. Benefits include easier cash-flow management and forecasting, timely information regarding portfolio risk, real time performance updates, more efficient accounting procedures, and simplified external reporting. In sum, a good MIS can increase an organization’s efficiency and decrease its operating costs. The biggest hurdle to the utilization of such technologies among MFIs has been the prohibitively high cost of purchase and implementation. The CGAP survey found that a majority of MFIs use either custom-built or off-the-shelf systems to track their portfolios. But a new innovation,  SaaS  (Software as a Service), has been changing that. Typically the SaaS software vendor hosts the application on its web servers, which the customer can download on his mobile device or computer terminal on an on-demand basis. This system provides MFIs 24/7 access from anywhere in the world, real time information, data security and automatic backup. With an SaaS system an organization pays monthly â€Å"rent†, or in some cases a variable fee based on usage levels, for access to the software provider’s application. Instead of â€Å"buying† the software and using it in isolation, the purchaser gains access to the provider’s online cloud, and utilize the internet to deposit, organize, and access their information. With this changed cost structure, more and more MFIs have been able to integrate MIS into their organizational structure. SaaS technology is designed to serve international microfinance networks, such as Opportunity International, as well as national MFI branches, such as  Cresa Financial Services in India. Accordingly, SaaS services are emerging as the MIS model of choice for microfinance institutions. Difficulties in Adopting MIS A number of MIS solutions are emerging. Currently, there are 56 MIS applications listed on the CGAP website, although more are being used by various organizations that are not publicized. Despite the advances in MIS, practical experience shows that the acquisition of a suitable MIS is not simple. Many MFIs are struggling with their MIS. Some of the reasons for these difficulties are: * Microfinance operations are unique and complex, compared to commercial, retail banking. The Microfinance sector is still evolving and lacks standardization in its procedures, methodologies, customer characteristics, type of transactions and reporting. * There is no of-the-shelf software available that can address the requirements of every MFI. * Those MIS that are available are complex and costly for adoption by MFIs. * MFIs lack human and organizational capacity to develop or select an appropriate MIS. * MFIs operate in remote and difficult areas where communication and po wer infrastructure do not exist and are therefore constrained from using IT equipment required to run MIS applications. Outlook of MFIs It is evident that the MFIs around the world are diverse in their structure and practices. Following are some of the factors that differentiate MFIs from each other: 1. Type of organization: * NGO * MFI (non-regulate) * Regulated MF Institution * Microfinance banks 2. Type of Products and Services: * Minimalists (those who offer only credit services) * Loans as well as savings services * Full range of products (including loans, deposits, remittance, insurance, leasing and social services) 3. Organizational Structure: * Branch setup (small, medium and large) Staff structure * Departments (cost centre and profit centre) 4. Geography: * Area specific (operations are limited to a small area) * Country specific (operations are spread over an entire country) * Global operations (operating in multiple countries) 5. Operational Environment: * Rural areas * Urban areas * Other 6. Processes and procedures: * Models (associations, cooperatives, credit unions, Grameen, etc. ) 7. Regulatory environment 8. Reporting: * Management reporting * Stakeholder reporting * Microfinance networks and peer group reporting Information Systems used by MFIs The microfinance sector is also quite diverse in its use of information systems. Generally there are the following three types: 1. Manual System Some MFIs still rely on manual systems, which involve maintenance of records in forms and ledgers. Organizations having manual systems are either small micro-credit programs or NGOs. 2. Semi-automated System More than 50% of MFIs are operating in a semi-automated mode. Within this category, the spreadsheet is the common tool being used either in conjunction with a manual system or with an MIS application that does not fulfill the information requirements of the MFI. You read "Mis in Microfinance" in category "Essay examples" The majority of non-regulated MFIs have semi-automated systems. 3. Fully Automated System Few MFIs are fortunate enough to have a fully automated and integrated MIS, fulfilling the whole information requirements of the organization. Such systems are existent with banks or regulated MFIs. Disadvantage of manual systems: Some of the disadvantages of manual Information Systems are: * Too laborious and time consuming. * Prone to Errors. * Data manipulation and analysis is very difficult. * Maintenance of large amount of data is almost impossible. * Data and information is not secured. Loosely controlled. * Highly inflexible (addition of new products and change in business processes). Benefits of computerized MIS to Microfinance There is no doubt that â€Å"the right information† at â€Å"the right time† at â€Å"the right place†, is crucial in decision making. Therefore, information and data is considered among the most valuable assets fundamental to the success of a n organization. The primary roles of the MIS are to capture information, create new information, store information, and convey information to the user. The two major objectives of MFIs are Outreach and Sustainability. MIS can add substantial value in achieving both the objectives: * A major advantage of MIS is that it provides easy access to accurate and up-to-date information. For example, loan officers get information on loans that need follow-up, branch managers can monitor daily progress of the branch, and senior management can get a full picture of the portfolio performance and quality. Customers also get quick information on their accounts, payments and balances. * Detailed information is captured on customers and their activities that can then be used to assess client business to assess impact. It is also useful in tracking historical information of clients. * Activities, such as disbursements, repayments, deposits, withdrawals and money transfers are completed faster, better controlled and with minimum opportunity for errors. * Information is produced in user-required formats, which facilitates better understanding, setting priorities, objectives and strategy. * Key performance indicators provide an overview of the organization’s performance, efficiency and effectiveness of business procedures so that timely adjustments can be made. * Use of ICT helps make MFI services more interactive, accessible and transparent. In terms of innovation, ICT provides full flexibility to structure products and services to the needs of its target group. * Efficiency and productivity of staff is increased, as they are able to manage more products, customers, and transactions in less time. Integration and Consolidation With the growth and advancement of the microfinance industry, new in novations are being witnessed. Among these innovations, technology-based delivery channels and mechanisms are creating opportunities as well as intensifying the competitive environment for MFIs. These channels are not only targeted at lowering transaction costs and extending the reach of MFIs to large populations, but are also focused around customer convenience. These technology-based mechanisms enhance efficiency of the MFIs, while posing substantial challenges in managing such technologies. One of the main challenges is that of integration and consolidation. It is essential that the back office MIS has the flexibility to integrate with such systems. The back-office MIS has received little attention within the sector. The general perception is that new technology based delivery systems would easily integrate with the core MIS, whereas in reality it is not that simple. Examples show that MFIs that have adopted such systems without assessment of their core MIS are struggling to integrate these. Because of non-integration, MFIs fall back on electronic spreadsheets or manual procedures to prepare consolidated information. Integration and consolidation are very important for MFIs and inability to integrate new technological innovations holds them back, making them less rather than more efficient. Back-office MIS â€Å"Starting Point for MFIs† The backbone of any Information System (IS) is the core MIS as it holds the critical data, and manages the information. All other systems are add-ons. A simple core MIS comprises of two parts: I. Database – data structure; an organized set of tables designed to the needs of the business. All data of the organization resides in these tables. ii. Application Software – comprises of the user interface, business processes, procedures, reports and queries. Fig 1: Core MIS Adopting an MIS is strategically important for MFIs. They need to undertake a careful and detailed assessment of current and future needs before committing to a particular solution. Much of the system’s flexibility, expandability, and robustness depend on the strength of the backend components. Strong core MIS can deliver cost-effective integration of data, channels and processes, facilitating a single consolidated view of the whole portfolio. Core MIS can provide easy data entry for the backend database, making consolidation easy to achieve. Various studies reveal that a large number of MFIs operate manual systems despite having some kind of MIS in place. One of the reasons the MIS does not cope with the changing needs of the organization is that the backend does not have the right structure. It is important for both the MFIs and microfinance software vendors to concentrate and strengthen the Core MIS. Figure 2 shows a basic structure for the Core MIS for microfinance: Fig2: Core MIS for Microfinance Other Key Deciding Factors for IT Systems While the MIS needs to fulfill the business requirements of the organization, but other factors including appropriate infrastructure and hardware are also important in the success and optimal utilization of information systems. We can categorize the components of an information system solution into five areas: 1. Physical Architecture (Electricity/Power communication infrastructure) Physical architecture consists of basic wires or cables to gateways and powerhouses. Together with buildings, offices, and computers, the architecture provides services of voice, data, image and video transmission while the consistent power supply keeps everything live and running. Every system needs electric power, and if systems are required to communicate, then there must be an appropriate communication infrastructure. Usually MFIs operate in remote and underdeveloped areas where this is lacking. 2. Network Three types of environment setups could be made. i. Standalone Environment; MIS is run on individual PCs and data is stored locally. ii. Local Area Network (LAN); PCs are connected together to create a LAN. The network can be either peer-to-peer or client/server. Desirable is the Client/server network where data is stored and shared through a server in a secure way. iii. Wide Area Network (WAN); Branch offices and operation units can be connected through a WAN. It requires proper communication infrastructure and involves high cost to establishing a WAN. For online systems WAN is critical. 3. Hardware Type of hardware depends on the network environment. A client-server environment requires server and switch for connecting the workstations / PCs. . Database Generally databases can be categorized as local and client-server. Each category has its own strengths and weaknesses. These details can help MFIs in selecting the appropriate database: i. Local databases there are a number of local databases but the most widely used databases are Microsoft Access, FoxPro, Paradox, and file maker. ii. Client/Server databases iii. Mos t popular client/server databases also called enterprise databases include; Oracle, DB2, SQL Server, Myself, Sybase, and Informix are some of the commonly used client/server databases: 5. Application A combination of business processes and procedures, user interface, reports and controls operate on top of the backend system. A large variety of software development and report generation tools are available and used to write software applications. Getting the Right Fit MFIs face great challenges in choosing the right system solution that can best fit their business needs. An MIS for microfinance must have the following characteristics: 1. Cost effectiveness: Total ownership and lifetime system operations costs, including hardware, software, network, infrastructure and human resource. . Functionality flexibility: Fulfill maximum of the current business requirement and flexible enough to incorporate future changes. Capture and generate relevant information on an individual, group, and at a consolidated level. 3. Reliability: Incomplete and unreliable systems are dangerously risky and can hamper the business. Such systems do not produce the right results and are unable to complete pr ocesses to the desired level. Users could be misguided by such systems. 4. Simple to use: Should be user friendly and easy to setup and operate. Activities can be performed in a systematic way and flow. 5. Scalability: System should accommodate changes to products, services and delivery channels. It should grow as the business grows. For example, if the system design is scalable, it can be run on an individual PC, Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN). 6. Integration: Combining data from multiple sources is of great importance to microfinance. Integration of branches to get single consolidated picture should be a priority. Challenges faced by MFIs * Microfinance is a rapidly changing industry. Due to the ongoing volution of the industry, MFIs face difficulty in defining business objectives, needs, priorities and limitations for acquisition of an MIS solution. There is lack of standardization within the microfinance sector, and business practices of MFIs differ from each other. Consequently, software developers face problems in coming-up with an MIS that can be used by most of the MFIs. Common failures are due to ill defined business process and procedures. * There is a shortage of skilled professionals who can understand technology as well as the microfinance industry, and be able to suggest the right solution. Such professionals can act as a bridge in filling the gap between use of ICT and microfinance operations * Majority of the MFIs do not have the technical capacity and required resources to understand, adopt and implement MIS solutions. * Most MIS solutions are not affordable to the majority of MFIs. * In some cases there is a lack of vision and commitment from the management towards use of technology * Integration is becoming one of the big challenges, as most of the MIS solutions for microfinance are built on weak platforms, thus not being flexible and scalable enough to integrate with emerging technologies and delivery channels. Recommendations: * FMFB’s experience of adopting technology suggests that MFIs should invest in relevant technologies after thorough and careful assessment of their requirements. The requirement should be addressed in perspective of current needs and future plans. * So far the core MIS of MFIs has been neglected. MFIs should get their core MIS right before opting for any kind of delivery system. * The software industry needs to do more in developing quality software for microfinance sector. * Capacity within institutions to manage technology is key to successful implementation and operation of its MIS. MFIs should employ skilled IT professionals on their staff. * MFIs must adopt MIS solutions that not only meet their needs but are also manageable by the MFI from all aspects. In some cases small and medium size MFIs go beyond their needs in adopting an MIS that ultimately becomes a drain on their resources. Such systems reduce the organizations overall efficiency and ultimately their sustainability. * MFIs can get maximum benefit by investing in technology, and putting in a better MIS solution that works for them. MIS is a strategic investment for MFIs. * Progressive policies that make ICT accessible and affordable to the majority of the population are important for encouraging the use of ICT within microfinance and for the development of the microfinance sector. Conclusion The use of ICT can rightfully be to the strategic advantage of MFIs. Innovations in ICT have transformed traditional approaches to microfinance, facilitating growth and reducing cost. Some of the players have already started getting the benefit by using MIS and similar IT solutions, while the majority of the MFIs have yet to realize the importance of its use to achieve outreach and sustainability. The implementation of the right MIS still remains a big challenge faced by MFIs. Efforts are also made from various corners of the world in overcoming these challenges. CGAP’s Information System Support is a prudent initiative to assist MFIs in getting access to ICT, aligning their MIS and using the appropriate IT solution. One of the realizations is â€Å"first things first† i. e. having an appropriate core MIS first before other systems: keeping in mind the strategic importance of ICT to the microfinance industry, renewed efforts are required from all the stakeholders to overcome the challenges faced by the microfinance industry in taking on IT. References: – Cheryl Frankiewicz and published by CALMEADOW (2003). IT as a Strategic Tool for Microfinance in Africa – ADB Releases (2005). Pakistan Economic Update – Rao, M (2004), Microfinance ICTs: Exploring Mutual Benefits and Synergy, Orbicom – Firpo, J. (2005), Championing Scale in Microfinance: Technology’s Role in Delivering Accessible Financial Services to the Poor How to cite Mis in Microfinance, Essay examples

Safety in Automation Industry

Question: Discuss about theSafety in Automation Industry. Answer: Introduction The EU safety directives are the legislative laws and directive that are applicable to all the member state of the European counties. The application of the EU safety directives helps in outlining the essential and minimum safety requirements required for the particular product. Gouldson and Murphy (2013) claimed that the EU directives helps in providing the policies and objectives that helps in focusing on the health and safety at the work environment. This work aims to analyze the various directives that have been set by the European Union for maintaining the safety standards of the automation industry and its machinery which doesnt only help in maintained standard products but helps in giving the staffs a better environment to work in. Review of Current EU Safety Directives Directives are the official or the authoritative instructions that are provided for the safety and the upkeep of the workers in the factory. The treaty that have been formulated is has to be followed by the member nation which ensures safety and health at the place of the work. The directives that are set by EU serve the base guideline and the member countries can adopt stricter rules to ensure better environment (Osha.europa.eu 2016). The industrial machinery and automation system is one of the major sectors in the engineering industry. Rademaeker et al. (2014) claimed that the industrial machinery is composed of several of assembled components that are required to joined together. So the machinery directives set the basic requirements for the manufacturers dealers of the equipments and the machineries and the importers who want to place their equipments in the EU markets. European Directives Industrial Machinery Machinery or the machines are the important part of the plants and involves one or more moving components which are assembled to serve some specific purpose or application. The machineries operate with the power derived from alternate mean against the previously used human of the animal forces (Hse.gov.uk 2016). There have been various standards that have been laid out by the EU which offers advantages like free movement of the machineries and better environment for the workers of the plants. Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC is one of the significant machinery legislation that governs the harmonization of the safety and health requirements for EU level machinery. According to food safety department, this particular directive helps in promoting the machinery movement within a particular market and ensures the maximum safety of the workers of the factory and the citizen of the EU (Food Safety 2016). This directive is relatively new and hence is designed to promote harmonization among the standards through the standards for safety and health. The authorization is applicable only for the machinery that is placed for the first time in the market. Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU The low voltage directives were well set and adopted by the EU even before the global directives were set and serve as the single market directive for the EU. Since the directives are broader and for the regulation of the safety, it is accepted in all the countries of the EU, it should be understood that the directives are not any standard but are the guidelines for production of the safe products. The directive takes cares of the electrical equipments which fall under certain range that are new to the market (Maynard 2015). The directive ensures high level of security of the user of the products and ensures fair competition in the market. Safety Standards Safety standards are the benchmarks that are formulated by the government or the authorizing body for safety of both the product and the user of the product. The safety standards of the place ensure the various chemical, environmental and the physical hazards that are existent in the factory. Hence to ensure the safety various protections like clothing, practices, hygiene, equipments etc. Basic Safety Standards I.S. EN ISO 12100:2010 The main aim of this standard is to provide, manufacturers and the designers of the machinery, the framework and the needed guidance for the development of the safe machinery based on the usage. The standard has three basic types. Type A is the basic standards concerning the safety, and gives concepts, designs, and the general aspect which can be used for manufacturing the machinery. Type B is more generic compared to the previous type and deal with only one type of parameter in various machinery, like temperature or interlocking, etc. Type C is the safety standards for the machines which details the safety of the machinery or the facility (Fryman and Matthias 2012). Machinery Standards The standardization is the act of creating a basic benchmark for the maintenance of the uniformity of the various factors and the parameters in a process. In case of the machine standards the framework acts as the basis of maintaining the desired uniform output and the safety so that the machinery doesnt create harm to the environment and the staffs working on them (Chinniah 2015). The following frameworks act as a mean of developing eh desired standard for the machines. 2.2.2.1 I.S. EN ISO 13849-1/2 These guidelines regarding the automatic machines provide the basic principles for designing and integrating the parts into the system that are related to the control system and hence contains both the hardware and the software components. Since system deals with the basic framework and the design guideline, it doesnt incorporate the performance level for the safety (Matsumoto and Iida 2014). The ISO 13849 provides the guidelines for and the requirements for the PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices). 2.2.2.2 I.S. EN 62061, I.S. EN 60204 EN 60261 is meant for the machinery which are running on a controller which controls the various aspect of the device using the electronic controllers which needs minimal human interface. Hence the system is designed for the optimum security that can be attained using an electronic control system and hence is relevant to the present structure of the factory for less complex functionality. En 60204 deals with the various standards that are related to the wiring of the machinery and the electrical equipments that are connected to the machines. The standard also deals with the fabrication techniques that are related to the semiconductors. So this standard decides whether the machinery that is being used in the facility is electrically safe (Frost 2016). But the standard doesnt deal with the power circuitry which is responsible for the controlling the working tools of the machine. 2.2.2.3 I.S. EN 614 1/2 EN 614-1 is more general safety principle as it deals with the safety of the machinery and the ergonomic principles that are related to the design, its terminologies and the principles that are related to it. Hence the standard deals with the occupational safety, working conditions, quality, etc. EN 614-2 is more dedicated and deals in the same sector as of the EN 614-1. So the standards deal with ergonomics and the interaction between the designed machinery and the tasks (Nlfnorm.cz 2016). 2.2.2.4 IEC/ISO 17305 IEC/ISO 17305 is recent development and deals with the aspects that are a merger between EN ISO 13849 and IEC 62061 which has been previously described. This new standard will deal with the functional safety of the plant and the machinery that are installed in a facility and the steps and the measures that will be taken to ensure the functional safety. So it can be understood that the new standard will deal with all the aspects of the plant safety and the design. The aim of this standard is make the system simpler compared to the previous ones which are more distributed (RockwellAutomation.com 2016). Hence the advantages of the system will be one international standard, no change in the procedures for standardization and clearer and simpler format. Product Specific Standards SGS Ireland is a leader in testing, verification and the certification company who have developed standards for the checking the packaging of the medicinal products. The developed standard is ISO 15378. This standard deal with the standard for the packaging material for the medicinal products. For providing the certification the organization scrutinizes the whole operation which identifies the weaknesses and the need of improvement and the strengths of the company (Sgs.com 2016). During the test the company keeps in mind the various legalities, scopes for reduction of the risks and identification of the areas of improvement. Conclusion In this work the various aspects of the safety standards that have been chalked out by the various safety standards have been discussed in detail for a better understanding of the subject. For the discussion, the various machines directives and the low voltage directive have been discussed for reviewing the current EU directives and the standards for the automation systems and the various industrial machineries. The European directives which consists of the machinery directives and the low voltage directives have been presented and in the following sections, several standards related to the automation industry and the machinery have been presented in details. Finally in the last segment the product specific standard for the packing in medicine industry have been discussed. References Chinniah, Y., 2015. Analysis and prevention of serious and fatal accidents related to moving parts of machinery.Safety science,75, pp.163-173. De Rademaeker, E., Suter, G., Pasman, H.J. and Fabiano, B., 2014. A review of the past, present and future of the European loss prevention and safety promotion in the process industries.Process Safety and Environmental Protection,92(4), pp.280-291. Food Safety. (2016). Review of EU rules - Food Safety - European Commission. [online] Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/plant_propagation_material/legislation/review_eu_rules_en [Accessed 30 Nov. 2016]. Frost, S. (2016). PABIAC Safety-related Control Systems Workshop. [online] https://www.paper.org.uk/. Available at: https://www.paper.org.uk/services/health_safety/engineering/hSE_ElectricalFunctionalSafety.pdf [Accessed 30 Nov. 2016]. Fryman, J. and Matthias, B., 2012, May. Safety of industrial robots: From conventional to collaborative applications. InRobotics; Proceedings of ROBOTIK 2012; 7th German Conference on(pp. 1-5). VDE. Gouldson, A. and Murphy, J., 2013.Regulatory realities: the implementation and impact of industrial environmental regulation. Routledge. Hse.gov.uk. (2016). European Community law on the supply of new products - Work equipment and machinery. [online] Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-equipment-machinery/european-community-law-supply-new-products.htm [Accessed 30 Nov. 2016]. Matsumoto, T. and Iida, T., Omron Corporation, 2014.Control system. U.S. Patent 8,860,258. Maynard, M.W., 2015, May. A new structure for the EU LVD directive: The European union new legislative framework and new low voltage directive. InProduct Compliance Engineering (ISPCE), 2015 IEEE Symposium on(pp. 1-5). IEEE. Nlfnorm.cz. (2016). EN 614-2:2000+A1:2008 - Safety of machinery - Ergonomic design principles - Part 2: - nlfnorm.cz. [online] Available at: https://www.nlfnorm.cz/en/ehn/2872 [Accessed 30 Nov. 2016]. Osha.europa.eu. (2016). European directives on safety and health at work - Safety and health at work - EU-OSHA. [online] Available at: https://osha.europa.eu/en/safety-and-health-legislation/european-directives [Accessed 30 Nov. 2016]. RockwellAutomation.com. (2016). Safety Standard IEC/ISO 17305 Merger Project Halted. [online] Available at: https://www.rockwellautomation.com/global/news/the-journal/detail.page?pagetitle=Safety-Standard-IEC%2FISO-17305-Merger-Project-Haltedcontent_type=magazinedocid=2085d4775ba3d67f8c542e35fd8300d1 [Accessed 30 Nov. 2016]. Sgs.com. (2016). ISO 15378 - Certification - Primary Packaging Materials for Medicinal Products | Life Sciences | SGS. [online] Available at: https://www.sgs.com/en/life-sciences/pharmaceutical-services/audit-certification-and-verification/safety/iso-15378-certification-primary-packaging-materials-for-medicinal-products [Accessed 30 Nov. 2016].

Romeo And Juliet With West Side Story Essays (1590 words)

Romeo And Juliet With West Side Story Andy Warhol once said, "They say that time changes things, but actually you have to change them yourself." Two hundred fifty years passed between the original Romeo and Juliet and the premiere of West Side Story on Broadway in 1957. However, time did not change the message of the story, simply the creators' unique visions evolved. Shakespeare's delivery of the timeless tale of desperate love in his classic Romeo and Juliet proves to only intensify through retelling and modern interpretation. Audiences cherish Romeo and Juliet as one of the most beloved plays of all time from the Elizabethan Age to the present. Romeo and Juliet have attained the role as the quintessential lovers, and the noun, "a Romeo," is synonymous with " lover." Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is closely based on Arthur Brooke's tale, The Tragicall History of Romeus and Juliet. The language, attitudes, and customs detailed in the play are generally English, in spite of Brooke's original Italian setting. In 1949, choreographer Jerome Robbins decided to retell Brooke and Shakespeare's romantic tragedy using song and dance, elements of racism and nationalism, and a modern vernacular. Robbins called upon the musical talents of composer Leonard Bernstein and the words of Arthur Laurents for the script and book. The love story proved to have universal appeal throughout all artistic forms, as it had already been adjusted for opera and ballet. The contemporary adaptation of this timeless classic alters details and deepens the message of hatred, but maintains Brooke and Shakespeare's vision. The relationships between the characters, plot sequence, and theme of hatred in West Side Story and Romeo and Juliet intertwine resulting in two similar, yet varying versions of the most famous love story of all time. The relationships between the characters of West Side Story and Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet are reflective of their respective time periods and the original story. Maria and Juliet represent a slightly practical counterpart to both Tony's and Romeo's idealistic nature. Maria's brother Bernardo and Juliet's cousin Tybalt portray impulsively stubborn and violent characters who both die from wounds inflicted by the male lead. Lieutenant Schrank is similar to Prince Escalus, although Schrank is unfair in his treatment and attitude towards one gang- the Sharks. Anita and Nurse both take on the role as Juliet's confidant and trusted friend, often tampering with their roles as messengers. The mischievously tomboyish Anybodys, who desperately wants to be a Jet, would best fit into the role of Balthasar, since it was she who aided Tony in escaping after the rumble, as well as later informing the other Jets that Tony was being hunted. Finally, the character of Doc appears to fulfill the role of Friar Laurence because both possess somewhat of a peacekeeping nature. Doc attempts to get through to Tony by dramatically pleading, "Why do you live like there's a war on? Why do you kill?" (2.5). All of the characters are consistent to the heart and soul of the story as well as the slightly differing plots. West Side Story maintains Romeo and Juliet's intricate and exciting plot using appropriate adaptations to accommodate mid-twentieth-century pop culture. For instance, both artistic forms portray mutual disrespect between the parties. At the dawn of Romeo and Juliet, Capulet's cohorts harass Montague's. "I will bite my thumb at them; which is a disgrace to them, if they bear it," boasts Sampson (1.1.42-43). In the opening scene of West Side Story, several members of a Puerto Rican gang insult A-rab, a member of the opposing gang. It is here where Lieutenant Schrank becomes aware of the potential rumble. In Romeo and Juliet Escalus, Prince of Verona, threatens, "If ever you disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace" (1.1.103-104). In West Side Story, Schrank mediates in his own way when he declares, "I got a hot surprise for you: you hoodlums don't own the streets"(1.1). Later, another similarity takes place. Riff convinces Tony to attend the dance at the gym just as Benvolio persuades Romeo to attend the Capulets' masquerade. Tony confesses to Riff that he's "reachin' out for something"(1.2), just what, he doesn't know. Riff encourages Tony by proposing, "Maybe what you're waitin' for'll be twitchin' at the dance!" (1.2). Shakespeare and director Jerome Robbins choose to draw the audience's attention to the dramatic lovers by giving them unique and eminent qualities. At the Capulet ball in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, all of the characters speak in blank verse, but when Romeo and Juliet converse, they speak in sonnet form. Throughout the

USS Missouri (BB-63) in World War II

USS Missouri (BB-63) in World War II Ordered on June 20, 1940,  USS  Missouri  (BB-63) was the fourth ship of the  Iowa-class of battleships.   USS Missouri (BB-63) - Overview Nation: United StatesType: BattleshipShipyard: New York Navy YardLaid Down: January 6, 1941Launched: January 29, 1944Commissioned: June 11, 1944Fate: Museum Ship at Pearl Harbor, HI Specifications Displacement: 45,000 tonsLength: 887 ft., 3 in.Beam: 108 ft. 2 in.Draft: 28 ft. 11 in.Speed: 33 knotsComplement: 2,700 men Armament (1944) Guns 9 x 16 in. (406 mm) 50 cal. Mark 7 guns (3 turrets of 3 guns each)20 Ãâ€" 5 in. (127 mm) 38 cal. Mark 12 guns80 x 40 mm 56 cal. anti-aircraft guns49 x 20 mm 70 cal. anti-aircraft guns Design Construction Intended as fast battleships capable of serving as escorts for the new Essex-class aircraft carriers then being designed, the Iowas were longer and faster than the earlier North Carolina and South Dakota-classes. Laid down at the New York Navy Yard on January 6, 1941, work on Missouri proceeded through the early years of World War II. As the importance of aircraft carriers increased, the US Navy shifted its building priorities to those Essex-class ships then under construction. As a result, Missouri was not launched until January 29, 1944. Christened by Margaret Truman, the daughter of then-Senator Harry Truman of Missouri, the ship moved to the fitting out piers for completion. Missouris armament centered on nine Mark 7 16 guns which were mounted in three triple turrets. These were supplemented by 20 5 guns, 80 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns, and 49 20mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns. Completed by mid-1944, the battleship was commissioned on June 11 with Captain William M. Callaghan in command. It was the last battleship commissioned by the US Navy. Joining the Fleet Steaming out of New York, Missouri completed its sea trials and then conducted battle training in the Chesapeake Bay. This done, the battleship departed Norfolk on November 11, 1944, and, after a stop in San Francisco to be fitted out as a fleet flagship, arrived at Pearl Harbor on December 24. Assigned to Vice Admiral Marc Mitschers Task Force 58, Missouri soon departed for Ulithi where it was attached to the screening force for the carrier USS Lexington (CV-16). In February 1945, Missouri sailed with TF58 when it began launching air strikes against the Japanese home islands. Turning south, the battleship arrived off Iwo Jima where it provided direct fire support for the landings on February 19. Re-assigned to protect USS Yorktown (CV-10), Missouri and TF58 returned to the waters off Japan in early March where the battleship downed four Japanese aircraft. Later that month, Missouri struck at targets on Okinawa in support of Allied operations on the island. While offshore, the ship was struck by a Japanese kamikaze, however, the damage inflicted was largely superficial. Transferred to Admiral William Bull Halseys Third Fleet, Missouri became the admirals flagship on May 18. Japanese Surrender Moving north, the battleship again struck targets on Okinawa before Halseys ships shifted their attention to Kyushu, Japan. Enduring a typhoon, Third Fleet spent June and July hitting targets across Japan, with aircraft striking the Inland Sea and the surface ships bombarding shore targets. With the surrender of Japan, Missouri entered Tokyo Bay with other Allied ships on August 29. Selected to host the surrender ceremony, Allied commanders, led by Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz and General Douglas MacArthur received the Japanese delegation aboard Missouri on September 2, 1945. Postwar With the surrender concluded, Halsey transferred his flag to South Dakota and Missouri was ordered to aid in bringing home American servicemen as part of Operation Magic Carpet. Completing this mission, the ship transited the Panama Canal and took part in Navy Day celebrations in New York where it was boarded by President Harry S. Truman. Following a brief refit in early 1946, the ship undertook a goodwill tour of the Mediterranean before sailing to Rio de Janeiro in August 1947, to bring the Truman family back to the US after the Inter-American Conference for the Maintenance of Hemisphere Peace and Security. Korean War At Trumans personal request, the battleship was not deactivated along with the other Iowa-class ships as a part of the postwar downsizing of the navy. Following a grounding incident in 1950, Missouri was sent to the Far East to aid United Nations troops in Korea. Fulfilling a shore bombardment role, the battleship also aided in screening US carriers in the area. In December 1950, Missouri moved into position to provide naval gunfire support during the evacuation of Hungnam. Returning to the US for a refit in early 1951, it resumed its duties off Korea in October 1952. After five months in the war zone, Missouri sailed for Norfolk. In the summer of 1953, the battleship served as the flagship for the US Naval Academys midshipman training cruise. Sailing to Lisbon and Cherbourg, the voyage was the only time the four Iowa-class battleships cruised together. Reactivation Modernization Upon its return, Missouri was prepared for mothballs and was placed in storage at Bremerton, WA in February 1955. In the 1980s, the ship and its sisters received new life as part of the Reagan Administrations 600-ship navy initiative. Recalled from the reserve fleet, Missouri underwent a massive overhaul which saw the installation of four MK 141 quad cell missile launchers, eight Armored Box Launchers for Tomahawk cruise missiles, and four Phalanx CIWS guns. In addition, the ship was fitted with the latest electronics and combat control systems. The ship was formally recommissioned on May 10, 1986, at San Francisco, CA. Gulf War The next year, it traveled to the Persian Gulf to aid in Operation Earnest Will where it escorted re-flagged Kuwaiti oil tankers through the Straits of Hormuz. After several routine assignments, the ship returned to the Middle East in January 1991 and played an active role in Operation Desert Storm. Arriving in the Persian Gulf on January 3, Missouri joined coalition naval forces. With the beginning of Operation Desert Storm on January 17, the battleship commenced launching Tomahawk cruise missiles at Iraqi targets. Twelve days later, Missouri moved inshore and used its 16 guns to shell an Iraqi command and control facility near the Saudi Arabia-Kuwait border. Over the next several days,  the battleship, along with its sister, USS Wisconsin (BB-64) attacked Iraqi beach defenses as well as targets near Khafji. Moving north on February 23, Missouri continued striking targets ashore as part of the coalition amphibious feint against the Kuwaiti coast.   In the course of the operation, the Iraqis fired two HY-2 Silkworm missiles at the battleship, neither of which found their target. As military operations ashore moved out of range of Missouris guns, the battleship commenced patrolling the northern Persian Gulf. Remaining on station through the armistice of February 28, it finally departed the region on March 21.   Following stops in Australia, Missouri arrived at Pearl Harbor the following month and played a role in the ceremonies honoring the 50th anniversary of the Japanese attack that December. Final Days With the conclusion of the Cold War and the end of the threat posed by the Soviet Union, Missouri was decommissioned at Long Beach, CA on March 31, 1992. Returned to Bremerton, the battleship was struck from the Naval Vessel Register three years later. Though groups in Puget Sound desired to keep Missouri there as a museum ship, the US Navy elected to have the battleship placed in Pearl Harbor where it would serve as a symbol of the end of World War II. Towed to Hawaii in 1998, it was moored next to Ford Island and the remains of USS Arizona (BB-39). A year later, Missouri it opened as a museum ship. Sources Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: USS MissouriBattleship Missouri MemorialHistorynet: USS Missouri

Human resource management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Human resource management - Essay Example However, in the modern sense, this definition does not hold valid any more. Significant competitive pressures, advancements in technology, privatizations and mergers have forced companies to continually enhance their systems and human resource skills. As a result, a â€Å"secure† job one day would not be considered secure the next day. Additionally, increased requirements of productivity and new conditions make jobs redundant while creating space for new jobs with new or enhanced skill sets. J.D. Wallance has highlighted these very factors and offered a solution that remains beyond the realm of a single job position. He has emphasized that the initiative for retraining for career protection lies with the individual and not with the company this person works for as â€Å"very few companies† focus on â€Å"necessary training† for employees. In his assessment, in the face of fast paced changes in work environments, employees have a choice between â€Å"being left behind† by stagnating their knowledge or open up new options for themselves in the job market by having more current skill sets. It is not always possible to fully predict whether a certain newly acquired skill would result in career advancement and success or not. For example, back when Internet was still not widely available in the commercial domain, fully assessing its impact on the global economy was not easy. Training in Internet technologies at that time could be termed a calculated guess which paid off in the long run. Extending the same example, anyone restricting oneself to HTML technology may have limited the options for growth. Newer technologies on the horizon, still untested and many far different from each other, could still provide a more certain chance of success compared with doing nothing. The subjectivity mentioned earlier is introduced by potential failure as in the example in the text. However, one must first analyze the