Until When essays

Until When essays The 2000 Presidential election has brought much attention to itself. While a slew of lawyers try to cheat their respective political figurehead into the White House, the topics discussed during the debates have been put aside. Affirmative action and education touch upon a delicate subject, which hinders the fundamental progress of our nation. Racism is nothing new to this country. In fact, much of the early development in America is the result of slavery. In this paper I will attempt to use the African American people as an example of how the deep roots of racism, like anything else, has evolved over time and has all but escaped America. Everyone is aware of the problems slavery has caused in the United States. It caused the nation to divide, as was the case in the Civil War. The wars conclusion granted the slaves freedom. Emancipation didnt necessarily end racism or better the African Americans situation. Now they had to fend for themselves with no economic support, education, or rights. As a whole, the development of the African American community had been suppressed and left a few steps behind. The Great Depression seemed to even out the economic side of things, making hardship more uniform for all. This led to the emergence of government assistance programs ( Mullings 1986: 41). The economic crisis that affected the United States during the Great Depression became the stage for the creation of many social programs geared towards providing economic relief to American families. The New Deal relief programs emerged in the 1930s. Racial discrimination insured that in many communities black families received smaller grants than white families. They were also excluded from many of the employment programs ( Bremner 1992: 11). Welfare at first seemed to be the opportunity to achieve financial security not dependence. After World War II, the economy improved and the majority of middle and upper class white Americ...

Maximum Likelihood Estimation Examples

Maximum Likelihood Estimation Examples Suppose that we have a random sample from a population of interest.  We may have a theoretical model for the way that the population is distributed.  However, there may be several population parameters of which we do not know the values.  Maximum likelihood estimation is one way to determine these unknown parameters.   The basic idea behind maximum likelihood estimation is that we determine the values of these unknown parameters.  We do this in such a way to maximize an associated joint probability density function or probability mass function.  We will see this in more detail in what follows.  Then we will calculate some examples of maximum likelihood estimation. Steps for Maximum Likelihood Estimation The above discussion can be summarized by the following steps: Start with a sample of independent random variables X1, X2, . . . Xn from a common distribution each with probability density function f(x;ÃŽ ¸1, . . .ÃŽ ¸k).  The thetas are unknown parameters.Since our sample is independent, the probability of obtaining the specific sample that we observe is found by multiplying our probabilities together.  This gives us a likelihood function L(ÃŽ ¸1, . . .ÃŽ ¸k)   f( x1 ;ÃŽ ¸1, . . .ÃŽ ¸k) f( x2 ;ÃŽ ¸1, . . .ÃŽ ¸k) . . .  f( xn ;ÃŽ ¸1, . . .ÃŽ ¸k) ÃŽ   f( xi ;ÃŽ ¸1, . . .ÃŽ ¸k).Next, we use Calculus to find the values of theta that maximize our likelihood function L.  More specifically, we differentiate the likelihood function L with respect to ÃŽ ¸ if there is a single parameter.  If there are multiple parameters we calculate partial derivatives of L with respect to each of the theta parameters.To continue the process of maximization, set the derivative of L (or partial derivatives) equal to zero and solve for theta.We can then use o ther techniques (such as a second derivative test) to verify that we have found a maximum for our likelihood function. Example Suppose we have a package of seeds, each of which has a constant probability p of success of germination.  We plant n of these and count the number of those that sprout.  Assume that each seed sprouts independently of the others.  How do we determine the maximum likelihood estimator of the parameter p? We begin by noting that each seed is modeled by a Bernoulli distribution with a success of p. We let X be either 0 or 1, and the probability mass function for a single seed is f( x ; p ) px (1 - p)1 - x.   Our sample consists of n  Ã‚  different Xi, each of with has a Bernoulli distribution.  The  seeds that sprout have Xi 1 and the seeds that fail to sprout have Xi 0.   The likelihood function is given by: L ( p ) ÃŽ   pxi (1 - p)1 - xi We see that it is possible to rewrite the likelihood function by using the laws of exponents.   L ( p )   pÃŽ £ xi (1 - p)n - ÃŽ £ xi Next we differentiate this function with respect to p.  We assume that the values for all of the Xi are known, and hence are constant.  To differentiate the likelihood function we need to use the product rule along with the power rule: L ( p )   ÃŽ £ xip-1 ÃŽ £ xi (1 - p)n - ÃŽ £ xi - (n - ÃŽ £ xi )pÃŽ £ xi (1 - p)n-1 - ÃŽ £ xi We rewrite some of the negative exponents and have: L ( p ) (1/p) ÃŽ £ xipÃŽ £ xi (1 - p)n - ÃŽ £ xi - 1/(1 - p) (n - ÃŽ £ xi )pÃŽ £ xi (1 - p)n - ÃŽ £ xi [(1/p) ÃŽ £ xi  - 1/(1 - p) (n - ÃŽ £ xi)]ipÃŽ £ xi (1 - p)n - ÃŽ £ xi Now, in order to continue the process of maximization, we set this derivative equal to zero and solve for p: 0 [(1/p) ÃŽ £ xi  - 1/(1 - p) (n - ÃŽ £ xi)]ipÃŽ £ xi (1 - p)n - ÃŽ £ xi Since p and (1- p) are nonzero we have that 0 (1/p) ÃŽ £ xi  - 1/(1 - p) (n - ÃŽ £ xi). Multiplying both sides of the equation by p(1- p) gives us: 0 (1 - p) ÃŽ £ xi  - p (n - ÃŽ £ xi). We expand the right hand side and see: 0   ÃŽ £ xi  - p ÃŽ £ xi  - p n pÃŽ £ xi   ÃŽ £ xi - p n. Thus ÃŽ £ xi p n and (1/n)ÃŽ £ xi   p.  This means that the maximum likelihood estimator of p is a sample mean.  More specifically this is the sample proportion of the seeds that germinated.  This is perfectly in line with what intuition would tell us.  In order to determine the proportion of seeds that will germinate, first consider a sample from the population of interest. Modifications to the Steps There are some modifications to the above list of steps.  For example, as we have seen above, is typically worthwhile to spend some time using some algebra to simplify the expression of the likelihood function.  The reason for this is to make the differentiation easier to carry out. Another change to the above list of steps is to consider natural logarithms. The maximum for the function L will occur at the same point as it will for the natural logarithm of L.  Thus maximizing ln L is equivalent to maximizing the function L. Many times, due to the presence of exponential functions in L, taking the natural logarithm of L will greatly simplify some of our work. Example We see how to use the natural logarithm by revisiting the example from above.  We begin with the likelihood function: L ( p )   pÃŽ £ xi (1 - p)n - ÃŽ £ xi . We then use our logarithm laws and see that: R( p ) ln L( p ) ÃŽ £ xi ln p (n - ÃŽ £ xi) ln(1 - p). We already see that the derivative is much easier to calculate: R( p ) (1/p)ÃŽ £ xi - 1/(1 - p)(n - ÃŽ £ xi) . Now, as before, we set this derivative equal to zero and multiply both sides by p (1 - p): 0 (1- p ) ÃŽ £ xi -  p(n - ÃŽ £ xi) . We solve for p and find the same result as before. The use of the natural logarithm of L(p) is helpful in another way.  It is much easier to calculate a second derivative of R(p) to verify that we truly do have a maximum at the point (1/n)ÃŽ £ xi   p. Example For another example, suppose that we have a random sample X1, X2, . . . Xn from a population that we are modelling with an exponential distribution.  The probability density function for one random variable is of the form f( x ) ÃŽ ¸-1 e -x/ÃŽ ¸ The likelihood function is given by the joint probability density function. This is a product of several of these density functions: L(ÃŽ ¸) ÃŽ   ÃŽ ¸-1 e -xi/ÃŽ ¸   ÃŽ ¸-n e -ÃŽ £ xi/ÃŽ ¸    Once again it is helpful to consider the natural logarithm of the likelihood function.  Differentiating this will require less work than differentiating the likelihood function: R(ÃŽ ¸) ln L(ÃŽ ¸) ln [ÃŽ ¸-n e -ÃŽ £ xi/ÃŽ ¸] We use our laws of logarithms and obtain: R(ÃŽ ¸) ln L(ÃŽ ¸) - n ln ÃŽ ¸Ã‚   -ÃŽ £xi/ÃŽ ¸ We differentiate with respect to ÃŽ ¸ and have: R(ÃŽ ¸)   - n / ÃŽ ¸Ã‚   ÃŽ £xi/ÃŽ ¸2 Set this derivative equal to zero and we see that: 0 - n / ÃŽ ¸Ã‚   ÃŽ £xi/ÃŽ ¸2. Multiply both sides by ÃŽ ¸2 and the result is: 0 - n ÃŽ ¸Ã‚   ÃŽ £xi. Now use algebra to solve for ÃŽ ¸: ÃŽ ¸ (1/n)ÃŽ £xi. We see from this that the sample mean is what maximizes the likelihood function.  The parameter ÃŽ ¸ to fit our model should simply be the mean of all of our observations. Connections There are other types of estimators.  One alternate type of estimation is called an unbiased estimator.  For this type, we must calculate the expected value of our statistic and determine if it matches a corresponding parameter.

Incorporate Comorbidity Problem Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Incorporate Comorbidity Problem - Essay Example Neurons, which are brain cells, are responsive to distinctive types of neurotransmitters having receptors built purposely for them (Porth & Matfin, 2009). Those neurons that tend to be sensitive to certain neurotransmitters cluster together, thereby forming circuits in the brain, responsible for processing certain types of information. Neurotransmitters are discharged from a neuron at the time it signals another brain cell; these neurotransmitters are discharged to the small space amid the two neurons known as the synapse (Porth & Matfin, 2009). Inside the synapse, the neurotransmitters tend to attach to the receptors at the ending of another neuron, thereby affecting the action of the new neuron. Consequently, the new neuron absorbs as much of the neurotransmitter as it possibly can and then discharges the excess back to the synapse. After that, the first neuron goes ahead to reabsorb the excess; this process through a process is referred to as reuptake (Porth & Matfin, 2009). In th e brain, there are various neurotransmitters, two of which are involved in schizophrenia symptoms, that is dopamine and glutamate (Craft, Gordon, & Tiziani, 2011). Dopamine happens to be primarily responsible for movement and thoughts, while, at the same time being related with novelty seeking, or concern in new experiences, as well as reward. Apparently, illegal drugs such as cannabis, cocaine and methamphetamine act by affecting the function of dopamine in the brain; therefore, dopamine is related with feelings of not only pleasure but also well-being (Craft et al., 2011). Dopamine paths within the brain tend to be extremely specialized, thereby being capable of influencing different types of behavior or thinking. Thus, people with high intensities of dopamine in parts of the brain might also suffer from psychotic symptoms or even paranoid thinking that are symptoms of schizophrenia (Craft et al., 2011). Glutamate happens to be other neurotransmitter, which might play a significan t role in schizophrenia. Glutamate plays a key part in learning, formation as well as encoding of memory (Craft et al., 2011). There are hallucinogenic drugs such as PCP used in blocking glutamate receptors; however, amphetamines, PCP are capable of causing paranoia, which apes schizophrenic symptoms. In instances where people suffer from schizophrenia and use PCP, it worsens their symptoms (Craft et al., 2011). Research shows that an interaction between dopamine and glutamate happens to be the center of schizophrenia; nonetheless, dopamine receptors are capable of reducing glutamate action; in case there are unusually many dopamine receptors, the effects of glutamate will be blocked. Question Two Reports by the American Psychological Association (2001)

EIC and new ways of waging war Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

EIC and new ways of waging war - Research Paper Example Grotius the VOC jurist The VOC was formed as a private company whose main aim was to counteract the dominance of Portuguese interests in the East and West Indies region, as well as target Spanish interests in the ongoing conflict between the Dutch and the Spaniards. Grotius was appointed by the VOC Company as an advocate to champion the freedom of navigation and free access to markets that were under the strict control of the Portuguese.3 He conducted a campaign whose main aims were to legitimize the operations of the VOC as a body interested in fighting for free trade, the abolition of monopoly, and freedom of navigation in the East Indies waters; all of which the Portuguese were not willing to accept.4 The primary purpose in founding the VOC was so that it could anchor Dutch interests in the East Indies by moving fast to take advantage of lucrative trade routes that were under threat from British Imperial merchants. ... ket requirements.5 As a young philosopher, Grotius laid the foundation for a new understanding of international law and Just War Theory that formed the basis for Dutch arguments towards the legality of their operations in the East Indies. For example, in 1609, Grotius anonymously published Mare Liberum, or the â€Å"Freedom of the Seas,† which was a way to declare war outside the European continent mainly driven by low profits from the West Indies trade, and increasing competition from the English.6 As the main VOC jurist, Grotius advocated for the legitimization of the actions and operations of the VOC, arguing that they were legal and moral. For example, on the issue of extradition, Grotius argued that all nations had the natural right and duty to either extradite or punish malefactors.7 Moreover, Grotius held that subjects of the United Netherlands had a right to sail and trade in the East Indies.8 This challenged Portuguese, Spanish, and English interests in the East Indie s. Mainly, this was argued on the principle that every nation had the right to trade with any nation it pleases.9 Moreover, Grotius’ argued that the Portuguese and Spanish did not have sovereignty over the areas they occupied in the East Indies. Hence to deny the Dutch any trade rights or the rights to passage would be absurd and unjust. This paved the way for increased competition and conflict in the East Indies amongst the European powers. In February 1603, the VOC seized the Portuguese vessel Santa Catarina along the Singapore coast, on the pretext that Portuguese merchants had aggrieved Dutch vessels, and therefore seizing the ship was justified as a form of reparation.10 Grotius argued that the Portuguese had denied the Dutch the natural right of access and trade in Asian markets, that the

Use of the Mock-epic Style in The Rape of the Lock Essay -- Rape Of Th

Use of the Mock-epic Style in The Rape of the Lock "The triumph of the Baron's rape is in exactly the same high language as it would be if he were Hector." In The Rape of the Lock, Pope uses the mock-epic style to satirise the seriousness with which a trivial misdemeanour (the theft of a few strands of hair) and the ways of gender polarised society can be blown beyond all sense of proportion. Thus the male mentality, through the Baron, is portrayed as lacking depth or personality beyond that required to achieve its ends; men objectify and devise "strategems" (4,120) to conquer their female obsessions; they are "victor[s]" (4,162) who self-importantly congratulate themselves as meriting "wreaths of triumph" (4,161) when they have seized what they desire. The Baron claims that the "glorious prize" is his in perpetuity, whilst many conditions which will never be fulfilled ("while fish in streams, or birds delight in air" 4,163) remain unfulfilled. In this satirising of the epic mould such trivial occurrences are substituted in place of truly fantastic possibilities (mighty cities falling, for instance) for the purpose of putting the lock's severing into a more realistic perspective — this is made even more explicit in the following canto (4,8 "[no-one ever] felt such rage, resentment, and despair / as thou, sad virgin! for thy ravished hair" — meaning that perh aps Belinda over-reacts, in Pope's opinion, just ever-so slightly.) He also then reinforces his satire with a broadening of humour, and a stab in the direction of then-popular culture: specifically, "Atalantis" (4,165) was no great enduring writing but a cheap, scandalous work of fiction, "notorious for its thinly concealed allusions to contemporary scandals", pe... ...rder of life.") Obviously the ultimate aim of the poem is to mitigate the severity of the liberty taken in the theft of the lock (as seen in the minds of those involved in the familial dispute.) Mock epic assists Pope in achieving this without being seen to trivialise the assaulted feelings of the victim — the high language and drama of his work accords to the act of the lock's severing a grossly inflated significance, which retains enough of its epic origins not to be viewed as derisive sarcasm. As a satirist Pope is therefore presenting for the appraisal of his readership the notion that the loss of the lock does not deserve the intensity of ill-feeling which has resulted from it. BIBLIOGRAPHY: The Norton Anthology of English Literature 6th Edition, Volume 1, 1993 A Choice Of Pope's Verse, edited by Peter Porter, Faber & Faber, 1971

Radio One, Incorporated

Radio One, Incorporated In general ? Assume a corporate tax rate of 34%, and a market risk premium of 7. 2%. ? Data in exhibit 9 are in $1,000. ? Show and explain all your calculations, i. e. the reader/grader must be able to follow your reasoning and be able to understand all your calculations without using time to reconstruct your numbers. ? Make additional assumptions if necessary, but make them explicitly. ? Good luck. ? Questions 1. Why does Radio One want to acquire the 12 urban stations from Clear Channel Communications in the top 50 markets along with the 9 stations in Charlotte, North Carolina, Augusta, Georgia, and Indianapolis, Indiana? What are the benefits and risks? 2. What price should Radio One offer on a discounted cash flow analysis assuming all equity financing? ? Show and explain cash flows items needed to be estimated to get relevant cash flows in 2001 – 2004. Estimate relevant cost of capital to calculate PV of relevant cash flows assuming acquisition is all equity financed. ? Estimate terminal value of potential acquisitions after forecast period ends in 2004. ? What price should Radio One offer on a discounted cash flow analysis using relevant cash flow in 2001 – 2004 and a terminal value in 2004? ? Are the cash flow projections (in forecast period and terminal value) reasonable? If not: Revise your calculations. 3. What price should Radio One offer on a transaction multiple for comparable transactions analysis? What price should Radio One offer on a trading multiple of comparable firm analysis? 4. Assuming that Radio One’s stock price is 30? BCF, can it offer as much as 30? BCF for the new stations without reducing the stock price? 5. What price should Radio One offer for the new stations?

Bless Me Ultima Character Analysis - 1039 Words

In the novel Bless Me, Ultima author, Rudolfo Anaya introduces a character by the name of Antonio Mà ¡rez or â€Å"Tony† as referred to by his friends and family. In the novel Antonio appears to be the embodiment of an entire generation of children that are born to traditional Mexican/Native families but raised in an ever so diverse United States. In a Q A with Rudolfo Anaya at the end of the novel he states, â€Å"my mother was a very religious person, much like Antonio’s mother in the novel. I grew up completely imbued with the Catholic cosmology. Later I discovered there are many religions in the world, many spiritual paths. These paths are part of our inheritance as Nuevos Hispanos. They stretch from Mesoamerica to the Indian Pueblos of the Rà ­o†¦show more content†¦From his birth, Antonio is immediately pulled between cultures, his mother’s brothers state â€Å"We must take with us the blood that comes after the birth. We will bury it in our f ields to renew their fertility and to assure that the baby will follow our ways.† (Anaya 6) While his father’s â€Å"compadres† disagree and say, â€Å"We will burn it and let the winds of the llano scatter the ashes.† (Anaya 6) The two cultures cannot come to agreement because of their differing superstitious beliefs and therefore crate the altering paths that Hispanics are forced to choose between. The road that Antonio will follow will ultimately be the same road that his brothers faced, they too were born into split cultures, they dealt with the altering customs of the English-speaking culture and that of his family. Later in the novel his brothers tell Anthony of the realization that I believe all Hispanics eventually realize when they become older. His brother Gene says â€Å"Were men, Andy, were not boys any longer. We cant be tied down to old dreams. (Anaya 72) Antonio’s brothers had recently returned from the war, it is there that they rea lized the truth of the world and were able to find their identity. A major part of one’s identity involves a system of morals and beliefs which are too influenced though one’s culture and experiences in life. TheShow MoreRelatedCharacter Analysis : Bless Me, Ultima1361 Words   |  6 Pagesourselves. They can expand our thoughts to a multitude of different subjects and force us to be a slave to our dreams, such as facing parental pressure, religious ambivalence and the loss of ones innocence. This is true of Antonio Marez in the novel Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya. Antonio has lost control and begins to succumb to his dreams and loses control of himself. He battles his expectations given to him by his parents and also at the same time has another battle within himself. He is confusedRead MoreBless Me Ultima Character Analysis702 Words   |  3 Pagesunderstand the world through our own perspective. When people do not quite understand, or do not want to, they often misunderstand situations and other people. Humans tend to label e ach other as one thing when they can be something else completely. In Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya, Narciso is misunderstood as just a town drunk when he really is a hero. Lupito has just killed the town sheriff, and all the men are out for his blood. They are searching the bridge and the bushes looking for him when NarcisoRead MoreBless Me Ultima Character Analysis708 Words   |  3 Pages In Bless Me, Ultima! Written by Rudolfo A. Anaya, the main character Antonio is greatly affected by the deaths of three characters in this novel, Lupito, Narciso, and Florence. Their deaths cause Tony to question sin, death, forgiveness, the nature of God, and spiritual identity. Lupito, a war veteran that suffers from Post-traumatic stress disorder, death triggers the questioning of moral sin and afterlife, will he be forgiven because of his sickness from war? Narciso, one of AntoniosRead MoreBless Me Ultima Chicano Literature1592 Words   |  7 PagesIntroductory Paragraph Bless Me, Ultima is a Chicano novel written by Rudolfo Anaya in 1972, which includes a magical realism plot. Chicano literature is especially significant in this novel because it helps create a cultural identity for the main character and his community. The novel talks about a petite boy named Antonio; throughout the book Antonio makes his best efforts to try and find the path to which he belongs, he wants to find answers about who he is and wants to learn a lot more aboutRead MoreThematic Analysis Of Bless Me, Ultima1580 Words   |  7 Pages Thematic Analysis of Conflicts in, Bless me, Ultima Differences in others aid to the stimulation of ideas and opinions that expresses an individual s personality. In Rudolfo Anaya’s bildungsroman, Bless Me, Ultima, the struggle between two families and their extreme differences cause numerous conflicts that are constantly present throughout his novel. In this chicano inspired novel, Antonio Marà ©z, the six year old protagonist, is perpetually faced with instances of dissimilarity throughoutRead More Bless Me, Ultima: The Cultural Distress Of A Young Society Essay example3164 Words   |  13 Pages Bless Me, Ultima: The Cultural Distress of a Young Society An answer to the discussion question of whether or not there is a defined border culture would need a great number of years in field research, but we can also observe a few of the characteristics of such border culture just by looking at scholastic essays and books related to the topic. Within the research that I did, I found a number of scholars who, while defining the border, mention all the specific or special characteristics of thisRead MoreKill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee1982 Words   |  8 Pageswelcome and love rather than hypocrisy, racism, and judgement. Task #2: Bless Me, Ultima Whether religious or not, death is a subject that haunts almost everyone with the desire for answers. Antonio Marez in the novel Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya proved this as he was forced to witness and experience the deaths of five people he knew very well. Being born with an excellent sense of spirituality brought him and Ultima, a curandera with extreme healing powers, close together. With Ultima’s guidanceRead MoreAtticus, Scout, And Jem Finch2314 Words   |  10 Pagesraised by Atticus, who passes down his values of equality and righteousness to Scout and her brother Jem. Because she is still growing up, the reader sees and follows as scout learns man lessons about dealing with prejudice by observing the other characters in the story. Scout learns that yielding to prejudice often hurt and cause strife to others and by resisting prejudice we often help others. Hatred and prejudice poison the people they infest. Through her journey and bildungsroman, Scout learnsRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie Holden Talks With Mr. Spencer Essay1569 Words   |  7 PagesAnalysis: This quote is from the part when Holden talks with Mr. Spencer. Since Holden failing all his classes except one, Mr. Spencer is advising Holden about the importance and the impact of his actions in his life. Holden’s perception of adults is depicted when he curses Mr. Spencer in his mind. By nodding silently to Mr. Spencer’s words, Holden actually disrespects adults. We can easily perceive that Holden feels alienated when Mr. Spencer tells him that he is one of those people on â€Å"the otherRead MoreReview Of Yann Martel s Life Of Pi Essay1337 Words   |  6 Pageshurtful. Pi is found, fed, bathed, and taken to a hospital. There, two Japanese men come to question Pi about what caused the Tsimtsum to sink. He tells his story, which they do not believe, so he offers them a more plausible version, with the animal characters replaced by other humans, which casts doubt on t he original story. Throughout the novel, the story is interrupted by the author’s notes on Pi as he is now, telling this story to the author. After recovering in Mexico he went to Canada, where he