Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Islam And The Muslim Religious Experience - 1365 Words

All through its history, Islam has been seen as a religious convention which began in (seventh) century Arabia with the prophet Muhammad who lived between 570-632. He got the heavenly divine revelation that is recorded in the Quran. This is still trusted today in the cutting edge Islamic convictions. In any case, it is most imperative to understand that Muslims don t see Islam as another religion. Muslims trust that Allah (which truly signifies The God in Arabic) is the same God who uncovered himself to Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. In this manner, Jews, Christians, and Muslims are all supporters of the same living God—cousins in a typical family with a typical predecessor, Abraham. Muslims trust that the Quran is the last and finish disclosure of God to all individual The focal reality of the Muslim religious experience is Allah. The God of the Quran is one and otherworldly, inventor and sustainer of the universe, and the mind-boggling worry of the adherent. Islam signifies accommodation; a Muslim is one who submits to God, one who is a worker of God. This is not a simple lack of involvement; rather, it is accommodation to the Divine Will, an obligation to acknowledge effectively God s will ever. Accordingly, the Quran shows that God has given the earth to man as a heavenly trust and that it is a man s obligation and mission, as God s operators, to endeavor to understand God s will. The Muslim s celestially ordered business is public and person. The IslamicShow MoreRelatedMuslim World Cosmopolitanism1699 Words   |  7 Pagesearth, can we talk about â€Å"Muslim† world cosmopolitanism? That is just how Allah or His prophet, Muhammad (570-632), from day one, viewed Islam, whether anyone liked it or not, as the religion for entire humanity. Listen to its first revealed injunction â€Å"Read in the name of thy Lord, Who created Man from congealed blood; Proclaim that thy Lord is Most Bountiful, Who taught with Pen; Taught man that which he knew not.† (Quran, 96: 1-5). In this first proclamation of Islam, Allah reveals HimselfRead MoreUnderstanding Islam1309 Words   |  6 Pages â€Å"Understanding Islam† by Kenneth Jost, pg. 172 – 176 Islam is an ill-perceived religion throughout most of the Western world. Once known as a quiet and peaceful religion, the general perception of people from other religions and most of the world upon Islam is quite distorted. Ever since the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, an influx of discrimination and prejudice towards Islam and Muslims has spread throughout the world. In â€Å"Understanding Islam,† by Kenneth Jost, an article aboutRead MoreIslamic Culture Essay1273 Words   |  6 PagesMUSLIM CULTURE Muslim culture generally reflects the traditions and customs of Muslims that they adopt for a perfect and respectable life in the society according to the lessons of Quran. Muslim culture is a giant combination of diverse cultures, That’s because Muslims live in various countries all over the world. Most of the practices are common faiths and guidance for all Muslims no matter what country or even content they reside in.. These basic faiths and belives are based on theRead MoreEssay on Islam The Straight Path989 Words   |  4 Pages Islam The Straight Path   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  An evaluation of the book by John L. Esposito: Islam The Straight Path. In this book , Esposito provides a succinct, up-to-date survey of the Islamic experience, an introduction to the faith, belief, and practice of Islam from its origins to its contemporary resurgence. He traces the emergence and development of this dynamic faith and its impact on world history and politics. He discusses the formation of Islamic belief and practice (law, theology, philosophy,Read MoreIslam : A Monotheistic Religion1505 Words   |  7 Pages Modern Challenges Paper Islam is a monotheistic religion taking into account disclosures got by the prophet Muhammad in the seventh century A.D., which were later recorded in the Quran (or Koran), Islam s consecrated content. Islam has spread quickly during the time and today the religion is, by a few estimations, the biggest on the planet. Devotees of Islam are called Muslims. The Arabic word Islam signifies accommodation, mirroring the confidence s focal precept of submitting to Allah. IslamicRead MoreIslam And The Middle East1057 Words   |  5 Pagesstyles. Muslims eating habits are expected to be in function of their religious beliefs, by Islam regulations as described in the Qur’an and dictated by the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammed. Muslims consume all kind of food, except for the ones prohibited in Islam. Food cleanliness is one of their priority, nails, hair, mouth, teeth must be properly washed to prevent food contamination, and they use a â€Å"Mismark† before every meal which is a specific tooth cleaner proper to their culture. Islam teachingRead MoreThe Basic Beliefs Of Islam1660 Words   |  7 PagesOne of the basic beliefs of Islam is that God has sent his revelation through a series of communications to humans in many ways and times. The recipients of these communications are referred to as both prophets (to specific communities) and messengers (with a universal message). Jews and Christians recognize many of the prophets and messengers mentioned in the Qur’an, the sacred scripture of Islam, for their role in Old Testament history. In Islam, Jesus generally is considered to be the greatestRead MoreHow Trade in West Africa Encouraged The Spread of Islam1151 Words   |  5 PagesHOW TRADE IN WEST AFRICA ENCOURAGED THE SPREAD OF ISLAM Islam, a monotheistic and spiritually based religion which refers to the act of giving great reverence to the Supreme Being, â€Å"submission to God† was found in the Saudi Arabian countries by the Prophet Muhammad in 610 C.E.1 The religion which was renowned for its triumph, patent power with an open set of beliefs about the Dos and the DONTs so as to gain access to heaven spread spontaneously as people learned of it through trade.1 It is todayRead MoreReligion1264 Words   |  6 PagesMisconceptions about Islam – A personal perspective Islam may be the most misunderstood religion in the United States. The impression that majority of non-Muslim Americans have is usually obtained through the media which typically represent Islamic countries or groups in the middle of a Holy War. These wars are usually waged by Islamic Fundamentalist who use terrorism and other violent acts to get their messages across giving Islam a negative reputation. Because of the lack of understandingRead MoreIslamic Modernism : A Multiple Modernities Perspective1611 Words   |  7 Pagesmodernity experiences (Eisenstadt 2002; Preyer 2013; Smith and Vaidyanathan 2010). There are many modernities, not only one single patter of modernization. These developments forced sociologists for a paradigm shift in the dominant one-side understanding of western modernity. In this context, Islam and the discourse of western Muslim intellectuals have gradually gained visibility through the continuing migration and the growth of new generations in the western societies. Western Islam also has emerged

Monday, December 16, 2019

The Negative Effects of Beauty Standards - Essay - 2036 Words

Mrs. Doiron ENG 3UL - 03 November 18th, 2014 Influence of the Media Technology and the Internet have become a constant in many people’s lives. The rate at which they have risen is astounding. In December 1995, there were around 16 million people recorded using the Internet. In December 2013, a mere 16 years later, there is around 2 802 million people recorded using it. Media and the Internet go hand in hand. One fuels the other, and the Internet had become a platform for media. In modern society the media exerts so much pressure, that maintaining beauty and youth becomes more important than anything else. Thus, creating a type of self-involvement. This leads to loss of perspective and ultimately, innocence. People of all ages and genders†¦show more content†¦This is just one disgusting example of many that clearly show the malign effect the media has on children. The media is not only affecting the children of today, but it is also creating a type of selfishness in young people, as well as adults. Furthermore, t his selfishness is inadvertently forcing people to make sacrifices, ones that they should not have to make. Young people have an incessant stream of what they should be and look like etched into their minds. These things become so important to them that they are willing to get plastic surgery to change themselves. Dr. Diana Zuckerman has said, In 2003, more than 223 000 cosmetic procedures were performed on patients 18 years of age or younger (Zuckerman). They undertake cosmetic surgeries such as Rhinoplasty, Botox injections, breast augmentation and liposuction. What they do not know, is that doing these procedures can have serious risks. A concern about plastic surgery on adolescents is that their bodies are still maturing. In addition to development that may occur in the late teens, growth charts indicate that the average teenager, particularly girls, gain weight between the ages of 18 and 21 (ASPS Public Relations 14). With this fact in mind, that is likely to change their desi re or need for some of the antecedent cosmetic procedures. With 15% of the population in North American between the ages 13-19 undergoing such procedures, plastic surgery is a fairly drastic measure taken. Given the fact thatShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Toni Morrison s The Bluest Eye1232 Words   |  5 PagesThe little acts of chivalry conducted by men are just prolonged sugary illusions meant to hide the unpleasant truth of women and their strained relationship with the media s’ perception of beauty. Many women who are subjected to society s’ views of beauty often aim to convert to theses said beauty standards. This desire can, at many times, become unhealthy and lead to problems such as anorexia, bulimia, and self-hate. There is clearly a need for re-self-identification within the Black female communityRead More`` The Pitfalls Of Plastic Surgery `` By Camille Paglia Essay1609 Words   |  7 PagesThe beauty standard is a culturally constructed notion of physical att ractiveness that has become increasingly imperative for women and men. However, this standard has become extremely perilous to men and women’s self-image. Camille Paglia, a highly educated individual who earned her PhD at Yale University and became a highly acclaimed author, explicates this conception in her essay â€Å"The Pitfalls of Plastic Surgery†. Paglia suggests that the beauty standard idealizes women to look like â€Å"sex symbolsRead MoreCosmetic Surgery1507 Words   |  7 Pagesabnormal behavior and belief of people, which can impose far-reaching side effects to the whole society. It is obvious that the prevalence of cosmetic surgery can evoke severe social problems. The essay examines the reasons why cosmetic surgery should not be promoted to the general public. One major view concerning the increasing demand for cosmetic surgery in the 20th century is the misinterpretation of the standard towards beauty. According to Abraham and Zuckerman (2011), the mass media such as televisionRead MoreAdd Cake, Subtract Self Esteem Analysis1263 Words   |  6 Pagesnew beauty standard of thinness affects women in many ways. In â€Å"Add Cake, Subtract Self Esteem† written by Caroline Knapp, she describes her own personal experience on how this impossible standard affects women’s eating which leads to eating disorders and an unhealthy relationship with food. In â€Å"The Beauty Myth† written by Naomi Wolf, she describes the mental effects on women from a society that uses weight as a way to keep women submissive. Both of these essays discuss the negative effects on womenRead MoreThe Role Of Social Media On Women1001 Words   |  5 PagesMoreover, has media taken into consideration that the influenced constructed standards affect wo men long term and what exactly influences how girls act, look and think about themselves? Starting from a youth age through adolescence, which is the average age of still trying to figure out their identity, and in many cases lasting until adulthood, girls compare themselves and set their mindset to look like the celebrities they watch in T.V., magazines, music videos or movies.Yet, the issue is that byRead MoreThe Positive and Negative Effects of Advertising on Consumer Behavior1645 Words   |  7 Pagessuch as television, radio, magazine, newspaper, the internet, billboards and posters can influence consumer’s behavior positively or negatively as there are different arguments and opinions. This essay will focus on the purpose of the advertisement for the company, the positive effects and negative effects of advertisement on consumer behavior. According to Shimp (2007), there are five important factors which determine the purpose of advertisement in terms of marketers’ communication with consumersRead MoreAfrican-American Beauty1684 Words   |  7 PagesTiffany What Is Beauty to the Young Black Female? There’s more to me that the human eye can see. I’m a woman of purpose and destiny. A perfect design, I’m special and unique. I won’t be identified by the parts that make up my physique. My beauty is not defined by my skin or my hair and my soul has more value than the clothes that I wear. I’m not a symbol of pleasure or sex appeal; I have the natural ability to comfort and the power to heal. When God made me, He created aRead MoreThe Effect Of Advertising On A Customers Self Esteem1497 Words   |  6 PagesMalà ¤r et al. 2011, p.35). Women in particular are prone to react sensitively when exposed to images of the ‘ideal female beauty’ standard in the media (Pihas et al., 1999, p. 225). Therefore, this essay will examine the effect that television advertising of beauty products has on the self-esteem of women between the ages of 15-35 living in the UK with a focus on the negative effects on self-esteem across different age groups. Utilising a hypothetical quantitative dataset, descriptive statistics willRead MoreHow Media Affect People s Subconscious Judgments1200 Words   |  5 PagesThu Nguyen Professor Janet Nau English 103 26 June 2017 Exploratory Essay How Media Affect People’s Subconscious Judgments Nowadays, society is growing and becoming more modern, so media take a significant role which has a big effect on people’s lives. Media are all the organizations, such as newspapers, magazines, radio, television, Internet, and more, that provide news and information to the public. The human subconscious mind is considered as information storage. Thus, media influence people’sRead MoreThe Impact Of Media On Society Today911 Words   |  4 Pageswidely. For instance, radios, televisions, newspapers, and magazines are forms of media. The influence the media has around the globe is profound, therefore, in this essay, I am going to discuss the impact that media has on the society today. Although social media can connect all people in the world instantly, the negative effects have a great impact on the society because it decreases the desire for actual communication. First and foremost, media has an impact on Change in Identity. In Miss Representation

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Enlightenment and Romanticism in American Literature free essay sample

Rather than seeing one common theme that linked all of these readings together, I saw a shift from one literary period to another through the changing writing styles and Ideas of these authors. Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Paine seem to exemplify the Enlightenment period of American literature whereas Washington Irving and James Feminine Cooper exemplify a shift towards the Romantic period in American literature. While themes of Enlightenment connect Franklin, Jefferson, and Paine, those themes differ from the themes that will connect Irving and Cooper.Each of these Enlightenment authors has a theme in their writing that exemplifies the themes of the Enlightenment period. The first is Benjamin Franklin whose writing shows an interest in human nature. Throughout Franklins lifetime he was constantly focusing on himself and how he conducted himself in everyday life. This can be seen through some of his 13 virtues such as 1) Silence: speak not what may benefit others of yourself, 2) Resolution: resolve to perform what you ought, and 3) Justice: wrong none, by doing Injuries or omitting the benefits that re your Duty (Norton, 526-527). We will write a custom essay sample on Enlightenment and Romanticism in American Literature or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page These virtues show that Franklin was always considering his own human nature and how he acted In his dally life. Another theme of Enlightenment includes a belief in progress. This is exemplified by Franklin also as he was constantly keeping track of his behavior: l entered upon the Execution of this Plan for Self-examination, and continued it with occasional Intermissions for sometime. I was surprised to find myself so much fuller on Faults than I had imagined, but I had the Satisfaction of seeing them diminish (Norton, 520). Both Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine exemplify one last theme of Enlightenment which is a rational approach to the world. This means that the authors presented arguments and supported their beliefs by using logic and reasoning. In Section Ill of Pains Common Sense, which deals with his Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs, he says that America would have flourished as much, and probably much more, had no European power taken any notice of her (Norton, 632).He supports this claim by reasoning that the economy that the Americans have retreated so far has enabled them to provide themselves with the necessities of life and will been able to continue this success as long as the food produced in America is needed in Europe. Similar to this is Jefferson argument against manufacturing developing in America. He says that manufacturing was a necessity in Europe because all of the farmland was either cultivated, or locked up against the cultivator. He reasoning for why manufactu ring is not necessary in America is because there is an abundance of land to be cultivated, unlike in the situation inEurope. This use of logic and reasoning in these authors writings is a unique style to the Enlightenment period. There is now a shift In the themes of these writings weve read which show the emergence of European Romanticism beginning to Influence American writers such as Irving and Cooper. Romanticism deals with more imaginative writing, such as fictional stories that have a dramatic plot. Washington who has a strange encounter with a group of old Dutchmen, falls asleep after drinking a funny drink, and wakes up to find that 20 years had gone by while he was leaping.This story, with its fictional plot, exemplifies the new type of literature that emerged during this time of Romanticism. On the other hand, James Feminine Coopers writing exemplifies the natural aspects of Romanticism which is one of the most dominate themes of this literary era. An example of this is shown in the beginning paragraph of The Last of the Musicians when the scene between Natty and Chicagoan is being set: The vast canopy of woods spread itself to the margin of the river, overhanging the water, and shadowing its dark glassy current tit a deeper hue.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Religion, The State And Sovereignty Essays - Authority, Sovereignty

Religion, The State And Sovereignty Religion, the State and Sovereignty The influence of religion on humankind can be traced back to the first records of history. Religion has served as a pillar of strength to some and binding chains to others. There are vast amounts of information and anthropological studies revealing the interaction of religion and humankind. However, for the purposes of this paper, the time periods of study will be broken up into three sections. Each section will give a general description of how religion affected the institution of the state and its Sovereignty in a Euro-centric perspective. The first period is the early period, which will encompass from Christianity and the Roman Empire to the Medieval times (approx. 311 to 1100 A.D.). The second period will include the Renaissance, the Reformation to the Treaty of Westphalia (1101 to 1648 A.D.). The third and increment of history will range from 1649 to 1945 A.D. The date 311 A.D. marks the issuing of the Edict of Toleration for Christians. This date is important because it symbolizes national acceptance of Christianity, and planted its roots as a political institution. Later the Roman Empire on the verge of internal collapse acknowledged the importance of Christianity and used it to hold together the remnants of it former self. This adoption of Christianity took form and eventually became the Catholic church. The church became intermingled with politics and became a strong entity. The policies delivered from the church had more authority than the local rulers and magistrates of the developing feudal system. For example, St. Augustine wrote about war and what justified its enactment against fellow men. This policy was followed and adhered to for hundreds of years after St. Augustine wrote it. Another example, is the use of the Bible as a guideline for establishing governing systems. Scripture portrayed God as choosing the king of the people. The pope, being God's representative was then given the authority to crown the king. This crowning process gave the pope large influence in the political arena. This ritual continued for a number of centuries. The Crusades, which occurred around 1100 A.D., played a crucial role in challenging the church's authority. The pope identifying the spread of Islam as evil requested all of Europe embark on a Crusade to defeat the infidels. As the battles were fought, great treasures were found in the form of books and knowledge. These books were crude translations of old Greek texts, containing information which would eventually produce the waning of Church authority in the future. The Renaissance marked the beginning of intellectual re-birth. Writers such as Dante, Machiavelli, Guiarccidini, Vitoria, etc., all attempting to reform and some even contest church dominance. Dante in his imaginative work Inferno writes of hell which he envision is the pope's final destination. Machiavelli takes a more direct role classifying the actions of a prince to be above morality and ultimately above the Church. He continues the affront by classifying a human character of virtu as being completely centered around man (humanism). The Raison D' Tat is supreme especially in terms of the church belligerence. In the middle of the Renaissance, the Church was dealt a deadly blow from which it would never recover. This assault came via Martin Luther. His work, 95 Thesis, marked the beginning of the Reformation. This movement split the church into Catholic and Protestant sects. It marked the beginning of a bloody period which virtually split Europe in half. Examples of the conflict raged between Protestants and Catholics from the great slaughter of Protestants in Paris 1572 A.D. (7000 dead) to the Thirty Years War. With the Church in disarray, freedom was given to the state to begin to develop. During this period of Renaissance the political identity was going through a tremendous transformation. This transformation took form in what is called Absolutism. Princes began to tolerate less and less manipulation from the church. The political entity in the form of monarchy began to wean itself from the Church for its legitimacy and looked toward its own power. Other writers began to rise and discuss issues of sovereignty and the state. Thomas Hobbes discusses the state and refers to it as Leviathan which is the concurring title of his

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Biometric Technology Essays

Biometric Technology Essays Biometric Technology Paper Biometric Technology Paper Biometric Technology is one of the branches of Automated Identification and Data Capture (AIDC). Automated Identification and Data Capture or AIDC is defined as a collection of technologies that are used to identify objects, collection of their data and entering the data in any database, software or computer system without the need of human involvement. â€Å"The family of Automatic Identification and Data Capture technologies can be broken down into six categories which are: biometrics, electromagnetics, magnetics, optical, smart cards, and touch.† (Automated Identification and Data Capture Biometrics Web Site.) Hence, Biometrical technologies refer to the study of measuring the quantitative, physiological and biological characteristics. It is referred to as the most authentic technique of measuring and in identifying. It can be classified into two groups: identification and/or security. â€Å"Biometric technologies are becoming the foundation of an extensive array of highly secure identification and personal verification solutions.† The use of biometrical technologies for the security purpose is used for government at all levels including federal, local and state and in military. As well as many commercial buildings now requires the personal identification using these methods. This reduces the unauthorized persons accessing the non-permissible zone. The branch of identification is used throughout the commercial enterprises including banks to reduce frauds and crimes. (Biometrics- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There are several types of biometrical technologies that are used for identification. These include.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   â€Å"face: the analysis of facial characteristics  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   fingerprint: the analysis of an individual’s unique fingerprints  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   hand geometry: the analysis of the shape of the hand and the length of the fingers  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   retina: the analysis of the capillary vessels located at the back of the eye  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   iris: the analysis of the colored ring that surrounds the eye’s pupil  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   signature: the analysis of the way a person signs his name.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   vein: the analysis of pattern of veins in the back if the hand and the wrist  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   voice: the analysis of the tone, pitch, cadence and frequency of a person’s voice.†   (What is biometrics?) Fingerprint Identification Fingerprinting identification is the most popular and most widely used biometric technology. The advantage of using fingerprinting identification technology is that no two people in this world have the matching fingerprint. â€Å"Because of their uniqueness and consistency over time, fingerprints have been used for identification for over a century, more recently becoming automated (i.e. a biometric) due to advancements in computing capabilities.† (Not Available) The method of fingerprinting identification has been used since the late nineteenth century. The first characteristic points were introduced by Sir William Hersel and later modified by Sir Francis Galton. Although they are altered with time, the ‘Galton Point’ forms the base of fingerprinting identification. In 1960’s, with the advancement of computer technologies, automation took place. Though, the greatest force behind its development was from the FBI’s request for an Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS).   After which it improved greatly. Fingerprint is defined as the impression of ridges and grooves on the ball of a finger. The impression on paper is seen as the series of dark lines. Fingerprinting imaging technology captures and reads this unique pattern. For the purpose of identification these unique lines or ridges are classified in patterns. They can either be in the form of loop, whorl, arch, or composite. In Loop pattern, most of the area is covered by the two diverging lines called the ‘Type Line.’ And, the point nearest to the divergence of these Type Lines is known as ‘Delta.’ The Loop pattern is visualized when lines or ridges start from one side of the finger and reaches the center, this region in known as ‘core.’ The rides then ‘loops’ and moves back to the same side. Loop pattern is the most common variety seen occurring in about 60-70% of the cases. A whorl pattern must have two ‘deltas.’ Moreover, a Core and Type lines should also present. They are visualized as concentric circles formed by the ridges in the center of the finger. The rest of the pattern shapes itself around these circles. The Arch pattern is the simplest type of fingerprint. In this, ridges enter from one side and exit from the other side. It, also, has the tendency to produce an upward thrust like a wave. In this type, no core, delta or type lines are present. Finally, the Composite pattern which is the rarest pattern occurring only in 1-2% of the people. This pattern is visualized as the combination of any of the two types described above. These patterns and their classifications are used for identification by matching and comparing the fingerprint’s minutiae points which are describes as the point where the ridges end or meet. Minutiae points include the following characteristics: Bifurcation: point where ridges split to form braches. Divergence:- point where parallel ridges are spread apart Enclosure: two parallel ridges come together again after being split into two branches. Ending:- termination of a ridge Valley:- the spaces produced on either side of the finger To collect the digital image of fingerprints a variety of sensors are used. There are a wide range of sensors available such as optical sensors, capacitance, ultrasound and thermal sensors. â€Å"Optical sensors are the most commonly but most expensive used sensor today. Optical fingerprint technologies require the user to place his or her finger on a glass substrate at which point an internal light source from the fingerprint device is projected onto the fingerprint. The image is then captured by a charge-coupled device (CCD)† The Capacitive sensor, which takes each pixel based on the measurement of capacitance. That is, it detects the electrical field around the fingerprints. It uses a sensor chip with a range of circuits to accomplish that. Ultrasound sensors use the reflection of light and takes images using prisms.    Lastly, Thermal sensors create the digital image by the difference in the temperature of the skin and the surface of scanner. (Automated Identification and Data Capture Biometrics Web Site.) Fingerprints are widely used in law enforcement, welfare programs, military, government and financial institutions.

Friday, November 22, 2019

Sociologists Take Historic Stand on Racism and Police Brutality

Sociologists Take Historic Stand on Racism and Police Brutality The 2014 annual meeting of the American Sociological Association (ASA) took place in San Francisco on the heels of the killing of unarmed black teen, Michael Brown, at the hands of a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. It also happened during a community uprising shrouded in police brutality, so many sociologists in attendance had the national crises of police brutality and racism on their minds. The ASA, however, created no official space for discussion of these issues, nor had the 109-year-old organization made any kind of public statement on them, despite the fact that the amount of published sociological research on these issues could fill a library. Frustrated by this lack of action and dialog, some attendees created a grassroots discussion group and task force to address these crises. Neda Maghbouleh, Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto-Scarborough, was one of those who took the lead. Explaining why, she said, â€Å"We had a critical mass of thousands of trained sociologists within two blocks of each other at ASA- equipped to marshal history, theory, data, and hard facts toward a social crisis like Ferguson. So ten of us, complete strangers, met for thirty minutes in a hotel lobby to hash out a plan to get as many concerned sociologists as possible to contribute to, edit, and sign a document. I was committed to helping in any way possible because it’s moments like these that affirm the value of social science for society.† The document† Dr. Maghbouleh refers to is an open letter to U.S. society at-large, that was signed by over 1,800 sociologists, this author among them. The letter began by pointing out that what transpired in Ferguson was born of â€Å"deeply ingrained racial, political, social and economic inequities,† and then specifically named the conduct of policing, especially in black communities and in the context of protest, as a serious social problem. The authors and signatories  implored â€Å"law enforcement, policymakers, media, and the nation to consider decades of sociological analysis and research that can inform the necessary conversations and solutions required to address the systemic issues that the events in Ferguson have raised.† The authors pointed out that much sociological research has already established the existence of society-wide problems present in the case of Ferguson, like â€Å"a pattern of racialized policing,† historically rooted â€Å"institutionalized racism within police departments and the criminal justice system more broadly,†Ã‚  the â€Å"hyper-surveillance of black and brown youth,† and the disproportionate targeting and disrespectful treatment of black men and women by police.  These troubling phenomena foster  suspicion about people of color, create an environment in which it is impossible for people of color to trust police, which in turn undermines the ability of police to do their job: serve and protect. The authors wrote, â€Å"Instead of feeling protected by police, many African Americans are intimidated and live in daily fear that their children will face abuse, arrest, and death at the hands of police officers who may be acting on implicit biases or institutional policies based on stereotypes and assumptions of black criminality.† They then  explained that brutal police treatment of protestors is â€Å"rooted in the history of repression of African American protest movements and attitudes about blacks that often drive contemporary police practices.† In response, sociologists called for â€Å"greater attention to the conditions (e.g., joblessness and political disenfranchisement) that have contributed to the marginalization of residents† of Ferguson and other communities, and explained that â€Å"focused and sustained government and community attention on these issues is required to bring about healing and a change in the economic and political structures that have thus far ignored and left many in such areas vulnerable to police abuse.† The letter concluded with a list of demands required for â€Å"an appropriate response to the death of Michael Brown,† and to address the larger, nation-wide issue of racist police policies and practices: Immediate assurance from law enforcement authorities in Missouri and the federal government that constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of the press will be protected.A civil rights investigation into the incidents related to the death of Michael Brown and general police practices in Ferguson.The establishment of an independent committee to study and analyze the failures of the policing efforts during the week following Michael Brown’s death. Ferguson residents, including leaders of grassroots organizations, should be included on the committee throughout this process. The committee must provide a clear roadmap for resetting community-police relations in a way that grants oversight power to residents.An independent comprehensive national study of the role of implicit bias and systemic racism in policing. Federal funding should be allocated to support police departments in implementing the recommendations from the study and ongoing monitoring and public reporting of key benchmarks (e.g., use of force, arrests by race) and improvements in police practices. Legislation requiring the use of dash and body-worn cameras to record all police interactions. Data from these devices should be immediately stored in tamper-proof databases, and there should be clear procedures for public access to any such recordings.Increased transparency of public law enforcement, including independent oversight agencies with guaranteed full access to law enforcement policies and on-the-ground operations; and more streamlined, transparent and efficient procedures for the processing of complaints and FOIA requests.Federal legislation, currently being developed by Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA), to halt the transfer of military equipment to local police departments, and additional legislation to curtail the use of such equipment against domestic civilian populations.Establishment of a ‘Ferguson Fund’ that will support long term strategies grounded in the principles of social justice, systems reform and racial equity to bring about substantial and sustained c hange in Ferguson and other communities facing similar challenges. To learn more about the underlying issues of systemic racism and police brutality, check out The Ferguson Syllabus compiled by  Sociologists for Justice. Many of the readings included are available online.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Managers Responsibility in Setting Tone and Expectations in Hospital Assignment

Managers Responsibility in Setting Tone and Expectations in Hospital Setting - Assignment Example The paper tells that beyond an iota of doubt, the hospital’s success depends on the level of teamwork and participation invested by various stakeholders. The manager, in consideration of the above fact, needs to awaken to his or her duty as the tone-setter for the team. Considering the team, specifically to include nurses, doctors, administrative staff, lab assistants, support staff and other workers in the hospital setting, the hospital manager has a lot to do in respect of setting expectations and the tone. The manager should realize that his/her weaknesses and faults can easily be magnified within the team. Even though the manager should lead by example, this is no guarantee that their staff will behave positively or that performance will automatically be impressive as a result. However, it must be noted that leading by example increases the chances of having positive results and encouraging positive behavior as noted by Schulz and Johnson. The manager should take time to l isten to other people’s views and abstain from being judgmental. Yet again, he/she should honor their commitments and be interested in his staff members. Furthermore, they should be flexible, calm under pressure, effective in addressing issues, and open-minded and flexible. In addition, they should be respectful to others and work toward increasing productivity and meeting deadlines. Honesty, timeliness, optimism, and integrity should be part of the manager’s delights. The manager should be result oriented, be positively interactive and value meetings and other vital events. By setting the tone in this manner, employees are bound to follow suite, in some cases with a few exceptions. Expectations that the Manager should Communicate Understanding what mangers expect from employees is vital for improved performance, good employee relations and employee success. Saville and Higgins (2010) note that without clear work expectations, employees would waste a lot of effort due to lack of or misplaced priorities, endure a lot of stress and waste a lot of time doing unnecessary chores. They also note that when the manger defines clearly job expectations and communicate this to employees, they get to understand what is expected of them. They also understand the reasons why they are doing the work as directed. Furthermore, they get to understand how work progress and realize at the right time when to ask for assistance. This also helps employees in knowing areas where they need to make improvements (Saville and Higgins, 2010). One of the expectations that a hospital manger should