Student Learning Achievement In Cambodia

Since the prostration of the Pol Pot government until early 2000s the term Student Learning Achievement was on occasion mentioned. The authorities at that clip basically focused on how to garner kids and grownups to travel to school to larn from the people who merely had better cognition than their pupils. As a consequence, merely between 1998 and 2003 the per centum of kids come ining primary school expanded by about 36 per centum ( EMIS, 2003 ) . But with the singular additions in Numberss of pupil registration the instruction quality, in general, seem to be difficult to better. MoEYS recognizes that careful attending must be given to guarantee that policy-led determinations are harmonic with improved larning achievementaˆÂ ¦ Most schools do non carry through expected minimal contact hours per twelvemonth. Continuous schoolroom monitoring of single pupils ‘ command of indispensable acquisition competences and accomplishments, linked to ongoing redress, and regular, independent ‘auditing ‘ of educational quality and criterions have yet to be translated into plans that can be implemented countrywide ( EFA National Plan 2003-2015, p.25 ) . If the quality issues had been asked for, specifically the pupil larning results, the chief mechanism that many people normally have been referred to, even up to now, is through national scrutiny. But is it sensible if national scrutiny will be used for turn outing the pupil larning results? While analysis of scrutiny consequences can supply penetrations into pupil accomplishment and can place schools in which pupil public presentation is weak, its value is limited. One restriction is that public scrutinies normally test merely narrow countries of a course of study. This is partially because a limited figure of topics can be examined ; it is besides because within these topics, the focal point of the scrutiny tends to be on course of study content and competences that will maximise favoritism between pupils who will be selected for farther instruction and those who will non. The accomplishments of lower-performing pupils as a consequence may non be adequately represented ( Kellaghan and Greaney, 2004, P. ? ) . It is agreed with the statement of Kellghan and Greaney and is believed that scrutiny is non the right manner for measuring the pupil larning results. Additionally, Bethell stated that: â€Å" The premier intent of an scrutiny system is to supply each campaigner with a consequence which accurately reflects her/his degree of accomplishment. The usage of the consequence, e.g. for university choice or as an employment making, is aimed at the person. In contrast, the intent of a sample-based national appraisal is to supply dependable informations on the effectivity of the system as a whole ( 2003, P. ? ) . † Furthermore, Hernes, Director of International Institute for Educational Planning ( IIEP ) , noted that â€Å" aˆÂ ¦ Assessment has become over the old ages an of import key to the betterment of the quality of instruction. It is one of the most dependable ways of placing jobs, whether these are the system degree, of school degree, or concern the single pupil † ( UN ESCO, IIEP 2001, P. ? ) . The constructs of Education Assessment have been applied in many countries/ organisations, although they have different intents, models and attacks, such as Southern and Eastern Africa Consortium for Monitoring Educational Quality ( SAQMEC ) , Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study ( TIMSS ) , Programme for International Student Assessment ( PISA ) and so forth. TIMSS, for illustration, is an international appraisal of the mathematics and scientific discipline cognition of 4th and eighth-grade pupils around the universe. TIMSS is conducted every four twelvemonth. The chief end of TIMMS is to supply comparative information about educational mathematical accomplishment across states to better instruction and acquisition in mathematics and scientific discipline ( TIMSS International Report, 2007 ) . The TIMSS consequences so provide comparative positions on tendencies in academic achieving in the context of different educational systems, school organisational attacks, and instructional patterns. PISA, on the other manus, is a collaborative attempt undertaken by all member states of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, ( OECD ) and a figure of non-member spouse states to mensurate how well pupils, at age 15, are prepared to run into the challenges they may meet in future life. The PISA appraisal takes a wide attack to measuring cognition, accomplishments and attitudes that reflect current alterations in course of study, traveling beyond the school based attack towards the usage of cognition in mundane undertakings and challenges. The accomplishments acquired reflect the ability of pupils to go on larning throughout their lives by using what they learn in school to non-school environments, measuring their picks and doing determinations. The appraisal, jointly guided by the take parting authoritiess, brings together the policy involvements of states by using scientific expertness at both national and international degrees ( PISA, 2006 ) . In peculiar the continent of Africa, the Southern and Eastern Africa Consortium for Monitoring Educational Quality ( SACMEQ ) is an international non-profit developmental organisation of 15 Ministries of Education in Southern and Eastern Africa. The state members decided to work together to portion experiences and expertness in developing the capacities of instruction contrivers to use scientific methods to supervise and measure the conditions of schooling and the quality of instruction, with proficient aid from UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning ( IIEP ) . The consequences of SACMEQ have been used extensively by assorted institutions/stakeholders, Ministries of Education ( MOE ‘s ) , international/bilateral organisations, universities, and single educational contrivers and research workers, within the take parting states as a resource for instruction sector surveies and as baseline information that can be employed in policy treatments and arguments about t he conditions of schooling and the quality of instruction ( SACMEQ, 2010 ) . The Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training ( MoET ) launched a large-scale monitoring survey of primary instruction in 2000, the first of its sort in the state. The survey tested students and their instructors in the last class of primary instruction ( Grade 5 ) , utilizing a sample cross sectional study in two key capable countries, reading comprehension in Vietnamese and mathematics. The survey tried to happen the chief issues and propose policy recommendations in order to raise the pupil accomplishment, to better the system effectivity, to shut the spread between the top and bottom through compensatory support, to compensate emerging societal differences, and to mensurate the student accomplishment through regular testing ( mentions? ) . At the present twenty-four hours, there is a turning consciousness of similar issues in Kampuchean instruction policy paperss such as the Education for All ( EFA ) program 2003-2015, Education Strategic Plan ( ESP ) 2006-2010 and Education Sector Support Program ESSP ) 2006-2010.The inquiries of quality, the steps to accomplish the quality ends and marks have been received more and more attending. Additionally, in the Ministry of Education Youth and Sport ( MoEYS ) course of study reform lineation, the minimal criterions for classs 3, 6 and 9 in topics of Khmer, Social Study and Mathematics were established ( MoEYS, 2006 ) ; and late, a new establishment that considers instruction quality ( called the Quality Assurance Department ) has been established ( MoEYS, 2009 ) . Statement of the Problem Although the schemes to accomplish the results and marks of the policy were set in about the full Ministry policy paperss, for illustration, â€Å" Implement the minimal criterions of pupil accomplishment for classs 3, 6 and 9 countrywide, guarantee a shared apprehension of minimal criterions amongst instructors, parents and other stakeholders and follow up on the consequences of the trials in the countrywide school study cards ( ESP 2006-2010, p.14 ) , † The minimal criterions of above classs were illustrated, the information or indexs on existent accomplishment in quality and results of larning have non been yet presented, except some proxy indexs demoing about publicity and repeat rates. The supra related information can be seen in some instruction spouse surveies such as UNICEF ( Prak Phalla, 2005 ) and World Bank based undertakings, Education Quality Improvement Project ( Marshall, 2004 ) , Save the Children Norway ( SCN,2007 ) and Cambodia Education Sector Support Projec t ( CESSP, 2006, 2008, 2009 ) . In the Education Strategic Plan ( ESP ) 2006-2010, the Sector Performance Milestones and Targets tables shows the marks for about all indexs but there are spaces for indexs of per centum of pupils run intoing course of study criterions in Khmer and Math based on standardised trial at Grade 3, 6 and 9 ( Appendix A, Table II: Quality and Efficiency, ESP 2006-2010 ) . Furthermore, if the inquiry about how good the pupils at grade 3 or 6 or 9 can accomplish compared with the course of study criterions the reply will non be easy to happen. There is really small grounds in Cambodia related to prove execution. One of them is a study from execution of a undertaking called Education Quality Improvement Project ( EQIP ) which was supported by the World Bank from 1999 to 2003. One of the EQIP undertakings was to prove all Grade 4 pupils of the undertaking coverage states ( Kandal, Kampot and Takeo ) . Specifically, the chief intent of the trial was to detect the impact from the execution of undertaking grants on assorted activities by the schools, i.e. to compare the pupil accomplishments in Numeracy and Literacy at the beginning of the undertaking and terminal of the undertaking period ( EQIP Final Report, 2004 ) . In 2005, MoEYS/Pedagogical Research Department ( PRD ) with aid from UNICEF started implementing a undertaking on Grade 6 Learning Achievement by carry oning the trial on mathematics and Khmer. The aims of the undertaking were to supply information on pupils ‘ larning accomplishment in the province school including the Child Friendly Schools ( CFS ) to MoEYS, UNICEF and relevant stakeholders ; to set up a baseline degree for Grade 6 larning accomplishment for the new course of study and criterion ; to compare the pupil consequences between CFS and non-CFS schools ; to roll up informations for usage for a alteration of the Grade 6 course of study, text editions and instructors ‘ manuals and auxiliary teaching/learning stuffs ; and to happen out the existent state of affairs of larning accomplishment in primary schools. In his study, Prak ( UNICEF, 2005 ) recommended that â€Å" more standard points should be put in. This is because in this trial non all Grade 6 course of study criterions on Khmer and Math have been tested owing to a clip and budget restraint ( p. ? ) † . Purpose and Significance The course of study criterions ( minimal criterions ) for Grade 3, 6 and 9 had been established since 2006 ( Appendix B ) but until now there is no papers or study depicting how the pupils perform compared with the criterions. This paper, hence, efforts to exemplify the consequences of one of the above class degree ( Grade 9 ) , so the research findings will non merely be used for carry throughing the losing informations in the ESP papers for the defined twelvemonth but besides to show how good the Grade 9 pupil can accomplish comparing with the official curriculum criterion. More significantly, the findings will explicate why the pupils are perchance really good or hapless in some content countries of the course of study, for illustration, what possible grounds cause them to be good in work outing job by utilizing graph or, contrastingly, they are hapless in happening length of discharge Besides this, as we live in the planetary context and as the instruction systems are bit by bit developed we need to exemplify that sort of consequences to compare with other states in the parts or/and well-known organisations such as TIMMS, PISA, etc. Research Question More specifically, this papers tries to reply these research inquiries: What is the overall mean degree of pupil larning accomplishment in Mathematicss in sample schools in comparing to the national criterion? How make the norms in Mathematics vary by content and sub-content country? Are there important differences in the acquisition accomplishment by location, gender and socioeconomics by quintile?Research MethodsWith the support from the Kampuchean Education Sector Support Project ( CESSP ) / MoEYS, the National Assessment unit has conducted several trials in different class degrees, three, six and nine, since 2005. The overarching intent of the MoEYS appraisal work is to supply a system-wide diagnosing of school quality and pupil acquisition. This is done utilizing standardised trials that measure the functionary, or intended, course of study based on points created by MoEYS forces. Since I am one of the members of this unit I have discussed with the squad members to plan some peculiar undertakings for this survey purpose along with the chief undertakings of the undertaking. Sampling Technique and Sample Size This is a theoretical account of diagnostic appraisal which requires merely representative sample of schools to stand for the state as the whole. With a full support from CESSP/World Bank a scope of trying technique and sample size was produced. The type of sample was defined as two-stage bunch sample. This was done in five stairss: 1 ) specifying the population: the class nine population is restricted to take down secondary schools, EMIS information 2008, that have at least one grade nine category with 20 or more pupils ; 2 ) make up one's minding how many schools are required: 200 schools were selected by utilizing trying package produced by IIEP ( called IIEPSAMP ) with the Effective Sample Size ( ESS ) of 400 ( Appendix C ) ; 3 ) specifying the strata: the strata here referred to the three chief parts in the state: Urban, Rural and Remote ; 4 ) choosing the schools: the package so produced 50 schools in urban, 139 in rural and 11 schools in distant countries ( Appendix D ) ; and, 5 ) choosing the pupils within each school: 30 pupils per school were indiscriminately selected so the sum of pupils were about 6,000. Restrictions of the method adopted. Research Tools The range of this survey is really seen as a really large survey nevertheless, as above mentioned, the readying for this survey was carried out alongside with the MoEYS undertakings which being involved by related ministry departments/staff therefore some of the related results/findings can be considered and used as the findings of this survey. With the intent of comparing the degree of pupil accomplishment in math the curriculum trial design ( Appendix E ) , test brochures and official course of study criterions are basically needed. In add-on, in order to detect the deduction to the pupil achievement the information from pupil and instructor interview is besides required. Datas Analysis The points produced by the MoEYS specializers covered the content and sub-content countries of the intended course of study in general ( Appendix E ) . For this survey purpose the points related to course of study criterions will be defined. Descriptive Statisticss: This will summary the information particularly the pupil accomplishment in mean per centum correct ( average ) and standard divergences are besides used when appropriate. Comparisons of Meanss: Since the sample is divided into three types of school locations ( parts ) , male and female pupils participated and the pupils came from different socio-economic position t-test, ANOVA or/and chi-square could be used for gauging the differences among those variables. By making this we can demo the differences existed in the content and sub-content countries, later, we will research for what countries have the highest comparative tonss, what is the lowest, etc. Then the consequences that relate to the course of study criterions can be explored, and therefore we can reason about how the Grade 9 pupils achieved when they finished their category. The spreads between pupils like urban-rural, poor-rich, boys-girls, etc will besides be demonstrated. More significantly, from consequences in Numberss we will seek to research what make consequences intend in footings of what pupils can really make and why they performed ill in some peculiar content countries of the course of study. The consequences, so, will go the first findings in such field and may likely essential for some stakeholders.AppendixAppendix A:Table Two: Quality and Efficiency ( Promotion and repeat 2003-04 rate are used for baseline 2004-05 )IndexBaselineTargetTargetTargetTargetTargetBeginn ing:2004-052005-062006-072007-082008-092009-10Pupil teacher ratioEMIS – Primary 53.5 51.0 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0 – Lower Secondary 27.7 37 41 45 45 45 – Upper berth Secondary 29.4 35 38 40 40 40Promotion rateEntireFemaleMaleEntireFemaleMaleEntireFemaleEntireFemaleEntireFemaleEntireFemaleEMIS – Class 1 64.8 % 65.4 % 64.2 % 92 % 92 % 92 % 93 % 93 % 94 % 94 % 95 % 95 % 95 % 95 %A– Class 3 77.3 % 78.9 % 75.7 % 93 % 93 % 93 % 93 % 93 % 94 % 94 % 95 % 95 % 95 % 95 %A– Class 6 86.6 % 86.3 % 86.9 % 93 % 93 % 93 % 93 % 93 % 94 % 94 % 95 % 95 % 95 % 95 %ARepeat rateEntireFemaleMaleEntireFemaleMaleEntireFemaleEntireFemaleEntireFemaleEntireFemaleEMIS – Class 1 23.6 % 22.4 % 24.9 % 6 % 6 % 6 % 5 % 5 % 4 % 4 % 4 % 4 % 4 % 4 %A– Class 3 13.2 % 11.3 % 15.4 % 6 % 6 % 6 % 5 % 5 % 4 % 4 % 4 % 4 % 4 % 4 %A– Class 6 2.6 % 2.2 % 3.1 % 2 % 2 % 2 % 2 % 2 % 2 % 2 % 1 % 1 % 1 % 1 %ACompletion rateEntireFemaleMaleEntireFemaleMaleEntireFemaleEntireFemaleEntireFemaleEntireFemaleEMIS – Primary 46.8 % 45.7 % 47.9 % 60 % 60 % 60 % 70 % 70 % 80 % 80 % 90 % 90 % 100 % 100 %A– Lower secondary 20.6 % 20.0 % 21.2 % 30 % 30 % 30 % 40 % 40 % 50 % 50 % 60 % 60 % 75 % 75 %ALiteracy rate 67.1 % 60.3 % 74.7 % 70 % 67 % 73.1 % 75 % 73 % 80 % 78 % 85 % 84 % 90 % 90 %ANumber of pupils go throughing grade 12 scrutiny33,834 37,500 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 EMIS% of pupils run intoing course of study criterions in Khmer Language based on standardised trial at:APRD/DGE – Class 3Ato be determined to be determined to be determined to be determined to be determinedA– Class 6Ato be determined to be determined to be determined to be determined to be determinedA– Class 9Ato be determined to be determined to be determined to be determined to be determinedA% of pupils run intoing course of study criterions in Mathematicss based on standardised trial at:PRD/DGE – Class 3Ato be determined to be determined to be determined to be determined to be determinedA– Class 6Ato be determined to be determined to be determined to be determined to be determinedA– Class 9Ato be determined to be determined to be determined to be determined to be determinedAAppendix B: Grade 6 Curriculum StandardStrandGrade 6NumberRead, count, write, order and compare whole Numberss non transcending 7 figures and Numberss with denary fractions to two denary topographic points Read, write, order and comparison fractions and assorted Numberss. Round denary Numberss to the nearest whole figure. Add, subtract, multiply and divide whole Numberss utilizing three types of brackets ( [ , ( , { ) Add and subtract fractions with the same denominator. Add and subtract denary Numberss with two denary topographic points. Multiply and divide Numberss up to 4 figures by 2 figures. Use appraisal schemes to look into generation, add-on and division of whole Numberss. Rename common fractions ( less than one ) as decimals and per centums Calculate simple ratios and direct proportions ( eg 2 people need 4 cups of H2O so 6 people need 12 ) . Calculate norm costs, net income and loss, and write and verify grosss.MeasurementUse criterion mensurating instruments and read graduated tables to the nearest step to find: Length from kilometers to millimeters ( eg. wood, roads ) Capacity from liters to milliliters ( eg. medical specialty, cooking oil ) Weight ( mass ) from kg to gms ( eg veggie, rice and meat ) Time from hours to seconds Read and show accurately clip in parallel, digital, 12 and 24 hours representations Interpret a simple graduated table saloon on a map and utilize the map to cipher distance between topographic points Calculate norm travel times utilizing given velocities and distancesGeometryName types of angles ( ague, right, obtuse and consecutive line ) up to 180A ° and concept angles utilizing swayers, protractors and compasses Draw and label circles utilizing the undermentioned footings: radius, Centre, diameter and perimeter Make theoretical accounts of prisms, cones, pyramids, cylinders and domains Measure and happen the margin and country of trigons, squares, and rectangle Find the volume of solids made up of unit regular hexahedrons.StatisticsConcept and construe informations presented in tabular arraies, line graphs, saloon chart and pie charts.AlgebraANDFormFind the value of simple algebraic looks utilizing permutation methods affecting add-on and minus. ( eg. 3 + B = ? , 8- b= ? where B is 4 ) Simplify simple algebraic looks utilizing add-on and minus methods. ( eg. 4x + 2x = ? )ReasoningExplain a short concatenation of concluding used to near and work out a job that involves an analysis of informations through the choice and usage of mathematical techniques.Appendix C. Sample Design TableMegahertz:Intraclass Correlation ( ICC ) :0.200.300.400.500.6020 Schools 150159197235 273 Students 3,0003,1803,9404,700 5,460 25 Schools 150151190228 266 Students 3,7503,7754,7505,700 6,650 30 Schools 150150185223 262 Students 4,5004,5005,5506,690 7,860 35 Schools 150150181220 259 Students 5,2505,2506,3357,700 9,065 40 Schools 150150179218 257 Students 6,0006,0007,1608,720 10,280 Beginning: TIMSS 2004 Report, Chapter 5 ( Table 5.2 ) . Notes: For this survey a Minimum Cluster Size ( MCS ) of 30 was used, although in a little per centum of schools there were fewer than 30 grade nine pupils enrolled. Calculations of the ICC from old pupil appraisals in Cambodia suggest an norm of approximately 0.30. The MoEYS grade nine sample of 200 schools and approximately 6,000 pupils is larger than the minimal sample predicted for an MCS of 30 and ICC of 0.30.Appendix D: Comparison of School Strata in Population and SamplesStratums:Schools in Population:Number of Schools in Sample:Raw TotalPercent*( % )Raw TotalPercent*( % )Weighted Percent ( % )1. Urban 140 28.0 50 25.028.02. Rural 776 70.7 139 69.970.83. Remote 28 1.3 11 5.01.2Sum: 944 100.0 200 100.0100.0Beginning: EMIS and MoEYS Assessment, 2007-2009 *Refers to per centum of entire pupil population, non per centum of schools. The Numberss in the far right column ( in bold ) refer to the leaden sample that is used for the analysis.Appendix E: Grade 9 Curriculum Blueprint and Item Analysis SummariesNo Content Area Sub-Content Area Cognitive Skill Item%Cognition Understanding Application Analyzing 1 Number Operation in Integer 1 1 0 0 20 20 % Operationss in Power 1 2 0 0 Taking figure out of a root 1 2 0 0 Taking figure into the root 1 2 0 0 Operationss on a root 1 2 2 1 Finding a per centum of a figure 1 1 1 0 2 Algebra Linear equation 2 4 1 1 50 50 % A system of equations in two variables 2 3 1 1 Inequality and inequality systems 2 3 1 0 Quadratic equation 2 4 1 0 Distance between two points in Orthonormial grid 2 3 1 0 Equation of line 3 4 2 0 Solving a system equations and inequality by utilizing graph 2 4 1 0 3 Statisticss Probability 1 2 1 1 10 10 % Representative statistics 1 1 0 0 Analysis statistics 1 2 0 0 4 Geometry Thales theory 2 3 1 1 20 20 % Similar trigons 2 3 1 0 Trigonometry 1 2 1 0 Finding the length of discharge and angle of circle 1 2 0 0

Analyzing Both Sides of the Conflict Theory Essay

Conflict theory was the first radical criminological theory proposed by the scholars in the 1960s (Barkan, p. 254). It particularly analyzes the role of conflicts in class, gender, and power in the incidences of crimes in a particular society. It tells that these conflicts are the reasons why people commit crimes.   This specific thought opposes the view of the consensus theory which perceives crime as â€Å"any behavior that violates criminal law† (Barkan, p. 14). To compare, Conflict theory believes that a crime is far more complex than the first definition, assuming that people do not share the same values, beliefs, and dispositions. Because of this, the conflict theory becomes one of the theories that are applicable for larger contextual conditions. In fact, the theory encompasses a wide range of areas which makes it divided into sub- categories, such as radical criminology, peacemaking criminology, radical feminism, and left realism. (Greek, 2005). These minorities—the poor, Blacks, Hispanics, to name a few—are being given focus and importance through the theory. Marx and Engels specified that justice is not attainable and is unfairly being administered to the minorities. Through the conflict theory, an explanation on why minorities get involved with crimes is provided. The theory explains that laws against crimes are made not for the interest of everyone but only for themselves. Laws are made to serve the interest of the powerful who knows that their illegal malpractices can only become legal if the laws will be made based on their needs.   This made conflict theory sounds more realistic with consensus theory. It has able to portray the problem with power struggles as a source of crime motives that other theories disregarded or missed to see. However, proponents of the conflict theory also got blinded and missed to see some of the criticisms regarding the conflict. First of all, it is said that the conflict theory is too generalized and assuming with its discussion on the implementation of laws in societies. Laws connected to the prevention of street crimes such as robbery and murder do not necessarily serve the purpose of the powerful and neglects the less powerful minorities. In fact, such kinds of laws are directed to serve the security of everyone, and not just a little percentage of the people. The theory seems to forget that although people are different in some aspects, they still posses the same characteristics and needs. In this particular situation, all people need security for their lives. The laws protecting people’s lives could not be considered as law protecting only the interests of those who are in power; it is also for the benefit of other people. In addition to this criticism, the theory of conflict also shows a weak spot in terms of labeling disparities. There has been inconsistency in the evidence of such gaps tackling how dominant groups use the law to support their personal interests. In this way, the theory, in some ways, lose slightly its credibility. Nevertheless, the greatest strength of the theory is its vast and radical way of exploring the reason behind crimes in societies. These crimes are deeply rooted in the skins of the people who commit them. Although committers of crime are being treated as lowly kind of persons, their condition is being protected by the conflict theory. The theory will simply said that instead of committers, the minorities are victims of a much bigger crime brought about by the powerful groups to them. The theory, instead of prosecuting them, is aiming to reason out their main reason why they have done such crimes. Conflict theory acts like a lawyer who defends a person who has valid reasons behind the crime he committed. The lawyer may lack reliable and consistent evidence to prove the innocence of his client, but still, he believes in the accountability of the person. References Barkan, S.E. (2005). Criminology:   Sociological Understanding.   New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall   Bartos, J.O.   Wehr, P.E. and Paul Wehr. ( 2002). Using Conflict Theory. New York: Cambridge University Press Greek, C.E. Criminological Theory.   November 2005. Retrieved on 4 June 2008. http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/conflict.htm Lenski, G.E. (1966). Power and Privilege: A Theory of Social Stratification. McGraw-Hill.   

Details, Dilemma and Decision Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Details, Dilemma and Decision - Assignment Example If she does agree to be part of the trial phase, would there be a guarantee that this will not trigger her ailment that may cause her life to be shortened even more? Or could there be a hope that in the process something might be discovered eventually that she may also benefit from it after all? As for Dr. Blake, the offer that he made to Mrs. Wilkins may defy the principle of non-maleficence. It can jeopardize his career and credibility as a professional and his relationship with his patients. As a doctor, he may influence the decision that Mrs. Wilkins will take though it will not be what the patient would really want. People in the medical field do take note of non-maleficence principle which means not to do harm and is considered to be an overriding principle to everyone who undertakes the care of the patient. (Butts and Rich, 2005, p.13) With this in mind, it is just appropriate for Mrs. Wilkins to become a part of the trial phase that Dr. Blake is offering her. As a doctor, Dr. Blake has studied his patient’s medical history and would not risk the safety of Mrs. Wilkins just to get facts and data for a certain project. Mrs. Wilkins, being terminally ill, may not even think of her own self. It may be true that Mrs. Wilkins will not benefit from the drug at all. That is just the start of the study, there could still be a little hope or possibility that the patient may benefit from it. If the study will be completed, it is not just for the benefit of one but maybe for the benefit of a lot of patients that will be taking it eventually. The decision of one should not just be based for the good of one. Yet it should be for the good of many. In the long run, as people start using the drug, the users will be thankful to those people who tested the drug first, this includes Mrs. Wilkins. The life that she may have right now is bound to end at any stage, however with her actions and her decision to

Educational Finance (Budget Calendar) Assignment

Educational Finance (Budget Calendar) - Assignment Example There are steps to be followed in the budgeting process. The first step is usually a review of the program and management achievements and the fiscal performance of the year that is about to end. The objectives are therefore reviewed, the committee will compare the budget to the actual figures, and takes into account the number of people served during each program. The solution obtained after dividing true cost of the program by the number of people served will help analyze the cost per unit of service. Hence, ne goals and objectives should be discussed and an consensus is reached. All the individuals and groups affected by the budget should be involved in the whole process. Consultations are fundamental in the budgeting process. This would minimize unnecessary conflicts during or even after preparation of the budget. In addition, it would also help spearhead the implementation process. A school budget for instance should be inclusive of the parents and teachers as it will have an im pact on them either directly or indirectly. Parents have a responsibility of paying school fees for their sons and daughters hence have exclusive rights for information on how school funds are used. At the district level, it is the responsibility of the civilians to interrogate how fund are utilized in the development of infra-structural projects such as road construction, railway lines, hospitals, electrification projects among other social amenities. Because they pay taxes, it is their right to scrutinize how district budgeting committees prioritize their fiscal year spending spree through budgets. Budgets are important tools towards realization of goals and ambitions of any organization. Without budgets, it would be difficult to anticipate what stands good or bad on the way of the organization. The School Budget Many stakeholders are usually involved in the budging process of schools. For instance, the representatives of school administration, the board of Governors, parents as w ell as budgeting experts must be involved either directly or indirectly in the budgeting process. These representatives make up the budget committee. The staff and the Board must all participate in the budgeting process at all phases. The district Budget The budgeting process in the district primarily comprises three phases. First, is the budget formulation. Here the budget is clearly drawn with all-important priorities taken into consideration. The budgeting committee shall have employed thorough consultation among themselves and with the stakeholders and financial experts. The second procedure would be the budget presentation and the congregational process (Van, 2011). This process would ensure that contentious issues are harmonized and attain amicable solution is attained. Members and other groups affected by the budget are allowed to express their reservations about the estimates. Some projects, which were under-estimated in financing, would therefore get much more funding than previously. In addition, those one, which had earlier enjoyed unnecessary huge allocations, would therefore have their finances cut down. Moreover, the white elephant projects would also be scrapped out at this particular stage. Many financial analysts argue that lack of financial expertise in most budgeting activities have seen many district waste funds in projects that are never viable at all or even those that they waste a lot of money in never to finish. However, it is important to

Should smoking be outlawed in public areas Essay

Should smoking be outlawed in public areas - Essay Example public places should be outlawed, because it causes passive smoking, where those who are not smoking and perhaps are not smokers end up inhaling the smoke. This passive smoking has various effects; causes cancer, irritation, complications in children, fertility problems among others. Tobacco smoke includes over 4000 chemicals in the form of particles, and in these, approximately 60 substances contained in the tobacco smoke are known to causes of cancer. Lung cancer is the most common form of cancer caused by smoking. It is estimated that passive smokers have a 25% chance of developing lung cancer. Passive smoking causes irritation especially to non-smokers. The irritation may be visible irritation, but cigarette smoke is known to contain substances that cause irritation to the tissues of the respiratory system. There can also be irritation of the eye, causes cough, migraines, dizziness, nausea and other forms of irritation that the different non-smokers may exhibit. Children’s’ immune system is not fully developed, and passive smoking is extremely dangerous on them. Some of its effects on children are; asthmatic attacks, it may affect the mental growth of children. Studies also show that exposing children to passive smoking makes them more vulnerable to bronchitis and pneumonia, and will most likely be admitted in hospital for treatment in their first year of life. Passive smoking also causes fertility problems in women. Women affected by passive smoking have a 68% chance of developing fertility complications than those who have not been exposed. They may experience miscarriages and may find it very difficult to

The analysis of core audience of GolfOnline Magazine Essay

The analysis of core audience of GolfOnline Magazine - Essay Example They like to be well-informed; especially when it comes to their favorite sport (Golf). The most important values used to segment this magazine's market are: Income (Demographic), and Lifestyle (Psychographic): the Golfer lifestyle. The consumers of GolfOnline have a high income, which allows them to afford an expensive sport such as Golf, which requires special equipment and traveling. They love sports and Golf is their passion. The magazine's audience is, as described on their website, "an affluent, professional male audience with high disposable income and propensity to buy". They travel frequently and 83% of them research or purchase travel packages online. They spend a lot of money in Golf equipment, 89% plan to purchase new equipment this year. The readers are interested in learning more about the sport; they are interested in hiring Golf teachers and getting lessons. Famous golfers such as President Bush help create an image of what the Golfer lifestyle is like. According to an article for Golf Magazine by reporter Harry Hurt cited on CNN, "golf just may be the sport of presidents". "Golf has been used by presidents and presidential candidates for years. For example, President Eisenhower was the first president in office to really associate himself with golf". They have good taste and appreciate quality in what they buy. They are interested in Real Estate, and usually they think long-term, investing in properties and business. 3. Advertisers of GolfOnline GolfOnline works above all with sporting, travel, entertainment, technology and automotive industries. According to their information, they have worked with over 200 clients within these industries. As of this date, they advertise the following categories and brands: Category Brand Automotive Mazda Cadillac Jeep Acura Online Shopping - Golf Products GolfGalaxy.com FootJoy Educational The Range Instruction Videos Finances Ameriprise Financial Services Travel Packages Myrtle Beach Golf Trips Ocean City Golf Getaway Telecommunications Sprint The strongest product categories are the automotive, they have three different brands: Jeep, Mazda and Cadillac. The target consumers of these products are likely to read Golf Online. They have the resources and the taste to acquire these kind of "high-involvement" products. The category itself is an expensive product, but the brands advertised are also expensive within their own category; Cadillac is the brand for luxury automobiles, it's classic and elegant. The New 2006 Cadillac DTS has the slogan: "Presence. Power. Performance". Mazda advertises the new Miata MX-5 with the concept of Oneness with the car. It is also important to note that it advertises a road trips across America. It's using the experiential marketing, by offering "Great Road Trips" across the country so that the consumer associates an exciting experience with the car. In Ameriprise and

America now and before Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

America now and before - Essay Example Ultimately, this generation, besides merely integrating and accepting the new trends of text and forms of digital communication such as social media, instant message, and text, has exhibited many traits that border on types of psychological dependence at the worst and a redefined understanding/concept of norms of communication, as compared to previous generations, at the best. As a means of understanding this dynamic, the following analysis will be concentric upon discussing these trends and presenting the reader with an understanding of how this generation is different, if at all, from those that came before them. Firstly, many authors have referenced the fact that the overall proclivity of this â€Å"generation text†, as they are rather un-affectionately called, to technological forms of communication and away from the more traditional forms has stunted the psychological development that they might otherwise have been able to experience. Several of the readings illustrated t he fact that this current generation of stakeholders within society are ultimately not only highly uncomfortable with regards to engaging in more â€Å"normal† forms of face to face communication, they are seemingly addicted to these very means of communication. This in and of itself represents a noticeable differential as compared the generations that came before them. Naturally, it would seem as a bit odd for an individual from a prior generation to be entirely dependent upon writing letters or carrying out any and all communication via land line telephone. However, if one compares this seemingly incongruous fact to the current generation, it is noted that quite a large number of individuals are seemingly utterly dependent or otherwise unwilling to be separated from their mobile forms of communication devices. These need not necessarily take the form of mobile phones; due to the fact that the articles reference the means by which social media, instant messaging, and other t echnological and non-personal means of interaction are also indicative of this larger trend. Another differential that has been noted is with regards to the way in which Generation Text and the older generations integrate with information is the approach that individuals, employers, teachers, and friends must make in order to engage them. Whereas the previous generations are more or less at ease with a great number of approaches to communication, generation text tends to represent a proclivity towards multimedia forms of communication only. This represents something of a specific problem with regards to changing the dynamics of communication; and/or the way in which marketers, employers, authorities, and educators seek to reach these stakeholders. A cursory overview of the current system indicates that the trend has already begun to be realized whereby these aforementioned stakeholders have begun to change with the times and are seeking to target these individuals with an array of w eb enabled outreach mechanisms and/or mobile computing methods. This change in and of itself is not a bad thing and it is not the purpose of this author to represent that such a trend is negative; rather, it merely denotes the fact that the movement towards a decreasing level of personal and direct communication has already begun

Sleep and consciousness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Sleep and consciousness - Essay Example Some scientist and philosophers have defined death based on the functioning of the circulatory system as a state when there is irreversible cessation of circulation. Since different definitions have been given to explain death, there are several criteria’s that are used to determine death. In case of whole brain damage complete cessation of all clinical functions is a major criterion which could be demonstrated as coma. Similarly irreversible cessation of brainstem functions with absence of brainstem reflexes. Other criteria include absence of any other confounding factors, absence of motor responses, and apnoea. Neurological and cardiopulmonary tests are done to ascertain the death of an individual. In the neurological tests irretrievable brain stem function is determined, while in the cardiopulmonary test irretrievable absence of heart beat and breathing are determined. However, after much debate it has been decided that the cardiopulmonary criteria of death which declares t hat the heart will not auto-resuscitate and which occurs first is a sufficient enough criterion to declare that a person is dead as it might take some time for the neurological criteria to occur. b) How do brain death and vegetative state differ? Consider a) behavioral, respiratory (â€Å"apnoea†means lack of breathing), b) damage to specific brain structures, and c) brain activity (e.g. EEG, fMRI, PET). The major criterion for a person to be declared brain dead is presence of coma characterized by irreversible brain damage, while in the case of vegetative state; a person is awake but totally unaware of the surroundings. Such a vegetative state can be partially or totally reversed. However persistent vegetative state cannot be reversed. Brain death can be diagnosed more quickly that irreversible vegetative state as it may take any where between 3 to 12 months depending on the extent of injury to the brain to ascertain vegetative state. Brain dead patients require artificial ventilation

My favorite place Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

My favorite place - Essay Example y out of a stall so filled up with people that as I rubbed my elbows against people’s shirts and trousers I could smell the stale sweat at their backs combined with the stench that came from butchered animals all over the place, I almost slid on the floor wet with animal blood, water and mud scattered all over one side of the stall. I tried to get away from the sound of the a large chopping knife against a wooden block trying to cut meat portions, then the soft crackle of plastic bags, then the clinking of the coins, and the screaming voices back and forth of vendors and customers—with all the buzzing murmurs all over the place. I was at the wet market and lost my grip from my mom. Sweat-filled, alone, frightened and in a place where I could not hear even my own whimper. As soon as I got out of the stall and walked a few blocks where there were less people, I started to ask help from a vegetable vendor. I could not understand her as she let out only sounds while she gestured her hands. But her kind face told me she understood my anguish through my swollen eyes and dried tears along my cheeks. She kept on pointing at the building where all I could see was the tall side with the bells, just behind the market, and a few blocks away from it. Desperate to seek help, and trusting her kind face, I walked further to the building. The building seems to have many people inside, but it was not filled. Outside the gates there were stalls set up, lit by candles with small cartons as signboards. From cheap empanadas, different from the empanadas that mom always makes at home, to popcorn to bottles filled with oil and leaves to rosaries and images of the Mama Mary—the stalls had all these which they gave in exchange for a few coins either from passers-by or people who left the building. I stopped to look at the sweets made from sugar that dad brought us everyday when he came home, instinctively felt my pockets, and realized that they were empty. At first I didn’t know

Perfect competition Essay Example for Free

Perfect competition Essay A profit maximiser increases output until MC=MR at Q1. The intersection of MC with MR gives the profit maximising level of output. The intersection of MC with MR gives the profit maximising level of output. To find the market price one must project up from Q1 to the demand curve and across the vertical price axis, P1. Consumers are willing to pay P1 for Q1. Unit costs are only P2 so the firm is making an abnormal profit of (P1-P2)*Q1. The four key characteristics of monopoly are: (1) a single firm selling all output in a market, (2) a unique product, (3) restrictions on entry into and exit out of the industry, and more often than not (4) specialized information about production techniques unavailable to other potential producers. These four characteristics mean that a monopoly has extensive (boarding on complete) market control. Monopoly controls the selling side of the market. If anyone seeks to acquire the production sold by the monopoly, then they must buy from the monopoly. This means that the demand curve facing the monopoly is the market demand curve. They are one and the same. The characteristics of monopoly are in direct contrast to those of perfect competition. A perfectly competitive industry has a large number of relatively small firms, each producing identical products. Firms can freely move into and out of the industry and share the same information about prices and production techniques. Single supplier: The essence of a monopoly is a market controlled by a single seller. The most important aspect of being a single seller is that the monopoly seller IS the market. The market demand for a good IS the demand for the output produced by the monopoly. This makes monopoly a price maker, rather than a price taker. Unique Product: To be the only seller of a product, however, a monopoly must have a unique product. There are no close substitutes. A monopoly is an ONLY seller of a UNIQUE product. Barriers to Entry and Exit : A monopoly is generally assured of being the ONLY firm in a market because of assorted barriers to entry. Some of the key barriers to entry are: (1) government license or franchise, (2) resource ownership, (3) patents and copyrights, (4) high start-up cost, and (5) decreasing average total cost. A monopoly might also face barriers to exiting a market. If government deems that the product provided by the monopoly is essential for well-being of the public, then the monopoly might be prevented from leaving the market; Specialized Information Monopoly is commonly characterized by control of information or production technology not available to others. This specialized information often comes in the form of legally-established patents, copyrights, or trademarks. It could be a secret recipe or formula. Perhaps it is a unique method of production. While these create legal barriers to entry they also indicate that information is not perfectly shared by all. Natural Monopoly Sometimes markets become monopolies simply because it is more cost effective to have one firm serving an entire market than it is to have a number of smaller firms competing with one another. Firms whose economies of scale are virtually unlimited are known as natural monopolies, and the goods they produce are referred to as club goods. These firms come to be monopolies because their size and position makes it impossible for new entrants to compete on price. Natural monopolies are usually found in industries with high fixed costs and low marginal costs of operation, such as cable television, telephone, and internet providers. Legal Monopoly Sometimes a government will pass laws reserving a specific trade, product or service for government agencies. For example, many times a government agency will be in charge of running water. The legal barriers that are put up prevent other companies from competing with the government. Technological monopoly occurs when the good or service the company provides is has legal protection in the form of a patent or copyright. For example, if a company develops and patents a drug to cure brain cancer, that company has a legal monopoly over that drug.? Arguments for monopoly : The beneficial effects of economies of scale, economies of scope, and cost complementaries on price and output may outweigh the negative effects of market power. Encourage innovation.

Holistic approach of yoga for health

Holistic approach of yoga for health In this modern era, we have all the material comforts due to advancements in technology; this rapid progress and technological development has changed the life style of the people, which in turn seems to pose many challenges. Today, ones life style has changed in all aspects, viz physical, mental social. Mankind suffered from infectious contagious diseases before 19th century. Thanks to all advances in modern medicine, this has helped us to get these infectious contagious diseases under control. These are now replaced by psychosomatic ailments which are assuming epidemic proportions. Scientists are recognizing that the modern lifestyle has a major contribution for this. The modern medical science is recognizing its limitations in treating these psychosomatic ailments as evidenced by low success rates in the treatment, side effects of the medicine continuing increase in the incidence of these life style problems. So, people are looking for some alternate remedy for their problems for effective management of their problems. In the past few years there is tremendous scope for the Complimentary Alternative Medicines (CAM). The aim of this report is to provide information about the positive benefits of an alternate system. Now is the time to review our approach in treating psychosomatic problems. A change in attitude and lifestyle is necessary to help us to cope with the problems and diseases. On the positive side, man has the potential to search for pragmatic and simple solutions. By finding realistic alternatives and by creating positive solutions, the problems can be resolved, and the world brought out of its present crisis. Recent researches have shown that mind, the psyche plays a prime role in most of the psychosomatic diseases. The biomedical approach of modern medicine has looked at only (Physical) superficial aspect of ones existence, which in turn seems to have limited its treatment success. Vedas the treasure house of ancient Indian science, which includes Yoga Ayurveda, may play an important role in treating these diseases with their holistic/ integrated approach. These two systems play a prime role in the expanded version of CAM. This science is more than 5000 years old. These are the major tools to achieve Chaturtha purusharthas (Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha) which is a prime goal of all human being. In the classics they very beautifully explains that, we need long healthy life span to achieve chaturvidha purusharthas, ayurveda helps to achieve long healthy life span yoga is to achieve a higher goal like Moksha(Liberation). As Yoga is known to calm down the mind, so in the modern era it h as become an important tool to treat these psychosomatic diseases. Even though it is known for higher goal like Moksha, its need of the hour to successful conquering the challenges of these psychosomatic diseases. Through yoga, one can understand this root cause and take measures to establish peace and harmony. The approaches are integrated at all levels Annamaya koņºa, Pranamaya koņºa, Manomaya koņºa, Vijà ±Ãƒâ€žÃ‚ namaya Koņºa and Änandamaya koņºa promoting physical, mental, social and spiritual health. Concept of health and Yoga Health is a state of well-being at physical, mental, social and spiritual levels and not merely an absence of illness or infirmity. This is the definition of Health as defined by World Health Organization (WHO). Prior to this latest definition the World Health Organization adopted only three components e.g. Physical, Mental and Social. The spiritual role played in making a healthy body was very newly recognized by this International Authority only after knowing the efficacy of yoga as a science in totality, so to say, an integrated and holistic science. Sri Aurobindo emphasizes, health is an all-round personality development; at the physical, mental, intellectual, emotional and spiritual levels. It is a process by which the limitations and imperfections can be washed away resulting in a superhuman race. The new facilities of deeper perceptions of the world beyond the five senses emerge in this phase of superman existence. Further growth leads to man to unfold ever deeper layers of consciousness and widen the spectrum of his knowledge to move towards divinity or perfection. Yoga is a systematic conscious process for accelerating the growth of human being from his animal level and ultimately to divinity. It is a systematic methodology for all-round personality development on the physical, mental, intellectual, emotional and spiritual components of man. Thus, Yoga in its general methodology for the growth of man to divine heights includes techniques useful for therapeutic applications in making man healthier. Yoga way of life is charac terized by peace and tranquility, harmony and health, love and happiness, precision and efficiency. The aim of this report is to provide information about the positive benefits of an alternate system. Unlike conventional medicine where in the application of drugs treat only the surface level of the ailments and there are also dangerous side effects, which sometimes cause more problems the traditional yoga philosophy regards the human being as an indivisible entity. So it adopts a holistic approach. The root cause of the modern psychosomatic ailments is the stress. Through yoga, one can understand this root cause and take measures to establish peace and harmony. The approaches are integrated at all levels à  Ã‚ ¤Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ¨Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¥Ã‚ Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ¨Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ®Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ¯ à  Ã‚ ¤Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¥Ã¢â‚¬ ¹Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ¶ (annamaya koņºa ), à  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ªÃƒ  Ã‚ ¥Ã‚ Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ °Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ¾Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ £Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ®Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ¯ à  Ã‚ ¤Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¥Ã¢â‚¬ ¹Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ¶ (prÄ Ãƒ ¡Ã‚ ¹Ã¢â‚¬ ¡amaya koņºa), à  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ®Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ¨Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¥Ã¢â‚¬ ¹Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ®Ãƒ  Ã ‚ ¤Ã‚ ¯ à  Ã‚ ¤Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¥Ã¢â‚¬ ¹Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ¶ (manomaya koņºa ), à  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ µÃƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ¿Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã…“à  Ã‚ ¥Ã‚ Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã… ¾Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ¾Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ¨Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ®Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ¯ à  Ã‚ ¤Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¥Ã¢â‚¬ ¹Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ¶ (vijà ±Ãƒâ€žÃ‚ namaya koņºa) and à  Ã‚ ¤Ã¢â‚¬  Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ¨Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ¨Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¥Ã‚ Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ®Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ¯ à  Ã‚ ¤Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¥Ã¢â‚¬ ¹Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¤Ã‚ ¶(Ä nandamaya koņºa) promoting physical, mental, social and spiritual health. Recent research proved the efficacy of yoga in the treatment of psychosomatic diseases, but as it is comparatively new to treat these diseases, experts believe more research needs to be under taken. Integrated Approach of Yoga Therapy (I.A.Y.T) In ancient science yoga is known for higher goals like Moksha (Liberation). But as we know the need of the hour is to use Yoga for treating the psychosomatic ailments. From the last few decades yoga gained popularity as one of the Complimentary Alternative Medicines (CAM) in all parts of the world. Different people are using it in different ways. It has also become a part of education with its multifold advantages. Yoga is used for developing memory, intelligence and creativity. The modern medical system has replaced almost all the traditions system of medicine in different parts of the globe because of its relational basis. It has proved itself most effective in saving man from the fatal hands of contagious and infectious diseases. But many psychosomatic ailments and psychiatric problems pose a great disturbance to the modern medical system. It is here that yoga is making a vital contribution to the modern medical system. Patanjali defines YOGA in his second patanjalis aphorism as; Yogah Citta Vriti Nirodhah Yoga is a continuous process of gaining control over the mind which helps us to reach over original state. Yoga helps us to remain calm and silent under a given situation and to think and act accordingly. As per yoga Vasistha, Yoga is a skilful trick to calm down the mind on the tend it is portrayed as Manah Prasamanopayah Yoga Ityabhidhiyate. According to Bhagwad Gita, it is, yogah karmasu kausalam which says yoga is dexterity in action. According to Sri Aurobindo, health is an all-round personality development; at the physical, mental, intellectual, emotional and spiritual levels. It is a process by which the limitation and imperfections can be washed away resulting in a super human race. Further growth leads man to unfold even deeper layers of consciousness and widen the spectrum of his knowledge to more towards divinity or perfection. In this march towards perfection, Yoga is a systematic conscious process for accelerating the growth of a human being from his animal level and ultimately to divinity. It is a systematic methodology for and all round personality development physical, mental, intellectual, emotional and spiritual components of man. Thus, yoga in its general methodology for the growth of man to divine heights includes technique useful for therapeutic applications in making man healthier. Yoga not only provides techniques for the growth of man from his animal level to heights of perfection it carves out a way of life for him. Yoga way of life in characterized by peace and tranquility, harmony and health, love and happiness, precision and efficiency. Pancha kosa: Pancha Kosa has been taken from Taittireya Upanisad. Human existence is made possible because of balance between five layers or Kosas. These Kosas are called Pancha Kosa, the 5 livered existence of human being. The fine Kosas are: i) Annamaya Kosa: This is the physical layer, over physical body is made of anna or matter. This matter based aspect of our physical personality is Annamaya Kosa. Annamaya Kosa consists of five elements are Panchabhutas namely earth, water, fire, wind and space. Thus, Annamaya Kosa is the physical frame which is the grossest of the five Kosas. ii) Pranamaya Kosa: It is prana the vital force which is the basic fabric of this universe both inside and outside our body. A uniform harmonious flow of prana to each and every all of the Annamya Kosa keeps them alive and healthy. Prana flows through nadis which is called Pancha Prana namely Apana, Prana, Udana, Samana and Vyana. iii) Manomaya Kosas: This is the mental layer where thoughts give rise to strong emotion. It is this emotion that is the root cause of all human joy and distress. When this emotion grows stronger, they govern against our right actions. This leads to imbalances called Adhi or stress. Long standing Adhis get pushed into pranamaya and annamaya Kosa causing Vyadhis. iv) Vijanamaya Kosa: This is the discriminating faculty. It works on conscience which continuously guides the manamoya kosa to get mastery over the basic instincts. It is this component of the mind that was developed in human race that greatly differentiates man from animals. v) Anandamaya Kosa: This is the bliss layer of our existence. This is the most suitable aspect of our existence which is derived of any form of emotions. Bliss is embodied in Anandamaya Kosa, the highest stage of emotion in the manifested existence. It is the subtest among the five layers of existence. The science of illnesses: In Anandamaya Kosa a man is healthiest with perfect harmony and balance of all his faculties. At Vijnanamaya Kosa the movements are channelized in the right direction. The imbalances start only in the Manomaya Kosa. This imbalance amplifies themselves resulting in mental illness called Adhi. At this stage there are no symptoms at the physical level. The mental diseases percolate to the physical from because of the growth of wrong actions. These breed physical diseases are called Vyadhi which is divided into Adhija Vyadhi and Anadhija Vyadhi. The Adhija Vyadhi is two fold- samanya and sara. The former includes diseases incidental to the body. These may be termed as psychosomatic ailments. But the latter is responsible for rebirth to which all men are subjected. The second category of ailments is Anadija Vyadhi those which are not originated by mind. These would probably include the infectious and contagious disease. The disturbances in the Manomaya Kosa percolate into the physical layer through the Pranamaya Kosa. Hence in the treatment of these psychosomatic ailments it becomes mandatory to work at all the levels of pancha kosa. The integrated approach thus, consists is not only dealing with physical sheath, it also includes using technique to operate in different sheaths of our existence. A brief description is given below. i) Annamaya Kosa: a healthy yogic diet, kriyas, loosing exercises and yogasanas are used to operate at the annamaya kosa level and to remove the physical symptoms of the ailments and also plays an important role in building the stamina. ii) Pranamaya Kosa: Prana is the basic life principle. Pranamaya is a process for gaining control over prana. Through the practices of proper breathing, Kriyas pranayamas, we start operating on pranamaya Kosa. Thus, ailments are handled at this pranamaya Kosa level. iii) Manomaya Kosa: A direct operation on this level is made possible by the last three limbs of Astanga Yoga of Patanjali-Dharma, Dhyana and Samadhi. A devotional session containing of prayers, chants, Bhajans, Dhuns, Stotras etc. help to build a congenial atmosphere to evoke, recognize, attenuate and dissipate the emotion. Therefore, the control over the manomaya kosa means control over the adhis and vyadhis. iv) Vijnanamaya Kosa: we can come over all the miseries and obsessions by basic perception and right knowledge. Listening lectures, discussing and counseling of yoga philosophy; positives, and constructive topics offers the right attitude. v) Anadamaya Kosa: The body of happiness can only be brought by working with a background of blissfulness the techniques used come under the heading of Karma Yoga the secret of action. Thus the IAYT helps us for the total holistic health and humanity to build a divine society. CHAPTER 8: DIABETES MELLITUS Definition: Diabetes mellitus (DM) refers to a group of common metabolic disorders that share the phenotype of hyperglycemia. Several distinct types of DM exist and are caused by a complex interaction of genetics and environmental factors. Depending on the etiology of the DM, factors contributing to hyperglycemia include reduced insulin secretion, decreased glucose utilization, and increased glucose production. The metabolic dysregulation associated with DM causes secondary pathophysiologic changes in multiple organ systems that impose a tremendous burden on the individual with diabetes and on the health care system. It is most common of the endocrine disorders. Being chronic it affects the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein, fat, water and electrolytes. The result is by effecting the eye, kidney and nervous system. Classification: Diabetes mellitus is classified into 2 major types. Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) or Juvenile Onset Diabetes (JOD) Non-Insuline Dependent Diabetes Mellitus. (NIDDM) 1. Insuline Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) This is an Immune Mediated Diabetes which is caused by a phenomenon called Auto Immune Mechanism. Here, the immune system goes wrong and produce antibodies. When autoimmune mechanisms are directed against the insulin producing B-cells of the pancreas (diabetes does not set in until 80% of B-cells are destroyed).saaaq Then, the pancreas stops producing insulin or producing insufficient qualities this prevents glucose from entering the body cells which results high level of food in the form of glucose in the blood stream, this type of diabetes must inject themselves daily with insulin. Juvenile Onset Diabetes: This subtype commonly occurs in childhood and adolescence but can occur in any age both sexes can be affected. Idiopathic Diabetes is also type of IDDM. Here dietary plays an important part. There is no evidence of B-cell destruction. Episodes of rise in blood glucose and ketone accumulation may occur periodically. The patients may require insulin treatment for survival. 2. Non-insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus / Adult Onset Diabetes (AOD) In this type an inappropriate secretion of insulin at the wrong time or the body issue becomes less responsive to the insulin. In this form of diabetes insulin release appear to occur too late in the cycle so the blood sugar level rises to a high level before insulin is secreted and when it is secreted then that there is a no enough to cope with the high blood sugar level. It is called Non-Insulin Dependent DM because it can usually be controlled without the use of insulin injection. This type was also referred as Adult Onset Diabetes since it occurs most often in adults, 40 years of age and older. Other types of Diabetes. a) Potential diabà ¨tes: Patients are having increase liability to develop diabetes due to genetic reason on child of diabetes parents. b) Latent Diabetes: Patients who have shown abnormal results under comparing a burden on the pancreatic all during pregnancy or infection. Causes of Diabetes: Type 1 Diabetes occurs due to heredity, and autoimmunity. Type 2 Diabetes occurs due to heredity, overweight, sedentary life style and degenative Heredity: The heredity characteristics are: If a parent has type-1 diabetes i.e. IDDM, a child has 2-5% change of developing DM. If a child has Type-1 DM, the changes of a brother or a sister developing DM is of the order of 5-10%. If a person with one parent with type-II Diabetes has a chance of 25% of developing type-II diabetes during adult hood. If both the parents have diabetes it increase to 50% If a person has type-II diabetes the chances of a brother or a sister with develop in the order of 20-40% Overweight: 50-80% of the people with type-II diabetes are overweight at the time of diagnosis. Auto immunity: In this condition, the bodys immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys of its own cells eg. Beta cells of the islets of langerhans in Type-1 diabetes. Age: When there are two children of parents with diabetes and one becomes overweight during adulthood and the other does not one will be more likely to develop type II Diabetes Signs and Symptoms: Diabetes mellitus usually occurs with following sign and symptoms. Dryness of the mouth and excessive thirst Frequent urination Weight loss Weakness and inability to cope with the daily routine Redness and Irritation of genitalia Blurred vision Fatigue Painful limbs Pain in fingers and toes Cramps or numbers of feet may be present Diagnosis: Depends on history, examination supported by following investigations Blood sugar test Fasting blood sugar (FBS), Normal range 50- 100mg% or (5-6-5mmol/l) Post prandial blood sugar (PPBS), Normal range 130-160mg% or (6-8 mmol/l) Urine Test Glucose appears in urine when the blood glucose level exceeds about 180mg%. This limit is called Renal Kidney threshold for glucose. Methods of testing Sugar/Glucose. Benedicts test Paper strip test. Glucose Tolerance Test: Medical Management: Diabetes mellitus cannot be cured completely but can be kept under control with the help of dietary changes, drugs or insulin. Main object of Management: To provide quality the life of diabetic patients To relieve the symptoms of diabetes. To establish good sugar control To stop diabetes spreading for their complication. Mode of the Diabetic Management Diet Exercise Medicine Acupuncture/Acupressure Yoga Magnet therapy Principle of Diet-Planning: A DM patients diet should be able to Supply sufficient amount of energy giving nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins and fats. -Supply sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals. To maintain ideal body weight. To help in avoiding complications of DM. Yogic Management: According to yoga, the causes of diabetes are in the mind i.e. stress any percolate down to Prà ¤namaya kosha and Annamaya Kosha. Hence it has got to be tackled at all the five koshas. Annamaya Kosa: Diet control is important; Sithilikarna Vyayama should be practiced to stimulate internal organs. Asanas brings flexibility suppleness to muscular system, help in removing tamasic behaviour. It also activates the vital internal organs Kriyas, Uddiyanabandha and Agnisara help increasing the blood flow to the region resulting in removing impurities and stimulating the pancreas Pranamaya kosa: Pranayama is gaining mastery over prana the basic life giving force. It regulates the breath and balances prana. The following practices are very helpful. Sectional breathing, Nadi Suddhi and Brahmari etc. Manomaya Kosa: The guided meditative practices described here under are easy to follow and highly beneficial in calming down and slowing down the mind. OM Mediation DRT MSRT QRT Cyclic Mediation Devotional Session Vijnanamaya Kosa: At the intellectual level, a national correction is imparted as to What is real happiness? i.e. Happy Analysis Ananda Mimamsa an effort to redeem the participants of all miseries and obsessions and attachments. This is done through counseling, satsangs, lectures, maitrimilian etc. Anandamaya Kosa: Everybody experienced that Ananda the blissful state beyond the time and space at least for a short time. May be by accident and may not be aware how to get that blissful state again and be in it for longer time if not forever participants are encouraged to be in touch with that blissful state through Karma Yoga and Happy Assembly. Case History: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Name : Mr. C. R. Age Sex : 73, Female Occupation : Agriculture Marital status : Married Education : PUC Date of Admission : Date of Discharge : Diagnosis : Diabetes Mellitus Chief Complaints: K/C/O- Diabetes and Hypertension since 15 years Tingling numbness in feet Delay in wound healing BPH and Constipation since 4 years Kidney stones since 2 years History of Present Illness: Patent was apparently normal before 15 years then he got to know that he is diabetic when his blood was checked. Later he was started with the medications. Gradually he developed the Prostate hypertrophy and constipation. Two years back he developed kidney stones. Personal History: Appetite : Normal Sleep : Disturbed Bowls : Constipated Bladder : Frequent urination Addictions : No Menstrual/ OBG History: Not specific Past History: Had the head injury in road traffic accident 4 year ago He had the clot in the brain and operated in 2007 Family History: Father and son having high BP Treatment / Medication History: Tab. Riotrill 5 Mg 0-0-1 Tab. Triptomen 0-0-1 Tab. Stamlo Beta 500 Mg 0-0-1 Tab. Glymet GP2 1-0-1 Tab. Plagerine -A 0-1-1 Tab. Storvas 10 Mg 0-0-1 Tab. Himplasia 1-0-1 Tab. Y- Lax Constipation Social / Stress history: Wife expired 2 years ago, she was also diabetic Son is not co-operating Examination General Physical Examination: Built: moderate Pallor: + Clubbing: NAD Edema: Mild pitting edema in both legs Vital Signs: PR: 74/ min RR: 24/ min BP: 130/80 mm of Hg Temp: Normal Height: 56 Weight: 77 Kg Systemic Examination: CVS: NAD Investigations: FBS : 90 mg/dl 1 week ago (Venous blood) PPBS : 130 mg/ dl Diagnosis: Diabetes mellitus with neuropathy Aim of Present Therapy: Is to reduce the frequency of urination and to improve the quality of sleep. To reduce the diabetic complications, bring down the medications. To improve the overall quality of life. Management Progress: The participant attended all the classes and found all of them to be enjoyable and enlighten. Out of all the class he liked CM, initially he found DM special technique a little too exhausting. After some time he was toned down to accommodate his physical condition. He enjoyed the lecture by Dr. Raghuramji found them relevant to his life. Counseling Strategies: The participant was completely understood the holistic approach of the IAYT. We encouraged him to abstain completely abstain from the sweets during his stay so that he may see clearly that blood sugar level is drooping by time of his discharge. We encouraged him to participate actively during special technique sessions and to practice his own diligently so that the effect of each exercise is felt more clearly The participant responded positively when he started to noticing the improvement, he was more even more encouraged. We taught him the sweet Meditation and its theory. The participant loved many of the lectures as they touched on the realities of day to day life. Gentle words of encouragement and praise worked very well with this participant. Results: General Parameters: S. NO PARTICULARS BY AY % CHANGE 1 SYS BP (mm of Hg) 130 118 2 DIA BP (mm of Hg) 80 76 3 PULSE (cycles per min) 74 72 4 RR (cycles per min) 24 20 5 BHT(Sec) 8 11 6 WT(Kg) 77 76.1 Clinical Parameters: S. NO PARTICULARS BY AY % CHANGE 1 MEDICATION SCORE (MS) 8 8 2 SYMPTOM SCORE (SS) 4 1 Psychological Parameters: S. NO PARTICULARS BY AY % CHANGE 1 SATVA 21 21 2 RAJAS 2 2 3 TAMAS 2 2 Specific Parameters: S. NO PARTICULARS BY AY % CHANGE 1 FBS(mg/dl) 90 90 2 PPBS(mg/dl) 130 114 CHAPTER 7: BACK PAIN Definition Any pain which occurs in the region between the neck and pelvic at any point on the Spinal column, is termed as Back Pain. Back pain is not disease and therefore, it has no cure. But it can be controlled. Causes: Back pain is a symptom. Common causes of back pain involve disease or injury to the muscles, bones, and/or nerves of the spine. Pain arising from abnormalities of organs within the abdomen, pelvis, or chest may also be felt in the back. This is called referred pain. Many intra-abdominal disorders, such as appendicitis, aneurysms, kidney diseases, bladder infections, pelvic infections, and ovarian disorders, among others, can cause pain referred to the back. Normal pregnancy can cause back pain in many ways, including stretching ligaments within the pelvis, irritating nerves, and straining the low back. Your doctor will have this in mind when evaluating your pain. The most common causes of lower back pain are sprains and strains. Other conditions that can cause back pain include: disc injury, spinal stenosis, and osteoarthritis of the spine, spondylolisthesis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoporosis and fractures of the lumbar spine, pregnancy, fibromyalgia. Classification: Several classifications are available. Feinstein described 3 major types of clinimetric indexes that are relevant to classification systems used for patients with LBP. These are the status index, the prognostic index, and the clinical guideline index. Followings are some conditions with a symptom of back pain Sciatica: A severe shooting pain that radiates from the lower back along the back of the thigh down to the outer inner side of the foot. Radiculopathy: Pain in the area where the particular nerve has been distributed, because of nerve trap or compression, patient feels pain in that area. Lumbar spondylosis: Limited movements of the waist region. Stiffening of the spine Cervical spondylosis Low back pain, neck pain, headache Arm pain and neck movements are reduced Tender spot in the trapezium muscles Arms become weak and lose reflexes. Coccydynia: Pain in the coccyx region Ankylosing spondylitis: Chronic stiffness in the hips and entire spine Mild to moderate nagging pain in the lumbar region or hips Lumbago: Acute pain to the buttocks or thighs Signs and Symptoms: Depends on type of Backpain Diagnostic Criteria: Asymmetrical straight leg raising Asymmetrical movements of lumbar spine Test for pain during movements Test for neurology defect Test for back pain on axial loading Test for sensory loss Imaging techniques i.e. CT and MRI Medical management: Depends on type of backpain. Analgesics anti-inflammatory. Surgery Yogic management: Prevention is better than cure. Preventive measures include: Awareness and correction of posture while standing, sitting and lying down Regular exercises Stress management Yogic techniques involving slow body movements followed by practices of deep relaxation are useful in maintaining the strength and flexibility of the spine. Regular practice of a basic set of yoga practices of 45 to 60 min including sà ¼rya Namaskà ¤r, loosening practices, 8-10 Ä sana followed by deep relaxation, PrÄ nÄ nyÄ ma and Meditation. The different Yogic practices affects on Pancha kosha levels: Annamaya kosha: Asana, Physical movements, kriyas, and Yogasanas are used to operate at the Annamaya kosa level and to remove the physical symptoms of the ailments. KriyÄ s: It is a yogic process to cleanse the inner organs of the body and they bring the following effects: Activating and revitalizing the organs, toning up their functions Desensitization Development of the deep internal awareness Physical exercise and movement: Very simple physical movements to mobilize and activates, particularly, affected parts of the body are used. Some easy physical exercises are adopted to fulfill the needs of the particular ailments. Loosen the joints, stretch and relax the muscles, improve the forbearance power, to develop stamina. Yogasanas: YogÄ sanas are physical postures often imitating the natural position of animal meant to tranquil the mind. Through postures the physical revitalization, deep relaxation and mental calmness are brought about. Pranamaya kosha: The sheath of prana is a process for gaining control over prana. Awareness and concentration on the painful parts give a control over the affected prana. Sectional breat

Free Speech -- Liberty Rights Papers Internet Censorship

Free Speech â€Å"Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech.† These words were spoken by Benjamin Franklin, one of our nation’s founding fathers, when the United States was still a newly independent country. Free speech, which is defined as the right to express any opinion in public without censorship or restraint by the government, is a subject that is still present in the minds of many people today. At one extreme of the spectrum is a group of folks that do not care the slightest bit about free speech issues and at another end is a group of people who will vehemently fight to protect their right to free speech. In a middle ground, like most peoples’ stance, lay a large group of individuals who only take notice and take action regarding such issues when they become personally affected. Only when a person is confronted directly with someone or something that limits their actions or ability to express themselves do they begi n to realize just how much they take the right to free speech for granted. And not only is free speech threatening issues becoming more common today, but the age at which individuals come across these threats to free speech is getting even younger. It is starting quite early for today’s children as they are becoming well acquainted with perhaps the most widespread but least recognized threat to our free speech, internet content filters. According to the Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility’s (CPSR) Frequently Asked Questions on filtering, a content filter is one or more pieces of software that work together to prevent users from viewing material found on the Internet and is described by the Electronic Frontier Foundation as a software mechanism for... ...ob at actually restricting access to inappropriate material and rather do a much better job at blocking beneficial resources. First and foremost the issue of government-imposed internet content blocking must be addressed. Once a solution to that has been applied, then the use of filters in general can be tackled. The solution to this can best be summed up by the following quote from the National Research Council’s book, Youth, Pornography, and the Internet, â€Å"Swimming pools can be dangerous for children. To protect them, one can install locks, put up fences, and deploy pool alarms. All these measures are helpful, but by far the most important thing that one can do for one’s children is to teach them to swim.† Once parents address the issues through communication with their children, there will be much less of a need for the â€Å"filtering† software on the market today.

Invisible Man Essay: Values of the Invisible Man -- Invisible Man Essa

Values of the Invisible Man      Ã‚  Ã‚   Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man is the story of an educated black man who has been oppressed and controlled by white men throughout his life. As the narrator, he is nameless throughout the novel as he journeys from the South, where he studies at an all-black college, to Harlem where he joins a Communist-like party known as the Brotherhood. Throughout the novel, the narrator is on a search for his true identity. Several letters are given to him by outsiders that provide him with a role: student, patient, and a member of the Brotherhood. One by one he discards these as he continues to grow closer to the sense of his true self. As the novel ends, he decides to hide in an abandoned cellar, plotting to undermine the whites. The entire story can be summed up when the narrator says "I'm an invisible man and it placed me in a hole- or showed me the hole I was in...." During the novel, the narrator comes to value several intangibles that eventually help to shape his identity. Throu gh his experiences and the people he has met, the narrator discovers the important value of his education, his invisibility, and his grandfather's advice.    From the very beginning of the novel the narrator values his education. His education first brings him a calfskin briefcase, when the superintendent rewards him for his success, saying "Take this prize and keep it well. Consider it a badge of office. Prize it. Keep developing as you are and some day it will be filled with important papers that will help shape the destiny of your people." The narrator treasures the briefcase so much because it symbolizes his education. He carries it throughout the whole novel, and it is the only object he takes into the cellar fro... ...ture and History. 1996 ed. Kelly, Robin D.G. "Communist Party of the United States." Encyclopaedia of African-American   Culture and History. 1996 ed.      Internet Sources: Bellow, Saul. "Man Underground" Review of Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man. Commentary. June 1952. 1st December 1999<http://www.english.upeen.edu/~afilreis /50s/bellow-on-ellison.html Earl, Gerald. "Decoding Ralph Ellison" Essay obtained from IGC.org Summer '97. 30 November. <http://www.igc.org/dissent/archive/summer97/early.html Howe, Irving. "Black Boys and Native Sons" English Dept. at Univ. Penn. 1 December 1999 <http://www.english.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/howe-blackboys.html. Howe, Irving. "Review of: Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man" Pub. The Nation. 10 May 1952. 30 November 1999. <http://www.english.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/howe-on-ellison.html.   

Gabriel Garcia Marquezs Chronicle of a Death Foretold Essay examples -

Gabriel Garcia Marquez's Chronicle of a Death Foretold Many authors parallel the protagonists of their novels to other figures in order to make a direct comparison. Throughout the novel Chronicle of a Death Foretold, Gabriel Garcia Marquez forms a congruence between Santiago Naser and Jesus Christ. While parallels between both men are woven within the pages, revelations of the corrupt societies are distinguished as the deaths of Santiago and Jesus essentially epitomize the cultural traditions that were destroyed by their lives, but revived through their deaths. The portrayal of Santiago Naser develops into a direct parallel of Jesus Christ. At the beginning of the novel â€Å"Santiago put on a shirt and pants of white linen†(5). Since white is the color of innocence, this choice of clothing promotes an innocence in Santiago Naser. Just as Jesus wore a white linen cloth before he was to die, Santiago too wears white linen the day that he is supposed to die. This immediate comparison with Jesus Christ thus sets up the rest of the novel as a symbolic reference. The most direct parallels come during the narration of the direct killing of Santiago and the description of the body after the murder occurs. Marquez explains that â€Å"The knife went through the palm of his right hand and then sank into his side up to the hilt. Everybody heard his cry of pain†(139). Once again an absolute parallel is seen here. Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross by means of the palms of his hands. And just as the soldiers stabbed a woun d in His side in order to ensure He was dead, the Vicario brothers stabbed the knife into the side of Santiago. In addition to all the parallels of this single quote, the explanation that â€Å"Everybody heard hi... ...ir honor. The society believed that if Santiago remained in the civilization he would be defying the traditional values. Jesus Christ also faced these traditional values within His society. Christ was killed to uphold the tradition of the church. By Christ claiming He was God, the church had been defied and thus became angry. Through the death of Jesus Christ though, the church believed that the traditional values could be upheld and remain unchanged. Overall, the comparisons between Santiago and Christ were uncountable. Marquez weaves the Biblical ideas throughout his novel in order to promote the destruction and recreation of cultural traditions. In doing so, the corrupt actions of the society were made known as the faults in people thoughts were confirmed. Bibliography: Marquez, Gabriel Garcia. Chronicles of a Death Foretold, 1982, Vintage.

Josef Ackermann Essay

Using Darling and Leffel’s (2010) framework, this essay will evaluate on how Josef Ackermann demonstrated his leadership style as a Swiss banker, the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Deutsche Bank and Chairman of Zurich Insurance. As defined by Peter Northouse (2001), leadership is a process, in which an individual influences a group to achieve a common goal. And to achieve that goal, a visionary leader should put forth much effort to critically apply his leadership skills and knowledge. In general, leadership is more than management. To be successful, a leader has to be strategic, show motivation and innovation, and should be flexible and focused on systems and structures. (Lussier & Achua, 2010). The basic interactive dimensions of assertiveness and responsiveness form two axes of the Darling and Leffel leadership styles paradigm, the four primary quadrants represent the four styles: Analyser, Connector, Director and Creator. It should also be mentioned that different situations require accurate application of different leadership styles. According to Lussier and Achua (2010) there are four key leadership theories: Autocratic, with job-centred (task-initiating structure) behaviour that focuses on the leader who is taking control in order to get the job done quickly (Professional Organizations, n.d.); Laissez-Faire, a style that depicts an inert leader who is averse to stimulating subordinates or giving focus (Deluga, 1990); Participative (democratic),a style in which leaders empower their employees in the decision-making process by meeting with them periodically and listening and trusting them (UCF, n.d.); and Transactional, one that asserts that people will follow leaders who are inspirational as the leader develops a vision, sells the vision and leads the way (Taylor, 2009). Of the four main leadership styles outlined by Darling and Leffel (2010), Josef Ackermann, reputed as the most powerful banker in Europe, could be regarded as Analyser and Director. The author describes the Analyser leadership style as having a low level of assertiveness and responsiveness. Analysers are self-controlled, logical, objective, well-organized and generally leaders who prefer analysis over emotion. Also, the Analyser can be inflexible and formal, prefer clarity and order and tend to resist compromise in problem situations. Furthermore, Analyser-type leaders often find their career tracks in the finance field, very much like Ackermann (Darling & Leffel, 2010). Josef Ackermann charted his own course throughout his life, described as a man of integrity that has acquired huge influence over E.U. finances. As an objective chairman of Deutsche bank, 134-year-old Deutsche Bank became the world’s seventh-largest bank in terms of revenue in 2003. Deutsche bank was ranked 12 th in mergers and acquisitions and 21st in terms of market capitalization (Guyon, 2004). As an Analyser, a lot of people see him as a systematic, formal, ambitious and deliberate lead-by-example leader. In addition to having an Analyser style, Ackermann, could also be described as having a Director-leadership style that shows low level of emotional responsiveness (Darling & Leffel, 2010). Such leaders tend to be results-oriented, objective, independent and pragmatic. The authors state that Directors often find their way into positions of authority and central decision-making in organisations. They are firm and forceful leaders, confident, competitive, decisive and generally willing to take risk. In Ackermann’s effort to turn Deutsche Bank from a German lender into a global competitor, he eliminated results-oriented 14,470 jobs and cut costs by one-third by closing retail branches and outsourcing management of the bank’s computer systems and real estate (Schlager, 2005). Ackermann showed the ability to take high risk, but was especially emotionless for his o wn benefit. On the other hand, he personifies therefore for a lot of people the arrogance and greediness of the banking sector. One of his biggest goals was turning Deutsche Bank into one of the world’s top three advisers on mergers and acquisitions and returning its status to the top ten in market value (Guyon , 2004). As a Director-level leader, Josef Ackermann has been well regarded and  recognised by many as a successful and effective manager and leader, shifting the style of management from a conventional mode to one that focused on the needs of shareholders and on international expansion (Mitchell, 2010). According to Lussier and Achua (2010), leaders such as Ackermann are able to take swift and decisive action, even in the most difficult situations, and take calculated risks while persevering in the face of failure. Strong communication skills, self-confidence, the ability to manage others and willingness to embrace change also characterize a successful leader. Ackermann has also been a member of the influential Washington-based financial advisory body, the Group of Thirty and also served on other company boards, including Bayer AG, Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Linde, Mannesman, and Siemens AG. Ackermann changed the distribution of power within Deutsche Bank, resulting in criticism from traditionalists and praise from those who shared his global focus, allowing him to become the most powerful man in Germany’s financial industry (Loades-Carter, 2005). Ackermann successful steered his bank through the 2008 global financial crisis. Quoted in his speech before the Atlantic Council, ‘Germany will ultimately take whatever steps [are] necessary to keep the euro zone intact’ (Robb, 2012). It is unusual to find all four styles in one leader. However, it is important for leaders to be aware of their weaknesses. The Director can become dominating and insensitive while weaknesses of the Analyser are perfectionism and inflexibility. Leadership style has a major impact on the success of an organisation. Without Josef Ackermann ´s determination, focus and vision as a Director and Analyser, Deutsche Bank, may not have become one of the world ´s leading financial services with global focus. Being a symbol of German financial might, he is at the centre of more concentric circles of power than any other banker on the Continent. He has successfully led Deutsche for a decade during the global financial crisis and euro zone debt turmoil. From this seat at the nexus of money and politics, Ackermann, for better or worse, is helping to shape Europe’s economic and financial future. He seems such a fixture that it is hard to imagine Germany without him (Ewing & Alderman, 2011 ). References: Darling, J. & Leffel, A. (2010). Developing the leadership team in an Entrepreneurial Venture: A Case of Focusing on the Importance of Styles: Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 23(3), 355-371. Deluga, R. (1990). The Effects of Transformational, Transactional, and Laissez Faire Leadership Characteristics on Subordinate Influencing Behavior. Basic & Applied Social Psychology, 11(2), 191-203. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database. Ewing, J. & Alderman, L. (2011). Deutsche Bank’s Chief Casts Long Shadow in Europe. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/12/business/12bank.html?pagewanted=all Guyon J., 2004, The trials of Josef Ackermann, Fortune Europe, 149( 2), 111-114. Loades-Carter, J. (2005). FT.com site: Profile: Josef Ackermann. FT.Com,1. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/docview/228871346?accountid=14543. Lussier, R., & Achua, C. (2004). Leadership Theory, Application, Skill Development. Minnesota: Southwestern. Mitchell, J. (2010). The last hurrah for deutsche bank CEO Josef Ackermann. Institutional Investor, Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.libraryproxy.griffith.edu.au/docview/221507850?accountid=14543. Northouse, Peter G. (2001). Leadership Theory and Practice, second edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. Professional Organizations: Leadership. List and explain the styles of leadership used by effective leaders. D.O. CAPS. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.temple.edu/cte/research/DOCAPS/DOCAPS_09.pdf. Robb, G. (2012). MarketWatch, â€Å"German[y] will rescue euro zone: Ackermann† Schlager N. (ed.). International Directory of Business Biographies, vol.1- A-E (2005) (466s). Taylor, R. (2009). Leadership theories and the development of nurses in primary healthcare. Primary Health Care, 19(9), 40-46. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database. University of Central Florida, (n.d.). Advantages and Disadvantages of the Leadership Styles. Retrieved from mhtml:file://E:UCFAdvantages and Disadvantages of the Leadership Styles.mht.

Decision Making in DHL

Introduction: DHL commits its expertise in international express, air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation, contract logistics and international mail services to its customers. A global network composed of more than 220 countries and territories and about 275,000 employees worldwide offers customers superior service quality and local knowledge to satisfy their supply chain requirements. DHL accepts its social responsibility by supporting climate protection, disaster management and education. DHL is part of  Deutsche Post  DHL.The Group generated revenue of more than 53 billion euros in 2011. I will be discussing DHL from many aspects such as decision making and its effect on the organizational performance from the perspective of Cyert & March and compare it to Bursson theory. Also I will cover Zimmermen theory about rules and apply it to DHL case study. Finally I will examine the macro environment of DHL organization. Body: DHL was the global market leader in internati onal express shipping, overland transport, and air freight, as well as ocean freight and contract logistics.As of April 2011, its network covered more than 220 countries and territories worldwide in 120,000 destinations. It had many awards to its credit (Refer to Exhibit I for the details of awards won by DHL). According to Ken Allen, CEO, Express Division, DHL, â€Å"The express sector is one of the major drivers of global trade and we are excellently positioned to capitalize on this through our services which meet our customers’ domestic and international transport requirements, anywhere around the world. † Formal organization has its own specific function or functions.A university for example has the main function of promoting education. But it also promotes artistic, literary, athletic and other interests of the members. The principal function of the church is religion but it also promotes charitable, ethical, athelitic, recreational, educational and other activiti es. Thus the formal organization may have its latent as well as manifest functions. The formal organization has its own norms or rules of social behavior. Certain conducts are appropriate in certain organization. Formal organization lays down procedure to be followed by the members.Members of an organization have different statuses. Statuses imply division of labor. The division of labor is characterized of all organizations and in a sense; organization is synonymous with the division of labor. Organized actions in a formal organization are possible because of division of labor. Bureaucracy refers to the administrative aspect of the formal organization. It refers to the arrangement of the organization designed to carry out its day to day business. It is represented by a hierarchy of officials who are assigned different responsibilities and provided with different statuses and roles.The formal organization is based on rationality. The rationality of formal organizations has two sourc es- the predominance of rules that have been devised to help achieve definite results and the systematic reliance on knowledge in the operation of the organization. The formal organizations are relatively permanent. Some organizations last for longer time while others perish within a short period of time. According to Zimmerman he illustrates the inadequacy of the rational decision making approach.He shows that members of an organization are far from adhering to the rules and procedures that should inform their decision making; they instead use & understand these rules in everyday work in creative & adaptive ways. He wants to understand how organizational members actually make sense of & understand what these rules mean in practice. Studies assumes and accept the existence of clear rational , objective rules of decision making but are contrasted with actual practice. Zimmerman objects this view; he offers how these rules become alive: how formal plans are used by members to deal wit h every day work activities.He analyses how employees’ use of formal rules is determined by their attempts to achieve their view of their priorities. Activities of bureaucratic actors in a public assistance organization will be examined. To Zimmerman, following rigid or complex procedures impedes effective action. The analysis is concerned with the judgmental work of receptionists in assigning applicants to intake case-workers. This study investigates the variety of practices, operational meaning and situational relevance of policies and procedures for everyday organizational activities.Rules, policies, formal planning Researchers argue that rules and policies are to some degree abstract and general, and should not be treated as idealizations. Rules cannot completely reflect the changing organizational situations. Informal rules and policies usually develop, where personnel modify and redefine the rules in light of operating conditions. The formal plan of the organization is used and interpreted by personnel in a way that best suits their everyday work activities. Usually, procedures and rules are designed to ensure efficient achievement of formally defined goals.However, it is not always practical to strictly follow the rules, because of the ever-changing output of the many interactions of individuals. People use and understand the rules in everyday work in creative and adaptive ways. The chapter wanted to understand how organizational members actually make sense of and understand what the rules mean in practice. Receptionists made sense of the rules in subtle ways, and made decisions about when and how to use them in light of their experience and knowledge of applicants and situations.The problem is then how the formal plan of an organization could be used by its members to deal with everyday work activities and of what are the features that members use to recognize and interpret. Instruct others, about the operational intent & behavioral implications of such a plan. The sense of routine provides employees with: * A way to recognize the exceptional character of a given event. * The good grounds for suspending or otherwise modifying the rule as normally applied Suspension or bending a rule is considered a reasonable solution to minor dilemma.The use of formally prescribed procedure, viewed from the notion of their competent use becomes. * Not a matter of compliance or deviance (behavior) * But a judgmental work providing for the reasonableness of viewing particular action as essentially satisfying the provision of the rule Rules are not hard and fast social facts but are the result of continual interpretation and negotiation which produces an – ever shifting framework to be taken. Rules may be negotiated and changed and new rules also stand over and above organizational actors informing and shaping the emotional life of an organization.Rules are resources for action, but because contexts vary, they do not determine perform ance of individuals or their organization. Industry observers felt that like any other successful company, DHL’s success could be attributed to some of the basic strategies it had adopted: knowing the customers and solving their problems, expanding the business, and creating a win-win situation for all stakeholders. According to company officials, the opening of the new European hub at Leipzig/Halle in 2008 was an example of adhering to that old formula.While deciding on the location of this hub, not only did the DHL authorities focus on optimally locating its facilities, but they also planned for the company’s long-term future. DHL was also faced with having to train large numbers of new personnel. In three years’ time, 2,000 employees were qualified for their respective tasks at the hub. DHL estimated 2,000 employees were working at the hub in September 2008. Their number is expected to rise to approximately 3,500 by 2012. Nearly 90% of the newly employed work ers come from the region around the airport.Two-thirds of them were previously unemployed. Some 7,000 more jobs will likely be created in the surrounding area, bringing the total number of direct and indirect new jobs around the Leipzig/Halle hub to approximately 10,000. In addition, DHL is training young people in the various logistics and IT professions at the airfreight hub. With all the mentioned above DHL is a company who follows and respect the rules and that to succeeds and maintain success. With all the complexity in DHL as a formal organization, decision making can't be that easy as well.The political perspective is clearly identified by Cyert, March ; Miller , where they identified theories of decision making that are concerned with politics (Coalition aspect) ; processes (Problemistic search) where an activity is only initiated by an immediate problem rather than an orderly systematic process of search and analysis. ( as for Pettigrew). Here, Pettigrew view organizations and decision making as a political arena in which:; Political behavior follows the unequal distribution of resources ; the creation of specialized loyalties and perspectives thru organizational differentiation.Organizational units with different or conflicting interest, loyalties and mindsets struggle for advantage with obvious implications for the nature and outcome of decision making. Political activity is central to organizational structures and processes: divisions of interest result from the hierarchical nature of power. Power relations ; politics originate in the structure ; processes of the organization. Structures create specialism's which develop loyalties which in turn breeds politics. The heart of conflict, politics & co-operation is Power.Cyert and March propose two major organizing devices: a set of variable concepts and a set of relational concepts. They claim that Theory performs two major functions: * it is an exhaustive set of general concepts. * it has a set of rel ational concepts The exhaustive set of general concepts, the process of decision making can be analyzing in term of variables that effect organization goals, expectations and the variables that effect organizational choice. Organization goals: A theory of organizational goals considers how goals arise in an organization, how goals change over time, and how the organization attends to these goals.There are two sets of variables affecting the goals of an organization. As the international express business had been growing steadily over the previous few years and assuming that it would continue to expand in the future as well, the Leipzig/Halle site had developed the potential to become a crucial junction for the express and logistics specialists. At the same time, DHL considered an additional starting and landing capacity in Central Europe to be necessary, as the company’s existing European hub in Brussels had reached its threshold limit.The organization visions of labor becaus e individuals have limited capacities, and limited time, to devote to any particular aspect of the organizational system, such limitations constrain the bargaining process. As an adaptive response, coalition members are motivated to develop mutual control systems, such as the budget and the allocation of tasks by the division of labor and specialization. Set variables influence the aspiration-level on any particular goal dimension. There are three variables; the organization past goal, the organizations past performance, the past performance of other ‘comparable’ organization.Organization expectations: Expectations are seen as the result of drawing inferences from available information. Expectations are by no means independent of hopes, wishes, and the internal bargaining needs of subunits in the organization. Therefore a good theory for the organizational expectations should consider variables that affect either the process of drawing inferences or the process by which information is made available to the organization. Organization choice: A theory of organizational choice needs to characterize the process by which the alternatives available to the organization are ordered and selected.Organizational decisions depend on information estimates and expectations that ordinarily differ appreciably from reality. Choice takes place in response or influence. DHL considered an additional starting and landing capacity in Central Europe to be necessary, as the company’s existing European hub in Brussels had reached its threshold limit. Theory as set relational concepts, there are four fundamental concept to understanding of the decision-making process in a modern, large-scale business organization.The quasi resolution of conflict; uncertainty avoidance; problematic search and organizational learning. After we went through decision making, I'll analyze DHL with PEST analysis to understand its macro environment. PEST analysis  stands for â€Å"Polit ical,  Economic,  Social, and  Technological analysis† and describes a framework of macro-environmental factors used in the  environmental scanning component of  strategic management. Political  factors are how and to what degree a  government  intervenes in the economy.Specifically, political factors include areas such as  tax policy,  labor law,  environmental law,  trade restrictions,  tariffs, and political stability. Political factors may also include goods and services which the government wants to provide or be provided (merit goods) and those that the government does not want to be provided (demerit goods  or merit bads). Furthermore, governments have great influence on the  health,  education, and infrastructure  of a nation. In Leipzig/Halle, courier and express services are of vital importance to the efficiency and growth of the Leipzig/Halle economy.With Leipzig/Halle geographical position which is away from the centre of continent al Europe, fast and effective delivery services are essential for Leipzig/Halle businesses involved in international trade. Economic  factors include  economic growth,  interest rates,  exchange rates  and the  inflation rate. These factors have major impacts on how businesses operate and make decisions. For example, interest rates affect a firm's  cost of capital  and therefore to what extent a business grows and expands. Exchange rates affect the costs of exporting goods and the supply and price of imported goods in an economy.Advances in technology and the increasing use of e-commerce, combined with the courier and express sector's commitment to investing in IT, and have cushioned the industry from the worst effects of the recent global slowdown. Social  factors include the cultural aspects and include health consciousness, population growth rate, age distribution, career attitudes and emphasis on safety. Trends in social factors affect the demand for a company' s products and how that company operates. For example, an aging population may imply a smaller and less-willing workforce (thus increasing the cost of labor).Furthermore, companies may change various management strategies to adapt to these social trends. In DHL a raft of government measures to tackle environmental pollution and congestion have increased costs for the, largely road-based, express logistics sector. Technological  factors include technological aspects such as  R&D  activity,  automation, technology incentives and the rate of  technological change. They can determine barriers to entry, minimum efficient production level and influence  outsourcing  decisions. Furthermore, technological shifts can affect costs, quality, and lead to  innovation.DHL used satellite-based navigation systems. The company planned to improve the system by including and analyzing more information concerning terms of traffic, traffic lights, and construction sites. Conclusion We co nclude that DHL can't operate without rules, it should consider and fear competition as it should take its decisions rationally without complexity. That by applying the above theories and understand them very well as an organization. I will be summering chapter 6 The Irrationality of Action and Action Rationality of: Decisions, Ideologies and Organizations.A decision is a choice between at least 2 alternatives. Decision making was explained by economists, political researchers as well as, psychologists and sociologists. Some individuals decide and others carry out the decisions. Researchers elaborated in the direction of rationality while other evidence shows that the process does not comply with rationality specially in strategic major issues. People are not clever enough to behave rationally. Therefore decision makers should be carefully selected. Irrationality is inherited in human beings which cannot be changed by training.Decision makers don’t have enough information on the many variables involved. Therefore, information systems may help to improve the process beside caring about objectives and alternative comparison. An action perspective to explain the process is more acceptable. Since leaders don’t only take decisions but also act and induce others to act on them. Since managers act while making decisions rationality of decisions take in consideration practical internal and external norms. Irrationality as a base of organizational actions 1. Searching for alternatives. 2. Estimating Consequences 3. Evaluating Alternatives . Choosing 5. Making Rational Use of Irrationality Rational decisions create irrational procedures from an action point of view. They should be avoided in order for an action to be taken. References: * Salaman, G. (2002) Decision Making for Business, London, The Open University/The Alden Press, Oxford. * Salaman, G. (2001) Business Behaviour in a Changing World: Module One Study Guide, London, The Open University. * http ://www. dhl. com. kw/en/about_us. html * http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/PEST_analysis * http://www. sociologyguide. com/organization-and-individual/formal-organizations. php