Synthesis And Function Of The Dopamine Transporter

In this experiment, the reaction that occurs because of ligand binding to YFP, a dopamine transporter was observed. This experiment required sterility practice, immunofluorescence staining, and colocalization. To accurately conduct immunofluorescence staining, a thorough understanding of proper sterile techniques is needed. Sterility refers to cell culturing experiments without any contamination, therefore all of the experiment was performed under the hood. No discoloration signified no contamination. The entire experiment proved successful upon identifying the YFP dopamine followed by colocalization and concluding with a release of calcium in the cell. Introduction Structure and function of the dopamine transporter The dopamine active†¦show more content†¦The dopamine transporter can also work backwards,for example, in an efflux mode, and recent mutagenesis experiments show different structural requirements for inward and outward transport. Figure 2: Newly synthesized dopamine transporters traffic to the surface of neuronal cells via the endomembranous system which includes the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi Apparatus. (Figure 3 below) Figure 3 DAT is involved in a number of dopamine-related disorders, including ADHD, bipolar disorder, clinical depression, and alcoholism. The gene that encodes the DAT protein is located on human chromosome 5, consists of 15 coding exons, and is roughly 64 kbp long. Dopamine biosynthesis Dopamine is an organic molecule that is made up in the dopaminergic neurons through the expulsion of a carboxyl group from the L-Dopa molecule. Figure 4: The biosynthesis of Dopamine Tyrosine → L-Dopa → Dopamine This chemical functions as a neurotransmitter in nerve cells by sending signals to other nerve cells. DA is produced in the brain, kidneys, plants, and most multicellular animals. The first step in the biosynthesis of Dopamine uses the enzyme Tyrosine Hydroxylase which is biosynthesised. The complete reaction for this goes as follows: L-tyrosine + THFA + O2 + Fe2+ -- L-dopa + DHFA + H2O + Fe2+.The forming of L-dopa, L-tyrosine, tetrahydrofolic acid (THFA),Show MoreRelatedThe Relationship Between Nutrients And Mood1360 Words   |  6 PagesMechanism Of Nutrient Action Various micronutrient-related factors are associated with increased risk of psychiatric illness, and micronutrients play essential roles in an array of brain functions that have been implicated in mood lability. Micronutrient inadequacy may impair one or more of these critical brain functions and result in psychiatric symptoms. The micronutrient-mood regulation mechanisms discussed in this review are not exhaustive, nor are they mutually exclusive; in fact, they may be complementaryRead MoreEssay about Ecstasy2454 Words   |  10 Pagesuse of the brain cells. The neurotransmitter is released from nerve terminals found at the axon base. When they diffuse across the synapse, they are then recognized by receptors on the receiving cell with which they attach themselves. The major function this bond performs is it, induces, inhibits or modulates currents of electrically charged particles (ions) across the cell membrane (Aertes). Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, synthesized by the amino acid tryptophan and tryptophan hydroxylaseRead MoreThe Use Of Modafinil And Armodafinil Are Oral Central Nervous System Wakefulness Promoting1253 Words   |  6 Pagesenzymes associated with sleep/wake regulation at pharmacologically relevant concentrations. Hence, both these compounds do not modulate receptors for norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, GABA, adenosine, galanin, histamine-3, melatonin, melanocortin, orexin-1, orphanin, PACAP and benzodiazepines; or transporters for norepinephrine, serotonin, COMT, GABA; or enzymes like choline or phosphodiesterase VI, GABA transaminase, and tyrosine hydroxylase. 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The serotonine becomes toxic and begins to kill off brain cells (â€Å"After the Rave: the Ecstasy Hangover†, (www.faculity. washington.edu/chudler/mdma.html). nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Another effect of the lack of serotonine is he decreasing amount of dopamine. Dopamine is an important role in cardiovascular, renalRead MoreExplain The Mechanisms Of Neural Communication, And The Influence That Different Drugs Have On This Communication1650 Words   |  7 Pagesthree mechanisms, a cell body which is referred to as the soma, dendrites and an axon (Pinel, 2011). The cell body comprises of the nucleus and other organelles (Ward, 2010). The nucleus contains the genetic code, and this is involved with protein synthesis (He, 2013). The dendrites receive information from other neurons which are located in a close proximity (Kalat, 1995). The terminal of an axon compresses into a disc-shaped structure (Gross, 2010). This is where chemical signals also known as aRead MoreAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd ) Essay1519 Words   |  7 PagesThe current school of thought on the causes of ADHD in childhood are the inhibition of the dopamine receptors in the brain, in particular DRD4 and DAT1receptors. Concurring to the research DSM-IV also acknowledges that both receptors are linked to ADHD. The dopamine receptor-4 (DRD4), in particular 7-repeat allele (Turic, 2010), which is attached to DRD4 is important because it reacts less strongly with dopamine, thus uptake is reduced as the number of 7R alleles found rises, as indicated by researc hRead MoreOur patient was admitted to the ICU with respiratory distress. Respiratory distress is caused by an1400 Words   |  6 Pagesbut genes play a large role as well. These genes include â€Å"those that code for beta cell mass, beta cell function†¦proinsulin and insulin molecular structure, insulin receptors, hepatic synthesis of glucose, glucagon synthesis, and cellular responsiveness to insulin stimulation† (McCance and Huether, 2010). Two mechanisms, insulin resistance and decreased insulin secretion, are vital functions that lead to the development of Type 2 Diabetes. Insulin resistance is the effect that insulin has on insulin-sensitiveRead MoreThe Relationship between Genetics and Violence Essay1442 Words   |  6 Pagesactivity, especially within the orbitofrontal cortex and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Both of these brain areas have effects on decision making. Other causes are linked to hormones and neuroendocrine transmitters, like testosterone and dopamine. Dopamine is linked to the reward system, and testosterone is linked to general violent behavior. Lastly, some of the causes are linked to enzymes. 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Ancient Greece A Unique Institution Formed During The...

The Polis was a unique institution formed during the Dark Ages (1100-776 BCE) in Ancient Greece following the fall of Mycenaean Civilization. The term polis can also be translated in to city-state in that each poleis was its own independent state which were generally organized in to complex hierarchical structures. Poleis were independent in several aspects such as (but not limited to): political, judicial and religious dealings. There were many notable poleis in Ancient Greek, and many of them were in their prime, were very successful however, the ideal polis was Athens. Athens was a model polis because of its political systems, economy, intellectual capital and naval strength. A vital question is, what constitutes an ideal polis? As mentioned before a polis is a city state (a city that functions as an independent state). In order for a polis to be ideal it must follow a criterion. In order to be an ideal polis, the city state must have adequate political leadership and systems. Thi s includes the rule of many as well as appropriate representation amongst citizens. The ideal polis, must have strong economic policies or advancements (the desire to expand/grow). The desire to expand and grow can be perceived as a corporate perspective to the polis. The polis must have a desire to grow economically (in which ever field such as agriculture, pottery etc.) and also a desire to grow as a state. The polis must also have institutions of learning, in order to create a knowledgeable

Blowing the Truth out Free Essays

string(58) " even when there is specific agreements not to speak out\." Whistle blowing is informing on illegal and unethical practices in the work place is becoming increasingly common as employees speak out about their ethical concerns at work. It can have disastrous consequences for the individual, as well as threatening the survival of the organization that is being complained about. This paper aims to provide a balanced approach to this topic, which has generated much controversy and debate. We will write a custom essay sample on Blowing the Truth out or any similar topic only for you Order Now I would like to first explain what whistle blowing is and detail some the following important moral issues that go along with whistle blowing. I will try to show how this could affect any one by going over a classic case of an Eastern Airlines pilot . As well as considering how an individual can protect him or herself from becoming the victim when trying to blow the whistle. Under what circumstances, if any, is whistle blowing morally justified? Some people have argued that whistle blowing is never justified because employees have absolute obligations of confidentiality and loyalty to the organization for which they work. People who argue this way see no difference between employees who reveal trade secrets by selling information to competitors, and whistle – blowers who disclose activities harmful to others. This position is similar to another held by some business people that the sole obligation of corporate executives is to make a profit for the stockholders. If this were true, corporate executives would have no obligations to the public. However, no matter what one’s special obligation, one is never exempt from the general obligations we have to our fellow human beings. One of the most fundamental of these obligations is not to cause harm to others. Corporate executives are no more exempt from this obligation than other people. Corporations in democratic societies are run with the expectations that they will function in ways that are compatible with the public interest. Corporations in democratic societies are also run with the expectations that they will not only obey the law governing their activities, but will not do anything that undermines basic democratic processes, such as bribing public officials. In addition to having the obligation to make money for stockholders, corporate executives have the obligation to see that these obligations are complied within an organization. They also have obligations to the company’s employees, for example to maintain a safe working place. It is the failure of corporate executives to fulfill obligations of the types mentioned that create the need for whistle blowing. Just as the special obligations of corporate executives to stockholders cannot override their more fundamental obligations to others, the special obligations of employees to employer cannot override their more fundamental obligations. Such as obligations of confidentiality and loyalty cannot take precedence over the fundamental duty to act in ways that prevent unnecessary harm to others. Agreements to keep something secret have no moral standing unless the secret is itself morally justifiable. For example a no person can have an obligation to keep a secret of a plot to murder someone, because murder is an immoral act. It is for this reason also that employees have a legal obligation to report an employer who has committed or is about to commit a felony. Although there are obvious differences between the situation of employees who work for government agencies and those who work for private firms, if we leave apart the special case in which national security was involved, then the same principles apply to both. The Codes of Ethics of Government Service to which all government employees are expected to conform requires that employees put loyalty to moral principles and the national interest above loyalty to the public parties or the agency for which they work. Neither can one justify participation in an illegal or immoral activity by arguing that one was merely following orders. It has also been argued that whistle blowing is always justified because it is an exercise of the right to free speech. But, the right to free speech is not perfect. An example to shout â€Å"Fire† in a crowded theater because that is likely to cause a panic in which people may be injured. Similarly, one may have a right to speak out on a particular subject, in the sense that there are no contractual agreements which prohibit him/her from doing so, but it may be the case that it would be morally wrong for one to do so because it would harm innocent people, such as one’s fellow workers and stockholders who are not responsible for the wrongdoing being disclosed. The fact that one has the right to speak out does not mean that one should do so in every case. But this kind of consideration cannot create an complete prohibition against whistle-blowing because one must weigh the harm to fellow workers and stockholders caused by disclosure against the harm to others caused by allowing the organizational wrong to continue. Further more, the moral principles that you must consider all people’s interests equally prohibits giving preference to one’s own group. So there most be considered justification for not giving as much weight to the interest of the stockholders investing in corporate firms because they do so with the knowledge that they take on financial risk if management acts illegally or immorally. Same as if the employees of a company know that it is engaged in illegal or immoral activities and do not take action, including whistle blowing, to end the activities, then they must bear some of the guilt for the actions. These in turn cancel the principles that one should refrain from blowing the whistle because speaking out would cause harm to the organization. Unless it can be shown that the harm to the employees and stockholders would be significantly greater than the harm caused by the organizational wrong doing, the obligation to avoid unnecessary harm to the public must come first. This must be true even when there is specific agreements not to speak out. You read "Blowing the Truth out" in category "Essay examples" Because ones obligation to the public overrides one’s obligation to maintain secrecy. If the arguments which I have just made are valid then the position of whistle blowing is never justified because it involves a violation of loyalty and confidentiality, or that whistle blowing is always right because it is an exercise of the right to free speech and is morally justified. Then the obligation a person has to prevent avoidable harm to others overrides any obligations of confidentiality and loyalty, making it an obligation to blow the whistle on illegal or unethical acts. Now that I have set down some moral ground rules that help determine if your responsible or justified in blowing the whistle on big business, I would like to share with you an example of what happened to a company and a employee of a company that has had the whistle blown on them. In this first case a pilot of eastern whistle comes clean on what he suspects to be serious design problem with the new Lockheed 1011, wide body aircraft. At the time Dan blew the whistle, he was flying regularly scheduled flights for Eastern airlines as well as being involved in flight training and engineering safety, for Eastern airlines. Mr. Gellert was also a graduate of Air Force Safety School, the Army Crash Survival Investigators coarse, and the aerospace Systems Safety, all highly regarded safety courses. The problem, which Mr. Gellert suspected, was of unexplainable crashes in a flight simulator while using the auto pilot system . The L-1011 defect involved the complex interaction between the crew and the autopilot and related instruments, which they relied upon to conduct a safe approach to a runway when landing the aircraft. Mr. Gellert became aware of the problem on a routine flight while using the L-1011. While flying the aircraft with the autopilot engaged and cruising at 10,000 feet with 230 passengers, Gellert dropped his flight plan. As he went to pick it up, his elbow hit the control stick in front of him causing the plane to go in a steep dive something that should not happen. Fortunately, he was able to grab the stick and ease the plane back on course. What had happened was that that while bumping the stick, he had tripped off the autopilot. Instead of holding the plane at 10,000 feet, it had switched from its â€Å"command mode† to â€Å"control steering†. As a result, when the stick moved forward, causing the plane to dive, the autopilot, rather than holding the aircraft on course held it in a dive. There was no warning to the pilot, such as alarms or light and the autopilot’s altimeter indicated that the plane was flying at 10,000 feet, a dangerously wrong reading. After this incident Gellert told an Eastern management official what had happened and the official replied â€Å"we’ll look into it. But three months later from the time he reported the incident an Eastern airlines flight approaching Miami International Airport crashed. The crew had used the autopilot to land the plane and it had malfunctioned crashing into the everglades. The first step that Mr. Gellert took in blowing the whistle on Eastern airlines and Lockheed was to write a two page evaluation of the auto pilots problems and send them to, Frank Borman, then vice-president of operations; Floyd Hall, chairman of the board , and Samuel Higgenbottom, president of operations. The only response was from Borman that said, it was â€Å"pure folly† that the autopilot caused the accident. He also sent two copies to the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board. ) which agreed with Gellert and asked him to testify against Eastern and Lockheed. Even with his testimony on his experiences with the auto pilot system NTSB found that a defect in the autopilot caused the crash, but attributed the tragedy to â€Å"pilot error† because the crew did not react fast enough. At this point eastern has done nothing to keep Gellert from doing his job . Until he had the same situation happened to him on two separate occasions, which prompted him to write a twelve-page petition to the NTSB as well as to top management. Gellert was immediately demoted to co-pilot. â€Å"Twice a year pilots bid on a base, a position, or a particular aircraft. † The first indication that he was being penalized by the company for his written petitions. At the same time the NTSB began to put pressure on eastern to make alterations to it’s aircraft’s. The pressure that went along with confronting eastern management forced Gillert to take a three- year leave of absence. And when Gillert decided to return to work, eastern denied him, questioning his ability to fly an aircraft concerned with his mental state. Eastern grounded Gillert indefinitely. A civil suit was filed and won by Gellert . The jury found Eastern guilty and awarded him 1. 5 million in damages, which were never paid, due to appeals. Gellert also filed a grievance to get reinstated as a pilot , which he won but Eastern refused to instate him as a full time pilot . The bottom line is that eastern was making life hard on Gillard because he wanted to do the right thing , he was aware of a problem which he tried to bring to the attention of the executives in charge . He was a dedicated employee and was only concerned about the safety of the people Eastern was flying and in turn Eastern continues to punish him and make his life extremely hard. I believe what has happened in the above summary of the Eastern airline case is that which is common among whistle blowers. Employees that decide to blow the whistle on big business for the greater good of the people are often subject to countless acts of discrimination. Employees are often demoted, pushed aside, put down ,alienated from the industry, and made their lives extremely uncomfortable for the mere fact that they tried to do the right thing. Gellert felt that the autopilot was defective yet management refused to listen, and then when it was to late and an accident occurred management didn’t want to know , because they didn’t want to except responsibility for not addressing the problem in the first place. If anything Gellert should have been rewarded for trying to prevent a disaster but instead, as is common for many whistle blowers he was punished. Employees who discover apparent wrong-doing have several options, they can turn a blind eye and continue as normal, raise the matter internally and hope for the best, blow the whistle outside while trying to remain anonymous, blow the whistle and take the full force of employer disapproval, resign and remain silent, or resign and blow the whistle. The key is minimizing the risk to you as an employee. As I have shown to blow the whistle requires a great deal of care and patience. Yet sometimes employees do not always make good judgements in the heat of the moment. Allowing himself or herself to be more vulnerable then someone who takes the time to plan and receive advice to do it right. Some simple questions will help to minimize your risk and determine if blowing the whistle is really necessary. First, make sure the situation is one that warrants whistle blowing. Secondly, you should carefully examine your motives. Third, verify and document your information. Fourth, determine the type of wrongdoing involved and to whom it should be reported. Fifth, state your allegations in appropriate ways. Sixth, decide whether the whistle blowing should be internal or external and if it should be open or anonymous. Seventh, make sure you follow proper guidelines in reporting the wrongdoing. And last you should consult a lawyer and anticipate as well as document retaliation. With all this said there is really no sure way to go about making the right choice on weather to blow the whistle or not. Employees that are forced to blow the whistle are often forced to do so because their concerns are not given fair hearings by their employers. This results in damage to both the whistleblower and the organization. Yet if wrong doing with in an organization go undetected, they can result in even in greater damage to the workforce, and the public at large. Whistle blowing is an effective way to regulate business internally and should not be discriminated against. In researching this paper it has come to my attention that whistle blowers may never have it easy. The possibility of causing career suicide should be maintained at the lowest level possible. A good indication of the how genuinely ethical our society is how organizations treats its whistleblowers. I can only hope that we will improve in the next coming century than continue on the course we have set for ourselves in the past. I strongly believe that society owes an immense gratitude to its whistle blowers and that they will soon be praised for coming forward instead of punished. How to cite Blowing the Truth out, Essay examples

Accounting Information System free essay sample

This article will describe the primary components of an AIS and some of its real-life applications. TUTORIAL: Financial Statements Components of an Accounting Information System Accounting information systems generally consist of six main parts: people, procedures and instructions, data, software, information technology infrastructure and internal controls. Lets look at each component in detail. People The people in an AIS are simply the system users. Professionals who may need to use an organizations AIS include accountants, consultants, business analysts, managers, chief financial officers and auditors. Learn more in What does a chief financial officer Do? ) An AIS helps the different departments within a company work together. For example, management can establish sales goals for which staff can then order the appropriate amount of inventory. The inventory order notifies the accounting department of a new payable. When sales are made, sales people can enter customer orders, accoun ting can invoice customers, the warehouse can assemble the order, the shipping department can send it off, and the accounting department gets notified of a new receivable. We will write a custom essay sample on Accounting Information System or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The customer service department can then track customer shipments and the system can create sales reports for management. Managers can also see inventory costs, shipping costs, manufacturing costs and so on. With a well-designed AIS, everyone within an organization who is authorized to do so can access the same system and get the same information. An AIS also simplifies getting information to people outside of the organization when necessary. For example, consultants might use the information in an AIS to analyze the effectiveness of the companys pricing structure by looking at cost data, sales data and revenue. Also, auditors can use the data to assess a companys internal controls, financial condition and compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX). (Find out more on accounting regulations; check out Financial History: The Rise of Modern Accounting. ) The AIS should be designed to meet the needs of the people who will be using it. The system should also be easy to use and should improve, not hinder, efficiency. Procedure and Instructions The procedure and instructions of an AIS are the methods it uses for collecting, storing, retrieving and processing data. These methods will be both manual and automated, and the data can come from both internal sources (e. g. , employees) and external sources (e. g. , customers online orders). Procedures and instructions will be coded into AIS software; they should also be coded into employees through documentation and training. Procedures and instructions must be followed consistently to be effective. The Hottest Penny Stocks! To store information, an AIS must have a database structure such as structured query language (SQL), a computer language commonly used for databases. The AIS will also need various input screens for the different types of system users and different types of data entry, as well as different output formats to meet the needs of different users and different types of information. (Does a job as a financial sleuth sound interesting to you? Learn more in Uncovering A Career In Forensic Accounting. ) Data The data contained in an AIS is all the financial information pertinent to the organizations business practices. Any business data that impacts the companys finances should go into an AIS. The data included in an AIS will depend on the nature of the business, but it may consist of the following: sales orders customer billing statements sales analysis reports purchase requisitions vendor invoices check registers general ledger inventory data payroll information timekeeping tax information This data can then be used to prepare accounting statements and reports such as accounts receivable aging, depreciation/amortization schedules, trial balance, profit and loss, and so on. Having all this data in one place in the AIS facilitates a businesss recordkeeping, reporting, analysis, auditing and decision-making activities. For the data to be useful, it must be complete, correct and relevant. On the other hand, examples of data that would not go into an AIS include memos, correspondence, presentations and manuals. These documents might have a tangential relationship to the companys finances, but excluding the standard footnotes, they are not really part of the companys financial recordkeeping. Software The software component of an AIS is the computer programs used to store, retrieve, process and analyze the companys financial data. Before there were computers, AISs were manual, paper-based systems, but today, most companies are using computer software as the basis of the AIS. Small businesses might use Intuits Quickbooks, Sage Peachtree Accounting, or Microsofts Small Business Accounting but there are many others. Small to mid-sized businesses might use SAPs Business One. Mid-sized and large businesses might use Microsofts Dynamics GP, Sage Groups MAS 90 or MAS 200, Oracles Peoplesoft or Epicor Financial Management. The Hottest Penny Stocks! Quality, reliability and security are key components of effective AIS software. Managers rely on the information it outputs to make decisions for the company, and they need high-quality information to make sound decisions. AIS software programs can be customized to meet the unique needs of different types of businesses. If an existing program does not meet a companys needs, software can also be developed in-house with substantial input from end users or can be developed by a third-party company specifically for the organization. The system could even be outsourced to a specialized company. For publicly traded companies, no matter what software program and customization options the business chooses, Sarbanes-Oxley regulations will dictate the structure of the AIS to some extent. This is because SOX regulations establish internal controls and auditing procedures that public companies must comply with. Information Technology Infrastructure Information technology infrastructure is just a fancy name for the hardware used to operate the accounting information system. Most of these hardware items are things a business would need to have anyway they include personal computers, servers, printers, surge protectors, routers, storage media, and possibly a backup power supply. In addition to cost, factors to consider in selecting hardware include speed, storage capability and whether it can be expanded and upgraded. Thinking about becoming an accountant? Read, Shopping For An Accounting Certification. ) Perhaps most importantly, the hardware selected for an AIS must be compatible with the intended software. Ideally, it would be not just compatible, but optimal, a clunky system will be much less helpful than a speedy one. One way businesses can easily meet hardware and software compatibility requirements is by purchasing a turnkey system that includes both the hardware and the software that the business needs. Purchasing a turnkey system means, theoretically, that the business will get an optimal combination of hardware and software for its AIS. A good AIS should also include a plan for maintaining, servicing, replacing and upgrading components of the hardware system, as well as a plan for the disposal of broken and outdated hardware so that sensitive data is completely destroyed. Internal Controls The internal controls of an AIS are the security measures it contains to protect sensitive data. These can be as simple as passwords or as complex as biometric identification. An AIS must have internal controls to protect against unauthorized computer access and to limit access to authorized users which includes some users inside the company. It must also prevent unauthorized file access by individuals who are allowed to access only select parts of the system. (For more on personal safety, check out Protecting Your Financial Documents From Disaster. ) An AIS contains confidential information belonging not just to the company but also to its employees and customers. This data may include Social Security numbers, salary information, credit card numbers, and so on. All of the data in an AIS should be encrypted, and access to the system should be logged and surveilled. System activity should be traceable as well. An AIS also needs internal controls that protect it from computer viruses, hackers and other internal and external threats to network security[PC4] . Furthermore, it must be protected from natural disasters and power surges that can cause data loss. (Learn how you can get a job in this field, read A Guide To Careers In Accounting Information Systems. ) AISs In Real Life Weve seen how a well-designed AIS allows a business to run smoothly on a day-to-day basis or hinders its operation if the system is poorly designed. A third use for an AIS is that when a business is in trouble, the data in its AIS can be used to uncover the story of what went wrong. The cases of WorldCom and Lehman Brothers provide two examples. In 2002, WorldCom internal auditors Eugene Morse and Cynthia Cooper used the companys AIS to uncover $4 billion in fraudulent expense allocations and other accounting entries. Their investigation led to the termination of CFO Scott Sullivan as well as new legislation. (section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which regulates companies internal financial controls and procedures. (Does a job as a financial sleuth sound interesting to you? Learn more in Uncovering A Career In Forensic Accounting. ) When investigating the causes of Lehmans collapse, a review of its AIS and other data systems was a key component, along with document collection and review and witness interviews. The search for the causes of the companys failure required an extensive investigation and review of Lehmans operating, trading, valuation, financial, accounting and other data systems, according to the 2,200-page, nine-volume examiners report. Lehmans systems provide an example of how an AIS should not be structured. Examiner Anton R. Valukass report states, At the time of its bankruptcy filing, Lehman maintained a patchwork of over 2,600 software systems and applications Many of Lehmans systems were arcane, outdated or non-standard. The examiner decided to focus his efforts on the 96 systems that appeared most relevant, and the examination required training, study and trial and error just to learn how to use the systems. (Also check out Case Study: The Collapse of Lehman Brothers, and An Inside Look At Internal Auditors. ) Valukass report also noted, Lehmans systems were highly interdependent, but their relationships were difficult to decipher and not well documented. It took extraordinary effort to untangle these systems to obtain the necessary information. Conclusion The six components of an AIS all work together to help key employees collect, store, manage, process, retrieve, and report their financial data. Having a well-developed and maintained accounting information system that is efficient and accurate is an indispensable component of a successful business. Read more: http://www. investopedia. com/articles/professionaleducation/11/accounting-information-systems. asp#ixzz29ToJ0OEX

Social Stratification

In the case of the United States, economic, gender and social stratification has changed over the centuries (Tischler, 2010). The significant changes in economic, gender and social stratification are brought about by changes in the political, economic, and social landscape of this nation. There is one major transition point that played a critical roles in the said transformation.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Social Stratification specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This is the transitions from an economy dependent on manual labor to an economy based on mechanization and other forms of technology that resulted in the industrialization of the nation. These transitions on the other hand were aided by the effective expansion and development of the education system in this country. Before the United States became a geopolitical nation, it was a colony controlled by the British Empire. In that period of time before Ame rica was a sovereign state, the British introduced slave labor. Therefore, the social stratification during this period was simplified into farmers, plantation owners and slaves. The farmers will be considered poor by today’s standards but they are better off if compared to the Negro slaves. The economy was based on agriculture. It was also a male dominated society. Women played minor roles in nation building and focused on domestic work. The industrialization of the United States coincided with the emancipation of the Negro slaves. Beginning in the latter part of the 19th century the issue of race became a major bone of contention in different social spheres. Former Negro slaves were no longer forced to work under a slave master or a plantation owner. However, they were treated second-class citizens. More importantly the former slaves did not own any property; have very little money; and mostly illiterate. The Southern states can be characterized by extreme poverty especiall y if one considers the plight of the former slaves. In the Northern states, the social, gender and economic stratification was affected by industrialization. Farmers who used to work in the farms migrated to the cities. Industrialization created new social classes because the workers are paid on an hourly basis. They have no share of the profits and those who had the capital to establish factories raked in the majority of the income of the said enterprise.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Industrialization was not only limited to the Northern states, factories began to sprout all over America. Industrialization proved to be an efficient way to harness resources and it did not take long before the economic benefits trickled down to the masses. A new social class was created in the 20th century and these are: Upper class; Corporate class; Middle and working class; Those who are po or (Andersen Taylor, 2011). Technology enabled many to achieve greater economic success. Based on the new social order and economic power of individuals, many Americans were able to access higher education. As a result the feminist movement succeeded in promoting gender equality in the workplace and the homes (Kendall, 2011). Conclusion The transformation of the economic, gender and social stratification in this country was brought about by changes in the political, economic and social landscape. The highpoint was the transition from manual labor to industrialization as well as the rapid changes in technology that paved the way for new social classes in the 21st century. It has to be pointed out that when America was still a colony of the British empire, the socio-economic stratification was simple. The upper class was comprised of plantation owners and the rest were farmers. The introduction of Negro slaves created another social class, nevertheless, the stratification was simple . But the advent of industrialization, coupled with significant changes in the economic and political spheres paved the way for greter social mobility. References Andersen, M., Taylor, H. (2011). Sociology: The essentials. OH: Cengage Learning. Kendall, D. (2011). Sociology in our times. OH: Cengage Learning. Tischler, H. (2011). Introduction to sociology. OH: Cengage Learning.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Social Stratification specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This essay on Social Stratification was written and submitted by user Korath to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Learn More About the Riverine Command Boat (Experimental) (RCB-X)

Learn More About the Riverine Command Boat (Experimental) (RCB-X) The Riverine Command Boat (Experimental) (RCB-X) is an experimental military craft that is testing alternative fuel blends. RCB-X uses a blended fuel consisting of 50 percent  algae-based biofuel and 50 percent NATO F-76 fuel. The goal is to reduce the Navy’s consumption of petroleum-based fuels. RCB-X is an experimental version of the Swedish Riverine Command Boat. Over 225 Riverine Command Boat’s are in use worldwide. Riverine Boat Specs Riverine Command Boat (Experimental) (RCB-X) is a 49-foot long, 12-foot wide craft that is fast and agile. The vessel is designed for use on rivers for patrols and assaults by small forces. The RCB-X has a top speed of 44 knots, 1,700 horsepower and a crew of four. It also has a 3-foot draft allowing for easy travel on most rivers. It has Swedish built engines and Rolls Royce twin-ducted water jet propulsion. The bow is reinforced allowing the craft to be run onto shore at full speed without damage. RCB has a range of 240 nautical miles on rivers or open water. There are six gun mounts on the vessel. One on the bow and another behind the mast are remote- controlled from the cockpit. The other four are used for manned weapons. It can carry .50 caliber machine guns, mortar, 40 mm grenade launchers or Hellfire missiles. The mortar launcher is a twin-barrel 12 cm. mortar. RCB can carry up to 20 troops at one time, and be transformed into a dive support vessel or a command craft. The boat can also be configured as an ambulance to take wounded soldiers off the battlefield by river. Made of heavy-duty aluminum, it has a 580-gallon fuel tank that contains a large, high-speed fuel fill capability. The bow drops down making it easy to disembark and return to the craft quickly. The cockpit is armor plated for protection and the cabin can be sealed against nuclear, chemical and biological agents. Over 4 tons of cargo can be carried on the craft. RCB-X and RCB’s are built by Safeboat International under license from the Swedish company Dockstavarvet. The first models cost anywhere from $2 to $3 million each. Bio Fuel Because the Riverine boat is a test version for fuels, it garners power from a 50 percent  algae-based and 50 percent NATO fuel called hydro-processed renewable diesel or HR-D. If the RCB-X used 100 percent biofuel, it would contain water which fouls the engines of Navy craft. Biofuels also have a six-month service life and the blend allows for longer term storage of fuel. The biofuel blend is made by a company called Solazyme, which calls the fuel Soladiesel. Soladiesel is designed to be used directly in place of conventional fuels, with no modifications to the engines or fuel system of the craft. In 2010 Solazyme delivered 80,000 liters of Soladiesel to the U.S. Navy and was under contract for an additional 550,000 liters at the time of publication. The fuel is produced in partnership with Chevron and Honeywell  in Illinois. Solazyme also makes a replacement for jet fuel and standard diesel vehicles. Solazyme’s algae grows in the dark using sugars from plants such as sugar cane and corn. Their system uses standard, industrial fermenters allowing for rapid scaling of production. Solazyme is based in San Francisco, California. Future The Navy  began testing the Riverine boat in 2010. It planned to deploy a strike group for local operations using the blended fuel in 2012 with full deployment in 2016. The Navy is testing the RCB-X, and it may be a possible fast craft for going from brown water (river) to green/blue water (ocean).

A3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

A3 - Essay Example euvers enabled them to report profits and hide losses from the books, and as a result of these maneuvers their stock prices rose steeply as investors were attracted to the potential for future high prices. The machinations in their books of accounts were such that retail investors were had pushed to understand them; as a result, the management through the use of market to market system enabled the company to manipulate profits and hide debts. At the time when the issue came to light, it had already been late, yet the laws that govern separate business from owners frustrated the efforts to compensate the investors. The actions of the managers in the Enron case is a clear violations of ethic principles, and the ethic principles indicate that individuals are bound a certain duty of care to investors, customers and employees. Secondly, auditors failed in their duty of care to the aforementioned parties, and the chief auditor, Arthur Anderson admitted to the errors in the

Customer Service-Customers for Life-repost Personal Statement

Customer Service-Customers for Life-repost - Personal Statement Example Real experience such as the Company chipping in to help customer during losses of property amplifies loyalty. Firms should be quick to react when customers seek their help and extend Olive branch to customer’s home to strengthen customer’s relation and building on its reputation. Credit facilities offered to customers at affordable terms and conditions serve both firm and customers interest. Lifelong customers are retained when they are made to feel as part of the Company and in particular, when faced with challenges so as to help them overcome stress via suggesting rational solutions. Standing with a customer during their difficulties by firms make customers relieved from some burdens and aid in restoring normal mind set. Customers are thus pinned strongly to such companies that recognize and appreciate the existence of their customers. Firms thus benefit from increased customer loyalty as such customers suggest that particular Company to their friends and relatives and such chain is extended leading to a greater pool of loyal customers resulting into competitive advantage accompanied by increased market power. This thus culminates into increased

The movie Le Confessionnal by Lepage Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

The movie Le Confessionnal by Lepage - Essay Example The first concept that is seen with the movie â€Å"Le Confessional† is based on the controversy of the confession. This remains an apparent theme throughout the movie by LePage and creates a sense of mystery over the secrecy of the confessional as well as the way in which it complicates different concepts in society. The first confessional is one that is not seen through the main character, Rachel, but is displayed through the filming of Hitchcock’s movie, â€Å"I Confess,† which is a murder mystery about a murderer who confesses in the church about killing another individual. Because of the seal that swears secrecy the murderer doesn’t go to trial. The second confession is from the girl, Rachel, who finds herself pregnant at 16 and which the father of the child is sworn into secrecy. The third confession comes from the son, Marc, who is a display of homosexuality and which shows the opposing side to the confessional (LePage, 1). The concept which becomes controversial is with the seal of the confessional. All three of the confessionals that are displayed throughout the movie show how there is an intertwining with the past confessionals and the present as well as how each creates an unraveling effect that creates a change in the next generation (Gude, 72). The confession of Rachel is one which directly impacts Marc and Pierre as they search for the past and live a lifestyle that displays the misunderstandings of the past. The same type of complexity arises with the confession of the murderer and the way it creates different concepts that intertwine problems in the future from the past. This particular problem was one which was noticed in Canada and other regions in the 1950s, specifically because there were several who were committing crimes and not being tried because of the seal of secrecy. The opposition was toward the Federal Rules of

Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Spinal Muscular Atrophy Spinal Muscular Atrophy Spinal muscular Atrophy is a disorder when the spine and muscles are affected. The Neurons on the spinal cord that control movement of muscles are infected and causes the Neurons to shrink and become destroyed and prevents messages coming from the body To the brain and muscles depend on that for proper function. Some muscles are not affected when having SMA like the bladder muscles. Hearing and vision are not affected and intelligence is normal or above average. Investigators have noted that children with SMA can have very high intelligence. There are 3 types of SMA all 3 types are known As autonomic recessive genes. To inherit SMA both parents must give the defective gene in order for the offspring to inherit the disorder. Sometimes SMA is inherited as an autonomic dominant gene. Type 1, 2, and 3 are got from a defected same gene on chromosome #5, different affected chromosomes will have different affects and types of SMA.There is another form of the disease called x-linked spinal bulbar atrophy that arises from a defect in a gene called the androgen receptor gene on the X chromosome. Every form of SMA affects the bones muscles of the trunk and limbs. These muscles are closer to the center of the body and are more infected than other parts that are farther than the body like the fingers. SMA type 1 affects the neurons that control your mouth and throat which makes chewing and eating problems. Type 1 is the most severe of all the types of SMA and is noticed during the first 6 months of birth. Cannot sit without support or a cushion, death is usually occurred before the age of 2. SMA type 2 isnt as worse as type 1 and is noticed during the ages of 7 months to 18 months of age. Cannot sit properly without a cushion or support, cannot learn to walk without any help or assistance has numerous swallowing difficulty some lucky children survive until childhood. Type 3 SMA occurs after the age of 18 months old. Weakness of the muscles in the mouth and throat is not likely to happen. Not as severe as type 1 and 2 but still can cause death if not cared for, children might live up to adulthood SMA is inherited by both parents having the recessive gene is their DNA and the offspring inherits 22 of the non sex chromosomes. When genes are defected they do not function and properly produce the proteins that are needed for a cell to function. A big chain can happen when a little protein is absent when there is too little or too much protein or if it doesnt work right for some reason. In the case of SMA protein abnormalities prevent the normal functioning of motor neurons. SMA causes muscle degeneration and will shrink until muscle weakness happens. SMA is not spreadable because disorders cannot spread from person to person only if parents have the 2 recessive SMA genes. There are no cures or treatments for spinal muscular atrophy right now but researchers and scientist are trying to find a way to get rid of SMA or at least reverse some of the affects that causes death for the young. Some symptoms of SMA are muscle weakness, leg weakness, thin muscles, hard time breathing, hard time eating/swallowing, lack of movement and walking, head control, hard time sitting up, hard time crawling when a baby. SMA affects life span a lot, especially when a child or a baby because you have a high risk of dying because of the disorder. Muscles are weak and have a hard time walking. SMA affects all kinds of people. In 1890 G. Werdnig found about SMA and the first type of the form of SMA. Years later a person named Kugelberg and another person named Welander described the less severe types of SMA and its affects to the human body and muscles. SMA is the most common diagnosis in girls with progressive weakness. It is one of the most common genetic causes of death in children! In the United States it is about 5 out of 100,000 child births that are affected with SMA. In ND (North Dakota) it is about 15 out of 100,000 children that are affected with SMA. SMA seems to be affecting more people in North Dakota then anywhere else in other areas. Males are more common to get SMA other than females, the ratio to males to females is 2:1 although the ratio is 2:1 how long you live with SMA is not affected by sex. Spinal muscular atrophy used to be only affecting black African Americans but years have passed and it is indicated that SMA is not affecting African Americans that much as it used to a while back. Spinal muscular atrophy is caused by the region of chromosome #5 that contains SMN (survival motor neuron) gene has a very abnormal huge duplication. The gene copies its self which causes mutation. The smn2 gene has a another mutation that makes less protein that does it in a very slow level. The most common forms of SMA are caused by the mutation of the SMN gene and affects different areas of the body and makes severe or less severe damages depending on how the gene mutates. Boys that get the gene die before the age of 2, but girls that get the gene are carriers unless they die before having an offspring. There are about 1,386 families that have SMA and 759 females and 776 males that do have SMA. Doctors and researches help with the symptoms and features of SMA to help reduce the chance of death. Doctors talk with children and help babies walk and breath. The spine is dislocated and is not straight. The spine wont function correctly and spine neurons will eventually die out and muscles will die out to.

Romantic :: essays research papers

When you hear the term "Romanticism", wouldn’t you think of something that has to do with romance? That is what I thought when I first heard the word, but I was foolishly mistaken. Romanticism dealt with placing central importance upon the emotions and upon the individual. This time period only lasted about thirty years but greatly changed the and influenced the country in which we live in today. In the following composition, I will discuss the ideas of Romanticism and three famous writers of this time and their distinct subjects.The United States condensed as a nation during the major cultural change distinguished by the shift from classicism to Romanticism. This change had an impact on every aspect of culture including arts, philosophy, education and science.Before all this even happened, an earlier belief known as "Classicism" was around. This unhealthy culture put reason as their dominating characteristic of nature and were also bound by strict unchang ing laws by the government. Now, who would want to live under this dull inexpressible culture? Well, the early Puritans were part of this "Age of Reason" and many a good man came out of this era. Anyway, it was time for change. People wanted to start believing in themselves more and having a greater sense or nationalism. This is where Romanticism came in and replaced classicism. It was the beginning of a new era and initiated a whole new way of thinking. Romanticism basically dealt with three attitudes: Nature, the past, and the inner world of human nature. Although the early Romantic writers varied widely in the forms that they chose, these certain subjects were characteristics or Romantic attitudes.The writer who mainly told about nature was William Cullen Bryant. He became the first national spokesperson for a new religion of nature in which nature serves as a source of moral and spiritual lessons.One of his famous poems, "To a Waterfowl", tells of the journey of a waterfowl during migration and relates that to the path in which we as humans take in our lives. He also incorporates some religious attitudes in his works as well and you can see this at the end of "To a Waterfowl" when he tells you that "God will lead your steps aright" Washington Irving was a fine example of telling about the past. He wrote many a folk tales.In the short story "The Devil and Tom Walker" he Americanizes the devil and gives him qualities that are carried on with him for generations.