Monday, September 30, 2019
Hamlet- His Procrastination and Its Causes Essay
Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, is one of the most celebrated plays in the English language. Throughout the play, Hamlet struggles with the death of his father and the swift remarriage of his mother to his fatherâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s brother. In Act I, scene iv, his fatherâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s ghost appears, urging Hamlet for revenge over his untimely murder (committed by his own brother). Taken aback by shock, Hamlet agrees with to revenge, ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠¦with wings as swift / as meditation or the thoughts of love'â⬠ââ¬Ë (I.iv.29-30). After this visitation however, many critics proclaim Hamlet procrastinates action for various reasons. Some relate his delay to his high intellect and over analysis of the situation; others declare his lack of courage caused his inaction. Two of the strangest interpretations include the following: that Shakespeare penned the delayed simply for the purpose of having a five-act play, and that Hamlet was truly ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ëa woman is disguise!'â⬠ââ¬Ë (ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËHamlet: His Own Falstaff'â⬠ââ¬Ë 12). Regardless of the various reasons attributed to the hesitation, his delay is especially noticeable because it lies in stark contrast to Fortinbrasâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠and Laertesâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠passionate desire for their respective fathersâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠revenge. As Curtis Perry articulates, ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ë[Hamletâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s] hesitation stands out as all the more unusual'â⬠ââ¬Ë due to the others unmatched need for vengeance (ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËThematic and Structural Analysis'â⬠ââ¬Ë 22). Many take a very literal interpretation of the play and maintain that many of that situations in which Hamlet delays were a necessary and essential step in the process of revenge. An example lies in Hamletâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s first confrontation with the Ghost. Upon seeing the Ghostâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s image, Hamlet remarks, ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËBe thou a spirit of health or goblin damned, / Bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts from hell, / Be thy intents wicked or charitable, / Thou comâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠st in such a questionable shape / That I will speak to thee'â⬠ââ¬Ë (I.iv.40-44). This quote demonstrates Hamletâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s fear that his fatherâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s ghost could be a devil from hell sent to pressure him to sin. He brooded over this fear until the traveling players (actors) enter the story. The performance of the play, ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËThe Murder of Gonzago'â⬠ââ¬Ë presented Hamlet the opportunity to see if the ghost was lyin g about his murder. He altered a speech in the play to read exactly as the ghost said he was murdered. He planned to watch his uncleâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s reactions and he believed, ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ëif his occulted guilt / Do no itself unkennel in one speech, / it is a damned ghost that we have seen'â⬠ââ¬Ë (III.ii.85-87).à Many critics use this for evidence that Hamlet delays in the murder of his uncle until he has verification that the ghost is not a demon. However, after his uncle, King Claudius, flees from the room before the plays completion it is obvious that Claudius is the murderer. Hamlet, intent on murdering him, follows him to where he is praying. He once again refrains from the murder because it was a religious belief at the time if a man is killed while praying, his soul is saved and sent to heaven. Hamlet wishes to kill both Claudiusâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠body and soul. William Hazlitt is one of the critics who take an opposing point of view to Hamletâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s inaction. Hazlitt views Hamlet as follows: ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËHe seems incapable of deliberate actionâ⬠¦ when he is most bound to act, he remains puzzled, undecided, and skeptical, dallies with his purposes, till the occasion is lostâ⬠¦ for this reason he refuses to kill the King when he is at prayers, and by a refinement in malice, which is in truth only an excuse for his own want of resolution, defers his revenge to a more fatal opportunity'â⬠ââ¬Ë (ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËOn Hamletâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Power of Action'â⬠ââ¬Ë 26). Hazlitt believes that Hamletâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s inaction is partly due to his cowardice. Hamlet himself indicates this in his soliloquy in act IV, scene iv, lines 41-46 that although he has all the reasons in the world to murder, he cannot seem to commit himself to the action. As T. McAlindon phrases it, ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ëthe great hole in the middle of the play is the unwritten soliloquy in which Hamlet weighs the rights and wrongs of private revenge and identifies the cause of his delay. Hamletâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s failure to do this testifies to the depth of his confusion'â⬠ââ¬Ë (ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËOn Love in Hamlet'â⬠ââ¬Ë 65). McAlindon reasons that his inability to act is a combination of his cowardice and his hesitation of what to do in the situation. Goethe says, quite harshly, that Hamlet lacks, ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ëthe strength of nerve which forms a hero'â⬠ââ¬Ë (ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËOn William Meister and Hamlet'â⬠ââ¬Ë 24). Critic August Wilhelm von Schlegel goes as far as to say that of the few times that Hamlet did act out, it wasnâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠t because he was brave. When he, ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ësucceeded in getting rid of his enemies, [it was] more through necessity and accidentâ⬠¦ than by the merit of his own courage, as he himself confesses after the murder of Polonius, and with respect toà Rosencrantz and Guildenstern'â⬠ââ¬Ë (ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËOn Hamletâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Flaws'â⬠ââ¬Ë 36). Harold Goddard takes a different viewpoint concerning the spur-of-the moment killings of Polonius, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern. Goddard likens Hamletâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s choices to a tug of war: ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËIf two forces pulling a body in opposite directions are unequal, the body will move in response to the preponderant force. If the two are nearly equal, but alternately gain slight ascendancy, it will remain unmoved except for corresponding vibrations'â⬠ââ¬Ë (ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËHamlet: His Own Falstaff'â⬠ââ¬Ë 20). Those ââ¬Å"ââ¬Ëâ⬠corresponding vibrationsâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠he speaks of are the instances in which Hamlet finally takes action. Harry Levin carries a similar opinion, arguing that Hamlet, ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ëdeliberates between rival options: either to revenge or not to revenge, whether a visitant comes from heaven or hell'â⬠ââ¬Ë (ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËInterrogation, Doubt, Irony'â⬠ââ¬Ë 51). Levin implies that H amletâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s delay is due more to his mental deliberation and doubt than to cowardice. The mental deliberation, which Levin and Goddard speak of, is due to the high intellect that Hamlet possesses. Goddard, believing that Hamlet is a born intellect, considers in this extreme example that having him play the role of avenger, ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ëis almost as if Jesus had been asked to play the role of Napoleonâ⬠¦'â⬠ââ¬Ë (ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËHamlet: His Own Falstaff'â⬠ââ¬Ë 12). In one of the most famous analyzations of Hamlet, Friedrich Nietzsche compares Hamlet to a Dionysian man: ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËKnowledge kills action; actions requires the veils of illusion: that is the doctrine of Hamlet, not that cheap wisdom of Jack the Dreamer who reflects too much and, as it were, from an excess of possibilities does not get around to action. Not reflection, no-true knowledge, an insight into the horrible truth, outweighs any motive of action, both in Hamlet and in the Dionysian man'â⬠ââ¬Ë (ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËOn Hamlet as the Dionysian Man'â⬠ââ¬Ë 40). Hamletâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s intellect has also been used negatively as a reason for his deterrence in action. Lawrence Danson believes that Hamlet does not feel satisfied to kill Claudius at any time; Hamlet must kill in a moment with poetic justice and beauty. Hamlet wishes to commit the murder in allà perfection, ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ëand because he cannot have his revenge perfect, according to the most refined idea his wish can form, he declines it altogether'â⬠ââ¬Ë (ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËOn Hamletâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Power of Action'â⬠ââ¬Ë 26). In the final murder, ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ëas the overdetermined image of Pyrrhus in the Playerâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s speech suggests, avenger and victim must finally become one. Hamlet dies, and his death, the necessary end of this tragedy, enables his expressive gesture'â⬠ââ¬Ë (ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËTragic Alphabet'â⬠ââ¬Ë 85). Another negative view on Hamletâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s intellect and delay is that he is a dreamer who cannot relate to the real world. C.S. Lewis borrows from one of Hamletâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s soliloquies as he describes the picture the reader perceives of Hamlet as, ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ëa dull and muddy-mettled rascal, a John-a-dreams, somehow unable to move while ultimate dishonor is done him'â⬠ââ¬Ë (ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËOn Hamletâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Soliloquies'â⬠ââ¬Ë 50). Samuel Taylor Coleridge reasons that the cause for Hamletâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s inability to move is that his balance between the world of the mind and the real world are disturbed. As a cause, ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ë[he] delays actions till action is of no use, and dies the victim of mere circumstance and accident'â⬠ââ¬Ë (ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËOn Hamletâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Intellectualism'â⬠ââ¬Ë 38-39). His inability to deal with the real world make the situation presented to him (revenge of his fatherâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s murder) almost too great for his mind. Oscar Wilde describes the situation as follows: ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËHe is a dreamer, and he is called upon to act. He has the nature of the poet and he is asked to grapple with the common complexities of cause and effect, with life in its practical realization, of which he knows nothing, not with life in its ideal essence, of which he knows much'â⬠ââ¬Ë (ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËOn Rosencrantz and Guildenstern'â⬠ââ¬Ë 41). Many critics follow Wildeâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s belief that Hamlet was unfit for the task of revenge. However, other experts attribute his inadequacy in the part of avenger not to a habit of dreaming but rather to his lack of a violent nature. To Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Hamlet, with a ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ësoul unfit'â⬠ââ¬Ë for the deed, is like, ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ëan oak-tree planted in a costly jar, which should have borne only pleasant flowers in its bosom; [but regrettably] the roots expand, [and] the jar is shivered'â⬠ââ¬Ë (ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËOn William Meister and Hamlet'â⬠ââ¬Ëà 24). Northrop Frye expresses that Hamlet must clear his mind over everything he is accustomed to ââ¬â ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ëthought and feeling and observation and awareness'â⬠ââ¬Ë ââ¬â and focus, ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ësolely on hatred and revenge, a violent alteration of his natural mental habits'â⬠ââ¬Ë in order to commit the act of revenge (ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËThe Tragedy of Order'â⬠ââ¬Ë 131). Best said according to this school of criticism, Hamlet is in itself the story of an ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ëintelligent man and the uncongenial role- that of avenger- that fate calls upon him to play'â⬠ââ¬Ë (Rosenblum 117). An important consideration in the examination of Hamletâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s procrastination is his own recognition of it. In act II, scene ii, lines 599-602, Hamlet proclaims: ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËWhy, what an ass am I! This is most brave, / That I, the son of a dear father murdered, / Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, / Must (like a whore) unpack my heart with wordsâ⬠¦'â⬠ââ¬Ë Earlier in this same soliloquy, Hamlet asks, ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËWhat would [Hecuba] do, / Had he the motive and the cue for passion / That I have?'â⬠ââ¬Ë (II.ii.574-576). Curtis Perry, of Harvard University, stresses that the use of the words ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ëprompted'â⬠ââ¬Ë and ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ëcue'â⬠ââ¬Ë in the same speech imply that Hamlet feels as though he is only an actor preparing for a role; he feels he ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ëlacks the passion to commit a rash murder'â⬠ââ¬Ë (ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËThematic and Structural Analysis'â⬠ââ¬Ë 18). He is disgusted that the players (actors) could create more passion ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ëall for nothing'â⬠ââ¬Ë (II.ii.571) than he can for the revenge of his father. Hamlet has a similar self-confrontation in his fourth soliloquy in act IV, scene iv: in these scene, he encounters the captain of Fortinbrasâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠army marching to battle over a, ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ëlittle patch of ground / That hath in it no profit but the name'â⬠ââ¬Ë (IV.iv.18-19). He is amazed over the willingness of these soldiers to die in the pursuit of honor in contrast to his own ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ëdull revenge'â⬠ââ¬Ë (IV.iv.33). He commits himself to pursue only bloody thoughts and to no longer delay in his fatherâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s revenge. Perhaps one of the most widely debated reasons that critics have attributed to Hamletâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s delay is Sigmund Freudâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s controversial Oedipus Complex. In this school of criticism and psychology, ever son has strong repressed sexual feelings towards his own mother. According to Freud: ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËHamlet is able to do anything- except take vengeance on the man who did away with his father and took that fatherâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s place with his mother, the man who shows him the repressed wishes of his own childhood realized. Thus the loathing which should drive him on to revenge is replaced in him by self-reproaches, by scruples of conscience, which remind him that he himself is literally no better than the sinner whom he is to punish'â⬠ââ¬Ë (ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËOn Hamlet and His Father'â⬠ââ¬Ë 44). Harold Bloom, stands in stark disagreement to Freudâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s beliefs. Bloom believes that, ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËThe Hamlet Complex is not incestuous butâ⬠¦[instead] theatrical'â⬠ââ¬Ë (54). A school of thought not often considered is why the reader feels he must obey his father. Harold Goddard believes that in all of us there is, ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ëstored up within ourselves so many unrequited wrongs and injuries, forgotten and unforgottenâ⬠¦ that we like nothing better than to rid ourselves of a little of the accumulation by projecting itâ⬠¦ on the defenseless puppets of the dramatic imagination'â⬠ââ¬Ë (ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËHamlet: His Own Falstaff'â⬠ââ¬Ë 13). Cedric Watts stresses perhaps the most important belief in the analysis of Hamlet: ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ëthere is no master-Hamlet to be discovered by poring over the text, and we donâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠t need such a discovery'â⬠ââ¬Ë (ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËOn the Many Interpretations of Hamlet'â⬠ââ¬Ë 63). Watts stresses that Hamlet was written not to be interpreted in one sole fashion, but to be interpreted in a multitude of different ways. The joy in trying to read Hamlet and analyze the reasons for his procrastination lay in the fact that, ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬Ëif we fail to seek what it never surrenders, we fail to enjoy what it renders'â⬠ââ¬Ë (ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËOn the Many Interpretations of Hamlet'â⬠ââ¬Ë 63). ââ¬â- BIBLIOGRAPHY (format is weird b/c I didnââ¬â¢t know how to cite a certain book that contained a collection of seperate essays) BIBLIOGRAPHY Bloom, Harold. Hamlet: Poem Unlimited. New York: Riverhead Books, 2003. Bloom, Harold. Modern Critical Views: William Shakespeare- The Tragedies. Philadelphia, PA: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986. Coleridge, Samuel Taylor. ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËOn Hamletâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Intellectualism.'â⬠ââ¬Ë William Shakespeareâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Hamlet: Bloomâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Notes, 1996 ed. Danson, Lawrence. ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËTragic Alphabet.'â⬠ââ¬Ë Modern Critical Interpretations: William Shakespeareâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Hamlet. 1986 ed. Freud, Sigmund. ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËOn Hamlet and His Father.'â⬠ââ¬Ë William Shakespeareâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Hamlet: Bloomâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Notes, 1996 ed. Frye, Northrop. ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËThe Tragedy of Order.'â⬠ââ¬Ë Modern Critical Views: William Shakespeare- The Tragedies. 1986 ed. Goddard, Harold. ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËHamlet: His Own Falstaff.'â⬠ââ¬Ë Modern Critical Interpretations: William Shakespeareâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Hamlet. 1986 ed. Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von. ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËOn William Meister and Hamlet.'â⬠ââ¬Ë Bloomâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Major Dramatists: Shakespeareâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Tragedies. 2000 ed. Hazlitt, William. ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËOn Hamletâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Power of Action.'â⬠ââ¬Ë Bloomâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Major Dramatists: Shakespeareâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Tragedies. 2000 ed. Levin, Harry. ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËInterrogation, Doubt, Irony.'â⬠ââ¬Ë Modern Critical Views: William Shakespeare- The Tragedies. 1986 ed. Lewis, C.S. ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËOn Hamletâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Soliloquies.'â⬠ââ¬Ë William Shakespeareâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Hamlet: Bloomâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Notes, 1996 ed. McAlindon, T. ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËOn Love in Hamlet.'â⬠ââ¬Ë William Shakespeareâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Hamlet: Bloomâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Notes, 1996 ed. Nietzsche, Friedrich. ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËOn Hamlet as the Dionysian Man.'â⬠ââ¬Ë William Shakespeareâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Hamlet: Bloomâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Notes, 1996 ed. Perry, Curtis. ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËThematic and Structural Analysis.'â⬠ââ¬Ë William Shakespeareâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Hamlet: Bloomâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Notes, 1996 ed. Rosenblum, Joseph. A Readerâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Guide to Shakespeare. New York: Barnes and Noble Books, 1999. Schlegel, August Wilhelm von. ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËOn Hamletâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Flaws.'â⬠ââ¬Ë William Shakespeareâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Hamlet: Bloomâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Notes, 1996 ed. Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Hamlet: Price of Denmark. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1603. Watts, Cedric. ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËOn the Many Interpretations of Hamlet.'â⬠ââ¬Ë William Shakespeareâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Hamlet: Bloomâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Notes, 1996 ed. Wilde, Oscar. ââ¬Ëâ⬠ââ¬ËOn Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.'â⬠ââ¬Ë William Shakespeareâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Hamlet: Bloomâ⬠ââ¬Ëâ⬠s Notes, 1996 ed.
Sunday, September 29, 2019
The Chinese Cultural Revolution
The Cultural Revolution in China was a social movement that took place in 1966 through 1976. This movement involved major changes that took place in the political, economic and social nature of China. These changes were very often for violent and corrupted means. This Cultural Revolution threatened China for 10 years. In the beginning of the revolution. ââ¬Å"Destructive groups such as Red Guards and The Cultural Revolution Authority grasped the power, and China drove into the severe confusionâ⬠(http://library. hinkquest. org/26469/cultural-revolution/). Mao Zedong lead these Red Guard units ââ¬Å"which denunciated and persecuted Chinese teachers and intellectuals, engaged in widespread book burnings, facilitated mass relocations, and enforced Mao's cult of personalityâ⬠(http://www. infoplease. com/ce6/history/A0814235. html). His goal was to prevent the development of a bureaucratized Soviet style of Communism. The Red Guard units turned violent and lead to the group s plitting up into different sides.Agricultural production declined, but the countryside area experienced less disorder than in the cities. ââ¬Å"Production was reduced in the modern nonagricultural sectors in several ways. The most direct cause of production halts was the political activity of students and workers in the mines and factories. A second cause was the extensive disruption of transportation resulting from the requisitioning of trains and trucks to carry Red Guards around the country. Output at many factories suffered from shortages of raw materials and other supplies.A third disruptive influence was that the direction of factories was placed in the hands of revolutionary committees, consisting of representatives from the party, the workers, and the People's Liberation Army, whose members often had little knowledge of either management or the enterprise they were supposed to run. In addition, virtually all engineers, managers, scientists, technicians, and other profession al personnel were ââ¬Å"criticized,â⬠demoted, ââ¬Å"sent downâ⬠to the countryside to ââ¬Å"participate in labor,â⬠or even jailed, all of which resulted in their skills and knowledge being lost to the enterpriseâ⬠(http://countrystudies. s/china/90. htm). The Cultural Revolution also had greater effects on the economy, in which foreign equipment was imported and technological advancement was needed.But the most serious and enduring effect on the economy was the lack of highly educated people do to the closing of the universities. China was unable to develop new technology and work with the imported technology because of its lack of highly educated personal. As political stability was gradually restored, a renewed drive for coordinated, balanced development was set in motion under the leadership of Premier Zhou Enlaiâ⬠(http://countrystudies. us/china/90. htm). During the mid 1970s, a group known as the Gang of Four attempted to dominate the power center through their network of supporters and, most important, through their control of the media (http://countrystudies. us/china/90. htm). Mao Zedong died, and one month later the Gang of Four was arrested.
Saturday, September 28, 2019
Case study dealing with depression
Case study dealing with depression Depression is one of the most common and widespread psychiatric disorders in the UK. Of over 5000 British residents, approximately 5.9% of males and 4.2% of females suffer from depressive illnesses (Based on DSM-IV criteria) (Ohayon, 1999). Consequently there has been much emphasis on implementing techniques and psychotherapy to solve these issues and find effective treatments for depression. This essay will explore, psychodynamic and CBT therapy, in treating depression. There are clear disparities between these two forms of therapy in regards to their theoretical underpinnings as well as the arguments both for and against their effectiveness in treating depression. Throughout this review particular attention will be paid to the similar features which run through both approaches in order to gather a much more conclusive view regarding psychotherapy in the treatment of depression. The essay will begin by briefly outlining depression and discussing the development of psychotherapy in treating it. After this, psychodynamic therapy which is one of the most traditional psychotherapeutic methods of dealing with depression will be explored, in order to gather an understanding of its views on solving the problem of depression. Before moving on to compare this too, the much more modern and focused intervention CBT, developed by Beck (1979). After each approach has been outlined the essay will go on to critically evaluate each approach, firstly in terms of its empirical grounding in research before moving on to gather an understanding of the arguments regarding their theoretical grounding. Before finally going on to conclude as to what is the best option for dealing with such a common and problematic condition. Depression is a condition which is characterized by negative moods and unpleasant states of mind which can undermine our ability to function normally (Gilbert, 2007). In some cases people are born with a predisposition to depression through neurological disorders . However, for many others, depression is likely to occur as a consequence of changing life circumstances. (Hollon, Thase, & Markowitz, 2002) For many years clients were effectively treated with medicines such as anti-depressants. However, the stigma and the side effects that are associated with this medication, mean that many patients diagnosed with depression are reluctant to use them. A survey carried out by Priest, Vize, Roberts, Roberts and Tylee (1996) used questionnaires and interviews to discover the lay personââ¬â¢s beliefs and attitudes to pharmaceuticals as treatment of depression. The study found that 78% of the 2003 participants from across the UK, regarded antidepressants as negative and addictive. This demonstrates that the general public are still very sceptical about using medication as a quick fix to their depression. (Priest et al, 1996) Psychotherapists believe it is addressing the central psychological underpinnings of depression which is essential to long te rm recovery. (Gilbert, 2007) One of the first alternative forms of treatment was psychodynamic therapy. Psychodynamic therapy is based on the belief that that the majority of mental functioning occurs in our unconscious. Jacobs (2004) explains that, according to Freud the structure of the psyche is constructed from birth, and therefore the childââ¬â¢s relationship with significant others in the early years of their life, notably their mother and father, are vital to the individualââ¬â¢s future developments.
Friday, September 27, 2019
What are the roots of the present crisis of the euro Essay
What are the roots of the present crisis of the euro - Essay Example There are good promises about integrating the euro zone into one currency policy. One of the reasons why there are many countries engaged themselves into this one-currency policy is to substantially address the need of their economy to rise up above any other. However, behind all of these promises are some limitations that need to be taken into consideration (Provopoulos, 2010). One of the limitations is the substantial loss of the ability of a participating nation to set its individual domestic monetary policy. Another is losing its ability to change the nominal exchange rate of its currency. It is therefore clear that with the optimum currency area policy; there could be no significant contribution of uniting the euro especially with the presence of weaker economies because the euroââ¬â¢s market strength would eventually be dragged down (McGuinness, 2010). Another main reason why the euro crisis comes into a significant issue in the euro zone is the failure of Stability and Grow th Pact to ensure fiscal discipline (Provolous, 2010). This is clear in the case of Greece in which its debt to GDP ratio had risen to 12.6 per cent which is extremely above the required maximum of only 3 per cent. This resulted to the bail-outs of Greece and Irish Republic which has become the major topic in the recent euro crisis (BBC News, 2011). The Greek government is promising a good opportunity for everyone. This entices investors to invest in its economy and in return the government substantially does its best in the process. However, this led to increase in government spending which made it highly covered with debt. Tax is an important financial source of the government. However, it would be impractical to increase tax rate because this would only encourage investors to go to countries with low taxation rate. The worst case scenario is that this would just only encourage investors to falsify financial information just to save them from paying high tax rate. This is the reas on why the Government especially in the case of Greece to result to borrowing just to meet its obligation. In reality, it is hard to redistribute wealth by increasing tax. This would only result to other complex problems that would help aggravate the situation. However, in reality it is not only Greece doing this same strategy but it includes Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Spain. These countries are also known for overspending and borrowing for many decades just like Greece. Considering that these countries would be unable to pay their debt, and then the present crisis of the euro will be persistent and could hardly challenge the US dollar as the leading currency in the world. Government expenditure therefore is the leading driving force allowing the rise in the share of government spending. This is evident in the case of some European countries in which government spending increased from 43 percent to 50 percent (Provolous, 2010). It is therefore important that investments in high-va lue added sectors should be maintained and this can only be realised by the reduction of bureaucracy and rigidities in the labour, product and service markets (Provolous, 2010). Another root cause can be traced to the problems underlying a one-size-fits-all monetary policy. One significant problem is the issue of political and cultural differences among participating European countries (Hughes, 2010; Provolous). Unlike with the United States, there is no central fiscal authority in the euro area. This central fiscal authority is viewed to significantly contribute to redistribute fiscal resources. Furthermore, unlike in the United States, cultural differences particularly in the language make labour a less mobile in euro area. Labour is particularly important in the euro area. However, this is continuously challenged by the cheap labour in China. This significantly increases the chance of investors to gain more in China. Thus, this leaves behind the euro area. Specifically, it was ve ry clear that it reduced its employment
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Income statement and balance sheet Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words
Income statement and balance sheet - Essay Example The business community has more accumulated wealth that the governments of the over 200 countries in the world combined.There are thousands of publicly traded companies been traded on Wall Street and international markets such as the London Stock Exchange every day. Due to the importance of these capital markets there is a need for professionals dedicated to financial reporting. Publicly traded companies have to prepare financial statements every accounting period. The normal accounting period is one year, but most companies also release quarterly financial statements. The four major financial statements are the income statement, balance sheet, statement of cash flow, and statement of stockholders equity. These four financial statements are included in the Annual Report of corporations. The purpose of this paper is to analyze and describe the income statement and the balance sheet. The income statement and the balance sheet are two interrelated statements. The outcome of the income s tatement affects the equity account of the balance sheet. The income statement is a financial report that provides information regarding the profitability of the company during an accounting period. The top figure in the income statement is sales. Sales are very important because they provide the economic asset needed to operate a business. The sales of the company are subtracted by the cost of goods sold. The subtraction of those variables is the gross profit. At the bottom of the income statement the operating expenses and taxes are subtracted from gross profit to arrive at net income. The income statement is a very valuable report because it indicates how well a business operation is doing in terms of financial success. The income statement reports the revenues and expenses of an enterprise during a natural or fiscal year. The top and bottom figures of the income statement are the two numbers investors look for which are sales and net income. The higher the figure of net income t he better off a company is financially. Net incomes help companies accumulate capital. The net income figure is transferred from the balance sheet to the stockholderââ¬â¢s equity section. The second major financial statement is the balance sheet. The balance sheet is considered a statement of position. This means that the figures illustrated in the balance are the account balances at a specific point in time. The three major components or categories within the balance sheet are assets, liabilities and stockholderââ¬â¢s equity. The internal structure of the balance sheet follows the logic of the basic accounting equation. The basic accounting equation states that assets are equal to liabilities plus stockholderââ¬â¢s equity. An asset can be defined as an item of economic value owned by an individual or corporation (Answers, 2011). The assets in the balance sheet are listed in order to liquidity. The most liquid asset is cash. Equipment and machinery are two examples of asset s. Machinery is a fixed asset that can be used to generate revenues. Assets can also be converted to cash by selling them. The liabilities of a company are short and long term obligations to financial institutions such as banks. It is preferable for a company to have a low level of debt. Debt instruments can be used to finance expansion projects. The debt section of the balance sheet is divided into short and long term liabilities. The last segment of the balance sheet is the equity section. The balance sheet and the income statement are prepared once the accounting department completes the accounting cycle. These two financial statements are extremely valuable pieces of information for the user of financial information. It is mandatory for public companies to release the financial statements at least once a year. The regulatory agency that foresees the financial actions of public corporations is the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The data in the balance sheet and income statement can be used by financial analyst or anyone with financial knowledge to perform ratio, trend,
Strategic Management in the Financial Crisis Essay
Strategic Management in the Financial Crisis - Essay Example The study Strategic Management in the Financial Crisis explores the period of the great credit crisis that first had a toll on the United Statesââ¬â¢ financial sector before other parts of the globe had its impact. This may have been because of various issues of failure within companies that even made them fail to meet targets before the financial crisis period. With the resource utilization reaching the maximum limits compounded further by a relatively high wage rate, most enterprises were feeling the pinch in the reduction of their rates of return. The widening of international trade and the strengthening of global capital flows have led to a significant rise in cross-border assets and liabilities, as well as to financial linkages across countries and regions. The key implications of such developments have been a wider spread of shocks and stronger co-movements in macroeconomic variables. There are various issues that have been raised and a major one has been that of the failure of corporate governance as shall be discussed in the paper. It is clear that good corporate governance actually operates effectively in two distinct areas which may include measures put in place to guard against opportunistic or conflicted behaviour by financial technocrats with aims of maximizing wealth. According to good management principles, corporate governance best practice is important and essential for the protection of shareholders and other stakeholders against the often conflicting interests of dealers in the financial sector. Blundell-Wignall et al (2009) point out the need to clarify the responsibilities of regulatory institutions and to restore confidence in the integrity of financial institutions. Independent audits of financial statements provide a check against fraud, and a verified overview of financial evolution of the business. Blundell-Wignall et al (2009) also state that considerable flexibility should be envisaged as regards liquidity management. Quantitative measures and indicators should be integrated into the process in proportion to the degree that they are robust and operational. There is an overall bias in many countries' tax systems which work to encourage corporate leverage. The interface between tax, leverage and excess risk taking is complex. Blundell-Wignall et al. note that the US approach shares the risks of buying toxic assets between the taxpayers and investors creates buyer demand and prevents dumping of assets that would prolong the crisis phase, and is an open-market approach. It is important to foster corporate structures that enhance both stability and competition. The complexity of some corporate groups has been identified in both governance and risk control issues. As a
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Change Management term paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
Change Management - Term Paper Example The Aster Group provides homes and housing related services in England. For excellent leadership and performance, it secured the ââ¬Å"Beacon Companyâ⬠award in 2006. In fact, the company was forced to change and diversify due to a number of factors. First of all, as Green (2007) notes, the company wanted to shift from a local authority culture to an autonomous not-for-profit nature. Also, the Housing Corporation decided to reduce the number of approved organizations from 350 to 70. So, to retain business, the company had to go a long way from its 110th position. The way to achieve the same for Aster was to merge and seek new alliances. Starting at the Top However, one can observe slight differences in the way both of the companies introduced change. In the case of Biogen Idec, the company set up a project team, which looked into the various factors associated with the change. Various heads including ââ¬Å"international business, commercial operations, human resources, and int ernational legal affairs were part of the project team, and every aspect of the changeâ⬠was identified and analyzed (Green, 2007, p.90). Admittedly, the company was performing well in accordance with the Change Management guideline which indicates that it is necessary to understand the need for change through Diagnosing Change (Change Management, n. d.). On the other hand, in Aster, the change started from the new chief executive of the company, who tried to introduce a culture that just ââ¬Å"keeps moving all the timeâ⬠. In other words, observing the challenges ahead, the chief executive decided to move away from its local authority structure and develop a group structure. Thus, the company worked with Testway ââ¬â and both chief executives considered open discussion as an important factor to ensure proper collaboration. As acquisition and merger were a part of the change strategy, a board was developed, which included important leaders of both the firms. And as the re were more mergers and acquisitions, more and more personnel were included in the board according to requirements. Anyway, as Gossas commented, the leadership led the change in both of the cases (Ahiberg & Naucler, 2007). Involving all the Layers In Aster Group, first of all, replacing the previous autocratic management style, the new chief executive introduced the culture of open communication and feedback. This resulted in better cooperation from the part of managers and other staff. Thus, at first, he managed to secure the belief and support of the managers and staff. Then, he encouraged the people to contribute their own opinions and suggestions for the future course of action. Here, as Jones, Aguirre, and Calderone (2004) point out, the leadership was giving adequate attention to the human factor, because, for making all the employees committed to the vision of change, the leadership role was effectively handed over to the managers. According to the writers, after allowing au tonomy in day to day operations, the board focused on long term strategic issues; and anyway, both the companies followed the golden rule that change should start at the top. Also, by enlightening and enabling all the layers, the leadership ensured the involvement of every layer. Increased Autonomy to Units and Affiliates In fact, both the companies changed their management styles to introduce various autonomous or semi-autonomous units. To illustrate, the board of Aster Group decided to hand over
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) Essay
Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) - Essay Example ements are prepared in accordance with the accounting standards with a view to provide reliable, comparable and very useful information to various stakeholders, but also they are duly audited fairly and reported properly. Given the multiplicity of transactions involved, it is not easy for the ultimate owners to go through each and every entry so as to safeguard their interests. Auditors normally perform such functions. In the United States, the American Institutes of Certified Public Accountants have prescribed Generally Accepted Auditing Standards in order to facilitate fair auditing procedures. These Auditing standards mostly deal with what auditors should be performing, how they should do the fieldwork and what they should report. These auditing standards specify that audition function should be done by qualified auditors with appropriate technical skills and proficiency, free from such mental attitude that may obstruct auditing process and should have the capability of giving independent opinion on the books of accounts and accounting practices followed. Further, the auditing standards discuss the importance of checks and balances to be instituted by auditors in the fieldwork not only concerning auditing and accounting procedures but supervising assistants. And, finally, the standards provides a very good description of the meaning of independence that needs to be exercised by auditors while providing opinion. It has to be fair on the issue of comprehensiveness of accounting procedures, their sufficiency, transparency and ability to provide such opinions. Given the institutional feature of corporate America, there is a need to understand the meaning of corporate governance. Though the subject attracted a wider interest with formulation of Cadbury Code by London Stock Exchange in the early 1990s, the collapse of giant organizations like Enron and Worldcom attracted wider interest in United States and elsewhere internationally. The fall of various public
Monday, September 23, 2019
Research methods applied to the cyber crime like identity theft( use a Thesis
Research methods applied to the cyber crime like identity theft( use a proper name if you want) - Thesis Example Such developments has made communication a secondââ¬â¢s task, where a large amount of data and information can be collected and used for a number of purposes easily. However, these developments can be seen as positive for human beings, but these can also be seen as a negative phenomenon. It is usually called as the ââ¬Å"double edged swordâ⬠, where it has both bright and dark sides. Though computer and information technology has proved to be much useful for communication and business development, but it has also created new ways for doing illegal or criminal activities (Gordon, Hosmer, Siedsma, & Rebovich, 2003). A number of commercial websites are performing business activities online, or others using computers to gather and accumulate critical information in order to use it for business purposes. Such businesses have been nowadays facing the issues of misuse of information or other kinds of crimes with regard to the sensitive information. In order to combat these criminal and delinquent activities, they have to perform overwhelming, and expensive job of safeguarding their critical information, which can be used for delinquent actions. In these days, it is easier to do crime, as criminals are able to encode the data, which is showing some proofs against their delinquent actions, and also transfer such data regardless of having fear of being noticed from Police side or Law agencies. Such criminal activities has made it more complex to detect any corruption. As the internet has astonishing effects on this area, where it is being impossible to detect a person due to the fact that the crime can be held regardless of any geographical area. This situation has convoluted the enquiry of cybercrime to the greater extent (Gordon, Hosmer, Siedsma, & Rebovich, 2003). In this regard, there are a number of new studies and fields of a study are emerging, and among these a Cybercrime Science is such an evolving field of study targeting to thwart the
Saturday, September 21, 2019
Analysis of Barclays Bank Essay Example for Free
Analysis of Barclays Bank Essay Introduction The process of restructuring the telecommunication sector truly got under way in Cameroon in June 1995, when the authorities decided thoroughly to reform network industry sectors such as water, electricity and telecommunications with a view to creating a favourable environment in which to develop their infrastructure and services and thus to satisfy increasingly exigent demand. The process took the form of liberalization, State withdrawal from the sectors concerned and the establishment of aà market structure enabling Cameroon to remain in step with the especially rapid global developments in the telecommunication sector; indeed, in spite of the investments made, the coverage rate and quality of service offered had remained largely inadequate. The process was carried out not only by defining the conditions and mechanisms liable to guarantee the sectors opening to private initiative, but also by enacting regulations and taking measures intended to enable the sector to play the decisive role incumbent on it in Cameroons economic development. Telecommunication sector reform in Cameroon is not limited to the establishment of new regulations and legislation, to the revision of the institutional framework and the establishment of an interconnection regime or to the introduction of competition. It should also comprise bringing behaviour in line with the times. One of our chief concerns is therefore also effective application of the regulations with a view to fulfilling the universal service obligation, ensuring consumer protection and providing for effective and appropriate regulation of true competition. The acquisition of the required know-how is the biggest challenge we face. The institutional players on Cameroons telecommunications scene are, as in many other African countries, of the opinion that any society that delays in jumping on the NTIC train will remain mired in a state of underdevelopment. Observations Background Before 1990, as in most African countries, telecommunication services were managed by a national publicly-owned monopoly. The administration in charge of telecommunications set the rules, ensured they were applied and was itself an operator. The results did not always live up to expectations. In June 1990, the President of the Republic signed the order on the programme to privatize public and semi-public enterprises. The telecommunication sector was added to the programme in June 1995. In July 1998, law 98/014 governing telecommunications in Cameroon (the Telecommunications Act) was promulgated. It established the Telecommunication Regulatory Agency and attributed sector responsibilities to a variety of players: the operation ofà telecommunication networks to operators, regulatory matters, i.e. application of the rules and supervision of operators, to a regulatory body, the definition of sector policy and the enactment of market regulations to the telecommunication administration. In September of the same year, two public enterprises, CAMTEL for the fixed telephone service and CAMTEL MOBILE for the mobile telephone service, were set up to take over the telecommunication activities of the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications and of the public enterprise INTELCAM, which was in charge of operating and developing international telecommunication installations. The Telecommunication Regulatory Agency was set up at theà same time. Immediately after, the sale of a mobile telephone licence and the process of privatizing CAMTEL and CAMTEL MOBILE got under way. In June 1999, a mobile telephone licence was granted to a private enterprise. The privatization of CAMTEL MOBILE was completed in February 2000. The privatization of CAMTEL is not yet complete. A third mobile telephone licence is to be issued. In less than two years, the sector has undergone sweeping change. Suffice it to mention one indicator: in January 2000 there was one mobile telephone operator with about 5 000 subscribers; on 31 March 2001 there were two operators with over 140 000 subscribers. This rapid and in-depth transformation is taking place within a constantly improving legal framework. II A liberal legal framework The development of new technologies and liberalization have permitted access to new telecommunication services which, depending on their specific natures, require appropriate regulation. The Telecommunications Act sets forth a new regulatory framework, opening the telecommunication sector to competition. The framework, which distinguishes between public and private networks, provides for three legal arrangements: concessions, authorizationsà and declarations. 1 Concessions The State can grant one or several public or private corporate bodies all or part of its rights to establish and/or operate telecommunication networks. The concession is subject to strict compliance with the requirements set forth in a list of terms and conditions. This arrangement allows the State not only to keep a watchful eye on the harmonious development of modern telecommunication infrastructure, but also and above all to heighten its control over the development and supply of the basic services and facilities us ually demanded by the majority of users. 2 Authorizations The arrangement of prior authorization applies to the establishment and/or operation of telecommunication networks by physical persons or corporate bodies with a view to providing the public with a basic telecommunication service, a value-added service, a bearer service or any other service by using one or several radio frequencies. A list of terms and conditions containing the requirements to be met is attached to the licence issued to the bearer of a prior authorization. The authorization is issued for a fixed period and can be withdrawn under certain circumstances. 3 Declarations Declarations apply to the establishment of private internal networks, low-range and low-capacity private independent networks (that are not radio networks), low-range and low-capacity radio installations (to be determinedà by the Administration), and the provision to the public of telecommunication services other than those subject to the arrangements of concession and authorization. Telecommunication terminal equipment is either freely provided or subject to type-approval. Certain provisions of the Telecommunications Act are detailed in decrees and implementing legislation. We shall not examine all of them here; indeed, some of them are still being drafted. The reform in Cameroon established the separation between the regulatory and operating functions. It works in favour of operators being entities controlled by private capital. The general framework for competition is governed by legislation on competition. The legal framework is supplemented by institutions. III 1 A revised institutional framework The telecommunication administration Spectrum management and the legislation and regulations relating to telecommunications are the exclusive domain of the State. The telecommunication administration has been invested, on behalf of the government, with general jurisdiction over the sector. It sets the general regulatory framework. It therefore establishes and implements telecommunication sector policy, whose aim must be to safeguard the missions of public service, to promote harmonious network development throughout the national territory and effective private sector participation in the sectors wealth and employment-generating activities, and to ensure compliance by all operators with the applicable treaties, laws and regulations. In addition, the administration supervises the telecommunication sector, oversees public telecommunication enterprises, represents the State at international telecommunication-related organizations and events, and manages the radio spectrum on behalf of the State. The Telecommunication Regulatory Agency, which technically answers to the telecommunication administration, is the specialized body in charge ofà facilitating actual application of the regulations issued. 2 The Telecommunication Regulatory Agency The organization of the Telecommunication Regulatory Agency established by the Telecommunications Act is set forth in decree No. 98/197 of 8 September 1998. The Agency has three main duties: ââ¬â to ensure the regulations are implemented; ââ¬â to guarantee respect for the regulations and the exercise of competition; ââ¬â to settle certain disputes between operators. The Agencys regulatory authority is subject to performance of the following activities: ââ¬â definition of the principles governing tariffs for services; ââ¬â examination of requests for authorization and declaration and of type-approval files for terminal equipment to be connected to public networks; ââ¬â establishment of principles for calculating interconnection costs; ââ¬â establishment and management of numbering plans; ââ¬â management of the frequencies attributed to telecommunications; ââ¬â submission to the government of proposals aimed at developing and modernizing the sector; ââ¬â opinions on draft legislative and regulatory texts concerning telecommunications; ââ¬â control and penalties for infractions. The Agency is specifically competent to settle disputes concerning interconnection, access to a public network, numbering, cases of harmful interference, and sharing of infrastructure. The Telecommunications Act provides the Agency with a quasi-judicial body and an arbitration procedure can be set in motion should one or the other of the parties be opposed. The parties remain free to bring their case before the competent court. IV Human resources Human resources are the key to management and progress, for they have knowledge, that rarest of economic commodities in the 21st century. The current transition from a monopoly environment to that of controlled competition has given rise to new demands in terms of basic knowledge and know- how in telecommunication regulation. Telecommunication leaders and staff in Cameroon were still dealing with the transition from analogue to digital when circuit switching was suddenly replaced by packet switching. This recent change has reshaped the concept and definition of telecommunication networks and services. Everything must therefore be done to make sure the human resources acquire the skills they need for their own development and that of companies, which create wealth for the well-being of peoples. The Ecole Nationale Supà ©rieure des Postes et Tà ©là ©communications, an independent facility run by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, provides basic instruction in telecommunications and ICT to technicians (technical and operating staff), supervising technicians (operating technicians and supervisors) and senior technical managers (works engineers and operating inspectors). It plans to organize standing professional certification for the staff of public and private enterprises and of the public administrations in charge of telecommunications and ICT. V International cooperation Cameroon has always been present and active in regional and international telecommunication organizations. It is a member of the Administrative Councils of both the African Telecommunication Union (ATU) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It has had very few bilateral exchanges of experience and information with other African countries. The ineffectiveness of regional (ATU) and subregional organizations (CAPTAC) has precluded the launch at subregional level of cooperation activities aimed at developing telecommunications in Cameroon. At the international level, ITUà has not been closely involved in telecommunication sector reform. In the past eight years, it has provided some technical assistance but otherwise almost no support for telecommunication development projects in Cameroon, possibly because the Area Office in Yaoundà © is not functioning. The capacities of the Area Office in Yaoundà © should be reinforced. Its main duties should be: ââ¬â To disseminate ITU documents and information in the area. For this, it should have the means required to provide the documentation centres of the main players in each of the areas countries with the documents and books needed to acquire knowledge in telecommunications and ICT, for most of the sectors African managers will have to teach themselves. In this respect, hard as opposed to electronic copies remain invaluable in Africa.
Friday, September 20, 2019
Biotechnology: Applications and Arguments For and Against
Biotechnology: Applications and Arguments For and Against The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture is rising, but not without debate. There are many scientists who argue that genetic engineering in agriculture is the best way to solve many issues of poverty, food security, environmental harm, and the need for increasing competitiveness in sales, but others raise ethical issues regarding the health of the people who consume the genetically modified products, the possible harm to the environment, the depredation of the welfare of the farmers and their food security, and the general introduction of engineering into mainstream use in society. 1.2 Definition of Genetically Modified Organisms Genetically Modified Organisms, commonly called GMOs, refer to organisms whose genetic material has been altered using recombinant DNA technology, a method used to recombine the DNA of different organisms. 1.3 Sequence of Discussion I begin the paper with an introduction to the issues of using biotechnology and generating GMOs in agriculture. I continue with arguments both for and against the use of biotechnology in agriculture. I conclude the paper with information about the current debate on this issue and resources to obtain more information. 2.0 Prelude to the Issues The use of genetically modified organisms to enhance the production, yield, and quality of agriculture is under much discussion. Biotechnology companies are actively investigating the research and development of new technologies to improve food security and augment production of goods in both the developed and developing worlds, while activist groups work to ensure that biotechnology is not used in food production at all for fears of damage to the environment and human health, among other issues. On the other hand, according to Dr. Miguel Altieri, a leading spokesperson in the field, the view that GMOs can enhance food security in the developing world rests on two assumptions: that hunger is due to a gap between food production and human population density or growth rate and that genetic engineering is the best or only way to increase agricultural production and so meet future food needs.1 While it is clear that there are benefits to using biotechnology to improve crop production, th ere are also many fundamental and ethical arguments against its use, as is illustrated shortly. 3.0 The Argument for Biotechnology 3.1 Applications of Biotechnology to the Goal of Poverty Reduction Several objectives of using biotechnology in agriculture are associated with the reduction of poverty. Introducing GMOs into agriculture is predicted to increase rural incomes, sustain production in resource-poor areas, and provide more nutritious foods. Supporters of the use of biotechnology in food production believe that developed nations with technology have a social and political obligation to assist these poorer nations. In India, Vietnam, and Kenya, diseased vegetable crops and trees can benefit from genetically produced bio-pesticides. The cardamom crops in India, potato crops in Vietnam, and banana crops in Kenya are often farmers sole source of income, such that diseased crops can have an extremely damaging affect on the farmers lives. Problems with a lack of clean and pure seeds and planting material can be solved by using bio-pesticides, which allow for leniency in the purity of the seeds and planting material. In this way, GMOs can potentially provide a means for high-resistance and high-yielding crops.2 Biotechnology can also contribute to sustaining the production of foods, commonly cereals and maize, in resource-poor areas. Drought, pests, and acidic soil often cause detrimental problems to farming, but insect resistance and aluminum tolerance can circumvent these environmental barriers. The ability to provide a full farming season through using GMOs to assist in the production of larger quantities of food for these farmers helps to ensure a profitable growing and harvesting season.2 Finally, GMOs can contribute to generating more nutritious foods with higher nutrient content-this technology most commonly being applied to rice. The people in countries such as India and China rely heavily on rice in their diets, but rice alone does not provide the necessary nutrients for a balanced diet. 3.2 Applications of Biotechnology to the Goal of Financial Security for Farmers Farmers can make great use of transgenic techniques in their agriculture with the goals of both ensuring food security and increasing the competitiveness of their crops. Biotech companies and supporters of the use of GMOs believe that there exists a political obligation to assist in the security and well-being of farmers who supply goods to more developed countries. Food Security The biotechnology objectives in agriculture that are associated with issues of food security include meeting the demand predictions for staple foods, increasing livestock numbers, and increasing vegetable and fruit yields. Two major constraints that farmers encounter with regard to meeting the demand predictions for staple foods, which must be grown in large quantities, include the presence of pests and the consequential infectious diseases, and problems associated with biotic stress. Pests and disease are often a problem in rice crops in China, and the addition of genetically modified rice varieties with pesticides can assist in the prevention of diseases in these crops. In addition, GMOs are valuable for avoiding abiotic stresses, such as salinity and drought. In India, China, and Thailand, hydration and salinity tolerance in cereals, considered to be staple foods, assist in the security of high yields of these food crops to meet the demand.1 In India, biotechnology can help to avoid the major problem associated with the keeping of livestock, i.e., the probability of diseased animals, including cattle, pigs, and sheep. In addition, embryo technology can sidestep issues of productivity in dairy cattle. Both of these uses for GMOs lead to an increase in both livestock number and productivity.2 Biotechnology is also useful for securing a stable food supply by increasing vegetable and fruit production. Pests and diseases infect these crops, often completely depleting their production. Examples of crops are tomato and potato crops in Vietnam, as well as papaya crops, which can become infected with the ringspot virus.2 3.2.2 Increasing Competitiveness The use of biotechnology in agriculture can also assist farmers competitiveness on the global market, specifically by sustaining productivity exports, regulating food safety and quality control, and adding value to exports. Biotechnology is useful in sustaining exports by increasing the yield of crops, such as coconut crops in the Philippines, banana crops in countries such as India, China, and Vietnam, and potatoes, rice, maize, wheat, cassava, and beans in other developing countries.2 In addition, GMOs can contribute to food safety and quality control with respect to food exports by controlling pesticide residues and ensuring the competitive quality of exports.2 Improved quality can include characteristics such as texture, taste, appearance, and nutritional value, and the ability to delay the ripening of fruits and vegetables can greatly approve the longevity of some produce. Specific improvements for producers are an increased flexibility during production, harvesting, storage, distribution, and transport stages, leading to a reduction of overall production costs and a greater guarantee of quality product at the time of selling.3 3.3 Applications of Biotechnology to the Goal of Environmental Protection The introduction of technology into the environment can be hazardous and brings up ethical issues associated with protecting the environment through the use of technology (also see section 4.2). However, many supporters of GMOs claim that biotechnology in agriculture can enhance protection of the environment, specifically by reducing pesticide use and enabling the efficient use of water. Pesticide misuse on cotton and rice crops in China and on vegetables in Malaysia is a common problem when farmers are misinformed of use of pesticides, or when pesticides are overused in attempt to deter crop failure due to pests. Transgenic crops can potentially reduce the need for and usage of pesticides by assisting pest extermination and preventing weed growth. GMOs such as Bacillis thuringiensis (Bt), a natural soil bacterium, can be used to kill insects by allowing the plants to produce their own toxin against pests, sidestepping the problem of farmers who are mis- and overusing pesticides. In addition, herbicide tolerant crops ideally require fewer herbicide applications, because the crop is genetically programmed to more efficiently utilize the particular chemical product.4 Finally, transgenic herbicides can be applied to pre-treat the land, so that weeds are altogether prevented, and farmers can weight the options and costs of using more chemicals versus dealing with weed gr owth during harvest.3 4.0 The Argument Against Biotechnology 4.1 Uncertainty of the Safety of Humans After Consumption Although there is a lot of anticipation and excitement about the beneficial effects that can potentially result from the use of biotechnology in agriculture, there is also a lot that is unknown about the uses of transgenics and their impending consequences. Specifically, examples of these issues include the lack of available public information and knowledge about the content and effects of GM foods, the possible inactivation of many nutrients present in naturally-grown foods, and the introduction of allergens through the use of GMOs. These are all social, ethical, and legal issues based on the morality of tampering with foods in a way that will have an unknown effect on human health. As just stated, one major issue regarding the allowance of the free use of GMOs in agriculture is associated with the unknown potential health effects of consuming chemically treated foods. Consumers assume that the foods they buy are safe, even though many contain compounds that are potentially toxic or allergenic. The general public has a large misunderstanding about genetically modified (GM) foods because companies do not boldly advertise their use of transgenic components in their products. For this reason, people often consume GM foods without even knowing it. In addition, while many biotechnology companies advertise the use of transgenics in agriculture as beneficial to human health by improving the nutritional content of food, genetic engineering also has the potential to remove or deactivate many nutritional substances present in naturally-grown foods: Recent research shows that GE [(genetically engineered)] herbicide resistant soybean have lower levels (12-14 percent) of isoflavones, [which are] key phytoestrogens . . . that occur naturally in soybeans and may protect women from severe forms of cancer.1 These genetic modifications boost the activity of a gene that makes critical amino acids, but the resulting shift in amino acid levels shifts the metabolism of the plant to alter the levels of the aforementioned phytoestrogens. This effect is clearly seen in GM soybeans, even when the chemical residue data is within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tolerance limits.4 Finally, the use of GMOs in agriculture brings to question the compromise of human safety because of wide Finally, the use of GMOs in agriculture brings to question the compromise of human safety because of wide reports of increased allergenicity after consumption of GM foods. For example, a protein was expressed in a crop used for animal feed in order to increase the content of the amino acid methionine. This protein was subsequently shown to be an allergen, as are a number of related [proteins of this type] from other species.5 Another example of the use of biotechnology introducing an allergen into a food product is the use of a Bt protein in GM maize, which also shows the general features of allergenic proteins.6 These are simply two examples of how the application of biotechnology can introduce allergens into crops. Since research is still just beginning on many GMOs, the allergenic effects of the use of biotechnology in agriculture remains unclear and under investigation. Antibiotic resistance is the ability of a bacterium or microorganism to withstand the use of an antibiotic because of its ability to synthesize a protein that neutralizes the antibiotic.7 While it is thought that the use of genetically engineered pesticides and herbicides on crops might only have the effect of reducing pests and weeds, it can actually have an opposing effect as well. The generation of superbugs and superweeds, pests and weeds resistant to the GM pesticides and herbicides, respectively, can result. Not only can the crops that are sprayed acquire these characteristics, but hybrid crops can arise when crops cross. This can cause resistance in crops that were not previously sprayed with GMOs, and can also cause multi-tolerant crops when two crops that are sprayed with different chemicals cross. The result of this second cross is a crop that is resistant to multiple herbicides (i.e., superweeds) or pesticides (i.e., superbugs), which are even more difficult to control. In addition, this resistance can give these weeds and bugs a selective advantage over the naturally-tolerant weeds and bugs, allowing them to propagate efficiently.5 5.0 Conclusions While there are many points both in favor and against the use of GMOs in agriculture, some people believe that the question simply comes down to whether or not it is ethical to engineer in agriculture, which has always been managed by farmers themselves in conjunction with local biological cycles and ecological balances. Activists against the use of technology worry about future generations, and how the use of biotechnology in agriculture now will affect food production in years to come. They raise concerns that regulations are too loose and poorly enforced, and the eventual effects of the use of GMOs remain unknown. In addition, important issues revolve around whether or not it is ethical for well-fed people of developed nations to regulate access to agricultural technology in developing nations. According to Dr. Altieri, because the true root cause of hunger is inequality, any method of boosting food production that deepens inequality will fail to reduce hunger. Conversely, only te chnologies that have positive effects on the distribution of wealth, income, and assets, that are pro-poor, can truly reduce hunger.1 Therefore, questions regarding the use of biotechnology in agriculture should better address the needs of poorer nations. Many people are still under-informed about potential benefits and negative effects of using GMOs in agriculture, and are therefore not ready to form an opinion on the issue. For this reason, there are many forums on the internet and published books to help interested people learn more. In addition, several documentaries present these issues, an example being The Future of Food, a documentary by Deborah Koons.9 The issues regarding the use of biotechnology in agriculture are important and affect everyone, and should not be overlooked. People in favor of the use of biotechnology in agriculture argue that it is unethical not to help poorer nations when more developed nations have the technology to do so. On the other hand, activists against the use of GMOs in agriculture maintain that more harm than good comes from the introduction of GMs into food production. How does Culture Affect Parenting Styles? How does Culture Affect Parenting Styles? A family is a set of intimate social relationships that adults create to share resources so as to ensure the welfare of themselves and their dependents (Robert and Lie 77); a family is also a unit that gradually molds a persons personality. How you behave and what you become in life are very much dependent on your family life (Importance). To this extent, families play crucial role for people in their lifetime, let alone for children whose social interaction begins at first between family members. Researchers have demonstrated time and time again that the environment in which children are raised significantly affects their intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development (Important). They further emphasize that those impacts on their childhood will probably be carried on even after they grow up and experience a lot of changes. For decades, researchers have also been interested in how parents influence their childrens development, and one approach in this area is the study of what has been termed as parenting style (Darling and Steinberg 493). This paper is a review of research studies on parenting styles within the ethnical (cultural) contexts. The idea of examining this field of study is partially derived from Chapter 2 (Culture), Chapter 7 (Race and Ethnicity) and Chapter 9 (Family) in the book named Sociology: The Points of the Compass, written by Robert Brym and John Lie. The whole paper is divided into several sections. First, it starts with the illustration of ethnical (cultural) aspects that differentiate families. It is then followed by the classification of parenting. The paper then focus on the influence of culture on parenting styles and finally provides a conclusion as a whole. Families Are Different Family define themselves as a family. Membership in a family can be decided only by each member of that family (Couchenour and Chrisman 22). Families differ from one another in many ways; ethnicity and culture are two crucial differences greatly impact on a familys beliefs, practices, and values (McGoldrick, Giordano and Garcia-Preto 1). Ethnicity Ethnicity is a shared concept and culture heritage by groups of people whose commonality are transmitted from their ancestors generation by generation (Couchenour and Chrisman 22). The identity of these ethnic groups is uniquely marked based on the combination of race, religion, traditions, and ancestors (Robert and Lie 302). They differ from others in terms of languages, foods, stories, customs, values, and other aspects. Families carry on their ethnicities through their own family traditions, celebrations, religions, stories, and entertainments (McGoldrick, Giordano and Garcia-Preto 14). The importance of ethnicity on each family varies (Couchenour and Chrisman 23). Culture Culture is the unique experiences of ethnic groups using languages, symbols, beliefs, values, ideologies, and material objects to deal with real-life problems (Robert and Lie 40). It acts to shape familys values, thoughts, reactions and socialization goals (Bigner 8). Therefore, the styles of communication between parents and children can be quite different among various cultures, which means what is considered to be an acceptable way of interaction in one culture could be very offensive in another cultural context. When parents are exposed to a dominant given culture with high frequency, they are affected by the norms and values of that culture (Keshavarz and Baharudin 67). Consequently, those culturally affected norms and values could easily serve as the guidelines for parents to interact with their children. In this sense, understanding the cultural context of the society can potentially help to predict differences parenting styles that predominate in that society and to understan d why these differences occur (Keshavarz and Baharudin 67). Trawick-Smith states, Only through a full understanding of parental beliefs, socialization practices, and family relationships, can the individual needs of individual children be well met (qtd. in Couchenour and Chrisman 25). The Classification of Parenting Styles The principal role of parenting involves the promotion of nurturing, balanced relationships or, contrastingly, the exacerbation of stress-prone, hostile exchanges between parents and children (qtd. in Keshavarz and Baharudin 67). Darling and Steinberg emphasize that parenting style is a constellation of attitudes towards the child that are communicated to the child and create an emotional climate in which the parents behaviors are expressed (493). Baumrind has investigated parenting styles in a series of studies and found three primary categories of parenting styles identified as authoritative, authoritarian and permissive (Reeves), which later on are conceptually expanded by with two linear constructs: responsiveness and demandingness (qtd. in Sonnek 8). Authoritative Parenting Referring to those studies conducted by Baumrind, authoritative parents are conscientious, consistent, warm secure in their ability to parent and unconditionally committed to their children (Reeves). On one hand, they state behavioral expectations to children; on the other hand, they respect their childrens opinions and independence; while setting high but realistic goals for their children, they also provide the necessary supports for them to achieve these goals. The authoritative parenting was found most effective in fostering social responsibility, sense of self-esteem, confidence and adaptability in their children to meet challenges of academic and other contexts where strong beliefs in ones abilities are required (Couchenour and Chrisman 94). Some researchers have examined the relationship between parenting style and childrens adjustment, and confirmed that authoritative parenting style is positively associated with healthy adjustment and reducing maladjustment than other styles of parenting (qtd. in Keshavarz and Baharudin 67). Authoritarian Parenting Authoritarian parents provide firm and high control over their children and require them to be very responsive to their demands; they are very punitive and affectively cold; they set firm goals to their children but allow little verbal exchange; compared with two other parenting styles, authoritarian parents are less likely to use gentle methods of persuasion (Reeves). To this extent, children have poor communication skills, and social incompetence; they are easily to become anxious while being compared with others. Studies on the relationship between parenting style and childrens adjustment have found that children of authoritarian parents tend to have low self-esteem and lack spontaneity (qtd. in Keshavarz and Baharudin 68). Permissive Parenting Characteristics of permissive parents are identified as warm, high nurturance, responsive but low in parental control and demand few maturity behaviors (Reeves). Permissive parents would like to allow their children to control their activities as their willingness. They expect little of children, and place few demands on them. This parenting style tends to be unsuccessful in enabling children to develop a range of self-directing abilities that underlie academic success (qtd. in Keshavarz and Baharudin 68). Researches later on split the permissive parenting style into a fourth category- indulgent and neglecting parenting, which most fits with its definition (qtd. in Sonnek 8). Cultural Influences on Parenting Styles In the nineteenth century, parenting experiences varied considerably by gender, age, social class, and culture, just as they do today (Baker 94). Individuals may consider parenthood as fulfilling a moral obligation (Bigner 9). Vygotsky indicates that human knowledge is rooted in culture (qtd. in Couchenour and Chrisman 8), which means what much of what children know derives from their families, such as, how to celebrate holidays; how to prepare, cook and eat foods; and how to behave properly in the public places. On many occasions, childrens behaviors of are mostly based on their parents expectations and demands. The values and ideals of a culture are transmitted to the next generation through child-rearing practices (Keshavarz and Baharudin 68). Therefore, children in different cultural contexts can be cultivated by their parents to behave differently; in this sense, it is necessary to take into consideration the importance of culture when evaluating parenting behaviors. Cultural models of individualism and collectivism can bring direct as well as indirect impacts on parenting behaviors (Keshavarz and Baharudin 68). Its direct influence on parenting behavior could be explained by passing on values of a culture to their children to become productive and integrated members of their culture (qtd. in Keshavarz and Baharudin 68); its indirect influences on parenting behavior are via more societal forces such as language patterns and customs, and economic structure indirectly (Health Canada 8). To this extent, parents can relate their parenting with those direct and indirect cultural effects. Individualism and collectivism refers to the manner in which people perceive themselves in relation to other members in the society (Brislin 23). Literally, individualism indicates independence. It includes the wide-spread and growing belief that people have the right to choose their own martial partners, to be happy in marriage, and to find new partners if their relationships turn out to be unsatisfactory (Baker 24). In contrast, collectivism implies interdependence. It includes the mutual emotions and beliefs shared by people as a result of living together (Robert and Lie 371). Robert and Lie further explain that collective actions include routine actions and non-routine ones, which take place when people act simultaneously in accordance with or opposition to external changes, such as social, political, economic, etc; their difference is that the former ones are typically nonviolent and follow established patterns of behavior in existing social structures, whereas the latter ones o ccur when usual conventions cease to guide social action and people transcend, bypass, or subvert established institutional patÃâà terns and structures (371). In this sense, different family relationships, family interactions, self-concept, and academic achievement can be assumed via collectivism and individualism (Newman 51). Therefore, the arrangement of childrens activities differs from parents to parents with differing childrearing goals and cultural meaning systems (Keshavarz and Baharudin 67). Collectivism can be fully reflected by most Asian countries. Parents emphasize desirable traits such as interdependence, duty, sacrifice, compromise, conformity, highly involvement in one anothers lives, however, it does not mean a complete ignorance of individuals well-being or interest; it actually means that maintaining the familys well-being is ultimately the best guarantee for the individuals well-being (Newman 51). To this extent, authoritarian parenting may be more appropriate in those collectivistic societies compared with other parenting styles (Keshavarz and Baharudin 69). High levels of economic hardship have been greatly linked with authoritarian parenting and even neglecting parenting -a split of permissive parenting (qtd. in Sonnek 16). In sharp contrast, cultures like Western Europe, the United States, Canada, and Australia tend to value individual freedom, autonomy, personal development, and gratification over group obligation and duty (Newman 52); Newman emphasizes that childhood is sometimes regarded as the preparation for leaving home as the sign of independence, even those people who experience unwillingness and sadness at the thought of breaking these ties accept that it is a necessary step towards growing up (52). Therefore, it could be concluded that it is much more appropriate to examine parenting styles and their meanings in the cultural context (Bigner 9). In the conceptualization, culture is theorized to afford different meaning to behaviors (e.g., parenting) and has different effects on children and adolescents across different cultures (Keshavarz and Baharudin 69). For instance, in China, where I was born and brought up, proper and mild physical punishments are sometimes used by parents for controlling their children; they are considered as part of the authoritarian parenting; however, this parenting style is greatly opposed by many other cultures, and regarded unacceptable. Researchers mention that children will accept parenting behaviors which are consistent with cultural values (qtd.Keshavarz and Baharudin 69). For example, Chinese kids (including me when I was young) view spanking, which could be one of the physical punishment, as their parents concerns and affections on them in the Chinese culture. Conclusion Chapter 9 of Sociology: The Points of the Compass concludes that Parenting styles and behaviors perform a crucial role in the growth of children. Ethnicity, described in Chapter 7, is a socially constructed label which has profound consequences for peoples lives, and differentiates people by perceived physical or cultural differences (Robert and Lie 198); these cultural or ethnical differences can lead to different parental forms and behaviors in different social context; in other words, the ways that family members interact with each other are affected by the culture of the society, therefore, just as what has been examined in Chapter 2, what counts as good for raising children in one culture can be regarded as negative in another culture; to this extent, cultural and ethnical factors should be counted in order to better understand and examine parenting styles in different societies. Cri-Du-Chat Syndrome: Symptoms and Causes Cri-Du-Chat Syndrome: Symptoms and Causes Cri-Du-Chat Syndrome Introduction Cri-du-chat is an autosomal syndrome that is caused by a large or small deletion from a portion of the short arm of chromosome. This syndrome is also known as the 5p deletion syndrome where the P describes the short hand chromosome and Lejeunes syndrome. It is also called cat cry syndrome which is a French translation of Cri-du-chat, because of its similarity to the high pitched cat cry like sound a new born child makes. This sound is supposed to disappear a few weeks after birth and may or may not persists in to adulthood. In 1958 Dr. Jerome Lejeune discovered down syndrome. He discovered that the chromosomal link to down syndrome. This discovery was ground breaking for discoveries in genetics because it was the first time that an intellectual disability and a chromosomal defect were linked together and this earned him multiple prestigious awards. Up on continuing his research on chromosomal liked disorders, he also discovered that down syndrome was caused by an extra chromosome on pare 21 and he also noticed a deletion on the 5th chromosome which is the cause for Cri-du-chat syndrome. (1) Symptoms and OMIM Number Cri- du- chat The relationship of chromosomal alteration and genetic disease was observed that the main clinical feature was the high pitched cry and hindered mental capacity (Mainardi, 2006). The OMIM number for this syndrome is # 123450. The number sign is used to indicate that it is a well described partial aneusomy. Syndrome causes many phenotypical changes which depend on the size of the deletion. Some or all of the symptoms might be present in a patient. It has also been found that the deletion of the telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (TERT; 187270) well as evidence that deletion of the telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (TERT; 187270) is present which is also responsible for some of the phenotypical changes. (2) Besides the high pitched cry, Cri-du-chat is characterized by failure to thrive, broad nasal bridge, round moon shaped face with hypertelorism, Anisocoria, undersized jaw and heads , depleted motor senses hypertonia, small carpals, low birth weight and incomplete intestinal r otation in infants. There are some less distinctive symptoms such as separation of rectus and abdomen, cardiac abnormalities including atrial and ventricular septum defects, primary immunodeficiency, an epicanthal fold which covers the inner corned of the eye and inguinal hernia. (Chromosome 5, 2017).) Once the infant is born there is a low mortality rate until adulthood where most of the symptoms observed as a child continue on with addition of misalignment of teeth, skeletal problems, eye defects and in some cases neurological malformation, Syndactyly, undescended testis in male patients, and skin tags on the ear occur. (Mainardi, 2006,) Clinical causes of symptoms The syndrome is caused by a deletion of the short arm, which is also denoted by P, of chromosome 5. Chromosome 5 contains more than 900 genes that code for specific proteins such as interleukins, protocadherins and complement proteins. The function of these proteins range from regulation of immune system, nervous system controls and muscle formation and strength. The deletion of Some Sections of chromosome 5 such as 5p15.3, specifically at markers D5S731 and D5S760, are directly associated with the cat like cry and speech delay. Another region called 5p15.2, specifically CTNND2, is related to lower intellectual ability, and dysmorphism of head size and facial features. The severity of mental and motor capacities can depend up on the size of the chromosomal deletion (Chromosome 5, 2017). Although the affected family members apparently shared deletions of the same size, the variation in mental symptoms within this family suggested that other factors besides the size and location of 5p deletions may modify the mental presentation of patients with cri-du-chat syndromeThey suggested that a cranial developmental field, originating from the notochordal location, is involved in the manifestations of criduchat syndromehowever, the characteristic cat-like cry without the typical dysmorphic and severe developmental features of the syndrome has been found in individuals with a deletion confined to 5p15.3The cranial base angle was in most cases reduced and in no cases increased compared to age-related standards for normal individuals. Malformations in the bony contours of the sella turcica and the clivus occurred in cri-du-chat patients with terminal deletions. Frequency The frequency of the disease is 1:15000 to 1: 50000 of new born infants. Cri-du-chat makes up 1% of profoundly retarded patients who have IQ levels that are less than 30. Since it is a genetic deletion it doesnt have a preference as far as race nut it has a slight female dominance ratio of 4:3. This syndrome doesnt have a latency, the symptoms are present starting from birth and continue to show the symptoms in to adulthood. In most cases it has been seen that the symptoms become more severe in to adulthood. (Harvard et al., 2005, pp. 341-51). Inheritance pattern Cru de chat is not an inherited syndrome. It is a random deletion that occurs during meiosis and can occur without the parents being affected. However close to 10% of the affected individuals can inherit a chromosomal abnormality from unaffected parents. This abnormality is caused by chromosomal rearrangement called Balanced Translocation where the genetic material is still intact and doesnt cause any health problems. However when this trait is passed down from one or two parents it has a high chance of becoming and Unbalanced Translocation which can cause a genetic material to be added or deleted. In the case of cri du chat the short arm of chromosome 5 experiences a large or a small portion deletion which causes the syndrome. In some cases the catlike cry can be present without the physical abnormalities. This is more evident in the deletion at a specific location in the chromosome 5p15.3. Malformation in the cranial base was reduced and compared to a standard individual it doesnt show a major difference. However malformations in the contours the skull such as in Sella Turcica occur in patients that have terminal deletions. In one of the studies conducted with in the same family showed different symptoms and levels of mental retardation even though they shared the same size deletion. This suggests that not only the size but the location of deletion affects the severity of the syndrome (2) References Cerruti Mainardi, P. (2006). Cri du Chat syndrome. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases, 1, 33.à http://doi.org/10.1186/1750-1172-1-33 Chromosome 5. (2017, January 24). Retrieved January 29, 2017, from U.S National Library ofà Medicine. U.S department of health human services website: https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/chromosome/5 Chromosome 5. (2017, January 24). Retrieved January 29, 2017, from U.S National Library ofà Medicine. U.S department of health human services website: https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/cri-du-chat-syndrome#genes Harvard, C., Malenfant, P., Koochek, M., Creighton, S., Mickelson, E., Holden, J. Rajcan-Separovic, E.à (2005). A variant Cri du Chat phenotype and autism spectrum disorder in a subject with de novo cryptic microdeletions involving 5p15.2 and 3p24.3-25 detected using whole genomic array CGH. Clinical Genetics, 67(4). http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ j.1399-0004.2005.00406.x https://lejeuneusa.org/genetic-intellectual-disabilities/cri-du-chat-syndrome#.WJpP-n_Rs8c (1) http://www.omim.org/entry/123450?search=cri%20du%20chathighlight=du%20cri%20chat (2)
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Essay --
Beloved The story in Beloved authored by Toni Morrison was centered on the aftermath experience of the protagonist; Sethe as a slavery escapee. The story which defied chronology was mirrored in flashbacks. The harsh experience of slavery was still patent and the memories of bitter struggles were still haunting the characters. There was an inhibition in the ability to move on. The ruination of identity by slavery and competence of language were two vital themes in the story and would be further analyzed. Ruination of identity by slavery as theme depicted the physiological, mental and spiritual burden of slavery which is inescapable as it continues to haunt the characters like Sethe and Paul D who experienced it. Slavery was accompanied with negativity on the true identity of oneself and this made story have several situations of self-denial and estrangement. For example, Paul D was unsure of whether the wailings and tears of grief, he was feeling were coming from himself or someone else: ââ¬Å"In the boxes the men heard the water rise in the trench and looked out for cottonmouths. They squatted in muddy water, slept above it, peed in it. Paul D thought he was screaming; his mouth was open and there was this loud throat-splitting sound--but it may have been somebody else. Then he thought he was crying. Something was running down his cheeks. He lifted his hands to wipe away the tears and saw dark brown slimeâ⬠. The slaves received endured inhuman conditions which included being traded as a normal good in exchange for paper money. Paul D always questioned his worth as a human and suffered from inferiority of being insecure of whether or not he was truly a ââ¬Å"manâ⬠. Sethe also experienced the cruelty of slavery. She once intrude... ...ry when Paul D and prison inmates from Georgia sang about their past experiences and dream; ââ¬Å"garbling the words so they could not be understood; tricking the words so their syllables yielded up other meaningsâ⬠. In another case, Stamp Paid saw through the window, two backs and went to see for himself; believing that ââ¬Å"the undecipherable language clamoring around the house was the mumbling of the black and angry deadâ⬠. The titling of the story comes down to what is regarded as language misunderstanding. At the burial of her daughter whom killed by her hand, Sethe misunderstood the ministerââ¬â¢s address referring to the living as ââ¬Å"Dear belovedâ⬠and interpreted it as referencing to the dead. The meaning of words depend heavily the changing interpretation of words: figures of speech rely on the capability of words to connect and disconnect with the definitions of words.
Delegation :: essays research papers
Delegation Authority is legitimized power. Power is the ability to influence others effectively. Delegation is the distribution of authority. Delegation frees the manager to use his or her time on higher priority issues and activities. Although it frees a manager up, it does not free him or her up from the accountability for the actions and decisions of the people below him. That is why the manager must have qualified people underneath him so the actions or decisions that are actually made are along the guidelines that are established for the company or organization. The objective of delegation is to get the job done by someone else. In order to have someone else do the job for you, you must ensure that the person whom you are giving power to understands what you want, have the authority to achieve it, and that they know how to do it. These skills are essential when you are about to hand out orders. These all depend upon communicating clearly the nature of the task, the extent of their discretion, and the sources of relevant information and knowledge. I know at FedEx Ground, I can hop on our intranet and get help on a wide variety of things, such dispatching and changing schedules. For a manager, one thing he or she can delegate that should cause no problems are matters that keep repeating themselves. For example, I am in charge of dropping off the nightly deposits for FedEx C.O.D.ââ¬â¢s at the end of the night. This is not hard, but why should the terminal manager do it. Another thing a manager can delegate is the part of a job that makes the one delegating way over specialized. This helps getting other people more involved with the operation, and it also helps people learn things that they do not know how to do yet. This also works the other way. If the one delegating has not done something in a long time, he can pass it off to someone that has worked in that department or who knows what they are doing pretty well. As I mentioned before, I work at FedEx Ground. We have a terminal manager in the building that the managers from the different departments report to. The terminal manager then reports to the upper management in the regional offices, and it goes all the way up the ladder finally to the headquarters in Pittsburgh.
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
A Jury of her Peers by Susan Glaspell Essay -- A Jury of Her Peers Ess
In Susan Glaspellââ¬â¢s, ââ¬Å"A Jury of her Peersâ⬠, it is the women who take center stage and captivate the readerââ¬â¢s emotions. Throughout the feministic short story, which was written in 1917, several repeating patterns and symbols help the audience to gain a deeper understanding of the difficulty of prairie life for women and of the bond that women share. The incredible cunning the women in the story demonstrate provides insight into the innate independence that women had even during days of deep sexual discrimination. In ââ¬Å"A Jury of her Peersâ⬠, the hardships women of the early twentieth century must endure and the sisterhood that they can still manage to maintain are manifested as a mysterious, small-town murder unfolds. In the beginning of the story, Martha Hale leaves her house in half-disarray to meet with her husband, the county attorney, Mrs. Peters, and Mr. Peters, the county sheriff. The five travel up to the Wright household to investigate the murder of Mr. Wright. Mr. Hale explains to the county attorney that the previous day Mrs. Wright had told him in a shockingly matter-of-fact way that her husband was dead. She had said that he was strangled in their bed by a rope and that she was never awakened by any commotion. It is obvious from her odd laugh and the incoherence of her explanation of her husbandââ¬â¢s death that something is emotionally wrong with her. Immediately after Mr. Hale explains his story to the county attorney, the men leave to look around the house for more evidence. While alone together, the women start to talk to each other. Mrs. Hale comments that she would feel uncomfortable to have men roaming in her kitchen, but Mrs. Peters defends them. Her view of the men searching the house is more t... ...box with the bird in it. The men enter with some condescending remarks toward the women to which neither Mrs. Hale nor Mrs. Peters remarks. The county attorney says that it seems pretty clear that Mrs. Wright is guilty but that he has failed to uncover any evidence that would explain any motive. The women do not mention that they have found the bird. They know that proof of motive is the most critical piece of evidence against Mrs. Wright and that when she is tried in court, she will not technically be judged by a group of her peers. Women are not allowed to vote and, therefore, cannot be members of a jury. If the court does establish a motive, Mrs. Wright will surely be convicted by a group of chauvinistic men. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters know the motive but decide to take the law into their own hands and, in doing so, demonstrate both autonomy and fellowship.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)