The Psychological Impact on Children Soldiers

Some are abducted or forcibly recruited, others are driven to Join by poverty, abuse and discrimination, or to seek revenge for violence enacted against hem or their families. There is legislation in place that makes illegal any involvement of children under age 18 in hostilities, however it is still rampant throughout the world. The use of Children in war is an epidemic that has plagued humanity since the earliest civilizations and has developed through time. In medieval times in Europe, young boys from about twelve years of age were used as military aids called squires, though their role in actual combat was supposed to be limited.In 1212, the Estevez 2 Children's Crusade rounded up thousands of children, with the notion that they will ucceed in battle due to divine powers that will ensure their victory. In 1814, Napoleon was faced with an invasion and recruited many teenagers for his armies aged between fourteen and seventeen. During the 1800's and the age of sail, young boys form ed part of the crew of British Royal Navvy ships and responsible for many important tasks. Even during the Civil War a 15 year old received the Medal of Honor for his acts during the Civil War Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest day in American history.People under the age of eighteen fought in world war one and world war two, even beside the fact it was illegal. They had age restrictions, but due to the patriotism, of the boys, and the conditions of England they accepted some and others passed by into the military. In Cambodia, during the Vietnam War, a communist group exploited thousands of desensitized children, recruiting them to commit mass murders and other inhuman acts during the genocide in Cambodia. They were brainwashed and taught to follow any orders without any hesitation.I find this a betrayal of the responsibility adults have towards children. In the 16th and 17th centuries, childhood began to be recognized as a different state then adulthood. Society began to see childr en not as miniature adults, but as a person of a lower level of maturity needing the protection, love, and nurturing of an adult to guide them through that stage of their lives. This was the change in society that transitioned to children being given less responsibility than adults.The division Estevez 3 of children and adults became officially recognized, however it didn't eliminate the abuse of children. The use of children in battle and wars has been around for a long time, but has taken a new form in todays society due to the improvement of technology. The early 1900's are regarded as a huge development of war weapons, with the creation of the fully automatic rifle. Through the century, they have involvement of children in modern conflicts that typically involve irregular forces; they usually target civilians. 80% of the fighting forces composed of child soldiers, this is one characterization of the ‘new wars,' which constitute the dominant form of violent conflict that ha s emerged only over the last few decades† (Schauer and Elbert). The motivation for armies or soldiers to recruit children to be use in war is that children have a limited ability to asses risk. It is easier to manipulate the mind of a child than it is a mind of an adult. They have feelings of invulnerability, shortsightedness, and cost less money. Children receive fewer resources, including less and smaller weapons and equipment.They are more likely to get killed or injured in the front lines than their adult counter parts. Children and young adults who are facing poverty, starvation, unemployment, and ethnic or political persecution, can be lured by the idea of becoming a soldier to escape the pain they feel. In interviews from â€Å"The Psychological Impact of Child Soldiering† they say, â€Å"that hildren are more malleable and adaptable. Thus, they are Estevez 4 easier to indoctrinate, as their moral development is not yet completed and they tend to listen to autho rities without questioning them† (Schauer and Elbert).The conflicts that use children in the battlefield usually start by the breakdown of a government. It becomes difficult to identify those who are recruiting and using children as soldiers, making it difficult to influence them to stop. Child soldiers typically raised in environments of severe violence are often made to commit the worst cruelties and atrocities. The children would be repeatedly exposed to these traumatic stress', during the most crucial stages of development. This caused mental and physical damages changing their personalities.Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is also a common disorder found in children solders, because they are so young they become deprived from a normal and healthy development, impairing their integration into society as a fully functioning being. During the twentieth century the proportion of civilian casualties in armed conflicts has continually increased and is now estimated to be more tha n ninety percent. Half of the casualties are children, and more than 2 million died as a result of armed conflicts over the last decade.In addition to that, at least 6 million children have been seriously injured and between 8,000 and 10,000 children are killed by landmines every year (UNICEF, 2005). Seven of the ten countries with the highest rates of deaths of children under the age of five are due to the affects of armed conflicts in the countries. Estevez 5 In â€Å"The Psychological Impact of Child Soldiering†, they interview three people who had been child soldiers. The first interview was of a sixteen year old boy who had een an active recruit for three years since the age of thirteen, for the group, Mai- Mat.His recruitment process was a lot more civil than the other two. He stated that, â€Å"l was frightened, since our home was attacked almost every night by bandits and other rebel groups as well, what did I have to lose? Also my parents were too poor to send me to school anymore my mind was made up fast, I Joined my friends and from that boy had served five years after being recruited at age fourteen. He says, â€Å"350 strokes were given on my back and buttocks. After a while the pain was so big that I felt that t would be better if I was dead†¦..But then I heard a loud voice: â€Å"Get up. † I tried, but I couldn't sit. I kneeled for almost one hour. I realized that all other children around me had died in the beating. I could see them lying still and not breathing† (Schauer and Elbert 7-8). The next boy was recruited at 13 and served three years as a child soldier, he explains how they would kill other soldiers as punishment, â€Å"When people did something really wrong, they got killed as a punishment .. .1 have seen 5 people being killed for severe disobedience during my time with the group.They were crucified in the forest. Nailed to trees at their hands and feet higher up on tall trees. The nails were thick ones, y ou would first nail through the palms of the hand and later through the feet† (Schauer and Elbert). Estevez 6 It may seem to the individual that some children Join these groups with their own free will, but in a psychological and social point of view, children's choices to Join and remain in armed groups cannot be considered Voluntary. There are reasons or circumstances that may lead children to be more accessible to Join a militant group.

Pancras Churchyard in London Essay

Frankenstein was written by Mary Shelly. We can tell by Mary Shelly’s back ground, were she has incorporated some of her social experiences in to her novel. Mary was the daughter of an anarchist father (William Godwin) and a feminist mother (Mary Wollstonecraft). In today’s terms this could be thought as a ‘wild upbringing’. Mary grew up in an environment that suggested she needed to question the way society was being run. Mary’s mother died ten days after giving birth to her, an act that Mary’s father was never quick to forgive; in fact he blamed Mary for his wife’s death and this often forced Mary to attempt to take her place. This was often in the form of sitting on literary discussions and meeting her father’s estranged guests. At the age of 17 Mary would often write at her mother’s grave side at St Pancras Churchyard in London; where the couple had married. Mary includes her fascination with death into Frankenstein. An example is, in chapter 24 pages 217 Victor says â€Å"as night approached, I found myself at the entrance to the cemetery. † His random wonderings have led him to be with his dead family, where he feels alone and maybe wants to join them. It was through Mary’s fascination with the cemetery that she met her soon to be husband, the poet Percy Bysshe Shelly. He followed her there upon her father’s instruction and declared his love for her; it was to become their meeting place. In the novel Mary uses the cemeteries a few times, when Victor goes to the cemetery to collect dead bodies to create his monster. There are clearly some important dates in the life of Mary Shelly that no doubt influence the subject matter of the novel. In 1805 there was the Napoleonic Wars lasting until 1815 causing great hardship and social upheaval. In 1811 Britain witnessed similar unrest and feelings of revolution. In 1814 Mary elopes with shelly and travels into France and Switzerland, this could have given her the ideas in chapter 9 where the scenery is mountainous and beautiful. Also in the novel, the monster goes exploring in Switzerland. In 1816 Mary and Shelly go to Switzerland and this is where the Novel is begun. Suicides of Fanny Imlay, Mary Wollstonecraft’s daughter by a previous liaison, as well as Percy Shelley’s wife Harriet allowing Mary and Percy to marry. This could be linked to when Victor is wondering weather to commit suicide in chapter 9 by jumping into the silent lake. Mary Shelly was somewhat of a celebrity of her time and was friends with all of the famous writers and poets, and a lot of those people influenced and helped her in the writing of Frankenstein. Not only was Mary Shelly influenced by the poets around her but by classic Greek mythology and in particular the tale of Prometheus.

Argumentative Writing on the Good Effects of Advanced Technology Essay e

The first reason why technology is useful because it helps students have an increased ability to learn. This is because it is an easy way to reach a database that contains information that you would never imagine existed. In the articles that I read it mentioned how technology now allows children to observe things in a classroom in a whole new way, which allows them to be able to understand what they are learning even better than before. why technology is good in the educational field is because it is helping children learn that have a disability. â€Å"Meanwhile, Autism Speaks has launched an initiative titled Hacking Autism, where programmers and developers are invited to work on technology-based ideas to aid kids on the spectrum with learning and social skills.† This is stating how the advanced technology that we hryday lives to be easier and more advanced in a way that nobody could’ve ever imagine, anywhere from an increased ability to educate children and recordi ng data in a computer to saving lives in the hospital using a robotic arm. Works Cited Braiker/Parenting.com, Brian. "Technology in the Classroom: The Good and Bad." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 17 Jan. 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. Hornof, Michelle. "The Bellingham Herald." INSIDE OUR SCHOOLS: Technology and Discussions Drive Student Work Classroom. The Bellingham Herald, 26 Nov. 2013. Web. 27 Nov. 2013. Lytle, Ryan. "Study: Emerging Technology Has Positive Impact in Classroom." US News. U.S.News World Report, 14 July 2011. Web. 19 Nov. 2013. Woodley, Robyn. "The Slate Online Is Technology Good or Bad?" The Slate Online Is Technology Good or Bad? The Slate, 18 Nov. 2013. Web. 21 Nov. 2013.

Finance Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Finance Report - Essay Example ompany is dealing in groceries, wine, clothing, entertainment and books, phone shop, banking and insurance, Tesco magazine, flower market and online business of shopping from their stores. There is a wide range of products and services that Tesco deals in through renowned brands and their own private level brands (Tesco PLC, â€Å"TESCO†). ASDA Group Limited, BP Plc, The Big Food Group Plc, J. Sainsbury plc, Marks and Spencer Group plc, Carrefour S.A., ExxonMobil Corporation, Royal Dutch/Shell Group, Safeway Inc, Safeway plc, Booker Cash & Carry Limited, Somerfield, Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC, ALDI Group, SPAR Handels-Aktiengesellschaft, The Boots Group PLC, The Carphone Warehouse Group PLC and John Lewis Partnership plc (Datamonitor, â€Å"Tesco PLC†). Tesco has a policy of gratifying experience and talent and stimulates motivations in terms of incentives for offering greater development and high returns for shareholders (Tesco PLC, â€Å"Summary Report of the Directors on Remuneration†). The group has a five-year progressing business plan to sustain the delivery of its approach of long-term expansion and income for shareholders. Tesco functions with a balanced scorecard approach that is acknowledged within the Tesco group. This connects the group’s resources regarding operations, community, finance and consumers (Tesco PLC, â€Å"Internal Control & Risk Management†). The business processes of Tesco and systems that are utilized for in-store planning in the UK are selected and decided by the Tesco executives as a part of global standardisation program. The operations and business processes that are in other countries are structured by the developers. The business requirements are drafted by Tesco UK and other stores of Tesco need to implement it (Computer Weekly, â€Å"Tescos IT Standardisation Paves Way for Global Expansion†). To plan and control the activities of the organisation, management accounting provides information in an appropriate way that helps

UDIPTA (Uniform Division of Income for Tax Purposes Act) Essay

UDIPTA (Uniform Division of Income for Tax Purposes Act) - Essay Example The Act suggests a three factor approach to allocate business income of a tax payer using payroll, property and sales; it assigns equal weights on each of the three factors. Many states have adopted the act, but others have set their own acts or have simply applied only certain aspects of the act with respect to the treatment of non-business income. The state courts and taxing authorities have interpreted the uniform laws differently according to their differing definitions of business income. As a result, they have set new laws but apply the act in a clause and change it with regard to the different definition. Many of the states assign significant weight to the sales factor (Garrigan & Parsons 83-131). Revision of the act has led to the creation of the Multi-state Tax Compact that provides equitable apportioning tax bases and resolves apportionment disputes between states, and encourages uniform and compatible state tax systems and how to avoid duplicative taxation. This compact also includes the uniform act and its three-factor apportionment formula enacted by at least 20 states in the nation. Some states like Alabama have entirely adopted the UDITPA definitions of business income and non business income (UDITPA Sec 1(a) and (e) without modification. This is where business income comprises of incomes arising from transactions, regular activities of trade and business and acquisition, management and disposition of property. Non-business income means all income from allocation other than business income, which includes interest, dividends, and rents. Many states provide that rents received by a REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) are a form of income generated in connection with a trade or business hence treated as business income. In places of multistate operations, the business income is divided among the states according to the proportion

RPM and a Core Component of Every Business Leader Research Paper

RPM and a Core Component of Every Business Leader - Research Paper Example Cooper (2010) says that any new approach or solution that is adapted to resolve a given issue must be evaluated in turn to assess its effectiveness and quality. In other words, it is simply not enough to propose a set of steps to tackle situations such as known surprises. In fact, there needs to be an established framework and a set of estimates that can help evaluate the responsiveness of the solutions devised and the extent to which they have helped in reducing the risks. The RPM method presents a number of approaches such as scenario planning, risk analysis, incentives and networks as a means to ferret out threats. However, it does not provide any subsequent methods or advise on measuring the success of these methods, thereby leaving open this question to contention among organizations that adopt any of these methods (Cooper, 2010). Lastly, many uncertainties are not restricted to a few specific factors and may sometimes influence through a number of frontiers. For example, Jack W elch, the former CEO of General Electric, was driven by psychological preconceptions in his bid for acquiring Honeywell. Watkins and Bazerman (2003) highlight that he completely ignored potential issues that could be encountered by European regulators. In this context, some researchers like Montier (2010) believe that Mr Welch’s decision may have been driven by factors beyond psychological and cognitive biases. For example, the internal organizational culture at General Electric could have been fragmented or distorted that may have resulted in the communication of inefficient and ill-constructed ideas to top-level management.

MBA or Ms in Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

MBA or Ms in Management - Essay Example I have also previously attended various speeches and seminars in the field of finance and economics. I have previously held the position of a human resource specialist in the group I was working with while undertaking my bachelor’s degree. The experience gave me the opportunity of understanding the real world and how it works while equipping me with clear visions concerning my future. Since graduating, I have worked in a financial group known as the Alrajhi Bank, Saudi Arabia as their recruitment officer. Five years after earning the degree, I anticipate that I will a human resource manager with a financial organization or a general manager at Alrajhi Bank. I would like to get another job at another, larger organization to increase my experience and expand my knowledge. 2. Give A Candid Appraisal Of Yourself. Include Some Discussion Of Your Strengths And Weaknesses While I was studying to obtain a bachelor’s degree in the field of business administration, I worked as a part time human resources specialist in a group consisting of 350 employees. I have also expanded my skills in the field by attending seminars and speeches concerning finance and economics. ... My strengths include the fact that I have a bachelor’s degree in business administration and vital working experiences as a specialist in human resources and recruitment of job applicants. I also have attained diverse forms of knowledge in the course of my studies that will make an asset for any organization I work for. However, I have a weakness – I do not have enough time to adequately satisfy my career desires and responsibilities. 3. Discuss Three Of Your Achievements Or Accomplishments. First of all, I have been able to successfully work part time as a specialist in human resources for an organization that was comprised of over 350 employees. I was able to achieve this while attending classes for my bachelor’s degree in business administration and completing the course successfully. This was very challenging for me, because I had to schedule the limited time that was available for the both tasks while ensuring I achieved success in both of them. Secondly, af ter graduating with my bachelor’s degree in business administration, I was able to secure a job with the Alrajhi Bank in Saudi Arabia, which is one of the country’s financial groupings. I worked in the company as a recruitment officer and have additionally developed competence in the interviewing and advertising for jobs among applicants in the process. Lastly, I have been able to remain competent by acquiring vast knowledge in the fields of business administration, finance, and economics through the process of attending classes, speeches, and seminars. All these events were located in places and were also addressed by different prominent people in the business world who had different ideas and vast experiences in the field. 4.

Things I've Learned About Photography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Things I've Learned About Photography - Essay Example When looking at a scene, everything in it may seem more or less sharp, though sometimes in the final shot only a part of the image appears notably sharp. The zone of sharpness is referred to as the depth-of-field. The smaller the size of the aperture, the wider the depth-of-field. Very small apertures may require using a tripod to reduce the camera shake resulting from long shutter speeds. However, if the concentration is on one part, a large aperture should be selected depending on the maximum aperture of the camera lens in use. For general shooting medium aperture is appropriate. Shutter speed refers to the measurement of that time when the shutter is open. The measurement is in seconds and sometimes fractions of a second. If the speed of the shutter is faster, the time taken by the image sensor to be exposed to light is shorter. If the speed is slower, the time taken by the image sensor to get exposed to light is longer. Photographing subject that are in motion, results in different image effects at various shutter speeds. Fast shutter speeds may â€Å"freeze† motion .Slow shutter speeds cause blur. The blurry effect is due to: camera movement and subject movement. This means that it is easier to photograph the subject without causing a blur or a â€Å"freeze† motion with fast shutter speeds. Contrast to this, slower shutter speeds are matched to suggesting the motion, like that of moving subjects or flowing water. Changes in the shutter speed give the photographer control over motion. The shutter speed regulates light and motion. Shutter spee ds that are slow let in more light creating a lighter and blurry image. Faster shutter speeds let in less light creating a darker and sharper image. To adjust the shutter speeds, one needs to switch the camera either to shutter priority or to the manual mode. ISO sensitivity refers to the measure of a camera’s capability to capture light. The

Biography of Porfirio Diaz Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Biography of Porfirio Diaz - Essay Example It is at this place that Porfirio turned to become a carpenter’s apprentice and got the privilege to do some learning in a school called La Amiga. Following abject poverty experienced by the family, Porfirio dropped out of school before gaining complete literacy. Sometime later in life he joined a group of guerillas who by then were engaged in a fight against a resurgent by the name Antonio Là ³pez de Santa Anna. This period served to stir up his inner call to military, a factor that saw him spent his later years fighting in the army in opposition to the French and in the Mexico civil wars of mid to late 19th century. During his service in the army, he came to know a liberal politician by the name Benito Juà ¡rez who at one point became the president of Mexico. It was after the death of Juà ¡rez that Porfirio came to power with the help of the Catholic Church and the United States. The records have it that in 1876 he matched armed forces into Mexico City, overthrowing President Sebastià ¡n Lerdo de Tejada. During his reign, which lasted for a period of 35 years i.e1876 to 1911, Mexico experienced great advancement and modernization that saw its economy blossom. His tenure ended when he lost power in 1910-1911 following a rigged election that sparked the Mexican insurgency of 1910-1920.he died in

A view from the bridge Essay Example for Free

A view from the bridge Essay The immigrants travelled to America to escape the extreme circumstances in their home countries. They went in search of the American Dream, which was denied them because of the discrimination they suffered under the right wing Government established in America at the time. The policies of the American Government forced the immigrants to live in densely populated slums on the outskirts of the cities. They were wage slaves and were forced to seek day labour, especially in the docks, as is shown in A View from the Bridge. Anyone who became known as a left-wing political activist usually within a trade union was blacked and denied work. What is the social context of the play? The play A View from the Bridge was set in the proletarian slums of Brooklyn harbour, New York during the nineteen-fifties. At this point in time, life for immigrants and other people of the working class was very tough as men received the minimum wage for hard labour in the Brooklyn docks. The immigrants tried to save some of their poor earnings to send home to their impoverished families, which is what Marco sets out to do in the play. However, the conflict between the characters in the play results in the destruction of this goal. What is the cultural context of the play? The play is based on the idea of the laws of the street, which revolved mainly around honour. This creates an alternative society with its own concept of justice, which differs from the constitutional law of America. Eddie upholds the law of the land when he informs the immigration authorities that Marco and Rodolfo are illegal immigrants, however, by doing this, he breaks the social and moral laws of his community. The macho male dominant figure within the family demonstrated in the play by Eddie reflects the culture of Sicilian society and the power of the mores of the Mafia. In his society name is everything and Eddie is destroyed by the loss of his reputation, and he cries out, I want my name! Marcos got my name - (page 62) The tragic outcome of the play is caused by the conflict between trying to maintain traditional Italian values within a very different society, where individuals are driven by desire to achieve the American Dream. Rodolfo and Catherine start to live the American dream, whilst Eddie and Marco cling to their Italian roots. Rodolfo buys American records and clothes as he prepares to settle in America, whilst Marco sends his money home to his family in Italy as is expected of a good Italian father. When Marco wants a traditionally Sicilian blood revenge against Eddie, Rodolfo argues with him for the first time and wants him to compromise so that he can have a future in America: MARCO In my country he would be dead now. He would not live this long. ALFIERI All right, Rodolfo you come with me now RODOLFO Marco promise the man. Please, I want you to watch the wedding. How can I be married and youre in here? Please, youre not going to do anything; you know youre not. (page 58) This last speech by Rodolfo shows how powerless the immigrants are in a society where they are forced to compromise with a culture that is alien to them and to live by rules that go against their concept of justice and honour.

Development of Controlled Drug Delivery Systems (CDDS)

Development of Controlled Drug Delivery Systems (CDDS) 1.1 CONTROLLED DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS (CDDS) Now a day’s on the development of Novel drug delivery systems (NDDS) marked consideration has been focused. The method of drug delivery to the site of action shows a significant effect on its efficacy. It leads to the development and evolution of novel drug delivery systems that enhanced performance of potential drug molecules. Novel drug delivery systems play a key role in pharmaceutical research and development. Since when compared new chemical moiety the developmental cost and time required for introducing NDDS is relatively low. Oral route remains one of the most ‘natural’ routes of drug administration and has seen remarkable accomplishments in the last couple of decades towards optimization of oral delivery of drug molecules. Oral ingestion is one of the oldest and most extensively used routes of drug administration. They provide an effective method of obtaining systemic and local effects. Drug delivery describes a process whereby a therapeutic agent is administered to the body in a controlled manner. The product’s commercial and clinical value, product differentiation can be improved by developed drug delivery technologies. These advanced technologies serve as an advanced resource to outreach the competition. By simplifying the administration and dosing regimen drug delivery technologies make medicine more acceptable and convenient to a patient. Any drug molecule by using Novel drug delivery system (NDDS) can get a ‘new life,’ and thus improving the competitiveness, patent life and market value. Among different NDDS present in the market, the major share in the market is hold by the oral controlled release systems because of its greater benefits of patient compliance and ease of administration. The development of novel and highly versatile delivery systems and osmotic drug delivery systems are the major contribution in oral NDDS. Basically, there are three novel modes of drug delivery, i.e. Targeted delivery, Modulated release and Controlled release. Targeted delivery refers to the administration of a drug carrier systemically in order to deliver drug to the specific type of cells, tissues or organs. Modulated release implies use of a drug delivery device that releases the drug under controlled environmental conditions, bio feedback, sensor input or an external control device at a variable rate. Controlled release refers to a specific device that delivers the drug at specific release profiles or at a predetermined rate into the patient body. 1.1 CONTROLLED DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS (CDDS) The nature of the controlled release dosage form is such that the release is determined by the design of the system and the physiochemical properties of the drug and is independent of the external factors or the microenvironment in which the dosage form is placed. These products typically provide significant benefits over immediate-release conventional dosage formulations. Optimum therapy with repetitive administration of conventional dosage forms (e.g. injectables, liquids or tablets) can classically be pursued by dosage scheduling. The aim of this process is to maintain drug concentration in a therapeutic range, above the minimum effective concentration and below the toxic concentration. Thus CDDS avoids the undesirable saw tooth characteristics of the plasma concentration vs time profiles of the conventional drug products. A diagrammatic illustration of controlled versus conventional dosage delivery is shown in Figure-1. Fig 1.1 Plasma Time profile of controlled drug release and conventional release The plasma concentration of the drug reaches a maximum (crest) with conventional dosage forms and then decrease (trough) at the point where repeated administrations becomes necessary to maintain the plasma drug concentration. Very often the initial concentration is above the therapeutically effective level that may increase the risk of side effects. Conventional dosage forms can thus result in a drug regimen in which the drug concentration oscillates between alternating periods of overdose and inefficiency. The delivery of drug at controlled rate over an extended period of time is represented mathematically: Rate in = Rate out = Ke x Cd x Vd Where Cd is the desired drug level, Vd is the volume of distribution and Ke rate content for drug elimination from the body. Added to this, the high cost of development of new, safe, specific and effective drug molecule is prohibitive and developing nations virtually cannot afford such integrated multi-group cost intensive drug development ventures. Therefore, many pharmaceutical industries and drug research institute oriented their efforts to develop pre-programmed unattended delivery of drug at a rate and for a period to meet and achieve the therapeutic need. These systems are coined as Controlled drug delivery systems Table 1.1 Classification of oral controlled release systems depending on mechanism of Release 3 (vyas etal,2002) 1.1.1. ADVANTAGES OF CONTROLLED RELEASE PRODUCTS 4 As controlled release dosage form are slightly expensive than conventional formulations, they cannot be justified unless they offer come clinical or practical advantages given below: Reduction in dosing frequency More uniform effect Reduced fluctuation in steady levels Increased safety margin of high potency drugs Improved patient convenience and compliance Reduced in total amount of dose administered Avoidance of night time dosing Reducing of GI irritation and other dose related side effects and Reduction in health care cost. 1.1.2.DISADVANTAGES OF CONTROLLED RELEASE PRODUCTS 4 However, controlled drug delivery systems also have some disadvantages. They include, High cost; Poor systemic availability; Unpredictable and often poor invitro-invivo correlation; Possibility of dose dumping; Dosage adjustments potential is reduced; First pass clearance potential is increased; In case of hypersensitivity reactions, toxicity or poisoning drug retrieval is difficult; Effect of oral dose depends on Mean Residence Time. To control or change the drug release from a dosage form there will be a number of design options. Most of the per oral controlled release dosage forms comes under the category of osmotic, matrix or reservoir systems. The polymer matrix contains embedded drug in matrix systems in which the release occurs by partitioning of drug into the release medium and polymer matrix. In case of reservoir systems a rate controlling membrane is surrounded and coated around the drug core. But, drug release from conventional controlled systems i.e., reservoir and matrix systems is affected by various factors like presence of food, pH and different physiological factors. In case of osmotic systems the drug is delivered based on the principles of osmotic pressure. The drug release from this system doesn’t depend on the pH and various physiological parameters and thus by optimizing the drug and systems properties the release characteristics can be modulated. 1.2. OSMOTIC DRUG DELLIVERY SYSTEMS – A REVIEW 1.2.1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND In 1955 Rose and Nelson utilized the principles of osmotic pressure in drug delivery for the first time. They described two systems; one that delivered 0.02 ml/day for 100 days and another that delivered 0.5 ml/day for 4 days, both for use in Pharmacological research. In the 1970s, Higuchi and Leeper proposed a series of variations of the Rose-Nelson pump5. Theeuwes further modified the Rose-Nelson pump and developed a system. Small osmotic pumps of these forms are sold under the trade name ALZET (Alza Corp., CA). The device has a volume of approximately 170Â µl, and the normal delivery rate is 1Â µl/hr. A major milestone was achieved in 1974 with the description by Theeuwes and Alza’s co-workers of a tablet design composed of a compressed tablet-core surrounded by a semi permeable membrane with a single orifice, so-called Elementary osmotic pump (EOP). This design adaptation for human use was conveniently processable using standard tabletting and coating procedures and equipment. The first two products indomethacin, Osmosin6 and phenylpropanolamine, Acutrim TM6 were launched in the 1980s. Oral osmotic drug delivery system (OODS) development continued with two new OODS designs, the controlled-porosity osmotic pumps (CPOP) and the push-pull osmotic pumps (PPOP). The first of these was the CPOP, which was designed to decrease the risk of extremely localized drug-induced irritation at the site close to the orifice. In the 2000s, a new drug product based on OODS technology was formulated to deliver methylphenidate to children (above the age of 6 years) with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These delivery systems were based on a new design, the push-stick osmotic pumps (PSOP), which combined immediate and sustained drug release phases. The drug release from this system doesn’t depend on the pH and various physiological parameters and thus by optimizing the drug and systems properties the release characteristics can be modulated. In the last few years more number of patents are granted on these oral omotic drug delivery systems. These systems has ability to improve therapeutic agents clinical profile and so they are becoming one of the most attractive technologies today. Osmotically controlled oral drug delivery system for the controlled delivery of active agents follows osmotic pressure principle. For the controlled drug delivery osmotic devices are most assured strategy based systems. Among the controlled drug delivery systems these are most reliable systems. Osmotic systems could be used in the form of implantable devices or oral drug delivery systems. Osmotic pump tablet (OPT) generally consists of a core including the drug, an osmotic agent, other excipients and semi-permeable membrane coat. 1.2.2. THEORY Osmosis can be defined as spontaneous movement of a solvent from a solution of lower solute concentration to a solution of higher solute concentration through an ideal semi permeable membrane, which is permeable only to the solvent and impermeable to solute. The pressure applied to the higher-concentration side to inhibit solvent flow is called osmotic pressure8. Osmotic pressure is a colligative property, which depends on concentration of solute that contributes to osmotic pressure. Solutions of different concentrations having the same solute and solvent system exhibit an osmotic pressure proportional to their concentrations. Thus a constant osmotic pressure, and thereby a constant influx of water can be achieved by an osmotic delivery system that results in a constant zero order release rate of drug8. PRINCIPLE OF OSMOSIS An osmotic system releases a therapeutic agent at a predetermined, zero order delivery rate based on the principle of Osmosis, which is movement of a solvent from lower concentration of solute towards higher concentration of solute across a semi-permeable membrane. When osmotic system is administered, from the one or more delivery ports the drug that contain suspension or solutions is pumped out of the core due to the hydrostatic pressure developed by the imbibition of water in to the core osmotically through the semi-permeable membrane. By the water influx through semi-permeable membrane the delivery of drug from this system can be controlled. Osmotic pressure is directly proportional to temperature and concentration and the following equation describes the relation between them: ÃŽ   = ØcRT where OP = osmotic pressure, ÃŽ   = osmotic coefficient, c = molar concentration, R = gas constant, T = Absolute temperature. OSMOTIC PUMPS Osmotic pump is a new delivery device, which delivers drugs or other active agents at a controlled rate by the principle of osmosis. Control resides in the water permeation properties of the formulations Table: 1.2 Examples of some marketed band of Osmotic drug delivery system7 DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICAL TECHNOLOGY, SVCPPAGE 1

How the Rich Benefit from the Poor Essay -- Politics Political

How the Rich Benefit from the Poor this paper has problems with formatting The United States is the most developed capitalist economy in the world. The markets within the economy provide profit-motivated companies endless potential in the pursuance of pecuniary accumulation. Throughout the twentieth-century competitive companies have implemented modernized managerial procedures designed to raise profits by reducing unnecessary costs. These cost-saving procedures have had a substantial effect on society and particularly members of the working class. Managers and owners of these competitive and self-motivated companies have consistently worked throughout this century to exploit the most controllable component of the production process: the worker. The worker has been forced by the influence of powerful and affluent business owners to work in conditions hazardous to their well being in addition to preposterously menial compensation. It was the masterful manipulation of society and legislation through strategic objectives that the low-wage workers were coerced into this position of destitute. The strategies of the affluent fragment of society were conceived for the selfish purpose of monetary gain. The campaigns to augment the business position within the capitalist economy were designed to weaken organized labor, reduce corporate costs, gain legislative control and reduce international competition at the expense of the working class. The owners have gained and continue to gain considerable wealth from these strategies. To understand why the owners of the powerful companies operate in such a selfish manner, we must look at particular fundamentals of both capitalism and corporation strategy. Once these rudiments are understood, we ... ...stadl, and Mark Weller. Dollars and Votes. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1998. Downs, Alan. Corporate Executions. New York: AMACOM, 1995. Foley, Duncan K., Thomas R. Michl. Growth and Distribution. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1999. â€Å"Industrial Revolution.† Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. 1st ed. 1999. Zieger, Robert H.. Republicans and Labor 1919-1929. Lexington: University of Kentucky Press, 1969. Works Consulted â€Å"Democratic Party.† Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. 1st ed. 1999. â€Å"Fair Labor Standards Act.† Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. 1st ed. 1999. Porter, Glen. â€Å"Industrial Revolution.† Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. 1st ed. 1999. â€Å"Republican Party.† Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. 1st ed. 1999. â€Å"Strike.† Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. 1st ed. 1999. â€Å"Taft-Hartley Act.† Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia. 1st ed. 1999.

Graduation Speech :: Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

When I was chosen to speak tonight, I thought that as a track athlete it would be appropriate to compare life to a race. Life is a race, a race to each milestone in our lives. Kindergarten through fifth grade we had just entered ourselves into the race called education. We were about to test our strengths and find our weaknesses. The first day of kindergarten we weren't exactly sure what we were in for. Some of us began to write our names and learn to read, while others ate Elmer's glue and pulled little girls' pigtails -- you know who you are. Middle school was our warm-up and preparation. We stretched ourselves to meet new people and some of them are still sitting next to us today. Our crackling voices and newfound interests in the opposite sex who we usually met at the Skate Deck, distracted us from our upcoming race, but our teachers reminded us that our warm-up in middle school is like the race we would face in high school. We began choosing a path and preparing mentally for the challenge ahead. Freshman year, Mr. Donney's starting gun scared us out of the blocks. We met those we would be running the race with and looked up to those who began the race before us. And for those of us who are in the vertically-challenged front row, including myself, (Sarah, Deja) we literally looked up to them. Some of the challenges we faced as freshman were which lunch line to stand in and deciding which one of the Fleming twins was cuter. To this day that's still a dilemma. Throughout the year, we were forced to pick up speed in order to avoid the traditional freshmen trash can and locker stuffings. Sophomore year, we were finally ahead of others and gaining respect. Having moved up in the race, our timidity vanished, and allowed us to participate in assemblies and other school events. And of course Mr. Dononey scared us again, this time using his biology experiments. Junior year, we were finally upperclassmen. Our race began to fall victim to senioritis a year early. But Mr. Burt's chemistry experiments really lit a fire under us. To this day, I am still not sure if Mr. Burt's eyebrows grew back. And of course, the baseball team drove us to be better. I think they used a Chrysler Minivan, but you'd have to ask Andy, Hal or Beau about that.

Desertification Essay -- essays research papers fc

The world’s drylands, contrary to popular misconceptions of being barren unproductive land, contain some of the most valuable and vital ecosystems on the planet. These dryland environments have surprising diversity and resiliency, supporting over two billion people, approximately thirty-five percent of the global population (UNEP, 2003). In fact, approximately seventy percent of Africans depend directly on drylands for their daily livelihood (UNEP, 2003). However, these precious and crucial areas are at a crossroad, endangered and threatened by the devastating process of desertification. There are over one hundred definitions for the term ‘desertification’, however the most widely used and current definition is as follows: desertification refers to the land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid regions due to human activities and climate variations, often leading to the permanent loss of soil productivity and the thinning out of the vegetative cover (U NCCD, 2003). It is important to note that desertification is not the expansion and contraction of deserts or hyper-arid territories, which grow and decrease both naturally and cyclically. French ecologist Louis Lavauden first used the term desertification in 1927 and French botanist Andre Aubreville, when witnessing the land degradation occurring in North and West Africa in 1949 popularized this term (Dregne, 242). The causes of desertification include overgrazing, overcultivation, deforestation and poor irrigation practices. Climatic variations, such as changes in wind speed, precipitation and temperature can influence or increase desertification rates, but they are not catalysts to the process- it is the exploitative actions of humans that trigger desertification (Glantz, 146). The most exploited area historically has been Africa. In the Sahel (transition zone between the Sahara and the Savanna) of West Africa during the period of 1968 to 1973, desertification was a main cause of the deaths of over 100,000 people and 12 million cattle, as well as the disruption of social organizations from villages to the national level (USGS, 1997). As a result of the catastrophic devastation in the Sahel, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was held in Nairobi, Kenya in 1977, where an agreement was reached to eradicate desertification by the year 2000. Obviously this goal was not achi... ...esertification in Desert Margins.† 2002. . Smith, Olanrewaju, et al. â€Å"Desertification: Myths and Realities.† 10 June 1999. . Sweet, Lois. â€Å"Margins of Hope.† 26 May 1999. . Tiempo Climate. â€Å"Desertification and climate change.† 1993. . UNCCD: Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. â€Å"Knowledge Base.† 19 March 2003. . UNDP: United Nations Development Programme. â€Å"Drylands Development Centre.† 2003. . UNEP: United Nations Environment Programme. â€Å"Drylands.† 2003. USGS: United States Geological Survey. â€Å"Desertification.† 29 October 1997. . Warren, Andrew, et al. An assessment of desertification and land degradation in arid and semi-arid areas. London: International Institute for Environment and Development, 1988. Waser, Katherine. â€Å"The Convention to Combat Desertification Part 1: Africa and the Mediterranean.† 1996. . WHO Africa: World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa. â€Å"Malaria Control.† 19 October 2003. WHO Denmark: World Health Organization. â€Å"Desertification and drought greatly affects Africans’ health.† 10 December 2002. . Wu, Jianguo. Desertification. Phoenix: Arizona State University West, Department of Life Sciences, 2001.

Governor of California

Based on the case, as governor of California, what types of power is Schwarzenegger likely to have? What types of influence tactics does Schwarzenegger appear to use? By Tuyen-Vu Comprehensive cases Schwarzenegger began weight training at the age of 15. He won the Mr. Universe title at age 20 and went on to win the Mr. Olympia contest seven times. Schwarzenegger has remained a prominent presence in bodybuilding and has written many books and articles on the sport. Schwarzenegger gained worldwide fame as a Hollywood action film icon. Case 1: Arnold Schwarzenegger: Leader of California? 1 .What words would you use to describe Arnold Schwarzenegger's personality? Do any of these fit into the Big Five taxonomy of personality? How might these personality traits influence Arnold Schwarzenegger's leadership skills? How might these traits have help Schwarzenegger get to where he is now? Schwarzenegger's characteristics will describe as: Internal: He bears his father bad treatments. â€Å"My hair was pulled. I was hit with belts. So was the kid next door. It was Just the way it was. Many of the children I've seen were broken by their parents, which was the German-Austrian mentality. They didn't want to create an individual.It was all about conforming. I was one who did not conform, and whose will could not be broken. Therefore, I became a rebel. Every time I got hit, and every time someone said, ‘you can't do this,' I said, ‘this is not going to be for much longer, because I'm going to move out of here. I want to be rich. I want to be somebody. ‘†[ He is affected by his family. They make he with strong expressive by his parents were very strict to take out his mind to be more and more rich. That is the first step to him contributed his dream at that moment. External: He is considered cheerful, good-humored and exuberant at school.He based on outside environment, his ability and favorite (interested in sport, especially in bodybuilder), to set a short goal – to be the Mr Universe in Europe. That already prepares for the long time goal – â€Å"The Mr. Universe title was my ticket to America – the land of opportunity, where I could become a star and get rich. † (Source: http:// en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Arnold_Schwarzenegger) Forward to his goal and try his best to get the best practice that leads to the good result, achieve the prize (second in the Mr. Universe competition, not having the muscle definition of American winner Chester Yorkton).Schwarzenegger know how to integrate all things as goal setting, leadership, power and influence, and personality to catch the success. He sets the clear and specific objectives with step by step: Win the Bodybuilder prize 0 come in US to be an famous actor0 be an governor in US government machine. Schwarzenegger likely to have? What types of influence tactics does Schwarzenegger appear to use? 3. How would you describe Schwarzenegger's leadership style using th e leadership theories covered in this textbook? What details of the case lead you to these conclusions? Is Schwarzenegger's leadership style likely to be effective?Why or why not? 4. Applying concepts from goal-setting theory, explain how goal have influenced Schwarzenegger's progression to the governor's seat. What aspects of the case suggest that Schwarzenegger is committed to the goals that he has set for himself? 5. Are there any â€Å"dark sides† to Schwarzenegger's charisma and leadership skills? What might these be, and how might they affect his relationships with others and his ability to govern? 6. How might Schwarzenegger's personality and leadership style help or hinder his ability to effectively negotiate with other parties such as the teachers' union?

Evolution Theory Essay

Darwin spent five years exploring the world. Darwin traveled to many places mainly in the Southern Hemisphere. As he traveled from place to place, Darwin was surprised, by the similarities between the species. He wrote in his journal of the Galapagos Islands, â€Å"†¦there is even a difference between the inhabitants of the different islands; yet all show a marked relationship with those of America, though separated from that continent by an open space of ocean, between 500 and 600 miles in width.† At this early stage of his life, along with graduating college Darwin soon began collecting evidence for his theory of Evolution and natural selection. While on his journey Darwin made many observations. They were mainly about the different species he saw on the Galapagos Islands. Each island had a different variation of birds. He noticed that the beak sizes of the finches were different on each island because of the size seeds they ate. Darwin noticed that organisms reproduce more offspring than can survive. Each individual offspring has unique characteristics that can be hereditable. Most of Darwin’s observations focused on the idea of natural adaptions. Darwin noticed that the body parts an animal used the most for survival, evolved over periods of time. Meaning if a giraffe tends to use its neck a lot, it will extend in length throughout time. This is an organism’s natural adaption to, living within its environment. These observations lead to the theory of Evolution. Aside from this Darwin observed the competitive field among organisms. An organism’s physical adaption can either make or break them. Survival of the fittest is key in every habitat. Through evolution, organisms have been allowed to make physical and behavioral adaptions that can be beneficial towards survival. In his theory Darwin states that organisms have visible differences. This difference can be inherited from the offspring’s parents. Another point is that organism’s produce more offspring than can survive. From these organisms that are produced, many do not reproduce later on in life. Since so many organisms are reproduced there is a fight for the survival of the fittest. Individuals best suited to their environment survive and reproduce most successfully. The characteristics that make them best suited to their environment are passed on to offspring. Individuals whose characteristics are not as well suited to their environment die or leave fewer offspring. Organisms change over time, this is the theory that Darwin tries to prove known as evolution. It is believed that organism adapt t their environment and change over periods of time. The species that live in present day are descendants form those in the past. All organisms on Earth are united by one common ancestor. These are the major points form Darwin’s theory of Evolution. I feel that Darwin’s theory is very accurate. Organisms adapt over time and this adaptions help with natural survival. Evolution occurs over periods of time and has leaded us to our modern state. Every organism is the descendant of a prehistoric ancestor. There are visible similarities, but sometimes it may be hard to tell an organisms’ ancestor. I feel that if changes occur gradually it can be easily noticed that organism’s physical, behavioral and outer appearances change.

Lao-Tzu, Machiavelli, and the American Government

Lao-Tzu's â€Å"Thoughts from the Tao-te Ching† and Machiavelli's â€Å"The Qualities of a Prince† both have the ultimate goal of making better leaders. The tactics that each writer chooses to present as a guide for the leader are almost opposite of each other. Today's American government would benefit from a combination of the two extreme ideas. Lao-Tzu's laissez-faire attitude towards the economy, as well as his small scale, home defense military is appealing to a liberal person. Machiavelli's attitude towards miserliness and lower taxes, while being always prepared for war, would appeal to a conservative person. The writers are in agreement on some issues, such as taxes, but other ideas, such as government involvement in the everyday lives of citizens are completely opposed to one another. Lao-Tzu believes in moderation and small government. He states that a leader should stay within his country and govern his people only. Lao-tzu and Machiavelli are political philosophers writing in two different lands and two different times. Lao-tzu was an ancient Chinese philosopher from 6th century BC, the author of Tao-te Ching, and Machiavelli was an Italian philosopher who lived 2000 years after Lao-tzu's time, author of Prince. They are both philosophers but have totally different perspective on how to be a good leader. While both philosopher's writing is instructive. Lao-tzu's advice issues from detached view of a universal ruler; Machiavelli's advice is very personal perhaps demanding. Both philosophers' idea will not work for today's world, because that modern world is not as perfect as Lao-tzu described in Tao-te Ching, and not as chaotic as Machiavelli illustrated in Prince. In comparing and contrasting the governmental philosophies of the great thinkers Lao-Tzu and Machiavelli, I have found a pleasant mix of both of their ideas would be the best for America today. Lao-Tzu's laisse-faire attitude towards the economy, as well as his small scale military is appealing to my liberal side, while Machiavelli's attitude towards miserliness which causes low taxes appeals to the right wing. These great thinkers contradict the popular saying â€Å"all great thinkers think alike. † They have several ideas, such as taxes, that are the same, while other ideas, like the involvement of government in citizens' everyday lives are totally opposite. I shall start with the ideas of Machiavelli, then move on to Lao-Tzu's, and finally a comparison and application into American life. Niccolo Machiavelli believes in a strong government. The leader should be strong and feared. I believe he gets this idea from the fear of God.

Competitive advantage in the airline industry Essay

The airline industry has grown tremendously over the last few years. In the past, there were very few airlines operating across the world. However, today there is a great development in the industry. The growth of the airline market has led to a lot of competition amongst the stakeholders. The development of an effective strategy is believed to be the only solution to overcome this competition. The success of any airline currently is dependent on the suitability of the adopted strategy. A good example is the Emirates Airline which has recorded the highest growth rate over the other airlines in the world. The growth of Emirates Airline has caught the concern of the other competitors in the airline industry. The secret behind the success is linked with the form of strategies it has employed over past few years. For example, Emirates Airline has the best marketing strategy that has led to strong brand awareness worldwide. The organization has continued to market itself by offering cheap air ticket to its customers. The use of corporate social responsibility has also been attributed to its success. The airline has been concerned with sponsorship of many sports activities and other activities which concern the society as a means of marketing itself to the potential customers. The leadership mechanism and its services to its client are very important for its success. Emirate Airline would not succeed without the right leadership. Strong managerial skill is very important for the success of any organization. This is because for an organization to make fulfill its objectives, it has to rely on its employees. If an organization can retain employees, that organization can attain competitive advantage over its rivals in the industry. The staffs at Emirate airline are very influential, therefore attracting more customers. The management is responsible for formulating policies that are going to guide the organization to achieve its mission and vision. The management is responsible for managing the human resources together with other resources of the organization to ensure optimal utilization of scarce resources. The human capital is very important for the success of any organization. Therefore, they must be treated very well and with the dignity they deserve. Resource should be utilized efficiently to avoid wastage. The leadership factor can be seen as the contributing to the success of Emirate Airline. The reason to the Emirates success has been the continuity of its management team. The top management of the company is a group of the most talented executive with a proven track record in their respective fields of expertise. Under the leadership of the current chief executive; Emirates Airline has grown from a regional to an international market, which started with leasing aircraft that operated in only three destinations. Today, Emirates is an international airline with a fleet of more than 100 aircrafts with destinations all over the world. In addition, it has the fastest, growing intercontinental carrier (Ahmed, 2012). The marketing strategy is another contributing factor to the success of this airline. For example on their website there is a picture of famous footballer Cristiano waiting to board, implying that means the airline is the best choice for celebrities. This is another way which enables the airline to gain competitive advantage. Different people are swayed differently by such advert. It is worth noting that such adverts sway people’s believes, making it possible for the airline to acquire more customers. Its competitors have been worried by the latest growth being witnessed. The marketing plan of the organization is very important for the future business of the entity. This plan is responsible for selling out the company products and services. If the strategy is effective, it will lead to an influx of more customers day by day. The marketing plan used by Emirates Airline is very comprehensive to ensure that the market is captured well. The first strategy is to analyze the working environment. The analyses would help the organization to understand the external and internal factors that influence the activities of the entity. The external factors are the factors outside the organization. Therefore, the organization does not have control over them. Internal factors, on the other hand are those factors within the organization that it can control. The location of the airline provides it with some unique feature. Emirates Airline has its operations in Dubai city. The culture of the people at that city influences the functioning of the airline. The city has a large population providing the airline with a lot of passengers and cargo services. The culture of Dubai city is open which makes it easy to connect to different parts of the world. As a marketing strategy it is important to understand the culture where the business is operating. Before the commencement of any air travel, negotiation agreement has to be signed between different countries. There are rules and regulation which govern the aviation facility and the operation of the airline. Emirate Airline enjoys unprotected market. The implementation of open sky policy has helped the airline to increase business and change into a carrier. This is one of the factors which have helped it to be much competitive over the other airlines in the airline industry. When the rules and regulation in the industry are favorable, it promotes growth and sustainability. Emirates Airline has been able to take full advantage of functioning in the international market, therefore, connection to more destinations. The economic strategy is another aspect that helps the organization to be more competitive in the market. The economic condition has a great impact in the airline industry. For instance, the growth of the Emirate Airline has taken place in Dubai, a town widely known for its economic viability. The airline has chosen a strong and powerful economy, therefore being able to compete fairly with other airlines in the industry (Saxena & Gupta, 2012). At times, it faces economic challenges which lead to a reduced number of passengers. During these times Emirates Airline has to alter its economic strategy to cope with economic crisis. Proper policy will help cut down cost to avoid wastage. A low cost strategy will help the airline to compete with other rival airline. There has been great advancement in technology, which has resulted to success in the airline industry. There is a great need to embrace technology to cut down cost and reduce time wastage. The Emirates Airline has full knowledge about technology and has invested heavily on it. This strategy has helped them improve on their service to customers. The airline understood that a proper utilization of technology would help them gain a competitive advantage over the other airline through provision of best services to the passengers (Desai et.al., 2012) The reputation of an organization plays a great role in determining its market share. For an organization to gain a competitive advantage its brand image is very important. The differentiation strategy of an organization aim at the ability of the airline to provide the best services and valuable product that is relatively rare to find in the other rival airlines. The best customer services, proper utilization of technology, creation of unique products and exceptional features are the main sources of competitive advantage for an airline. Emirates Airline has worked hard to ensure that its reputation in the market is always above the other airlines. The organization values their customers very much. It has received numerous awards for being the best in customer service. The staffs and the customers maintain a very healthy relationship, which lead to the satisfaction of their clients (Cole, 2013). The identification of a market niche is another strategy of maintaining a competitive advantage. This strategy allows an organization to concentrate on a particular part of the market. When an entity concentrates on a particular market segment, it expects maximum return from that segment, and does it best to satisfy the demands of the participants in the market. The method applied here is the low cost strategy, which means that the organization incurs the list cost while generating more revenue. If the airline concentrates on a specific market gap it will be able to minimize on the cost incurred when operations are diversified (Roy, 2012). For example, Emirates Airline has concentrated its operation airlifting of customers and cargo services. The activity has helped the Airline to concentrate on service delivery to the customers. In addition, the airline has been able to reduce fare charges, making them cheaper than those of other airlines in the industry. The lowest fare for air tra nsport has enabled the airline to win the loyalty of customers, thus strengthening its brand image. Despite high competition in the airline industry Emirates Airline has continued to maintain the lowest price for a number of years (Barbajee, 2013). For an organization to be competitive in the industry it has to formulate the competitive strategies. The development in technology, economic growth and globalization are some of the reasons why many airlines have been coming up in the recent past. When competition is increasing day by day, it becomes important for the airline to use a mix of strategies so that it can face competition. The Emirates Airline is now a known brand. For a company to remain competitive it keeps on changing its strategies in order to keep up to the competition in the airline industry (Startton, 2012). If a company has shown consistency is service delivery following factors which are known with certainty, the company can be said to have a competitive advantage. The positioning of any organization in the market is determined by its customers. The customers to the Emirates Airline are the passengers who use the airline for travelling. The customers have test for different services which are offered by the organization. The information received from the customers is very important for the company future. Proper use of the information obtained from customers can lead to improved services (Squalli, 2014). An organization which values customer information is likely to succeed in its operation. The service delivery to the clients plays a crucial role in building the reputation of the company in the industry. Emirates Airline has been awarded for being the best in customer services over the years (O’Connell, 2011). It is true that for any organization to succeed in its operation; sustainable strategies are very important. The strategy adopted should give the organization more benefits than any other organization in the same industry. The airline industry has a lot of competition all over the world. Investment in infrastructure development can help to reduce competition in a number of ways. Providing the staff with all the required facilities will increase motivation hence they will work hard towards the achievement of the organization’s goals. When the staff is motivated enough, they will be able to serve passengers well. Excellence in delivery of services has a great influence on the priorities of consumers or the passengers (Heracleous & Wirtz, 2012). Emirate Airline has gained a lot of publicity across the world. The company has been able to gain a large portion of the market because of the strategies it has formulated in the past few years. The significant size of the company has also contributed to the competitive advantage of the airline. The company has succeeded in attracting royal customers. Therefore, it has been able to earn profit for many consecutive years. The company is dominated by wealthy shareholders; hence it has gained a competitive edge over its competitors thus emerged as a model firm CITATION Joc12 l 1033 (Wirtz, 2012). From the discussion, it can be noted that for an organization to succeed in a particular industry, it is important position itself in the industry. Proper utilization of distinct qualities can make a company gain a competitive advantage over other organizations. Apart from the strategies formulated by the organization, other management strategies adopted by the organization play a great part in the development of the organization. The strategies which have been formulated and implemented by Emirates Airline have assisted the company to succeed in a competitive market and maintain the top position in the airline industry. The leadership style and the strategies which the company has adopted for many years have enabled the organization to maintain its position despite economic challenges. The adoption of corporate strategy by Emirate Airline has proved to be a solution for the company in the times of economic recession. Every market has its own challenges that affect market players. Th erefore, organizations should prepare in advance for the unforeseen challenges. This strategy is aimed to help the company to stand in every situation. The strategy Emirates Airline has adopted in the past has proved to be the biggest milestone for the organization. References Ahmed, N. (2013). Is Age 60 A Turning Point In Medical Health? Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 84(4). Banerjee, A. (2013). Emirates airlines-An exploratory study. ZENITH International Journal of Business Economics & Management Research, 3(5), 133-141. Desai, Shohab Sikandar, C. M. Siddique, and Zahi Yaseen. â€Å"Segmentation of Airline Market in the GCC Region: Profiling Business Customers Using Low Cost and Full Service Carriers.† International Conference on Technology and Business Management March. Vol. 24. 2014. BIBLIOGRAPHY Loizos Heracleous, Jochen Wirtz. (2012). Airlines: Achieving Sustainable. Warwick: University of Warwick,. Wirtz, J. (2012). Sustainable Competitive Advantage In Singapore Airlines. Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 23. Source document

Preventing Falls in Long Term Care Setting Essay

Preventing Falls in Long Term Care Setting - Essay Example This study explores the prevalence and significance of falls in the long term care setting before discussing five nursing interventions that can be instituted to manage the problem. This is followed by an appraisal of the anticipated outcomes after implementation of the five strategies. The study draws from Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) Best Practice Guideline (BPG) and a number of peer reviewed scholarly articles. The Prevalence and Significance of falls in the Long Term Care Setting According to McCarthy, Adedokun and Fairchild (2011) present statistics that capture the seriousness of falls in the long term care setting. A nursing home containing 100 beds reports between 100 and 200 falls among the residents annually. Elderly patients in the long term care setting are three times as likely to experience falls in comparison to their community-dwelling counterparts. The scholars’ report further state that falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-f atal injuries to individuals over the age of 65. RNAO (2005) reports 84.8% of all hospital injury admissions of individuals above the age of 65 are the result of falling. One in ten of emergency room visits among the elderly arises due to serious falls, while the incidences increase proportionately to age. Ferris (2008) attributes the disparity between long term care residents and community dwellers to the likelihood of having more comorbidities and advanced levels of diseases such as dementia. The significance of falls in the long term care setting is further underpinned by the contribution of falls to morbidity and mortality, decline in functional disposition and depression among other impacts on the elderly. Another perspective of the issue shows that a good number of falls may go unreported, which limits the capacity of data seekers to correctly capture the contribution of falls to elderly residents’ morbidity and mortality. Falls potentially cause more serious impacts an d implications than the grim statistics presented. Thus, falls in the long term care setting are an issue of great significance in case the outcomes of long term care settings are to improve. Nursing Interventions to Prevent Falls in the Long Term Care Setting The seriousness of the issue of falls among residents of long term care homes makes it necessary to institute evidence-based and informed prevention strategies. The Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) Best Practice Guideline (BPG) provides evidence-based strategies to prevent falls and thus will be the focus of this study. The first prevention strategy entails sensitizing the residents on the importance of vitamin D supplementation among other dietary, lifestyle and treatment choices for osteoporosis (RNAO, 2005). There exists sufficient evidence showing that decline in bone density among the elderly is directly associated to increased risk of falls. Elderly patients may have higher risks of vitamin D defic iency due to limited exposure to sunlight and skin changes associated with ageing. Bischoff-Ferrari et al. (2009) support RNAO’s position through their study indicating that vitamin D supplementation significantly reduces patient’s risks of falling. Their meta-analytic evidence indicates a reduction of 22% in falls among patients in the healthcare setting. The second prevention strategy involves assessing and modifying the long term care setting environment as a component of fall prevention strate

Staffing management plan Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Staffing management plan - Coursework Example This plan tries to identify processes that the project will undergo and procedures to be followed. The project will be done in reference to statewide information management manual. The manual will lead the project manager when executing duties during the project.  Document maintenance  The staffing management plan will be reviewed every six months and updated as soon as changes are realized. It will be mainly reviewed at every stage of the project, and what will be learned will help in standards upgrading of the project.  Ã‚  Staff planning  Requirement gathering – 10 1 week requirement analysis- 8 5 weeks  Design- 5 3weeksDevelopment-16 10 weeks  Testing -12 1 week maintenance – 6 continuous  Staff acquisition  WMO is a matrix organization that comprises of sponsored staff from foreign firms with consultant staff.  Staff training will be conducted on the basis that their stage will come net after the current one expires. Orientation will be conducted and when the project is on course to equip the staff with skills.The project manager will be assigned to a duty to manage daily operations of the project and how staff responds to the project at every stage.  The rewards of staffs will be reviewed weekly. Every staff will be paid at the rate of $10 per day. The total rewards for each staff will be $300.Staffing management plan is a very important when undertaking a project. The success of a project is determined by the strength of plan that is formulated.

Lovelocks Global Warming Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Lovelocks Global Warming - Essay Example The equilibrium of the earth would be altered and even the prevention strategies that have been started will not be of any use because the damage that has already been done is irreversible. Â  Global warming is an important issue of debate but to consider it to be a cause for the end of the world within the next few decades is an exaggeration. Global warming has been an issue since the late nineteenth century. If it was a process which was going to produce disastrous effects on a very quick basis the earth would have ended by now. The steps to prevent global warming are already being taken up many countries. There have been inventions of solar and water-based cars. It is a fact that these measures would take time to come into effect but to put the blunt ending to the world without considering the efforts that are being put to save it is a very quick decision with not much evidence. Â  Global warming is an international issue which is affecting our world. It needs immediate attention with support from the people and the scientists who should look for ways and measures to prevent the catastrophic end of this world.

Cross Cultural Issues in Tourism & Hospitality Essay

Cross Cultural Issues in Tourism & Hospitality - Essay Example An analysis of the cultural differences to understand tourism and hospitality service requirements reveals cross cultural differences.The paper examines Japanese and American cultures and describes the differences in social behaviour of each of these cultures. Tourism and hospitality industry, being the most booming one in past decades contribute to the economic and employment development of countries. It is the kind of service which has both subjective and intangible in nature. Understanding tourism service climate and culture is undeniable for sustaining competitive advantage (Kusluvan 487). Clark suggests that national character, defined as the pattern of enduring personality characteristics found among the populations of nations, has profound impact on buyer-seller interactions (qtd. in Kusluvan 237). One way in which national character influences service transactions is through culturally specific norms regarding how and when emotion should be expressed (Feldman and Morris 1995; Grayson 1998 and Mann 1997 qtd. in Kusluvan 237). Ekman states,â€Å"Considerable differences regarding display rules exist across cultres†(qtd in Kusluvan 237).For example,according to Mann,in muslim culture,smiling for a woman can be interpreted as an indication of sexual interest and muslim woman is socialized for not smiling at man.On the other hand American’s norm of service is the display of smile absence of which can harm a female provider’s career(qtd. in Kusluvan 237). â€Å"While no empirical research exists which systematically examines ways in which cultural differences impact display rules and consequently the emotional labor requirements of hospitality and tourism workers,Hofstese’s(1980) frame work of culture offers interesting possibilites† (qtd. in Kusluvan 237). â€Å"According to Hofstede (1980),cultures can vary along four dimensions to

Q8 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Q8 - Essay Example e effective in achieving the desired objectives of effectiveness; rather resolving a conflict at the organizational level where the knowledge to address the conflict is available, is likely to be more effective. In order to address the performance issues and large costs associated with reforming and refining systems development projects, a study carried out by Patnayakuni et al (2006) proposes a knowledge management system perspective in order to manage both tacit and explicit knowledge in the process of systems development. Supply chain management and inter-organisational system development techniques have also been used by large companies in order to develop their efficiency. Assessing the same techniques in the case of small and medium sized enterprises however, Morrell and Ezingeard (2002) have concluded that while such enterprises may gain significant benefits through the application of supply chain management and inter-organizational system development techniques, in practice they do not do so because there is a culturally rooted lack of vision and awareness, which are limiting the extent to which such techniques are applied and benefits realized. These methods may nevertheless offer excellent opportunities to develop efficient methods to improve inter organizational performance. The most important aspect however, would be to develop effective systems of knowledge management. The major objective would be to keep department leaders apprised of developments occurring within the organization. As Patnayukuni et al (2006) have highlighted, this would involve the effective use of both tacit and explicit knowledge, but more importantly, ensuring that department heads are able to gain access to and be aware of such knowledge through the development of an effective system to communicate information to all department heads. It is effective integration within an organization that is therefore likely to be beneficial in the adoption of a corporate wide system for

Substandard Patient Care or Health Care Delivery Paper Essay

Substandard Patient Care or Health Care Delivery Paper - Essay Example Five years later, since his last admission due to Upper respiratory infection, he was again admitted for three days due to URI accompanied with Rheumatoid Arthritis and in the month of September 2005, he was treated for Gastritis. Anywhere around the world, there seemed to be an outbreak of Respiratory infections which includes viruses such as the influenza virus, SARS, and now the avian flu virus. Respiratory illness is a common chronic health problem and places a significant financial burden on the health care system. Respiratory symptoms are significantly higher among poorer children, those in the inner city, and among minority populations. Immigrants from outside North America and Europe constitute over twenty percent of Metro Toronto residents, yet relatively little is known about their experience of respiratory illness. (Thompson et. Al. 2004) There have been many organizations that focus on the needs of the ill older adults. NHS organisations in England recognises the importance of the NSF for Older People and the emerging practice and policies related to this, such as Intermediate Care, the single assessment process, the 1999 Health Act Flexibilities and has responded by re-focusing its activity to realign more closely with the local and national priorities. (2005) Published in 2001, this NSF focuses on people who are over 50 and still active but who need to be able to maximise and maintain their health as well as people with age related needs who may have more complex social and medical problems. (2005) The Department of Health, Services and Social Safety applies palliative care services which aims to achieve the best quality of life possible for patients and their family through active identification, holistic assessment and appropriate management of problems, when progressive advanced disease is not responsive to curative treatment.(29) There are over a half million older adult aged 65 or over who are living in care homes (nursing and personal care) and a large number end their lives in these care settings. Unfortunately, care homes can only provide appropriate terminal care if barriers to the provision of care are addressed. The National Council for Hospice and Specialist Palliative Care Services (NCH&SPCS) holds documents containing practice recommendations and therefore, the provision of appropriate terminal care makes the process of dying more comfortable and meaningful for a person and their family. Nightingale's (1860) theory on nursing evolves around the concept that the patient's recovery is highly related to the conditions of his environment. The environment of a patient has a direct effect on his recovery or his deterioration. According to Nightingale, "Nature alone cures." With that she stresses on the healing properties of the physical environment of the patient; fresh air, light, warmth, cleanliness and a suitable diet. The environment not only refers to the physical aspect but also to the psychological and social environment surrounding the patient. Healthy communication with the patient and healthy environment keeps the patient's mind active and stimulated. Here Nightingale stresses that communication should be soothing and a form of

How is shopping on the internet different from and similar to shopping Essay

How is shopping on the internet different from and similar to shopping in stores - Essay Example Many stores as well as online shops provide the customers with a guarantee for the product for a certain period of time, during which the product can be replaced if it turns out to be inefficient or faulty. Store shopping is quicker and more convenient than the online shopping. The customer can go to the market any time, purchase the item and bring it along back to the home at the same time (â€Å"Traditional Vs. Online†). This way, the customer is able to save all the time that would otherwise have been consumed in shipping. Store shopping is also more convenient than the online shopping in terms of replacement. If the product purchased is damaged, the customer can quickly go and have it replaced without having to wait for several days in the case of online shopping. Online shopping is safer as compared to the store shopping. Items purchased online are insured and the companies take responsibility for full replacement in case of any damage caused to the item on its way to the customer. On the other hand, when a customer purchases an item from the store, he brings it home at his/her own discretion. The item may be robbed or stolen once it has been taken out from the store. Online shopping is also safer than the store shopping because the customer is not exposed to the risk of accidents on the roads. Online shopping proves more cost effective as compared to the store shopping. When a customer stays at home, he/she only shops the item he/she needs. When he/she goes to a store to buy a thing, there are a lot of attractions that encourage the customer to spend money on. A customer hardly ever returns without taking a light meal at the nearby restaurant or a cupcake shop that comes in the way. Concluding, online shopping and the store shopping resemble and differ from each other in a number of ways. While the two are the same in terms of the method of payment, the range of items and the responsibility for their

Magic Toyshop Essay Example for Free

Magic Toyshop Essay The Magic Toyshop is the second novel of the feminist writer Angela Carter. It is one of the most popular of her early books. In Carter’s works mythological and Biblical themes often appear, and The Magic Toyshop is a good example of that. This essay is intended to discuss the introductory chapter of The Magic Toyshop, in which Carter rewrites a major Biblical story. The Magic Toyshop follows the story of a teenage girl, Melanie. She is one of three children, her younger brother is Jonathon and her five year old sister is Victoria. They live in the English countryside in a middle class family. Their house is spacious; they all have their own bedrooms. Their parents are rich, successful and the children have everything they need. The children have a middle aged governess Mrs. Rundle. She is overweight, was never married, only added the Mrs. title to her name a few years ago as a present to herself. Melanie has a fear of becoming someone like Mrs. Rundle. She does not believe in God but she prays that she would marry and have sex in her life. She is worried about her weight because she thinks she is too thin, but she would not eat too much either because then she might become fat and never marry. She already sees herself as someone’s wife; she looks at herself as a male would do. (Gamble 69) The novel tells the story of the children becoming orphans and having to leave their home. Their parents are killed in a plane crash and the three children must leave the countryside to live with their uncle in London. Uncle Phillip owns a toyshop and is a toymaker himself. The orphans do not know anything about him; Melanie’s only memory of him is that when she was a little girl he made her a jack in the box which was very scary. They do not know that the world they are about to enter is radically different from the one they lived in until now. At the beginning of the novel Melanie is a happy fifteen year old girl who is starting to discover herself. She explores her body, discovers it as a colonizer discovers the unknown land. She likes to pose in front of her mirror; she plays the roles of the characters of paintings (by male painters naturally). The novel uses the terminologies of explorers thus making us believe there is a male voice behind the words. Melanie’s only wish is to marry well. She is already getting ready for married life, she is making herself ready for a husband. She believes that marriage is the only way to have inancial and emotional security, the only way to be a respectable woman and to have a happy life. This is the only way she knows. This is what the culture, the social background of the age indoctrinated her to believe. She is dreaming of a perfect husband who is handsome, gentle, amiable, who has a good job and adequate financial background. Although she is a little worried about not getting this perfect life, not having sex, she genuinely believes that things are going to work out for the best. Melanie is planning to spend her adolescence preparing for the life that comes after. However soon enough she will realize that life is not a fairytale. She will meet and fall in love with a boy that does not fit in the image of the perfect husband she pictured for herself, a boy that she would have never thought to fell for under normal circumstances. She will realize how these circumstances can make her grow up in a few days or even a few hours as on the train ride to London she realizes she has to be the mother of her little brother and sister , and how they can suddenly take away all of her dreams and principles. However there is another way to interpret the beginning of the first chapter, the scene where she is exploring her body. Melanie is not only preparing herself for her future groom, but she is exploring her own sexuality too. She is in the age when she realizes that she is a woman, that she has not only grown mentally but physically too. â€Å"In Carter’s own words, Melanie ‘is very conscious of desire, she is filled with it. And that gives her power’. † (Gamble 69-70) One night Melanie decides to go further then posing in her own bedroom. Her parents are not home, they are in America. In the darkness of the night, when everyone in the house is asleep, she goes to her parent’s bedroom. She looks at their wedding photograph and starts thinking about her parents. How she cannot imagine her mother naked, as she never saw her that way she even jokes about her mother being born with clothes on -, and how her father always wears the same suit. She wonders if her parents had sex before their wedding – this makes her believe she really is growing up if thoughts like this occur in her mind. She notices Uncle Phillip in the picture and thinks about the old jack in the box she was so afraid of. Then she goes over to her mother’s dressing table and looks into the mirror. She starts posing there too and feels that she looks different in her mother’s mirror. This moment can be understood again as a flesh of transition between childhood and becoming a woman. Being in her parent’s room is like pretending to be an adult just like they are. Posing in her mother’s mirror Melanie is trying to imagine how she will look like and feel as an adult, married woman. This moonlit night is the one when the fall happens†¦ Looking at her parent’s wedding picture Melanie decides to try on her mother’s wedding dress. She finds the dress and puts it on but it is too big. She is a little disappointed but still thinks she looks beautiful in it. She feels like a bride. â€Å"A bride. Whose bride? But she was, tonight, sufficient for herself in her own glory and did nor need a groom. † (Carter 16) Melanie decides to go out to the garden. She first feels free and excited; the night was so different from the one she imagined. The moonlit garden was like the Garden of Eden. â€Å"She was alone. In her carapace of white satin, she was the last, the only woman. † (Carter 17) This realization of loneliness soon turns into panic. She truly feels alone and feels what happening is too much. Crying she runs back to the front door but it is closed†¦ She forgot her keys. Suddenly the sweet, dark night turns into a scary land. Melanie realizes what she did was forbidden. She is frightened, she thinks there is something in the dark. After Mrs. Rundle’s cat appears in the garden, Melanie feels a little more comfortable. She starts to pull herself together and decides she will climb up the apple tree to her window. (The apple tree can be a symbol of Eden again). But she cannot do that in the wedding dress. The cat gives her so much comfort that she can take the dress off. Then something happens: she realizes her own nakedness as never before. â€Å"She was horribly conscious of her own exposed nakedness. She felt a new and final kind of nakedness, as if she had taken even her own skin off and now stood clothed in nothing, nude in the ultimate nudity of the skeleton. (Carter 21) This scene might be interpreted as the happenings in the Bible right after the Fall. The serpent deceives Eve so she and Adam both eat from the forbidden tree. â€Å"Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. † (New International Bible, Genesis 3:7) The naked Melanie puts down the dress and the cat climbs on it. It scratches the dress. Melanie starts climbing up the tree, she does not know how long it takes but she finally gets to her room. She bleeds form â€Å"hundreds of cuts† but does not mind the pain. She honestly regrets what she had done that night, but cannot take it back. She ate from the forbidden fruit and knows that she deserves the consequences. Right now pain seems to be the punishment. The morning has come and when Mrs. Rundle, Jonathon and Victoria leave the house Melanie is alone in the house with her sin. Somebody is knocking on the door. It is a messenger boy with a telegram in his hand. â€Å"As soon as she saw him, she knew what the telegram contained, as if the words were printed on his forehead. (Carter 24) She runs to the bathroom and vomits. She reads the telegram and realizes what she already guessed was true. Her parents were dead. Melanie’s childhood, her fairytale life ended in this moment. She committed a sin last night and now was expelled from Eden. â€Å"This ‘wedding dress night when she married the shadows’ (Carter 77) exiles her and her younger brother and sister from their comfortable, liberal, middle-class home in the country to live in a dark, narrow house above Uncle Phillip’s toyshop in south London. (Sage 15) And what was Melanie’s fault really? As Lorna Sage says it was the â€Å"stepping over the boundary between reality and fantasy† (Sage 15) Melanie, Jonathon and Victoria are taken to their Uncle Phillip’s house. Melanie soon realizes she will have to live there in terror, in constant fear of her uncle. She has to say good bye to the magical life she had in the countryside and has to grow up sooner then expected. We can understand Uncle Phillip’s house as Purgatory. She goes through a grueling rite of passage into the state of being a woman. Whatever way she might once have grown up is simply cancelled after she arrived at Uncle Phillip’s. † (Day 25) Melanie goes through hell until one day Uncle Phillips ends this story. When he learns that his wife has a sexual relationship with her own brother, he sets the house on fire. â€Å"In the end only Melanie and Finn are left standing amongst the wreckage staring at one another in wild surmise, Adam and Eve at the beginning of a new world. †

Epistemology - Cognition Essay Example for Free

Epistemology Cognition Essay â€Å"I have found that such an object has always been attended with such an effect, and I foresee, that other objects, which are, in appearance, similar, will be attended with similar effects†. This foretells that with knowledge, our society may be able to associate a certain aspect/detail with an object, but that does not necessarily mean it will always happen. Therefore, Hume, who starts out as an empiricist, has arrived at the conclusion where an individual may not have knowledge at all, of skeptic doubt. This is explored through the three epistemology questions, the process he did take, and what the reader thinks on the matter. According to Hume, with his process of thought with empiricism, thinks knowledge is possible. He believed that all information about the world comes through experience. The contents of consciousness are what he calls perceptions. [†¦] include our original experiences [impressions] [†¦] sense data [†¦] â€Å"internal† world composed of the contents of our psychological experiences [†¦] also include what he calls ideas, or the contents of our memories and imagination. With this approach to whether knowledge is possible, it is clear that he thinks knowledge is possible through experience; through real experiences, sense data, psychological experiences and ideas. It states that one does not have innate ideas with us such as our senses or emotions, that an individual must experience these actions first in order to recognize what they must be. If one does not experience such actions, they are what he calls ideas, â€Å"the copies of them [impressions]† (The Search for Knowledge 69). He also states that, â€Å"We can deny any matter of fact without falling into a logical contradiction. The fact that we feel confident about certain facts of the world is merely the result of our expectations, which are based on past experience† (The Search for Knowledge 70). This theory is called Hume’s Fork, where it is between the relation of an idea and a matter of a fact. This says that society may be sure about our surroundings, but they are not certain. Ideas do not tell us anything about the world, but only our thoughts of what they may be, and matters of facts are knowledge per say, but are not always certain as well. Basically, it shows that one cannot be certain of the world around us, as it may change. With the question of the role of reason within the possibility of knowledge, he believes that, â€Å"We can learn nothing about what lies outside the subjective contents found within our experiences. † (The Search for Knowledge 71), therefore reason cannot be established as the primary source of knowledge. He clarifies his reasoning with the principle of induction and the uniformity of nature. The principle of induction is basically assuming that, for example, since the sun has risen yesterday, it shall rise today and rise tomorrow. Society makes the connection that when an event occurs more than once; one will believe that it shall again happen. The uniformity of nature is where the belief of the laws of nature will continue to commence, therefore it should be still commencing in days to come. Another way he delivers this statement is through the theory of being constantly conjoined. He states that, â€Å"Causes and effects are distinct events† (The Search for Knowledge 73). It can be said that when do an action, there is an equal consequence that follows. If you take the example of where you light up a candle with a match, and then touch the flame, you experience a burning sensation where you have touched said flame. If one repeats this process, one comes to the conclusion that since this has happened in the past, it will most likely be the same or similar in the future. With the third epistemology question of whether reality is represented as it really is, he declares that, â€Å"The only certainty we can have concerns the relationships of our ideas. But since these judgments concern only the realm of ideas, they do not tell us about the external world† (The Search for Knowledge 78). As a result, one can determine that reality cannot be represented as it really is due to the fact that one cannot gain any knowledge from the outside world from our ideas. Ergo, in the world, a person may experience objects such as desks, but this person is uncertain if they are connected to an external world. Hume raises that, â€Å"Impressions are always data that are internal [†¦] hence; we have no data about what is external† (The Search for Knowledge 75). It clarifies his reasoning that society believes that they live in an external world, or that there may be one, but one does not have sufficient explanation as to why this is true. As well, an individual must also question the fact of the self. Hume affirms that, â€Å"If all we can know are sensory impressions or our internal psychological states, then we can never experience the self† (The Search for Knowledge 76). With this in mind, people are certain that they cannot experience a self because it is not a true experience such as a color, which can be experienced. There is no foundation for experiencing the self, as all one has are beliefs, assumptions and ideas, which are never certain. In a few words, Hume is specifying that as a person, one cannot step outside our bodies to see ourselves; that a person can only believe that there is a self. Going back to where knowledge is possible, in the beginning, Hume does believe knowledge is possible with perceptions and impressions. With his thought process, the reader can determine that he has progressed from the thought process of empiricism to skeptic doubt and skepticism, questioning if society has knowledge at all. He believes that in the start, society has knowledge through what he calls perceptions; which consists of the senses, the memory and the psychological states. Overall, society must have experiences if it has developed these sources of knowledge. This in turn concludes that an individual can have knowledge through experience. Since Hume believes that this is the only knowledge an individual can have, he comes to the realization where, â€Å"If all we know are the contents of experience, how can we know anything about what lies outside our experience? † (The Search for Knowledge 70-71). This expresses that one cannot have knowledge, since the foundation he has set is only for our internal thoughts. From this, he describes his thought process of skeptic doubt through causal relations and knowledge of the outside world and self. This clarifies that a person can believe something will always happen but is never certain (causal), and stating that they cannot step outside the world they have created to see what will happen outside of such (external world and self). The reader must have an assessment on the matter of Hume’s empiricism and his process towards skeptic doubt. Dealing with Hume’s empiricism, I believe that his thought process is very vague and has various doubts of its own. The idea of perceptions cannot be knowledge to begin with, because it is what we have and think, but does not necessarily mean other people in society think this same way as well. Therefore, he has already led himself into skepticism, because he cannot explain thoroughly why this is knowledge. What he explains as experience, which is where we obtain this knowledge, is unsatisfactory because the experience he says is mostly reasoning such as sense data and psychological states. For that reason, his thought process in the beginning can also be confused with rationalism, since most of what he verbalizes is knowledge that can only be discovered through reasoning and not experience. Looking at his progression towards skepticism, he believes that we cannot have knowledge because all that we have is our internal world to base our beliefs on. It is shown that through the principle of induction and the uniformity of nature, we will have the reoccurring thought that, â€Å"The future will be like the past† (The Search for Knowledge 71). With this basic in mind, we are automatically assuming every event that happens in our lives will happen or not happen again, because of past experiences. With this amount of information, it is not sufficient enough to say that we always be certain it will again happen. It all comes back to the fact that since we only have our world to experience, and since there is no way to step outside and look at the external world or the self, we are never certain of anything. Hence, we have no knowledge at all because knowledge is classified as true, justified belief and our ideas and thoughts are not. This is a strong case, and therefore, I believe with his knowledge towards skepticism, but I do not necessarily believe in skepticism. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, Hume has answered the three epistemological questions with very strong points; first as an empiricist, who then leads to a skeptic. Overall, the opinion of the reader is satisfied, because even though Hume has a very doubtful thought process of empiricism with the idea of perceptions and ideas, he then breaks down his theory with the fact that this so-called knowledge is the only source of knowledge an individual can possibly have, therefore it is not knowledge. Knowledge is worth nothing unless you can practice it.