Loneliness and Dreams in Mice of men Essay

John Steinbeck wrote the novel of Mice and Men during the great depression. During this time there were few jobs which meant people had to migrate in search of jobs. This meant they were constantly moving and could not establish lasting friendships or relationships. Steinbeck portrays the loneliness and hardship felt by people living through the 1930’s American depression. He shows how the dreams of the characters were what helped them survive through this period. In this essay I will discuss the dreams and loneliness of the characters in the novel and how Steinbeck reveals each characters loneliness and dreams. George and Lennie both experience loneliness. Even though they had each other George needed somebody on his wavelength, with his level of maturity because Lennie is like a child and does not think like an adult, he is mentally retarded. One almost gets the feeling that he doesn’t want Lennie for companionship at all when he is talking to Lennie about how he would live without him. † God a ‘mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy.† Page 11 As George carries on talking of his laid back carefree lifestyle he dreams of he progressively gets angrier. It makes the reader wonder why he even stays with Lennie if he feels so overwhelmed with the responsibility of looking out for Lennie. George is a thinker he sees how bitter other men on the ranch have become through their loneliness; George knows that staying with Lennie stops him from being truly lonely. He also has protection from Lennie because he knows he is safe when he has a big guy like Lennie as his friend. Looking out for Lennie gives him a purpose, a reason, a role in his life he gets the satisfaction of knowing he is needed. ‘George fell silent. He wanted to talk.’ Page 41 This quote is from when George talks to Slim. He is happy to have the chance to talk to someone on his level of maturity. As Slim is a good listener and tries to understand the relationship between George and Lennie. Lennie doesn’t really experiences loneliness although he needs to pet something, to hold something. He always has George to look after him sees George as a father figure. George instructs him on how to behave and what to do in certain situations. ‘Slowly, like a terrier who doesn’t want to bring a ball to its master, Lennie approached,’ page 9 This quote is taken from when George wants to take a dead mouse away from Lennie who doesn’t want to give it up. It reveals how George has an authority over Lennie. George and Lennie’s dream is to one day own some land. They wish to live on this land and be their own boss. George no longer wants to comply with somebody else’s rules. He wants to have a purpose in working hard on the land because then he will benefit from his hard work. Whereas when working on a ranch he is working hard for somebody else’s profits. Lennie is only interested in tending to the rabbits. He just wants to be able to pet some animals. His dream fits in with George’s it doesn’t matter if he owns the land or not. Curley’s wife’s name is never mentioned she is always referred to as Curley’s wife. Steinbeck never uses her name because the other men see her as belonging to Curley, just another possession of his on the ranch Curley’s wife is the only woman on the ranch, she married Curley recently and she is still quite young. She is lonely because she has no one to confide in. When she wants to talk to the men she uses the excuse she is looking for Curley. ‘Any you boys seen Curley?’ Pg81 This quote is from when Lennie, Candy and Crooks are in Crook’s room and Curley’s wife comes in. In this chapter we know she uses the excuse she is looking for Curley as a way to talk to the men on the ranch. We know this because, after the men tell her he hasn’t been there she says ‘Think I don’t know where they all went? Even Curley. I know where they all went. ‘ Page 81 She uses this excuse every time she wants to talk to the men but she has shown that she knew exactly where he was this time. She then calls them the weak ones the ‘bunch of bindle stiffs’ but even after that she wishes to talks to them. This is because she is desperate for some company anyone to talk to. She is seen to be a ‘tart’ and ‘jail bait’ by the other men on the ranch, but she still wants to have them for company. Curley’s wife also had dream, she still has, and when she was younger she wanted to be an actress. She says how she could have been famous, rich and happy. † I coulda made somethin’ of myself.’ She said darkly, â€Å"Maybe I will yet.† Pg 93 The fact that she still hopes to fulfil her dream is rather pathetic. Her dream is very unrealistic she will never break free from her unhappy marriage. She has this dream because it is a form of escapism, she can pretend that she is not lonely and that one-day she will not have to live the way she very much dislikes. † I tell you I ain’t used to livin’ like this.† Pg 93 She reveals her dreams to Lennie when he’s on his own she finds that the men only talk to her when they are on their own. Even when Lennie is on his own he is reluctant to talk to her because of what George has said about her. Crooks is a Negro in a society that considers non-whites as sub-human. He also is partially crippled which does not help when he is living in a society that value people by their ability to provide a service. Because of his race he does not sleep in the same room as the other workers, he lives in the room where he works in and ‘ a manure pile under the window.’ Because of this Crooks spends most of his time on his own leading to a great feeling of loneliness. His only companions are his books and as he has seen people come and go he has acquired more possessions than the others have. His loneliness is revealed when he is talking to Lennie. Lennie is talking to Crooks in his room, telling him about the land they will one day own. † A guy needs somebody-to be near him.† Pg 77 Crooks reads books but because of his colour he has no friend not even somebody on his wavelength. He is on his own every night whereas all the other men share their room in the bunkhouse. Crooks is so overcome with his loneliness that he cannot hope or dream anymore. He doesn’t take any notice of Lennie’s dream because he has heard it all before. â€Å"I seen hundreds of men come by on the road†¦ An’ every damn one of ’em’s got a little piece of land in his head. An’ never a god-damn one of ’em ever gets it. Pg 78 Although after he hears how this dream could become a reality Crooks is influenced and wants to join in. He later retracts his statement because of the way Curley’s wife treats him. † Well you keep your place, then, Nigger. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain’t even funny.† Pg 85 She’s racist and through her body language she shows that she has the authority over him. This is why he no longer wanted to join in with the plan of owning land. Candy is lonely because he has nobody; he only had one companion, which was his dog that he had since the dog was a puppy. Candy was very upset when his dog had to be killed. His loneliness is revealed when Carlson proposes that the dog should be shot. † Why’n’t you shoot him, candy? The old man squirmed uncomfortably.† Pg 47 The thought of Candy’s only companion being shot fills him with dread. The thought is uncomfortable. He tries many times to reason with Carlson and find a way that he can put off the death of his dog. â€Å"Candy said hopefully, ‘you ain’t got a gun.† Pg 50 The only reason he lets his dog die is because he cannot argue with Carlson. Also Slim agreed with Carlson and Slim word is the law in this play, the voice of reason. Candy is so desperate for companionship that he keeps a blind dog that is in pain from dying in a way this is an act of selfishness. Candy listens attentively while George and Lennie are talking about their dream. He offers to buy the land they need to fulfil their dream. â€Å"S’spose I went in with you guys. Tha’s three hundred an’ fifty bucks I’d put in † Pg 62 Candy is very old, because of the great depression there is no job security and because of this he thinks he will be sacked soon. At this point the dream seems more real to them than it has ever been before. Before it was just a fantasy, some thing to find comfort in, but he could never actually let himself believe it. † They all sat still, all bemused by the beauty of the thing,† Pg 64 I think now their dream is more realistic but not realistic enough because George says if Lennie and he don’t spend anything they would have $450 but they are bound to spend something especially when George is interested in going to the cat house. Also the asking price is $600 it will take a lot longer for them to raise that amount of money. The great depression in America had its effect on many of the characters; money was hard to come by. Loneliness is a major theme in the novel Of Mice and Men because many of the characters suffer from this more than anything else. Loneliness kills Curley’s wife, embitters Crooks and candy although Lennie and George put it off through the fact that they have each other for companionship. â€Å"Guys like us, that work on the ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world’†¦. Lennie broke in. ‘But not us! Because †¦because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that’s why’ Pg 14 Steinbeck doesn’t offer any answers to the character’s problem of loneliness. Showing the reader a graphic and moving portrayal of how loneliness affects people without providing an antidote or giving a happy ending makes the novel really sad. Lennie and George’s dream brought nothing but pain and grief instead of promised joy and happiness, which ties into the tittle of the book which was taken from a poem titled to a mouse by a Scottish poet called Robert Burns. This poem was about how a mouse, which had planned for the winter by making a nest, had its nest ruined by a tractor. George and Lennie planned carefully how they were going to achieve their dream of being free and independent but forces beyond their control shattered their dream. Steinbeck never suggests that dreams should not be had, Lennie and George’s dream was so powerful that Candy was drawn in and for a short time so was the cynical Crooks. This dream was what comforted Lennie and helped George survive. The dreams the characters had had to be had they were what was needed to hold on to, to survive and to work for. This period of time made people bitter because they were lonely, the only person they had to look out for was themselves, kindness had no place on the ranch. They all cried out for love and care but only Lennie openly expressed his need for it through his constant talk of rabbits. Characters like Crooks had become cynical, he had lost hope and he couldn’t dream. At first when Lennie talked of his dream Crooks thought it was another pathetic dream he was beyond imagining how everything could be. Curley’s wife’s dream was rather pathetic and quite unrealistic but it was a form of escapism for her. So she fantasised about her dream coming true but it was her way of coping when she was in an unhappy marriage that she had no way out of. It is sad to think that the loneliness that she was trying to get away from killed her in the end.

Manufacturing System

A&A Toy Manufacturing Company Introduction Observed that the flow of information and logistics management between the client A&A Toy Manufacturing Company and its partners are not yet optimal, it is decided to recommend some information software to the client. As the company still adopting manual accounting system, it caused messy collection of financial and accounting data and human errors. The above problems would be burdens that affect managers’ decision making. In the hope of solving these problems an Accounting Information System (AIS) would be recommend to A&A Toy Manufacturing Company.The client has few employees, so it does not hold a well-structured system to management the employees. The following problems were observed: incomplete labor record, overlapped job duties and difficulties in calculating MPF. To improve human resource management of the client, a Human Resources Management System (HRIS) would be recommended. As the company is not using a well Logistic Infor mation System (LIS), the schedule of importing raw materials is messy; communication with customers is also poor. It is decided to recommend a Logistic Information System to tackle the problems stated above.The lack of Manufacturing Information System (MFIS) created difficulties like volume of inventory has not clearly stated and a scheduled operation is unable to run. A manufacturing information system can hopefully solve the difficulties. It is going to recommend Accounting Information System (AIS), Human Resources Management System (HRIS), Logistic Information System (LIS) and Manufacturing Information System (MFIS) for A&A Toy Manufacturing Company to improve their daily operation. Methods used to tackle the project Firstly, we drafted a project outline by brainstorming.Secondly, we discussed on the type of product that the manufacturing company produced. Thirdly, according to the nature of toy manufacturing company, we picked 4 information systems which benefit for the operatio n of the business. Based on the toy manufacturing company, we have to state what problems that a toy manufacturing company always faced. Lastly, we have to find the information on the selected 4 information systems that helps to tackle the above problems. In the process of doing the project, we faced a lot of difficulties. Then we sought help from our lecturer. So, the project can be finished on time.Our group found a lot of relevant information on the Internet, especially from wiki. Abundant of information are provided to be reference for our project. Logistic Information System (LIS) The logistics Information System is the system managing and controlling information handling processes optimally with respect to flow time and capacity, storage, distribution and presentation in such a way that it contributes to company results in concurrence with the costs of capturing like creation, searching and maintenance. The Logistics Information System is made up of the following information s ystems: * Sales Information System Purchasing Information System * Inventory Controlling * Shop Floor Information System * Plant Maintenance Information System * Quality Management Information System Function of Logistic Information System (LIS) * Correct information product at the accurate point of time * Correct format / quality * Create planning data * Provide an easy-to-use planning functions to support forecasting function * Plan, control, and monitor business events at different stages in the decision-making process * Flexible tools for collecting, aggregating and analyzing data from the operative applications Situation:A&A Toy Manufacturing Company has faced several problems nowadays. It has a poor management in logistic. First, the schedule of importing raw materials is messy. The company does not have a well-organized to manage the inventory stock. It is time-consuming and inefficient for the production line to spend large amount of time in making phone calls to confirm the arriving times of the raw materials. The arriving time is unclear and inaccurate. It is difficult for the company to have an accurate schedule to finish output in production stage under this situation.Secondly, the company does not have well-communicate with customers. They have not set up an accurate date and time to deliver finish goods to customers. It may have to delay or reschedule in the transaction. Therefore, customers always ask about this. It is ineffective and increases the cost to communicate with them. Overall, the logistic management of planning, organization and control of goods and material in A&A Toy Manufacturing Company are chaotic. Logistics information system is needed to solve problem that the company has. Application:Under the situation of the company, Logistics information system is important for achieving the efficiency and effectiveness. First, using information technology in Logistics information systems can well connect with consumers and suppliers. Time cost is decrease by communicate via Email or websites. The date and time for the raw material arrived and deliver product are more accurate than before. It reduces the redundancy of the transaction. Second, it reduces the requirements of inventory and human resources by enabling requirements planning.Logistics Data Warehouse is using for manage the inventory. It is clear and organizes for the company to update and group relevant data. Human resources reduce and bring effective to the company to make the decision. Third, delivery the finish goods to customers are effective by using logistics information system. The transportation of products improves because the company can plan the routes before they send the product to customers. The routes will be simplify and delivery conveniently. The transportation cost decrease.Fourth, it helps to enlarge scales of business through logistics information system. The manufacturing company is clearer idea about storage of raw materials and finis h goods, it is easily to order raw materials from suppliers or deliver finish goods to customers in a right time. They have a good management in inventory. It helps enlarge capacity of receiving order or storage. Software 1. Logistics Information Management System Features * Dispatch container * Invoicing * Driver and owner operator payments * By move or hourly * Driver profile * Trailer and Truck information Easy data search and retrieval: Invoices, containers, bookings, receipts, payments and vendors * Generate Reports: A/R / Invoicing / A/P / Truck / Trailer / Customer 2. Customs Intelligenceâ„ ¢ Features * Handles commercial and casual imports. * External document management * Client management and billing * Design your own reports Criteria| Logistics Information Management System (LIMS)| Customs Intelligenceâ„ ¢| Preference| User-friendly | Fair| Fair| Fair| Mobile Access| No| Yes| Customs Intelligenceâ„ ¢| Cost| CAD $1500| CAD $ 1699. 95| LIMS| Support after sales| Ye s| Yes| Fair|RFID| Yes| No| LIMS| By comparing the above criteria, Logistics Information Management System would be recommended. Firstly, both of the system is using graphical user interface (GUI), employees can easily pick up the new system. In case, encountered any problems both of the systems have supporting team to help the employees. The systems have a fair performance on the user-friendly aspect. Secondly, only Customs Intelligenceâ„ ¢ provided the mobile access function to keep check the inventories location, the predicted time of arriving. LIMS and only perform this function on computers.Thirdly, the RFID tags, only LIMS supported RFID tags to manage the inventory that in the warehouse. With RFID technology it can easily locate the location of the stocks in the warehouse and know the quantity of the stocks. It would be helpful to the business. To conclude, LIMS is cheaper and offered RFID technology, which is a useful tool. Although it does not preform mobile access funct ion, it is not a must to have it. Employees can also know the raw materials location and predicted arrival time from computers. It is enough to fix the messy of making phone calls all the time to know the rrival time. LIMS would be recommended as it can fix the company’s obstacles and have an RFID function which can further help the business to improve. Accounting Information System (FIS) Accounting Information System is a system of collection, storage and processing of financial and accounting data. An accounting Information system is a computer-based method. The resulting financial reports are useful for the internal management and external parties such as investor. It benefits the management to make decision. Functions of Financial Information System (FIS) Collects relevant financial and accounting data * Stores the financial and accounting data * Transfers the financial and accounting data into information, such as financial reports * Provides information to financial exe cutives * Provides timely financial information Situation After working with different functional units of A&A Toy Manufacturing Company for a while, I have observed that the company still adopting manual accounting system. This creates abundant of problems. Firstly, manual accounting system leads to the messy collection of financial and accounting data from different departments.With lots of missing data and the mistakes made by the accountants, it produces incomplete and inaccurate financial reports to the management. Secondly, manual accounting system leads to the wasting time in processing the data into information. After collection of data, the accountants have to record those transactions in to ledger by hand. It is really time consuming. Some of the final financial reports may be out of dated for decision making. Thirdly, the management make decision depends heavily on the financial reports produced by the accountants.As the incomplete and inaccurate provided to management, t he management will make a wrong decision. To conclude, manual accounting system produces incomplete, inaccurate and out of dated financial reports. The process of processing the financial and accounting data into information is messy and time consuming. Application Applying computerize accounting information system can help to improve the financial operation of the company. It brings several advantages to the company. Firstly, computerize accounting information system is automate and streamline reporting. The accountants just have to input the necessary data into the software.It will generate those requested accurate financial reports automatically by the accountants. Secondly, computerize accounting information system can generate financial reports automatically. So it is less time consuming. The accountants no need to record each transaction. The financial reports must be timely as the computerize system can generate reports in fast rate. Thirdly, computerize accounting informatio n system can generate timely, accurate, relevant, integrated financial. It can avoid human mistakes. Therefore, the management can make the correct decision for the business.Fourthly, computerize accounting information system can store the past data and reports. So the data and reports will be more organized and tidy. The probability of losing data will become low. To conclude, computerize accounting information system benefits the operation of business. It is less time consuming in generating timely, accurate, relevant, integrated financial reports in a short period. So, the financial and accounting data can be more organized and tidy. It monitors the cash flow closely in the company. Also, those qualified reports can truly reflect the profitability and liquidity of the company.The management can make the best decision. Software 1. Front Accounting Features: Advanced GST (VAT) handling * several GST (VAT) definitions with GST (VAT) groups * definition of GST (VAT) included * GST (V AT) can be selected on per customer, supplier or item level advanced GST (VAT) inquiry and report showing details and outputs/inputs. Full currency support * historical currency rates * Multi-currency bank accounts, customers and suppliers. 2. Intuit QuickBooks Features: * Allow multiple users to work off the same, up-to-date QuickBooks company file at the same time. Create professional-looking invoices and forms * Customize contact information fields in the Customer, Vendor, Employee Centers * Downloading transactions from financial institution Criteria| FrontAccounting| Intuit QuickBooks| Preference| User-friendly | Fair| Good| Intuit QuickBooks| Mobile Access| No| Online access(extra cost needed)| Intuit QuickBooks| Multiple user | No| Yes| Intuit QuickBooks| Cost| None| USD $199. 96| FrontAccounting| Updating| Yes| Yes| Fair| Support after sales| No| Yes (Extra Charges needed)| Intuit QuickBooks| By comparing the above criteria, Intuit QuickBooks would be recommended.Firstly, as A&A Toy Manufacturing Company is using manual accounting system, a user-friendly system is needed for employees start to pick up. Intuit QuickBooks is more user-friendly than FrontAccounting as it uses graphical user interface (GUI). Employees can get used to the new system soon. Moreover, if the employees encounter any problem, they can seek help from the Intuit hotline. While FrontAccounting just provided some common Q&A sections on the web, it is not specific even cannot help the employee. It would be a waste of human resource.Thirdly, as the managers or the owners may need to preform decision making outside the office, it would be better to have mobile accessing function for their convenience. Intuit QuickBooks provided this function while FrontAccounting does not. Although extra charges are needed for this function, managers could still have the right to consider use it or not. Fourthly, employees may need to access to the same document at one time, Intuit QuickBooks can suppo rt multiple users to work on the same time. It would be more convenient for the employee.Time would be wasted if the employees need to do the job one by one. Fifthly, both of the software have updating to introduce new functions of fix some bugs. They have fair performance on this criterion. Sixthly, FrontAccounting is free of charge, while Intuit QuickBooks cost almost USD$200, it is expensive to the A&A Toy Manufacturing Company. However good AIS could help the company a lot in saving cost and present accurate information for decision making purpose. As, the performance of Intuit QuickBooks is better than FrontAccounting and the cost is for permanent use, thus it is still worthy.To conclude, Intuit QuickBooks would be recommended to A&A Toy Manufacturing Company. Manufacturing Information System (MFIS) Manufacturing Information System is a computer-based system that works in conjunction with other functional information systems to support the firm’s management in solving pr oblems that relate to manufacturing the firm’s products. Manufacturing information provide services to support the manufacturing function, such as the inventory control and order processing for the company. The company may benefit by reducing the manufacturing costs, increasing products quality, and improving inventory decisions.Functions of Manufacturing Information System * Manages manufacturing resources * Enhances the availability of information * Collects and organizes manufacturing quality data in a straight-forward manner * Support inventory decision-making Situation After working with different functional units of A&A Toy Manufacturing Company, our team found that the company was operating with poor information and logistics management. Firstly, without a suitable manufacturing information system, the volume of inventory has not clearly stated during the daily operation.The staffs have to use extra time and manpower to check-up the inventory stock. In case, the staffs of production lines have to check that regularly, this may lower the efficiency since it wasted a lot of company’s resources. Secondly, the company cannot run a scheduled operation since the delivery of raw materials is not on-time. Moreover, the company does not have any concept on managing the manufacturing resources; as a result, the late delivery of raw materials may lead to poor shipment arrangement and customers-relation.Also, the above actions may delay the manufacturing processing, and lower the effectiveness. Application For the suitable manufacturing information system used by the A&A Toy Manufacturing Company, it may turns into conceptual and strategic tool for competitive advantage. Firstly, a manufacturing information system may help in organizing to resources’ data, such as the inventory stock. The system may help the company to keep track on the resources’ states and adjust the internal settings automatically. The usage of the report and control system of manufacturing information system is sophisticated.These kind of high-tech system can reduce the manpower wasted and duplicated use of resources; it may achieves maximum efficiency with minimum error. Secondly, the manufacturing information system includes managing the raw materials needed to be used. A good manufacturing information system can help in arranging the delivery of stocks and the processing tasks. Thus, the system may enhances the effectiveness in terms of ensure to do the processing tasks on-schedule and use the materials with high attainment. Software | Manufacturing Information System (Erp) Software|Company name| Softcore Infotech Private Limited| Features| * Auto Production Planning & Purchase Order prepared based on delivery date while considering available raw & finished stocks. * Production inspection * Final inspection of finished good| As A&A Toy Manufacturing Company doesn’t has a suitable manufacturing information system, the staffs have to us e extra time and manpower to check-up the inventory stock and lower the efficiency because of wasted a lot of company’s resources, we suggest the Manufacturing Information System (Erp) Software.Manufacturing Information System (Erp) Software offers auto Production Planning & Purchase Order prepared based on delivery date while considering available raw and finished stocks, it can help to reduce the manpower to check-up the inventory stocks. Besides, it also can help to enhance their shipment arrangement and customers-relation. Manufacturing Information System (Erp) Software also offers product and final goods inspection, to help A&A to control the quality of the raw and finished stocks. Human Resource Information System (HRIS)Human Resource Information System enables users to perform standard reporting from all Human Resource areas and process personal information, it provided information that helps decision makers define their own report quickly and efficiently. Functions of Human Resource Information System * Manage all employee information * Report and analysis of employee information * Developing online data bases of employee information * Benefits administration (enrollment, status changes, personal information updating) * Developing online searchable data bases of applicant resumes * Training record maintenance SituationA&A Toy Manufacturing Company with the small scale of operation and few of employees, all the information of labor only recorded by the application form individually so there is no complete labor record. This policy caused different management problems of the company: Firstly, without complete labor record, it is difficult for the company to specify labor’s strength and abilities. As a result, the supervisors cannot allocate the most suitable workers to carry out specific job duties. Secondly, as the company didn’t clearly give any instructions to labor that they have to do of their positions. So, their job duties may be overlapped.For instance, both salespersons and customer services need to answer lots of queries from their customers regarding the shipment arrangement, delivery status as well as warranty issues of their finished products. It will lower the efficiency of division of labor. Thirdly, with incomplete labor record, the company cannot recruit qualified candidates to satisfy the need of labor force in different departments. Fourthly, the calculation of Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes (MPF) of labor will be messy, the company cannot certainly calculate accumulate mandatory provident fund of each labor without complete labor record.Application of Human Resource Information System Firstly, Human Resource Information System helps the company to manage and record all employees’ information, Manager can clearly know all the information of labor including their strength, abilities and training record from the Human Resource Information System. Secondly, in order to give instructions to labor, they can have a clearer idea what to do of their positions; manager can offer different jobs according to their strength and abilities. Thus, it can avoid the problem of overlapping job duties. Thirdly, company can develop online database of employees’ information and nline searchable database of applicant resumes, so that the manager can review all the records easily. With online searchable database of applicant resumes, the company can easily search for the qualified candidates from received application form to satisfy the shortage of labor force in different departments. Fourthly, Human Resource Information System can be reconfigured to suit for different kinds of payroll, the system can record their payroll automatically with flexible payroll adjustment, the company can accurately calculate accumulate Mandatory Provident Fund of labor. Software Microsoft Office Access| BambooHR| Cost| * A one-time payment, $139. 99| * Monthly payment * Depends on the number of employees| User-friendly| * Involves graphical user interfaces(GUI)| * Involves tools (e. g. Power Edit)| Update frequency| * Constantly update| * Constantly update| Security| * Fair| * Fair| As a small-sized company, cost is one of the main concerns. To choose the proper system for the human resource information system, we prefer the Microsoft Office Access. Firstly, BambooHR costs monthly and the price is based on the number of labors.As a company with the small scale of operation, although A&A Toy Manufacturing Company only has a few of employees, monthly cost is a liability to them. MS Access only costs $139. 99 and for permanent use, it will reduce the burden of the company on the system. Secondly, MS Access and BambooHR are fair in the user-friendly section, but BambooHR involves some tools for the users to use easily, but they are only helpful in editing and filling the data in it after setting up the database. MS Access involves the graphical user interfaces (GUI), it can he lp the managers to set up the database of the employees easily.Besides, A&A is the company with the small scale of operation and few of employees, it may not have the senior programmers, MS Access offers many features for junior programmers, it is easy to use for A&A. Lastly, BambooHR and MS Access have fair performance on the update frequency and the security, two of these systems constantly update to meet customers’ needs and make the system more efficiency. Because of all the people are concerned about the security of the information systems, include the HRIS, two of these systems have a fair performance in security.For example, they use the firewall to protect the information in the database, and use some software to protect the information when they are in the backup process, such as SSL. To conclude, we suggest A&A Toy Manufacturing Company to use Microsoft Office Access as their human resource information system. Conclusion To conclude, we suggested four types of infor mation system for A&A Toy Manufacturing Company to use and help them to improve their existing state. We recommended Logistic Information System (LIS), Accounting Information System (AIS), Human Resource Information System (HRIS) and Manufacturing Information System(MFIS).Firstly, for Logistic Information System, we recommended A&A to use Logistics Information Management System (LIMS) to help to solve the exist problems such as reduces the requirements of inventory and human resources. LIMS supported RFID tags that can easily locate the location of the stocks in the warehouse and know the quantity of the stocks. Employees can also know the raw materials location and predicted arrival time from computers, it can help to decrease the human resource needed of the inventory management and making calls. Secondly, for Accounting Information System, we suggested Intuit QuickBooks.It uses graphical user interface (GUI) to help the employees to pick up the system easily. Besides, Intuit Quic kBooks can support multiple users to work on the same time, it would be more convenient for the employees to access to the same document at one time. Use computerize accounting information system instead of manual accounting system can reduce the probabilities of error and help the managers to make the best decisions to the company. Thirdly, for Human Resource Information System, we recommended Microsoft Office Access. Access only costs $139. 9 and for permanent use, it will reduce the burden of the company on the system. It also involves the graphical user interfaces (GUI), it can help the managers to set up the database of the employees easily. It can help the manager to manage the data of employees more convenient and efficiency. The managers can clearly know all the strength, abilities and training record of labor from the system and avoid the problem of overlapping job duties. Fourthly, for the manufacturing information system, we recommended Manufacturing Information System (E rp) Software. A&A can use this software to solve their problem.It offers auto Production Planning & Purchase Order prepared, it helps A&A to reduce the manpower to check-up the inventory stocks and enhance their shipment arrangement and enhance customers-relation. In addition, it also provides the product and final goods inspection, it can help the managers to control the quality of the raw and finished stocks. The above information systems with software can help to solve the difficulties. It helps to enhance the management in different departments to be optimal. Our team believes that those software can enhance the profitability in a foreseeable future.

Analyzing and identifying news paper articles Essay

Analyzing and identifying news paper articles - Essay Example The write considers it unfortunate that the Obama’s administration has conceived the proposal from the republican senate to elevate the spending regarding the nuclear plants. The author is critical of this and considers it overtly a wrong policy. The author recognizes that America needs a well strategic defense plan that commensurate that of the Russian-along time political enemy that traces back to the onset of the cold war, with this, he is quick to note that is not in preparation to go to war with the communist republic but to ensure that the country is put under constant checks not to keep frustrating the neighbors because of her sophisticated nuclear weapons. The author has considered that much spending that geared on defense is unnecessary and can be better directed in some other policies since the defense that the American has mounted is sufficient to cushion the American from any external aggression. In support of his recommendations, the author has cited several reasons why his view is important. He cites that America have the plans to from 2013 institutionalize a nuclear weapon that is rather simple, safer, reliable and would not require testing (OHanlon 8). On the other hand, he says that to construct such a nuclear plant that do not require testing needs a lot of money and that it will be overwhelming to manage the exercise. Amongst the current programs that the writer considers not necessary in mounting defense in the US are the upgrades in California and Alaska regarding the ground-based strategy (OHanlon 6). This includes the concurrent construction of the sea-based as well as the land-based which are considered theater system of defense. This is also coupled with other two land-based defense system dubbed short-range defense. The author then records that the latter programs can be cancelled and the defense system will not be compromised at

Influence of Hindu and Arabs in Mathematics Essay

Influence of Hindu and Arabs in Mathematics - Essay Example A well-developed numerical system and algebra in India allowed complicated astronomical calculations. The translations of classical works of ancient India into Chinese language include Mathematics Brahman. This allowed the share of mathematical though with other regions. "But the glory of having invented generalmethods in this most subtle branch of mathematics belongs to the Indians. The Hindu indeterminate analysis differs from the Greek not only in method, but also in aim" (Cajori 95). Another historical example can be the sharing of knowledge from India to Arab world (and to the West through ad with the help of Arabs who traded with India and the West and thus served as middlemen to spread ancient mathematical thought. Arabs themselves adopted a lot of mathematical knowledge. Arab philosopher, al-Uqlidisi introduced decimal fractions developed in the positional number system (Cajori 104). Also, Arabs developed the new science, "algebra" first described by Al'Karaji. Arabs knew suc h concepts as induction, integral cubes, binormal theorem, function, etc. Such exchange happened in the ancient times, and still it seems to continue happening nowadays - due to globalization and share of any discovery in scientific world.

Popular Music in America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Popular Music in America - Essay Example Over the years, music instruments have gradually become more technology oriented and digital music production has gained prominence, today there are several genres of music such as rap (partly), techno and house music where the beats are exclusively generated by computers. The rapidly growing power or sound producing devices coupled with their increasing affordability has facilitated the separation of instruments in to categories such as controller and synthesizers.   The implication herein is that today one does not need to have a wide array of instruments such a pianos, guitars harmonicas and others so as to produce music. With a simple personal computer installed with the latest music generating software many of which are available for cheaply if not freely online, one can actually create musical beats with much less the same dynamism that could be achieved by using the convectional tools. The Android app store also allows users to download a variety of virtual instruments such as keyboards and guitars, while the concept is still new and not very well developed, several musicians have actually produced whole songs though their smartphones using this downloadable instruments. Before the 70’s music had to be recorded either on low quality tape recorders or very big an expensive reel to reel machines, the latter were however exclusively for the use of professional studio or rich musicians owing to their prohibitive costs.   Gradually, technology allowed the studio to be simplified.... The rapidly growing power or sound producing devices coupled with their increasing affordability has facilitated the separation of instruments in to categories such as controller and synthesizers. The implication herein is that today one does not need to have a wide array of instruments such a pianos, guitars harmonicas and others so as to produce music. With a simple personal computer installed with the latest music generating software many of which are available for cheaply if not freely online, one can actually create musical beats with much less the same dynamism that could be achieved by using the convectional tools. The Android app store also allows users to download a variety of virtual instruments such as keyboards and guitars, while the concept is still new and not very well developed, several musicians have actually produced whole songs though their smartphones using this downloadable instruments. Before the 70’s music had to be recorded either on low quality tape re corders or very big an expensive reel to reel machines, the latter were however exclusively for the use of professional studio or rich musicians owing to their prohibitive costs. Gradually, technology allowed the studio to be simplified in the late 70s with a portastudio with multitrack tape recorders, which became widely available, and affordable, later digital recorders supplanted the analogue audio devices.3 The digital audio workstations have with time morphed and been condensed eliminating all the extra hardware and today for non-professional recording, one only needs a personal computer with a high quality sound card, hardware audio interface and editing software such as Adour and pro tools. Despite the fact that professional

Elements of Lean Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Elements of Lean Paper - Essay Example We can therefore refer to lean manufacturing as a business model as well as collection of tactical methods which emphasizes on waste elimination and at the same time delivering quality products that are cost effective on timely basis. In this study we are going to explore the elements and core disciplines of lean manufacturing and services in software development organization. The previous emergence of Agile software development methods as well as the lean principles have brought about the thinking of lean for the interest of the software community (Kaikkonen et al, 2014). Based on lean thinking, five principles are revealed by Kaikkonen et al (2014) in the discussion of lean principles. These principles also happen to be the core elements of lean in software development, the elements are; flow, value, value stream, pull, and perfection. These elements are relevant in the creation of a lean enterprise with the concepts of value as the heart of lean thinking. With value stream, value adding and wasteful activities are necessary for bringing a product or even service into existence. This is achievable when focus is put on improvement efforts. When value adding activities are carried out smoothly, the element of flow comes in. This is to mean that at every given point of the value stream, maximum value from the perspective of the product is added. Another el ement in this case is the pull; it simply means that any upstream process would not result as product of goods and services until a signal to do so is issued from the downstream. These three principle elements and the other two generate massive gains in the software development organization. Elements required by the organization to move towards the lean environment are waste and value as they happen to be the heart of lean thinking (Kaikkonen et al, 2014). Based on lean, value is viewed from the perspective of the customer as anything they appreciate. On the general business perspective it can be typically

The Lawyer's Professional Qualities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

The Lawyer's Professional Qualities - Essay Example The one unequivocal necessity of a good lawyer, as well as any lawyer at all, is a law school diploma and membership in BAR association. Without it, you cannot practice law. Every single lawyer has these two things. Â  Another thing a professional lawyer should have is an experience. In any job, there are very few people who became great specialists right after graduating from school or university. These are the only necessities a good lawyer should have.As for subjective qualities a professional lawyer should have, the first one is you have to be tranquil. There are a lot of people who would try to unbalance you intentionally (opponents) or not on purpose (clients, boss, colleagues et cetera). There are also many things that would go not your way, which can be disappointing or make you angry. If you would be not calm, for example, in a courtroom, you may lose your case. As an example of a lawyer’s tranquility Hillary Clinton can be taken (Gates). Another important quality professional lawyer should have is understanding that all you do is not about yourself, neither is it about your boss or your firm. It is all about your clients and their problems. It is important to remember that a lawyer is only a person who provides some sort of services if taken in general. As an example of such quality, Paul Gilbert can be taken (Gilbert).It is not less important to stand until the end and be sticking to your guns, because there are many people who finish trying just before succeeding in something. It is also needed to be able to take risks and to be ready to influence people’s lives, especially when dealing with criminal law. As an incarnation of these qualities, Preet Bharara can be taken (Dinh).

Accounting Theory and Policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Accounting Theory and Policy - Essay Example GAAP and IFRS.The main reason for starting the debate was the series of corporate scandals in the U.S. where managers acted opportunistically to circumvent accounting rules to the detriment of investors, a result that accounting standards were supposed to help in preventing. Standards were established to ensure that financial reporting reflected the economic substance, not just the form, of transactions. However, auditors allowed different forms of reporting manipulation provided these were consistent with the interpretation of precise rules-based standards, allowing compliance with the "form" of financial reporting even as it failed to reflect the true economic "substance" of such transactions.Another reason for the debate is the move towards the need for convergence because of the number of accounting standards currently in force, which creates problems related to timeliness, compliance, comparability, and consistency. Accountants find rules-based (also called cookbook or checklist ) standards too detailed and time-consuming, causing delays in reporting, and unable to meet the challenges of a complex and fast-changing financial world. Rather than help accountants exercise professional judgment and objectivity, having too many rules provide specific benchmarks that makes it easy for auditors to fulfil compliance in form but not in substance. Therefore, since principles are more general than detailed rules, FASB is of the opinion that developing principles-based standards would make convergence easier and, at the same time, allow auditors to minimise the tendency of managers to engage in manipulations of reported financial results. Rules-based accounting standards-setting in the U.S. resulted from years of consultations regarding increasingly complex financial transactions. Companies and auditors asked for "bright line" rules, so-called because they contained precise numerical cut-off points supposedly to guide transactions reporting. However, as the example of accounting for capital leases showed, companies found a way to use professional expertise, creative arrangements, and over-liberal judgment to circumvent the rules contained in a 450-page FASB document to clarify the topic. Why do companies restructure transactions even in the face of "bright line" rules The main reason is that managing earnings can be beneficial for managers. Managers have incentives to look after their own best interests, leading them to manipulate transactions if the benefits outweigh the costs such as taxes, penalties from SEC enforcement, and balance sheet reclassifications. Minimising costs would maximise profits and, in most cases, benefits to managers. Auditors also have incentives to earn as much revenues from their services, which may be affected by reporting manipulation, so they sometimes allow debt to be classified as equity (some auditing fees depend on company asset size). By maximising profits, earnings manipulation also allows managers to keep their jobs, avoid shareholder lawsuits, and raise the share price so they can exercise stock options and earn higher salaries. Evidence shows that managers are more likely to manipulate financial reporting if there are precise (rules-based) accounting standards than when standards are flexible, and that auditors are more likely to allow this as long as the rules allow it. When there are no "bright line" rules, but only concepts-based standards, managers are less likely to engage in costly

Sales Management project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Sales Management project - Essay Example For sales managers it is a very difficult task to select the people who will turn out to be great at what they do. Over the years a lot of scholarly work and research has been conducted about the recruitment processes that will ensure person-job fit at the managerial levels but very little attention has been paid on emphasizing and devising a proper strategy that ensures that the right people are hired on a sales force. According to Cravens et al (1997) one of the main marketing expenditures in the business-to-business marketplace is the field sales force and even then, little is done to make absolutely sure that the right people are hired on sales forces. According to Rich and Smith (2000) â€Å"The greater the skill used in evaluating potential salespeople, the more effective will be the hiring process; effectiveness being measured by lower turnover and greater productivity over an extended period of time†. Most organizations pay little or no attention on a standardized recruitment procedure that ensures that the right sales people are selected for the jobs even though most researches show that higher sales are generated by salespeople who are motivated and well-suited for their job. For organizations whose work centers around retailing of products and services, their sales force plays the most important of tasks of determining its success. Fort a better, more well-matched person to be inducted into a company’s sales force, it has been observed that a better recruitment process is necessary. According to Pitt and Ramasheshan (1995),â€Å"In the sales force recruitment process in most organizations, the organization’s requirements are typically positioned as the primary consideration†. Which generally means that more emphasize is laid on generalizing the demands of the organization so as to attract a larger number of people to apply for the jobs.

American Middle Class Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

American Middle Class - Essay Example Progressive ideas saw the transformation of a major sector of the American economy. The presidents who were elected during this period were progressive. Progressive idea was to transform and advance major sectors of America in terms of technology, high level of education, wiping out corruption and revival of infrastructure. This paper seeks to discuss the impact of industrialization on America middle class in the last half of the 19th century (1865-1915). After maintenance of relative stability, people from Caribbean’s, Latin America, and West Indies migrated to America to seek new position and offered their expertise. Moreover, European immigrants offered expertise for agricultural and industrial expansion. Consequently, there was rapid economic growth in all sectors of America economy mostly in the north and the west. This also saw an increase in income of the American middle class. Relative peace was also achieved in the southern part after the defeat and failure of the sec essionist movement. The American middle class had an opportunity to fight corruption as a majority joined the progressive party (McGeehan and Gall 121). Industrialization was of significance to the United States of America. It was generally referred to, as industrial revolution. Industrialization in America was change from homemade production to the technological use of machine and industry dependence. The most important invention in America was the invention of the weaving and spinning machine. Initially, the machine was operated on water but later invention of steam led to its replacement. America’s growth rate improved significantly to same level as its competitors such as Britain. This led to transformation of America from a small economy into a modern urban industrial state. At the same time, there was a significant transformation of American society especially the middle class (Hillstrom and Laurie 111-118). Before the rise of the industrial revolution in America, Brita in was the major producer and supplier of manufactured goods. However, late 19th century and early 20th century saw the emergence of America. In the late 1800’s, America became a major producer and supplier of manufactured goods overcoming Britain. New sources of market were available, hence, easy supply to new areas. More importantly, America is a country endowed with great natural resources. Therefore, America did not rely on any country for supply of raw materials for its industries like other countries that were going through industrial revolution at the period. The major raw materials that existed and still exist in America are coal, iron ore, copper, lead, timber, and oil. Coal was significantly used in provision of energy for the industries. Moreover, there was abundant and cheap supply of labor. The period between 1865 and 1900 saw a high migration of people to America especially Europeans, West Indies, Caribbean’s and Latin Americans. High population of immigr ants looking for industrial jobs made labor cheap and hence industries made huge profit. Additionally, this period saw the emergence of America middle class. There was improved income and high amount of wage. Consequently, this provided capital for expansion of America business. This provided a large group of consumers of manufactured goods. The development of new technology ensured that the cost of productivity was low,

Lyndon B. Johnson Essay Example for Free

Lyndon B. Johnson Essay Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidential reign began with the assassination of former president John F. Kennedy in 1963. While the people of the United States tried to recover from the loss of Kennedy, Johnson used it to his advantage. Many citizens did not notice that this was being done, and some even wonder if Johnson himself knew he was using it to his advantage. By him telling America that Kennedy would have wanted the Great Society, the people believed him and went through with it. Many things, both good an bad came out of the Great Society. The Great Society was Johnson’s way of fixing the problems in America, that being the political, emotional and mostly the social problems. Johnson used the nations grief to pass the civil rights bill. It had the same idea of the bill Kennedy was planning on passing, but the difference was that Johnson’s was stronger and more powerful. This act was passed in July of 1964, and it outlawed radical discrimination in all public places. Places that included hotels, and restaurants, it banned the discrimination of unions, and the employers and even programs that were funded by the federal government. The civil rights act was not the only thing passed in 1964 though, he also passed the Economic Opportunity Act. As seen in document B, the act was made to help people in poverty. It started head start, a preschool program funded by the government, and gave workers and farmers money to break through and escape from poverty. It improved what was being done in our nation at that time, and became a milestone for our 180-year search for a better life for our people. With these couple of acts being formed it did help our poverty rates change. When you look at document H you can see that in 1959 before Johnson’s presidency, the poverty rate was at 55.1 for blacks, 18.1 for whites, and 53.3 for all non-whites. Once the acts were formed the rates went down a little and were recorded in 1966 by about 15 percent except for whites, the whites only went down 7 percent. They kept decreasing until 1974 where they were last recorded in the document at 29.5 percent for all non-whites, 31.4 for blacks, and 8.9 for whites. The white race was effected the most by this and they decreased the most out of all of races. Now with the change of the  poverty rates, Johnson also tried to help with medical prices. He started insurance programs such as Medicare for seniors and Medicaid for the poor. Document A shows Abraham Ribcoff testifying before the House of Representatives about the prices of medical care. The discovery of more advanced medical sciences and life spans lasting longer, the elders and poor need more help paying these bills and with Medicare and Medicaid help will be provided. Now the Great Society was a huge deal during Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidency. Probably because it had a huge impact on America to this day. Johnson poured millions, even billions of dollars into building a perfect society. While he was putting money into this, he was spending money trying to help with the Vietnam War. Document E is a perfect cartoon of what was happening in the time period. Johnson knew that we could not win the war, but he kept us fighting. Many lives were lost, and more and more money was spilt into it. The idea of his Great Society fed right into the war. So much money was lost into the US economy and it is money that we have not gotten back. People were disappointed with Johnson because he kept us fighting, but he did not under their anger. In document F, an interview of Johnson in 1967, he states, â€Å"How is it possible that all these people could be so ungrateful to me after I had given them so much?† He has a point where he had done a lot, but t his was nothing compared to the pain families had felt over their loved ones. Johnson was not the only political figure during this ear that made a strong impact on civil rights. Several supreme court cases were occurring at this time between the Miranda rights, and when Plessy was overturned by Brown. Along with Baker v. Carr and Engel v. Vitale. All of these impacted women and blacks. Betty Freedan was against the perfect life idea for women. Where they need to be the perfect wife for their husbands and how it was every woman’s dream. Betty had this life and it was not her dream. Blacks wanted full rights, no more segregation between them. With these two together the civil rights movement began. More information on these two groups are found in document C and D. Johnson faced a lot during his presidency, and he made it through all of it. He made a large impact on American’s life. Economically he put us into a severe struggle, but he did help with medical care, and schooling for children. Socially we now have equal rights, and the civil rights movement did work after a while. We all get along in schools and those movements started it all. Politically he was not the best president, but they all have ups and downs. My own opinion, Johnson was an okay president. Life was difficult then, but many of those difficult things made the life we live today a lot better.

Structure and Chemical Composition of Silk

Structure and Chemical Composition of Silk Silk: A Natural Polymer By: David Church â€Å"The Silk Road,† a trading route that can be traced back to over 3600 years ago, but still is a household recognized name. Standing the test of time proves that this product was extremely important in shaping history. According to Chinese historians, silk began with the prince of China, Hoang-ti, and his wife, Si-ling-chi. The prince wanted his wife to contribute something important to their people. He assigned her the task of finding a use for the thread that came from silk worms. Si-ling-chi was able to develop a method to feed the worms, extract and reel the thread, as well as create clothing from the silk. The Chinese were able to keep not only the method of producing silk but also the source (the silk worm) a secret until about the sixth century. The nobility of the world was forced to pay as much as its weight in gold for silk until about 555 A.D. This is when two Nestorian monks were able to bring a few silk worm eggs to Constantinople, which began the spread of pr oduction through Europe and other parts of Asia.6 Silk can come from many different insects, including caterpillars, spiders, and worms. The most economically viable silk is produced from mulberry silkworms because they can be raised in captivity and their silk can be mass produced. The larva is born from an egg and must be fed mulberry leaves for up to one month before it is ready to create a cocoon of silk. Once it creates this cocoon, workers kill the larva inside using hot water or steam, and then proceed with the rest of the manufacturing process.5 The structure of this silk is composed of amino acids linked together in a long chain. Three main amino acids comprise 83.4% of the total polymer structure with trace amounts of many other amino acids. A total of up to 2592 different amino acids can be found in a polymer chain of silk. The three frequent amino acids include glycine, alanine, and tyrosine, with ratios in the polymer chain of about 1/2, 1/4, and 1/16 respectively. This leaves a ratio of about 3/16 of all other trace amino acids. If we denote glycine as G, alanine as A, tyrosine as T, and all the other amino acids as X, an outline structure of the polymer can be created to follow a pattern similar to: [G-A-G-T-G-A-G-X-G-A-G-X-G-A-G-X] n.2 Even though the chemical structure of this polymer chain seems like it could be very complex, the actual structure of the chain is relatively simple. The two most frequent amino acids present (glycine and alanine) in the polymer make up about 75% of the polymer chain and fortunately have two of the simplest individual structures of all amino acids. Glycine’s and alanine’s chemical structures are shown in Figures 1 and 2 respectively.2 Figure 1: Glycine Chemical Structure Figure 2: Alanine Chemical Structure The third most frequent amino acid present, tyrosine, is a little larger and more complex because it contains a benzene ring. Its chemical structure is shown in Figure 3.2 Figure 3: Tyrosine Chemical Structure The similarities in the chemical structure of these amino acids should be noted. As a generalization, all amino acids can be represented with an amino group, a hydrogen atom, a carboxylic acid group, and a side â€Å"R† group all attached to the alpha carbon as shown in Figure 4.2 Figure 4: Generalized Amino Acid Chemical Structure The method of synthesis that is used is step growth condensation polymerization. To perform this reaction, a hydrogen atom from the amino group of one amino acid reacts with the hydroxide molecule from the carboxylic acid group of another amino acid to form water. This allows for the nitrogen atom to bond directly to the carbon atom and start a chain. One step in the polymerization process between glycine and alanine is shown in Figure 5.1 Figure 5: Polymerization Step This process propagates in a chain of amino acids with the pattern previously shown in Figure 1. Denoting â€Å"R† for the side chain in tyrosine and â€Å"R1† for all the side chains in the numerous trace amino acids, a simplified polymer chain diagram would look something like what is shown in Figure 6.1 Figure 6: Simplified Polymer Chain2 As the name suggests, â€Å"The Silk Road† was a route taken in order to trade silk between communities, however, silk was not the only product being transported on this route. Silk is arguably known as the most significant product being transported at the time, but because of the existence of the Silk Road, it made it much easier to trade other commodities, such as gold, precious metals and stones, ivory, exotic animals, and religion. The route provided a means for Buddhist missions to travel from India to influence China. The starting point of the Silk Road and capital of China was Changan. During the heyday of the Silk Road, about 740 A.D., Changan grew into one of the largest cities of the time with a population of about two million people. As the Silk Road developed and the precious items became more widely known, it in turn became more dangerous to travel. Bandits took advantage of the long, desert road by attacking and looting caravans. To combat this, sections of the G reat Wall of China were constructed to defend the caravans.9 The simple pleasures that silk provided like comfort and social hierarchy caused a chain reaction that in turn led to the globalization of trade, religion, economy, and mass construction. Today, silk has taken on a new importance to society with the many technologically advanced uses that will be discussed later. Both the advantages and disadvantages of silk can mainly be contributed to the inherent biological nature of its formation. The advantages of silk come from comparing it with other natural threads and with artificially created threads. The mulberry silk worm produces large amounts of silk in a convenient cocoon shape that is easily industrialized unlike other natural threads. The natural process of protein organization with such chemical control has not been able to be replicated artificially in a laboratory. The first disadvantages of silk are bound by the limitations of nature. The only insect that is currently capable of mass producing silk is the mulberry silkworm. Other insects that produce silk such as spiders are carnivorous and independent in nature, and cannot produce mass quantities silk. Therefore, creating a farm of spiders that can produce enough silk becomes very difficult. The mulberry silkworm only creates one type of thread whereas a spider can produce typically five types of thread that have different and desired properties.4 A few other disadvantages include photo-yellowing, wrinkling recovery, and rub-resistance. Photo-yellowing is a phenomenon where the silk turns a yellowish tint after prolonged exposure to light. Silk cloth has poor wrinkling recovery meaning after it is creased; it is difficult to get it smooth again. The rub-resistance or abrasion-resistance of silk cloth is also poor, which is the ability to resist surface wear from flat rubbing on another material.5 The obvious example of a use for silk is cloth which also takes up the greatest portion of silk consumption. There are many other uses of silk specifically in the medical field that have arisen recently due to advances in technology. The fibers of silk have been used for sutures of wounds, because it does not trigger a response from the human immune system. For the same reason, it has been used as replacement ligaments, tendons, bones, and cartilage.3 After further research and development, a potential use is an artificial cornea made from a silk film that is lasered to become permeable. Another potential use currently under research is very thin, degradable silk films with electrode arrays printed on them. These films could form to the contours of the brain and potentially treat epilepsy and other conditions with less scarring than traditional procedures. New innovative uses for silk are surfacing and being researched regularly.4 Silk is a rapidly renewable resource that is both reusable and biodegradable. It has much less negative impact when compared to other fabrics if it is produced safely and organically. There is not much processing involved in the creation of silk that normally would cause unnecessary environmental impact. The mulberry plantations provide prevention to soil erosion from wind and water, as well as improving air quality by naturally filtering the air. Some silk has been advertised as being a â€Å"green† product when produced with the appropriate caution, but it also has negative environmental impacts associated with its production. 7 In non-organic production, pesticides and fertilizers are used in the growth of the mulberry trees that pollute the air when sprayed and the ground water when washed away by precipitation. Chemicals are used in the â€Å"degumming† process that are eventually wash off creating wastewater that in certain cases may or may not be reclaimed at a w ater treatment plant. In most areas silk is produced where populations are large and land is sparse, such as China, Japan, Italy, and India. The mulberry plantations take up a significant amount of land. 8 These are some of the few locations that have been able to successfully grow mulberry plantations; subsequently a great deal of transportation is required to deliver the silk to its consumers leading to pollution. As with any industrialized production, there are always environmental impacts both positive and negative that arise.7 References Ahluwalia, V.K., and Anuradha Mishra. Polymer Science. New Delhi: Ane Books Pvt. Ltd., 2008. Print. Bergmann, Max, and Carl Niemann. On the Strucure of Silk Fibroin. Journal of Biological  Chemistry 122.2 (1938): 577-596. The Journal of Biological Chemistry. Web. 25 Sept.  2014. Boado, Christine. Hand Designed Silk Embroidery Art with Over 2,500 Years of History.  Importance of Silk. Art of Silk, 12 Sept. 2012. Web. 25 Sept. 2014.  http://www.artofsilk.com/blogs/news/6565365-importance-of-silk#.VCpd-GePLIV>. Fountain, Henry. The Reinvention of Silk. The New York Times 7 Mar. 2011, sec. Science: n. pag. The New York Times. Web. 25 Sept. 2014. Harding, John G., Lin M. Romer, and Thomas R. Scheibel. Polymeric Materials Based on Silk Proteins. Polymer 49.20 (2008): 4309-4327. Science Direct. Web. 25 Sept. 2014. Kitching, J. Howard. The Cultivation of a Silk Worm. The Decorator and Furnisher 5.2 (1884): 56. JSTOR. Web. 25 Sept. 2014. Muthu, Subramanian Senthilkannan. Assessing the Environtmental Impact of Textiles and the  Clothing Supply Chain. Wiltham MA: Woodhead Publishing Limited, 2014. Print. Soulivanh, Somphong. Environmental Impacts of Trade Liberalization in the Silk Handicrafts Sector of the Lao PDR. International Institute for Sustainable Development. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 1 Dec. 2007. Web. 25 Sept. 2014. Wild, Oliver. The Silk Road. The Silk Road. Earth System Science University of California, 1992. Web. 25 Sept. 2014. http://www.ess.uci.edu/~oliver/silk.html>.

What Influences Juveniles to Join a Gang?

What Influences Juveniles to Join a Gang? When it comes to gangs, juveniles are the ones that are being lured in the most. You’ll come across a certain neighborhood and encounter juveniles that are almost around the age of 12-18. You may ask what influences them to be in a gang? Regardless of the many crimes and violations they’ll have to commit in order to be granted in. There’s been various studies out there that reveal so many factors that makes them want to become a part of these organizations. Some are: male partner gang involvement, disadvantaged neighborhoods, family structure and peer association. These factors tend to come into play often because of what these juveniles endure, personally, and makes them want to become a part of something that will give them a sense of power and acceptance. To start off, when it comes to knowing what a gang is, it can be defined in various ways. There’s no right definition but there are certain ways to describe what it is. In the textbook,† American Street Gangs†, they go into detail about how gangs are a group of people who band together for any number of reasons†. Which may include criminal activity, delinquency and rule of certain territories (neighborhoods). Here are some interesting statistics about gangs based on the Federal data (Justice.gov): America showed 95% of criminal activity was caused by youth gangs, youth gangs are more violent while engaging in illegal money-making activities, and has increased in gang violence especially within large cities. With all that being said, you can see how much of a negative impact gangs are making towards society and the youth. Female juveniles are also considered gang members and tend to join gangs because of relations to their boyfriend or partner. As stated in an article,† The Relationship Between Male Gang Involvement.†, it goes in depth with the idea that females whom are involved with gang members are highly likely to join a gang too, especially in ages between 13-17. The article points out important factors that come along with it, such as emotional abuse and how that can lead them to being gang-involved partners, they’ll seek comfort on being engaged in drug activity, crime and other acts that they’ve never done before. However, it’ll also cause negative outcomes such as mental risk factors, intimate partner violence and objectifying them as sex objects. This concludes that female juveniles who are involved with gang members, will most likely follow their steps out of love and respect, regardless of the outcomes. Another article that goes into detail of female juveni les in gangs, known as,† Female Gang Members†, tells us that throughout the years, rates on female juvenile gang activity have increased. An interesting quote I came across states, â€Å"they’re afraid of our gang, and because I’m in the gang, people show me respect and wont mess with me. I like that feeling of power†. With that being said, you can see how female juveniles feel when being involved in a gang. The sense of power and fear other people have towards them, contrary to not being in a gang and don’t get the respect they think they deserve. Another factor that influences juveniles to become a part of a gang is being in disadvantaged neighborhoods. When it comes to impoverished neighborhoods, more gang activity is being exposed because of the lack of resources the community has. In other words, gang members make money by the distribution of drugs and crimes, making people that’s in desperate need, become a gang member. The fact that neighborhoods play a huge role, environmental deterioration and social disorganization, as talked about in â€Å"Affiliation to youth gangs During Adolescence†, are the effects of an impoverished neighborhood. The views a juvenile has towards society are also important because if they feel a sense of unattachment towards their norms, it makes them want to engage in delinquency and crime. Gang organizations feel as if they have control of everything and run every block in the neighborhood. Why? Because of lack of social control and collective efficacy. Neighborhoods that are most impoverished, tend to be at risk of being controlled by youth gangs. These neighborhoods are seen as a playground for them, giving them access to hang around in every corner, playground and front porch because of the fact that people are scared of them and won’t do anything to interfere; not prevented. This concludes that juveniles that live in a disadvantaged neighborhood are more likely to get in a gang because that’s all they see around them, especially growing up, being exposed to gang activity at an everyday basis makes it difficult for them to avoid it. From a personal experience, I have lived in a neighborhood where there was gang activity everywhere you’d go. In the Little Village area, where I grew up, I’d see juveniles as young as 12-17 that would hang with the heads of gang members and follow the same steps they would. It was really upsetting seeing a 14-year-old boy on the corners selling drugs just to make dirty money, the reality of it was surreal. Family structure is one of the issues that occur the most. Many juveniles will experience lack of family support, love and guidance and can lure them away. Parental supervision tends to lessen when there’s problems such as: single parent households, parents being incarcerated, neglecting their child and relatives being involved in gangs. The loss of a father or mother figure can really have a negative impact on a juvenile, causing them to contribute to criminal activities and bad habits. Especially when it comes to losing a father figure, juveniles don’t have that strict supervision or support a man will give to his son contrary to a mother. In other words, family structure impedes socialization. In effect to that, juveniles will turn to gang organizations because they feel a sense of belonging, loyalty and connection, something they would look for within their family. In the textbook,† American Street Gangs†, it states a pretty compelling fact,† famil ies that can’t provide enough security or support so the gangs become their kind of surrogate family† (page 84). In other words, if you’re committed to the gang, they will reward you with protection, power and love. In the text, it defines what a gang is and what characteristics it consists of, which is a group of more than two members, fall within certain age groups, share a sense of identity, require permanence and most importantly are involved in criminal activity. With that being said, you can conclude that being in a gang, you have to follow strict regulations but also, there’s a sense of loyalty/trust, love, being respected/feared and actually feeling a part of something. Take for example, the Latin Kings. In a video Gangland, the show how much they value their gang members and look out for one another, but are very critical when it comes to anyone turning their back on them (distrust, snitching, which is telling on someone). Lastly, peer association is also one of the factors that influence gang membership. Nowadays, juveniles will make friends with anyone that shows them acceptance and since they tend to be susceptible, it’s easy for them to fall into temptation. A lot of gang members tend to recruit juveniles the most because they’ll do anything for money, power and the reputation. Take into consideration the differential association theory as a factor for antisocial behavior. Edwin Sutherland was a famous social theorist and came up with this theory, which he defines as, all behavior is learned. Such as: learning criminal behavior, process of communication within the gang, and getting to know the basic principles of a gang and incorporating it to their everyday lives and do everything that is expected of them. It can be seen as peer pressure but in this case, juveniles are committed to this. This theory best describes peer association because of the fact that many of these juveniles will do whatever it takes to become a gang member, they’ll endure any violation just to become one of them. Seeing gang members gain power and have all the things they desire, will definitely influence juveniles to want it as well. To conclude, juveniles tend to start being involved in gangs at such an early age despite the negative consequences they’ll face in the long run. Factors such as family structure, peer association, disadvantaged neighborhoods and relationships in gangs will definitely influence a juvenile to join these organizations at whatever cost. It’s important to take into consideration that most of this can be prevented with the right guidance and support from their family. Gang membership will only take you so far; death or in jail, just for their show and satisfaction and it’s really not worth it. References Flexon, J. L., Greenleaf, R. G., & Lurigio, A. J. (2012). The Effects of Self-Control, Gang Membership, and Parental Attachment/Identification on Police Contacts Among Latino and African American Youths.  International Journal Of Offender Therapy & Comparative Criminology,  56(2), 218-238. doi:10.1177/0306624X10394116 Dupà ©rà ©, V., Lacourse, É., Willms, J. D., Vitaro, F., Tremblay, R. E., Dupà ©rà ©, V., & Lacourse, E. (2007). Affiliation to youth gangs during adolescence: the interaction between childhood psychopathic tendencies and neighborhood disadvantage.  Journal Of Abnormal Child Psychology,  35(6), 1035-1045. doi:10.1007/s10802-007-9153-0 Molidor, C. E. (1996). Female Gang Members: A Profile of Aggression and Victimization.  Social Work,  41(3), 251-257. King, K., Voisin, D., & Diclemente, R. (2015). The Relationship Between Male Gang Involvement and Psychosocial Risks for their Female Juvenile Justice Partners with Non-gang Involvement Histories.  Journal Of Child & Family Studies,  24(9), 2555-2559. doi:10.1007/s10826-014-0057-7 103. Gang Statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2018, from https://www.justice.gov/usam/criminal-resource-manual-103-gang-statistics Delaney, T. (2016).  American street gangs. Brantford, Ontario: W. Ross MacDonald School Resource Services Library. Health Issue: The Debate on Vaccinations Health Issue: The Debate on Vaccinations Current Trend in Health Care: MMR Vaccines Brittany Core Nothing is more heartbreaking than a young life that has been taken by the infection of a killer disease. Diseases kill children every year. Many diseases are bacteria, inhaled by the victim, infecting several areas of the body. The bacteria lives and grows while its victim dies. Other diseases are caused by viruses; a non-living infection that attacks the immune system and other living cells. Children are much more vulnerable to disease because of their weak immune systems. They’re weak because they have not lived life long enough to build immunities for such infections. However, in medicine, there are always risks. So, parents argue that vaccinations should not be mandatory for children. For many years, immunizations have continued to keep the spread of disease low. They have lowered the amount of deaths and saved lives. On the other hand, what if it was against families’ religion or they say their child is a â€Å"tough one† and they can handle the severe symptoms of disease? Those are the arguments made by people who believe that vaccines should not be mandatory for children. Are those arguments strong enough to counter all the children’s lives that have been saved by intelligent medicine? Unless America wants to unleash the beast of infectious killers, vaccinations for children should be mandatory to keep it from spreading and eventually killing. Research shows that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks because vaccines can prevent serious illness and disease in individuals, vaccinations can also prevent widespread outbreaks of diseases in populations and the side effect of vaccinations, though occasionally serious, are very rare. In 1912, measles became a nationally notifiable disease in the United States, requiring U.S. healthcare providers and laboratories to report all diagnosed cases (Measles History, 2014). In the first decade of reporting, an average of 6,000 measles-related deaths were reported each year (Measles History, 2014). In the decade before 1963 when a vaccine became available, nearly all children got measles by the time they were 15 years of age (Measles History, 2014). It is estimated 3 to 4 million people in the United States were infected each year. Also each year an estimated 400 to 500 people died, 48,000 were hospitalized, and 4,000 suffered encephalitis (swelling of the brain) from measles (Measles History, 2014). In 1954, John F. Enders and Dr. Thomas C. Peebles collected blood samples from several ill students during a measles outbreak in Boston, Massachusetts (Measles History, 2014). They wanted to isolate the measles virus in the student’s blood and create a measles vaccine. They succeeded in isolating measles in 13-year-old David Edmonston’s blood (Measles History, 2014). In 1963, John Enders and colleagues transformed their Edmonston-B strain of measles virus into a vaccine and licensed it in the United States (Measles History, 2014). In 1968, an improved and even weaker measles vaccine, developed by Maurice Hilleman and colleagues, began to be distributed (Measles History, 2014). This vaccine, called the Edmonston-Enders (formerly â€Å"Moraten†) strain has been the only measles vaccine used in the United States since 1968 (Measles History, 2014). The MMR shot protects your child from measles, a potentially serious disease (and also protects against mumps and rubella), prevents your child from getting an uncomfortable rash and high fever from measles, keeps your child from missing school or childcare and keeps you from missing work to care for your sick child (Vaccine and Immunizations, 2015). The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is recommended for children 12 months to 12 years old (MMR, 2013). Children should receive the first dose of mumps-containing vaccine at 12-15 months and the second dose at 4-6 years (Mumps Vaccination, 2012). All adults born during or after 1957 should have documentation of one dose (Mumps Vaccination, 2012). Adults at higher risk, such as university students, health care personnel, and international travelers, and persons with potential mumps outbreak exposure should have documentation of two doses of mumps vaccine or other proof of immunity to mumps (Mumps Vaccination, 2012). Pregnant women and persons with an impaired immune system should not receive the MMR vaccine (Mumps Vaccination, 2012). It is a single shot, often given at the same doctor visit as the varicella or chickenpox vaccine (MMR, 2013). Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children (Vaccine and Immunizations, 2015). For some children, measles can lead to pneumonia, lifelong brain damage, deafness and death (Vaccine and Immunizations, 2015). Measles is a respiratory disease caused by a virus. The virus lives in the mucus in the nose and throat of an infected person (Measles, n.d). Measles remains a common disease in many countries throughout the world, including some developed countries in Europe and Asia (Measles, n.d). While the disease is almost gone from the United States, measles still kills nearly 200,000 people each year globally (Measles, n.d). However, children younger than 5 years of age and adults older than 20 years of age are more likely to suffer from measles complications (Measles, n.d). Measles virus causes rash, cough, runny nose, eye irritation, and fever (MMR Vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), 2015). It can lead to ear infection, pneumonia, seizures (jerking and staring), brain damage, and death (MMR Vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), 2015). Pregnant women can give birth prematurely or have a low-birth-weight baby (Measles, n.d). Mumps is a contagious disease that is caused by the mumps virus. The mumps virus affects the saliva glands, located between the ear and jaw, and may cause puffy cheeks and swollen glands (MMR, 2013). Mumps virus causes fever, headache, muscle pain, loss of appetite, and swollen glands (MMR, 2013). It can lead to deafness, meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord covering), painful swelling of the testicles or ovaries, and rarely sterility (MMR, 2013). Most people who have mumps will be protected (immune) from getting mumps again (Mumps Vaccine, 2006). There is a small percent of people though, who could get infected again with mumps and have a milder illness (Mumps Vaccine, 2006). Rubella, also known as German measles or three day measles is an infectious viral disease, but dont confuse rubella with measles, which is sometimes called rubeola (MMR, 2013). The two illnesses share similar features, including a characteristic red rash, but they are caused by different viruses (MMR, 2013). Rubella virus lives in the mucus in the nose and throat of infected persons (MMR, 2013). Rubella is usually spread to others through sneezing or coughing. In young children, rubella is usually mild, with few symptoms. They may have a mild rash, whichusually starts on the face and then spreads to the neck, chest, arms, and legs, and it lasts for about three days (MMR, 2013). A child with rubella might also have a slight fever or other symptoms like a cold. Adults are more likely to experience headache, pink eye, and general discomfort one to five days before the rash appears (MMR, 2013). Adults also tend to have more complications, including sore, swollen joints, and, less commonl y, arthritis, especially in women (MMR, 2013). A brain infection called encephalitis is a rare, but serious, complication affecting adults with rubella (MMR, 2013). However, the most serious consequence from rubella infection is the harm it can cause to a pregnant womans unborn baby (MMR, 2013). Measles spreads when a person infected with the measles virus breathes, coughs, or sneezes (Vaccine and Immunizations, 2015). It is very contagious. A person can catch measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been, up to 2 hours after that person is gone, and you can catch measles from an infected person even before they have a measles rash (Vaccine and Immunizations, 2015). Almost everyone who has not had the MMR shot will get measles if they are exposed to the measles virus (Vaccine and Immunizations, 2015). Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine can protect children and adult from all three of these diseases. Thanks to successful vaccination programs these diseases are much less common in the U.S. than they used to be, but if we stopped vaccinating they would return (MMR, 2013). Between 2000 and 2007, the number of measles cases reached a record low, with only 37 cases being reported in 2004 (Medical News Today, 2015). Last year saw the highest number of reported measles cases in the US since the virus had been declared eliminated (Medical News Today, 2015). There were 23 measles outbreaks in 2014 causing 644 people to become infected (Medical News Today, 2015). According to the CDC, the majority of these cases were brought into the country by travelers from the Philippines (Medical News Today, 2015). Where a large outbreak of the virus was occurring at the time and most of the people who became infected in the US were part of unvaccinated Amish communities in Ohio, but while last years statistics seem bad, this years are set to be even worse (Medical News Today, 2015). Last month alone saw 102 measles cases reported over 14 US states, including California, Texas and Washington (Medical News Today, 2015). The majority of these cases are thought to have stemm ed from Disneyland, CA, where a number of people reported developing the virus after visiting the amusement part in mid-December (Medical News Today, 2015). If you dont have insurance or if your insurance does not cover vaccines for your child, the Vaccines for Children Program may be able to help (CDC, 2015). The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program provides vaccines for children who are uninsured, Medicaid-eligible, or American Indian/Alaska Native (CDC, 2015). No federal vaccination laws exist, but all 50 states require certain vaccinations for children entering public schools (State Laws: Vaccines and Requirements, 2014). Vaccination coverage in America has been historically high as a result of school requirements, caregiver intervention with vulnerable populations, and seasonal influenza-shot drives, but it still falls short (MMR, 2013). Physicians or other providers must provide the current Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) each time they administer a vaccine covered under the National Vaccine Injury or purchased through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grant (Kimmel Wolfe, 2005). They must record in each patients medical record the date of administration, the vaccine manufacturer, the lot number, and the name and business address of the provider, along with the edition of the VIS that was given and the date on which the vaccine was administered (Kimmel Wolfe, 2005). An effective interaction can address the concerns of vaccine supportive parents and motivate a hesitant parent towards vaccine acceptance (Leask, Kinnersley, Jackson, Cheater, Bedford Rowles, 2012). Conversely, poor communication can contribute to rejection of vaccinations or dissatisfaction with care and health professionals have a central role in maintaining education (Leask et al., 2012). These concerns will likely increase as vaccination schedules inevitably become more complex, and parents have increased access to varied information through the internet and social media (Leask et al., 2012). In recognition of the need to support health professionals in this challenging communication task conducted in usually public trust in vaccination; this includes addressing parents’ vaccine concerns (Leask et al., 2012). There are several reasons why parents are choosing not to vaccinate their children. Parents who decided not to give their child MMR were concerned that the vaccine might cause a reaction in their child (Immunizations, n.d). Most children who have the MMR vaccine do not have any problems with it, or if reactions do occur they are usually mild (Immunizations, n.d). Parents were concerned that the long-term effects of the combined MMR vaccine were not known (Immunizations, n.d). Other reasons given for deciding not to go ahead with MMR were concern about the ingredients of the vaccines and that live vaccines were used and that these would be too much for a childs body to cope with (Immunizations, n.d). A very small number of parents personally believed that immunity derived from actually having the disease was more effective than the immunity obtained from vaccines (Immunizations, n.d). There is no scientific evidence that MMR vaccine causes autism. The suggestion that MMR vaccine might lead to autism had its origins in research by Andrew Wakefield, a gastroenterologist, in the United Kingdom (DPH, 2013). In 1998, Wakefield and colleagues published an article in The Lancet claiming that the measles vaccine virus in MMR caused inflammatory bowel disease, allowing harmful proteins to enter the bloodstream and damage the brain (DPH, 2013). The validity of this finding was later called into question when it could not be reproduced by oth ­er researchers (DPH, 2013). In addition, the findings were further discredited when an investigation found that Wakefield did not disclose he was being funded for his research by lawyers seeking evidence to use against vaccine manufacturers (DPH, 2013). Wakefield was permanently barred from practicing medicine in the United Kingdom (DPH, 2013). There will always be some cases of measles in the US, as it can still be brought into the country by individuals from other countries who have not been vaccinated. The CDC says the MMR vaccine is safe, and one dose of the vaccine is around 93% effective at preventing measles, while two doses is approximately 97% effective (Medical News Today, 2015). Immunization is the only effective way of protection for children against these diseases because children’s immune systems are defenseless against them because they are not fully developed yet, and once infected in most cases there is no cure or at least a very low chance of one. References Center for Disease Control (2015, February 5). Retrieved March 18, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/measles/fs-parents.html DPH: Infectious Diseases. (n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2015 http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3136q=397352 Immunization. (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2015, from http://www.healthtalk.org/peoples-experiences/pregnancy-children/immunisation/deciding-not-give-my-child-mmr-measles-mumps-and-rubella Kimmel, S. R., Wolfe, R. M. (2005). Communicating the benefits and risks of vaccines. The Journal of Family Practice, 54(1 Suppl), S51-S57 State Vaccines and requirements. (2014, December 12). Retrieved March 22, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/laws/state-reqs.html Leask, J., Kinnersley, P., Jackson, C., Cheater, F., Bedford, H., Rowles, G. (2012). Communication with parents about vaccination: a framework for health professionals. BMC Pediatrics, 12154. doi:10.1186/1471-2431-12-154 Measles History. (2014, November 3). Retrieved March 18, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/history.html Medical News Today (2015, February 5). Retrieved March 18, 2015, from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/289060.php MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) Vaccine. (2013, June 18). Retrieved March 18, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/mmr.html MMR Vaccine Does Not Cause Autism Examine the Evidence! Retrieved March 19, 2015, from http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4026.pdf Mumps Vaccine. (2006, October 16). Retrieved March 22, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/mumps/vac-faqs.htm Mumps Vaccination. (2012, July 2). Retrieved March 22, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/mumps/vaccination.html Vaccine and Immunizations. (2015, February 5). Retrieved March 22, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/measles/fs-parents.html Measles. (n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2015, from http://www.vaccines.gov/diseases/measles/index.html MMR Vaccine (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella): MedlinePlus Drug Information. (n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2015, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a601176.html