Mechanistic Versus Organic Structures

Mechanistic versus Organic Structures a. Mechanistic Structure is appropriate for organizations focusing on a cost- minimization strategy through tight control, extensive division of labor, high formalization and centralization. The information network is limited and employees rarely participate in decision making process. b. Organic Structure is decentralized and has low complexity and formalization. It has an extensive information system, and employees rarely participate in decision making. It tends to be flexible and adaptive. c. Structure in function of the organization’s fundamental strategy. ) Innovation Strategy focuses on developing important new product or services. An organic structure provides the flexibility for this strategy. 2) Cost-minimization Strategy imposes tight controls over expenses and reduces product prices. The mechanistic structure is appropriate. 3) Imitation strategies are not adopted by true innovators but rather by organizations that move into new markets after smaller competitors have demonstrated the potential for success. Limitation best suited to a structure that combines mechanistic and organic. d. Structure is also a function of 1) Size.Larger organizations tend to be mechanistic because greater formalization is needed. Strategies also change as sizes changes. Growing organizations often expand activities within their industry. 2) Technology. An organic structure may be best for coping with non-routine technology because formalization is low. 3) Environment. In general, the more stable the environment, the more mechanistic the organization. A mechanistic structure is appropriate when the environment has little capacity for growth. Dynamic environments require an organic structure because of their unpredictability.Moreover, a complex environment also requires the flexibility and adaptability of an organic structure. a) The environment has three key dimensions: i) Capacity is the degree of growth an environment can suppo rt. ii) Volatility concerns the relative instability in the environment. iii) Complexity is the amount of heterogeneity and concentration in the environment. Thus, an industry with few very large firms is homogeneous and concentrated. b) Uncertainty not a specific environmental factor. The foregoing factors determine the level of uncertainty present in the environment. 11.According to Henry Mintzberg, an organization has five components. Depending on which is in control, one of five different structure involve. a. The five organizational components include the 1) Operating core- workers who perform the basic tasks related to production 2) Strategic apex- top managers 3) Middle line- managers who connect the core to the apex 4) Technostructure- analyst who achieve a certain standardization 5) Support staff- indirect support services b. The five structures include the following: 1) Simple structure (apex) has low complexity and formality and authority is centralized.Its small size and simplicity usually precludes significant inefficiency in use of resources. 2) Machine bureaucracy (technostructure) is a complex, formal and centralized organization that performs highly routine tasks, groups’ activities into functional departments, has relationships. 3) Professional bureaucracy (operating core) is a complex and formal but centralized organization in which highly trained specialist have great autonomy. 4) Divisional structure (middle line) is essentially a self-contained organization.It is characterized by substantial duplication of functions compared with more centralized structures. 5) Adhocracy (support staff) has low complexity, formality and centralization. Vertical differentiation is low and horizontal differentiation is high. 12. Centralization and Decentralization a) Centralization concerns the centralization of authority in an organization and the degree and levels at which it occurs. b) Decentralization is a philosophy of organizing and managing. C areful selection of which decisions to push down the hierarchy and which to hold at the top is required.The degree of decentralization will be greater if 1) More decision are made lower in the management hierarchy. 2) Some important decisions are made lower in the management hierarchy. 3) More functions are affected by decisions made at lower levels. 4) Fewer approvals are required before implementation of a decision. c) Centralization and decentralization are relative terms. Absolute centralization or decentralization is impossible. d) The degree of centralization or decentralization depends upon the situation. 1) Information. Decisions cannot be decentralized to those who do not have necessary information. ) Ability. Decisions cannot be decentralized to people who do not have training, experience, knowledge or ability to make decisions. 3) Timeliness. The organization should decentralize decisions requiring a quick response to those near the action. 4) Degree of coordination. The organization cannot decentralize below the level at which coordination must be maintained. 5) Significance of decision. Decisions cannot be centralized to lower levels if they are of critical importance to the organization. 6) Morale. The organization should decentralize, when possible, for the positive influence on morale.

Got Milk Analysis

Case Analysis of the Got Milk BRANDING A COMMODITY 1. A. The got milk? Ad campaigns was a sign of beverage industry, it symbolized beverage industry’s innovation. It stopped milk demand rate of decline, and created new brand of milk. Let commodity also have brand to effect consumers’ purchase decision. B. 1) Television Ads, the television ads gradually built the tension that was so critical to the deprivation strategy. 2) Additional communications programs, the creative strategy lent itself to using complementary food as promotional tools for milk. ) Media strategy, According to manning there were three ideal times to communicate the milk message—at home where milk could be immediately consumed, on the way to the store, and in the store, 2. The United Dairy Industry Association (UDLA) commissioned a marketing research study to investigate the reason behind the perpetual decline of per capita milk consumption. 1) Proliferation of other beverages 2) Lack of portabi lity 3) Lack of flavor variety 3) not thirst quenching 4) Lack of consumer mind share 5) shared nature of consumption. 3.The new advertising campaign had to satisfy three objectives: 1) Change consumer behavior, the CMPB’s foremost priority was to increase milk consumption by one occasion per week. To change the ways for consumers think about milk. 2) Increase mind share, although many people drink milk every day, milk suffered from a complete lack of consumer mind share. 3) Halt sales decline, obviously, sales represented the bottom line for the CMPB. 4. Got milk Campaign used research data of California to explain dairy industry trend, then compared milk need rate of American. Gained a credible evidence to show advantage of drink milk.It will make consumer change their drink habit. It not only advertise brand, but also develop brand to consumers. Ensured target market, created campaign objectives, branding strategy, and then let it became spirit of brand integrate into peop le’s life. 5. Base on strategy of case already mention, to create music about advertising of got milk, let consumer remembered brand easily, associate with beverage companies which produce milk show their logo on Got Milk’s advertising. Decide coupons and discount day on newspaper, printed cartoon or old fashion out packing to attract consumers with different age, sexuality, religion.

Personal Statement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Personal Statement - Essay Example The invaluable information and observations I received at the hospital are common to medical centers, attending to the patients’ needs, providing daily care and other basic responsibilities of nurses. In addition to this, I am well aware that such a place presents great challenges so that I have trained myself to think critically on how to care for patients, understanding that they have multiple complex medical problems even to patients who are diagnosed with similar health conditions. Sometimes the setting and the pressures of the work can really drive an individual crazy however, I have resolved to myself to be the strong person I should be for me to be able to do my responsibilities not only to my patients but to my employer and myself as well. I guess my deep passion for the profession has always been a driving force that kept me going even through rough times which in return made me better, stronger, more able. I agree with what Donna Cardillo said, that nurses are the he art of the healthcare. My beliefs are strengthened with the careful attention I equally give to patients, not being affected by their individual differences and attitudes but concentrating more on what I should give than what I receive.

Discuss the ways in which social class is embodied within British Essay

Discuss the ways in which social class is embodied within British culture in terms of media, lifestyle, consumption and taste - Essay Example ts in various social classes is also impacted by the income earned, occupation and level of education of the members in these social classes (Andersen and Gray, 2008). Social class is normally set up in a hierarchical manner. The social classes are arranged in a hierarchy that ranks from low social status to a high social status. The British society is divided into various classes such that people of the same group or class have similar income, education and occupation. These three aspects differ from one social rank to the next and are very important in creating the differences that occur between these classes (Bell and Hollows, 2006). This fact leads to the general assumption which members of a certain class believe that they have the same status in the society as their fellow colleagues in the same class, lower status compared to members of a higher social class and a higher class compared to members of a lower social class (Bendix and Lipset, 1953). In traditional British culture, the social class used to be determined based on an occupational scale. They rank from higher professional and managerial occupations such as company directors, professors and teachers to those people in the society who are unemployed. Despite the fact that people may assume social classes to be objective they subjectively appear to exist if a certain group of people come to realize their similarity and hence share a common goal and interests (Bihagen, 2000). It is common to find people in the same job group having almost similar income, economic assets, and level of education and hence having a similar lifestyle. In the British culture, the working class a social class in itself. In recent times this is not applicable due to the fact that a labourer in a farm cannot be in the same social class with a senior doctor or an engineer due to the difference in income, education and occupation (Benson, 2003). The British culture has a tradition working class. The traditional working class

Training Objective Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Training Objective - Assignment Example The first stage is about trust and mistrust children make distinction between themselves and others. Autonomy versus doubt marks the second stage where children develop firm trust and attempt to explore the next stage is of initiative versus guilt where children exercise initiative inn activities by interaction with other children. Children conjure their imaginations as being wrong and make choices that may not result to guilt. The fourth stage is of inferiority versus industry. Parental influence does not mark limitations to children (Wijeyesinghe 2012). The sense of industry develops and doubt because of lack of encouragement from peers. The watershed stage marks the fifth stage in the Erikson’s model where identity versus identity diffusion is exhibited. There is a representation of childhood and adulthood definition of individuality children seek an integration of internal and external recognition derived from the initial stages thereby developing the sense of self. The la ck of the sense of self leads to identity diffusion. This is preceded by the isolation versus intimacy stage. A command relationship is developed. Lack of the sense of identity may cause emotional stress. ... James Marcia’s view on identity relies on the model developed by Erikson and the way young peel solve crisis through decision-making. Exploration refers tom crisis which may include seek for trust of others. Making conscious decisions require solidifies commitments. In marking the identity of self, the supportive environment must be nourished. Another theory that may be used in the explanation of Student individual identity development is the Checkering’s theory of identity development that includes seven vectors that lead to identity formation. The factors bare direction and magnitude, leading o the name, vectors. The rates of progression through the vectors differed among individuals and do not necessarily proceed linearly. The vector includes developing competence, management of emotions and movement from autonomy to independence. Other vectors include interpersonal relationship maturation, identity establishment, as well as purpose and integrity development. The tea ching must include active learning that sees a positive student-faculty relationship and timely feedback on every activity. There should be an understanding and respect for the learning differences that exists for every individual. Idea integration through active thinking becomes achievable through the strategic cognitive development consideration in teaching (Evans et al. 2010, p. 215). The key bodies of ecological aspects include, human, developmental and campus ecology may be used to explain development. Human ecology highlights n the family and other social structures that maybe altered for survival. Microsystems also have a role in the development process through noting the roles and interpersonal relations

Wound care Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Wound care - Essay Example It is the hope of this author that such a unit of analysis will be beneficial in not only providing the reader with a more informed understanding of how this process normally takes place within the medical sphere; but also with regard to furthering best practices within the medical community and spreading awareness of common techniques and practices. One of the most overlooked aspects of wound care is with respect to the fact that many medical professionals focus too much attention on identifying the type of wound and follow a rather limited procedure in terms of how the wound should be addressed. For instance, a wound sustained as the result of a fall could easily have foreign objects embedded beneath the skin or other tissues of the body. Similarly, a persistent bedsore is not likely to have embedded material that could potentially cause issues with respect to treating in healing the wound at a later date. Yet, as a function of simplicity, many medical professionals are oftentimes tempted to treat all wounds in the same manner. This is not only a shortsighted approach, it does not benefit the ultimate health and Outlook of the individual patient in question. This necessarily brings the analysis to the first and most salient point that should be discussed. Essentially, the role of identifying the wound, asking salient questions , and gathering relevant information is the first and most important process that any medical professional should engage in prior to attempting to dress the wound (Chen et al., 2013). As illustrated previously, a fall or similar wound that could have introduced foreign particles beneath the skin or tissue requires an alternative approach as compared to a wound that was sustained without direct trauma being applied to the individual. Likewise, with a wound sustained as a result of a fall or

4 topics to chose from Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

4 topics to chose from - Essay Example He explains that if a person thinks then he/she exists. This he confirmed through the use of the use of senses, he concludes that thought go hand in hand with being conscious. As a demonstration of his principles of thought and doubt, he conducted an experiment using wax. In his demonstration, the wax has certain characteristics as informed by the brain but the wax loses its characteristics once it put before a flame (Descartes 28). The wax though melted is still the same thing but the brain through his thoughts informs him that the wax characteristics are different. The use of this experiment meant to remove all doubts and uncertainty and thus to ensure that thoughts are used in guiding an individual’s beliefs. Descartes was considered the father of modern philosophy since he constructed many philosophies in use today. As a result of his philosophy of doubts, he went ahead and constructed a system of knowledge. In his system of knowledge, Descartes admitted to disregarding perception as unreliable and only admitting to deduction as a method. Descartes also explained the existence of God through the fact that God gave him a working mind and senses. In his argument, Descartes argues that God provided him with a sensory system that did not intend to deceive him (Descartes 59). As a result, the sensory perceptions appeared to him were involuntary and he used his senses to explain the external World. According to Descartes, the external world was brought about by the need for material things (Watson 51). In essence, the scientific method can be considered as a process, in which one corrects himself and his previous knowledge, through continuous examination of truth, for the final aim of finding answers to questions. This examination of truth is what is referred to as doubt and skepticism by Descartes. Theoretically, the scientific method of thinking, as practiced by famous thinkers such as Galileo and Francis Bacon,

Marketing Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 3

Marketing Plan - Essay Example General Motors (GM) is a USA based organization that started its business 100 years back in 1908. It is 18th largest business corporate entity in the world having assembly plants in more than 30 countries across the globe. It has sales network of cars and trucks in around 140 countries. It provides direct employment to over 200,000 personnel. Whereas, a majority of people are indirectly associated with its dealers and GMAC, which provides insurance and financial services to the suppliers, distributors, private and commercial customers of General Motors. It is operational in North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Africa and Middle East. The major European countries where General Motors has strong sales network are Britain, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Turkey, France, Spain and Ukraine. Chevrolet, Cadillac, GM Daewoo, Buick, â€Å"Opel, Vauxhall and Saab (Europe), Saturn, Hummer, Pontiac, Wuling and Holden are among the major brands th at Company is offering to its clients. In Europe, GM has been offering Saab in Sweden, whereas it offers Opel and Vauxhall brands in France, Germany, Italy, Great Britain and others. As far as GM’s strategic situation is concerned, it must be highlighted that GM previously planned to sell its European Operations in 2009 after huge losses it incurred due to uncertain business conditions but then rejected the offers of some buyers or corporations such as ‘Magna’ that were interested in purchasing General Motors majority stake. Since then the company has performed relatively better (Company’s report, 2009) As revealed by the managers at General Motors, the automobile manufacturer has a vision to produce top quality premium products for its different market segments all across the world. The company has a mission to sustain its market share by constant innovation and development and to get the most out of available business opportunities in home

Roles and Role Dynamics within the Daimler-Chrysler Corporation after Essay

Roles and Role Dynamics within the Daimler-Chrysler Corporation after Their Merger - Essay Example The paper tells that merger is one more important element of globalization. The phenomenon of a merger has been observed by the specialists of various sciences. One of the interesting aspects of the phenomenon is its influence on the corporate relations and the role dynamics after the process of merger. The case with Daimler-Chrysler Corporation is interesting to be examined as the example within the research as the case of the merger that appeared to be a takeover, with all its effects, influencing the relations within the corporation with its financial success. "In fact, up to 80 percent of corporate mergers and acquisitions fail to garner the expected financial gains, mainly because the deal-makers fail to anticipate the psychological and philosophical clashes that can undermine the alliance, industrial/organizational (I/O)". Before describing the circumstances of the merger it is important to describe the major events that happened just before the merger. The Chrysler company was a successful enterprise when it was headed by Lee Iacocca, its President. By the end of the 70s, he provided his company with $1.5 billion dollars as federal loan guarantees. These loan guarantees made Chrysler a profitable company until 1988 when innovations became necessary. The President of the company decided to risk and produced four kinds of new products - pickup trucks, sedans, minivan, and jeep. But at the beginning of the 90s Lee retired and it led the company to failure. After the merger, Chrysler began to lose money very quickly... The factors that led to such regress need careful consideration and the specialists are ambivalent as to determine the reason for the situation occurred. The company seemed to run well when the problems fell. When the problems revealed, the successor of Lee Iaccocoa, Robert Eaton, was fired and some other executives were fired with him. His place was occupied by Dieter Zetche, who found that the present market situation demands reorganization in the company structure. He created a team of specialists that replaced the executives that were fired with Robert Eaton. His innovations comprised changes in the improvement of the quality and as well as producing new products - a new model of pickup and jeep. This policy turned out to be successful and Chrysler received 788 million euros in 2002. In the merger of 1998, Daimler Benz and Chrysler Corporation created a new corporation of companies approximately of the same size but quite different in organizational culture and corporate relations. Chrysler was a company created in the USA, with the business strategy of the company dictated by the necessity of the flexible approaches and innovations. Daimler Benz was inspired by the features of the German culture - it is characterized by the strict hierarchical structure with high diversifications in corporate relations. The merger looked like it was the union of two partners with equal rights, and this was the information that had b een presented to the USA public by Daimler. But the fact was that the Chrysler Corporation had been sold. This led to numerous problems that occurred in the company itself, and these problems may partially influence the failure the company faced in 1998 - 2000.

The Current Status of Women in Middle East Countries Essay Example for Free

The Current Status of Women in Middle East Countries Essay Part I: Reasons why women are reaching a stagnant point in the Arab countries and how this could possibly change:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   According to feminists, the current status of women in Middle East countries is strongly attributed to state policies.   Scholarly information from studies conducted on the status of Middle East women have indicated that the changes that have taken place in the legal status of women and in their social placement in society have very much been determined by the changes taking place in political constitution of various states and regimes. The status of women and gender relations have also been equally determined by other factors like class structure, economic and demographic characteristic Religion can also not be ruled out as it has tremendous influence on the system of governance in many countries in this region.   Revolutionary projects carried out in Iran and Afghanistan but which did not yield good results act as a clear guideline on the status of women in Arab countries.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The societies in the Arab world are predominantly patriarchal.   The role of a woman as wife and mother is still held with a lot of esteem in these societies.   Women are reproducers, educators of children and socialisers whereby they are responsible for implementing societal and cultural values in the young ones. These societies are also predominantly Islamic, a religion that still holds the family as the most fundamental unit of society and places greet responsibility on women about raising devout Muslims as well as transmitting cultural values.   Child bearing is therefore the central labor activity for the females while the men are responsible for the general upkeep of the family.   The place of the woman in a Muslim society therefore remains the home and the activities surrounding it. Muslim family law also gives the male members of the society extensive control over key decisions affecting the life of the women under their control for example in issues concerning marriage, education, business and mobility. Women in the Arab countries are still subjected to some form of subordination to the males and restrictive codes of behavior that govern their lives. There is sex segregation towards women and family honor is closely associated with female virtue.   As a result any attempts to change family virtues or the family structure has often met with a lot of resistance in the Arab world especially from revolutionary groups that have been operating under the concept of defending Islam such as the Taliban in Afghanistan.   Tribal-Islamist opposition groups also play a major role in opposing any attempts to change the status of women in these societies.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the Arab countries, marriage is still predominantly an agreement between families rather than between two individuals who hold equal rights in society. A husband has absolute rights over his wife’s body and such issues as marital rape are not recognized. Women are therefore still under male control and any attempt to achieve in their social status is viewed as resistance to made dominance.   The community has tremendous influence over a woman’s life in Arab countries a factor that can be seen in the societies refusal to do away with the veil even at a time when civilization has advanced in these countries.   As a result, the veil has widely been viewed as a civilizational threat to the position of the modern woman in society.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Wars that characterize several Arab nations have also been a threat to the status of women.   This is because even after their husbands have been recruited and probably died in war, women especially in the poor backgrounds cannot freely venture out to fed for their families and they still have to rely on male members of the family such as the older sons. This has subjected the women and their children to a lot of unnecessary suffering. There has also been a tendency in these nations to limit the political exposure of women, a factor that has resulted from the concept of male dominance in these societies.   In such a way, it has been difficult for women to push for change as society still holds views that their position should be in the house.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A lot can be done to assist the women and improve their status in society.   Women for example should be given freedom in education.  Ã‚   This is because modernization demands more labor in high profile jobs. Wars should be a great lesson and women should be given a chance of being economically stable to avoid desperate situations in the event of the death of the family’s breadwinner during war.   Education will also give women better chances of employment and produce women who are able to strongly advocate for change in society.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Because family law in Arab nations greatly determines state and legal policies relating to gender and family matters,   perhaps these laws should be reviewed to give the women more influence in the family and society.   Various Arab governments should also give attention to demands by women on the improvement of their political, civil and social rights. Part II: Authoritative governments and the rise of fundamental Muslim groups   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the Arab world, the main religion is predominantly Islam, a religion that has played a major role in determining the political, social and civil structures in these nations. Religious and state matters are intertwined in such a way that it becomes difficult to make a clear distinction between the two. Islamic law applies to every aspect of life in the Arab nations ranging from matters related to everyday life, to state matters such as the system of governance and even foreign relations.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   With modernization, the Muslim world has come into contact with the Western world, an aspect that has led to mixed reactions in different Arab nations. This is as a result of the major economic, political and social-cultural developments that have resulted from this type of contact. In most of the Muslim countries the political systems are based on Islamic laws derived from the Quran and this has resulted in the concept of Islamic States through which Arab countries want to exert their influence and change the Western culture to conform to Islamic way of life. There has also been widespread resistance to Western influence and these factors have led to the rise of Islamic fundamentalism. A strive has risen among the Arabs between those who feel that Islam should determine the political culture of the Arab nations and those who prefer secular governments that have institutions modeled on Western governments. Islamic fundamentalist feel that Arab governments have established state constitutions that are too compliant with other religions or doctrines. It is therefore the ultimate goal of Islamic political fundamentalists to overthrow these secular states in a bid to achieve national dominance in the political system.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Islamic fundamentalist movements have been modeled upon the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt began in 1928 that provided such movements with directives on the way forward in achieving political dominance through the implementation of the Sharia law. Even though composed of a minority of Muslims, Islamic fundamentalists have had varied political achievements in various nations. Good examples of such groups are the Wahhabi in Saudi Arabia and the Taliban in Afghanistan where strict Islamic law has been used to eradicate any form of Western influence. In Sudan, the efforts by the Muslim brotherhood to uphold Sharia law since independence in that nation in 1956 has led to a long civil war between the Islamic North and the Christain south.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood captures 20 percent of the seats in civic elections held in the later part of 2005. Turkey is ruled by an Islamist party that appears to accommodate democratic ideals. But since the September 11 attacks in the United States, growing concern has risen within the international community over the current situation in the Arab countries regarding religious reform and the prospect of Islamist fundamentalists having a share in political power. This is because of extremist groups that have resulted to terrorism as a means of achieving their goals. A good number of the countries in the Middle East are governed by autocratic regimes opposed to these Islamist movements. An attempt by such groups to gain political power has often been suppressed by denying them a popular vote in the governments and by exercising brutality against their leaders and followers. This is because of the tendency by these groups to result to violence as a means of airing their grievances and achieving their goals. Such violence has led to abduction of Western hostages, bomb attacks on the US Embassies in countries like Kenya and Tanzania and the September 11 attack in the US.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Islamic fundamentalists   originally aimed at achieving political goals through peaceful means but the refusal of Islamic governments to recognize their existence and the attempt to suppress these movements is what may have led to the emergence of extremist groups. The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt has however maintained peaceful means in dealing with the government an aspect that has helped the movement to rise into a political party with a strong following. The future of such groups is however threatened by the fight against terrorism and whether they will achieve in maintaining strict Muslim states is yet to be determined by the course that political events in the Arab world will take and the relations between these Arab nations and the West. Part III The lack of unification between the Arab countries has its benefits in regards to Preservation of culture but it is a hindrance to their potential political force Culture in any community plays a role of utmost importance particularly in preserving the identity of any community. Like everywhere else in the world, the movement of people in and out of the Muslim world has increased cultural integration. Colonial occupation in the Arab countries served to expand these cultural influences bringing in the process of westernization. However the Arab countries have more than any other group of nations succeeded in keeping both external and internal influences at minimal levels. These countries have thus managed to retain their individual cultures to large extent.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   From Egypt to Syria, the rise of Arabism was largely as a result of resistance to the colonial occupation mainly the British occupation. This growing force promised to unite Arab nations on the principles of nationalism as well as religion of Islam. This resulted in the expansion of state, missionary and private education (Moaddel, M., 53). However the cultural distance between the components of the Arab world would not allow for significant integration. This has to this day served to retain the cultural composition of the member countries. The lack of unity in the Arab countries has therefore served to preserve culture.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The biggest loss that is as a result of this disunity is however the loss of political forces that would have defined the Arab countries as a force to be reckoned with. The leadership’s radical difference in ideologies has made any meaningful integration difficult. A phenomenon akin to divide and rule has therefore been employed repeatedly by the western powers to further influence the political direction in the Arab World. This has worked against the region since it still remains on the shadows when political force is called for in order to change direction of the world.       Works Cited: Are Knusden. Political Islam in the Middle East R 2003:3 Chr. Michelsen Institute Development Studies and Human Rights Moaddel, Mansoor. Islamic Modernism, Nationalism and Fundamentalism. Chicago. University of Chicago Press.

Islam And Modernization In Indian Sub Continent Theology Religion Essay

Islam And Modernization In Indian Sub Continent Theology Religion Essay Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was the first Islamic modernist of the Indian sub-continent. He served as the judiciary sub-judge under the East Indian Company in 1840. At first, he was loyal to the Company but after the event of 1857 Indian revolt he became critical of the British attitude towards Muslims and Islam. He believed that if Muslims and European co-operate with each other and share their scientific heritage, it could help the society at large. After visiting Britain in 1869 he established the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College of Aligarh in 1875, Indias first Muslim University which was inspired by Oxford and Cambridge educational system. He believed that Muslims need religious reforms as he said: Today we are, as before in need of a modern theology [jaded ilmal-kalam] whereby we should either refute the doctrines of modern sciences, or undermine their foundations, or show that they are in conformity with Islam (Troll, 1978:311). He believed that there is no discrepancy between the Qu ran and science as he stated: There is no matter in the Quran disagreeing with the laws of nature (Khan, 1970: 30). Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was criticized by the Islamic scholars firstly, because of his loyalty to the British, whom the Islamic scholars consider as invaders. Islamic scholars like Ashraf Ali Thanwi and Jamal-ud-Afghani issued fatwas against Ahmed Khan because of his views on nature and denial of the miraculous events in Islam. Allama Iqbal Jinnah Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and Maududi Hamza Alavi (1988) classifies eight ideological positions among Indian Muslims before partition. They range from the Islamic traditionalism of Deobandi and Braelvi Islamic scholars (ulema) to the Islamic fundamentalism of the Jamat-e-Islami led by Maududi to the Islamic modernism of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and Muhammad Iqbal to the secular nationalism of Jinnah to the secular non-communal Indian Nationalist Muslims of the Congress party. Introduction Islam and modernity, modernity and Islam; different approaches in historiography and the social sciences attempt to find a significant connection between these two, allegedly separate, certainly distinct, forces of history(Salvatore, 1997: xiii). The relationship between Islam and modernization has been studied by the social, political, legal, historical and economic experts; besides, this subject has been widely addressed in relation to Muslim diaspora and their integration in the non-Muslim world especially after the events of 9/11 Muslim societies and Islam became the centre of scholars interest. The classical theorist of modernization such as Weber, Marx, Lerner and Bell predicted the decline of religion due to modernization. According to Weber rationality is the process of disenchantment which led to a disintegration of religious world views (Habermas, 1995). While for Marx religion creates false consciousness as he remarks, The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is required for their real happiness. The demand to give up the illusion about its condition is the demand to give up a condition which needs illusions. The criticism of religion is therefore in embryo the criticism of the value of woe , the halo of which is religion (Cited in Paden: 2003). Casanova (1995) argues that relationship between religion and modernity needs to be rethought in the following words, Theories of modernity, theories of modern politics, and theories of collective action which systematically ignore this public dimension of religion are necessarily incomplete theories (66). While Casanova suggests to rethink theories of modernity, Appadurai (1990) contends the role of religion is more consequential than ever in todays highly mobile and interconnected world (7). increasing role of religion in the present worldThere is plethora of literature on Islam and modernization and different stances have been taken by the academics on the issues related to Islam and modernization. Theorist such Marx, Bell and Lerner predicted the decline of religion due to modernization à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ CAN BE A POSSIBLE BEGINNING à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Instead debates about religion became more visible toward the end of twentieth and beginning of twenty-first century 1. Introduction a. what this is about IM since time immemorial and the conflict between Islam b. Various Islamic scholars c. This section is divided i. approaches of scholars ii. 2. Approaches of Scholars a. Edward Said and Essentialism b. Islamic Modernism c. Reformism d. Islamic revivalism 3. IMD during colonial rule 4. Specifc case of Indian sub-continent a. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan b. Allam Iqbal c. Maududi 5. History of Pakistan a. all history section b. some events like Ahmadis c. Blasphemy law d. Swat and Red Mosque probably Eisenstadt argues that Islamist are not necessarily rejecting modernity Brief introduction and pre-modern scholars The debates on Islam and modernization have been going on since time immemorial. Both Muslim and non-Muslim scholars ventured on this area. I suggest that the debates between Islam and modernity are actually the debates within Islam and these questions have been asked by Islamic scholars centuries ago by scholars like Ghazali, Khaldun, Taymiya etc. They have already threw light on the differene between science and religion, reason and rleiigon etc. The literature on Islam and modernization is voluminous and it is beyond the scope of this study to examine that. As the term modernization suggest I will start these debates from the eighteenth century during the colonial rule and will divided it into three sections. During colonial rule Post-colonial states Recent developments In late nineteenth century and early twentieth century Muslim scholars initiated debates on Islams compatibility with modernization, which they encountered due to the European expansion during the colonial rule. Essentialist à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Huntington and Lewis To respond to Saids critique of Orientalism-that it presents Islam as homogenous and unchanging-and also to counter the idealized Muslim claim of the unity of the ummah (the global community of believers), anti- essentialist scholars (e.g., al- Azmeh 1993; Eickleman and Piscatori 1990) present Islam and the West (or modernity) as constantly evolving, decentered, de- essentialized, and empirically diverse (Sayyid 1997). It is true that the Orientalist essentialization of I slam abetted the exertion of control over the Muslim Other (Salvatore 1997: 70). (Cited from book pg 25). However on the one hand, Islam is neither monolithic and unchanging, as the Orientalists posit, nor an undifferentiated unity, as many of the faithful wish to believe. But on the other hand, neither does Islam simply dissolve into a plurality of local Islams devoid of any civilizational content.(pg 25 cited from book). Karamustafa (2003) argues, Islam is an open, dynamic, holistic civilizational project that receives its direction from the human agents-individual and collective-that comprise it. True, agency resides not in reified entities such as civilizations but in the hands of groups of human actors. Nevertheless, Islam is a supra- cultural package of values, practices, and resources that Muslims adopt to help them navigate their earthly life. The holism of Islamic civilization is, thus, to be found in the commitment of Muslims to a shared stock of ideals and key ideas and their willingness to express these in a shared idiom. Karamustafa reminds us that it is important not to reify the key ideas and practices into a rigid formula, such as the overly simplistic five pillars of faith. (pg 26). In contrast to al- Afghani and Iqbal, other reformers, such as Sir Syed Ahmad Khan (1817-1898), largely accepted the reality of European political rule and focused instead on transforming Muslim educational institutions, based on European models. Khan, for example, founded a translation society in 1864 for the introduction of modern Western texts to India and in 1874 established the Anglo Muhammadan Oriental College at Aligarh (Esposito 1999: 38). Cited in book pg 55-56 Early times à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Allama Iqbal and Muhmmad Abduh à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ before that Sir Syed Ahmed Khan Maududii and Hassan Al Banna and Syed Qutb ESSENTIALISM No doubt Islam was particularly prone to become the object of a kind of social-scientific essentialisation as a traditional religion preventing a modern societal differentiation and the autonomisatin of political power from the tutelage of religious authority (Salvatore, KEY ISSUES AND DEBATES ON MODERNITY: 14). Akroun and Salvatore (book date) essentialism Thus on the whole Islam tends to be regarded as a greater moral and political affront to modernity than other religious traditions (Asad, 2006:302). The idea that Islam was originally and therefore essentially a theocratic state is, I argue, a nineteenth century European one, developed under the influence of evolutionary theories of religion (Asad, 2006:308). David Harvey correctly remarked that, Enlightenment thought embraced the idea of progress, and actively sought that break with history and tradition which modernity espouses. It was, above all, a secular movement that sought the mystification and desacralization of knowledge and social organization in order to liberate human beings from their chains (1989:12-13). As Gellner remarks about Islam that its theological character renders it a dramatic conspicuous exception to the otherwise universal process of secularization (1992:5). Islam as a political ideology is a recent phenomenon as he states that, It is the product of modern politics and the modernizing state (Asad, 2006:307 original emphases). WAhhabism add in 18th century

On the Road to New York :: Personal Narrative Traveling Essays

On the Road to New York There is a funny thing that happens when you travel. The people are all the same. Sure they may talk with a slightly different accent, and they may dress just slightly differently, and may think just slightly differently. In the end they are basically the same thing, a human being. I recently took a trip. I was going to a conference in Ithaca NY. Round trip is approximately 3000 miles. Driving time is 20 hours one way. I drove it all by myself in as little time as possible. I ended up taking 24 hours to do it. It is quite a rigorous challenge to do it all in one shot. I can classify the terrain into basically three things that you see: plains, woods, and hills. Sometimes you would see an area that combined woods and hills, but that was usually in a mountainous area. Along the whole route you would switch back and forth between these three characteristics. ND and eastern MN are plains. Central and Western MN and Wisconsin are mostly heavy woods with some lakes. On the plains the highway was pretty straight. Once you got to the woody areas, curves like no ones business. In Wisconsin the trees were son think that they had to cut a swath out just for the interstate crossovers that the HP use to change directions. This patch that was cut out was about fifty meter long. There was a patch of asphalt that was thrown down between the two highways which were about 30 meters apart. The green tops of the evergreens contrasted with the light brown tree trunks which extended up at least 60 feet. There were some small patches of green grass that filled in betwee n the trees and the concrete of the highway. Every fifth exchange a brown Highway Patrol car with a pale yellow stripe down the middle and a low profile light bar would be sitting waiting for the next speeder. Maybe this helps them to blend in? Oddly enough my radar detector never went off. Were they just there to present the threat of being stopped? When I got out of Wisconsin Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania pretty much look like ND. When you get to Chicago however things take a very different turn. Everything turns into an industrial style. Concrete everywhere, toll booths every 25 miles or so, no seemingly familiar sites other than a slightly wider patch of concrete called the interstate.

How Acid Rain Affects the Aquatic Ecosystem Essay -- Geology

How Acid Rain Affects the Aquatic Ecosystem Abstract This paper shows that acid rain is a reality. It is destroying our freshwater ecosystems and must be stopped in order to save them. If the problem is not fixed soon the aquatic ecosystems will be destroyed. Table of Contents 1. What is acid rain? 2. Acidification of Freshwater 3. Effects of Freshwater Acidification 4. Where is Affected the most? 5. What is being done to fix it? 6. Conclusion 7. References What is acid rain? Acid rain is polluted rain, snow, or fog. The burning of fossil fuels, base metal smelting, and fuel combustion in vehicles emits sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) (FAQ Acid Rain). These gases enter the atmosphere and transform into sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3), which then acidify the water vapor. The acidified water vapor will then fall to the earth as acid rain, snow, or fog (Acid Rain and the Aquatic). This is called à ¬wet depositionà ®. There is also à ¬dry depositionà ® which falls to the ground in particulate form (FAQ Acid Rain). back to top Acidification of Freshwater The acidification of freshwater lakes and streams is not a new problem. Fish stocks probably died out in many lakes in Norway as early as the turn of the century. In the 1950à ­s and 1960à ­s this was finally associated to acid rain. Yet, it wasn't generally accepted by scientists until the 1970à ­s (Rivers and Lakes). Acid rain either falls directly onto the lake or enters through the catchment (Buchdahl). A very small percentage enters directly so the majority enters through the catchment. The alkaline rich catchments can neutralize the rain. However, not all types of bedrock have the same capability of neu... ...Available http://kola.dcu.ie/~enfo/bs/bs14.htm, October 27, 1998. Acid Rain In Pennsylvania. [Online] Available wysiwyg://115/http://www.dep.state.pa....tate/airwaste/aq/factsheets/fs2036.htm, November 3, 1998. Buchdahl, Joe. Freshwater Acidification. [Online] Available http://www.doc.mmu.ac.uk/aric/freshwat.html, October 28, 1998. Effects of Acid Rain on Water. [Online] Available http://epa.gov/acidrain/student/water.html, October 27, 1998. FAQ Acid Rain. [Online] Available http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/stugeon/acfacts.htm, October, 28, 1998. Krabbenhoft, D.P. and D.A. Rickert. Mercury Contamination of Aquatic Ecosystems. [Online] Available http://wwwdwimdn.er.usgs.gov/pubs/FS-216-95/index.html, October 27, 1998. Rivers and Lakes are Dying. [Online] Available http://odin.dep.no/html/nofovalt/depter/md/publ/acid/Rivers.html, October 27, 1998.

SARS Essay examples -- Essays Papers

SARS Life History Severe Acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a respiratory illness that had recently been reported in Asia, North America, and Europe. SARS was first reported is Asia in February of 2003, over the next few months it spread to more than a dozen countries. By late July 2003, no new cases were being reported and the global outbreak was declared over by the World Health Organization. During this time period 8,098 people worldwide became infected with SARS and out of these 774 died. In the United States a total of 192 SARS cases had been reported, including 159 suspect and 33 probable cases. Of the probable only 8 had laboratory evidence of SARS-CoV infection. Luckily, no SARS relate deaths occurred in the US. Microbial Characteristics SARS belongs to a family of viruses called the coronaviruses. These viruses are recognized by their halo or crown like appearance when viewed under a microscope. The difference between SARS and other Caronaviruses deals with with their protein makeup. In early April of 2003 researchers from the Michael Smith Genome Science Cent...

Norwegian cruise line

In the 1980s, we saw an entertaining TV serial, â€Å"The Love Boat†, that shows us how beautiful the yacht is and what romance the passenger might have. In addition, almost a century ago, in 1912, we also witness that the Titanic, the biggest passenger ship in the beginning of 20th century sank during the journey between Paris and New York, in which 1,503 people lost their lives. From the two stories above, we learn that yacht or cruise line have been in the business for decades.Their target markets, as their luxurious ships suggest, are those who enjoy a journey in the sea and are willing to pay a considerably high price for the comfort. To meet such customers’ demands, the cruise line owner should provide a first-class service including the workers, foods and beverages, entertainments, and the cruise line itself. According to one report, the cruise line industry is a fifteen billion dollar worldwide business and it continues to grow at a rapid pace. Between January 2 001 and December 2005, the cruising industry adds their fleet with over fifty ships.While there are tens to hundreds cruising companies, in this paper, we will only focus the discussion on Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL). Concerning the NCL, we will discuss about background of NCL, its offerings and differentiation strategies, global cruise market, pricing competition, competitors, and financial analysis. At the end, we will provide conclusion that describe the competitiveness of Norwegian Cruise Line in the cruising industry. 2. Norwegian Cruise Line.2. 1 Company Background Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is a 40-year old cruse line that originates from Miami, Florida in the U. S. Unlike other cruise line companies, NCL asserts that they offer distinctive services that guests/customers would not get from other cruise line companies. The so-called freestyle cruise line becomes the company’s tag line and perceived quality. The company’s business principle is to encourage innov ation in all aspects of cruise line services. That principle guides the company to record several awards and ‘the first company’ records in some aspects as following: ? The First Caribbean cruise ? Provide the First Internet cafe at sea.The First cruise line that has children's programs ? The First. cruise line to provide Freestyle Cruising ? The first cruise line that has WiFi connection ? Provide the first bowling alley at sea (NCL Corporation, 2007 – Our Company) 2. 2 Offerings and Differentiation strategies In order to keep alive in Cruise industry that has hundreds of players (cruise lines), a company may have to be perceived different from the rests. The situation also occurs for Norwegian Cruise line, a Miami (Florida – USA) cruise line that becomes one of well-known cruise line in the U. S. due to unique offerings.The unique offerings called Freestyle where guests can choose services they want. The freestyle services come in many forms such as free style dining where customers can select 13 different restaurants on a single ship, freestyle fund where guests can experience many kinds of entertainment and fun activities like bowling, jogging, hiking, surfing, and spa, to name a few (NCL Corporation, 2007 – freestyle) 2. 3 Global Cruise Market Hospitality industry is a business dealing with the provisions of food, beverages, and accommodation.According to one research, the industry is found to be the fastest growing industry in the world surpassing manufacturing and banking. In addition to airlines and restaurants business, one of branches in hospitality industry is Cruise Lines industry. Burke (2000) said that the cruise industry had maintained good performance within the past decades for two reasons: ? Cruise lines industry always show astonishing records in the number of passengers who sail the cruises.In 1998 alone, the number of passengers was over five million passengers with occupancy rates about 91 percent. ? The i ndustry continues maintains astounding growth rate about 10 percent per annum (Burke, 2000) The Cruise Industry started in 1960’s as a merely leisure cruising. During its first years, the industry grew enormously. By the 1980’s the larger cruise companies already constructing larger ships and the smaller companies trying to compete by acquiring second hand ships.In the 1990’s the cruise companies built â€Å"post-Panamax† ships, the ships weigh over 100. 000 tons and apparently too large to pas trough the Panama Canal. The largest market for the cruise industry is from the North America where Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) exists. The other prospective market is European. In 2001, The North American Market consists of 7 million cruise passenger (72 % of world demand), 1. 9 million passenger originated from Europe (20 % of world demand) and 800. 000 passenger (8 % of world demand) are from Asia. For the last 5 years, the industry has grown faster than any oth er types of vocations.Continuous growth from years to come is expected to be 8 to 20 % of current market (‘Commission’, 2002). 2. 4 Pricing Strategies of of Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Competitors 2. 4. 1 Carnival Corporation (CCL) CCL is a company operating in the cruise ship industry. It provides cruise vacations leisure travels and sightseeing packages to customers worldwide. During 2004 the company has built 11 new ships. By February 2005, the company owned 77 cruise ships operating under 12 cruise brands (Eidam, 2004).

Character Evaluation

The film that I have chosen is Shrek. The character that I will be referencing to is going to be the character Shrek. On the low end of the extraversion scale, he fits perfectly well. He is more on the shy side and likes to be by himself for the most part. You can characterize his personality by his actions and responses being introverted. He is a person that is not too friendly with everyone. You can say that he is grumpy majority of the time. He is not a people-friendly person, only to the people that he becomes friends with as the movie progresses on. Another character in this movie is Donkey. The main discussion between the two of these characters is that Shrek will not allow people to get close to him and only continues to push people away. He â€Å"fails to pause following punishment, pushing ahead to the next trial before learning from his mistakes. † (Text book citation) When it comes to meeting new people, his initial greetings is very extroverted. On the neuroticism scale, Shrek scored very high on this scale. There are many sign that he exhibits on the high end of this scale, including nervousness, moodiness, and hostility. When he is faced with different challenges, he becomes very irritable and very angry. This indicates that he is inferior with his coping skills. When it comes to adapting to his social responses to make the right for the situation, he has difficulty doing this. This is typical of neuroticism. These actions are shown throughout the film on a repeated basis. Shrek scores very low on the openness to experience scale. The only that that concerns him is getting back to his old life in the swamp. This is an area that he is use to. His is not immediately affected by his well being is he does not exhibit curiosity in anything new. When he is faced with new situation or new people, his general demeanor is to quickly become aggravated or cranky with any of these situations. On the F scale he exhibits cynicism and destructiveness. His response pattern overall is very hostile. Even though it may seem that Shrek is not agreeable or conscientious on the surface, he is very conscientious towards other people. He is a person that believes in working hard and strives to persevere in his endeavors. On the other end of the scale, he exhibits erratic behavior and being much unorganized. On the agreeableness scale, he is the epitome of the ogre. His enjoyment comes from teasing others and he is antagonistic. He is a person that is belligerent and very crude. These come from his overall persona.

Chemistry of Cancer

Molly HubnerPeriod 1Extra Credit Paper Chemistry of Cancer Cancerous cells develop when conditions for cells are favorable, therefore following the divisions to continually occur, never stopping. When this happens, a tissue mass of cells called a tumor is formed and does not respond to normal controls regarding cell growth. Cancer cells have the following characteristics: profound changes in the plasma and membrane cytoplasm, abnormal growth and division weakened capacity for adhesion, and lethality. The membrane permeability is intensified and some proteins may be altered or added. Enzyme activities may also change and the cytoskeleton shrinks, causing a chaotic atmosphere. Controls are lost and cell populations will dramatically increase. New proteins cause abnormal increases in small blood vessels. Due to the high numbers, the cells can no longer attach itself to the parent tissue. Unless the cancerous cells are removed, they will kill the individual. Cancer is the number one killer in America today. We can say the known causes of cancer are radiation, sunlight, pollution, cigarette smoking and improper diets. I will explain the major causes of cancer, but before I proceed let me define the term â€Å"cancer. To be defined cancer is an abnormal, uncontrolled growth of cells that can spread beyond their natural boundaries to other parts of the body. Cancers can develop in numerous parts of the body. At first oncogene, genes with highly specialized functions were said to be the † cancer genes â€Å". This of course was wrong as oncogene promote normal c ell division and growth as well as the repair and replacement of damaged cells. Cancer starts when one out of as many as one trillion cells goes awry. When first damaged the cell loses its external controls and then the internal controls defect. From this it tries to develop a new set of internal controls by multiplying at a rapid pace which spreads colonies throughout the body. Cancer has been said to have two steps: mutation and promotion. During mutation the cell has been hit and permanently damaged; the cell is primed and ready to be molded known as a cancer cellPromotion is the cell division of the cancerous cell which then loses its controls- it then compensates itself by becoming an autonomous body Cancer can take 10 – 15 years to become fully developed, this depending on the cause or the ggressiveness of the tumor. Mature cells tend to progress slower. Metastases is the final stage when cancer is spread through the body by blood vessels or lymphatic channels. Single metastases can be cured usually by surgery or radiotherapy and multiple metastases is cured by chemotherapy . Metastases follows a path- from the primary tumor to a specific organ or organs. Lung Cancer is a disease marked by uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. The abnormal cells may no longer do the work of normal cells and in turn crowd out and destroy the healthy tissue. Most of the victims of cancer die from lung cancer. Many of these cases could have been avoided because it most often occurs in people over the age of 50 with a history of smoking. There are different types of lung cancer involving different parts of the lungs. They have different symptoms and are all treated differently. If the cancer is located in one of the bronchi it can irritate the lining of the bronchus and cause a chronic cough. Otherwise known as â€Å"smokers cough†. In serious conditions of this cough some might actually cough up blood. If the cancer spreads it may fill up the bronchus so air cannot easily pass in or out. Repeated lung infections and pneumonia are common with this condition. The leading cause of lung cancer is smoking. Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 different chemicals, many of which are carcinogens (may cause cancer). The three of the most damaging toxins are nicotine, tars, and carbon monoxide. Second-hand smoke inhaled by both smokers and nonsmokers is another important cause of lung cancer. Smoking is responsible for 90% of lung cancer deaths among men, 79% among women. Also smoking accounts for about 30% of all cancer deaths. Smokers that inhale two or more packs of cigarettes a day, have a cancer mortality rate 12-25 times greater than a nonsmokers. It has been estimated that if all the smokers in America stopped smoking, lung cancer would be virtually gone. The best known carcinogen is asbestos. Others include nickel, chromate, and vinyl chloride. Risk of lung cancer is greatly increased when combined with smoking. It is obvious that cigarette smoking is the single most powerful cause of lung cancer. The increase in risk has been observed not only in men, but more recently in women, for smoking has come engage in activities formerly considered the domain of men. Depending upon the number of cigarettes smoked, and the number of cigarettes smoked each day can increase the risk of lung cancer. It is clear that there is a definite and direct dose-response relationship between the smoking dose and the development of cancer. I believe that if someone smokes even a pack of cigarettes a day it will increase the risk of getting cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. It is a radioactive gas found in the earth's rocks and soil, formed by the natural breakdown of radium. Excessive exposure of radon in the home may increase the risk of lung cancer especially in smokers. If the radon levels are found to be to high, remedial actions should be taken. Another cause of cancer is on the job exposure to carcinogens . You can't see radon. And you can't smell or taste it, but it may very well be a problem in your home. It is estimated to cause many thousands of deaths each year. Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas, and when you breathe air containing the gas, you can get lung cancer. In fact, radon has now been declared the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high. Radon can be found all over the United States. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets in to the air you breathe. Radon can get into any type of building, homes, offices, and schools and build up to high levels. But you and your family are most likely to get your greatest exposure in your home because that is where you spend most of your time. In recent years Cancer is disease that has seemed to scared and infected Americans. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U. S. with more than 1 million new cases occurring a year. With each day scientific findings give a better understanding of the causes of the disease. These findings have opened doors to help treat cancer patients more effectively. Scientists have gained a more specific knowledge of individual cancers and now through the wonders of science have found effective treatments for the disease. To treat Cancer doctors and scientist need an understanding of what the disease actually physically does. Cancer is defined as â€Å"new growth of tissue resulting from a continuing proliferation of abnormal cells that have the ability to invade and destroy other tissues. † Cancer is not restricted to what type of cell and tissue it may emerge from. Therefore, they describe the disease as a large number of diseases as opposed to just on single disease. Because Cancer involves cells that can easily enter the bloodstream the disease has the ability to spread quickly through the body making it an even more dangerous disease and harder to stop. The idea behind surgery for treatment of cancer patients is to remove all malignant cells and tumors. With new, more precise, surgical advances, far less tissue is required to be removed thus resulting in a quicker recovery and less chance for serious disability. Surgery is most effective if done in the early stages of Cancer, although it is effective in more developed stages in relieving symptoms. Surgery is also used to make other forms of treatment, such as radiation, more effective. With the reduction of the tumor through surgery radiation treatment may effectively eliminate the tumor. Radiation treatment of cancer uses gamma rays attack Cancer causing tissue. Since tumors are more sensitive to radiation than normal tissue radiation can effectively eliminate or reduce harmful tissues that surgery can otherwise not remove. Since normal tissues are not as easily harmed by radiation, the negative effects on healthy tissue are not as severe. If the tumor is reduced through radiation, it may become possible for a doctor to eliminate the tumor through surgery. Radiation can also sterilize tumors thus preventing or slowing the spread of the Cancer through the body. This can also help doctors remove the tumor more easily through surgery, and provides a much less involved, painful surgery. The combination of radiation and surgery, if effective, can offer a cure with fewer negative side effects to the patient. The final traditional means of treating cancer is Chemotherapy. This form of treatment involves the use of drugs. Chemotherapy is used when Cancer has grown throughout the body and is no longer accessible through radiation or surgery. Although after chemotherapy, surgery is often used to eliminate remaining Caceres tissue. In this treatment drugs are administered and pass through the blood stream effecting Cancer tissue and healthy tissue. Since the drugs affect healthy tissue the patient will become sick from the treatment but because healthy cells divide faster than malignant cells the patient is able to recuperate. Chemotherapy, like all Cancer treatments, is most effective when administered early the early stages of the disease. It is also important that the treatment is consistent and administered frequently in order to achieve the most successful results. Cancer is one of the most leading causes of death in women, children and the elderly in the United States of America. Cancer is the number one killer in America today. We can say the known causes of cancer are radiation, sunlight, pollution, cigarette smoking and improper diets. Until this day we can say the causes of cancer are many and definitely complex, while the development of most cancers still remain unexplained. Bibliography Avendano, Carmen, and J. Carlos Mendes. Medicinal Chemistry of Anti- Cancer Drugs† ElSever: Hardbook. April 2008 Kotasek, Dusan, and Peter Pannall. Cancer and Clinical Biochemistry. UK:ACB. Venture Publications, 1997

Transmission Control Protocol and Cisco Public Information

Learning Objectives Be able to explain the purpose of a protocol analyzer (Wireshark). Be able to perform basic PDU capture using Wireshark. Be able to perform basic PDU analysis on straightforward network data traffic. Experiment with Wireshark features and options such as PDU capture and display filtering. Background Wireshark is a software protocol analyzer, or â€Å"packet sniffer† application, used for network troubleshooting, analysis, software and protocol development, and education. Before June 2006, Wireshark was known as Ethereal.A packet sniffer (also known as a network analyzer or protocol analyzer) is comput er software that can intercept and log data traffic passing over a data network. As data streams travel back and forth over the network, the sniffer â€Å"captures† each protocol dat a unit (PDU) and can decode and analyze its content according to the appropriate RFC or other specifications. Wireshark is programmed to recognize the structure of differen t network protocols. This enables it to display the encapsulati on and individual fields of a PDU and interpret their meaning.It is a useful tool for anyone working with networks and can be used with most labs in the CCNA courses for data analysis and troubleshooting. For information and to download the program go to -http://www. Wireshark. org Scenario To capture PDUs the computer on which W ireshark is installed must have a working connection to the network and Wireshark must be running before any data can be captured. W hen Wireshark is launched, the screen below is displayed. To start data capture it is first necessary to go to the Capture menu and select the Options choice.The Options dialog provides a range of settings and filters which determines which and how much data traffic is captured. All contents are Copyright  © 1992–2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information. Page 2 of 12 First, it is necessary to ensure that Wire shark is set to monitor the correct interface. From the Interface drop down list, select the network adapter in use. Typically, for a computer this will be the connected Ethernet Adapter. Then other Options can be set. Among those available in Capture Options, the two highlighted below are worth examination.Setting Wireshark to capture packets in promiscuous mode If this feature is NOT checked, only PDUs destined for this computer will be captured. If this feature is checked, all PDUs d estined for this computer AND all those detected by the computer NIC on the same network segment (i. e. , those that â€Å"pass by† the NI C but are not destined for the computer) are captured. Note: The capturing of these other PDUs depends on the intermediary device connecting the end device computers on this network. As you use different intermediary devices (hubs, switches, routers) thro ughout these courses, you will experience the different Wireshark results.Setting Wireshark for network name resolution This option allows you to control whether or not Wireshark translates network addresses found in PDUs into names. Although th is is a useful feature, the name resolution process may add extra PDUs to your captured data perhaps distorting the analysis. There are also a number of other capture filtering and process settings available. Clicking on the Start button starts the data capture process and a message box displays the progress of this process. All contents are Copyright  © 1992–2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.This document is Cisco Public Information. Page 3 of 12 As data PDUs are captured, the types and number are indicated in the message box The examples above show the capture of a ping process and then accessing a web page . When the Stop button is clicked, the capture process is terminated and the main screen is displayed . This main display window of Wireshark has three panes. All contents are Copyright  © 1992–2007 Cisco Sys tems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document i s Cisco Public Information. Page 4 of 12 The PDU (or Packet) List Pane at the top of the diagram displays a summary of each packet captured.By clicking on packets in this pane, you control what is displayed in the other two panes. The PDU (or Packet) Details Pane in the middle of the diagram displays the packet selected in the Packet List Pane in more de tail. The PDU (or Packet) Bytes Pane at the bottom of the diagram displays the actual data (in hexadecimal form representing the actual binary) from the packet selected in the Packet List Pane, and highlights the field selected in the Packet Details Pane . Each line in the Packet List corresponds to one PDU or packet of the captured d ata.If you select a line in this pane, more details will be displayed in the â€Å"Packet Details† and â€Å"Packet Bytes† panes. The example above shows the PDUs captured when the ping utilit y was used and http://www. Wireshark. org was ac cessed. Packet number 1 is selected in this pane. The Packet Details pane shows the current packet (selected in the â€Å"Packet List† pane) in a more detailed form. This pane show s the protocols and protocol fields of the selected packet. The protocols and fields of the packet are disp layed using a tree, which can be expanded and collapsed.The Packet Bytes pane shows the data of the current packet (selec ted in the â€Å"Packet List† pane) in what is known as â€Å"hexdump† style. In this lab, this pane will not be examined in detail. However, when a more in -depth analysis is required this displayed information is useful for examining the binary values and content o f PDUs. All contents are Copyright  © 1992–2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information. Page 5 of 12 The information captured for the data PDUs can be saved in a file. This file can then be opened in Wireshark f or analysis some time in the fut ure ithout the need to re-capture the same data traffic again. The information displayed when a capture file is opened is the same as the original capture. When closing a data capture screen or exiting Wireshark you are pr ompted to save the captured PDUs. Clicking on Continue without Saving closes the file or exits Wireshark without saving the displayed captured data. Task 1: Ping PDU Capture Step 1: After ensuring that the standard lab topology and configuration is correct, launch Wireshark on a computer in a lab pod. Set the Capture Options as described above in the overview and start the capture process.From the command line of the computer, ping the IP address of another network connected and powered on end device on in the lab topology. In this case, ping the Eagle Server at using the command ping 192. 168. 254. 254. After receiving the successful replies to the ping in the command line window, stop the packet capture. Step 2: Examine the Packet List pane. The Packet List pane on Wireshark should now look something like this: Look at the packets listed above; we are interested in packet numbers 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14 and 15. Locate the equivalent packets on the packet list on your computer.All contents are Copyright  © 1992–2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information. Pa ge 6 of 12 If you performed Step 1A above match the messages displayed in the command line window when th e ping was issued with the six packets captured by Wireshark . From the Wireshark Packet List answer the following: What protocol is used by ping? ________ICMP______________________ What is the full protocol name? ___Internet Control Message Protocol____ What are the names of the two ping messages? _____Echo Request____ _____Echo Reply____________________________________Are the listed source and destination IP addresses what you expected? Yes / N o Why? ___________________________________ Answers may vary-Yes, the source address is my computer and the destination is the Eagle server Step 3: Select (highlight) the first echo request packet on the list with the mouse. The Packet Detail pane will now display something similar to: Click on each of the four â€Å"+† to expand the information. The packet Detail Pane will now be similar to: All contents are Copyright  © 1992–2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information.Page 7 of 12 As you can see, the details for each section and protocol can be expanded further. Spend some time scrolling through this information. At this stage of the course, you may not fully understand the information displayed but make a note of the information you do recognize. Locate the two different types of ‘Source† and â€Å"Destination†. Why are there two types? The Ethernet II shows the MAC addresses and the Internet Protocol shows the IP addresses What protocols are in the Ethernet frame? ___ eth:ip:icmp:data _ __________________________________As you select a line in the Packets Detail pane all or part of the information in the Packet Bytes pane als o becomes highlighted. For example, if the second line (+ Ethernet II) is highlighted in the Details pane the Bytes pane no w highlights the corresponding values. This shows the particular binary values that represent that information in the PDU. At this stage of the course, it is not necessary to understand this information in detail. Step 4: Go to the File menu and select Close. Click on Continue without Saving when this message box appears. Task 2: FTP PDU Capture Step 1: Start packet capture.Assuming Wireshark is still running from the previous steps, start packet capture by clicking on the Start option on the Capture menu of Wireshark. At the command line on your computer running Wireshark, enter ftp 192. 168. 254. 254 When the connection is established, enter anonymous as the user without a password. Userid: anonymous All contents are Co pyright  © 1992–2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information. Page 8 of 12 Password: You may alternatively use login with userid cisco and with password cisco. When successfully logged in enter get /pub/eagle_labs/eagle1/chapter1/gaim-1. . 0. exe and press the enter key . This will start downloading the file from the ftp server. The output wil l look similar to: C:Documents and Settingsccna1>ftp eagle-server. example. com Connected to eagle-server. example. com. 220 Welcome to the eagle-server FTP service. User (eagle-server. example. com:(none)): anonymous 331 Please specify the password. Password: 230 Login successful. ftp> get /pub/eagle_labs/eagle1/chapter1/gaim-1. 5. 0. exe 200 PORT command successful. Consider using PASV. 150 Opening BINARY mode data connection for pub/eagle_labs/eagle1/chapter1/gaim-1. 5. 0. xe (6967072 bytes). 226 File send OK. ftp: 6967072 bytes received in 0. 59Seconds 11729. 08Kbytes/sec. When the file d ownload is complete enter quit ftp> quit 221 Goodbye. C:Documents and Settingsccna1> When the file has successfully downloaded, stop the PDU capture in Wireshark. Step 2: Increase the size of the Wireshark Packet List pane and scroll through the PDUs listed. Locate and note those PDUs associated with the file download. These will be the PDUs from the Layer 4 protocol TCP and the Layer 7 protocol FTP. Identify the three groups of PDUs associated with the file transfer.If you performed the step above, match the packets with the messages and prompts in the FTP command line window. The first group is associated with the â€Å"connection† phase and logging into the server . List examples of messages exchanged in this phase. Answers will vary- 1292 > ftp [SYN], FTP > 1292 [SYN, ACK], Response: 220 Welcome to the eagle -server FTP service, 1292 > ftp [ACK], Request: User anonymous, Response: 331 Please specify the password, Request: Pass Locate and list examples of messages exchange d in the second phase that is the actual download request and the data transfer.Answers will vary- FTP Data: 1448 bytes, 1294 > ftp-data [ACK], All contents are Copyright  © 1992–2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information. Page 9 of 12 The third group of PDUs relate to logging out and â€Å"breaking the connection†. List examples of messages exchanged during this process. Answers will vary- Request:QUIT, Response: 221 Goodbye, 1292 > ftp [FIN, ACK], ftp >1292 [FIN, ACK] Locate recurring TCP exchanges throughout the FTP process. What feature of TCP does this indicate? __Send and receipt of data____________________________________________ Step 3: Examine Packet Details. Select (highlight) a packet on the list associated with the first phase of the FTP process. View the packet details in the Details pane. What are the protocols encapsulated in the frame? ____ Eth:ip:tcp:ftp-data ______________________________________ Highligh t the packets containing the user name and password. Examine the highlighted portion in the Packet Byte pane. What does this say about the security of this FTP login process ? _____ Security isn’t very high because the name and password are visible. ___________ Highlight a packet associated with the second phase. From any pane, locate the packet containing the f ile name. The filename is: ___gaim-1. 5. 0. exe__________ Highlight a packet containing the actual file content -note the plain text visible in the Byte pane. Highlight and examine, in the Details and Byte panes, some packets exchanged in the third phase o f the file download. What features distinguish the content of these packets ? ____ A [FIN, ACK] is issued to close the connection. __________________ When finished, close the Wireshark file and continue without savingTask 3: HTTP PDU Capture Step 1: Start packet capture. Assuming Wireshark is still running from the previous steps, start packet capture by clicking on the Start option on the Capture menu of Wireshark. Note: Capture Options do not have to be set if continuing from previous steps of thi s lab. Launch a web browser on the computer that is running Wireshark. All contents are Copyright  © 1992–2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information. Page 10 of 12 Enter the URL of the Eagle Server of example. com or enter the IP address-192. 168. 54. 254. When the webpage has fully downloaded, stop the Wireshark packet capture. Step 2: Increase the size of the Wireshark Packet List pane and scroll through the PDUs listed. Locate and identify the TCP and HTTP packets associated with the webpage download. Note the similarity between this message exchange and the FTP exchange. Step 3: In the Packet List pane, highlight an HTTP packet that has the notation â€Å"(text/html)† in the Info column. In the Packet Detail pane click on the â€Å"+† next to â€Å"Line-based text data: htmlâ €  When this information expands what is displayed? ____HTML code for the web page__________________________ Examine the highlighted portion of the Byte Panel. This shows the HTML data carried by the packet. When finished close the Wireshark file and continue without saving Task 4: Reflection Consider the encapsulation information pertaining to captured network data Wireshark can provide. Relate this to th e OSI and TCP/IP layer models. It is important that you can recognize and link both the protocols represented and the protocol layer a nd encapsulation types of the models with the information provided by Wireshark.Task 5: Challenge Discuss how you could use a protocol analyzer such as Wireshark to: (1) Troubleshoot the failure of a webpage to download successfully to a browser on a computer. and (2) Identify data traffic on a network that is requested by users. Answers could vary-Wireshark could show when request for a web page failed due to incorrect URL. User traffic could b e monitored to identify errors in source or destination. All contents are Copyright  © 1992–2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information. Page 11 of 12

Psychotherapy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Psychotherapy - Essay Example Using this technique requires the therapist or counsellor to have unconditional positive regard, genuineness and empathic understanding. (Wikipedia "Psychotherapy" 3) Carl Rogers in the 1950's was the proponent of this system and he became very controversial because he used the term "counselling" to connote a softer and more positive and humanistic approach to psychotherapy. The technique used in PCT is non-directive, where the therapists use effective listening skills in facilitating the face-to-face communication. "Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapy based on modifying everyday thoughts and behaviours, with the aim of positively influencing emotions." (Wikipedia: "Cognitive" 1) According to Wikipedia, CBT is based on the thoughts, the emotions and the behaviour, which are, how we think, how we feel and therefore how we act as a result of the interactions of how we think and feel. In other words, how we think influence how we feel and behave on a certain situation. The problem is created because of some irrational or unrealistic thinking that gives rise to a negative a feeling and leads to a problematic behaviour. An example of which, is a child who thinks his mother does not love him because he is "dumb" therefore keeps getting his mother's attention by being excessively naughty. CBT is applied to situations like this, sometimes ranging from ordinary problems to abnormal psychological conditions and are treated through series of face-to-face sessions with a trained psychoth erapist.Other Similar Approaches Person-Centred Therapy, considered "a founding work in the humanistic schools of psychotherapies" (Wikipedia "Client-Centred" 1), is a positive approach to psychotherapy that uses the concept "here and now" and self awareness. Carl Rogers patterned his works from the existentialism theories of Abraham Maslow and the hierarchy of human needs. Other approaches that were developed from this concept but branched out to more specific systems were the Feminist therapy, Somatic Psychology, Expressive therapy, Brief therapy, Systems therapy, all of which use the modern approach of valuing the client's will to heal himself. (Wikipedia "Psychotherapy" 3) The Cognitive Behavioural Therapy does not stand on its own. In other words, it is a general term for a classification of techniques, an "umbrella term for many different therapies that share common elements" (Wikipedia "Cognitive" 2). Albert Ellis in the 1950's was the first to develop the combination of cognitive and behavioural approaches, the Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT) and Aaron T. Beck developed the Cognitive Therapy. Richard Heimberg based his Cognitive Behavioural Group Therapy (CBGT) on CBT applying group therapy which made patients feel better when they knew that

Chapter # 7 Presentation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Chapter # 7 Presentation - Essay Example Department of Health and Human Services should; establish a three-tier structure model based on financial risk by ACO: link payment concept to ACO qualification levels: provision of Medicare and insurance with at least one ACO: assign Medicare to patients who have no provider (hospital). Currently, physicians lack elements to participate in level II and level III ACO. It is recommended to have; private sector, professional association and CMC Quality Improvement Organization (QIOs) which should provide administrative governance and technical assistance. The office of the national coordinator should provide funds to ACOs with implementing electronic health records (Harrington, 380). CMC should pay the providers for coordination, prevention of diseases and protection of people’s health. Changes may be required to facilitate innovation in payment, incentive, ACO formation, laws and policies in major five major areas. The healthcare system changes will not benefit all providers, but it will meet the demand of the increased population. The reform focuses on rewarding providers on the delivery of quality services to patients. ACO focuses on addressing defects in organizations and payment health care. ACO also provides encouragement to create a feeling of union by general patients as opposed to discrete entities. The two main essential features of ACO are; first, designate accountable provider entities that share collective responsibilities for treating grouped patients. The second feature is the performance measurement and new payment method where each provider’s payment is to be based on care (Gold and Felt, 2008). ACOs raise concerns of health care delivery in the United States. ACOs proposal focuses on grouping of patients for providers to work together closely to improve the quality performance measures. From past experiences, the ACOs have learnt that providers are a vital, and changes are tied to providers. Areas to be improved for

Healthcare Utilization and Finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Healthcare Utilization and Finance - Essay Example Medicare Part B Essentially, this part covers healthcare services that are not provided for in part A of the Medicare. In Mrs. Zwick’s case, the cost of the different diagnostic tests that she underwent during her hospital stay and time of rehabilitation would be paid for in this part. Medicare Part D This last option of insurance cover deals with payment of the cost of drugs that are prescribed during a hospital stay. The antibiotics that were prescribed during the initial hospital stay will be catered for here. Moreover, the medication that prescribed upon her discharge will be also paid and by extension the walker that she required to walk around. Medicare policies and Reimbursement of Additional Care The policy by Medicare not to pay additional costs emanating from hospital acquired infections means that these cases have to be HAC (hospital-acquired complications) in terms of high cost. This in turn means that a patient with such a problem would have to be assigned to paym ent of higher premiums to cover the whole cost. It is however predicated upon the premise that the complication was due to secondary diagnosis and could have been prevented through utilization of evidence based guidelines. These additional policies of Medicare on hospital acquired infections means that the hospital will not get reimbursement for them (McNair, Luft, & Bindman, 2009). For instance, the antibiotics that were prescribed to her and these drugs were for urinary tract infection (UTI). With UTI being one of the complications that are not catered for by Medicare, then Mrs. Zwick and her daughter would have to pay from their pockets. Ethical Implications for Incurring Costs Related To Her Hospital-Acquired Condition The ethical implication for costs that emanate from hospital acquired infections to the concerned patients is that they have to pay for the additional cost. This is regardless of whether the infection was due to negligence on the part of the hospital or the infect ion just arose spontaneously. In order for clients to be shielded from this, they are forced to pay more so that in the advent that the complications that occur due to a person being hospitalized may be reimbursed by Medicare. Such a proactive move is quite unfair to the payer and the extra charge is quite punitive bearing in mind that these infections are completely out of a payer’s control when they happen. Another ethical implication is that it has to be proved beyond doubt that the hospital acquired infections were not due to negligence on the part of a hospital. This may arduous and quite challenging and it takes time (Zhan, Friedman, Mosso & Pronovost, 2006). Scenario 2 Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) Since COBRA insurance was designed to cover for people who have lost their job due to legitimate reasons, the cover is usually paid by the former employer but it is not subsidized. It follows then that the payments for health coverage premiums are re mitted by the former employer in full and an additional administrative cost of two percent. However, coverage is considered under group coverage which therefore means that the cost of the premiums is still low although they are slightly higher than when the employee was working. Many of the individuals that invoke the COBRA coverage usually have a big time difference between their last day at work and

Days of Heaven by Terrence Malick Research Paper

Days of Heaven by Terrence Malick - Research Paper Example Bill, Abby and Linda works at the same farm. The farmer who was the owner of the farm was a wealthy guy. The farmer somehow falls in love with Abby. At the same time it comes to the knowledge of the farmer that he is dying off some unidentified disease. When Bill gets to know about it, he designs a plan and try to convince Abby to marry the farmer. Bill wanted Abby to marry the dying farmer so that when he is dead they both can have his inherited money (French). Bill convinces Abby and after they both get married, Bill stays at the farm being Abby’s brother. The farmer’s foreman suspected the scheme. At the same time, the farmer is also able to resist the disease and stayed healthy. This ruins Bill’s plan. The farmer also gets to know about Bill’s and Abby relationship. On the other hand, Abby starts loving her new husband. The farmer tries to kill Bill but instead Bill kills him and escapes with Abby and Linda. Police eventually finds Bill and kills him. The music in the film is thoughtful and is filled with regret and loss. The musical mode in the film is like that of ‘The Godfather’, but is not very strong and remembered. This shows that Malick wanted to reflect a sad psychological connection of the characters with music. This has helped in determining the mental conditions of the character throughout the film (Schager). ‘Good days of heaven’ was not very well received by critics. The film, however, won an Academy Award for best cinematography. Regardless of the unfavorable critics, it is one of the most acclaimed films.

Managing at the Edge Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Managing at the Edge - Research Paper Example This is an approach that underestimates the abilities of the employees to carry out tasks and to innovate and improvise as they go. In this kind of companies, each and every decision has to be taken at top level and the employees in the lower levels of hierarchy only have to mechanically obey what they are told. There will a fixed chain of command that will often be lengthy as well (Carney and Getz, 2009, p.23). The decision making will be highly â€Å"procedure-driven† (Carney and Getz, 2009, p.23). Lack of flexibility caused by stringent rules and stunning of the possibilities of creative contribution from employees, are two major drawbacks of 'how' companies. In contrast to this, a 'why' company is one which shares with its employees a single quest, namely, 'why we are doing what we are doing?' (Carney and Getz, 2009, p.16). Naturally, it is a common quest for the company and the employees. The only answer possible for this question is, â€Å" to keep the customers happyâ €  (Carney and Getz, 2009, p.17). Thus the 'why' company wants the employees to keep its customers happy and does not bother much about how it is attained (Carney and Getz, 2009, p.17-18). This is an approach that allows maximum contribution and participation from the employees. It gives freedom to the employees to innovate and improvise and through that, will enhance their motivation and self-esteem. In traditional 'how' companies, the strict control can help achieve good growth and profits (Carney and Getz, 2009, p.43). But this positive aspect will be counter-balanced by the detachment and stress that the employees feel in an environment where there is least freedom (Carney and Getz, 2009, p.43). This will get reflected in their output as well (Carney and Getz, 2009, p.43). References Carney, B.M. And Getz, I. (2009) Freedom, Inc., New York: Crown Business. 2. What are the characteristics of a Level 5 Leader? Level 5 leader is someone who has the capability to lead a company f rom â€Å"good to great†, according to Collins (2001). The term, level 5, is used to indicate â€Å"a five-level hierarchy† (Collins, 2001). Collins (2001) has explained these five levels as given below: Level 1 relates to individual capability, Level 2 to team skills, Level 3 to managerial competence, and Level 4 to leadership as traditionally conceived. Level 5 leaders possess the skills of levels 1 to 4 but also have an "extra dimension": a paradoxical blend of personal humility ("I never stopped trying to become qualified for the job") and professional will ("sell the mills"). People who inhabit the level 5 leadership category are not egocentric and dislike showing off (Collins, 2001). All the same, they have the strength and will power to take bold decisions when the hour needs so (Collins, 2001). It is the goals, the organization and the meaningfulness of the whole exercise that come first for them rather than their personal ego (Collins, 2001). They are highly a mbitious but not in the real sense the word, ambition is commonly used (Collins, 2001). Level 5 leaders are ambitious not towards their own narrow personal career goals but for greatness of the job involved and the organization (Collins, 2001). Level 5 leader will always be only partially satisfied by the results achieved and would constantly seek self-improvement (Collins, 2001). The greatest motivation of such a leader is to leave behind a real