Reconstruction of signals for data length of the ultrasonic signals

Table of contents

Introduction:

Since really early from 1960s, signal Restoration remained as one of the most popular and ambitious jobs for supersonic proving techniques in signal analysis. A figure of techniques have been developed since that clip, opposite and pseudo opposite filtering, rental squares methods, maximal information etc. However from the positions of assorted writers in all mentions in this thesis we can non stipulate that one method can be used to bring forth a high declaration in existent or practical applications. The ground of failure for existent universe applications of the signal Restoration is connected to the ill-posedness of the job. Ill-posedness can be defined as figure of independent grades of freedom of the deformed signal is by and large than that of the original signal [ 17 ] . Distortion is caused due to the noise and other effects ensuing in end product with some spectral constituents or uncomplete information. Therefore Restoration by necessity requires the usage of extra information about the original signal that is non present in the deformed signal ( end product signal ) . To reconstruct the signal every bit near as possible to the original signal is taken from a Priori cognition or from somewhere else.

Deconvoltuion or decryption of the signals such as image, address, ultrasound signal received must be a replicate of the original signal sent signifier the transmittal terminal to analyze the concealed information in the signals from the surfaces under trial. To analyze the signal or information we need to deconvolve the signal or decrypt the informations. Assorted techniques are available in digital signal processing as described in the earlier chapters to deconvolve the signals. Deconvolution has shown promised consequences in signal analysis. There are different devonvolution methods in assorted signal spheres as classified in the chapter-2. Recorded Signals suffer from deformation map to bring forth the original signal. The chief ground for deformation is linear noise every bit good as the other internal and external effects. The pertinence of the proposed Wiener and Blind devonvolution based signal analysis techniques presented in the above two chapters are applied to the fake stationary and non-stationary, existent clip signals. Our aim is to retrace the signals for informations length of the supersonic signals, Signal to resound ratio and the deformation maps. We think it will be better to advert that the signal analysis is carried out for fake and existent signal. When a existent signal is restored we do non hold an original signal. So in order to compare out our algorithms public presentation simulated signals are really helpful. It is really hard to supply a valid definition for comparing of existent signals in supersonic testing.

In general the Ultrasonic Non Destructive Evaluation ( NDE ) is used for defect sensing and localisation in construction under trial. The recorded supersonic signal characterizes construction, defect or cleft, and material surface. These contemplations are called reverberations classified as, mistake reverberation, back-wall reverberation and the noise ( grain ) . The backscattered reverberations present valuable information pertaining to the features of stuffs. Most of the supersonic applications i.e. subsample clip hold appraisal, deepness profiling, thickness measuring of thin beds rely on high declaration Deconvoltuion.

Consequences and treatments:

In this chapter we focus on public presentation of the Wiener, Blind and some other deconvolution techniques from the MATLAB tool chest for different parametric quantities such as,

The signal Restoration is carried for existent with different lengths ( sample N = 256, 512, 1024 ) .

Signal-to-Noise Ratio is calculated

Minimal Mean Square is estimated comparing the obtained coefficient of reflection map ( particularly simulated signals ) .

Ocular comparing ( proving ) utilizing the estimated signal with the original signal.

Deconvolution operation is performed on fake stationary and non-stationary signals and every bit good as the existent signals. We need to cognize about the deformation maps. Here we present the signals and Impulse response maps. we have simulated a stationary and non-stationary signals. the analysis is carried out utilizing the consequences of the existent signals and fake signal. We have two signals recorded from 50MHz and 230MHz transducers. We present the signals,

Signals recorded in supersonic non-destructive rating from the surfaces under survey are distorted by features of noise arising from internal and external beginnings, and extension waies. The two of import features restricting the public presentation of the Wiener deconvoluion are Attenuation of noise in the supersonic signal, and Band bound. Since the frequence bandwidth of the original signal is by and large narrow, frequencies beyond this limited part in impulse response lend a small in signal Reconstruction. Wiener filter is called Minimal mean square ( MMSE ) calculator. It is sensitive to the power spectrum of the original surface. In this the reconstructed coefficient of reflection map differs in frequence features. It is proved that wiener deconvolution when suitably applied can supply effectual consequences even under unfavorable conditions [ 84 ] . In this we present a solution for signal Reconstruction utilizing wiener filter theory. The public presentation and the analysis of the consequences are chiefly affected by noise. NOISE LIMITS THE AMPLITUDE OF THE REFLECTIVITY FUNCTION, as per the consequences shown below. Due to signal to resound ratio in the denominator Wiener filter underestimates the amplitude as shown in equation ( 5.1 ) . High declaration signal Restoration can be achieved by big SNR betterment without deformation.

Ten ^ ( ? ) =G ( ? ) Yttrium ( ? ) = [ ( H^* ( ? ) ) / ( |H ( ? ) |^2+ ( S_v ( ? ) ) / ( S_x ( ? ) ) ) ] Y ( ? ) — — — ( 5.1 )

Where,

G ( ? ) = Wiener filtering

S_v ( ? ) and S_x ( ? ) are power spectra of noise and original signal.

Noise can be reduced different signal processing methods, as discussed above to cut down the electrical noise, even after averaging if the SNR is deficient filtering is required, the lower the SNR, the restored map becomes undependable. High declaration or acceptable consequences can by taking a moderate SNR. Reliable coefficient of reflection map can obtained for a moderate SNR. The consequences presented below are at different SNR values such as eternity, 20db, 40db.

Fake Stationary signal:

Signal Sigma

noise coefficient Gamma

Thresholding SNR

dubnium Mistake

MSE

Simulated_stationary_1 0 100 Infinity 1.0982e-005

Simulated_stationary_2 0.1 100 20.9315 0.4214

Simulated_stationary_3 0.01 100 30.5329 0.1387

Simulated_stationary_4 0.001 100 40.7859 0.0117

Fake non-Stationary signal:

Parameters for fake non-stationary signal:

Signal Sigma

noise coefficient Gamma

Thresholding SNR

dubnium Mistake

MSE

Simulated_stationary_1 0 100 Eternity 0.3320

Simulated_stationary_2 0.1 0.3 3.443 0.4214

Simulated_stationary_3 0.01 0.98484 13.0852 0.5831

Simulated_stationary_4 0.001 100 23.2153 0.3368

To back up the account on the effects of noise to retrace the coefficient of reflection map in above few pages is presented utilizing consequences from the fake signals. The consequences tabulated in tabular arraies ( table 5.1 and table 5.2 ) show that SNR limits the signal Reconstruction. Better public presentation can be obtained by bettering the signal-to-noise ratio. One of the many methods to better the signal to resound ratio is to extinguish the background noise utilizing the thresholding procedure. One of the methods is threshold method in reverse filter explained in chapter -3. The lower the SNR, the larger the variableness of estimated spectra and hence the more undependable the computed maps and restored signal. The application of Wiener filtering is utile merely if the SNR is moderate for the of import signal frequence constituents. Data provided in the tabular array ( ) support that the SNR value limits the amplitude of the coefficient of reflection map. In the undermentioned subdivision we restore the coefficient of reflection map for the existent signals. The job is we do non hold the original signal to prove the public presentation. It is apparent that the signal constituents obtained by Wiener filtrating are utile when restored with MODERATE SNR value. So we assume signal restored with moderate SNR value contain utile information for the signal analysis under Wiener filtering.

Signal Restoration for Real Signal recorded utilizing 50MHz ( 1:1024 ) :

Signal Sigma

noise coefficient Gamma

Thresholding SNR

Doctor of Divinity

Our purpose is to reconstruct the first from each pulsations of signal as shown in the figure ( 5.9 ) . Now we deconvolve the signal for three different length where N = 256, 512 and 1024. Thus the lengths of the sequences will the consequence the Restoration of the signal. The Restoration is performed utilizing different deformation map or impulses responses.

The sequence selected 1:212,

The sequence is selected from 1:540,

Next we will show by changing the noise coefficient sigma for the above set of sequences and the values are tabulated,

Signal Sigma Gamma

Thresholding SNR

Doctor of Divinity

From the tabular array, the first and 2nd rows correspond to the signals with the sequences ( 1:212 & A ; & amp ; 1:540 ) with the parametric quantities such as the noise coefficient sigma =0, when we compare the figure-5.11 with figure- 5.13 and figure- 5.12 with figure- 5.14 the coefficient of reflection is much more better than the other the 1. The figures 5.13 and 5.14 are the signals with added noise ensuing in a moderate SRN value. As discussed in the above subdivision to obtain a high declaration end product we need to seek for a good or moderate SNR and every bit good as the Thresholding value it minimizes the background noise and therefore ensuing in a better coefficient of reflection map.

Harmonizing to the belongingss of supersonic signal, the incursion or the traveling is limited harmonizing to the frequence of the signal. The lower the frequence of the transducer more the ultrasound signal can inspect the construction under trial. Due to this restriction, we have a job even when entering the signals. In this above subdivision we presented the Deconvolution operation on the 50MHz signal, here we produce some consequences obtained utilizing 230MHz, for different sample lengths e.g. 1024, 256 and 512. Some of the signals and urges responses are as shown,

Simulation-1: existent signal A * impulse response-A ( 20:900 ) :

Simulation 2:

Blind Signal deconvolution:

In this subdivision we use the blinddeconvolution availabel in matlab signal processing tool chest. We use deconvblind to reconstruct the coefficient of reflection map. For above mentioned signal in Figure- 5b. Coefficient of reflection maps are restored for the signals recorded usinf 50MHz and 230MHz utilizing the impulse response.

Simulation 1:

Simulation 2:

The consequences are produced utilizing iterative process. Appraisal of the parametric quantities is implimented utilizing Maximal Likelihood method. We foremost estimate the coefficient of reflection map x ^ ( T ) which is given in timedomain as,

ten ^ ( T ) = ? Y ( T )

The iterative theoretical account in frequence sphere is given as,

Ten ^_0 ( ? ) = ? Y ( ? )

Ten ^_ ( k+1 ) ( ? ) = X ^_k ( ? ) + ? Y ( ? ) – Ten ^_k ( ? ) H ( ? )

The chief advantage of the iterative filter iterative process is that it can be stopped after a finite figure of loops. Using this method high declaration end product can be obtained because this method is less sensitive to the noise.

Decision:

In the field of supersonic Non Destructive Evaluation ( NDE ) , the Restoration of signal is the chief job. Therefore, in this thesis the classical and the conventional deconvolution methods are studied and implemented to reconstruct the coefficient of reflection map of the sparse signals. One of the of import factors is execution of these two methods to reconstruct thin signals. Though there are some advanced techniques already in usage, such as – ripple, thin deconvolution and fiting chase. Here, we have used Wiener and Blind deconvolution techniques to reconstruct the coefficient of reflection map from the sparse signals. These methods are chosen with regard to the handiness of the clip and cognition I have sing the topic. The motive behind taking this subject as a portion of my MSc thesis is to better my bing cognition on the digital signal processing techniques and its applications in Ultrasonic Non-destructive rating methods. We think it will be better to advert about the background I have on the Deconvolution technique before get downing this undertaking. The lone thing I know is that deconvolution is the reverse operation of whirl.

Deconvolution is known as opposite job. Performance of the coefficient of reflection map depends on the word picture or appraisal of the deformation map or Point Spread Function ( PSF ) . We restored coefficient of reflection map utilizing a non-blind deconvolution and a unsighted deconvolution technique. Non blind deconvolution can be advantageous, since it admits a closed signifier solution via Wiener Filtering. Additionally, in the instance of non blind deconvolution, it is easy to integrate diverse statistical priors on the surface coefficient of reflection map under trial. Once the PSF is known it is no longer important to reconstruct the coefficient of reflection map. The non blind deconvolution should be considered as an of import boosting phase supplementing the opposite filtrating [ 68 ] . Two related steps of public presentation will be used to assist over the quality of Restorations: the mean square mistake and the betterment on signal/noise ratio ratio. Even though MSE is non a dependable calculator of the subjective quality of a restored signal it will be used to give some indicant of the public presentation of the method. Performance of the algorithms is similar to that for noise less conditions. The consequences obtained for different Signal-to-Noise ratios are tabulated in ( 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 ) . It is apparent from the tabular arraies that wiener filtrating conserves most of the information associated with the signals at parts of high signal to resound ratio in the frequence sphere. Wiener deconvolution produces high declaration coefficient of reflection map for stationary signals.

The public presentation of the proposed Wiener deconvolution is investigated on the fake stationary and every bit good as the non-stationary signals. Using wiener deconvolution to a computing machine generated signal is summarized.

In the above figure ( 1 ) shows the convolved signal Y ( T ) ( 2 ) is the impulse response ( 3 ) coefficient of reflection map ( 4 ) Reconstruction of the coefficient of reflection map. The coefficient of reflection map is reconstructed for different SNR = inifinty, 20dB, 40dB. The figures 5.1-5.4 represent the coefficient of reflection maps with diminishing MSE with increasing SNR. Wiener filter method has satisfactory public presentation at comparatively high SNR values. At low SNR values wiener filter method public presentation is badly affected by noise.

Future work:

Harmonizing to the increased broad scope of applications based on deconvolution of supersonic signals, wiener deconvolution and blind deconvolution are studied and implemented in this thesis. Wiener filtering is called Minimal Mean Square calculator. This job has a broad assortment of applications in digital signal processing like geophysical modeling, supersonic analysis or bio-medical technology. Wiener Filtering is sensitive to the noise. Implementing Wiener filtrating suitably can bring forth appropriate consequences even under unfavorable conditions. In existent universe applications it is hard to gauge parametric quantities or conditions suitably. Signal analysis is carried out utilizing sweetening of Signal-to-Noise ratio and gauging the Minimum Mean Square mistake. Signal to resound ratio is enhanced by extinguishing the background noise or deformations added to the signal recorded from Ultrasonic Non destructive rating. The Minimal average square mistake is decreased by bettering the SNR value.

Another classical method implemented in this thesis is Blind deconvolution. Signal Restoration appears in many Fieldss. These Fieldss have different purposes for signal Restoration, but certain basicss are common to all signal Restoration. As explained earlier signal debasement is due to two grounds ( a ) Noise, and ( B ) Distortions. The cardinal hurdle in signal Restoration is lack of information. In some instances it is non possible to hold cause for signal debasement. Most of the signal Restoration algorithms by and large require some a priori information in order to reconstruct the signal. The a priori information in blind deconvolution is estimated utilizing the maximal likeliness appraisal method. The above discussed two methods autumn under 2nd order statistics. These methods suffer from non minimal stage job. To get the better of the job high order statistic method is approached. The high order statistic methods exploit the belongingss of cumulants and polyceptra as mentioned in chapter -4. Execution of this method depends on the cognition of high order cumulants of the involved signal. Third order statistics based method is the particular instance out of the High Order statics, enables to [ 28 ] ,

Operate under high signal to Noise ratio,

Operate expeditiously under the noise environments

Continue the exact non minimal stage.

It is clear that the conventional deconvolution techniques can non supply a high declaration end product when applied for thin signals. Transform-domain supersonic signal processing techniques were developed to find the defects in thin multilayered construction. In all these methods broadband supersonic signals were used, which are analysed in the clip or frequence spheres. These signals are normally clip limited or band-limited. The time-domain processing techniques can be confounding when the signals are distorted or the reverberations overlapped. The frequency-domain processing techniques are non suited when the defects are close to the surface or the reverberations overlapped [ 34 ] . So the hunt for dependable techniques is demanded. To obtain utile information about the concealed defects, time-frequency signal representation is developed. Thus L1 NORM DECONVOLUTION produce a high declaration end product even applied for thin signals. The time-frequency sphere methods such as WAVELET TRANSFORM, MATCHING PURSUIT and SPARSE DECONVOLUTION will bring forth high declaration coefficient of reflection map from thin signals.

Ripples Transform:

Ripples is a quickly germinating signal processing technique because of their localisation parametric quantities that adapt better to the signal features than the traditional Fourier transform. Applications range in many Fieldss such as, geophysical sciences, mathematics, and theoretical natural philosophies and in communicating. There are different types of ripple transform method,

Continuous ripple transform,

Daubechies wavelet transform

Gabor transform.

Discrete ripple transform

The ripple transform is defined in the footings of footing maps obtained by switching and dilation [ 39 ] . It is found that Gabor transform to be the most suited method to supply information in clip frequence sphere. Wavelet transform is the correlativity between the signal and a set of basic ripple. The information presented in this subdivision is collected form mentions [ 39, 40, 85, 86 ] .

In ripple transform an square integrable female parent ripple H ( T ) is chosen to analyze a specific signal. Number of daughter ripples ha, B ( T ) is generated from the female parent ripple H ( T ) by dilation and displacement belongingss. The ripple sequence W ( a, B ) of the signal ten ( T ) are given by,

W_s ( a, B ) = ? _ ( -8 ) ^8? s ( T ) ? h^* ? _ ( a, B ) ( T ) ? dt

= s ( T ) ? 1/va h^* ( t/a )

Where the girl ripple map is given by,

h_ ( a, B ) ( T ) = a^ ( 1/2 ) .h ( ( t-b ) /a )

This is the basic ripple transform theoretical account. This theoretical account can be used to observe the pulsation and suppression of noise. Using this ripple transform technique the signal is represented in time-frequency sphere. For the appraisal of the daughter signal see [ 39 ] . One of the advantages of the ripple transform is the sub set filtrating that decomposes a signal into different frequence sets. The signal is divided in to estimate and item coefficient such as, A1 and D1 for the first degree decomposition so these are decomposed in to A2 and D2. It repeats this process until the degree reaches the upper limit that is limited by m where the entire information is 2m. The decomposition is represented by Discrete Wavelet Transform ( DWT ) in figure.

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Congressional Reconstruction in the south 1863-1867

The radical reconstruction of 1867-1877, known for some of the most significant changes in American history. The Radical reconstruction was supported by Congress and less popular with President Johnson as if focused on Civil rights issues, something that Johnson chad no interest in. The reconstruction was meant to improve the economy of the devastated south, Politics and social Justice following the American civil war (War of the south).

It wasn’t until “March of 1867 when congress adopted the Reconstruction act even though Johnson had vetoed it” (Foner, Give Me Liberty, II 566), the period of Radical Reconstruction begun, note that Johnson had his own plans for reconstruction. The Radical Reconstruction made several demands such as; voting rights for freed slaves, Radicals to conform to the idea of equality, protection of the Republican Party in the south, keeping old confederate generals from office, increased tariff on good to support state funded programs.

Immediate achievements of the Reconstruction act of 1867 were: formation of political organization, “spread of the Republican Party in southern’ states that were returned o the Union” (Foner, Give Me Liberty, II 57), which increased the public’s involvement in free public education, orphanages, prisons and homes for the mentally challenged. The ‘Union league’ was one of the achievements during the Reconstruction. Its formation resulted from mass political meetings which included man, woman and children who simply rallied to claim the very rights enjoyed by the white citizens.

These meetings were widely attended and produced both male and female speakers such as Frances Ellen Watkins Harper and James D. Lynch. Frances was known “for her two years’ tour and lectures of ‘Literacy, land and Liberations’… nd James was known for his abilities to draw upon the emotion of his audience” (Foner, Give Me Liberty, II 573). In 1868-1869 new state constitutions were formed for the first time with the involvement of the public, most of whom were black representatives, this is why the public was given an increased responsibility in politics.

With their involvements, aside from schools and others listed above, the new constitutions removed practices such as; “whipping for punishments, property qualifications for officeholders, and imprisonment for debt” (Foner, Give Me Liberty, II 573). Other political achievements included an increased number of African Americans who now held public office (estimated 2,000), “South Carolina was the only state at this time in which African Americans made up the mass of the legislature” (Foner, Give Me Liberty, II 574). this is simply because the population was “60% blacks” (Foner, Give Me Liberty, II 574) in South Carolina at this time.

Finally African Americans held a seat in every level of Government though there were only two blacks who served the U. S. Senate during this period. Hiram from North Carolina and Blanche K. Bruce from. Hiram was born free, received an education, served in the Union Army and became the first “Black Senator in American history’ (Foner, Give Me Liberty, II 574). Blanche unlike Hiram was a former slave. (No addition information mentioned by Foner about Blanche). Though only for a short period the first Black and his mother a freed slave, the second black governor was not elected until “1989”.

Though most blacks who held public offices gained ranks via serving the Union army, some black were born free in the north and received a proper education like Jonathan J. Wright who served on the South Carolina Supreme Court. Among many prominent black officials, Robert Smalls, “a slave who secretly guided a vessel called the Planter, through enemy waters and delivered it to the Union’s Army’ (Foner, Give Me Liberty, II 574)? Smalls gained his fame for this single act and later was elected as a political leader in South Carolina and was eventually elected to congress for five terms.

Economically, some gained from during the Reconstruction, namely the ‘Carpetbaggers and the Scalawags’. Carpetbaggers were from the north, some simply came to the south for politics and many were Union soldiers who remained in the outh for lands and other economic advantages. Some remained for support in rebuilding and education the south by becoming teachers. Scalawags, a name given to Whites in the south who never owned slaves and now supported the Republicans to keep confederated officers out of office.

Other economical advances were the suspension of debt collection and protection for property owners from loan sharks. Thus far the public school education provided by the state stood above all as an achievement during the Reconstruction. Most schools were segregated with the exception of “New Orleans, were public schools were integrated… nd only South Carolina did the state university admitted black students” (Foner, Give Me Liberty, II 575). By 1870 more than half the white and black population attended public school (One may note Booker T Washington’s “Keep me separated but equal”).

Change in office from prewar leaders to newer governments, laws were passed to end racial discrimination from service providers such as railroads and hotels, though this was not enforced equally from region to region, it was one of the first steps towards standardizing what we now call equal citizenship for all. Republican government stablished the ‘State land Commission’ made attempts to improve the South’s economic situations by allowing labors/farmers to claim their crops before the land owners and merchants.

This was an issue since, farmers often owed the land owners and would regularly part with their crops for less than its worth. Officials believed that establishing railroads were key to improving the South’s economy, they believed that this will make way for factories, towns and a variety for agricultural developments. This idea was not very successful since most Northern companies had their attentions turned to the West instead of the devastated South. Due to the failure to improve the South’s economy, the economic status of most freedman remained the same.

With this failed attempt came a change in government, a ‘biracial democratic government’ was introduced to Americans. With this came the “overthrow of the reconstruction” (Foner, Give Me Liberty, II 575), many in the south were against the new form of government and called it corrupt and ineffective. Though corruption existed before, its aims now differ, some states were stained with “bribery, insider deals and get rich atmospheres” (Foner, Give Me Liberty, II 576). These practices soon nded due to increased taxes to support public funded services such as schools and construction of railroads.

Raising of taxes backfired since it caused poor whites in the south to end their support for the Republican Government since they saw that their whites in the south who found it difficult to accept freed slaves as their equals and allowing them to hold offices and voting. Southern radicals who still dreams of the (golden age of the South) now sought to obstruct the reconstruction by violence, by now they not on questioned the policies of the reconstruction, they believed that they ust end the republican rule and had a disbelieve in the federal government.

This movement became known as the “reign of terror” (Foner, Give Me Liberty, II 576). , giving rise to individual hate crimes on road sides against black who would not step aside for whites. These hate crimes would late become more organized and led to the formation of cults such as the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) which serves as a “military arm for the Democratic party in the south” (Foner, Give Me Liberty, II 577). Thought the main target for the KKK were predominantly blacks/ freed slaves; Foner claims that the KKK often assaulted white members of the Republicans, artime Unionist, office holders and teachers from the north.

These acts of terrorism were carried out by conservative whites in the south who preferred the olden ways. KKK activities alarmed southern government following the attack on a small town in “Colfax, Louisiana in 1873; armed whited assaulted the town with small cannons” (Foner, Give Me Liberty, II 578). Due to these circumstances, Washington approved the use of federal troops to subdue all terrorist activities, this which ultimately led to the federal government to expand its authority throughout the south.

Troops shortly deployed to apprehend anyone associate with the KKK, many ere arrested and many fled. These affirmative actions in 1872 towards the KKK caused the clan o disband and eventually dissolved completely granting the South genuine peace. Another contributing reasons for the failure of the reconstruction goes to the reappearance of racism in the North. Many believed that enough was done, blacks were now free and given voting rights and that was enough.

With all the emphasis on the KKK, other political ploys were formed in the north simultaneously. The Liberal Republicans were formed, electing the “editor of the New York Tribute for president” (Foner, Give Me Liberty, II 579). Being that there was now division amongst Republicans, Democrats made Greeley their candidate for president in the election of 1874. This was done with hopes of returning the Democrats to power but failed since most voters simple refrained from voting, resulting in a landslide victory for Grant in 1874.

Reconstruction was still not in the clear, in fact things had gotten worse, Journalist, James S. Pike, published “the Prostate States” (Foner, Give Me Liberty, II 578), which blamed the corruptions of the Southern states on black who held office, blacks were depicted as less than humans and animalistic instead. This contributed o the rebirth of racism and the rise of the Democrats again. With Democrats dominating congress, the; old ones enacted a final piece of Reconstruction legislation, The Civil Rights act of 1785… utlawing racial discrimination” (Foner, Give Me Liberty, II 580), though this was not upheld by the Supreme Court. In following years, Democrats would rise up and take control of few strategic southern states. These stated began calling themselves the “redeemed” (Foner, Give Me Liberty, II 581), referring to the act of returning their rightful white leaders back to office. Unlike the KKK who operated at night, armed individuals in these ‘redeemed’ ctions were taken to combat these attacks which played a major role in the election of 1877.

In the so called redeemed states, ballet boxes were destroyed and freed slaves/republicans were turned away from voting by armed southern Democrats which consequently led the victory of the Democrats and Rutherford B. Hayes as president. Though one of the most controversial elections of the 19th century, Republicans submitted after attempting to secure a promise from Hayes that he will uphold the rights for all. This marked the end of the Reconstruction in 1877, though it continued, allowed many blacks to vote and hold office.

Reconstruction would not come up again “until the Civil Rights movement in the 1950’s to 1960’s” (Foner, Give Me Liberty, II 582). Thought many would consider the Reconstruction of 1967-1877 a failure, it did prepare a foundation for the Civil Rights movement which occurred in 1950, it was the first attempt of many to meet the promise of the nation in which everyone was truly given an opportunity. The Reconstruction also illustrates the evils of politics and how one man’s neglect towards his duties can affect a nation, this referring to Grant turning a blind eye to the attacks in 1875.

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Reconstruction in the Southern States

What were the most important political and social legacies of reconstruction in the southern states? The biggest issue of reconstruction was the question of how the government was going to deal with the north and south, and how it would rebuild its relationship after the north beat the south during the war. Dealing with the former slaves was also going to be a big part of reconstruction for the south. How would they treat them now? The South was beaten and its economy was in horrible shape.

The south was still furious and having the northern troops there didn’t make it any better. The madness was from the changes made for African Americans and the fact that they now had their “freedom”. Lincoln had a dream; he was trying to make a plan to give amnesty to those swearing an oath of allegiance. When the state got 10 percent of the vote for the allegiance, it could start building its state government again. Louisiana and Arkansas both got the 10 percent, but the radicals in congress wanted even more.

The radicals pushed a bill that would transform everything in the south, but Lincoln used his pocket veto to get rid of the bill. Congress made the thirteenth Amendment to abolish slavery all together and made the freedman’s Bureau to help with the slaves to become free. Another issue was that a lot of land had been abandoned and now they needed to redistribute it. The North was creating more tension between the South because they were giving some of the land to the free slaves. During the reconstruction president Lincoln was assassinated.

Andrew Johnson became the new president, a war Democrat from Tennessee. Andrew Johnson was even harder on the South than Lincoln was, not on the entire South but more on individuals, Johnson decided while congress was not in session to grant amnesty on most of the southerners. The people of the political elite and the richer land owners were not part of the pardon, but later on Johnson pardoned most of them. Johnson made temporary governors to start making new governments in the southern states.

In December, Johnson was saying that “restoration” was virtually finished. A lifelong Democrat, Johnson sympathized with his fellow white southerners and was committed to white supremacy. Thaddeus Stevens and George Julian radicals sought to use federal power to remake the South just like the North. They advocated land redistribution to make former slaves landowners. Strict “Black Codes” where imposed that defined a permanent second-class citizenship for the ex-slaves and this made the Northerners very upset.

When Congress came back into session in December of 1865 it did not let the southern representatives be in there, they set up a special committee to hear testimony on the southern situation. Congress passed a Civil Rights bill to grant full citizenship upon African Americans and a bill to enlarge the scope of the Freedman’s Bureau. President Johnson vetoed both bills and Congress overrode the vetoes. This resulted in making congress a much more unified Republican Party. Not knowing that courts might declare the Civil Rights Act unconstitutional, Congress wrote the Fourteenth Amendment.

The Congressional elections of 1866 became very bitter between Congress and Johnson over the issue of Reconstruction and the amendment. Republicans won congressional elections and set about gaining control over the Reconstruction. The First Reconstruction Act of 1867 enfranchised blacks and divided the South into five military districts. During all of this Johnson and the Secretary of War Edwin Stanton did not agree on everything. In violation of the Tenure of Office Act, Johnson fired Stanton.

The House then impeached Johnson, and voted again to convict Johnson but fell one vote short of it. By 1868 eight of the southern states were back in the Union, three still were not. Republicans nominated Ulysses Grant for president. The Republicans attacked Democrats’ loyalties; Democrats exploited racism to gather votes and used terror in the South to keep Republicans from voting. Republicans won with less than 53 percent of the vote. The remaining unreconstructed states had to ratify both the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to be admitted to the Union.

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Acl Reconstruction Graft Information

Graft report Patellar graft The patellar tendon bone-tendon-bone graft has been the “gold standard” graft choice for ACL reconstructions since it became common practice in the mid-1980. It has been used extensively by surgeons since that time and still remains the graft of choice for a high number of orthopedists who perform this surgery regularly. The patellar tendon graft has consistently demonstrated excellent surgical outcomes with a 90-95% success rate in terms of returning to pre-injury level of sports.

A patellar tendon graft is harvested through a 3-4″ long incision based just along the medial border of the tendon… The middle third of the tendon 10-11 mm wide is then removed along with 2-2. 5 cm long bone blocks still apart of the tendon at each end of the graft from the tibial tubercle and the outer surface of the patella. This gives a composite bone-tendon-bone graft that has very strong insertion points of the tendon soft tissue into bone. The tensile strength of this graft has been measured by Noyes (1984) to be about 2950 Newton’s to failure, versus the strength of an intact ACL at 2160 N.

What happens to the remaining patellar tendon after a third of it has been removed? Over the course of three to four months after surgery the tendon regenerates or “grows back”. Initially it seems to overgrow into a thick, large tendon that then remodels back to a more normal contour by 12-18 months postoperatively. Surgeons have even been able to re-harvest another patellar tendon graft from the original tendon once enough time has passed for tendon reconstitution (although there’s now evidence that this repaired tissue may not be as strong as normal patellar tendon tissue).

Patellar tendon ruptures at the donor site are unlikely after the first few months post-op. Patellar tendon ruptures can and do occur however during the initial 6-8 weeks after surgery if the remaining tendon is stressed too hard. One of the advantages of this construct is that because the bone-tendon interface is quite strong, the surgeon only has to fix the block of bone in the bone tunnel rather than trying to fix the soft tissue itself.

A headless screw is inserted next to the bone plug (like a square peg in a round hole) to interference fit and locks the bone in place. The patellar tendon fibers are thereby immediately secured and are stable enough to begin motion and weight bearing when tolerated. The ends of the graft heal bone-to-bone in around 6-8 weeks, which appears to be quicker than the healing process for soft tissue-to-bone. Interference screws are now available in a bioresorbable material that actually dissolves within the bone over 2 to 3 years.

The “gold standard” graft isn’t perfect, however. There may be more pain associated with this donor site than from any of the other graft choices. As a result there is sometimes a greater initial atrophy or wasting response of the quadriceps muscle compared to say either a hamstring or cadaver allograft. This can require more prolonged physical therapy to recover from and could possibly delay the initial return to sports. The incision (scar) is bigger, and almost all patients end up with a permanent loss of sensation 2-3″ in size just lateral to the incision.

There is a risk of patellar tendon ruptures, as well as fracturing the patella both intraoperative as well as postoperatively, although bone grafting the defect in the patella at the time of surgery has reduced the incidence of the latter. Patients who kneel a lot for a living are often unhappy with the patellar tenderness and sensitivity that can occur at the incision site and should probably consider an alternative graft choice. One of the bigger issues with patellar tendon grafts that recently has a number of orthopedists switching to alternative grafts is the incidence of anterior knee pain when patients try to resume athletic activities.

Specifically there are some studies5 showing an increased rate of patellofemoral pain and/or tendonitis of the patellar tendon with stairs, jumping, skiing and other such activities 6-12 months out from surgery. Ultimately these are often treatable with continued strengthening, rest from sports, and time, but these symptoms can delay the expected time of return to sports. In summary, the patellar tendon BTB graft is a safe and effective option for ACL reconstruction. It has a consistently successful clinical track record at all levels of athletic activity with excellent outcomes and reproducible results.

Its major disadvantages are primarily increased tenderness kneeling on the donor incision site, and the possible risk of problems with patellar and patellar tendon pain upon initial return to sports. Semitendinosus Semitendinosus grafts are made with the semitendinosus tendon either alone, or accompanied by the gracilis tendon for a stronger graft. The semitendinosus is an accessory hamstring (the primary hamstrings are left intact), and the gracilis is actually not a hamstring, but an accessory adductor (the primary adductors are left intact as well).

The two tendons are commonly combined and referred to as a four strand hamstring graft, made by a long piece. which is removed from each tendon. The tendon segments are folded and braided together to form a quadruple thickness strand for the replacement graft. The braided segment is threaded through the heads of tibia and femur and its ends fixated with screws on the opposite sides of the two bones. Hamstring grafts require a smaller incision and are usually less painful to harvest.

Thus the initial postoperative period is often easier and more comfortable with this graft choice. Similarly, because there is no violation of the patellar tendon, there seem to be fewer problems with knee pain during the first few months that a patient is allowed to return to sports. The hamstring incision is away from the patella so patients are usually comfortable kneeling after their reconstruction. Because the quadriceps extensor mechanism isn’t violated with a hamstring harvest there is often less initial quadriceps atrophy.

With a quicker return of knee quadriceps strength some surgeons are allowing their fully recovered patients to return to sports a month or two earlier than they might for a patellar tendon BTB graft.. However there have not been any scientific studies examining the tensile strength to failure of a human ACL graft at three months after implantation that would support this approach. Certainly the animal research done on patellar tendon tensile strength in rhesus monkeys suggested that the graft was actually weakest at 3 months out before maturing at 6 months post-surgery.

However the truth is that soft tissue-to-bone healing occurs at a slower rate than bone-to-bone healing. A number of surgeons are concerned that this fact is being ignored when patients are placed into an accelerated rehab without allowing extra time for the graft ends to begin to heal to the bone tunnels another disadvantage of hamstring tendon grafts is that harvesting them is a technically demanding procedure that requires considerable surgical experience. Pitfalls such as transecting (cutting in half) a tendon or injuring nerves or ligaments in the area of dissection are possible during the stripping process.

There is also a different technique for tensioning the hamstring tendon in the knee once the femoral end has been secured. The graft needs to be pre-tensioned and it’s important that each of the four graft ends be individually tensioned during the tibial fixation for best results. Allographs Another alternative available however is to use tissue from a cadaver that is called an allograft. Patellar tendon, hamstring tendon, and even Achilles tendon allografts can be used as ACL graft tissues and are inserted and fixed with the same techniques that are used for autografts.

The advantages of using cadaver graft tissue are obvious; no risks, pain, or scars from the donor site. Surgical time is quicker and because there is considerably less discomfort postoperatively, the incidence of joint stiffness and atrophy of the quadriceps muscle is significantly reduced. Allografts are a good choice when there are limitations in a patient’s own tissue availability. Complicated multiple ligament reconstructions needing several grafts routinely require the use of allograft tissue in addition to an autograft.

Revision ACL reconstructions where an autograft has already been harvested are also an indication for using a cadaver grafts.. The biggest concern with using allografts is the risk of contracting a serious infection from the cadaveric tissue. Hepatitis and HIV can be transmitted through these tissues with potentially fatal outcomes. Bacterial infections are also a possibility and although not usually life threatening, can result in loss of the graft and cause subsequent arthritis. The dilemma with allografts is that they can’t be 100% sterilized without altering or even destroying the tensile strength of the graft tissue.

Imagine what happens to any food that is pressure-cooked at temperatures over 270° F under pressure for 10 minutes and you’ll understand what happens to a patellar tendon graft sterilized in an autoclave. Similarly, radiating grafts with high enough doses to kill viruses has been shown to alter the collagen tissue and reduce the graft’s tensile strength. Currently the preferred allograft treatment technique is a fresh frozen graft; the tissue is harvested, cleaned and then frozen in liquid nitrogen.

The cadaver is screened extensively with hepatitis and HIV testing as well as a life style analysis to identify any high-risk behavior for these illnesses. Blood tests for HIV, however, are not infallible because they can lag 6 months between the time of infection and the conversion to a positive test. Nevertheless, the process is fairly safe and the published rate of contracting HIV from these tissue allografts is between 1 in 1. 2 to 2 million. There are some graft procurement companies who are able to do actual direct HIV viral testing on their tissues which lowers the risks even more.

And several companies have developed proprietary cleaning techniques that they claim can guarantee sterility of their graft tissues. Some grafts are also treated with low dose irradiation (1-2 Mrads) in a compromise attempt to provide some degree of sterilization without damaging the tissue characteristics. Unfortunately there are some studies indicating that ACL reconstructions using these tissues may stretch out over time so non-irradiated grafts would be the ideal structural choice if infection were not a concern.

Unlike organ transplants, allografts aren’t usually at risk for tissue rejection by the host. This is because there’s very little protein antigen in these washed grafts (the bone ends are completely cleansed of any marrow elements). The majority of the grafts are primarily made up of collagen, which has very low antigenicity. Laboratory studies have shown that there is universally a low grade immune reaction to insertion of these foreign tissues, but this doesn’t appear to be clinically significant in terms of achieving a successful outcome.

Bone tunnel widening is sometimes seen with the use of allografts, but similar to the case of hamstring grafts, doesn’t seem to have any significance in terms of functional problems. There are some early studies suggesting that allografts take longer to heal in the knee than comparable autograft tissue. At the same time the patient is recovering from the surgery quicker because of the reduced pain and morbidity of not having donated their own graft tissue. Typically allograft patients will feel like they’re ready to get back into sports in just 3 or 4 months since their full strength and joint mobility are often achieved at that point.

The combination of delayed allograft incorporation with an accelerated recovery can obviously spell disaster in terms of the ACL graft stretching or rupturing altogether. So patients with allografts must completely understand the healing process and comply with the temporary restrictions even though they may think their bodies are telling them it’s OK to be doing more athletically. It takes a lot of mental discipline. And obviously it’s a misconception that an athlete can return to sports earlier using an allograft in view of the above. The last disadvantage of allografts relates to the practical issues of cost and availability.

There has been a national shortage of patellar tendon allografts due to increasing demand combined a low supply of suitably qualified cadavers. This shortage has been created in part by physicians who routinely use allografts as their first choice for ACL reconstruction grafts in spite of the fact that autograft tissues work wonderfully. Other cadaveric tissues such as hamstrings, Achilles tendons, and even anterior tibialis and posterior tibialis tendons (some of the ankle tendons) are often being used instead of patellar tendons due to this availability issue.

Some surgeons simply don’t have ready access to the facilities that procure and process allografts. And allografts are expensive, running anywhere from $2000 to $10,000 depending on the tissue type and your geographic location My Choice If I needed to go into surgery for an ACL reconstruction surgery and I had to choose from one of these graft options, I would choose to go with the semitendinosus graft. I would shy away from the allograft mainly because I am uncomfortable with the whole idea of donor replacements being implanted in my body.

Along with the great threat of infection the allograft also tends to be hard to obtain with a nationwide shortage of acceptable cadavers, therefore making them very expensive. When comparing the patellar graft and the semitendinosus graft its hard to find much of a difference in the results, both offer good knee stability with minimal adverse effects after surgery. However, the semitendinosus graft affects a much different and less major tendon group, in return providing less knee related problems after surgery therefore giving it the advantage over the patellar graft in my eyes.

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Bcg Matrix’s Problems and Its Reconstruction

We are gonging to critically evaluate an article on the Exploring the Role of Management Accounting Systems in Strategic Sensemaking by authors Marcus Heidmann, Utz Schaffer and Susanne Strahringer. Title, Abstract and Introduction We think that the abstract provides sufficient information, identifies main issues in the article and explain the purpose of writing this article, and echo each other at the title. The introduction is very informative.

It illustrated two main problems (interpretation and logistical problem), which related to understanding the role of MAS in strategic sensemaking. The interpretation perspective defined strategic sensemaking as a learning process, and interactive use of MAS have positive influences. However, interactive perspective neglects the relationship between MAS use and MAS dimension. The logistical perspective just said MAS dimensions is important in this information processing, but not explain how MAS dimensions contribute to strategic sensemaking.

Both information processing did not deal with these problems. Theoretical framework In the literature view authors defined strategic sensemaking as the individual process of observing, interpreting, and communicating strategic issues. Through these three successive processes to understand how managers use the management accounting system and how MAS dimensions contribute to this use. Management accounting system in the observation phase, there are two characteristic modes of observation – scanning and focused search.

Scanning behaviour can provide managers with different perspectives on strategic issues and it is more likely to accommodate new information. However, managers are more likely to use MAS for focused search, which can faster identificated the problems in areas covered by the system. It is required by executives because the limited attention capacity to achieve targets. We must concerned that the statistical analysis and data mining technique can reveal the weak value information from the various kinds of data which people usually cannot find out directly.

High level of formalization as the character of MAS that focus attention on selected areas, whereas potential loss at other important areas and cause constrain the information. Authors said consistent data will reduce scanning behaviour and may decrease the possibility that strategic issues are identified. We thought these situations will occur, but managers use the MAS for focused search is inevitable. How to use their MAS for scanning and focused search together and have the greatest efficiency is worth considering. In the interpretation phase, authors thought manager’s awareness is a key factor to interpret strategic issues accurately.

Reliable information related to controliability perceptions and external information can reduce bias, errors and potential to increase confidence in judgement by consistent information. Therefore, MAS also can increase awareness during issue interpretation. Manager’s awareness and more extra information were useful, but managers use MAS determine strategic issues is important as well. Another point about MAS in form of short-termism have side-effects and harmful to the interpretation of strategic can balance the effect of short-term performance.

Correct form and flexible MAS information style are other factors effect strategic issues. However, we felt that this point may not key point in this phase. Authors stated find more extra information with a great degree of manager’s awareness to interpretation strategic issues. In the final phase – communication phase, authors introduce a new definition about media richness, which separated by three levels. High media richness of MAS should have a positive effect on sensemaking, but did not have enough evidence to prove there have positive influences.

On the other hand, managers use interactive MAS has positive impact on communication which reduced equivocality of strategic issues. The interactive use of MAS contributes to strategic sensemaking by providing directions and facilitating interactive that help to resolve equivocality of strategic issues is the biggest positive effect in communication phase. Authors further described the quality dimension of MAS, and proposed that when evaluating the MAS’s effectiveness, not only the information characteristics, but the system quality dimensions (integration, flexibility, accessibility, formalisation and media richness) should be considerate.

Of course, the integration analysis of information quality dimensions and system quality dimensions will give the comprehensive assessment of MAS’s role in stagey sensemaking. Authors have given the overall research framework. Information and system quality dimensions, both impact the three phases, which in turn impacts the effectiveness of MAS for strategic sensemanking. However, in our view, the research framework is too coarse. Is there interaction between the information quality and system quality? If exist, how is its impact on the MAS effectiveness, Are there any counteraction from MAS use to information quality and system quality?

All these question are not involved. Impact of MAS on Processes in Strategic Sensemaking Authors of the article use some statistics to explain how MAS influence processes in strategic sensemaking. We think they have interpreted what MAS can bring to companies. On observation, from doing some research and statistics analyzing, they get a high association between interactive use and focused search supports the notion that managers use MAS to look for specific information that is useful to discuss strategic issues. It is useful for us to understand the influence of MAS.

On interpretation, they say some people suggest that the processes to prepare MAS information can also increase awareness. It is a positive impact. They also doubt whether a high level of MAS formalization negatively impacts in strategic sensemaking. But they do not say how to solve this problem. If a high level of MAS formalization has been used in companies, how to avoid changes and risks? On communication, they analyze particularly what positive impact MAS can bring in strategic sensemaking, such as on communication. In strategic sensemaking it is important that information concerning strategic issues is communicated to managers who have complementary information or are able to take action. ” We all agree this point of view. Authors also tell us that there are two kinds of interaction when asked about the role of MAS information. It can help us understand what MAS information can help to companies. However, it does not say how the system can function effectively between managers and staff. For example, how to forecast negative problems occur in the future?

How to make this system flexibility in order to be suitable for more and more companies? We think there are still more important views do not be mentioned in this article. Although they use some cases to show some positive impact, it does not mean that systems are perfect. And the article does not tell us how to avoid any other questions such as how to avoid some risks when MAS be used. We agree that there must have some unstable elementary. We find another article talks about the effectiveness of management accounting systems. It also does not mention how managers can use it effectively.

Because there may have some negatively impacts if every manager use a high level of MAS formalization. From these two articles we can find that it is essential to solve this problem. We think there must have some risks if the level of management accounting system becomes too high. Although it has many positive impacts, it still cannot forecast risks in the future. Many managers try to deal with this problem through tools, but this is not sustainable. A good management accounting system should be a long-term management system not just a high level system.

It should consider risks and changes for companies in the future. We suggest that do more research for this system. Asking more managers for this system is essential, in order to find some negative impacts and solve them. Research Methodology Authors focus on measurement instruments of observation communication, and effectiveness of management accounting system in strategic sensemaking to make this research. Because the limited empirical evidence, complex and broad phenomenon, the most of relationships suggested are only tentative.

Therefore, the authors of the article state that: we chose an exploratory multiple-case design with 30 top and middle managers of 7 large companies in Germany. In the aspect of select sample, the authors introduce too detailed of the sample, and the range of the sample just limited in the companies of Germany. No explanation for the professional term such as replication logic. The highlight of this article is that authors collect data through semi-structured interview and a questionnaire. The diversified methods of data collection can obtain different result to be analyzed.

Although the author has taken some steps to reduce hindsight bias and allow the identification of unconscious effects of MAS in strategic sensemaking, the authors do not explain why the data have to be avoiding these situations and how these data affect the result in the part of semi-structured interviews. In the aspect of questionnaire, the authors quote a large number of words to introduce and explain which methods and aspects they used for data collection and analyze of the questionnaire. However, authors do not explain the absent questionnaire whether it is influence the survey or not.

Furthermore, the incomplete questionnaire might affect the accuracy of the result possibly. For analysis result, authors should explain more particularly and do not just use two number of percentages to illustrate. This paper needs some specific data to support the summary in the research. We suggest that authors can add more explanations for the professional term and reduce some unnecessary introduction such as for sample or give more detailed data in the appendix. Comparison to another article We compared this article with another similar one.

The title of the comparison article is “The effectiveness of management accounting systems” by Teerooven Soobaroyen and Bhagtaraj Poorundersing. In Teerooven’s paper, Regarding that there is little consideration of other more mainstream contextual factors such as uncertainty and decentralization(DEC) applied on research of the effectiveness of MAS, in addition to the information quality dimensions, in assessment of effectiveness of MAS, they focused on the effect of two contextual variables, namely task uncertainty (TU) and DEC.

They thought the absence of evidence on its actual timeliness, aggregation and integration may limit the benefits of knowing how far broad scope information has had am impact in the first place. Moreover, traditional methods usually are carried under some hypothetical conditions which often opposed to actual conditions, and this could undermine the practicality or validity of the results. Considering the impact of situational variables on the state of available MAS will be more near the practical situation.

That the evidence on the influence of contingent variables in the relationship between MAS and managerial performance remains incomplete and of limited usefulness also make it reasonable. However, unlike Teerooven’s paper, the author of this paper take consideration of system quality dimensions in addition to information quality dimensions, they recognised that not only the information quality itself but also the system performance on processing information can have impact on the analysis of MAS’s role.

In these two articles, both of them have their own emphasis, however, if combing their thoughts, more comprehensive, more extract evaluation of MAS would be acquired. The same aspects in select sample, there are more researchers and set out the requirements of sample selection in the comparison article. The author comments that “in this respect, the following lists and databases were used to triangulate and identify a reasonably full and reliable list of manufacturing companies….. ” In the aspect of research method, the choose of this article are compared as deeper discussion of this research.

Teerooven comment that: MAS play a significant intervening role between task uncertainty (TU) and decentralization (DEC)”. We feel that it is relevant to make valid comparison. The author chose to conduct their research using a questionnaire survey. Although we believe that the interview of semi-structured and questionnaire are superior to just sending out questionnaires, the comparison article may produce more accurate result due to using a large amount of research objects and screening by Teerooven and Bhagtaraj.

For the aspect of design questionnaire, the highlight of the comparison article is that there are total 41 questions which are divided into five parts about MAS. According to the different management structure of the companies, the authors of the comparison article design two different questionnaires which are “Sale/marketing manager” and “Production/operations manager” and give full of time to respond within three weeks. The design of questionnaire has played an important role for the research result.

In the aspect of research result, authors also have clearly classified above all aspect. There are not present in the article and we feel that this is a major weakness of the article by Marcus, Utz and Susanne. On the other hand, the comparison article have put into data result and the questionnaire template in the appendix. We feel that authors can expand the range of sample selection or add another research method to analyze. Conclusion

According to the knowledge what we learn and some relevant knowledge what we not familiar with, we are not sure that we propose some questions and doubt is reasonable. But we feel that the article have some questions like that the research framework is unsophisticated, there is not correlative between information quality and system quality and the problem is when the company has use the high level MAS formalized, which methods are used to improve and reduce the risk.

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Was the Reconstruction Period a Failure

Was Reconstruction a failure? As the bloody Civil War drew to a close, the period of reconstruction began to take shape across the states. There were many questions aroused following the war regarding the physical re-building of the nation, demobilisation and most importantly what was to replace the pre-war norm of slavery? America’s position on the latter, was of course both vague, with differing opinions from the North to the South, these differences which should have been settled with the outcome of the Civil War meant the war on the battlefield had transgressed to one on a social and political level.

However as Michael Les Benedict quite aptly states that ‘winning had been more important than figuring out what to do afterwards,’ which resulted in a sporadic reconstruction being forced by dissimilar motives. When looking at how successful the Reconstruction period was in America one should consider the intentions behind such Reconstructing, this poses the question therefore of whether the period was one of rebuilding relations between the North and the South or between the slaves and citizens?

This essay will look at therefore the attempt at creating an increasingly harmonious nation with the interruption of unstoppable de facto discrimination that made reconstruction a void period. When discussing the reconstruction some decide to begin with the Emancipation Proclamation where Lincoln addressed the nation on 1st January 1863; “I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free. This of course was the primary leap into the unknown, however as this was not passed through Congress and there only being a few states state’s emancipated renders 1863 as an ineffectual starting date for the Reconstruction period. However what was important during this time was the role of African American’s in the war which shaped their position in post-war America. ‘By the wars end, some 180,000 blacks had served in the Union Army. ’ Although there was severe dissatisfaction over conscription, the opportunities offered in the army was the foundation for the move towards equality.

Primarily it was an opportunity for Afro-Americans to prove their capability and ability to be disciplined; this allowed them to be seen as equals, as equal as possible as the time. ‘Although slavery was still legally intact, in the summer of 1862 General Butler began substituting a system of compensated labour,’ Butler’s recognition of military status of black soldiers was an example of the positive outcome of the war, and what impact It had on integration even though ‘most of the soldiers spoke scornfully of ‘niggers’’ there was an un-admitted truth that the war could not have been won without the help of the Negros.

Learning from the military integration and flowing the passing of the 13th Amendment in 1865 saw the true beginning of the reconstruction period and as a result there was an increase of active participation of African-Americans in society. ‘Local leaders played such a variety of roles in schools, churches, and fraternal organizations that were bridges to the larger world of politics. ’ The primary source of involvement was through the parishes however Afro-Americans were soon able to work their way further as in 1865 John S.

Rock of Boston was the first black lawyer admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court, this showed that ‘slowly the North’s racial barriers began to fall. ’ This positive change not only saw the increased integration of black’s within the judicial branch, however also in the executive, ‘among the ablest were Robert B. Elliott of South Carolina and John R. Lynch of Mississippi. Both were speakers of their state House of Representatives and were members of the U. S. Congress. ’ However such was short lived due to the ever increasing violence from the Ku Klux Klan; this shows that the restoration was limited to the North.

As previously mentioned the 13th Amendment was a milestone in the road to freedom or blacks, however ‘the amendment closed one question only to open a host of others. ’ This was because although freed on paper and equal under the law, Afro-Americans were not quite regarded as equal under the eyes of society. The federal government therefore set up a protective organisation; the Freedman’s Bureau which meant ‘there was a freer attitude towards supplying money for plantation equipment, clothing, and food, including salt, bacon, and other necessities for the Negros. The was a successful outcome of the Bureau, however there was obvious weaknesses within the Bureau, commenting on the organisation, a citizen expresses that ‘it would have been wise if our statesmen could have received, digested and acted upon the answers these men [blacks] gave to their questions. ’ This suggested the nonchalant attitude the bureau had towards the emancipated slaves, rendering the establishment of a new life increasingly difficult without federal aid.

Further evidence of the federals restricted willingness to give aid can be seen through their attitude as ‘for a while northerners regarded the proposed Fourteenth Amendment as an incredibly lenient settlement of the Civil War. ’ Prior to this the Civil Rights Act had been passed in 1866 which declared that ‘every race and color, without regard to any previous condition of slavery or involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall have the same right. This shows that had the 14th amendment seen to be too radical then the importance of the Civil Rights Act had not been thoroughly enforced of accepted. ‘Years before the end of slavery, black abolitionist Charles L. Reason had predicted that emancipation would impose “severe trials” upon the freedman. ’ This prediction of course was one of great clarity as during the reconstruction period there was a general neglect of emancipated slaves and a re-establishment and maintenance of white supremacy.

The neglect can be seen though the inefficiency to support the released slaves and their struggle during the reconstruction period, ‘finding employment and housing, food, clothes and medicine for the flow of refugees into the Department was almost impossible. ’ There was such little prospect for a freed slave that the result was to work practically how life had been previous to the 13th Amendment just without chains or to get involved with sharecropping which resulted in the increase of Tenant farming. Planters had no desire to further economic democracy, white or black, and no confidence that freedman could farm successfully independent of whites. ’ The lack of confidence in the freed man bears question to what it was really the Civil War was fought for. ‘In 1861, the restoration of the Union, not emancipation, was the cause that generated the widest support for the war effort,’ this supports the evidence that there was a lack of concern for the emancipated slaves, as this was not at the forefront of Americans objectives.

Quite a profound contribution to the failure of the reconstruction period was none the less than the president at the time, Andrew Jackson. Following the assassination of Lincoln was the beginning of the end for the Reconstruction period as Jacksons interpretation of reconstruction was a reflection of his southern prejudices. Jackson excluded black’s from politics, in fact excluded numerous problems from his time in office; ‘Johnson had always believed in limited government and a strict construction of the Constitution.

In Congress, he had moved to reduce the salaries of government workers, voted against aid to famine-stricken Ireland, and even opposed appropriations to pave Washington’s muddy streets. ’ This could either be described as laissez faire methods of rule or negligence. Although the Civil Rights Act did eventually get passed this was with no thanks to President Johnson, who during what was meant to be the restoration period vetoed it twice meaning its eventual passing through congress was due to an overall majority vote from his cabinet.

The lack of the presidents intervention, or acceptance of the Sherman-Johnston agreement reflected the lenience accepted by the executive at the time as it was agreed that ‘the executive authority of the government of the United States not to disturb by reason of the late war so long as they live in peace and quiet. ’ This meant very liberal treatment of the ex-rebels of the Civil War. The leniency toward the de-mobilisation of the South meant it possible for ‘the same people, the same issues that had precipitated the great war to remain. This therefore making the restoration of slavery further possible, rather opposite to the original intentions of restoration, it was what Les Benedict described as the ‘death of the Confederate reconstruction. ’ ‘Laura Towne reported that the freedman would not believe that Lincoln was dead’ as he was the foundation for the emancipation of the slaves and one who had revolutionary visions at a time of prevalent discrimination. As previously mentioned, Afro-Americans were increasingly getting involved in positions and society; however this was not true to everyone and was definitely not on the increase. Cleveland County, North Carolina, counted 200 black members of biracial Methodist churches in 1860, ten in 1867, and none five years later. ’ There is a recurring trend of the laissez faire method of rule or negligence towards the Afro-Americans during the reconstruction period. Under President Ulysses S. Grant the state produced less forms of reconstructive policies to protect the black’s from a prejudice society. ‘He had won election in 1868 by urging, “let us have peace,” and he had not intervened in the South until Klan violence had forced his hand. This shows the executives turning a blind eye towards the violence and discrimination that prevailed throughout the reconstruction period. Not only was there negligence towards imposing protection for the emancipated slaves, but there were further restrictions implemented on their freedom such as the Black Codes; Sec. 3. ‘Every negro is required to be in the regular service of some white person, or former owner, who shall be held responsible for the conduct of said Negro. ’ This shows that although black slaves were meant to have been emancipated, there was always the clause of being emancipated under the control of the white man.

The fact the white man had control over the emancipated slave made freed life sometimes harder than the days of slavery. Additionally although the 15th amendment was passed with the intention of enabling the emancipated the privilege of the vote, it was not long followed by the restrictive Jim Crow laws which had further implication into the post-Reconstruction period and into the twentieth century. The Crow laws not only made it impossible for makes to ascertain suffrage due to the Grandfather Clause, but enabled de facto segregation.

The reconstruction period was not only a failure due to the legislation or lack of legislation, but the economic depression resulted in ‘the first great crisis of industrial capitalism permanently altering the nature of economic enterprise, and had profound political and ideological consequences. ’ This meant that due to economic hardship there was a decrease in sympathy towards the Negro who had nothing compared with the white man who had nothing. ‘By the end of 1874 nearly half the nation’s iron furnaces had suspended operation’ The reconstruction period was one that saw a plethora of legislative change, however not all for the better.

There were many empty promises directed at the liberated slaves, however liberated is not the correct term to use. The emancipated slaves saw little to no improvement in their lives, and not only were the reconstruction a failure with regards improving relations between North and South; it was a failure with repairing relations between the slave and the citizen. The fact the reconstruction period was so short and its ending reverted back to previous times renders the reconstruction period a failure. There remained the underlying intentions, just lacked motivation to implement the reconstruction of the ‘United’ states.

Additionally these intentions derived from a handful of just minded thinkers such as Lincoln, however there were too many, with great power who were not yet ready to accept the equality that was preached to clearly in the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th amendment. Therefore as there was such little actual change when reflected against how much legislative change at Washington makes the Reconstruction period a failure as perception, treatment and understanding of a different race did not improve.

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Failures of Reconstruction Essay

1865 somehow foreshadowed the coming of Reconstruction in this epoch. The meeting which united both white and black Americans who wished for the abolishment of bondage was besides the start of the partnership between these progressives and the inkinesss. In a decennary, several incidents happened which marked the greatest times in the black American history.

Four yearss after the meeting. a land was given to the black Americans and mules that were non being used by the ground forces were besides given to them. This land will be the abode of more than 40. 000 freed slaves. Because of this, they hoped that their emancipation will non merely free them from bondage but besides give them the freedom to be economically independent and have genuine freedom. However, it seems that the battle for freedom can be forgotten and Reconstruction, that thing which should be unifying the tattered state will neglect and go one of the greatest failures in the American history.

Why did Reconstruction neglect? Who was the one to fault? While there are these black Americans who extremely anticipated their freedom and progressives worked in redefining freedom for the remainder of both the black and white Americans, there will be a job that will neglect the Reconstruction epoch. After a decennary, people got tired of contending for freedom and shortly, there are jobs in line with the new disposal. After the black Americans were so successful to set up their ain lives and edifice churches, schools for black kids and establishments a decennary subsequently, the battle for their freedom and rights all of a sudden met silence.

Andrew Johnson confiscated all lands that were given to black Americans therefore get downing the failure in land reform which was given in 1865. At the same clip, he is non in favour of the rights being pushed by the Republicans for the interest of the Black Americans. His positions sing the freedom of the African-Americans were non in line with what these former slaves ought to hold. His thoughts of Reconstruction were the same ground why it failed. The politicians from the South can non accept emancipation and the autonomy that slaves must hold while the president is non in favour of the Reconstruction being pushed by the slaves and the Republicans.

The failure of Reconstruction was brought by the fact that there are people who can non accept the world of emancipation and pushed what they wanted best for themselves than what is right for the remainder of the United States of America.

Reference

  1. Eric Foner. Give Me Liberty! An American History. 2e Volume II eBook from hypertext transfer protocol: //www. wwnorton. com/college/history/foner2v2_ebook/welcome. asp

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