Digital image enhancement methods for multimedia technology - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 17 Words: 5214 Downloads: 2 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Statistics Essay Did you like this example? Chapter 1 1.1 Introduction In todays communications network s multimedia is a growing field. There are increasing demands on incorporating visual aspect to other modes of communications. It is therefore unable to be avoided to have situations in which the video and transmitted images being corrupted or degraded in their perceptual quality by variety of ways. 1.2Digital Image Processing An image is defined as two- dimensional function, f(x,y), where x,y are plane coordinates and the amplitude of f at any pair of coordinates (x,y) is called the intensity or gray level of the image. When x, y and the intensity values of f are all finite and discrete quantities, we call the image a digital image. To processing the image by means of computer algorithms is called as digital image processing. As compared to analog image processing, digital image processing has many advantages. It can avoid problems such as signal distortion, image degradation and build-up of noise during processing. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Digital image enhancement methods for multimedia technology" essay for you Create order 1.2 Image Restoration and Enhancement Methods: Now days digital images have covered the complete world. Images are acquired by photo electronic or photochemical methods. The sensing devices tend to reduce a quality of the digital images by introducing the noise and blur due to motion or misfocus of camera. One of the first applications of digital images was in the news paper industry, when pictures were sent by submarine cable between New York and London. Introduction of cable picture transmission system in the early 1920s reduced the time required to transport a picture across Atlantic from more than a week to less than three hours. Some of the initial problems in improving the visual quality of these early digital pictures were related to the selection of printing procedures and distribution of intensity levels. Digital image processing techniques began in the late 1960s and early 1970s to be used in medical imaging, remote Earth resources observations and astronomy. Tomography was invented independently by Sir Godfrey N. Hounsfield and Professor Allan M.Cormack who shared the 1979 Nobel Prize in medicine for their invention. But, X-rays were discovered in 1985 by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen. Geographers use the similar technique to study the pollution patterns from aerial and satellite imagery. Image enhancement and restoration procedures are used to process the degraded images of unrecoverable objects or experimental results too expensive to duplicate. The use of a gray level transformation which transforms a given empirical distribution function of gray level values in an image into a uniform distribution has been used as an image enhancement as well as for a normalization procedure.( I. Pitas) Image enhancement refers to increase the image quality by sharpening certain image features (edges, boundaries and contrast) and reducing the noise. Digital image enhancement and restoration are two dimensional filters. They are broadly classified into linear digital filters and non linear filters. Linear digital filter can be designed or implemented either spatial domain or Frequency domain. (K.S. Thyagarajan) In Spatial Domain methods refers to the image plane itself .Image processing methods, spatial domain methods are based on direct manipulation of pixels in an image. The intensity transformations and spatial filtering are two principal categories of spatial domain methods. In Frequency domain methods, first image is transformed to frequency domain. It means that, the Fourier transform of the image is computed and performed all processing on the Fourier transform of the image. Finally Inverse Fourier transform is performed to get the resultant image. (Rafael C.Gonzalez and Richard E.Woods) Image Enhancement Techniques are Median filtering Neighborhood averaging Edge Detection Histogram techniques In 1980, recent work on c.c.d. scanners is reviewed and solid-state scanners which include on-chip signal processing functions are described. Future trends are towards `smart scanners; these are scanners with on-chip real-time processing functions, such as analogue-to-digital conversion, thresholding, data compaction, edge enhancement and other real-time image processing functions.( Chamberlain,1980) The image enhancement algorithm first separates an image into its lows (low-pass filtered form) and highs (high-pass filtered form) components. The lows component then controls the amplitude of the highs component to increase the local contrast. The lows component is then subjected to a non-linearity to modify the local luminance mean of the image and is combined with the processed highs component. The performance of this algorithm when applied to enhance typical undegraded images, images with large shaded areas, and also images degraded by cloud cover will be illustrated by way of examples. (Peli, T., 1981) Enhancement algorithms based on local medians and interquartile distances are more effective than those using means and standard deviations for the removal of spike noise, preserve edge sharpness better and introduce fewer artifacts around high contrast edges. They are not as fast as the mean-standard deviation equivalents but are suitable for large data sets treated in small machines in production quantities.( Scollar,I.,1983) Filtering CT images to remove noise, and thereby enhance the signal-to-noise ratio in the images, is a difficult process because CT noise is of a broad-band spatial-frequency character, overlapping frequencies of interest in the signal.A measurement of the noise power spectrum of a CT scanner and some form of spatially variant filtering of CT images can be beneficial if the filtering process is based upon the differences between the frequency characteristics of the noise and the signal. For evaluating the performance, used a percentage standard deviation, an index representing contrast, a frequency spectral pattern, and several CT images processed with the filter. (Okada., 1985) A two-dimensional least-mean-square (TDLMS) adaptive algorithm based on the method of steepest decent is proposed and applied to noise reduction in images. The adaptive property of the TDLMS algorithm enables the filter to have an improved tracking performance in nonstationary images. The results presented show that the TDLMS algorithm can be used successfully to reduce noise in images. The algorithm complexity is 2(NN) multiplications and the same number of additions per image sample, where N is the parameter-matrix dimension. The algorithm can be used in a number of two-dimensional applications such as image enhancement and image data processing.( Hadhoud,M.M.,1988) Image processing techniques are used to determine the range and alignment of a land vehicle. The approach taken is to establish a state vector of quantities derived from an image sequence, and to refine this over the mission. The image processing techniques applied fall into the generic categories of enhancement, detection, segmentation, and classification. Approaches to estimating the alignment and range of a vehicle in computationally efficient ways are presented. The estimates of quantities extracted from single image frames are subject to errors. This approach facilitates the integration of results from multiple images, and from multiple sensor systems.( Atherton, T.J.,1990) The JPEG coder has proven to be extremely useful in coding image data. For low bit-rate image coding (0.75 bit or less per pixel), however, the block effect becomes very annoying. The edges also display `wave-like appearance. An enhancement algorithm is proposed to enhance the subjective quality of the reconstructed images. First, the pixels of the coded image are classified into three broad categories: (a) pixels belonging to quasi-constant regions where the pixel intensity values vary slowly, (b) pixels belonging to dominant-edge (DE) regions which are characterized by few sharp and dominant edges and (c) pixels belonging to textured regions which are characterized by many small edges and thin-line signals. An adaptive mixture of some well-known spatial filters which uses the pixel labeling information for its adaptation is used as the adaptive optimal spatial filter for image enhancement. (Kundu, A.1995) The videotexts are low-resolution and mixed with complex backgrounds; image enhancement is a key to successful recognition of the videotexts. Especially in Hangul characters, several consonants cannot be distinguished without sophisticated image enhancement techniques. In this experiment, after multiple videotext frames containing the same captions are detected and the caption area in each frame is extracted, five different image enhancement techniques are serially applied to the image: multi-frame integration, resolution enhancement, contrast enhancement, advanced binarization, and morphological smoothing operations and tested the proposed techniques with the video caption images containing both Hangul and English characters from various video sources such as cinema, news, sports, etc. The character recognition results are greatly improved by using enhanced images in the experiment. (Sangshin Kwak.,2000). The use of an adaptive image enhancement system that implements the human visual system (HVS) has the properties for contrast enhancement of X-ray images. X-ray images are poor quality and are usually interpreted visually. The HVS properties considered are its adaptive nature, multichannel mechanism and high nonlinearity. This method is adaptive, nonlinear and multichannel, and combines adaptive filters and homomorphic processing. The median filtering method is a simple and efficient way to remove impulse noise from digital images. This novel method has two stages. The first stage is to detect the impulse noise in the image. In this stage, first one identify the noise pixel and second one the pixels are roughly divided into two classes, which are noise-free pixel and noise pixel. Then, the second stage is to eliminate the impulse noise from the image. In this stage, only the noise-pixels are processed. The noise -free pixels are directly copied to the output image. Here, hybrid of adaptive median filter with switching median filter method is used. The adaptive median filter framework in order to enable the flexibility of the filter to change it size accordingly based on the approximation of local noise density. The switching median filter framework in order to speed up the process and also allows local details in the image to be preserved. (Kong, NSP., 2008) One of the advantages of Level-2 Improved tolerance based selective arithmetic mean filtering technique is that this filtering technique is to detect and remove the noisy pixels and restore the noise free information. However the removal of impulse noise is often accomplished at the expense of blurred and distorted features of edges. Therefore it is necessary to preserve the edges and fine details during filtering. (Deivalakshmi,S., 2010) An efficient non-linear cascade filter is used to removal of high density salt and pepper noise in image and video. This method consists of two stages to enhance the filtering. The first stage is the Decision based Median Filter (DMF) which is used to identify pixels likely to be contaminated by salt and pepper noise and replaces them by the median value. The second stage is the Unsymmetrical Trimmed Filter, either Mean Filter (UTMF) or Midpoint Filter (UTMP) which is used to trim the noisy pixels in an unsymmetrical manner and processes with the remaining pixels The basic idea is that, though the level of denoising in the first stage is lesser at high noise densities, the second stage helps to increase the noise suppression. Hence, this method is very suitable for low, medium as well as high noise densities even above 90%. This algorithm shows better image and video quality in terms of visual appearance and quantitative measures. ( Balasubramanian, S.,2009) The enhancement algorithm enhances CR image detail and CR image enhanced has good visual effect, so the method id suit for edge detail enhancement of CR medicine radiation image. (Zhang., 2010). Three dimensional TV is considered as next generation broadcasting service.TOF sensors are a relatively new technology allowing real time capture of both photometric and geometric scene information. In order to generate the natural 3D video, first we develop a practical pipeline including TOF data processing and MPEG-4 based data transmission and reception. Then we acquire colour and depth videos from TOF range sensor. Then Alpha matting and enhancement are performed to handle fuzzy and hairy objects (Ji-Ho Cho Sung-Yeol Kim Lee, 2010). Chapter 2 2.1 Median Filtering Median Filtering is a non -linear signal enhancement technique for the smoothing of signals, the suppression of impulse noise, and preserving of edges. In the one dimensional case it consists of sliding a window of an odd number of elements along the signal, replacing the centre sample by the median of the samples in the window. Noise is any undesirable signal. Noise is everywhere and thus we have to learn to live with it. Noise gets introduced into data via any electrical system used for storage, transmission, and/or processing. In addition, nature will always play a noisy trick or two with data under observation. When encountering an image corrupted with noise you will want to improve its appearance for a specific application. The Techniques applied are application-oriented. Also, different procedures are related to the types of noise introduced to the image. Some important types of noise are: Gaussian or white, Rayleigh, Salt-pepper or impulse noise, periodic, sinusoidal or coherent, uncorrelated, and granular. In statistics, a median is described as the numeric value separating the higher half of a sample, a population, or a probability distribution, from the lower half. The median of a finite list of numbers can be found by arranging all the numbers from lowest value to highest value and picking the middle one. For example: The observations are [7,5,6,8,1,3,8,5,4]. First, we are arranging in ascending order or lowest value to highest value. [1, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8] Then the middle one is picked. Here, number of observations n=9, it is an odd number. The middle value=5. So, the median =5. If there is an even number of observations, then there is no single middle value; the median is then usually defined to be the mean of the two middle values. For example: observations are [7,5,6,8,1,3,8,5,4,6]. First, we are arranging in ascending order or lowest value to highest value. [1, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8] Then the middle one is picked. Here, number of observations n=10, it is an even number. So, averaging the observation 5 and 6 and gets the median value. The observation values are 5 and 6. The averaging value of 5 and 6 gives 5.5. So, the median =5.5. Most scanned images contain noise caused by the scanning method (sensor and its calibration-electrical components, radio frequency spikes) this noise may look like dots of black and white. Median filter helps us by erasing the black dots, called the Pepper, and it also fills in white holes in an image, called salt Impulse Noise. Its like the mean filter but is better in pixels and will not affect the other pixels significantly. This means that mean does that. Preserving sharp edges Median value is much like neighbourhood Median filtering is popular in removing salt and pepper noise and works by replacing the pixel value with the median value in the neighbourhood of that pixel. When applied on: 1. We do brightness -ranking by first placing the brightness values of the pixels from each neighbourhood in ascending order. 2. The median or middle value of this ordered sequence is then selected as the representative brightness value for that neighbourhood. 2.2Median Filter Action The median filter is also sliding -window spatial filter, but it replaces the centre pixel value in the window by the median of all pixel values in the window. As for the mean filter, the kernel is usually square but can be any shape rectangular, circular, etc depends on an image. An example of median filtering of a single 3*3 window of values is shown in figure 2.1. Unfiltered Values 6 2 0 3 97 4 19 3 10 To arrange the pixel value in ascending order: 0,2,3,3,4,6,19,97 The median value=4(Here no of items=9) The centre pixel value 97 is replaced by the median value 4 as shown below. Median filtered Values * * * * 4 * * * * Figure 2.2 This illustrates one of the celebrated features of the median filter: its ability to remove impulse noise. The median filter is also widely claimed to be edge-preserving since it theoretically preserves step edges without blurring. However, in the presence of noise it blurs edges in images slightly. 2.3 Synthetic Image Let us consider 6*6 window size. 3 1 5 6 9 2 7 3 8 4 5 1 2 4 3 3 2 8 1 8 9 6 2 7 1 9 2 6 5 8 3 5 7 9 8 2 Here, we take 3*3 mask size, to find out the median value. 3 1 5 6 9 2 7 3 8 4 5 1 2 4 3 3 2 8 1 8 9 6 2 7 1 9 2 6 5 8 3 5 7 9 8 2 The order of the pixel value:1,2,3,3,3,4,5,7,8.The median value of this mask size=3. Here, the centre pixel value 3 is replaced by the median value 3. 3 1 5 6 9 2 7 A B C D 1 2 E F G H 8 1 I J K L 7 1 M N O P 8 3 5 7 9 8 2 Here, we find out the A to P value as shown in figure 2.5. First, we find out the median value for 3*3 mask size and replacing the original centre pixel value by these values. To find A: Order: 1, 2, 3,3,3,4,5,7,8. Median=3. To find B: Order: 1, 3, 3,3,4,4,5,6,8. Median=4. To find C: Order: 2, 3, 3,4,4,5,6,8,9. Median=4. To find D: Order: 1, 2, 2,3,4,5,6,8,9. Median=4. Similar way, we have to calculate F to P. To find P: Order: 2, 4,5,5,5,8,8,9 Median=5. The final output of synthetic image of 6*6 window as shown in figure 2.6. 3 1 5 6 9 2 7 3 4 4 4 1 2 4 4 4 4 8 1 4 4 4 5 7 1 4 4 5 5 8 3 5 7 9 8 2 By checking the synthetic image output by using Matlab. To Refer the Matlab Coding in Appendix A. Output: 3 1 5 6 9 2 7 3 4 4 4 1 2 4 4 4 4 8 1 4 4 4 5 7 1 4 4 5 5 8 3 5 7 9 8 2 Both Hand calculation synthetic image output and Matlab synthetic image output are same. 2.4 Median Filter Implementation on Mat lab: In past years, linear filters become the most popular filters in image processing. The reason of their popularity is caused by the existence of robust mathematical models which can be used for their analysis and design. However, there exist many areas in which the nonlinear filters provide significantly better results. The advantage of non linear filters lies in their ability to preserve edges and suppress the noise without loss of details. The success of nonlinear filters is caused by the fact that image signals as well as existing noise types are usually nonlinear. Due to the imperfection of image sensors, images are often corrupted by noise. The impulse noise is the most frequently referred type of noise. The most cases, impulse noise is caused by malfunctioning pixels in camera sensors, faulty memory locations in hardware, or errors in data transmission. We distinguish two common types of impulse noise. They are Salt-and-Pepper noise and the random valued shot noise. For images corrupted by salt-and-pepper noise, the noisy pixels have only maximum or minimum values. In case of random valued shot noise, the noisy pixels have arbitrary value. Traditionally, the impulse noise is removed by a median filter which is the most popular non linear filter .A standard median filter gives poor performance for images corrupted by impulse noise with higher intensity. A simple median filter utilizing 3*3 or 5*5 pixel window is sufficient only when the noise intensity is less than approximately 10-20%. Here, we implement the median filter using Matlab. To refer the Matlab coding in Appendix B. Output: problem The Noisy Image is corrupted by Salt-and-Pepper noise. By using median filter, 3*3 mask size most of noise has been eliminated. If we smooth the noisy image with larger median filter 7*7 mask size, all the noisy pixels disappear as shown above figure. 3.0 Neighbourhood Averaging Filters Neighborhood averaging filters are similar to mean filters. The Neighborhood averaging filter is the simplest low pass filter; here all coefficients are identical. These filters sometimes are called Averaging filters. The characteristics of neighborhood averaging are defined by kernel height, width and shape. When Kernel size increases, the smoothing effect also increases. The idea behind these filters is straight forward. By replacing the every pixel value in an image by the average of the intensity levels in the neighborhood defined by the filter mask, this process results in an image with reduced sharp transitions in intensity levels. The window is usually square, but can be any shape like rectangular, circular, etc. depending on the size of an image. Each point in the smoothed image, is f(x,y)obtained from the average pixel value in a neighbourhood of (x,y) in the input image. For example, if we use a 33 neighbourhood around each pixel we would use the mask 1/9 1/9 1/9 1/9 1/9 1/9 1/9 1/9 1/9 Each pixel value is multiplied by 1/9, summed, and then the result placed in the output image. This mask is successively moved across the image until every pixel has been covered. That is, the image is convolved with this smoothing mask (also known as a spatial filter or kernel). However, one usually expects the value of a pixel to be more closely related to the values of pixels close to it than to those further away. This is because most points in an image are spatially coherent with their neighbours; indeed it is generally only at edge or feature points where this hypothesis is not valid. Accordingly it is usual to weight the pixels near the centre of the mask more strongly than those at the edge. Some common weighting functions include the rectangular weighting function above (which just takes the average over the window), a triangular weighting function, or a Gaussian. In practice one doesnt notice much difference between different weighting functions, although Gaussian smoothing is the most commonly used. Gaussian smoothing has the attribute that the frequency components of the image are modified in a smooth manner. Smoothing reduces or attenuates the higher frequencies in the image. Mask shapes other than the Gaussian can do odd things to the frequency spectrum, but as far as the appearance of the image is concerned we usually dont notice much. The arithmetic mean is the standard average, often simply called the mean. The mean may be confused with the median, mode or range. The mean is the average of a set of values, or distribution; however, for probability distributions, the mean is not necessarily the same as the median, or the mode. For example: The observations are [7,5,6,8,1,3,8,5,4]. First, we find out the total value for these observations. Total=7+5+6+8+1+3+8+5+4=47 Then, finding the average one. Here, number of observations n=9. Average=total/9. =47/9 Average=5.22(Equivalent to 5) So, the average =5. 3.1 Synthetic image Let us consider 6*6 window size. 3 1 5 6 9 2 7 3 8 4 5 1 2 4 3 3 2 8 1 8 9 6 2 7 1 9 2 6 5 8 3 5 7 9 8 2 Figure 3.1 Here, we take 3*3 mask size, to find out the Neighbourhood averaging value. 3 1 5 6 9 2 7 3 8 4 5 1 2 4 3 3 2 8 1 8 9 6 2 7 1 9 2 6 5 8 3 5 7 9 8 2 The order of the pixel value:1,2,3,3,3,4,5,7,8.The averaging value of this mask size=4. Here , the centre pixel value 3 is replaced by the averaging value 4. By using this method, we have to calculate the median value for whole window size 6*6. 3 1 5 6 9 2 7 A B C D 1 2 E F G H 8 1 I J K L 7 1 M N O P 8 3 5 7 9 8 2 We find out the A to P value by using the figure 3.3 as shown above. First find out the median value for 3*3 mask size and replacing the original centre pixel value by these values. To find A: Order:1,2,3,3,3,4,5,7,8. Averaging=(1+2+3+3+3+4+5+7+8)/9=4. To find B: Averaging=(1+3+3+3+4+4+5+6+8)/9. Averaging=5. To find C: Averaging=(2+3+3+4+4+5+6+8+9)/9. Averaging=5. To find D: Averaging=(1+2+2+3+4+5+6+8+9)/9. Averaging=5. Similar way, we have to calculate F to P. To find P: Averaging=(2+4+5+5+5+8+8+9)/9 Averaging=6. The final output of synthetic image of 6*6 window as shown in figure 3.4. 3 1 5 6 9 2 7 4 5 5 5 1 2 5 5 5 5 8 1 5 6 5 6 7 1 4 5 6 6 8 3 5 7 9 8 2 By checking the synthetic image ouput by using matlab. To refer the Matlab coding in the Appendix C. ouput: 3 1 5 6 9 2 7 4 5 5 5 1 2 5 5 5 5 8 1 5 6 5 6 7 1 4 5 6 6 8 3 5 7 9 8 2 Both Hand calculation synthetic image output and Mat lab synthetic image output are same. 3.3 Neighbourhood Averaging Filter Implementation on Mat lab To refer the Matlab coding in the Appendix D. Output: The Noisy Image is corrupted by Salt-and-Pepper noise. By using neighbourhood averaging filter, 3*3 mask size most of noise has been eliminated. If we smooth the noisy image with larger neighbourhood averaging filter 7*7 mask size, all the noisy pixels disappear as shown above figure. Chapter 4 Histogram Equalization In Histogram Equalization, the goal is to obtain a uniform histogram for the output image. In other words, the goal of histogram equalization is to distribute the gray levels within an image so that every gray level is equally likely to occur. Histogram equalization increase the brightness and contrast of dark and low contrast image making features observable that were not visible in the image. It also used to standardize the brightness and contrast of image. The process of histogram equalization is the mapping function that maps the input histogram function to the uniformly distributed output histogram function. Consider for a moment continuous intensity values and let the variable r denote the intensities of an image to be processed. As usual, where r is in the range [0, L-1], with r=0 representing black and r=L-1 representing White. For r satisfying these conditions, we focus on the transformations of the form. s=T(r) 0T(r) L-1 The output intensity level is s and for every pixel in the image the intensity is r. T(r) is a monotonically increasing function in the interval 0rL-1; and 0 T(r) L-1 for 0 r L-1. T(r) is a strictly monotonically increasing function in the interval 0rL-1. (a) T(r) is monotonically increasing that output intensity values will never be less than corresponding input values. (b) (b)Range of output intensities is same as the input. The mapping from s back to r will be one-to-one, thus preventing ambiguities. Histogram Equalization Action: The probability of occurrence of intensity level rk in a digital image is approximated by Pr (rk) =nk/MN where k=0, 1, 2 , L-1 Where MN is the total number of pixels in the image, nk is the number of pixels that have intensity rk, and L is the number of possible intensity levels in the image. A plot of pr(rk) versus rk is commonly referred to as a histogram. The discrete form of transformation is given by Thus, output image is obtained by mapping each pixel in the input image with intensity rk into a corresponding pixel with level sk in the output image. The T (rk) in this equation is called as Histogram Equalization. Let us consider 3 bit image (L=8) of size 64*64 pixels (MN=4096) has the intensity distribution shown in Table where the intensity levels are integers in the range [0, L-1] = [0, 7]. rk Nk pr(rk)=nk/MN r0=1 790 0.19 r1=2 1023 0.25 r2=3 850 0.21 r3=4 656 0.16 r4=5 329 0.08 r5=6 245 0.06 r6=7 122 0.03 r7=8 81 0.02 By using pr (rk) values, we calculate s values. To find s0: s0=7*0.19=1.33 To find s1: s1=7pr (r0) +7pr (r1) =7*0.19+7*0.25 = 3.08 To find s2: s2=7pr (r0) +7pr (r1) +7pr (r2) =7*0.19+7*0.25+7*0.21 =4.55 To find s3: s3=7pr (r0) +7pr (r1) +7pr (r2) +7pr (r3) =7*(0.19+0.25+0.21+0.16) =5.67 To find s4: s4=7pr (r0) +7pr (r1) +7pr (r2) +7pr (r3) +7pr (r4) =7*(0.19+0.25+0.21+0.16+0.08) =6.23 Similarly, s5=6.65, s6=6.86 and s7=7 At this point, the s values still have fractions because they were generated by summing probability values, so we round them to the nearest integer. s0=1.33-1 s4=6.23-6 s1=3.08-3 s5=6.65-7 s2=4.55-5 s6=6.86-7 s3=5.67-6 s7=7.00-7 These are values of the equalized histogram. Observe that there are only five distinct levels. Synthetic image: Let us consider 6*6 window size. 3 1 5 6 9 2 7 3 8 4 5 1 2 4 3 3 2 8 1 8 9 6 2 7 1 9 2 6 5 8 3 5 7 9 8 2 First, we calculate rk,nk and pr(rk) The intensity levels are integers in the range [0, L-1] = [0, 9]. Rk Nk pr(rk)=nk/MN r0=0 0 0.0 r1=1 4 0.11 r2=2 6 0.17 r3=3 5 0.14 r4= 2 0.06 r5 4 0.11 r6 3 0.08 r7 3 0.08 r8 5 0.14 r9 4 0.11 Here, MN=6*6=36. By using these values, we can calculate s values. To find s0: s0=9*0.0=0 To find s1: s1=9pr (r0) +9pr (r1) =9*0.0+9*0.11 = 0.99 To find s2: s2=9pr (r0) +9pr (r1) +9pr (r2) =9*0.0+9*0.11+9*0.17 =2.52 To find s3: s3=9pr (r0) +9pr (r1) +9pr (r2) +9pr (r3) =9*(0.00+0.11+0.17+0.14) =3.78 To find s4: s4=9pr (r0) +9pr (r1) +9pr (r2) +9pr (r3) +9pr (r4) =7*(0.00+0.11+0.17+0.14+0.06) =4.32 To find s5: s5=s4+9pr (r5) =4.32+9*0.11=5.31 s6=s5+9pr (r6) =5.31+9*0.08=6.03 s7=s6+9pr (r7) =6.03+9*0.08=6.75 s8=s7+9pr (r8) =6.75+9*0.14=8.01 s9=s8+9pr (r9) =8.01+9*0.11=9 At this point, the s values still have fractions because they were generated by summing the probability values, so we round them to nearest integer. s0=0.0-0 s5=5.31-5 s1=0.99-1 s6=6.03-6 s2=2.52-3 s7=6.75-7 s3=3.78-4 s8=8.01-8 s4=4.32-4 s9=9.00-9 By checking the synthetic image output by using Matlab. To refer the Matlab coding in the Appendix E. Output: Histogram Implementation on Matlab: To Refer the Matlab Coding in the Appendix F. Output Chapter 5: 5.0 Edge detection Edge detection is a problem of fundamental importance in image analysis. In typical images, edges characterize object boundaries and are therefore useful for segmentation, registration, and identification of objects in a scene. In this section, the construction, characteristics, and performance of a number of gradient and zero-crossing edge operators will be presented. An edge is a jump in intensity. The cross section of an edge has the shape of a ramp. An ideal edge is a discontinuity (i.e., a ramp with an infinite slope). The first derivative assumes a local maximum at an edge. For a continuous image , where x and y are the row and column coordinates respectively, we typically consider the two directional derivatives and . Of particular interest in edge detection are two functions that can be expressed in terms of these directional derivatives: the gradient magnitude and the gradient orientation. The gradient magnitude is defined as (5.1) and the gradient orientation is given by -(5.2) When the first derivative achieves a maximum, the second derivative is zero. 5.2 Edge Detection Action An example of median filtering of a single 3*3 window of values is shown in figure. Before edge detected values 6 2 0 3 97 4 19 3 10 Let us consider f(x,y)=97. Then we calculate the Horizontal Edge H(x,y)=f(x,y)-f(x+1,y) -(5.3) =97-3 =94 Calculate Vertical Edge, V(x,y) V(x,y)=f(x,y)-f(x,y+1) (5.4) =97-4 =93 Calculate Positive Diagonal Edge: M(x,y)=f(x,y)-f(x+1,y+1)(5.5) =97-10 =87 Calculate Negative Diagonal Edge: N(x,y)=f(x,y)-f(x+1,y-1) -(5.6) =97-19 =78 Here, Threshold value set to 40.Then H(x,y)40 || V(x,y)40 || M(x,y)40 ||N(x,y)40 f(x,y)=0 Otherwise , f(x,y)=97. For this example, f(x,y)=0 Edge Detected * * * * 0 * * * * This illustrates one of the celebrated features of the Edge Detection: its ability to detect the edges of the image. 5.3 Synthetic Image Let us consider 6*6 window size. 3 1 5 6 9 2 7 3 8 4 5 1 2 4 3 3 2 8 1 8 9 6 2 7 1 9 2 6 5 8 3 5 7 9 8 2 Figure 5.1 For this synthetic image, we assume threshold value=4. Let us consider the f(x,y)=3 then we calculate H(x,y),V(x,y),M(x,y) and N(x,y) Horizontal Edge(x,y) H(x,y)=f(x,y)-f(x+1,y)=3-4=-1 Vertical Edge,V(x,y) V(x,y)=f(x,y)-f(x,y+1)=3-8=-5 Positive Diagonal Edge: M(x,y)=f(x,y)-f(x+1,y+1)=3-3=0 Negative Diagonal Edge: M(x,y)=f(x,y)-f(x+1,y-1)=3-2=0 Then H(x,y)Threshold || V(x,y)Threshold || M(x,y)Threshold||N(x,y)Threshold f(x,y)=0 Otherwise, f(x,y)=9. For this, f(x,y)=9 Similarly, we calculate the rest of f(x,y). 3 1 5 6 9 2 7 9 0 9 0 1 2 9 9 9 9 8 1 0 0 0 9 7 1 0 9 0 0 8 3 5 7 9 8 2 Figure 5.2 By checking the Synthetic image output with Matlab. To refer the Matlab coding in the Appendix G. ouput 3 1 5 6 9 2 7 9 0 9 0 1 2 9 9 9 9 8 1 0 0 0 9 7 1 0 9 0 0 8 3 5 7 9 8 2 By checking the synthetic image ouput by using matlab 5.3 Edge Detection Implementation on Mat lab Chapter 6 6.0 Conclusion: This report investigates a new hardware structure of a content based median filter, capable of performing impulse noise removal for gray-scale images. The noise detection procedure takes into account the differences between the central pixel and surrounding pixels of a neighbourhood. From this investigation, it can remove up to 95% of noise from highly corrupted image. The impulse noise (Salt-and -pepper noise) is removed using median filtering technique; the embedded C Code is implemented in order to achieve the clear image. The details inside the image are preserved and the RMSE value is small. At present it is being used in digital cameras to overcome the noise produced during transmission of data and noise produced due to malfunctioning pixels in camera sensor. In future high responsive median filter will be used which will give more reduced Image and enhancement method will be used to implement a 3D Television.

Learning Style The Factor That Affecting Learning...

Learning style is one of the factor that affecting learning-relating performance.{148} The method an individual choose to approach a learning situation has an impact on his performance and learning outcomes. Learning define as a process that lead to change which occur as a result of experience, and increases the potential for improving performance and future learning. Any concern about selection of effective teaching, must begin with a consideration of students preference learning styles. According to theories of learning style, people are thinking and learning in different ways. There is a different between cognitive style and learning style. The cognitive style is a person s ideal mode of thinking, problem solving and remembering. While the learning style is individual s approach to learn a task.{148} An individual can used different strategies to learn a task. Learning style can be visual, aural, interactive, print, kinesthetic or olfactory.{147} It is crucial to know how the lea rning style work and how to best foster it. Learning and performance are best fostered when students engage in practice that focuses on a specific goal or criterion targets and appropriate level of challenge and is of sufficient quantity and frequency to meet the performance criteria. Simon Cassidy described in his research paper about different learning style theoretical models and he made comparison between models characterization.{148} Dr. Cassidy discussed Kolb s learning theory, whichShow MoreRelatedImplications of Hegelian Dialectic to Thinking and Education1988 Words   |  8 Pagesintroduce new ideas and values among them (Khalid, 1983). Education is the process through which knowledge is transmitted from one individual or section of society to another individual or section. The teacher is the most important factor of the teaching-learning process. 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Individually write a monologue Essay Example For Students

Individually write a monologue Essay During the scene the group decided to go behind the bins for a cigarette. Then they encountered Jake who Russell had been bullying. We showed that this was a regular encounter by making Jake look scared on the immediate arrival of Russell and the gang. We showed Russells aggression towards Jake by using a lot of physical and verbal, threatening behaviour. We showed Carol and Natasha jeering, laughing and egging Russell on. However Polly attempted to stick up for Jake and Russell was unsure of how to react. In the end he left, rather angrily because his fun has been spoiled. Our role-play communicated to the audience the stronger of the characters and the position and comfort zones within the group. We felt it was important to show the attitudes towards each other, because that is what the main change, during the play, concerns. In the after role-play, we wanted to show the changes in the social status and the relationship changes between the characters. Again we set the scene in the schoolyard and the situation was again similar. I decided to do this so that the contrast between the scenes would be very pronounced and obvious. In this scene, it was very important that we showed Natasha and Carols individuality and Russell to be less arrogant. At first we found it very challenging to show this especially without the use of costume and props. We tried to do this by making Jake as popular and arrogant as Russell once was however it didnt work as it was too much of a character change. In the end we resorted to making Carol and Natasha have different opinions and more importantly instead of Carol copying Natashas words we had Carol speaking first. Russells stage presence influenced his original character quite prominently so it was important that we used the same technique in the after scene. We did this by having him take a back seat so he wasnt stage centre and the most influential character on the stage. It was necessary to show a change in Jake, however that change we felt was quite hard to show, we decided to make him more confident within the group but we didnt want his overall personality to change. It was also critical to get the right balance of change in the way in which the characters treated each other, it was quite easy to show this by removing the aggression that Russell had towards Jake, but at the same time, Jake had previously been bullied by Russell so there was still a certain degree of awkwardness between the two characters so we had to keep tension in the scene. It was also important that the characters were played by the same people, so that the audience could focus on the change, rather than try and work out the confusion a different cast would cause. So, I again played Polly. She is the one character that didnt change in the play, although because the group had warmed to Jake, she didnt have to stick up for him. I kept her personality the same, by repeating my actions from before. During the scene the group were again planning to smoke however Jake was invited. Carol decided not to tag along and went somewhere else with Polly, but Natasha went with the boys. This showed the audience that Carol now felt confident enough to do what she wanted and that Jake is now accepted in the group. The role-play activity gave me a deeper insight into the play, in the terms that I had to look in detail at the characters to suggest how they would have acted before the play and then look at the transformation of the character during the play, to suggest the behaviour change for after the play. Overall I think our role-plays worked effectively as planned, however I think they could have been executed more clearly and fluently with a little more practise and with our group having more confidence in the role they were playing. Thematic Analysis Of Things Fall Apart EssayNow look at him prince bloody charming. I just wish someone would stand up to him, tell them the truth, a few punches would do him the world of good. I would, but who will I hang round with then. I like his company when he isnt being bolshy, and plus all the skirt comes our way when Im with him, like flies around shit! Mind you I think Natasha is a bit fed up with me. I dont know why like, it must be that time of the month or something, Ive done nothing wrong! We went out Saturday night, had a laugh. She was happy enough then, so why get all moody with me. You know what, I sound daft but I thought we had something, maybe I was wrong. I did make a mistake though trying to be like Russell I should have known that wouldnt impress her. In fact she is fun to be around. When you wipe away that bravado and all the make-up, she has a great smile; in fact she is dead canny. You know all this red alert crap, I think its just for attention. She is never like that when its just me and her. I thought we were made for each other, you know. What can I do, she must have a decent reason, or is it the its not you, its me or maybe she wants us to just be friends, how can I tell her I want it to be more? I never know what to say without sounding stupid, cmon how do you tell a girl like Natasha James that you love her? After producing the monologue, one of us had to perform it to the class, I volunteered. I decided that if I wanted to perform it effectively and as if Shane was actually saying it, I would have to do it without a script. To enhance my performance I thought that my use of stage and facial expressions would engage the audience and I also thought that performances with movement and different levels were more exciting so I incorporated these points into my piece. The other members of my group directed me which gave me some good points, which I alone wouldnt have thought of. During my performance I made eye contact with my audience and used pauses and silences to my advantage. Within the monologue there is an array of emotions so it was important to emphasise these with my actions and tone. I was pleased with my performance however it could have been improved if I added more depth to my voice and varied the pace in correspondence to the words, but overall I got a lot of positive feedback.

Protest songs in the 1960s

Table of Contents Protest Songs Artists/Musicians involved and their messages Conclusion Works Cited As one author quoted, â€Å"Music cleanses the understanding; inspires it and lifts it into a realm which it would not reach if it were left to itself† (Henry Ward Beecher). He couldn’t have been more right. Protest songs are considered to have span over the centuries, continents and race.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Protest songs in the 1960s specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More They are songs that majorly address issues that range from social injustices like racism and slavery to political matters like wars. They either inspire crowds for mass actions or simply just create awareness of the problem. Protest songs are, however, known to be associated with peaceful social movements. In the 1960’s, the prevalent issues then were the Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam War. This article exp lores the many artists/musicians who were actively involved during this time and the protest songs that they sung that meticulously addressed the then current issues. Protest Songs Protest songs stem from the folk music (Protest Song 1) that was present in the early 19th century. The folk music of that period addressed matters of social injustices and folk music eventually transitioned to protest songs in the1960s as a result of the dissatisfaction of the public and their current political and social environment especially after the end of World War 2 (Hurry et al. 162). Folk songs were generally characterized by their simplicity and repetitive choruses (Hurry et al. 162). These songs were also appropriate alternatives to the other genres especially jazz (Gonipraw 4). Protest songs however transitioned from the â€Å"acoustic-oriented folk styling to rock-based rhythms† (Protest Music 1) although this entirely depended on the musician. Gonipraw attributes this transition to à ¢â‚¬Å"artistic decisions, record company involvement and a growing disillusionment among young people† (Gonipraw 5). The then artists/musicians were known to contribute greatly to protests that sought to address the civil rights concerns and the Vietnam War (Gonipraw 4). Gonipraw has argued that: â€Å"when the needs and goals of the people were sung together by the people, a force was created, capable of defeating alienation† (Gonipraw 4). Peter Seeger who was a known musician in the 1960s summarized it rightly.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Artists/Musicians involved and their messages Some of the popular artists and groups of this time were: â€Å"Woody Guthrie, Peter Seeger, Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, Joe Hill, The Weavers, Leedbelly, Joan Baez, Neil Young, The Doors, Country Joe and the Fish, Jefferson Airplane among others† (Cogan et al. 126). Peter, Paul a nd Mary were also another famous trio during this time (Protest Music 1). Woody Guthrie and Peter Seeger were very vigorous in their approach since they traversed their country and actively became involved with the political events of that time (Gonipraw 3). For the Vietnam War, songs that were composed had messages that basically advocated the end of the war or showed its ineffectiveness. â€Å"Where have all the flowers gone?† (Perone 20) is one such a song written by Peter Seeger, and it even had the privilege to be sung in Vietnam by the soldiers. The song’s story is about â€Å"young girls picking flowers that eventually end on the graves of their dead soldier husbands† (Ruehl 1). Another song by Peter Seeger â€Å"Last train to Nuremberg† (Perone 61) is seen to directly point accusing fingers to the President Nixon and others as to blame for the blood shed in Vietnam. Barry McGuire is also one such artist whose song â€Å"Eve of Destruction† in 1965 had a stern message against the war in Vietnam (Protest Music 1). Bob Dylan is also a famous artist whose music mostly addressed â€Å"world problems† (Cogan et al. 128). His lyrics unlike other musicians were not as direct but were â€Å"deliberately trying to obscure the meaning of his politics in a political context† (Cogan et al. 129). He is considered to have been the best of them all since â€Å"he redefined what protest music said and what it sounded like† and he is also know to have mentored many others (Gonipraw 7). Some of his songs that were really popular include â€Å"Blowin in the wind† and â€Å"Master of War†. During the Civil Rights Movement, the African Americans really made use of song as a way to â€Å"send hope, calm sorrows and heal† themselves even as they struggled to find freedom (Freeman 2).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Protest songs in the 1960s specifically for you for o nly $16.05 $11/page Learn More The songs they sang had been used in the slave era and were changed to work for them during their other struggles: for instance â€Å"Oh Freedom† sang by Joan Baez was initially â€Å"written about freedom in heaven†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Freeman 2) but it was adapted to describe â€Å"the harsh realities of segregation that included shootings, burning and bombing of churches† (Freeman 2). The protests were to fight for equality with other Americans and they were sang â€Å"almost nightly in the churches from the South† (Freeman 5). The fact that these musicians even stood by Dr Martin Luther King Jr. is very remarkable, since it signifies that it was not just about African American civil rights struggle but it was more of a joint effort from leaders and musicians alike. In about 1968, the vitality of protests song was on the decline and this could be attributed to many things: President Nixon’s administration may ha ve had a hand in it (Protest Music 1). Nevertheless, John Lennon’s song â€Å"Give Peace a Chance† in 1969 seems to have brought a good closure of the protest songs to more of peaceful songs (Ruehl 1). Its message was just simply summarized in its title and its popularity did not stop then but continued throughout time especially where there was any â€Å"peace movement involved†. Not only did the songs lose their power, but time also saw some very influential musician like Phil Ochs who started out very well, lose ground as a musician (Gonipraw 6). The question however is, did the songs achieve the purpose for which they were composed? They did. Simply because protest songs were a part and parcel of the movements in 1960 and the two went in hand in hand (Gonipraw 6). The popularity was more on the musicians as compared to politicians since they had much more impact than the latter (Gonipraw 6). Conclusion Songs and music definitely have a very great impact be i t in mobilizing masses or passing a message across from time immemorial. The protest songs in their time are known to have had a great influence on the leaders, the Vietnamese soldiers and even unifying many from all races during the Civil Rights movement. Their popularity in the 1960s fully served their purpose and some of the songs are even sung to date and they even persisted through the 1970s. Though not as popular, there are songs which are sung presently that could fall in the category of protest songs.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Works Cited Cogan et al. Encyclopedia of Politics, the Media and Popular Culture. Santa Barbra CA, 2009. Print. Freeman, Tracy. Spiritual and Freedom Songs. Coded Communication, n.d. Web. Goniprow, Dan. Where have all the Protest Songs Gone? Senior Honors Projects, 2007. Web. Hurry et al. Heinemann Advanced Music. London, UK: Heinemann, 2001. Print. Perone John. Songs of Vietnam Conflict. New York, NY: Greenwood, 2011. Print. Protest Music. American Renaissance. Music, n.d. Web. Protest Song. Music. Neo Himanism, 2004. Web. Ruehl, Kim. Best Classic Anti-War Songs. Folk Music, 2011. Web. This essay on Protest songs in the 1960s was written and submitted by user Jon Kline 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.

Free Essays on Flyign A Red Kite Symbolism

The short story â€Å"Flying a Red Kite† by Hugh Hood, the flying of a red kite turns the human spirit into a sacrament; which has no shame. The story begins with signs that things have gone awry. Only trough the natural symbol of the red kite can the protagonist Fred Calvert (who’s surname forms an association with Calvary), be relived of the tried spirit of being human. The problem Fred faces is establishing a connection between a red kite, and God’s love for him. According to Copoloff (1989): â€Å"the emblematic red kite symbolizes the joining of heaven and earth, and [Fred is] evaluated according to [his] ability to integrate the two. Loss over faith in the church, Fred is in need of rejuvenation to regain his faith. In this paper, I will argue that Fred lost his faith, and regained it through the simple act of flying a red kite. Fred begin riding home on the bus on a hot sticky Saturday afternoon (In the Bible Saturday is significant as holy Saturday, the day before the resurrection). The ride begins badly as Fred attempts not to lose his parcels, goes to the wrong bus stop; which waddles up â€Å"like an indecent old cow† (Hood, 68). The entire world was moving so fast around him as though he didn’t even exist: â€Å" The woman pushed furiously past him while the rest of the line clamoured in the rear† (Hood, 68). The significance of the events in this particular day are examples of Fred’s life without Christ. Just as the day of â€Å"summer dust heat† (Hood 68) peaked in it’s misery the narrator mentions the kite: â€Å"two flimsy wooden sticks rolled up in red plastic film†(Hood, 69). The wooden sticks represent the cross Christ was crucified on for the sins of man kind. The red film represents the blood Christ shed. Evidence that Christ is no long er a strong influence in Fred’s life includes the panhandler that approached Fred three times, and every time he gave him something but despised â€Å" himself with e...

Good Second Jobs to Earn Extra Cash Outside Your 9-to-5

Good Second Jobs to Earn Extra Cash Outside Your 9-to-5 If you have a full-time job, but you’re still looking to make some extra money, you might be wondering where to look for side job ideas. In a January 2016 survey released by research and employment company  Indeed, 33.6 percent of the 3058 Americans surveyed moonlight, or work a second job. For the majority of that crowd, the second job helped make ends meet. For others, they saw it as a way to start their own business or make money doing something they enjoy. For me, I was often working a second gig because I liked the idea of being my own boss and having some extra cash on hand to pay off debt or save. I also love experiencing new things, and I even worked part-time as an independent jewelry consultant to have some extra money to donate to charities one year. Whether you’re looking to pay down those ever lingering student loans, want to build that emergency fund of at least $1000, as recommended by personal finance expert Dave Ramsey, or you’re looking to sav e some money for your dream vacation or home, you definitely have options.What type of side job ideas would you be good at or enjoy?There are a number of good second job opportunities available. To begin the process of identifying what’s best for you, brainstorm and make a list that includes all of your competencies and the tasks you enjoy doing. For example, do you love helping others succeed and enjoy your current line of work? Maybe part-time coaching is in your future. Do you enjoy hosting parties for your friends and family? Maybe the service industry or wedding planning would be right for you. Are you good at photography, graphic design, or writing? Then freelance work might be a great fit for you.If you still need help coming up with side job ideas, peruse the Job Posting page of your local Craigslist ads to see what employers or individuals are currently requesting. You might also consider asking friends or family members what they think you might be good at. Mind Too ls and My Career Quizzes have some fun (free!) quizzes that might help you answer this question, as well. Below, I’ve also provided a list of potential opportunities to help you lay out your roadmap to part-time income success.Part-time and Work from Home OpportunitiesFreelance workWriting, graphic design, video editing, photography, web design, coding, and internet marketing are just some of the areas where freelancers are making some nice part-time, and often full-time, income. Sites such are Outsource.com,Guru.com, Writersaccess.com and Peopleperhour.com are sites where companies and individuals turn to for help in completing various tasks and projects. Each site works a bit differently, but for the most part, freelancers build a profile page and pay to post bids for jobs. It can take some time to understand the process and build a portfolio, but with time, these can be lucrative opportunities. Personally, I’ve had success in securing freelance writing work from sit es such as these. You can also do an online search for training resources to help you start a freelance business. For example,   Workingwriterhappywriter.com is one resource for those looking to secure freelance work. You can also search for jobs on your local newspaper job posting boards, as well as on Craigslist mentioned earlier.Personal and Business CoachingIf you have a knack for business or are the go-to person for advice, then you might consider business or life coaching as a good second job. A quality coach can make anywhere from $100 to $300 per hour and upward. Workshops and Webinars are also a way to make some extra money by offering your services or expertise to a group.If you think this might be a good fit for you, there are certifications available to help boost your credibility. When researching coaching and certifications, not all programs are created equal. The International Coach Federation holds a particular set of standards for accrediting organizations that of fer coaching certifications. That’s not to say that programs without accreditation aren’t of value, so do your homework and find a program that’s affordable and a good fit for your current circumstances and needs.If you have a skill in the arts, such as acting or singing, then you might also consider being a voice or acting coach.Serving and BartendingIf you have experience in the service industry or think waiting tables or bartending would be fun for you; then finding part-time work in the evenings or on weekends at a local restaurant might be a good fit. The great thing about these side job ideas is the fact that the schedule is often flexible, and you can request others to pick up shifts when you need to. Not to mention, at a steady restaurant, servers can easily make $15 an hour plus on average, and bartenders tend to make even more. I’ve held this type of job in the past and made good money while having fun doing it.Direct SalesIt’s not for ev eryone, but network marketing and direct sales can be a nice way to make some part time income. I have several friends who do it, and they love it. They make anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand per month. Some even use it as their primary source of income. Another great thing about becoming an independent consultant for a reputable direct sales company is the fact that they can have reasonably priced marketing materials that are already designed for you, such as websites and business cards.Having personal experience in direct sales, it does take some time and effort, but if you’re a good self-starter, it’s worth looking into for a good second job. It can be a fun way to make some extra money while also building your professional network. Plus, there are direct sales companies for a variety of niches, from health and wellness (Isagenix) to cosmetics (Jafra, Mark Kay) to jewelry (Stella Dot). There are service-based direct sales companies, as well, such as Leg al Shield, a company offering pre-paid legal services to individuals and businesses. Do some research to determine what companies have the best reputations and support that you need.Child and Senior CareTutoring, babysitting and offering senior care services is another way to make some extra cash. Sites such as Care.com can be a helpful place to secure these types of jobs. They also require a background check, which provides peace of mind to those hiring for such services.Driving and Courier ServicesUber and Lyft have become popular means of transportation for the night time party goer to the frugal business traveler. I recently used Uber quite frequently when in Los Angeles, and I made it a habit of asking the drivers how long they’d been driving and if they enjoyed it. With one exception, every one of them seemed to enjoy it. They made their own schedules and decent money on the side if they were consistent in their pick-ups. To join a company like Uber, it’s relativ ely straightforward, and the process is laid out on their website. They are location specific and require you to have a driver’s license in the state in which you’ll be driving. There are also certain vehicle requirements.Courier services, such as PostMates, has also had success in recent months. These types of companies offer courier services to customers. Your job would be to accept a job via their app, pick up the order, check it twice, pay for it with the company card PostMates gives you at orientation and then deliver the order. ForPostMates, you’re paid a percentage of the customer’s fee, and your income is deposited weekly into the account you set up when you sign up.   They serve several areas throughout the United States, and once you’re a PostMates, you can work in any of those locations.Other OptionsTeaching a fitness class (lots of options by entering â€Å"become a fitness instructor† for an online search), mowing lawns, house cleaning or becoming a virtual assistant (check out freelancer.com) are additional side job ideas that allow you to make some extra cash.Words of Wisdom (or Caution)The good news is, as you can see, there are numerous ways to make money outside of a full-time job. At the same time, you do want to clarify how much you can handle, so you don’t stretch yourself thin. Keeping your stress level manageable with a full-time job can be challenging enough, the last thing you want to do is add stress to the situation. Get clear on how many hours you can manage outside of your current job, determine the days per week you’re available, stick to a schedule, and cut back if you begin getting sick or feel overwhelmed. Take it from me, your health needs to be a priority.You also want to play it safe. Do your due diligence and beware of scams. Proceed with caution before providing your personal information, and if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. All the organizations and resources provided here are ones that I, or someone I know, have had some experience with. However, everyone’s experience is different, and organizations can change over time. It’s important for you to find reputable organizations and opportunities that work for you. Also, check with your current organization’s Moonlighting and Conflict of Interest policies to ensure you’re not out of alignment with those policies when choosing your desired part-time gig(s).Now that you have some side job ideas and resources to work with, give yourself some time and be patient as you venture into this brave new world; and don’t forget to have fun with it!Note: this article was originally published on TopResume.TopResume is a Talent Inc. company, the personal branding destination for all career-driven professionals. Through our extensive network of professional writers, we offer career advice and analyze and write more resumes and LinkedIn profiles than any other s ervice in the world. Ready to get started? Request a free resume critique today.

FRS and ASPE Interpretation Paper Term Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

FRS and ASPE Interpretation - Term Paper Example 6 Difference and similarities of financial statements †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..7 Conclusion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦7 References†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦8 Expectations for Canada and around the world Introduction Statistics Canada is reporting the Canadian financial system recorded its strongest performance in life span of eight months in November. It showed a growing 0.4% on a month over month basis. This gain has exceeded its market expectations since it is the result of a strong performance by the servi ce sector as we as gas and oil grilling. In a research done it shows that the increase in November yield divines well for a final fourth quarter gross domestic product (GDP) annualized expansion which was 2.3% that would match with the bank of Canada forecast. In this research it shows some decline in other sectors such as; construct ion and manufacturing. The Canadian dollar later gained its value after the statistics release while outputs on Canadian bond rose slightly. It is good number as well as it is going forward to December’s gross domestic product (GDP) which exited in 2010. Many economists believed that this renaissance in the service area may be short-term while customer demands appeared to be more stringent mortgage and cooling insurance rules which may reduce the housing market and measured growth in the construction and service area yield through 2011 (Donald E. K.,2002). A Convergence of Expectations Full convergence is estimated by 2011 but there are a number of serious activities that require to be completed prior to 2011 either to satisfy regulatory needs and financial reporting or to make sure that when first month of 2011 arrives, everything will be in a position to en sure a smooth transition. The main goal of this is to assist financial account preparers in determining what conversion activities are crucial now and which activities can wait until later. Through the implantations and careful planning of good thought out implantation plan, change to IFRS can be cost effective and smooth exercise. This will help Canadian publicly liable financial accounts preparers in scoping out the important activities of the change from Canadian GAAP to IFRS. Convergence of accounting standards toward a common set of top quality account ting principles is seen in the public best interest and later will provide a more common language for financial reporting g. By improving GAAP, it will help to achieve convergence. The fast conversion and increase o f complex standard might bring in challenges for some stakeholders such as financial account preparer community. Enough time to react to the change, new standard and intensive efforts to tell all stakeholders of the conversions; will require to be provided with global implementations (Donald E. K., 2002). IFRS This is an international financial reporti

The absurd Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The absurd - Essay Example But there always exists a complete doubt that there is a summit. This doubt is an ultimate outcome of the unusual and atypical knack to examine ourself from the exterior. Hence he concluded a viewpoint that no matter how much a person tries to escape from this doubt thing on the lookout for decisive concerns but doubt can never ever be stamped out. It can be summed up by stating that absurdity of the soul stipulation grades from our ability to dwell in dual diverse perspective. One is the subjective point of view within which we live our lives and from which our day to day choices seem to have significance (Furrow, 285). On the other hand there is one more contrasting standpoint known as objective viewpoint which is also called as the standpoint of sub specie aeternitatis. Nagel in his essay of the absurd criticized the Camus’s perspective of the absurd. Camus is basically a philosopher who portrays the theory of existentialism (Dombrowski, 178). Similarly, like all his other contemporary work he saw a potential deadly imperfection in existentialism. He quoted that in an overall philosophical interest group that exhibits the decisive self-determination of a person, one looks for some disconcerting lack of direction. Conversely, Thomas Nagel here criticized that the actual absurd roots from the two martial propensities. One is that we consider our lives and project that we undertake all things our lives very serious and lack the avoiding factor. Moreover he says that human beings are even capable of reflecting and deteriorating the rationale for any of our plans and projects. He states one more point on Camus’s idea that there does not come into sight to be in the least plausible human race through which the unsuitable uncertainties could not come to pass. As a result the entire irrationality of our consequences originates from the conflicts linking our overall prospects and humankind but from the inborn collision

Evaluating a Health Promotion Website Essay Example for Free

Evaluating a Health Promotion Website Essay Health Information Technology (HIT) has been introduced into the National Health Service (NHS) in order to improve the quality, efficiency, safety and cost effectiveness of the delivery of health care. The application of computerized information technology in health care settings has so far played a vital role in improving the accessibility of information and has replaced more labour intensive and unproductive methods (Shekelle and Goldzweig, 2009). The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, 2009) maintain that that nurses’ skills, knowledge and practice must be guided by the best available evidence. Often this evidence is found on the internet however many sources of information can be inaccurate so a good standard of critical evaluation is required (Kim, Eng, Deering et al 1998). To evaluate the quality and reliability of a chosen website the use of a framework can be helpful such as Roberts (2012) 5 C’s website tool. This framework evaluates five areas: credibility, currency, content, construction and clarity. The website The Royal College of Psychiatrists (RC Psych, 2012 a) was chosen to be evaluated because as a mental health nursing student this will develop an awareness of how information technology is implemented and applied to practice in health care. Additionally, by using Roberts (2012) 5 C’s framework to critically evaluate this website, knowledge and skills of the quality and reliability of HIT will be acquired. Main Body RC Psych is the professional and educational organisation for psychiatrist in the UK as well as being a registered charity (RC Psych, 2012 b). Their website is aimed at improving the lives of individuals affected by mental illness through educating the public. They claim to be at the head of developing and promoting best practice in mental health services through their education, training and research projects. Additionally they are involved in the publishing of the following world-class journals; British Journal of Psychiatry, The Psychiatrist, Advances in Psychiatric Treatment and International Psychiatry (RC Psych, 2012 c). Credibility Having gained a royal charter this shows us that the organisation has been recognised by the Queen and seconded by the government to call itself a registered organisation of the highest regard. As stated by the Privy Council Office (2012) organisations granted a Royal Charter must have a solid record of achievement. 75% of its members should be qualified to at least first degree level and the work completed by the organisation must be in the interest of the public. Professor Peter Tyrer is named as the Editor, of the website, and is said to be responsible for the editorial and production aspects of its publications in addition to the production of their online continuing professional development (CPD) e-learning resources and its sales and marketing (RC Psych, 2012 d). After researching Peter Tyrer it is evident that he is highly qualified within the field of mental health and is a professor of community psychiatry for the Department of Medicine, within the Imperial College London (Imperial College London, 2012). The website offers a vast amount of information around mental health including conditions, diagnoses, treatments and types of therapies. The advice provided is produced in the form of online leaflets for the use of the public as well as professionals. Within the website there is no evidence to show that the same specific authors are used regularly for their published articles however, at the end of each article the producer, editor and sometimes an author are named in addition to any expert that has been involved in the making of it. All these leaflets are produced by the RC Psych Public Education Editorial Board that is responsible for producing 300 educational leaflets. These leaflets have been accredited by the NHS Information Standard and subsequently gained numerous awards (Byrne, 2011). They have achieved Plain English and BMA patient information awards and have received consistently positive feedback for the web versions. The editor of these leaflets is Dr Phillip Timms who is currently employed as a consultant Psychiatrist for the South London Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust as well as a senior lecturer in psychiatry at King’s College, London (BMJ Masterclasses, 2012). This site’s web address shows that it is delivered by a UK based academic body as it has an ac.uk URL. This confirms their credibility and reassures the reader that they are qualified experts able to give advice in this field (Roberts, 2010). Combining all this it is apparent that the producers of the website have appropriate qualifications and expertise to offer advice in regards to mental health and supports the credibility of the organisation and the website. Some of these points also link into the other five C’s for example, the awards that the leaflets have received show that the content and clarity of their work has been assessed and found to be of an acceptable standard. Currency When using a website for personal development reasons or to recommend to a patient the information being accessed should be the most current evidence available that has been proven in practice. In regards to the advice provided on the website RC Psych (2012 e) states that they endeavour to update it every two to three years. This is reflected in the articles by showing the date the information was last updated and the date it will be reviewed in the future. Additionally RC Psych (2012 d) state that their information derives from the best evidence available at the time of writing and is updated regularly to reflect any changes in knowledge. Another way to determine the currency of information is to consider the references used to back it up (Roberts, 2010). If the sources are dated then what you are reading may not come from the most current research so there may be more up to date evidence elsewhere. The dates of the references used throughout the website are quite varied however, they do contain many recently published articles and up to date clinical guidelines so this suggests that they are committed to producing up to date information and evidence. This is seen in a leaflet on depression where RC Psyche (2012 f) cites a recently updated guideline by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE, 2009) which looks at the treatment and management of depression in adults. The currency and credibility of the website can also be reflected in its content and therefore this should also be assessed during the evaluation process. Content As well as being credible and current the content must be assessed for its objectivity, accuracy and completeness (Roberts, 2010). The content of a website can be judged by assessing what the website aims to achieve. This could be selling a product, persuading the audience to believe in something or to provide the reader with unbiased and up to date information on a specific topic (Roberts, 2010). RC Psych (2012 a) profess that they aim to improve the lives of individuals with a mental health illness. They aim to do this by educating people through making information and advice available on their website. This would indicate that it falls under the category of providing unbiased and up to date information to the public. The articles on the website are written in the third person so prevents the author from expressing personal opinion. Furthermore the leaflets produced provide links to various other sources of information on the topic being discussed. This encourages further reading which provides a complete and balanced view preventing bias and, where treatment is recommended, allows the reader to make an informed choice (Roberts, 2010). The references used within the website are taken from well known and respected sources that provide current and acknowledged recommendations such as NICE, the Department of Health (DOH) and various field related journals. This indicates that the website seeks to provide and maintain up to date, accurate and unbiased information that concurs with information available in books and journals on the same subjects. Construction The construction of a website, for example, the layout, colours, fonts, sizes and ease of access can determine whether or not a reader believes the website is of good quality or not (Roberts, 2010). A study by Lindgaard, Fernandes and Dudek et al. (2006) found that the first 50 milliseconds that the reader is exposed to a website can cause the reader to form an opinion as to whether a website is worth using or not. On first impression, the website in question looks colourful and professional. The eye is drawn to the bolder writing that states the websites purpose and there are minimal graphics to distract the reader from this. There is a lot of information on the home page of the website and could be considered cluttered, however it is divided into clear sections and appears well organised, giving clear subheadings which guide the reader to their areas of interest easily. The main colour used for the website is grey and presents a professional look. It is subtle but effective in breaking up different sections of the website without being obtrusive. The font size is varied throughout but mainly of a larger size making the website easy to read. There is no option for the reader to change the font sizing or colour which could cause some difficulty as it is not possible to suit everyone with one font size, style and colour (Roberts, 2010). As this is a registered charitable organisation it would be unfair to expect them not to promote money making offers. There are two links to buy books that are published by the royal college of psychiatrists and an option to support them in future development projects. They have presented these links as the last things you would come across on the website. Because of where they are situated it comes across to the reader that they are more interested in providing free and accessible information to educate the pubic over making money. Clarity Clarity is another important area to consider when evaluating a website. Due to our continually growing multi-cultural society it is important that websites cater for all groups in society and not just the English readers. One part of the website caters for professionals working in psychiatry and another to the public wanting to learn more about mental illness. Both sections are presented and written in a way that is understandable to the general public. In the public section they offer their advice in 21 different languages in addition to visual aids using BSL sign language as well as audio pod casts and printable versions. This shows that they have made an effort to cater for diverse cultures and needs. Unfortunately it appears that they have not taken into account the needs of people with dyslexia. Approximately two million people in the UK population are affected by dyslexia of which around 35 to 40 percent experience visual disturbances when reading (Dyslexia Action, 2012). The British Dyslexia Association, (2012) states that the reading ability of an individual with dyslexia can be negatively affected by bright white backgrounds and the use of too much text. By changing the background to an off white colour and spreading out the information over larger areas this would cater for yet another group in society. Conclusion Having the ability to access health information via the internet has given nurses the capacity to constantly improve their knowledge base and skills knowing that they are delivering the best possible care derived from the best available evidence. The RC Psych website not only offers nurses a place to go and build on their knowledge and skills but it also provides them with a safe, reliable and easily accessible knowledge base that they can confidently refer their patients to. The evaluation of this website has shown that the website contains quality, reliable evidence and could be recommended to anyone interested in the field of mental illness. In addition to this the use of the five C’s evaluation tool has provided a great foundation to the development of evaluating skills. It has given an opportunity to discover that the evidence being accessed is suitable for developing personal practice and to help educate patients and is accepted within the NMC code of conduct (Roberts, 2 010).

Comparing two war poems written by Wilfred Owen: Dulce et decorum Est E

Comparing two war poems written by Wilfred Owen: Dulce et decorum Est and Anthem for Doomed Youth. In this essay I will be comparing two war poems written by Wilfred Owen: ‘Dulce et decorum Est’ and ‘Anthem for Doomed Youth’. By comparing the two I will be able to distinguish the fact that Wilfred Owen is very anti-propaganda and why he feels so strongly about this. The two poems have many similarities but also a fair amount of differences, which I will be discussing in this essay. The two poems have a strongly anti war message and in both the victims of war are the young men who’s lives are wasted. ‘Dulce et decorum Est’ uses the description of a gas attack to show how horrific the reality of war is. Owen describes the victim with, ‘The white eyes writhing in his face†¦the blood†¦gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs.’ The physical horror of this helps to shape his message. It is addressed to the propaganda poet Jessie Pope and tells her that it is a lie to say that it is sweet and honorable to die for one’s country. A similar message in ‘Anthem for Doomed Youth’ describes the slaughtered young men who ‘die as cattle’. Owen expresses his anger in a set of contrasts between a real funeral and the lack of a funeral for these young men. For example, instead of a service with a choir, they only have ‘the shrill demented choirs of wailing shells’. As you would expect, the tone and mood of both poems is deeply serious as Owen has a strong message in both of them. However, they are different. ‘Dulce et decorum Est’ expresses a great deal of horror and anger. The horror is set aside for the terrible pain and terror of the gas attack, not only for the victim but also for the poet. He writes, ‘In a... ...ack, making a strong message to contradict the vague, Latin phrase about how sweet it is to die for your country. In ‘Anthem for Doomed Youth’ Owen develops a singe image, the idea of the funeral ceremony for the dead. The first line asks about the ‘passing bells’ and the rest of the octave describes the various sounds of war, which are substituted for the funeral bells. This includes the ‘monstrous anger of guns’, the rattling of the riffles and the wailing of the shells. The sestet begins by asking where are the candles for the funeral service but goes on to tell us that ‘holy glimmers of goodbyes’ in the eyes of the boy soldiers will have to instead. The funeral cloth placed over the coffin is replaced by ‘the pallor of girls brows’. Instead of flowers, they have ‘the tenderness of patient minds’. All the images are based on the original comparison.

Expected Transitions

Nursey A child will not really know what is going on when they are first brought to a nursery, however the child will be excited at first until they realise that their parent/carer is leaving and will not be coming back straight away,this could make the child become shy,dismissive upset or even anxious.. A child will not trust any of their carers until they a fully settled and are comfortable about where they are and the routine they are following.High school Starting high school is a big time for a young person it is probably the most scary common transition so far in their life,having to deal with leaving some of their childhood friends, and entering a new school feeling scared and alone. They will have many mixed emotions, all based around the experiences they have felt and dealt with when making new friends and starting a new school.The pressure is a little more intense then when they were in primary or middle school as they know what to expect but as they are older anxiousness w ill kick in and the young person will feel self-conscious or very withdrawn and may even start acting out of character. Puberty This change to the young people’s body affects everything about them, so it is a particulary hard time for them.Knowing they do not have any control over what is happening this will make the child become dismissive or argumentative with parents or carers and even their siblings. During this time they tend to focus more on friends and their relationships outside of the home. Puberty is a complicated and confusing time for most young people. They sometimes worry about whether the changes in their bodies are ‘normal', especially if they develop differently – earlier, or at a different rate – from their friends.

Developing Supply Chain to Deliver WOW Essay

Zappos.com is a privately held online retailer with an extensive product category mainly including apparel, footwear, handbags, and watches. Headquartered in Nevada, it primarily operates in the US with about 1,300 employees and revenues mounting to $635M in 2008. Thanks to its strength in offering an outstanding customer shopping experience and strong corporate cultures and values related to customer service, it was the largest online shoe retailer in 2008, with a positive growth outlook. However, in the face of possible economic downturn, its underlying insufficiencies in supply chain management and operations may pose a threat to the company’s long term profitability. Nevertheless, the opportunity of possible international expansion may well be exploited to improve sales and expand the business, but such decision still needs critical evaluation and feasibility assessment in whether Zappos can sustain its focus on outstanding customer service levels in such scenario. The online-retail industry in which Zappos operates is one in which the rivalry among existing competitors is high, as it is competing with both click-n-brick stores like Amazon, as well as traditional retail stores such as Footwear Inc which also have a strong focus on the shoe segment. However, the threat of new entrants is very low as a result of the high initial capitalization required for the start of business. There are a large number of buyers in the market. However, high price sensitivity and low switching cost strengthen the buyer`s position; continuing to attract such customers becomes one of the main challenges for Zappos during a likely scenario of economic downturn. Zappos will need to adopt strategies such as importing directly from foreign suppliers, committing to 5 day delivery through ground shipping as opposed to next-day air shipping, offering its own private label, and expanding its Powered by Zappos initiative. Company Value Chain: Problem Analysis External Analysis Porter’s 5 Forces The following is an evaluation of the external forces acting upon Zappos’ operations and their possible impact in the immediate and future performance of the company: Degree of Rivalry – HIGH: While Zappos is a pioneer player in the online retail segment, in practice it is not only competing with other online retailers, but with brick-and-mortar stores in the traditional retail sector which have substantial experience in the market. Many other players offer similar products to those carried by Zappos’. Bargaining Power of Buyers – MODERATE to HIGH: Given the many alternatives in the market, the switching cost for a customer to other retailers is very low. Consumers are becoming increasingly price-conscious, and with the small potential for differentiation in the non-fashion elite segment, the customer can easily find other similar product options, forcing retailers to offer lower pricing to remain competitive. Threat of New Entrants – MODERATE TO LOW: The barriers to entry in the industry are extremely high, based on the large capital investment required. However the online retail business is still on its growth stages, which may attract new players and investors looking to capture potential markets. Bargaining Power of Suppliers – LOW: Competition for both wholesaler / importer suppliers and direct manufacturers is intense and well established; therefore, the market itself drives the power of the many suppliers down. As discussed, there are many alternatives in the market such that no single supplier is dominant. Threat of Substitutes – LOW: There are no substitute products available for most of the products which Zappos may offer to the public, so such threat is unlikely. SWOT Analysis Strengths – Customer-Oriented Culture and Services – Zappos has strong company culture and values, which have a large influence on all aspects of the business, including the supply chain. Zappos is always looking for new ways to WOW every customer and always treat every employee like family. The employees consider Zappos a fun place to work. In addition, Zappos` commitment to customer service satisfaction is clearly demonstrated by their value propositions and represents their core differentiation strategy. These are free shipping, guaranteed 5 day delivery (WOWing the customer, where 49% of customers will receive their product within 2 days), a 365 day return policy and 24/7 customer service. Unique Products and Innovation – The core products that Zappos offers are designed to be distinctly different from the traditional shoes available in brick-and mortar stores. Zappos provides customizable product models and extensive product information to customers. For example, Zappos` site has a detailed discussion of gait that helps customers to determine which type of shoe is appropriate for them. Weaknesses – Presence Limited to Online Market – Although there are many online shoppers today and the number is still growing, Zappos is unable to reach the majority of retail shoppers by only having the online outlet channel. Relatively Low Profit Margin – The revenue of Zappos in 2008 is $635 million, but the company policy on product returns makes up 35% of gross sales. This is definitely crippling Zappos profits. High Dependency on UPS – Until 2008, Zappos has only one call center in Las Vegas and one distribution center in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. The distribution center is less than 30 minutes from the UPS hub in Louisville. This will make Zappos delivery highly dependent on UPS. Opportunities – Rapid Growth of Online Shopping – Online purchasing has grown consistently year after year; the opportunity lies in capturing new online customers and retaining them. Technology Innovation – In 2008, Zappos added more automation to its warehouse operations by installing a robotic system in which robots picked up shelves that contained the items to be picked, and brought the shelves to the workers. These new robots allow Zappos to ship a pair of shoes in as little as eight minutes. Technology advances will allow Zappos to increase the capacity and efficiency of its distribution centers, without having to build new centers. Build Strategic Alliances with Complementary Retailers – Zappos could build synergies with similar-size online retailers which offer complementary products in an effort to broaden its customer base and target audience. Threats – Economic Downturn – Customers will become more price-conscious in difficult economic times, which will ultimately drive Zappos strategy in order to remain competitive in such scenario. Competitive Rivalry – While Zappos is one of the pioneer players specialized in shoe-retailing, the trend is for established brick-and-mortar companies to start offering their products online, which may generate additional competitive pressures. Possible Security Breach for Online Retailer – Zappos must address possible security breaches to its servers. Problem Statement Based upon the previous analysis, Zappos faces two major problems which may be detrimental to the company’s long-term success. Our aim here is to synthesize them in order to formulate a series of recommendations that the company could implement to solve the mentioned problems. Problem 1: Supply Chain Management The first problem that the company faces within its organization is related to supply chain management. We have identified three different sub-issues within this topic in which Zappos has room for improvement: Imports from wholesalers as an intermediary between Zappos and the manufacturers – Due to the highly uncertain demand in the sector, having a wholesaler between Zappos and the brands that manufactures the product is a strategic problem for the company. When Zappos places an order, it is relying on the inventory that the wholesaler keeps in order to fulfill its need of supply. Furthermore, Zappos may find it difficult to secure its supply as the company grows, having no control over wholesaler import decisions. This is especially critical in a sector with unstable demand faced with global economic uncertainty. Zappos must devise supply chain-related strategies which provide the company with more flexibility in terms of profit margins in order to deal with more price-conscious customers in the future. Delivery to Zappos’ distribution centers from suppliers – The company faces a problem in relation to inefficiency of partially loaded trucks arriving to unload to Zappos’ inventory facilities. As the case highlights, significant numbers of partially loaded trucks (LTL) arrive to unload products generating unnecessary traffic in the distribution center, subsequently slowing down the unloading process. There’s a need for Zappos to address this issue, ultimately affecting its whole operation’s efficiency. Inventory Management – At this point, the company uses manual scanners to register incoming and outgoing stock from its distribution center. This may lead to inventory inaccuracies due to the high probability of human error to occur in the handling of the incoming and outgoing merchandise. It is of the utmost importance for Zappos to have accurate inventory information, not only in terms of its supply chain management, but also in maintaining customer service levels because of the potential of having inaccurate information on the website such that a customer may order a product which is actually out of stock. Problem 2: Growing the business Throughout the case it is been said that the company plans to expand. It is possible to grow the business in a national scale as well as internationally. The following issues need to be addressed by Zappos when evaluating company expansion: determining strategic locations for new facilities to store its inventory and achieve a good balance between supplier lead times and delivery times to the final customer. In addition, the company faces the decision of whether to continue having its distribution centralized in Kentucky. Moreover, Zappos needs to evaluate whether or not it is still feasible to use UPS ground shipping in the long-term. The company would also face a problem not only when trying to maintain its customer service levels and an efficient delivery, but also when trying to get new employees to share its corporate culture. Recommendations: Start Importing Directly from Foreign Manufacturers: Zappos should begin developing direct relationships with foreign manufacturers, especially with Chinese suppliers, starting by importing some products directly, instead of buying from North American wholesalers. This strategy has the following benefits: * Cost savings from purchasing the same products at lower prices, providing the company with more pricing flexibility at dealing with cost-conscious consumers in a difficult economy. * Distribution channel efficiency is increased by eliminating middlemen in the supply chain. In this sense, there is no need for products to be shipped from foreign suppliers to a wholesale distributor and from there to Zappos; Zappos can receive the product directly at their distribution center, reducing freight costs across the value chain as well as lead times. * A closer relationship with manufacturers might enable Zappos to obtain information regarding inventory levels, product availability, and or der status and timing. It is worth noting that even in cases where Zappos is still purchasing from a wholesaler (who in-turn imports from the manufacturer), the wholesaler can request the manufacturer to deliver directly to the Zappos distribution center, earning the lead time and cost benefits. Opt for Ground Shipping as Opposed to Next Day Air Shipping: Given the risk of failing to meet the next day delivery standards because of external factors, Zappos should only guarantee 5-day delivery. In this manner, the company will consistently overdeliver, with 99% of customers receiving their orders within 4 days. This strategy not only makes sense from a cost perspective, but it also goes hand-in-hand with Zappos’ culture of outstanding customer service. However, the option of next day air delivery should be made available to the customer for a premium rate. Sign a Contract with a Selected Trucking Company Specialized in Consolidation: In order to minimize LTL shipments to its distribution centers and mitigate the economic inefficiencies that LTL implies, Zappos should sign a contract with a major transportation and logistics company specialized in consolidation in order to handle Zappos order pick-ups from some of its remaining local suppliers, optimizing cargo capacity and delivering such products to the distribution center. This contract strategy would only be possible to implement in areas with high supplier concentration such as Southern California and Ontario. It is granted that such a strategy would require a long and difficult negotiation process between suppliers, the logistics company and Zappos; however, economies of scale benefits could be obtained from the large volumes to be handled and the cost savings distributed across the industry value chain. Search for Additional Partners and Expand â€Å"Powered by Zappos†: Powered by Zappos partners act as distributors of the products carried by Zappos. In this sense, finding new partners will generate additional revenues from both the fees of developing and running distributor websites and operations and from an expanded market base deriving from multiple websites offering Zappos products. Offer its own Zappos Private Label: Zappos could expand the business by offering its own private label; private labels offer the advantage of not purchasing from a third-party wholesaler which in itself is making a profit from the merchandise, allowing for more flexibility in terms of pricing and profit margins. Overall, by commercializing its own brand, Zappos can offer its private label merchandise at lower prices than the industry standards, while maintaining its profit margin. This strategy would be effective at dealing with price elastic customers in uncertain economic times. It must be noted that to achieve this, however, the company would need to develop internal design capabilities and source its private label through selected manufactures which meet their needs. In order to achieve the lowest supplier prices, supplier relationships would need to be developed through established contracts which may include exclusivity agreements. Based on the large volumes that Zappos handles through its established customer base, the strategy could also earn benefits from economies of scale and increased brand awareness. Do not Expand Internationally in the Short-Term: The huge capital investment required and the risk of affecting customer service levels makes international expansion undesirable in the short run. The company’s financial base must be strengthened further before pursuing such expansion, maintaining the focus on customer service that the company has been known for. Customer service is core to company values and culture and therefore cannot be compromised by any strategic decision. International expansion must be accompanied by the same training standards, staffing levels and passion for customer service at company call centers and order delivery must meet Zappos promise. This last factor could pose a special challenge, given that Zappos would be relying on couriers operating in different countries which may introduce a factor of uncertainty beyond Zappos control as to what levels of delivery performance can be met. Invest in an Automatic Scanning System for Inventory Control: In an environment where such accurate inventory information is required, the current manual scanning of goods entering and leaving the distribution center is inadequate. Errors in inventory control will inevitably have a negative effect on customer satisfaction in that the system may allow a customer to purchase a product that is in fact out of stock. A system which automatically scans incoming and exiting products (magnetic doorways or similar) guarantees inventory accuracy and goes hand-in hand with the core values of the company, making it a worthwhile and even necessary investment. Limitations * The capacity of the existing distribution center in Kentucky is unknown; therefore we are assuming that the current infrastructure will be enough to sustain the operations of the company to meet an increasing demand and market share in the short-term. * Suppliers which have their own fleet might be reluctant to agree to let Zappos do order pick-ups and deliver their products; however, our recommendation assumes that the suppliers are flexible in this sense. * A break-up of the company`s operational costs would be required in order to make better-informed strategy recommendations. The performed analysis is based on purely qualitative information. ——————————————– [ 1 ]. MGSC 602 Strategic Management of Operations Coursepack, Zappos.com: Developing a supply chain to deliver WOW, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Case GS-65, 02/13/09, page 276 [ 2 ]. MGSC 602 Strategic Management of Operations Coursepack, Zappos.com: Developing a supply chain to deliver WOW, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Case GS-65, 02/13/09, page 296 [ 3 ]. MGSC 602 Strategic Management of Operations Coursepack, Zappos.com: Developing a supply chain to deliver WOW, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Case GS-65, 02/13/09, page 273 [ 4 ]. MGSC 602 Strategic Management of Operations Coursepack, Zappos.com: Developing a supply chain to deliver WOW, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Case GS-65, 02/13/09, page 280 [ 5 ]. MGSC 602 Strategic Management of Operations Coursepack, Zappos.com: Developing a supply chain to deliver WOW, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Case GS-65, 02/13/09, page 276