Political Control in South Asia

Establishing political control in South Asia, was something that the British was able to accomplish in the late 70s and early 80s. The British saw certain opportunities that led for them to start trading and commerce from India to outside world. The British had plans for India, which later led to collection of revenues on behalf of the Mughal Emperor, resulting decline of power by the Mughals side. The expansion of the British into newer territories, it was to keep the allies at a distance. As for the Ryotwari system in India that played a role as land revenue systems before-hand, after the British came along. It affected India because the ownership of the land was given to the peasants and the British government collected the tax which demonstrated not fair to the peasants. The revenue rates as per the Ryotwari system were 50% with land being dry and irrigated with 60%. The Zamindars were never the owners of their own land and the rent collectors would not be fair towards them. The British were able to establish political control in South Asia because of confusion created by the decline in power of the Mughal Empire, the compulsion to take over new territories, and the implementation of the Ryotwari system over India. During the 1700s, the Mughal Empire had a significant decline in power, and was unable to directly govern or control its territories. Afterwards, the local rulers, called the Raja's and Sultan's, greedy for power over India made claims to power causing trouble and violence to spread over local territories . This caused confusion within India's government because, the Raja's and Sultans were not able to clearly identify their territories and rules, For example, Bernard Cohn's essay on the Banaras region clearly marked that â€Å"it was precisely because there were always ‘many sharers in the dignity and power of kingship with overlapping rights and obligations that 'empire and ‘state' represented ‘limited political entities in India'† (11). Resulting with no leadership or general politics which were formed at critical movements that highlights the causes of decline and it was important for the structure of the Mughal administrative system. Adding to the British control over the political establishment for South Asia, the peasants and the zamindars from the northern and the westerns part of India were added towards this problem. For the British, it was easier to target the zamindars for collecting revenues, as they show loyalty and mostly were the powerful class of a local populations. The zamindars were enjoying the given power from the British, as they would collect money from the peasants and the British government officials would take money from zamindars. The zamindars would have to pay a fixed revenue towards to the government officials as their fees. The book states, â€Å"The Ryotwari system defined the state itself as the supreme zamindar and vested a ryot with individual proprietary rights in land in return for annual cash payment or revenue assessments to the government (ibid.)† (73). The revenue that was collected by the zamindar was fixed and to be collected from each village. Focusing on empire-building for India, it ended up being under the rule of the British. British took advantage of India in ways of getting everything flushed out. By being in control for their profits from raw material goods and the fact of having larger populations and the diversity towards the markets. Later, after they had settled for some time the British took interest in Indian economy where the focus was to grow. The book had mentioned about Europeans traders to have strong control over the Mughal Empire, and that later on had faced decline and the British took advantage of that decline to make their win other territories within India. Because the British took the rejection of the Mughal empire, India was regulated by the British government and had developed all over India. The successful established of the British within India was the occurrence of these events that took place because India was lacking unity within the political section at that time period. British rule not only took over the political but also the economy, textiles industries, and the import ; export of the products from India to other countries around the world, leading to get more profits and take in-charge of the nation.

Combination Therapy in Heart Failure

The ability of the heart to pump blood Is impaired and It can no longer meet the bodys metabolic requirements Table 1 . New York Heart Association Classiflcation of Heart Failure. Remme W], Swedberg K. Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic heart failure. European Heart Journal. [Online] 2001; 22(17): 1527-1 560. during the rest or exercisel. By treating HF we try to relieve patients symptoms, Improve their quality of life, prevent hospitalization and most importantly prolong their life. The treatment Includes Improved diet (reduced salt intake), physical activity and pharmacological treatment.There are numerous angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs), vasodilators, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors Ramipril) and beta-blockers (Carvedilol). We will have a look at the last two classes. They have been PATHOPHYSIOLOGY The previous hemodynamic model was not adequate and was therefore replaced by neurohormonal model, which involves Reninangiotensin-aldosterone-sys tem sympathetic nervous system 1 , (RAAS) 3 is summarized in Figure 1. The activation of RAAS leads to vasoconstriction, oedema and myocardial fibrosis, which are induced by Angiotensin Ill . roven to be very efficient in HF by numerous clinical studies2-4. SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS HF involves many symptoms such as dyspnoea fatigue, and ankle oedema. l The signs of HF are achycardia (>100 beats per minute), tachyarrhythmia, tachypnoea, distended Jugular murmur and S3 and S4 heart sounds. The Figure 1 . pathophysiology of heart failure and different levels of therapeutic intervention. Taken from: Perrenoud J]. Heart failure (Part 1). European Geriatric Medicine. [Online] 2011; 2(3): 159-171. ccurrence of these symptoms and signs depends on One of the earliest neurohormonal changes in HF is the severity of heart failure and whether it is caused sympathetic activation and it has a primary role in vein, peripheral oedema, hepatomegaly, heart by systolic dysfunction or diastolic dysfunction . isease progression. Left ventricular remodeling, cell death and changes in gene expression are believed to be the main mechanisms that induce ejection fraction8-11. Because it is very potent, small myocardial doses of the tablet should be taken at the start of damage nervous stimulation 10. treatment (3. 125mg) twice daily.The dose is Heart failure can be categorized in predominantly gradually increased up to maximum of 50mg twice systolic dysfunction where the emptying of the left daily8. ventricle is not optimal and predominantly diastolic dysfunction where the filling of the left ventricle is Molecular targets ot optimall -6. As mentioned above, its major molecular targets are membrane receptors (?l, ?2 and 01). It acts on ion TREATMENT channels (Ca2+ and K+) as well. Carvedilol inhibits As mentioned above, the disease can be treated cardiac voltage-dependent potassium IKr channels using several different drug classes4.Multidrug with high potency, voltage-dependent calcium therap y is widely used in patients with heart failure. channels as well as Ca2+-permeable transient receptor potential (TRP) family channels in Failure Zealand cardiomyocytes and in vascular smooth muscle Carvedilol Trial) have been conducted to test the ells. Furthermore, a study conducted by (Kikuta et benefits of different combinations of drugs. It was al. , 2006) suggests that the drug blocks ATP- proven that these therapies significantly reduce the sensitive (KATP) and G-protein-activated (KG) risk of mortality and improve the symptoms. otassium However, hyperinsulinemia and hypoglycemia. It is believed implementing multi drug therapy. ACE inhibitors that the KG channel is opened by G protein in can cause hypotension, cough, and worsen the renal response to stimulation of G-protein-coupled function. Cough can cause patient noncompliance, uscarinic acetylcholine receptors in atria and sino- which in turn may result in the need of different drug therapy. Beta-blockers can cause bradyca rdia, channel would result in anti-cholinergic effects in hypotension, fatigue and fluid retention.Also, in the heartl 2. Study patients there with Australian-New are risks diabetes, associated beta-blockers channels. This results in could Pharmacodynamics Carvedilol is a racemic mixture of R and S Carvedilol enantiomers. Both enantiomers show al receptor Carvedilol is a non-selective beta-blocker (?l and inhibition. However, only S enantiomer inhibits ? ?2) has drenoreceptors. It competitively blocks both ?l and vasodilatation and antioxidant effects. Previously it ?2 receptors. The drug reduces high blood pressure be mainly due to the al and ? blockage.The inhibition contraindicated in HF as it has negative ionotropic of al receptor lowers total peripheral vascular effect. However, studies have shown that carvedilol resistance. Hence, it reduces afterload and balances in combination with ACE inhibitors improves the negative ionotropic effect the ? inhibition. As a function of the heart, especially left ventricular result, the stroke volume and cardiac output are al-blocker. elieved that Furthermore, carvedilol it should maintained or even increased. The systemic arterial The effects of carvedilol are summarized in figure pressure is lowered without reducing the renal 3. lood flow13-14. The antioxidant effects carvedilol and some of its metabolites are due to the presence of carbazole moiety (shown in Figure 2). In myocardial cell membrane carvedilol inhibits lipid peroxidation. Moreover, endothelial, vascular and neuronal smooth muscle cells from reactive oxygen species. Metabolite SB209995 is much more potent antioxidant than carvedilol itself. Animal studies have shown (Feuerstein et l. , 1998) heart failure imbalances the production of reactive oxygen species and the oxidant defense mechanism. The consequence is an excess of free radicals.This may result in cytotoxic effects as well as cardiovascular remodelingl 3. Figure 3. Molecular targets, pharmacodyn amics and clinical implications of carvedilol. Cheng J, Kamiya K, Kodama l. Carvedilol: Molecular and Cellular Basis for its Multifaceted Therapeutic Potential. cardiovascular Drug Revvtevs. coniine] 2006; 19(2): 152-71. Therapeutic efficacy Many different controlled clinical studies were made in order to determine the efficacy of carvedilol. The most known are COPERNICUS, CAPRICORN and USCHFS. They have all shown significant reduction in morbidity and mortality in comparison placebol 5-16.COMET investigating the difference between carvedilol and metoprolol efficacy. The study showed that the allcause mortality was lower with carvedilol (34%) Figure 2. Chemical structure of carvedilol (with postulated active sites) and its active metabolites. * denotes the point of assymetry. Taken from: Cheng J, Kamiya K, Kodama l. Carvedilol: Molecular and Cellular Basis for its Multifaceted Therapeutic Potential. cardiovascular Drug Rewtevs. coniine] 2006; 19(2): 152-71. Carvedilol aids lipid met abolism as it prevents the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL).It is known that LDL has destructive effects endothelial cells. Carvedilol also inhibits the Renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Hence, the production of Angiotensin II is lowered. Furthermore, studies on cardiac rat myocytes showed that carvedilol enhances the production of nitrite. It is therefore believed that it can increase the NO synthesis through some adrenoreceptor independent mechanism. However, the role of excessive amounts of NO in the diseased heart remains unclear 13-14. than with metoprolol (40%) as shown in figure 417. Figure 4.All-cause Mortality between Carvedilol and Metoprolol. Poole-Wilson PA, Swedberg K, Cleland JGF et al. Comparison of carvedilol and metoprolol on clinical outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure in the Carvedilol or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET): randomized controlled tnal.

John Deere Time line Essay

Deere married his first wife, Demarius Lamb, in January 1827. The newlyweds perceived to have 5 children, Francis Albert, Jeanette, Ellen, Francis Alma and Charles. Demarius’s past away and Deere married Lucinda Lamb, in June 1867. They had four children together Emma, Hiram, Alice and Mary. John Deere was an Illinois blacksmith from the Midwest and inventor. John Deere realized the wood and cast iron plow invention currently being used was weak and not working to its full ability. 1837- John Deere invents the first steel plow in his shop located in grand detour, IL. This let the pioneer farmers cut cleaner and faster furrows through the Midwest’s sticky prairie soils. 1838- John Deere evolved into John Deere, manufacturer co. 1842- John Deere business added retailing, taking orders for the patent Cary Plow. 1843- Deere and Leonard Andrus become â€Å"co-partners in the art and trade of blacksmithing, plow-making and all things thereto†¦Ã¢â‚¬  1848- The growing plow business moves to Moline, Illinois, 75 miles southwest of Grand Detour. Moline offers water power and transportation advantages. Deere chooses a new partner, Robert N. Tate, who moves to Moline and raises the rafters on their three-story blacksmith shop by July 28. 1849 A work force of about 16 builds 2,136 plows. 1852 Deere buys out his partners. For the next 16 years, the company is known variously as John Deere, John Deere & Company, Deere & Company, and Moline Plow Manufactory. 1853 Sixteen-year old Charles, Deere’s only living son, joins the firm as a bookkeeper following graduation from a Chicago commercial college. 1858 The business totters during a nationwide financial panic. Maneuverings to avoid bankruptcy shuffle ownership and managerial arrangements. John Deere remains president, but power passes to 21-year-old Charles Deere. He will run the company for the next 49 years. 1863 The company makes the Hawkeye Riding Cultivator, the first Deere implement adapted for riding. 1864 John Deere obtains the company’s first actual patent for moulds used in casting steel plows. Another follows in a few months and a third the next year. 1867 Charles Deere sues Candee, Swan & Co., a competitor, for trademark infringement. The case has precedent-setting implications for trademark law. Could Deere preempt the word â€Å"Moline† which it has been using in its advertising, so that no similar product could incorporate it? The ultimate answer is no. The Walking Cultivator is patented in August 1867. Although farmers might prefer riding, the lower cost of this unit makes it sell even though the man has to walk in soft ground while straddling a row of corn. 1868 After 31 years as a partnership or single proprietorship, the concern is incorporated under the name Deere & Company. There are four shareholders at first, six within a year. Charles and John Deere control 65 percent of the stock. 1869 Charles Deere and Alvah Mansur establish the first branch house, Deere, Mansur & Co., in Kansas City. A semi-independent distributor of Deere products within a certain geographic area, it is the forerunner of the company’s current farm and industrial-equipment sales branches and sales regions.

Discuss the extent to which corporate social responsibility has Essay

Discuss the extent to which corporate social responsibility has improved public perception of Tobacco companies in the uk - Essay Example Corporate social responsibility however becomes one of the key areas to look for by the tobacco companies. (WHO, 2004.) It has been however, suggested that the overall perception of the consumers regarding the tobacco companies as a result of their corporate social responsibility initiatives has not been so encouraging. (Anderson, 2011). It is generally believed that the tobacco companies use the corporate social responsibility as a tool to gain access to the politicians in UK and therefore all their efforts for corporate social responsibility are basically aimed at gaining access to the people who are in power. This may be due to the fact that the very business structure of the tobacco companies can serve as an obstacle to achieve the objective of corporate social responsibility. (Simpson & Sue, 2003.) The above graph suggests the prevalence of cigarette smoking by smoking and socio-economic groups from 1992 to 2009. The above graph suggests that there is a greater reduction in the smoking of cigarettes according to the social class of the individuals. This reduction in the smoking incidences therefore suggest that the consumers may not be having clearly favorable perceptions about the tobbaco companies and they are relativley relinquishing their smoking habits in order to avoid the danagers posed by the smoking. The above graph also however, suggests that the incidence in those people who are performing manual work has relatively remained stable owing to the early start of smoking by people belonging to this social class. It also therefore suggests that the corporate social responsibility practices of the tobbaco companies tend to have greater influence on the people who are relatively low in terms of their social class and statuts. Tobbaco companies have not been successful in fully utilizing the corproate social responsibility because of the very nature of

Crtical Article Review of the Bell Witch of Tennessee and Mississippi Essay

Crtical Article Review of the Bell Witch of Tennessee and Mississippi - Essay Example Probably thÐ µ main thÐ µory at usÐ µ for thÐ µ authors is about catÐ µgorization of folklorÐ µ and thÐ µ status of thÐ µ primary tÐ µxt, in that thÐ µ authors sÐ µÃ µm to thÐ µorizÐ µ that if Ð µnough catÐ µgoriÐ µs arÐ µ crÐ µatÐ µd thÐ µrÐ µ can bÐ µcomÐ µ a framÐ µwork or infrastructurÐ µ of dÐ µfinition framing thÐ µ outragÐ µous story. ThÐ µ authors writÐ µ a morÐ µ pÐ µrsonal and opÐ µnly subjÐ µctivÐ µ introduction bÐ µforÐ µ lÐ µtting thÐ µ talÐ µ spÐ µak for itsÐ µlf, and thÐ µ articlÐ µ usÐ µs mainly Ð µthnographic or cultural-anthropological casÐ µ study mÐ µthods, and it is unclÐ µar Ð µvÐ µn whÐ µthÐ µr or not thÐ µ casÐ µ studiÐ µs arÐ µ basically hypothÐ µtical or factual. HowÐ µvÐ µr, thÐ µ authors also havÐ µ a strong and convincing argumÐ µnt about thÐ µ story as folklorÐ µ. ThÐ µ authors’ analysis and story work in diffÐ µrÐ µnt ways in tÐ µrms of mÐ µthods and thÐ µoriÐ µs, which can bÐ µ likÐ µnÐ µd to casÐ µ study mÐ µthods. This is a qualitativÐ µ mÐ µasurÐ µ bÐ µcausÐ µ it doÐ µs involvÐ µ thÐ µ intÐ µrprÐ µtation of thÐ µ rÐ µsÐ µarchÐ µr, which tÐ µnds to bÐ µ subjÐ µctivÐ µ and basÐ µd on opinions, attitudÐ µs, and bÐ µliÐ µfs which arÐ µ mÐ µasurÐ µd by thÐ µ qualitativÐ µ rÐ µsÐ µarch procÐ µss.

National Consensus Project Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

National Consensus Project - Term Paper Example Where the patient suffers a terminal illness, it is wise to avoid expensive lifelong therapies which may also be very painful for the patient to undergo. If the patient does not specify prior to their illness/death the preferred treatment method, the family will try to avoid the patient’s death. In allowing doctors to subject patients to lifelong treatments, the family would have unintentionally caused the patient considerable trauma and pain. People should be advised to write wills as early as possible while still healthy enough to do so. Applying Saint Leo University’s core value- community- will make the patient aware of the need to create a socially responsible environment that challenges individuals to listen, learn and serve others. Through writing a will, the patient would have fulfilled the Community value. It is necessary to observe the core values of respect and integrity in convincing the patient to write down the will. Respect demands that the advisor listens and appreciates the patient’s views and beliefs. After the will is drawn, integrity requires the beneficiaries of the will to honor the patient’s desires and also the advisor to keep the previous promises made. Recuperative medical care and palliative care share a host of similarities. However, there are a number of fundamental distinctions between the two. The core distinctions between recuperative medical care and palliative medical care lie in the timing, care location, payment and the manner of treatment (Hospice Vs. Palliative Care, n.d.). Palliative care is offered by a team of professionals in institutions such as nursing homes, hospitals, and extended care facilities while recuperative medical care is offered in the patient’s home. Patients considered terminally ill are the only ones eligible for recuperative medical care while patients receiving palliative care have no time restrictions. Since palliative

Media Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Media Analysis - Essay Example When presenting an  advertisement, there are usually a set of rules meant to  govern  what and what not to be included in the advertisement. The rules are there to  keep  the  advertisement  from being â€Å"bad†. An advertisement should not encourage any vices, should not be  racist, and should not promote violence and so on. To ensure that this does not happen, there are media ethics that are there to be followed (Ward 6). Media ethics are a  set  of  rule  expected to be followed by journalist, should be based on ethics of universal  being (Ward 6). They should be  keen  on the well being of the human being. Without the ethical foundation, relativism undermines the  conception  of the right and makes  our  practices  unreasonable. In the case of advertising, there might be a difference in understanding, and judging an  advertisement  because of several things; it might be the  environment  one  has been brought  up in, it might be a difference in age, level of education, and so on. In this paper, I  intend  to  break  down two cigarette advertisements and  show  the  significance  of my findings. I will also discuss the appeals used and whether they are ethical or not. In the first advertisement, the chesterfield cigarette  commercial, there is the use of animation and humor. A King intends to  knight  a loyal  subject  if he can  confess  that the chesterfield king is the best. The loyal subject seems  desperate  to be knighted that even if he does not know much about the king of chesterfield, he does not admit it. He  is helped  by the king’s advisor and impresses the king. The king’s advisor warns the  king  to use his  flat  side of the  sword  to avoid what happened the last time. As the advisor warns the king, he mimics the  cutting  of a throat. As the king, knights the loyal subject, he swings his sword powerfully and chops o ff the  loyal  subject’s head.  In the advertisement, the king represents the  cigarette, the loyal  subject  represents the smoker, and the advisor represents the luring of the smoker to smoking.  The smoker seeks the  pleasure  of the  cigarette  when he goes to be knighted; the  king  who is the  cigarette  gives the pleasure but eventually kills the smoker. In the advertisement, there is more concentration on the good  side  of smoking (knighted) than the bad side. It is not clear whether the  loyal  subject is the killed. Smoking  is well known  all over the world as  unhealthy, despite that people still smoke. In the second advertisement, Flintstones for Winston cigarette there is the use of animation and an  immensely  popular cartoon character (Fred Flintstone). He  is then brought  out as a loyal customer of the Winston cigarette. The seller of the  cigarette  still goes into details about the uniqueness of the cigarette despite Fred Flintstone being  familiar  to the cigarette. He puts the  cigarette  on Fred’s mouth and calls it  practice. The  cigarette  is portrayed  as a sweet cigarette with a good length, making it better than the rest of the cigarettes. Unlike the chesterfield advertisement, this advertisement concentrates solely on the goodness of the cigarette. Analysis of the two advertisements In the chesterfield cigarette  advertisement, it is  significant  to  note  the use of animation on the advertisement. Although the  advertisement  has tried to portray the

Book Analyses on Ramona by Helen Hunt Jackson Essay

Book Analyses on Ramona by Helen Hunt Jackson - Essay Example This is a strong character trait, a calm acceptance, and the ability to be grateful for the love received from others, in particular, old Father Salviederra and Felipe. At the age of 19, when the story opens, Ramona was still waiting patiently, working hard in the house, helping others and displaying a generosity of spirit which allowed her to pity the Senora, with 'gentle faithfulness' (Chap 3, p) She was thus both intuitive and perceptive. Within Ramona, there was a core of strength and pride which became apparent when faced with Senora Moreno's refusal to allow a marriage with Alessandro. Her sense of justice, love and loyalty enabled her to overcome fear and desperation as she dared to tell the Senora, "You have been cruel; God will punish you." (Chap 12 p) Evidence of a lack of material greed was presented, when all she took from the jewels and rich clothes, her potential inheritance, was a ragged silk handkerchief. "I will keep this handkerchief...I am very glad to have one thing that belonged to my father." (Chap. 11, p) Her character may be aptly described as noble. Despite all the tragedy which followed her marriage to Alessandro, Ramona showed a steadfast love and loyalty, the ability to make the best of any situation, and a willingness to stand up for what she believed in. The implications, threaded throughout the narrative, are that the character of Ramona is a positive reflection of her Indian heritage. Such positive attributes were designed by the writer to highlight the qualities, as well as the unjust situation of the Native American people at that time. Morality of Ramona: If examined on a superficial level, some might consider that her actions suggest the behavior of a disobedient, spoiled and willful young woman, driven to demanding her own way and getting what she deserved as a result of her ingratitude. This is evidently not the case, there was no other way Ramona could have behaved and stayed true to herself and her nature. From childhood to womanhood, she displayed a purity of heart, a goodness which meant she did no harm to another person, took only what was hers, expressed gratitude, and held onto her integrity when tragedy struck. Ramona showed that justice, loyalty and love were more important to her than material possessions, ideals made more evident by her willingness to leave a life of relative luxury and security, for one of poverty and dispossession, the lot of the Indian people. Her motives were not only driven by love for Alessandro, but by the realization that she 'belonged' - she acknowledged her Indian heritage, and the fact that she would never be a Spanish noblewoman. Becoming 'Majella' was symbolic of this acceptance, she was honest, and tried to live by her own code. "Nothing can be so bad as to be displeased with one's self." (Chap. 4 p.) This was Ramona's moral code. The qualities of grace, love, loyalty and courage in the face of adversity were evident in the tragic life she encountered, losing her child, then Alessandro, but holding fast to her beliefs. It is significant that wherever they went, people were impressed by her goodness. It is significant

Financial and Strategic Planning M2C Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Financial and Strategic Planning M2C - Essay Example Since Franklin Healthcare is a non-profit making entity, Williams Foundations should not consider profit as the sole criteria of decision making. It should also consider the quality of services provided by the healthcare facility. Moreover it should also scrutinize that whether the money it is contributing for the welfare of the people is actually benefitting the deserving people. Or is the management of the Franklin Healthcare is merely making up the statements and in reality the health status of the people had not improved in the area. In view of this, Williams Foundation should set up an independent audit of the financial statements of the Franklin Healthcare in order to ensure that its financial statements are portraying a true picture of the entity. Once when the Williams Foundation is satisfied with the credibility of the financial statements it should base its decision on the meticulous analyses of the financial statements. Upon the analysis of the income statement it is evident that Franklin Healthcare is on the way of making profit. While its revenue remained steady, its expenses declined in 2011 as compared to 2010. Due to decrease in operating expenses the profit in 2011 rose by 0.02% as compared to the profit of 2010. The reasons cited for the decrease in operating expenses are the lay offs and subsequent reorganization of operating expenses. Another reason for this decline can be the decrease in the number of patients visiting Franklin Healthcare in 2011. As in 2010 almost 500 patients came to the healthcare facility and in 2011 the number plunged to 400. In 2011 the healthcare facility is earning profits and at the same time reorganization of the operating expenses is a sign that the healthcare facility is seriously concerned about the efficient running of the organization. If I base my analysis purely on the given information then I would recommend that Williams Foundation should continue giving

The Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) Economic Systems Reformation Essay Example for Free

The Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) Economic Systems Reformation Essay In recent years, developing countries have been transformed from very low economic development to being among the highest ranked economically developed states. Examples include Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC). This economic growth has been realized due to the adoption of the market socialism structures from their earlier systems which were centrally planned. Besides, a consensus was arrived at that the countries ought to build democracy whose basis was the rule of law and private ownership. As a result, these countries have greatly benefited and continued to expand in their economies day in day out. Some of these key success factors in the adoption of the BRIC economic systems are highlighted as under. The adoption of market socialist structures have led to market freedom, consequently making transactions to be monetary, carried out in the market and being reasonably free. Besides, these countries have their inflation rates decreasing, measurably to single digits. This has also been facilitated by the large national output being attained from enterprises that are privately owned. Market socialism also saved the countries from the slumping output and the resources misallocations that the rent seekers, who were the rivals of the radical reformers, had caused. Additionally, the actions of the rent seekers aimed at amassing wealth to themselves by disorganizing the economy and subsidizing the credits which had adverse effects on the rates of inflation. A radical market system ensured macroeconomic stabilization, deregulation, new social safety formation and privatization. However, the successes achieved were remarkably diverse in each country resulting from the different choices of policies that these countries implemented. Additionally, these policies have been the determinants of the prevailing conditions in these countries. For instance, the Central European countries adopted privatization and normal market economies and this has seen the elimination of corruption in their economies. Besides, democracy is unimpeachable. Asian countries, the likes of China and Russia realized low rates of taxes, labor markets which were liberal and their social transfers were limited. The low taxes have hastened the growth rate of the economies of these countries to the current high levels. Additionally, the income taxes are low and flat while the corporate profit taxes are decreasing with time thus the labor markets have proliferated (Aslund, 2007). These factors were a replica in Latin America, specifically in Brazil. China had started her reforms in the agriculture sector that proved to be successful, although this sector was considered to be small in the Soviet economy. Due to market socialism, deregulation in prices was born and this fostered the growth of the country’s economy. Moreover, her macroeconomic stability still remained even after the hyperinflation that occurred in the Soviet Union. Due to this success in china, Russia sought to follow suit. Privatization is a precondition of both democracy and market economy and this has led to the virtual economic growth. The underlying relationship between privatization and economic growth is the ability of the private enterprises to perform better than their public counterparts. These countries, by privatizing their enterprises, saved both human and physical capital from irreversible destruction. To add on, market socialism propelled the achievement of macroeconomic policies that are sound, reforms in the market structures, commodity boom and reductions in the public expenditures in all members of the BRIC. Researches by economists have greatly been attracted in these countries, especially China, India and Russia on these countries impact on the global economy and also the factors that led to the realization of this success. In China, market socialism led to the investment of capital on a large scale basis which is financed by not only the domestic savings that are huge but also by the foreign investors. Through the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and the Township and Village Enterprises (TVEs), household savings were expanded (Jonathan, 2010). This shift greatly promoted exports, made measurable increment in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and fostered the development of infrastructural facilities. In the case of India, improvement in the productivity of labor was held liable for the economic growth. The registration of the manufacturing companies and privatization brought about positive economic effects. Russia, on the other hand, benefited from the increased international oil prices and the appropriate levels in the exchange rates thus earning high profits from her exports. Brazil, like Russia, benefited from her exports. Socialist’s efforts in Brazil enabled the realization of public policies that led to creation of more jobs and stronger governance (Shikida, 2005). Although the economic successes in these countries seem to be arising from the adoption of similar market strategies, some divergences are notable. In both India and China, areas with the greatest growth are mainly located in the coastal regions as compared to their landlocked backward regions in the rural areas. In Russia, hydrocarbons are identified as the cause of the divergence and these are mainly concentrated in West Siberia. In addition, all countries adopted the liberalization strategy at different timings. China first went through a period of pro-market liberalization and reformed through the pro-business approach. India started with privatization and later indulged in international trade while Russia underwent the big bang reforms; characterized with simultaneous economy opening and privatization (Alessandrini Bucellato, 2008). Russia later simplifies its tax systems, reconstructed the legal, health and pension systems, regulated her natural monopolies and made the land resources tradable. References Aslund, A. (2007). How Capitalism was Built: The transformation of Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Alessandrini, M. Bucellato, T. (2008). China, India and Russia: Economic Reforms, Structural Change and Regional Disparities. London: Oxford Press Jonathan (2010). China and the Global Business System. Retrieved on 17 August 2010 from http://www. vub. ac. be/biccs/site/assets/files/apapers/20100202%20-%20Story. pdf Shikida, C. (2005). Brazil from Import Substitution to the 21st Century. What is left to do? Retrieved on 17 August 2010 from http://www. ceaee. ibmecmg. br/wp/wp30. pdf

Evaluating Life Cycle of Pavements

Evaluating Life Cycle of Pavements Case Study from Nevada Department of Transportations Perspective Nowadays increasing number of agencies and companies have started to shift to the principles of sustainability in conducting business and activities. These principles also make good business sense as we try to improve the environmental, social and economic value of a product. The transportation industry is no different and many Departments of Transportation (DOTs) have already shifted to this by incorporating Life Cycle Analysis of pavements. Life cycle analysis of pavements is a comprehensive approach where economic costs of different alternatives during the life of a pavement are evaluated and the best one is chosen to be implemented. It is a complex process and varies from one DOT to another but usually there are some guidelines laid down by the Federal Highway Administration that are followed. For our case study, we have selected the Nevada Department of Transportation, also known as NDOT. This report presents a brief overview of the various components and strategies used in pavement analysis, maintenance and rehabilitation are discussed in detail. NDOT has a defined Pavement Management System to collect data and the application of LCA for construction of pavements has already been started. The various parameters considered in LCA as well as the limitations are discussed in this report. Keywords: Pavement, Life Cycle Analysis, NDOT, Maintenance, Rehabilitation Pavements, like any other thing, have a definite life cycle. They are constructed by keeping a certain period of utility in mind. The continuous use of roadways often leads to their degradation in their serviceability. The rate of this deterioration is dependent on many factors both environmental and load related. Using appropriate maintenance and rehabilitation techniques at the right time also can impact the life of a pavement drastically. The life cycle of pavements can be very broadly described as Stage 1: New Pavement Newly constructed pavements fall into this category. They require almost no repairs while in use. Stage 2: Minor Repairs After some initial time, the utility of the roads begins to decrease. Some maintenance work is favored. Stage 3: Major Repairs After long time in service the roads become deficient structurally and continuous use of roads in this state is not recommended. Stage 4: Complete Reconstruction Roads in this state of disarray are not be used except under extreme circumstances and require a complete overhaul and construction of new pavements. However, some agencies have been lagging in their effort to properly preserve their roadways. This has led to one third of the roads in United States being in poor or weak condition. Annually an estimated of 70 billion dollars to maintain the highway network in USA. This considerable sum has led people to try and manage pavements more efficiently. Constant evaluation of pavements has been adopted by many state DOTs to try and limit pavement deterioration once it is in use. There are two major categories for repairs of pavements in general terms are Maintenance Rehabilitation Maintenance is the process of repair of roads is done on a small scale as the pavements contain only minor faults and are fixed relatively easily. Some common maintenance techniques include fog seals and crack sealing and mainly slow down the deterioration rate of the pavements [1]. Rehabilitation is the procedure where existing portions of damaged pavements are completely redone as the damage is of significance. Rehabilitation techniques include in-place recycling and overlays and reset the whole process of deterioration [1]. The cost of either maintenance or rehabilitation of pavement is substantive and continuous to rise even today. This has lead highway agencies to use tools that can help combine economics and operations research to achieve pavements that are both cost effective without compromising their long-term properties. The most common method in use is the Life Cycle Cost Analysis or the LCCA [2]. It is a process where the value of the total project is calculated using the initial cost and discounted future costs over the life of the pavement. The components of LCCA is defined by different DOTs independently. For this report the case of Nevada DOT is chosen and LCCA used by NDOT will be explained later. The Nevada DOT was founded in 1917 and has since built and maintained almost 5,400 miles of road. There is an additional of more than 46,000 miles of public road mostly maintained by local agencies. The roads maintained by NDOT account only for 20% of roads in Nevada but these roads account for 52% of all traffic and 82% of heavy truck traffic of the state [3]. In the fiscal years of 2013 and 2014, NDOT spend around 270 million dollars on maintenance rehabilitation repair works. As one can infer from the figures the process of maintaining the roadways is costly and therefore NDOT uses various tools that can help to minimize this cost in the long run. Some of these tools are discussed in this report. Connecting the empirical data collected from the field and theoretical data calculated by an engineer in the lab has been one of the most difficult task in pavement engineering. Long term pavement performance has gained importance as it is a major component of any cost analyses that is conducted on the pavements. Therefore, predicting long term performance of pavements with good accuracy can provide valuable data for pavement modeling. Field data collected from various sites can also be used to verify whether the materials possesses required qualities or the design was sufficient. This can in their turn help in altering future pavement designs to better perform in the field. This has led to the creation of a Pavement Management System by pavement engineers. Data collected from various sites in the field is collected in the PMS and stored for further analysis by engineers. This collected data can be utilized to develop and verify pavement performance models The PMS used by NDOT was established in 1980 and is accordance with ISTEA guidelines. It monitors various pavement characteristics with time on a mile-by-mile basis for the entire NDOT system. The data collected includes cracking, rut depth, patching, surface condition, and ride with data on traffic and accidents are collected for informational purposes only. Using the data collected from the field seven performance indicators are calculated to classify pavements into four repair categories. The performance indicators calculated are Ride Rut Depth Cracking Patching Bleeding Raveling Present Serviceability Index (PSI) The PSI used by NDOT is calculated by the following formula PSI = 5*e-0.0041*IRI 1.38RD2 0.01(C+P)0.5 Where IRI = International Roughness Index (in/mile) RD = Rut Depth (in) C = Cracking Area (ft2/1000 ft2) P = Patching Area (ft2/1000 ft2) For the considered pavement points are assigned for the severity and extent of each of the distress indicators. The total summation of the points is used to assign the pavement into one of four repair categories which are Do Nothing Maintenance Overlay Reconstruction For details refer to Development of Pavement Performance, Analyses and Procedures [4]. The PSI of pavements is kept in check by performing routine maintenance and rehabilitation activities. As explained maintenance as a process only slows down the rate of deterioration while on the other hand rehabilitation will show an initial change in PSI and may also change the rate of deterioration of pavement. Generally, one observes that the cost of maintenance of pavement tends to be lower than the cost of rehabilitation. Therefore, if one has to be cost effective there needs to be a balance between the maintenance and rehabilitation of pavements. That is using only one type of repair work will be more economically inefficient. NDOT has chosen specific repair activities to catalog in the state of Nevada based on availability of previous data. If a technique was chosen without sufficient performance data, then the model would be of limited use only. The techniques thus used by NDOT include Maintenance Techniques: Rehabilitation Techniques: Sand Seals, Chips Seals. Flexible Overlays, Roadbed Modification, Mill and Overlays Sand Seals Sand seal is the application of an asphalt emulsion being sprayed on with a layer of clean sand or fine aggregate being embedded in the emulsion either by spreading immediately or using a pneumatic tire roller. After application of the tire-roller excess particles are removed from the pavement. The sand seals are useful for improving the surface properties of pavements and can also help in filling up any fine cracks of pavement surface. In addition, the sand can also improve the skid resistant properties of the road while reducing the chances of raveling. [5]. Chip Seals Chip seals have become one of the most used surface treatment technique for roads with less traffic. Similar to a sand seal, a chip seal is the process of spraying asphalt and applying a layer of aggregate over it. The asphalt applied could be in form of hot asphalt cement, cutback or emulsified asphalt. After the application of any of the listed types of asphalt aggregate layer is administers onto the surface, before the asphalt either cools down or the emulsion breaks so as to maximize adhesion. The aggregates in the asphalt matrix are further seated and reoriented using a pneumatic roller. Afterwards the excess aggregates are removed from the surface by use of brooming. Chip seals are used as a protection from further raveling as well as seal any small cracks that are in the pavement. Sometimes use of lightweight aggregates is justified in chip seals in cases where heavier aggregates might become a cause for windshield cracking. LWA are manufactured mainly from light minerals like shale, slate or clay and are usually more expensive and less durable than normal aggregates but these are much lighter in weight. This light weight prevents these aggregates from being able to crack windshields in the case they become projectiles. The cracking of windshields can also be prevented by use of polymer modified emulsion [5]. Flexible Overlays Flexible overlay is a method of rehabilitation wherein on top of the old structure a new intermediate layer is constructed. The major purpose of this new layer is to both add an additional structure to the pavement and to prevent the proliferation of reflective cracks from the structure underneath. The old structure can still provide a uniform support. The design and planning of the overlay should be done keeping into consideration the expected traffic loading that the pavement will be under. As such this technique usually causes an increase in the highway profile. Care also has to be taken to prevent moisture from getting between the overlay and old structure. To prevent this the materials uses in the overlay should be tested for both moisture susceptibility and durability [6]. Roadbed Modification Asphalt roads are also reclaimed using roadbed modification. This technique is usually applied to pavements where the PSI has fallen way below desired level. Pulverization of existing pavement is done to a depth depending upon the structure of the old pavement. The pulverization process sometimes also includes base materials sometimes if the depth of pulverization is greater than the bituminous layer. On the other hand, if the depth is lower than that of existing structure then use of cold milling can be beneficial as this will lead to minimal disturbance to the materials underneath. The materials pulverized is then mixed with cement and water, where it acts basically as aggregates. This concrete is spread out and compacted according to the design intended. Pavements with very weak or uneven foundations can benefit from this technique [7]. Mill and Overlays The mill and overlay method is a method of rehabilitation where the top surface of the damaged pavement is removed, usually up to 2 inches. This removal is done by the use of a milling machine capable to perform the task. The removal of the top layer comprises of the milling portion of the method and usually takes around a couple of days. Afterwards a new layer of bituminous layer is constructed on top of the structure, in place of the removed surface. The surface of the milled pavement is coated with liquid asphalt that acts as a tack coat between the old structure and the new bituminous layer. The construction of the overlay can take around one to two days depending upon the width of pavement and the traffic. The asphalt overlay to be placed on pavement is usually embedded to a depth of 1ÂÂ ½ using a paver [8]. When developing NDOTs pavement performance model three categories of data were considered Structural, Environmental and PMS. A list of factors from these categories was created that could possibly affect pavement performance was compiled into standard data collection form. Analyzing all the standardized data the following data sets were finally used when developing the model- Materials data of activity being modeled: These data include the types and percentages of asphalt binder and aggregates used in the maintenance or rehabilitation activity for which the performance model is being developed. Materials data of existing pavement layers: These data include the types and percentages of asphalt binder and aggregates used in the layers underlaying the maintenance or rehabilitation activity for which the performance model is being developed. Structural data: These data include the thickness of the various layers in the pavement structure including the thickness of the maintenance or rehabilitation activity that is being modeled. The structural number (SN) as defined by the AASHTO design guide was used to normalize the structural data among all of the pavement section. Reference 3 describes the method used to convert the layer thicknesses into SN values. Pavement performance data: These data include the PSI, percent cracking, and average rut depth values as obtained from the NDOT PMS data base. Traffic data: The equivalent single axle load (ESAL) was used as the traffic element. The average daily ESAL figures were obtained from the PMS data base and used to obtain the cumulative ESALs over the life of the maintenance or rehabilitation activity. Environmental data: These data include maximum and minimum temperatures, number of freeze/thaw cycles, number of wet days, and annual precipitation. LCCA is a tool that is used by NDOT to evaluate the economic assessment of pavements when considering the entirety of its useful life. It takes into consideration the initial costs as well as maintenance and repair cost that the pavement is likely to undergo in its life. This tool can be used by pavement engineers to optimize their budget to improve the overall useful life of the pavement. Different alternatives for repairs are considered and the one with the most utility or least cost is chosen to be put forward for consideration. LCCA is made from the following steps- All initial treatment alternatives must be identified For each alternative, their analysis period as well as treatment scheme should be determined The price of annual and each alternatives maintenance should be computed The economic assessment calculated for each alternative should be compared The alternative with the best economic assessment should be selected based on LCCA When performing LCCA, NDOT uses the AASHTO prescribed Present Worth method. This method is highly recommended and frequently used by state highway agencies. In this method, any future expense is converted to present value of the dollar. The present value of future expenses is the amount of money which will need to be invested at a particular compound interest rate for the total sum to be equal to the value of the future expense. The formula used in calculation is PW = F(1/(1+i) n) Where F = The future expense after n years i = Discount rate n = Number of years Since the costs of production keeps on changing with time due to inflation and other economic factors, a discount rate is chosen to compare the cost across all time periods. LCCA is performed on the pavement for a specific analyses period. The length of this analyses period has been calculated for various types of roads keeping important factors into consideration. Highway Class Analysis Period (Years) High Volume Urban 30 50 High Volume Rural 20 50 Low Volume Paved 15 25 Low Volume Aggregate Surface 10 20 For newly constructed flexible pavements NDOT recommends an analysis period of 25-40 years while for rehabilitation they recommended a period of 20 years. This data is derived from two major conditions, (a) It represents a realistic life of asphalt mixtures and (b) one or two rehabilitation periods are included in the period. Pavements have a defined life cycle. Regular repair work must be done during the useful life of a pavement to maintain it to a serviceable level. NDOT uses PSI as an indicator to determine the serviceability level of pavement. PSI can range from 0 to 5.0 and repair is done on a pavement when the PSI drops below an unacceptable level. NDOT uses 2.5 as the terminal level of PSI with roads having average daily traffic of more than 750. NDOT also has placed some reality checks in place for calculating the pavement performance period. They are not considered in when in performance models because they can act as an empirical check to the values obtained from theoretical models. These checks include data such as traffic accidents, high maintenance costs, specific site failures, etc. LCAA also include cost factors that encompass all the expenditure that is incurred by the pavement from the design phase till the end of its useful life cycle. These costs have to be properly compared for different alternatives in LCCA to arrive at the most economic pavement. These costs can include First Costs: These include both the expenditure for the initial construction of the pavement and the cost for the operations that occurred to facilitate the construction like surveys, designs and analyses. Annual Maintenance Costs: These include the expenditure that is use to maintain an optimum PSI level of the pavement so as to provide a smooth ride to the drivers. Road User Costs: These are the costs that are associated with driving on the road and include things like increase in travel time, accidents, change in fuel consumption by vehicle etc. Salvage Value: This is the value of the road at the end of its life cycle. These casts can be either positive or negative depending on the condition of the road. 1. Pavement Interactive 2. Evaluation of pavement life cycle cost analysis: Review and analysis 3. State Highway Preservation Report 4. Development of Pavement Performance, Analyses and Procedures 5. https://www.fs.fed.us/eng/pubs/html/99771201/99771201.htm 6.http://onlinemanuals.txdot.gov/txdotmanuals/pdm/flexible_base_overlay_and_flexible_base_thickening.htm 7. https://www.nevadadot.com/uploadedFiles/NDOT/About_NDOT/NDOT_Divisions/Operations/Construction/CM%20Section%206%20-%20300.pdf 8. https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/public-works/street-maintenance/mill-overlay

Student Presentation on Rotavirus Essay -- Essays Papers

Student Presentation on Rotavirus Encounter Rotavirus is a wheel-shaped double stranded RNA virus. It is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years. It is believed that by the age of 4 most children in the United States have experience this infection and have developed immunity to severe disease caused by rotavirus. Individuals that are known to be at increased risk with complication of dehydration due to this viral disease include malnourished children as well as malnourished adults especially in the developing countries and the elderly that have a weakened immune system as they age. According to the Lancet, rotavirus is still believed to be the most recognized cause of diarrhea in children everywhere, however the infection is much more deadly in the developing world. "In the USA, for example, rotavirus infections are responsible for 50,000 admissions a year but only 20 deaths. In the developing world, on the other hand, rotavirus is responsible for 20% of deaths from diarrhe a in children. Worldwide it is estimated that virus kills about 500,000 children under the age of 5-years-old each year"(McCarthy 2003). As far as the U.S. is concerned, the rotavirus disease spread seems to have a seasonal distribution. (Seasonal Pattern). It has been accounted in many studiesthat rotavirus diarrhea shows a significant winter seasonality. This very unique wave of spread seems to move successively from west to east in the U.S., starting from Mexico and Southwestern states in the months of October and November and reaching the East coast in March and April. It has been suggested that weather conditions such as low temperature and humidity along with facilitated viral survival on fomi... ...d Health Policy)." The Lancet. 2003: 361; 582. Meissner, Cody. "Rotavirus and Other Viral Agents of Gastroenteritis." Mechanisms of Microbial Disease. 1999: 3; 345(9). "Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal: Rotavirus infections." Archives of Disease in Childhood, 2002: 87; 564(1). Internet "Rotavirus." Center of Disease Control and Prevention. 2003. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/rotavirus.htm "Rotavirus." Center of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Jan, 2003. http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~mow/chap33.html "EMT of Rotavirus." Kisielius, Jonas Jose et al. ASM MicrobeLibrary. http://www.microbelibrary.org/FactSheet.asp?SubmissionID=590&LS "Image of Double Capsid." 1995. http://web.uct.ac.za/depts/mmi/stannard/rotaboth.gif "EMTs of Negatively Stained Rotavirus as Seen in a Stool Sample. http://www.wadsworth.org/databank/rotavirs.htm

The Caribbean Islands Essay -- Socio-Cultural Areas Caribbean History

"The Caribbean" The Caribbean, a region usually exoticized and depicted as tropical and similar in its environmental ways, cannot be characterized as homogenous. Each individual island has their own diverse historical background when it comes to how and when they became colonized, which European country had the strongest influence on them, and the unique individual cultures that were integrated into one. The three authors Sidney W. Mintz, Antonio Benitez-Rojo, and Michelle Cliff, all and address the problem of the Caribbean’s identity. They each discuss how the Caribbean’s diverse culture was created and molded by each individual island’s history, how its society was molded by the development of plantations, how the Caribbean dealt with the issue of slavery, and how miscegenation and the integration of cultures, as a result of slavery, contributed to the region’s individualism in regards to culture. Colonialism and acculturation and their impacts on the Caribbean islands were also important issues discussed by Mintz, Benitez-Rojo, and Cliff. Although Mintz, Benitez-Rojo, and Cliff have the same intention in analyzing the Caribbean, they all use different approaches. Mintz, a social scientist, uses the social approach to describing the region, while Benitez-Rojo, a literary analyst, uses the humanistic approach as he implements the "Chaos Theory" in his breakdown of the Caribbean’s history, and Cliff uses a more personal approach. In The Caribbean as a Socio-cultural Area, Sidney W. Mintz emphasizes how it is inaccurate to describe the Caribbean as a "cultural" area due to its complicated history. Their culture can not be characterized as "unified" or "Pan-Caribbean." He states that "if by culture is meant a common body o... ...were a positive aspect of the Caribbean culture because they created an economy in the primarily primitive Caribbean. Mintz, Benitez-Rojo, and Cliff illustrate and reinforce the reasons why the Caribbean must not be confused as another homogeneous region of the world. With all the different characteristics and features that compose each individual island, each island deserves to have their own separate identities recognized and their history acknowledges. Of course, I believe that the integration of so many diverse cultures is what makes the Caribbean unique and special in its own way. Bibliography Benitez-Rojo, Antonio. The Repeating Island, Duke University, Durham & London, 1992. Cliff, Michelle. Abeng. Penguin Group, 1984. Mintz, Sidney W. The Caribbean as a Socio-Cultural Area, Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean, Garden City, New Jersey, 1971. The Caribbean Islands Essay -- Socio-Cultural Areas Caribbean History "The Caribbean" The Caribbean, a region usually exoticized and depicted as tropical and similar in its environmental ways, cannot be characterized as homogenous. Each individual island has their own diverse historical background when it comes to how and when they became colonized, which European country had the strongest influence on them, and the unique individual cultures that were integrated into one. The three authors Sidney W. Mintz, Antonio Benitez-Rojo, and Michelle Cliff, all and address the problem of the Caribbean’s identity. They each discuss how the Caribbean’s diverse culture was created and molded by each individual island’s history, how its society was molded by the development of plantations, how the Caribbean dealt with the issue of slavery, and how miscegenation and the integration of cultures, as a result of slavery, contributed to the region’s individualism in regards to culture. Colonialism and acculturation and their impacts on the Caribbean islands were also important issues discussed by Mintz, Benitez-Rojo, and Cliff. Although Mintz, Benitez-Rojo, and Cliff have the same intention in analyzing the Caribbean, they all use different approaches. Mintz, a social scientist, uses the social approach to describing the region, while Benitez-Rojo, a literary analyst, uses the humanistic approach as he implements the "Chaos Theory" in his breakdown of the Caribbean’s history, and Cliff uses a more personal approach. In The Caribbean as a Socio-cultural Area, Sidney W. Mintz emphasizes how it is inaccurate to describe the Caribbean as a "cultural" area due to its complicated history. Their culture can not be characterized as "unified" or "Pan-Caribbean." He states that "if by culture is meant a common body o... ...were a positive aspect of the Caribbean culture because they created an economy in the primarily primitive Caribbean. Mintz, Benitez-Rojo, and Cliff illustrate and reinforce the reasons why the Caribbean must not be confused as another homogeneous region of the world. With all the different characteristics and features that compose each individual island, each island deserves to have their own separate identities recognized and their history acknowledges. Of course, I believe that the integration of so many diverse cultures is what makes the Caribbean unique and special in its own way. Bibliography Benitez-Rojo, Antonio. The Repeating Island, Duke University, Durham & London, 1992. Cliff, Michelle. Abeng. Penguin Group, 1984. Mintz, Sidney W. The Caribbean as a Socio-Cultural Area, Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean, Garden City, New Jersey, 1971.

An Enemy of the People, Waiting for Godot and Civilization and Its Disc

Science and Human Values in Ibsen's An Enemy of the People, Beckett's Waiting for Godot and Freud's Civilization and Its Discontents Throughout the centuries, society has been given men ahead of their time. These men are seen in both actual history, and in fictional accounts of that history. Aristotle, Copernicus, Galileo, Bacon, and even Freud laid the framework in their fields, with revolutionary ideas whose shockwaves are still felt today. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, and so society has also possessed those how refuse to look forward, those who resisted the great thinkers in science and civilization. The advancement of science and technology is like the flick of a light switch; research may be slow and tedious, but once discoveries are made, they are not long hidden. In contrast, advancement in the ideas of ethics and human values come slowly, like the rising of the sun; there are hints at advancement for a long time before the next step is ready to be made. Because of this, science and technology takes off in leaps and bounds before human values have awakened to find society moving again. This race between science and human values is a common theme in literature. Sigmund Freud discusses it in his essay Civilization and Its Discontents, bringing up themes later reflected in Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett. In the more concrete story line of Ibsen's An Enemy of the People one finds intertwined this same conflict. It seems generally agreed that science and technology are winning in this race, at the expense of humanity. But there is less agreement as to just what to do about it, or what is needed to save humanity from its own scientific advances. Sigmund Freud breaks t... ...rson with the right balance of science and people skills can help slow science down and awaken the ideas of human values in people regarding scientific advances in human genetics. If human values are to keep up with scientific advancement, there needs to be not complacency but action. Freud saw both science and the search for happiness rooted in the outlet of energy from repressed instincts. The continual recharge of this energy promises to keep the race between these two forces going. As expressed in Ibsen's play, it seems the key to a thriving society is to let neither science nor human values get too far ahead. Works Cited: Beckett, Samuel. Waiting for Godot. New York: Grove Press,. 1954. Freud, Sigmund. Civilization and Its Discontents. New York: W. W. Norton, 1961. Ibsen, Henrik. An Enemy of the People. Dover Publications: New York, 1999.

Manufactured Crisis: Myths, Fraud, and the Attack

Manufactured Crisis: Myths, Fraud, and the Attack on America's Public Schools is an illustrative work by Berliner, an educational psychologist, and Biddle, a social psychologist, unfolds the the popualr myths about American school education that are prevalent in the American society.   It further explain the background of the creation of these myth and refute the popular beliefs on various grounds.He is of the view thatr since the publication of A Nation at Risk (1983), American society has fabricated various popular myths about their scholl educational system. He further narrates the nature of these beliefs and says that there are several distinct types of popular myths i.e. failure of Aemrican school system in general, declin in the college students’ performance   and the comparative failure to keep up with their fallow students in   advanced European and Asian countries measured against the developed parameters, better performance of private schools as compared with public schools, too much resource allocation for education but net result is not worth that spending and threat to American future due to the failure of these public school system. Berliner and Biddle consider these allegation as mere speculations and fabrication that has no real grounds. The arguments provided innthe books are not subjective and indivduals speculation but Berliner and Biddle’s arguments are developed by close analysis and interpretation of the data and decoding high-sounding polemical pronouncements. The pronouncements of these prominent scholars are based on quite fair assumptions and they closely assess the data to prove their points. The strength of their findings can be illustrated by the continuous advice offered to reader to aassess their findings on parameters they used for other contemporary educational critics who created the above-mentioned myths. At the very start, the book looks into the hidden agendas and motives of some distinguished educational critics and tries to pocate the reasons for that. The authors depict that by manufacturing some myth about the public sector school system, these scolars and intellectiauals serve the vested interests of pro-privatization groups. Berliner and Biddle further assersts in the past the assualt on public schools came from the same pro-privatization groups. They provide comprehensive data and manifest that all these attacks were repleted with fabricated myths faradulent assertions about the disadvantages of American Public School System. Berliner and Biddle illustrates that in reality this manufactured viewpoint is an epitome of organized malevolence that only serves the interests of some vested group in the education sector.And this creationof myth has deluded American nation about the true state of public school system and their triumphs for the last two decades. The fabrication of these myths need lobbying abd subtle penetration into the minds and psychology of the Amerrican people. Berliner and Biddle affirm that this viewpoint has been extensively propogated influential people within the govermental sector and outside, who â€Å"were pursuing a political agenda designed to weaken the nation's public schools, redistribute support for those schools so that privileged students are favored over needy students, or even abolish those schools altogether† (p. xii). Berliner and Biddle again reinforce the idea that provision of education to a diverse population on the mass scale is only possible through these public schools amd its structure is far more developed than depicted by the authors of manufactured realities. The intial chapters reveals the deceitfuil statements about the accomplishments and aptitudes of American students. They further explores the myths associated with huge spendings on the educations and its results. It further narrates the chrateristics of public school systems that are apprehensible to the critics of public schools. These chapter further illustrates the misapprehension in the mind of general public and root causes of prevalent public dissatisfaction with public education. Berliner and Biddle discloses that these critics intentionally disregard the   accomplishments of these public schools and only portrays the social and educational problems associted with these institutes. In the proceeding chapters, the authors analyze the mtives behind these manufactured criticism and dilemmas attributed to public school system.   Berliner and Biddle display that this criticism is dine in a subtle way but in response they do not put the blame of the critics and their believers but put social forces under allegations.They further appraise the suggestions of these critics for educational reforms of this system as poorply formulated ideas. The next chapter provide a cpmprehensive assessment of the real dilemmas faced by American educational system. Considers authtentic and productive criticism beneficial for public school system in particular and American educational sector in general but they further note that criticism to serve particular interets has also long tradition in the education sector. Berliner and Biddle note that there has been a long tradition of criticizing. They not only identifies the manufactured myths but also proves these myths as fake and fabricated with the help of data collected through various means. They further seek solutions to the real problems faced by the public schools in America. This book also considers the five Bracey reports on public education published annually by Phi Delta Kappan since 1991 and the 1994 PDK/Gallup poll as essential indicators of the realities about American School systems. Berliner and Biddle’s main focus was the manufactured crisis produced by various educational critics to undermine American Public school system and erosion of a sense of loss these manufactured myths has produced in the minds of American citizens about their educational system but thet further eloborated the various authentic criticism and suggested that the recommendation of these studies must be implemented to improve the system. They include their own recommendations in that list and says that the comiited forces together with appropriate educational research and compassion can eliminate this crisis and will mold it into success. For the above-mentioned reasons and others, The Manufactured Crisis is an well0doumented and illustrative work that can capacitate those who committed for the excellance in American school system to work in a more productive and reponsible way. Rerefences Berliner and Biddle.( 1995.) The Manufactured Crisis: Myths, Fraud, and the Attack on America's Public Schools. Addison Wesley.

A Tale of Two Cities Humor Essay

Humor in A Tale of Two Cities This novel is filled with humor but one scene that catches attention as humorous is in Chapter one of the Second Book, Jerry Cruncher is the most comical character in the book and in this particular scene he yells at his wife for praying against her. This is comical because it is so absurd especially the way Dickens depicts it. Mr.Cruncher wa kes up to find his wife praying and yells twice that she is â€Å"at it agin† (Dickens 56), so he continues to throw a muddy boot at her. Mrs.Cruncher only responds after he addresses her again, she explains that she was not praying against him but for him. This entire scene is utterly ridiculous because she was just being a peaceful wife but her husband assumes she is praying for him to be unsuccessful. He has no evidence to back up his accusation yet continues to believe it. This scene also display terrible sexism on the part of Jerry Cruncher. Humor in A Tale of Two Cities This novel is filled with humor but one scene that catches attention as humorous is in Chapter one of the Second Book, Jerry Cruncher is the most comical character in the book and in this particular scene he yells at his wife for praying against her. This is comical because it is so absurd especially the way Dickens depicts it. Mr.Cruncher wa kes up to find his wife praying and yells twice that she is â€Å"at it agin† (Dickens 56), so he continues to throw a muddy boot at her. Mrs.Cruncher only responds after he addresses her again, she explains that she was not praying against him but for him. This entire scene is utterly ridiculous because she was just being a peaceful wife but her husband assumes she is praying for him to be unsuccessful. He has no evidence to back up his accusation yet continues to believe it. This scene also display terrible sexism on the part of Jerry Cruncher. Humor in A Tale of Two Cities This novel is filled with humor but one scene that catches attention as humorous is in Chapter one of the Second Book, Jerry Cruncher is the most comical character in the book and in this particular scene he yells at his  wife for praying against her. T his is comical because it is so absurd especially the way Dickens depicts it. Mr.Cruncher wa kes up to find his wife praying and yells twice that she is â€Å"at it agin† (Dickens 56), so he continues to throw a muddy boot at her. Mrs.Cruncher only responds after he addresses her again, she explains that she was not praying against him but for him. This entire scene is utterly ridiculous because she was just being a peaceful wife but her husband assumes she is praying for him to be unsuccessful. He has no evidence to back up his accusation yet continues to believe it. This scene also display terrible sexism on the part of Jerry Cruncher.

Strategic Implications of a Swot Analysis

Name: – Nana Kesewaa Dankwa Index Number:-PGDBA/PM/022/0912 EVALUATE THE STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS OF THE SWOT ANALYSIS MODEL OF AN ORGANIZATION OF YOUR CHOICE. Introduction: Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis is an important device for audit and analysis of the overall strategic position of an organisation and its environment. It aims to elicit tactics which will generate an organisation specific operational model that will best align an organization’s resources and capabilities to the requirements of the environment in which the firm operates (www. anagementstudyguide. com). Therefore, for any organisation to survive and achieve its mandate, it needs to strategically and competently undertake a SWOT analysis of its environment to fashion out activities which will enable it pursue and achieve its mission and vision. The Internal Audit Agency The organisation selected for this assignment is the Internal Audit Agency (IAA). The IAA was establish ed by the Internal Audit Agency Act 2003 (Act 658).The Agency’s mission is to exercise oversight responsibility over internal audit practice in the public service by setting standards, providing quality assurance and supporting capacity building for good corporate governance, effective risk management and controls through highly skilled and motivated workforce. Its vision is to be a Centre of Excellence in Africa in promoting best practices in internal auditing. The strategies adopted by the Agency to achieve its set objectives include; 1.Effectively promoting internal audit practice in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) 2. Increasing public access to information on internal audit activities 3. Creating a congenial environment for high performance work in the Internal Audit Agency 4. Improving good governance and accountability in MDAs and MMDAs SWOT Analysis Model of the Internal Audit Agency StrengthsWeakn essesOpportunitiesThreats Congenial relationship between Board, management and staffConducive work environment Approved Scheme of ServiceLow morale of staff due to improper placement Support of the Presidency Legal backing for IAA work Independent Judiciary Good relationship with central management agencies (CMAs)Lack of continuous political commitment Poaching of internal audit skills by other institutions. High quality of staff (competence and qualifications) Proactive Leadership Supportive Board Youthful and energetic staff Cordial working relationship Good corporate imageInadequate training for staffInadequate office accommodation Inadequate Staff numbers Govt committed to developing internal audit function Appreciable number of qualified personnel available in Ghana Goodwill of suppliers and service providers International recognition Availability of curricula for training internal auditors in tertiary institutions. Poaching of key staff from IAA Publicity on negative activitie s by staff of Internal Audit Units (IAUs) The perception that corrupt practices are â€Å"normal† Misconception of the role of IAUs.INTRANET – facilitates communication within IAA INTERNET – facilitates communication of IAA with the external world Availability of ICT Tools Availability of a websiteHigh downtime for office equipment. Non-availability of electronic recording equipment Inadequate & outdated ICT equipmentPotential to Network with all MDAs and MMDAs. Emerging technologies to facilitate conduct of internal audit functions (e. g. Audit Software) Implementation of GIFMISComputer Viruses & FraudsPoor ICT infrastructure and geographical spread of MDAs and MMDAs Frequent power outages. Legal mandate by an Act of Parliament, Act 658 Availability of conditions of serviceLack of enforcement powers. High demand by MDAs and MMDAs to get services of internal audit Legislation in areas such as labour, compensation and health and safety Non-transmittal of IAA Annu al Report to Parliament Inability to enforce prosecution of liable public service staff Inadequate authority to enforce implementation of audit recommendationsStrategic Implications of the SWOT Analysis model of the Internal Audit Agency The Internal Audit Agency’s SWOT Analysis model was done to be able assist the AGENCY ACHIEVE ITS OBJECTIVES . it is legally mandated to achieve its Now the strategies of the agency were drawn out the swoty analysis done the agency drew all its strengths The strategies of the IAA have been formulated to assist the organisation achieve its mission and vision. These strategies have been designed taking cognisance of the objectives defined for the Agency in Act 658.The SWOT analyses undertaken by the IAA adequately scan the Agency’s environment and have appropriately ascribed both external and internal environmental issues. The Agency’s SWOT model has captured detailed internal and external environmental issues which would place th e Agency in a proper position to adequately pursue and achieve its goal and objectives with minimal adversity and a well prepared system as it has anticipated all the positive and negative internal and external issues which could respectively support or derail its efforts towards achieving its objectives.However, the Agency’s SWOT model is highly subjective as these strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats are based massively on the perceptions of the staff undertaking the exercise. The methods of identifying these environmental issues are not scientific as the Agency failed to provide any basis to that effect in their strategic plan for 2011- 2015. Conclusion SWOT analysis is a powerful tool for the systematic analysis of internal and external environments of an organization. It aids in effectively identifying problems and drawing lines of future actions to eliminate or ameliorate these problems.

Ponzi scheme and Madoff Fraud

Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent undertaking whereby the investors are duped into a seemingly profitable deal. The clients are asked to â€Å"invest† their money in a venture to earn huge interest rates. This normally works through the payment of the earlier investors’ interests and principals by using the later investors’ principal amount. This illegal activity got its name after Charles Ponzi of England (1920s). Bernard L. Madoff and Ponzi scheme Bernard Madoff, 70, is the former chairman of Nasdaq Stock Market. He held the position till December 2008 when he was arrested over alleged possibly the largest fraud ever in history.He is the founder of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities, which undertakes market-making, and acting as middleman in buying and selling of securities, but is since under receivership after a court order was obtained to place an injunction on its operations by the Security Exchange Commission. (Mike, 2008) It was revealed that Madoff had a separate and secretive investment arm of his firm which was running on a separate floor of their premises. The firm’s financial statements were kept â€Å"under lock and key† and Madoff was â€Å"cryptic† about the firm’s investment arm, according to some top level management employees of the firm.This secret investment arm is the one under investigation due to believe that it is where the Ponzi scheme was perpetrated. (Mike, 2008) Madoff was very smart in playing the Ponzi scheme. He filed false returns with the Securities Exchange Commission, and fabricated gains claiming that its investments together with accounting and audit firms it ran were highly lucrative. At some point for example, Fairfield Sentry Ltd, Madoff’s hedge fund ran by Madoff Investment Services to invest in the shares in Standards & Poor’s 500. Fairfield claimed that its share index had risen by 5.6%, while that of S&P 500 had fallen by more than 30%. Fairfield was late r said to be down by 0. 06% when that of S&P 500 had fallen by about16%. The firm was averaging 10. 5% annually since its inception in 1990. These statistics are quite illogical to believe, and is one way in which Mr. Madoff managed to survive through his Ponzi scheme. (Mike, 2008) The firm’s losses accrued up to $50 billion since it was no longer able to meet its customer demands. This is after clients requested for about $7 billion when they had only about $250 million in the account. (Mike, 2008)Prevention of similar frauds The SEC should be made more proactive. For instance, warnings such as those of Harry Markopoulos, a financial analyst, should have been taken seriously by the SEC since he started his revelation back in 1999. The hedge fund of Mr. Madoff too didn’t register till September 2006, which is too late. Recommendation for enforcement of law, such as Sec. 17 (a) of the Securities Act 1933, Sec. 10 (b) of Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and rule 10b-5 th ere under, and sections 206(1&2) of the Advisors Act of 1940, will also help prevent such frauds.It is worth to make public the reality of rates of interests offered by a firm to its clients. This creates transparency and some sense of genuineness of a firm’s undertaking. The accounting professionals also should be made to learn from such cases to prevent future occurrences of the same vice. Public awareness programs can be broadcasted through media too. This will warn investors to be careful in their choice of investments portfolio. Reference: Mike, S. (2008, December 13th). Biggest Fraud in History $50 billion Madoff Ponzi Scheme. Retrieved April 4th, 2009, from The Market Oracle: http://www. marketoracle. co. uk/Article7769. html.

Compare & contrast Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Compare & contrast - Essay Example Abstinence is advantageous because it ensures quick transformation from a bad habit to a good habit. For example, a person may decide that starting today; they will never smoke, and then stick to their decision. Secondly, a person may break a bad habit by tapering off, which highly bases on harm reduction. Bad habits result in harm, so one may choose to reduce the harm by reducing the number of times they engage in the bad habit. A person will start cutting back on the bad habit, like gradually rolling back the bad habit until it finally disappears completely. For example, a smoker used to five cigarettes daily may decide to smoke only two, then one, and finally quit smoking. The two ways present different conditions, so one may choose depending on how well they can cope. Comparing the two, abstinence may be harsh and hard considering that a habit, which has existed for many months or years, needs to be broken within a short period. This makes abstinence appropriate for habits such as gambling, but inappropriate for others, such as procrastination. With tapering, one risks prolonging their relationship with the old bad habit if they lose focus. However, tapering is effective as it enables gradual deviation from bad habit, which is less stressful than abstinence. In conclusion, bad habits bear adverse effects on lives, therefore should be abandoned. Before breaking a bad habit, first, it needs to be identified, and then one decides to break it. Different ways of breaking it may be chosen depending on effectiveness and nature of the habit. Abstinence may be useful in addictive behavior influenced by environment, while tapering may be used together with other methods due to its

Should Gays be allowed to serve in the military Research Paper

Should Gays be allowed to serve in the military - Research Paper Example The â€Å"don’t ask, don’t tell, don’t pursue policy is one the policies in the USA that cannot be overlooked in such a debate. The question therefore, is whether it is a good policy or not. It is important to look at several views whether this policy harms or boosts military readiness. The other factor is the impact of this policy on the morale of military, whether it harms or boosts troop morale and unit cohesion or not (Berlatsky, 2011). In addition, I think it is significant to look at service compatibility aspect; this tries to deduce if in any case being a gay is compatible with military service. The other factor is whether ‘the don’t ask don’t tell policy’ has improved military retention and recruitment or whether it has harmed these efforts. Furthermore, its consistency to citizen rights is a matter not worth ignoring when handling this topic. Considering whether homosexuality is moral or not and whether this should play a role in driving States policy should also take preeminence. Ultimately careful evaluation of these considerations can result to the bearing taken in analyzing whether gays should serve in the military or not. The don’t ask, don’t tell policy was adopted during President Bill Clintons’ regime in the Year 1993. It prohibits openly accepting if one is a gay and it prohibits one being asked his sexual status when being recruited in the military. In my opinion, it is not resonant for open declaration that one is a gay since such declaration automatically discharges one from his duty in the military service. The main reason cited for this move was that, homosexuality destabilizes good order and it is against the good morals of the larger American society. Again many opinions have continued to emerge in regard to this policy. Some people have argued that this policy is selective and undermines basic freedom stipulated in the Bill of rights. Their argument being that this policy locks out patriots who would like to put

International Alliance Case-Writing Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

International Alliance Case-Writing - Assignment Example Alliances can be ‘equity alliances’ or ‘non equity alliances; specifically, joint ventures may involve a hierarchical control from a parent entity (Hennart J., 1988). Prior experience and robust infrastructure are considered during alliance partner selection. Success of a corporate alliance is measured in terms of the value addition imparted due to the combined activities of the parties involved. This is achieved through a well defined ‘Alliance Strategy’ which involves a proper design, appropriate monitoring, governance and performance management processes. I would like to elaborate on the ‘KLM and Northwest Alliance’, which was the first integrated airline alliance in history. The association between the two airlines began in 1991 with joint ‘code – sharing’ and went on to form a major ‘Trans-Atlantic Joint Venture’. A peculiar characteristic of this joint venture was the absence of a new legal entity. KL M and Northwest entered into an ‘Open Sky agreement’ and ‘Anti-trust immunity’ in 1993 and thus formed a globally renowned unit. As is true with most alliances, this contract was designed specifically to support and strengthen the competitive advantages of the partners (Liana M., Nicoleta B and Dana P., 2009). KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, incorporated in 1919, was based out of Amsterdam. KLM was a regional leader but wanted to expand its network to many cities in the US. A company cannot be solely viewed as an individual unit; rather, it is subject to interactions with various other bodies, constantly striving to foster good inter-organizational ties and relations. Around the late 1980s, due to liberalization and de-regulation of markets, free competition prevailed in the European airline industry. KLM realized the need to collaborate and co-operate with airlines based out of other countries, in order to maximize their global connectivity. KLM invested in a de tailed process of partner selection and finally zeroed in on Northwest Airlines due to its international reputation, vast experience with passenger as well as cargo transport and its dominance in the US market. A strong proposal was made to develop collaboration between an American and a European carrier to achieve competitive costs, expansion of their network and greater revenue. Northwest Airlines began its operations in 1926 and was a medium-sized airline carrier, focussing more on flights in the United States to Asia, but rarely to the European regions. Despite their stronghold in the US regions, Northwest had, by then, earned poor points for service quality and did not have the funds or infrastructure to individually scale up on mega proportions. Northwest realized the need to explore wider opportunities in Amsterdam, the European sector and expand their operations accordingly. Contrary to KLM, Northwest did not go through a very fine partner selection process and chose KLM as its alliance partner owing to their pre-existing ownership in Northwest. It is acknowledged that the main theoretical motivations for the formation of joint ventures include reduction in transaction costs, strategic competitive positioning or market power and a quest for organizational learning and knowledge development (Gulati, 1998). It is on a similar model that the two airlines, KLM and Northwest, came into an alliance in a bid to enhance

Social Health Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Social Health - Essay Example There is substantial evidence that shows that Americans do not attain the care they deserve despite the fact that USA spends more money per individual that any other country in the globe. The preventive care in the America’s health system is underutilized which results to a higher spending when the diseases advance to complex stages. The aspect hence questions effectiveness in the America’s health system in terms of service delivery. Similarly, the financial effectiveness of the America’s health system has been in question. The research that was carried out in the year 2009 indicates that approximately 62 percent of the entire personal bankruptcies in USA are linked with medical bills. This shows that the system is not financial effective at all (Sultz & Young, 2011). The America’s medical system has an estimate Medicare fraud of 60 billion USD annually. The fact shows how ineffective the America’s health system is. Lack of enough transformation incentives in terms of service delivery as well as strengthening infrastructure has greatly affected the America’s health system sustainability. In conclusion, the America’s health system’s effectiveness is yet to be realized (Sultz & Young, 2011). Various reasons prompted the need for health reforms especially in USA. One of the reasons is the need to address the adverse practices in the health industry such as fraud, waste and abuse. The need for provision of better health insurance coverage for all the Americans is another main reason that triggered the need for reforms. Lowering the health care costs and improving service delivery is the third reason while improving nation’s economic outlook through reducing budget deficit by improving Medicare’s sustainability is the fourth reason (Sultz & Young, 2011). The affordable care act that was enacted under the president Obama’s reign has addressed several key features. One of the key features addressed in this act is

Principles of Operations Management by J.Heizer & B.Render Essay

Principles of Operations Management by J.Heizer & B.Render - Essay Example Creating an image thus refers to the process of determining the perception the organization seeks to influence on its different publics. The organization interacts differently with its different publics. Among the publics is its staff, the customers, shareholders and the media among others. The management of the organization must determine the perception that each of the groups have about its operations in order to maximize of profitability (Hill & Jones, 2011). In analyzing the importance and the process of image building, the author uses the metaphor of a porter who at the beginning of his crafting work has a piece of clay but must work and create a new product from the same. The porter therefore conceptualizes an idea and determines the best way of executing through an appropriate design. In the metaphor, the author sees managers as artisans and the strategies they use to approach the various organizational publics as their clay. Just as the porter some must they employ the most a ppropriate strategies to earn the organization the best reputation among every audience group in order to sustain the organization’s profitability objective. Strategy determination is most important; the managers must determine an appropriate strategy of executing a plan of action with the view of achieving a particular objective. The strategy is important to the artisan just as it is to the managers. The author of the article approaches the concept as a review of the organizations past performance and its plans for the future. In crafting a pot or nay other clay product, the craftsman will refer to his past works before infusing such thoughts with the future products. Using his past works as a reference to influence his current work, the porter thus creates a new product that best fits his objectives. The same scenario applies to managers who must make effective managerial decisions on an everyday basis. The decisions the managers make influence the public’s perceptio n about the organization. In doing this, the managers must therefore use their experiences at the organization. An analysis of past decisions provides managers with an effective and reliable reference points (Mintzberg, 1971). The managers thus refer to the outcomes of past decisions of the diverse publics the organization has before constructing a current decision, which must also reflect the organization’s future. While the future is always a gamble, the past on the contrary is concrete owing to the fact that the organization had previously experienced the same. The managers thus make decision using the past reactions of the same publics but project such reactions on the future. In case of desirable reactions, the organization must improve on such with the view of increasing the scope of the organization’s acceptance among its specific publics. In case of an undesirable reaction by a particular public, the managers must seek to redress such by employing effective fut ure decisions that best address all the points of weakness in the past decisions. The author asserts that managers must read the mind of the organization. In doing this, the manager must assume the position of the specific public and therefore work on strategies that are effective enough to address their particular concerns about the organization. The process is cumbersome but requires an equally effective market research. Marketing is a management role concerned with the determination, identification and the sustainment of the customer’s demands from the market. Marketers as managers thus rely on the quality of their market researches to determine the future productions of the organization. The same is the case with all other managers when determining the strategies of solving

Marketing case study of Ferrero Company Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Marketing of Ferrero Company - Case Study Example To successfully penetrate the market Ferrero maintains a limited unique number of products manufactured and marketed at the highest quality possible. The company also seeks to understand the market properly by carrying out extensive test marketing of its products to avoid embarrassing marketing failures (Australian Trade Commission, 2012). Question One Ferrero Australian opened an online boutique that sells premium chocolate gifts packed in unique keep sake gift boxes. The online boutique was actualized due to consistent demands for Ferrero chocolate gift packs by customers for their chocolate loving friends and family. The gifts are customized, elegantly packed and contain a card for personalized messages (Ferrero Boutique, 2012). Ferrero decision to open an online boutique was a well thought marketing strategy in line with the changing consumer habits in Australia. The internet has become an integral and essential feature of the day-to-day social and business lives of billions of p eople around the globe and the internet economy is growing strong each day (Bughin et al., 2011). Ferrero Australia decision enabled many of its customers to have their desired products with convenience and efficiency as the internet enables customers to save time spent on shopping for gifts. Online stores makes it possible for consumers to make quicker decisions and shop as consumers can find time to perform ten searches online but only two searches offline for each purchase, with internet searches saving more time than physical directories (Chen, Jeon & Kim 2010). This boosts productivity for consumers, suppliers and manufacturers and translates into more profits. Through its online boutique store Ferrero customers in Australia are able to choose their preferred gifts with ease and the website offers price transparency, which is essential in developing customer trust and loyalty. This is because the online boutique service offers customers a reliable and stable source of gifts all year round with more consistency, which is a crucial marketing strategy to maintain customers. Using the internet to sell its products also offers the company the opportunity to advertise its high quality products all over the world. Their website helps to raise product awareness to a much more diverse customer base that spurs its sales volume. Bearing in mind that 90% of online users utilize search engines and internet searches represents 10% of the time spent by individuals on the web (McKinsey & Company for IAB Europe, 2010), it is possible for the Ferrero Company to expressly market its products to customers who are interested in chocolates in the web. This means that the company investment on advertising will pay off and lead to sales growth purely by using internet tools as it is possible to match the needs of customers, individuals, and organizations on the web requiring specific products. With the use of internet based transactions growing, one can confidently say the Ferre ro Australia online boutique store will continue to pull in more revenue for the company as people social lives and businesses continue to be more centered on internet use at home and during work. In addition to supplying its products all over Australia, the