Landmarks in social welfare provision Essay Example

Landmarks in social welfare provision Essay SOCIAL POLICY Introduction Social Policy is a term which refers to some kinds of regulations, statute law, rules and operations that get into the life position helpful to human public assistance. It is the survey of societal issues that has a important relationship for human well-being. And the systems should be promoted for the well-being of human being. The Department of Social Policy at the London School of Economics defines societal policy as an interdisciplinary and applied topic concerned with the analysis of societies responses to societal demand. It involves in recognizing the theories and some rules of societal subjects. The societal policy covers psychological science, geographics, jurisprudence, sociology, environment, political relations, economic sciences etc. It affects our mundane life that we can populate by. Basically societal policy is concerned with critical demands as in instruction, health care, H2O, nutrient, shelter that can do a life worth to populate. The publicity of intervention of ill, giving support to physically disable individual is the portion of societal policy. In short, societal policy is the survey of human well-being and intends to extinguish those jobs which are obstructions for human well-being. We will write a custom essay sample on Landmarks in social welfare provision specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Landmarks in social welfare provision specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Landmarks in social welfare provision specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Undertaking 1 Explore the historical and modern-day landmarks in societal public assistance proviso In the clip of 1901 to 1945 there was some of import landmarks for societal public assistance in united land. The authorities of united land introduced some public assistance plans to guarantee human well-being and to increase the living criterion. The important landmarks of societal public assistance are- 1901Seebohm Rowntree’s foremost survey of poorness in York, Poverty: a survey of town life. 1908Old Age Pensions Act: means-tested pensions from age 70. 1911National Insurance Act: illness insurance and limited commissariats for unemployment 1920 Unemployment Insurance Act: non-manual workers included. 1940Old Age and Widows’ Pensions Act: pension age for adult females reduced from 65 to 60. 1945Family Allowances Act: ?0.25 a hebdomad for each kid after the first. 1948National Assistance Act: Poor Law abolished. 1959National Insurance Act: calibrated pensions introduced. 1966Supplementary Benefit replaces National Assistance. 1971National insurance invalidness benefit introduced. 1975Social Security Pensions Act: province earnings-related pensions ( SERPS ) . Earnings-related national insurance parts introduced at 5.75 % . 1976One-parent benefit introduced 1977-79 Tax-exempt kid benefit phased in, replacing nonexempt household allowance and child revenue enhancement allowances. 1986Social Security Act: three major Bills in one. 1988Tax cuts and benefit cuts Top rate of income revenue enhancement down from 60 % to 40 % . Standard rate of income revenue enhancement down from 27 % to 25 % . 1994 Budget introduces ‘welfare to work’ steps to ease passage into paid work and promote full-time work. Assorted steps piloted Introduction of kid attention allowance for certain parents claiming household recognition and related benefits. 1996 Jobseeker’s allowance replaces unemployment benefit and income support for the unemployed. Contributory benefit is paid for 6 months alternatively of 12 and the degree is reduced for 18-24 twelvemonth olds ; jobseeker’s understanding is introduced. 2001Children’s Tax Credit introduced – a revenue enhancement allowance for those with kids. 2006The Government’s White Paper Security in Retirement proposes an increasing retirement age, personal nest eggs histories, and a basic province pension uprated in line with net incomes from 2012. 2008Welfare Reform Act 2007 comes into force. Equally good as doing minor alterations to profit statute law, it introduces a Local Housing Allowance to simplify Housing Benefit for in private rented renters. Analysis the quality of life for the service users have improved over clip The authorities has recognized the positive part of service users in societal attention planning and development of society. Service users are taking active and effectual portion in societal attention and wellness attention services. The societal theoretical account of disablement was made cardinal for service users by the authorities. It became the demand of independent life. Service users are interested in what work can assist them to carry through their intents and better their life. Examination of the past and current societal policies related to the wellness and public assistance demands of the population of United Kingdom during the period of political alterations and passage during and after the World War 2. The authorities took back the authorization of the local authorities board and national wellness insurance committee in 1919 under the accoucheuses act. There was some issues that roses by some groups interested in wellness and societal public assistance which affected their life as in Unemployment Poverty Health insurance Mental wellness Maternal and infant mortality Nowadays the authorities has taken some major public assistance plans for human well-being. Some of them are as Social Insurance Programs- It is concerned with the anterior net incomes and paysheet part which is based on pecuniary demand of a human being. Unemployment insurance- It provides fiscal support to an person when they are unemployed. Workers’s compensation- this is the 3rdof import plan. It says workers should be compensated if they are affected by fatal hurt from work or for other relevant standards. They besides should acquire medical aid. Explanation of the alterations in ideological attack since 1945 have impacted on modern-day societal policies After 1945 there had been a extremist alterations in assorted facets as in adult females rights. The authorities gave adult females the equality in the society. Children were being abused before 1945. The authorities had passed a jurisprudence that prevents it. Nowadays these kind of Torahs are practiced across the universe. Designation and application schemes to happen appropriate solutions Very specific regulations should be developed to happen a more accurate solution Heavy brainstorming to recognize the nucleus jobs Develop a long term program to increase societal consciousness Contemplation of work and justification of decisions Prior to the 1945 societal policy rules and patterns in the society was obscure. After 1945 societal policy was acquiring into form which is contributing for human public assistance. The society is acquiring the good impact of societal policy by recognizing and back up those policies. Undertaking 2 Key wellness and societal policy legalisation and short treatment about how the political leaders managed the station war societal public assistance policies Parliament is the lone house in where jurisprudence can be passed by the parliament members. This procedure starts with a measure of act base on balls through in the parliament. This act can originate from the parliament member or civil society or any other beginnings. If the authorities agree these proposal so it will set before the parliament. It will come up in the treatment on the footing of importance and dependencies.by formal regulations this should undergo with audience procedure. If the maximal parliament member supports the act, they will give their consent. And they set a class of action about wellness policies. After this the act can merely come in the whole system and the people should obey this act. There are some factors that affects wellness including biological factor, populating criterion and nutrition factor. Very important factors impacting United kingdom’s people wellness are smoking, association for intoxicant, bad diets and deficiency of exercising. If people are willing to alter their attitudes toward wellness so it is really easy to extinguish those factors to harm people. The modern-day political relations is a influential factors that can act upon the policy shapers to develop policy for their ain involvement. After the 2nd universe war the authorities of United Kingdom had introduced a station war consensus which covered the mix economic system, Bolshevism, unemployment, foreign personal businesss etc. after 11945 the authorities had launched some lodging policies to rehabilitate people. They opened a window to construct up educational centres, lodging undertakings, medical centre etc. the chief aims of lodging policies is that construct a friendly vicinity. The authorities intentionally extinguish the restrictions and reconstruct a free economic system to stabilise the state. B. Measure the impact of these policies and results Basically wellness attention and societal attention is the fact which is related to ‘care services’ . But it should be segregated from political relations and the current authorities. The UK authorities is profoundly focused on the separation of societal and wellness attention. If these two organic structures separated so it causes a major job in the society. It affects the society severely. It increases the medical intervention charge and other societal installations. The UK authorities intends to bind these Ts: two entities together. The authorities ensures that service users benefited by holding: Schemes for wellness publicity Health and safety Manual handling Data protection Food handling Care pattern Mental wellness Children Disability Design and use appropriate methods To do a successful design of societal policy some elements are to be considered. They are depicted below- Finding out factors that can impact the policy Analyze the environment in where the policy will follow Choose appropriate people doing policy To use policies the authorities should develop a proper system so that the policy can convey the proper result. There would be some drawbacks in the system. If the policy shaper take those drawbacks under consideration so it is expected to bring a better result. Duty for pull offing and forming activities Basically policy makes for the improvement of people. Each and every policy is a undertaking. It includes a immense undertaking to be done to convey outcomes. At first the responsible authorization should do a proper policy that can cut down obstructions from society. The authorization should take the duty to pull off the undertaking. To implement policy the authorization must form activities to follow the policy. Undertaking 3 Analysis the modern-day policy developments in Health and Social Care in the UK By and large, The UK government’s societal and wellness attention section works to plan a policy that delivers a societal attention system which enhances their self-respect and position, for all categories of people. The Government attempt to supply this installation in a broad scope as possible they can. They wanted to supply medical aid in wide scope for each people. Public wellness spheres and complementary wellness scenes are the current enterprises taken by the authorities. Besides those there are few policy that act every bit initiatives as wellness attention such as gender, cultural issues, disablement etc. for keeping that sort of policies, they has imposed some kind of ordinances. They were besides advancing their enterprises through local telecasting webs. They have besides taken enterprises in educational sector and nutrition sector. They did some educational runs and supply good diet charts for all. In those enterprises there is a opportunity to be linked up with a multi-agency partnership which creates 1000s and assorted sorts of occupation chance that can assist extinguish unemployment job. Evaluation the impact of the current policy enterprises on wellness and societal attention service users The United Kingdom’s authorities possesses a really impressive methods to guarantee that the policies, events and plans are practiced and delivered in broad scope in an efficient and effectual mode to peoples. The UK authorities committed to do grounds based policy. It is enrolled to UK authorities to possess a high quality policy rating. This procedure requires policy shapers and those individuals who will implement these policy to utilize the best available resources and grounds. Which is available in national statistics, national achieve, regulating agents etc. the authorities took over some scheme that includes public disbursement and revenue enhancement in the policy rating procedure. How can these policies to better quality of life of service users? The United Kingdom’s authorities tried to heighten the quality of life of their service users. For this purposes they took over assorted public assistance policy for their service users. Though it is a really hard undertaking to bind together these two entities, the authorities still making the occupation really expeditiously. If these entities breaks loose so many systems will be broken down. If those entities separated so those entities will be segregated and operated independently. Ex- infirmary discharge charge will be riser than old yearss if those two entities will segregate. This kind of policy can better the policy user’s life by take parting interested groups which works for their improvement. And these work as their representative in wellness attention system. They can besides take part in public hearing procedure and publically appointed councils as a member. Undertaking 4 Evaluate recent developments in Health and Social policy The authorities of United Kingdom supply a good finance to wellness and societal attention section to develop rules and guidelines to guarantee the societal public assistance for human well-being. The most recent and of import – Public wellness The authorities took some tough action against smoking. They banned smoking in public topographic points, banned tobacco advertisement in some topographic points. Under 18 elderly people could non purchase coffin nail from stationary store. They imposed baccy company to attach graphical warning about bad effects of coffin nails in coffin nail packages. By taking those actions England had the control over baccy. The bosom onslaught rate had fallen to 211 % . At last the public wellness position is in a good status due to this policy devising. Children and households The authorities launched every kid affairs project for the improvement of every kids. This undertaking introduced a new attacks for the well-being of kid, start at the clip of taking birth. Child protection After the decease of Victoria climbie the societal worker started to work on protection of child issue. They wanted a great communicating system between constabulary, instruction and children’s services. There was a positive result of their work. Social attention Social attention was so much neglected by labour authorities. Finally, the societal came into their ain way in 2005. In that clip the antediluvian system split up and the kids service section was created. They took some advanced policies that brought advantages to people. That was the twelvemonth at that place was a turning concerned issue about older people. Several politicians was profoundly concerned about older people when they were retired from occupation. Politicians brought the issue into lamplight. Then they took over some enterprises for the improvement of older people. Condemnable justness In the last decennary the universe sees the extremist alteration in the condemnable justness sector. The figure of prison officers is being increased by authorities for supplying a good care to the felon. The prison and probation installations is besides been increased. In 2000 there was around 24000 prison officers look after 65000 captives. And now there is around 29000 prison officers for looking after 85000 captives. There is crisp addition of condemnable offense, brought them to the justness. So there is monolithic additions in fixed P [ punishment mulcts. Analysis the differences in formation and acceptance of societal policy enterprises from other positions The societal and wellness attention policy has emerged in 20Thursdaycentury in United land. To do a great state the authorities provides assorted public assistance benefits to the citizen as in educational installation, communicational installations, wellness services etc. Health attention services has controlled by the private sector in USA. The authorities has launched some occupational insurance policy to command the wellness attention services. The USA authorities does non take part in those undertakings. In Japan, they are besides every bit like as USA. They besides gave these undertakings to the private sector. The private sectors operates wellness attention services and develop policies for the improvement of their citizens. There are many states like western Europe, the wellness attention system is operated by both private sector and province. The province makes policy and private bureaus comply those policies. It is a good scheme to hold control over the whole wellness attention system. In Waless, the wellness attention system is patient centre focused. The authorities is apt to reply to all citizens in this system. There is some communities responsible for doing rules, regulations and policies. In Scotland they follow a different system. There is a contract between authorities and single citizens. In England the policy ensures the betterment of wellness attention services rater t5han the policy. The system is maintained by a contract between the authorities, services and the clients. Why national Health and Social policies need altering over clip to react to the emerging social-political and economic tendencies The policy can’t be framed by some regulations or rules. It is ever a affair of alteration. The universe is altering twenty-four hours by twenty-four hours bit by bit. So the old system can’t work in the new changed universe. New policies should be developed to accommodate with the new universe. Otherwise the system will fall in down. Every twenty-four hours there are some new jobs comes into the lamplight that should be dealt with. Harmonizing to Margaret Thatcher ‘We offered a complete alteration in direction’ . Changes should be done in a way that brings the benefit to the service users and to the statute law for the accomplishing their ends. we see that there is rapid growing of population, technological revolution is taken topographic point. In this state of affairs the old policy arises a at odds issue with these. Although any policy that involves with important alterations related with major cost that will necessitate political support accomplishment s but that should be done one twenty-four hours to get by with the altering universe. Decisions Since 1945 the authorities has recognized the value of societal public assistance and policy. The people of the nation’s understood the importance of the societal public assistance for increasing their criterion of life, self-respect and opportunity of populating independently. The UK authorities made some important landmarks in assorted sector after the Second World War. They increase the adult females rights. The political leaders lead the state in the economic adversity after Second World War. They made some important act to better the parliament act. They introduced some act such as wellness act and societal attention act. In that clip the authorities was profoundly concerned about those two entities as in wellness attention and societal attention. They are intended to bind them with each other. The UK authorities ever tried to distribute out the public assistance undertaking to every citizen of the state. Besides the medical aid they besides did some educational run and t ook some societal consciousness undertaking. In the blast decennary we saw some betterment in wellness attention and societal sector. There is been alteration in public wellness, condemnable justness, protection of kid, immature and old people issues. In every state there are some kind of societal policy are possessed. Many states are in contract between citizens. Many states transferred this occupation from public to private sector. In the border of globalisation everything is altering quickly. In the age of technological revolution the policy can non be fixed in old mode. The policy should be changed with the altering universe to make better for people.

TDA 3.1 Communication and professional relationships with children, young people and adults Essay Essays

TDA 3.1 Communication and professional relationships with children, young people and adults Essay Essays TDA 3.1 Communication and professional relationships with children, young people and adults Essay Essay TDA 3.1 Communication and professional relationships with children, young people and adults Essay Essay Essay Topic: Adults Effective communicating is really of import. It helps develop positive relationships that benefit the kids and let them to take part and larn within the scene. It is besides of import in many other ways ; It prevents misinterpretations that can take to bad-feelings and/or bad working relationships. It can assist prosecute and affect parents/carers in their child’s acquisition. If we model effectual communicating skills the kids are more likely to follow and to understand what is acceptable. It means of import information will be passed on to the relevant people e. g. If a kid has a medical status such as asthma and needs an inhalator at certain times. All staff who may work with the kid must be made cognizant of this. Positive relationships don’t merely exist. they must be built. In order to pass on efficaciously you must believe about the manner you relate to others. Communication is more than merely what you say. Often non-verbal communicating speaks the loudest yet it is that that we are least cognizant of. The chief signifiers of this are body linguistic communication. facial looks. gestures and position. For illustration. you are speaking to a new parent about how their kid has settled in and you say â€Å"She is making really good and has made tonss of friends† but you stand with your weaponries folded. avoiding eye-contact and glowering. Alternatively of being re-assured the parent is likely to experience disquieted and disquieted. Principles of relationship edifice E?ective communicating – This is the most of import point and should travel hand-in-hand with all other rules. Showing respect – Listen to and esteem other people’s point of position. If you show esteem to others it is likely they will esteem you. Bing considerate – Be understanding about possible factors behind people’s behaviors and don’t be excessively speedy to do opinions. Remembering issues which are personal to them – A good manner of constructing positive relationships is to demo an involvement in things that are of import to others. Be clear on cardinal points – Nods of the caput and reiterating words/phrases show that you are clear on what is being said. When you are giving information guarantee that the other individual understands. For illustration. if speech production to a immature kid inquire them to reiterate what you have said.Active listening – Listening is a accomplishment and requires a certain sum of self-denial. You have to disregard your ain demands and concentrate on the individual speech production. You must pay attending to what is being said and follow it closely. Make eye-contact and maintain your organic structure unfastened. Sometimes you need to accommodate the manner you communicate depending on the state of affairs ; Different civilizations Some civilizations have different norms on what is violative or polite. It is of import to understand this but guarantee you do non presume or pigeonhole. Where possible you should seek to hold an consciousness of the culturally acceptable behavior of the individual you are pass oning with and accommodate your attack consequently. For illustration. if it is non acceptable to them to hold eye-contact bashs non maintain seeking to make this. Besides be cognizant of linguistic communication barriers. You may necessitate to utilize other non-verbal signifiers of communicating to guarantee they understand. Social and professional contexts You should do certain you use the appropriate linguistic communication and behavior dependent on the state of affairs. For illustration. if you were in a meeting with a parent and other professionals you would talk a batch more officially than you would in the staffroom at suppertime. You should besides retrieve other factors such as your organic structure linguistic communication and the manner you dress. Other signifiers of communicating Non-spoken signifiers of communicating can be mis-read. Be certain to be clear and prompt when reacting to electronic mails or phone messages. If you are diffident of the message ask inquiries or para-phrase. It is frequently utile to do notes as you may necessitate to go through the message on or mention back to it at a ulterior day of the month. Skills needed to pass on with kids and immature people Children learn how to pass on by illustration and by the responses of others. All kids should hold the chance to show their ideas and sentiments and be listened to. You should guarantee you give them sufficient clip to make this. Just stating you are listening isn’t plenty. You should demo that you are interested in what they are stating by giving them your full attending. It is of import to demo you are accessible. Use positive organic structure linguistic communication and facial looks. Speak to kids on their degree and repetition cardinal words to demo your apprehension. It may be necessary to oppugn them farther. if this is the instance give them clip to reply. Children may miss assurance and may necessitate to be prompted. Adapting communicating for kids Some kids may hold trouble pass oning ; thought should be given to single demands. You may hold kids who have a address hindrance or have English as a 2nd linguistic communication. You should give them plentifulness of clip to talk so as non to do them experience pressurised. Some kids may non be given clip to speak outside of school and may experience dying. Others may miss assurance. Gently prompt kids to fall in in treatments. inquire them open-ended inquiries and promote kids to take bends in speech production and hearing. Always be aware of the age and/or phase of the kids. You will necessitate to accommodate your vocabulary and the manner you respond. For illustration. older kids may be offended if they think you are talking to them ‘like a kid. ’ Although it is of import to develop positive relationships through communicating you should guarantee that you remain professional. When the kids are on undertaking you should seek to forestall breaks and maintain the conversation to make with the activity. In other state of affairss give the kids clip to speak freely but ever keep boundaries. Communicating with grownups and children/young peopleAdaptations for children/Young PeoplesSimilaritiesMaintain carer to child relationship and remain formal.Maintain oculus contactCommunicate what is expected of them.Respond to what is saidAge/stage appropriateShow involvementEnsure they understand.Positive organic structure linguistic communicationDon’t promote physical contact.Active hearingGive congratulations and encouragement Sometimes you may meet grownups who have different communicating demands and will necessitate to accommodate the manner you communicate with them consequently ; Hearing impaired – Face them and keep eye-contact as they may necessitate to lip read. Use manus gestures to heighten what you are stating. Write down of import information. English as an extra linguistic communication – You may necessitate a transcriber. Sometimes if the kid is older they can interpret messages. If there isn’t a transcriber available speak slowly and clearly. Visually impaired- Often schools send out letters and signifiers to parents. These may necessitate to be in big print or Braille or you may necessitate to talk to the parent/carer straight. Disagreements Disagreements are frequently down to miscommunication. There may hold been a misconstruing with a member of staff. information may hold been perceived wrongly or it may be differences of sentiment. Sometimes dissensions occur with parents. This could be due to information non being passed on. a deficiency of clip to speak at the start/end of the twenty-four hours or different positions to how state of affairss should be dealt with. It is of import that any dissensions are resolved every bit rapidly as possible so as to keep positive relationships. Children pick up on negativeness and it makes an uncomfortable environment for all. You should speak merely with the individual involved and happen a manner frontward. Make non disregard the job as the longer it is allowed to travel on the more hard it will be to decide. Confidentiality. information protection and the revelation of information All grownups that work in a school environment should be cognizant of the statute law sing confide ntiality and information protection. Data Protection Act 1998 It is indispensable for schools to keep certain information so that kids can be cared for efficaciously. This may include ; Health or medical records Records from old schools Records for kids with particular educational demands Any administration which holds information on persons demands to be registered with the information commissioner. This is designed to guarantee that confidential information can non be passed on to others without the persons consent. The eight rules of pattern are that information must be: Processed reasonably and legitimately Used merely for the intent for which it was gatheredAdequate. relevant and non inordinateAccurate and kept up to day of the month where necessaryKept for no longer than necessaryProcessed in line with the individual’s rightsKept secure Not transferred outside the European Union without equal protection As a instruction helper I have entree to a broad scope of information about the kids in my attention. I guarantee that I keep all information confidential unless otherwise necessary and if I am diffident I speak with my line director. Sometimes when people think of go throughing on confidential information they think of to other grownups outside of school but it involves professionals. other parents and even other kids in the school. Any of these would be a breach of confidentiality. ConfidentialityIn some cases parents may be wary about giving out private/personal information that the school demands. In this case every attempt should be made to reassure them about confidentiality and that the information will non be passed onto anyone else without their permission. Each school should besides hold a confidentiality policy that can be referred to. Sometimes you may go to meetings with other professionals. Parental consent should be gained before any information about the child/family is shared unless the kid is ‘at risk’ or there is a legal duty on the school to unwrap such information. You must be aware of pupils. assistants or visitants in the school and what information is revealed in their presence. Some information must be passed on such as if a kid is wheezing or has an allergic reaction but the bulk of information should be on a demand to cognize footing. It is ever of import to retrieve there may be a state of affairs where you will necessitate to state others. If a kid confides in you about certain issues and you suspect child maltreatment or that the kid may be ‘at risk’ you should guarantee the kid knows that you can non maintain the information confidential. You must go through the information on to the delegated individual. In instances such as this you should makes notes on what the kid has told you and let them to talk freely but do non force them for information or inquire prima inquiries.

Limited Foreign Exchange Exposure Through Hedging Research Paper

Limited Foreign Exchange Exposure Through Hedging - Research Paper Example The research paper discusses different kinds of hedging instruments employed by firms all over the world. The risk of the exchange rate is raised from the assets and liabilities or transactions dominated in foreign currencies or existing. The hedging activities of all firms are not alike and they may vary based on the core business of firms and kinds of their foreign exchange risk. The paper described the kinds of Hedging instruments including Natural Hedging and Foreign Exchange Derivatives. In order to evaluate hedging practices in Australia, data of up to March 2005 has been used apart from hedging surveys for Australia. The previous surveys show that the banking sector of Australia has always been well-protected from currency fluctuations. In the period following the floating of the Australian dollar, Australian banks had very little exposure to exchange rate risk because of the restrictions of regulations on international transactions. After the removal of these restrictions, banks have been financing their domestic assets through short term liabilities abroad. In order to limit their net exposures, the banks used to match foreign currency liabilities to their assets. For further eliminating the residual risk exposure, Australian banks have been using derivatives. The current market risk guidelines ask the Australian authorized deposit-taking banks to dete rmine their foreign currency exposure daily. The evaluation of adaptations of non-financial firms to exchange rate fluctuations show that these firms have been facing difficulties because of poor or little experience. In 1986, borrowers made 3000 foreign currency loans dominated in Swiss francs and they incurred huge losses when Swiss francs appreciated by 50% against the Australian dollar.

Discussion 1 Week 4 Competitive Bidding and Long-Term Cost Savings Assignment

Discussion 1 Week 4 Competitive Bidding and Long-Term Cost Savings - Assignment Example CMS then enters into contracts with select DME suppliers to provide DME items at the prices determined by CBP†¦ CBP also provides an incentive for DME suppliers to accept lower Medicare payment amounts in exchange for the ability to serve beneficiaries and to potentially increase their Medicare market share† (U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2011, p. 2). As such, it is the best interests of Medicare patients that prices are set through CBP to ensure that they are provided with the least cost of DME. Competitive bidding was revealed to remain a crucial part of the health reform program, particularly Medicare reform (Feldman, Dowd, & Coulam, 2013). As emphasized, â€Å"competitive bidding will save a substantial amount of money, the exact amount depending on the bidding rules ultimately selected and any transition rules adopted to moderate the pace of change for beneficiaries† (Feldman, Dowd, & Coulam, 2013, p. 20). As such, due to the cost efficiency and potential savings to be generated from competitive bidding, it will remain a viable alternative when the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is fully implemented in 2014. The defining factors regarding the competitive bidding process include the price, which is considered the primary factor (Universal Service Administrative Company, 2014); as well as reliability, technical support, bandwidth, and quality of transmission (Universal Service Administrative Company, 2014). Thus, the survival or failure of the bidding organization would depend on their ability to provide the needed goods, products, or services, in the most cost-effective and reliable manner within the stipulated time frame. Feldman, R., Dowd, B., & Coulam, R. (2013, April). A Competitive Bidding Approach to Medicare Reform. Retrieved from American Enterprise Institute:

Recent scientific discussion has renewed interest in the religious Essay

Recent scientific discussion has renewed interest in the religious aspects of cosmology. What is the anthropic principle and what is its religious significance - Essay Example hropic principle theorizes that the vital requirements for human life, such as the unique properties of water, the Earth’s atmosphere, the Earth’s distance from the Sun, and the solar system’s place in the galaxy, are so specific and perfect to human life that they could not have happened by chance. According to the anthropic principle, these variables had to have been planned this way due to how well aligned they are with the needs of human beings. The religious significance of the anthropic principle is that it suggests the possibility of intelligent design, meaning that the universe was created by a great force who took considerable care to make sure that humans could survive in the universe. To most religious denominations, this great force would be considered God, or another deity. Scientific discussions that have considered the anthropic principle are, by association, presenting the belief that the universe was indeed the result of intelligent design. If this is the case, then the origin of the universe, which is believed to be the result of the Big Bang in the scientific community, could be called into question in favor of a more religious beginning, such as the theory of creation in the Christian-based

NMDA Receptor Pathways as Drug Targets in CNS Therapeutics

NMDA Receptor Pathways as Drug Targets in CNS Therapeutics 1. Introduction: Glutamate is the king of excitatory neurotransmission in the central nervous system (SNC) and acts on receptors located at the presynaptic terminal and in the postsynaptic membrane at synapses in the brain and spinal cord (Ghasemi and Schachter, 2011). Although glutamate was known to have central nervous system effects for more than 75 years, it was not until 1984 that it was truly acknowledged as fulfilling the criteria of a neurotransmitter. (Niciu et al., 2012). Glutamate receptors are divided into two broad categorizations: ionotropic and metabotropic receptors. Ionotropic glutamate receptors are ion channels that flux cations (Ca2+, Na+) and open the channels in response to agonist binding. On the other hand, metabotropic receptors activate or inhibit second messenger systems via interactions with cognate G-proteins. (Niciu et al., 2012). Ionotropic glutamate receptors can be subdivided into three large families: AMPA receptors (AMPARs), kainate receptors and NMDA receptors (NMD ARs). Since three decades ago, the discovery NMDARs have kept fascinating neuroscientists while their dysfunctions are also involved in various neurological and psychiatric disorders, including stroke, pathological pain, neurodegenerative diseases and schizophrenia. (Paoletti et al., 2013) Fortunately, the NMDA receptor complex is composed with modulatory sites, and the late 1970s and 1980s saw the development of agonists, antagonists and modulators acting at different binding sites. In the last decade, the molecular biology of the NMDA receptors has been defined, and now it is known that these receptors are formed of an NR1 subunit in combination with one or more NR2 or less commonly an NR3 subunit. (Kemp and McKernan, 2002). 2. Molecular mechanisms NMDA receptors are named after their selective agonist N-methyl-D-aspartate. The receptors are multisubunit complexes associating NR1, NR2 and, more rarely, NR3 subunits. NR2 and NR3 subunits exist as four and two subtypes, respectively (NR2A-D and NR3A-B). NR1 exists as seven subtypes (NR1a–g) (Mony et al., 2009) The receptors are heterotetramers comprising a combination of NR1, NR2A-D and  NR3A-B subunits. The main agonists are glutamate and NMDA, with their binding site on NR2 subunits, while the binding site for the co-agonists D-serine and glycine is located on NR1 and NR3 subunits and the T most common composition of NMDA receptors includes two NR1 and two NR2 subunits, or two NR1, one NR2 and one NR3 subunits (Dzamba et al., 2013). A common structure for glutamate receptors contains an extracellular amino-terminal domain (ATD) for various modulatory functions, extracellular S1S2 domains for agonist binding, an ion channel domain with four transmembrane segments (M1â⠂¬â€œ4) for gating and ion permeation, and a carboxy-terminal domain for communicating with intracellular milieu Fig 1 (Majdi and Chen, 2009). Pharmacological regulation of the NMDAR depends on effects on unique combinations of subunit-specific binding sites. Once glycine coagonist attaches to its site, the glutamate can activate the ion channel and the Na+ and Ca2+ rush in. The Mg2+ blocks channel pore and the blockade is relieved by cellular depolarization, which has implications for synaptic plasticity, especially long-term potentiation (LTP). (Ghasemi and Schachter, 2011) Most compounds that act at NMDA receptors interact with one of 4 drug binding sites on the NMDA receptor complex, the glutamate or glycine binding sites, the ion channel pore, or a binding site on the regulatory NTD. The first compounds identified were agonists and antagonists of the glutamate like D-ÃŽ ±-aminoadipic acid and D-2-amino-5phosphonopentanoic  acid (D-AP5) then glycine competitive antagonists like 7-chloro-5-iodokynurenic acid and partial agonists were identified. It was also soon recognized that some dissociative anesthetics (e.g. ketam ine and phencyclidine) were NMDA receptor blockers and the widely used inhibitor MK-801 was shown to be a potent NMDA receptor channel blocker Fig 2 (Monaghan et al., 2012). Another important aspect of NMDA receptor pharmacology is modulation by posttranslational modifications, such as phosphorylation of the intracellular C-terminal of NR2 subunits. NMDA receptor-mediated calcium increases activate many downstream targets like protein kinase C (PKC) and the Modulation by protein kinase C (PKC) depends on NMDA receptor subunit composition; NR2A- and NR2B-containing receptors are potentiated by PKC activation, whereas NR2Cand NR2D containing receptors are unaffected or inhibited by PKC. PKC phosphorylates the NR1 subunit at serine 890 (S890) in the C1 cassette. The potentiatory effects of PKC are not dependent on phosphorylation of NR1, but inhibitory effects are blocked by mutation of S890 or removal of the C1 domain. The NMDA receptor function is also modulated by MAGUK protein fami ly which controls the NMDA receptor localization, the binding to the scaffolding proteins plays a major role in the control of downstream signals resulting from receptor activation. It thought that synaptic NMDA receptors are retained at the synapse by an attachment to PSD-95 through a PDZ interaction with the NR2 subunits.(Gardoni and Di Luca, 2006) 3. Therapeutics A high number of central nervous system disease states in which neuronal cell death is associated to glutamate induced excitotoxicity could be treated by blocking NMDA receptors such as neurological disorders including ischemia, epilepsy, brain trauma, dementia, and neurodegenerative disorders. à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · Ischemia : it has been shown that loss of calcium homeostasis may be an important mechanism of ischemic brain damage. Ischemia also resulted in a decrease in the size of protein complexes containing PSD-95. In addition, transient cerebral ischemia increases tyrosine phosphorylation of NMDA receptor subunits NR2A and NR2B. Recent studies suggested to treat stroke transducing neurons with peptides able to disrupt the interaction of NMDA receptor NR2B subunits with the postsynaptic density protein PSD-95. This procedure dissociated NMDA receptors from downstream neurotoxic signaling without blocking synaptic activity or calcium influx and protected cultured neurons from excitotoxi city. .( Gardoni and Di Luca, 2006). Many NR1/NR2B antagonists, including ifenprodil, eliprodil and the selective and potent congeners, Ro 25,6981 and CP-101,606, offer promise in preclinical models of ischaemia (Chazot, 2004) à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · Epilepsy: Recent work has suggested that hyper-phosphorylation of NR2B may results in hypersensitivity to the endogenous transmitter, and induction of neuronal hyperexcitability and epilepsy. Furthermore, kainic acid-induced alters tyrosine phosphorylation of NR2A and NR2B receptors. Interestingly, the high affinity NR2B compound, Ro 63-1908 was shown to be active versus acoustic-induced convulsions and NMDA-induced seizures at 4.5 mg/kg ip and 2.31 mg/kg iv, respectively and no adverse cardiovascular, motor deficits or other CNS sideeffects were observed at these active. (Chazot, 2004). à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · Huntingtons disease: The normal huntingtin binds to PSD-95 scaffold protein which inhibit the NMDA receptor Overexpression of the normal huntin gtin N terminus significantly attenuates neuronal toxicity induced by both NMDA receptors and the mutated huntingtin. This suggests that PSD-95 is a mediator of neuronal toxicity induced by NMDA receptors and mutated huntingtin. In addition, in a transgenic model of Huntington disease. Other studies show that expression of mutant htt (but not wild-type htt) in combination with NR1/NR2B increases cell death compared to  transfection of only NMDA receptor subunits, suggesting a role for NR1/NR2B NMDA receptors in cell death mediated by mutant htt .As NR2B antagonists block most of the NMDA receptor mediated currents in neuronal models of Huntington, the selective localization of NR2B in the striatum may also play a role in the efficacy of NR2B antagonists against cell death in models of Huntington.( Gardoni and Di Luca, 2006). à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · Alzheimers disease : In animal models, NR2B subunit expression decreases with age, which correlates well withreduced Long Term Potentiation (L TP) and inferior cognitive performance. The NR1/NR2B subtype decreases, in comparison to other subtypes, in the frontal cortex of aged humans while overexpression of the forebrain NR2B subunit in transgenic mice has been shown to have profound beneficial effects upon cognitive performance. Such information suggests that controlled potentiation of the NR2B may offer a novel strategy for treating cognitive disabilities. (Chazot, 2004). à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · Parkinsons disease: At the molecular level, alterations of NMDA receptor subunits localization in striatum have been described in Dopamine-denervated rats as well as in L-DOPA-treated dyskinetic monkeys. In particular, NR2B subcellular redistribution from synaptic to extrasynaptic sites represents the key element in the complex modifications of the glutamatergic synapse in L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia. On the other hand, recent studies in primates suggested that upregulation of NR2A abundance in synaptosomal membranesmay be an important pla yer in L-DOPA induced dyskinesias. And recently, two studies described results on the effects of NR2B selective NMDA receptor antagonist CP-101,606 on L-DOPA induced dyskinesia in two different models of experimental parkinsonism.( Gardoni and Di Luca, 2006). à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · Psychosis : Studies have suggested that the NR2B has role in psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The mRNA encoding the NR2B subunit and NR1/NR2B-type binding sites have been shown to be selectively increased in hippocampal and cortical regions, Recent work has identified a novel T200G variant located in the NR2B promoter, which endows dysfunction of the NR2B subunit. The frequency of this variant was significantly up-regulated in a schizophrenia group compared to a control group. The possible link between these observations is yet to be investigated. (Chazot, 2004). à ¯Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ · Pain: Studies suggest that the NR2B subunit plays distinct roles in acute and chronic pain states, re cently NR2B antagonists were developped, including Ro 25,6981, CP -101,606, PD 174494 and PD 196860, are effective in a range of animal chronic pain models with a wide separation between anti-hyperalgesic and side-effect doses . . (Chazot, 2004). 4. References Chazot, P. L. (2004). The NMDA receptor NR2B subunit: A valid therapeutic target for  multiple CNS pathologies. Curr. Med. Chem. 11, 389-396. Dzamba, D., Honsa, P. and Anderova, M. (2013). NMDA receptors in glial cells: Pending  questions. Current Neuropharmacology 11, 250-262. Gardoni, F. and Di Luca, M. (2006). New targets for pharmacological intervention in the  glutamatergic synapse. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 545, 2-10. Ghasemi, M. and Schachter, S. C. (2011). The NMDA receptor complex as a therapeutic  target in epilepsy: A review. Epilepsy Behavior 22, 617-640. Kemp, J. A. and McKernan, R. M. (2002). NMDA receptor pathways as drug targets. Nat.  Neurosci. 5, 1039-1042. Majdi, M. and Chen, H. V. (2009). NMDA-gated ion channel research and its therapeutic  potentials in neurodegenerative diseases: A review. Journal of Receptor, Ligand and Channel Research 2, 59-73. Monaghan, D. T., Irvine, M. W., Costa, B. M., Fang, G. and Jane, D. E. (2012).  Pharmacological modulation of NMDA receptor activity and the advent of negative and  positive allosteric modulators. Neurochem. Int. 61, 581-592. Mony, L., Kew, J. N., Gunthorpe, M. J. and Paoletti, P. (2009). Allosteric modulators of  NR2Bà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ containing NMDA receptors: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Br. J.  Pharmacol. 157, 1301-1317 Niciu, M. J., Kelmendi, B. and Sanacora, G. (2012). Overview of glutamatergic  neurotransmission in the nervous system. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior 100,  656-664. Paoletti, P., Bellone, C. and Zhou, Q. (2013). NMDA receptor subunit diversity: Impact on  receptor properties, synaptic plasticity and disease. Nature Reviews Neuroscience 14, 383-400.

Abortion Essay -- essays research papers

According to Webster’s dictionary, abortion is the termination of pregnancy after, accompanied by resulting in, or closely followed by death of the embryo or fetus. I believe that abortion should be illegal. Our world today is full of unsolved, devising and controversial issues. Most of them relate to our morals, ethics, and religion, thus creating a very strong ‘Yes’ and ‘No’. If you were to come to any kind of conclusion on abortion, there would still be a downside to it, and that is primarily why the world cannot agree on this sensitive and emotional issue.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Make no mistake-that from the moment of conception, a new human life has been created. Only those who allow their emotional passion to override their knowledge can deny it: only those who are irrational or ignorant of science doubt that when a human sperm fertilizes a human ovum a new human being is created. Do you consider something with a beating heart a living creature? A baby’s heart forms and starts beating in the fifth week of pregnancy: therefore, that would make abortion murder. Most people consider it murder to kill a baby the day after it is born. Then why would it not be murder to kill it before it is born?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Abortions are often considered â€Å"the easy way out.† I feel that abortions are just selfish. There is no easy way out. I could not imagine living with the guilt of taking Maker 2 another’s life. Especially the life of something I created, and that ...

Arm Holdings Strategic Swot Analysis

This paper evaluates the strategic position and activities of the microchip producer ARM by means of a PESLE analysis and a Porter's six forces analysis to review the company's internal and external environment. Using these analytical tools, the author deems how well ARM's strategy fits within the constraints of the external environment, the distinctive elements of ARM's products and services that distinguish it from its competitors and the sustainability of this strategy in the long-term.The paper concludes that, while presently the semi-conductor industry is significantly challenging, ARM has developed a differentiated strategy, which is capable of competing with large rivals, such as Intel, and which is sustainable over the long-term sustainability. Table of Contents: Executive Summary Introduction Environmental Analysis PESTLE Analysis Competitive Stance Porter's Six Forces Analysis Scale and Scope Analysis of Strategy Evaluation of Sustainability Description From the Paper Sampl e of Sources UsedRelated Papers Cite this Analytical Essay Comment & Share From the Paper: â€Å"Overall it would appear that ARM is making use of a differentiated generic strategy. Here while in general terms the industry for microchips may be seen as one which has become increasingly commoditised in recent years with large incumbent suppliers such as Intel focusing upon producing large volumes at low costs (Roca and Sills, 2011). ARM would seem to have adopted an alternative approach in attempting to develop a niche product hich outperforms cheaper micro chip products in terms of energy efficiency and size. In other words, it may be seen as ARM has built its differentiated generic strategy based upon re-evaluating the needs of its customers and potential customers who have show a clear desire to purchase a generation of microchips which are suitable for inclusion in a range of communications products such as smart phones and tablet computers (hence need to be smaller).In addition , ARM may also be seen as attempting to tap into the growing market for energy efficient products which give numerous benefits to the consumer including cost savings, a feel good factor and in the case of industrial buyers, the ability to market their own products within increased environmental credentials†. Sample of Sources Used: BBC News. 2010. The ups and downs of social networks. Available online at: http://www. bbc. co. k/news/technology-10719042 [Accessed on 22/03/12]. Butterton, G, R. 1996. Pirates, dragons and the US. Intellectual property rights in China. Ariz legal review. 1081. Begg, D, Fischer, S, Dornbusch, R. 2008. Economics. 9th ed. London: McGraw-Hill. Economist. 2012. Space invaders. Available online at: http://www. economist. com/node/21542402 [Accessed on 22/03/12]. Grant, R, M. 2008. Contemporary strategy analysis. 6th ed. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.

What Is AP Capstone Should You Do It

What Is AP Capstone Should You Do It SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Have you heard about the AP program's new diploma program, AP Capstone? Is this just an IB clone or something more interesting? And will completing AP Capstone get you into college? We’ll explore those questions here. Read on for a complete guide to AP Capstone! What Is AP Capstone? AP Capstone is the AP program’s new diploma program. A diploma program is a program that signifies you completed a certain set of requirements in high school to earn an advanced diploma. (This is in addition to your basic high school diploma.) Probably the most well-known advanced diploma program is the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Perhaps to compete with IB, the AP program launched its own diploma program, AP Capstone, in fall 2014. While the regular AP program allows students to choose whichever AP classes they want to take and doesn’t have any overarching structure, AP Capstone requires you take a certain number of AP classes and meet certain requirements to earn the AP Capstone advanced diploma. You have to take skills-based and subject-based AP classes to earn the Capstone diploma. Specifically, AP Capstone includes two foundation courses – AP Seminar and AP Research – to enhance four subject-specific AP courses (in any subject) for a total of six AP courses. Diagram via College Board. College Board says of the program: â€Å"[AP Capstone] cultivates curious, independent, and collaborative scholars and prepares them to make logical, evidence-based decisions.† In other words, AP Capstone is working to bring some thematic unity to the AP program. Typically, students will choose AP classes that are interesting to them and treat them as totally separate entities. They don’t have to make connections between their AP classes or the skills they require. By including AP Seminar and AP Research, the Capstone program aims to make AP a more cohesive high school program. AP Capstone also includes a 5,000 word research paper, which is quite similar to IB’s extended essay. Additionally, some of the curriculum aligns with new common core standards – a bid to make AP Capstone competitive and desirable to schools in today’s changing education world. How AP Capstone Works To get the AP Capstone diploma, you take two special AP courses. You’ll take AP Seminar in 10th or 11th grade, followed by AP Research in the 11th or 12th grade. (You can’t take both in the same grade; AP Seminar has to come before AP Research!) In addition to AP Seminar and AP Research, you have to take four AP classes of your choosing at any point in high school. This means you could simply take one AP course each year (freshmen, sophomore, junior, senior) or pack them into your last two years of high school. If you receive a 3 or higher on all these exams, you will receive the AP Capstone Diploma. (Of course, there is nothing preventing you from taking more than four AP classes if that's what you want to do. You just need a minimum of four to get the AP Capstone diploma.) If you receive scores of 3 or higher in AP Research and AP Seminar, but don’t take four other AP classes or don’t get high enough AP scores in them, you’ll get the AP Seminar and Research Certificate, which shows you gained college-level academic and research skills. The Two Capstone Courses – AP Seminar and AP Research Both AP Seminar and AP Research aim to create a college-like academic experience right in your high school classroom. The AP Seminar and AP Research classes are the main distinguishing features of AP Capstone. These courses give students additional skills to use in other AP classes and college, but aren’t based in specific subjects (e.g. math, language arts, science, or social studies). They aim to help students do the following: Analyze topics through different lenses for greater meaning or understanding Plan and conduct a study/investigation Propose solutions to real world problems Collaborate to solve a problem Plan and produce communication Integrate, synthesize and make cross-cultural connections Let's take a look at each class to learn more. AP Seminar Overview In Seminar, you'll develop analytic and inquiry skills, exploring two to four issues chosen by you or your teacher, depending on how your teacher runs the class. The class focuses on themes based on student interests, local and/or civic issues, global or international topics, and concepts from other AP courses. For example, you might explore the question of whether national security is more important than a citizen’s right to privacy; or whether genetic engineering is a benefit to society. Both topics would draw from multiple subjects (social studies, science, ethics) and allow you to look at issues through many different lenses. During the course, you also complete a team project, an individual paper and presentation, and take a final AP exam. The AP Seminar Exam score is based on all three components and is reported on the standard 1–5 AP scoring scale. AP Research Overview You have to take AP Seminar before you can take AP Research. While Seminar introduces you to discussion, research, and presentation skills, AP Research allows you to design, plan, and conduct a year-long research-based investigation on a topic that interests you. You'll build on skills from AP Seminar by learning about research methodology, using ethical research practices, and analyzing the information you find to write and defend your argument. Get ready to spend a lot of time in the library! For your research paper, you can dig into a topic you already studied in a different AP course, or come up with your own topic that combines different subjects. At the end of the research investigation, you’ll write a paper of about 5,000 words, then present and defend it. The AP Research Exam score is based on the paper, presentation, and defense, and is reported on the standard 1–5 AP scoring scale. So note that, unlike AP Seminar, there is not a formal AP Research exam. Your paper and presentation will be the exam! How Popular Is AP Capstone? The AP Capstone program is quite new, as it only debuted in 2014. Currently, about 300 American schools, 15 Canadian schools, and 30 other international schools have the program. Considering 894 schools in the US alone have IB, AP Capstone is pretty small in comparison. That said, the program will likely grow and expand quite a bit in the next few years as more schools choose to implement it. Some states don’t have any AP Capstone schools yet.several (like Missouri and Utah) have just one participating school, while others have quite a few. (Florida has almost 100!) It will be interesting to see if the state representation evens out in the coming years or if Capstone becomes very popular in certain states and rare in others. How Capstone Differs From â€Å"Regular AP† The basic AP program is more flexible than AP Capstone. The regular AP program is an â€Å"a la carte† program – you can choose which AP classes to take and how intense you want your schedule to be. Some students might just take 1 or 2 AP classes in high school, others could take over 10. It all depends on how much you want to challenge yourself, how many AP courses your school offers, and which subjects you're interested in. The success of a student is judged by how they do on each exam – students aren’t expected to take a certain number of AP classes or get a certain average score. In short, the basic AP program is quite flexible and can fit the needs of many students. In contrast, AP Capstone is a diploma program with stricter requirements. If you don't take the right AP classes or get high enough AP exam scores, you won't earn the Capstone diploma. How Similar Is AP Capstone to the IB Program? You may be wondering how similar AP Capstone is to the IB program, since they are both advanced diploma programs. We’ll run through some of the main similarities and differences since many students considering IB might also consider AP Capstone, and vice-versa. Similarities Both programs function pretty similarly. Students take advanced classes in high school (marked as either AP or IB), and then take an exam for each class at the end of the year. For both AP Capstone and IB, you have to obtain a minimum score on your exams to earn the diploma. For IB you have to earn at least 24 points total on your exams (IB exams are scored from 1 to 7), for Capstone you need a 3 or higher on each exam. Each program also requires a long piece of writing, though AP Capstone’s 5,000 word research paper is longer than IB's 4,000 word extended essay. Finally, both programs include subject-based and skills-based courses – though IB has one skills-based course, Theory of Knowledge, while AP Capstone has two – Seminar and Research. Differences The IB program requires some of your courses be more difficult, while there’s no distinction between standard level and higher level courses in AP Capstone. To earn an IB diploma, 3 of your 6 courses have to be designated "higher level," while three can be "standard level." For the AP Capstone diploma, you can choose the four additional AP courses you want to take, even if they are known as easier exams. Also, AP Capstone does not have any extracurricular requirements whereas IB has the Creativity, Action, Service program, which essentially requires extracurricular activities. Another major difference between the programs is that AP Capstone has no requirements as to the four additional AP classes you take, whereas in IB you need to take courses from six specific subject areas. So while you could get the AP Capstone diploma with all humanities or all sciences classes if you wanted, IB requires courses taken from across the board. For this reason, the IB Diploma is arguably more comprehensive. Finally, the IB program is more established, since it's a much older program. While many colleges are likely familiar with IB, you may have to explain AP Capstone a bit more on your applications so colleges know what it is and how it's different from regular AP. Should You Take AP Capstone? So now, the big question: if your school (or a school nearby) is offering AP Capstone, should you take it? Before deciding, consider the cost – you’re committing to taking at least 6 exams to earn the diploma. At $91 per exam, that’s significant! Whereas by taking regular AP classes you can decide each year how many AP classes to take and whether you can afford them, for AP Capstone you're committing to a set number. Speaking of which, are you up for six classes? With regular AP you can drop out of any one class at any point, but with Capstone you need 6 courses to finish the diploma. Think hard about whether that’s a commitment you’re willing to take on. Also, who at your school is teaching AP Research and/or AP Seminar? Those courses are a big part of the Capstone experience, so if the teacher isn’t great you might want to skip Capstone and just take regular AP courses. Since this is a new program, expect some kinks and growing pains in the first few years. Be especially cautious if you’re a current sophomore or junior looking to jump into AP Capstone. Talk to your guidance counselor and the Seminar and/or Research teachers to get a sense of what AP Capstone will be like at your school and if you want to do it. If you’re a freshman or younger, you have more time to wait and see how well the program does at your school and at the national level. Will Colleges Care? Similar to IB, since AP Capstone is only offered at a select few schools, colleges won’t be specifically looking for AP Capstone or favoring it, since not all students have access to it. Still, if you take Capstone, aspects of the program – especially the long research paper – will likely look desirable to most colleges. The independent reseach AP Capstone requires could be the topic of a college essay or at least something substantial to talk about in an interview. However, like we mentioned earlier, since AP Capstone is new, make sure you explain what it is on your college applications, so colleges realize that you undertook an advanced diploma program. Odds are, that will look pretty good to them! Also, remember that colleges will look at your schedule in the context of your school, so as long as your schedule is as challenging as possible – whether you’re in Capstone or not – you are setting yourself up for success. It may be that taking AP Capstone will push you to take more AP classes, making your schedule look more challenging in the context of your school. If your school does have Capstone and you opt to not take it, make sure you are taking a challenging mix of AP and honors courses so it doesn't look like you slacked off. What’s Next? If you decide to take AP Capstone, you’ll have to choose 4 AP courses on your own. Read about the hardest and easiest AP classes to help you decide on your schedule. Learn about another popular diploma program – the IB program, and whether or not you should take it or AP. If you’re applying to top colleges, you also need to think about your SAT/ACT score. Come up with a target SAT score based on your dream schools (ACT version here). Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Taoism Essays - Taoism, Tao Te Ching, Tao, Laozi, Wu Wei

Taoism Essays - Taoism, Tao Te Ching, Tao, Laozi, Wu Wei Taoism Throughout history, Taoism has been one of the most influential religions of Eastern culture. This is certainly one of the most unique of all religions. Many Taoists, in fact, do not even consider it a religion; and in many ways it is not. Taoists make no claim that the Tao exists.1 That is what essentially separates Taoism from the rest of the world religions: there is no heated debate or battle over Taoist doctrine; there have been no crusades to spread the religion. The very essence of Taoism is quite the opposite. Taoism?s uniqueness and open-endedness have allowed the religion to flourish almost undisturbed and unchanged for over two thousand years. The founder of Taoism was a man named Lao Tzu, who lived around the year 604 B.C.E. According to Chinese legend, Lao Tzu was an archivist in the imperial library at Lo Yang was known for his knowledge, although he never taught.2 When Lao Tzu left his position at the library, he went to the Chinese province of Chou. At the border, however, he was stopped and forced to write down his teachings. During this time, he wrote the Tao Te Ching, the major scripture of Taoism.3 After Lao Tzu?s death, a man named Yang Chu (440-366 B.C.E.) took up his teachings.4 A naturalist and philosopher, Yang Chu believed highly in self-regard and survival as the core of human nature and direction. His ideals were personal integrity and self-protection, and said that he was unwilling to pluck one hair from his head even if all humanity were to benefit from it.5 The next influential Taoist philosopher was Chang Tzu, who lived from 350-275 B.C.E. He defined existence using Lao Tzu?s teachings.6 He wrote fifty-two books in response to the Tao Te Ching, thirty-three of which still survive today.7 Using exaggeration and fantasy, he illustrated Lao Tzu?s teachings and how the Tao acted in nature. His theories spoke of a cosmic unity which encompasses all reality and guides it naturally, without force, to its proper end.8 The Yin and Yang theory became part of Taoist philosophy around 300 B.C.E. when they were mentioned in the Hsi tz?u, an appendix to the I Ching.9 Yin and Yang are defined as the two forces in nature. They are often called the two ?breaths? or ch?i.10 Yin is the feminine principle, representing darkness, coolness, and dampness; Yang is the masculine principle, representing brightness, warmth, and dryness.11 Neither principle is good or bad; they are not opposites, but each is needed to maintain stability in the universe.12 This belief holds that everything is defined through opposition; consequently, the virtues of balance and understanding are highly valued.13 Taoism became an official religion between 100 and 200 C.E.14 Due to competition from Buddhism, Taoists adopted many Buddhist beliefs. During this pivotal point in the religion?s history, searching for self-knowledge and wisdom were replaced by searching for solutions to sorrows and other physical problems.15 Alchemy and superstition became highly popular during this period of time, as Taoists tried to escape reality rather than to control the artificial and unnatural. Many Taoists used magic and the concept of Tao to try to extend the physical life rather than to focus on the afterlife.16 Gradually the religion becomes more complicated, with a wide pantheon of gods and a ruling hierarchy.17 The leader Chang Ling took the title ?Heavenly Teacher? in 200 C.E. He created a dynasty of high priests who manipulated Taoism to support a superstitious doctrine of magic and mysticism.18 Seizing higher power as a religious leader, he pioneered a merging of Taoism and Zoroastrianism into a system called Five Bushels of Rice Taoism. Eventually this developed into a society based on Mazdaism, a Zoroastrian sect, where every believer was charged five bushels of rice.19 Although the believers followed the basic Zoroastrian worship format, they worshipped different gods: the Tao instead of Ahura-Mazda, and the various Chinese folk gods in place of the Persian Angels.20 Three hundred years later, the philosopher Honen moved away from Mazdaism and combined Taoism with Buddhism. This simplified religion he created became known as the Pure Land School, or Amidaism. Gradually, however, Taoism again became tied to magic, and it failed as a religion.21 Today, only its original philosophies survive and there are very few followers of Taoism, mostly found in Taiwan.22 Although Taoism?s religious practices deteriorated with advancing Western influence, its philosophical aspects have outlasted those of Confucianism and Zen Buddhism.23 For centuries, Taoism has been known as the Way of Harmony.24 This is because Taoists believe that the Tao leads all nature toward a natural balance. The Tao, however, is not

Analyzing a key business leader Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Analyzing a key business leader - Essay Example Leadership plays a key role in the success of any business and can determine the success or failure of a business venture. Around the world, there are many notable leaders who have managed to steer their companies from small local enterprises to large multinational companies. Richard Branson is one such notable leader. An article entitled The importance of being Richard Branson (Knowledge@Wharton 1-3) reveals that Branson is the founder and owner of the Virgin Group – an empire of 350 companies with ventures in the airline, telecommunication, trains, cosmetic, credit card and several other industries. His empire is worth over 7 billion dollars and it employs over 9,000 people in 28 countries (Morris, par. He has also been recognized as one the 25 most influential leaders in the last 25 years. He is a leader who has mastered the ability to build successful brands and the ability to create a common purpose among his followers. At the core of Branson’s leadership style, is his belief that people, or more specifically his employees, are the foundation of his company success. A Wall Street Journal poll carried out in 2004 reported the following five characteristics as strengths that make a good leader; integrity, ability to get along with others, industriousness, intelligence, business knowledge and education (Ebersohn, 11). Branson’s integrity is perhaps best exemplified by his open and honest attitude to his employees. He believes that it is important that employees are aware at all times about the successes and the problems that the company is going through. He encourages the celebration of company successes and on the other hand also encourages his employees to suggest solutions and innovation to grow the company and solve any problems the company might be going through. Branson is known as a hard worker. His industriousness nature is often described as workaholic. His intelligence is manifested in his ability to identify good business

Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 9

Religion - Essay Example According the Durkheim, the Orthodox Church is more likely to stress on the importance of conserving old traditions, while the teachings of the Protestant used to emphasize freedom and autonomy as the greater priority. The Protestant Church separated from the Roman Catholics on Reformation, and tends to view change and an occasional deviation from traditions as a positive change (Huismans, & Schwartz, 1995). There are a few distinctive differences in the teachings of Roman Catholics, Orthodox and the Protestant Church, but they revolve mostly around the different values and belief that each of these sects prioritize (Huismans, & Schwartz, 1995). For example, as the Protestants view development and success over stagnancy. While Roman Catholics and Orthodox Church both give more importance to not letting go of the old traditions, through which humankind initially learned about and sustained Christianity. These facts may point out the blatant differences, which can be found for each, bu t meanwhile also show that each has its own value-based teachings, none of which can be objectively proved more correct than any other. The understanding that Orthodox Church, as the name suggests, promotes the adherence to traditional ceremonies and worship, while the Protestant Church encourages change, is correct. While these two sects operate on polar beliefs as far as the importance of conservatism is concerned, it is important to note that religious leaders preach the importance of some values while perhaps shunning the value of other beliefs. This shunning is not, perhaps done voluntarily, but does result in the matter of the teachings of Christianity turning from objective to subjective, as each sect is taught to emphasize a difference belief by their leaders. As Weber pointed out, â€Å"Calvinist Protestantism promoted and supported industrialization in western Europe by influencing believers to emphasize wealth, success, ambition, and