Corporations are a threat to environment Research Paper

Corporations are a threat to environment - Research Paper Example This research defines environmental pollution as an unfavorable variation of our surrounding through direct or indirect influence, causing changes in radiation levels, energy patterns, physical and chemical composition of our environment. Environmental pollution can occur naturally or in can be artificial (Antonescu & Mateescu, 2001). Due to this fact it can be said that the environmental pollution caused by corporations in U.S is artificial. Air, water and soil pollution caused by coporations can have health implications to the population living around the industries. Deaths and billions of dollars are lost in medical expenses caused by air pollution (Milton & Rahman, 1999). Industries are known to emit gases such as CFCs and metal ions such as Lead, nickel, copper and iron. These substances can find their way to livestock and contaminate the meat that humans are going to consume (Sabir et al, 2003). The goal of this research is to determine the implication of the pollutants that ar e emitted by corporations. It will also try to aim at investigating whether there are enough measure set in a corporation to recycle their waste as a ration to control pollution. This research aims to answers the following research question: If the hypothesis will be accepted, it will be prudent for the policy makers to formulate policies that will control environmental pollutions caused by these corporations. These will make the morbidity or mortality rates caused by pollution caused by corporation to decrease adversely.

Sop for Mha Essay Example for Free

Sop for Mha Essay Wanting to become a manager for health care initiatives and institutions is very much a   product of my multi-cultural experience and the people’s desperate need for health care that   I was so very aware of growing up in my native Morocco. As a young Berber woman   raised in Casablanca, I was in an excellent position to appreciate the vast need in Africa for   improved health administration services, especially at fees that are accessible to the poor   majority, women in particular. As a cosmopolitan person who has also lived in France for 2 years and now the United   States, I find hope for my native Africa through international development organizations that   have developed missions dedicated to the improvement of health care administration in the   Third World, Africa in particular. I think that I am a natural for health care promotion on an   international level because of my high level of motivation, dedication to my studies, and my   multi-lingual ability. I speak and write French very well and I am also a strong speaker and   average writer in Arabic—in addition to English and the tongue of my native heritage,   Berber. My long term professional goal in life is to some day be able to harness my passion for a   more just and humane world to the practical skills that will enable me to make a significant   contribution, especially to the medically underserved members of our global human society. I look forward to working on an international level for a government agency or global non- profit organization dedicated to the promotion of health care in Africa. XXXX is my first   choice for study towards the MHA because I so deeply respect the ideals of the program   and appreciate the diversity of the XXXX campus, with one of the highest percentages of   international students of all U. S. institutions of higher learning. I look forward to a rigorous and in-depth exposure to a range of health-care issues, policy,   ethics, organizational behavior in public, private and nonprofit institutions and their   interactions. I feel strongly that XXXX is the best place to prepare myself to be a truly   creative and visionary health care administrator who is able to lead and inspire effectively,   operating upon the firm foundation that I will attain in your distinguished program.

Conversion Efficiency of Active Energy and Solar Energy Essay -- Solar

Conversion Efficiency of Active Energy and Solar Energy Solar technology already boasts a century of R&D, requires no toxic fuels and relatively little maintenance, is inexhaustible, and, with adequate financial support, is capable of becoming directly competitive with conventional technologies in many locations. These attributes make solar energy one of the most promising sources for many current and future energy needs. As Frank Shuman declared more than 80 years ago, it is "the most rational source of power." The average amount of solar energy arriving on top of the atmosphere is 1,330 watts per square meter. The amount reaching the earth’s surface is 10,000 times more than all commercial energy used annually. Until recently, this energy source has been too diffused and low intensity to capitalize for electricity. Solar energy is a renewable resource and is converted to electrical energy in two ways - using photovoltaic materials which generate an electrical potential when exposed to light or using a thermal process that uses the energy from the sun to heat a working fluid in an electricity generating cycle. Another way of looking at it is as passive and active solar energy. Now you might be wondering what is meant by active and passive, isn’t all transformation of energy active? Passive solar energy relates to systems that are relating to solar radiation and angles to define solar positions which work with heating and cooling systems. To generate the higher temperatures necessary to make steam to generate electricity, the sunlight must be concentrated. Solar thermal technology often uses reflectors, in the form of parabolic concentrators or flat mirrors, to focus the sun's rays onto a water-filled pipe, known as 'abso... ...veloped thin film technology is hydrogenated amorphous silicon. This is the material normally used in consumer applications, although it is used, but less frequently, in power modules. The efficiency of commercial amorphous silicon modules has improved from around 3.5 % in the early 1980's to over 7% currently. The most efficient modules are made with multiple layers of photovoltaic material, for instance three layer amorphous silicon modules with germanium added to two of the layers (a-Si/a-SiGe/a-SiGe) which have a record cell efficiency of 13.5 %. Other types of thin films can be made using polycrystalline silicon, cadmium telluride (CdTe), and copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS). Today's solar panels are made with silicon. The silicon usually has impurities, which limits its efficiency. Purifying a chemical is too expensive. For that reason, smaller is better.

Functions of festivals in Early Modern Europe :: European Europe History

Functions of festivals in Early Modern Europe 'What were the functions of popular festivals, etc. in Early Modern Europe? And why did the authorities, civil and ecclesiastical seek to control or suppress them?' In Early Modern Europe festivals were the setting for heroes and their stories, to be celebrated by the populace. They posed a change from their everyday life. In those days people lived in remembrance of one festival and in expectance of the next. Different kinds of festivals were celebrated in different ways. There were festivals that marked an individual occasion and weren't part of the festival calendar, like family festivals such as weddings and christenings. Some took place at the same time every year and were for everyone, like community festivals like the different saints' days. Pilgrimages took place all year round. Annuals festivals like Christmas and Midsummer always took place on the same day every year. In those days the average village in Western Europe celebrated at least 17 festivals annually, not counting family occasions and saints' days. Some festivals, such as Carnival, lasted several days or sometimes even several weeks. In the Netherlands Carnival started every year at the 11th of November (St. Martin) and culminated in a big festival of 'Dranck, pleijsier ende vrouwen' (Drink, fun and women) at the end of the Carnival period, preceding the period of Lent. Festivals were meant to take the minds of the people off their everyday life , off the hard times and their work. Everyday life in Early Modern Europe was filled with rituals, both religious and secular. Songs and stories played an important role in their lives, although they sometimes adjusted the details of the legends and stories to fit the way they thought a certain festival should take place. Popular culture was mixed with ecclesiastical culture in many ways. The story of St. John the Baptist is a good example of this. The ancient ritual of bathing and lighting fires during Midsummer's Eve was a remnant of a ritual from the pre-Christian period. Fire and water, symbols of purification, could be seen as the tools of St. John the Baptist, and therefore a combination of the two elements of popular and ecclesiastical culture was obvious. It looks as if the Medieval Church took over the festival and made it theirs. The same thing happened to the Midwinter Festival, which became linked with the birth of Christ, on 25 December.

Health Care Structures and Divisions Essay

Complete the worksheet according to the following guidelines: In the space provided, write each term’s definition as used in health care. You must define the term in your words; do not simply copy the definition from a textbook. In the space provided after each term’s definition, provide a sentence that illustrates the importance of the skill, concept, procedure, organization, or tool to which the term refers. In your explanation, you may wish to consider the following: How has it influenced health care? Why is it important to understand the appropriate application of the term or concept? Save the completed worksheet as a Microsoft ® Word document with your name in the file name. Submit the file to your facilitator. Note. You must define 30 basic health care terms related to health care structures and divisions in this worksheet. Therefore, also in the terms already provided for you below, finish the additional spaces on the worksheet with terms from your reading or discussion you were not previously familiar with and had to research. Submitted by Porsche Piggie Term Definition in your words Use the term in a sentence as it applies to the health care industry. Hospital A hospital is a place where a person can go to get medical treatment and health diagnoses Hospitals and Healthcare facilities are a key factor that influence healthcare because this is where healthcare providers can utilize their skills to help individuals with their diseases, injuries or illnesses.  By providing a treatment solution. Ambulatory care facility Ambulatory Care is care where you don’t have to get hospitalized. It’s a facility where you mostly receive medical care or services on an outpatient basis. Ambulatory care can range from a simple routine to a complex procedure. Ambulatory care facilities have influenced healthcare because it is the most frequent contact people have with the healthcare system. It’s important to understand the concept of the term because ambulatory care is the most familiar type of health care people receive. Ambulatory care can be provided in an office of either an individual or group practice. Wellness Center Wellness Center is a place where individuals can get health services for the mind and body such as skin care services, nutrition consulting, personal training and fitness. Wellness centers are important because it tries to reduce toxic stress on the community. Wellness centers main goal has influenced the growth of health care by realizing reducing stress on the community that can help improve the society health level. Physician’s Office Is where a provider or a group of providers maintains an office. This is where ambulatory clients and outpatients are seen to diagnose and prescribe treatment for diseases that are not required admission or overnight stay. Physician’s office has a great impact on healthcare because it is one of the most frequently used healthcare settings. It’s important to understand that concept of the term because a physician’s office is only designed to provide diagnoses, treatment, and consultation. Some offices may have their labs and x-ray equipment for performing tests. However, serious ill patients that cannot quickly diagnose or treated will be sent to the hospital Hospice care facility Hospice care facilities is a health institution that provides care that concentrations in patients who are in their final stage of life because of a deadly illness. Hospice care focus on making their last days of life comfortable and pain-free. It’s important to understand the concept of Hospice care because it is not there to cure illnesses or lengthen life  expectancy. It is designed to provide support and comfort to the patient in their last days. Hospice concentrates on the management of pain; with that being said hospice has influenced health care by also realizing it’s important to focus on the patients comfort level when they are in the terminal stage of life. Long-term care facility Long – term care facilities are institutions that provides people of all ages that are unable to take care of themselves because of physical and impairments. It important to understand the concept of this term because it implies, this care is for extended periods, ranging from months to years to a lifetime. For instance, I work at an Auto TBI Long – Term Care facility where the residences have been there for years since their auto accident. The majority of the residences consider the facility to be there home and will spend all their days living in this facility. Home health care Home health care is taking care of an individual medically at their residence. Usually, there is a home health aide that comes to the house that provides the medical care for the patient. Home healthcare has influenced health care by improving the quality of care for the people who have no family members to take care of them. Therefore, with that being said, it’s very critical to understand the concept of this term because it is health care that can provide care to an individual outside of a healthcare facility inside their residence. Mental health facility Mental Health Facilities is health institution that provides mental treatment for individuals with mental illnesses and include ways to prevent medical disorders. Mental Health Facilities has impact healthcare by providing a health institution that specialize in mental health. Mental health facilities have helped aid the prevention and treatment of mental disorders. Nonprofit facility A nonprofit facilities is institutions that don’t earn the profit for its owners. All the money that it earned or donated to use it for pursuing the facility’s objectives. Nonprofit facilities have influence health care by providing a way always to make sure the facility’s objectives and needs are  being handled. For the healthcare professionals to serve their patients with the best care. Public health Public Health is the concern for the society health. Public heath concentrations in the community as a whole, instead of the individual. Public health is important to healthcare because it focus on the prevention of widespread diseases, illnesses and try to prevent a lack of or poor quality of healthcare. CCRC Emergency room The emergency room is where you can take yourself or an individual who are in need of urgent care. This is also where you can take yourself or an individual who needs medical care after normal healthcare clinics or offices are close. It’s important to understand the concept of the term emergency room because this is where the community can receive urgent medical attention. Emergency rooms are very influential to healthcare because it developed the thought of having a 24-hour medical attention for the community. Physical therapy Physical therapy is the therapy that concentrates on helping improve an individual with physical injuries or disabilities. A rehabilitation program that help improves an individual’s physical independence. Physical Therapy has impact healthcare in many ways. Physical therapy is a treatment that can help improves someone’s physical state without the method of drugs or surgery. It’s important to understand the concept of physical therapy because it can consist of massage heat treatment, exercising, strengthen, and balance techniques. Radiology Radiology is the study of x-rays, sound waves and other forms of radiation and energy to create images and diagnoses. Radiology has impact healthcare by inventing a way to improve treatment by having the ability to view the bone imaging of the body. Pediatrics A pediatrics is a health care physician that specialize in children and their medical treatments. A pediatric has influence healthcare because  concentrates on the wellness of children. Surgical ward The Surgical Unit is where patients are taken care of after surgical procedures. It is very important to understand the concept of the term because the surgical unit only contains the post-operative surgical patients. Also, the term ward is outdated. It was used when hospitals had large rooms with multiple patients. Most hospitals now have semiprivate and private rooms only. The surgical â€Å"floor† or â€Å"unit† is the area of the hospital where the patients expect to have or have had surgical procedures Oncology Oncology is the study of cancer or the medical specialty that deals with cancer. Oncology has influenced health care because it has invented new ways to prevent, or maintain cancer. I am blessed to have oncology and their new studies because my grandmother have been breast cancer free for two years now Ultrasound Is a technique that typically used for medical imaging. An ultrasound can be sound or other vibrations having an ultrasonic frequency. Ultrasounds have influenced the healthcare by providing ways to monitor the growth of a baby while it’s in its developing stages Hematology Is the study of blood Understanding the concept of Hematology is important because it is how physicians learn to use blood to run tests and figure out diseases or disorders that can be found in the bloodstream. Hematology has influence healthcare by showing us when it’s something wrong with your blood; it can affect your overall health. Cardiology Cardiology is the study of the heart Cardiology has influence healthcare because it has shown that its more beneficial for a person to stay more active or fit because people like them are less likely to have coronary heart disease ICU ICU is the abbreviation for intensive care unit. The intensive care unit is a  particular department in the hospital or healthcare facility that provides extreme care. The intensive care unit has improved healthcare by providing the community with a unit that specialize in patients who need extreme care. Orthopedics Orthopedics is the knowledge and practice of producing straightness of the bones and muscles in children or adults. Orthopedics has influence healthcare by constantly finding ways to improve joint and muscle damage. It is shown that the majority of the households in America is affected in some fashion by diseases of the joints, skin, bones, and muscles. Neurology Neurology is the study of the nervous system or medical specialty that deals with the nervous system. Neurology has impact healthcare by studying the nervous system. As an individual with Cerebral Palsy neurology has made a big different in my life. Neurology has help people with nerve issues like Cerebral Palsy by providing with treatments that will help individuals live a better life. OB/GYN OB/GYN is the abbreviation of obstetrics and gynecology. OB is short for obstetrics or obstetrician, which is a physician who specialized in the female reproductive organs. Gynecology means the study of women. Gynecology has influenced health care because it focuses on disorders of the female organ. Gynecology focuses on prevention of the female reproductive organs illnesses and diseases. It’s very important to understand the full concept of the term OB/GYN because they also the physician who delivers babies ENT ENT is the abbreviation meaning for ears, nose and throat. It is also linked to the medicine field called otolaryngology. The ears are for hearing and the sensation of balance. The nose is use for the sense of smell. The pharynx (throat) and the larynx (voice box) is use for speech. Otolaryngology is important to the health care field because it provides us with the medical treatment for common colds and viruses that infects the ears, nose and throat. Gastroenterology The study of the stomach and intestines Gastroenterology influence healthcare by providing the public with informative information regarding the digestive system and the keys organs that plays a part of digesting food Pharmacology Pharmacology is the study of drugs and medicines. As a pharmacist, you are someone who specializes in medicines and drugs. Pharmacology has influence healthcare quality and improvement by inventing drugs and medicine that help in the prevention, maintain, or improvement for an illnesses, disease or injury. Proprietary Hospitals Are hospitals that are operated for the financial gain of the individuals, partnerships, or corporations that own them. Proprietary hospitals have made an impact in healthcare because more than 50% of the community hospitals are a part of a corporate system, and the mergers will continue in the twenty-first century. Nervous System Nervous System Is a system that includes the brain, neurons, cranial nerves, cerebrospinal fluid, spinal cord, and spinal nerves. The nervous system functions are to relay, receive, and interpret sensory information for the senses of balance, vision, body position, hearing, temperature, smell, touch, taste, and pain. It also coordinates body movement and stores and interpret emotion and memory It’s important to understand the concept of the term nervous system because this system is very valuable to the human body without the nervous system our bodies won’t have the senses and sensations we need in order to live Health Promotion Services Are services that help individuals decrease the risk of illness, follow healthy lifestyles and maintain optimal function. For example, hospitals that offer consumers prenatal nutrition. Health promotion services influence healthcare by providing the community with classes that explains the general health of women and children, health promotion services provide ways to help individuals decrease the risk of illness, follow healthy lifestyles and maintain optimal function. As you progress through your program, you are encouraged to continue to use  your weekly vocabulary exercises to build a master glossary as a quick reference guide to using in your coursework and your health care career.

Columbias internal Conflicts essays

Columbia's internal Conflicts essays Columbia is located in the Northwest of South America with one coast along the Pacific and the other along the Caribbean Sea. While the population is very diversified, more than half of the people are of Spanish-Indian decent. European ancestry makes up the next biggest percentage, along with the blacks, mulattos, and zambos (black-Indian mix). Instability in politics and the people began in the beginning when the people won their land over the Spanish royalists. After the defeat of the Spanish army, the republic consisted of all of the formerly Spanish owned land. Simon Bolivar was elected its first President and Francisco de Paula Santander, Vice President. Two political parties that grew out of conflicts between the followers of Bolivar and Santander, the Conservatives and the Liberals, have dominated Colombian politics. The conflicts stemmed from ideas of the Conservatives who wanted a centralized government that ruled in affiliation with the Roman Catholic Church. The lib erals, Santanders followers, were in favor of a de-centralized government, where the church did not have power over educational and civil issues. Both parties held office throughout history almost an equal number of times. Despite the constant instability, the government was able to maintain its democratic way of electing a different leader every four years. Notwithstanding the country's commitment to democratic institutions, Colombia's history has been characterized by periods of widespread, violent conflict. Two civil wars resulted from bitter rivalry between the Conservative and Liberal Parties. The War of a Thousand Days (1899-1902) cost an estimated 100,000 lives, and up to 300,000 people perished during "La violencia" (The Violence) of the late 1940s and 1950s. Although Columbia started with the grounds of a growing economy, it flourished as a battle zone for those producing and trafficking drugs. ...

Free Essays on History Of Internet

Origins of the Internet The first recorded description of the social interactions that could be enabled through networking was a series of memos written by J.C.R. Licklider of MIT in August 1962 discussing his "Galactic Network" concept. He envisioned a globally interconnected set of computers through which everyone could quickly access data and programs from any site. In spirit, the concept was very much like the Internet of today. Licklider was the first head of the computer research program at DARPA, 4 starting in October 1962. While at DARPA he convinced his successors at DARPA, Ivan Sutherland, Bob Taylor, and MIT researcher Lawrence G. Roberts, of the importance of this networking concept. Leonard Kleinrock at MIT published the first paper on packet switching theory in July 1961 and the first book on the subject in 1964. Kleinrock convinced Roberts of the theoretical feasibility of communications using packets rather than circuits, which was a major step along the path towards computer networking. The other key step was to make the computers talk together. To explore this, in 1965 working with Thomas Merrill, Roberts connected the TX-2 computer in Mass. to the Q-32 in California with a low speed dial-up telephone line creating the first (however small) wide-area computer network ever built. The result of this experiment was the realization that the time-shared computers could work well together, running programs and retrieving data as necessary on the remote machine, but that the circuit switched telephone system was totally inadequate for the job. Kleinrock's conviction of the need for packet switching was confirmed. In late 1966 Roberts went to DARPA to develop the computer network concept and quickly put together his plan for the "ARPANET", publishing it in 1967. At the conference where he presented the paper, there was also a paper on a packet network concept from the UK by Donald Davies and Roger Scantlebury of NPL. Scantl... Free Essays on History Of Internet Free Essays on History Of Internet Origins of the Internet The first recorded description of the social interactions that could be enabled through networking was a series of memos written by J.C.R. Licklider of MIT in August 1962 discussing his "Galactic Network" concept. He envisioned a globally interconnected set of computers through which everyone could quickly access data and programs from any site. In spirit, the concept was very much like the Internet of today. Licklider was the first head of the computer research program at DARPA, 4 starting in October 1962. While at DARPA he convinced his successors at DARPA, Ivan Sutherland, Bob Taylor, and MIT researcher Lawrence G. Roberts, of the importance of this networking concept. Leonard Kleinrock at MIT published the first paper on packet switching theory in July 1961 and the first book on the subject in 1964. Kleinrock convinced Roberts of the theoretical feasibility of communications using packets rather than circuits, which was a major step along the path towards computer networking. The other key step was to make the computers talk together. To explore this, in 1965 working with Thomas Merrill, Roberts connected the TX-2 computer in Mass. to the Q-32 in California with a low speed dial-up telephone line creating the first (however small) wide-area computer network ever built. The result of this experiment was the realization that the time-shared computers could work well together, running programs and retrieving data as necessary on the remote machine, but that the circuit switched telephone system was totally inadequate for the job. Kleinrock's conviction of the need for packet switching was confirmed. In late 1966 Roberts went to DARPA to develop the computer network concept and quickly put together his plan for the "ARPANET", publishing it in 1967. At the conference where he presented the paper, there was also a paper on a packet network concept from the UK by Donald Davies and Roger Scantlebury of NPL. Scantl...

How to Pronounce the Name of Taiwanese Politician Tsai Ing-wen

How to Pronounce the Name of Taiwanese Politician Tsai Ing-wen In this article, we will look at how to pronounce the name of the president Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen (è” ¡Ã¨â€¹ ±Ã¦â€"‡), which in Hanyu Pinyin would be written Ci YÄ «ngwà ©n. Since most students use Hanyu Pinyin for pronunciation, we  will henceforth use that, although the notes about pronunciation are of course relevant regardless of system. Ci YÄ «ngwà ©n was elected president of Taiwan on Jan. 16, 2016. And yes, her personal name means English, as in the language this article is written in. Below are some easy instructions if you just want to have a rough idea how to pronounce the name. Then we’ll go through a more detailed description, including analysis of common learner errors. Pronouncing Names in Chinese Pronouncing can be very hard if you havent studied the language; sometimes its hard, even if you have.  Ignoring or mispronouncing tones will just add to the confusion. These mistakes add up and often become so serious that a native speaker would fail to understand. Read more about how to pronounce Chinese names. Easy Instructions for Pronouncing Cai Yingwen Chinese names usually consist of three syllables, with the first being the family name and the last two the personal name. There are exceptions to this rule, but it holds true in many cases. Thus, there are three syllables we need to deal with. Cai - Pronounce as ts in hats plus eyeYing - Pronounce as Eng in EnglishWen - Pronounce as when If you want to have a go at the tones, they are falling, high-flat and rising respectively. Note: This pronunciation is not correct pronunciation in Mandarin (though it is reasonably close). It represents an attempt to write the pronunciation using English words. To really get it right, you need to learn some new sounds (see below). How to Actually Pronounce Cai Yingwen If you study Mandarin, you should never ever rely on English approximations like those above. Those are meant for people who dont intend to learn the language! You have to understand the orthography, i.e. how the letters relate to the sounds. There are many traps and pitfalls in Pinyin you have to be familiar with. Now, lets look at the three syllables in more detail, including common learner errors: Cai  (fourth tone) - Her family name is by far the hardest part of the name. c in Pinyin is an affricate, which means that it is a stop sound (a t-sound) followed by a fricative (an s-sound). I used ts in hats above, which is sort of okay, but will lead to a sound that is not aspirated enough. To get that right, you should add a considerable puff of air afterward. If you hold your hand a few inches from your mouth, you should feel the air hitting your hand. The final is okay and is pretty close to eye.Ying  (first tone) - As you have probably guessed already, this syllable was chosen to represent England and thereby English because they do sound quite similar. The i (which is spelt yi here) in Mandarin is pronounced with the tongue closer to the upper teeth than in English. Its as far up and forward you can go, basically. It can almost sound like a soft j at times. The final can have an optional short schwa (as in English the). To get the right -ng, let your jaw drop and your ton gue withdraw. Wen (second tone) - This syllable seldom clauses problem for learners once they sort the spelling (its uen but since its the beginning of the word, its spelt wen). It is actually very close to English when.  Its worth pointing out that some English dialects have an audible h, which should not be present here. It should also be noted that some native speakers of Mandarin reduce the final to sound more like un than en, but this is not the standardized way of pronouncing it. English when is closer. The are some variations for these sounds, but Cai Yingwen/Tsai Ing-wen (è” ¡Ã¨â€¹ ±Ã¦â€"‡) can be written like this in IPA: tsÊ °ai jiÅ‹ wÉ™n Conclusion Now you know how to pronounce Tsai Ing-wen (è” ¡Ã¨â€¹ ±Ã¦â€"‡). Did you find it hard? If you’re learning Mandarin, dont worry; there arent that many sounds. Once you’ve learned the most common ones, learning to pronounce words (and names) will become much easier!

The Gap In Irelands Infrastructure And What Is Done To Close It Essay

The Gap In Irelands Infrastructure And What Is Done To Close It - Essay Example Today, from one of the poorest country, just some decades back, the country has moved to the top of the league; becoming one of the richest country in Europe today (Labohm, 2005; Wikipedia, 2006a; Ireland-Economic Profile, 2005). Although, Ireland is no longer a poor country with its per capita income now one of the highest in the European Community. Yet Ireland's infrastructure and social provision are far below the EU average. The growing poverty rates, unequal income distribution, growing rich-poor gap and the under-equipped transport, health and education systems represent the most visible signs of the extensive gaps in the country's infrastructural base. This poor infrastructure, especially as it concerns transport impacts heavily on several sectors of the country and most importantly on the increasing poor population (A Little Done, 2005). This paper therefore intends to look at the problem of infrastructure in Ireland; how bad it is and what the government is doing to remedy the situation. A good way to start the assessment of the infrastructural problems of the country is to attempt a pragmatic definition of the term 'infrastructure'. In the most general understanding, 'infrastructure' is employed to refer to a set of interconnected structural elements that provide the framework or basis that supports an entire system. However, when restricted to discussions concerning economic growth and/or development of a state or country, infrastructure refers to the facilities that enable the efficient running of individual and corporate businesses and improves the quality of lives for the inhabitants. This could include sectors of the economy as transportation, water supply, electricity/energy supply, waste removal, communications etc (Wikipedia, 2006b). Though, infrastructure is traditionally associated with transportation, such as road networks, railways, motorways etc; it is vital to point out that the term actually subsumes a wide range of facilities and services that enable the smooth running of individual and corporate existence in a state and thus includes more than twenty different areas of investment ranging from the transport, communications, electricity/energy, land development, utilities and even waste disposal and management. Most of Ireland's infrastructure used to be owned and operated by the government, however, things are changing, some are now being operated, partially or totally by the private sector, which holds serious implications for the infrastructural development of the country and the policies required to address the obvious deficits in the country's infrastructure (The Case for Change, 2005). The importance of a sound and well developed physical infrastructure not just for the country's development but also for the quality of life of its people cannot be overemphasised. In the fast moving global economy, people, goods and information must be able to move from one point to the other, quickly, reliably and efficiently. Businesses and investment are attracted to a region/state where good infrastructure exists, because enterprises will only thrive in an environment where physical and communication infrastructures are adequately deployed. Also, tourism is a strong revenue earner, providing thousands of jobs for the nation,

The Law of Trusts and Equitable Obligations Case Study

The Law of Trusts and Equitable Obligations - Case Study Example Whether or not the courts will find so in this instance is open to debate. As it is a presumption it is rebuttable by the donees showing that it was a gift, but the onus is on Wendy and Karen to show that it is a gift. (i)(a). Wendy will have to establish either that Martin intended to make a gift or that the presumption of advancement takes precedence over the presumption of a resulting trust. In order to establish that a gift was made the onus of proof is on Wendy. The court must go into the facts in order to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to rebut the presumption. Whilst Wendy is not married to Martin they do have a relationship which might indicate a moral obligation on Martin's part to provide for Wendy. This could give rise to the presumption of advancement, in which the assumption is that Martin intended Wendy to take both the legal and the beneficial interest of the shares. However in a series of cases quoted in Pearce and Stevens1 it is clear that there is no presumption of advancement between cohabiting couples. However in Pettitt v Pettitt [1970] AC 777 at paragraph 823 Lord Diplock reminds us that the presumption of resulting trust and advancement are: On the facts before us there is no reason to believe that Martin did not intend Wendy to own the shares outright. We are reminded that they shared a full life together and that Martin purchased shares for both Wendy and Karen at the same time. There is no indication that he did this for any other reason than for them to accrue benefits from the company - in the form of dividends - as the shares increased in value. It could be argued that based on conduct and the circumstances that Martin intended the shares as a gift. For example, Wendy may be able to show that Martin gave her the share certificates and that she was able to keep the dividends. However, based on the evidence before us the point is moot, and could go either way. (i)(b) There is a presumption of advancement between a father and his child, that is that a father would wish to provide financially for his child: Murless v Franklin [1818] 1 Swans 13. In such a case the child takes the property beneficially. Whilst Karen is not Martin's child they do have a relationship which might indicate a moral obligation on Martin's part to provide for Karen. In Bennet v Bennet [1879] 10 Ch D 474 Jessel MR said: as regards a child, a person not the father of the child may put himself in the position of an in loco parentis to the child, and so incur the obligation to make provision for the child The burden of proof will be on Martin to show that no gift was intended. For example if Martin could show that he retained the share certificates and/or that Karen paid the dividends to him (see Re Gooch [1890] 62 LT 384) this might be sufficient evidence to rebut the presumption, particularly if at the same time Martin had clearly stated that a gift was not intended. (ii) Martin's rights - if any - will be determined under a resulting or common intention constructive trust, or else proprietary estoppel - which does not require proof of common intention. Since Martin has made a direct contribution to the purchase price out of the profits of the business and by paying the mortgage this raises a

How does mobile device impact hospitality industary Essay

How does mobile device impact hospitality industary - Essay Example Mobile devices such as smartphones (the word cellular phone is no longer applicable with what it can do), computer tablets, wi-fi connectivity, etch that even digital cameras now are becoming mobile communication devices. In a report by Mobilize Worldwide, the leading developer of mobile applications for promotions in the web and electronic platform, that includes interactive websites, and similar marketing channels, there were 211 million subscribers of mobile device in the US alone as of May 2011 and this figure is continually rising. It also added that of these figures, 82% of adult Americans has a cellphone, 31% of which are classified as smartphone. The company’s research also revealed that 25% of Americans rely on their mobile devices with regard to their access to the internet than the traditional computer. Almost all at 95% of all mobile device users are also capable of sending and receiving multimedia messaging service or MMS and/or short messaging service or SMS or s imply text messages. This is worth noting because most of those who receive data from mobile devices read the messages within three minutes upon receipt at 90% percent of the time. It also revealed that 79% of smartphone users do online shopping and 74% of these purchases were a result of smartphone online research. More interestingly, the study was supported by the Pew Research that more than half of mobile pohone users use their mobile devices to find information about local hotels (Kasavana, nd). II. The hospitality industry The hospitality industry is composed of cluster of of industries comprising of accommodations, restaurants, entertainment, recreation and amusement sectors (Bit Wave Solutions, nd). The hospitality industry is a thriving multi-billion industry dependent on its customer’s free time, disposable income and willingness to engage in leisure. Example of sectors in the hospitality industry are hotels, restaurants, themed park and amusement centers involving a gamut of operations that animate the whole industry to serve the guests that would avail of their service. The rising prosperity in the new markets enabled the hospitality industry to expand its operation across the globe with the people’s rising disposable income offering them different service and amusement depending on their preference. Along with the expansion of the operation of the hospitality industry is the improvement of its infrastructure to better serve its customer and to remain relevant in a very competitive business environment. One of the fastest aspect of development in the hospitality industry’s infrastructure is the information technology that enables the use of mobile devices to increase customer engagement with the end of enhancing customer experience. The services that mobile devices enable includes â€Å"website configurations, fluent marketing campaigns, location-based activities, digital couponing, and point-of-sale settlement. Currently, the fastest growing segment of m-commerce service is mobile payments featuring cashless and cardless payment platforms â€Å" (Kamanava, nd). The increased use of information technology in the hospitality industry that facilitated these services has resulted in creased expectation of visitors and personalized service especially to those who are returning customers. This became possible because hospitality indu

Meno's Paradox Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Meno's Paradox - Assignment Example This evidenced in the argument between Meno and Socrates, whereby, they both agree on prior knowledge. Meno can be referred to as Socratic dialogue written by Plato. It aims to find the definition of arà ªte or virtue. In this regard, it means virtue in general manner rather than particular virtues such as temperance and justice. In response to Meno’s paradox, Socrates comes up with new ideas of immortality of the soul, the theory on knowledge as a recollection, which Socrates illustrates by posing a mathematical puzzle to one of Meno’s slaves. In this paradox, Socrates tries to find a distinction between true belief and knowledge. In this dialogue, Meno suggests that inquiry is not possible. The argument that meno brings forth is known as meno’s paradox. As a solution to this disturbing paradox, Socrates constructs a theory of recollection (Meno 71). Meno asks Socrates whether virtue can be taught. In response, Socrates says that he does not know anything like virtue and in his entire life; he has never known anyone who is virtuous. In their argument, Meno tries to define virtue as power of command with exceptions in that there are virtues for those who command and those who obey and that the power of command must be exercised either justly or unjustly. On his part, Meno is willing to accept that virtue exist and can be taught. On his side, Socrates had no difficulty of admitting that there is virtue of good, and that the goods whether of mind or body are under direction of knowledge. Basing on this assumption, it can be deduced that virtue is teachable. In this paradox, there are two notions involved in that it is possible to overcome Meno’s paradox without difficulty and on the other hand, Socrates theory of recollection which is used as a response to the paradox but as the solution. The Meno’s paradox states that a man cannot inquire either about what he or she does not know or what

Cost method Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cost method - Research Paper Example It is crucial for managers to comprehend the merits and demerits of the two systems to satisfy the needs of their business operations. The budget presented entails schedules that raise various concerns leading to the recommendation that the company should switch to the activity-based costing system of accounting. The first concern is the quarterly budget that in my opinion requires further subdivision to generate quarters. Mainly, cycling takes place in temperate weather conditions. Buying materials for bicycle production for the start of sales hikes demand therefore, requires the producer to incur a quarter before the demand. Another concern regards accounts that remain uncollectable. The master budget for the company is not specific it its cash budget line. It closely refers to the uncollectable receivables. Variable factors in this context emanate from economic features among them limited sponsorship and thus resulting in wrong accounts (Gazely & Lambert, 2006). From the budget, the company is setting aside a budget for 140 bikes inclusive of labour costs. It is appropriate to cut down on the level of production of extra parts in the inventory. The viability of any business can be measured by how the company effectively utilizes its resources while plummeting unnecessary costs hence Competition Bikes Inc. should strive to avert extra discretionary costs. The method of distributing manufacturing overhead by activity-based costing (ABC) to products is efficient compared to the traditional method of costing. Precisely, activity-based costing assigns the right percentage of resources to particular products. While monitoring and allocating organizational costs to products and objects, activity-based costing remains a more sophisticated and logical method as opposed to the traditional costing system (Bragg, 2001). It is possible to distribute

Meno's Paradox Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Meno's Paradox - Assignment Example This evidenced in the argument between Meno and Socrates, whereby, they both agree on prior knowledge. Meno can be referred to as Socratic dialogue written by Plato. It aims to find the definition of arà ªte or virtue. In this regard, it means virtue in general manner rather than particular virtues such as temperance and justice. In response to Meno’s paradox, Socrates comes up with new ideas of immortality of the soul, the theory on knowledge as a recollection, which Socrates illustrates by posing a mathematical puzzle to one of Meno’s slaves. In this paradox, Socrates tries to find a distinction between true belief and knowledge. In this dialogue, Meno suggests that inquiry is not possible. The argument that meno brings forth is known as meno’s paradox. As a solution to this disturbing paradox, Socrates constructs a theory of recollection (Meno 71). Meno asks Socrates whether virtue can be taught. In response, Socrates says that he does not know anything like virtue and in his entire life; he has never known anyone who is virtuous. In their argument, Meno tries to define virtue as power of command with exceptions in that there are virtues for those who command and those who obey and that the power of command must be exercised either justly or unjustly. On his part, Meno is willing to accept that virtue exist and can be taught. On his side, Socrates had no difficulty of admitting that there is virtue of good, and that the goods whether of mind or body are under direction of knowledge. Basing on this assumption, it can be deduced that virtue is teachable. In this paradox, there are two notions involved in that it is possible to overcome Meno’s paradox without difficulty and on the other hand, Socrates theory of recollection which is used as a response to the paradox but as the solution. The Meno’s paradox states that a man cannot inquire either about what he or she does not know or what

SOP Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

SOP - Essay Example I worked in the Jeddah office for a little over a year in the sales department. There, my core job was to help the customers get the best health insurance for them and their families. After my stint with the Insurance Company, I joined Samba Financial Group, where I worked in the customer service department for two years. This job required me to provide satisfactory explanation to many questions posed by customers about all the products and services we offer. The experience I gained by working for these organizations made me realize that I love helping people, and created a strong inclination in me towards finding self-fulfillment in helping others. All my life I have been encountering injustice in the treatment of people with disabilities in my country, that’s precisely why I want to work in the public sector and run programs to raise awareness for people with special needs in order for me to contribute to society. Society has given me so much and it is just about time for me to give something back to the society. After working those five years in different jobs I found myself developing and helping others gain the most value from the products and services I sold them, and I changed my mind about what had been built in it from the Saudi society that all women are not aim to work and give. In Saudi Arabia we have to wait for marriage and live under the wings of a man and cannot be independent, which made me careless when I was in college and didn’t care about my grades. In June 2010 I shifted my base to the United States and am presently pursuing proficient level English courses at EC Boston. Since the time I have come to the US I have noticed that people with disability are independent and living as there is nothing can stop them from enjoying their life and I find this amazing, I have learned a lot from such people. They are the epitome of courage and dedication, And that is totally different from how it is in Saudi Arabia, which

Guitar and Plectrum Instruments Essay Example for Free

Guitar and Plectrum Instruments Essay The rondalia is an ensemble of stringed instruments played with the plectrum or pick and generally known as plectrum instruments. It originated in Medieval Spain, especially in Catalunya. Aragon, Murcia, and Valencia. The tradition was later taken to Spanish America and elsewhere. The word rondaila is from the Spanish ronda, meaning serenade. The rondalia has its origins in the playing bands from Spain (as well as New Spain, namely Mexico) that were forerunners of the present-day rondalia and included four types: groups of young men who played and sang regularly in front of homes, bands of musicians known as murza or murga who begged for alms, a group of musicians known as comparza who played on stage, and groups of university musicians known asestudiantina, dubbed â€Å"tuna†. The usual musical instruments used by estudiantina members were mandolins, violins, guitars, flutes, cellos, basses, tambourines, castanets, and triangles. Estudiantina musicians in Spain and Mexico, before and during the age of musical romanticism, wore 16th century attire such as short velvet breeches, ornate shirts and a short cape with multicolored ribbons. Some instruments used for the early rondalia were influenced by the Mozarab musical instruments of the time, including the guitars, flutes and vihuelas. Mandolins, castanets and tambourines were also used and today a full range of instruments can be heard, such as the Mexican vihuela, violins and cellos, marimbas, xylophones, harps, and timbales. Today, rondalias are more modern and expressive, using lyrics that are vibrant, yet still keep with the traditional theme of melancholy love and evening serenades. Currently, there are many groups in Spain (such as La Rondalla Sierra Almijara and La Rondalla de la Costera), and Mexico (such as La Rondalla de Saltillo, La Rondalla Voces del Corazon) and United States (La Rondalla del Sagrado Corazon de Richmond) that carry on the tradition. During the Spanish period in the East Indies, the rondalia was brought to the Philippines by the Spaniards. In the early Philippines, certain styles were adopted by the natives, especially guitar and banduria used in the Pandanggo, the Jota, and the Polka. The use of the term comparza was common, however, during the American period in the Philippines, the term rondalia became more used. At present, rondalia, in the Philippines, refers to any group of stringed instruments that are played using the plectrum or pick. The Filipino instruments are made from indigenous Philippine wood and the plectrum, or picks, are made from tortoise-shell. Other stringed instruments composing the standard Filipino rondalia are the bandurria, the laà ºd, the octavina, the Twelve-string guitar, the Ukulele, the bajo de uà ±as or double bass, the Guitarrà ³n mexicano, and other Filipino-made instruments modeled and developed after the guitar. The Philippine rondalia’s repertoire include folk songs such as the Balitaw, the Kundiman, the Zarzuela, the Subli, the Harana, the Tinikling, and the Carià ±osa.

What is a long-loop reflex?

What is a long-loop reflex? A rapid stretch of a voluntarily contracting muscle evokes electromyographic (EMG) responses at various latencies, as described by Loo, K. McCloskey, D. (1985). Response latency measures the time delay between a perturbation and response, the response is typically greater in a stretch than a jolt as found by Lee and Tatton (1975) who also proposed that there are typically 3 responses to a muscle stretch namely M1, M2 and M3. The first, M1, represents the short latency involuntary monosynaptic spinal stretch reflex involving primary afferents. M2 represents the delayed response corresponding to the, perhaps transcortical, long loop reflex response and M3 represents the latency for a voluntary response mediated by the cerebellum. These 3 distinct responses can be displayed graphically, as shown in figure 1. From analyzing figure 1 we can see that, using the terminology introduced by Lee Tatton (1985), M1 is the response seen approximately 45-60ms after the perturbation, M2 represents the increase in EMG activity 60-90ms after the perturbation and the increase in EMG activity between a latency of 90-110ms is termed M3. Any response with a latency of greater than 110ms is a voluntary response and is not considered to be a reflex response. These findings have been widely accepted and are frequently cited in later studies, for example in the study by Thilmann, A. F., Schwartz, M., Topper, R. Fellows, S.J. and Noth, J. (1991). Suminski, A.J., Rao, S.M., Mosier, K.M. and Scheidt, R.A. (2007) made a similar discovery finding short latency responses arising from monosynaptic reflexes, consistent with the latency of the M1 response. Petersen, N., Christensen, L., Morita, H., Sinkjà ²r, T. and Nielsen, J. (1998) showed that ankle dorsiflexors typically show an M3 response. More interestingly, this paper also claims that the M2 response in the upper limb seems to correspond with the M3 response in the lower limbs. According to Corden,  D.M., Lippold,  O.C.J., Buchanan, K. and Norrington, C. (2000), the second component of the stretch reflex response, M2, was first discovered by  Hammond (1955) who believes that the long latency is due to the long loop reflex travelling the extra distance to the cortex. Hammond (1956) studied the EMG response in the bicep muscle and found that the earliest voluntary muscle activation in response to mechanical taps occur after 90-100ms which contradicts with the later findings from Lee Tatton (1975) who claim voluntary response represents latencies greater than 110ms. This raises the possibility that the long loop reflex may have voluntary input. There have been many studies carried out investigating if the long-loop reflex is mediated by transcortical pathways. Logically, one would expect reflexes to be a hard-wired response and voluntary movement to have variation in responses. However, Evarts and Fromm (1981) provides evidence suggesting variability in their study of the wrist position. They concluded that the long loop reflex gives a pathway for the motor cortex to initiate closed loop feedback control to the flexors and extensors of the wrist. It can be argued that long latency responses fit both voluntary and reflex criteria. Arthur Prochazka, for one example, took particular interest in ambiguity for the correct definition of a reflex. For instance, is it regarded as a response which happens too quickly for the brain to notice, in which case, the M2 response would not be classed as a reflex since it is of long latency, or can it be defined as an involuntary response, in which case, the M2 response would be classed as a reflex since it occurs below the time threshold for it to be a voluntary action and occurs without any conscious awareness of the movement. If the long loop reflex goes via the motor cortex, it could be influenced voluntarily. A notable study by Loo McCloskey (1985) proposed that long loop reflexes are variable. This report studied the EMG responses of the flexor pollicis longus when a stretch was applied to the thumb-tip. The subject was required to initially have the muscle in a fixed, contracting state generating a constant force to give a baseline EMG to compare any results found against. Their results showed that, in the isometric holding task, all participants of the study could significantly alter the long latency responses to a stretch with some subjects recording up to 95% reduction in EMG activity when instructed to let go as opposed to resist. This indicates that motor set has an influence on the long loop reflex. Although the results for the isometric tracking, isotonic tracking and weight lifting tasks were less convincing, they still showed the ability to decrease EMG activity when told to let go not resis t, contradicting previously claimed results from Marsden et al (1976) which suggested that prior instructions had no influence on EMG responses. When the thumb was anaesthetised, there was no evidence of abolishment of the long latency EMG response, contrary to what was noted by Marsden, Merton Morton (1971). However, Loo McCloskey (1985) found there was a significant linear correlation between the percentage increase in perceived heaviness and the percentage reduction in long latency reflex. This study provides us with defining results, however, not all subjects performed all tests and not all results were significant so there still remains room for debate. Long loop reflexes were found to be abolished or depressed by lesions to the pathways to and from the cerebral cortex, again, giving the view that the long loop reflex does take a transcortical pathway. Matthews, P. B., Farmer, S. F. Ingram, D. A. (1990) also concluded from their study on the localization of the stretch reflex of intrinsic hand muscles in a patient with mirror movements that long loop reflexes are mediated transcortically. The long loop reflex, it has been suggested, has a slower onset due to the longer route the reflex has to take. A monosynaptic spinal reflex arc is clearly a shorter route than the long loop reflex which, as some evidence shows, could go via the cortex. In a previous study, Hammond (1954) suggests the main feasible explanations for the delayed M2 response could be due to the longer neural pathway it takes or that the neurones involved are slower conducting. Matthews (1984) discovered the same findings as he suggested in his paper that the M2 response is mediated by muscle spindle secondary endings which by nature are slower conducting afferents. Corna, S., Grasso, M., Nardone, A. and Schieppati, M. (1995) also concluded that M2 response in the ankle muscles is mediated by group II afferents. Marsden, C., Merton, P., and Morton, H., (1976) argued that the long loop reflex could not be altered by the motor set and hence concluded that the response was more likely to be a reflex respons e than voluntarily response. However, as pointed out by Loo McCloskey (1985), the subjects of the experiment were in fact the researchers themselves, hence, the results may be bias because sub-consciously they are aware of the experiment and what is going to happen and already have a prediction of what they want to happen. Rothwell, Traub and Marsden (1980) also suggested that long loop reflexes are not variable. Gassel (1970) claims that long loop reflexes occur predominantly with stimulation of cutaneous nerves or dorsal roots. To this end, Marsden et al. (1978) studied the stretch reflex response in the human flexor pollicis longus, which when stimulated, results in flexion of the thumb. If this muscle is stabilized, for example, fixed in plasticine, then cutaneous nerve activity can be detected. It is proposed that long loop reflexes going via the motor cortex, have become progressively more important in effective motor control of motor skills. There is an initial judgement of the required strength of the muscle contractions needed before any specific movement. Any error in the estimate will result in the activation of the muscle spindle receptors and will result in a corrective long loop reflex, which causes an appropriate change in the signals from the motor cortex, correcting the response of the movement. This happens with a latency of less than 50 msec. This is about 70msec for lower limbs. This corrective compensation is automatic and unconscious. The pathways for 1a receptors up to the motor cortex and hence participation in long loop reflexes have been recognized in mammals such as the cat (Landgren, 1984). Clarac, F. (2005) suggests that the long loop reflexes play an important role in the adaptation of flexors and extensors and hence are useful in posture and moveme nt. He also suggests that they are involved in the mechanisms for anticipating movement, which supports the evidence of a transcortical route since there is input from the brain. Shemmell, J., An, J.H. and Perreault, E.J. (2009) claim transcortical long-loop reflexes are useful in adding flexibility to the human stretch reflex allowing adaptation to a wider range of functional tasks. They also highlight in their report that reflex sensitivity is increased in unstable environments. This study also provides evidence supporting the transcortical route of the long loop reflex since, similar to the findings of Loo McCloskey (1985), if the subject was given instruction prior to the perturbation, the long-loop reflex provides the ability to achieve the desired result even if this is contrary to the stabilizing response you would expect. Their study concludes that stretch reflex modulation in tasks that require changes in limb stability is mediated by motor cortical pathways, and that these differ from pathways contributing to reflex modulation that depend on how the subject is instructed to react to an imposed perturbation. The experiment went on to observe the eff ects of using transcranial magnetic stimulation to create a cortical silent period whereby the muscle stretch was timed so that the M2 response of the stretch reflex occurred during this silent phase. As a result of this, the idea that reflex sensitivity could be increased when in a stable environment was abolished. The reflex responses seen from altered task instruction was found to be not influenced by cortical silence. These results demonstrate that task-dependent changes in reflex function can be mediated through multiple neural pathways and that these pathways have task-specific roles. More recently, Petersen, N. et al. (1998) investigated the possibility of a transcortical pathway by applying stretch to ankle dorsiflexors and recording the EMG signals. In the introduction, Peterson et al. (1998) states that it is widely accepted, for muscles in the distal upper limb, for the long-loop reflex (M2) to be mediated by a transcortical reflex pathway. There is little evidence showin g the same result in proximal and lower limb muscles. Thilmann et al. (1991) found that the M2 response showed no significant change in proximal and lower limb muscles after lesions of supraspinal pathways whereas the M2 responses disappeared in hand muscles after the same lesion. A more clinical approach by Diener, H., Dichgans, J., Hà ¼lser, P.-J., Buettner, U.-W., Bacher, M.  and Guschbauer, B. (1984) suggests the long loop reflex is useful in diagnosing multiple sclerosis. Their results showed that 69% of the patients who have multiple sclerosis have a significantly longer M3 latency response in the antagonistic anterior tibial muscle. This increased delay in M3 response suggests demyelination of the neurones and they concluded that their results support evidence that the long loop reflex is mediated by a transcortical pathway. Figure 1: Clarac , F (2005)  The History of Reflexes Part 2: From Sherrington to 2004,  IBRO History of Neuroscience Corden,  D.M., Lippold,  O.C.J., Buchanan, K. and Norrington, C. (2000) Long-Latency Component of the Stretch Reflex in Human Muscle is Not Mediated by Intramuscular Stretch Receptors. Applied Journal of Physiology. 84(1). 184-188. Corna, S., Grasso, M., Nardone, A. Schieppati, M. (1995) Selective depression of medium-latency leg and foot muscle responses to stretch by an aÃŽÂ ¼-agonist in humans. Journal of Physiology. 484. 803-809. Diener, H.C., Dichgans, J., Hà ¼lser, P.J., Buettner, U.W., Bacher, M.  and Guschbauer, B. (1984) The significance of delayed long-loop responses to ankle displacement for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology. 57(4). 336-342. Fromm. C., Evarts, E. (1981). Relation of Size and Activity of Motor Cortex Pyramidal Tract neurons during Skilled Movements in the Monkey. The Journal of Neuroscience. 1(5), 453-460. Gassel, M. (1970) A critical review of evidence concerning long-loop reflexes excited by muscle afferents in man. Journal Neurological Neurosurgical Psychiatrics. 33. 358-362. Hammond, P. H. (1954) Involuntary activity in biceps following the sudden application of velocity to the abducted forearm. Journal of Physiology. 127, 23. Lee, R. G. Tatton W. G, (1975) Motor responses to sudden limb displacements in primates with specific CNS lesions and in human patients with motor system disorders. Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences, 2, 285-293. Loo, C.K.C. McCloskey, D.I. (1985) Effects of prior instruction and anaesthesia on long-latency responses to stretch in the long flexor of the human thumb. Journal of physiology, 365, 285-296 Marsden, C. D., Merton, P. A., and Morton, H.B. (1976) Servo action in the human thumb. Journal of physiology. 257. 1-44. Marsden, C. D., Merton, P. A., and Morton, H.B. (1978) Anticipatory postural responses in the human subject. Journal of Physiology.  275. 47-48. Marsden, C. D., Merton, P. A., and Morton, H.B. (1981) Human postural responses. Brain. 104. 513-534. Matthews, P. B., Farmer, S. F. Ingram, D. A. (1990) On the localization of the stretch reflex of intrinsic hand muscles in a patient with mirror movements. Journal of Physiology. 428. 561-577. Petersen, N., Christensen, L.O.D., Morita, H., Sinkjà ²r, T. and Nielsen, J. (1998) Evidence that a transcortical pathway contributes to stretch reflexes in the tibialis anterior muscle in man. Journal of Physiology. 512(1). 267-276. Shemmell, J., An, J.H. and Perreault, E.J. (2009) The Differential Role of Motor Cortex in Stretch Reflex Modulation Induced by Changes in Environmental Mechanics and Verbal Instruction, The Journal of Neuroscience. 29(42). 13255-13263. Suminski, A.J., Rao, S.M., Mosier, K.M. and Scheidt, R.A. (2007) Neural and electromyographic correlates of wrist posture control. Journal of Neurophysiology. 97. 1527-1545. Thilmann, A.F., Schwarz, M., Topper, R., Fellows, S.J. and Noth, J. (1991) Different Mechanisms Underlie the Long-Latency Stretch Reflex Response of Active Human Muscle at Different Joints. Journal of Physiology. 444. 631-643.

Physiological Effects of MDMA Use :: Health Drugs Essays

Physiological Effects of MDMA Use MDMA has significant cardiovascular effects. This is consistent with its norepinephrine releasing (Johnson et al. 1991; Rothman et al. 2001) and  £\_2 adrenergic agonist (Lavelle et al. 1999) properties. MDMA dose dependently produces robust increases in heart rate and blood pressure (de la Torre et al. 2000a; de la Torre et al. 2000b; Grob et al.). Peak cardiovascular effects occur between 1 and 2 hours after MDMA administration and largely subside within 6 hours of drug administration. A study suggested that the relationship between MDMA dose and cardiovascular effects was supralinear by de la Torre et al. (2000a) who reported unexpectedly high drug exposures (measured as AUCplasma for MDMA) and diastolic blood pressure increases in two volunteers given 150 mg MDMA. While pharmacokinetic data suggest MDMA has nonlinear kinetics, there is no clear evidence of supralinear relationships between dose and blood pressure or heart rate. In fact, there may be less increase in heart rate after higher doses. The tendency toward less heart rate increase with higher dose is consistent with a study using both conscious and anesthetized rats (O'Cain et al. 2000). In this rat study, 3 mg/kg IV MDMA decreased heart rate, while lower doses tended to increase it or leave it unchanged. Studies monitoring blood pressure found significant relationships between MDMA use and blood pressure. In one study, (Vollenweider et al. 1998) involving subjects without a history of MDMA use, one subject experienced hypertensive crisis from a dose typical of recreational use. The correlation of blood pressure is described, "A two way ANOVA for systolic blood pressure revealed a significant main effect of drug [F(1,2) = 41.09; p < 02] and a significant drug x time interaction [F(3,6) = 11.31; p < 007]. Significant changes occurred in the 0 to 75 minutes and 75 to 150 minutes interval (one way ANOVAs). Two way ANOVA for diastolic blood pressure was not significant, but one way ANOVAs showed significant changes in the 75 to 150 minutes and the 150 to 300 minutes interval. Increases were in the range of 10 to 30 mm Hg for systolic blood pressure and 5 to 10 mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure." (Vollenweider et al. 1998 pp.245_246) This study shows a similarity in changes in systolic blood pressure, and a lesser similarity in changes in diastolic blood pressure. The occurrence of hypertensive crisis suggests caution in potential use and study.

Capital Punishment Essay: Match Death with Death -- Argumentative Per

We Must Match Death with Death    For anyone living in Texas, it is common to hear about convicted criminals being sentenced to death. Is justice being served? When someone has committed a heinous murder, justice must prevail. But that ideal becomes harder to achieve as we scale the moral high ground and look all around, from behind the jail cell bars to the crushed life of the murdered victim. The following essay will focus on the proportionality of the death sentence as a form of punishment.       First of all, if there were no persons in the world, only things, there would be no values. There are values in the world only because there are persons: people who have not only desires , but also rationality and freedom. Something is valuable only relative to a human goal. Then, as the source of values, humans have dignity, which Immanuel Kant defines in his Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals as something so valuable that nothing could transcend it in worth. It follows that to be human, to have dignity, one must value above all else those things which give you dignity. This means one must value absolutely the rationality, freedom, and autonomy of oneself, but also of other individuals. However; there are some crimes, some murders, committed with such violence and complete disregard for life, that we stop valuing the rationality, the freedom, and the autonomy of the murder so highly. The question is how much do we devalue the criminal?    Kant had some ideas about how to find out the proper level of punishment. First, guilt is a necessary condition for judicial punishment. That means that only the guilty may be punished. Second, guilt is a sufficient condition for punishment. All the guilty m... ...re severe than the death sentence, could a death sentence be an escape from a life sentence? However, if the goal were to give the most severe sentence wouldn't it be more accurate to find out what the criminal's idea of personal hell was? Severity is not the goal of punishment, rather retributivism and proportionality are. To give equal treatment to all, each person, guilty and not guilty, must be considered independently of utility, pity, and revenge. To accurately handle crime, the act and the actor must be understood. Once understood, a punishment ought to be meted out on the basis of whether or not it is proportional and appropriate to the crime at hand. Ultimately, the decision comes down to what a jury thinks is proportional. Because I think that there can be no other match than death for death, I believe that capital punishment is justified.      

Mini Trial

Incredibly, there are currently over â€Å"3,000 asses of Mesopotamia annually' in the US and more than â€Å"1 0,000 cases† globally (â€Å"The Mesopotamia Center†, 2014). Asbestos lawsuits are continuously prevalent and can be identified by simply turning on a television set any given time of the day. More than likely there will be an asbestos lawsuit commercial on several channels. Since the sass's, Maryland has had its fair share of these lawsuits because of its asbestos production and inherent health risk posed to the surrounding communities.In 1 993, Baltimore had more than â€Å"200,000 cases† pending against the state of Maryland and the courts had become inundated with an insurmountable mountain of lawsuits (Ogden, 1 993, pig. 38). Attempting to manage all of these cases put a serious strain on the court systems and jeopardized the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the state's judicial infrastructure. The question for legal professionals was how t o handle such a large surge in caseloads. The answer came in the form of an Alternate Dispute Resolution (TAR) known as a Mini-Trial.This TAR process created a means for legal professionals to process large groups of disputants through a dispute resolution process in minimal time. Asbestos mini-trial proceedings in Baltimore were conducted in ropes and series so that the most severe cases could be handled first. The unprecedented decision to utilize mini;trials in this capacity yielded quicker results than normal bench-trial cases could and paved the way for the continued use of this form of 3 TAR. The unique style in how the mini-trials were applied to the Baltimore asbestos cases is what really stood out.Case Study As the amount of plaintiffs grew against multiple companies involved in asbestos manufacturing, Judge Marshall A. Levin of Baltimore's Circuit Court, ordered the majority of the cases to be performed as mini-trials (Person, 1993). This process would alleviate Some of th e limiting factors being experienced in regards to litigation saturation. With literally thousands of affected citizens, Judge Levin felt that a series of mini-trials would clear up a large portion of the individual claims bogging down Baltimore's court system.The first thing he ordered was for the trials to be conducted in groups. Within these groups, legal professionals to include the judge; would select the most important cases first. His first grouped involved over 600 cases in which patients were already sick or dying from asbestos related illnesses (Person, 993). It was important to process these cases quickly so that any damages awarded could be used for healthcare immediately. Another group involved a series of plaintiffs that were seeking damages from either being exposed to asbestos or not being properly informed of the dangers of asbestos.Even though these were of lesser importance, the process of the mini-trial still afforded the plaintiffs quick resolution. Because ther e were so many people involved in all of these cases, the judge would also only allow a select few to present testimony. By doing this, Levin prevented the same testimony from Ewing heard by thousands of plaintiffs with the same argument. This â€Å"abbreviated version† of a full court trial proved his theory that mini-trials were beneficial in lieu of (Colors, 2009, pig. 203). Time was not the only thing gained by these trials however.Judge Eleven's first mini-trial only took four weeks and caught the attention of several other judges. During the second set of 4 trial series, three judges from Baltimore joined him in hearing six more major asbestos cases. Those mini-trials yielded more than SSL 1 million in restitution for three out of the six cases (Person, 1993). Knowing that the number of asbestos cases would increasingly rise, Judge Levin created the â€Å"New Discovery Rule† that would supersede any statute of limitation Maryland had in regards to asbestos relate d lawsuits (Ogden, 1993).Applying additional gateways offset the non-binding agreement mini-trials and other forms of TAR normally have. Discussion The overall goal in hearing asbestos cases quickly and clearing the courts of hemorrhaging lawsuits was ultimately a success. Eleven's progressive approach to dispute resolution proved that alternate methods can be fair and equal. Properly categorizing claims that were more severe against claims that were to was paramount in choosing first to appear cases. The quick action of the mini-trial afforded victims in need compensation necessary to the treatment of their illnesses.By grouping the trials into series, the mini-trials also protected the asbestos manufactures of frivolous law suits and false claims of lung cancer due to smoking and not asbestos exposure. One of the biggest conclusions that can be drawn from this case is that the mini-trial is adoptable and long lasting. As recently as 2013, exactly 20 years after Baltimore's first a sbestos min-trial, Maryland is still using the TAR practice ND is a â€Å"major forum for asbestos litigation† (Richard, 2014). Baltimore's use of the mini-trial not only relieved the strain of over tasked court system, it proved that different forms of TAR could save time.

Deception in the Twelfth Night Essay

Deception is seen widely throughout the play Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare. Many characters are very clear about who they are and what their motives are, while some are more manipulative. Deception is shown through the clearness of Orsino’s character and the way Viola (Cesario) deceives people to play a man. Orsino is a character in the Twelfth Night that is considered much understood. He is very upfront about his actions and motives. This is portrayed in the way that Orsino loves Olivia and the way he will do anything it takes to get her to be with him. He makes it very clear that there is only one thing that he wants: to be with Olivia. As Orsino states his love in the play, â€Å"Oh, when mine eyes did see Olivia first, methought she purged the air of pestilence. That instant was I turned into a hart, and my desires, like fell and cruel hounds, e’er since pursue me† (1. 1. 20-24). He is very upfront about who he is; as the count, he is better than the people around him and gets what he wants. The way that Olivia thinks so highly of him as a Duke, demonstrates how he is better than the people around him: â€Å"Yet I suppose him virtuous, know him noble, of great estate, of fresh and stainless youth. In voices well divulged, free, learned, and valiant; and in dimension and the shape of nature, a gracious person† (1. 5. 260-64). Orsino is a noteable character who is straightforward and determined to get what he wants. Viola (Cesario), on the other hand, is completely deceptive of who she is. Although she deceptively dresses as a man, Viola does it so that she can stay alive in Illyria. The Captain is the only one who really knows what Viola is doing. As the Captain says, â€Å"Be you his eununch, and mute I’ll be. When my tongue blabs, then let mine eyes not see,† (1. 3. 65-66) which he also knows the reasons of doing. Throughout the entire play, Viola has to lie about who she is, but hints about her secret occasionally, like when she speaks with Orsino: â€Å"I am all the daughters of my father’s house, and all the brothers, too—and yet I know not†.   Viola is a main example of a character that is deceptive by their appearance in the Twelfth Night. Deception is being deceived or mislead by false appearances or statements. There are different kinds of deception in the Twelfth Night, by appearance or by Shakespeare’s word choice. Deception by appearance is an easily seen trait throughout different characters in the play. Orsino is a great example of someone who is the opposite of deceptive, whereas Viola is one of the most deceptive by her appearance and can be seen throughout the play the Twelfth Night.

Constructivism and Problem Based Learning Annotated Bibliography

Constructivism and Problem Based Learning - Annotated Bibliography Example is particular investigation, emphasizes on practicality, while training professionals of different fields, but somehow, does not recommend that, for teaching in school. In the viewpoint of the current paper, children studying in school should also be given assignments, featuring various practical problems to solve, because by this method, their ability to analyze issues will groom, which is a required ability in all fields of life. Megalakaki, O., Sotiriou, S., Savas, S., & Manoussakis, Y. (2012). Problem-based Educational Environments: A Case Study in e-Commerce and Business Planning. Electronic Journal of Research in Educational Psychology 10(1) , 423-446 This study argues, that electronic learning facilities allow learners from various areas to develop their knowledge base, through providing them with integrated access to international libraries. At the same time, offer students an opportunity to consult with leading professionals. In this way, learners could develop in depth understanding of the practical issues of the field. However, in the light of above mentioned source, constructivism is an ideal methodology, while instructing medical students, because in this field problem based method could result in disastrous ramifications, without proper understanding of the medical knowledge. On the other hand, this research believes, that technological aids such as online videos are assisting; language instructors in making their students, learn various foreign languages. In teaching linguistics, professors should encourage their pupils to practice the language in their daily life, because this is the only way to learn, the art of communication, because, human mind initiates the process of self-correction, once the person starts talking in a non-native language. Nevertheless, theoretical background possesses a certain degree of importance in this regard, but ample amount of time should be allocated towards practical learning in the process of developing

Video Conferencing For Thronton's Training Department Research Proposal

Video Conferencing For Thronton's Training Department - Research Proposal Example Overall, it is estimated over 11 million business meeting occurring on a daily basis (Verizon, 1999). However, similar study in 2003 indicated that the majority of face-to-face meeting participants believe that meetings are a waste of time (Verizon, 2003). This situation reveals two organizational problems. First, the amount of time that people spend in meetings makes it difficult for them to participate in most of them. Second, it can be difficult to remember what was said or accomplished in each one. These problems arise primarily from how participants attend meetings and how archives of meetings are created for later remembering and information retrieval. As participants are frequently traveling to attend face-to-face meetings, the cost-benefit ratio of attending meetings is also soaring. This in turn gives rise to a feeling of â€Å"wasted time.† Similar situation when too much time, efforts and finances are spent ineffectively occurs with corporate training of personnel at Thronton’s company. Practically, for Thronton’s company yearly cost of corporate personnel training exceeds a million dollars due to traveling and accommodation expenses for hundreds managers. Global trainers are brought to Thronton’s training center in Kentucky two times per year to ensure that qualifications of company’s employees are current and adequately correspond to Thronton’s business needs. The training and development at Thronton’s is conducted in the several areas that are critical for any type of business, particularly: In addressing the need to provide wider access to professional development and offer a more flexible form of training, Thronton’s company should develop a three-year training and development strategy addressed entirely through videoconferencing technology, particularly desktop video conference (DVC) as a main method on delivering

Laws and Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Laws and Ethics - Essay Example In addition, laws are universal in nature as they are applicable to the whole world with comparable attributes under the same vicinity (Brown, Black & Society of Professional Journalists (U.S.), 2011). Conversely, ethics involves habits or customs that determine how individuals interact with one another. Alternatively, ethics outline what is moral for individuals and society. Law and rule applies to principles in a variety of ways that include service laws, federal guidelines, ecological laws and codes of ethics. Companies and other business oriented institutions workout the right and the wrong ways to act just like people do. For instance, when the law does not specify how a given procedure is performed, managers and plant experts must make informed decisions on achieving the key objectives. Both ethical and unethical measures will have profound impacts to the company as well as to the consumers of the product (Shaw, 2011). Laws justify the appropriate direction of dealing with an occurrence thus satisfying all the parties involved. On the other hand, ethics entails making a legal decision but not necessarily satisfying all the members involved in a dilemma or a confrontational matter. For instance, stakeholders can be harmed by a company’s ethical behavior, but they could also be left without an option to withdraw at a certain period due to binding contract agreements (Merkel, 2007). Moreover, differences between ethics and laws can be exemplified in a warranty. Warranties become a constituent of the business pact with respect to the depiction that any merchandise is intended to perform. However, most products come with limited warranty where the manufacturers can manipulate them to any fashion providing they do not infringe the law. Unfortunately, the law does not guarantee consumer direct claimant of a given product as implied in the warranty. Ethical questions may ascend

According to Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, who is God Essay

According to Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, who is God - Essay Example Un-astonishingly, these questions have been of sole interest not only for religious people but also for skeptic mythologists, which motivated the work of various researchers who further introduced varied perspectives to the issue. One of such perspectives was put forward by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger in his book â€Å"Introduction to Christianity†. From ages, in different religions, in different communities as well as in different cultural clusters, God has been defined from varying perspectives, mostly being based on the beliefs rather than on the mythological facts or implied gestures. Hence, no single definition for God exists today. Christianity was also no exclusion from this particular aspect based on which, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, in his book ‘Introduction to Christianity’, expressed his opinions about God. According to him, God could not be categorized as something practical or just a theoretical conclusion. Rather, he stated that God is something subjec tive, who belongs to a private realm and not fundamentally in the common activities of public life. Based on this theory, Ratzinger argued that Christ was not God Himself, but the only son of God who dwells among people as a man bestowed with the responsibility to communicate the words of God within the public life.... In his words, â€Å"In the formative period of the New Testament comes a completely unexpected event in which God shows himself from a hitherto unknown side: in Jesus Christ one meets a man who at the same time knows and professes himself to be the son of God†¦The result is a curious paradox: on one hand, this man calls God his Father†¦But, on the other hand, he is himself the real proximity of God coming to meet us†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (pp: 163) Hence, the emphasis of Ratzinger’s discussion advocated the concept of God to have fundamentally changed over time with the influence of continuous evaluations in relation to the presumptions and faith. However, in the realistic phenomenon, it values less for Christians whether to consider God as personal or impersonal as the mystery of God is supposed to be beyond all the concepts and images. Accordingly, he stressed that God is infinitely greater than any concept or image that people holds about God. From a critical perspective, he also stated that God is and will remain invisible for men. He also stated that God is a creator who directs and measures the actions of all human beings judging and setting limits and standards to guide humanity on an estimable pathway. From a rational viewpoint, he further emphasized that God himself is only a single being who certainly holds a distinct identity to the Christ. Correspondingly, based on religious faiths, he described God to be above all powers1. Considering the summarized perspective presented in Ratzinger (2004), God’s remoteness from the world is behind the humble pragmatism and loss of God’s connection with people is also regarded as a part of that realism. God is present inside all human beings. God in his mask approaches

Interim Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Interim - Research Paper Example The company have to choose its suppliers considering its basic business requirements. It therefore needs to operate with other companies have strong management processes as suppliers coupled with effective approaches meant for establishment of their work force in order to ensure that they imrove continuously as well as consistently. According to Aera Energy (2009) the process of choosing a potential supplier for the business needs to be based on the crucials criterias which are specific to particular porcess and indicative of the company’s future success. These criterias are then evaluated and the significant attributes for the processes then chosen. Some usually source for their relevant materials for their business projects from suppliers withuout evaluating to find the right ones. Such suppliiers dont provide them with the right and high quality materiials they aspire to get. Their oprojects end up being either costly, behind time schedule or less productive than if they got the most appropriete suppliers for the materials. Most of these suppliers are not reliable, hence the businesses starts sometimes ends up looking for more materials from other suppliers to supplement them , something which adds cost and spends more time for the company. There is therefore the need to for the company to take tiome and do the necessary selection cretria for suppliers in order to avoid such shortcommings. Selection of the right suppliers would not obnly include looking at the price list of the materials requierd by would also encampass consideration of several factors which would lead to selecing the most competent and reliable suppliers. While doing procurement process for the organization’s materials there would be the need of reducing the potential costs as well as time duration for the process in order to increase productivity of the project or process hence the firms sustainable development. One such approach of

Today’s “Alternative” Newspapers Essay Example for Free

Today’s â€Å"Alternative† Newspapers Essay Two fundamental cultural currents swept through America in the latter half of the Twentieth Century. In the mid-1950’s the Beat Generation began flourish primarily cour-tesy of the â€Å"hip† authors of the time: Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and William S. Bur-roughs. Within a short decade the second wave, arguably built on the first, known as â€Å"hippies† developed primarily through the young musicians of the era: The Warlocks, later known as The Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane to name just two. Along with the music came the War in Vietnam, the Civil Rights Movement, campus protests and a very healthy distrust of anyone over thirty and anything of Mainstream America. The flower children of the sixties had no trust of the â€Å"establishment† newspapers and alternative â€Å"free presses† came into being. Like most things in popular culture the East and West Coast took the lead and eventually any city of size or any city with a large university had a â€Å"radical† free press. Two of the oldest were The Village Voice in New York (Greenwich Village) was born in 1955. The West Coast had the LA Free Press, es-tablished in 1965. These two â€Å"alternative†, â€Å"radical† or â€Å"underground† papers were the strongest and most influential of the genre which included The Detroit Free Press, the Berkeley Barb and the San Francisco Oracle among a host of others. (1) All of the papers shared an â€Å"in your face† attitude towards â€Å"Amerika† as their edi-tors preferred to write. All of the papers were ferociously opposed to the War in Vietnam, the â€Å"military-industrial complex† and traditional politicians. Their reporters religiously covered every rock music show that came to town and every album they produced. Popu-lar â€Å"underground† comics, such as The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers, Susie Cream-cheese and Mr. Natural provided ribald if not pornographic humor. Not to be forgotten was some of the strangest classified ads to ever be published. As Grace Slick, songstress and radical voice of the Jefferson Airplane proclaimed at Woodstock, â€Å"It’s a new dawn. † Times changed and virtually all of the free presses faded like so many denim jeans. The two notable exceptions just happened to be the oldest, The Village Voice and the LA Free Press. Both have gone from hard copy newsprint found in â€Å"head shops† to electronic print found by Google. But the attitude remains. The LA Free Press, always the most radical, lists a daily death count of Iraqi citizens and bills itself as â€Å"the true alternative to corporate controlled media. † (2) The Village Voice is still growing on its radical liberal roots but has a mellower style and prefers to rejoice in all things New York. (3) Despite their longevity and acceptance by a now-international audience, either paper would still blanch at the thought of being considered â€Å"mainstream† and both are still in-fluential, entertaining and worth reading. Works Cited (1) Stephens,Mitchell. â€Å"History of Newspapers†. Colliers Encyclopedia On-Line. http://www. nyu. edu/classes/stephens/Colliers%20page. htm (2) The Los Angeles Free Press. http://www. losangelesfreepress. com/ (3) The Village Voice. http://www. villagevoice. com/

An Analysis Of Performance Management Strategies Business Essay

An Analysis Of Performance Management Strategies Business Essay Performance management (PM) includes activities to ensure that goals are consistently being met in an effective and efficient manner. Performance management can focus on the performance of an organization, a department, employee, or even the processes to build a product or service, as well as many other areas. In both definitions it is clear that performance management is process of continuously measuring performance of each individual in organization to achieve set goals. To check that organization is performing in right way, we use performance management strategy or system to measure performance of specific department or employees or to measure performance of whole organization. Performance management talks about important and broader issues of organization. It gives procedures to organizations to achieve their goals. Performance management links all people, teams and individuals associated with business. Performance management should include: Performance management throughout the organization for individual, team and increased productivity of organization. Development is also very important for improved performance. Unless there is no development plan for employees in organization there will be no performance improvement. Organizations should ensure that employees are encouraged and motivated to fulfill their responsibility. How It Works? As performance management is very key part of organization to make organization work effectively. So this strategy should be structured properly. There should be a performance management framework to operate it effectively and efficiently in organization. Tools of Performance Management Performance Reviews To measure performance management there should be regular reviews of individuals performance. There should be performance review meetings to evaluate performance management. The meetings should be properly managed and planned to measure. Learning and Development Most famous and successful organizations give importance to employee development for increased performance of organization. With the help of performance reviews employees can be encouraged to look for deficiencies in them. And it should be responsibility of organization to provide learning and development schemes. Organizations which have high emphasis on individuals learning have emphasis on performance improvement indirectly. Measurements Organizations which want to measure performance management effectively, there employees or individuals should know that on what criteria or through which procedures their performance is going to be measured. Organizations should measure performance on fairly and honest basis. Pay In many organizations performance management is related with performance related pay. Performance related pay is important tool in many organizations to motivate employees through performance related pay. PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY OF DERBY CITY COUNCIL I have taken the performance management strategy of DERBY CITY COUNCIL as example to evaluate their strategy. I am going to evaluate their performance strategy of 2007-2010. Objective The basic objective of performance management strategy of DERBY CITY COUNCIL is to manage performance across council and the steps they will use to achieve their goals. They have described everything in their strategy that what they are going to achieve and how they will achieve. Importance of Performance Management As from definitions it is clear that performance management strategy is used to make organization more effective and to engage every employee in development of organization. So DERBY CITY COUNCIL has taken the importance of performance management very seriously as well. Performance management strategy make council to look for current status of their work, monitor for problems and issues arising, how to solve them and plans to implement their strategy. Performance management strategy is important to DERBY CITY COUNCIL for number of reasons. Improving Services Council is always here to improve services for people. So thats why performance management strategy is very important to council as they want to continuously improve services for people. They are focused on achieving right goals according to needs and expectations of local people and community. And their strategy helps them to look out their progress in achieving those goals and to look for any issues occurring in their current plans or not. And according to council their strategy is main key to improve their services continuously for people. Motivating staff For DERBY CITY COUNCIL their performance management strategy is not only to achieve goals like to improve services of people. For council effective management strategy is that which motivate their staff to understand them what is their role in this strategy, how much they are involved in achieving goals set by council for local people and whether their staff is getting fit into framework set by council to achieve their targets. Thats why council has described in their workforce Development Plan the scheme called Achievement and Development to stay connected with staff and promote their learning and to motivate them to fulfill their individual duties to achieve organizational goals. Meeting Government Expectations Performance management strategy is important to council because they want to meet government expectations. As performance assessment which is annual assessment by local authorities to measure performance or achievements of council in last year. So to meet government expectations performance management strategy is important to them. Demonstrating Value for Money Council tax is always concern for local residents, and they want to see that while council is doing or improving services for them or not. So this strategy is important to them to make a clear vision in local community about their value of money and council is continuously working for improvements. Purpose of Strategy For DERBY CITY COUNCIL, purpose of their performance management strategy is to Establish strong planning and performance framework to continuously improve services. To implement performance management system to measure performances of individuals and of organization. To achieve their set goals and targets. To be classified as four star council by meeting government expectations by continuously improving services for people. For DERBY CITY COUNCIL effective performance strategy not only requires good strategy but also organizational culture which supports this strategy by encouraging staff to improve their services. Performance Framework of DERBY CITY COUNCIL Their performance framework includes community strategy, corporate plan, business plans, team plans and individual plans. In framework council used community strategy to set the long term visions and targets for local community. Its a long term strategy to improve services which can be renewable. The Council corporate plan is to support community strategy how they will focus on continuous improvements and key actions to be taken for improvements. Business plans in performance framework are there to describe how each section of council work for improvements. Team plans will demonstrate employees to develop their understanding that how they will individually or in teams contribute for improvements. For council performance framework has to be clear, accurate and timely planned. What Council is Aiming to Achieve? Through their strategy council want to create an environment where every individual knows his/her contribution towards improving services and feel motivated and encouraged to manage their own performance effectively. Council Main Principles Council target is based on five principles which lead towards improvement. Balanced measurements For every process three elements are always important like inputs, outputs and outcomes. According to council as outcomes are always important for end users but they want balanced set of all measures means inputs, outputs and outcomes in their strategy to improve services. Strong Decision Making For council strong decision making is very important to them. As it is their one of main principle that decisions maker should be confident enough in information which he/she is using for decision making. They should use data of good quality to make decisions. The data or information which is used for decision making should be accurate, strong and relevant. Clear The performance information must be clear and should be accessible to all users. Goal Oriented Information should be goal oriented, focusing on key goals and targets to be achieved. Individual role Every individual must know his/her role in managing performance and key actions towards improvements. How Council will achieve his Vision? In this section council will deliver his strategy to achieve their goal. For council there are some sections which should be fulfilled to make their strategy successful. Role of Leader in Culture of Performance Management A performance management culture is climate or environment in which organization is working. Through performance management culture every employee and individual knows the values and vision of organization and their own roles to achieve those goals for organization. It encourages and motivates individuals to act in their role properly and perform their duties. As it is important for everyone to manage performance culture, but it should be lead by effective leader who has strong leadership skills. Like in performance framework of DERBY CITY COUNCIL there should be effective leader to lead corporate or business plans. Strong and confident leaders know what kind of performance is required and have ability to clearly communicate every individuals role towards improvement. They make clear to everyone that these areas are to be focused or improve and whose role is required or important in this issue. Advantages: Managers or leaders set clear goals and expectations across all employees which are continuously monitored. With performance measures there are continuous appraisals. DERBY CITY COUNCIL has culture where excellent performance is praised and shared across council. Clear Roles and Responsibilities To make their strategy effective council has described every individuals roles and responsibilities in their performance management strategy. Some roles are described below: Corporate Directors: Take operational responsibility of key actions to be done by council. They continuously review performances. They made actions required regarding data quality for decision making. They ensure that performance is under consideration in department. Performance Board: This board monitors that performance management strategy is implemented properly or not. Heads of Service They identify opportunities for improvement in strategy or performance management system. They monitor underperformance and their responsibility is to take necessary actions when required. Cabinet Their responsibility is to deliver council priorities. They review performance every three months and take actions if performance is not managed properly. They have also responsibility of measuring either value for money is achieved or not. Council Their role is to provide clear vision and to make corporate plan accordingly. They approve all budgets. They ensure every achievement. Audits and Accounts Their role is to maintain the internal environment controlled and managed. All Staff Know what their roles and contributions are required by council to achieve goals and improvement in services. They know what is vision of team in which they are working and what are the visions of stakeholders? What are their own personal goals and what they require to improve in themselves? Internal Audit They have to assess overall procedure implemented for producing performance management. They check procedures which are high risk. Advantages Everyone knows what performance framework is and know that improving services for local people is vision of council. Every member plays an important role in monitoring and managing performance management strategy. Continuous and Strong Performance Information System Council performance information is regularly used by group of people, employees, individuals and stakeholders. The Council use performance eye as main tool to analyze, collaborate and reporting performance information to all of them. The system is accessible to all staff so thats why information is clear to all staff. Advantages: Performance eye tool includes all visions of performance management including value for money. Wide use of performance eye tool by all members, employees and stakeholders. While developing performance eye data quality is taken seriously. Local people get informed about council performance and progress in achieving their goals. Continuous Assessment of Performance Measurement of performance honestly and actively is very important part of performance culture. Council has taken this point in consideration as well to take effective actions against underperformance, ensuring right actions to be done to bring performance back to action. Council considers their employees to be best source for their success and their development is necessary for councils future. It is very important to agreeing objectives with employees, giving them appraisals on their achievements and addressing their development needs in right and set path. Outcomes: Council continuously manages poor performers and rewards good performers and work for their development. Learning and Development Learning forms the basis of development of performance managed culture of organization. Here learning is about collecting information about what plans has worked and what has not worked. Organizational performance board is there to improve learning and to view which actions are necessary. Training and development is always important for exploring knowledge of every individual in every organization and at all levels. With performance management strategy a separate training plan is implemented as well in relation with performance for support and development of individuals. Outcomes: Sharing of knowledge and learning between all departments of council and other stakeholders. With help of different plan, more structured learning with performance management strategy. Main Steps in Delivering our Strategy Council has delivered their performance management strategy in the form of short term, medium term and long term goals. Short term Goals Short term goals are those goals which are to be achieved in 1 year or shorter period of time. Improved areas of underperformance through strict and strong action planning and benchmarking. Council does benchmarking to compare his results with successful results achieved by other same type of organizations. To look at their planning and way to achieve targets. Training of performance tools to all staff to improve performance managed culture. It is short term goal of council to train all staff to how to use performance tool to stable the culture of organization. Council wants to achieve this goal in short period of time to improve performance for community. Communication of performance information with local community. Council wants to achieve this target in of communicating its progress to local community, and to tell them how they are progressing, how they are working , how they are converting resources into improvement for community. So there should be clear and transparent communication with local community. Celebrating the achievements. Council wants to celebrate and wants to tell to local community that they are achieving their goals and proved increased performance. Medium Term Goals Medium term goals are goals which are to be achieved in period of 1 to 2 years. Review of performance eye It is target of council to review performance eye tool according to council and future needs. After review, if council requires further changings, needed to be done effectively. Improvements in Learning and Development Learning and development scheme should be reviewed half yearly or yearly to manage performance effectively. If performance management is not working effectively it can be due to no learning and development as well. So its council target to review their learning and development plan continuously. Long Term Goals Long term goals are those goals for council which they want to achieve in period of three years. Change to Performance Management System Implement changes to performance management system to work it more effectively and issues which has affected the performance management of organization. Changes to Individual Performance Council wants to implement changes to every individual performance to make them more effective for organization. It is a long term goal for council to check individual performance management to check who needs learning and development. Conclusion Performance management strategy is used to measure performance of individual, team and or organization as a whole as well. With the help of this strategy organizations measure how effectively their employees as individual working and how much efficient is organization working. With the help of performance management strategy Everyone came to know that how much they are contributing towards organizational goals and targets. Everyone ensures that what is organization expecting from them and they has skills and support to achieve this or not. Effective communication increases in organizations between all employees. Managers encourages individuals to do best they can and opportunities of learning and development. Performance management strategy of DERBY CITY COUNCIL has describes some main principles which are important for them in their strategy. They have given importance to: Being clear and transparent to your staff about what is performance. Understanding to employees how they can improve performance management culture. Every individual should be focused on his own contributions needed by organization. Decision maker should be confident and strong enough in decision making. Decision maker should have good quality of data. Recommendations As I have evaluated strategy of DERBY CITY COUNCIL. They have given every information about how they will implement their strategy and what are important key roles to them for effective strategy. One thing which seems wrong to me in their long term plan is about changing of individual performance in long term plans. In my point of view, individual performance should be monitored continuously and sudden plans should be implemented to change in their individuals performance. If they need some improvement learning and development plan should be applied effectively.