15 Basic Appeals

â€Å"Advertising: 15 Basic Appeals† by Jib Fowles (from â€Å"Mass Advertising As Social Forecast†) 1. Need for sex- surprisingly, Fowles found that only 2 percent of the television ads, he surveyed used this appeal. It may  be too blatant, he concluded, and often detracts from the product. 2. Need for affiliation- the largest number of ads use this approach: you are looking for friendship? Advertisers can also use this negatively, to make you worry that you'll lose friends if you don't use a certain product. 3. Need to nurture- every time you see a puppy or a kitten or a child, the appeal is to your paternal or maternal instincts. . Need for guidance- a father or mother figure can appeal to your desire for someone to care for you, s you won't have to worry. Betty Crocker is a good example. 5. Need to aggress- we all have had a desire to get even, and some ads give you this satisfaction. 6. Need to achieve- the ability to accomplish something difficult and succeed id entifies the product with winning. Sports figures as spokespersons project this image. 7. Need to dominate- the power we lack is what we can look for in a commercial â€Å"master the possibilities. † 8. Need for prominence- we want to be admired and respected; to have high social status.Tasteful china and classic diamonds offer this potential. 9. Need for attention- we want people to notice us; we want to be looked at. Cosmetics are a natural for this approach. 10. Need for autonomy- within a crowded environment, we want to be singled out, to be a â€Å"breed apart. † This can also be used negatively: you may be left out if you don't use a particular product. 11. Need to escape- flight is very appealing; you can imagine adventures you cannot have; the idea of escape is pleasurable. 12. Need to feel safe- to be free from threats, to be secure is the appeal of many insurance and bank ads. 3. Need for aesthetic sensations-beauty attracts us, and classic art or dance makes us feel creative, enhanced. 14. Need to satisfy curiosity-facts support our belief that information is quantifiable and numbers and diagrams make our choices seem scientific. 15. Psychological needs- Fowles defines sex (item no. 1) as a biological need, and so he classifies our need to sleep, eat, and drink in this category. Advertisers for juicy pizza are especially appealing late at night. Source: Media Impact Introduction to Mass Media (4th Ed) Author: Shirley Biagi,   Wadsworth

Computer Technology Essay

Charles Njogu, the name does not ring a bell does it? That is my name. Why should my name matter to you? It should matter because I am one of the biggest success stories to come out of my native country, Kenya. I come from a third world country and nothing I have ever achieved or have in life came on a silver platter. I worked hard to reach my status in my life now and I am working even harder to make sure that I do not waste any of the opportunities lady luck has thrown my way. Completing my education has always been my personal battle. There were some real times in the past when I thought that I would do better to throw in the towel and just give up. But I have a dream, a dream to help my countrymen realize a better life and for the future generation of Kenyans to have a better chance in life than my generation did. This is why I strive to reach even greater heights in my educational accomplishments. I want to be the example every Kenyan will look up to and realize that there is a brighter future ahead of them. All they have to do is keep moving towards the goal. No matter how impossible it seems. Though life was rough for me back home, I never let anyone derail me from achieving my goals. That character trait of mine was built up over the years of failure and hindrances that I had to overcome. Looking back on my educational achievements in Kenya, I amaze myself because I never believe I could all that and much more. I have always had a fascination with Computer Technology. This is why my earliest educational achievements were in this field. The Computer Training Center in Nairobi awarded me an ACP certificate in Computer programming back in 1993. This was quickly followed by an ACP Advance Diploma in Computer Studies as well as another ACP Diploma in Systems Analysis and Design. My interest in computers helped me understand that Management plays an important role in the way any office works. All the best computers and databases in the world will be rendered useless if efficient office management is not firmly established by the office right from the start. So I toyed with the idea of taking some management courses. After all, it has always been a personal dream of mine to own my own business someday and, hopefully, be able to teach my fellow Kenyans all about business management in order to help their business skills. Three years later, in 1996, graduated with a National Diploma in Business Management with an Advanced Certificate in Business Administration from the Kenya Institute of Management. For most people, that would be enough of an achievement to make them feel accomplished in life, but not me. I knew there was more to learn and that Kenya based educational institutions had probably taught me all that I they had to offer me. So I set my sights higher. This time, I was eyeing further advanced education in the United States of America. It was with great pride and joy that I was accepted into Brandeis University in Massachusetts. I attended the school as a masteral student of International Finance and Economics. My major was in International Finance and International Economics. I completed these studies back in 2003. Now, in 2007, am expecting to complete my Master of Science degree in Management and Systems with a major in Leadership and knowledge from New York University. You might ask yourself, with all these accomplishments, why would I still want to complete a Ph. D. in Management at Rutger University? The answer is really part of a very logical process of educating myself that is deeply rooted in my sense of self-accomplishment. I want to be a results oriented businessman with vast experience in business administration, financial management, information technology, knowledge and organizational management. I believe that in order to properly manage a business, I must be highly skilled in strategic planning, implementation and information systems auditing as well as knowing how to properly increase productivity while keeping a streamlined business operational. It is my intention to complete my Masteral Degree in Management because in the future, I wish to see a challenging career as a Business Systems Analyst, project manager, as well as a network engineer / person. These positions will require me to fully utilize all my extensive skills, analytical and leadership abilities in order to realize my potential for future growth. Why should Rutger University even bother to consider me for a student slot in the system? The answer to this lies in my soon to be published thesis entitled Managing Knowledge Capital: How Organizations Measure Knowledge Capital and How the Make It Grow. It was recently reviewed with much praise by Lydia Rich and should be published in the short-term future. In this thesis, I am reminding everyone that computers do not do the managing of businesses although they are an integral part of the management system. I proposed that what really keeps the business running is a thoroughly new, yet proven to be accurate method of determining the value of businesses today through proper management ideas. Lastly, I am sure you will want to know why I want to attend Rutger University. The answer, simply put is that I believe that your university will provide me with fertile ground where in I can learn even higher levels of academic theory and practice based on one of the most admirable Ph. D. curriculums this nation has to offer.

Auditing Theory and Risk Assessment †Free Samples for Students

Discuss About the Auditing Theory and Risk Assessment? Auditing has remained an indispensable practice in the corporate sector and other areas dealing with huge assessment of economics. The corporation’s capability to assess its development relies exclusively on auditing undertake within the company (Knechel et al. 2012). A great proportion of the operation within economic sector extremely depend on the auditing nature, consequently, numerous theories have since been advanced to help in the elimination of countless risks alongside crisis in auditing (Là ³pez and Peters 2012). Such approaches have been considered by global framework of financial reporting organization like GAAP alongside IFRS for guiding practices of auditing. Various policies have further been advanced to back auditors in making corrections on the risks that might face them throughout auditing (Humphrey and Miller 2012).    The feature of auditing alongside commitment of team of auditing guarantees the achievement of an establishment in the industry as well as global market. In the latest past, models such as going concern have been established. Implementing alongside practicing these specified matters stay within the auditors’ hands alongside the company management board (Herda and Lavelle 2014). The scope of this discussion stretches from the investigation of the application of such present issues in a Company called One.Tel in Australia. This company has run its operations in telecommunication industry beginning 1995, May following its launch in Sydney. This discussion additionally deliberates inherent risk in the One.Tel firm financial reports along with ongoing concern issue (Iwu and Xesha 2011). Inherent risk is among the audit risks under risks assessment management. Audit risk includes three classes of risks: inherent-, control- and detection risk.   Audit risk is regarded as the aftermath of the 3 risks exposed overhead. It might be met throughout auditing performance that in this context is One.Tel Telecommunication Company. Inherent risk is, consequently, a constituent of audit that is occasioned by substantial misstatement inside financial statement. Inaccuracy happens in a business’s audit statement because of embezzle application of essential measures of control (Chung et al. 2012). Inherent risks ascend typically as a result the omissions errors when balancing the books of the business. In One.Tel Company’s case, inherent risks might have ascended because of failures alongside control measures poor application.   The incidence of letdowns because of inherent risks might be due to oversight alongside deceitful practices. An upsurge in inherent risks happens as a result of certain factors inside the internal environment of the corporate. Factors which affect inherent risk at the financial report levelAuthenticity of management The rise in inherent risks in this Company could be due to the board of the Directorate incompetency. The management of the organization is comprised of nine memberships having dissimilar powers alongside privileges. The board is encompassed of 5 none-executive memberships making up the mainstream of the board memberships. Additional 4 executive memberships having a jam-packed mandate to all in the company (Coetsee 2010). The degree at which inherent risk is swelling in this company is extraordinary based on to the availed statement. The memberships are indebted to various duties including authorization of business and monetary strategies, recognizing and addressing issues of important facing One.Tel as a business, appraising as well as monitoring processes of management and reporting contrivances, overseeing financial performance alongside nomination of the executive management team. The business has full-grown to an edge whereby the management can never meet entire responsibilities. The directors are increasingly probable to hide their unfortunate statuses, consequently, dwindling to yield expressive statements throughout auditing resulting in a rise in the inherent risk as result of meager management (Iwu and Xesha 2011). The ineffectiveness in company management besides lack of knowledge escalates unsuitable financial report preparation leading to the rise in the inherent risk. When the auditor notices regular staff turnover in essential management positions, the inherent risk increases since truthful characters are probable to resign their management positions instead of propagating certain fraud. This frequently happens where the corporation expands swiftly as replicated in the circumstance of One.Tel Company (Herda and Lavelle 2012). There could be stimuluses for management to misrepresent the financial report snowballing the inherent risk. The incentives in can be moreover from the internal environment or the external environment (Kerler and Brandon 2010). The inducements could be cash-flow challenges, poor rationing of liquidity, unfortunate operation outcomes because of management restraint alongside work overstress along with assembly of management recompense pay structures linked to share capital as well as earnings. This could result in upsurge in inherent risk because management could be persuaded to misrepresent operation along with financial statements to obtain particular bonus. Many issues have already been recognized in the corporate or industry whereby One.Tel Company trades.   The business has a multifaceted investment association, which is the aid to rise inherent risk. The availability of associated-party dealings like the business stockholders would likewise raise inherent risk as the operations are never with the autonomous regulating party (Al Nawaiseh and Jaber 2015). The business has capital share dealings which necessitate increased financial knowledge to audit because such operations remain complex. Telecommunication businesses have perhaps compensations till they inaugurate a standing, alongside a dependable source of income shall be inherent risky. Telecommunication industry is faced with a challenge that needs the businesses in the industry to apply mechanism for controls to be steady and stay pertinent in this industry. New-fangled economies culminate high inherent risk compared steady economies. Differences in commercial as well as competitive surroundings would be expected to have a noteworthy impact on inherent risk of the company such as One.Tel in the telecommunication sector. Aspects like disparity in income and development in certain service providers of telecommunication could lead to an increase in inherent risk throughout financial statement arrangements. Through risk assessing phase the business audit team goes via the risks recognized comparable to the inherent risk discussed overhead. The auditor assesses the factors of the risks by fair evaluation (Martin 2013). Risks evaluation fallouts into two kinds of risks that in this circumstance is the inherent risk. The risk identified is a constituent of financial statement’s material misstatement inspired by numerous factors.   Factors linked to fraud could be recognized throughout development process of strategy while such factors that upsurge inherent risk owing to fraud recognizable through the AU s.316. In the circumstance in which account books necessitate vicissitudes, the inherent risk can remain high due to numerous errors brought onward. The oversight could happen resulting in a rise in the inherent risk where the accounts books are being attuned (Francis 2011). In case the transaction throughout a financial year is complex, it is probable that there shall be an upsurge in inherent risk. In contemplation of One.Tel Company, the accounts books designates multifaceted kinds of dealings like stockholder's inequality, dividend   and reserves could be challenging to comprehend culminating in extraordinary inherent risk at the level of accounting (Herda and Lavelle 2012). The type of judgment fronted by the auditor throughout the course of auditors balancing is probable to effect inherent risk. If the account report on a particular deal could be persuaded by certain factors inside the business (Reichelt and Wang 2010). Such judgments could be dictated by the kind of operation alongside the pressure on management. The company’s assets susceptibility to embezzlements or loss leads to augmented inherent risk level of accounting. Throughout the entries of transaction, it is obvious that modest embezzlement of an asset lead to augmented inherent risk. For example, taking asset misplacement to liability could result in surged inherent risk (Herd and Lavelle 2014). The noteworthy transactions occurrence throughout the financial year has a conceivable upsurge in the inherent risk (Skinner and Srinivasan 2012). Where an unacquainted transaction takes place specifically towards the end of financial year, there are tall probabilities of blunders accounts books. Such dissimilar processes could be a trial to the auditor alongside accountants. It could lead to huge inherent risk (Coetsee 2010). Where a particular transaction is thought-provoking, the auditors might end up wrongly placing items accounts books, therefore, upsurge inherent risk. The rate of an increase in the inherent risk is high at the accounting level when we make transactions which require unfamiliar processing. In the event of such case the auditor of a business entity like One.Tel Telecommunication Company may make mistakes leading to an increase in inherent risk (Knechel et al. 2012). The reporting framework of GAAP obligates the management to effect a hurried decision on the basis of going concern issue (Knechel et al. 2012). This concept builds on the assessment by the auditor whether low, high or medium in association to inherent risk alongside control risk (Francis 2011). The risk detection throughout the evaluation is pegged at the lowermost level to fix the audit risk at a rate endorsed. Slightest discovery of risk could be attained via enhancement of scope test (Knechel et al. 2012). It is obvious from the above discussion that a going concern might be either high, low or medium depending on the above three kinds of risks (Knechel et al. 2012). The going concern issue in relative to One.Tel’s case could be attributable to high. Inherent in financial statement of One.Tel is considered high because it operates under extremely controlled industry.   The One.Tel’s going concern in this situation, is regarded high (Chang, Dasgupta and Hilar 2009). Supplementary factors like detective alongside control risk appear high based on the of the business entity’s nature.    It remains apparent that the going concern rate be contingent increasingly on the type of risks presented in financial statement. In case of stumpy audit risk, the going concern nature remains stumpy while when the kinds of the risk is high or medium, it is either high or low. Irrespective of the correctness of such an assumption, it remain quite challenging to regulate the subsequent scenarios which could culminate in the unceasing going concern application (Knechel et al. 2012). The going concern nature in in One.Tel business depended on the stipulated financial framework application. The going concern nature must be correctly assessed (medium, high or low) as replicated in audit risk viewpoint. Additional variables including period of audit, auditor’s opinion, environment of business, alongside team of management further dictate the consideration of going concern (Al Nawaiseh and Jaber 2015). To sum up, it remains self-evident that maximum control risk issues might have been identified by the auditors. Nevertheless, the auditors did not report precisely as a result of external alongside internal pressures. A greater proportion of Australian auditors perceive furthermost risk aspects control of One.Tel as a thought-provoking task because of absence of independence of auditors (Al Nawaiseh and Jaber 2015). Factors of inherent risk could be monitored for timely management where control factors are availed. Assessment assumption of audit speaks to inherent, control as well as detective risk matters. One.Tel’s case discloses that auditors remain probable to address inherent risk throughout risk assessment because of restricted directors’ numbers (Chang, Dasgupta and Hilary 2009). Al Nawaiseh, M.A.L. and Jaber, J., 2015. Auditing subsequent events from the perspective of auditors: study from Jordan. International Journal of Financial Research, 6(3), p.p78. Chang, X., Dasgupta, S. and Hilary, G., 2009. The effect of auditor quality on financing decisions. The Accounting Review, 84(4), pp.1085-1117. Chung, J.O., Cullinan, C.P., Frank, M., Long, J.H., Mueller-Phillips, J. and O'Reilly, D.M., 2012. The auditor's approach to subsequent events: Insights from the academic literature. Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 32(sp1), pp.167-207. Coetsee, D., 2010. A critical review of the effect of accounting for financial instruments on the accounting framework. Southern African Business Review, 10(1), pp.115-129. Coetsee, D., 2010. The role of accounting theory in the development of accounting principles. Meditari Accountancy Research, 18(1), pp.1-16. Francis, J.R., 2011. A framework for understanding and researching audit quality. Auditing: A journal of practice & theory, 30(2), pp.125-152. Herda, D.N. and Lavelle, J.J., 2012. Auditor commitment to privately held clients and its effect on value-added audit service. Auditing: A journal of practice & theory, 32(1), pp.113-137. Herda, D.N. and Lavelle, J.J., 2014. Auditing Subsequent Events: Perspectives from the Field. Current Issues in Auditing, 8(2), pp.A10-A24. Humphrey, C. and Miller, P., 2012. Rethinking impact and redefining responsibility: The parameters and coordinates of accounting and public management reforms. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 25(2), pp.295-327. Iwu, C.G. and Xesha, D., 2011. Used Bookstore as a Vehicle for Improved Learning and Development: The Case of a South Africans Tertiary Institution. Janvrin, D.J. and Jeffrey, C.G., 2007. An investigation of auditor perceptions about subsequent events and factors that influence this audit task. Accounting Horizons, 21(3), pp.295-312. Kerler, W.A. and Brandon, D.M., 2010. The effects of trust, client importance, and goal commitment on auditors' acceptance of client-preferred methods. Advances in Accounting, 26(2), pp.246-258. Knechel, W.R., Krishnan, G.V., Pevzner, M., Shefchik, L.B. and Velury, U.K., 2012. Audit quality: Insights from the academic literature. Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 32(sp1), pp.385-421. Là ³pez, D.M. and Peters, G.F., 2012. The effect of workload compression on audit quality. Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 31(4), pp.139-165. Martin, R.D., 2013. Audit quality indicators: Audit practice meets audit research. Current issues in auditing, 7(2), pp.A17-A23. Reichelt, K.J. and Wang, D., 2010. National and office?specific measures of auditor industry expertise and effects on audit quality. Journal of Accounting Research, 48(3), pp.647-686. Skinner, D. J. and Srinivasan, S. 2012. Audit quality and auditor reputation: Evidence from Japan. The Accounting Review, 87(5), 1737-1765. Thompson, T.R., 1960. Problems of Auditing Computing Data: Internal Audit Practice and External Audit Theory Section 1: Internal Audit. The Computer Journal, 3(1), pp.10-11. Unegbu, A.O., 2014. Theories of Accounting: Evolution & Developments, Income-Determination and Diversities in Use. arXiv preprint arXiv:1411.4633.

Cost Descriptions Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Cost Descriptions Paper - Essay Example However, the variable cost per unit is fixed for a specific level of production or cost. It will vary in total amount proportionately with some measures of business activity, like costs associated with power, maintenance, etc. Whereas Direct Cost are those cost which can be traced to a specific cost objective or costs which is easily traceable by per unit and allocated through cost centers. Like direct material, direct labor etc. Manufacturing Cost is the name of aggregate resources of direct material, direct labor and FOH which is allocated in manufacturing the product. Manufacturing costs are also referred to as production costs. Manufacturing cost also describes how much cost is incurred on each unit produced. By estimating the manufacturing cost, the management is able to value the units produced in a year, cost of goods sold and inventory, which ultimately, is reported in the income statement and balance sheet of the company. Manufacturing costs include all cost from acquisition of material to conversion into finished goods. Packing material, fuel expense, lubricants, depreciation on factory equipments, wages, repair and maintenance, all contribute to the manufacturing cost. Product Costs are those costs which are identifiable with the product either directly or indirectly. Product cost mainly consists of direct materials, direct labor, and factory overhead. ... Moreover, if the product is sold it is recorded as Cost of Goods Sold in the books of accounts and then COGS is matched against the revenue (matching principle) generated by selling the product. In short, product costs are those costs which are treated as inventory that is ready for sale. They are treated as assets until the products are sold (Garrison, 2004). All those cost which are not attributed to product cost are treated as Period Cost. Period cost is treated as expensed and directly reported to income statement in the period when they are incurred. Period cost are not debated over purchase or cost of goods manufactured. Period cost include all selling expenses, general and administration expenses, interest expense and income tax expense (Garrison, 2004). In short, Period costs are reported on the income statement separated from the cost of goods sold section. The period cost is deducted from gross profit. Period cost is not essentially the part of the manufacturing process so therefore period cost is not treated as a cost of inventory (Meigs et al, 1999). An Opportunity Cost means to get or select the benefit of one alternative by rejecting the other opportunity. It is the cost associated with the best forgone alternative. The opportunity costs is not present in the books of accounts but it is relevant and appropriate with respect to managerial decision making. Like if a students decides to attend summer school rather than accepting a job of making $500 a week, than the true cost of attending school is more than just books, meals, housing etc and the opportunity cost is $500. Sunk Costs are not relevant in decision making because these costs have been incurred and cannot be changed. Like in the oil exploration

Superstition vs Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Superstition vs Religion - Essay Example In previous times, culture was often seen in terms of opposition to nature. However, more recently the field of anthropology has tended to hold the view that in fact culture is nature. Therefore anthropologists have begun to shift their attentions away from an etic type comparison (an outsider's view) of cultures - in search of some kind of universal rule of cultural development - towards a more emic type (an insider's view) of approach that focuses on understanding aspects of culture in that particular culture's own terms. In other words, their focus is on a kind of 'cultural relativism' (1). Therefore, during the first part of this essay I will concentrate on an emic view of superstition and religion whilst examining examples of each. I will then go on to attempt an outline of the differences and similarities between the two before drawing conclusions on their continued importance to today's world. Superstition can be loosely defined as the belief in ideas that are not founded in e ither knowledge or reason. From an outsider's position, the term is often used in a somewhat derogative manner, referring to it in terms such as 'old wives tales'. Nonetheless, many superstitious practices date back to a pre-religious era and many people from various cultures still firmly believe that events can be predicted, often 2 based on the outcomes of previous events. For cultures steeped in superstitional practice, nothing has a 'natural cause' as such. Indeed every event was the work of spirits. These spirits could punish or reward, ruin or save the individuals of peoples. Let us take the example of the ritual practices and beliefs of the Azande tribe. If we were to study these practices from an etic standpoint, using techniques of ethnography for example, we could effectively explain every outcome in terms that would be outside the understanding of this tribe, but to us would effectively prove that the rain dance this tribe performs had no effect on the rain. However, at t he same time the peoples of this tribe could also effectively show that, if carried out correctly, this ritual could indeed affect the outcome of the rain. Here we have an example of cultural relativism. The practice of astrology is another area that falls into the category of superstition, simply because despite practitioners' attempts to tie the practice to precise mathematical formulas, it is not strictly based on scientific truths. However, proponents of astrology – including the areas of horoscope and Tarot readings – would claim the validity of the practice simply because of its long history. In fact, the use of horoscopes was first recorded in Ancient Mesopotamia where they were used to predict affairs of the state, while they became more individual-focused in Ancient Greece. So that is a basic outline of superstition, let us now take a closer look at religion. Religion has, in fact, historically been defined in various different (and often overlapping) ways. Mo reover, some definitions appear to be relatively broad whilst 3 others are somewhat narrower. For Example, the American theologian, Vergilius Ferm spoke of religion in terms of " effecting in some way†¦a vital adjustment to whatever is reacted to or regarded implicitly or explicitly as worthy of serious and ulterior concern" (qtd in Sweetman 4). More morally minded was the philosopher William James who spoke of religion as "a belief there is an unseen order, and that our supreme good lies in harmoniously adjusting ourselves thereto" (qtd in Sweetman 5). Thus, we see it is difficult to define religion in precise terms; however, we

Read the requirement carefully Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Read the requirement carefully - Essay Example An increased number of public as well as private sector firms in the period of 1980s started the utilization of teams for task completion. Soon after a decade, this trend spread rapidly as small manufacturing enterprises started developing effective and strong managerial and production teams in order to yield better performance and enhanced job satisfaction. It appears that the usage of teams has disseminated to the extent that now the mechanistic and bureaucratic organizational designs have become an exception instead of being a norm. This paper attempts to explore the impact of deployment of teams rather than individual employees for organizational task accomplishments over the organizational success. Moreover, the factors that may hinder in the effective performance of a team will be assessed as well as the ways to overcome such issues will be sorted (Maxwell, 2002). Team Defined A team may be defined in terms of work groups that are appointed with the accomplishment of a performa nce job that necessitates joint cooperation. Thus teams are distinguished from other group types as it emphasized collective performance instead of focusing on individual learning outcomes that may be acquired while working in groups (Ryan, 2012). Levels of a team In order to accomplish desired level of performance, teams are assessed at various levels. These are individual member level, issue or content level, psychological or interaction level, procedure or method level and the outside relation level. Individual member level is an affair of individual perceptions, personalities, ideas and concepts, emotions, behaviours and intentions. Content level focuses on the content of the task undertaken by the team; the psychological level focuses on the mutual group members’ attitudes as well as the state of affair between them, roles, behaviour pattern as well as the observed climate. Method level ails problem solving techniques such as decision methodologies, rules or regulations within team analysis and creativity skills. The outside group relations deals with the relations or contacts as well as information cultivated with the other members of organization taking into consideration the deputizing rules (Harvey, Millett & Smith, 1998). Relevancy of Teams in an Organization Teams are relevant to organizations in various situations such as when competing organizations are utilizing teams, when organization is required to be flattened, when improving quality is the main focus of organization, when teams are needed or desired by employees, when in order to provide quick response to organization flexibility is needed and when the tasks needed to be completed require diverse knowledge and skills (Guzzo & Dickson, 1996). Working in a collaborative manner as team now proves to be catalyst that accelerates the process of realization of the complete potential of an organization. So being such a driver for growth, progress and development in the organization, the proc ess of team building is strategically imperative. Developing teamwork is based upon facilitating a dedication to working together on the objectives of the company and adjusting the opportunity and circumstances for employees to bestow their best (Katzenbach & Smith, 1993). But in order to efficiently perform the team must be developed keeping into considera

Global marketing ethic and culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Global marketing ethic and culture - Essay Example Despite this, there are controversies about this proposed takeover as the employees of the Cadbury have lined up in London to protest against this takeover owing to the job losses that they may incur. Similarly, Kraft’s shareholders specially its largest shareholder Warren Buffet is worried about the mounting debt that the firm has taken in order to materialize this deal. Thus the issue is not just limited to the takeover of one international firm by another but it also carries with it the different ethical consequences. Apart from this there will also be issues regarding the culture as well as global marketing theory which need to be understood and analyzed in order to properly evaluate this proposed merger. This paper will therefore attempt to provide an objective analysis of the takeover by providing detailed analysis of the markets where both the firms are operating currently, relative advantages of the takeover to both the firms as well as implications for the stakeholders of the firm besides dwelling upon some of the ethical issues. Organizations enter into mergers and acquisitions for variety of reasons however, strategic reasons for takeovers are considered as most critical. Gaining entry into new markets, achieving synergy as well as diversification are some of the most important reasons that may be behind the takeovers of the firms.(Kummer,2008). Thus takeovers can either be strategic in nature or they can be financial in nature too. Financial takeovers are often done in order to gain quick gains due to market in-corrections and as such organizations engage themselves into such takeovers in order to gain monetary benefits rather than gaining strategic advantage over their competitors. It is also critical to note that the cross border takeovers and acquisitions are often made in order to overcome the entry barriers that may restrict the firms to gain an entry into a new market on its

Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 60

Leadership - Essay Example One of the leadership qualities he depicted was that he was a man of character. He was man of his words and was quite trustworthy (Zenger et al, 2009). He never indulged in making promises he could not keep and if used to make any promise he used to ensure that he fulfilled that promise. But being a man of character is not enough to become a leader. In order to become a leader it is very essential that the supervisor should have personal capabilities such as professional expertise, ability to innovate and indulge in self-development (Zenger et al, 2009). He lacked these capabilities and this was quite evident because he did not have the required KSAs to supervise the department in which he was working. He was a veteran military official and lacked skills and abilities to supervise a human resource department. Other than personal capabilities he did not even enjoyed taking responsibility of the outcome of the work that was performed by his followers and team members and always held his team members responsible for any issues that took place. Furthermore, belonging to the military background he even lacked interpersonal skills (Zenger et al, 2009). He used to be quite arrogant when treating his own subordinates and used to be quite aggressive while pointing out their mistakes and rarely was indulged in developing relationship with his team

Hardins Argument Concerning Lifeboat Ethics Essay

Hardins Argument Concerning Lifeboat Ethics - Essay Example He also illustrates this fact with the example of a farmer, who cannot allow any more cattle in his meadow than its carrying capacity justifies. He argues that if a pasture is open to all, the right to use it will not be matched by a corresponding responsibility to protect it and it is not possible to expect everyone to use it with discretion. "In a crowded world of less than perfect human beings, mutual ruin is inevitable if there are no controls. This is the tragedy of the commons." (Hardin) Therefore, Hardin establishes his concept of 'the tragedy of the commons' in a highly convincing manner with ample illustrations and explanations and he maintains that an important task of education today should be the creation of an acute awareness of the dangers of the commons. One of the most significant interpretations of the arguments of Hardin concerning 'the tragedy of the commons' was offered by De Young in his article "Tragedy of the commons", in which the author comes up with serious criticisms of Hardin's arguments. According to De Young, Garrett Hardin's concept of the 'tragedy of the commons' has been important in understanding how humanity has come at the brink of several environmental catastrophes. He maintains that the dangerous situations in human life are the creations of the innocent behaviors of many individuals acting alone.

Government Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Government - Essay Example Goodlad, or David Berliner and Bruce Biddle) questioned the majority of its findings, sometimes pointing at its logical or statistical inconsistencies (â€Å"A Nation at Risk†). According to Berliner and Biddle, for instance, the implementation of new academic-performance standards was ‘misdirected’, as this, and similar, reforms did not lead to any significant changes in the field. Nonetheless, despite such criticisms, numerous investigations and surveys published around 2003, the report’s 20th anniversary, purported to show that the progress done in the field of education was rather significant, with more rigorous course requirements being especially referenced (â€Å"A Nation at Risk†). To my mind, the problems that A Nation at Risk highlighted are still with us, as the public school system is often under-financed, a teachers’ shortage problem is not solved yet, and the education standards are somewhat lacking to face the shifting realities of the U.S. and world economy’s requirements. The conduct of educational reform is dependent entirely on the national and state institutions that are charged with the development of educational sphere. That is why the persistent delays in the conduct of necessary educational reforms point to the absence of political will on behalf of their

The Role of Jobs In Theatre Essay Example for Free

The Role of Jobs In Theatre Essay The Role and Jobs of the Producer, Director, Designer, Play-writer, and Actors within the play and how each of their Roles interacts with Each Other A theatre stage drama is very interesting complex task that has been admired for years by the viewers. The success of a theatre depends on how many quality stage plays it can produce. Its success depends on the collaborative actions of all the staff members. Each staff member has his own responsibility.   Producer   Producer has several tasks to cover in a playwright. He is concerned with a clearer production on theatre or stage. He analyzes the play, edit and write to make the play much better. Producer is the person who takes the initiative in any play and he’s the first place where play has to be started.   The producer determines where play has to set. That is what would be the right location for a play where all the rehearsals can take place. It is all in the hands of the producer to find a good director of the play. He’s responsible for the location of performances. He determines how many and which play has to be performed. In addition there are several other correlated tasks like marketing and advertising activities and all remaining activities associated with the complete production of a play. He’s also responsible for contacting various people and concerned companies, departments, schools for obtaining permission for the production of a play at particular place.   Producer is also responsible for finding the cameramen, cinematography, music and picture settings.   Producer also manages the workshops to enhance role of each and every individual and to train the staff for their relevant tasks. Producers have choice to either work part-time or full time. Some producers only work part time and have several other jobs to complete. Some producers also work as volunteers by choice. They are separately on the kind of job they’ve done and time they invest. The main focus that makes a theatre play successful is their interaction, cooperation and responsible act. It does not matter that whether they’re working on part-time basis or full, voluteering their job or not but the main thing is that how responsibly they interact. Producers stand responsible for the overall production of the play. Producers can act individually or they may work in groups. Raising the finances Producers are responsible for raising the finances for the theatre. They set prices and plans for how money can be raised for one play. He’s also responsible for setting the pay of other staff members. He calculates the costs and profits. Usually producing a theatre play entails high cost. A lot of funds investiment is required to have the play completed. Script selection Producer determines that which script he needs for a particular play. Producer is always in direct contact with the writers and ask them about what needs to be done for a particular play. Because requirements for each play is totally different. And the story and plot of the play must be compelling enough to let the viewers enjoy it. Plot of the play and overall story has lot to do with the success of a drama. Hence, producer works in close collaboration with writers about a particular play. Place of performance Producer is mainly responsible for setting the place where play will be carried out. Place has to determine a lot about the play. The writer also needs to write according to the place and background.   Role of Director in Theatre   Directors direct the play. Directors set the play setting and command for action. He directs the production. He interprets the vision of a writer into actual form. Direction has a lot of impact on the success of a script or play. Director works with all other cast and crew of the play.   A director has a very principal role in directing a play. He works on various tasks along with producer to ensure a unique and clear production. Without director the production of a theatre play will never be completed. He works with all other important staff members to direct the play. The key persons involved with directors are producers, writer and designer. He co-ordinates many principle activities like coordinating acting, background settings, sound settings, stage settings, costume design, setting of lights, stagecraft and help with production. â€Å"In the early 1890s dimmers were being used, an invention of Granville Woods. It can be seen that electric lights, or instruments, had to be positioned and focused on actors, and so the first lighting operators also had to direct the actors where to move, and thus may well have unwittingly created the position of an outside director. It was in the early part of the new century that they gained widespread popularity. Prior to that, the leading actor or actress would dictate the shape of stage arrangements, usually for their own benefit. The eighteenth century actress Sarah Siddons was famous for this, even once ending Macbeth at the sleepwalking scene.† (Wikipedia) The director plays the primary role in making decisions in the play. He interprets the text of writer and then decides how the scene has to be accomplished. He’s the primary visionary of the play. However, in every theatre and every play director has different roles to observe and their authority over various tasks also differ. In different states, every theatre determines the kind of responsibility and task to be assigned to the director. It may also vary according to the play that needs to be directed. The responsibility on each director depends on which state and theatre he is working with and what kind of play he has to cover. Different theatre companies determine what tasks need to be assigned. Directors work in cooperation with other staff members and work in collaboration with them to accomplish a task. The directing can be adopted for different styles. According to wikipedia â€Å"Directing is an artform that has grown with the development of theatre theory and theatre practice. With the emergence of new trends in theatre, so too have directors adopted new methodologies and engaged in new practices. Generally speaking, directors adopt a style of directing that falls into one or more of the following categories: the dictator, negotiator, the creative artist, and the confrontationalist† (Wikiepedia) The dictator kind of directing is that when director plays a dominant role and he’s the one who is concerned about all kind of tasks without having any suggestions from actors and other staff members. In another kind of style a director is much lenient and talks with every member about what should be done and everyone has a part to play and suggest what is best. He can be a creative artist who artistically commands each and every action of the play. He may take suggestions from others but only authorized to give final decisions. Directors have also to do something with the light settings, bulbs, intensity and shades. Directors determine where the lights will fall, which area should be shadowed and where light intensity should be great to view the scene. Actor and actress also play major part in determining the kind of clothes, make up and stage settings. Directors set that few lights have to be set on the actors. He may constantly talk and negotiate with others to produce quality scene. Role of Designer in Theatre Designer design the play backgrounds. Designer also designs the hairstyle, clothing and other related stuff of the actors. He also designs the background settings and the environment. The overall scene must be very powerful, eye-catching, and modernistic. In some scenes designer calls for realistic view of the image, while at other pictures of the scenes it must be not very clear to elude the realism. Everything was kept very simple. Background must be very good with perfect lighting and composition to keep everything straightforward. The role of Play-writer Play writer, of course is the main person who writes the script of the play. The writer writes the dialogues, speeches, scenes, backgrounds and other related stuff. Play-writer interacts with producer and directors to find out opportunities and possible thing in his writing. He may also contact by producer and director on the basis if they need any change in the play. â€Å"Even if your story revolves around subject matter the average citizen would consider less than exciting, your as the scriptwriter must find an edge that makes your video watchable. Subject matter is what you make it, and the basic notions of any dramatic, or comedic piece conflict, resolution, character arcs exist everywhere. It is up to you, the writer to disseminate what would tell a good story from a mediocre story, and then delve further.† (Cook, 2004) Play writer writes the play with scenes and dialogues according to the environment. He writes the suspense, opening and ending. The story, script, direction and production combined made the theatre compelling. The writer must first know the story of the play and what has to be written. The writer is contacted by the director and producers both. The writer writes the complete play and show this to director and producer. As directors and producers are directly involved with the play, they constantly gets in touch with the writer to have any improvement the write-up, story, and plot. â€Å"Like any form of technical writing, scriptwriting has its own ends and outs that must be adhered to in order for your script to be taken as a serious venture by the rest of the world. Find scripts that delve into your type of field, and read them carefully. Understand, if you do not know what a script looks and reads like now, or unless you take the time to find out, you never will.† (Cook, 2004) As cook advices that writing should be unique enough that it competes with all others. Writer not only writes dialogues but also expressions, complete scenes, background and plot layout of the play. Writers may need to cut the scenes if director thinks that a particular scene is not required. Even he may need to add stuff, scenes and other things as required. â€Å"The second act not only serves as the main vehicle for your story to flow with rising action, catalysts, and the climax of your story, but it also allows you to develop and humanize your characters with the audience so we, the viewing public become emotionally attached to your character. Even in a thirty second Public Service Announcement this statement is true.† (Cook, 2004) The role of Actors Actors are there to act in the play. The act on what is being written in the play. They speak the dialogues of the play. The act as directed by the director. The acting and characters in the theatre must be remarkable. With terrific dialogues it gives the magical perfection to the scenes, character and play. They interact with writer and director in a way that if they couldn’t understand anything they simply ask. â€Å"Kunqu (pronounced kwin chu) is one of the oldest and most refined styles of traditional Chinese theatre performed today. It is a synthesis of drama, opera, ballet, poetry recital, and musical recital, which also draws on earlier forms of Chinese theatrical performances such as mime, farce, acrobatics, ballad recital, and medley, some of which go back to the third century B.C. or even earlier. In a Kunqu performance, recitative is interspersed with arias sung to traditional melodies, called qu-pai. Each word or phrase is also expressed by a stylized movement or gesture that is essentially part of a dance, with strict rules of style and execution much like classical ballet. Even casual gestures must be precisely executed and timed to coordinate with the music and percussion. The refinement of the movement is further enhanced with stylized costumes that also serve as simple props.† (Kangu theatre) The characters and actors play a big part in success of the overall story because it is their acting that makes it successful. Not too many people understand arts the way actors do. Some people may say that everyone can become an actor, but not everyone can become good actors.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Actors with capacity strengthen the role of actors and can present themselves as livestock professionals. Actors may be small but they are the integral part of the entire narrative. The final production of a narrative is determined by the actors and everyone else who is working in the project or they are a whole package (Actors Roles, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The roles of actors in theatre are different from those in theatre. However, they are, generally, must be prepared to take the role to shape the entire production – from the beginning to the end and they should correspond to the overall idea and context of the production.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In his interview with Olga Surkova , Tarkovsky says, â€Å"To the actor, acting must be like life itself, a riddle, a secret, a mystery.† He describes that in theatre, the actors play incredible roles and responsibilities. For actors in theatre, their roles increases (Olga, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   For this, actors should be familiar with and â€Å"be acquainted with the director’s ideas and intentions in their completeness,† add Tarkovsky (Olgo, 2007). In every circumstance, they should be able to respond spontaneously and act intuitively under the director’s guidance.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Actors should know the whole scenario before starting their part. For theatre actors, they have to presume that they know the end result of the theatre. They have to learn desperately and imagine the final form while those of the theatre are still at rehearsing stage (Actors for Role Play, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Theatre actors who are able to foresee the final form tend to be given the opportunity to express his or her own ideas of the role they are playing or the role of other actors. This makes them to be fateful, which in turn, add to the final form of the production. This is applied to actors of all scenarios. Too often, the final form is better than the script or vice versa. It depends on the actors and the roles they play in the entire set.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Not only actors have different roles in different scenarios, but they also require different methods in different cases. Director plays important part in this because he or she has to be innovative and creative while guiding the actors to meet the final as he imagine what is written in the script. In fact, the director breathes life to the actors and together, they work to produce a production of the same theme.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Some directors require the actors not to know the whole script but waiting for his or guidance. The most important requirement for their role is that they should not be artificial but act naturally.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Said Olga, if in theater the director’s idea represent the foundation of the cast’s acting, the actors fills â€Å"a function in an intellectually constructed ritual. The director’s thoughts are transmitted through the tangible presence on stage of the person playing the part.† (Olga, 2007) For example in Murder in the Cathedral The act of female chorus was contradictory to the male priests and showed Thomas’ disagreement and conflicting feelings and thought. The play is shown in very naà ¯ve manner and with clarity to depict the historical period accurately. Though there might be some deviations from the real facts when analyzed in details. However, production is good and historical events are portrayed well. The image of the characters is well depicted (Murder in the Cathederal).   Play is formed with multidimensional platform with big cast to handle and with beautiful lighting decoration of the stage. It tried to give exact picture of Thomas’ world and his internal and external relationship in cathedral. The visual experience is very good and pictures historical period. The chorus of females, who were six from Canterbury, used to sing the fears, oppression, despair and sufferings of people representing an ordinary folk. This chorus were mainly chanting and speaking of ordinary people hardships they suffer due to the temporal power on them. In the play they are narrating to the audience about the past and express their feelings about the fate. The women of Canterbury sang about destiny, which focus the environment of play on martyrdom, life and death. To some extent they foretell Thomas murder. Portray of women was shown as protective, caring, weak but intuitive, and quintessence of Canterbury people (Murder in the Cathederal). Conclusion Interaction of Producer, Director, Designer, Writer and Actors is very important in production of a play. The details of setting and characters are directed very accurately and in cost-effective way. All the individual elements like script, characters, acting, lighting, direction, production, writing, editing and photography all perfectly correlated. A perfect balance must be created in all the settings. All these things from playwriting to final production of the play are equally interrelated. If everything is done perfectly in its place then the play goes very well. References Content standards for theatre http://www.artsusa.org/public_awareness/standards/California/CALIFORNIA-%20THEATRE%20STANDARDS.PDF Cook, Nash. (2004) Writing a Shooting Script. Retrieved from http://is.asu.edu/dms/WritingaShootingScript.htm Olga Surkova interviews Tarkovsky . Retrieved May 3, 2007 from http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~tstronds/nostalghia.com/TheTopics/On_Acting.html Actors for Role Play. Retrieved May 3, 2007 from http://www.actorsmeanbusiness.co.uk/role1.htm Actors Roles. Retrieved Mary 3, 2007 from http://www.actorsmeanbusiness.co.uk/role1.htm Kangu theatre: http://wtrgreenkunqu.org/Resources/Kunqu Description.htm Wikepedia.com Cook, Nash. Writing a Shooting Script. Retrieved from http://is.asu.edu/dms/WritingaShootingScript.htm

Traditional Housewife Essay Example for Free

Traditional Housewife Essay The power of the woman comes from her spontaneity, presence and being who she is? She has been the tower of strength, patience and perseverance. History of nations worldwide is the proof of her significant role. She has been viewed as the nurturer, nurse and caregiver. Her image is the personification of love and tolerance. She creates, she gives and she embraces her family members unconditionally. She takes care of her home, her children and her family. She is there, always ready to serve and care. She cooks, cleans and procures supplies for everyday living. This pillar of strength is the traditional housewife, who has faded into background of modern day needs, emerging technology and growing industrialization. Until industrial revolution of nineteenth century, most mothers in Europe and America not only stayed home to tend their children and house, they also worked side by side with their husbands to make financial contribution to the family. There was division of labor based on childbearing and strength, but without women, the crops would not have been harvested, food would not have been stored for winter months and people would not have had clothes to wear. The success of economy rested on the capable shoulder of the women. She fulfilled her role not out of necessity, but out of long, â€Å"real† tradition and great skill. (Byington, 2001) The power which women had as traditional housewife came from her valued contribution to household. With advent of industrialization and modern age technological evolution, the need for this traditional housewife got submerged. The priorities changed, expectations grew and her role was not valued any more. She was thrust into the background of anonymity. She had to emerge as the savior of the household in a new role. She emerged as a working woman of 21st century, walking side by side with men, braving the role of care provider on her capable shoulders. References Byington, Jill. Whats a Traditional Mom, Anyway?. Look Smart. Find Articles. 2001. 16 Feb 2007 findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0IUK/is_2001_Summer/ai_78177298. (Byington,2001)

Efficient Prediction System Using Artificial Neural Networks

Efficient Prediction System Using Artificial Neural Networks Jay Patel Abstract- Predicting is making claims about something that will happen, often based on information from past and from current state. Neural networks can be used for prediction with various levels of success. The neural network is trained from the historical data with the hope that it will discover hidden dependencies and that it will be able to use them for predicting into future. It is an approach for making prediction efficient using best features on which prediction is more dependent. Keywords: Artificial Neural Networks; Feature set; Profiles INTRODUCTION Artificial neural networks are computational models inspired by animal central nervous systems (in particular the brain) that are capable of machine learning and pattern recognition. They are usually presented as systems of interconnected neurons that can compute values from inputs by feeding information through the network. For example, in a neural network for handwriting recognition, a set of input neurons may be activated by the pixels of an input image representing a letter or digit. The activations of these neurons are then passed on, weighted and transformed by some function determined by the networks designer, to other neurons, etc., until finally an output neuron is activated that determines which character was read. Mainly three types of ANN models are present single layer feed forward network, Multilayer feed forward network and recurrent network Single layer feed forward network consist of only one input layer and one output layer. Input layer neurons receive the input sig nals and output layer receives output signals. In a feed forward network the output of the network does not affect the operation of the layer that is producing this output. In a feedback network however the output of a layer after the layer being fed back into, can affect the output of the earlier layer. Essentially the data loops through the two layers and back to start again. This is important in control circuits, because it allows the result from a previous calculation to affect the operation of the next calculation. This means that the second calculation can take into account the results of the first calculation, and be controlled by them. Weiners work on cybernetics was based on the idea that feedback loops were a useful tool for control circuits. In fact Weiner coined the termcybernetics based on the Greek kybernutos or metallic steersman of a fictional boat mentioned in the Illiad. Neural models ranged from complex mathematical models with Floating point outputs to simple state machines with a binary output. Depending on w hether the neuron incorporates the learning mechanism or not, neural learning rules can be as simple as adding weight to a synapse each time it fires, and gradually degrading those weights over time, as in the earliest learning rules, Delta rules that accelerate the learning by applying a delta value according to some error function in a back propagation network, to Pre-synaptic/Post-synaptic rules based on biochemistry of the synapse and the firing process. Signals can be calculated in binary, linear, non-linear, and spiking values for the output. Figure 1. ANN Models Multilayer feed forward network consist of input, output and one more addition than single layer feed forward is hidden layer. Computational units of hidden layer are called hidden neurons. In Multilayer Feed Forward Network there must be only one input layer and one output layer and hidden layers can be of any numbers. There is only one difference in recurrent network from feed forward networks is that there is at least one feedback loop. In neurons we can input vectors taken as input and weights are included. With the help of weights and input vectors we can calculate weighted sum and taking weighted sum as parameter we can calculate activation function. There are different activation functions available e.g. thresholding, Signum, Sigmoidal, Hyperbolic Tangent. Phase ordering of optimization techniques In optimizing compilers, it is standard practice to apply the same set of optimization phases in a fixed order on each method of a program. However, several researchers have shown that the best ordering of optimizations varies within a program, i.e., it is function-specific. Thus,we would like a technique that selects the best ordering of optimizations for individual portions of the program, rather than applying the same fixed set of optimizations for the whole program. This paper develops a new method-specific technique that automatically selects the predicted best ordering of optimizations for different methods of a program. They develop this technique within the Jikes RVM Java JIT compiler and automatically determine good phase-orderings of optimizations on a per method basis. Rather than developing a handcrafted technique to achieve this, they make use of an artificial neural network (ANN) to predict the optimization order likely to be most beneficial for a method. Our ANNs were automatically induced using Neuro-Evolution for Augmenting Topologies (NEAT). A trained ANN uses input properties (i.e., features) of each method to represent the current optimized state of the method and given this input, the ANN outputs the optimization predicted to be most beneficial to the method at that state. Each time an optimization is applied, it potentially changes the properties of the method. Therefore, after each optimization is applied, they generate new features of the method to use as input to the ANN. The ANN then predicts the next optimization to apply based on the current optimized state of the method. This technique solves the phase ordering problem by taking advantage of the Markov property of the optimization problem. That is, the current state of the method represents all the information required to choose an optimization to be most beneficial at that decision point. Most compilers apply optimizations based on a fixed order that was determined to be best when the compiler was being developed and tuned. However, programs require a specific ordering of optimizations to obtain the best performance. To demonstrate our point, we use genetic algorithms (GAs), the current state-of-the-art in phase-ordering optimizations, to show that selecting the best ordering of optimizations has the potential to significantly improve the running time of dynamically compiled programs. They used GAs to construct a custom ordering of optimizations for each of the Java Grande and SPEC JVM 98 benchmarks. In this GA approach, we create a population of strings (called chromosomes), where each chromosome corresponds to an optimization sequence. Each position (or gene) in the chromosome corresponds to a specific optimization from Table 2, and each optimization can appear multiple times in a chromosome. For each of the experiments below, we configured our GAs to create 50 chro mosomes (i.e., 50 optimization sequences) per generation and to run for 20 Generations. Technique for Implementing GA We ran two different experiments using GAs. The first experiment consisted of finding the best optimization sequence across our benchmarks. Thus, we evaluated each optimization sequence (i.e., chromosome) by compiling all our benchmarks with each sequence. We recorded their execution times and calculated their speedup by normalizing their running times with the running time observed by compiling the benchmarks at the O3 level. That is, we used average speedup of our benchmarks (normalized to opt level O3) as our fitness function for each chromosome. This result corresponds to the â€Å"Best Overall Sequence† bars in Figure 1. The purpose of this experiment was to discover the optimization ordering that worked best on average for all our benchmarks. The second experiment consisted of finding the best optimization ordering for each benchmark. Here, the fitness function for each chromosome was the speedup of that optimization sequence over O3 for one specific benchmark. This resu lt corresponds to the â€Å"Best Sequence per Benchmark† bars in Figure 1. This represents the performance that we can get by customizing an optimization ordering for each benchmark individually. Results The results of these experiments confirm two hypotheses. First, significant performance improvements can be obtained by finding good optimization orders versus the well-engineered fixed order in Jikes RVM. The best order of optimizations per benchmark gave us up to a 20% speedup (FFT) and on average 8% speedup over optimization level O3. Second, as shown in previous work, each of our benchmarks requires a different optimization sequence to obtain the best performance. One ordering of optimizations for the entire set of programs achieves decent performance speedup compared to O3. Figure 2.Results of experiments using GA However, the â€Å"Best Overall Sequence† degrades the performance of three benchmarks (LUFact, Series, and Crypt) compared to O3. In contrast, searching for the best custom optimization sequence for each benchmark, â€Å"Best Sequence for Benchmark†, allows us to outperform both O3 and the best overall sequence. Motivation Predict the current best optimization: This method would use a model to predict the best single optimization (from a given set of optimizations) that should be applied based on the characteristics of code in its present state. Once an optimization is applied, we would re-evaluate characteristics of the code and again predict the best optimization to apply given this new state of the code. For this we can apply Artificial Neural Network in this method and we will also include profiles for better prediction of optimization sequence for particular program. Automatic Feature Generation Automatic Feature generation system is comprised of the following components: training data generation, feature search and machine learning [5]. The training data generation process extracts the compiler’s intermediate representation of the program plus the optimal values for the heuristic we wish to learn. Once these data have been generated, the feature search component explores features over the compiler’s intermediate representation (IR) and provides the corresponding feature values to the machine learning tool. The machine learning tool computes how good the feature is at predicting the best heuristic value in combination with the other features in the base feature set (which is initially empty). The search component finds the best such feature and, once it can no longer improve upon it, adds that feature to the base feature set and repeats. In this way, we build up a gradually improving set of features. a. Data Generation In a similar way to the existing machine learning techniques (see section II) we must gather a number of examples of inputs to the heuristic and find out what the optimal answer should be for those examples. Each program is compiled in different ways, each with a different heuristic value. We time the execution of the compiled programs to find out which heuristic value is best for each program. We also extract from the compiler the internal data structures which describe the programs. Due to the intrinsic variability of the execution times on the target architecture, we run each compiled program several times to reduce susceptibility to noise. Figure 3. Automatic Feature Generation b. Feature Search The feature search component maintains a population of feature expressions. The expressions come from a family described by a grammar derived automatically from the compiler’s IR. Evaluating a feature on a program generates a single real number; the collection of those numbers over all programs forms a vector of feature values which are later used by the machine learning tool. c. Machine Learning The machine learning tool is the part of the system that provides feedback to the search component about how good a feature is. As mentioned above, the system maintains a list of good base features. It repeatedly searches for the best next feature to add to the base features, iteratively building up the list of good features. The final output of the system will be the latest features list. Our system additionally implements parsimony. Genetic programming can quickly generate very long feature expressions. If two features have the same quality we prefer the shorter one. This selection pressure prevents expressions becoming needlessly long. E. Motivation They have developed a new technique to automatically generate good features for machine learning based optimizing compilation. By automatically deriving a feature grammar from the internal representation of the compiler, we can search a feature space using genetic programming. We have applied this generic technique to automatically learn good features. Code Optimization in Compilers using ANN For ordering of different optimization techniques using ANN we must need to implement that in 4Cast-XL as it is a dynamic compiler. 4Cast-XL constructs an ANN, Integrate the ANN into Jikes RVM’s optimization driver than Evaluate ANN at the task of phase-ordering optimizations. For each method dynamically compiled, repeat the following two steps Generate a feature vector of current method’s state Generate profiles of program Use ANN to predict the best optimization to apply Use ANN to predict the best optimization to apply. Run benchmarks and obtain feedback for 4Cast-XL Record execution time for each benchmark optimized using the ANN. Obtain speedup by normalizing each benchmark’s running time to running time using default optimization heuristic. Figure 4. Code Optimization in compilers using ANN with Profiles Results Research work is aimed for optimizing code using artificial neural networks. In order to make this precise, better profiles generated from given set of features using Milepost GCC compiler with ten different programs. Experimental results demonstrate that profiles of program can be used for optimization of code. Motivation This section gives a detailed overview of how Neuro-evolution machine learning is used to construct a good optimization phase-ordering heuristic for the optimizer. The first section outlines the different activities that take place when training and deploying a phase ordering heuristic. This is followed by sections describing how we use 4cast-XL to construct an ANN, how we extract features from methods, and how best features called Profiles and ANNs allow us to learn a heuristic that determines the order of optimizations to apply. It motivates us to apply this approach for different types of predictions using Artificial Neural Networks. Prediction Using Neural Networks Neural networks can be used for prediction with various levels of success. The advantage of then includes automatic learning of dependencies only from measured data without any need to add further information (such as type of dependency like with the regression). The neural network is trained from the historical data with the hope that it will discover hidden dependencies and that it will be able to use them for predicting into future. In other words, neural network is not represented by an explicitly given model. It is more a black box that is able to learn something. 1

Postmodern Aerobics :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

Postmodern Aerobics These days, I'm living life flat-out, literally and figuratively. I say literally since I'm lying face up in a back float right now, and figuratively since I'm in the final stretch of my coursework for a degree in literature. I come to the pool, though, even with exam deadlines looming over my head, or perhaps be-cause of them, since I need to feel all the gravity fall away, experience even for just a moment the feeling of weightlessness. From my vantage point in the pool, I can see the aerobics class hard at work in the plate-glass exercise room on the balcony above. The other side of that room is lined with mirrors, and many of the members watch themselves step, extend, and jiggle. I can hear the bass line of the retro disco music pounding down through the foundation, overpowering the strain of classical music wavering from the radio on the pool deck. I lay my head back in the water and think about how unhappy they look, their faces wrought in sweat, determination, and desperate amusement. It occurs to me that they are engaged in a kind of postmodern aerobics. No excesses enter that stripped-down room with them; they bring to it only a sharp perception of their bodies, fragmenting themselves into pecs, abs, and buns of steel. Constantly assessing themselves in terms of the minimal, they self-consciously measure the body fat on their upper arms and thighs with a small device that pinches their flesh between two levers. Even more painful to watch is the process that follows as they evaluate the units with stern faces, consulting each other in an almost robotic fashion. It seems they'll let nothing get in the way of sculpting the exterior, perfecting the outer package. "The stomach needs work," I will hear one of them say later in the locker room; she will not say "my stomach" or "my torso." Each one proceeds to talk about an element of her body as if it were something she has managed to separate from herself. And I've never once heard them mention the soul. While members of the "Masters" competitive team may possess some or all of these qualities, "Sunset" swimmers do not think this way. We come to the pool in search of our souls, that part of ourselves that loves to be submerged and buoyed and enveloped by water.

Medical Advances Essay -- Essays Papers

Medical Advances Besides the computer revolution, medical advances have caused tension between faith and reason. The medical advances of the Twentieth Century have many beneficial effects for humanity. Diseases that used to be dangerous or life threatening, like mumps, measles, and whooping cough, are no longer worries in todays medical world. Tetanus, typhoid, and the bubonic plaque can now be treated with antibiotics or other medicines. Vaccines, especially the polio vaccine, freed many people from the effects of a disease. Advances in heart surgery and organ transplants have saved many lives. Anesthetics and painkillers have been made to reduce or eliminate pain during surgery or a painful disease. Advances in cancer and AIDS have also been made, although many of the details of these diseases are yet to be learned. Another area of medical advancement is genetic engineering. Genetic engineering will detect and possibly stop diseases before birth. Many diseases are associated with specific genes that can be checked for disease and replaced if dysfunctional. Genetic testing has already revealed genetic mutations that cause hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, colon cancer, polycystic kidney disease, Alzheimers disease, and others. (5) Replacing missing, altered, inactive, or dysfunctional genes will prevent diseases or even death. Also, progression of a disease can be monitored, and proactive measures against recurrence and relapse of the disease can be made. Molecular medicine in genetics will also improve the design and testing of new drugs. Cloning is another new medical advance that allows for many great possibilites. Exact organ matches for organ transplants could be made through cloning. Animal... ...e" specific traits in people could lead to the "creating" of a specific person, also known as cloning. Although the ability to create people could mean Mother Teresa could be re-created or cloned, this ability also means Hitler could be re-created or cloned. The effects of this power depend upon whose hands the power is in. So, who has the power to play God? This question needs to be answered to decide if many of the latest medical advances are justifiable. Obviously, only God can have the power to be God. Only He truly understands peopleà ­s purpose on earth since He put them there. Court cases and congressional actions are taking place to decide how the United States stands on the ethics of medical procedures. Humans have been working hard to find medical techniques to save life and now all this progress is being reverted, especially through abortions and euthanasia.

Cowboys With Guns :: essays research papers fc

Cowboys with Guns during the Wild Wild West   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the Old West, guns played an important role in the lives of cowboys. There were various kinds of guns that cowboys used. They fell into two categories: hand gun and rifle. The most common handguns were the Derringer and the Colt .45; as for rifles there was the Winchester. Most of the time guns were used for shooting animals for food or calming the cattle. Occasionally, a cowboy might have to use one against Indians or rustlers. On the trail most cowboys would have guns with them but they would leave them in the chuck wagon. (The chuck wagon was a cart that was usually in the back of the herd that held all of the cowboy’s goods.) They left the guns in the wagon because the guns were heavy and often times got in the way and could be dangerous while riding a horse. Most cowboys were not very good with guns and even one cowboy shot himself in the foot. The gun did come in handy though, especially when a stampede occurred. The cowboys would ride to the chuck wagon, grab their guns, and continue to the front of the herd where they would shoot three evenly spaced shots over the leader-cattle’s heads. This would usually stop the stampede. The Derringer was a small pistol with a large caliber that had two barrels, which were parallel horizontally or vertically. It could be laid in the palm of the hand and made a terrible wound when shot at close range. In some towns along the trail cowboys used Hideouts when they had to turn in their 6-Shooters. A Hideout was a Derringer that was hidden in the boot, a shoulder holster, waistband, or hung by a cord down the sleeve or coat. Cowboys would wear one so that if someone accused them of cheating they would be able to defend themselves. The Winchester was the term used for a rifle or carbine. This gun was one of the best-selling guns around. Some cowboys said that this gun could shoot for a week and not have to be reloaded. This, of course, was not true but this was said because the Winchester could hold quite a bit of ammunition. The Colt .45 was also a very common gun in the old west. Cowboys With Guns :: essays research papers fc Cowboys with Guns during the Wild Wild West   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the Old West, guns played an important role in the lives of cowboys. There were various kinds of guns that cowboys used. They fell into two categories: hand gun and rifle. The most common handguns were the Derringer and the Colt .45; as for rifles there was the Winchester. Most of the time guns were used for shooting animals for food or calming the cattle. Occasionally, a cowboy might have to use one against Indians or rustlers. On the trail most cowboys would have guns with them but they would leave them in the chuck wagon. (The chuck wagon was a cart that was usually in the back of the herd that held all of the cowboy’s goods.) They left the guns in the wagon because the guns were heavy and often times got in the way and could be dangerous while riding a horse. Most cowboys were not very good with guns and even one cowboy shot himself in the foot. The gun did come in handy though, especially when a stampede occurred. The cowboys would ride to the chuck wagon, grab their guns, and continue to the front of the herd where they would shoot three evenly spaced shots over the leader-cattle’s heads. This would usually stop the stampede. The Derringer was a small pistol with a large caliber that had two barrels, which were parallel horizontally or vertically. It could be laid in the palm of the hand and made a terrible wound when shot at close range. In some towns along the trail cowboys used Hideouts when they had to turn in their 6-Shooters. A Hideout was a Derringer that was hidden in the boot, a shoulder holster, waistband, or hung by a cord down the sleeve or coat. Cowboys would wear one so that if someone accused them of cheating they would be able to defend themselves. The Winchester was the term used for a rifle or carbine. This gun was one of the best-selling guns around. Some cowboys said that this gun could shoot for a week and not have to be reloaded. This, of course, was not true but this was said because the Winchester could hold quite a bit of ammunition. The Colt .45 was also a very common gun in the old west.

Coyote Blue Chapter 30~31

CHAPTER 30 Like Flies They heard the bikers before they saw them: raucous laughter and Lynyrd Skynyrd from a boom box. They followed the road around a long, gradual curve that descended into a valley, stepping carefully to avoid the deep puddles. The trees were thinning out now and Sam could make out the light of a huge bonfire below them in the valley, and figures moving around the fire, a lot of them. Someone fired a pistol into the air and the report echoed around the valley. â€Å"Do they have sentries or something?† Sam whispered to Calliope. â€Å"I don't remember. I was pretty drunk when I was here before.† â€Å"Well, we can't just walk in.† â€Å"This way,† Coyote said, pointing to a path that led away from the road. They followed the trickster up the path, through thick undergrowth, and up onto a ridge that looked down on the clearing. From the top of the ridge they could see the entire camp. The fire was burning in the center of the camp with perhaps a hundred bikers and women gathered around it, drinking and dancing. The bikes were parked by the road leading in. There was a stand of tents and smaller campfires on the opposite side of the camp, with two pickup trucks parked nearby. Lynyrd Skynyrd sang â€Å"Gimme Back My Bullets.† â€Å"I don't see Grubb,† Calliope said. â€Å"Or the woman,† Coyote said. â€Å"Wait,† Calliope said. â€Å"Listen.† Amid the din of rock and roll, laughter, shouts, screams, and gunfire, they heard the sound of a baby crying. â€Å"It's coming from the tents,† Coyote said. â€Å"Follow me.† Coyote led them further down the ridge until they were about fifty yards from the tents and could see four women sitting around a campfire drinking and talking. One of them was holding Grubb. â€Å"There he is,† Calliope said. She started down the ridge and Sam caught her arm. â€Å"If you go down there that woman will call for Lonnie and the others.† â€Å"What can I do? We have to get him.† â€Å"Take off your clothes,† Coyote said. Sam sneered at the trickster, â€Å"I don't think so.† â€Å"Here, take this,† Coyote said, handing something to Sam. Sam couldn't make out what it was in the dark, but it felt warm and soft. He recoiled and dropped it. â€Å"Ouch,† Coyote said, his voice soft now, feminine. â€Å"Is that any way to treat a lady?† Sam looked, moved closer to the trickster, and saw that he was no longer a he. Still in his black buckskins, he had changed into a woman. â€Å"I don't believe it,† Sam said. â€Å"You're lovely,† Calliope said. â€Å"Thanks,† Coyote said. â€Å"Give me your clothes. These don't fit me now.† He started undressing. In the dim moonlight that filtered through the trees, Sam watched the women undress. Calliope was right, the trickster was gorgeous, a perfect female mirror of the male Coyote, an Indian goddess. Sam felt a little sick at the thought and looked away. Coyote said, â€Å"I'll go down and get the child. Be ready to run. And pick that up, I'll need it.† He pointed to the ground where Sam had dropped his penis. Sam picked up the member in two fingers and held it out as if it would bite him. â€Å"I'm not comfortable with this.† â€Å"I'll hold it,† Calliope said, now dressed in the black buckskins. â€Å"No you won't!† Sam said. â€Å"Well.† She cocked a hip and waited for him to make a decision. Sam put the penis in his jacket pocket. â€Å"I'm not comfortable with this, I want you to know.† â€Å"Men are such babies,† Coyote said. He hugged Calliope, girl to girl, and made his way down the hill. Sam watched the trickster move away from them toward the fire. Unable to look away, he became nervous with his own thoughts. Calliope patted his shoulder. â€Å"It's okay,† she said. â€Å"In my jeans he really does have a great ass.† -=*=- Tinker lay in the bed of the pickup sulking, listening to the nearby women going on about how badly they were treated by their men and how cute the baby was. The little bastard had been crying for an hour. What the fuck had Lonnie been thinking, bringing a crumb-snatcher to a rally? From time to time Tinker sat up and looked over the edge of the pickup to pick out which of the women he would fantasize about getting a blow job from. Fat chance, stuck here in the truck. Fucking Bonner and his military discipline. â€Å"This is a business trip,† Bonner had said. â€Å"A business trip we wouldn't be taking if Tinker would have taken care of business. So Tink, you guard the truck. No partying.† What was the point rallying with your bros if you couldn't get fucked up and start a few fights? Fuck this action. At least it had stopped raining. Tinker peeked over the edge of the truck to see a new chick coming up to the fire. What a piece she was! Right out of Penthouse or something. She looked Indian, long blue-black hair. What a fucking body. He watched her fawn over the baby and touch Cheryl's face. Lonnie had fucked her up, bad. Tink wondered what it was like to hit a chick. He was getting hard thinking about it. The Indian chick was holding the baby now, walking around the fire rocking it. She walked behind one of the tents, then ducked down. Tinker saw her shoot out the other side in a crouch, headed up the hill with the baby. Two people were coming down to meet her. â€Å"Hey, bitch!† Cheryl yelled. The other women were on their feet, yelling – going after the Indian chick. Tinker jumped out of the truck and started to circle around and up the hill to head off the Indian chick. As he ran he drew his Magnum from his shoulder holster. He slipped, fell to one knee, and drew down on the Indian chick. No, fuck it. If he hit the rug-rat Bonner would have his ass. He climbed to his feet and lumbered across the hill, watching the Indian chick hand the rug-rat to a blond chick. They were on the path at the top of the ridge. Gotcha! He'd take the lower path and be waiting for them. They had to come out at the road. As Tinker made his way up the dark path he heard scooters firing up below him. Good. Bonner would get there and he would already have it handled. He'd be out of the doghouse. He reached the spot where the two paths intersected and stopped. He could hear them coming up the path, the baby still crying. He leveled his Magnum down the path and waited. If the dude showed first he'd waste him without a word. He saw a shadow, then a foot. Tinker cocked the Magnum, put the sight where the chest would appear. A rush went through him, waiting, waiting. Now! A vise clamped down over the gun and he felt it wrenched out of his hand, taking skin with it. Another clamp locked down on his neck and he looked up into the eyes of his deepest fear. He felt his face come down on something hard and the bones of his nose crush. His head was wrenched back and slammed down again, then it went dark. -=*=- â€Å"Shade!† Coyote said. Minty Fresh threw Tinker's unconscious body aside and looked up at the Indian woman. â€Å"Who are you?† Sam said, â€Å"M.F., what are you doing here?† â€Å"The name is Minty Fresh.† He held Tinker's Magnum out to Sam, then let it drop. â€Å"I'm learning how to sneak up on people.† He saw the baby and smiled. â€Å"You got him.† â€Å"It was a fine trick,† Coyote said. â€Å"Who are you?† Minty insisted. â€Å"It's your old buddy Coyote.† Coyote cupped his breasts. Minty stepped back from the woman to get a better look. â€Å"Something's different, right? Haircut?† â€Å"We have to go,† Calliope said. â€Å"To where?† Minty said. Calliope looked at Sam, panicked, confused. Sam had no answer. Coyote said, â€Å"Montana. The Crow res. Come with us, shade. It'll be fun.† Minty turned to the roar of bikes behind him. â€Å"They're coming up the road,† he said. â€Å"I'll block them as long as I can with the limo.† They made their way down the path to where the Z was parked. The limo was parked in front. â€Å"I'll drive,† Sam instructed. â€Å"Cal, you and Grubb in the back.† They got in the car as lights from the Harleys broke through the woods. Minty got in the limo, started it, and pulled it forward to make way for the Z. Sam pulled the Z into the road, careful not to spin the wheels in the mud. You guys okay?† he said to Calliope, who had curled herself around Grubb. â€Å"Go,† she said. The bikers broke into view, Lonnie Ray in front. Minty hit the brights on the limo, hoping to blind them. He checked the mirror to see the Z pulling away, then started to back the limo up, careful to keep it in the middle of the road to block the bikes. As Lonnie approached the limo he drew a pistol from his jacket and leveled it at Minty through the windshield. Minty ducked and hit the gas. The limo revved and stopped, the back wheels of the heavy car buried in the mud. Lonnie jumped off his bike onto the hood of the limo and braced himself on the roof as he aimed and fired at the Z. At the sound of the shot Minty looked up to see the barrel of Lonnie's pistol pointing at him through the windshield. The other bikers, unable to get past, moved up around the limo. â€Å"You're finished, spook,† Lonnie hissed. He cocked the pistol. â€Å"Move the car out of the road.† â€Å"I don't think so,† Minty said. Lonnie jumped off the hood of the Lincoln and stuck the pistol through the window into Minty's temple. â€Å"I said move it.† â€Å"You move it,† Minty said. He pushed the limo door open, knocking Lonnie to the ground. Two bikers yanked him from the car and rode him to the ground. Minty felt a boot in his kidney, then a fist in the stomach, then the blows fell on him like rain. He heard Calliope's Z downshifting in the distance and smiled. -=*=- Sam pulled the Z back onto the pavement and floored it. â€Å"Everyone okay?† Grubb was still crying. Sam shouted, â€Å"Calliope, are you okay?† Coyote turned in the passenger seat and reached back. â€Å"She's hit. There's blood.† â€Å"Oh fuck, is she-â€Å" â€Å"She's dead, Sam,† Coyote said. Part 4 Home Coyote Hears His Heart It is an old story, from the time of the animal people. Coyote was in his canoe, and had paddled all day and all night, only to find that he didn't know where he wanted to go. He sat in his canoe, drifting for a while, thinking that something was wrong. He wanted to do something, but he didn't know what it was, so he made some mountains and gave them names. But that didn't make him happy. He tried to think, but he wasn't very good at it, and he kept hearing a thumping noise that bothered him. â€Å"Where should I go? What should I do? How can I think with all this noise?† Coyote was becoming sad because he could not think, so he called out to the Old Mother, who was the Earth. â€Å"Old Mother,† he said. â€Å"Can you stop this thumping noise so I can figure out where I am supposed to be?† Old Mother heard Coyote and laughed at him. â€Å"Silly Coyote,† she said. â€Å"That thumping noise is the sound of your own heart beating. Listen to it. It is the sound of the drums. When you hear your heart you must think of the drums – the sound of home.† â€Å"I knew that,† Coyote said. CHAPTER 31 There Are No Orphans Among the Crow It was five hours from Sturgis to Crow Agency, and Coyote, back in his black buckskins, drove the whole way. Sam sat in the passenger seat, dazed, staring but seeing nothing, holding Grubb, rocking the baby in a rhythm to a pulsing emptiness in his chest and trying not to look at Calliope's lifeless body in the back. Mercifully, there was no thinking or remembering – his mind had shut down to protect him. Coyote was quiet. As they drove through town an old warning sounded deep in Sam's mind and he mumbled, â€Å"I shouldn't be here. I'm in trouble.† â€Å"You have to go home,† Coyote said. â€Å"Okay,† Sam said. He thought he should protest but he couldn't think clearly enough to remember why. â€Å"When we get there, no tricks, okay? Act human for a while, please.† â€Å"For a while,† Coyote said. A mile out of town Coyote pulled the Z into the muddy driveway of the Hunts Alone house. â€Å"Stay here,† Coyote said. He got out of the car and went up the cement steps to the door. Sam looked around, seeing the house like a memory. It hadn't changed much. The house had been painted and peeled a couple of times and there were two horses, a paint and a buckskin, in the back field. An old Airstream trailer was parked by the sweat lodge and there were a couple more abandoned cars rusting in the side lot. It all felt wrong, to have run so long to end up back where he had started – the danger that he had run from was still here, and now, with Calliope dead, he felt even weaker than the fifteen-year-old who had left so many years ago. As frightening as it had been to leave, it had been a beginning, full of hope and possibility. This felt like the end. Coyote knocked on the door and waited. A Crow woman in jeans and a sweatshirt, about thirty, answered. She was holding a baby. â€Å"Yes?† Coyote said, â€Å"I've brought your cousin home. We need help.† â€Å"Come in,† she said. Coyote went into the house and came back to the car a few minutes later. He opened the door, startling Sam. â€Å"Let's go inside,† Coyote said. â€Å"I told the woman inside what happened.† He helped Sam out of the car and pointed him to the door where the woman waited. Sam walked stiffly up the steps and past the woman into the house. He stood in the center of the living room, rocking Grubb. Coyote came in the door behind him. â€Å"Can I bring her in?† he asked the woman. The woman looked horrified at the thought of a dead body in the house. Sam turned suddenly. â€Å"No, not in the house. No.† Coyote waited. The woman looked uncomfortable. â€Å"You could put her in the trailer out back.† Coyote went back out. The woman came to Sam and pulled the blanket away from Grubb's face. â€Å"Has he eaten?† â€Å"I?CI don't know. Not for a while.† â€Å"He needs a change. C'mon, give.† She put her own baby on the couch and coaxed Grubb out of Sam's arms. She spread the blanket on the coffee table and laid Grubb down on his back. â€Å"I've heard about you,† she said. â€Å"I'm Cindy. Festus is my husband.† Sam didn't answer. She took Grubb's dirty diaper off him and set it aside. â€Å"He's at work now, with his dad. They have their own shop in Hardin. Harry works with them too.† â€Å"Grandma?† Sam said. She looked up and shook her head. â€Å"Years ago, before I met Festus.† She brightened, trying to change the subject and the mood. â€Å"We have three other kids. Two other boys and a girl. They're in school – the little one in Head Start.† Sam stared over her head at the elkhorn hat rack hung with baseball caps, an old Stetson, and a ceremonial headdress. An obsidian-point buffalo lance hung beside it, next to an old Winchester and a Sports Illustrated swimsuit calendar. â€Å"He's a strong baby,† Cindy said, grabbing Grubb's fidgeting fists. Sam looked back at her. â€Å"Pokey?† He looked down and away, a wave of grief washing over him. He walked to the kitchen doorway and stared at the ceiling, the first tears stinging as they welled up. â€Å"Pokey's okay,† Cindy said. â€Å"He went into the clinic last week. He almost – He was real sick. They wanted to move him to the hospital in Billings but Harlan wouldn't let them.† Cindy finished diapering Grubb and propped him up on the couch next to her own baby. â€Å"I'll fix him a bottle.† She walked past Sam into the kitchen. He turned away from her as she went by. â€Å"Do you want some food? Coffee?† Sam turned to her. â€Å"She never hurt anybody. She just wanted her baby back.† He covered his face. Cindy moved to him and put her arms around him. Coyote came in the front door. â€Å"Sam, we have to go.† Sam took Cindy by the shoulders and gently pushed her away, then turned and looked at Grubb, who was dozing on the couch. â€Å"He'll be okay,† Cindy said. â€Å"I'll watch him.† Sam didn't move. â€Å"Sam,† Coyote said, â€Å"let's go see Pokey.† -=*=- Heading back through Crow Agency to the clinic, Sam noticed the new, modern tribal building and the new stadium behind it. Wiley's Food and Gas was still across the highway, just as it had been before. Kids were still hanging around outside the burger stand. Two old men shared a bottle outside the tobacco store. A mother led a pack of kids out of the general store, each carrying a bag of groceries. â€Å"I shouldn't be here,† Sam said. Coyote ignored him and kept driving. The clinic was housed in an old two-story house at the far end of town. A line of people – mostly women and kids – waited outside. Coyote pulled into the muddy parking lot next to a rusted-out Buick. They crawled out of the car and walked up to the door. Some of the kids whispered and giggled, pointing at Coyote. An old man who was wheeling an oxygen cylinder behind him said, â€Å"Crow Fair ain't 'til next summer, boy. Why you dressed for a powwow?† â€Å"Be cool,† Sam said to Coyote. â€Å"Don't scare him.† Coyote shrugged and followed Sam into the waiting room, a ten-by-ten parlor with a checked linoleum floor and mint-green walls hung with racks of pamphlets. Twenty people sat in folding chairs along the walls, reading old copies of People or just staring at their shoes. Sam approached a window where a Crow woman was absorbed in scribbling on index cards, intent on not looking at those who waited. â€Å"Excuse me,† Sam said. The woman didn't look up. â€Å"Fill this out.† She handed a form and a stick pen over the counter. â€Å"When you hand it in – with the pen – I'll give you a number.† â€Å"I'm not here for treatment,† Sam said, and the woman looked up for the first time. â€Å"I'm here to see Pokey Medicine Wing.† The woman seemed annoyed. â€Å"Just a minute.† She got up and walked through the door into the back. In a moment a door into the waiting room opened and everyone looked up. A young, white doctor poked his head out, spotted Sam and Coyote, and signaled for them to come in. Everyone in the waiting room looked back down. Inside the door the doctor looked them up and down, Sam in his dirty windbreaker and slacks, Coyote in his buckskins. â€Å"Are you family?† â€Å"He's my clan uncle,† Sam said. The doctor nodded to Coyote. â€Å"And you?† â€Å"Just a friend,† Sam said. â€Å"You'll have to wait outside,† the doctor said. Sam looked at Coyote. â€Å"Keep it under control, okay?† â€Å"I said I would.† The trickster went back into the waiting room. â€Å"He should be in a real hospital,† the doctor said. â€Å"He was technically dead, twice. We brought him back with the defibrillator. He's stable now, but we don't have the staff here to watch him. He should be in an ICU.† Sam hadn't heard a word of it. â€Å"Can I see him?† â€Å"Follow me.† The doctor turned and led Sam down a narrow hallway and up a flight of steps. â€Å"He was severely dehydrated and suffering from hypothermia. I think he'd been drinking even before he went on the fast. It leached all the fluids out of his body. His liver is shot and his heart sustained some damage.† The doctor stopped and opened a door. â€Å"Just a few minutes. He's very weak.† The doctor went in with Sam. Pokey was lying in a hospital bed, tubes and wires connecting him to bottles and machines. His skin was a brown-gray color. â€Å"Mr. Medicine Wing,† the doctor said softly, â€Å"someone is here to see you.† Pokey's eyes opened slowly. â€Å"Hey, Samson,† he said. He smiled and Sam noticed that he still hadn't gotten false teeth. â€Å"Hey, Pokey,† Sam said. â€Å"You got bigger.† â€Å"Yeah,† Sam said. Seeing Pokey was breaking through his fog, and he was starting to hurt again. â€Å"You look like shit,† Pokey said. â€Å"So do you.† â€Å"Must run in the family.† Pokey grinned. â€Å"You got a smoke?† Sam shook his head. â€Å"I don't think that would be a good idea. I hear you're still drinking.† â€Å"Yeah. I went to some meetings. They said I needed to get a higher power if I wanted to quit. I told them that a higher power was why I was drinking in the first place.† â€Å"He's outside now. Waiting.† Pokey nodded and closed his eyes. â€Å"I had a couple of visions about you meeting up with him. All those years he's quiet, then I get a bunch of visions. I thought you was dead until I had the first one.† â€Å"I couldn't come home. I shouldn't have†¦.† Pokey dismissed the thought with a weak wave of his hand. â€Å"You had to go. Enos would've killed you. He checked on us for years, lookin' in our mailbox for letters, watching the house. He drove himself plumb crazy. He give up on you when Grandma died and you didn't come home.† Sam had listened to the last part of the speech sitting on the edge of the bed with his back to Pokey. His knees had given out at the news that Enos was alive. He stared at the door. â€Å"I don't feel anything,† he said. â€Å"You okay?† Pokey said, trying to grab his nephew's arm. â€Å"There's nothing. I'm not even afraid.† â€Å"What's wrong?† Sam looked over his shoulder at Pokey. â€Å"I thought I killed him.† â€Å"You busted him up real good. Broke both his legs and an arm sliding down the face of the dam. Tub a lard didn't even have the manners to drown.† â€Å"I been running for nothing. I†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I should of never give you that Coyote medicine,† Pokey said. His breath was starting to come in rasping gasps. â€Å"I thought if I got rid of it I wouldn't be crazy no more.† â€Å"It's okay.† Sam patted Pokey's arm. â€Å"I don't think you had a choice.† Pokey continued to breathe heavily. â€Å"I saw a shadow that said you were going where there was death. I didn't know where to find you. I told Old Man Coyote. He said he knew.† Pokey gripped Sam's arm. â€Å"He said he knew, Samson. You got to get away from him.† â€Å"Calm down, Pokey.† Sam stood and put his hands on Pokey's shoulder. â€Å"It's okay, Pokey. It wasn't my death. Do you want the doctor?† Pokey shook his head. His breathing started to calm. Sam took a pitcher of water from the bedside table and poured some into a paper cup. He held it while Pokey drank, then helped the old man lie back. â€Å"Whose death?† Pokey asked. Sam put the cup down. â€Å"A girl.† He looked away. â€Å"You loved her?† Sam nodded, still looking away. â€Å"She had a baby. Cindy's watching him.† â€Å"When did it happen?† â€Å"This morning.† â€Å"Was Old Man Coyote with you when it happened?† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"Ask him to bring her back. He owes you that.† â€Å"She's dead, Pokey. She's gone.† â€Å"I been dead twice in the last two days. I ain't gone.† â€Å"She was shot, Pokey. A bullet went through her spine.† â€Å"Samson, look at me.† Pokey pulled himself up on the bed so he could look Sam in the eye. â€Å"He owes you. There's a story that Old Man Coyote invented death so there wouldn't be too many people. There's another story that his wife was killed and he went into the Underworld to get her. There was a shade there that let her go as long as Coyote promised not to look at her until he got back to the world, but he looked, so now no one can come back.† â€Å"Pokey, I can't do this right now. I can't listen to this.† â€Å"He stole your life, Samson.† Sam shook his head violently. â€Å"This just happened to me. I didn't make any of it happen.† â€Å"Then make it happen now!† Pokey shouted. Sam stopped. â€Å"In the buffalo days they said that a warrior who had counted coup and had an arrow bundle could move in and out of the Underworld. He could hide there from his enemies. Go, Samson. Old Man Coyote can help you find your girl.† â€Å"She's dead, Pokey. The Underworld is just old superstition.† â€Å"Mumbo jumbo?† Pokey said. â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"Crazy talk?† â€Å"That's right.† â€Å"Voodoo?† â€Å"Exactly.† â€Å"Like Coyote medicine?† â€Å"No.† â€Å"Well?† Sam didn't answer. He was gritting his teeth, glaring at his uncle. Pokey smiled. â€Å"You still hate it when I talk about the old ways. Try it, Samson. What do you have to lose?† â€Å"Nothing,† Sam said. â€Å"There's nothing at all.† The doctor opened the door and said, â€Å"That's enough. He needs to rest.† â€Å"Fuck off, paleface,† Pokey said. Sam said, â€Å"Just one more minute, please.† â€Å"One minute,† the doctor said, holding up his finger as he backed out of the room. Sam looked at Pokey. â€Å"‘Fuck off, paleface'?† He laughed. It felt good. â€Å"Be nice, Squats Behind the Bush. I'm sick.† Sam felt something moving through him as he grinned at Pokey – something warm, like hope. â€Å"Now, quick, before you die again, you old fuck. Where do I get an arrow bundle?† -=*=- Sam came striding out of the clinic and grabbed Coyote by the arm, pulling him away from a group of kids he was lying to. What had been a paralyzing grief had changed to purpose. Sam felt incredibly alive. â€Å"Let's go. Give me the keys.† â€Å"What's going on?† Coyote said. â€Å"Why the hurry? Did the old man die?† Sam climbed into the Z and fired it up. â€Å"I've got to get to a phone, and I've got to get some clothes.† â€Å"What happened in there?† â€Å"You knew she was going to be killed, didn't you?† â€Å"I knew someone would.† â€Å"Pokey says that you can go in and out of the land of the dead?† â€Å"I can? Oh, the Underworld! Yeah, I can. I don't like to, though.† â€Å"We're going.† â€Å"It's depressing. You won't like it.† â€Å"Pokey thinks you can bring Calliope back.† â€Å"I tried that once; it didn't work. It's not up to me.† â€Å"Then we're going to talk to whoever it's up to.† â€Å"Aren't you afraid?† â€Å"I'm a little past that.† â€Å"Why do you need clothes?† â€Å"We're going to Billings first, to get something.† â€Å"It's depressing. You won't like it. There's a big cliff in Billings that was a buffalo jump, but our people never drove the herds over it. The buffalo used to go up to the edge and say, ‘Oh, no, it's Billings, then they'd just jump over out of depression. Nope, you don't want to go to Billings.† Sam pulled into the Hunts Alone driveway, shut off the car, and turned to Coyote. â€Å"What's in the Underworld? What are you so afraid of?†