Avocado History, Domestication, and Spread

Avocado (Persea americana) is one of the earliest fruits consumed in Mesoamerica and one of the first trees domesticated in the Neotropics. The word avocado derives from the language spoken by the Aztecs (Nahuatl)  who called the tree ahoacaquahuitl  and its fruit ahuacatl; the Spanish called it aguacate. The oldest evidence for avocado consumption dates back almost 10,000 years in Puebla state of central Mexico, at the site of Coxcatlan. There, and in other cave environments in the Tehuacan and Oaxaca valleys, archaeologists found that over time, avocado seeds grew larger. Based on that, the avocado is considered to have been domesticated in the region by between 4000-2800 BC. Avocado Biology The Persea genus has twelve species, most of which produce inedible fruits: P. americana is the best known of the edible species. In its natural habitat, P. americana grows to between 10-12 meters (33-40 feet) high, and it has lateral roots; smooth leathery, deep green leaves; and symmetrical yellow-green flowers. The fruits are variously shaped, from pear-shaped through oval to globular or elliptic-oblong. The peel color of the ripe fruit varies from green to dark purple to black. The wild progenitor of all three varieties was a polymorphic tree species that spanned a broad geographical area from the eastern and central highlands of Mexico through Guatemala to the Pacific coast of Central America. The avocado should really be considered as semi-domesticated: Mesoamericans didnt construct orchards but rather brought a few wild trees into residential garden plots and tended them there. Ancient Varieties Three varieties of avocado were created separately in three different locations in Central America. They were recognized and reported in surviving Mesoamerican codexes, with the most detail appearing in the Aztec Florentine Codex. Some scholars believe these varieties of avocados were all created in the 16th century: but the evidence is inconclusive at best. Mexican avocados (P. americana var. drymifolia, called the ​aoacatl in the Aztec language), originated in central Mexico and are adapted to the tropical highlands, with relatively good tolerance to cold and small fruits that are covered by a thin, purple-black skin.Guatemalan avocados, (P. americana var. guatemalensis, quilaoacatl) are from southern Mexico or Guatemala. They are similar in shape and size to the Mexican but have a more ovoid and lighter-colored seed. Guatemalan avocados are adapted to medium elevations in the tropics, are somewhat cold-tolerant, and have a thick, tough skin.West Indian avocados (P. americana var. americana, tlacacolaocatl), despite their name, are not from the West Indies at all, but rather were developed in the Maya lowlands of central America. They are the largest of the avocado varieties and are adapted to lowland humid tropics and tolerant of high levels of salt and chlorosis (plant nutrient deficiencies). The West Indian avocado fruit is r ound to pear shape, has a smooth easy-to-peel light green skin and abundant flesh with a slightly sweet taste. Modern Varieties There are about 30 main cultivars (and many others) of avocados in our modern markets, of which the best known include the Anaheim and Bacon (which are derived almost entirely from Guatemalan avocados); Fuerte (from Mexican avocados); and Hass and Zutano (which are hybrids of Mexican and Guatemalan). Hass has the highest volume of production and Mexico is the major producer of exported avocados, nearly 34% of the entire global market. The major importer is the United States. Modern health measures suggest that eaten fresh, avocados are a rich source of soluble B vitamins, and of about 20 other essential vitamins and minerals. The Florentine codex reported avocados are good for a variety of ailments including dandruff, scabies, and headaches. Cultural Significance The few surviving books (codices) of the Maya and Aztec cultures, as well as oral histories from their descendants, indicate that avocados held a spiritual significance in some Mesoamerican cultures. The fourteenth month in the classic Mayan calendar is represented by the avocado glyph, pronounced Kankin. Avocados are part of the name glyph of the classic Maya city of Pusilhà ¡ in Belize, known as the Kingdom of the Avocado. Avocado trees are illustrated on the Maya ruler Pacals sarcophagus at Palenque. According to Aztec myth, since avocados are shaped like testicles (the word ahuacatl also means testicle), they can transfer strength to its consumers. Ahuacatlan is an Aztec city whose name means place where the avocado abounds. Sources This glossary entry is a part of the About.com guide to Plant Domestication, and the Dictionary of Archaeology. Chen H, Morrell PL, Ashworth VETM, de la Cruz M, and Clegg MT. 2009. Tracing the Geographic Origins of Major Avocado Cultivars. Journal of Heredity 100(1):56-65. Galindo-Tovar, Marà ­a Elena. Some aspects of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) diversity and domestication in Mesoamerica. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, Volume 55, Issue 3, SpringerLink, May 2008. Galindo-Tovar ME, and Arzate-Fernà ¡ndez A. 2010. West Indian avocado: where did it originate? Phyton: Revista Internacional de Botà ¡nica Experimental 79:203-207. Galindo-Tovar ME, Arzate-Fernà ¡ndez AM, Ogata-Aguilar N, and Landero-Torres I. 2007. The Avocado (Persea Americana, Lauraceae) Crop in Mesoamerica: 10,000 Years of History. Harvard Papers in Botany 12(2):325-334. Landon AJ. 2009. Domestication and Significance of Persea americana, the Avocado, in Mesoamerica. Nebraska Anthropologist 24:62-79. Martinez Pacheco MM, Lopez Gomez R, Salgado Garciglia R, Raya Calderon M, and Martinez Muà ±oz RE. 2011. Folates and Persea americana Mill. (Avocado). Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture 23(3):204-213.

Altruism Versus Morality What Truly Matters When It Is

Altruism Versus Morality: What Truly Matters When It Comes to Organ Donation? In Sally Satel s â€Å"When Altruism Isn t Moral† discusses the problem with the outrageous expectation the healthcare system has for organ donation and reception. Satel says â€Å"it is lethally obvious that altruism is not a valid basis for transplant policy. If we keep thinking of organs solely as gifts, there will never be enough of them.† I agree with Satel; the social requirements that a donor has to meet before being able to donate an organ is too restricted and is one of the many issues with our current mindset when it come to the care of the dying. As well as having obnoxious requirements in the altruism-only system of donating, the actual system is faulty. This altruism-only system causes social dilemmas and problems not unlike the ones that people fear with a compensation/incentive donation program. 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Gender Roles A Self Fulling Prophecy Essay - 1424 Words

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Clarissa and Mrs Dalloway in Virginia Woolf and comparison with the modernist ideas of T.S. Eliot Essay Example For Students

Clarissa and Mrs Dalloway in Virginia Woolf and comparison with the modernist ideas of T.S. Eliot Essay The nature of identity is a main theme in Mrs Dalloway. This novel explores the question of our ability to truly understand the â€Å"self†. Indeed, our surroundings, our physical environment and our human relationships actually impact the notion of self and personal identity. The characters in this novel only have a limited understanding of one another, each creating a personal identity through their reflections in the eyes of others. This idea is shown by Clarissa, as the reader witnesses throughout the novel her identity develop in parallel with her contact with the outside world. But it is clear that none of the characters know much about each other, because it becomes obvious that what each knows of another is a fragmented version. Indeed, Clarissa is seen by her husband Richard Dalloway as â€Å"Mrs Dalloway†, as a charming and delicate wife, whereas her servants help her to portray the image of the â€Å"gentle, generous-hearted† society wife, and while Peter sees her as the snob and perfect hostess. Accessorily, it is Peter who is the most aware of Clarissa’s multifaceted nature. Moreover, Clarissa plays several roles to many different people. Clarissa is defined getting ready for her party as â€Å"collecting the whole of her at one point (as she looked into the glass), seeing the delicate pink face of the woman who was that very night to give a party; of Clarissa Dalloway; of herself†. In this mirror, there are three progressive images reflecting in it: the woman, the hostess and the inner self. Woolf uses the party and its preparation to set out an evening towards the eventual assembly of Clarissa’s identity. The party is a way for all of Clarissa’s personality as pects to come together at once. In the same way, in the second sentence of the first part of The Waste Land, Eliot introduces a new element, a narrating personal consciousness. It suggests that there is and has been a speaker: the unspecified â€Å"us† who will receive greater specification in the next lines. We certainly want to identify the â€Å"us† that winter kept warm with the â€Å"us† that summer surprise. And if the pronouns suggest a stable identity for the speaker, much else has already become unstable: landscape turns into cityscape, the series of participles disappears and is replaced by verbs in conjunction (â€Å"And went†, â€Å"And drank†, â€Å"And talked†); the adjective-noun pattern is broken. So we can clearly notice a tension is settled between the presumed identity of the speaker and the instability of the speaker’s world. The main characters in Virginia Woolf’s novel find themselves isolated from each other, struggling to say what they truly mean: Richard Dalloway spends all day thinking about the way he’ll tell his wife he loves her, but in the evening appears to be unable to say it. In his poem, Eliot expresses a similar disconnect: â€Å"Speak to me. Why do you never speak? Speak./ What are you thinking of? What thinking? What?†. This inability to communicate translates a confusion of identity. The express oneself is to define oneself. The loss of words and the difficulties to communicate in Mrs Dalloway reflect a lack in the identity of the characters. Peter Walsh for example, has trouble putting his emotions into words and expressing clearly what he thinks about Clarissa, showing his confused sense of self and of his feelings; or although Richard states that â€Å"it is a thousand pities never to say what one feels†, he is after all unable to do so. In the second part of The Waste Land, we find as well characters suffering with communication: the relationship between the speaker and his companion is indeed tight because one cannot get into the other’s mind. When the soldier is replaced into a banal existence, apart from war, he suffers of an identity crisis. Moreover, this part also echoes Lucrezia and Septimus’ relationship in Virginia Woolf’s novel. .u82c1b7e3bba49ee2def45492b8e97435 , .u82c1b7e3bba49ee2def45492b8e97435 .postImageUrl , .u82c1b7e3bba49ee2def45492b8e97435 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u82c1b7e3bba49ee2def45492b8e97435 , .u82c1b7e3bba49ee2def45492b8e97435:hover , .u82c1b7e3bba49ee2def45492b8e97435:visited , .u82c1b7e3bba49ee2def45492b8e97435:active { border:0!important; } .u82c1b7e3bba49ee2def45492b8e97435 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u82c1b7e3bba49ee2def45492b8e97435 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u82c1b7e3bba49ee2def45492b8e97435:active , .u82c1b7e3bba49ee2def45492b8e97435:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u82c1b7e3bba49ee2def45492b8e97435 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u82c1b7e3bba49ee2def45492b8e97435 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u82c1b7e3bba49ee2def45492b8e97435 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u82c1b7e3bba49ee2def45492b8e97435 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u82c1b7e3bba49ee2def45492b8e97435:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u82c1b7e3bba49ee2def45492b8e97435 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u82c1b7e3bba49ee2def45492b8e97435 .u82c1b7e3bba49ee2def45492b8e97435-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u82c1b7e3bba49ee2def45492b8e97435:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Relationship between Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson EssayIn addition, these identity lacks reveal Eliot’s and Woolf’s searching for identity as writers as they elaborated new sorts of narrative structure and averted the traditional ones to adjust their need as modern writers. Woolf uses internal monologues, switching between Clarissa’s and other character’s consciences, and sets the plot in one only and unique day of Mrs Dalloway’s life. This makes the story majorly composed of the characters’ thoughts and memories, with a fluid and long sense of time. Eliot as well sets multiple voices (most of these being anonymous, some in foreig n languages) and all united into one conscience expression the solitude and disillusion of humanity. The characters in both works are mainly ordinary people, but they affirm their individuality in minor ways: Mrs Dalloway throws a party, creating a little community for one evening, while two lovers exchange hyacinths in the first section of the The Waste Land.

System Analysis and Design Documentatio Essay Example

System Analysis and Design Documentatio Essay Introduction The computer is most likely one of the great technologies ever invented. Nowadays, people tend to see the future with computers in it. Presently computers have influenced the society and they do more than simply compute. Computers can now be on office tool and commonly used in businesses. More complex information can be collected and explored with the use of computer-based information system. Information technology nowadays, invaded the workplace and served modern corporations a proficient infrastructure. Due to futuristic ideas of people, they tend to use an information system to their businesses. Some even pay a high amount of money in order to obtain an information system. Though in reality futuristic ideas of people or company owners is only one of the few reasons why people choose to have an information system. There are many businesses that play a vital role in the society. And the researchers focus on Health care, specifically Dental Health care. According to Ardee Joy’s thesis regarding a patient information system that whether information is handwritten or entered electronically, the medical orders become a part of a patient is very important for dental records are mostly gathered when a person dies. We will write a custom essay sample on System Analysis and Design Documentatio specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on System Analysis and Design Documentatio specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on System Analysis and Design Documentatio specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Health care is the preservation of mental and physical health by preventing or treating illness through services offered by the health professionals. Whereas, dental health is preservation of the tooth and preventing or treating various problems of the tooth. According to Taylor of the book ‘qualitative research methods, the public requires a health facility which can also be applied to a dental facility four qualities of their health or dental care system, these are quality, affordability, security and access. A manual based system or a method of collecting and storing data or information using paper, can achieve only few of the four requirements. That’s why people or business owners or in the researcher’s case dental facility owners turn to information technology for support. According to Harrison (2006) of the book entitled â€Å"The role of clinical information systems in health care quality improvement†. It says that the quality of a computer based information system is higher than a manual based system for a manual based system consists of more problems rather than a computer based information system. That is why private sectors, health or dental care providers are moving away from traditional paper based medical or dental records to electronic versions. A dental clinic information system or dental office information system is a system made for owners of dental clinic. This system is only suitable for a dental clinic, dental clinic information system is different from a medical information system for medical covers the medical condition of a patient while dental clinic information system only covers the dental condition of a patient. A dental Information system consists of patient information system, where  the entire patient’s information and a few question regarding their health and dental history are collected and stored. This system excludes the amount of the treatment that has been offered though the treatment is recorded in Patient Information system. A Billing system is where the computation of the amount of each treatment offered to its patient and its total amount. Some even add the usage of credit or debit cards in billing system. A dental information also includes the reservation of appointments to the dentist assigned to the treatment the patient wanted. The researchers decided to make a dental information system in order to reduce or eliminate paper works. Institutional errors, human errors and time cost can be substantially reduced and coordination of each worker will be improved. Background of the Study Manual based system is very often in a newly opened establishment just like Sibulo-Gutierrez dental clinic which opened just last year, 2011. Though the company is passed through generation the Sibulo-Gutierrez just opened its facilities in 2011. The other owners have closed their facilities. A manual based system can be determined when a company or a business uses paper in collecting and storing confidential files. Presently the Sibulo-Gutierrez Dental Clinic is still running with the use of a manual based system. The manual processes are; writing the dental information of the patient on an index card; recording the patient information, medical and dental history on a piece of paper; placing the billing information on another separate piece of paper; and on a calendar the scheduled appointments of each dentist. Based on the researchers’ observation, the manual based system of the Sibulo-Gutierrez dental has several problems such as the security measures, efficiency, or time cost, money cost, and reliability. Security measures or control measures for the researchers have observed that even an unauthorized person can access the manual based system of Sibulo-Gutierrez Dental Clinic. Efficiency or time cost in a manual based system is noting down of information and this takes time. Money cost for buying bundles of papers would cost a big amount of money. The Sibulo-Gutierrez Dental Clinic has a computer inside their clinic that they use for entertainment as what has the researchers observed. If the Dental Clinic will have a computer based information system is money cost will lessen. Reliability is the quality of being dependable. A computer based information system is more reliable compare to a manual based system for in a computer based information system, files will not get easily lose unless the user didn’t save the information correctly. The researchers therefore conclude and decided to propose a Dental Clinic Information System for Sibulo-Gutierrez Dental Clinic. The researchers aim to make a system that will contain a patient information system, billing system and appointment reservation system. A patient information system is a system where all the information relating to the patient is recorded and stored. A billing system on the other hand, is a system where the amounts of each treatment are stored and computed. This will also contain the payments made by the patient. And an appointment reservation system contains the appointment made or requested by the patient. These three systems will be connected to each other in terms of the name of the patient and dentist, the treatment made to the patient, and the date. The researchers considered four things in order to say that the system is essential to the dental clinic. One, the quality of the system will help the company for it reduce time and energy in searching such information. Two, affordability for instead of buying tons of paper and index cards, the company only needs a personal computer. And the last two are security and access. Anyone in the company can use the system for it has instructions that can be easily understood by the users. The records and confidential files are also secured for the system has a log in system so that the user can only open and see the records. Scope and limitation The researchers aim to conduct a study of Dental Clinic Information System for Sibulo-Gutierrez Dental Clinic. In this chapter, a provision of information regarding the scope and limitation of the researchers’ system will be stated. This will help in knowing the capabilities of the said system and the system’s limitations. The study involves observation on how the manual based system of the company works. The outcome of the observation will help the researchers know what the system would look like. The researchers would like to emphasize more on Dental Clinic Information System wherein there are subsystems which are Patient Information System and Billing System. The patient information system revolves around the recording of the brief patient information, medical and dental history and also recording the patient’s dental check-up and the treatments to be done on the patient. The billing system on the other hand, covers the name of the patient, the treatment made, the dentist’s name who made the treatment the amount of each treatment, and the total amount of all the treatment. The study also covers the listing of appointments of patients to the dentist. The system is limited to the credit or debit cards. The company doesn’t accept credit or debit cards due to various requirements that aren’t met by the company. So with that, the researchers didn’t include credit and debit card processes to the system for it will not be necessary for the company is not necessary. Though the system doesn’t accepts debit or credit cards, they still accepts health cards namely; maxicare, healthwise, intellicare, Filipinodoctors, forturecare, omni, asianlife and philcare. The system does not also have a sign up application; though it has a log in system other user cannot create another account for it. The company only prescribes medicine but does not sells, so the system only contains the prescriptions. The user of the proposed system will be the secretary of the Dental Clinic. The patient will still answer the patient form using the paper, but afterwards the secretary will be the one who will encode the records to the database for the future use and for storing. Statement of the problem This study is intended to design and develop a dental information system for Sibulo-Gutierrez Dental Clinic. 1 . What are the problems encountered in the current system of the Sibulo-Gutierrez Dental Clinic in terms of the following: a. Recording; b. Billing; and c. Schedule Reservation. 2. What are the features or characteristics to be measured in terms of the following: a. security; b.data accuracy; and c. user-friendly 3. What are the recommendations that the dental clinic can obtain in terms of the following: a. Dentist; b. Patient; and c. Future Reader? Chapter 2 Review of Related Literature Local literature According to Lumbers (2002) a thesisist who made a study entitled, â€Å"a Systematic Enrolment Process Using Database System in Saint John Academy. Calamba, Laguna†. She stated that a database application will increase the efficiency of the enrolment process in the school. In the researchers study, efficiency is one of its aim for the dental clinic lacks efficiency in finding such records. With the use of a database, Information will be recorded properly in a database. And searching such information will be easily found with just one click. According to Lazaro’s(2004)study entitled â€Å"Liceo delos Banos record management system†, confidential records should kept in a database where only authorized person/s can be able to access. The researchers company, Sibulo-Gutierrez Dental Clinic, has many confidential files sush as information about the patients and dentists. A log in application where only authorized people know the password and username should be able to access the database. According to Velasco (2002), maintaining records manually is a very difficult task and very time consuming. In his study entitled â€Å"Maulawin National High School Student Information System†, he decided as a resolve to the manual based system of recording files he conducted a computerized system which will lessen or diminish the problem. The researcher’s problems are the same on Velasco’s, and the answer to those problems the researchers proposed a system that will diminish the company’s problem. Foreign Literature Computers are very flexible in terms of usability. Silverman and Turkey stated in their book â€Å"Computer Language†, that computers plays an important role in people’s daily work and leisure activities. Many circumstances a person can think that will need an involvement of a computer such as engineering, manufacturing, scientific and in the researcher’s case business and health care. Business and health care are two important activities for this study for the researchers will do this study for the business of the owners of the dental clinic. And health care for the establishment that will benefit the study is a healthcare institution. The researchers believed that the existence of the computer is a great turning point to people. It does not only concerns large companies but also to the small business who are really willing to put everything a systematic way of managing form a very simple paperwork for the monitoring of customers. According to Alcaira (1999), he stated that using computers will help the person to acquire a new knowledge for the person will not use papers in recording files but a system that is especially made for that company or business. Alcaira also said that handling information manually is conflicting. The researchers will make a system that will be easy to understand and use or access, the person who will use the system is guaranteed that he will not have a hard time figuring things out. The Sibulo-Gutierrez Dental Clinic as have said uses a paper Based System. This System will cost more time for the user always needs to rearrange information in a way where it will be easily collected when needed. The researchers considered a computer based system for Hammer (2003) stated that a computer or a computer based system could eliminate the need for copying or rearranging information. Hammer also stated that a computer can do computations in short according to Hammer computer can eliminate most of the paperwork. Output * All the data are stored in a database for future use. * SQL database * Dental Clinic Information System for Sibulo-Gutierrez Dental Clinic Input Patient Information -First Name, Middle Initial, Surname, Date, Citizenship, Age, Gender, Civil Status, Birth Date, Occupation, Mobile Number, Email Address, Fax Number Tel. Num, Regular Dental Appointment Reminder preference. Process The current processes in the Dental Clinic system includes Storing the patient’s information such as the dental history, medical history, and check-up result. Creation of a reservation of the dental appointment for the dentist. Computation of the total amount of the entire patient’s treatment. Conceptual Framework FEEDBACK Figure 1. 0 (Dental Clinic Information System for Sibulo-Gutierrez Dental Clinic) The figure above shows the input, process and output of the system. The input contains the information needed by the system. This information must be inputted in order for the system to process the recording of the information. All the information inputted will be stored in an SQL database for future use and storage. Definition of terms 1. Amalgam is an alloy of mercury with various metals used for dental fillings. 2. Caries-also known as tooth decay or a cavity, is an infection, bacterial in origin, that causes demineralization and destruction of the hard tissues (enamel, dentin and cementum), usually by production of acid by bacterial fermentation of the food debris accumulated on the tooth surface. 3. Composite filling- is a tooth colored plastic and glass mixture used to restored decayed teeth. Composites are used for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing the color of the teeth or reshaping disfigured teeth 4. Dental Clinic Information System- a system specially made for a dental clinic. 5. Dentist- the person who provided terms and information for the researchers. 6. Extraction- is the removal of a tooth from the mouth. 7. Impacted- is a tooth that is all the way or partially below the gum line and is not able to erupt properly. 8. Paper Based System- it is a type of manual based system which uses paper in storing information. The Sibulo-Gutierrez Dental Clinic uses this kind of system. 9. Porcelain jacket crown- are full porcelain ceramic crowns cover that protects the entire surface of a tooth. 10. Secretary- the user of the system. Chapter 3 Conclusion 1. Based on the researchers study, system and observation various conclusions were sought. The researcher concluded that there are problems on the current system of the Sibulo-Gutierrez Dental Clinic. The researchers saw the problem in recording information, billing and reserving an appointment. The common problems in recording information are money cost for paper is an expensive material especially when an individual uses a large amount every day, time cost for writing consumes a lot time and lack of efficiency for writing as have said consume time. In the billing the common problem is money cost for the paper expenses. In the reservation, the problem is using a calendar which consumes space to the table and not enough space for the information to be written. 2.The researchers included features in the Dental Clinic Information System which corresponds to the three categories namely; security, accuracy and user –friendly. For the security, the researchers include a login application. With this feature the confidential records will be secured to the people who want to access the dental Clinic Information System. For the accuracy, the researchers designated formulas in order to automate the computations in the system. This feature will eliminate the use of calculators. The Dental Clinic Information System has instructions that can be easily understood by the user. This feature is considered user friendly by the researchers for the system with this instructions, won’t be a burden to the user. 3. The researchers can recommend the dental Clinic with our system to other dentists, patients of the said dental clinic and to the future reader of the researchers documentation. The Dentist of other dental clinic can adapt the system so that their encountered problems while they use the manual based system can be omitted. The patients can have less time in visiting the dental clinic. The future reader on the other hand can obtain more knowledge with the researchers documentation. Recommendation Based on the findings and conclusion, the researcher recommends the following: 1. A continues monitoring of system’s efficiency and reliability in meeting its objective shall be taken in place. 2. Possible restructuring or enhancement of the system is recommended, specially on the design interface, enhancement or normalization of the current database. 3. An evaluation is a recommended in order to test if the system did meet the expectations of the Dental Clinic.

Case study on management of information systems for Top Shop

Case study on management of information systems for Top Shop Introduction This report is about the implications of MIS, and its influence on Top Shop business. It is written from the perspective of a management consultant who is to hand it over to a client company.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Case study on management of information systems for Top Shop specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The report will cover a wide range of topics some of which include organizational hierarchy, input, process and output, Hardware and software for the information system, process of decision-making, use of the management information system in strategic planning and E-commerce among others. The data for topic areas will be gathered from the secondary sources mainly books, journals, internet sources and as indicated in the references list. Organizational hierarchy Top Shop is a multinational organization with more than 20 outlets all over the world. It has its head office in London. Top shop spe cializes in women’s products such as clothes, bags and shoes. In terms of operation, it is partly owned by the Arcadia group (Barclay 2010). Top Shop management style is based on a hierarchical order, from the Managing Director Sir Phillip Green who is based in London. The MD is the overall authority in the company and operates with mandate from the Board of Directors. His role is to manage the company. Management entails â€Å"planning, organizing, staffing, directing, coordinating, motivating and controlling different activities of the company† (KK Enterprises 1993, p.12). In this regard, the managing director has been given the mandate of developing and expanding the long-term business strategies and plans of an organization. This also includes the process of making sure that the objectives of the Board are implemented. Although, the Managing Director is based in London, his role is to control the management system of the organization throughout the world from the h eadquarters. Mooney and Reiley explain that the MD is responsible for coordinating heads of functions or departments in the company (Mooney and Reiley, 2001).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Additionally, the management consists of Senior Managers in different sections of the company who are charged with the responsibility of leading and supervising various sections or departments such as human resource management, Finance, ICT, Finance and Logistics. The department heads are charged with the responsibility of making short-term decisions. The management level involves the middle managers who direct the products or services to the end user. Their main function is to implement the decisions and directives given by the senior managers or departmental heads and put them into practice. The end users who carry out all the work follow the middle and line manager. Largely, the management executes its duties through supervision, communication, leadership and motivation (KK Enterprises, 1993). Functions of Organization The functions of an organization are dealing with how various structures and aims operate, how the pools of human resources are utilised and how different departments or functions operate together. This is true for Top Shop Company that has many functions operating together. Top Shop is a chain of retail shop that mainly manufactures and supplies women’s designer clothes, accessories and shoes (Top Shop, 2012). It is a specialty in providing the latest designer fashions for women. Most of its collections are available through the catalogue. As an organization, Top Shop was invented in 1964 in the city called Sheffield, UK, by Peter Robinson. It has many franchisees and outlets all over the world. Its production of various products has brought lots of success to this organization. It also operates through mergers by coming into coo peration with other likeminded departmental stores in the US, the UK, Australia, and many others (Top Shop, 2012). Schonberg (1990) argues the successful organizations are those that have learnt to link their business functions with the demands of their customers.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Case study on management of information systems for Top Shop specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This is something that Top Shop has successfully implemented. It also has large departmental stores in London, New York and Liverpool, which serve as the mother of all stores. These flagship stores are equipped with facilities like hair salons, tailoring services, nail bars, sandwich bars and sweet shops. The first area of Top Shop’s business function is the research and development that continually invests designs and produces new products on regular basis in line with customer demands. The second major business function is selling the products and continuous production of financial services. Top Shop continues to engage in vigorous marketing in a bid to market its brands. The company knows the demands of its customers and continually updates its products. More importantly, the sales department has learnt to work in close relationship with the marketing and production departments to meet its market targets. The third most important part is the personnel department that deals with the recruitment, retention and development of the huge human resource department. The staffs are entail the management, sales representatives, production staffs and those at the public relations office. There is a well maintained staff record and a proper channel for dealing with staff grievances and relationships (Butel et al, 1997). The third important business function is its marketing department that continually invents new marketing methods to meet the customer demands. This department works very closely with the Research and Department to produce new. In terms of advertisement, this company has placed an important value in advertisements, which involve celebrity figures. The involvement of the high-class celebrity figures and supermodels like Kate Moss, Stella Vine, Christopher Kane and Celia Birthwell positively influence the company (Barclay, 2010). According to Barclays, these flagship stores have totally changed the shape and operations of Top Shop. This company has a habit of mixing and matching the fashion demands of their clients by providing designer products (Barclays, 2010). Barclays asserts that the key factor in Top Shops success has been its concept of shopping as entertainment.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The company has been creating unique design labels since 2001 to attract the attentions of the catwalk shows. It also supports young talents and sponsors graduation exhibitions popular with young people. Its involvement with young people has been hugely popular as it portrays itself as creators of young fashion gurus (Barclays, 2012) The fourth and perhaps the most important aspect of its business function is the IT department, which currently operates through the SALMON system. SALMON connects processes and transmits information across its large computer networks. It is used to transmit both raw and processed information to other departments. However, the members of the staff have been trained to handle the data carefully with confidentiality. Input, process and output The company deals with huge volume of works, therefore, managing its information system is an uphill task. It has to deal with the huge volume of producing, supplying, and marketing its services and products. As such , the company needs to come up with well-coordinated and programmed information systems across its internal organization structures. A massive company with volumes of work needs to develop proper information system that has the ability to maintain the objectives and strategic plans of the organization (Schonberg, 2009). The Salmon Information system seeks to coordinate functions of this company from the management, manufacturers, to suppliers. Products have been bar coded to keep track of the products in the shop and the stores. However, since this information system is complicated, it requires proper coordination and management. In most cases, computer experts employed to deal with such roles include computer support personnel, system analysts, computers operators, data base manager, computer programmer, information systems manager, technicians, and information systems manager. According to Schonberg, managers must come up with strategic plans to address and handle the huge technol ogical complexities behind the information systems. Hardware and software for the information system In order for the Information System to operate effectively, it has to incorporate other components like hardware and software equipment. Largely, both the hardware and software serve huge purpose of communication as well as collecting, processing, storing and retrieving of information from one network to another. An effective information system usually consists of three main scopes, which include the management, organization and technology. Concerning this case study, Top Shop is the organization, while the Technology is the information and computing system and the management ranges from the Managing Director to the supervisor on the shop floor. The computer system, which consists of the processor and its internal components must be regularly serviced and managed. This is because they grow old. There comes a time when such system age and need to be upgraded, repaired, and serviced. T he hardware disk includes video cards, in the like manner there is also the software part of the system makes the hardware to operate (Stair Reynolds, 2010). These systems need to be updated regularly. Some of the software include the anti-virus software to protect the company’s system from cyber criminals, fraudsters, and hackers. The security software protects the computing systems against loss, theft and destruction of data and provides back up for information in the event of accidental loss of information, breakage, or destruction. These software are always being updated (Stair Reynolds, 2010). A company like Top Shop must continually update its software systems in order to remain secure. In addition, as an enterprise it has well developed servers that run at high speed with the website being regularly updated and maintained (Top shop, 2012). Updating the information is something that is highly recommended by the experts. The manager may, from time to time, want to incl ude a piece of information on the website or convey a message across the organization. The information system is fast and efficient to be used in all managerial decisions (Stair Reynolds, 2010). Why use the information system? The emergence of the computers has revolutionized the world, human thinking, human relations, manufacturing and managerial operations. Most companies and organizations have today incorporated the MIS into their management program. MIS has become an effective method of translating information from one source to another, which makes it easier for managers to make appropriate decisions in their planning, controlling, and directing operations on a daily basis (Takahara Liu, 2006). For instance, Top Shop being a massive organization, the management has incorporated the Salmon information system as part of its management program. Since we live in the world of information, knowledge has become an important factor in managing firms and many companies like Top Shop h ave incorporated Information systems to achieve the competitive edge. Those companies that have fully implemented this system have obtained the competitive advantaged above the others in the market. Largely, the management needs to find out the relevant information that is appropriate for them and use it in their management programs. Moreover, almost all organizations need to incorporate the information system in their management structures. Furthermore, it has been discovered that information systems always assist the management make better informed decisions and judgments (Takahara Liu, 2006). Information system has become an important weapon for production and making strategic management decisions. It can also be used to empower staff enhancing the workers to make effective contributions to the development of the company’s overall goals (Stair Reynolds, 2010). For instance, Top Shop includes the information system to market its products locally and internationally. Proce ss of decision-making A Manager is someone who has been charged with the responsibility of making decisions that include short and long-term strategies. The decision making process often includes passing of information from one person to another, and managers use the information to make key decisions. Decision-making is a process that incorporates the production of choice or giving an opinion. Making a decision is not an isolated activity but incorporates an interaction with the environment and other factors. It may incorporate both rational and irrational process, based on facts or fictions. In every decision making process, there must be data to be processed. According to Sanders Ebrary (1999) in the corporate world, decision-making process incorporates identifying problems and assessing the outcomes. Largely, decision-making process also incorporates an element of problem analysis to find out the causes and effects of the problem to be solved. The problem analysis depends or rel ies on facts to come up with the right decisions (Saunders Ebery, 1999). Decision is then processed by analyzing and evaluating the information given. According to Fisher Ellis (1990), there are four main stages of decision-making process especially in a small group. These stages include the orientation phase that is about knowing each other in a group, and then followed by conflict characterized by misunderstandings and disputes between members in the group. The third stage is what is referred to as emergence phase, which is associated with the group giving their opinions, while the final stage is known as reinforcement; this is when a member of the group makes a decision and then justifies their decisions. Describe how the information system helps in decision-making The information system has become a vital tool for decision-making by gathering information from one source to another and the distributing it to others. Using information system, the management gathers the informati on needs, processes, stores and transmits it to relevant people. Sharing of the information can be either vertical or horizontally, to perform specific tasks within the business environment (Daft, 2011). The decision making process is about data management and maintenance of information that have been stored in either hard or soft disks to complex certain tasks. Management information system has become an effective tool for offering the information that can be used to make valuable decisions. Managers would initially use the data available to them to process information needed to make key decisions (Kallman Reinharth, 1984). Use of the management information system in strategic planning In addition, the management information system can be used for strategic planning within the business scenario especially in the case of Top Shop. The information that has been stored in the system can be retrieved, processed, and distributed between systems. Through the MIS, the management is able to control the flow of information from one point to another. Apart from strategic planning, the management information system becomes an important tool for ensuring that suitable information is protected and transmitted between suitable or relevant persons. The management would often use the information systems to process quality, reliable and well-planned information for strategic planning. Strategic planning is highly needed to compete in the highly competitive markets (Cassidy, 2006). E-commerce and its effects on business, e.g. EFT, B2B, and B2C communication As an introduction, e-commerce basically refers to electronic commerce, which normally entails conducting business transactions online. It is, thus, evident that there should be internet accessibility in order for e-commerce to take place. There are various types of e-commerce which the Top Shop management can make use of so as to increase its market base, as well as, increase the service delivery to the present customers or clients and suppliers. In the event that the Top Shop management realizes that a greater percentage of its suppliers along with customers are techno perceptive and more than ready to indulge in such transactions, then it will be appropriate to initiate them. E-commerce encompasses various business activities such as the transfer of funds electronically, online marketing, electronic data management just to mention a few. With regard to the nature of business being undertaken by the Top Shop enterprises, it will be more appropriate for them to indulge in online marketing, as well as transfer of funds electronically. Using B2B e-commerce, which is simply the business-to-business e-commerce, Top Shop will be able to make business deals with its suppliers without meeting them physically. Moreover, through e-marketing, the enterprise will be able to reach a wider market base without the need of establishing regional outlets. With the advancement being made technologically, majority of individuals are more interested in shopping online and do not like the physical shopping because it consumes most of their time. In that regard, Top Shop will definitely cut down its operational costs by indulging in e-commerce because the number of shop-attendants will be reduced significantly. However, the management will have to ensure that it has put in place vibrant secure measures to protect its clients from various frauds conducted through cybercrime (Laudon Traver, 2010). Benefits and drawbacks of the information system There are various benefits, as well as setbacks, which are associated with implementing an information system within a business enterprise. Top Shop management will enjoy various benefits such as having easy access to customers’ information along with being able to establish the customers’ preference by analyzing the data, which is already available within the information system. In that regard, it is evident that the information system will as sist the management in formulating strategies aimed at increasing its competitive edge within the market segment. In addition, information systems assist the management in the allocation of duties to its staff. It is easier to detect any staff member who has not been assigned any duty by accessing the information system. Besides, because there is information centralization through the information system, any queries brought up by clients are resolved in a timely manner without having to make consultations with the other staff members. On the other side, there are various setbacks associated with information system. The information systems entirely depend on the computer applications. In the first place, in the event that a hacker attacks it, the stored information may be interfered with. Secondly, the computers can in some occasions breakdown completely leading to loss of vital data. Lastly, in order to establish a vibrant information system, it is vital to seek the services of an I nformation Technology specialists thereby leading to additional costs (Ward, 2006). Conclusion In the advent of information and computing technology, almost every major international company has embraced the Management Information System (MIS). The Top Shop is an international retail company that produces designer clothes, shoes and bags for women. This firm has come from humble beginning from small shop to an international high street chain with many outlets in over 20 countries world. Its headquarters are situated in London under the leadership of the Managing Director, Phillip Green. The company has embraced MIS through the version of Salmon, which allows the managers make decisions, strategically plan, and implement changes. Top Shop has been successful in the recent past because of its brand and vigorous marketing strategies and plans. These include E-commerce and incorporation of celebrity figures to appeal to the younger generations. However, the information tends to have the biggest drawbacks being the external threats propagated by cyber criminals and hackers who may infiltrate into the system and steal people’s identity and information. It is in this regard that the information systems are continually being upgraded and repaired. Reference List Barclay, L. 2010, The unauthorized guide to doing business the Philip Green way: 10 secrets of the billionaire retail magnate. Chichester: Capstone. Butel, L., Curtis, T., McIntyre, J., Pearce, J., Rainbow, S., Smith, D., Swales, C., and Open Learning Foundation. 1997, Business functions: An active learning approach. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers. Cassidy, A. 2006, A practical guide to information systems strategic planning. Boca Raton: Auerbach Publications. Daft, R. 2011, Understanding management. Mason: Cengage Learning. Fisher, B. A., Ellis, D. G. 1990, Small group decision making: Communication and the group process. New York: McGraw-Hill. Kallman, E., Reinharth, L. 1984, Information systems for p lanning and decision making. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold. KK Enterprises. 1993, Business management. North Melbourne: KK Foundation. Laudon, K., Traver, C. 2010, E-commerce: Business, technology, society. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Prentice Hall. Mooney, J., Reiley, A. 2001, Onward industry!: the principles of organization and their  significance to modern industry. Bristol: Thoemmes Press. Sanders, R., Ebrary, Inc. 1999, The executive decision making process: Identifying problems and assessing outcomes. Westport, Conn: Quorum. Schonberg, R. 1990, Building a chain of customers: linking business functions to create the world-class company. New York: Free Press. Stair, R., Reynolds, G. 2010, Principles of information systems: a managerial approach. Australia: Course Technology Cengage Learning. Takahara, Y., Liu, Y. 2006, Foundations and applications of MIS a model theory approach. New York: Springer. TOP SHOP. 2012, Top Shop Category Display, https://www.topshop.com/

Battle of Dien Bien Phu in the First Indochina War

Battle of Dien Bien Phu in the First Indochina War The Battle of Dien Bien Phu was fought from March 13 to May 7, 1954, and was the decisive engagement of the First Indochina War (1946-1954), the precursor to the Vietnam War. In 1954, French forces in French Indochina sought to cut the Viet Minhs supply lines to Laos. To accomplish this, a large fortified base was constructed at Dien Bien Phu in northwest Vietnam. It was hoped that the presence of the base would draw the Viet Minh into a pitched battle where superior French firepower could destroy its army. Poorly sited in the low ground of the valley, the base was soon besieged by Viet Minh forces which used artillery and infantry assaults to grind down the enemy while also deploying a large number of anti-aircraft guns to prevent the French from resupplying or evacuating. In nearly two months of fighting, the entire French garrison was either killed or captured. The victory effectively ended the First Indochina War and led to the 1954 Geneva Accords which split the country into North and South Vietnam. Background With the First Indochina War going poorly for the French, Premier Rene Mayer dispatched General Henri Navarre to take command in May 1953. Arriving in Hanoi, Navarre found that no long-term plan existed for defeating the Viet Minh and that French forces simply reacted to the enemys moves. Believing that he was also tasked with defending neighboring Laos, Navarre sought an effective method for interdicting Viet Minh supply lines through the region. Working with Colonel Louis Berteil, the hedgehog concept was developed which called for French troops to establish fortified camps near Viet Minh supply routes. Supplied by air, the hedgehogs would allow French troops to block the Viet Minhs supplies, compelling them to fall back. The concept was largely based on the French success at the Battle of Na San in late 1952. General Vo Nguyen Giap. Photograph Source: Public Domain Holding the high ground around a fortified camp at Na San, French forces had repeatedly beaten back assaults by General Vo Nguyen Giaps Viet Minh troops. Navarre believed that the approach used at Na San could be enlarged to force the Viet Minh to commit to a large, pitched battle where superior French firepower could destroy Giaps army. Building the Base In June 1953, Major General Renà © Cogny first proposed the idea of creating a mooring point at Dien Bien Phu in northwest Vietnam. While Cogny had envisioned a lightly defended airbase, Navarre seized on the location for trying the hedgehog approach. Though his subordinates protested, pointing out that unlike Na San they would not hold the high ground around the camp, Navarre persisted and planning moved forward. On November 20, 1953, Operation Castor commenced and 9,000 French troops were dropped into the Dien Bien Phu area over the next three days. Colonel Christian de Castries. US Army With Colonel Christian de Castries in command, they quickly overcame local Viet Minh opposition and began building a series of eight fortified strong points. Given female names, de Castries headquarters was located in the center of four fortifications known as Huguette, Dominique, Claudine, and Eliane. To the north, northwest, and northeast were works dubbed Gabrielle, Anne-Marie, and Beatrice, while four miles to the south, Isabelle guarded the bases reserve airstrip. Over the coming weeks, de Castries garrison increased to 10,800 men supported by artillery and ten M24 Chaffee light tanks. Battle of Dien Bien Phu Conflict: First Indochina War (1946-1954)Dates: March 13-May 7, 1954Armies and Commanders:FrenchBrigadier General Christian de CastriesColonel Pierre LanglaisMajor General Rene Cogny10,800 men (March 13)Viet MinhVo Nguyen Giap48,000 men (March 13)Casualties:French: 2,293 killed, 5,195 wounded, and 10,998 capturedViet Minh: approx. 23,000 Under Siege Moving to attack the French, Giap dispatched troops against the fortified camp at Lai Chau, forcing the garrison to flee towards Dien Bien Phu. En route, the Viet Minh effectively destroyed the 2,100-man column and only 185 reached the new base on December 22. Seeing an opportunity at Dien Bien Phu, Giap moved approximately 50,000 men into the hills around the French position, as well as the bulk of his heavy artillery and anti-aircraft guns. The preponderance of Viet Minh guns came as a surprise to the French who did not believe that Giap possessed a large artillery arm. Though Viet Minh shells began falling on the French position on January 31, 1954, Giap did not open the battle in earnest until 5:00 PM on March 13. Utilizing a new moon, Viet Minh forces launched a massive assault on Beatrice behind a heavy barrage of artillery fire. French M24 Chaffee light tanks firing during the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, 1954. US Army Extensively trained for the operation, Viet Minh troops quickly overcame French opposition and secured the works. A French counterattack the next morning was easily defeated. The next day, artillery fire disabled the French airstrip forcing supplies to be dropped by parachute. That evening, Giap sent two regiments from the 308th Division against Gabrielle. Battling Algerian troops, they fought through the night. Hoping to relieve the beleaguered garrison, de Castries launched a counterattack north, but with little success. By 8:00 AM on March 15, the Algerians were forced to retreat. Two days later, Anne-Maries was easily taken when the Viet Minh were able to convince the Tai (a Vietnamese ethnic minority loyal to the French) soldiers manning it to defect. Though the next two weeks saw a lull in fighting, the French command structure was in tatters. The End Nears Despairing over the early defeats, de Castries secluded himself in his bunker and Colonel Pierre Langlais effectively took command of the garrison. During this time, Giap tightened his lines around the four central French fortifications. On March 30, after cutting off Isabelle, Giap began a series of assaults on the eastern bastions of Dominique and Eliane. Achieving a foothold in Dominique, the Viet Minhs advance was stopped by concentrated French artillery fire. Fighting raged in Dominique and Eliane through April 5, with the French desperately defending and counterattacking. Pausing, Giap shifted to trench warfare and attempted to isolate each French position. Over the next several days, fighting continued with heavy losses on both sides. With his mens morale sinking, Giap was forced to call for reinforcements from Laos. While the battle raged on the eastern side, Viet Minh forces succeeded in penetrating Huguette and by April 22 had captured 90% of the air strip. This made resupply, which had been difficult due to heavy anti-aircraft fire, next to impossible. Between May 1 and May 7, Giap renewed his assault and succeeded in overrunning the defenders. Fighting to the end, the last French resistance ended by nightfall on May 7. French prisoners of war are marched out of Dien Bien Phu, 1954. Public Domain Aftermath A disaster for the French, losses at Dien Bien Phu numbered 2,293 killed, 5,195 wounded, and 10,998 captured. Viet Minh casualties are estimated at around 23,000. The defeat at Dien Bien Phu marked the end of the First Indochina War and spurred peace negotiations which were ongoing in Geneva. The resulting 1954 Geneva Accords partitioned the country at the 17th Parallel and created a communist state in the north and a democratic state in the south. The resulting conflict between these two regimes ultimately grew into the Vietnam War.