Abstract
This paper defines a conventional mortgage as a long term loan which meets the guidelines put forth by the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. This paper details the three types of conventional mortgage options currently available. The first is the fixed rate conventional mortgage, the second is an adjustable rate conventional mortgage while the third is a balloon mortgage. This paper examines the characteristics of the three mortgage options. This paper focuses on the debt problems of a particular hospital while attempting to find the most cost effective mortgage option to reduce said debt. This paper also analyzes the risks involved in securing a conventional mortgage by delving into the various issues surrounding the workings of state and local hospitals. The writer contends and explains why hospitals are generally insecure financial institutions dependent on state budgeting and financing which can and usually are influenced by issues such as changes in the governing party or changes in the state's priorities.

From the Paper
"If we look at these three types of conventional mortgages and the characteristics each bear, as compared to the needs of hospital, the most suitable seem to be the fixed rate conventional mortgage and the balloon conventional mortgage. There are several reasons for this.
First of all, for a hospital, the budget is generally set ahead for a period of several years. In this sense, financial stability and a clear sense of what needs to be made in the next period of time is most important. If we consider the adjustable rate conventional mortgage, for example, it may occur that somewhere in the 10th year, the monthly rate, including interest rate, will suddenly double its value. It is, in this sense, a question of security and risk avoidance."

Tags:finance, hospital, debt, long, term, loan, bank, mortgage, politics

Abstract
This paper presents research, which shows the implications, by the year 2015, for a global defense company if there are cutbacks of more than 20 percent of the U.S. federal budget. The author presents an analysis of current projects to indicate how funding is used towards military sustainment and how projected cuts could affect those projects. The paper demonstrates how the employees of global defense companies, the military and the general population of the United States could be affected. The methodology for this study is content analysis.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Context of the Problem
Statement of the Problem
Research Questions
Significance of the Study
Research Design and Methodology
Organization of the Study
What are the Research and Development (R&D) Options for Companies such as NGC?
Table:Government Contractors in Court
What Options will be Most Beneficial to the Employees and the General Public of the U.S.?
Table: Factors Mitigating the Impacts of Military Base Closures
Table: Recapitulation and Summary of Base Closure Journal Articles and Texts
Table: Recapitulation and Summary of Influences on Defense R&D Journal Articles and Recent Media Reports
Overview of Northrop Grumman
Table: Current R&D Initiatives by Northrop Grumman.
Overview of Boeing
Table: Current R&D Initiatives by Boeing
Overview of Lockheed Martin
Table: Current R&D Initiatives by Lockheed Martin
Potential Research and Development Initiatives
Robotics and Robot Companions for the Elderly
Water Desalination Initiatives
Video Games
Can the U.S. Remain a Superpower and Protect Its People from Terrorism while Reducing Its Military?
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The quantitative aspects of the water supply have been widely studied as to specific regions of the world and it is possible to view these trends on a global level. According to Starr (1996), the next few decades are going to be characterized by conflicts - even wars - over increasingly scarce water resources. This author reports that, "Nature annually contributes in fresh water to the world's continents about ten times the world's water use for all purposes. On average, about 70 percent flows to the sea in seasonal floods."

Tags:adjustment options, content analysis, northrop grumman, water

Abstract
This paper reviews the success of the "Lonely Planet" company and explores the changes or adjustments needed to ensure the future success of the company. The writer aims to assess the present business and industry situation with respect to "Lonely Planet Publications", a highly successful organization that has successfully grown and developed in a niche market. The paper offers a number of suggested options for the company and ways in which it can grow.

Contents:
Executive Summary
Introduction/Opportunity Statement
Situation Analysis
SWOT Analysis
Industry and Competition Analysis
Company Analysis
Stakeholder Analysis
Problems Identified
Alternative Options
Reasons for Rejecting Other Options
Recommended Option
References

From the Paper
"A number of issues have been identified which need to be addressed in order to sustain the long-term viability of Lonely Planet as a company. The company has recently been approached by a well known large software company looking to expand its dominance in the media space. While the prospects of acquisition can sometimes be very promising, the ownership of Lonely Planet appears to prefer its independence and creative freedom and as such has, so far, been able to hold of acquisition by larger entities."

Tags:travel, internet, global, business, management, structure, merger, acquisition

Abstract
This paper explains that, even though transformation of deposits into loans generates a return but engenders financial risks and particularly an interest rate risk, the Basel II Committee does not provide any standardized method to manage this crucial risk. The author adapts the Markowitz portfolio selection theory on the banking, particularly on the commercial balance-sheet. This model is tested on Credit Foncier de Monaco and finds that this tool maximizes under constraints the risk-adjusted performance and determines the optimal allocation of the assets. In conclusion, the theoretical objectives are compared with the actual results. Numerous formulas are used throughout the paper and seven appendices are included.

Table of Contents:
Abbreviations
Introduction
Theoretical Modelling
Identification
Interest Rate
Nominal Vs. Real Rate
Short-Term Vs Long-Term Rates
Spot Vs. Forward Rates
Term Structure Of Interests
Theories
Methods
Deterministic And Stochastic Models
Sources Of Interest Rate Risk
Repricing Or Maturity Mismatch Risk
Basis Or Bid-Ask Spread Risk
Yield Curve Risk
Options Risk
Interest Rate Exposure
Net And Gross Positions
Balance-Sheet & Gap
Profit & Loss Statement & Spread
Factors
Measurement
Volume
Instantaneous Gaps
Generalized Gaps
Indexed Gaps
Simulated Gaps
Value
Duration
Convexity
Market
Margin
Sensitivity
Modified Duration And Relative Convexity
Money Markets Rates
Management
Hedging And Speculation
Micro Or Macro Hedging
Systematic Or Selective Hedging
Partial And Total Speculation
Hedging Risk And Opportunity Cost
Passive And Active Hedging
Passive Hedging Or Beta Management
Active Hedging Or Alpha Management
Instruments
Spot
Forward And Future
Fra And Swaps
Options
Modelling
Utility
Structure
Utility Function
Constraints
Regulation 40
Commercial
Model
Objective Function
Efficient Portfolio
Optimal Portfolio
Empirical Application
Presentation
Cfm
Treasury
Asset-Liability Management (Alm) Committee
Adaptation
Structure
Constraints
Rates
Simulation
Leverage
Regulatory Constraints
Variance-Covariance Matrix
Utility
Variances
Conclusion
Glossary
Appendices
Balance-sheet + Profit & Loss Statement
Balance-Sheets by Currency, Maturity and Interest Rate
Gaps
Correlation and Variance-Covariance Matrix
Weightings and Balance-Sheets in March 2008
Coefficient of Variations for Different Scenarios
Objective Function for Different Aversions to Risk

From the Paper
"The bank uses options to hedge against the exercise of inserted options. The interest rate option is the right for the holder to borrow from (put) or lend to (call) the writer an underlying at the strike rate against a premium at each date (American option), at predetermined dates (Bermuda option) or at maturity (European option). The basis strategy of the bank is long call or short put in case of decrease of interest rates and short call and long put in case of increase of interest rates."

Tags:markowitz, performance, swaptions, measurement, application

Abstract
This paper explains that volatility is a measure of the uncertainty or risk of a given underlying, such as a stock, bond or index or the measure of the uncertainty of the return realized on an asset. The author points out that portfolios constructed to exploit volatility will always have opposing positions in stock and stock call options. The mix has to be balanced in such a way that the profit or loss on one component will always cancel the loss or profit on the other component. The paper relates that derivatives allow investors a choice on achieving their desired market exposure as opposed to undertaking transactions solely in the underlying stock resulting in lower volatility. The author presents several methods to adjust to volatility. Includes many graphs.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Buying and Selling Volatility
Example of Trading Volatility
Causes of Volatility
Strategies
Simple Strategies
Strategies of Straddles
Strategies of Strangles
Rehedging a Portfolio
Volatility and Variance Swaps
VIX and VIX Options
Etc.

From the Paper
"If the options are expensive enough, one may choose to take the opposite position and sell volatility. The short volatility strategy is exactly the opposite of the long volatility strategy in every respect and obviously can, in the right circumstances, produce profits. The basic strategy involves selling call options short and hedging with a long position in the stock. As with the long volatility play it is assumed that the individual has no view on the direction of the under lying and so the classic short volatility portfolio will have short call options perfectly hedged with a long stock position."

Tags:derivatives, calls, puts, shorting, straddle

Abstract
This paper discusses the causes of bedsores amongst elderly patients who are admitted to the hospital for long periods of time. The paper discusses various treatment and prevention options and implicates the need for an increase in Medicaid reimbursement beyond the typical adjustments for inflation in order to generate more revenue for nursing home facilities.

From the Paper
"The purpose of my Action Research is to decrease the number of elderly patients that are admitted to hospitals with perfectly healthy skin only to develop decubitus, which is a condition more commonly known as..."

Tags:decubitus, elderly, medicaid

Abstract
The paper reveals that due to the long-term survival prospects, prostate cancer is a condition of chronic nature usually requiring years of monitoring, diagnostics and making numerous treatment and lifestyle decisions. The paper focuses on the role of the nurse who can help the patient to understand his diagnosis, the various treatment options available and the possible side effects. The paper further relates that the nurse provides medical and emotional support and helps make adjustments to improve the patient's quality of life.

Outline:
Introduction
Literature Review
Nursing Process
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men in the US (Colella & Deluca, 2004, p 187). However, most men who are diagnosed usually do not die from this condition. Because of advancements in diagnostics and treatment modalities, today the five-year survival rate for all stages of prostate cancer is almost 100 percent, and the ten-year rate is 93 percent (Doyle-Lindrud, 2007, p.857). Due to the long-term survival prospects, prostate cancer thus is a condition of chronic nature usually requiring years of monitoring, diagnostics, and making numerous treatment and lifestyle decisions. The role of a nurse is indispensable in this process as this is the professional who can help the patient to understand his diagnosis, various treatment options available, discuss possible side effects, provides medical and emotional support, and also helps make adjustments to improve patient's quality of life (Katz, 2007, p.305)."

Tags:monitoring, diagnostics, treatments, side, effects

Abstract
The paper explores whether the most recent oil price rise is just a temporary spike that will eventually correct itself, or whether it indicates a long-term trend. The paper looks at three factors that can help to predict future trends: options and futures trading, supply and demand and oil speculation and the result of inflationary forces. The paper relates that improvements in technology will lead to more efficient use of our oil reserves which will also be a key determining factor in future oil prices.

Outline:
The Financial Markets and Oil
Supply and Demand
Inflationary Adjustments in Oil Prices
Determining the Best Method for Predicting Oil Prices
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Anyone who has filled up their gas tank lately knows that prices have been on the rise for some time. Fluctuations in gasoline at the pump are a reflection of fluctuations in the price of the raw material from which it is made, crude oil (Federal Reserve, 2004). When oil prices peak the public, sparked by the nightly news, tend to overreact. They fantasize about what the world will be like when everyone stays home because they cannot afford gasoline to go places. The picture that some paint is that of economic ruin and despair. However, in reality, the effect of gasoline is not as dramatic as many would believe. The following will examine the real effects of gasoline price fluctuations on the economy."

Tags:speculation, supply, demand, inflation, technology

Abstract
This paper provides a business plan for SMEVideoStore, examining the viability of developing a video-on-demand (VOD) service using existing IT staff or outsourcing the project. The paper outlines the benefits and detriments of each approach, and discusses the various considerations involved in each option. The paper also explores the usefulness of social networking in gaining market advantage, and includes a Clients, Actors, Transformations, Worldview, Owners, Environment (CATWOE) analysis. The paper concludes that only by growing the business dynamically and adjusting to new realities in the entertainment industry, such as digital content provided over broadband internet connections, can SMEVideoStore continue to be a successful, profitable business. This paper contains illustrative charts and figures.

Outline:
Executive Summary
Video-On-Demand - In-House or Outsourced?
Overview of Current Online Digital Distribution Businesses
Business Expansion
Advantages and Disadvantages of Franchising
Outline for Business Expansion
Relationship Building
CRM
Alliances Contributing To Competitive Advantage
Leveraging Social Networking as Means of Gaining Advantage
Revised Root Definition and CATWOE Analysis
Revised Root Definition
CATWOE Analysis
Rich Picture
Revised Strategic Plan
Recommendations for DSS Development
Developing Innovative Products To Attain Additional Competitive Advantage
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"Essentially, the SMEVideoStore DSS will be data-driven. It will rely heavily on both historical data accumulated in the data warehouse and on real time transaction data for making both tactical and strategic decisions. In practice this may range from denying further rentals to a customer who has a certain number of overdue DVDs to targeted marketing based on customers' rental habits over the preceding two years (A Brief History of Decision Support Systems)."

Tags:digital, content, business, Australia

Abstract
In our newly competitive global economy, manufacturers of all kinds have been forced to search for new opportunities that strategically reduce costs, yet still increase potential manufacturing revenues. The manufacturing of automobiles is just one such example of an industry adopting a new manufacturing process or philosophy in order to adjust to the global business environment, which has been fueled by the likes of foreign cheap labor, as well as all new emerging markets. The paper shows that, in the 1990s, reducing the labor force was the main corporate option, as layoffs, downsizing, and corporate re-structuring symbolized the approaches of companies attempting to produce quality outputs and cutting costs. Today, the manufacturing processes are working at bare-bones efficiency, so an all-new approach was required to meet the even higher quality demands of the consumers. Considering the likes of automobile manufacturers such as Ford Motor Company and General Motors, this paper shows that the automobile manufacturing industry began following the philosophies that were introduced by Toyota: Just-In-Time manufacturing. The philosophy of Just-In-Time inventory control was supposed to deliver new and far superior quality control methodologies, while at the same time creating much more efficient manufacturing processes. However, the Just-In-Time system or process approach has recently been referred to by many top executives as a management philosophy of doing business as opposed to being a technique for improving efficiency. This report, therefore, presents some insights into Just-In-Time manufacturing and also provides insight into some of the inherent difficulties associated with the Just-In-Time manufacturing process.

From the Paper
"The driving force of the Just-In-Time philosophy is the reduction of product defects. Manufacturers are well aware that with the internet and global television news, a single defect that is highly publicized could in affect destroy a producer's reputation. Thus, products today have the inherent need of being a completely defect-free which therefore entails that the manufacturing process of all components and parts must also be defect free."

Tags:Taiichi, Ohno, GM, Kanban, Six, Sigma