Accounting firm Essay

A supervisor in a large accounting firm is scheduled to interview a job candidate who comes highly recommended and has excellent qualifications. Jim has an accounting degree (bachelors) from a prestigious Ivy League school and has been working on his MBA by attending an online program for the last 18 months and is close to earning his degree. In addition he has been working for one of your competitors for several years and has excellent references attesting to his ability. Your payroll budget has recently been reduced significantly as a result of a declining client base and your manager has the final authority in establishing salaries for the new hires but generally is responsive to what his supervisor’s propose to a job candidate. In addition, the HR Director has published salary ranges for new hires that are to be adhered to, unless there are extenuating circumstances such as the candidate having special expertise, the ability to bring in additional clients, or excellent credentials including having the CPA certification. Your Role/Assignment: Your role is to determine whether distributive or integrative negotiations will be preferred in this scenario between the job applicant and the supervisor, and respond to the questions regarding the other parties who have an interest in hiring the job applicant. Use the Worksheet to answer the questions related to this scenario. Each question is worth 20 points. Once you are finished, submit your assignment to the Dropbox. See more:  Perseverance essay Questions: 1.What is the appropriate negotiation strategy that would be most advantageous for Sharon and Jim in this scenario, distributive or integrative bargaining? What are the factors that should be considered in making this determination? Answer: I believe the best negotiation strategy would be for Sharon and Jim to consider using Integrative bargaining. Because Jim does bring many positives to the bargaining table. If they seriously intend to land this talented new hire, they better offer him something better than they are proposing. I believe I would use Integrative bargaining in this situation if I was supervisor or manager. 2.What factors do you feel will contribute to the Accounting Supervisor and her Manager in determining the salary that Jim should be offered as a new hire? What are some other considerations that could be made to entice Jim to accept the job assuming that his salary demands could not be met? What are Jim’s and the Accounting Supervisor’s interests? Answer: The company is working with a reduced budget because they lost one of their major clients recently. This caused them to rethink and refocus the way ahead, and how they would continue to do business in the future; in order to survive as a company. Plus the Accounting Supervisor (Sharon) has been given specific instructions as to the â€Å"wiggle room† she has to play with; which is very little, when it comes to salary negotiations. I believe Helen (Accounting Manager) is thinking solely about the company and not really considering the applicant’s desires or views. 3.What are HR’s interests in this scenario, and what would be the potential negotiation strategy between the Accounting Manager and HR assuming that there is a decision that the published salary range for attracting Jim will have to be exceeded in order to hire him? Answer: The HR Director’s interest here is clearly the concern of the Accounting Supervisor and the Manager being able to successfully negotiate an acceptable salary that will not â€Å"break the bank† as (Richard) the HR Director puts it. He wants them to ensure they negotiate within the pre-determined salary ranges. The salary cap for the position is set at $50,000. But, the problem here is the fact that Jim is already earning $60,000 with a competitor. What Sharon and Helen must decide is whether they feel hiring Jim is worth going to management to ask for an exception to try negotiation salary beyond the cap. I personally do not believe $50K will land Jim. Helen wants to â€Å"save-face† with the HR Director, because she is afraid by going to him for more money will make her look weak as a manager. 4.Propose a negotiating outcome for each of the possible negotiations that could occur in this scenario and defend your responses. Negotiations between: Supervisor and Job Applicant I would use Integrative bargaining and try to negotiate Jim down (somewhat) on his salary expectations. The approach I would employ is the fact that he would be working for such a great company, a leader in the industry. I would emphasize the room to grow. I would also put incentives and or bonuses out there for him to strive for. I would get him to look at his potential for growth and salary increases in the future. Maybe, I would tie them to his performance. Supervisor and Accounting Manager If I was the supervisor, I would go strong after my Accountant Manager to approach the HR Director about an exception to policy for the position’s salary cap. If I felt strong enough about this potential new hire’s ability; then I think it would be worth the effort and time. They should look at this as the long term potential that Jim has to help this company become stronger and make more money be gaining more clients. Helen (The manager) must put personal beliefs or assumptions aside and seek advice or make suggestions based on her best professional opinion of the benefits to hire Jim. Accounting Manager and Human Resources Simply stated, Helen has to be willing to approach Richard about seriously exceeding the salary limits in order to sign Jim on to their team. The potential impact to have this â€Å"rising star† with the skill set and abilities he has already demonstrated is probably worth an second consideration. I think they should call a meeting to discuss this. I also believe the strategy they should use is, when Jim is interviewed, the interview should include all four: Sharon, Helen, and Richard. The three of them all sit down with Jim at the same time, and explain the company’s position and attempt to negotiate a reasonable salary range.

History Story Teaches Us That History Teaches Nothing: Discuss Essay

1.0 INTRODUCTION All human cultures tell stories about the past, deeds of ancestors, heroes, gods, or animals. Songs sacred to particular peoples were chanted and memorized long before there was any writing with which to record them. Their truth was authenticated by the very fact of their continued repetition. History which can be considered as an account that purports to be true of events and ways of thinking and feeling in some part of the human past stems from this archetypal human narrative activity. While sharing a common ancestry with myth, legend, epic poetry, and the novel, history has of course diverged from these forms. Its claim to truth is based in part on the fact that all the persons or events it describes really existed or occurred at some time in the past. Historians can say nothing about these persons or events that cannot be supported, or at least suggested, by some kind of documentary evidence. Such evidence customarily takes the form of something written, such as a letter, a law, an administrative record, or the account of some previous historian. In addition, historians sometimes create their own evidence by interviewing people. In the 20th century, the scope of historical evidence was greatly expanded to include, inter alia, aerial photographs, clothes, motion pictures, and houses etc. Furthermore, all developed countries have their National Archives. This is in recognition of the simple fact that knowledge of the past is essential to society. What happens in the present, and what will happen in the future, is very much governed by what happened in the past. Without a thorough knowledge of past events and circumstances, we could not even attempt to grapple with these problems. Without knowledge of the past we would be without identity, we would be lost on an endless sea of time. However, it is obvious that knowledge of the past has not brought easy solutions to problems in, say, Nigeria, Mali, Zimbabwe, Palestine or even other parts of the world. Notwithstanding the fact that history is paramount in any society and in fact a necessary ingredient for its growth, but many practical facts staring us at the face have shown that people learn from  history that they do not learn from history. Thus, I would like to support and defend the assertion that ‘history teaches us that history teaches nothing’. But before delving into this argumentative cum intellectual excursus, I would like to clarify the term ‘History’ and ‘Why people study history’ 2.0 WHAT IS HISTORY? Etymologically, the term ‘history’ is from the Greek word ‘á ¼ ±ÃÆ'Ï„Î ¿Ã ÃŽ ¯ÃŽ ±Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ – historia, meaning â€Å"inquiry, knowledge acquired by investigation†. It was still in this Greek sense that Francis Bacon used the term in the late 16th century, when he wrote about â€Å"Natural History†. For him, history is â€Å"the knowledge of objects determined by space and time†. History is the study of the past, specifically how it relates to humans. It is an umbrella term that relates to past events as well as the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about these events. Scholars who write about history are called historians whereas the events occurring prior to written record were considered prehistory. By â€Å"prehistory†, historians mean the recovery of knowledge of the past in an area where no written records exist, or where the writing of a culture is not understood. By studying painti ng, drawings, carvings, and other artefacts, some information can be recovered even in the absence of a written record. Since the 20th century, the study of prehistory is considered essential to avoid history’s implicit exclusion of certain civilizations, such as those of Sub-Saharan Africa and pre-Columbian America. In 1961, British historian E. H. Carr wrote; ‘the line of demarcation between prehistoric and historical times is crossed when people cease to live only in the present, and become consciously interested both in their past and in their future. History begins with the handing down of tradition; and tradition means the carrying of the habits and lessons of the past into the future. Records of the past begin to be kept for the benefit of future generations’1 Herodotus of Halicarnassus (484 BC – 425 BC) has generally been acclaimed as the â€Å"father of history†. However, his contemporary Thucydides (460 BC – 400 BC) is credited with having first approached history with a well-developed historical method in his work ‘the History of the Peloponnesian War’. In his historical method, Thucydides emphasized chronology, a neutral point of view, and that the human world was  the result of the actions of human beings. Greek historians also viewed history as cyclical, with events regularly recurring. Suffice to say that the word ‘history’ entered the English language in 1390 with the meaning of â€Å"relation of incidents or story†. Professor Richard J. Evans defines histo ry as an academic discipline which uses a narrative to examine and analyse a sequence of past events, and objectively determine the patterns of cause and effect that determine them. According to Professor Arthur Marwick in his article titled ‘The Fundamentals of History’, history is ‘the bodies of knowledge about the past produced by historians, together with everything that is involved in the production, communication of, and teaching about that knowledge’.3 In E. H. Carr’s ‘What Is History? Carr draws on sources from Nietzsche to Herodotus to argue for a more subtle definition of history as ‘an unending dialogue between the present and the past’.4 No wonder, Whitney says that history is facilitated by the formation of a ‘true discourse of past’5 through the production of narrative and analysis of past events relating to the human race. History is the analysis and interpretation of the human past that enables us to study continuity and change over time. It is an act of both investigation and imagination that seeks to explain how people have changed over time. Historians use all forms of evidence t o examine, interpret, revisit, and reinterpret the past. These include not just written documents, but also oral communication and objects such as buildings, artefacts, photographs, and paintings. Historians are trained in the methods of discovering and evaluating these sources, and the challenging task of making historical sense out of them, that is to say they are aesthetically disinterested in their approach to events. According to Encarta electronic dictionary, history is ‘a chronological account of past events, it is the branch of knowledge that records and analyses past events’6. More so, Encyclopaedia Britannica defines history as ‘the discipline that studies the chronological record of events (as affecting a nation or people), based on a critical examination of source materials and usually presenting an explanation of their causes’7. Understanding why historic events took place is important. To do this, historians often turn to geography. Weather patterns, the water supply, and the landscape of a place all affect the lives of the people who  live there. For example, to explain why the ancient Egyptians developed a successful civilization, st udying the geography of Egypt is essential. At this juncture, it is paramount to say that the writing of history, especially the writing of history based on the critical examination of sources, the selection of particular details from the authentic materials in those sources, and the synthesis of those details into a narrative that stands the test of critical examination is known as Historiography. 3.0 WHY THEN DO PEOPLE STUDY HISTORY? From my own personal observation, it does occur to me that people explore the field of history for myriads of reasons which are: History is a means to understand the past and present. The different interpretations of the past allow us to see the present differently and therefore imagine and work towards the future. Through the study of history we can investigate and interpret why society developed as it has and determine what influences have affected the past and present and shape the future. It helps one to understand the immense complexity of our world and provides insights to help cope with the problems and possibilities of the present and future. History also provides a sense of identity to understand the collective past that has made us what we are today. The way in which people identify and interact with one another is by and large a consequence of history, which shapes and conditions individuals and societies whether they fully understand it or not, relationship between differ ent ethnic groups in Nigeria can testify clearly to this. History is also a bridge to other disciplines. In order to understand the other humanities and sciences one needs a historical overview. Writers, artists, scientists, politicians, philosophers etc. are all conditioned by the historical milieu in which they lived. Historical knowledge is a prerequisite for understanding the world in which we live. History is magister vitae, â€Å"teacher of life.† History prepares us to live more humanely in the present and to meet the challenges of the future because it provides us with understanding of the human condition. Despite these reasons why people study history, it becomes disheartening to see that these reasons do not readily translate into practice considering what is on ground in the  world. Hence, one can say without any fear of equivocation or ambiguity that ‘history teaches us that history teaches nothing’. To explicate this standpoint further, I would like to delineate in a jiffy the essential factors to be consi dered in history, from there I would showcase why history teaches us that history teaches nothing. 3.1 ESSENTIAL FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED WHY STUDYING HISTORY These are; Persons, ( personal element ), Time element, Event, Place, Circumstance, People’s reaction or Effects, Post Reactions and the Lessons. It is from the standpoint of lessons meant to be learnt from history that I would defend the assertion that ‘history teaches us that history teaches nothing’. 4.0 HISTORY TEACHES US THAT HISTORY TEACHES NOTHING: USING NIGERIA AS A CASE STUDY. Having explained the concept of history and why we study history, the problems that stare us at face are; how has the knowledge of the past positively influenced the present day society? To what extent is the history affecting the lives of people? Why is it that people, nations, continents etc. repeat the same mistake of the past? Does it mean that history has no positive influence on human development or that people have blatantly refused to learn from history? No wonder the prestigious German Philosopher, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel in his lectures on the philosophy of history said; â€Å"What experience and history teaches us is that people and governments have never learned anything from history, or acted on principles deduced from it†¦ We learn from history that we do not learn from history†¦ [Hence] History teaches that history teaches us nothing. If we go on to cast a look at the f ate of the world historical personalities†¦ we shall find it to have been no happy one. They attained no calm enjoyment; their whole nature was labour and trouble; their whole nature was nothing but their master’s passion. When their object is attained they fall off like empty hulls from the kernel† To expatiate on this assertion that history teaches us that history teaches nothing, I would like to use Nigeria as a case study because I am more familiar with Nigerian history. Before delving into this intellectual discuss, I would like to posit certain questions: What is the percentage of Nigerians that are productively engaged? How many of them can  pay their bills? Education is one factor that can lift the fortunes of a nation overnight: as it is today, what is the percentage of the population that attain school till tertiary institution? What percentage of the population can afford the fees for their education? What has the government done to entrenched unity rather than ethnicity? Why has the government being unable to address these nagging issues? The most suitable answer to these interrogatives is that the government has failed to learn from history. In fact, the history of Nigeria has taught nothing to the government of this country considering what is on ground. The blame is mostly shifted to the government because as Achebe wrote in his book, ‘The Trouble with Nigeria’, the problem of Nigeria is that of leadership. Let me succinctly delineate and expatiate on this assertion that history teaches us that history teaches nothing with some major events that have taken place in Nigeria. To be more precise, I hold the opinion that we have been stagnant in a lot of ways, we have degenerated in so many more ways while very little, if any progress, has been made in our march to meaningful nationhood. A key reason for our lacklustre performance at nation-building as Soyinka prescribes in the Dance of the Forest is the failure to draw lessons from the past at every turn in our history. That is an enterprise in which Nigeria still fails woefully. Hear what I read in one of the National Dailies that Chief Obafemi Awolowo, one of the active participants in the move towards independence, said in a speech he delivered on the floor of the House of Representatives in Lagos on March 31, 1953; â€Å"†¦It has been customary for our friends from the North to threaten the rest of Nigeria with secession if this is done or if that is not done†¦ We find the northern majority is not only being used (by the colonialists, I presume) in having their way, but it is also being used in preventing the minority from having their say†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Such was the suspicion and distrust that existed amongst major ethnic nationalities in the country at the attainment of independence. This suspicion eventually led to many coups like that of; 15th January 1966 Nigeria Major Kaduna Nzeogwu which led to the death of many including Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the then prime minister, 29th July 1966, a bloody coup led by Col. Yakubu Gowon, whichà ‚  claimed the life of Major General JTU Aguyi Ironsi and many others, 29th July 1975, by General Murtala Mohammed against General Yakubu Gowon and was successful, 13th February 1976, by Col. Dinka which resulted to the death of the then Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed, 31st December 1983, by Major General Ibrahim B. Buhari against Alhaji Shehu Shagari took place and was successful, 27th August 1985, by Major General Ibrahim B. Babangida against General Buhari. This suspicion also led to the civil war in which millions of lives were lost. Now, has Nigeria learnt anything from these? I think, NO. This is because, fifty three years old, national integration is still abysmal in Nigeria. There are verbal missiles across the country by individuals who desire to promote the interest of their ethnic groups, all of them fanning the embers of strife and war. Ethnic militias exist in almost different parts of the country threatening the lives and existence of those who do not share their ethnic or religious pedigree. Many Nigerians especially Southerners have lost their lives due to Boko Haram insurgency. This was a kind of situation which made Ojukwu to declare the Republic of Biafra due the massacre of the Igbos in the North. This declaration later led to civil war. We have even seen the â€Å"deportation† of hapless Nigerians from one state to the other and the attendant emotional outbursts that followed it. In fact, Nigeria has failed woefully to learn from history because the lessons of history are never applied to better the life of her citizenry. At the moment, seven gov ernors elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are on do or die mission to get a politician of northern extraction into the office of president come 2015. To them, it does not matter that the north had held that position for 37 out of Nigeria’s 53 years of independence, and that the region in particular and the nation in general, has nothing to show for it, all they are interested in is that the next President is from the North. To drive home the urgency of their desire, some of their supporters have actually threatened that Nigeria would be history if this pet project failed. Are these politicians unable to learn from history that born to rule mentality is a cankerworm that has threatened the fabrics of nationhood? Legendary writer, Chinua Achebe in his celebrated book, The Trouble with Nigeria once said: â€Å"But whereas tribalism might win  enough votes to install a reactionary jingoist in a tribal ghetto, the cult of mediocrity will bring the wheels of modernisation grinding to a halt throughout the land† That is the state of affairs in Nigeria currently. It is as bad as for past and present leaders in the country to brazenly tell the world that Nigeria’s major challenge is the lack of honest and dedicated leadership even as none of them has the nobility to plead guilty of the charge. This plague of bad leadership accounts for the frustrating level of ineptitude that we have in all areas of our national life. It seems to me that a cloud of cluelessness has descended on Nigeria over the years. Corruption in particular is one vice in which Nigeria has grown in leaps and bounds over the years. If there were pockets of corrupt practices in the country at the attainment of independence, Nigeria has within the last 53 years grown corruption to the extent that it has literarily acquired a life of its own. This has almost brought the nation to its knees with the resultant collapse of the middle class and the gap between the rich and the poor widening by the day. This means that Nigerian leaders in all sectors of life have failed to learn from history that corruptive practices retard the development of a nation and the excessive gap between the rich and poor can make the poor people to start a revolt against the rich. More still, agriculture which was the mainstay of the country’s economy up until the end of the First Republic has taken the back burner no thanks to the seeming ease with which petro-dollars have come to us since the oil boom in the 1970s. As Nigeria’s oil prospect increased, political leaders found more money to siphon or launder even as they neglect to sustain the structures which made life meaningful for the citizenry. Today, life is almost unbearable for the average Nigerian. Nigerian leaders seem to forget that it was this kind of atmosphere that ushered in the French revolution. Nigeria has not learnt from history. Hence, from this exposition of Nigerian experience, I continue to maintain that history teaches us that history teaches nothing because people have failed to learn from the lessons of history. 5.0 EVALUATION AND CONCLUSION Some may tend to argue that defending the idea that history teaches us that history teaches nothing is already affirming that history teaches something  because being aware that history teaches nothing is already learning something from history. Remember, the premise of my argument is that history teaches us that history teaches nothing, put in another way; we learn from history that we do not learn from history. This points to the fact that people and nations have failed woefully to apply the lessons of history to promote human well-fare. Thus, Hegel is right when he maintained that we learn very little from history in a global sense. Therefore, history teaches us nothing if we fail to observe the past, ask appropriate questions and learn from the lessons of history. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1 Carr, Edward H. (1961). What is History? p.108 2 Evans, Richard J. â€Å"The Two Faces of E.H. Carr†. History In Focus. An article published by Palgrave, 2001. 3 Marwick, Arthur ‘The Nature of History’ The MacMillian Press LTD. pg. 169, 1970. 4 Professor Arthur Marwick in his article titled ‘The Fundamentals of History’ In E. H. Carr’s ‘What Is History? 5 Whitney, W. D. The Century dictionary; an encyclopaedic lexicon of English language. New York: The Century Co, 1889. 6 Encarta Microsoft Electronic Dictionary 2010 edition 7 Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite. Chicago: Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, 2011. 8 Hegel’s Lectures on Philosophy of History which was assessed online on the 3rd of November, 2013. 9 Achebe, Chinua. The Trouble with Nigeria, Enugu: Fourth Dimension Publishing. Co. Ltd.Reprinted 1998. Print.

The Brave One Essay

Movie: The Brave One Actress: Jody Foster playing Erica Bane In The Brave One, Jody Foster plays Erica Bane she is the host of a radio show call Streetwalk. The movie starts out showing her happy. She is planning her wedding, picking out colors for invitations. She attends a friend's art show. He fiance show up to surprise her after he says he can't come. They walk home together arm in arm. They then get their German Shepard, Curtis, and take him for a walk in the park. They throw a ball and Curtis runs into a tunnel to go get it but doesn't return.After a few minutes they go to look for him. In the tunnel there are two mean with a video camera and they are holding their dog. Erica and her husband ask for the dog back but they two men start to taunt them. They grab at her and begin to hit them both very violently. They beat them with a metal pipe and all the time they are video taping and the dog is barking. Erica wakes up in the hospital where they tell her that her fiance is dead a nd they have already buried him. She has been out for several days. There are detectives at the hospital viewing a body of a murder victim.They talk to the dead woman daughter who is in the waiting room and her step father shows up. The detectives ask Erica to look at some mug shot and what she can remember but it hard for her to talk about and she doesn't remember much. She returns home and starts having flashbacks of the attack. She wakes up in the middle of the night and takes some kind of pills. A friend calls on the answering machine and asks to take her out to do something but she just ignores the call. When she leaves the apartment, I child on a skate board startles her and she seems agitated.Erica then goes to the police station to see about her case and she is told to wait. After a while she leaves and you get the sense that she feels helpless. She goes and tries to buy a gun. The man at the store tells her that there is a thirty day waiting period. To this she replies that she won't survive thirty days. She gets a gun from some man and he teaches her how to use it. She starts smoking. The detective from the hospital is trying to keep the little girl away from her step father because he is trying to make a case against him and think that he killed the little girls mother because she was going to testify against him.A little later in the movie Erica is in a store and the clerk gets shot. She is in the back and the shooter didn't know she was there until her phone rang. He looked for her and she shot him before he could shoot her. She is also having trouble at work and talks on her show about how she fears New York, the city she once loved, and wonders if she will ever be the person she once was. She is riding the subway and some men start to harass another passenger. He gets off but she stays in her seat. They then start to harass her and she shoots them also.She notices that her hands aren't shaking anymore. She knows what she is doing is wrong and th at she didn't have to shoot them. She returns to the scene after police have arrived and she talks to the detective telling him that she is interviewing him for her show. He recognizes her from the hospital. The police come up with a vigilante theory. Erica becomes friends with the detective and she does a piece for her show about him. She walks alone at night almost seeming to look for trouble and finds herself in a few more situations where she kills people who mean to harm her or someone else.During this time she has become close friends with the detective and he kinda suspects that it might be her committing these crimes. He tells her that they found a ring that was stolen from her during her attack and she looks for the men following a lead from the pawn shop where he ring was found. She finds them and kills them. The detective responds to the shots and he finds her there. He tells her to take the dead man's gun and shoot him in the shoulder and get out of there. He doesn't tur n her in. She gets her dog and the movie ends.I think that Erica Bane has Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. From my lecture notes someone most present at least one thing from each of the following categories. 1. A life threatening event 2. A response the event-helplessness or fear, recurring thoughts about the event or flashbacks, or nightmares 3. Avoidance- problems with memory, decreased interest in activity, foreshortened future, a decrease in affect, and or a detachment from other people through derealization, depersonalization, or dissociation 4.Physical symptoms of arousal such as sleep problems, irritably/anger, problems concentrating, exaggerated startle response, and or hypervigalence Erica's symptoms: -Life threatening event- being attacked and having her fiance killed -She avoids talking about what has happened with the cops saying that its hard for her to talk about -After returning home and throughout the movie she has flashbacks of her attack -She has trouble sleeping an d is taking some type of medicine when she wakes in the night -She doesn't answer calls from friends who want to do things with her -She spooks easily, kid on skate board She buys a gun saying that she has to have it now that she won't survive 30 days -She starts smoking and when a neighbor tells her that it will kill her she says that she doesn't care -She says that she feels like there is a stranger inside her -She has problems at work -Goes out walking the streets alone at night looking for trouble putting herself in more danger

Survey for neighborhood housing service (NHS) Essay

Survey for neighborhood housing service (NHS) - Essay Example Surveys were collected randomly from the North Bronx community specifically the 2 Train Stops at Gun Hill Road and White Plains Road, 219th Street and White Plains Road and 225th Street and White Plains Road. The data from the surveys were then entered into the website surveymonkey.com which enabled us to create a web-based survey and provide analysis for the results. Although the majority of the surveys were completed at the Gun hill location, the survey covered the entire North Bronx area according to the zip codes listed. For each observation we compared and contrasted and of course made conclusions and recommendations about their relationship with the help of surveymonkey.com. This method and process described took place after taking surveys at the North Bronx community for neighborhood housing services (NHS). Focus group discussions can often enrich findings obtained from surveys as for example in a study of parents of 2000 high school students (Bers, 2002). However, they are very time consuming and difficult and only necessary in any case if more detailed insight is required of particular findings. Moreover, they also pose a challenge to the rigour of qualitative research (Twinn, 2000). Therefore, it was considered sufficient to conduct a simple qualitative survey to quickly obtain results. Surveys have the advantage of being inexpensive, can be used to generalize about the wider population, can be administered locally as well as remotely, and the standardized questions enable precise data collection amongst other benefits (CSU, 2009). Though weak on validity they are strong in terms of reliability. As for the types of questions, although most were closed-ended to facilitate analysis of standardized responses, a few open-ended questions were also made use of at the end of the questionnaire in order to solicit details of two things i.e. their greatest concern in the community and anything extra they would like to share. So this allowed them the

Ethical Issues and the Use of Force Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Ethical Issues and the Use of Force - Essay Example Ethical Issues and the Use of Force A problem or issue statement and Research questions From time immemorial, the activities of human have bordered both in the positive direction as well as in the negative direction. Positive direction in the sense, humans has focused their body and mind in constructive activities like development of civilizations, invention of mechanical tools, etc, etc. At the same time, they also involved themselves in destructive activities like war, crime, etc, etc. With these negative and criminal activities harming a lot of innocent people, overseeing bodies to strengthen criminal justice were formed throughout the world. The role of these bodies is to maintain the law and order, and actualize peace in their allocated territories. They were known under different terms like Law enforcement authorities, security forces, police, military, even security guards for private bodies, etc, etc. As part of the protection of law and order, and protection of lives, they w ere authorized to use force to control or subdue the persons who are indulging in the detrimental actions. If the actions of those persons are harmful to the innocent lives, or against the set laws and rules or even injurious to themselves, and when they cannot be prevented from carrying out those actions through verbal communication, use of force will become mandatory. Although, using force during those occasions is a positive step, some times or even most times, the levels of used force could cross the ‘acceptable limits’, causing physical and mental damage and problems to the victims. In that case, these actions of the law enforcement authorities could come under the ethical scanner, with the human rights agencies, media and other segments of the population criticising their actions and wanting strong punishments for them. Literature Review As pointed out above, the use of force is necessary during certain occasions, as it could protect lives as well as maintain law and order, leading to positive outcomes. Thus, the government controlled authorities or officers are legally backed to use force. The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights points out this fact by stating that â€Å"†¦in diffusing situations, apprehending alleged criminals, and protecting themselves and others, officers are legally entitled to use appropriate means, including force.† (â€Å"Use of Force†). Alpert and Dunham (2004) echo the same point by stating that â€Å"while there may be considerable pressure to limit and restrict the use of force by the police, against citizens, no one is calling for them to abandon its use.† However, the ethics angle comes into picture in the form of rules and protocols, which stipulates what form of force or how much force is acceptable. These rules are also applicable to the private security managers, who work for non-governmental, commercial organizations. Although, it also â€Å"depends on the situation and how the offic er is equipped†, while using force, officials in government sector are stipulated to follow set protocols under the auspices of Use-of-Force continuum levels as part of ethics. (McGoey, n. d.). Gaines and Kappeler (2011) state that this continuum is basically a guide to officers, so they are less likely to use excessive force, as it outlines an increasing levels of force, an officer can use to subdue the suspect. That is, an

The Role of Context in Biblical Hermeneutics Essay

The Role of Context in Biblical Hermeneutics - Essay Example Context plays a central role in the act of biblical interpretation. This paper is an attempt to demonstrate how this is so, and why this is so. It begins with a brief examination of the role of context in communication in general, which will then be applied to the activity of textual interpretation using the concept of the hermeneutic circle as developed by Frederich Schliermacher and Hans Georg Gadamer. Consider the following statement: â€Å"The Monkees are the greatest band ever.† On the face of it, the meaning seems obvious. It is a statement of the relative worth of The Monkees by comparison to all other musical acts throughout history. It implies that when compared with, say, the Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Metropolitan Opera Company, and all of the Homeric bards, that the Monkees come out on top. However, this is not necessarily the meaning the statement is intended to convey. If it is said in a grave voice, it may mean just this. If it is said in an excited voice while at a concert, we may take it as earnest hyperbole. However, if it is said in a hipster infested coffeehouse, we may take it to mean precisely the opposite. The meaning of any statement is subject to the same sort of factors. Their sense cannot be determined by the examination of the mere words used, rather they must be understood with reference to the total situation in which they are spoken. As this is with spoken communication, so it is with written texts. To return this to Biblical matters, we may examine the following Biblical quotation: â€Å"He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.†1 If this statement is truly taken without context, it makes a most surprising assertion. Namely, that God is a rock. Further, we find, with some surprise, that God, unlike other, more common examples of rocks, is the sort of rock that judges, and is just. One might wonder how to distinguish between ju st and unjust rocks, and indeed whether God is igneous, metamorphic or sedimentary. However, when this passages is juxtaposed with other descriptions of God found throughout the Bible, what is at first nonsensical transparently reveals itself to be metaphor. Of course, the above example is not entirely serious. No one has ever thought to read this passage as literally suggesting that God is a rock. However, this alone reveals something. Namely that everyone, instinctively, takes into account the surrounding passages, and the whole of their knowledge of the Bible when interpreting single verses. Further it sharply shows the dangers of taking biblical quotations out of context. One may ask how this works, and just how much of a role that context plays in this process. One approach would be to argue that context completely determines the meaning of individual statements, however, this seems as absurd as maintaining that context plays no role at all. It must be the case that context and statement both bear some weight in understanding a text. The German biblical and classical scholar Frederich Schliermacher proposed an interesting way to understand this relationship.2 When interpreting any text, he maintained, the part is always understood through the whole. Conversely, the whole is always understood by means of the individual parts. The relation is reciprocal. This reciprocal relation is usually referred to as â€Å"the hermeneutic circle.† An example may help to make clear how this works. One may find oneself reading through a political blog post and find oneself agreeing with it. Two-thirds of the way through, the author makes a blatantly bigoted statement. This, should, of course, give the reader pause, and the work of

Successes and failures of Mussolini Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Successes and failures of Mussolini - Essay Example Mussolini was among the leaders who laid the foundation for fascism in Italy. Fascism for these people included terms like nationalism, expansion, corporativism, anti-communism, social progress, propoganda, etc.. In the years that followed Mussolini tried to incorporate all these fascist ideolgoes into his policies and to a great extent was able to influence his people and gain the admiration of other political figures of that time. Some of the domestic policies he introduced from 1924-1939 were quite successful, the taming of the Pontine Marshes and the Lateran Treaty between the Kingdom of Italy and the Holy See being some of his successful achievements. Some of his policies resulted in improvement of job opportunities, and public transport. He was also able to achieve economic success in Italy's colonies and commercial dependencies. The policies Mussolini introduced can be divided into economic policies, political policies and social policies. As mentioned earlier, some were successful and some were failures. A perusal of these policies will enable us to evaluate Mussolini's successes and failures as a leader of a single party state. The idea of a corporate state was first introduced by Mussolini. ... Each syndicate came under the representatives of the Fascist party thereby ensuring that the state could intervene whenever the need arose. According to Mussolini "Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." Mussolini (1932) on another occasion said "The Fascist conception of life stresses the importance of the State and accepts the individual only in so far as his interests coincide with the State. It is opposed to classical liberalism [which] denied the State in the name of the individual; Fascism reasserts the rights of the State as expressing the real essence of the individual." The Battle for Grain was a campaign that encouraged workers to produce more grain to make Italy self- sufficient. The State took over direct control of many banks and heavy industry. In production the focus was mainly on military production. Although some of Mussolini's economic policies failed, not all of his economic policies were failures. His overall economic policy worked well for Italy and there was some economic growth in Italy despite the world wide depression. His regime was the most productive in Europe, in terms of raw materials, especially in pig iron. The Battle for grain campaign resulted in a 50% increase in production between 1922 and 1930. However it also resulted in deficiency in the diet of the poor. Mussolini's political policies were all directed towards consolidating his power. Mussolini, being a a prime minister of a coalition government that had only35 fascists, could not exercise full control. So he kept all important posts like home affairs for himself. In his first speech, he asked for cooperation from members of parliament and

To what extent is islamaphobia a problem in british society Essay

To what extent is islamaphobia a problem in british society - Essay Example That concept has seen a significant rise in the UK, and the reasons for it, while somewhat understandably valid, are deluded and overstated. An Inherited Tradition: The Crusades and The New Crusade While islamaphobia might be something new to the United States since 911, it is certainly well entrenched in the thinking of people of the United Kingdom. Beginning with the Crusades, particularly those of Richard the Lionhearted and other British kings who went off to â€Å"fight the good fight† against the Muslims, a natural tendency has developed to mistrust Muslims as treacherous and determined to destroy Christianity, and along with it Western civilization. Feffer (2010) in his defense of Islam writes that the UK culture itself has promoted this notion throughout the ages by reinforcing it in subtle ways, including the teaching and analysis of such epic poems as The Song of Roland, which he contends places untrue emphasis upon the slaughter of Charlemagne’s troops as des cribed in the poem by Muslim warriors. ‘In the real battle of 778, the slayers of the Franks were [really] Christian Basques furious at Charlemagne for pillaging their city of Pamplona’ (Feffer, 2010: par. 3). ... om 1500-1600 the ‘crusade’—verbal, psychological and historical—continued against the Ottoman Empire, passing from one generation to another stories of the atrocities of the Ottoman Empire and their Muslim leaders, defaming, as it went, all of its followers. Ongoing as well was the attitude that Muslims and Islam continually attempted to hide their violent ill-intentioned tendencies under the guise of the peaceful dictates of the Koran. Today that attempt is still being challenged in every respect and from every side, and by his own admission, from a Christian perspective, by Dunkin (2010) in his official condemnation, Ten Myths About Islam. Dunkin writes the following: Jihad is still alive and well today, and is not just the province of a few militant radicals. The forcible advancement of Islam, coupled with a contrived hatred for the Western world, appeals to the hearts and minds of millions of disaffected Muslims worldwide, many of them young and eager t o give their lives in the cause of Allah. Many well-educated Muslims, in the Middle East and in the West, have taken hold of the intellectual cause of Islamism and support this jihad wholeheartedly. (Myth #7) With academics such as Dunkin fanning the flames of anti-religious perception, it is not difficult to reason that such ideas have continued to find their way into modern UK thinking, in a world much more diverse and thus, for many, much more threatening. Islamaphobia and Politics As a prejudice which has developed over centuries, it seems clear that at least one political group in the UK, namely the British National Party and its Campaign Against Islam, presents a clear if not pervasive view of Islam as a violent entity detrimental to the interests of Britain and the British population. With media at

Piercing the Corporate Veil Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Piercing the Corporate Veil - Essay Example The paper tells that the provision of limited liability to incorporated companies enhanced investments from a large number of small and large investors. It would not be far from the truth to assert that the growth of the modern economy and industrial development can be attributed to this principle of limited liability. Investors are no longer required to harbour apprehensions regarding their investments and from being held accountable for the liabilities of the company in which they had invested. It has been contended by the majority that the proper functioning and growth of stock markets has been affected by limited liability. Moreover, it has simplified the task of evaluating the assets of companies. Furthermore, limited liability has excised the uncertainties, risks, and liabilities experienced by investors in the past. Shareholders can monitor the behaviour of their company to a much greater extent than in the past. Modern economic development requires large – scale capita l inflow. The limited liability effectively ensures the availability of capital from investors. The House of Lords established the doctrine of corporate personality in Salomon v Salomon. Under this principle, private investors and shareholders of companies were permitted to organise their business, via the corporate legal form. It also allowed entrepreneurs and institutional investors to monitor their investment strategies. In the absence of the legal form of the company, shareholders and investors were at the risk of being personally held liable to the creditors of the company (Muchlinski, 2010, p. 918). It has been perceived that this doctrine has increased the influence of shareholders and investors in the functioning of the company and in its business strategies. However, the majority of the people have welcomed the doctrine of limited liability, as it eliminates the direct responsibility of shareholders in the management of the company (Muchlinski, 2010, p. 918). The process of globalisation has substantially increased business activity and the operations of multinational corporations (MNC) at the global level. The separation of legal form of the company from its shareholders and investors has brought about several jurisdictional problems and the domination of MNCs in business (Muchlinski, 2010, p. 920). These problems have come to the fore due to different legal systems in the world. In addition, the state regulatory mechanisms that pertain to the MNCs differ from each other. The limited liability concept externalises the risk from group of investors. Ultimately, it transforms global legal order into national and sub-national jurisdictions. Thus, the corporate veil has assumed the garb of a jurisdictional veil, and the MNCs are using this veil to limit risk of liability (Muchlinski, 2010, p. 920). Moreover, Jurisdiction has emerged as an important aspect of international commercial transactions. The MNCs have established a parent – subsidiary cult ure in international business, which creates ambiguity in determining the appropriate jurisdiction for disputes. The difficulty chiefly arises because the jurisdiction of the parent company and that of its subsidiary are different. Consequently, disputes with a subsidiary cannot be addressed by the legal system of the parent company’s host country, in order to determine liability (Muchlinski, 2010, p. 920). InAdams v Cape Industries, a UK based parent company exported asbestos from its mines in South Africa. It had conducted this export via a sales subsidiary and thereafter through an

Vietnamese Writing System Essay Example for Free

Vietnamese Writing System Essay A pgonemic system with borrowings from Chinese logographs, the modern Vietnamese writing system is a 17th century reformed Latin alphabet known as quoc ngu (â€Å"Conlang,† 2007). The present system was developed by the Portuguese missionaries in Vietnam (â€Å"The Vietnamese,† 2006). The system has penetrated all walks of life and today is the dominant writing system in the country without fear or favor (â€Å"Vietnamese Language,† 2007). Of course, Vietnam has very close ties with China. Not only is the Vietnamese writing system using some of the Chinese logographs; but the love of literacy in the golden (ancient) Chinese civilization has also been transferred unto the Vietnamese people. Before the 17th century the dominant writing system in Vietnam used â€Å"modified Chinese characters† (â€Å"The Vietnamese†). The system was called Chonum. That system was completely overruled at the time the French missionary by the name of Alexandre de Rhodes confirmed quoc ngu as the new system of Latin style writing in Vietnam. Life changed for the Vietnamese people forever as internationalization took hold. After all, the writing system of a peoples represents their very heart and soul in some way or another. Reforms made to writing systems do also reveal patterns of historical movements. The Vietnamese writing system has not undergone reforms after Rhodes. This stability in the use of language is supplemented by the fact that Latin is a multinational alphabet that has been adopted by the very ethnic, nationalist, and individualist Vietnamese peoples (â€Å"Writing,† 2007). As is obvious, the Vietnamese people have adopted internationalization wholeheartedly, even though colonialism might not have been a brilliant experience for everybody. The use of quoc ngu in modern-day Vietnam is a testament to the potency of long lasting changes. References Conlang/Intermediate/Writing. (2007). Wikibooks. Retrieved 15 June 2007, from http://en. wikibooks. org/wiki/Conlang/Intermediate/Writing. The Vietnamese Writing System. (2006). Globalization Partners International. Retrieved 15 June 2007, from http://www. globalisationpartners. com/Translation_Services/Vietnamese/HTML/The_Vie tnamese_Writing_System. html. Vietnamese Language. (2007). Wikipedia. Retrieved 15 June 2007, from http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Vietnamese_language. Writing: The history, development and evolution of the world’s writing systems. (2007). Kryss Tal. Retrieved 15 June 2007, from http://www. krysstal. com/writing. html.

Impact of Frailty on Depression

Impact of Frailty on Depression Background With increasing life expectancy, diseases associated with old age have increased in growing proportion in recent decades. (1) The integration of frailty measures in clinical practice is crucial for the development of interventions against age-related conditions (in particular, disability) in older persons. Multiple instruments have been developed over the last years in order to capture this geriatric multidimensional syndrome characterized by decreased reserve and diminished resistance to stressors and render it objectively measurable. (2) Frailty is not uncommon to the medical contemporary research nowadays. Several possible definitions were given by different researchers in the past to define frailty. One and commonly used definition of physical frailty was given by Fried et al, Frailty was defined as a clinical syndrome in which three or more of the following criteria were present; unintentional weight loss (10lbs in past year), self-reported exhaustion, weakness (grip strength), slow walking speed, and low physical activity. (3) Frailty in older people was again classified into prefrail those having one or two criteria given by Fried et al, and frail elderly having three or more criteria as per Fried et al definition. Medical Syndrome like frailty, keeps older adults at increased risk of adverse health outcomes when exposed to a stressor. (4)   Stressors lead to decline across multiple physiological systems incrementally and are associated with greater depressive symptoms and disability. (5) Depression is not a normal part of ageing process (6) and is a potentially life-threatening disorder that affects hundreds of millions of people across the world. (7) Depression is commonly seen in frail older people as they may face widowhood or loss of function or independence or bereavement. Depression, if left untreated, complicates other chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, etc. It may also incur health care costs and often accompanies functional impairment and disability. (6) Various systematic reviews and journal articles has demonstrated association between depression and frailty. In this review, focus has made to highlight the role of stressors that leads pathways linking depression and frailty. Prevalence of frailty, depression and their co-occurrence in older individuals Several studies have been carried out to measure the prevalence of frailty in community-dwelling older people as well as those in hospital settings. Majority of the studies have used similar criteria to measure frailty among older adults. Systematic review of frailty prevalence worldwide concluded that 10.7% of community-dwelling adults aged à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¥65 years were frail and 41.6% pre-frail. (8) It was noted that prevalence figures varied substantially between studies (ranging from 4% to 59%) using different criteria to measure frailty. (6) Data from Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) in 2004 covering more than 10 European countries, showed prevalence of frailty and pre-frailty in 65+ age group as 17.0% (15.3 18.7) were frail and 42.3% (40.5 44.1) were pre-frail. (9) The prevalence of frailty in community dwelling older people ranged from 17%-31% in Brazil, 15% in Mexico, 5%-31% in China, and 21%-44% in Russia. However, prevalence of frailty was again fou nd much higher in institutionalized older patients as 32% in India and 49% in Brazil. Findings of study in outpatient clinics reported prevalence of frailty was 55-71% in Brazil and 28% in Peru. (10) Above finding suggests that older people of low- and middle-income countries were found frail in significant proportions which imply policy and health care provisions for this ageing population. Depression varies in its prevalence in different studies and settings. Prevalence of depressive symptoms was found 14% in Brazilian adults (11), 9% in United States general population (12) and 23.6% (95% CI: 20.3-27.2%) in Chinese older adults. (13) Depressive symptoms were most commonly associated with women (11) (12) (13) and single adults (i.e. divorced, unmarried or widowed) than in married older adults. (13) Prevalence of depressive illness rises further in the event of associated co-morbid condition such as cancer, diabetes, and hypertension[N1]. Median prevalence of minor depression was 14.4% and 10.4%, in medical settings and community-based setting, respectively[N2]. (14) The median global prevalence of serious depression in the elderly population is around 1% 5%. (15) (16) (17) Depressed elders show many phenotypical expressions of frailty and vice versa. Coexistence of both depression and frailty among older people has been investigated in several studies. (18) (19) (20) (21) (22) (23) A recent systematic review examined the relationship between depression and frailty found serious depression in 4 16% of frail individuals who are aged 60 and over. (6) However, this percentage rises to 35% in older population with age 75 years or more. (6) (24) A study conducted within framework of prospective cohort study, the Netherlands Study of Depression in Older Persons (NESDO) found that the prevalence of physical frailty was significantly higher in the depressed group in comparison with non-depressed (27.2% vs 9.1%, p4) was present in as high as 46.5% of the frail subjects. Depressed patients often exhibit symptoms that interfere with their ability to function normally for longer duration which facilitates progression of frailty syndrome. (6) Therefore, in order to improve health and preventing frailty depression in elderly, it is essential for researchers and practitioners to understand the linking phenomena for further research and developing treatment options. Main pathways linking frailty and depression Several studies have identified the possible physiological pathways that link between frailty and depression in older adults. Of which, the main hypothetical pathways identified were vascular depression, chronic inflammation, Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation and accelerated cellular ageing. Vascular depression hypothesis Alexopoulos et al. (26) proposed that cerebrovascular disease may predispose, precipitate, or perpetuate some geriatric depressive syndromes. This statement was supported by another study of vascular depression based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conducted by Krishnan KR et al. (27). Bivariate analyses and a fully adjusted logistic regression model in MRI study revealed that older age, late age at onset, and nonpsychotic subtype occurred more often in patients with vascular depression than in those with nonvascular depression. He also observed that anhedonia and functional disability were seen somewhat more often in patients with vascular depression. There are several clinical studies that examined vascular disease in depression. Some studies (28) found a highly significant increase in physical illness and vascular risk factors in the late onset group, after adjusting for age when they compared early and late onset late-life depression. (29) On the other hand, several others found no association of depression with cerebrovascular score (30) and vascular disease (31). Depression may occur as a result of vascular disease in a significant subpopulation of elderly persons. (32) Depression has a bidirectional association with vascular diseases and plausible mechanisms exist which explain how depression might increase these vascular diseases and vice versa. Thomas AJ et al summarized that coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke are all associated with high rates of depression and depression is an independent risk factor for the subsequent development of CAD and stroke. (29) Mechanism of vascular depression can be hypothesized as reduced cerebral blood flow (CBF) in response to given stressors. Normal CBF in adult humans is about 60ml/100 grams/min and regionally, about 70ml/100g/min in gray matter and 20ml/100g/min in white matter. Between the ages of 20 to 65, normal CBF generally declines about 15-20%. It is generally accepted that when CBF reaches 30ml/100g/min, neurologic symptoms can appear and when CBF falls to 15-20ml/100g/min, electrical failure or irreversible neuronal damage can occur even within minutes. (33) Blood flow to the brain is influenced by systemic hemodynamics and cerebro-vascular auto-regulation, with cerebral arteries contracting or dilating as arterial pressure changes. These processes interact to maintain stable perfusion. (33) However, these processes are impaired in the context of vascular disease: hypertension, diabetes, and atherosclerosis lead to vascular wall hypertrophy, reduced arterial lumen diameter, reduced arterial distensibility, and endothelial cell dysfunction. This affects cerebral blood flow. Mild CBF reduction may impair cognitive and affective processes, while greater CBF reduction may cause ischemic injury. The subcortical white matter is particularly sensitive to these changes because it is supplied by terminal arterioles with limited collateral flow and so susceptible to infarction due to impaired autoregulation. Greater white matter hyperintensities (WMH) severity may be a marker of broader deficits in perfusion and autoregulation. Thus, risk factors for vascular disease can lead to subclinical cerebrovascular disease throughout the brain. Katz (2004) theorizes that cerebrovascular disease that causes prefrontal white-matter hyperintensities and vascular depression may also lead to posterior white matter hyperintensities, resulting in characteristics of frailty such as falls, slowness, and weakness. (34) He further stated that if the effects are anterior, the manifestations may include depression. However, if the effects are more posterior, the manifestations may be in the form of disturbances of gait and balance. Several other studies had compared depressed elderly with control group and demonstrated an increase in deep white matter hyperintensities (DWMH) in depression (35) (36) (37), but no or not significant association with peripheral vascular lesion (PVH) (36) (37). The cerebral WM contains fiber pathways that convey axons linking cerebral cortical areas with each other and with subcortical structures, facilitating the distributed neural circuits that subserve sensorimotor function, intellect, and emotion. The va scular depression hypothesis postulates that altered mood regulation and cognitive dysfunction in the elderly are due to subclinical cerebrovascular ischemia that disrupts frontostriatal neural circuits. (38) (39) This disruption of fronto-striatal neural circuits leads to disconnection syndrome that corresponds to the clinical and neuropsychological profile of LLD. (40) Prefrontal WMH also leads to executive dysfunction which affects planning, self-monitoring, attention, response inhibition, co-ordination of complex cognition (as in Trail making Test) and motor control. This leads to frailty. Chronic Inflammation hypothesis Aging- and disease-related processes promote proinflammatory states in older individuals. Administration of cytokines or induction of peripheral inflammation results in an inflammatory response, which in turn is correlated with fatigue, slowed reaction time, and mood reduction. Even without medical illness, depressed individuals exhibit increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines and reduced anti-inflammatory cytokine levels. Proinflammatory cytokines affect monoamine neurotransmitter pathways, including indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase upregulation and kynurenine pathway activation. This results in decreased tryptophan and serotonin and increased synthesis of detrimental tryptophan catabolites that promote hippocampal damage and apoptosis. Cytokines, including IL-1ÃŽÂ ², also reduce extracellular serotonin levels by activating the serotonin transporter. Effects of the CNS inflammatory cascade on neural plasticity Microglias are primary recipients of peripheral inflammatory signals that reach the brain. Activated microglia, in turn, initiate an inflammatory cascade whereby release of relevant cytokines, chemokines, inflammatory mediators, and reactive nitrogen and oxygen species (RNS and ROS, respectively) induces mutual activation of astroglia, thereby amplifying inflammatory signals within the CNS. Cytokines, including IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-alpha, as well as IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma (from T cells), induce the enzyme, IDO, which breaks down TRP, the primary precursor of 5-HT (serotonin), into QUIN (quinolinic acid), a potent NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) agonist and stimulator of GLU (glutamate) release. Astrocytic functions are compromised due to excessive exposure to cytokines, QUIN, and RNS/ROS, ultimately leading to impaired glutamate reuptake, and increased glutamate release, as well as decreased production of neurotrophic factors. Of note, oligodendroglia are especially sensitive to the CNS inflammatory cascade and suffer damage due to overexposure to cytokines such as TNF-alpha, which has a direct toxic effect on these cells, potentially contributing to apoptosis and demyelination. The confluence of excessive astrocytic glutamate release, its inadequate reuptake by astrocytes and oligodendroglia, activation of NMDA receptors by QUIN, increased glutamate binding and activation of extrasynaptic NMDA receptors (accessible to glutamate released from glial elements and associated with inhibition of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) expression), decline in neurotrophic support, and oxidative stress ultimately disrupt neural plasticity through excitotoxicity and apoptosis. 5-HT, serotonin; BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor; CNS, central nervous system; GLU, glutamate; IDO, indolamine 2,3 dioxygenase; IFN, interferon; IL, interleukin; NMDA, N-methyl-D-aspartate; QUIN, quinolinic acid; RNS, reactive nitrogen species; ROS, reactive oxygen species; TNF, tumor necrosis factor; TRP, tryptophan. Regarding LLD, the aging process disrupts immune function, increasing peripheral immune activity and shifting the CNS into a proinflammatory state. Elevated peripheral cytokine levels are associated with depressive symptoms in older adults, with the most consistent finding being for IL-6, but also implicating IL-1ÃŽÂ ², IL-8 and TNFÃŽÂ ±. Proinflammatory states in older adults are associated with cognitive deficits, including poorer executive function, poorer memory performance, worse global cognition, and steeper decline in cognition. Finally, greater IL-6 and C-reactive protein levels are associated with greater WMH burden. In LLD, ischemic lesions are also more likely to occur in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), Similarly, depressed elders exhibit increased expression of cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs) in the DLPFC. CAMs are inflammatory markers whose expression is increased by ischemia, supporting a role for ischemia in LLD and highlighting the relationship between vascular and inflammatory processes. HPA dysregulation When the HPA axis is activated by stressors, such as an immune response, high levels of glucocorticoids are released into the body and suppress immune response by inhibiting the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (e.g. IL-1, TNF alpha, and IFN gamma) and increasing the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13) in immune cells, such as monocytes and neutrophils. Excess stress also appears to play a role in the development of depression and can cause dysregulation of the HPA axis. Patients with major depression have been found to have elevated plasma and urinary cortisol levels as well as elevated corticotropin-releasing hormone and decreased levels of BDNF. Prolonged severe stress is thought to damage hippocampal neurons and to reduce the inhibitory control exerted by the HPA axis in regulating glucocorticoid levels. During an immune response, proinflammatory cytokines (e.g. IL-1) are released into peripheral circulatory system and can pass through the blood brain barrier where they can interact with the brain and activate HPA axis. Interactions between the proinflammatory cytokines and the brain can alter the metabolic activity of neurotransmitters and cause symptoms such as fatigue, depression, and mood changes. Increased levels of aldosterone in the circulation stimulate excessive production of collagen, which leads to fibrosis of tissue or organ whereas low levels of adrenal androgen dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and insulin-like growth factor 1 are associated with frailty. Further, cortisol may mimic the effects of aldosterone. Elevated serum levels of cortisol and aldosterone are independent predictors of mortality in patients with heart failure. Accelerated Cellular Aging hypothesis Accelerated cellular aging, as measured by telomere length (TL) shortening, might also be linked to depression and frailty. At both ends of every DNA strand in a human cell is a telomere.Telomeres prevent chromosomes from becoming frayed, fusing into rings, or binding with other DNA. Telomeres are specialized nucleoprotein structures located at the end of eukaryotic chromosomes. They play a critical role in controlling cell proliferation and maintenance of chromosomal stability. As part of bodys normal aging process, each time a cell divides the telomeres in your DNA get shorter. Add oxidative stress to the mix and telomeres shorten even more rapidly. Oxidative stress is the effect of destructive reactions in your bodys cells caused by too many free radicals or atoms/molecules that have unpaired electrons. In their search for an electron to make them whole, they destroy other cells. Free radicals come from environmental toxins, such as pollution, chemicals, drugs and radiation, and even naturally occur in your own body when you exercise. Antioxidants fight free radicals and stem the causes of oxidative stress. Eventually, bodys cells are unable to divide (or reproduce) and simply die. Eventually, this instability leads to tissue breakdown potentially leading to premature aging. Any stressful condition or anxiety leads to feeling of depression which in turn initiates physiologic body response that includes, increase in stress-induced glucocorticoid release and oxidative stress. Unhealthy behaviour will also stimulate inflammatory response which lead to release of cytokine and can affect telomere length.

Economic Performance of Kolhapur Division of MSRTC

Economic Performance of Kolhapur Division of MSRTC Introduction An attempt is made in this Chapter to analyses the economic performance of MSRTC in Kolhapur division based on selected indicators. The entire division is divided into twelve depots, viz. Kolhapur, Sambhaji Nagar, Gadhinglaj, Ichalkaranji, Gadhingla, Ichalkaranji, Gargoti, Malkapur, Chandgad, Kurundwad, Kagal, Radhanagri, Gaganbawada and Ajra. The activities of the MSRTC are governed by the corporate objectives set by the RTC Act. 1950. The main objective as indicate earlier are to provide efficient, adequate, economical and co-ordinated transport services to the laymen. However, it is to organise itself on business terms, while achieving the aforesaid objective. Financial Indicators Cost per Kilometre (CPKM) For any Road Transport Corporation the main and utmost important financial performance indicator is cost per Kilometre, because it together with CPKM decides the fare. The profitability of an organisation is a function of both costs and prices, which are equally valid in the case of the passenger road transport industry too. An organisation may incur loss either because the costs go up, the price remaining the same or costs remaining the same the price/fare may fall. The second phenomenon of fare coming down does not ordinarily arise in the case of passenger road transport industry for reasons of relative inelasticity of demand for the service monopoly rights conferred on the services and state regulation of fares. The cost of operations in absolute terms does not by itself indicate measure of costs. Costs have to be worked out to compare the cost of providing the service with the rate of earnings. Cost per kilometre is one of such relative measure which is computed by selecting effective kilometre as a unit of measurement. The cost per kilometre (CPKM) is computed by dividing the total cost of operations by the total effective kilometres. The CPKM is expressed in terms of Rupees. The CPKM can be worked out either in respect of the total cost of operations or in respect of each component of the cost separately. CPKM is calculated by the following formula – The direct or operational or variable costs react proportionately with the change in volume of operations and the cost per unit, i.e., CPKM is constant with volume of operation. As indirect or fixed costs of not change with volume of operations the cost per unit, i.e., CPKM declines as volume rises or increases as volume falls. In the Road Transport industry two different types of costs are considered: Fixed Costs The industry incurs fixed costs relating to part of crew wages, general administration, interest and debt charges welfare expenses and part of workshop mechanical wage. This cost per Kilometre varies inversely with the kilometre range achieved but is constant in total rupee amount. Variable Costs Variable costs are uniform per kilometre but fluctuate depending on the volume of activity in Kilometre. Under this head depreciation, HSD Oil, Tyres, Tubes and spare parts and included.   Earnings per Kilometre (Epkm) The earning per kilometre (EPKM) is computed by dividing the total earning of operations by the total effective kilometres. Revenue in absolute terms without reference to Kilometre will not correctly reflect the ‘Profitability’ of the operation. An Earning per Kilometre (EPKM) is one of the useful ratios to indicate the earning potential of a route/depot/division organisation. The EPKM is related to the carrying capacity of the buses, fare structure and the earning potential of route. The EPKM is calculated by dividing total earnings by total effective Kilometres. EPKM is calculated by the following formula – The EPKM is expressed in terms of Rupees. The EPKM may be in relation to either traffic or gross revenue.   Margin The margin is computed by subtracting the total cost from total earning. Positive margin values indicate the profit, while negative margin values indicate loss or deficit. Margin = Total Earnings – Total Cost Depot-wise Economic Performance of Kolhapur Division   Economic Performance of Kolhapur Depot Economic performance of Kolhapur depot is explained in the following table: Table 4.1 Economic Performance of Kolhapur Depot (In Rs.) Year Variable Cost Fixed Cost Total Cost (CPKM) Total revenue (EPKM) Margin 2001 9.09 8.05 17.13 13.67 -3.46 2002 9.14 8.20 17.34 14.47 -2.87 2003 9.91 8.38 18.29 14.47 -3.82 2004 10.57 7.90 18.47 14.48 -3.99 2005 11.50 8.38 19.88 15.29 -4.59 2006 12.79 8.64 21.43 17.75 -3.68 2007 13.51 8.62 22.13 18.92 -3.21 2008 13.69 8.97 22.66 19.45 -3.21 2009 15.13 9.43 24.56 20.99 -3.57 2010 15.06 10.09 25.15 21.03 -4.12 2011 17.26 10.86 28.12 23.70 -4.42 2012 18.95 11.70 30.65 26.19 -4.46 2013 20.86 12.26 33.12 28.49 -4.63 Mean 13.65 9.34 22.99 19.15 -3.85 SGR 129.48 52.30 93.35 108.41 Source : Official Records of Kolhapur Division of MSRTC Above table No 4.1 shows that, cost and earning of Kolhapur depot as per kilometre. Variable cost of Kolhapur depot is increased from Rs 9.09 to Rs 20.86 per km during the investigation period. Average variable cost is Rs 13.65, while its SGR is 129.48. Variable cost is highly increased because of the prices of diesel, spare parts and lubricant is continuously increased. In the study period, fixed cost of Kolhapur depot is increased from Rs 8.05 to 12.26 per km. Average of fixed cost is 9.34 and its SGR is 52.30. Total cost of Kolhapur depot during investigation period, is increased from Rs 17.13 in 2001 to Rs 33.12 per Km in 2013, average total cost is 22.99 and its SGR is 93.35. Total revenue of this depot from year 2001 to 2013 is increased from Rs 13.67 to Rs 28.49 per Km; average total revenue of last thirteen years is Rs 19.15. Its SGR is remained 108.41. Due to the low load factor of the buses, total revenue growth remains low as compare to the total cost of the depot. Margin shows always negative trends during the study period, it means the Kolhapur depot experienced always loss during study period. In the year 2002, loss of Kolhapur depot is minimum i.e. Rs 2.87 while it maximize in 2013 (i.e. Rs. 4.63). Average margin of Kolhapur depot during the study period is Rs -3.85, it means economic performance of Kolhapur depot is insignificant. Above figure No 4.1 reveals the trends in the total cost and revenue, it is found rising in almost same manner. Hence, there is not so much variation in margin, it always perform negatively. The economic performance of Kolhapur depot is not up to the mark, in the study period variable cost, fixed cost and total cost of continuously increased, comparatively rate of variable cost is highly increased i.e. SGR 129.48 and fixed cost SGR is 52.30 and total cost SGR is 93.35. The average of variable cost, fixed cost and total cost (CPKM) is Rs 13.65, Rs 9.34 and Rs 22.99 respectively. In the same duration SGR of EPKM is 108.41 and its average is 19.15. Average margin of CPKM and EPKM is Rs. -3.85. It is clear that in the study period, Kolhapur depot experienced loss in the investigation period.   Economic Performance of Sambhaji Nagar Depot Economic performance of Sambhaji Nagar depot is explained in the following table: Table 4.2 Economic Performance of Sambhaji Nagar Depot (In Rs.) Year Variable Cost Fixed Cost Total Cost (CPKM) Total revenue (EPKM) Margin 2001 9.50 7.54 17.04 13.53 -3.51 2002 9.61 7.57 17.19 13.99 -3.2 2003 10.29 7.70 17.99 14.41 -3.58 2004 10.75 7.66 18.41 14.18 -4.23 2005 11.70 8.13 19.83 14.71 -5.12 2006 13.10 8.22 21.32 17.36 -3.96 2007 13.89 8.41 22.30 18.26 -4.04 2008 13.80 9.07 22.88 18.58 -4.3 2009 14.86 9.74 24.60 20.06 -4.54 2010 14.84 9.93 24.77 20.47 -4.3 2011 16.66 10.84 27.50 23.91 -3.59 2012 17.73 11.89 29.62 23.82 -5.8 2013 19.36 12.34 31.70 24.95 -6.75 Mean 13.55 9.16 22.70 18.33 -4.38 SGR 103.79 63.66 86.03 84.41 Source : Official Records of Kolhapur Division of MSRTC Above table No 4.2 depicts cost and receipts as per kilometre of Sambhaji Nagar depot during last 13 years. Its variable cost increased from Rs 9.50 to Rs 19.36 with Growth Rate of 103.79. Fixed cost also increased from

Physician-Assisted Suicide :: Euthanasia Death Suicide Essays

Introduction The history of physician-assisted suicide began to emerge since the ancient time. Historians and ancient philosophers especially had been debating over this issue. Thus, this issue is no longer new to us. However, it seems little vague because it has not yet been fully told. The historical story consists of patterns of thought, advocacy, and interpretation on whether to legalize assisted death. "Only until June, 1999, the United States Supreme Court issued decisions in two cases that claimed constitutional protection for physician-assisted suicide, Washington v. Glucksberg and Vacoo v. Quill, by a single 9-0 vote covering the case (Bartin, Rhodes, Silver, 1). They also say that this decision mark the beginning of long period debate, which will not be fully resolved (1). Hence, the debate began by professionals from different aspects, especially the physicians themselves. "I will never give a deadly drug to anybody if asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect". A frequent quoted portion of the Hippocratic Oath, written in Greece sometimes during the fifth to forth centuries B.C.E, represented an effort by an apparently small group of physicians to build public respectability by distancing themselves from other physicians who commit assisted suicide. It has had considerable influence in the history of Western medical society and now, once again, physician-assisted suicide has become a major ethical issue in medicine, as well as an issue that involves law and public interests. Of the various issues at the medicine issue, perhaps none has drawn as much attention as assisted suicide. This topic is being discussed with great frequency in newspaper, journals and books about whether it is really necessary and ethical to physicians to participate in this life-ending act. Proponents or advocates of physician-assisted suicide argue that each per son has freedom over their own life. Persons whose quality of life is nonexistent and who are having a terminal illness should have the right to decide to seek assistance. In contrast, opponents say that physician-assisted suicide is not an acceptable practice for the physicians legally as well as morally. This issue has become a central concern to the medical profession, legislators, philosophers, social psychologists, as well as the public. Interests in this controversial matter continue to grow increasingly whether it should be legalized. Perhaps everyone would have one's own thought and opinion. Nevertheless, assisted death is never a proper expression of compassion. It shows no care for the patients.

Canada Lacks A Real National Identity Essay example -- essays research

Canada Lacks A Real National Identity   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I believe that Canada lacks a real national identity. Canadians tend to identify with community and region rather than the nation. Because Canada has such a great cultural diversity the Canadian identity is shaped by our values and attitudes as they have emerged from our history and geography. Bilingualism and multiculturalism are very important to the Canadian identity. They both strengthen and challenge Canadian identity. Because Canada has so many cultural and regional groups, interaction between them influences one ¹s identity. Differing views of Canada by Canadians and other countries prove that Canada does not have a true national identity. Because of these factors Canada lacks a national identity, one which everyone can recognize.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When someone asks a Canadian what his nationality is, he does not reply,  ³Canadian ², instead,  ³German ²,  ³Scottish ² or  ³Ukrainian ². This is because we as Canadians do not see ourselves as distinct Canadians. We need to have a common idea of what it is to be Canadian rather than always identifying with the place we came from. We identify with community or region over nation. To gain a Canadian identity we must learn to identify with a nation, Canada. This is one of the main reasons we lack a Canadian identity, because we as Canadians do not really think of ourselves as Canadians. We may be Canadians but we think of Canada as a place of refuge rather than a home. This ties in with our lack of patriotism. Many Canadians that I know, come Olympic time or another big world competition, rather that cheering for Canada, will cheer for their home country. A reason for this is because of our multicultural society. Because in Canada, Å’ anything goes ¹, there is no push to be Canadian. So they can do what they want and carry on with their cultural traditions. Because there is really no Canadian identity to begin with, it makes it all the easier for them to carry on as they wish. This explains why people who are Canadian citizens tend to identify more with community or region than with Canada.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Canadians all have different values and traditions, like any country, but in Canada there is a great diversity of values and traditions. This makes it harder for people to identify with each other. Alexander and Pearl e... ...e West feel alienated by the East and think that they are not cared about, that they do not have an equal opportunity with those in the East. Those in the East think the Westerners are treated the same and that there is nothing for them to be upset about. Canadians as a whole do not see Canada the way the other countries do. Canadians don ¹t think we are as great of a country as we really are. The country of Canada lacks a true national identity, partly because of all of the different views of Canada.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Because of many factors, Canada lacks a real national identity. Canadians identify with community, region, but rarely a nation. Values, attitudes and cultures of different groups shape identity as they have emerged from our history and geography. Bilingual and multicultural polices which help people preserve their own cultures can also have an affect on Canadian identity. Interaction between groups and people that have different views on Canada can influence the Canadian identity. Even though people have their own idea of the Canadian identity, Canada lacks a true national identity, one that is clearly Canadian and can be recognized by anybody, anywhere.

Explain why Martin Luther King was considered an Uncle Tom Essay

There are a number of reasons as to why Martin Luther King was and still is referred to as an ‘Uncle Tom’ by some. An Uncle Tom is a black man who behaves in a subservient manner to whites. Malcolm X, among many other blacks, referred to King in this manner. Firstly, many blacks at the time saw King’s non-violence practices as being overly moderate and passive. This is for a number of reasons, mainly that the Negro extremists he criticised dismissed his passion for non violence and was charged as hindering the Negro struggle for equality. Many extremists and those who hoped to go about matters more actively saw King as shying away from the real problem and not confronting matters head-on. He was perceived by many radicals as being ‘all talk, no action’ having brought high the hopes of many young blacks, such as in riot-stricken Ohio, and having done nothing to fulfil the hopes. Moreover, Malcolm X considered King as an Uncle Tom because he was adamant on using non-violence as a political philosophy. Malcolm X sat King’s insistence on using non-violence as a principle, as being suicidal and argued that he was an ‘Uncle Tom’ because non violence only makes sense in a situation under which the person has control over. Malcolm X advocated the idea of self-defence and therefore saw King’s idea of inter-dependence as being as obsequious as Uncle Tom. Lastly, Martin Luther King was considered an Uncle Tom because he had similar methods to that of previous authority figures who were also labelled as Uncle Tom’s. An example is Rosa Parks who used passive methods to get her way and so was called an Uncle Tom. Similarly, King was using a moderate approach and so was given the same label as those who had previously gone about their business similarly. All in all Martin Luther King was considered an Uncle Tom due to the influence of Malcolm X, whose more confrontational methods appealed to black youths who were disappointed with King’s failure to fulfil their hopes. Malcolm X’s influence resulted in many other blacks sharing the ideology that King was an Uncle Tom – this together with the fact that previous icons had been labelled in the same way, led to the growing belief that King was an Uncle Tom.

Analysis And Recommendations On Impact Accounting Essay

With the alterations of Bursa Malaysia Listing Requirement and Malayan Corporate Code Governance from the past few old ages up to twelvemonth 2012, it is going indispensable for the populace listed company to measure the alteration in order to follow with the jurisprudence and ordinance and besides to guarantee sound administration in the organisation. Furthermore, there are non merely alterations in BMSLR and MCCG but the general legal, regulative and administration model besides have undergone major and minor alterations in past old ages. Therefore, the intent of this study is to urge and educate all officers of the company harmonizing to the alterations in functions and responsibilities of executive direction and besides the actions program should be implement by president of the board and other officer in order to guarantee the encourage internal stakeholder engagement and guarantee sound administration of the company. 2.0 Content2.1 Changes in the functions and responsibilities of executive directionIn old clip, the duty of the managers and executives are merely to do certain that the company is following with the Torahs and ordinance of the state and besides to accomplish their mark which maximize the company net income and besides the stockholder wealth. However, in today society, there is non plenty for managers that merely concentrate on net income of the company and stockholder wealth but besides require concentrating more on administration. In today organisation, a company board of managers is charged with the duty of keeping good corporate administration. The following are the functions and duties of the executive direction alterations in today ‘s organisations, including: Formalize ethical criterion in the workplace- In chief 1 recommendation 1.3 of MCCG 2012 had recommended that the board should formalise ethical criterion through a codification of behavior and guarantee all members of the company will follow with it. Therefore, the responsibility of the Board is to develop a corporate civilization of moralss, brewing throughout the company. The board needs to implement an appropriate internal system to back up, promote and guarantee its conformities by design its ain codification and system based on the values it prizes as appropriate concern behaviour. The codification of behavior should includes the appropriate channels of communicating, contributing to expose employees, clients, providers or other stakeholders concerned about possible or suspected misdemeanors of the codification behaviour, or any non-compliance with the jurisprudence and ordinances of the company. For illustration, the Board may set up a communicating nexus or steer employees ho w to pass on straight with the Board and chances for whistle blowing. The board besides should reexamine the codification of behavior sporadically and the abstract of the codification of behavior should be set out on the corporate functionary web site. Therefore, as compared to old MCCG regulative model, MCCG 2012 had required the board of the company concern non merely on jurisprudence and ordinance but besides ethical criterion of the company. Oversight scheme to cover with sustainable development- In recommendation 1.4 of MCCG 2012 besides recommended that the board should guarantee that the company scheme to advance sustainable development. The scheme of the company should be pay attending on three facets of concern which include environmental, societal and administration which underpin sustainability of the company. Therefore, equilibrating ESG facets with the involvement of assorted stakeholders in the company will be the indispensable responsibility for the manager to heightening investor perceptual experience and public trust. In order to carry through the three facet of the concern, company should formalise the policies on sustainability and stakeholder direction. The strategic of the company must convey benefit to the environment and society such as manager can implement travel green undertaking. For illustration, company can be after to bring forth eco friendly merchandise such as intercrossed autos which can assi st to cut down air pollution and convey a batch of benefit to the consumers and besides increase the net income of the company. Other than this, the board besides should guarantee the company discloses these policies and their execution in the one-year study and besides the corporate functionary web site which can assist to heighten answerability. Harmonizing to chief 7 recommendation 7.1 of MCCG 2012 recommended that the board should guarantee the company has appropriate corporate revelation policies. The board should set up an internal corporate revelation policies and processs which are practical and include feedback from direction. The board should guarantee these policies and processs are following with the revelation demands as set out in the Bursa Malaysia listing demands. In explicating these policies and processs, the board should follow the best patterns and processs. Other than this, the boards of managers besides have the duty to move as the defender of equity, transpare nce and answerability in all of the company ‘s policies, execution and commercial minutess, and safeguard the involvements of investors and the broader involvements of stakeholders. In order to carry through this duty, the manager board should stay active, informed and in charge of the supervising of the company. Overall, the MCCG 2012 had recommended the board should be concern environment, societal, administration and besides Torahs and ordinance but non as the former manager of its chief duties focus on maximising stockholder wealth Review and public its board charter- By mentioning to principal 1 recommendation 1.7 of MCCG 2012 had recommended that the board should formalize, reexamine on a regular basis and do its board charter transparent to the populace. Board Charter contains the strategic purpose of the Board of Directors, and an overview of the Board of Directors functions and duties. The board charter represents a beginning mention and primary initiation literature, supply penetrations to future members of the Board and senior direction. It will besides help the Board to measure their ain public presentation include its single managers public presentation. In set uping a board charter, it ‘s important for the board to sketch the key values, rules, and ethos of the company as the preparation of policies and schemes development of the company are based on these considerations. The board should clearly distinguish the duties and powers between the board and direction, the different type of commissions set up by the board, and different between the president and the CEO in the board charter Other than that, the board besides should include the procedures and processs for convening board meetings inside the board charter and the board charter besides should be review regulative by the board and the board charter should print on the company functionary web site. Committees of the board besides play an of import function in the administration procedure and each commission of the board should hold a written charter, which has been approved by the board and disclosed in the one-year study. Therefore, we can see that in MCCG 2012 had recommended that a company should do it board charter transparent to the populace which the old MCCG do non set concern on that.2.2 Reason for board to reexamine their maps and placeReinforce independence- Harmonizing to recommendation 3.1 of MCCG 2012 recommended that the board should set about an appraisal or rating of its independent managers yearly. In dependent managers can assist to cut down hazards originating from struggle of involvement or undue influence from interested parties by brings independent and nonsubjective judgement to the board. Exercise and nonsubjective judgement of the being independent managers on the board by itself can be compromised by, amongst others, acquaintance or close relationship with other members of the Board. Therefore, it is important for the board to carry on an one-year appraisal of the independency of its independent managers. When carry oning independency, the board should concentrate beyond the independent manager ‘s household relationships, background and economic to see whether the independent manager is able to go on supply independent and nonsubjective judgement deliberations. Criteria to measure independency should be establishes by the nominating Committee. The board of managers should use these standards at the clip of admittance, yearly and development of any new involvements or relationships. The board of managers should disclosed that the company has carried out the rating on assignment or reappointment of independent managers in the one-year study and any notice convening a general meeting. Other than relationships, background and economic, the rating standards for independency of managers should besides include term of office. By mentioning to the chief 3 recommendation 3.2 of MCCG2012 had recommended that the term of office of the independent managers should be no more than a cumulative period of nine old ages. Upon completion of the nine old ages, an independent manager may redesign as a non- independent manager and continue to function on the board. Independence may impair by long term of office. Therefore, the maximal term of office of an independent manager is 9 old ages. The nine old ages periods can be either uninterrupted service for 9 old ages or accumulated nine old ages of service with intervals. However, after the 9 old ages period, the i ndependent manager may still go on to function for the board as non- independent manager. However, in chief 3 recommendation 3.3 of MCCG 2012 had stated that an independent manager can stay as an independent manager after functioning a cumulative term of nine old ages may subject to the appraisal of the nominating commission. Other than this, individual who appointed as independent managers must run into the definition of an independent manager to 1.01 and pattern are set out in Note 13 of the Listing demands. Ensure balance of the board- One of the grounds that the board or president should reexamine their map or place is to guarantee that balance of power and authorization. Harmonizing to chief 3 recommendation 3.4 of MCCG 2012 which had recommended that the places of president and CEO should non be held by a same individual but different persons and the president must be a non-executive member of the board. The ground is because of uniting these places concentrate excessively much power in a individual individual. Furthermore, the board shall consist a bulk of independent managers if the president is non an independent manager in order to guarantee the balance of power and authorization on the board. Separation of the place of Chairman and CEO, can assist to advance answerability and to advance the division of duties between them, can besides assist to keep a balance of power and authorization, so that no one individual has unfettered powers of determination. Dynamic and complex concern environment- Harmonizing to chief 4 of MCCG 2012 recommended managers should give sufficient clip to carry through their duties, and on a regular basis update their cognition and better their skills.. In chief 4 recommendation 4.2 of MCCG 2012 stated that the board should guarantee its members have entree to allow go oning instruction coders. In a dynamic and complex concern environment, it is necessary that managers devote sufficient clip to update their cognition and better their accomplishments through appropriate go oning instruction coders and life-long acquisition which will assist to enable managers to prolong their active engagement in board deliberations. Therefore, the manager able to bring forth a quality scheme and do more dependable determinations, and be able to confront different challenges from a altering environment. . Furthermore, the listing demands states that companies must continuously measure and find the preparation needs that are r elevant to their managers. One of the specifying features of professional managers is wisdom and honestness. An single manager ‘s committedness to sustainable development will advance rational honestness which is a of import portion of good administration and is by extension a portion of each manager ‘s fiducial duty. Sustainable development will fit Directors with the best serve the involvements of the company.Actions plan to guarantee internal stakeholder thrust and sound administration.There are few actions that the board and executive can take to guarantee sound administration. One of the actions is development of codification of moral principle of the company. The company can formalise ethical criterion through a codification of behavior and guarantee all members of the company will follow with it.Development of codification of behavior and moralss within organisationMeasure 1: Involve senior directionA strong leading is a of import factor in making an ethical civil ization in the organisation. Chairman and top executive direction should show leading with regard to values and moralss in the development of an organisational codification of behavior. Engagement of the top executive can assist raise the profile of the codification of behavior within the organisation, and the board and other officer should guarantee that it is aligned with the organisation ‘s vision and strategic results, and ease the blessing procedure.Measure 2: Establish a diversified, multi-disciplinary consulting groupIn order to increase the effectivity of the organisation codification of behavior, it needs to be relevant to all employees who are capable to it. Therefore, they are stand foring cardinal stakeholders and with cognitive and cultural diverseness which signifier by the multidisciplinary squad and diverse squad. However, if board and executive direction are non able to organize a multidisciplinary squad, the assorted maps within the organisation and particula r involvement groups should at least consult in order to understand their demands. Since the believing around values, ethical hazards and expected behaviours will hold been inclusive of the organisation ‘s work force diverseness, so this will assist to ease the confirmation procedure with employees.Measure 3: Put the Aims for your Organizational CodeThe aims of the codification of behavior demand to be set start from the beginning, as the aims of the codification will act upon the picks made with regard to the content highlighted in the codification. The executive direction of the company should put the aims of the codification at the beginning of clip and explicating to employees what the organisation intends to accomplish with its codification. The effectivity of the codification can be reviewed to mensurate whether the aim are being achieved through linked the aims to expected results.Measure 4: Customized Code of Conduct for the demands and values aˆâ€ ¹aˆâ€ ¹of the organisationTo find the organisation ‘s nucleus valuesThe first measure in the constitution of the organisation ‘s Code of Conduct is the board and executive squad demand to find the outlooks of the organisation, for illustration, the intent, powers, duties, responsibilities and duties. Once aspirations have been defined, the top direction should get down audiences with employees on their core organisational values. The nucleus values specify what the organisation represent and the rules by which it will accomplish its ends.Identifying Hazards: Measuring the potency for behaviors inconsistent with the valuesIn custom-making the codification to the organisation ‘s demands, it is of import to concentrate on the hazard countries where behavior may be inconsistent with organisational value because it will increase the relevancy and effectivity of the codification. Examination of countries of hazard for struggles of involvement should include in the hazard appra isal reappraisal. Effective hazard appraisals should done in audience with senior direction, and are validated by center directorsMeasure 5: The confirmation organisation codification ( bill of exchange ) behaviour with the bargaining agents and employees.An effectual organisational codification of behavior is required to consultation with bargaining agents and employees. Therefore, one time the bill of exchange codification of behavior and moralss has been completed, it is necessary to verify its contents with these stakeholders through audience. This will guarantee that the values aˆâ€ ¹aˆâ€ ¹and outlooks of behaviour related to employees and the environments of their workplace. This is an first-class chance for executive direction and their employees prosecute in the duologue about values aˆâ€ ¹aˆâ€ ¹and moralss and organisational committedness to keep an ethical civilization in the workplace. Consultations between executive direction and employees may besides place some of the countries where increased preparation, consciousness or farther treatments will be needed during the development stage of the organisational codification and moralss.Measure 6: Execution and Monitoring organisation codification of behavior and moralssDevelopment of codification of behavior and moralss of an organizationally is an of import first measure in reenforcing and making an ethical civilization, other of import cardinal factors are communicating, acquisition, leadings, public presentation direction, and training. The boards of the company demand to carefully see how to carry on the codification, in order to maximise its effectivity. Furthermore, board should go oning monitoring and rating of the codification which can assist organisations to find whether the codification is to accomplish its expected consequences.Execution of corporate societal duty policyIn today organisation, it is important for the company to implement plan of corporate societal duty. A corporate societal duty can assist the company to derive competitory advantages compare to the other company which had non implement the CSR plan. Basically, Corporate societal duty is means that a corporate enterprise to measure and take duty for the company ‘s effects on the environment and impact on societal public assistance and besides provide just intervention of all stakeholders such as employees, consumers, provider. The followers will be the stairss for the company to implement a corporate societal duty policy: Measure 1: Explore commercial chances and analysis of the concern environmentInternal CSR working groupActively affect your employees in the design and execution of CSR policies. This will forestall deficient support for the CSR policy from the administration in the hereafter. Ensure that the relevant sections are represented in the working group, i.e. the direction, buying, production, HR, selling and communications. Make the treatment of CSR an built-in portion of squad meetings and be originative. CSR demands an advanced expression at the company.In order to find the concern instance of corporate societal duty for the company, it is of import for the board to first cognize what is the outlook of stakeholders from company in the field of CSR.. Therefore, the president and executive direction should later associate the outlook of the stakeholder to the company nucleus activities and interpret into concern chances every bit many as possible. However, the board of company should non t o make this alone but put together an internal working group to travel through together and supported on the policy program. An illustration of the internal working group will be the employees of the company who executing the twenty-four hours to twenty-four hours operation work of the company. The board can pass on with employees about CSR attempts. The board should take an involvement non merely in what their employees say, but besides in what they really know. In order to guarantee internal stakeholder thrust, the board besides can ask for employee sentiment or believing about where the company directs its CSR attempts or promote employees direct engagement in those attempts. Beside this, the board besides should necessitate the stakeholders regular communicating about CSR end and acknowledge the parts of the employees, as they have invested the most energy, clip and committedness towards accomplishing those ends. Measure 2: Evaluation on the company After the completion of measure 1, the executive direction should hold an thought of the precedence corporate societal duty offers to the company and how to react to stakeholder outlooks on the corporate societal duty of the company. The following measure for the board is to size up company within the context of corporate societal duty. By making this, it can assist to give the board an thought of what company CSR policy program should be aimed. Measure 3: Put the ends of CSR policy In measure 3, the executive direction can choose the hazard, betterment points and concern oppurtunity that need to concentrate, so later formulate selected betterment point, rish and concern oppurtunity. After that, the board and executive direction should find which are short term ends and long term ends. After that, the direction besides can find whether extra informations and research are neccessary for the CSR aims and see whether to. fall in a sector-specific CSR ( audit ) programme which can assist to give the company CSR policy more impact. Measure 4: CSR policy program After the company determined which CSR ends have precedence, so the executive manangement can get down conform the aims and actitivies of corporate societal duty aims and activities into the current procedure and system. The executive manangement required to apportion the duty and responsibility to the staff for achieve the end. After allocated responsibility for the staff, policy program is now ready and company can take action. Futhermore, direction of the company demand to put out CSR policy program on the company offficial web site and to reexamine and update it on a regular basis. Last, executive direction should do certain the employees are understand their function in implementing corporate societal duty.DecisionAs a decision, it is of import for all board members to reconsider their function and responsibility in today organisation in order to follow with the jurisprudence and ordinance such as the Bursa Malaysia Listing Requirement and other administration model. Futhermore, its is important for the president of the board and other officer of the company to implement some action program such as development of codification of behavior and moralss of the company, and execution of corporate societal duty policy of the company in order to guarantee sound administration while facilitate the company to stay its competitory advantages.