Neurological Disorder Parkinson s Disease - 992 Words

Neurological Disorder: Parkinson’s Disease One of the most commonly seen neurological disorders is Parkinson’s disease (PD). Named after the doctor who first identified the disease as â€Å"the shaking palsy† Dr James Parkinson (1755-1824), Parkinson’s disease affects over 1 million Americans today. On average around 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease annually. This is an alarming number of new cases but what is even more startling is the fact that thousands of cases go undetected each year as well. PD is a clinical diagnosis with no definitive diagnostic test to identify the disease. The question may arise, what exactly is Parkinson’s disease? Parkinson’s disease is a progressive degenerative neurological disorder, which means that it gets worse over time. PD is more common with increasing age affecting 1% of the population above 55, with 4-10% of cases having early onset before the age of 40 (XXXX). The average age of onset ranges between 58-62 years old and is more common in men than women. The disease itself is defined by the presence of lewy bodies in neurons and a loss of dopamine. Degenerative changes to the basal ganglia affect the nerve cells in the substantia niagra that produce dopamine. This results in a decrease in the production of dopamine that is getting to the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved with regulating movement making early signs of PD primarily motor impairments and progression of this disease can range fromShow MoreRelatedParkinson s Disease : A Common Neurological Disorder1157 Words   |  5 PagesSo sa ys Roberto Garcia d orto in his description for Parkinson’s disease. This disease is a very common neurological disorder. Two centuries ago, James Parkinson was the first to describe the disease in detail. He published a monograph, â€Å"An Essay on the Shaking Palsy,† describing a neurological illness consisting of resting tremors and an odd form of progressive motor disability, now known as Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is associated with many challenges and complexities. The diagnosisRead MoreParkinson s No Longer Happens But Is Inherited1181 Words   |  5 Pagesone inherits a trait, disorder, or disease that is passed or shared through families. Whether it is albinism or red hair (also referred to as day walkers or ginger) height or heath both parent carry the autosomal trait that is passed to the child. An autosomal recessive disorder means that two copies of an abnormal gene must be present in order for the disease or trait to develop. A mutation in a gene on one of the first 22 non-sex chromosomes can lead to an autosomal disorder like Down syndrome orRead MoreThe Disease Of Parkinson s Disease1648 Words   |  7 PagesParkinson’s disease has been cataloged as one of the most serious and slowly progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects a wide array of motor and non-motor aspects that impact the function of a person. Afflicting over four million Americans and the second most common neurological disorder after Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s continues to take its toll on the neurological health of many(Constantinescu et al, 2007 ). James Parkinson, a British physician first coined this disorder as â€Å"shakyRead MoreImplement And Monitor Nursing Care For Clients With Chronic Health Problems1427 Words   |  6 Pages INTRODUCTION: Parkinson disease mainly defined as the death of certain brain cells. These brain cells mainly control the body parts movement and the coordination. The disease mainly decrease the mobility which leads difficulty in walking (Medline Plus, 2016). Currently, Parkinson has no known cause which mainly effect people to develop this disease. Many theories tells that there are several factors that are responsible to cause Parkinson disease such as the decline in the productionRead MoreEssay about What is Parkinsons Disease?1415 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Parkinson disease is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting primarily the patient’s motor function. The disease is characterized by rigidity, tremor at rest, bradykinesis, and decreased postural reflexes (Bollinger, Cowan, LaFontaine, Ronai, 2012). Parkinson disease was largely documented and brought to the forefront by James Parkinson, who published an article discussing the condition in 1817 (Lees, 2007). While great strides in understanding and treatment have been made, Parkinson diseaseRead MoreParkinson s Disease Is A Chronic Progressive Movement Disorder Of The Central Nervous System895 Words   |  4 PagesParkinson s disease is a chronic progressive movement disorder of the central nervous system. Early in the course of the disease, the most obvious symptoms are movement-related; these include shaking, rigidity, slowness of movement and difficulty with walking and Parkinson’s like gait (leaning forward, small fast pace steps, shuffling, etc.). Parkinson’ s involves the malfunction and death of nerve cells in the brain, entitled neurons. Although damage can be spread about, it primarily affects neuronsRead MoreQuantitative Study: Burdens among Parkinson’s disease Caregiver979 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction â€Å"Parkinson’s is the second most common neurological disease after Alzheimer’s. It has been described as a chronic, progressive, neurological disorder, which generally not life-threatening but is incurable (Magennis Corry, 2013). Parkinson disease has no antidote but has altered treatments. Patients require caregivers help when PD gradually starts to affects motor, cognitive and emotional functioning. Patients are hindered from fulfilling their daily needs, thus necessitating the caregiver’sRead MoreOn Nervous Disorders : Parkinson s Disease1193 Words   |  5 PagesOn Nervous Disorders: Parkinson’s disease Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system characterized by tremor, slowed movement, and muscle rigidity; typically only seen in those over the age of forty. It is named after James Parkinson, an English surgeon, whom first described the symptoms of â€Å"the shaking palsy,† in a report published in 1817 (Grimes, 2004). The brain is the control center of the body. The brain orchestrates movement, sensations, feelings, personality, andRead MoreThe Purpose Of My Research Conducted For This Paper Was1677 Words   |  7 PagesThe purpose of my research conducted for this paper was to examine the relationship between Parkinson s disorder and its connection to the anatomy of the human body. Parkinson s is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement due to the loss of Dopamine. Dopamine which is a neurotransmitter located in the brain allows signals to be transported from one nerve cell to another. Its purpose is to regulate both movement and cognition. The loss of these chemical messengers can causeRead MoreParkinson s Disease : Disease3496 Words   |  14 Pages Parkinson s disease Twanda H. Lewis North Carolina Wesleyan Dr. Quinan Parkinson s Disease Twanda H. Lewis North Carolina Wesleyan Dr. Quinan Outline Abstract†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦5 Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 6 Symptoms†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 6 Tremor†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦ 6 Slow Movement†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 6 Rigid Muscles†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 7 Disfigured Posture†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 7 Loss

Political Philosophy Essay - 1759 Words

Political Philosophy Part One (Question 2) Aristotle, Locke, and Hobbes all place a great deal of importance on the state of nature and how it relates to the origin of political bodies. Each one, however, has a different conception of what a natural state is, and ultimately, this leads to a different conception of what a government should be, based on this natural state. Aristotle’s feelings on the natural state of man is much different than that of modern philosophers and leads to a construction of government in and of itself; government for Hobbes and Locke is a departure from the natural state of man. Aristotle’s emphasis is on the city-state, or the political world as a natural occurrence. He says â€Å"every city-state exists†¦show more content†¦For a city-state to be made up, it must be composed of citizens, those individuals with the ability to reason, and for Aristotle, this city-state is a natural occurrence. Hobbes and Locke both have very different conceptions of the natural world. Hobbes conceives of a natural world in which the state is that of war. He talks about the lack of trust in the fellow subjects, and the manner in which men lock their doors and feel â€Å"continual fear, and danger of violent death; and the life of the man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.† (Hobbes 171). The idea of the life of a man as being solitary, nasty, and brutish greatly conflicts with the idea that Aristotle has set forth with man being naturally bound together to achieve the good of happiness. Aristotle constructs a state in which men naturally work together to create happiness for all, whereas Hobbes believes that the natural state of man tends away from this, toward greed and war. Locke is similar to Hobbes in that his conception of nature is a more isolated one, but it’s a less blunt view of the trust of mankind. The â€Å"state of nature has a law of nature to govern it , which obliges everyone†¦ no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions.† (Locke 313). For Locke, the natural state is the idea of self-preservation, but also the preservation of all of mankind. It is not acceptable for Locke, as it is for Hobbes, to allow theShow MoreRelatedPolitical Science And Political Philosophy Essay3559 Words   |  15 PagesIntroduction Political science is a an academic discipline. It is a part of social science which discuss about government and politics. It generally analyses the methods and policies of government. It is the systematic and analytical study of political and government institutions. The procedure and process of governmental policies is explained in political science. In order to define and analyze political science many political thinkers have given different theories. They practiced political scienceRead MorePolitical Philosophy Of Liberalism1098 Words   |  5 PagesLiberalism is a political viewpoint that is established on the thoughts of liberty and equality. Thus, liberalists promote various ideas that are aligned to the concepts of liberty and equality such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, gender equality, and civil rights. In general, it can be argued that the philosophy of liberalism is focused on protecting and promoting the freedom of the people (Celikates and Jansen). As such, it presents the people as the central issue of politics. In factRead MorePolitical Philosophy And American Political Thought981 Words   |  4 Pages I have applied to participate in the Hertog Summer Programs in Classical Political Philosophy and American Political Thought because of my passion for politics. This passion inspired me to become commit to the Major in Government at Georgetown University. A professor once gave me the following definition of politics as, â€Å"the resolution of conflict among the competing interests of individuals, groups, and or nations.† Therefore, the study of politics in my opinion is the study of how groups reachRead MoreMy Political Philosophy2204 Words   |  9 PagesMy Political Philosophy Political Philosophy is typically a study of a wide range of topics such as, justice, liberty, equality, rights, law, politics and the application of a codified law. Depending on what the philosophy is, it usually tends to be a very sensitive and a personal ideology that an individual holds within the reality of their existence. Several of the fundamental topics of political philosophy shape up the society that we live in as these specific topics and their implementationRead MoreThe Philosophy Of Political Science1799 Words   |  8 PagesOhlone College The philosopher, Thomas Hobbes, started out with the philosophy of political science while on his trips and visits neighboring countries outside of England to listen to other scientists discuss and learn about different forms of government. While studying, Thomas Hobbes wondered about why people allow themselves to become ruled by the government and would be the ideal form of government best for England. He answered that questioned by stating that since people wereRead MoreThe Machiavelli s Political Philosophy1575 Words   |  7 PagesMachiavelli’s Political Philosophy Precede It is fundamentally important to preface the discussion hosted in this essay by addressing ourselves to the most mundane question-why consider Machiavelli in the context of philosophy, least of all, political philosophy? This question dominates any philosophical inquiries of the Machiavelli’s political ideologies. Put differently, do the contributions by Niccolà ² Machiavelli to the various salient discourses in the Western thought, most notably political theoryRead MoreJohn Lockes Political Philosophy 752 Words   |  3 Pages John Locke is one of the most influential political philosophers of the modern era. He is a strong-minded empiricist whom expresses radical views about law and order. Locke is a fascinating figure in the history of law and order whose excellence of elucidation and depth of intellectual activity remains extremely influential. His mature political philosophy leant support to the British Whig party and its principles, to the Age of Enlightenment, and to the development of the separation of the StateRead MorePolitical Philosophy And The Natural Law856 Words   |  4 PagesPolitical philosophy and the natural law are seldom reflected on in politics. Typically, persons in a political or civil society are often distracted by fiscal success or recreational leisure. In society today, there exists a consensus reality with the prospect of money and power. This reality emanates from a scandalous and corrupted political system. As a result, there lacks the recognition of idealistic values on li beralism, human rights, and the natural law. There have been several philosophersRead MorePolitical Philosophy Is Not Just Applied Moral Philosophy Essay2560 Words   |  11 PagesIntroduction: Political philosophy is the study of basic questions about the state, government, politics, liberty, justice etc. political philosophy is concerned with the concepts and arguments involves in political opinion. It is ethics applied to a group of people, discusses about societies set up.In political philosophy it is important to know what ought to be a person’s relationship in a society. This seeks application of ethical concepts to social sphere. It is a standard which help to analyzeRead MoreEssay on Explaining Political Philosophy744 Words   |  3 PagesExplaining Political Philosophy Political philosophy, or political theory, as it is also known, is about human condition, or, what humans are like. There are roughly four main kinds of political philosophy around today-Libertarianism, Socialism, Liberalism and Communitarianism. Political theory is an attempt to understand people, what we are like as individuals, what society and the state are like, and how we as humans, the state and society all interact with one and

Hamlet and Horatio Best Friends for Life an Analysis of Hamlet Free Essays

3 November 2009 Hamlet and Horatio Best Friends for Life: an Analysis of Hamlet In Hamlet, two characters I believe to be important are Hamlet and his friend, Horatio. Horatio is the second most important character in the play. Horatio is Hamlet’s best friend and advisor. We will write a custom essay sample on Hamlet and Horatio Best Friends for Life: an Analysis of Hamlet or any similar topic only for you Order Now Horatio never keeps anything from Hamlet. In Act one, scene one; Horatio, Bernardo, and Marcellus see the ghost of king Hamlet who was killed by his brother, Claudius. After the ghost disappears, Horatio tells Marcellus and Bernardo to reveal to Hamlet what they have seen. †¦Let us impart what we have seen tonight Unto young Hamlet; for upon my life, This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him†¦. † (Act 1, Scene 1). Hamlet reveals to Horatio what the spirit reveled to him about Claudius. â€Å"†¦But know, thou noble youth, The serpent that did sting thy father’s life Now wears his crown. † (Act 1, scene 5). Horatio tells no one, of what Hamlet has told him, and he plays along with Hamlet’s idea of pretending to be mad or insane. I believe this exhibits that Hamlet trusts Horatio more than the other characters. I believe that Hamlet can go to Horatio for anything. †¦There is a play tonight before the king. One scene of it comes near the c ircumstance Which I have told thee of my father’s death. I prithee, when thou seest that act afoot, Even with the very comment of thy soul Observe my uncle†¦. † (Act 3, Scene 2). I believe that Horatio is able to understand Hamlet better than the other characters do. In Act five, scene two, Hamlet tells Horatio to tell his story to everyone. The only reason that Hamlet would tell Horatio this; is if he was the only one left that could tell his story, and because Horatio is his friend. Let us face it, if we were on our deathbed, would we not want our best friend to tell our story? In Act one, scene two, we get a glimpse of Hamlet’s resentment over his mother’s marriage, to his uncle, which follow hard upon the funeral of his father. â€Å"†¦Within a month, Ere yet the sale of most unrighteous tears Had left the flushing in her galled eyes She married. O most wicked speed, to post With such dexterity to incestuous sheets! It is not, nor it cannot come to good. But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue. † ( Act 1, Scene 2). In Act two, Scene one, we see a hint of Hamlet’s love for Ophelia. In Act two, scene two, Hamlet doubts the spirit of his father, and thinks that his father could be telling the truth or telling a lie. He is not quite sure which is truth and which is false. We see that Hamlet has many questions as to what he could do to see if the ghost is telling the truth. He decides to put on a play with a scene that he has added. In Act three, scene one, we get a peek of how he seems to know everything. â€Å"Let the doors be shut upon him [Polonius], that he may play the fool nowhere but in’s own house. Farewell. † In this Act, he says things to Ophelia that I believe he does not mean, such as, â€Å"Get thee to a nunnery. ’’ I believe he is saying what he says for the benefit of Polonius, Ophelia’s father. Polonius believes that Hamlet is mad, or insane. â€Å"Your noble son is mad. † Hamlet is abhorrent toward Claudius because Claudius killed his father. In act three, scene four we see Hamlet’s reluctance to kill his uncle, but this time he is unwilling to kill Claudius because he is praying or that is what it seems like to Hamlet. Let us face it, who in their right mind would kill someone while they are praying? However, I believe that Hamlet should have killed Claudius in this scene because if he did then the other characters that die would not have died and his father’s spirit would be able to rest in peace. At the end of Act three, Hamlet kills Polonius believing him to be Claudius. â€Å"I took thee for thy better. † It was so easy for Hamlet to kill Polonius because he believed him to be Claudius. Hamlet then hides the body because he does not want anyone to know what he has done, or maybe he hides the body ecause he wants people to believe that he is insane. At the end of the play, Hamlet forces Claudius to drink from a cup of poison thus killing him. Horatio knowing that Hamlet was dying decides to drink from the cup so he would not be alone, but Hamlet stops him. Hamlet then tells Horatio to tell his story to the world. Hamlet also dies from the same poison. Throughout the play, Hamlet ha s been at war with Claudius because Claudius killed his father and then married his mother. At the same time, he is at a constant battle with his feelings. He asks questions that are difficult to answer or even understand, but he always comes up with an answer. Horatio’s part in the play is the second important part. Without Horatio, I believe that Hamlet would have killed himself, because he would not have any one to share his burden of killing his uncle. Horatio keeps helping Hamlet every chance he gets. Horatio also tries to take poison because Hamlet is dying; if this is not true friendship then I do not know what is. Shaksper’s Hamlet How to cite Hamlet and Horatio Best Friends for Life: an Analysis of Hamlet, Papers

Impacts of Transformational Plans on Organizational Performance

Question: Discuss about theImpacts of Transformational Plans on Organizational Performance. Answer: Introduction The dynamic nature of the corporate world only serves to indicate the essence of change and innovation in an organization. The changing trends in consumer preferences, market levels, and policies as well economic status call for a corresponding need for companies to continuously innovate and implement new management methods (Anita, 2010). When the existing structure within an organization fails to enhance the achievement of the key goals and objectives, there is always an inevitable need for either a partial or complete overhaul of the management system. The transition and transformation process is always accompanied by various changes which when inadequately managed can lead to losses and failure. However, the strong will to take a risk despite the eminent challenges is the very character which defines most successful leaders. In this paper, we examine the transformational strategy which was introduced and implemented at Semco by Richard Semler when the company was at the verge of c losure. After registering a string of poor performances Semler takes over the mantle of leadership from his father and immediately sets on transforming the organization. He establishes a new leadership structure and management approach in a bid to improve worker motivation and subsequently the overall performance of the organization. The paper shall therefore highlight how this strategy influences worker motivation and the organizational performance. The discussion shall also expound on the universal applicability of Semlers transformational strategy. Lastly, risks involving the transformational strategy as well as the conflicts which emerged from its installation shall also be analyzed. Universal Applicability of Semlers Plan The success registered by Semco caused the company to be envied by other organizations. The organizations attempted copy and implement some of the management approaches at Semco (Braisby and Gellatly, 2012). The immediate strategy by Semler involved trimming the companys leadership structure by reducing the management hierarchy from the initial seven levels to three. The job titles were erased and only the position of the Chief Operations Officer remained. The position was to be occupied on a rotational basis where the worker could democratically elect their leader after every six months. As part of the transformational plan, Semler initiated management groups within the organization and each faction was given the responsibility of handling a specific area within the chain of operations. For instance, while one management team dealt with budgets and target setting, the other handled the aspect of manufacturing and production (Stoner, 2013). The other divisions dealt with sales in addition to other organizational responsibilities. The main objective of this strategy was to diversify tasks and hence enhance the effectiveness with which the workers executed their roles. The transformational plan also empowered the workers to take full responsibility of their roles in a democratic environment where they could easily elect their leaders. As such, the workers could hire and fire depending on the level of satisfaction with regards to quality delivery and commitment to duty. The organizational structure at Semco was such that each faction comprised about 150 workers. Each div ision was led be an individual elected in a democratic pattern by the workers. As a result, the workers felt more involved in the management process and the liberal environment played a crucial role in enhancing the workers output towards the key organizational goals. The transformational strategy proved effective. Immediately after its implementation, the company performance scales rose and it started making profits. In addition, the cost of production diminished as the new approaches allowed for sharing of tasks which improved the quality of individual performance. With efficiency within the human resource fraternity, the company improved in performance in the areas of sales, manufacturing and finance. The effectiveness of this strategy attracted other organizations which attempted to copy and implement it into their own organizational structure. However, there are various parameters which tend to change as one moves from one organization to another (Collings and Wood, 2009). These may include; the availability of resources, geographical location, market nature and the human resource fraternity. The changing trends therefore imply that a management approach may be applicable in one organization yet when installed in a different set up may not tr igger the same results. Subsequently, the transformational plan implemented at Semco may not be universally applicable. Change and Motivation at Semco The various strategies introduced in the new plan played a crucial role in enhancing worker motivation. To begin with, leadership was decentralized hence responsibilities and decision making shared (Daft and Armstrong, 2009). The strategy saw to it that all workers had a hand in the day to day running of the company and could even appoint their own leaders and set salaries. The rotation of leadership therefore played a role in enhancing motivation as individuals had to exhibit exemplary performance to be elected. According to the motivational theory of equity, motivation of workers may not be achieved solely through salary packaging but by creating a liberal environment where the workers see their roles as the core cause of motivation. The theory further stipulates that workers tend to offer their best when they are treated fairly and in an advantageous manner (Dattilio and Freeman, 2007). Semlers strategy to empower the subordinates at Semco played a crucial role in enhancing their confidence hence the desire to offer more. Furthermore, the needs motivational theory depicts motivation as a method of increasing the effort of the human resource towards achieving organizational goals. The transformational strategy at Semco comprised a series of steps which effectively triggered the workers to higher levels of commitment towards the companys objectives. For instance, the plan involved a reward scheme which was based on the level to which the workers achieved the set targets. As a result, the div isions worked round the clock not only to ensure that teams performed best for recognition but also see to it that the set targets in terms of sales and profit were met. This strategy largely enhanced the workers motivation. Hackman and Oldhams job characteristics model outlines the idea that the responsibility given to an individual at a work place serves as a key motivational factor before other factors are injected into recognition scheme. The nature of a job can be designed to motivate a worker through job rotation and change of working conditions (Bernhard, 2008). Semlers transformational plan involved job rotation in which the occupants of the position of Chief Operating Officer could only do so for six months after which a new individual took over. This strategy highly motivated the workers to remain effective and productive in their delivery as the democratic election to the leadership positions were based on individual performance. The model also outlines that employees are likely to be highly motivated when they experience the meaningfulness of work, have knowledge of the outcome and understand the nature of their responsibilities (Hinings, 2013). To enhance the workers motivation towards effec tively executing their duties, the transformational plan involved sharing of profit among the workers. According to the reward structure, each division received 25% of the net profits which would them be shared among the workers according to the outcome of a decision made by a democratically elected committee. Possible Sources of Tension Due to the fact that the transformational plan involved the incorporation of fresh strategies, the initial stages were characterized by a number of challenges (Semler, 1989). The very first strategy involved reducing the number of management layers from the initial seven to three. This process caused a considerable amount of conflict which threatened to hamper the progress of the new plan. The decentralization of leadership was also characterized by the empowering of the subordinates (Cohen, 2008). The workers were accorded a free hand to hire and fire. This strategy caused a stir within the human resource fraternity as some managers felt their authority had been demeaned. As a result, a good number of managers ended up quitting the company hence revealing one of the challenges which accompanied the implementation of the transformational plan. The associates were allowed to set their own salaries which could lead to issues with integrity and lack of transparency on financial management. Despite the fact that the set salaries would be mounted on notice boards to enhance transparency, the strategy still gave room for financial mismanagement as not audit procedures were set to monitor the process. This liberal environment could see the associates allocate themselves unreasonable amounts hence affecting the other portions of the organizational structure (Giddens, 2008). Lastly, the sudden overhaul of the leadership structure and management style could be considered another cause of tension/conflict. The new strategy resulted in the organization experiencing a radical change which for quite a while influenced operations within the company. The change faced much resistance especially from the middle managers. It is only after it had taken full force that the company began to register an improvement. Risks Taken by Semler Semlers transformational plan before its implementation looked like an idea out of this world. The initial stages were characterized by fear and uncertainty but he chose to forge ahead. One of the risks was the sudden overhaul of the management system which resulted in a radical change and influence on a good portion of the human resource fraternity (Griffin, 2010). This change would adversely affect the companys workers as most of them had not been adequately prepared for the transition. The removal of leadership titles was another risky step as the company risked losing the individuals who felt left out by the new management system. The other risky strategy involved empowering the subordinates and giving them the free hand to hire and fire at will. Despite the fact that this step was meant to enhance motivation, it never augured well with a portion of the human resource fraternity as some of them opted out of the company complaining their authority had been undermined (Harper, 2009). Giving too much power to the subordinates, if not well managed, could lead to the emergence of selfish interests where the divisions could appoint leaders based on their individual leaders and no focus on the organizational goals. However, the transformational strategy adequately countered this possible risk by setting targets and establishing a reward structure based on the achievement of these targets (Siehl, Killian and Perez, 1999). Finally, the associates were given a free hand to set their salaries, a step which could easily lead to financial mismanagement. Due to lack of adequate financial monitoring tools by then, the organi zation could register losses from this strategy as a result of excessive spending. Conclusion The discussion has revealed some of the impacts that implementing a transformational plan may have on a company. Despite the fact that the plans are always meant to enhance organizational performance, the change associated with them may adversely affect the companys department. This therefore calls for the need to implement the right management procedures hence ensuring the desired results are obtained. From the discussion, we can also deduce that transformational plan may positively impact an organization by arousing the right behaviors and motivational levels among the workers. Selmers plan proved effective in the long run due to the extent to which it empowered and motivated the workers to offer their best. After the implementation of the plan, the companys costs diminished while the level of production increased. These changes could be attributed to the level of motivation within the workforce. Despite the possible source of tension and risks involved, the transformational plan a t Semco was effective and caused a turnaround within the company. In the same way, the current global situation may pose various challenges to change and implementation of new plans. However, a strong will to beat all the odds serves as the main reason behind the success of most international organizations around the globe today. References Anita, M. (2010) How Much Does Home Country Matter to Corporate Profitability?. Journal of International Business Studies, 4(1), pp. 142165. Bernhard, H. (2008) Six lessons for the corporate classroom. Harvard Business Review, 66(5), pp. 12-56. Braisby, A. and Gellatly, A. (2012) Cognitive Psychology. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Cohen, M. (2008). Productivity and Efficiency in Human Service Organizations as related to Structure, size and Age. The Academy of Management Journal, 23(1), pp. 21--37. Collings, D. and Wood, G. (2009) Human resource management: London: Routledge. Daft, R. and Armstrong, G. (2009) Organization Theory and Design. Toronto: Nelson. Dattilio, F. and Freeman, A. (2007) Cognitive-Behavioral Strategies in Crisis Intervention. New York: The Guilford Press Giddens, M. (2008) Determining Organizational Effectiveness - another look, and an agenda for research. Management Science, 32 (5), pp. 514 --538. Griffin, T., (2010) Information technology, strategic decision making approaches and Organizational performance in different industrial settings. The Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 10(1), pp.101-119. Harper, S. (2009) Configurations of Organizational Effectiveness and Efficiency. The Academy of Management Journal, 36(6), pp. 13451361. Hinings, C. (2013) Returning to the Frontier of Contingency Theory of Organizational and Institutional Designs. The Academy of Management Annals, 7(1), pp. 393440. Norman, T. (2013) Personnel training and development, Annual Review of Psychology, 22(1), pp. 565602. Semler, R. (1989) Managing without Managers. Harvard Business Review, 1(1), pp. 1-10. Siehl, R., Killian, D., and Perez, F. (1999) Richard Semler and Semco S.A. Harvard Business Review. 1(1), pp. 1-16. Stoner, K. (2013) All in all its just another plaque on the wall: the incidence and impact of the Investors in People Standard. Journal of Management Studies, 40(2), pp.54371.

Bailey White Essays - Mama, Bailey, , Term Papers

Bailey White Adventures on the Way Back Home, and Quite a Year for Plums, author Bailey White offers readers an inviting refuge from our increasingly fast-paced society. Using humor, White transports the reader to the rural South, where the setting, the way of life, and the characters the reader meets contrast strikingly with life in the typical Northern city. Bailey White's South has a warm and hospitable atmosphere, a pleasant alternative to cold, bustling, Northern metropolitan centers. As a cousin of the Whites puts it when she calls from Philadelphia to announce she'll be visiting overnight, "?I've heard so much about Southern hospitality. Now I will be able to experience it for myself'" (Mama, 48). The language in Bailey White's writings also delights, especially her characters' manner of speaking, which contains many curious Southern expressions. My friends certainly would not say"persnickety" (Sleeping, 125), "doodlebugs" (Sleeping, 9), "junkets" (Mama, 60), describe a club as a "tough juke joint" (Mama, 3), or say, "?She sho' ain't gon' ride no ferry here'" (Mama, 62)! Located in South Georgia, in the backwoods, White's characters are allowed to do what they please without judgment from neighboring yuppies glaring down from their balconies. The village "...is a place where they are kind to one another and indulgent of eccentricities" (Publishers Weekly, 30 March 1998). The result is"endearing true stories about rural South Georgia" (Publishers Weekly, 1 March 1993) on subjects as quirky as bathtubs and Porsches on porches, backyard camping, and road-kill suppers. After remodeling their bathroom Bailey and Mama find that their bathtub won't fit in it anymore. Instead of installing a shower, they leave the bathtub on the porch. Bailey explains that "with the midsummer's afternoon breeze blowing through the high pine woods and the fragrance of the lilies, it's a lovely spot for a leisurely bath" (Mama, 25). Joining the bathtub on the porch is a 1958 Model 356 Speedster in original condition, because the driver refused to "?just park it out behind the garden with those two tractors and that thing that might have been a lawnmower'" (Mama, 21). When inspired, Mama can (and does) go camping in the wilderness. Bailey, however, doesn't have to worry about her aging mother alone on a trip: their backyard is wilderness enough for camping. "At night I could see a tiny glow from her fire. And just at dawn, if I went out to the edge of the pasture and listened very carefully I could barely hear her singing ?Meet Me in St. Louis'" (Mama, 38). Mama, whether camping or not, can get fast-food for dinner, Southern-style: road kill. White and Mama have "feasted not only doves, turkeys, and quail, but robins, squirrels, and, only once, a possum," but Bailey draws the line at snakes, even when her mom protests "?But it was still wiggling when I got there...Let's try it just this once. I have a white sauce with dill and mustard'" (Mama, 39). Despite the gourmet sauce, Bailey refuses to eat any animal her mom brings in without documentation--the model and tag number of the car that struck it--to assure her of a recent kill. While chronicling small-town culture, White manages to make me laugh out loud, which is quite a feat for an author. The comical scenes from the small town of Thomasville will not only produce laughter, but a longing to move to such a quaint village. Instead of going into the Instant Care Facility, a modern walk-in medical clinic, one can, as Mama did, take advice from "?surgeons, I'd say, from the amount of blood and brains on those white coats,'" who were actually butchers on their cigarette break (Mama, 23). The provincial aspects of life in Thomasville are evident in Plums, in the extent of interest and pride community members exhibit when Roger appears in a photograph in the April edition of the Agrisearch magazine. At the Pastime Restaurant the waitresses tape up Roger's picture next to the ?In Case of Choking' poster, Meade makes a mat for his picture out of construction paper left from her schoolteaching days, Hilma transposes Roger's image onto two color photos for an artistic effect, Eula puts the magazine photo on her refrigerator, and others prop it up on their windowsills (Plums, 4). The detail in Bailey White's stories come from her own experiences living in Thomasville, especially in her first two books, Mama and Sleeping, which are both autobiographical. "In my own town I know the story of every missing body part: an ear in an auto accident, a middle finger in

Advantages and Disadvantages of Waitrose Technology Essays

Advantages and Disadvantages of Waitrose Technology Essays Advantages and Disadvantages of Waitrose Technology Paper Advantages and Disadvantages of Waitrose Technology Paper The Handy scan (quick check) was brought into action in 1995 to improve till efficiency and other promotions. When we look at the handy scan (quick check) we can see that it seams very basic and simple to use and function. We can see that it can bring a lot of advantages internally and externally, but also disadvantages. Waitrose know that there are many advantages that can benefit the company internally. One of these advantages is that it will improve queuing times at the tills. This means that if more people have the handy scan (quick check) and are going around the store packing their shopping while they are shopping then it reduces the queuing times and provided a more customer efficient till service for other customers that are using the tills. Waitrose also know that many people dont like filling out surveys and carrying out market research. But the handy scan (quick check) acts as a way of carrying out market research for Waitrose, they do this by looking at the things that customers using the handy scan (quick check) buy and list what is being brought more or whats not. This is a good way of carrying out their market research but I think that this is a dishonest way because customers may not want to participate in market research, but they have no choice. Waitrose have placed a lot of trust in their customers to be honest in their shopping and scan every thing they place in their bags. Waitrose do this because they know that if the company place trust in the customer then they are building up a stronger customer relationship and customers like to feel valued, Waitrose know this so and thats why people come back to Waitrose because of the trust aspect. Another internal advantage is that the handy scan (quick check) cuts staffs from the tills into working somewhere were they are needed the most. Waitrose know that if one till can take 10 people and 10 people have the handy scan (quick check) then they have saved upon one member of staff to be place in the replenishments. Staff can be used where they are most needed. But there are advantages for the customer externally. The first advantage for the customer is that the customer can calculate their shopping while they are shopping. If they didnt have the handy scan (quick check) while shopping, as many people dont at the moment, they wouldnt be able to calculate how much they are spending is they are on a budget. But with the handy scan (quick check) they have control on the amount they spend. Many customers dont like spending to much time in the store, when they go shopping they want to be in and out thats why Waitrose brought in the handy scan (quick check), they did this so that the customer can limit the time spent shopping. Although the store would benefit from customers being in the store for one hour, Waitrose are placing the customers needs first, which a lot of supermarkets dont do. Waitrose are mostly interested in the customer efficiency and the store efficiency to make shopping for the customer as less painful as possible. A repeated external advantage for the customer is that the customer likes to feel trusted. The customer likes to feel that they are shopping in trust. Customers want to do their shopping and not queue, but I only see one problem, the problem is that if the customer is dishonest then Waitrose will fall in profit. One way that Waitrose beats this is by carrying out random bag searches. The key advantage for Waitrose is the fact that the system is completely wireless, communicating directly to the handy scan (quick check) PC over the RF network. The whole store design can be far more flexible because the need for cabling between the PC and the scanning rack is completely eradicated. Once an RF network is installed, it may be used for other equipment, providing the opportunity, for example, for additional temporary points-of-sale. Scanner racks can be mounted against a wall (not possible with batch handsets); and scanners do not need to be returned to the original location. In terms of service to customers, RF scanners have access to more information because they are not restricted to the product file downloaded to the batch scanner overnight. Information to customers given via the scanner may also be personalised to reflect data provided at time of registering for an account e. g. allergy sufferers can be alerted to traces of nuts in products they have scanned. Security (CCTV)- Introduced 1995 With this technology we couldnt really get a lot of information mainly because Waitrose feel this is a very private subject to discuss because they need to keep certain things private and confidential to the store in the interest of the customers and the staff. Waitrose in Surbiton is a big superstore and it would become very expensive to have security guards to cover the whole store. Waitrose have come up with a better idea, they have chosen to have CCTV (close circuit TV) covering the whole store. Waitrose have installed CCTV for the customers peace of mind and the stores peace of mind. Waitrose will always use CCTV for prosecuting someone who as been caught shoplifting because as we know the camera never lies. CCTV has saved the store a lot of money through not employing physical staff so the money that they are saving from security can be used in other parts of the store. CCTV comes in many shapes and sizes, as we know cameras are getting smaller and know cameras are getting small enough to hide. This is in Waitrose internally and customers externally benefit, because the store can catch more people thieving from inside the store be it products or personal belongings. Waitrose constantly are trying to look after their staff and customers, Waitrose have a policy of their employees and customers have the right to work and shop in safety and not in fear of being harmed or robbed. Electronic weighing scales With this technology there isnt really many advantages and disadvantages to the store internally or externally to the customers. The electronic weighing scales system was introduced in 1996 (when Waitrose in Surbiton was first introduced) to make the customers shopping more quicker and accurate, Waitrose also introduced the weighing scales because the old fashioned ones werent reliable enough and as the 20th century went on so did the stores technology. Waitrose knew that if they introduced electronic weighing scales then store efficiency ratings would rise and this is the main reasons why customers comeback to the store. There are a number of advantages and disadvantages affecting the store internally. One of these advantages is that it cuts queuing times. When they had their old system of the old weighing scales the till person would have to weigh the produce and type the code in to the till, now all the staff have to do is barcode the produce into the till and pass it on, this way of tilling is more efficient to the staff and customers. Another internal advantage is that it is quick. With the electronic weighing scales it saves time for till service and customer time. Another advantage is that with the old Weighing scales it used to round it up to the nearest whole number and this could mean that the store could be loosing money or making profit but now with the new electronic scales Waitrose can be guaranteed that they are not going to make a loss if anything they are going to make a profit mainly because they know that the electronic weighing scales are going to round it up to the nearest penny not down. But with advantages there comes disadvantages. The first disadvantage is that people could deceive the store by placing their first page upon the weighing scales, getting their first price and then adding more produces. This means that Waitrose losses out on profit, the only way that I see that Waitrose can battle this problem is by randomly weighing the products to see if the customer is being honest. But what are the advantages externally, the customer? Well there are many and the first one is that the customer feels responsible and this makes the customer come back. Another could be that it will save till services and queuing times because the customer isnt waiting for the till person to weigh the produce and then type the code in. Another would be that the customer can see what and how much they are spending on their shopping because the electronic scales gives out a sticker of the weight and price of the produce so that the customer can see what they are paying. But there are disadvantages externally. Customers who come into the store for the first time may not realise how to use the electronic weighing scales efficiently and safely. I think that if Waitrose are going to carry on with their technology then they may want to give demonstrations to people or new customers.

Peer Response Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 6

Peer Response - Assignment Example Thus, to do this, one full time authorized officer should be governing IT operations and requirements on a continuing basis. The detailed information regarding the recommended IT General Control (ITGC) and application controls were commendable. It was also valid that a CIO or a CISO should be assigned to govern the operations and security of the information systems in the agency. The accountable officer should possess the competencies and qualifications for identifying IT infrastructure requirements and undertake risk assessment management, as required. One strongly believes that investing in these control systems, assigning point persons (officers and staff), and designing policies and procedures that would manage and protect the agency’s database systems would be crucial in safeguarding the agencies assets and resources, as required. Every organization, regardless of the number of personnel, as long as information systems are used, should assign IT personnel and officers who would manage IT in the most effective manner. Management functions include planning, organizing, directing, and controlling all facets of the operations (IT) towards the achievement of organizational

Case Analysis Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 5

Analysis - Case Study Example From the first analysis and using the x-factor tool given to evaluate different possibilities it is observed that when the sales is at 422,733 million, the cost of goods sold is directly affected at 38% million , the cost of goods sold is directly affected at 38% million , the cost of goods sold is directly affected at 38% million. On the other hand, the cost of goods sold is directly affected at 38% to be 160,639 million. For a business to operate there are operating expenses that always has to be incurred. These include rent, internet, transport, flights, advertising, airtime among other things. These factors are consolidated into operating expenses which in this scenario is directly affected by sales at 50% meaning that half of the operating expenses are geared towards sales. As the sensitivity analysis tool suggest, when cost of goods sold is 35% of sales, the company runs into a profit of 28,787million but when the cost of goods sold is at 45% of sales the company runs into a debt of 2102 million. This happens since the company is having a lot of spending to increase sales. The breaking point ratio is at 44% of sales since no debt is made and the company has 987 excess cash for the company. Therefore the company should at least invest 200 million to offset this change. One of the assumptions made in this analysis is that interest expense is directly affected by the debt the company has. The second assumption is that the debt majorly consists of loan i.e. both long term and short term loans. Another assumption is that sales do not vary at this point and that incase it does, the effect is insignificant. In addition the current assets are also deemed a factor that affects debt and excess income in the company. There is also an assumption that total assets less total liability will give a balancing figure which will either result to a debt or an income. Moreover, we

Nursing Concept Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Nursing Concept Analysis - Essay Example It is concerned with promoting, maintaining, and restoring health. Nurses are committed to the goal of promoting an optimal level of functioning for all individuals, families and groups, thereby contributing to the health of the nation. It determines health status of individuals, families, and populations and makes clinical decisions regarding the appropriate action to be taken. It is important that the nurse maintains the positions that aging is normal and is not related to disease. Age is a date in time and is influenced by many factors, including emotional and physical health, development stage, socioeconomic status, culture, and ethnicity. Ageism is a negative attitude based on age. It leads to discrimination in the care given to the older adults. The nurse who demonstrates negative attitudes may fear of his own aging process or be misinformed about aging and the health care need of the older adults. The care of the aged is provided mostly in institution. Care for an individual adult is delivered in a variety of quite different settings (e.g. privately run nursing home or government institution). The care of the aged is called clinical gerontology or geriatrics .Besides the needs and problems concerned with the psychology and physiology of aging the social aspect of aging a great challenge to the caring profession especially the nurse. Back This paper was done to explore the relationship between the dependency levels of older people who are part of the community nurse's caseload and the volume and nature of nursing input required. Background. Healthcare policy has consistently emphasized the reorientation of health services from hospital to community care. It is necessary to determine ways to use nursing resources appropriately to meet service needs of an increasing older population There are various approaches to address caring for the older adults. These are: 1) Family and welfare approach: Many of the aged are reluctant to go to institutions for the care of the aged. Thus family care is encouraged. 2) Medical approach: Many hospitals are now having special units for the care of the aged both in-patient and out-patient departments where health promotional and specific Nursing Concept Analysis 3 preventive measures such as health examination for early diagnosis and treatment are provided. 3) Community approach: The elders are encouraged to participate in activities that are beneficial to health and to avoid those that are injurious. These approaches would enhance trust of older adults to their environment especially to the nursing care involved. Dignity may be defined as a concept that relates to basic humanity. Dignity consists of inherent and external dimensions, which are common for all humans and at the same time are unique for each person, relating to social and cultural aspects. The attributes of preserving dignity are individualized care, control restored, respect, advocacy and sensitive listening. Method: In order to establish an appropriate nursing care for older adults, a quantitative study was conducted using the "Community Client Need Classification System". The community nursing team recorded the amount of care time spent with each individual client for over a 4-week period. Findings: They were assessed in low and high

Mobile Phone And Battery Recycling In Mauritius Environmental Sciences Essay

Mobile Phone And Battery Recycling In Mauritius Environmental Sciences Essay The mobile phone industry, because of its desire to maintain high environmental standards, has voluntarily developed the Mobile Phone Industry Recycling Program. The program aims to ensure that potentially toxic components in mobile phones and batteries do not end up in landfill, but rather are recycled. Orange (Mauritius) and Mission Verte joint green initiative has launched a collection recycling campaign for old phones and wasted batteries. The aim was to reduce noxious liquid that may be released from the battery and cause harm to the environment for example contaminating the water in Mauritius while other parts of the phone will be recycled. Collection or disposable points will be situated in all Orange shop outlets across the island. For the period year 2007, according to the Central Statistics, Mauritius has imported a whopping   175,000 cellular phones while batteries 25 million batteries. In Mauritius, Orange has launched a national program to develop the recycling of mobile phones and batteries in partnership with BEM Enterprises Ltd, the Port Louis Citadelle Rotary Club and the Mission Verte association. Some 15 collection points have been set up at Orange stores. The collected equipment is grouped together and then transported to the BEM Enterprises sorting centre. Plastics and metals are routed to local recycling centres. Batteries, chargers and other electronic circuits for which there is no local processing channel are sent to Europe for recovery at approved recycling centres. BATTERY RECYCLING Most batteries contain heavy metals which is the main cause for environmental concern. Disposed of incorrectly, the heavy metals may leak into the ground when the battery erodes. This contributes to soil and water pollution and endangers wildlife. Some components in batteries can be toxic to fish and make them unfit for human consumption. Batteries contain a range of metals which can be reused as a secondary raw material. There are well-established methods for the recycling of most batteries containing lead, nickel-cadmium, nickel hydride and mercury. For some, such as newer nickel-hydride and lithium systems, recycling is still in the early stages. Mobile phone Battery recycling in UK It is estimated that in 2000, almost 19,000 tonnes of waste general purpose batteries and 113,000 tonnes of waste automotive batteries required disposal in the UK.    Currently, only a very small percentage of consumer disposable batteries are recycled (less than 2%) and most waste batteries are disposed of in landfill sites. The rate for recycling of consumer rechargeable batteries is estimated to be 5%.   The average household uses 21 batteries a year. The UK generates 20,000 30,000 tonnes of waste general purpose batteries every year, but less than 1,000 tonnes are recycled. Automotive batteries, on the other hand, are more routinely recycled in the UK, with a current recycling rate of approximately 90%.   They are collected at garages, scrap metal facilities and many civic amenity and recycling centres. Whilst the exact chemical make-up varies from type to type (see below), most batteries contain heavy metals, which are the main cause for environmental concern. When disposed of incorrectly, these heavy metals may leak into the ground when the battery casing corrodes.   This can contribute to soil and water pollution and endanger wildlife. Cadmium, for example, can be toxic to aquatic invertebrates and can bio-accumulate in fish, which damages ecosystems and makes them unfit for human consumption. Some batteries, such as button cell batteries, also contain mercury, which has similarly hazardous properties.   Mercury is no longer being used in the manufacture of non-rechargeable batteries, except button cells where it is a functional component, and the major European battery suppliers have been offering mercury-free disposable batteries since 1994. A number of valuable materials are used in the construction of mobile phones, and they contain components which, if carefully removed, can be used again, for example in electronic devices. Perhaps more importantly, some cell phones and their accessories contain substances that are amongst the 10 most dangerous known to man including Cadmium, Rhodium, Palladium, Beryllium and Lead Solder (Ref: Cellular Reclamation Ltd, Nov 2004) and most of this ends up in a land fill site or the sea. Now with so many convenient mobile phone recycling schemes around, theres no need for this and no excuse for not recycling your old phone % of material recycled all over the worldg-waste_recyc_material-m.gif Paper recycling Paper recycling is the process of recovering waste paper and remaking it into new paper products. There are three categories of paper that can be used as feedstocks for making recycled paper: mill broke, pre-consumer waste, and post-consumer waste. Mill broke is paper trimmings and other paper scrap from the manufacture of paper, and is recycled internally in a paper mill. Pre-consumer waste is material which left the paper mill but was discarded before it was ready for consumer use. Post-consumer waste is material discarded after consumer use, such as old corrugated containers (OCC), old magazines, old newspapers (ONP), office paper, old telephone directories, and residential mixed paper (RMP). Paper suitable for recycling is called scrap paper. The industrial process of removing printing ink from paperfibers of recycled paper to make deinked pulp is called deinking, an invention of the German jurist Justus Claproth. Water and air pollution The United States Environmental Protection Agencyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ½ (EPA) has found that recycling causes 35% less water pollution and 74% less air pollution than making virgin paper. Pulp mills can be sources of both air and water pollution, especially if they are producing bleached pulp. Modern mills produce considerably less pollution than those of a few decades ago. Recycling paper decreases the demand for virgin pulp and thus reduces the overall amount of air and water pollution associated with paper manufacture. Recycled pulp can be bleached with the same chemicals used to bleach virgin pulp, but hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydrosulfite are the most common bleaching agents. Recycled pulp, or paper made from it, is known as PCF (process chlorine free) if no chlorine-containing compounds were used in the recycling process. However, recycling mills may have polluting by-products, such as sludge. De-inking at Cross Pointes Miami, Ohio mill results in sludge weighing 22% of the weight of wastepaper recycled. Recycling facts and figures In the mid-19th century, there was an increased demand for books and writing material. Up to that time, paper manufacturers had used discarded linen rags for paper, but supply could not keep up with the increased demand. Books were bought at auctions for the purpose of recycling fiber content into new paper, at least in the United Kingdom, by the beginning of the 19th century. Internationally, about half of all recovered paper comes from converting losses (pre-consumer recycling), such as shavings and unsold periodicals; approximately one third comes from household or post-consumer waste. Some statistics on paper consumption: The average per capita paper use worldwide was 110  pounds (50  kg). It is estimated that 95% of business information is still stored on paper. [Source: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) Discussion Paper (IIED, London, September 1996)] Recycling 1  short ton (0.91  t) of paper saves 17 mature trees, 7 thousand US gallons (26  m3) of water, 3  cubic yards (2.3  m3) of landfill space, 2 barrels of oil (84 US gal or 320  l), and 4,100  kilowatt-hours (15  GJ) of electricity enough energy to power the average American home for six months. Although paper is traditionally identified with reading and writing, communications has now been replaced by packaging as the single largest category of paper use at 41% of all paper used. 115 billion sheets of paper are used annually for personal computers. The average web user prints 28 pages daily. Most corrugated fiberboard boxes have over 25% recycled fibers. Some are 100% recycled fiber. This articles factual accuracy may be compromised because of out-of-date information. Paper recycling by region European Union Paper recovery in Europe has a long history and has grown into a mature organization. The European papermakers and converters work together to meet the requirements of the European Commission and national governments. Their aim is the reduction of the environmental impact of waste during manufacturing, converting/printing, collecting, sorting and recycling processes to ensure the optimal and environmentally sound recycling of used paper and board products. In 2004 the paper recycling rate in Europe was 54.6% or 45.5  million short tons (41.3  Mt). The recycling rate in Europe reached 64.5% in 2007, which confirms that the industry is on the path to meeting its voluntary target of 66% by 2010. Japan Municipal collections of paper for recycling are in place. However, according to the Yomiuri Shimbun (Japanese newspaper published in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and other major Japanese cities), in 2008, eight paper manufacturers in Japan have admitted to intentionally mislabeling recycled paper products, exaggerating the amount of recycled paper used. United States of America Recycling has long been practiced in the United States. The history of paper recycling has several dates of importance: 1690: The first paper mill to use recycled linen was established by the Rittenhouse family. 1896: The first major recycling center was started by the Benedetto family in New York City, where they collected rags, newspaper, and trash with a pushcart. 1993: The first year when more paper was recycled than was buried in landfills. Today, over half of the material used to make paper is recovered waste. Paper products are the largest component of municipal solid waste, making up more than 40% of the composition of landfills. In 2006, a record 53.4% of the paper used in the US (or 53.5 million tons) was recovered for recycling. This is up from a 1990 recovery rate of 33.5%. The US paper industry has set a goal to recover 55 percent of all the paper used in the US by 2012. Paper packaging recovery, specific to paper products used by the packaging industry, was responsible for about 77% of packaging materials recycled with more than 24 million pounds recovered in 2005. By 1998, some 9,000 curbside programs and 12,000 recyclable drop-off centers had sprouted up across the US for recycles collection. As of 1999, 480 materials recovery facilities had been established to process the collected materials. In 2008, the global financial crisis resulted in the price of old newspapers to drop in the US from $130 to $40 per short ton ($140/t to $45/t) in October. Recycling Plastic Bottles ( UK ) Plastic bottles can be found almost anywhere on Earth. This attests to the fact of their usefulness and to the ease and low cost in making these items. Indeed plastic bottles are so useful that almost any liquid beverage or food product can be found being sold in plastic bottles. So why do we recycle? The practice of recovering scraps and waste plastic and reprocessing these materials into new products is called recycling. Recycling makes use of materials that are at the end of their useful lives which otherwise would be added to the waste stream and end up in landfills or (sadly) in the ocean and on our shores. Recycled plastic bottles are an indispensable and ubiquitous part of our lives. They are light in weight and almost unbreakable when used for their designed purpose. This is also the reason why plastics and plastic bottles account for a large part of the waste generated by our throwaway society. Plastic bottles are the most recycled plastic items but still the recycle rate is only about 24 percent.    What are the benefits to recycling plastic bottles? Conservation of Oil. When a ton of plastic bottles are recycled approximately 3.8 barrels of petroleum is saved.   Reduction of Greenhouse Gas emissions. The substitution of recycled materials reduces the emission of greenhouse gases that are produced in the manufacturing of virgin materials. Saving of Landfill Space. Not having millions of plastic bottles in the landfill results in a saving of 6.7 cubic meters of landfill space that is at a premium right now. Plastic bottles also take an average of 500 years to biodegrade. Conservation of Energy. Water and soft drink bottles are made of polyethylene terephthalate or PET.   Recycling of one pound of PET results in a saving of approximately 12,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units). Benefits of Reuse. Recycled bottles can provide an environmentally friendly source of materials for the manufacture of new products and substitutes recycle materials for virgin materials. Recycling Plastic Bottles / Is the Recycling of Plastic Bottles Economically Feasible? Up to the present there is still continuing discussion and debate over whether the recycling of plastic bottles is economically feasible. Local government units and municipalities largely see the fiscal benefits of recycling plastic bottles because of the savings in landfill space and reduced landfill costs. Statistics from a Technical University of Denmark study show that recycling is still the most efficient method to dispose of household waste in 83 percent of all cases. Critics of recycling often claim that more resources are wasted in recycling than is saved. However municipal recycling is still worthwhile if the net costs do not exceed the landfill or other disposal costs.

Psytrance and the Spirituality of Electronics :: Electronic Music

Psytrance and the Spirituality of Electronics Electronic music is generally broken into techno, house, trance, hardcore, breakbeat, and ambient music, along with affiliated smaller genres that float between categories, like trip-hop, electro, IDM, and others. Ambient is easily recognized by its separation from dancing, which is normally manifested in slower tempos and less distinct rhythms. Breakbeat (of which drum'n'bass makes up most of the faster genres, while there are slower genres as well) is distinguished by an emphasis on ways of dividing a bar of 4/4 time other than the standard one. (Notably, there is a focus on the second half of the third beat, though this comes about in various different beat patterns.) Hardcore (an important subset of which is called â€Å"happy hardcore†) is distinguished by its extremely fast tempos (generally over 160 bpm) in 4/4 time. House is distinguished by its focus on the second and fourth beats of 4/4, though it also shares many stylistic characteristics with disco, funk, and other popular musics, that help distinguish it from trance and techno. Of these, techno is generally not as fast (around 100-120 bpm) and tends to be more minimalistic, while trance is more melodic. House and trance are by far the most popular genres of electronica, though house tends to be more popular in clubs and trance more popular at the parties often known as â€Å"raves†.1 Within trance, psytrance is distinguished by its generally higher tempo (135-145 bpm), more focus on sixteenth notes and exotic scales, and most noticeably, through the use of general sounds other than percussion and pitched sounds. Stylistic traits2 Formal features: Tracks tend to be between 6 and 12 minutes long, with most clustering around 7 or 8 minutes. Most of the tracks begin with about 30 seconds of very atmospheric sounds. These introductions convey some suggestion of the beat (but definitely not the bass drum), but in the tracks I have analyzed here, they are more beat-less than usual, and last much longer than usual, since several are the first tracks of their albums. Sometimes, there is a return to this ambient sound at the end of the track, but it is generally not as long. Between this introduction and conclusion, the body of the track has two halves. The first introduces the major thematic material, while the second rearranges it, sometimes altering the bass. Most of the themes are eventually layered onto one another at the end of each of these halves, creating two climaxes.