Bigfoot

Bigfoot Introduction: The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry is an organization that’s mission is to promote scientific inquiry, critical investigation, and the use of reason in examining controversial and extraordinary claims. (CSI) Pseudoscience’s are beliefs that claim to be science but do not meet the criteria of science. (Notes on Web unit 1 part 3) Pseudoscience in not based on scientific literature or on scientific experiments that have been peer reviewed. Coker 2001) It is based on someone saying that they did an experiment and got a certain result and that result not being tested in order to see if it can be duplicated therefore it is not falsifiable. (Coker 2001) There are many different pseudoscience’s, astrology, palm reading, and crystal healing are some more commonly known ones. Cryptozoology is one as well all of these can be found on The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry website. (CSI) Cryptozoology is the study of the unknown animal. (Michael Dennett Science and Footprints article) Materials and Methods:The belief of the existence of Bigfoot is cyptozoology. When you google the word bigfoot you will get 8,400,000 hits. (google search). The trash has to be weeded out which can be done by using google scholar’s advance search options and narrow down the field in which bigfoot research and scientific peer-reviewed articles can be found. Most of the reliable links lead back to the skeptical inquirer, which is a publication from The Committee of Skeptical Inquiry. Other resources used to support this paper were found at one of two libraries located in two different counties.All of the other literature at these libraries that was on Bigfoot was found in the fiction section, so was determined to be trash. A huge red flag for trash was if they site was a . com site. There is a huge amount of . com trash on Bigfoot as indicated by my Google search. As Mr. Stewart stated . com stands for commercial sites and it is known that commer cial sites are used by anyone and everyone and are not peer-reviewed. Results: Timeline: The name Bigfoot came from the alleged footprints of the alleged animal. (Radford 2002) J.Bord and Colin Brod’s The Bigfoot Caslbook states that Bigfoot sightings date back to the 1830s. Some belivers think that Bigfoot lives all over the United States. (Radford 2002) Evidence: There are four types of evidence that has been brought forth as Bigfoot evidence. (Radford 2002) They are eyewitness sightings, footprints, recordings, and somatic samples which simpler put means hair and/or blood samples. (Radford 2002) There are numerous, reports of sightings, theories, and footprint casts from all over North America. Radford 2002) It is known that eyewitness testimony is the weakest form of evidence, like scientist, lawyers and judges want hard evidence to prove their case. (Radford 2002) The footprint tracks that have been classified as evidence to support Bigfoot believers have all varied in s ize, shape, and other factors that have been closely examined. (Radford 2002) How can there be such a difference and be from the same animal or species? The evidence contradicts itself. (Radford 2002) Ignoring evidence that conflicts is part of pseudoscience. Coker 2001) It is poor quality and most have been proven to be other animals or synthetic fibers. (Radford 2002) With so many gunshots fired at this creature where is the hard evidence. (Boston 2003) In Ben Radford’s review of The Field Guide to Bigfoot, Yeti, and Other Mystery Primates Worldwide, wrote by Loren Coleman and Patrick Huyghe published in 1999 by Avon Books, He points out that the believers who wrote the book cannot explain why claims of Bigfoot being killed presented no bones or bodies as evidence. Radford 2000) The book also claims that eyewitnesses even admitted they could have misidentified another animal as Bigfoot. (Radford 2000) A short film taken in 1967 by Roger Patterson and Bog Gimlin shows the al leged Bigfoot crossing a clearing. (Radford 2002) The question of it is a hoax or not is not important the important thing is the fact that the statement it cannot be a fake claim is able to be false. (Radford 2002) Don Grieve who is an anatomist specializing in human gait has concluded that the alleged Bigfoot gait that was claimed couldn’t have been made by a human in fact could have. Radford 2002) â€Å"The existence of a large primate such as Bigfoot especially in North America is almost impossibility speaking, because the discovery of a new mouse is big news these days. † stated by Dr. Richard W. Thorington, Jr. who in 1980 was the head primatologist in the Department of Vertebrate Zoology at the National Museum of Natural History in the Smithsonian Institution. (Wylie 1980) Money: â€Å"Some are doubters some believe, the rest of us just know†, this was the slogan of the 2006 Bigfoot Rendezvous Conference. Ben Radford was a speaker at this event.He stated â€Å"Enormous time money and energy have been spent trying to find Bigfoot. Today in 2006 we have more footprints than ever before. We have more photographs and videotapes and film footage than at any other time in history. The problem is not that we don’t have enough evidence; the problem is that that evidence is inconclusive at best. † (Radford 2006) He also made it clear that skeptics do detailed research. (Radford 2006) Tom Biscardi is an explorer that travels looking for Bigfoot, he and his crew was feature on our own KWII news searching the Paris, TX. rea for Bigfoot. (Gotera 2007) Him and his team get paid to explore for Bigfoot, one week of exploring can cost around $70,000. 00. (Gotera 2007) Thomas Biscardi also had a webpage that you could subscribe. (Dennett 2006) Patterson made a profit off of his film and book as well as the organization he started. (Radford 2002) News about a Bigfoot encounter generates money. (Dennett 2006) The Sci Fi Investigates is a television series that claims to investigate mysterious phenomena. (Radford 2007) It is for entertainment urposes and to make profits, even the cast that has no scientific credentials, has pointed out that eyewitness Bigfoot encounters are not explainable. (Radford 2007) A lot of the episodes aired are based on anecdotes, as previously stated anecdotes are not scientifically testable. (Radford 2007) In one episode they try to make a convincing Bigfoot film, by making this what did they prove about Bigfoot, nothing. (Radford 2007) The show lacks skeptical investigators for a reason if it wanted them the producers would have hired them, the bottom line is profits. Radford 2007) Conclusion: Science isn’t based on our beliefs it is based on investigation and repetition of results, pseudoscience is based on belief without data or results that can be repeated or explained. (Coker 2001) Often times pseudoscience is favored by our religious beliefs or cultural beliefs, religion and c ultural beliefs are not testable in the realm of science they do not follow natural law. (Coker 2001) Cryptozoology is based mostly on anecdotal evidence which is evidence that cannot be tested, or proven falsifiable, which is why it is pseudoscience. Radford 2002) The monstrous amount of bad quality evidence has not lessened the popularity of the existence of Bigfoot. (Radford 2006) The search of Bigfoot for some people is what they pass their time doing it brings together people with a common interest. (Radford 2006) Bigfoot hobbyists enjoy the outdoors and the adventure of the possibility of seeing, hearing, or finding something to prove the existence. (Radford 2006) BACONS QUOTE Literature Cited Boston, Rob. 2003, Scenes from a Bigfoot Conference [Internet]. [cited 2011 Feb 8]; 13. 4 Available from: http://www. csicop. rg/sb/show/scenes_from_a_bigfoot_conference Coker, Rory. 2001. Science and Pseudoscience [Internet]. [cited 2011 March 22] Available from: http://www. quackwatch. org/01QuakeryRelatedTopics/pseudo. html Dennett, Michael. 2006, Experiments Cast Doubt on Bigfoot ‘Evidence’ [Internet]. [cited 2011 Feb. 8]; 16. 3 Available from: http://www. csicop. org/sb/show/exeperiments_cast_doubt_on_bigfoot_evidence Dennett, Michael. 2006, The Bigfoot Legend Lives [Internet]. [cited 2011 Feb. 8] ; 16. 1 Available from: http://www. csicop. org/sb/show/the_bigfoot_legend_lives Gotera, Daniel. 2007, The Hunt for Bigfoot [Internet]. cited 2011 March 22] Available from: http://www. kxii. com/home/headlines/11090741. html Radford, Ben. 2002, Bigfoot at 50 Evaluating a Half Century of Bigfoot Evidence [Internet]. [cited 2011 March 22] 26. 2 Available from: http:// http://www. csicop. org/sb/show/bigfoot_at_50_evaluating_a_half_century_of_bigfoot_evidence Radford, Ben. 2007, Sci Fi Investigates, Finds Only Pseudoscience [Internet] [cited 2011 March 10] 31. 2 Available from: http://www. csicop. org/sb/show/sci_fi_investigates_finds_only_pseudoscience Rad ford, Ben. 2006, Among the Bigfooters [Internet] [cited 2011 March 10]Available from: http://www. csicop. org/sb/show/among_the_bigfooters Radford, Ben. 2000, The flawed Guide to Bigfoot [Internet] [cited 2011 March 22]; 24. 1 Available from: http://www. csicop. org/sb/show/flawed_guide _to_bigfoot/ Stewart, Bruce. Notes on the Web-Unit One-Part 3 Pseudoscience: A Cultural Pathogen [Internet] [cited 2011 Jan. 15] Available from: http://www. sciencethinking. org/zoology/pseudoscience. htm The Committee of Skepical Inquiry Website [Internet] [cited 2011 March 20] Available from: http://www. csicop. org/ Wylie, Kenneth. 1980, Bigfoot, New York (NY) The Viking Press; pages 150-153

Critically evaluate McGregor’s Theroy X and Theory Y Essay

Critically evaluate McGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y. How far is it applicable to management and employee motivation in contemporary Chinese organizations? In the modern corporation environment, employees’ motivation plays a pivotal role, thus they should be recognised as a significant part of corporations’ financial assets. There are several distinct viewpoints of approaches to managerial strategies about motivating employees, one of which is McGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y. It proposes that providing an autonomous environment satisfying employees’ higher needs is more preferable than simply controlling them by rewards and punishment. This essay will firstly evaluate McGregor’s theory. Although influential value of this theory in organization history might be approved, there are two primary issues, invalidity and superficial recognition, which criticisms revolve around. Subsequently, this essay will discuss the extent of this theory’s application in Chinese organizations. Although McGregor’s theory may be employed in few corporations, this theory is generally not applicable in most contemporary Chinese organizations. Many theorists support that McGregor’s theory considers the field of management from a new angle, indicating a strong influential value. In contrast to the principles of conventional management mentioned as Theory X, the advocated Theory Y illuminated a cluster of new or redefined concepts such as self-fulfilling prophecy and responsibility. According to Carson (2005), some of those concepts had been interpreted before; however, McGregor’s theory combined those concepts emerging from separate theories. Based on these compiled conceptions, this theory takes higher-order needs into consideration, which innovatively introduces a profound work value that management should not only involve controlling and monitoring. Moreover, the inclination to responsibility of employees contributes to participative atmospheres in working environment. Lerner (2011) claims that McGregor’s theory can prepare employees’ skills to tackle complicated tasks due to their sense of responsibility, in parallel with improving the potential of an individual. Therefore, this theory, revealing an initial pattern of management strategy, dramatically influences the applied field of organization development. In spite of the influence and originality of McGregor’s theory, there is a primary drawback of the validity, which is regarding the assumption of human nature in this theory. This theory is primarily based on an analysis of  human nature. McGregor (2000) has pointed out that theory X management assumes that people generally are not responsible for work in contrast to theory Y assuming that people are invariably self-controlled. However, the theory X assumption is exaggeratedly negative while the theory Y assumption is overly optimistic. According to Bobic and Davis (2003), there is no evidence that systematically certifies the existence of individuals’ extreme attitudes towards work. Similarly, Francesco and Gold (2005) argued that human nature is not viewed purely positive or negative in all the cultures, drawing on Hofstede’s theory. Furthermore, different employees may have somewhat different characteristics; however, McGregor blended those sophisticated human natures into two simplistic models to introduce a quite deficient theory. Therefore, the theory seems to be invalid due to this relatively unrealistic and inadequate analysis. In addition to the invalid assumption of McGregor’s theory, there is another drawback concerning superficial recognition of autonomous environment and authority which are primary principles of Theory Y and Theory X respectively. McGregor (2000) state that autonomous environment can be acquired by opportunities for self-actualization. Nonetheless, Head (2011) has argued that incentives involving self-actualization are barely effective. Likewise, Bobic and Davis (2003) state that self-actualization is not a pragmatic motivational factor due to the rare opportunity provided by corporations in reality. Although some approaches such as job enrichment can be implemented, managers may not be totally competent to direct this management, which reveals that McGregor’s theory may overestimate the effectiveness of autonomous environment. Conversely, the model of authority representing Theory X may be a more frequently adopted management tool, which is the contrary to what is portrayed in the theory. Head (2011) pointed out authority rather than bureaucracy may offer legitimate power and guarantee development of corporations towards certain direction. In fact, offering appropriate guidance to subordinates and essentially avoiding overly vigorous control stand a significant position in most companies. Consequently, McGregor’s proposal that autonomous environment should be concentrated on while authority is obsolete may require reconsideration because of the superficial recognition. Motivational strategies have been considered as an essential concentration for corporations. With respect to the application of  McGregor’s theory in China, minimal successful instances may be seen in some extremely large conglomerates. Those conglomerates such as Shanghai’s corporations hire numerous workers, contributing to competition and pressure; therefore, employees in these organizations may emphasize higher-order needs because of this particular work circumstance, in accordance with the assumption of McGregor’s theory. Chan and Wyatt (2007) demonstrate that employees in Shanghai’s corporations can be significantly motivated by the satisfaction of self-esteem that is also emphasized in McGregor’s theory. Hence, it seems that this theory can reflect its feasibility in few large Chinese organizations. However, generally, McGregor’s theory reflects low practicability in most contemporary Chinese corporations. According to Alas (2005), most Chinese respondents are more likely to be encouraged by lower needs satisfaction such as incomes, whereas the dominant principle of McGregor’s theory is strategies satisfying higher needs. Therefore, Chinese employees’ concentration on lower needs makes it difficult for them to be motivated by McGregor’s theory. Moreover, Dessler (2006) argued that employee empowerment, one of the principles of McGregor’s theory, is excluded from Chinese corporations. Furthermore, McGregor’s theory is incompatible with the comparatively ingrained Confucian value system in Chinese culture. According to Geren (2011), an abandoned principle in the theory is obedience for authority which is the essence of Confucian value system. Chinese employees largely cultivated in the atmosphere of Confucian value may be uncomfortable with the management of McGregor’s theory. Emphasis on lower needs and the cultural of Confucian value system are both opposite to McGregor’s theory. Therefore, this theory is not applicable in most contemporary Chinese organizations. As a whole, McGregor’s theory may animate original spirit of motivation management; nevertheless, its invalidity is directly resulted from inadequate and unrealistic assumption of human nature. Additionally, excessively focusing on autonomous environment and ignoring efficiency of authority may indicate the superficial recognition in this theory. These two drawbacks can account for ineffective arrangement. As motivation management develops globally, in China, in spite of efficient application in few conglomerates, McGregor’s theory is not compatible with most Chinese organizations because general Chinese condition is the obstacle to successfully adopting this theory. There is no universal theory; hence, in order to improve the effectiveness of management, organizations should utilize distinct management principles flexibly in specific working circumstance. Word account: 1079 Reference List Alas, R. (2008) Attitudes and values in Chinese manufacturing companies: a comparison with Japanese, South Korean and Hong Kong companies. Chinese Management Studies. Vol. 2(1), pp.32-51 (PDF available) Bobic, M.P. & Davis, W.E. (2003) A Kind Word for Theory X: Or Why So Many Newfangled Management Techniques Quickly Fail. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory. Vol. 13(3), pp.239-264 (PDF available) Carson, C.M. (2005) A historical view of Douglas McGregor’s Theory Y. Management Decision. Vol. 43(3), pp.450-460 (PDF available) Chan, K.W. & Wyatt, T.A. (2007) Quality of Work Life: A Study of Employees in Shanghai, China. Asia Pacific Business Review. Vol. 13(4), pp.501-517 (PDF available) Dessler, G. (2006) Expanding into China? What foreign employers should know about human resource management in China today. SAM Advanced Management Journal. Vol.71(4), pp.11-24 (PDF available) Francesco, A.M. & Gold, B.A. (2005) International Organizational Behavior. 2nd ed. NJ, USA: Pearson Education (PDF available of relevant chapter) Geren, B. (2011) Motivation: Chinese theoretical Perspectives. Journal of Behavioural Studies in Business. Vol.3, pp.1-10 (PDF available) Head, T.C. (2011) Douglas McGregor’s legacy: lessons learned, lessons lost. Journal of Management History. Vol. 17(2), pp.202-216 (PDF available) Lerner, A. (2011) McGregor’s legacy: thoughts on what he left, what transpired, and what remains to pursue. Journal of Management History. Vol. 17(2), pp.217 – 237 (PDF available) McGregor, D. (2000) The Human Side of Enterprise. Reflections: The Society for Organizational Learning Journal. Vol. 2(1), pp.6-15. (PDF available)

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Apology letter for an assault happened two years ago Essay

Apology letter for an assault happened two years ago - Essay Example I have been nurturing these feelings of grief, guilt and repentance ever since I threw coffee on you and hurt you badly. Please, believe me that I am not a habitual binge drinker. I drink occasionally but that night at the club, my friends indulged me in heavy drinking which made me lose my nerves in the morning. I could vividly see a group of girls videotaping me, and that infuriated me. Please, trust me that basically I am a very good natured and calm person. I don’t know why I became so angry that day that I lost my temper and threw a hot mug of coffee on you. I wish I was in my senses. But time has passed, leaving only the repentance and remorse in my heart for my whole life. I cannot undo what I have done. I cannot bring back those moments. I wish I could undo the harm that I have done to you. I know that the physical injury will soon vanish, but the emotional and mental pain that I have caused you will hardly ever go away. All of that is just because of my stupidity and carelessness, of which I am really apologetic. Oh! How I wish I could rewind the time and undo the harm that I have done to you. I am so regretful. I also know that I do not deserve you excusing me, nor do I deserve a mini-second of your time. But please, consider my feelings. I have tried my best to remove from my nature what caused me to bring pain to a human being. I have attended almost over twenty therapy sessions with a psychologist. I have also attended a positive change inner mindset class with a social worker to remove all negativity from my behavior. I have completed almost 500 hours of community service at Salvation Army, breakfast club- a place where poor and homeless people are fed. I have done all this to bring empathy and kindness into my nature. I have also contacted a psychologist for counseling regarding quitting drinking. I really want to change myself. I want to become a person that is compassionate toward others. My assault toward you

Design and analysis of lean maufacturing Case Study

Design and analysis of lean maufacturing - Case Study Example The reputation for quality is what keeps Elba afloat with a select base of customers, albeit with those customers increasingly coming from remote areas relative to the location of the plant. It is the remoteness of the current remaining customer base that has caused the company to incur a growing cost base in inventory as well as in distribution. These two items have grown by 12 percent and 10 percent respectively over the past three years. In absolute terms too, distribution has come to almost equal labor costs and has come to account for the second largest share of costs after labor, and only marginally smaller than labor costs at $11.1 million. Inventory costs, meanwhile, have come to equal materials costs, and with the rate of growth of inventory costs is poised to overtake materials costs. On the other hand, the move to Southeast Asia would chop 30 percent from distribution costs, and 60 percent from labor costs. Assuming all other costs remain the same, that would translate to savings of about $7 million in labor costs yearly and $3.33 million in distribution costs per year. Given though that clients are distributed in equal measure by volume outside of Asia, there might be minimal to no savings in distribution costs. ... It is likely that Elba will lose more customers with the move, and may continue to suffer from a profit squeeze as they lose the quality differentiation. The question is whether this planned move is wise, or whether a justification can be made to retain the plant that does not entail preserving the status quo but going about rejuvenating the product lines and making use of the available skilled and experienced talent to innovate and come up with higher-margin products (â€Å"Case Study 4.8 Elba Electronics† 128-129). II. Background Information From a financial point of view, the current state of affairs at Elba Electronics is unsustainable, and is ripe for change. That, or the trajectory is for Elba to continually grow its costs for distribution and inventory and therefore go deeper in the red. Earnings have shrunk by five percent over the past three years, and is already thin as of the time of the planned closure of the plant. The move would significantly bolster margins by r educing the biggest cost items in labor and in distribution as stated in the case, by 60 percent and 30 percent respectively, The FCP seems to have established a good case for the plant closure, but their analysis also seems to suffer from a blindside, and that is with regard to the effect of the move on demand, and on margins. This is an opening that John James can analyze and exploit, to bolster the case for a different kind of plan that does not entail moving manufacturing to Southeast Asia but doubling down on innovation to produce higher margin products (â€Å"Case Study 4.8 Elba Electronics† 128-129). III. Problem Statement Does the move to Southeast Asia and the closure of the Elba plant justified by financial and non-financial considerations? How does

Strategic Marketing- Coca Cola Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Strategic Marketing- Coca Cola - Essay Example Coca-Cola is one of the leading food and beverage country with a geographical reach that extends to over 200 countries around the world. Coca-Cola manufactures, distributes and sells over 3,500 non-alcoholic beverages that range from drinking water to sports drinks. Coca-Cola is world-known for their soft drinks and most popularly its namesake Coca-Cola. The main product that Coca-Cola sells is its carbonated drinks such as Coca-Cola and its different variations that include Diet Coke, Coke with lime, Coca-Cola Blak and Coca-Cola Orange. The Coca-Cola Company began as J.S. Pemberton Medicine Company that sold medicinal products such as Cough syrup and hair dye. Later the co-founder of Coca Cola, Dr. John Pemberton, a pharmacist, discovered the formula for Coke, quite by accident. Soon J. S. Pemberton Medicine Company became Coca-Cola and began to operate as a beverage company. The revolutionary taste of Coke soon became a preferred taste for the consumers and Coke became a symbol of ‘Open Happiness’. The beverage industry is one the most growing industries as consumers’ preference has gradually shifted from drinking water to soft drinks and even to energy drinks. Thus Coca-Cola faces immense competition from other beverage industries, with the top competitors being Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc., Nestl and Pepsico, Inc. (Yahoo Finance, 2011). In this report, we will develop a marketing plan for 2011-2012 for Coca-cola to be presented to the board of directors at Coca-Cola. The marketing plan will discuss the current position of Coca-Cola in the market, using marketing audit that analysis both the micro and macro environment for the company. MARKETING AUDIT MACRO ENVIRONMENT- PESTLE ANALYSIS Political Factors With the growing consumer awareness towards the food and beverage industry, many have become concerned over the power and impact of junk food over the children and teenagers. Coke has been easily termed as junk food that contains empty calories which contribute toward s the number of obese in the world. With the consumer concern growing, governments may be forced to take action against Coke and other junk foods. Since Coke is an international brand, there is always concern over the growing instability in certain countries which has been on the rise in the last few years. Since Coke is originally an American brand, it is impacted by the growing Anti-American sentiment in the Gulf and certain Asian countries. However, with globalization on the increase, Coke can benefit from emerging and developing markets where demand for Coke will increase even higher. Economic Factors The unmarked recession that began after the US war against terrorism has not just impacted America but also the rest of the world. As the recession continues to take hold, the buyer power of the consumers is greatly reduced. Consumers are moving from luxury items to items of necessity and even at that, they are looking for discounts and bargains. The instability and period of near war that is prevalent in many countries including London, also impacting buyer power and preference of the consumer. Also with the escalating oil prices, production and transportation costs have gone up considerably higher which has resulted in increased prices of the product. The same product is now available at higher prices and at a time of recession. However, the advantage for Coca-Cola is that their manufacturing plant is located in every city where they market their product which considerably decreases transportation costs. Socio-Cultural Factors The recent focus on health and nutrition has led consumers to consider buying carbonated and other drinks that negatively impact their health. Thus there has been a decrease in the demand of traditional Coca Cola products, that are carbonated drink, among the consumers especially baby boomers.

How To Recruit And Train New Employees Research Paper

How To Recruit And Train New Employees - Research Paper Example Certain methods of recruiting new employees are likely to be preferred HR managers as they have been extensively tested and their effectiveness has been verified in practice. Challenges that employers have to face when having to recruit new employees A series of issues need to be taken into consideration by employers when they have to recruit new employees. Training of new employees Why training is necessary in modern organizations The necessity of training within modern organizations can be justified by referring especially to the following fact: new employees cannot respond to their duties unless they are given clear explanations on the vision and values of the organization but also on the demands of their position. Training methods used in firms worldwide in regard to new employees HR managers are able to choose among a series of training methods appropriate for new employees; the training methods chosen for new employees depend on the organizational environment, the demands of each role but also on the capabilities of the participants/ new employees. Challenges related to the training of new employees Training is not equally effective among new employees, even when referring to new employees hired in the same department. A series of factors can influence the performance of new employees in regard to a particular training method. Conclusions and Recommendations The recruitment and training of new employees are affected by various conditions in the internal and external organizational environment. HR managers have the responsibility to ensure that the recruitment and training of new employees are carefully planned so that risks are minimized and the needs of the organization involved are covered. 1. Introduction The achievement of organizational goals is highly depended on the ability of leaders to support employees within all organizational departments. However, during the development of organizational activities the need for increasing the staff of the organization is expected to appear. In this context, recruiting new employees becomes unavoidable for HR managers in all organizations. Today, the recruitment of new employees is considered as a key organizational sector, helping to address emergent organizational needs or to develop complex organizational tasks. In order for new employees to respond to the needs of their role they have to be adequately supported; appropriately customized training programs are available to new employees in organizations worldwide. The methods used by HR managers in regard to the recruitment and training of new employees are analysed in this paper. Reference is also made to the challenges that HR managers are likely to face when developing such projects. The value of these initiatives is also explaining aiming to justify the reasons for which these projects are highly promoted within organizations in all industries. The review of the literature published in the specific field reveals that leaders in modern organization are aware of the value of new employees for securing orga nizational performance; however, often, the methods chosen for incorporating new employees within the organization are not appropriate, either because of the strong resistance within the

The Fall (of man) in Genesis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

The Fall (of man) in Genesis - Research Paper Example iew it, it is the â€Å"conflict of conflicts† that swayed the peace of man as he entered a new era where peace between him and fellow man, him and Gods creation was eroded. The conflict between Man and God and its solution is much similar to the conflict that exists in the contemporary society between people, countries and even leaders. As the ebb of peace is enjoyed between each tide of war, man (and countries alike) assesses previous battles, losses and gains, so as to strengthen itself for future conflicts. Seldom do men realize the very origin of conflict may be traced to the Old Testament book of Genesis. It should be understood that not every fall ends up in a war, but the source of all conflict is the result of one fall in particular. The fall of man as depicted in Genesis begins the greatest conflicts known: the conflict of man verses God; the conflict of man verses man; and the conflict of man verse creation. In the book of Genesis, Man was the most privileged work of God’s creation. God created man as the last creature after He had created the earth, a conducive environment for man. As opposed to other beings that were created out of nothingness, man was created from soil, a symbol that he was a special creation on Earth1. Much more, he was created in the image and likeness of God, to signify the close relationship that God established between man and Himself as the most privileged work of creation. This special treatment is also manifested in the nature of the responsibilities that the Lord gave to man as regards the entire work of creation. The Lord asked man to take responsibility of the land, the animals and the environment as he fends for his existence in this work of creation. In principle, man was placed as the overall in the work of creation, a superior being than no other in the Garden of Aden. When God noted that Adam was lonely, he created Eve from his own rib so that she would keep him company and wipe away his loneliness2. The love of God

About Yourself Essay Example for Free

About Yourself Essay Q: Describe briefly your current job/most recent job responsibilities. State the knowledge and skills you have acquired from this experience A: My recent job assignment was in Testing domain of TAPAS Vodafone UK project. We have to test the codes of the development team to validate if the business and functional requirements are met. Our tasks inclued-; * Understand and analyse what are the expected outcomes from the interfaces of the Development team by going through the revelant documents and and with adequate discussion with the Dev team. * Based on the above, author the Test Cases and Test Scenarios for validating and testing the functional and business requirements of the project * On the technical front, we are expected to execute the shell scripts batches in Unix Environment to generate the data file which is to be checked from the back-end (Oracle 11g) With the help of SQL queries as well as from the front-end Oracle Retail Merchandising System (ORMS). * As our project mates were located in other parts of the Infosys Offices eg Bangalore, Hyderabad as well as onsite location London, we frequently (usually daily) needed to interact with peers and seniors to discuss the status and progress of the project along with the other issues faced by us, it helped me improve my verbal and no-verbal communication. * As part of testing, we have to raise the defects in an online Quality Control tool which was later assigned to the respective developer to fix the bug and many times we would find us in arguments and discussions with the respective devepoler, asserting and proving their points and stand which helped me in inculcating a healthy professional relation and to remain honest with my task and duty at the same time. * It also helped me in approaching and interacting with new people with the sound technical expertise and skills and put forward my ideas , opinions, doubts among my peers and seniors. Q: Describe briefly the most important situ ation in which you have demonstrated leadership skills during your professional career (not exceeding 250 words) See more:Â  The Story of an Hour Literary Analysis Essay Q: Describe briefly the most important situation in which you have demonstarted your ability to work in teams during your professional carees (not exceeding 250 words) A: Last month we, with the motive of improving the interaction among the floor-mates , we, a group of 12 persons of different projects and teams of the same floor planned,discussed and organised a event named L3 Trivia. We as volunteer and anchors, had the job of finding some unusual, interesting and little known facts about our floormates and frame these in a questionaire form to be found and answered by the randomly formed teams for which the team will be awarded marks. The teams had to work together and was asked to take signatures and click a pictures with the respective person to make it interesting and to ensure that everyone knows everyone else by his name and face. The other members of the organising team had to collect the crowd at one place and distribute the different coloured cards on the basis on which teams of 10-11 persons would be formed. As an anchor , we have to gather and handle the team with same coloured cards. We needed to coordinate the randomly formed teams, have a quick introduction with each-other and help them in picking a Team Lead. Apart from this, we had to hand them the Questionaire Sheet , explain them the rules of the games, clarify their doubts as well as encouraging them at the same time and evaluating their scores at the end. This event got amazing and overwhelming response from the floormates and everyone took out the time for this playful event. We, volunteers were not only appriciated by seniors and HR for our effotrs and hardship for managing,organising this event enjoyable and a hit but we also get to know new people and make friends and exhibit our managerial skills as well. Q: Why do you wish to go for a management career A: I always have an interminable dream to have my own business most preferably in online business where I can tap my technical skills of developing online applications. I believe that going for a Management Degree will be a wise idea for helping me in materialising my dream because it will not only help me understand the nitty-gritty of the business administration but will also provide me the the essential knowledge, idea, skills and techniques for management. The process of earning this degree will help me to think critically, deal with ambiguity and solve complex business scenarios through case study approach which requires us to evaluate business dilemmas and formulate the best plans of actions. Not only this, the environment there will motivate , develop and improve my soft courses in leadership, people skills and social interaction that can be a help in any walk of life. Before starting my own venture and entering into the business world , I would need a broad perspective of business world like how industry and business works and this degree will definitely give me an invaluable exposure to business concepts and development in functional areas. I think that this degree will help me in achieving an interesting and more responsible and influentional position. In addition, it will provide me the opportunity to meet new ,interesting, and important people and be challenged by peers and experts. That can help our career along. The MBA degree will prepare me to face the situations that can be faced in real life business scenarios, foster own personal growth, develop exciting career opportunities as well as networks. Q: What alternative careers are you considering and why? A: If I didn’t get the opportunity to persue MBA this year, I will continue my present job at Infosys as a engineer for few years to gather more sound technical knowledge and at the same time try to bring through capital for venturing my own start-up. Q: Describe your strengths/weaknesses as identified by you. A: My strengths can be listed as: * Disciplined and honest towards my duty * Ability to contribute positively as team player * Easily adopt to any environment * Self motivated and confidant My weaknesses can be listed as: * Inconsistent * Easily stressed * Have trouble in planning and prioritization Q: What is your most significant accomplishment so far A: I would recount one of my junior school incident in this case because I had a very positive influence of this incident in formative years at the school. Our school had an annual ceremony to elect the School Leader at both junior (1-6 class) and senior (7-10 class) sections. Teachers and sisters at our school used to assemble the entire junior/senior wing and the students were told to write the names of their candidates based on academics, sports, extra co-curricular activities etc. In a surprising outcome, out of 500 students from the entire junior wing, around 350 have voted in my favour. I was really thrilled to know this because I had never this idea or anticipation that my other classmates and juniors would know me, forget about being admired or revered!!! Although I have always been a good student and excelled in academics and few extra-co-curricular activities, I was also very garrulous, boisterous and a bit indiscplined, so being elected as a School Leader whose responsibility was to ensure discipline was difficult task. But I was really taken aback and amazed by this oucome and even I was not sure if I would be able to shoulder this responsibilty with honestly. This was the first time experience in my life that instilled me with a sense of responsibility.

Tolerability and Haemodynamic Effects of NMES

Tolerability and Haemodynamic Effects of NMES Tolerability and haemodynamic effects of NMES in young healthy individuals Quinn C1, Cooke J1, Deegan B2, Breen P2, Hannigan A3, Dunne C3, Lyons G2 and Lyons D1. Introduction: Discomfort has been identified as a limiting factor for the use of surface NMES. Early implementation of NMES devices were so uncomfortable that they could only be used when the patient was under anaesthetic1. Furthermore, poor quality electrodes combined with monophasic waveforms often resulted in skin irritation and burns. Pambianco et al had to discontinue the NMES portion of the effects of heparin, intermittent pneumatic compression and NMES on DVT rates in stroke rehabilitation patients due to discomfort and skin blister formtion2. More recently the inclusion of microcontrollers in the design of NMES devices has allowed the implementation of precisely controlled waveforms and novel algorithms3. These waveforms and algorithms have significantly increased the comfort and tolerance of NMES users. Moreover the use of biphasic pulses, either asymmetric or symmetric has minimised ion redistribution and the subsequent risk of skin irritation and burns. Previous studies have examined patient perceptions of NMES. Alon et al. examined the effect of 4 different electrode sizes on excitatory responses (sensory, motor, pain and pain tolerance) on healthy participants and concluded that NMES comfort increases with increase in electrode size4. They also observed that increasing electrode size decreases the peak voltage corresponding to the excitatory levels. Clarke-Moloney et al assessed the comfort associated with and without NMES on patients with chronic venous insufficiency using a visual analogue scale (VAS)5. The authors found that the comfort categorical rating remained unchanged in all but one patient. This indicated that patients found NMES to be an acceptable therapy which could be significant in future studies involving NMES treatments for venous wound healing. Broderick et al. previously conducted a study involving healthy participants who underwent a 4 hour stimulation protocol6. Three participants indicated moderate discomfort and 7 only mild discomfort when NMES was commenced. By the end of the study, 2 participant’s scores increased to moderate while 2 other participant’s scores decreased to mild the remainder were unchanged. Kaplan et al. asked each healthy participant who received NMES of the calf or foot muscles to complete a questionnaire regarding the acceptance of NMES. Both groups found NMES to be comfortable and strongly felt they would use the NMES device if directed by their doctor7. More recently a study by Corley et al. demonstrated the use of a week-long NMES blood flow protocol in conjunction with compression stockings resulted in a high level of compliance and no reported adverse effects8. Our pilot study concluded that NMES may be useful in attenuating blood pressure drops in older subjects with OH. The asynchronous NMES setting demonstrated the most favourable haemodynamic response. The aims of this study were to assess tolerance and acceptability of both synchronous and asynchronous NMES settings in a young, healthy population during head-up tilt testing. A secondary objective was to assess the effect of both settings on haemodynamic parameters in this group. Methods: Subjects Healthy subjects (n=14) were recruited. Ten were male. The subjects’ medical history did not reveal any episodes of vasovagal syncope, cardiovascular diseases or any other morbidity. None of the subjects used any medication, and all subjects were non-smokers. Ethical Approval Ethical approval for this study was granted by University Hospital Limerick Research Ethics Committee. All subjects gave written consent to take part in the study. Tilt Protocol Subjects were asked to fast for a maximum of two hours beforehand. Studies were performed in a quiet syncope syncope laboratory room at ambient temperature (21-23 C). The tilt protocol was completed between 9am and 5pm. The study protocol included 3 Head-Up-Tilts (HUT) comprising asynchronous, synchronous settings and control. The order of each intervention was randomly assigned using closed envelope randomisation technique. HUT testing was performed using standardised conditions in accordance with the 1996 expert consensus document for all patients9. Subjects were required to rest in the supine position for five minutes prior to the onset of a 70 degree positive tilt. This was sustained for three minutes as per European Society of Cardiology guidelines10. Haemodynamic changes were recorded using non-invasive beat-to-beat digital artery photoplethysmography Finometer ® Pro Device (Finapres Medical Systems BV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands www.finapres.com). Continuous cardiac monitoring was performed with three lead ECG (figure 2). OH was defined as a drop in systolic blood pressure of ≠¥ 20mmHg or in diastolic blood pressure of ≠¥ 10mmHg within three minutes of orthostasis10. The delta (or change) in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were rec orded in each subject at baseline and at the lowest point (nadir) for each HUT. Electrical stimulation protocol NMES was applied a custom built, two channel stimulator (Duo-STIM, Bioelectrics Research Cluster, NUI Galway)11. NMES was facilitated through the use of two 5 cmÃâ€"5 cm PALS self-adhesive, hypo-allergenic, skin surface electrodes (Nidd Valley Medical Limited, England) placed over the motor points of the soleus muscles of both legs of consenting patients12 (Figure 3). The stimulator was programmed to provide a pulse width of 350  µs, an inter-pulse interval of 100  µs, a frequency of 36 Hz, a contraction time of 1.2 second, a ramp up time of 500 ms and ramp down time of 300ms. This yielded stimulation amplitudes of 29.18  ± 4.2 V11. The stimulation parameters were selected at a level to achieve maximum blood flow while ensuring subject comfort. A series of test pulses were applied initially at a very low intensity to establish that the patient was comfortable with the sensation of electrical stimulation. The stimulus intensity was gradually increased until a noticeable contrac tion was observed for both legs, as indicated by a visible tightening of the soleus muscle or slight plantar flexion. Stimulation was applied alternatively to each leg with 3 second rest between contractions or synchronously to both legs with 3 second rest period at the onset of each HUT and continued for the three minute study duration. Duplex scanning Duplex Doppler ultrasound was used to monitor the subjects’ lower limb venous hemodynamic responses using a Siemens Sonoline Sienna ultrasound machine with a broadband array probe (Frequency 5 – 13 MHz). All measurements were performed by a single examiner. Blood flow measurements were taken from the popliteal vein at the lateral aspect of the knee (Fig. 1). Doppler ultrasound with angle correction not exceeding 600 was used and matched to the diameter of the popliteal vein. All measurements were taken from the right leg. Three measurements were taken per parameter and the average of these was used for analyses5, 13. Peak venous velocity was recorded from the popliteal vein. The Doppler machine’s own software was used to calculate venous volume flow (ml/min) by multiplying the average blood flow velocity by the cross-sectional area of the popliteal vein. Doppler measurements were taken at baseline and on assumption of the upright stance. Figure 1: Placement of ultrasound probe in popliteal fossa Figure 2: Screen shot of output from ultrasound software demonstrating venous blood flow and peak systolic velocity Comfort evaluation procedure At 2 time points (just after set-up of the NMES and at the end of the protocol), comfort was assessed by asking subjects to mark their level of comfort using a 100 mm, non-hatched visual-analogue scale (VAS). A VAS of 30 mm or less was categorised as mild pain, between 31 and 69 mm as moderate pain and scores of 70 mm or greater as severe pain. The minimum clinical significant difference (MCSD) in VAS was set as an increase in scores between test stages of 12mm14. At the end of the study, the patients were asked to complete a short verbal questionnaire. They were asked: To give a verbal categorical rating of the NMES treatment as very comfortable, comfortable, bearable or unbearable. To clarify preferred stimulation pattern. If they would consider NMES an acceptable form of treatment. Symptom recording Each subject was asked to mark the degree of symptoms encountered during the HUT using a 100 mm, non-hatched visual-analogue scale (VAS) once the tilt table had returned to the horizontal position. Statistical analysis Results: Discussion: Conclusion: Outcomes for tolerability study 1: Tolerability: Pain – pre and post change NMES sensation Acceptability Preference Symptoms 2: Haemodynamic parameters for each intervention: Delta SBP, DBP, HR, MAP, SV, CO TPR Peak systolic velocity Venous flow 3: Associations of presence of initial OH References: Browse NL, Negus D. Prevention of postoperative leg vein thrombosis by electrical muscle stimulation. An evaluation with 125 I-labelled fibrinogen. Br Med J 1970;3:615-618. Pambianco G, Orchard T, Landau P. Deep vein thrombosis: prevention in stroke patients during rehabilitation. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1995;76:324-330. Broderick B, Breen P, OLaighain G, Eelectrical stimulators for surface neural prosthesis. J Autom Control 2008;18:25-33. Alon G, Kantor G, Ho HS. Effects of electrode size on basic excitatory responses and on selected stimulus parameters. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1994;20:29-35. Clarke-Moloney M, Lyons GM, Breen P, Burke PE, Grace PA. Haemodynamic study examining the response of venous blood flow to electrical stimulation of the gastrocnemius muscle in patients with chronic venous disease. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2005;31:300-305. Broderick BJ, O’Brien DE, Breen PP, Kearns SR, OLaighin G. A pilot evaluation of a neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) based methodology for the prevention of venous stasis during bed rest. Med Eng Phys 2010;32:349-355. Kaplan RE, Czyrny JJ, Fung TS, Unsworth JD, Hirsh J. Electrical foot stimulation and implications for the prevention of venous thromboembolic disease. Thromb Haemost 2002;10:35-45. Corley CJ, Breen PP, Birlea S, Serrador JM, Grace PA, OLaighin G. Hemodynamic effects of habituation to a week-long program of neuromuscular electrical stimulation. Med Eng Phys 2012;34:459-456. Benditt DG, Ferguson DW, Grubb BP, et al. Tilt table testing for assessing syncope. American College of Cardiology. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1996;28: 263-275. Brignole M, Alboni P, Benditt DG, et al. Guidelines on management (diagnosis and treatment) of syncope-update 2004. Executive Summary. Eur Heart J. 2004;25: 2054-2072. Breen PP, Corley CJ, O’Keeffe DT, Conway R, OLaighin G. A programmable and portable NMES device for foot drop correction and blood flow assist applications. Med Eng Phys 2009;31:400-4008. Baker LL, McNeal DR, Benton LA, Bowman BR, Waters RL. Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation – A practical Guide. 3rd ed. Downey, California: Rancho Llos Amigos Research and Education Institute; 1993. Izumi M, Ikeuchi M, Mitani T, Taniguchi S, Tani T. Prevention of venous stasis in the lower limb by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2010;39:642-645. Kelly AM. The minimum clinically significant difference in visual analogue scale pain score does not differ with severity of pain. Emerg Med J 2001;18:205-207.

Bowlbys Attachment Theory: Applications in Social Work

Bowlbys Attachment Theory: Applications in Social Work Describe and Evaluate Attachment Theory and Assess Its Value for Social Work. Attachment theory, pioneered by John Bowlby, holds that an individual’s emotional and interpersonal development throughout life can be understood, and is ultimately shaped by and rooted in, a system of attachment behaviours they form and internalize during a critical period in early life. According to Bowlby, attachment behavior in children arises out of an innate, instinctual need for security and stability. (Bowlby, 1969) Though a child can form multiple attachments, there is usually one primary figure they place at the top of their hierarchy. This is usually the child’s mother. But there is nothing intrinsic about the ‘maternal’ relationship per se that establishes its primacy over other attachment relationships. It is simply that mothers are often the most sensitive and responsive caregivers on a consistent basis over the longest period of time. There are important quantitative and qualitative distinctions Bowlby draws to properly describe the attachment relationship. The qualitative distinction has to do with the nature of caregiving. Children form attachments based upon the sensitivity and responsiveness of an adult’s reaction to attachment behaviours. Hence, an adult who feeds a child but who is at the same time insensitive or unresponsive will be a less likely candidate for attachment than an adult who does not feed them but remains sensitive and responsive in their interactions with the child. Even with the qualitative conditions met, the attachment relationship is still based upon their consistent application over an extended period of time. It is not enough to be responsive and sensitive as a caregiver in one instance or another. Healthy attachment relationships are formed with these qualitative conditions properly met over time. The primary attachment figure is usually the most consistent and continually present person who interacts with the child. Furthermore, this quantitative distinction appears to be the more significant of the two in forming attachment relationships because the lack of appropriate caregiver responsiveness has been shown not to sever or invalidate the attachment relationship, but to result in unhealthy and even pathological attachment behaviours. (Ainsworth, 1985) So the need for security and stability on the part of the infant results in attachment behaviours directed most commonly at a parent, usually the mother, who becomes their primary attachment figure. The nature of these behaviours is determined by how the primary attachment figure responds to them. Thus, the attachment relationship reflects the interaction between infant need and parental response. One of the most readily identifiable attachment behaviours is proximity seeking, where the child responds to distressful or frightening stimulus by seeking out their primary attachment figure. It is this security that the infant’s instinctual behaviour is designed to achieve. The role of this security is critical for the formation of a psychological stability that allows proper development to occur. Separation (or the threat of separation) from the caregiver, or inappropriate caregiver responses to attachment behaviour, can result in alarm and anxiety which arrest the development of the child as they seek to reestablish the security that allows them to naturally develop. Bowlby identifies the time period of six months to two years of age as a critical stage where most of the basic attachments, and after which, the fundamental internalizations of an ‘internal working model’ are formed. During this time infants and toddlers begin to display attachment behaviours that spawn relationships with caregivers which will form the basis for how they interact and relate to the rest of the world. Bowlby describes the ‘internal working model’, which develops after the ‘sensitivity period’, as a basis of understanding against which the child relates and responds to everything from the experience and analysis of emotions to the formation and understanding of human relationships and interactions. The ‘internal working model’ is not irrevocably fixed during the critical period, but it is most heavily and initially influenced there. Hence the developmental importance, and impact, of this period on the child is of huge significance to their healthy growth and future well-being. Whereas Bowlby’s model views attachments as the building blocks of an ‘internal working model’ that continues to develop throughout the child’s life, it does not delve deeply into the role of security created by attachment behaviours, and the various kinds of behaviour that can follow from various parental responses. Here, Mary Ainsworth’s addition to attachment theory is similarly pioneering. Ainsworth identifies the role of the primary attachment figure as a ‘secure base’ from which the child is free to explore. (Ainsworth et al., 1978) This exploration is a natural part of the child’s development and will occur uniquely according to the given factors present in the personality and makeup of each child. Such exploration occurs, however, under the conditions of healthy attachment. To identify different types of attachments, Ainsworth conducted an empirical study known as the ‘strange situation’ which yielded three initial classifications of attachment behaviour: secure, resistant, avoidant. Later studies following up on this work added a fourth: disorganized, usually resulting from abusive situations or mentally unsound parental response. Together, these four categories form the commonly accepted classifications of attachment behaviour within the child/caregiver relationship in attachment theory. In the strange situation study, a mother entered a room with her child. After they were left alone and the child began playing with toys a stranger entered the room and began talking with the mother, then approached the child with a toy. The mother left as the stranger engaged the child, then returned. The child was then left alone after which the stranger, then the mother successively returned. Finally, the stranger left and the mother and child were alone together in the room again. The study looked at how the children responded to the presence and absence of their mother and a stranger, in different variations, and how they explored the room and engaged the toys. Securely attached infants explored the room while remaining aware of their attachment figure’s location. They were alarmed by their mother’s departure from the room and comforted by her return. They were also more comfortable and willing to engage the stranger in the presence of their mother, and more comfortable with the stranger’s interaction with their mother absent than those not securely attached. Avoidant insecurely-attached children showed little response upon their mother’s departure or return while resistant insecurely-attached children displayed extreme distress upon their mother’s departure and resistance upon reunion, as if the need for the caregiver had been recognized but not accompanied by a feeling of security in accepting their comforting gestures, po ssibly due to inconsistent parental sensitivity and responsiveness to the child’s needs. Here it is clear that the consistency of parental availability and the manner of parental response are key in determining the foundational framework of how children react to their environment and interact with others. We see with Bowlby and Ainsworth the development of a model focused on the earliest stages of interpersonal and emotional development which not only identifies the correlative impact upon the well-being of children in later life, but provides a framework for understanding the causal factors involved in different types of identified behaviours. This is a particularly useful tool in the field of social work where myriad factors often complicate the view of how best to impact a child’s welfare. (Howe et al., 1999) Understanding the developmental aspects that inform healthy behaviour and growth is an important tool in confronting many of the challenges facing social workers today. This is evident in the first example of Howe et al.’s Attachment Theory, Child Maltreatment, and Family Support: A Practice and Assessment Model. His first example is of a woman, Melanie, who was raised by a demanding, abusive, and mentally-unsound mother, who was sexually abused by her father regularly (He died of a heart-attack the evening after he had intercourse with her at the age of fourteen), and who has three children. Her oldest son, Peter, age 7, has exhibited violent behaviour toward other children, demonstrated actions of theft, arson, cruelty toward animals, and has no friends. Her second son, age 3, is quiet and she is unsure about her ability to raise her infant daughter. Howe describes how â€Å"a developmental perspective based on people’s past and present socio-emotional experiences, particularly within close relationships, offers a powerful insight into human personality, styles of caregiving and the character of interpersonal life.† (Howe et al., 1999, p.3) It is this insight that enables an understanding of root causes amidst the fog of developmental complexity that plays into the challenges facing social workers. With attachment theory as a tool, sifting through the fog of factors that form a person’s makeup and identifying the appropriate solution is not an impossible task. Attachment theory provides grounds for a developmental understanding of individuals. As such it is a huge tool for social workers bound by increasing regulations and legalities. For children living in residential homes, the theory can enable an acute understanding of their development in unique situations, as well as create helpful guidelines for parents to foster healthy development of their children. It also enables a reliable assessment of whether or not a child may be in danger, whether parental practices are contributing to the continuing maladjustment of the child, and whether or not it is appropriate to leave them in their current care. Howe et al. also mention attachment theory can help foster parents â€Å"make sense of children who seem intent on rejecting the love offered by their new family.† (Howe et al., 1999, p.4) Understanding the developmental links between the growth of individuals (or lack thereof) and past attachment relationships is a tool useful to virtually every part of social work. In the face of such a powerful tool based on theory, however, there are always criticisms. Much like Bowlby’s criticism of the psychoanalytic theories that dominated the conversation prior to attachment theory (as being too preoccupied with children’s psychology in their world of fantasy), psychoanalytic criticisms of attachment theory stress its preoccupation with attachment realities as myopic. (Steele H, Steele M, 1998) (Cassidy, 1998) Other criticisms, such as Maureen Miner’s Back to the Basics in Attachment to God: Revisiting Theory in Light of Theology, points to the lack of attention to concepts of God during the development of the theories of attachment. There has been â€Å" little attention paid to ways in which God might be different from human attachment figures – most obviously, that God is not a physical being whose form and response to human beings can be observed.† (Miner, 2007) An anthropocentric treatment of God has resulted in a dismissal of theological realities for many people, particularly as it relates to reliance upon and attachments to God. The problem is compounded by the collective inability of individuals to include God in the empirical investigations of attachment theory. Add to this the fact that a majority of people in the world, and indeed many millions in Western countries, and we see the foundations for the explanatory power of attachment theory to begin to show cracks. Miner concludes, however, that the lack of empirical investigation does not preclude attachment theory from accounting for God. Rather, a â€Å"rigorous theological dialogue in the development of psychological theories of attachment to God† opens the door to possibilities of study between â€Å"theologians and psychologists as they investigate how secure (and insecure) attachment relationships with God might operate.† (Miner, 2007) The impact of this criticism on social work is significant as it relates to individuals who may have attachment relationships with concepts of God. However, the explanatory power of attachments that do not involve such concepts do not appear in danger. Miner’s criticism is, in effect, a humbling check on the would-be comprehensive aspirations of attachment theories explanatory power in the field of social work. Taking this criticism into account is imperative in keeping the theory, and social work based upon it, honest. Another important point of concern is the cross-cultural application of attachment theory. In a pluralistic western society, the cross-cultural implications of factoring in attachment theory to social work are very real. While the general consensus is that attachment theory is fundamentally valid across cultures, those analyses suffer from a magnification of Miner’s criticism that a theological conversation is absent, particularly in countries and cultures far more religious and centered on concepts of the divine than the secular West. A great deal of research has been done in different cultures on attachment theory and attachment theorists Prior, Glaser and Kingsley find that: â€Å"Commencing with Ainsworth’s findings in Uganda and Baltimore, US, studies followed in many different cultures, all of which found attachment theory to be applicable across cultures.† (Prior et al., 2006, p.81) Ijzendoorn and Sagi state after exhaustive research: â€Å"the universal validity of attachment theory appears to be confirmed in cross-cultural research.† (Cassidy et al., 1999, p.730) The absence of a theological conversation in Miner’s criticism is focused on a Trinitarian conception of God from a Christian point of view. The UK’s significant Muslim populations only add to the relevance of this criticism. In fact, it can be argued that while Christians exhibit an institutionalized tolerance for secular institutions and concepts (Render unto Caesar†¦), no such allowances will be forthcoming among Muslims. Add to this the factors of discrimination and unequal opportunity that challenge Muslim populations in the West and you see a significant stumbling block for social workers in this kind of environment. It may indeed be unfair to subject Muslim’s to the analysis that they are ‘avoidant’ or ‘resistant’ insecurely attached. The possibilities of a theological conversation may be bleak as well. Interestingly enough, this does not negate attachment theories relevance or importance in social work. Rather, it serves as an important refinement for its use. For example, Susanne Bennet and Loretta Vitals Saks identify its application between students and field instructors in the field of social work. â€Å"A logical extension [of Bowlby’s original hypothesis] is that attachment theory and research can provide a lens for conceptualizing the field supervisor-student supervisee relationship. Specifically, knowledge of internal working models of attachment can increase understanding of the educational process and the dynamics of supervision.† (Bennet Saks, 2006) The idea of the ‘secure base’ forms the foundation of how supervisors ought to manage student growth and education as they explore social work and encounter challenges. Of course, the development of such a relationship would require empirical study, evaluation and development on its own, and the authors caution about the limits of attachment theory as an explanatory tool, but conclude that â€Å"With this warning in mind, attachment theory can enhance an understanding of the supervisory relationship, without the supervisor becoming a parent or therapist to the student, because all adults have internalized models of attachment that influence their relational style, regardless of context. The expectation is that, in an attachment-based approach to supervision, field instructors will find clarity regarding the ideal supervisory relationship and guidance when problems arise. Likewise, when students feel understood in a secure relationship, they will find that supervision of fers a safe environment for learning, facilitating their exploration and professional growth.† (Bennet Saks, 2006) Attachment theory does indeed strike at some fundamental truth at the heart of human development. The truth is, however, that the temptation to run away with it gives rise to the danger of reductionism. In a field as complex and important as social work, the application of theories with such powerful explanatory power is cautioned by careful use and consideration. The field of social work is also an important area of research into the application of attachment theory where attachment theorists themselves may find mutual benefit as well. As long as the disciplines continue independently, however, many interesting developments may be missed. A coordinated approach is not likely any time soon, but stands as a hopeful possibility for the future with incalculable benefits.

Mary Wollstonecrafts A Vindication of the Rights of Women and Harriet

Mary Wollstonecraft's A Vindication of the Rights of Women and Harriet Jacobs' Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl Although Mary Wollstonecraft and Harriet Jacobs lived almost 300 years apart from one another, the basic undercurrent of both of their work is the same. Wollstonecraft was a feminist before her time and Jacobs was a freed slave who wanted more than just her own freedom. Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Woman and Jacobs’ Incidents In the Life of a Slave Girl, Written By Herself were both revolutionary texts that were meant to inspire change and the liberation of a group of people. For Wollstonecraft, this was women; for Jacobs, it was the slaves. On the surface, these two works do not seem to be much related, but it is in this theme of liberation that they are deeply connected. Even though these very different women were writing in two very different worlds, they both still manage to get across the idea that it is in the tyranny of slavery, mentally or physically, that one’s true self is lost. The oppression of a person's free will through the tyranny of slavery or absence of women's rights are virtually the same thing: they both suppress a person's natural identity and the only way to liberation is through the education and humanization of those being oppressed. The first key idea in both Wollstonecraft’s and Jacobs’ texts is that women and slaves are only defined by those who own them, they cannot define themselves. Both women write of the dehumanization that slaves and women experience. Wollstonecraft says that women in her time are simply objects of desire, instructed to play the feminine role, â€Å"...enfeebled by false refineme... ...ps a person of all dignity and humanity, all free-will gone. In both cases it is impossible to deny the implications for a loss of identity. If a person is stripped of choice, denied an education, and trained to live within the false restrictions of society, is impossible for them to have an identity. Works Cited Jacobs, Harriet. â€Å"Incidents In the Life of A Slave Girl, Written By Herself.† The Pearson Custom Library of American Literature. Ed. John Bryant et al. Compiled for English 370B, Spring 2005. Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2003. Pages 418-77. Wollstonecraft, Mary. â€Å"A Vindication on the Rights of Woman.† The Longman Anthology of British Literature: Volume 2A- The Romantics and Their Contemporaries. Ed. Susan Wolfson and Peter Manning. New York: Longman, 2003. Pages 230-257.

Islam :: essays research papers

The Diffusion of the Islam in North Africa/Southwest Asia The North Africa/Southwest Asia realm has spread itself from the Atlantic shores of Morocco to the mountains of Afghanistan. Sometimes this part of the world is referred to as the Arab world. This realm is one the richest in the world of historical and cultural point of view. It has been the origin of three of four religions; Christianity, Islam and Judaism. The Islam is the major religion in the "Arab World", but along with it Christianity and Judaism take an important place. It is also a region of intense conflict basically on religious and cultural issues. The Islam started to spread out more than thousand years ago, A.D. 613, with the work of Muhammad the Prophet. This man began to receive messages from Allah and soon he started preaching among his people. The Islam could be interpreted as an improvement or revision of the Christianity and Judaism. In someway Islam brought to the Muslim world not only uniting religion but also a new set of values, understandings, a whole new way of life. After the death of Muhammad the Prophet the Islam continued to spread. The Arab armies were attacking, invading and conquering different parts of three continents, Europe, Asia and Africa. They converted to their religion wherever they went. About A.D. 700 the Islam reached North Africa and most of Southeast Asia. Centuries later it came to Southern and Eastern Europe, West and East Africa, South Asia and it reached even China about A.D. 1000. This spreading religion is a perfect example of diffusion processes, particularly spatial diffusion. The first center was at Medina in Arabia, but it was moved to Damascus and finally to Baghdad. The Islam was carried by any man of this religion, no matter if he was a child, soldier, teacher or even the sultan. Not only the Islam fit in the definition. Any new form in the fashion, in the music or in our culture that takes place in our live is a form of spatial diffusion. Almost every place, every city and nomadic community in the Arab world was touched by the expansion diffusion formed by the local nearness, which is referred by scientists as a contagious diffusion. High ranked people like sultans and kings also spread the Islam, which is hierarchical diffusion and this is only one of the various forms of hierarchical diffusion.

Private and Public Notes of a Native Son Essay -- James Baldwin

The Private and Public Notes of a Native Son The middle of the twentieth century saw the height of the civil rights struggle of African Americans. Amid this tumultuous era rose up a generation of prominent African American writers, and among them was James Baldwin. In â€Å"Notes of a Native Son,† an essay that he wrote more than a decade after his father died, Baldwin recalls and reflects on his troubled interaction with his father, a man whom he has hated all his life. His vivid narration of his father and his personal encounters around the time his father died reveals the evolution of his view on the racial issues in America. Baldwin extensively draws on his past experience as an embodiment of the public experience shared by many other people to make a strong case for his argument. James Baldwin never fails to express his disgust for his father. Not far into the essay, he reminds the reader of the two race riots in 1943, and he mockingly describes this state of instability and social discontent that coincided his father’s death as â€Å"a corrective for the pride of his eldest son† (63). According to Baldwin, not only did his father always fail to establish contact with people, including his children, he attempted to keep his children from contact with the outside world. He forbid his children to play Louis Armstrong’s records, distrusted all white people, and constantly associated his children’s friends with the devil. Although he had good intentions, he never managed to convert them into pleasing deeds, and he, in Baldwin’s own words, â€Å"treated almost everybody on our block with a most charitable asperity† (67). Baldwin’s mental image of his father is little short than that of a tyrant. This com parison is ... ...hich, in his case, were his dead father and his new born sister. To believe in unimportant things such as skin color will only led to one’s destruction, because, as he comments, â€Å"hatred, which could destroy so much, never failed to destroy the man who hated.† (84). He maintains that accepting things as they are while at the same fighting with one’s full strength against injustice are two conflict ideas that one has to hold in mind. Baldwin does not intend to teach his moral discovery to the reader as an absolute truth. In fact, he concedes that he too has questions that the future will answer. However, supported by his narration and analysis of his private and the public experiences, he makes a strong argument. Works Cited Baldwin, James. â€Å"Notes of a Native Son.† 1995. James Baldwin: Collected Essays. Ed. Toni Morrison. New York: Library of America, 1998. 63-84.

Improving Eye Care Rural India

How private entrepreneurship is taking quality oculus attention to the rural multitudes Introduction CATARACT refers to the clouding of the lens in the human oculus, impacting vision.[ 1 ]In the underdeveloped universe, cataract is the cause for sightlessness in about half the unsighted population i.e. 50 % of the recorded figure of blindness instances.[ 2 ]While jobs of unavailability continue to blight many parts of the developing universe – about two-thirds of the population in many developing states are unable to entree quality medical resources & A ; substructure chiefly because quality medical attention or oculus attention in this instance is still urban-centric[ 3 ]– all hope is non lost yet. In India excessively, where 90 % of the instances are treatable, most Indians lack entree to quality oculus attention.[ 4 ]In the early 1990s, the state was home to a 3rd of the universe ‘s unsighted people and here excessively cataract sightlessness was the major cause in most instances. The World Bank decided to step in and assist the Indian authorities trade with the job, passing $ 144.8 million between 1994 and 2002 on the Cataract Blindness Control Project under which 15.3 million oculus surgeries were performed.[ 5 ]The World Bank-funded undertaking was mostly implemented in northern India and it helped cut down the incidence of cataract, in the provinces that were covered under this undertaking, by half. But India is a really large state and it decidedly needs a more sustainable attack to covering with cataract sightlessness given that it has a ample ageing population. One such attack is the Aravind Eye Care System, a three-decade old run that has been contending catarac t sightlessness preponderantly in the southern Indian province of Tamil Nadu. Working in the same way is the L V Prasdad Eye Institue, runing from the neighboring province of Andhra Pradesh. Both Aravind and LVPEI, apparatus in the mid 1970s and the mid 1980s severally, have been focused on taking quality oculus attention to the rural multitudes from the really first, most of it free of cost. In the larger context, this paper discusses how private entrepreneurship is taking quality Eye Care to the rural multitudes in India. This paper will discourse the Eye Care bringing theoretical account aimed at contending Cataract Blindness in the context of the Culture-Centered Approach ( CCA ) . The Culture-Centered Approach advoates greater engagment with the local civilization, â€Å" through duologues with community members † , to guarantee â€Å" just † and â€Å" accessible † health care across communities ( Dutta-Bergman, 2004a, 2004b ; Dutta and Basu 2007 as quoted in Dutta, 2008 ) . Furthermore, this paper will utilize the Drawn-out Technology-Community-Management ( TCM ) theoretical account ( Chib & A ; Komathi, 2008 ) to explicate the intersections between engineering, community and the direction of information communicating engineerings ( ICT ) in the context of the CCA and the Eye Care bringing theoretical account adopted by the private health care participants i.e. the non-governmental administrations ( NGOs ) . Harmonizing to the TCM theoretical account ( Lee & A ; Chib, 2008 ) , the intersection of ICT features of engineering, along with the dimensions of package and hardware, undertaking direction dimensions of fiscal demands, the regulative environment, and stakeholder engagement, along with local community engagement â€Å" will finally take to sustainable ICTD intercessions. † Culture-Centered Approach Globalization has led to an increasing realization that the Biomedical[ 6 ]theoretical account of health care is limited in range when prosecuting in issues of planetary wellness ( Dutta, 2008 ) . Furthermore, Dutta ( 2008 ) says that many societies now feel the demand to â€Å" open up the infinites of wellness communicating to the voices of cultural communities † i.e. there is now greater awarness of the demand for better battle with marginalised communities. Culture is dynamic. That civilization has an of import function to play in wellness communicating is better understood today. But this construct began pulling widespread attending merely in the early 1980s, particularly in the U.S. when health care practicians felt a demand to follow multiple schemes to turn to the health-related issues of a multicultural population ( Dutta, 208 ) . â€Å" This helped oppugn the universalist premises of assorted wellness communicating plans † aimed at the developing states and the so called third-world states ( Dutta, 2008 ) . The Culture-Centered Approach was born out of the demand to oppose the dominant attack of wellness communicating, located within the Biomedical theoretical account, where wellness is treated as a â€Å" cosmopolitan construct based on Eurocentric[ 7 ]apprehensions of health-related issues, disease and the intervention of diseases † ( Dutta, 2008 ) . Harmonizing to Dutta ( 2008 ) , the CCA is a better alternate to understanding wellness communicating because it is a â€Å" value-centered † attack. The CCA is built on the impression that the â€Å" significances of wellness † can non be cosmopolitan because they are ingrained within cultural contextsm, he argues. The CCA has its roots in three cardinal constructs i.e. ‘structure ‘ , ‘agency ‘ and ‘culture ‘ . The term ‘culture ‘ refers to the local context within which so called wellness significances are created and dealt with. ‘Structure ‘ encompasses nutrient, shelter, medical services and transportational services that are all critical to the overall health care of assorted members of a community. ‘Agency ‘ points to the â€Å" capacity of cultural members † to negociate the constructions within which they live. It must be noted that ‘structure ‘ , ‘agency ‘ and ‘culture ‘ and entwined and they do non run in isolation. Dutta ( 2008 ) , in his book Communicating Health, farther elaborates that the CCA throws visible radiation on how the dominant health care political orientation serves the demands of those in power. Powerful members of society create conditions of marginalistaion. Therefore the focal point of the CCA lies in the survey of the intersections between ‘structure, ‘agency ‘ and ‘culture in the context of marginalised communities. To understand better the jobs faced by the marginalised, the CCA advocates the health care practicians engage in duologues with members of the concerned community. Each community has its ain set of narratives to portion and this is critical to understanding the local civilization. The CCA besides aims to document opposition, of any sort, to dominant political orientations as this helps beef up the instance of the CCA against the dominant health care theoretical account. The CCA, harmonizing to Dutta ( 2008 ) , provides sufficient range to analyze physician-patient relationships, in a command to finally better the health care bringing theoretical account. Adopting the CCA is merely half your job solved ; the integrating of the CCA with the Extended TCM theoretical account completes the image. The Extended TCM Model The TCM theoretical account ( Lee & A ; Chib, 2008 ) argues that the larger inquiry of societal sustainability depends on both local relevancy and institutional support. The TCM Model proposes that the intersection of ICT features of engineering, along with the dimensions of package and hardware, undertaking direction dimensions of fiscal demands, the regulative environment, and stakeholder engagement, along with local community engagement, will finally take to sustainable ICTD intercessions ( See Figure 1.1 ) . Figure 1.1: The TCM Model. The TCM theoretical account was further revised. Community was subdivided to include: manners of ownership of ICT investings and net incomes ; preparation of community users both in the usage and in engineering direction ; and the basic demands of the community. Furthermore, Sustainability was besides subdivided into fiscal and societal ( see Figure 1.2 ) . RTCM.jpg Figure 1.2: The Revised TCM Model Chib & A ; Komathi ( 2009 ) found that the TCM Model was unequal as it could non analyze the critical issue of exposure. Therefore, their survey improved on this insufficiency by adding important factors and variables associating to exposure. They extended the TCM theoretical account, and called it the Extended Technology-Community-Management ( Extended TCM ) theoretical account ( see Figure1.3 ) . Figure 1.3: The Extended TCM Model This new model on ICT planning histories for community engagement, the direction constituents, the overall design of engineerings such as telemedicine or tele-consultation, and rating of bing exposures in the community where these engineerings are implemented. It identifies four dimensions of exposures act uponing engineering execution among the rural hapless: economic exposure, informational exposure, physiological/psychological exposure, and socio-cultural exposure. Chib & A ; Komathi ( 2009 ) farther explain each dimension of exposure: Physiological and psychological exposures refer to the physical and mental wellbeing of an affected individual, or a specific community. Informational exposure trades with the entree to and handiness of information within affected communities. Informational resources include personal paperss, books and critical informations, sentiment leaders and professional experts, . The deficiency of such resources affects the capablenesss of people who are dependent on them. In a rural scene, informational exposure is farther augmented by the low literacy degrees and deficiency of pertinent â€Å" technological accomplishments necessary to enable the acquisition and processing of information. † The economic exposure is sparked off by the loss of support i.e. a loss of activities that otherwise financially back up families and prolong economic growing in a rural scene. The socio-cultural exposure of communities is dete rmined by â€Å" the construction and values of a given society that define human relationships in communities. † Hierarchies in any society ( gender, race, faith, caste, age and category equalitarianism within communities ) or a community frequently dictate entree to resources and assets, and the decision-making power of people. Cataract Blindness in India At the beginning, one has to understand the agonies of the blind in India, in a rural scene – sightlessness, irrespective of the cause, consequences in a loss of support for an person. In rural India, like elsewhere, this would interpret into one less gaining member in the household, doing the unsighted individual a load to his/her household. This leads to a loss of self-respect and position in the household. In consequence, blind people in rural India, like in many other societies, are marginalized. Enter Aravind and LVPEI, who continue to endeavor to assist blind people in rural India and authorise them by giving them back their sight. There are many causes of sightlessness, like Diabetes for case. But Cataract is one of the prima causes of sightlessness in the underdeveloped universe. Records in India show that Cataract is the most important cause of sightlessness in the state ( Nirmalan et al. 2002 & A ; Murthy et Al. 2001 ) . Cataract, studies say, is responsible for 50 to 80 per cent of the bilaterally blind ( Thulsiraj et al. 2003 & A ; Thulsiraj et Al. 2002 ) .The aged are more at hazard of developing Cataract. India aims to extinguish gratuitous sightlessness by 2020 in line with ‘Vision 2020: the right to spy enterprise ‘ , launched jointly by the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) and the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness ( IAPB ) . Many administrations worldwide are besides working in the way of extinguishing gratuitous sightlessness ( Foster, 2001 ) . The authorities in India and the World Bank launched the Cataract Blindness Control Project in seven provinces across India in 1994.A A From stopping point to 1.2 million cataract surgeries a twelvemonth in the 1980s ( Minassian & A ; Mehra 1990 ) , Cataract surgical end product tripled to 3.9 million per twelvemonth by 2003 ( Jose, 2003 ) . In 2004, World Health Organization ( WHO ) information showed that there was a 25 per cent lessening in blindness prevalence in India ( Resnikoff et al. 2004 ) — the ground ( s ) could be the addition in Cataract surgeries countrywide. But there is a larger job here, that of population growing. The elderly population in India ( those aged over 60 old ages ) population which stood at 56 million people in the twelvemonth 1991 is expected to duplicate by the twelvemonth 2016 ( Kumar, 1997 ) . This ‘greying ‘ of India ‘s population merely suggests that the figure of people ‘at-risk ‘ of developing Cataract is invariably on the rises. In the larger sense, this paper aims to demo how private entrepreneurship in India is taking quality oculus attention to the rural multitudes in that state. This paper aimed to discourse the same through two instance surveies, that of the Aravind Eye Care system every bit good as the L V Prasad Eye Institute ( LVPEI ) . Unfortunately, email correspondence with LVPEI failed to arouse responses from this organisation. Given the restrictions of this survey, including clip restraints, this paper will explicate the Aravind Eye Care system in the context of rural Eye Care in India and the battle against Cataract Blindness – all this within the model of the CCA. Furthermore, this paper will review the concern theoretical account of NGOs like Aravind in the context of the Extended TCM theoretical account, including whether for-profit administrations are utilizing the rural multitudes to back up their concern theoretical account. In peculiar, what is the function of the health care supplier in this instance – disseminate cognition to the grass-roots or live-off their health care bringing theoretical account? Aravind Eye Care Dr. G. Venkataswamy had a really simple vision when he foremost setup Aravind Eye Care in 1976: â€Å" Eradicate gratuitous sightlessness at least in Tamil Nadu, his place province, if non in the full state of India. † Aravind began as an 11-bed private clinic in the laminitis ‘s brother ‘s house in the southern Indian metropolis of Madurai. Today, the Aravind Eye Hospital ( AEH ) at Madurai is a 1,500 bed infirmary. In add-on to Madurai, there are four more AEHs in Tamil Nadu ( Aravind.org ) with a combined sum of over 3,500 beds. By 2003 the Aravind Eye Care System as we know it today was up and running. The System continues to run under the auspices of a non-profit-making trust named the Govel Trust – it comprises of a fabrication installation ( for fabricating man-made lenses, suturas, and pharmaceuticals related to oculus attention ) ; oculus infirmaries ; instruction and preparation ( graduate institute of ophthalmology ) ; research installations ( complete with an oculus bank ) ; ) and a centre for community outreach plans ( Prahlad, 2004 ) . A typical twenty-four hours at Aravind now has physicians executing about 1,000 surgeries including free surgeries ; 5-6 outreach cantonments in rural countries where about 1,500 people are examined and near to 300 people are brought to an AEH for oculus surgery ( TED, 2009 ) . How does Aravind make it? The administration has setup ‘vision centres ‘ or clinics in distant small towns, fitted with basic oculus attention equipment. Each clinic is manned by an ophthalmic helper and â€Å" these clinics perform basic scrutinies ; order disciplinary lenses and handle minor complaints. † If an oculus complaint can be cured by the application of oculus beads, these clinics are equipped to make so. For more complicated instances, such as Cataract Blindness, the patient consults an eye doctor based at an AEH in a nearby metropolis via the videoconferencing path. If the patient needs disciplinary surgery, he/she is asked to skip onto a coach waiting outside the ‘vision Centre ‘ that takes them to the nearest Aravind basal infirmary. The patients are operated upon the undermentioned twenty-four hours ; they spend a twenty-four hours in post-operative attention and so take a coach back to their small towns — all free of cost ( Laks, 2009 ) .[ 8 ] But it was n't all gung-ho in the beginning ; more difficult work than anything else. There was no specific Outreach squad. A Everyone in the pool was asked to take part in Outreach programme. A † In the beginning ( in 1976-77 ) Dr. V and a little squad would see small towns and behavior oculus testing cantonments. Those who required Cataract surgery would so be advised to see the base infirmary for surgery. But Dr.V found that a bulk of those advised to undergo surgery would dropout, owing to socio-economic factors like fright of surgery ; deficiency of trust on Restoration of sight ; no money to pass for conveyance, nutrient and station operative medical attention and ( their ) opposition to western medical specialty, † harmonizing to the caput of Outreach activities at Aravind, R. Meenakshi Sundaram in his electronic mail response to my questions. These barriers were bit by bit addressed through assorted schemes. â€Å" We decided to affect small town heads and local organisations to take ownership of the Outreach programmes, in footings of placing the right location for the Eye Camp and supplying the needed support installations. Their aid was cardinal to community mobilisation. We organized a squad to standardise the quality in Eye Care service bringing. Furthermore, Dr. V focussed his attending on edifice infirmaries like one ‘s place where we usually expect basic civilization and values, † said Mr. Sundaram. â€Å" Fear of surgery was a common barrier in add-on to other factors. Possibly the credence for surgery was low in the beginning. But it was invariably explained at the community degree whenever cantonments were organized as the programme aims to function people at big. Particularly, in the twelvemonth 1992 the Intra Ocular Lens ( IOL ) was introduced and the rural community did non believe in holding a ‘foreign atom ‘ in their eyes. We came across a batch of myths. Those issues were addressed thru guidance, † added Mr. Sundaram. Recognizing the impact of guidance, a cell was developed within the System in 1992 and seven counselors were trained in the first batch of counselors ‘ preparation. They were given a basic orientation about common oculus jobs with a particular focal point on IEC. ‘Patient counselors ‘ i.e. patients who had undergone oculus surgery were asked to assist the Outreach squad. â€Å" They played their function in explicating oculus jobs in the local linguistic communication and tried to assist others recognize the effects of neglecting to accept surgery. Sing the myths, a existent IOL was used as instruction stuff to assist the rural common people understand the construct of the IOL, † Mr Sundaram said. The figure of counselors has steadily risen of all time since and stands at 179 at nowadays. How is the Aravind Eye Care System possible? Fiscal self-sustainability was the primary focal point from twenty-four hours one at Aravind. Initially, the organisation was given a grant by the authorities to assist subsidise the intervention costs for oculus cantonment patients ( Prahlad, 2004 ) and the Govel Trust besides pledged belongingss to raise money from Bankss in the early yearss. Prahlad ( 2004 ) states that the Madurai AEH, the first, was ever self-supporting every bit far as repeating outgos were concerned. Within the first five old ages of operation, the Madurai AEH had accumulated excess grosss for farther development and for the building of four other infirmaries in the Tamil Nadu province. He adds that over the old ages, the patient grosss generated from its five infirmaries located in five metropoliss finance the Aravind Eye Care System to a great extent. Furthermore, Aravind has besides taken to the management-contract path and it manages two infirmaries outside of its home-state. While metropolis common people are charged market rates for each consultancy and for surgery, patients in distant small towns pay merely Rs. 20 for three consultancies or SGD 0.60. ( TED, 2009 ) . Those who can afford to pay, the urban common people who visit Aravind ‘s infirmaries in urban locations on their ain, do non acquire discounted rates. Such a system of cross-subsidies ensures that merely 45 percent wage while the remainder are non charged at all i.e. about five out of every 10 patients examined at Aravind can be provided free oculus attention, including oculus surgery ( TED, 2009 ) . A cross-subsidising fiscal theoretical account is non the lone mantra[ 9 ]to Aravind ‘s success. Having been in the concern of presenting quality Eye Care for over three decennaries now, the System is well-positioned to leverage on the Aravind brand-name to pull contributions. Over the old ages, the organisation has received international acknowledgment for its work and this includ es the 2008 Gates Award for Global Health, and this twelvemonth ‘s Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize that carries a US $ 1.5 million hard currency award. Last but non the least is the money that flows into Aravind in the signifier of specific project-funding. One such patron is the London-based ‘Seeing Is Believing ‘ ( SiB ) Trust, a coaction between Standard Chartered Bank and the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness ( IAPB ) . Since 2003, ‘Seeing is Believing ‘ has grown from a staff enterprise to raise adequate money to fund a cataract operation for each member of the Bank to a US $ 40 million planetary community enterprise. I wrote to Standard Chartered Bank ( SCB ) inquiring them why they decided to spouse with Aravind and LVPEI. â€Å" LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, every bit good as Aravind Eye Hospital are premier oculus attention institutes in the state. India has a huge geographic spread and both these establishments work in different geographic zones of the state. LVPEI is outstanding in the south-eastern provinces of the state while Aravind is outstanding in the southern provinces of India, † said Pratima Harite, Manager ( Sustainability ) , Corporate Affairs- India in her electronic mail response to my questions. The principle behind the India Consortium Project is the ‘vision Centre ‘ concept – that a important proportion of oculus jobs corrected or detected at the primary attention degree has significant nest eggs to the person and to the communities. â€Å" Based on the success of LVPEI ‘s Vision Centre theoretical account, the India Consortium Project p roposed scaling up the development of Vision Centres in a coordinated affair in six provinces across the state. For this, LVPEI sought support from four key implementing spouses – Prime Minister oculus attention establishments themselves across the state, † added Ms. Harite. Singapore ‘s Temasek Foundation ( TF ) part-funds SiB activities in India, peculiarly in capacity edifice i.e. in heightening the preparation constituent of the SiB programme. Is this a feasible concern theoretical account? Aravind has perfected the theoretical account over the last three decennaries. They have the engineering, behind the picture audience, in topographic point – â€Å" a low-priced radio long-distance web ( WiLDNet ) † put together by the Technology and Infrastructure for Emerging Regions ( TIER ) research group at the University of California, Berkeley, California, USA.[ 10 ]This was done to get the better of the issue of zero internet connectivity or decelerate connexions that do non back up picture audiences in distant small towns ( Laks, 2009 ) . In 2004, a nomadic new wave with satellite connectivity was introduced to ease Tele-Consultations. The Indian Space Research Organisation ‘s ( ISRO )[ 11 ]aid was sought to this extent. The ‘vision Centres ‘ can easy pass on with the base infirmary ( some 30 to 40 kilometers. ) via orbiter. These ‘vision Centres ‘ efficaciously address the issue of handiness, affordability and handiness of quality Eye Care. â€Å" A series of Centres were started across the Tamil Nadu province. Each base infirmary is connected with a group of vision Centres. At present, we have 10 ‘vision Centres ‘ that operate on WiFi. The remainder tally on BSNL[ 12 ]broadband connexions, † Mr Sundaram said. Aravind has the bringing system in topographic point. A sound apprehension of the local civilization that in many instances is antipathetic to western medical specialty and where contemporary medical specialty is non the first and lone option to handle any disease or complaint. Why would a villager trust a physician who drives down one all right forenoon and says he would wish to run upon them? Aravind Begins by naming a voluntary group for each community ; some of these voluntaries are farther trained to function as ophthalmic helpers and even as nurses in Aravind ‘s infirmaries. In a rural scene, rural common people trust their friends, neighbours, and their ain people foremost. It is about making ownership to the job, like Mr. Sundaram said, and so partnering with the community to work out the job. Aravind ‘s fiscal consequences for the twelvemonth 2008-09 were healthy. It raked in ( income ) US $ 22 million and spent ( outgo and depreciation ) US $ 13 million.[ 13 ] Discussion That Aravind and other NGOs working in a similar way, like LVPEI for case, utilize the Culture-Centered Approach, as elaborated by Dutta ( 2008 ) , in presenting quality oculus attention to rural India is rather clear. Aravind, in peculiar, has successfully integrated the CCA with the Technology-Communication-Management ( TCM ) theoretical account, as elaborated by Lee & A ; Chib ( 2008 ) to make a sustainable theoretical account for Eye Care bringing. ‘Accessibility ‘ and ‘affordability ‘ are the cardinal factors in such health care theoretical accounts. In taking this path, one has to guarantee that the engineerings chosen for the occupation are cost-efficient and easy to implement because capital outgo and operational outgo do play a critical function in finding the cost of health care services. Aravind has been able to maintain the cost of Eye Care bringing considerable low systematically for many old ages now. Critics argue that organisations like Aravind are feeding-off their theoretical account. At this point, it is of import to understand the ground-realities. In India, the divide between the urban ‘haves ‘ , and the rural ‘have-nots ‘ is merely acquiring wider with each go throughing twelvemonth. Harmonizing to UN projections released 2008, â€Å" India would urbanise at a much slower rate than China and have, by 2050, 45 % of its population still populating in rural countries † ( Lederer, 2008 ) . The Government in India is non making plenty to turn to the overplus of wellness issues that plague [ the assorted parts and communities in ] the state. The flagship strategy to better health care services in rural India, the National Rural Health Mission — launched in 2005 as a seven-year programme — has many of its ends yet to be achieved, and the authorities is now sing widening it to 2015, harmonizing to recent media studies. Despite many a au thorities claims and many a authorities schemes several small towns in provinces across India continue to depend on the private sector for quality health care or in this instance Eye Care. Give this state of affairs, Aravind and LVPEI ‘s work in the way of supplying low-cost Eye Care and free oculus surgeries to five out of every 10 patients they examine is a applaudable effort. A 2nd inquiry raised in this survey is, what is the function of the health care supplier in this instance – disseminate cognition to the grass-roots or live-off their health care bringing theoretical account? Aravind is making its portion in circulating cognition to the grass-roots. Most ophthalmic helpers who adult male the ‘vision centres ‘ are community members trained by Aravind. But one has to understand that the act of cognition airing in a distant rural scene has its challenges i.e. undertaking illiteracy, basic consciousness among others and these challenges can non be addres sed in merely a few old ages. The India Consortium Project, sponsored by SCB and Temasek Foundation, set a mark to put up 40 ‘vision Centres ‘ by 2010. So far, 32 ‘vision Centres ‘ are operational and the staying will be operational this twelvemonth, harmonizing to Ms. Harite. On the impudent side, a survey by Murthy et Al. ( 2008 ) argues that the ends of the ‘Vision 2020: the right to spy ‘ inaugural to extinguish Cataract sightlessness in India by the twelvemonth 2020 may non be achieved. But this should non discourage those working in this way. Both the populace and the private sector must go on to contend Cataract Blindness because that is the lone manner to undertake the job at manus. Last but non the least, this survey recommends that NGOs runing in the health care infinite expression at both the CCA and the TCM theoretical account to guarantee better service bringing.