“What About Bob” Vs. “A Beautiful Mind”

Comparison Paper Watching these two movies, â€Å"What about Bob? † And â€Å"A Beautiful Mind† really opens your eyes to problems that many people In our world face throughout their daily lives. These movies provide us with an opportunity to become better acquainted with the reality of disorders and help us realize that real people do struggle with these issues and that these issues can affect the person themselves or their family or even their psychiatrist.But what we also can learn from these movies is that everyone, even people with disorders, can contribute good things to the world around them. In â€Å"A Beautiful Mind,† John Nash Is a smart man who soon develops schizophrenia. His schizophrenia consists of seeing people and believing people are out to get him. His schizophrenia becomes so bad that it burdens his wife and friends. It becomes difficult for his wife to love him and she is uncomfortable around him. At one point in the movie, his delusions caus e him to almost drown his baby and cause him to knock his wife on the ground.John Nash, after going to a mental hospital, and seeing a therapist, still had bad delusions, but, he was so smart that he himself figured out owe to Ignore his delusions and continue on with life semi-normally. Although Nash still has schizophrenia he is still super intelligent and uses his intelligence too help the world around him. Nash goes on to win the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics for his work on game theory, which helps with economics, political science, and psychology, as well as logic and biology.The Nobel Prize is an award for outstanding contributions to the field of economics, generally regarded as the most prestigious award for that field. Receiving this award proves that even though Nash has a reverie disorder he Is still able to contribute a lot to the world around him. John Nash also contributes his knowledge to young college students. Nash, after figuring out how to control his delusio ns began again working at Princeton university as a professor. Being a professor at an Ivy League school like Princeton is a pretty admirable accomplishment.Teaching college at the Ivy League level is definitely contributing to the world around him, because, not only is he teaching the younger generation, he Is teaching some of the smartest people in the world. Now, because of Nash these students can go into the real world having learned very valuable information. Lastly, John Nash contributed something good to a very close part of his world. John Nash was married and his wife loved him very much. Although his schizophrenia was a burden to his wife and the love between them, she still loved him very much and wanted to be with him.He gave his wife love, which, I think Is the best thing you can give to someone. In â€Å"What About Bob? † Bob Wiley Is a man with separation anxiety disorder and many phobias. Because of these problems, Bob, is always apprehensive and in a state of panic. Bob is a very difficult client for therapists because he becomes so attached to people. He drove away his first therapist and caused his second one, Dry. Marvin, to go insane. Although Bob is annoying to be around and causes problems for some people, he also helps people Marvin tried numerous times to teach Saggy how to dive into the lake but he was unsuccessful.Bob tried to teach Saggy how to dive and he was successful. While trying to teach him how to dive, Bob realized that he is afraid of docks and water and diving into the water. Bobs fears make Saggy want to teach him that it's not that scary. So while showing Bob how to dive, Saggy Inadvertently teaches himself to not be scared and he couldn't have done it without Bob. Bob also brought Joy to Dry. Margin's family. Although, Dry. Marvin was not very fond of Bob, Bob made the Marvin family happy and helped them to really enjoy their vacation because of his personality.He brought Joy to them because they all came togethe r and kind of took Bob in and took care of him; he was like another child in the family. Dry. Margin's wife enjoyed Bob's resend so much that she invited him to stay for dinner and then sleepover their house one night. Dry. Margin's daughter also enjoyed Bob's presence so much that she invited him to hangout with her and her friends on their sailboat. Despite Mr.. Marvin hating him, Bob helps him in a few ways. The first way Bob helps Dry. Marvin is during dinner one night. Dry. Marvin is choking on food and Bob saves him by giving him the Heimlich.Although this really has nothing to do with Bob's disorder it still shows that he can do good things for the people around him. Bob also helped Dry. Marvin with his interview on Good Morning America. Bob was originally not supposed to be in the interview but because of his attachment to Dry. Marvin he got himself on the show. At first Dry. Marvin thought that this was an awful idea but soon that proved to be wrong. Dry. Marvin froze up an d didn't know what to say while Bob, posing as Dry. Margin's patient, talks very highly of the Dry. Margin's book and talks about how good of a therapist he is. Bob's presence on this show really helped Dry.Marvin look really good to everyone. Both of these movies present us with characters that have pretty severe disorders in their respective spectrums of severity. These movies show us how their disorders really make daily life difficult for them and others surrounding them. While showing the bad sides of their disorders these movies also show their good sides and what they can offer to the world and everyone around them. I have grown up with and around people with disorders and disabilities and I know for a fact that each person, even with a disorder, can contribute something special and unique to the world.

Air Asia Essay

1.Threat of new Entrants The extent of barriers to entry depends on the strength of- i)Customer has little brand loyalty. If consumers of Airasia do not have brand loyalty, then the strength of the threat of new entrants is very high. The high numbers of competitors in the industry also decrease Airasia’s customer loyalty. Most of the travelers prefer low cost. New competitors which want to come in the industry have to spend little to compete with Airasia. ii)High capital requirement. The industry of airline needs large volume of start-up capital. The cost of setting up of offices, buying or leasing aircraft, hiring pilots and other staffs like air stewardess and etc incur a high start-up cost. Thus, the threat is low for Airasia. iii)Different product offered. Airasia offers different product compared to other competitors in Asia like Bangkok Airways, Tiger Airways, and Air Philippines. Other than the passenger sales ticket, Airasia also include holiday packages which is affordable around Asia. Airasia has good connection with hotels and tourism companies around Asia, which it is hard for new competitors to compete. iv)Low switching costs. Customers do not need to spend more on switching to another airline. The price would not be very significant in differences, which it depends on the availability of competitor’s services and suitability of the flight time that prompts them to switch. v)Moderate access to distribution channel. Airasia is the first airline company to enable customer book and purchase air tickets online in Malaysia. This makes its website www.airasia.com very famous among frequent travelers. Although new competitors can create a website for their company, it is quite difficult to compete with Airasia’s website. The website is known of its simplicity and user friendly. Thus, new competitors are difficult to make known their websites to travelers. vi)Strict government regulations. In obtaining license and permit to operate  an airline company is quite restricted. This is because in Malaysia, the airline industry is very competitive already and that the government also wants to protect the interest of its national airline, MAS which is operating on loses a few years back. 2.Rivalry among existing firms The strength of this factor depends on: i)High numbers of rivals. There are approximately 59 low fares and no frills airlines compete with Airasia. Among of them are Tiger Airways, JAL Express, JetStar Airways, Air Arabia and etc. Some of the airline does not compete directly with Airasia, but it competes indirectly in routes that Airasia does not fly. Thus, the higher the number of competitors, the more fierce the competition. ii)High fixed cost. The airline industry incur high fixed cost which consists of finance cost, hire purchase, and staff costs. The airline companies have to gain more market share to cover the fixed costs. In doing that, constant price reduction is done by them to compete with others. Thus, the rivalry is strong. iii)Customers easily switch. The nature of airline industry is that customer’s priority is to look at price and flight schedule that suits them the best when buying air tickets. The main purpose of using the airline services is to get to the destination intended. Customers can switch to other airline easily which makes the industry so competitive. iv)High exit cost. It is hard for an airline company to exit the industry. It is because the cost is high in paying the loans, staff retrenchment and flight cancellation refunds. Even making losses, the companies have to get running to cope with fixed costs. This makes the industry very competitive. v)Products are similar. As mentioned earlier, the main purpose of using airline services is to reach the destination. Every airline provides similar  services to customers. Though Airasia provides other added services like hotel booking, and tour packages, it is subject to the customer’s choice. An industry with similar products offered is highly competitive. 3.Threat of Substitute product i)Easy to switch. There are about 59 low cost airlines competing in the industry. The airlines serve over one hundred cities and islands across the sub-continental regions of South Asia, Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia. Although some of the budget carriers only fly domestic routes within the country of origin, while only a few operates international routes connecting nearby countries, customers will always look for alternatives. ii)Performance of substitutes. Performance of other airlines are quite similar with Airasia’s given there is no obvious product differentiation. Performance of airlines normally consists of the accuracy of take off time, aircraft performance and staff services. So far, Airasia had constantly reviewed its performance and improve its services. iii)Relative price. The price of substitutes are about the same with Airasia’s. Some of the airlines offers cheaper price to achieve profitable passenger loads. The price offered depends on the time gap between the booking date and flight date. The longer the date, the cheaper will be the price. If the tickets are purchased last minutes, the price will be about the same with premium airlines like MAS and Singapore Airlines. Thus, in this situation customers would switch to the premium airlines. 4.Bargaining power of buyers i)No significant product differentiation. The only difference Airasia’s product with others airlines is the holiday packages offered. Most of the low cost airlines concentrate on providing flight services only to customers. There is some offers hotel booking at the city that the airline flies to. However, Airasia makes the difference by providing holiday packages like example 3 days and 2 nights to Bali at RM800 per pax includes  flight ticket, accommodation and travel guides. For customers who do not want to follow the travel agencies and enjoys freedom, they will look for Airasia’s packages, but the customer’s portion of this type is small. Thus the bargaining power of buyers is strong as the main thing they look for is to fly to destinations. ii)Low switching costs. Cost of switching to other airlines is low, so bargaining power of buyers is strong. Airasia is not the only airlines operates in Asia. Other than that the price offered by other competitors are not much different. The customer choice is subject to their convenience and flight schedule that fit them best. iii)Portion of buyers expenditure on airline is moderate. This factor depends on portions of income an individual earns. The higher the portion, the more the customer look for cheaper price and thus, the stronger the bargaining power of buyers. Eg when a student without earning any income, will look for the cheapest price available as the portion of his expenditure will be very substantial. iv)Customers have access to market information. The IT world had emerged since 20th century. Many big and success companies in the world uses IT and e-commerce to operate. Without IT, the business had boundaries and international business will be prohibited. With worldwide web, information can be gathered on one click. Customer’s access to the current airline market information is easy and available all the time. The airline companies have less room for negotiation. Thus, customers had strong bargaining power. v)Buyer’s power concentration in many hands. Most of the airline company customers are individual travelers, only some travel in groups. So the air tickets are purchased individually. The airline companies are not relying on a few groups of customers only. Thus, the bargaining power of buyer is strong. 5. Bargaining Power of Suppliers i) Supplier concentration in a few hands. The supplier of airline companies is the fuel supplier, foods supplier, merchandise supplier and aircraft supplier. There are few suppliers in the market, eg the aircraft supplier, the companies are either Airbus or Boeing. In this case the power of supplier is strong. Other supplier like foods supplier and fuel supplier, the term of the supply must be based on the market condition. The supplier cannot increase too much of its price or risk losing long term business with the aircraft companies. ii)High switching costs. Most of Airasia’s aircraft are Airbus models. Previously the company used Boeing models, which they lease it and the company had since phased out most of the models and replace with Airbus. If Airasia is to switch to Boeing again, then the cost will be high, because training cost for employees to suit the aircraft features must be provided. Other than that, the technology used by Airbus is the most advanced, thus Airasia must rely to the Airbus engineers to do maintenance of the aircrafts and seek advices. Thus, bargaining power of suppliers is strong. iii)Relative lack of importance of buyers to supplier. Airbus is a UK based aviation company. Its customers come from around the world. So far 9,113 aircraft had been ordered, out of which 5,408 aircraft had been delivered by the company. Airasia had ordered 200 aircraft from Airbus and so far only 54 aircraft had been delivered. The percentage of less than 1%, 0.99% proves that Airasia is not Airbus’s important buyer. Thus, Airbus had strong power over Airasia.

Union Carbide India Limited

It all started with the manufacturing of flash light batteries in Calcutta by the Eveready Company Limited of Great Britain. Later on this company became a subsidiary of UCC headquartered in New York. The company later adopted the new name of Union Carbide India limited and also established a factory in India to manufacture flash lights along with expansion of its capacity to manufacture dry-cell batteries. The company progressed and by the eighties they were involved in batteries, carbon and metals, plastics, marine products, and agricultural chemicals. UCIL established fifteen plants in different parts of India. To expand its agricultural division UCIL sought permission of Indian government to allow them to set up a pesticide plant. Initially the plant was started near the city of Trombay but later on switched to Bhopal. The plant in the beginning imported Sevin powder from the United States diluted it with non-toxic powder and sold it. Later the Indian government pressurized UCIL to manufacture Sevein and its components in India. That's how the Bhopal plant expanded and the investment in the plant increased from initial $1 million to $25 million. The company made its mark among all companies present in India in terms of Sales. In Bhopal the UCIL factory was like any other process plant with storage tanks, hoppers and reactors connected by pipes, pumps, valves and ducts. Sevin was made through a chemical reaction between alpha-naphthol and methyl isocyanate, MIC. MIC is a highly reactive liquid that boils and becomes a gas above day time temperatures. UCC was the world leader in MIC technology and provided essentially al the process design for the plant but did not send engineers to supervise the construction. The alpha-naphthol unit began experiencing some problems. Also the sales were started going down in the beginning of 80s due to various reasons. Due to the decline in sales the unit started having losses. The staff at the MIC was cut from twelve operators on a shift to six. The maintenance team was reduced in size. In a number of instances, faulty safety devices remained unrepaired for weeks. The plant was running at far below capacity. The company seriously started making plans for dismantling the plant and shipping it to some other region. UCIL was located in Bhopal where there was a shanty town inhabiting thousands of India's poorest citizens. In the South of Bhopal wealthy Indians lived in their elegant houses. MIC the main component used to prepare Sevin was made at the plant by reacting Phosgene gas with another chemical but the system had been idle. The MIC was being used from ‘charge-pot' which was periodically resupplied from either of two different tanks. Operators had experienced difficulty in pressurizing one of the tanks. At the night of the incident, several hundred gallons of water entered in this particular tank. The water reacted with MIC producing heat and gas. A relief valve soon lifted and MIC vapor began flowing through vent headers and out a discharge stack. Some workers reported to supervisors that their eyes began to water because of possible leak of MIC. Supervisors found what they believed was the source and they set up a fire hose to spray water on the suspected leak. The water curtain that may have reduced the concentration of the gas was only set to ~13 m and did not reach the gas; it was not designed to contain a leak of such magnitude. The supervisors retired to the company canteens in violations of instructions not to take their break together. The supervisors were later called when the tank was rumbling with increasing pressure but it was too late for them to take any concrete action. MIC vapor were billowing from an atmospheric vent in the air. The cloud of deadly white gas was carried by the northeast wind toward the shanties on the south side of the plant. On the cold night cold of December 03, 1984, MIC settled toward ground. The gaseous fumes reached the huts resulting in panic and confusion. Many of the weak and elderly died where they lay blinded and smothered by the acrid fumes. Though the audible external alarm was activated to warn residents of Bhopal, it was quickly shut down to avoid causing panic among the residents. Thus, many continued to sleep, unaware of the unfolding drama. However, as the words of the gas leak spread, many of the Bhopal's affluent citizens fled in their cars while poor were left behind. An estimated 2000 or more died that deadly night while over 200,000 were injured. Doctors and hospitals were not informed of proper treatment methods for MIC gas inhalation. They were told to simply give cough medicine and eye drops to their patients. Confused crowds waited outside hospitals outside the hospitals for medical care. The plant on the other hand, later on, was closed and locked. The citizens of Bhopal remained totally shocked by the turn of events. Soon after the incident blame game started. UCC referred to deliberate act as a possible cause of the water entry. Later the company suggested that a Sikh terrorist group might have sabotaged the plant. A representative of UCC's investigation team suggested that the gas was formed when a disgruntled plant employee, apparently bent on spoiling a batch of methyl isocyanate, added water to a storage tank. There were many theories started flowing around. UCC and UCIL executives were charged in India with manslaughter and other crimes. UCC chairmen Anderson along with the head of UCIL was arrested and briefly detained by Indian officials when they went to India after the incident. Several UCIL employees were also arrested and CBI began criminal investigation. A number of US and Indian lawyers rushed to sign up gas victims and their relatives as clients. Different class action lawsuits were filed in the United Sates on behalf of the victims of disaster. In March 1985, India enacted the Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster Act, giving UOI the exclusive right to represent the victims. Finally, In an out-of-court settlement reached, Union Carbide agreed to pay $470 million for damages caused in the Bhopal disaster. As we know from the background of the case that refrigeration unit was not working, safety devices were not working, safety standards and operating procedures were not im place, maintenance was poor, downsizing took place and less qualified personnel were hired. These issues indicate that the problem lied at the management level. Inefficient operation shows that there was absence of even basic management. The day to day operations were not carried out according to the general standards and norms then what can be said about disaster planning or planning for dealing with an unforeseen event. At UCIL the local management should have taken the complete responsibility of the diaster as they failed to maintain even the basic principles of management. Even though foreigners were on the board of directors but it was not the responsibility of the board member to run day to day operations. The whole blame was put on foreigners and forign board and the case became one of the most talked about industrialized disaster in the history. The plant was purely run by the Indian local managers and it was the responsibility of such managers to maintain the basic standards. This incident would not have happened had management been active in implementing the basic levels of management. Ideally there should be a contingency plan in place to deal with the possible disasters. In plants dealing with chemicals there is always a possibility of accidents and disasters of any proportion. It was naive of the management to forget about the contingency measures. On another level the government of India also played the political part and tried to trap foreign board in the incident while forgetting that primary responsibility lied on management on ground. Foreign board in Bhopal's case also on the hand tried to safegurd its image as the issue was discussed on all forums There had been many accidents of similar nature in UCC's American plants prior to the Bhopal accident but they did not get much publicity and were not blown out of proportion because they were tackled at the management level on ground. As later there was a ruling that the case should be tried in India. The company denied every charge leveled against UCC and pointed out that no US citizen had been employed there 2 years before the disaster. Foreign board definitely had the moral responsibility of the incident but they cannot be blamed for failed day to day operations. The case reminds us that on the first level basic management should function and operations should be efficiently run. However the management responsibility does not end here. Management should be on toes and keep on scanning both external and internal environmental factors. There should be contingency plans in place to deal with possible mishaps or disasters.

The influence of the Denver National Western Stock Show on Prostitutio Essay

The influence of the Denver National Western Stock Show on Prostitution - Essay Example It is therefore expected that the people who will be visiting the city of Denver will lead to an imbalance in the market for prostitution and this is bound to create some pressures on the prices for the services. The various dimensions of the effects as well as the movements expected are discussed below in order to have a clear picture of the expected outcomes (Moffatt, Peter and Simon, 681). As has been mentioned above, the first basic effect of the National Western Stock Show is the fact that there will be some imbalances in the supply and demand of prostitution services. This is due to the fact that a lot of people are expected to come to the city to showcase their products and services while others will be visiting the city in order to experience the show. The first dimension of this influx is that there will be an increase in the demand for prostitution services and this is expected to push the prices upward as the market forces adjust themselves accordingly. It is expected that the prostitutes operating in the city will increase the prices of their services in order to benefit from increased demand for their services (Moffatt, Peter and Simon, 683). Another dimension is that the influx of people will bring in people with more disposable income and therefore they will be willing to spend their money on various forms of leisure and entertainment such as seeking the services of prostitutes. This will lead to an increase in the prices of the services since they will be willing to pay more than normal in order to access the scarce services. It is, however, important to note that this may not go on for long as the market will adjust itself almost immediately as it is expected that other prostitutes from other cities and localities will also invade the city in order to benefit from offering services to the people at the show. This means that the supply of prostitution services may actually increase and this may put a downward pressure on the prices (Dill 96).

Transportation and Security administration Research Paper

Transportation and Security administration - Research Paper Example The thesis statement this paper would be holding is â€Å"By focusing on risk reduction through pro-active measures such as broader intelligence gathering, knowledge management, and enhanced coordination with international partners, TSA will make equipment as not the only answer to Homeland Security of our Nation. It has been observed that our airports are very vulnerable to a terrorist incident. Most of us have also experienced the security at our country’s airports and are well known of the fact that the specific aspects of airport security are specific vulnerabilities as well. With the problem identified, the goal of this paper is to provide a solution in identifying different security capabilities for security at airport that affect the citizens of this nation; besides just equipment. One must understand that the current strategies are not enough in making this country safe through airport security. Currently, body scanners, pat downs, biometrics, cast scopes, explosive t race detections and imaging technology are used to ensure efficient solution for the current problem which has caused a lot of controversies in the past (TSA). Thus, there is a need to provide viable courses of actions. This paper aims to do the exact same, i.e. providing remedy for this bad course by changing the operational mission of the TSA, and focus on risk reduction through pro-active measures such as broader intelligence gathering, knowledge management, and enhanced coordination with international partners. ... aper investigates the impact of post-9/11 airport security measures on air travel as well as the process of screening baggage and passenger screening measures. These two being one of the major changes in security has worked towards reducing the level of passengers flying. The evidence is provided that baggage screening was the basic factor in reducing this number and thus had more effect as compared to contemporaneous price changes, airport-specific shocks, schedule changes, or other factors. TSA deploys more AIT units. (2011). Airport Security Report, 19(23), n/a-n/a. This article mentions the effort made by the TSA regarding the issues raised by the security measures used at the airport. According to this article TSA has introduced AITs that worked towards reducing the concerns of passengers regarding their privacy. Outline The thesis statement this paper would be holding is â€Å"By focusing on risk reduction through pro-active measures such as broader intelligence gathering, kno wledge management, and enhanced coordination with international partners, TSA will make equipment as not the only answer to Homeland Security of our Nation. It has been observed that our airports are very vulnerable to a terrorist incident. Most of us have also experienced the security at our country’s airports and are well known of the fact that the specific aspects of airport security are specific vulnerabilities as well. With the problem identified, the goal of this paper is to provide a solution in identifying different security capabilities for security at airport that affect the citizens of this nation; besides just equipment. One must understand that the current strategies are not enough in making this country safe through airport security. Currently, body scanners, pat downs,

Suggested Central Bank for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Assignment

Suggested Central Bank for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - Assignment Example The similar nature of their economic structure implies that they have common sources of strengths and weakness in their financial systems. They are heavily dependent on their natural resources which are in the process of being depleted. Hence the GCC nations have made diversification of their economic activities as a long-term policy objective. Their financial sector has a central role to play in this strategy of economic diversification. The financial sector is like an intermediary contributing to the economic development of the GCC countries through creation of profits and employment. It also helps in efficient allocation of the financial resources. Hence to tap this potential, the GCC countries have decided to develop a central bank known as Central Bank for Gulf Cooperation Council to help in the domestic regulatory and supervisory framework by participating in the financial institutions and through grants and subsidies. The GCC economies are facing a lot of political turmoil and this can have negative consequences in the financial markets and in the foreign direct investment in these countries. In this report we will analyses the role to be played by the proposed Central Bank for Gulf Cooperation Council towards the economy in these countries. Discussion The real GDP of the economies of GCC grew at a yearly average rate of 4.7% between 2000 and 2010. Compare to this the OECD have only attained an annual growth rate of 1.5%. But it is less than the average growth rate of the BRIC countries which is 8% year-on-year. Figure 1: Real GDP Growth Rate Source: World Bank WDI, IMF projection The Central Bank of GCC has to protect their financial structure form global financial crisis. The Central Bank needs to capitalize their banks so that they can meet the minimum capital adequacy ratio and a comfortable leverage ratio as per the international standard. Still there exists a risk of a possible worsening of the asset quality of the banks due to a worsening of balan ce sheets. Such risk gets increased for economies which have high credit growth rates just prior to any crisis (Strom, Rasmussen and Robinson, 2011). The GCC banks have indicated some weakness in regard with the operational aspects of the GCC banks and hence the Central bank needs to frame policy which removes this weakness. It was seen that a few GCC countries have witnessed a rapid growth in the credit during the oil boom period just prior to the financial crisis. This showed that this rise in the available bank liquidity and increase in the lending rates was associated with higher oil prices (Accenture, 2011). This gave rise to the risk and high liquidity volatility in their banks. It has been seen in the international market that the rapid growth in credit in times of high growth rate results in degrading the asset quality as the situation worsens. Here it was seen that with sharp fall in the oil prices have led to slowdown in the growth rate and also have degraded the asset qua lity of the banks and in turn puts a strain in the liquidity position of the banks. Hence the Central bank of GCC needs to evaluate their policy measures so that the effect of oil prices doesn’t have significant impact on their financial sector. The Central Bank of GCC also needs to take into account the bank’

The sexual objectification of women in advertising Essay

The sexual objectification of women in advertising - Essay Example This "The sexual objectification of women in advertising" outlines the issue of gender inequality and the image of women as a sexual object ad. Ads are great, in several senses. They are one amongst the rarely thriving creative fields in the society. They make us smile and forget our problems through their imaginative rosy world. But, sadly a great proportion of ad directors simply believe they can sell their product only by portraying a woman sexually. The history of this notion started way back from the days of Esquire magazine and several others like the "Play Boy" continued on their footsteps. The copy writer turned editor of the Esquire magazine initially started to feature the petty girls and the pin up models to satisfy the male ego. They were in a crucial state to produce a magazine which attracts men. They used strong sarcasm under the cover of humour against the growing women power in the late 20's. Men who lost their jobs to the ever increasing women flock, found solace in such magazines. Everything from the cooking talent of women to their housekeeping norms were strongly criticized in the Esquire (Breazael, 2003). The magazine simply represented the mainstream idea of "Why don't these women keep quiet and let men manage the world?" in every bit. Several women groups stood up strongly against them. In fact the magazine was forced to keep their views under elite cover, mostly because of the rising feminist groups. There doesn’t seem to be much change in the way the advertising world view women. In fact, the objectification of women in media only increases as years pass. There are several reasons for this. Goffman who researched over 500 advertisements on a gender based view noted three important points. The size and the height of men always seemed to be higher than women. Women were shown as stereotypical, overexcited beings often laughing or acting hysterically. Their touch and body is always combined with overt graze, usually representing th em lying down in sofa's or beds (Goffman, 1979). The poses and mannerisms of women are usually depicted to be childlike, innocent or immature. Men see in such poses what women see in a baby, the need to nurture. A woman buys a product where a baby looks at her sheepishly with its finger on the mouth, kindled by her motherly instincts. Similarly a man buys a product showcasing a beautiful woman, with wide eyes, slightly open lips, stretched hands and legs, kindled by his natural dominant side. The problem here is both men and women are equal and the necessity for prince in armour has long disappeared. There is no point in portraying women as helpless, innocent, dependable creatures, luring men with sexiness when they live a completely respectful life. Women movements and associations should join hands together to stop such senselessness. If men cannot accept themselves being portrayed as cavemen when they wear Armani suit, why should a normal women accept a bimbo portrayal wherever s he turns to. This is an age where governments are overthrown through Facebook. If women around the world join hands, such arrogance will be put to check immediately. The products of the Nestle Company were boycotted because they buy palm oil by destroying forests where orang-utan’s live. The company was forced to stop the worthless act saving the primitive species. If consumer

Activity based costing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Activity based costing - Essay Example With this new era of cost reduction and resource utilization,managers always have to come up with ways to maximize their bottom-line One of the newest ways how companies can get increased cost-savings is by using a technique called Activity Based Costing (ABC). The main objective of this type of system is proper identification of all cost categories and using basing decisions on this information. Most organizations that use ABC systems have two costing systems – the official costing system that is used for preparing external financial reports and the Activity Based Costing system that is used for internal decision making and for managing activities. Table of Contents Executive Summary 1 Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Recent Studies in ABC 3 Role of ABC in Industries 4 Role in Manufacturing 5 Role in Financial Services 6 Role in Health Services 7 Role in Retail 8 Role in Government 9 Limitations of ABC 10 Conclusion 11 Bibliography 12 Introduction The main objective of Acti vity Based Costing is to understand the various types of overheads that are affecting the business. In comparison, normal accounting attempts to separate the different type of costs and the focus is on the cost of goods sold (or cost of services rendered in case of service companies). In this section, analysis of the various aspects of Activity Based Costing will be done, and how it is used effectively by managers in order to create the maximum value for the company. A number of examples will also be looked into when it did not prove to be very effective for the organizations. The basis of Activity Based Costing is simple, non-manufacturing as well as manufacturing costs may be assigned to products. Moreover, some manufacturing costs may be excluded from product costs. All overhead costs are attached to a product and activity is used as a measure of all the costs involved. The overhead rates or activity rates may be based on the level of activity at capacity rather than on the budge ted level of activity. To compensate for the deficiencies of the conventional information systems, ABC requires firms to collect costs in specially constructed â€Å"activity pools† rather than service departments or overhead cost centers. Each of the pools corresponds to a group of similar business processes or activities that are homogeneous in that all costs assigned to the pool are influenced or driven by a common factor (Rafiq & Garg 2002). Recent Studies in ABC A study in the year 2005 concluded that nearly half (55%) of respondents suggested within their entirety that their companies were at that time making use of the Activity Based Costing either in an active fashion or in a pilot with another 32% considering use. Only one in ten which amounted to around 11% did not contemplate using the ABC. The manufacturing industry had the highest representation with 24%, followed by financial services at 18%, public sector at 16%, and communications at 8%. Other industries accou nted for less than 5% each. The same study found out that out of all the industries being considered, the communication industry is the most aggressive in adopting the ABC system (Timlin 1998). The primary reason for this being that the Activity Based Costing uses various activities to trace overhead directly to cost objects, such as products, processes, services, etc., avoiding the distortions of traditional costing systems. In order for the ABC system to be affective large investments will have to be made in IT to support this need for categorical information. Role of ABC in Industries Now taking a look at the different industries and trying to analyze how ABC system is used to achieve different goals according to the company. While company goals may vary greatly, the purpose here is to identify how Activity Based Co

TED speech reflection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

TED speech reflection - Essay Example It is a useful tool that is for planning in the health service sector especially in Maternal and Child Health (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2010). Maternal and Child Health quality should be continuously. The mortality rate in developing countries was very high in the past although major steps have already been taken thus reducing the number significantly. It is very paramount for health ministry’s to invest in the sector since children are the future generation of the universe. There an enabling environment should be provided for them to discover their talents, achieve their needs and desires and grow in all aspects. Hence, the need for strategic Maternal and Child Health Planning arises (Fraser, 2013). The following variables are, therefore, the drivers that affect efforts made towards achieving the Maternal and Child Health. They include time, the environment and equity. In order to improve MCH, time is a very imperative aspect. Children should be treated in time to eliminate the number of deaths that arises as a result of late treatments. In addition, environment forces influence the steps made towards achieving bet ter service provision. Countries, which have low living standards, have numerous challenges in achieving the LCT in MCH. Finally, the service is not provided uniformly; some people can obtain their preferred treatment during the process of accessing health services (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2010). US Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau. (2010). Rethinking MCH: The life course model as an organizing framework. Concept Paper, Version 1.1. Retrieved from

Islam Guide Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Islam Guide - Essay Example A review of the five pillars of the religion suggests that belief and witness, i.e. the Shahada, daily prayers (five times a day), almsgiving (Zakat), fasting during Ramadanm and pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) are basic to Islamic religion. Significantly, the author commences the chapter on Islam with a detailed description of the life and works of the Prophet Muhammad, according to which the Prophet Muhammad always denied having any superhuman powers. As the Qur’an describes him, the Prophet Muhammad was a human like anyone else, and he was just a servant of the God to whom revelation has come. Significantly, the Prophet Muhammad made only a single claim about his miracles: that he had received the Qur’anic revelations in an extraordinarily eloquent and pure Arabic. â€Å"Nevertheless, all who saw the Prophet remarked on his touching physical beauty, his nobility of character, the fragrance of his presence, his humility, and his kindness. In his devotion to God, he quietl y endured poverty so extreme that he tied a stone over his stomach to suppress the pangs of hunger.† (Fisher, 337) Therefore, Living Religions by Mary Pat Fisher provides a compelling study resource on the historical development and major teachings of the Islamic religion and the readers are able to recognize how this religion has evolved into contemporary beliefs and practices. It is pertinent to realize that the opening section of the chapter on Islam in Living Religions by Mary Fisher deals with the history concerning the Prophet Muhammad followed by the teaching story of the humility of the Prophet. In the teaching story, the readers are provided with a convincing illustration of how the humility of the Prophet was a model to his followers. In the next section, â€Å"The Qur’an†, the author maintains that it is the revelations that the Prophet received, rather than the Prophet himself, which is at the heart of Islam, and the Qur’an outlines the message s he received over a period of twenty three years. â€Å"At first they were striking affirmations of the unity of God and the woe of those who did not heed God’s message. Later messages also addressed the organizational needs and social lives of the Muslim community†¦ Recitation of the Qur’an is thought to have a healing, soothing effect, but can also bring protection, guidance, and knowledge...† (Fisher, 338) Thus, the author offers a forceful and comprehensive illustration of the history of the religion based on its teachings and principles as given in the Qur’an. In the next section of the chapter, Mary Fisher deals exclusively with the central teachings of the Islam and she covers all the major aspects of the Islamic principles. Thus, the author talks about ‘the oneness’ of God and humanity, prophet-hood and the compass of Islam, human relationship to the divine, the unseen life, and the last judgment. According to the author, there is great similarity between the essence of God and the human nature, and they are united to each other. Mary Fisher also establishes that prophet-hood is the essential characteristic of Islam, and the Prophet Muhammad is the unquestionable leader of the religion. In this section of the chapter, the author makes a reflective analysis of the human relationship

Strategies to Turn Around a Division in a Company Essay Example for Free

Strategies to Turn Around a Division in a Company Essay The steps towards turning around an ailing division would require identifying areas that are operational and non operational areas. Thus, both positive and negative elements in regard to the functionality of the system would have to be identified. How these elements would be applied to enhance the performance of the division is of significant. Therefore, I call for a meeting to introduce myself as well as know the team working in that division. In the process, I would give reasons for my belief in the success of the division where I would explore prior achievements and point a way towards achieving such results. I would show that I believe in their expertise and explain my role as to lead the team into achieving success and a good work environment. I would eliminate their fear of loosing jobs and ask them to participate fully in the process to turn around the division. To establish the areas that are functional and not functional, I would engage the employees. Thus, I would ask them to write down what they think works and what doesn’t in the division and give suggestion on what they would want done to rectify the fault. I would also lay out a system where all the employees would access the information gathered and involve them into deciding the best ideas where they would vote on the ideas to implement. I would then discuss with them the results. If I find some ideas not viable, I would explain and open the floor for comments. I would encourage criticism. (Maund, 2001) Communication is vital within an organization and thus I would improve its tools and functions within the division. Thereafter, I would extend this gesture to other departments where I would encourage departmental heads to share information with employees. I would offer incentive for improved communication within and between departments.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   After achieving enhanced communication I would embark on improving the product line. The problem of an outdated product line with diminishing market share is as a result of rejection by buyers. The reasons would list as the product being obsolete, low in quality, very expensive or the wrong audience is being targeted. Thus, I would request the marketing and sales department to conduct a study to determine a solution. The research findings would be open to employees for scrutiny within a set period of time probably, a week. We would effect changes to the product line and ask employees to try the products in the market and ask them for their opinions on them. Note that these would not be free samples to employees. About the division structure, I would not alter to avoid alienating employees. Instead, I would maintain the stability of the previous environment and inject momentum by introducing new tasks and communication tools and functions. However, if there were suggestions through the initial fact findings I would consider structural changes. Last but not least, I would present the fact finding to the top management with reasons as to the course of action I took. In the agenda, I would include strategies of marketing the new product line where after, I would request for funds to launch the new product line stating our expected financial returns. The old product would have to be terminated and therefore, expenses streamlined. (Sparrow and Hilltop, 1994) In conclusion, as much as the success of these strategies would depend on the market, enhanced communications and participation of motivated employees as well as improving non functional systems and maintaining functional systems, are vital into conquering that market. References Maund, L. (2001): An Introduction to Human Resource Management: Theory and Practice: Palgrave Macmillan, Sparrow, P. and Hilltop, J. (1994): European Human Resource Management in Transition: New York, Prentice Hall.

The Competitor Exiting competitors Essay Example for Free

The Competitor Exiting competitors Essay Competitors are those that offer an alternative, these competitors gained market share, we can not cover and control them based on exiting product. These alternative products are always diversity such as nappy. Potential Competitors -These competitors are always threatening, they can find out new product more preeminent than exiting product, it is a question for many company they can’t guess what product is find out tomorrow. -If we can analysis exiting competitor’s strategy, we don’t know how can cover potential competitor. -So we are always improving to adapt market. We make a surveys to know what need and demand are, from that we are always improving our products for customers. Strengths -Cut down star-up capital of company based on outsourcing’s model. Using tools for manufacture product based on partner so that reduce cost of built factory, machines, training, employer’s liability insurance. -Limit risk of manufactory as all of abilities are guaranteed by contrast of partners so the risks were compensated by partners. -The product is more preeminent than others. We focus: +The qualities ensure high material from Viet Nam with high quality, do not use material from China or have no origin. +The price: balance price, target on middle stream. +Market segment is large. Weaknesses -The quantities are limited by clause of contract of partner. It is hard to control our product as well as the flexible in manufacture. -Can’t control human resource from outsourcing’s model. The company’s image is easy impacted. Opportunities -Viet Nam is a fertile market. The need of child clothes is more and more increased. -The market in neighboring country such as Lao, Cambodia. -Compare with competitors, with low price, poor quality and high quality, so high price. With outsourcing’s model, we balance between price and quality to target middle segment. -The market is more and more developing with immigrant for industrial highly as promise land such as Ho Chi Minh, Dong Nai, Binh Duong. Threats -The risk from partner they can’t cover contract (product error, term contracts, standard of product) -Strategic competition from competitor when they realize our strategic. More and more competitor join fertile market. les gros poissons mangent les petits 3.3 Partners to sell Short term +Location market We focus location market such as: A. Ba Chieu market; An Dong market, Cho Lon market; Thu Duc ( Ho Chi Minh city) B. Tan Hiep market; Tan Mai market; Long Binh Tan market; Bien Hoa market. These are region concentrate industrial region so it is potential market( Dong Nai City) C. Di An market; Vsip market; Binh Duong market; Ben Cat market; Song Than market +Shopkeeper( delivery all shop) +Supermarket ( Big C, Co-op mark; Citi mark; Vinatex ) Long term +Cambodia market (target Xamat’s border; Hoa Lu border) +Lao’s market( La Bao’s border) +China’s market(Mong Cai’s border) Difference Manufacturing base on outsourcing model-non factory, cut down worker (Cut down star-up capital of company) Balance between price and quality ( good quality still keep goo price)

Public Perceptions About the Concept of Medication Reuse

Public Perceptions About the Concept of Medication Reuse Medication wastes: The public perceptions about the concept of medication reuse Chapter one 1. Introduction 1.1 Background, definitions, and classification of medical wastes There is a growing environmental realisation in the last few years, it is recognisable that the worlds environmental carbon emissions, and global warming problems are increasing. Many organisations work to apply green principles of health care programs in their way for going green (Xie, 2012). In the UK, the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare (CSH) the institution which was developed in 2008 to help NHS reduce carbon liberations and emissions by 80% by 2050 by involving health care professionals, patients, and the community clarifying the connections between environment and health care system (Stancliffe, 2014). Waste is defined by European Union Waste Framework Directive (2008), as any substance or object which the holder discards or intends or is required to discard. All wastes created by medical activities falls under health care wastes. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) report and the World Health Organisation (WHO) described health care wastes as all wastes produced by research facilities, laboratories, and organisations providing health and social care. Moreover, it involves the waste originating from small or sprinkled sources such as that generated in the health course and social care started at home such as dialysis, insulin injections, bandages, swabs, sharps, blood, medicines and incontinence pads (RCN, 2014 and WHO, 2011). Between (80) % of the waste produced by health-care providers is considered non-risk or general health-care waste, while the remaining (20) % of healthcare waste is considered as hazardous that maybe may be infectious, toxic or radioactive and may create a diversity of health risks. Health-care waste consists of possibly dangerous microorganisms with potential infectious risks such as development of microorganisms resistant to medication from health-care institution into the environment, and can infect patients, healthcare suppliers and the public. WHO classified the hazardous health care waste into (Appendix 1): infectious waste, pathological waste, sharps waste, pharmaceutical waste, genotoxic waste, chemical waste, heavy metals wastes and the radioactive waste. Pharmaceutical waste is waste containing pharmaceutical that are expired, or no longer used; items polluted by or including pharmaceuticals (WHO, 2011). Usually not all the medications dispensed to the patients will be used, this is mainly due to many factors such as adverse drug reaction intolerance, relief of symptoms, changing the dose/dosage forms, medicine non-compliance and/or non-adherence issues and medicine being expired (Dharmender, 2013). Pharmaceutical waste is defined by UK Department of health (2013), as expired, unused, spilt, and contaminated medicinal products, drugs, vaccines and sera that are no longer required and need to be disposed of appropriately; and/ or discarded items contaminated with medicinal, such as bottles or boxes with residues, gloves, masks, connecting tubing, syringe bodies and drug vials. Abou-auda HS (2003), defined medication wastage as any medication or drug product that had been dispensed by a prescription or buy over the counter (OTC) which is not fully consumed. Chapter two 2. Literature review 2.1 causes of medication wastage Drugs are wasted when dispensed to patients who are not taken them. In order to minimise the wastage of medications, it is important to investigate the causes behind medicines being returned, unused, and wasted by the patients. A review of the possible factors evidenced to potentially cause medication waste was conducted to summarise the most important causes of medicine returned unused. 2.1.1 Patient death Medications being returned unused by the patients resulting from patient death was reported in six studies. Mackridge et al. (2007), a cross sectional study of returned medicines to fifty one community pharmacies and forty two general practitioner surgeries in Eastern Birmingham (UK) over eight weeks, Cameron (1996), a self-reporting questionnaire study in 58 community pharmacies in Alberta (Canada) over eight weeks, and Ekedahl (2006), a cross sectional study included fifty nine community pharmacies in Sweden reported that patient death was the most common cause of medication waste. In the study by Langley et al. (2005), a small cross sectional observational study in eight community pharmacies and five general practitioner surgeries in East Birmingham/UK over four weeks, patient death was the second most common cause of returned unused medicines by the patients. Data from Cook A (1996), a cross sectional study of returned medicines to seventeen community pharmacies over one month in UK, Hawksworth et al. (1996), a cross sectional study of returned medicines included thirty community pharmacies in UK, Coma et al. (2008), a cross sectional study of returned medicines to 38 community pharmacies over three months showed that patient death was reported but accounted only for about quarter of all returned unused medicines. 2.1.2 Medication changed or discontinued There is a proof in the literature that changing medications is a considerable cause of medication returned unused by the patients, it is reported as a common cause of medication waste (Cameron 1996, Cook 1996, Hawksworth et al. 1996, Morgan 2001, Daniszewsi et al.2002, Langley et al. 2005, Abahussain et al. 2006, Ekedahl 2006, Mackridge et al. 2007, Braund et al. 2008, Coma et al. 2008, Braund and Gn et al. 2009, Braund and Peake et al. 2009, James et al. 2009). Data from (Hawksworth et al. 1996, Daniszewsi et al.2002, Langley et al. 2005, Abahussain et al. 2006, Braund et al. 2008), found that changing medications was the most common reported cause of medication being wasted. 2.1.3 Medication Expired 2.2 The environmental impact of unused wasted returned medications The toxic ecological effects of the pharmaceutical presence in the environment was studied and evaluated in the last few years. Data from Heberer (2002) and Woodhouse (2003), confirm the presence of pharmaceuticals in water and considered it serious, as it is not totally removed and even if it is present in trace levels is still considered pollutant to water receivers. The improper household disposal practices of unused medicines, via the local waste, the sewers, and the toilet was identified, as a source of water contamination (Bound, 2006). The effect of pharmaceutical wastes in the environment was linked to possible development of endocrine deactivating compounds, reducing fertility, and antibiotic resistance bacteria. Data from Schwartz et al. (2003), confirmed the development of bacterial resistance as vancomycin resistant enterococci and beta-lactam-hydrolysing Enterobacteriaceae were cultivated from all wastewater biofilms. In the study by Lange et al. (2001), the ‘’feminising effects’’ of endocrine-disrupting compounds, such as ethinyl estradiol, the synthetic hormone used in the contraceptive pill, on fish near wastewater treatment works outfalls was measured. 2.3 The economic impact of unused wasted returned medicine Studies from inside (five) and outside (six) UK, estimated the value of the cost of medication waste are reviewed below. Results from Hawksworth et al. (1996), a cross sectional study included thirty community pharmacies in Kirklees/West Yorkshire (UK) over a period of one month showed an estimated cost of  £37 million of unused medicine were from patients home. Langley et al. (2005), a small cross sectional observational study in eight community pharmacies and five general practitioner surgeries in East Birmingham/UK over four weeks, showed that the total cost of returned medicines was  £3986 and  £3751 respectively. In the study by Mackridge et al. (2007), a cross sectional study reported an estimate of  £75 million value of returned medicines to fifty one community pharmacies and forty two general practitioner surgeries in Eastern Birmingham over eight weeks. In the same year, the UK National Audit Office report, proposed that each year an estimate of  £100 million value of unused returned medicine. As the  £100 million estimate was based on unused medicine that actually returned, this was considered as an underrated figure of the full cost of wasted medicines, as a result the department of health estimated that as much as 10% of all drugs prescribed were wasted (10% of the NHS prescribing budget) which is estimated to be  £800 million-worth of drugs are wasted annually in primary care. Data from Trueman et al. (2010), a research undertaken by the York Health Economics Consortium and London School of Pharmacy in 2009, estimated that the annual cost of the primary and community care medicines wastage in UK NHS was around  £300 million per year ( £ 250-300 million per year), with estimated  £90 million of unused medicines stored in individuals homes,  £110 million returned to community pharmacies over the course of a year, and up to  £50 million of NHS supplied medicines that are disposed of annually by care homes. The authors of this report also estimated that less than 50% of this total figure is cost effectively preventable. International studies from outside UK was also included and reviewed. A Canadian study by Cameron S (1996), in fifty eight pharmacies over eight weeks estimated the cost of unused medicines returned was $60350, the extrapolated cost which included the whole 750 community pharmacies in Alberta during the same eight weeks period was $716400. Coma et al. (2008), a cross sectional study included thirty eight community pharmacies in Barcelona/Spain over a period of three months, showed that the estimated cost of returned medicines was â‚ ¬8,539.9, the extrapolated cost for the 20,461 community pharmacies in whole Spain was a round â‚ ¬129 million. Although the reuse concept of patient’s unused returned medicines is considered unethical in the United Kingdome (UK), the unused medicines are returned in large quantities and have important financial value, with the preponderance considered acceptable to be used again by another patient (Mackridge, 2007). Table 1. Summary of research studies evaluating the economic impact of wasted medicine Study Study setting and duration Study method Country Main Findings Hawksworth et al. (1996) 30 CPs over duration of 1 month Cross sectional questionnaire UK A total of 1,091 items were returned by 366 patients with estimated value of  £37 million Langley et al. (2005) 8 CP and 5 GPs over duration of 4 weeks Cross sectional observational study UK A total of 340 items were returned (42 to GPs and 298 to CPs). The total cost of returned items was  £3986 to GPs and  £3751 CPs. Mackridge et al. (2007) 51 CPs and 42 GPs over duration of 8 weeks Cross sectional study UK A total of 3765 items were returned by 910 patients with estimated value of  £75 million UK National Audit Office report (2007) Based on previous analysis conducted by department of health Based on previous analysis conducted by department of health UK Proposed that each year an estimate of  £100 million value of unused returned medicine. Trueman et al. (2010) 403 of the 466 items identified in the public survey were able to be priced. Costs were identified /item using British National Formulary (BNF). Public survey UK Estimated that the annual cost of the primary and community care medicines wastage in UK NHS was around  £300 million per year ( £ 250-300 million per year). Cameron S (1996) 58 CPs in Alberta (8% of provincial total) over duration of 8 weeks Self-reporting questionnaire Canada The estimated cost of the unused medicines returned was $60350. The extrapolated cost for 750 CPs is in Alberta during the same 8 week period was $716400. Morgan (2001) Sample of 73 of Hampshire retirement community citizens aged 65 years or older. over duration of 7 months cross-sectional pilot survey/ Questionnaire US The total cost of 2078 wasted pills was US $ 2,011.00 with mean annual cost of wasted medication was $30.47/person (range = $0-$131.56). Individual costs were modest, but if $30/individual demonstrate a low estimate of average annual cost of waste, the US extrapolated cost was estimated to be not less than $1 billion per year. Abou-auda (2003) A total of 1641 households participated (1554 from Saudi Arabia, 87 from other countries) Questionnaire / Pilot study Saudi Arabia, and capital cities of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates U.A.E The estimated cost of unused medicines by families in Saudi Arabia capital cities of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates (U.A.E) was $150 million. Coma et al. (2008) 38 CPs over duration of 3 months Cross sectional questionnaire Spain The estimated cost of returned medicines was â‚ ¬8,539.9. The extrapolated cost for the 20,461 CPs in whole Spain was â‚ ¬129.6 million El-Hamamsy (2011) 20 CPs over duration of 1 month Questionnaire (Closed-ended questions used only) Cairo/Egypt The total wholesale price of returned drugs calculated at 10988.84 Egyptian pounds (around $1962.32 US) Hassali et al. (2012) Two parts: 1) Medicine wastage in the patients’ home. 2) Medicine wastage by the benefactor at the pharmacy desk. over duration of 6 months A descriptive study of two parts: 1) Prospective randomised community based trial. 2) Wasted medicines were collected from the patients who pass back the unwanted medicines to the pharmacy desk in the Hospital. Malaysia The total cost of the returned medications within 6 months was MYR 59,566.50 (Malaysian ringgit) with a monthly average of about MYR 9,927.75. the extrapolated cost for one year of the medications returned was MYR 119,133.00 Information from medication waste campaign website illustrated that the estimated cost of unused medication ( £300 million/year) could pay (by the average cost) for 11,778 more community nurses, 19,799 more drug treatment courses for breast cancer, 101,351 more knee replacements, 80,906 more hip replacements, and 300,000 more drug treatment courses for Alzheimers. In 2012 the NHS of Berkshire started major actions to reduce medicine waste, data from the NHS south central press release, showed that an estimate cost of wasted medicine across the Berkshire NHS and south central was  £20 million per year. The full cost of wasted medicine is not only the cost of returned medicines as estimated by the studies reviewed above (Table 1), in addition the cost of the destroying processes of the returned medicines, and the hidden costs of non-compliance/non-adherence effects which was not studied should be added to the full cost of wasted medicines in future research (UK National Audit Office Report, 2007). 2.4 Disposal practices for unused medications 2.5 Public perceptions about unused/wasted pharmaceuticals 2.6 Medication reuse and recycling A medicine reuse concept involves the return of unused and/or sealed medicines to a pharmacy, healthcare facility or charitable organisation for subsequent redistribution to recipients locally or internationally. This was implemented on a charitable basis in the United States of America (USA) and in developing countries which experienced poor medicine supply (Bero, 2010). Although such practice is considered unethical and not approved in UK, it may have environmental and economic advantages as many of these considered acceptable to be used again (Mackridge, 2007). Ipsos MORI conducted 1,101 face to face interviews for Sustainable Development Unit of the UK NHS (SDU) with respondents aged fifteen and more using around one hundred and fifty sample points. The research was carried out in two periods between the eleven of November and the fifth of December 2011. All data was weighed to reverberate the population profile of British people aged fifteen and more. Data from this recent survey reported that around half of the British people (52%) agreed to accept reissued medicines returned (that are unused and the safety was checked) by other patients while 32% said that they would not. According to Dr David Pencheon the director of sustainability unit, medicine reuse concept had been unaccepted in the past based on the assumption that patients are not willing to take the medicine returned by others. In healthcare system, the health care provider is always deviate strongly on the side of safety caution and discard medicines. For the time beings, the economics of this behaviour need to be reconsidered (Cooper, 2012). Chapter Three Research plan Ecological Impact Is medicine being wasted No Yes No Imagine that Mr. Smith who is ill with diabetes is prescribed four medications each month. He doesn’t pay for his medicines. He use all medicines as prescribed. Imagine that Mr. Smith who is ill with diabetes is prescribed four medications each month. He doesn’t pay for his medicines. He sometimes fails to take his medicines as prescribed. Yes Appendices Appendix 1 (WHO and RCN Definitions and classifications of health care wastes Infectious waste Waste contaminated by blood and its secondary products, cultures and supplies of infectious agents, waste come from isolated patients, any infected thrown away diagnostic samples with blood and body fluids, infected animals from laboratories, and contaminated swabs, bandages, and equipment such as disposable medical devices. Pathological waste Recognizable parts of the body and contaminated animal dead bodies. Genotoxic waste Very dangerous, mutagenic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic, such as cytotoxic drugs and their metabolites. Pharmaceutical waste Expired, unused, and contaminated drugs; vaccines and sera Radioactive waste Such as contaminated glass materials with radioactive diagnostic or therapeutic materials. Heavy metals waste Such as broken mercury thermometers. Chemicals Such as broken mercury thermometers Sharps Such as syringes, needles, disposable scalpels and blades Hazardous or Non Hazardous waste Clinical waste if it contains or is contaminated with a medicine containing either: A pharmaceutically-active substance (a substance able to affect biological systems); or A dangerous substance such as chemicals at sufficient concentration to produce a hazardous property. Clinical or Non Clinical waste Hazardous if it contains or is contaminated with a cytotoxic or cytostatic medicine. Other medicines are not hazardous waste. Offensive waste or sometimes called hygiene waste) Is waste that is non-infectious and not clinical, but may cause offence due to the presence of recognisable health care waste materials, body fluids or odour, and secretions or excretions or that collection and disposal is not subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection. *Adapted from WHO fact sheet (2011), and RCN guidance (2014)

Management From The Corps :: essays research papers

I want to use this opportunity to discuss two things, both near and dear to my heart; The United States Marine Corps and Management. Throughout this paper I want to focus on how I think civilians can learn to be better managers by using what that corps has established over it’s illustrious 223 years as the â€Å"Best Management-Training Program in America† Inc. (Freedman).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The United States Marine Corps manages using a principle I learned in this course: Decentralization! Let me break this down. I learned it quite simply as the rule of three. But before I define this, I will briefly explain to you a small portion of the Marine rank structure. A Corporal is the first rank that an enlisted Marine is considered a leader due to his/her rank (though all Marines are trained to lead). The Corporal is the first of the Marine Non-commissioned Officers (NCO’S), then in ascending order is the Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Gunnery Sergeant, and so on. Now back to the rule of three. Each Marine has three responsibilities. In our organizational structure, a Corporal has a three-person fire team; a Sergeant has a squad of three fire teams; and a Staff Sergeant has a platoon of three squads; and so on, up to the Colonels and Generals.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  For the typical business, decentralizing and flattening organizational structure involves â€Å"gutting several layers of management, often leaving managers overwhelmed with as many as a dozen direct subordinates† (Freedman). In contrast, the Marine Corps has been able to push out authority but still maintain a â€Å"simple hierarchical structure designed to keep everyone’s job manageable† (Freedman).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  What at first glance may seem rigid or narrow, the many layers between the Private and Colonel lend opportunity for innovation. At the same time, even the lowest ranking Marine, the Private knows that he or she is expected to do whatever it takes to accomplish the mission. An organization (civilian) may want to look at this a little further. We must have established managers, but the notion of delegation of authority should be expanded in the civilian world. Well considered delegation of authority not only lifts some pressure off the titled manager, but also gives some well-deserved leadership satisfaction to an employee who may never have had the chance to be a â€Å"manager†. The success of the Marine Corps Management strategy is apparent in the vast numbers of ex-Marines who hold the Chief Executive Officer, President, Vice President, Chairman, and Manager positions at all levels in top. Management From The Corps :: essays research papers I want to use this opportunity to discuss two things, both near and dear to my heart; The United States Marine Corps and Management. Throughout this paper I want to focus on how I think civilians can learn to be better managers by using what that corps has established over it’s illustrious 223 years as the â€Å"Best Management-Training Program in America† Inc. (Freedman).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The United States Marine Corps manages using a principle I learned in this course: Decentralization! Let me break this down. I learned it quite simply as the rule of three. But before I define this, I will briefly explain to you a small portion of the Marine rank structure. A Corporal is the first rank that an enlisted Marine is considered a leader due to his/her rank (though all Marines are trained to lead). The Corporal is the first of the Marine Non-commissioned Officers (NCO’S), then in ascending order is the Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Gunnery Sergeant, and so on. Now back to the rule of three. Each Marine has three responsibilities. In our organizational structure, a Corporal has a three-person fire team; a Sergeant has a squad of three fire teams; and a Staff Sergeant has a platoon of three squads; and so on, up to the Colonels and Generals.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  For the typical business, decentralizing and flattening organizational structure involves â€Å"gutting several layers of management, often leaving managers overwhelmed with as many as a dozen direct subordinates† (Freedman). In contrast, the Marine Corps has been able to push out authority but still maintain a â€Å"simple hierarchical structure designed to keep everyone’s job manageable† (Freedman).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  What at first glance may seem rigid or narrow, the many layers between the Private and Colonel lend opportunity for innovation. At the same time, even the lowest ranking Marine, the Private knows that he or she is expected to do whatever it takes to accomplish the mission. An organization (civilian) may want to look at this a little further. We must have established managers, but the notion of delegation of authority should be expanded in the civilian world. Well considered delegation of authority not only lifts some pressure off the titled manager, but also gives some well-deserved leadership satisfaction to an employee who may never have had the chance to be a â€Å"manager†. The success of the Marine Corps Management strategy is apparent in the vast numbers of ex-Marines who hold the Chief Executive Officer, President, Vice President, Chairman, and Manager positions at all levels in top.

JFK Assassination :: American America History

JFK Assassination What reasons did the HSCA in suggesting that John F Kennedy was the victim of a conspiracy? In 1976, the US Senate ordered a fresh inquiry into the assassination of John F Kennedy, who was murdered in 1963 during a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. People who had been involved in the original Warren Commission investigations were asked to make fresh statements. The FBI and the CIA were persuaded to release more of their documents on Oswald. New lines of inquiry were opened and individuals who had not previously given evidence were persuaded to come forward. Most important of all, pieces of evidence such as photos and sound recordings were subjected to scientific analysis using the most up-to-date methods and equipment. The House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) completed their investigation in 1979 and they finally came to a discrete verdict that Lee Harvey Oswald fired three shots at Kennedy, one of which killed the president. The fourth shot was fired from the grassy knoll. They concluded that John Kennedy was assassinated as a result of a conspiracy. There are many re asons why the HSCA came to this verdict, but firstly it was important that the American people understood why this case was re-opened over a decade later! The investigation was set up as direct result of the assassinations of two other major political figures; the civil rights leader, Dr Martin Luther King and the Presidents brother Robert Kennedy, in 1968. Naturally this aroused immense suspicion and the American public started questioning why so many key US figures had been assassinated in the space of just four years when previously this type of incident had been rare. At the time there was also an increasing amount of corruption and scandal within the government. This alarmed the public who had completely trusted the government before. The Watergate Scandal in 1974 involving President Nixon had clearly shown that this was not the case anymore. Nixon had abused his authority and power to his advantage. This indicated that even politicians were prone to sleaze and scandal. As a result of this, people also started questioning the behaviour of the government. This is most likely why they were more receptive in accepting that Kennedy wa s the victim of a conspiracy, later on. The public also became increasingly interested in the Kennedy assassination as books such as 'Rush to judgement' by Mark Lane and 'Inquest' by Edward Jay Epstein, started to be written.

Teddy Roosevelt Essay example -- essays research papers

Roosevelt, Theodore (American President) (c. 1858-1919) Roosevelt’s presidency began with the chaos of McKinley’s assassination in 1901, when Roosevelt was 43 years old, and ended after his second term, achieved by his election to President in 1904. Although Roosevelt’s selection as McKinley’s Vice-President was more of a political pay-off, and the New York political machine, fearing an independent Roosevelt, was more than ready to say good-bye to Roosevelt as Governor, Roosevelt is acknowledged by most historians as having waged a vigorous and winning campaign, while his presidential candidate seemed content to stay behind. With McKinley’s assassination, the Republicans and the country had bought themselves an activist president who, in the span of seven years, turned an isolationist America into a world power which created American leadership and power in world affairs, dealt corporations a new set of rules, enacted a philosophy and policy of environmental conservation, set forth a progressive agenda which held Victorian values at its fulcrum, and dealt with the social and economic issues presented by the burst of immigrants. The issues of non-english speaking immigrants, large corporate trusts acting with greed, defining America’s role in the world politic, all faced Roosevelt, as they face Bush today. Moreover, Roosevelt fashioned policies, rationales, and enacted legislation to engage this challenge and pursued an even more aggressive presidential activism in his second term. This activist president, currently the public icon invoked by members of both parties, was descended from a mixed cluster of immigrant lineage: Welsh, German, and French, to name a few. Influencing his political ambitions and policies were his wealthy background; he was the son of a wealthy and successful glassware merchant whose Dutch family of origin, the Knickerbockers, had been residents of Manhattan since the mid-1600’s. Born on October 27, 1858 in New York City, â€Å"Teedie† was known as a scrawny, weak child, sick from asthma, until his father’s comments regarding his physique as representative of his manhood, turned young Teddy around. Because of his father’s tremendous influence over the young boy, Teddy responded to his father’s encouragement and began to work out vigorously in a gym installed in the home by his father. Despite his efforts to improve his physical abili... ...moral decline), the nation was in peril. Thus, these values formed the fulcrum of Roosevelt’s presidential actions: active mind, healthy body; corporations must do the â€Å"right† thing by society or government could compel them to do â€Å"good†; immigrants must be assimilated into American society with inter-marriage by the third generation; an only English spoken policy was necessary to promote assimilation. He had a natural ability to communicate with the American people. Roosevelt integrated the physicality and roughness of the frontiersmen with the values of a reformer. Roosevelt believed that politicians could make life better for the average citizen. Roosevelt created and implemented a reformist agenda: the Panama Canal despite Colombia’s protests, â€Å"dollar diplomacy† became a substitute for inter-countries’ debt, reserved thousands of acres of federal lands for the people and further, established an activism in the president ial office which has influenced its occupants for years to come. Although Roosevelt wished to serve again in 1912, he failed to halt Woodrow Wilson with his newly formed â€Å"Bull Moose Party† and lived the remainder of his life as a hunter and informal ambassador.

Fiction and Literary Works Essay

With that said, it is important to remember that all literary works cannot always be easily classified into a single genre. Moreover, literary works which might be classified as belonging to one genre might possess many qualities more typical of other genres. For example, Shakespeare’s Macbeth is classified as drama, but in many respects takes the form of poetry. In other words, sometimes the differences between categories like drama, poetry, and the short story are not so easily defined. Often a short story might contain poetic or dramatic qualities, or a poem might include narrative and dramatic features. In your post, summarize the major similarities and differences between the forms of drama, poetry, and the short story. Demonstrate your ideas with textual examples from the course readings. In your response, include at least one example of each literary form. If you wish, you may also point to examples which indicate the blurring of literary genres (e. g. , the poetic qualities of Macbeth or the dramatic elements of Gift of the Magi). There are so much to say when it comes to similarities with drama, poetry and a short story. Personally I see that all three have some subliminal message for the audience whether it is lessons learn or an experience personal to the writer. In literary perspectives, like mentioned above, sometimes a poem or short story can merge with another genre such as drama. An example of a short story that can be drama is perhaps â€Å"The Necklace† because the story is about a lady who borrows and loses something her friend lent her and went through so much trouble to replace it instead of coming clean with the friend. A drama is meant to have characters that perform and we see this is a short story known as â€Å"I’m Going† where we see the characters clearly speaking and also we get narrative information to help the audience understand the plot and setting. Poetry is written in different formats or rhythms but can also tell a story but does not always have a plot. All have some sort of tone to set the seriousness or relax humor of the literary work. â€Å"My Papa’s Waltz† is a poem which tells a story of a father and son yet there are also dramatic features as the story is told.

How Sarbannes-Oxley Act affects internal controls

Sarbanes-Oxley Act which is also referred to as the public company accounting reform and investor protection act is a wider legislation passed in 2002. The SOX act has provisions touching on the standards for all the United States public firms’ boards, management as well as the public accounting companies. Sarbanes-Oxley Act has been considered one of most important legislation to the America’s security laws probably since the New Deal of passed in 1930s. According to Moeller (2008) it has eleven sections that clearly spell out the standards it oversees. The provisions of this law implies that American companies as well as those with the united states listings have a legal obligation to show that they have efficient and effective mechanisms of both internal control and financial reporting. The main objective of the Act is to enhance both transparency and financial reporting disclosures that would stifle any form of corporate or financial fraud. The SOX also enforces the responsibility of the senior officers in ensuring accuracy as well as honesty in the disclosure of financial outcomes (Porter & Norton, 2007). The Sarbanes-Oxley act of 2002, in sections 302 and 404 have some tough provisions regarding the internal controls. Section 302 for example calls for certification of all information relayed to the public or market as correct. This section also requires evaluation of the â€Å"disclosure controls† (that is having full control of all information issued to the public) as well as being aware of any changes that would or might affect the performance of the controls from the time evaluation was done. It requires that every company set up certain internal procedures that would ensure honesty and accuracy in financial reporting (Kairab 2004). Section 404 on the other hand a requirement for annual evaluation of controls effectiveness and procedures for financial reporting. It further stipulates that this evaluation must be vindicated by an external auditor’s report. Moeller (2008) suggests that the external auditors are obligated to give opinion regarding the effective internal controls over financial disclosure was adhered to in every material respects by the management. In addition to this, the external auditors are further mandated to offer an opinion on the financial statements accuracies (Ramos, 2006). Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley act requires both the management and the external auditor to disclose on the adequacy of the firm’s internal control over financial disclosures. It has been considered quite costly to implement because documenting as well as testing some of the vital financial manual and other related automated controls would need a lot of effort (Moeller 2008). Benefits so Far In a research carried out in 2006 among almost 2,500 American companies, it was found out that those firms that had no material limitation in their internal controls and those that corrected any of such limitations in appropriate and timely manner, registered a greater outcome in share prices as oppose to firms that did not. The report further showed that the profits to a compliant firm in share price were much higher than the companies’ respective costs for Sarbanes-Oxley Act section 404 (Ramos, 2006). Conclusion Despite many attempts by PCAOB to help reduce the high cost of compliance, practice as well as guidance, much is needed to be done to improve on the management of companies vis-a-vis adherence to the Sarbanes-Oxley act. Nevertheless it is one great piece of legislation that will help to safeguard some of the America’s companies fundamental imperative in their markets which are characterizes by high level of corporate confidence as well as participation which has long been second to none.

The Holy Quran

The Holy Quran is divided into 30 parts, each one is called â€Å"Seepara†. It has 114 sections or chapters which are called â€Å"Surahs†. Each Chapter of unequal length, consists of individual â€Å"Ayat† or verses. These verses are not decided by human beings, but dictated by God. There are in total 6,666 verses in the Holy Quran. Surah al Baqarah (Ch.2 ) is the longest Chapter comprising 287 verses while Surah al Kauthar( Ch. 108) is the shortest with only four verses including the tasmia. Out of the 114 Surahs, 85 Surahs were revealed in Mecca while 29 Surahs were revealed in Madinah.? Introduction of Surah Al Fatiha: Surah al-Fatiha is the first chapter of the Quran. The word â€Å"Fatiha† comes from the verb â€Å"Fataha† which means â€Å"to open†. â€Å"Al† is a defined article and Fatiha means the opening Surah.It consists of 7 verses, 29 words and 139 letters. It belongs to Juz? 1.There are various names of Surah Al Fatiha such as Umm al-Qur'an, the Mother of the Qur'an, and Umm al-Kitab, the Mother of the Book because the meaning of the entire Qur'an is summarised therein. It is also named Sab'ulMathani, (the Seven Often Repeated Verses), Al-Hamd, (the Praise), Al-Shifa (The Cure) and ArRuqya, the Spiritual Cure. Its recitation is a condition for the effectiveness of the prayer.It is mecci surah and It was initially the 5th chapter to be disclosed but after Furqan e Hameed was assembled together, it was put at the beginning. Al-Fatiha itself means â€Å"The Opening† as this chapter comes right at the start of the Holy Book and serves as a Gateway to read Quran Majeed further. Theme of Surah: The Surah is prayer to Almighty Allah for guidance from bad deeds and to guide us to the straight path, the path of authentic and true muslims which only Allah can grant us. Allah is the most magnificent and bountiful He alone should be asked for help and He has bestowed countless favours on His creation. He is supreme justice and everybody will have to answer Him of their every good or bad deed on the Day of Judgment. Supplication is the core to worship and The Holy Quran encourages the believers for petitioning. â€Å"And your Lord said, Invoke me, I will respond to your supplications. Allah always protect His creation from going on the path of evils.? Virtues of Surah Al Fatiha: †¢ It is a Pillar of Salah;This Surah is very important because without its recitation of prayers become invalid. †¢ The greatness of this Surah is described in the following Hadith;†Do you want me to teach you a Surah the like of which has not been revealed in the Torah, the Injeel, the Zabur, nor the Quran?†, and also asked what He recited in His prayers. He replied Umm-ul-Quran (Surah Fatiha) the Prophet (PBUH) proclaimed, ‘By Him in Whose dominion my soul is, nothing like it has been revealed in the Torah, the Gospel, the Psalms, or the Quran and it is seven of the oft-repeated verses in the Mighty Quran which I have been given.† (Tirmidhi) †¢ It is Cure of diseases and cure for Heart;†You (Oh Allah) we worship and from you do we seek help†. (Ibn Qayim). †¢ Hazrat Abu Saeed al-Khudri narrates;†While on a journey we halted at a place. A girl came to us and said: â€Å"The chief of this tribe has been stung by a scorpion and our men are not present, is there anybody amongst you who can recite something upon him to treat him?† Then, one of our men went along with her although we did not think that he knew any such treatment. However, our friend went to the chief and recited something upon him and the chief was cured. Thereupon, the chief gave him thirty sheep and gave us all milk to drink. When he returned, we asked our friend: â€Å"Did you know anything to recite upon him to cure him?† He said: â€Å"No, I only recited Umm al-Kitab (i.e. Surah al-Fatiha) upon him.† We said that do not do anything until we reach Madinah and ask the Prophet regarding this (practice and rewardwhether the sheep were lawful or not for us). Upon reaching Madinah, we narrated this to the Prophet (PBUH), whereupon he remarked: â€Å"How did he come to know that Al-Fatiha can be used as a cure? (PBUH) Distribute your reward amongst yourselves and a lot a share for me as well†.† (Sahih Bukhari).†¢ Light sent from heaven;An Angel addressed the Prophet (SAW) saying,†Rejoice in two lights brought to you which have not been brought to any prophet before you, Al-Fatiha and the last verses of Al- Baqarah†. Ibn ‘Abbas narrated:†While Jibril was with the Messenger of Allah, he heard a noise from above. Jibril lifted his sight to the sky and said: â€Å"This is a door in the Heavens being opened, and it has never been opened before now.† An Angel descended from that door and came to the Prophet and said: â€Å"Receive the glad tidings of two lights that you have been given, which no other Prophet before you was given: the Opening of the Book (Al Fatiha) and the last verses of ‘al-Baqarah. ‘ You will not read a letter of them except that you will gain its benefit.† (Sahih Muslim).B. Tafseer of Surah Al Fatiha The Verses of the Surah areâ€Å"In The Name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"(All) praise is (only) Allah's, the Lord of the Worlds.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"The Beneficent, The Merciful.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"Master of the Day of Judgement.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"Thee (alone) do we worship and of Thee (only) do we seek help.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"Guide us (O' Lord) on the Straight Path.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"The path of those upon whom Thou hast bestowed Thy bounties, not (the path) of those inflicted with Thy wrath, nor (of those) gone astray.â€Å"In The Name Of ALLAH:The first ayah of Surah Fatiha is: In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Most Merciful. (Al-Fatiha: 1) This phrase is known as the bismillah. It is good to recite it before doing any action. The meaning of letter Baa:The Baa in the Arabic language can have three different meanings:With – With / In th e name of AllahSeeking help – Seeking help of the name of AllahSeeking blessing – Seeking blessing with the name of AllahThe meaning of Al Rehman and Al Raheem:Both these names are derived from the same root letters: raa, haa, meem; which means to have mercy. They are thus similar in meaning and both are connected to Allah's (SWT) Mercy.The fact that Allah (SWT) mentions two of His Names which have to do with Mercy, rather than Might and Power or so on, shows just how important this Attribute is. The difference between al-Rahman and al-Raheem is that al-Rahman refers to Allah's (SWT) Mercy to all of creation. It is His Mercy which is extended to both believers and disbelievers; animals, and everything that exists. He says in the Qur'an: My Mercy encompasses all things. (Al-A'raf: 156) Al-Rahman therefore indicates the extreme vastness of Allah's (SWT) Mercy. It is mentioned in a hadith that Allah (SWT) divided Mercy into 100 parts and sent down only one part to this dunya. It is from this one part of His Mercy that animals show mercy to their offspring (Sahih Muslim).Al-Raheem refers to Allah's (SWT) Mercy which is specific for the believers. He says in the Qur'an: And He is Full of Mercy to the Believers. (al-Ahzab: 43) al-Raheem therefore indicates the doing of an action.All praise is due to ALLAH:The second ayah is: All praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. (Al-Fatiha: 2) The Meaning of Hamd and the Difference between Hamd and Shukr Hamd means praise and also thankfulness. The scholars differed as to the relation between the words hamd and shukr. Some said that they both have the same meaning. So, the meaning of hamd, in their view, is the same as shukr (thankfulness, gratitude). Hamd is something which must be done with love and reverence, but shukr does not need this. Shukr is done in response to a favour which is done to a person but hamd is done simply because the one being praised and thanked is worthy of that.The meaning of Rabb:Rabb is usually translated as Lord but it is much more encompassing than that. It also includes the meaning of Nurturer, Sustainer, Cherisher and so on. The Rabb is the creator, king, master and the one who controls everything. It comes from the root letters raa, baa, baa: which means to have mastery and control over something.The Beneficent and Most Merciful:The explanation of these two names has already been given. Why then is it repeated? This is to once again emphasis the importance of the quality of mercy. Also, when something is repeated in the Qur'an, then you should look at the ayah before it and after it, to see how they are related. In this case, the previous ayah mentioned that Allah (SWT) is the Rabb of all the worlds. So, His repeating the words, al-Rahman al-Raheem after that, shows us that His being the Rabb – His taking of and sustaining and providing for us – is all part of His Mercy towards us. Master of Day of Judgement:God is the Lord of the Day when all generations of mankind gather together on order to render an account of their conduct, and when each person will be finally rewarded or punished for his deeds. The description of God as Lord of the Day of Judgement following the mention of his benevolence and compassion indicates that we ought to remember another aspect of God as well-namely, that He will judge us all, that He is so absolutely powerful, that on the Day of Judgement no one will have the power either to resist the enforcement of punishments that He decrees or to prevent anyone from receiving the rewards that He decides to confer. Hence, we ought not only to love Him for nourishing and sustaining us and for His compassion and mercy towards us, but should also hold Him in awe because of His justice, and should not forget that our ultimate happiness or misery rests completely with Him.Guides us on the Straight path:This ayah is a dua which we make to Allah (SWT). We ask Him to show us the Straight Path and to guide us on it, so that we will get His Guidance which draws us closer and nearer to Him. We need to struggle towards Allah (SWT) by doing good deeds and by staying away from all bad deeds which will distance us from Him.The meaning of Siraat and mustaqeem:Siraat is a road or path. The conditions are that it must be straight. It must reach the goal and it must be the shortest route to get there. It must also be wide and spacious enough for everyone who wants to travel it.Mustaqeem is derived from istaqaama, which means to be straight, upright, correct. We already said that for a road to be a sirat it must be straight, so this adjective of mustaqeem again emphasis the straightness of this Path. Another meaning of mustaqeem is to remain firm or to stand firm without tilting. For example, a tree that is firmly grounded when the wind blows it is not affected by it. So, the Straight Path is a path on which people are firmly grounded.The Path of Those:The path of those you have blessed, not of those with anger on them, nor of those who are astray. (Al-Fatiha: 7) Who are the people who have been blessed by Allah (SWT) and whose Path we ask to guide to? This is explained by Allah (SWT) in another ayah where He says: Whosoever obeys Allah, and the Messenger, they are with those whom Allah has favored, the Prophets, the sincere, the martyrs and the righteous, and these are the best company. (Al-Nisa': 69) So, the favored and blessed people are the Prophets, the righteous, the martyrs and the pious. And who are the people with anger on them and those who are astray? This is explained by the Prophet. ‘Adi ibn Hatim (RA) asked him about those with anger on them and he replied that it refers to the Jews. He then asked him about those who are astray and he replied that it refers to the Christians. This is reported by al-Tirmidhi and is authentic.C. Impact of Surah Al-Fatiha on the life of a Muslim as servant of Allah.We start all our deeds with the name of Allah Almighty. Since he is the most merciful and beneficent.We should ask Allah Almighty for his mercy and benefits.So a believer becomes solely dependent of Allah Almighty and does not seek help or refuge from anybody else.We should praise Allah Almighty for he is our creator and of the universe. So a believer praises Allah Almighty since he is the creator of everything.Since Allah Almighty is the master of the Day of Judgment so a believer asks Allah Almighty for forgiveness.A Believer asks Allah Almighty to put him on the path of pious people and help be among the ones who were rewarded and not the ones who went astray.