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budget cuts essays

budget cuts essays Id like to inform you about the great deal of budget cuts happening everyday in our public school systems. One of the hardest hit is in our arts and music departments. The battle over NEA funding and other important foundations that are set up to benefit our youths are being challenged by the government at an alarming rate. Cutbacks in our schools budget force students in these departments to go without necessary supplies that are essential in the learning process. Id also like to show you why art and music education is essential to our childrens learning process, how it allows them to grow up to be well rounded citizens, and why as a country, we need to fight to save these programs. It seems to be a continuous battle for art and music educations demand for some respect. Many legislators feel the problem in our schools is that budgets where not amended to fit the rise of costs in our economy. And because of this there simply arent simple ways to fund these programs. Other reasons for problems in the arts and music departments budget is that even though there is inadequate funding schools pass programs without promise of long-term support. Thus, creating a cycle of budget problems. This is our problem. One particular agency, out of many, the NEA is facing problems that are similar to most in the art and music debates. The conservatives are pressing the case that, in the time of tight federal budgets, taxpayers cannot afford funding for the agency, which received a $99 million appropriation for fiscal 1997. The critics also argue that the agency continues to fund pornographic and blasphemous projects.(Freedman,p.624) As stated by Allan Freedman of Government and Commerce magazine, sums up the views some government officials are having concerning the NEA, an organization set up to benefit those in the art community. This organization is a powerful factor in terms of art education. The or...

Marketing Myopia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Marketing Myopia - Essay Example Marketing Myopia, written by Theodore Levitt, was published in the Harvard Business Review. It won the McKinsey award in 1960. This is a business article that asks the question, â€Å"What business are you really in?† It talks about the strategy of doing business and marketing. Levitt argues that for a business to do better, focus should not be on selling products to customers. Rather focus should be on the customer needs and meeting those needs. According to the writer, most businesses that do not grow, or whose growth keeps declining have a management problem. This management is of the top executives of a company since they are the policy makers and implementers. For a long time, companies have been focusing on the kind of products they think suits the customers. This has led to failures of this company or stagnating growth, to say the least. Theodore Levitt is remarkably insightful in arguments about the failure of management. It is argued that the failure is with the top e xecutives whose work is to make policies. An example is given of the transportation industry, where railroad has been replaced by other means of transport that meet the needs of the customers. The railroad failed to meet the needs of the customer. This is because they had a wrong definition for their business, which is product oriented. They instead should have defined it as customer oriented. The second example is Hollywood, whose focus was in production of movies and not providing entertainment. They have since been overtaken by TV, which meets the needs of the customer by providing entertainment. Levitt’s other examples are of companies whose orientation is customer based. They are nylon and glass-based companies respectively. They have both customer and product advantages that emanate from their excellent technical competence. They apply this technical competence to make sure the products produced are of quality. The focus is on the customers’ needs but not on the product. They apply excellent technical competence to fulfill those needs. In his examples, Theodore Levitt compares different companies that are in different sectors of an economy. The writer is critical in arguing that there is an error of analysis in judging companies according to their products. Success of a company is not on the product, which is a narrow way of classification. Companies die because of a lack of imaginativeness in the management and a lack of will to fulfill the needs of the customer. A railroad industry lacks the imaginativeness to fulfill the needs of the customer, which in this case is transportation. This point is made clearly and shows that companies that have narrowed down their product line are doomed to fail for having a wrong business definition. This gives a serious point for management to think, evaluate their business strategy, applicability, survival, and plan appropriately. The writer argues intuitively that the success of a company is sometimes a ttributed to lack of competition. These companies have since gone under a shadow. Why is that? The dry cleaning companies have been replaced with other customer-friendly companies that discovered how to reduce the amount of dry cleaning required for clothes. The use of chemical additives and synthetic fibers is about to make dry cleaning obsolete. Another company that the writer examined is in the electric utilities. They have no competition, yet, they are not growing. This is because other companies are replacing electricity lines with a small cell electricity transmitter. Grocery stores, on the other hand, have been replaced with large chains of supermarkets. It is argued that the growth industry is non-existent. Arguably, there exist companies that create and capitalize on growth opportunities. The self-deceiving cycle thrives on the ever-expanding population, lack of competition, mass production, and product focus. A company can focus on mass production of goods to meet an expan ding populatio

Inventory management and materials requirement planning Assignment

Inventory management and materials requirement planning - Assignment Example Introduction Inventory management can be defined as the practice of managing the inventory of an organisation so as to ensure that it does not go out of stock and that the needs of the organisation are continually met (Pillsbury, 2005). Inventory management is carried out in order to protect the organisation against stock-outs when there is variability in terms of demand. Inventory management and materials planning in a military setting is very much different from the business setting due to the nature and sensitivity of the inventory itself. The fact that there is always need to provide the right materials to the military personnel at the right time especially during war has resulted in a situation where the inventory management practices adopted are very risk averse leading to the holding of a lot of inventory at a time in their stores. This is due to the fact that there is need to consider the risk of lacking particular materials when they are needed by the personnel on the ground (Hillier and Lieberman, 2001). Royal Air force of Oman Inventory system The Royal Air force of Oman is no exception to the inventory management practices adopted by the military. ... Some of the items in the inventory have been there for many years and the military is now being faced with the risk of obsoleteness as new technology development has resulted in new more advanced military equipments (Max, 2005). Military organisations all over the world have traditionally focused on keeping high levels of inventory in order to be able to deliver the needed services and equipments to their personnel. This has therefore led to a situation where the military organisations have to take a risk averse position and adopt inventory management practices which allow the storage of high levels of inventory for readiness purposes. This is a practice that most military logistics personnel adopt and has resulted in a common believe that holding more inventory is better when it comes to being ready for warfare and being ahead of other military forces. It is however important that these military organisations adopt better inventory management practices so as to reduce the costs of s torage and the risk of obsoleteness. This will help them manage their inventory levels in a more cost effective manner thus lowering some of the heavy costs they have been incurring over time (Melcher and Ferrari, 2004). Inventory Management Systems There are several inventory management systems that can be used by an organisation to manage their inventory. These are; reorder point systems, periodic review systems and material requirements planning. The inventory management system adopted by military organisations such as the Royal Air force of Oman is based on the material requirements planning system. This is due to the fact that most of the materials purchased by the military are based on needs and therefore

Yorkshire Dilect and Pronunciation Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Yorkshire Dilect and Pronunciation - Case Study Example Ð  quÐ µstionnÐ °irÐ µ contÐ °ining itÐ µms which rÐ µflÐ µctÐ µd Ð ° numbÐ µr of sociÐ °l bond vÐ °riÐ °blÐ µs Ð °nd Ð ° mÐ µÃ °surÐ µ of frÐ µquÐ µncy of Yorkshire diÐ °lect wÐ °s Ð °dministÐ µrÐ µd to Ð ° sÐ °mplÐ µ of collÐ µgÐ µ studÐ µnts. ThÐ µ rÐ µsults indicÐ °tÐ µd thÐ °t nÐ µÃ °rly Ð °ll of thÐ µ sociÐ °l bond mÐ µÃ °surÐ µs wÐ µrÐ µ invÐ µrsÐ µly rÐ µlÐ °tÐ µd to thÐ µ frÐ µquÐ µncy of Yorkshire diÐ °lect. Ð  multivÐ °riÐ °tÐ µ modÐ µl thÐ °t usÐ µd thÐ µsÐ µ sociÐ °l bond mÐ µÃ °surÐ µs Ð µxplÐ °inÐ µd Ð °pproximÐ °tÐ µly onÐ µ-quÐ °rtÐ µr of thÐ µ vÐ °riÐ °ncÐ µ in thÐ µ frÐ µquÐ µncy of Yorkshire diÐ °lect for thÐ µ studÐ µnts in this sÐ °mplÐ µ. The term diÐ °lect refers to Ð ° specific vÐ °riety of Ð ° lÐ °nguÐ °ge, which differs systemÐ °ticÐ °lly from other vÐ °rieties in terms of pronunciÐ °tion, grÐ °mmÐ °r Ð °nd vocÐ °bulÐ °ry, but which is still generÐ °lly comprehensible to speÐ °kers of other diÐ °lects within thÐ °t lÐ °nguÐ °ge. Ð ccent refers simply to different pronunciÐ °tion pÐ °tterns Ð °nd, despite populÐ °r belief to the contrÐ °ry everybody speÐ °ks with Ð °n Ð °ccent. In other words, diÐ °lect is Ð °n umbrellÐ ° term for Ð ° vÐ °riety of linguistic feÐ °tures, one of which is Ð °ccent - the sound pÐ °tterns of Ð ° specific diÐ °lect. ... The chrcteristic fetures of the ccent of the region includeflt, uninflected mnner of speech, with less tonl vrition thn Stndrd English. The "u" sound is pronounced like the stndrd English "oo", so "luck" is pronounced (in IP) . The difference between the Yorkshire Pronuncition of "look" nd "luck" is difficult to her, the "look" vowel being slightly longer in durtion nd tending towrds the IP pronuncition. Shortening of "the" to "t", s in "I'm going down 't pub". Sometimes even the "t" is now omitted totlly, often it is pronounced s glottl stop. Mny dilect words, for exmple "owt" nd "nowt" (sometimes spelled s "ught" nd "nught") for "nything" or "nothing", "bevvy" for drink, "growler" for "pork pie", "lughole" for "er", "gip" for "vomit" funnily mkes the ugly Gipton estte in Leeds into "vomit-town"! etc. The word "us" is often used in plce of "me" or in the plce of "our" we should put us nmes on us property. Use of the singulr second-person pronoun "thou" nd "thee", lrgely in the southern prts of Yorkshire. These re often pronounced "thh" nd "thi". In ll cses of the pst tense of "to be" is "were": "I were wering t'red cot, but he were wering t'green one". The word "self" becomes "sen", prticulrly in North Yorkshire. E.g. "Yourself" becomes "Thy sen" In the South-Est of Yorkshire vowel shifts so "i" becomes "ee", nd "ee" becomes "i", so "Where hve you been lst night" becomes "wherst th bin lst neet". The letter "y" on the end of words is pronounced like the "i" in "city" or "pity" nd is thus shorter thn in Stndrd English "It's piti 't h didn't get sum sweets.". 1 In West Yorkshire, words like "blue" nd "you" hve n exggerted "euw" sound in "bleuw" nd "yeuw". This is best herd in the West Yorkshire

Effects of Free Trade Agreements on Trade and Growth in US

Effects of Free Trade Agreements on Trade and Growth in US The Effects of Free Trade Agreements on Trade and Growth in American Countries: Evidence from the Gravity Model Approach Trade as a driver of growth and development is a concept that has been addressed from different perspectives or approaches for scholars and policy-makers. However, an integrative path was sealed with the creation of the World Trade Organization as the main tool to promote a more accessible and clear way to commerce between nations and was further strengthened by bilateral and multilateral FTAs, which continue developing and growing. In the current political scenario, the discussion between supporters of globalisation and detractors provides a compelling framework to study the real effects that Free Trade Agreements cause on the economic performance. While the first group affirms that FTAs enhances the markets and therefore, the economic growth and employment, the second group argues that the global market is damaging the small domestic economies. The present paper covers the increasing effects on trade that are expected by countries that engage in Free Trade Agreements, including bilateral or multilateral ones within American countries, in the context of the three central multilateral trade agreements in the continent (NAFTA, MERCOSUR, and The Pacific Alliance) and other relevant bilateral agreements. The main question to be addressed is whether the positive effects predicted by economic theory on trade when countries eliminate fares and other barriers to trade as part of an agreement effectively happen in the current context of the Americas. The hypothesis is that the implementation of Free Trade Agreements has a positive and significant impact on the trade flows between the American countries. Section 2 includes the theoretical framework behind the relation between trade and FTAs, Section 3 presents the model specification, Section 4 shows the estimation of the model and the econometric tests, the limitations of the theoret ical framework and the model specification are discussed in Section 5, and Section 6 concludes. The Gravity Model has its origins on Location Theory, as it was the main model to include the effects of distance on traded quantities. Isard and Peck (1954) acknowledged the importance of considering distance as a variable in trade analysis establishing the ground from which others such as Tinbergen (1962) and Pà ¶yhà ¶nen (1963) would build the Gravity theory to explain trade flows between countries, conducting the first econometric studies based on the gravity equation. The Gravity Model has proven to be extremely successful in ordering the observed variations in economic transactions and movement of factors. It is also distinguished for its representation of economic interaction in a multi-country world, where the distribution of goods and factors is driven by gravity forces that are conditional to the size of economic activities at each location (Anderson, 2010). In this way, trade between countries is positively related to countries sizes and negatively related to distance. Moreover, as a widely used analytical framework, the model can incorporate adjusting variables such as FTA to indicate the existence of Free Trade Agreements between the objective countries (Yang and Martinez-Zarzozo, 2014). Tinbergen (1962) suggests an economically insignificant average treatment effects of FTAs. However, numerous studies, such as Frankel (1997) on MERCOSUR, find a significant positive effect in line with the expected results. These contradictory outcomes emphasise the fragility of the estimation of FTAs treatment effects and are a clear signal that robustness should be tested. One of the central issues to be explored is the exogeneity of FTAs, since the presence of them, if endogenous, can provide seriously biased results. Baier and Bergstrand (2007) provide several important conclusions to be taken into consideration. They observe that using the standard cross-section gravity equation provides a downwards-biased result. Secondly, attributed to this bias, traditional FTAs effects are underestimated by around 75%-85%. Lastly, the authors demonstrate that the best estimates of the effect of FTAs on bilateral trade are achieved from a theoretically framed gravity equation using panel data with bilateral, country and time fixed effects or differenced panel data with country and time effects. As it is suggested by extensive literature, trade flows are better explained by the Gravity Model, which propose the Newtons Gravity concept to explain bilateral trade as an attraction force, influenced positively by the size of the economies involved in trading and negatively with the costs of transaction (Tinbergen, 1962 and PoÃÅ'ˆyhoÃÅ'ˆnen, 1963). As proxy variables of the size of the economy, the model uses GDP and population of both countries; and Distance between the countries as a proxy for transaction costs. Following the Newtons Gravity Equation, the model estimates: Where is the trade flows between a specific country pair, in other words, is the sum of exports from country to country plus exports from country to country . is the gross domestic product in country , is the population of country , is the GDP in country , is the population of country , and is the distance between the capital cities (as major economic centres) of countries and . To avoid spurious effects due to inflation and currency exchange rates, the variables , and are measured in 2010 constant US dollars. Moreover, recent literature has implemented an augmented version of the gravity model to evaluate other variables of interest related to trade flows. In this way, besides to include more time-sections to the analysis, a dummy for implemented FTAs is added to the explanatory variables, taking a value of 1 if there exist a fully in force agreement and 0 otherwise. For the purpose of this paper, an FTA is considered if it establishes 100% free trade, because many cooperation agreements in the Americas consider only certain sectors for free trade, and these are not the focus of this research. Including the dummy variable, transforming the gravity model using Logarithmic function, to accomplish the linearity-in-parameters assumption, and including the time sections, the model to estimate is: However, it is strongly likely that this model has problems of endogeneity and thus, the estimators are biased due to sampling selection and omitted variable bias, how it is suggested by the literature. However, the logic behind this biasedness is different to the literature review. For Baier and Bergstrand (2007), the parameter of interest would have a negative bias because countries will be more interested in implementing an FTA when the benefits of it are greater. Therefore, the authors conclude that a possible omitted variable would be Tariff Barriers. In this scenario, Tariff Barriers are negatively correlated with trade and positively with FTA, generating a negative bias. This is not the case for America. On the contrary, progressive lower barriers and an improving in the diplomatic relationships have finally pushed the creation of Free Trade areas and agreements. That is why, in this case, we suggest that the bias for the sample would be positive, since the possible omitted variables would be lower barriers and good diplomatic relationships, affecting the FTAs and the trade itself positively. To solve this problem, the literature suggests the use of Fixed Effects Panel Data strategy because this model can control for country-specific and invariant-in-time unobservable variables. Therefore, the model to estimate is: Where will be the identifier for the 29 different country-pair units. Since the Fixed Effects model reacts only to variant-in-time variables, the variable Distance is dropped from the model. This estimation allows controlling by characteristics related to the specific country-pair like diplomatic relationships, trade openness, institutions, and so on. However, there could be variables related to unobserved characteristics in time like trade trends and generalised willingness to trade and sign FTAs. For this reason, it is recommended to use time fixed effects to avoid endogeneity, through the next model: Where will be the identifier for the 13 different time sections. Since the scope of this paper is to evaluate the effect of the FTAs on American countries, the three biggest trade agreements in the continent (NAFTA, MERCOSUR, The Pacific Alliance) were taken as a research target, and their members were chosen as the population. The countries included by Trade Agreement are presented in Table 1: Table 1. Multilateral Trade Agreements in America Agreement Country Start Date North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Canada 01/01/94 Mexico 01/01/94 United States 01/01/94 Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) Argentina 15/08/91 Bolivia 28/02/97 Brazil 15/08/91 Paraguay 15/08/91 Uruguay 15/08/91 MERCOSUR Chile Chile 01/10/96 The Pacific Alliance Chile 01/02/12 Colombia 01/02/12 Mexico 01/02/12 Peru 01/02/12 Source: Organization of American States (2016) However, if those countries were incorporated without taking into account other Free Trade Agreements between them or third countries, problems of sample selection bias would be created. For this reason, in addition to the mentioned free trade areas, bilateral FTA are considered, according to Table 2: Table 2. Bilateral Trade Agreements in the sample FTA Start Date Bolivia Mexico 07/06/10 Canada Chile 05/12/96 Canada Colombia 21/11/08 Canada Peru 29/05/08 Chile Mexico 01/08/99 Chile Panama 07/03/08 Chile Peru 01/03/09 Mexico Chile 01/08/99 Mexico Uruguay 15/07/04 Panama Canada 01/04/13 Panama Peru 01/05/12 United States Chile 01/01/04 United States Colombia 15/05/12 United States Panama 31/10/12 United States Peru 01/02/09 Source: Organization of American States (2016) As the model considers only one dummy variable, if a country-pair has two agreements in force (bilateral and trade area), it is considered the oldest one. Besides, it is important to point out that Venezuela (suspended member of MERCOSUR) was dropped from the list due to the lack of reliable information about trade flows. The information about bilateral trade flows was obtained from The World Banks World Integrated Trade Solution, and the other variables were constructed using information from the World Development Indicators. The database used to estimate the model has 29 country-pairs (cross-sectional units) and 13 time-sections since 1990 to 2014. The used database of bilateral trade drops 1996, leaving the database with one time-section less. Since it is one time-section of fourteen and according to our investigation, the missing information is not related to an event influencing trade flows and the time section is dropped for the entire observations, we have a low risk of biased estimators. Table 3 contains the descriptive statistics showed by the Statistical Software STATA ® for the variables in levels: Table 3. Descriptive statistics of relevant variables (in levels) Variable | Mean Std. Dev. Min Max | Observations ID overall | 25.45435 19.18174 1 74 | N = 460 between | 19.36072 1 74 | n = 29 within | 0 25.45435 25.45435 | T-bar = 15.8621 | | Exports overall | 4.55E+10 1.22E+11 1.45E+08 6.13E+11 | N = 460 between | 1.01E+11 4.22E+08 4.75E+11 | n = 29 within | 3.63E+10 -1.67E+11 2.48E+11 | T-bar = 15.8621 | | GDP_Exp overall | 1.02E+12 2.25E+12 9.96E+09 1.62E+13 | N = 460 between | 2.40E+12 1.37E+10 1.30E+13 | n = 29 within | 3.60E+11 -1.94E+12 4.21E+12 | T-bar = 15.8621 | | Pop~Exp overall | 6.71E+07 7.28E+07 2738125 3.19E+08 | N = 460 between | 7.16E+07 3324953 2.86E+08 | n = 29 within | 8255115 3.64E+07 9.97E+07 | T-bar = 15.8621 | | GDP_Imp overall | 6.78E+12 6.55E+12 9.96E+09 1.62E+13 | N = 460 between | 6.28E+12 1.61E+10 1.38E+13 | n = 29 within | 1.50E+12 2.71E+12 1.00E+13 | T-bar = 15.8621 | | Pop~Imp overall | 1.68E+08 1.31E+08 3201604 3.19E+08 | N = 460 between | 1.31E+08 3310046 2.95E+08 | n = 29 within | 1.42E+07 1.31E+08 2.00E+08 | T-bar = 15.8621 | | FTA overall | 0.5043478 0.5005254 0 1 | N = 460 between | 0.4360526 0 1 | n = 29 within | 0.2546286 -0.453985 1.393237 | T-bar = 15.8621 | | Distance overall | 3690.712 2529.406 213.02 8483.39 | N = 460 between | 2533.405 213.02 8483.39 | n = 29 within | 1.55E-12 3690.712 3690.712 | T-bar = 15.8621 However, since the estimations are calculated using a logarithmic transformation of the continuous variables, the descriptive statistics of the variables in natural logarithm are presented in Table 4: Table 4. Descriptive statistics of relevant variables (in logarithm) Variable | Mean Std. Dev. Min Max | Observations FTA overall | 0.5043478 0.5005254 0 1 | N = 460 between | 0.4360526 0 1 | n = 29 within | 0.2546286 -0.4539855 1.393237 | T-bar = 15.8621 | | lexports overall | 2.25E+01 1.84E+00 1.88E+01 27.14178 | N = 460 between | 1.64E+00 1.98E+01 26.85607 | n = 29 within | 5.17E-01 2.10E+01 23.84729 | T-bar = 15.8621 | | lGDP_ex overall | 2.65E+01 1.66E+00 2.30E+01 30.41464 | N = 460 between | 1.69E+00 2.33E+01 30.18564 | n = 29 within | 2.28E-01 2.58E+01 27.04886 | T-bar = 15.8621 | | lGDP_im overall | 2.77E+01 2.795514 2.30E+01 30.41464 | N = 460 between | 2.719438 2.35E+01 30.25019 | n = 29 within | 1.94E-01 2.70E+01 28.17505 | T-bar = 15.8621 | | lPop_ex overall | 1.75E+01 1.11E+00 1.48E+01 19.58041 | N = 460 between | 1.12E+00 1.50E+01 19.47142 | n = 29 within | 8.70E-02 1.72E+01 17.64414 | T-bar = 15.8621 | | lPop_im overall | 1.80E+01 1.821994 1.50E+01 19.58041 | N = 460 between | 1.826536 1.50E+01 19.50204 | n = 29 within | 8.05E-02 1.78E+01 18.19405 | T-bar = 15.8621 | | ldista~e overall | 7.89E+00 9.17E-01 5.36E+00 9.045865 | N = 460 between | 9.10E-01 5.36E+00 9.045865 | n = 29 within | 0.00E+00 7.89E+00 7.891049 | T-bar = 15.8621 Although using pooled OLS with the database will generate problems of endogeneity discussed further below, OLS estimation is made to have the first approach to the gravity model. Table 5 shows the obtained results: Table 5. Gravity Model estimated by OLS lexports | Coef. Std. Err. t P>|t| [95% Conf. Interval] lGDP_exp | 0.6340649 0.0394767 16.06 0 0.5564848 0.7116451 lGDP_imp | 0.4512511 0.0464715 9.71 0 0.3599247 0.5425775 lPop_exp | 0.2196251 0.0606458 3.62 0 0.1004432 0.3388071 lPop_imp | 0.5049373 0.0726212 6.95 0 0.362221 0.6476536 FTA | 0.5136195 0.0689928 7.44 0 0.3780338 0.6492052 ldistance | -0.9256142 0.0407673 -22.7 0 -1.005731 -0.8454978 _cons | -12.68833 0.7146799 -17.75 0 -14.09283 -11.28383 With a , the model behaves according to the literature and all variables are statistically significant using any level of significance. The variables measuring the mass of the economies are positive and distance is negative. Additionally, the variable of interest FTA is positive and statistically relevant, showing tha

My Personal Ethics Essay -- being an ethical decision maker

According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, ethics is defined as â€Å"moral principles that govern a person’s or group’s behavior.† Therefore, in an ideal world, ethics should play the ultimate role when making a decision. If ethics are the principles which guides one’s behavior then, ideally, all decisions should be made entirely based on ethics. Unfortunately, such is not always the case. A few problems arise when one tries to make an ethical decision, especially as a leader. First, ethics may mean different things to different people. For example, my religious and spiritual beliefs are the foundation for what I deem ethical. However, for someone else, ethics might be based on laws or their own personal understanding of what is right or wrong. Generally, I do believe there are some behaviors that all can agree upon as being ethical or unethical. For example, most people understand that stealing from someone or murder is wrong. However, it is difficult, at times, to have similar ethical expectations of others as one does of themselves because of these differences in the understanding of ethics. Additionally, there are times when it might be easier for a leader to make an unethical decision for an immediate gain or to appease the wants of others. Examples of these include leaders who embezzle money or use other schemes to make money quickly or unlawfully. For most leaders, making ethical decisions tends to be the goal. I firmly believe that more often than not, leaders do make ethical decisions for the betterment of their organization or business. There are cases when making an unethical decision might be easier, but the true character of a leader is tested when they are confronted with such a decision. Making the easier ... ...ply share with others what I believe and value. I also communicate my personal ethics through my actions. If my decisions are made according to my ethical beliefs, then others should be able to recognize, through my behavior, what my personal morals are. Overall, being an ethical decision maker is important to me. As a leader, I understand that I play a part in establishing what is considered right and wrong, based on my actions and decisions. My hope is to always be an example, and being ethical is the foundation of setting a good example for others. The old adage, â€Å"actions speak louder than words† rings true in relation to ethics. I aim to show people what my moral principles are based on my actions. At times, it can get difficult because I might let emotions cloud my judgment, but after all, doing the right thing for the sake of others is most important to me.

Huck, Emma, and Asher: Studies in the Theme of Self-Actualization Essay

In Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Jane Austen’s Emma, and Chaim Potok’s My Name is Asher Lev readers are presented with three characters that of different time periods that each possess similar psychological traits.   They each strive to attain self-awareness as they learn the lessons of life through Huck’s journey down the river, Emma’s experiences in the art of match-making, and Asher’s conflicts with his family’s Hasidism.   Each novel uses the theme of psychological struggle for self-actualization of its youthful protagonists to explore growing up in the different periods.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck is a young, immature boy at the beginning of the novel living by the Mississippi in the nineteenth century.   Huck observes his situation as one that is the design of others, not himself: â€Å"The Widow Douglas she took me for her son, and allowed she would sivilize me; but it was rough living in the house all the time [†¦]; and so when I couldn’t stand it no longer I lit out [†¦] and was free and satisfied. But Tom Sawyer he hunted me up and said he was going to start a band of robbers, and I might join if I would go back to the widow and be respectable. So I went back† (Twain, 1953, 11). This statement evidences Huck’s undying love for the freedom and escape he finds in nature, and also his desire for Tom’s approval.   Huck is forming his own personality, growing through his personal observations and realizations that civilization is not all that it appears or that he desires.   During his trip down the river on the raft with Jim Huck observes, â€Å"Other places do seem so cramped up and smothery, but a raft don’t. You feel mighty free and easy and comfortable on a raft† (118).   It is this recognition of value that ultimately allows Huck to leave Tom and â€Å"civilization† behind, as he sets out for the west to pursue his own independence and maturity. Twain utilizes several literary techniques in order to convey Huck’s maturation to the reader.   Firstly, by telling the story from a first person perspective, we see Huck’s development as it occurs, from his own mouth.   Rather than being told by an external narrator that Huck is growing up, we see it evidenced in his speech and perceptions.   Also, the recurring theme of hypocrisy that occurs in Huck’s encounters with the civilized world and in the views on slavery that emerge from the text, a framework of repetition is established so that readers might see Huck’s growth, when comparing it to a constant.   Finally, Twain utilizes the symbol of the Mississippi River—a thing that is in constant flux—to illustrate Huck’s own movement toward adulthood and self-awareness.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Like Huck, we see the theme of great personal maturation in the character of Emma, the Victorian English middle class girl.   Austen introduces her as a girl used to having â€Å"rather too much her own way, and a disposition to think a little too well of herself† (Austen, 2000, 1).   As a result, Emma spends the bulk of the novel meddling in other people’s lives and circumventing her love for Mr. Knightley.   When Emma finally admits to herself her true feelings, it is the result of the lessons she has learned along the way and her own self-actualization. Because of the near ruination of Harriet’s romance, her insults to Miss Bates, and Mr. Knightley’s gentle guidance throughout the novel, Austen writes, â€Å"Emma’s eyes were instantly withdrawn; and she sat silently meditating, in a fixed attitude, for a few minutes. A few minutes were sufficient for making her acquainted with her own heart. A mind like hers, once opening to suspicion, made rapid progress; she touched, she admitted, she acknowledged the whole truth† (268).   Like Huck, Emma found out her true nature through personal observations, and was able to advance into maturity with her own independent wisdom.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   With as much acuity as Twain, Jane Austen utilizes rhetorical techniques to convey the theme of self-actualization in Emma.   By structuring the story around social class, Austen creates a framework through which Emma moves.   Also, Austen utilizes word games throughout the text, such as Mr. Elton’s riddle meaning ‘courtship’.   Emma’s solution to the puzzle poses a double entendre, as she correctly guesses the answer, but does not see its meaning, just as she does not see the implications of her feelings for Mr. Knightley.   Finally, Austen uses Mr. Knightley as a static character, in order to emphasize Emma’s dynamic nature.   In Mr. Knightley’s steadfast character we see a yardstick by which Emma’s maturity is measured. Like in the previous two novels, in Chaim Potok’s novel My Name is Asher Lev, the theme of a youth struggling to achieve self-actualization is relayed.   Readers are presented with the title character, a Hasidic Jew growing up in Brooklyn, and an incredibly gifted artist.   Through Asher’s struggle with this staunch religious sect, that views his paintings as a sacrilege, he learns ultimately to accept his art and himself.    â€Å"Away from my world,† Asher states when living in Paris, â€Å"alone in an apartment that offered me neither memories nor roots, I began to find old and distant memories of my own, long buried by pain and time and slowly brought to the surface now† (Potok, 1972, 322).   Because he has survived the hardships imposed upon him by his family’s strict fundamentalism, Asher is now able to emerge from his past as an individual, apart from the culture, community, and family that produced him.   Like Huck and Emma, Asher achieves maturity and independence by the end of the novel. Potok conveys this development of character through several literary techniques.   Like Twain, he utilizes a first person point of view to demonstrate Asher’s movement from boyhood to maturity.   Also, in the figure of Asher’s mythical ancestor we see a reflection of the protagonist’s development.   As a child, the image of his ancestor invokes fear in Asher, but at the conclusion of the novel he acts as an embodiment of Asher’s own struggles with his heritage.   Finally, Potok creates powerful images throughout the novel, using Asher as a mouthpiece.   Through these beautiful descriptions we see Asher’s ability to comprehend and appreciate art, and, ultimately his growth as an artist. In each of these three individual’s stories we see the theme of a youthful journey into mature self-actualization.   In Huck’s trip up the river, Emma’s gallivanting through the social circles of Highbury, and Asher’s banishment from the Ladover community and excursion through Europe, there is a great and inspiring parallel: that of the human capability for change, growth, and enlightenment.   Whether the young characters come of age in the rural Midwest, Victorian England, or Brooklyn, the result is similar and includes the greatest gift a person can give to his or her self: thoughtful independence. Bibliography Austen, J. (2000). Emma. New York, New York: W. W. Norton & Company. Potok, C. (1972). My Name is Asher Lev. New York, New York: Alfred A. Knopf. Twain, M. (1953). The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. London, England: Puffin Books.   

Budget Surplus essays

Budget Surplus essays How to Use the Budget Surplus to Stop the Recession In the last decade the United States Government has been fortunate to have numerous years of budget surplus. The surplus has been an issue with the recent Presidential election. The left over billion or trillion dollars is of great interest to the country. Since the early nineties, the countrys welfare has soared and gained extreme financial security. Until this year, a recession was not even considered. Now the government is faced with many suggestions on how to pull the country back on track. The Republicans and Democrats are split on the subject. President Bush wanted to give the money back to the working citizens with tax refunds and lowering taxes. Vice President Gore thought it best to use the money on reducing the national debt, social security, and Medicare. Other suggestions were made such as using the surplus on education, hospitalization, and infrastructure. The best choice would be to follow President Bushs approach and give the working citizens tax refunds, and concentrate on education. The other choices seem to risky and susceptible to government corruption. During President Clintons office there were many unanswered questions about where the surplus was being put to use. In Clintons early years in charge Congress went along with the President and spent $21 billion of an estimated $71 billion budget surplus on such questionable emergencies as agricultural price supports. There were other misuses of the surplus as well. Forbes also said 60% of the money spent in the Superfund program to clean up toxic-waste sites goes to lawyers. Bushs proposed plan sounds like the most effective. He wants to have then refunds and concentrate on improving education. The money that will be refunded will most likely be spent, and trigger a boost in the economy. The consumers will give the producers some confidence to start investing agai...

Pathogenesis of measles virus infection The WritePass Journal

Pathogenesis of measles virus infection Introduction Pathogenesis of measles virus infection IntroductionInfection and SpreadSymptomsVaccinationSubacute sclerosing panencephalitisConclusionRelated Introduction The development of the measles virus in earlier childhood is still relatively commonplace today in lower economic countries. A vaccination was developed approximately 40 years ago which reduced the incidence of the virus Worldwide. Unfortunately the virus has not been entirely eradicated, and a higher rate of infection still occurs more frequently in developing countries. In 2006 an invention of strategies were put into place by the World Health Organisation (WHO)/United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)for the reduction of measles mortality rates1,2. Eradication of the measles virus encounters considerable imposing obstacles, including the growth in populations, demographic difficulties and the general population’s awareness to vaccination safety3. The WHO in 2012 plan to eradicate measles virus in the Western Pacific, a well designed sustainable plan is an necessity for this to ensure achievement, another decisive influence in the successfulness of the immunisation pro ject is identifying the appropriate age at which immunisation should occur at. One of the main approaches to eradication of the measles virus infection is to immunise approximately 95% of the population, subsequently the majority of the population is acutely immunised against the measles virus infection which can cause astounding complications1. Infection and Spread Initial immunity for the neonate is maternal immunity transferred during pregnancy from mother to foetus. Younger women are being vaccinated in developing countries; consequently their own natural immunity is lower in comparison to non vaccinated women800. The measles virus is a contagious infection. The measles virus is caused by RNA viruses, which belongs to the genus Morbillivirus. Spread of the virus occurs due to coughing, sneezing, and personal contact with the infected. The measles virus can remain in an active state up to two hours once airborne or on contaminated surfaces. Prior to the characteristic rash associated more commonly with the measles virus, spread of the virus can develop from up to four days prior to first signs of infection and even up to four days after initial first signs of characteristic rash801. The initial symptoms of the virus display characteristics from 8-12 days following infection802. Measles virus spread is achievable through susceptible individual s whose immune system is in a state of compromised condition. Initial spread is initialised through the airways. Replication of the measles virus (MV) is acquired through numerous organs and tissues.   Various types of cells and tissues are affected, which include dendritic cells (DC), and B and T lymphocytes. Generally the patient’s own immune system fights the infection and generates a life term of immunity against the infection and reoccurrence.   The MV is characterised as an RNA envelope virus.   Viral RNA continues to infect after initial 20 days after infection clearance. An indication of measles virus is a rash which manifests itself after approximately 10 days. Measles rash is an indication of the adaptive immune system responsiveness. At this stage CD4+ and CD8+ T cells infiltrate site for clearance. Both lymphocytes activate at same time, but CD8+ T cells is more severe, CD4+ response is longer.   A diagnostic serum test for presence of IgM can be taken at this stage to evaluate the prognosis of measles. Antibody specific IgG is also produced at this interval. The immune system experiences prolonged immunosuppression. Differential amounts of cytokines and chemokines are produced at the varied stages of infection. After the initial infection levels of IL-8 increase, IFN-ÃŽ ³ and IL-2 are elevated by activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells during features of a rash. Following rash exposure CD4+ generates interleukin IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13. Failure to eliminate measles infection can contribute in the development of inclusion body encephalitis and pneumonia. Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) can also develop from persistent infection exposure in young children203. Symptoms The measles virus presents itself as a collaboration of symptoms, which are deemed characteristics of the virus and its associated effects on the patient’s body and immune- suppressed system. Measles virus is considered a highly infectious disease. If the measles virus is persistent in the body, the virus can affect the central nervous system (CNS). Initial symptoms of the measles virus include a state of fever, coughing and a rash with small bumps. One of the main complications of persistent measles virus is the influence on the CNS40. The virus conforms to a number of characteristics. These characteristics include such signs as a fever, redness of the eyes with the most common feature being a rash on the skin41. Other symptoms of the virus include such features as coughing, muscle pain, runny nose, spots inside of mouth (Koplik’s spots), light sensitivity and eye irritation. The trade mark rash usually starts at the top of the body and moves down systematically41a. Diagnosis of acute measles include serum based specific IgM EIAs42. In 2000 a uniformed quality assured system was introduced by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The WHO established LabNet to create a homologous system to ensure diagnosis of measles and rubella. Laboratory Network (LabNet) is available in over a hundred countries. One major hurdle in the successfulness of diagnosis; is the collecting of the serum samples. Newly devised methods of sampling specimen included dried blood spots (DBS) and oral fluid (OF). Serum sampling is considered to quintessential standard for diagnosis but successful alternatives are being sought, which include the promising DBS and OF. These DBS and OF diagnostic tests offer viable potential in diagnostics for measles. Transport considerations would be less tedious when not using serum samples and the issues surrounding the safety and necessity of using needles would be eliminated. Great number of research is being implemented into more effectiv e and conclusive methods for the diagnosis of measles43. As the WHO has implemented plans to eliminate measles, greater attentiveness to the diagnostics of measles is essential and required for the WHO to be successful in their plan for reduced mortality rates44. Complications of the measles virus have been attributed to autism in children after they have received the mumps, measles, and rubella vaccine (MMR). Studies conducted suggest that the cases of autism did not increase at the period of administration of the MMR vaccine. Variation in different types of autism is being studied in comparison to administration of the MMR vaccine45. The link between MMR vaccination and autism is unauthenticated but cases could exist if the child was genetically predisposed after receiving the vaccination. The vaccine is significant, as without it mortality rates would prevail46. Vaccination The implementation of vaccinations against the measles virus has been one of the most successful vaccinations worldwide. The measles vaccine has saved millions of lives around the world. It has been estimated that approximately 30-40 million people of cases of the virus each year still occur with approximately 800,000 deaths a year being contributed to the virus. The susceptibility to the measles virus is directed towards numerous influential contributory factors. The efficacy of the vaccine is dependent of a number of influential factors. Transfer of maternal antibodies occurs through the placenta. The rate of maternal antibodies in less developed countries has been shown to be lower than transferred maternal antibodies in developed countries. One contributory factor is malaria placenta infection. It has been documented that maternal antibodies still are transferred, but these antibodies tend to diminish at a greater rate.   An implementation plan of action was the introduction of malaria netting which may improve the outcome. Low birth weights are more vulnerable to measles virus than normal healthy weight births. Suggestions put forward mitigate plans to vaccinate the more susceptible at an earlier age. Due to near elimination of naturally occurring measles, most immunity is due to vaccination, fewer antibodies get passed through placenta to the foetus, therefore the foetus immunity to measles is lower. Another suggestion to improve vaccination rate success is to vaccinate pre- adolescence to increase antibody levels. Finding a suitable age of vaccination is paramount and difficult, as vaccinated mothers pass on fewer antibodies than mother who naturally incurred the measles virus. An established immunisation programme has to be introduced which embraces all age groups and range of immunity.   Due to lower antibody levels being transferred from the mother, the measles virus susceptibility could be as low as 4-5 months for the child. Due to such a young age of susceptibility, new regimes will have to be adapted to incorporate capturing of the earlier infected age group. The number of doses required and the efficacy of the doses is also of concern. Some countries have adopted a two dose strategy and other countries have a one dose strategy.   The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a two dose strategy200. The different strains of the vaccines allows for different groups to be immunized. Non-injectable vaccine for the measles virus is being studied. Aerosol vaccine is displaying promising results. A study is presently on going to determine the sufficiency of aerosol vaccine in comparison to the injectable vaccine. Aerosol vaccine promises great expectations, allowing greater immune response for children 9 months or older. Aerosol vaccine allows for self administration, are less audacious to use than the injectable vaccine201. A needle-free approach is being investigated, which would prove to be cost effective and an alternative to the injectable vaccine202. A needle- free approach may be one of the better options going forward as there are numerous constraints of the live attenuated vaccines (LAVs), which include qualified administrators of vaccinations, sterile needles, and correct storage of vaccines. Non needle vaccines could allow for lower costs for administrating, easily administrated, little maintenance, one dose vaccine, safe and globally effective and availa ble.203 Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is contributed to the association of the measles virus. SSPE is a fatal neurological infection affecting the central nervous system (CNS), which mainly affects children. As the disease progresses, oligodendroctyes, astrocytes and endothelial cells become affected, this ultimately accumulates to death of the patient.   The occurrence of SSPE was once considered to occurs in approximately 1:300,000, but more recent research would suggest cases of 1:10,00055. The direct cause of SSPE is still unidentified56 Thepathogenesis of Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is still undefined but the incidence is considered to be mainly an adaptive immune response which involves cell- mediated responses and antibody- mediated responses, but some research suggests that both the innate and adaptive immune response is involved57,58. SSPE can linger for a number of years while causing neurological damage. Signs of SSPE become evident 6 years post measles infection. It has been documented that 95% of patients with Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis will die within 5 years of initial determination of the disease, and with only 5% of patients going into remission. The treatment Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis includes the controlling of seizures. Diagnoses of Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis are associated with electroencephalography. Demyelination and the prevalence of the measles virus are involved with SSPE. Some treatment trials are ongoing and include such drugs as isoprinosine57. Symptoms of Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis include changes in behaviour, reduction in mental capacity and involuntary twitching. Symptoms can also be represented by non conforming characteristics, which can cause SSPE to be a missed diagnosis59. Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis has also been documented to be more prevalent in males60. Future treatments for Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis include optimising the use of antivirals and molecule inhibitors61. The administration of alpha-interferon could increase the rate of mortality among patients of SSPE62. Combination therapy has been utilised in hoping to achieve the best treatment approach available, IFN-alpha and ribavirin has been optimised but with minute improved outcome63. Other research has been conducted based on apoptosis (programmed cell death) and Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, again combination drug therapy optimising flupirtine and antiviral drugs has been acknowledged64. The aetiology of Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is unknown, but is contributed to the relentless measles virus65. The measles virus is attributed to an array of neurological diseases66. With advancing new methodologies being discovered, advancing research and improvements directed towards disease diagnosis into SSPE, new treatments and preventative measures a viable cure may one day may become notably and genuinely palpable67. Conclusion Measles virus is contagious and affects impoverished countries more readily than developed countries. Alternative therapies focus on the influential factors which may determine susceptibility, such as deficiency in vitamin A. Measles virus in children with vitamin A deficiency may prove more harmful.   The World Health Organisation set a recommendation of the required dosage of vitamin A for children with the measles virus living in impoverished surroundings30. Treatments for the contagious measles virus include vaccinations. Newly improved methods of vaccine administration are being developed, enhancing the cost- effectiveness and ease of use. The consequences of MV include Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), pneumonia and inclusion body encephalitis. Preventable measure and characteristic features of the virus should be dispensed to the public to educate the people on the importance of vaccination against measles virus. Reduction of two-thirds of deaths of the under-five is planned by the World Health Organisation, in its plan referred to as the Fourth Millennium Development Goal (MDG 4) by 2015. Elimination of the virus is being benchmarked against getting pre-puberty women vaccinated and aiming to vaccinate children at a younger age. Global recognition around the world on the severe consequences of the virus is essential for the eradication of this preventable infection. Countries around the World must be capable of alerting the ir appropriate agencies if a measles outbreak is thought to have occurred, failure of recognition could be detrimental to the more suscepitable31. A global uniformed approach to dosage to the young should be widely implemented around the World, and the consequences of a measles outbreak should be made clear to leading government agencies to cascade to their appropriate teams of experts.

Portfolio Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Portfolio - Essay Example The topic on the selling of human organs is of importance due to its emerging and contentious nature. Several questions have arisen from the point of view that organs are being sold, raising both heath and ethical concerns. The American history is also of major concern considering the need for our generation to understand where our country has come from and get to understand the differences and similarities between then and now. The three essays I wrote revolves around these two major topics, here I will explain in detail my findings and the positive and negative remarks that I have established as I review them. Following an article on the ‘Capitalism Magazine’ by Holcberg about the issue of human organs being predestined for sale, I developed a deep interest to review the topic so as to present Holcberg’s thoughts systematically. I found the report raising very serious concerns about legalizing of selling of human organs. I clearly articulated his concerns while presenting the facts that he had considered. My introduction was very captivating and captured the concerns at a first glance. The reasoning behind the article was not based on my own thoughts but that of the author. The topic limited me to the thoughts of the author; an aspect that I believe brought some biasness in the article and made the topic narrow instead of taking the broader perspective of capturing the opinions of many. However, the brevity and the systematic articulation of my points made the essay to read and comprehend. Several improvements to the article could have made it more interesting and more informative. I only focused on an individual have thought that was a challenge; this could have been enhanced by considering not only the opinion of others but also could have reviewed some literature on the topic. Another challenge was in the way I presented my work, all the points I presented them in one long paragraph. This could have been improved by articulating my poin ts in individual short and precise paragraphs. It is apparent that the paper limited use of my own thoughts an aspect that made me as the writer to be a reviewer and had no opportunity to put across a personal opinion, especially because the topic had been of concern to me. Grammatical errors and poor sentence structure also prevailed in my work; an aspect contributed by the fact that I did not take time to edit my work, I learnt a lesson and has decided that next time I will be keen to recheck. My second essay was geared towards giving a summary of the Krugman’s article that was published in the New York Times focusing on the similarities and differences between the America we had at independence and today. I presented the reasons for his argument as presented in the media. The thoughts were analyzed taking into concern the key points that outstand when comparing the state of the country at the two different times. All the information was presented in one paragraph since the y were direct and self-explanatory. However, the narrow presentation was evidenced by the regard of Krugman’s thoughts only, without having a point of view from other individuals. My opinion of the situation influenced the summary, such that I was prompted to think against the arguments of the author. However, to restrain myself from his facts and opinions I had to break down the arguments into points that he had mentioned. This facilitated the development of a summary in a great

Mastery of Course Objectives Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Mastery of Course Objectives - Essay Example You can call me by various names viz. trainer, instructor, faculty member etc. I basically teach the apprentices who join us from time to time. I feel a sense of accomplishment when my students move from strength to strength. I would like to formalise this inclination for teaching. I want to join a college nearby as a clinical instructor. I want to take baby steps and reach the pinnacle of my field. I have a crucial role to play in leading them in their careers. I bring together nurses from diverse backgrounds, personal, and to some extent, educational, onto a single nursing platform. Being in the academic field, I can only be complete through further education. I want to enrol in doctorate programs which can give me the academic edge that others have over me. This would mean a steep learning curve, but I am prepared to go all the way to pursue my goal. Even the duration of my continued education is not an issue as long as I am the best in my field. Mastery of Program Objectives To b ecome a nurse educator, I need to know the objectives of the course that I have selected. I should understand the implication of each goal and how it can assist me in my career. I describe briefly below some of the important program objectives in the context of nurse education. In a traditional nursing setting, a faculty member is only expected to teach. However, this job goes beyond just teaching. It involves moulding the students and making them good nurses. It requires not only theoretical knowledge, but the practical implementation of theory. Moreover, research is required to take it to a higher level. I need to constantly update and upgrade my knowledge to succeed in this service oriented sector. I was under the impression that scholarship limits itself to research. â€Å"Boyer outlines four †¦ functions of scholarship †¦ discovery, integration, application and teaching† (Boyer Model of Scholarship). Discovery relates to the search of new information, whereas i ntegration is placing isolated facts in perspective. Application is putting knowledge into practice to serve the community and the campus. Finally, teaching is gaining mastery over knowledge and presenting it to others in an understandable form. I am also aware that education cannot be imparted in isolation. It needs to be linked to the practice of the field. As a member of the education committee in my ED department the ideas and strategies learned through this course were helpful in evaluating and revising our orientation program for our newly hired graduates. Hence, faculty scholarship activities can help bridge the gap between academic preparation and the implementation. I realise that I should chalk out my own path for improving teaching. So that students can learn better, I apply knowledge to various clinical settings to get a holistic view of the nursing practice. Hence, I further my career due to the varied experience that I can give to the graduates. At the same time I ensu re that I formalise it by continuing my own education in the nursing area. I keep myself abreast of the latest changes in nursing and nursing education. I diligently follow all journals and manuals in this field. I also plan to contribute to such publications. I ensure that all latest developments are taken up in class for the benefit of students. I also make my students inculcate the habit of regularly reading, discussing and putting to practice what they acquire from such publications.