Better Than Essay Essay

Education is one of the most important factors that determine where we go and succeed in life. While private schools have a limited acceptance rate, public schools by law are to accept all children. Public schools have a larger variety of subjects available than most private schools. There are many reasons why public schools are better than private schools. Even though attending a private school may seem luxurious and prestigious, the reasons why most people choose public schools over private schools is because it saves money, education is guaranteed, offers a variety of programs, teaches students responsibility and independence, and prepares individuals to be critical thinkers. A reason why most people believe that public schools are better than private schools is because there is no cost for school tuition. Public schools allow free education, which enables everyone to have the equal opportunity to be educated. Instead of paying thousands of dollars on education in a private school , most parents choose to save that money to pay for their child’s college tuition. Attending a private school can be very costly, for example Oaks Christian’s school tuition is approximately $30,000 a year. The cost of attending that school is just about the same price as attending a college or a university. There are families who struggle with the economy and are put under difficult financial situations. This makes it difficult for the parents to pay for their child’s high school and college. This is one of the greatest advantages about public schools. The main purpose of public schools is to educate everyone. In 2001, the United States Congress reauthorized the No Child Left Behind Act. This act included Title 1, which is the government’s aid program for the disadvantaged students. This act makes sure that no child is left behind from education. The act also requires the state to develop assessments in basics skill that is given to each child in different grade levels. There are multiple families who come from different countries that place t heir child into a public school. The child cannot be denied the right of education due to law and obtains the equal rights of education just like  everyone else. While most private schools have certain requirements for a child to be accepted into the school, public schools ensure that every student is given education. There are multiple programs for all different types of students who attend a public school. There are programs for children with specials needs and disabilities, which allows them to have opportunities like others. Sparkles, which is a national special needs cheerleading program offered at most public schools, allows those who are disabled to feel like they belong and are a part of the student body. However, at private schools they offer a limited number of classes available that one can take, while public schools have a wide range of classes that one can choose from. A great thing about public schools is that they offer different level courses, which allows students to challenge themselves and discover what they are capable of doing by going the extra mile. While in school, kids with special needs and disabilities have the opportunity to have teachers who can work with them individually and help them grow as a student as well as an individual. There are a number of programs such as Data, Honors, IB and AP classes that are available to students who are interested in challenging themselves academically. Public schools deliver real world surroundings with an environment that is much more diverse. Students are more prepared and have a sense of adult life in a public school setting. Most private school classes are small, which gives each child the individual attention they need. From prior experience, a teacher at a private school gives much more attention to students than needed. The guidance that they give towards the students are not particularly helping, but preventing one from taking responsibility and retaining independence. Teachers at a private school have a closer watch on their students’ day to day actions and are concerned with how students should act in a certain way. In public schools, kids are left to distinguish on what is right and wrong. This helps students become more mature young adults and requires students to take responsibility for their own actions. In public schools, students are exposed to greater ideas that allow them to be more creative. Public schools help students figure out who they are as a person individually. While attending a private school, there are certain requirements and standards on how a student should be. There are more strict rules and regulations, which keeps students away from obtaining  outside knowledge. There is not a great amount of creativity and everyone is expected to act and behave a certain way in a private school. Religion is one of the huge aspects that shape the school’s view. Everyone is expected to follow and obtain the same beliefs, whereas a public school, it is based on your point of view. While parents are paying for their child to obtain a greater education with much needed help and care, it is also hurting the child academically from gaining their own knowledge and independence. Due to a public school class size compared to a private school, students have teachers who are constantly available to help and assist each individual. Compared to a public school class, students in a private school class are being spoon-fed by teachers, who attempt to help students succeed but are actually not enabling students to think on their own. Even though public schools have a substantial amount of students compared to private schools, this allows students to be more exposed to the school environment and to be more critical thinkers. Later in your adult life, it is up to you to make wise decisions. No one is going to tell you what is wrong and right. Public and private schools are very discrete from each other. In life, everyone is faced with various obstacles that require making right decisions with a great sense of responsibility. With the exposure to a diverse community and place of creativity, it will help prepare you towards your road to success and to become a critical thinker in the future. These are reasons to consider why attending a public school is so much better than a private school. It teaches you to have self-determination and to become a successful individual.

Peter Green’s first day Essay

Get the order from Bob Franklin. In order to get the order, Peter has to face the problem of â€Å"freight cost†. Secondary contradiction for Peter Green: 1) His supervisor, John Murphy makes no bones about his scorn for the new breed of salespeople at Scott Carpet, such as Peter himself. 2) Tiff with John Murphy. How to deal with the principal contradiction for Peter Green As Peter Green has to face his ethical principle of no lies, he cannot bear from lying to the front office or he will encounter a faith breaking. That leaves only choice is to satisfy Bob Franklin in order to not lose the commission, at the same time, not breaking his ethical rules. There is one way to finish the task and benefit both sides. Peter could ask the company to bring forward a preferential strategy that all the firms that have a long-term partnership with Scott Carpets (Such as Peabody Rug) will be given a certain credit according to the size of the order. In that kind of strategy, Peter will not need to face the dilemma and Bob get what he wants. It’s a win-win situation, job done. Conspiracy? Let’s say it’s an overt one. Whatever happened in system, stayed in system, and solve in system. How to deal with the secondary contradiction for Peter Green First thing, be nice to John Murphy, whatever it’s from the bottom of the heart or act according to circumstance. Show some respect to the supervisors. Secondly, do everything nicely, keep follow the ethic rules but learn to be adaptable. Last but not least, play the overt one, not conspiracy. What if the company doesn’t agree with the new strategy? As to the character of John Murphy, it’s easy to tell his arrogance. By that case, Peter’s new idea may face a very dangerous situation. As the rule â€Å"Whatever happened in system, stayed in system, and solved in system†, Peter cannot bypass the immediate leader (John Murphy) to do the report. By that case, he has to endure hardships (agree with his BOSS John Murphy and show the loyalty to him) to wait the promotion comes. When he gets promoted to, let’s say, District Manager, he can change the rules and play his game.

Morality without religious belief is impossible Essay

Many would agree with the statement that morality without religious belief is impossible, because religions provide an unchanging moral code whereas secular morality varies depending on society and culture. Documents such as the Decalogue transcend time, but constitutions and laws of man are constantly being amended and reviewed. Morality without God is merely subjective; two people will have different ideas on what is to be considered moral. This will only lead to confusion. For example, some cultures today still regard the beating of wives and children to be moral even though our western society would disagree. Without a religious standard, who is to say we hold the correct opinion? It is worth noting that majority of people that are revered for their good works and ethics are religious, such as Mother Theresa and the Dali Lama. Correspondingly, some of the most notorious criminals such as Hitler and Stalin were staunch atheists – this is not to say that all atheists are on the level of these men, but it is evident that when a society attempts to crush religion rampant immorality will soon follow. You cannot look to a leader of a country for your morals because they are fallible humans just like you. You need a perfect standard to look up to: God. Atheists lack this perfect standard to base their morality off. On the other hand, many would assert that you can be moral without a religious belief. In Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, he states that morality can be achieved once five basic conditions are met: food water, shelter, homeostasis and sex. Religion is not one of his points. Additionally, atheists have a conscience. They feel guilt just like a religious person would when they do wrong. Even the smallest child knows that certain actions are wrong without any understanding of religion. This suggests that an adult’s morality could owe more to upbringing than religious understanding; this would explain why standards of morality vary between people. Moreover, religions have been known to cause vast immorality. An early example of this would be the Crusades, when Christians butchered Muslims in the name of religion. A more modern example would be the rise of Islamic extremism, causing incidents such as 9/11 and the 7/7 bombings. If religions are supposed to inspire morality, why do they cause so much harm and bloodshed? Finally, morality can be achieved through legal means. Human laws prevent us from harming ourselves or others through our actions. An atheist can follow these laws and be a good person without religious beliefs.

Corporate Security within Emerging Markets Essay

Corporate Security within Emerging Markets - Essay Example cular forms of behaviour can improve or damage an organisation's 'licence to operate', and in some cases this can create risks that would not otherwise present. Consequently, security has a higher framework in the corporate world in the present day than it did couple of years ago. Companies are seeking new ways to administer these threats and the portfolio of the security department has expanded to include common responsibility for things for example standing, corporate governance and parameter, corporate social responsibility and information assurance. As the undertaking matures, the corporate security community has been trying to recognize how to support security with the business, in order that doing business and doing security go together. On the other hand, the political economy of Africa is at the defining moment. The centrally controlled economies are yielding to global liberalism. Regionalism as a development strategy seems to be getting a new lease of life in the general development discourse in Africa while assuming varying forms. This report brings to light several practices which create a policy for twenty-first-century corporate security with particular emphasis on the countries of Africa. Corporate Security: An Introduction The companies recognize that the challenge for corporate security is no unlike that for any other function - they must correspond their company's varying business milieu and ensure that how they act, what they do and how they perform reveal these truths. The companies show six key characteristics: 1. They recognize that security is realized through the everyday actions of employees' right across the company. It is not something that the corporate security department can do to or for the company on its behalf and its operating... As the essay declares the corporate security department can do to or for the company on its behalf and its operating success is thus reliant on its capability to influence others to work in a different way. This puts weight on communication and needs security departments to assess the outlooks of non-security professionals just to the extent that those of the specialists. This paper stresses that behaviour is changed only by persuasion, influencing and explanation of as why a novel mode of working is in each person’s interest. This entails departments to work through reliable social networks, which puts greater weight on people, management and social skills than security knowledge. The power of the corporate security role is now directly proportionate to the value of its relationships, not the strength of its substance knowledge. The corporate security departments that are directing the way have discarded old notions about where their power and authority come from. Their position does not hinge on which makes them special – their content knowledge – however on business insight, people skills, management capability and communication skills. In other words, they have to vie on the same terms as every other function in the company. This is causing many organisations to put greater weight on these abilities than on a security conditio ns and some have people working on security who don’t have any security know-how.

Guidelines for Risk Assessment Paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Guidelines for Risk Assessment - Research Paper Example The result will be the ability to proceed into a business that can expand and overcome dangers of the business without accruing loss in the company. Since Cisco is a security based company for technology, most of the tangible risks are based on the ability to match security threats that occur through technological components. Security vulnerabilities that come from those that are attacking online portals are some of the strongest risks that are incorporated into the company. IT organizations and technological components are both at a risk because of specific technology architectures as well as the main way in which the hardware and software performs. This ranges by the method of attack that occurs on the system, usually which includes new and improved methods that can overcome older attacks while causing damage to the company’s technological components. This is furthered by day zero threats, which include changes in technology that enhance the attacks on technology without responses that can be completed by corporations (Bharania, 2010). The security vulnerabilities through technological attacks are not the only tangible problem within the corporation. There are also other problems that lie within the internal environment of the company, specifically through employee mistakes and unknown factors. Working in the IT industry is also dependent on innovations and new components that can be added into systems for implementation. AS this is done, it increases the amount of risk in the market. Even though there are end to end strategies, meaning that employees have to move through several levels before completing a product, there are still problems that may reach end users. The security, development and innovations that are completed will then have fewer demands and will cause the company to move into a lower rating with offering new securities. Since Cisco is known as a service provider

The Prosecution System of Canada Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

The Prosecution System of Canada - Essay Example This is especially true when it is something that is involving one from the police force's on brotherhood. They are hesitant to act right away, which is evidently obvious in the subsequent case being discussed in this research. In the first case it can be safely assumed that law enforcement is quite aware of interactions involving the distribution of this drug in many areas of Canada yet when they find that it is being carried out for the betterment of those with health issues they often step aside unless unabashed behaviors are found to be quite heavy. The reasons for this are many since the Constitution plays an integral part in how all of this comes into being. The Constitutional rights and the new Charter, of the individual in this first case plays a definitive role in the prosecution process sometimes hindering it and leading to dismissals while at other times assisting the prosecution. There are a number of variables that affect this legal process and none really have the solidity that law enforcement would like. Also, many similar ramifications of this new Charter have an affect on the secondary case in this research as well because this mans Constitutional rights have not been wholly upheld, and pr omises for treatment of his depression not kept totally intact. He has somewhat slipped through the cracks and been looked over. Perhaps this could be due to the fact he has a history of working in the police department and no one assumed his actions would go as far as they did in the case. Chapter 7 of the Constitution protects the rights of those who are very ill, either mentally (such as with severe depression) or with a medical reason so it is seen how this Charter plays a part in both of these cases. There are cases that can provide validity into both of these scenarios, and that can also give the solid reasoning needed to find the answer as to why it is imperative to have a legal understanding of how these types of cases should be handled. In this way an appropriate legal definition can be understood as to how and why legal actions should or should not be carried out. Reverting back to the case involving the usage and distribution of cannabis, Mr. Smith's case is not so different from many others and on these grounds he will more than likely not be held liable for any criminal intent in his business activities so it would be somewhat useless to even attempt to take the case to court based on the concrete evidence that is available. That is, unless it can be proven that his motives are promoting recreational usage as well. The case with the prior police officer is a little more complicated and the following research will show how disregard for treatment of depression, for anyone, can lead to more complications than first perceived. This is even with regard to those who are normally upstanding and law abiding citizens. The Smith Case This case is openly situated around the idea that the distribution of marijuana or cannabis is solely regulated by the MMAR but there remain some restrictions in this area. In this case, as in many others in the past, law enforcement is aware of the transactions going on outside of the regulations of this program yet they do not always enforce any legal penalties, not unless there is a

(Context) large international contracting company from a country where Essay

(Context) large international contracting company from a country where there was little or no recession trying to enter the European market - Essay Example Their objective is to tap into UK’s know-how in the industry so as to improve on their competitiveness. This follows its reputation for technology in construction services, including technological advancement, such as the Building Information Modelling, BIM and architectural endowment (BIS 2013). Further to this, the number of graduates in the construction industry keeps growing, an indication of greater opportunities for growth in the future. However, the UK still grapples with trade deficit in the construction industry. BIS (2013) observe that in 2012, it had a trade deficit amounting to about  £6.2 billion. It has been noted that a small portion of UK construction contractors are exporters as compared to the other sectors of the economy. Specifically, the 2012 statistics show that only about 6% of construction SMEs engaged in export trade. It was observed that a majority of these constructors lacked the knowledge of exports in construction, thus the trade deficit. Moreover, UK contractors still face the challenge of having to deal with financial institutions which still perceive the construction industry as risky. This hinders them from accessing the requisite financial services. Therefore, the UK is well placed to benefit from the myriad opportunities it has in the construction industry but has to input greater effort to curb its challenges. Department for Business and Innovation Skills 2013, UK construction: an economic analysis of the sector, viewed 22 March 204,

Intentional & Unintentional Socialization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Intentional & Unintentional Socialization - Essay Example This affect the person’s development of how their self-concept, how they feel, how they think, and how they act. Hence, socialization may be intentional and unintentional. Intentional socialization is the acquiring of social experience which is done on purpose. This happens â€Å"when adults have certain values that they consistently convey explicitly to the child, and when they back these up with approval for compliance and negative consequences for noncompliance† (Berns). Take for an instance the potty training that a child receives. Reminding the child continuously on how to use the toilet for urination and defecation makes the child aware that there is a proper place to do it. Another example is an adult reminding the child on not talking to strangers. The consistent reminder will let the child learn that it is not proper to talk to a person that you do not know because that person may hurt him or her. Also, an adult reminding a child to brush his teeth three times a day gives the child the impression of the importance of oral hygiene. The negative reinforcement of hitting or embarrassing the child when he/she did not do it right or giving positive reinforcement when he did it right makes it easier for him to remember these. On the other hand, unintentional socialization is acquired more as â€Å"the product of involvement in human interaction or observation† (Berns). For example, when a child sees his parents fighting, he might take it as if it is okay to shout at each other during a conversation. Another instance is that when a child sees that an adult smokes frequently, he may perceive smoking as good for the health. Moreover, the child will have the instinct to do it when he reaches the same age. Also, if a child is the only girl born in the family, she might have the tendency to resemble the look of his boy siblings, choosing more loose pair of jeans and clothes. So to say, the development of human personality is influenced

Media Portrayal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Media Portrayal - Essay Example This essay discusse the connections between modern information, communication and the individuals with disabilities issue. Today, people can get information from various sources, that is mostly may be accessed with the help of mass media. Mass media is a term used to denote, as a class, that section of the media specifically conceived and designed to reach a very large audience. It was coined in the 1920s with the advent of nationwide radio networks and of mass-circulation newspapers and magazines. Unfortunately individuals with disabilities to a great extend are limited by not being able to make use of such opportunities. Access to communications and information can be available through many sources such as: newspapers, magazines, television programs, and movies, Internet etc. Depending on the type of disability i.e. deafness, blindness, and so on the individuals with disabilities are limited having no access to appropriate source of the information. This essay raises the question o f vital importance for the international community today, that is to create and promote approaches and technologies that will allow everyone including individuals with disabilities to get, to utilize, to exchange and to create information and knowledge. The researcher focuses on introducing the topic and analyzes in details many examples of mass-media articles, movies and tv-shows related to the individuals with disabilities issue. Some examples that were mentioned in the essay: Touch the Sound, Zatoichi, Be with me movies, etc.

Arts & academic Essay Example for Free

Arts academic Essay First of all, I have the diligence, determination, and aptitude to take on an Arts degree and make the most out of it. In such a large university, the ability to interact with peers and mentors both on academic and social levels is of also prime importance for survival. I am fortunately blessed with exceptional communication and interpersonal skills that allow me to be able to interact well in diverse groups. I can speak out my mind politely and explain my thoughts clearly and comfortably to make my peers and mentors understand my ideas accurately. However, the quality in me that I believe above all else would make me a success in a university Arts program is my strong vision of what I intend to be in life. This vision of mine has guided me throughout my education, keeping me in track with what I want out of life. My vision gives me an exact sense of personality, and through it I derive meaning and originality. I know what I want and I know that I have what it takes to make it happen, and that will eventually make me a success in your Arts program.

Experiences and Suppression of Intrusive Thoughts

Experiences and Suppression of Intrusive Thoughts A Mixed Methods Research on the Experience and Suppression of Intrusive Thoughts and other ways of Thought-Control in the Non-Clinical Mauritian Adult Population ‘’The mind is its own place, and in itself can make heaven of Hell, a hell of heaven.’’ Milton The experience and suppression of intrusive thoughts, and the use of other thought-control strategies by normal or non-clinical individuals, are some of those complex cognitive phenomena, which are gradually gaining increasing thorough scientific attention in the world of Psychology. Significantly Wegner Pennebaker (1993) view the experience of intrusive thinking as a remarkably common clinical and normative phenomenon. Hence, it would be wise to underline that intrusive thoughts occur universally. Indeed research on intrusive thoughts always accompanies research on thought control especially thought suppression. Definition Because intrusive thinking is studied alongside manifold psychological disorders such as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic-Stress Disorder (PTSD), General-Anxiety Disorder (GAD), depression, phobias, eating disorders and even Substance-Use disorder, there are bound to be major differences in the definition of the term ’intrusive thought’. Notably Clark and Purdon (1995; Purdon Clark, 1999) underlined the construct validity problems of some measures utilised in studies about intrusive thoughts in non-clinical populations just because of the broad definitional problem of the term. These researchers have also suggested that both the cognitive characteristics (intrusiveness, thought-control difficulty) and the content of intrusive thoughts have to be considered while defining them. For the purposes of this research, which focuses on the experience and suppression of intrusive thoughts, and the use of other thought-control strategies by the non-clinical Ma uritian adult population, we would preferably agree with Rachman’s definition of intrusive thoughts as ‘cognitions that are spontaneous, disruptive, and difficult to control and unwanted’ (Rachman, 1981). Similarly, Clark Rhyno (2005,p.4) define the experience of intrusive thought as ‘any distinct, identifiable cognitive event that is unwanted, unintended, and recurrent’. The focus of this research is on negative intrusive thoughts which are unwelcome, involuntary and distressing. People generally approach these negative thoughts in a myriad of ways. Our next point is that people have different coping or appraisal styles in their approach to unwanted negative thoughts. Many people try to control their intrusive thoughts using different thought control strategies which reflect their appraisal styles. Appraisal is the way in which meaning is attached to intrusive thoughts (OCCWG,1997). It cannot be denied that when some negative intrusive thoughts int erfere with concentration and emotional equilibrium, they become unpleasant and distressing and many people try to banish these thoughts from their awareness. Notably, Sigmund Freud (1915,1957) explained the role of suppression and repression that keep unwanted, unpleasant and distressing thoughts out of awareness. The modern view, as supported by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) (American Psychiatric Association; APA, 2000) uses the concepts automatic (unconscious) and voluntary (conscious) processes to refer to the Freudian defence mechanisms: repression and suppression. Ever since Wegner et al (1987) started their White Bear experiments in an attempt to study suppression of intrusive thoughts, many other studies have been gradually carried out, which present thought suppression as an inadequate, counterproductive mental control strategy (Beevers et al, 1999; Bodenhausen Macrae, 1996; Monteith et al, 1998a; Purdon Clark 1999; Wegner 1989, 1992; Wegner et al 1994a; Wegner Wenzlaff 1996). Significant studies have also analysed other thought-control strategies like distraction, punishment, re-appraisal, worry and social control in an attempt to understand how individuals approach their intrusive thoughts (Wells Davies, 1994). Aim of Research The primary aim of this study is to review the research done on the experience and suppression of intrusive thoughts in the normal population and analyse the experience and suppression of intrusive thoughts in the normal or non-clinical Mauritian adult population, by shedding light specifically on the different thought-control strategies employed by normal people while coping with intrusive thoughts and most significantly, by analysing suppression as a maladaptive control strategy. Clinical Approach to Intrusive Thoughts and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Initial research on intrusive thoughts started with the analysis of the experience of intrusive thinking in the clinical context and it has verily been observed that intrusive thoughts characterize several clinical disorders, for example, GAD, OCD, Depression, PTSD (Brewin, 1998; Green, 2003; Langlois, Freeston, Ladouceur, 2000a,b; Pudon, 1999; Watkins, 2004). It has also been stated that as well as being symptoms of these disorders, intrusive thoughts also contribute to the maintenance of these disorders (Brett Ostroff, 1985; Brewin, Watson, McCarthy, Hyman Dayson, 1998). There is indubitably a significant relationship between intrusive thinking and OCD. The DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association; APA, 2000) refers to recurrent, intrusive thoughts, images or impulses that are experienced as ego-dystonic (totally inconsistent with the self) and extremely distressing, as partly characterizing OCD. More specifically, many researchers have scrutinized the experience of intrusive tho ughts among OCD patients and have demonstrated that these patients feel compelled to perform compulsive rituals (for instance, neutralizing behaviours etc.) in an attempt to escape from the distressing intrusive thoughts. For them, the performance of these rituals is aimed at the reduction of anxiety and the prevention of a feared outcome from occurring. However these compulsive rituals increase intrusive thinking and therefore, maintain the disorder. Notably, research has demonstrated that OCD patients show deficiencies in cognitive inhibition and when they fail to suppress their thoughts, they make internal attributions of their suppression failures (Tolin et al., 2002). The Obsessive Compulsive Cognitions Working Group (2005) have denoted the relationship of OCD with several specific appraisal styles such as responsibility/overestimated threat, intolerance of uncertainty/perfectionism and importance/control of thoughts. In his cognitive model of OCD, Salkovskis underlines the centrality of responsibility. Rachman (1997) argues that as these intrusive thoughts are ego-dystonic (that is, they perfectly contrast what the self really wants),OCD patients often interpret these thoughts as having personal negative significance and having potentially severe consequences and predicting undesirable outcomes. Furthermore, emphasizing the importance of metacognitions (that is, thinking about thoughts), Wells, Gwilliam and Cartwright-Hatton (2001) elucidate the role of thought-fusion beliefs in the maintenance of the disorder. More concisely, these are: thought-event fusion (the belief that thoughts can change the course of events); thought-action fusion (the be lief that thinking about something means a possibility to act on the thought) and thought-object fusion (the belief that thoughts can be fused into objects). Responsibility beliefs and thought-action fusion beliefs are stronger in people with OCD than those without (Coles, Mennin Heimberg, 2001). Additionally recent cognitive-behavioural theories about OCD have assumed that obsessive thoughts have their roots in some of the thoughts currently experienced by normal individuals (Pudon Clark, 1999; Salkovskis, 1985, 1989). Intrusive thoughts in non-clinical population Ever since Rachman and de Silva (1978) scientifically found that intrusive thoughts are a common non-clinical phenomenon, a plethora of research, especially questionnaire studies have tried to replicate Rachman and de Silva’s research. Using the questionnaire of Rachman and de Silva, Salkovskis and Harrison (1984) confirmed that 88% of a sample of non-clinical individuals experienced at least one intrusive though t. Additionally, according to several other studies, around 79-99% of people in non-clinical samples experience intrusive thoughts similar in nature to those experienced by people suffering from OCD (Freeston, Ladouceur, Thibodeau Gagnon, 1991; Julien, O’Connor Aaredma, 2009; Rachman de Silva, 1978; Salkovskis Harrison, 1984). The real prevalence of intrusive thoughts in non-clinical populations is likely to be on the higher ends of these estimates, as research participants may have underreported their experience of intrusive thoughts due to embarrassment, hesitation and shame. Moreover Pudon and Clark (1993) and Belloch, Morillo, Lucero, Cabedo, and Carrio (2004) also found that 99% of their non-clinical samples (n=293, n=336 respectively) reported having experienced at least one intrusive thought listed in the Obsessive Intrusions Inventory (OII/ROII). But it should be underlined that these researchers also found a slight difference in contents of intrusive thoughts exp erienced by OCD patients and non-clinical samples. OCD patients reported thoughts of dirt, disease and contamination among others. However normal people mainly reported thoughts of unacceptable sex, harm to self, aggression towards others and accidents amongst others. But it might be that the normal people do not consider thoughts about disease, dirt and contamination distressing, thus they are underreported. A Severity Continuum from Normality to Clinical Obsessions The intrusive thoughts reported by normal individuals are considered the ‘normal’ analogues to clinical obsessions and their study allows for better comprehension of the nature of intrusive thoughts. Instead of the normality versus psychopathology breakdown, the modern view discusses the continuity from normality to clinical obsessions. Clark elaborates more on this continuum of intrusive thoughts, by placing clinical obsessions at the extreme end, stating that the difference between clinical and non-clinical cognitive intrusions is ‘one of degree, rather than kind’(Clark,2005, p.11). Similarly Rachman and de Silva (1978) denote a similarity between the content of intrusive thoughts experienced by normal people and people with OCD. The researchers even postulate that psychologists and psychiatrists, who only have the knowledge about the content of the thoughts, have difficulty distinguishing between clinical and non-clinical obsessions. However the same researchers identified a quantitative difference between normal intrusions and clinical obsessions. The difference lies in the intensity and frequency with which these thoughts are experienced. Other studies highlight differences in other variables such as the associated unpleasantness and the level of anxiety occasioned by obsessions, the difficulty in controlling them or freeing the mind from the thoughts, the extent to which people perform neutralizing behaviours or rituals to reduce discomfort and ease anxiety, and the ultimate consequences that result from these intrusive thoughts, because clinical intrusive t houghts interfere remarkably with the daily functioning and life of people suffering from them (Oltmanns Gibbs, 1995; Parkinson ranchman, 1981; Rachman de Silva,1978; Salkovskis Harrison, 1984). Freeston and Ladouceur ( 1997) found that among all the other variables, unpleasantness associated with intrusive thoughts is immensely clinically significant because the assessment of this variable can provide insight to therapists on whether clinical change has occurred or not. Hence this variable can be used to assess therapeutic effectiveness. Theoretical Explanations of Intrusive Thinking Various theorists have attempted to approach intrusive thinking in manifold ways using different approaches like the biological, psychodynamic, behavioural and cognitive approaches. A full discussion of all the approaches is beyond the scope of this thesis. Hence, our analysis will focus on the cognitive and metacognitive approaches. If intrusive thinking is initially a normal phenomenon, then why does it develop into obsessive thinking in a minority? Research has underlined the role of cognitive and behavioural variables in the transition from normality to pathology (Clark Purdon, 1993; Freeston et al, 1991,1992; Niler Beck, 1989; OCCWG, 1997; Purdon Clark, 1994a, 1994b; Rachman,1993). More concisely, cognitive variables are related to the evaluative process (cognitive appraisal) and meaning that an individual attach to his or her negative thought. In clinical cases the meaning assigned to intrusive thoughts might be immensely threatening and disturbing. The behavioural variables are related to the covert and overt actions that the individual performs in response to his or her negative thoughts in an attempt to feel better by decreasing anxiety and discomfort. Salkovskis (1989) highlights the neutralising responses to intrusive thoughts as the key element in the ultimate development of obsessions. Hence the c ontents of normal intrusions and clinical obsessions are basically similar; it’s only the mental and behavioural processing of the negative thoughts that put them on either end of the continuum. Rachman’s (1997) Cognitive Theory of Obsessions According to Rachman (1978), the transformation of normal intrusions into clinical obsessions occurs when the individual considers his thoughts as catastrophic and threatening by viewing them as being personally significant. In an attempt to explain the origins of intrusive thoughts, Rachman (1978) argues that exposure to stressful events occasions the occurrence of intrusive thoughts. Rachman and de Silva (1978) further highlight that external cues trigger the occurrence of normal intrusive thoughts (characterized as being less intense and less distressing) and even clinical obsessions (characterized as being more intense and distressing). This view gained support by the experimental research carried out by Horowitz (1985), Horow itz and Becker (1971), and Horowitz, Becker, Moslowitz and Rashid (1975) which summarized that patients and non- patients experienced increased intrusive thoughts when they were exposed to stressful films. A Metacognitive Approach Metacognitions refer to the beliefs and knowledge about thinking and also the strategies used in the regulation and control of thinking processes (Flavell, 1979). Indeed, metacognitions are responsible for the shaping of the attention we pay to things, thoughts and so on, and they also determine the appraisal and the strategies we employ to regulate our thoughts. Adrian Wells (1997) developed the metacognitive therapy by positing that people experience emotional disturbance, distress and anxiety because of the Cognitive Attentional Syndrome (CAS) which consists of the perseverative thinking style including worry, rumination, attention focused on threat, thought suppression, ineffective self-regulating strategies and maladaptive coping behaviours. The CAS i s a maladaptive style of responding to thoughts and feelings and it enhances negative emotions and the occurrence of intrusive thoughts. The author highlights the presence of a higher degree of this syndrome in clinical patients suffering from depression and other anxiety disorders. He also differentiates between the ‘object mode’ and ‘metacognitive mode’ of mental processing.

Zinc Deficiency in Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression

Zinc Deficiency in Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression Study of the relation between zinc deficiency in pregnancy and postpartum depressin Maryam Asltoghiri, Zahra Ghodsi Abstract Maternal zinc deficiency during pregnancy has been related to adverse pregnancy outcome. Recently, zinc deficiency has been on the focus as causing depression. The study was conducted to the determine the relation between zinc deficiency in pregnancy and postpartum depression. This prospective describe-analytical study was conducted on the population of women admitted to Fatemmie hospital in Hamedan city in west of Iran in 2011 .The study sample included 132 normal ( non depressed confirmed by the beck test) pregnant woman who were selected by convenient non-probability methods. Blood sample were collected from pregnant cases in 38-40 weeks and serum zinc was assessed by Enzymatic technique. Standard values under 85 mg/dl were defined zinc deficiency. In 28th days after delivery, they completed the Edinburgh Questionnaire. The relation between their postpartum depression and zinc deficiency was assessed. There was no significant difference in demographic in the between two groups. Th e results showed that zinc deficiency had increased the chance of postpartum depression (p Key words: zinc deficiency, postpartum depression Introduction Women, especially women of child-bearing age, are at high risk of depression ( Escriba`-Agu ¨ir Artazcoz 2011). PPD is a condition occurring in the post-natal period characterized by depressed mood, lack of energy, disruptions of sleep and appetite, loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities, (Crayton Walsh, 2007 ); irritability, excessive physical complaints, lack of libido (Zauderer, 2009), (Gjerdingen et al, 2009 ). Women with PPD may also have recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation, or recurrent thoughts about harming the baby. The onset of PPD may be as early as 4 weeks but is most commonly diagnosed between 6 and 12 weeks postpartum (Posmontier 2008). Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant public health concern. (Krause et al 2009) Maternal depression is very common globally, the prevalence of which ranges from 15% in the United States to 35% in low-income. Furthermore, the average prevalence of maternal postpartum depression within 6–8 wk af ter childbirth is 13% in the general population. (DiGirolamo Ramirez-Zea 2009) Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that has harmful effects on mothers, infants, family and relationships (Nikseresht, 2010) The consequences of postnatal depression on child development in early infancy, later infancy and early childhood have been the focus of a number of studies, with cognitive, emotional and social development potentially affected. (Leigh Milgrom, 2008). Therefore, identifying and treating depression early is a well recognized, public health priority (Segre et al, 2010) Furthermore, depression appears to be more severe in postpartum women and has an increased risk of recurrence. (Krause et al, 2009) Screening for depression in postpartum women is strongly encouraged. (Segre et al, 2010) Given the high prevalence and serious consequences of postnatal depression, efforts have been made to identify risk factors to assist in prevention, identification and treatment. (Leigh Milgrom , 2008). Most observers consider a history of depression, antenatal depression (Posmontier, 2008), stressful life events, low social support, marital problems ( Escriba`-Agu ¨ir Artazcoz, 2011) antenatal anxiety, negative cognitive attributional style, low self-esteem, and low income Other risk factors for postnatal depression cited in the literature include young age, fewer years of education, a history of miscarriage and pregnancy termination and a history of childhood sexual abuse (Leigh Milgrom, 2008) to be implicated in the development of depression, but there is little information available about biological factors. Zinc, one of the biological factors. The importance of zinc was first documented for Aspergillus niger. It took over 75 years to realize that zinc is also an essential trace element for rats and an additional 30 years went by before it was recognized that this was also true for humans. (Hasse et al, 2008) Zinc is one of the most important micronutrient with essential role in biochemical regulation of the body functions (Arast, 2009) Zinc is a cofactor for polymerases and proteases involved in many cellular functions (e.g., wound repair, intestinal epithelial cell regeneration). Zinc has antioxidant properties and may protect against macular degeneration from oxidative stress (Saper Rash, 2009) Due to the wide prevalence of zinc deficiency and the multitude of zinc’s essential biological functions, nutritional correction of zinc deficiency may have a significant impact on different aspects of human health. (Hasse et al, 2008). The prevalence of zinc deficiency is estimated to be high, with billions of people at risk, in particular in the developing world (Saper Rash, 2009) The importance of zinc in pregnancy period was widely studied in various countries. Variation in zinc plasma levels during pregnancy needs more investigation, because maternal zinc deficiencies may cause some severe abnormalities in the fetus ( arast 2009) The first clinical findings published by Hansen et al. indicated low serum zinc levels in treatment resistant depressed patients. Low serum zinc level was late found in major depressed and minor depressed subjects. (Szewczyk et al, 2010) Siwek and associated in 2010 suggest that Recurrent major depression is associated with decreased blood zinc concentrations that may be increased by effective antidepressant therapy. Given the negative implications of postpartum depression on health and wellbeing of mother and child, the current study aimed to examine prospectively the relationships among zinc deficiency and symptom of depression in Fattemieh hospital in city of Hamedan in west of Iran. Method This prospective describe-analytical study was conducted on the population of pregnant women ( mean gestation weeks = 38-40) admitted to the maternity hospital of Fatemieh in city of Hamedan in west of iran during 9-month period in years of 2011 .The sample consisted of 132 normal pregnant women (non depressed confirmed by the beck test) ranging in age from 20 to 35 years who were selected by convenient non-probability method. Our exclusion criteria were as follow : gestational diabetes, thyroid disorder, preeclampsia, history of infertility and stillbirth, unplanned pregnancy and history of depression . All the subjects were explained about the purpose of the study and were ensured strict confidentiality. Written informed consents were taken from each of women. All participants also reported their age, parity status, level of education, annual household income, marital status and history of abortion. Following University ethics approval, women currently 38 to40 weeks pregnant were invited to participate in a study. Blood samples were collected from pregnant cases and serum zinc was assessed by Enzymatic technique. Standard values under 85 mg/dl were defined zinc deficiency. At this time, They were divided into two groups of Zinc deficiency (n= 68) and normal zinc (n = 64) by their zinc levels. They were homogenized as for the confounders. On the 28th days after delivery ,they completed the Edinburgh questionnaire. We assessed depression with the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), a widely used self-report screening measure, at postpartum. We chose the EPDS because it has been validated for postpartum use and does not include somatic items, such as weight change, loss of energy, and tiredness that may be misleading as indicators of depression in the puerperal period. A score >12 indicates probable depression. Validation of the scale against diagnostic clinical interviews indicated a specificity of 78% and a sensitivity of 86% for all forms of depression. (Herring et al 2008) The relationship between their depression and zinc deficiency in 38-40 was assessed. SPSS (SPSS Inc., Chicago IL) statistical software was used for data analysis. All hypothesis tests were two-sided and P-values2, t-test ,mann Whitney, v-cramer and relative risk were used to analyze the obatained data. Results No statistically significant difference was noted in duration of marriage ( 4.27  ± 2.21 and 3.90  ± 1.53) ,socioeconomic (0.05  ± 1.02 and 0.05  ± 0/98 ), granida (60.9% and 61.8% no delivery), history of abortion ( 10/9 % and 7.4 % )and satisfaction of marriage ( 69.24  ±10.88 and 70.84  ± 10.47) between normal zinc and zinc deficiency groups ,respectively. Participants age ranged from 20 to 35 years (M=26.97 years, SD=3.75 and M=26.51 years, SD=4.31) in normal zinc and zinc deficiency groups ,respectively. At 38-40 weeks of pregnancy 68 women were placed in zinc deficiency and 64 women in normal zinc. 14.1% of the normal zinc and 38.2% of the zinc deficiency were found depressed on the 28th day after delivery and zinc deficiency had increased the chances of postpartum depression by 3.78 times.(p Table 1 : Comparison of depression on normal and zinc deficiency groups Conclusion The results indicated that zinc deficiency at 38-40 weeks gestation predicted, prospectively ,increased depressive symptoms at 28 days after delivery. This supported the proposed hypotheses and extended findings of our previous research suggesting that womens experiences of zinc deficiency may have clinical implications for the development of postpartum depression. Musavi and associated in 2006 expressed that major depressed subjects show significantly lowered serum zinc concentration. Results of this study, according to our study. DiGirolamo and associated in 2009 expressed similar results .Siwek and associated in 2010 expressed that Serum zinc is a state marker of depression. Szewczyk in 2010 showed that IRS activation is accompanied by a decrease in serum zinc level. In fact, in patients with major depression, a low zinc serum level correlated with an increase in the activation of markers of the immune system. Thus, these findings raise the hypothesis that the lower serum zinc observed in depressed patients may, in part, result from a depression-related alteration in the immune-inflammatory system. The other data supporting an important role of zinc in depression comes from the findings that the lower serum zinc level observed in depressed patients could be normalized by successful antidepressant therapy. However so further well-designed, adequately powered research is required .Lai and associated in 2012 suggest that potential benefits of zinc supplementation as a stand-alone intervention or as an adjunct to conventional antidepressant drug therapy for depression. Given symptoms of antenatal and postnatal depression are highly correlated, further research should evaluate the impact of antenatal experiences of zinc deficiency and indirectly via postpartum depression. Zinc deficiency in third trimester of gestation could be due to malnourishment or other conditions such as plasma expansion during pregnancy. Enhancing the daily uptake of zinc at the third trimester could be supportive.( arast et al 2009 )Zinc can improve depressive symptoms by nitrergic pathway. This element as supplement compounds could be alternatives for antidepressants in postpartum period. (Nickseresht 2010) The findings are limited as the relationships of earlier zinc deficiency with postpartum depressive symptom. Our findings indicate the importance of screening for the possible impact of zinc deficiency in earlier stages, to enable early treatment and even prevention of the development of antenatal and postpartum depression. Corresponding author: Maryam Asltoghiri

Essay example --

1. Problem Statement: Pharmaceutical companies are facing many challenges, amongst which the most important ones are the freeze on drug prices, cost inflation, fake and counterfeit medicines, and IPR violations of patented products. In Pakistan, the World Health Organization estimates that as much as 30 to 40 percent of medication on the market may be counterfeited. Pakistanis spend 77 percent of their household health budgets on medications, which puts at high risk the quality of healthcare being received. The organic chemical industry in Pakistan faces many challenges, which includes input availability and price, scale, power, and infrastructure are one of the main problems. The inherent cyclical trends observed in the industry exaggerate these challenges. Depending on the supply and demand-side linkages, the severity of challenges differs across firms. Pakistani pharmaceutical industry is one of the major industries and it has 70% of share to fulfill the demand of finished pharmaceutical products. These both industries also contribute in economic growth and development. This study is a preliminary in nature and it will also be a milestone for future research on this topic. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficiency and the determinants of efficiency of pharmaceutical and chemical firms in Pakistan. The efficiency of each firm will be evaluated using data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach. Objectives of Study: Following are key research questions that are needed to be explored/discussed †¢ To find the economic efficiency of Pharmaceutical and Chemical firms in Pakistan using non-parametric techniques. †¢ Conduct Tobit regression analysis for augmenting the analysis. †¢ To make recommendations on the basis of empirical... ... with which pre- and post-merger activities have been conducted in banks that were studied by DEA. Since DEA in its present form was first introduced in 1978, researchers in a number of fields have quickly recognized that it is an excellent and easily used methodology for modeling operational processes for performance evaluations. This has been accompanied by other developments. For instance, Zhu (2002) provides a number of DEA spreadsheet models that can be used in performance evaluation and benchmarking. DEA’s empirical orientation and the absence of a need for the numerous a priori assumptions that accompany other approaches (such as standard forms of statistical regression analysis) have resulted in its use in a number of studies involving efficient frontier estimation in the governmental and nonprofit sector, in the regulated sector, and in the private sector.

The Failures of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) :: Essays Papers

The Failures of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) One hundred and ten people were killed on board ValueJet’s flight 592 May 11, 1996. Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) failure to correct the problems found in an inspection contributed to this tragic crash (McKenna 59). FAA inspections are contributing to too many deaths on board major airlines. The corruption in the system has lead to many frightening statistics and problems but there are still a lot of improvements for the FAA. The FAA’s failure to inspect and report malfunctions caused 26 cases of uncontained disk/spacers. Also 10 cases of uncontained blades, 9 reversers, 9 fires in the undercowl, 6 engine separations, 6 case ruptures and 1 cowl separation. Airworthy planes that fly into terrain are the leading cause of accidents. Pilots do not know where they are going in relation to the ground but the aircraft is under control. It has killed 2,396 people from 1987 to 1996. Statistics show that U.S. carriers are the safest in the world. However the Safer Skies program by NASA predicts by the year 2010 there will be 6 or 7 catastrophic accidents per year if changes are not made soon (Hilkovitch 4). The FAA acquired a reputation as the tombstone agency because it only addresses dangerous scenarios after fatal air disasters occur. General Accounting Office (GAO) found that inspectors often do not write up violations because they are dismissed and proposed fines are set aside by their superiors. FAA inspectors discovered that contractors painting several ValueJet airplanes improperly reinstalled rudders used to steer the plane. AirTran Airlines had falsified documents, improper maintenance, faulty repairs and repeated failures to supervise contractors. Here is an example of an inspection report for AirTran Airlines: -- 3 instances of failing to properly calculate the proper weight and balance of aircraft to determine safe take off and landing speeds. -- A senior pilot who oversees the qualifications of other pilots falsified information about the experience of an unspecified number of them. -- Failure to examine seven planes’ transponders, which sends out altitude and directional information to traffic controllers, after the planes receive major overhauls. -- Improperly trained workers renovated an unspecified number of cabins to make way for larger business- class seats and modify the passengers’ emergency oxygen system (Associated Press 12).