An Overview of eLogistcs

Essay on overview of e-logistcs . 1. Introduction With e-commerce, the rapidly unfolding and modern logistics is increasingly due to develop in depth the concept of e-logistics . I refers to the use of electronic means, in particular the use of internet technology to complete the entire process of logistics coordination, control and management. The purpose of e-logistics is in the logistics organization,electronic transactions, services,management, logistics business activities,so quickly and easily achieve the speed of logistics, safe , reliable and low cost.Traditional logistics generally refers to products manufactured after the packaging, transportation, handling , storage . [pic] (Fig 1) E-logistics can also be referred to as logistics electronic logistics information , I refers to the use of electronic means , in particular the use of Internet technology to complete the entire process of logistics coordination , control and management, and all the middle of the front end from t he network to the final client process services. The most notable feature is the application of a variety of software and the integration of logistics services .The purpose of e-logistics is the logistics organization , electronic transactions, services , management and logistics business activities quickly and easily in order to achieve the speed, safely, reliable and low cost. [pic] To compare. The main features of e-logistics is the integration of front-end services and back-end services . Many dealers are faced with the problem of the combination of front-end customer order management, customer relationship management and back-end inventory management , warehousing management and transportation management . differences between e-logistics and traditional logistics e-logistics and traditional logistics’ biggest difference is in the information use. In traditional logistics, the information in different member or different departments . The information transparency, timelin ess and low cost. E-logistics advantage is internet technology to form a comprehensive logistics information management system. [pic] By comparison. The E-logistics specialization , especially in information processing technology, to really uses’ the integrated value of the logistics information .Transparency of information enabling customers to their own logistics information processing according to the needs of their own personalized anytime, anywhere . The continuity of logistics information to further optimize the development of the logistics of the enterprise . 4. example 7 – Eleven convenience store is now the world's largest retail network operators and is recognized as a model of convenience stores in the world.In addition to its advanced management and brand marketing to support its rapid development , another important factor is the strong rear logistics support system. 7-11 is a shop in the high-density concentration of the specific area strategies and centr alized logistics program . This program each year save 10% of the original price of goods costs. 7-11 chain is generally only 100 – 200 square meters size, has provide 2000 – 3000 kinds of food . There are food from different suppliers. Each food shortage or surplus .Transport and storage requirements are also different . at any time according to the different needs of the customer can adjust the variety of goods , all the requirements of high demands to the logistics chain. Regional centralization strategy is relatively concentrated in a certain area to open more stores and shops to be in this region reach a certain number , and then gradually extended to build stores in areas . The distribution center has a computer network distribution system, connected with suppliers and 7-11 stores .In order to ensure constant goods distribution centers will generally retain about four days of inventory based on past experience . At the same time , the center's computer system rec eive periodic inventory report every day for various shops and goods report . The distribution center focus of these reports analysis , and finally form a picture of the orders issued to different vendors , computer network to the provider , the supplier will be scheduled within center delivery of goods . -11 distribution centers in receipt of all goods , respectively, packaged goods to various shops , waiting to be sent,The next morning, the delivery vehicle will be filed out from the distribution center , select road delivery to shops in their area . The entire distribution process daily cycle. 7-11 can keep track of goods in transit , inventory, goods , and other data , additional information on the financial information and suppliers can grip into the hands of these data are crucial for a retail business . -11 currently has achieved worldwide at different temperatures with the distribution system, and set a different distribution of temperature for different categories of goods. In addition to the distribution equipment , food distribution time and frequency will have different requirements . For food there are special requirements , such as ice cream , 7- 11 bypass distribution centers, delivery vehicles early in the evening three times directly from the manufacturer, the door pulled the various shops .Implemented for the general commodities 7-11 is the distribution system three times a day , 3:00 am to 7:00 distribution the day before the evening production of food products in general , from 8:00 am to 11:00 distribution the night before the production of special foods such as milk , fresh vegetables also belong , 15:00 to 6:00 the morning of delivery the same day the production of food , such day , the distribution frequency of three times to ensure the store does not stock the same time , to ensure the freshness of food .In order to ensure that the supplier of each store ‘s foolproof , distribution center , a special distribution system and the d istribution of three times a day with . Each store will be met at any time some special cases resulting in out of stock , and then only to an emergency call to the distribution center , distribution center will be the safety stock to store emergency delivery, safety stock have been exhausted , the center turned to supply emergency cargo , and sent to the shortage of shops in the hands for the first time . -11 have been able to give full play to the characteristics and advantages of the e-logistics , they are able to in-depth understanding of marketing strategies. 5. convlusion Through research I found that the electronic logistics in Europe and the United States and Japan and South Korea and other developed economies has been more widely used, particularly , with the development of electronic commerce , e-logistics development trend . Third-party logistics development in this direction .

Discussed from Paperco, Inc. Essay

This case study is discussed from Paperco, Inc. point of view of whether they should avail the tax benefits and cost savings in replacing the mechanical drying equipment. Recommendation Based on the analysis below in this memo, Paperco should purchase new mechanical drying equipment now in advance in anticipation of the passage of new tax legislation. Purchasing the equipment now maintains a positive Net Present Value for the capital project if the legislation is not enacted, or if the new legislation is enacted and the capital project is contracted early enough so that it is grandfathered in. With tax legislation grandfathered, the project gets the benefit of the new lower corporate tax rate and the old ACRS depreciation method. Although when presented with this project one year ago in 1984, Paperco was able to be postponed this capital project since it was merely â€Å"moderately attractive†. The prospect of new tax legislation being enacted as rumored makes the Net Present Value of the project comparatively more positive if the tax law changes are enacted, so Paperco should act now before tax law changes make this project infeasible. Background In November 1985, Jane Rogers a marketing representative of Pressco, Inc. approached Paperco, Inc. to sell its mechanical drying equipment at a price of $2.9 million. This new equipment would replace less efficient facilities that had been placed in service late in December 1979. According to Roger, the total cost saving (exclusive of depreciation charges) from the proposed installation of new equipment amounted to $560,000 per year. Of this amount, $360,000 in savings was expected to come from more efficient fuel utilization. One year earlier, Rogers had been unsuccessful in interesting Paperco’s management in purchase of new equipment. Paperco felt that the investment in  new equipment as moderately attractive at that time. However, beginning 1986, new tax legislation had been rumored to: (1) eliminate the investment tax credit for new equipment; (2) extend depreciation lives for new equipment, and (3) reduce the corporate tax rate from 46% to 34%. Paperco’s senior management was concerned that the basic thrust in the firm’s sales of mechanical drying equipment. Paperco’s management suddenly expressed significant interest in moving forward with the purchase of new equipment and seemed anxious to sign a binding contract. Discussion and Analysis We need to analyze when is the best situation for Paperco, Inc. to replace the old facilities with new drying equipment that will enable the Company to avail greater tax benefits and cost savings. There are three alternative courses of action available to Paperco, Inc. to decide whether to buy the new drying equipment or not. I. Buy the new equipment yet no legislation is enacted Advantages Continue to use a 5 years ACRS depreciation model with higher depreciation expense Efficiency in operations due to new equipment Disadvantages Retain all tax credits due to using 5 year ACRS depreciation model in equipment with useful life of 7 years Tax rate continued at 46% II. Buy the new equipment when the new tax proposal is enacted and bind the contract soon enough to be grandfathered or before the enactment of the law Advantages Continue to use a 5 years ACRS depreciation model with higher depreciation expense Efficiency in operations due to new equipment Investment tax credit that will reduce Paperco’s taxes Tax rate reduced to 34% from 46% Disadvantages Depreciation life of the equipment will not be extended III. Buy the new equipment when the new proposed tax is enacted but do not bind the contract in time to be grandfathered or after the enactment of the law Advantages Efficiency in operations due to new equipment Tax rate reduced to 34% from 46% Depreciation life of the equipment will be extended by 2 years Disadvantages MACRS depreciation model will generate lower depreciation expenses than the ACRS depreciation model No investment tax credit due to binding the contract after the law was enacted Option I in which the rumored tax proposal is not enacted and that the new equipment replaces the old equipment in December 1986. Paperco would retain all tax credits due to the fact the machine has been in service for 84 months, and use a 5-year ACRS depreciation model for the new equipment. This option has a positive NPV of $2,619,745. Option II in which the new tax proposal is enacted. The new equipment is installed in December 1986. Paperco signs a binding contract soon enough to be â€Å"grandfathered†, this allows Paperco to receive the 8% tax credit and use ACRS depreciation. At the same time, their tax rate would fall to 34%. Paperco would benefit from this more favorable â€Å"grandfathered† tax approach. Option II has a positive NPV of $3,414,104. Option III in which the new tax proposal is enacted and Paperco installs the new equipment in December 1986, but they do not sign a binding contract in time to be â€Å"grandfathered† and receive the 8% invest ment tax credit and use ACRS depreciation. The company will use MACRS and a depreciation period of 7 years. The NPV of the project with this timing and structure is $3,228,044. Without the â€Å"grandfathered† tax allowance, the new tax legislation makes the project unattractive based on lower Net Present Value. Calculations Re-affirmation There are three options available to Paperco, Inc. with respect to this capital investment: Option I: New legislation is passed and Paperco qualifies for â€Å"grandfathering,† Option II: New legislation is passed and Paperco does not qualify for â€Å"grandfathering,† Option III: Buy the new equipment when the new proposed tax is enacted but do not bind the contract in time to be grandfathered or after the enactment of the law Last year (1984) investment in new drying equipment pursuant to Option I was not pursued despite its attractiveness as a viable capital project, perhaps because it was possible that a better alternative might arise. However, given the impending tax legislation, the possible alternatives are now known, and they are not good. Under the new tax legislation without grandfathering, the project is not viable. Paperco should invest in the new equipment (with binding contract) because not doing so soon enough, the project will not a viable alternative, while investing in the equipment is a viable alternative (i.e., the Net Present Value of the project in Option II is higher than other alternatives).

Using both examples of theory and practical cases (both company and Essay

Using both examples of theory and practical cases (both company and country examples) assess the relative importance of political and cultural factors in influencing global investment decisions - Essay Example Before establishing investments in a foreign country, it is important to assess the status of its politics as well as its cultural orientation. This is because politics and culture of the host country are major determinants of the success of foreign investment in it. Ignoring political threats in global investment decisions puts the company at a high risk of failure. (Cateora, Philip R. and John L. Graham, 1998 pp.23-25). In recent years, politics and the threats they pose to foreign investors determine the success of a company. They are the ones that actually determine the winner or looser. Investment policies of a country are normally formulated nationally through local policy plans. This could lead to uncalled for negative impacts on the global market. Political intervention on the market systems of many countries is rampant. This is happening in the developed and developing countries, necessitating caution while companies consider investing in foreign countries. The regulations of the global market are being changed time and again by politicians and can be disadvantageous to foreign companies especially those that invest heavily on fixed assets such as in the tourism industry where companies make huge capital outlay for assets such as buildings and infrastructure. The major threat caused by political interference is over-regulation thereby bringing in impediments to open capital flow which may ad versely affect the global market (Mooij Marieke. 1998 pp. 38-41). Political risks are the possibilities that may occur in the host country due to political decisions or actions that may have a negative impact on the business. In such cases, companies may end up loosing their money or fail to perform according to the expectations. They include confiscation of property due to local misunderstanding, changes in currency value, restrictions of business activities, politically instigated violence such as the one that was experienced in Rwanda in 1992,

Case study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 4

Case study - Essay Example Because of higher demands, price quotation would also not be a problem for the company because it can be assured that consumers will be ready to pay. This way, the company will not be forced in making price quotations that affects its expenditure and ratio balance (Blunt, Jones, & Richards, 2003). What is more, the market segment to be used for this proposal would ensure that there will be less expenditure on shared cost such as transportation. This way, the company will be looking at a revenue ratio that far outweighs its expenditure, making it easier to realize profits. Even though the risks identified with this proposal are realistic, it is hoped that there will be equally effective risk mitigation and contingency procedures that will be used to meet such risks as political inconsistency, which may bring about new financial policies that may be unfavourable for the company. 2.0 Risk Log for Recommended Proposal Risk Category Risk Name Risk Number Probability (1 – 3) Impact (1 – 3) Risk Score Mitigation Contingency Action by Action when National Uncertainty in success rate due to Scottish referendum 1.1 2 2 4 Look for new markets outside of Scotland Start a new market right away Eddy Ware Now National Political change that affects existing economic policies 1.2 1 3 3 Engage in pre-referendum economic policies that hedge the company against any possible economic shocks Hedge from a new capital market Elaine Morgan Now Local people Scottish locals accepting foreign brand 2.1 1 2 2 Introducing the product to a more foreign oriented market Find substitute products to introduce to the market Eddy Ware Now Currency Exchange risk emanating from possible change of currency 3.1 1 2 2 Currency market hedging that puts the company ahead of any possible currency shocks in about one year after new currency introduction Buy hedged currency product Elaine Morgan Upon announcement of new currency Raw material downturn in this year’s yield of organic suga r crop 4.1 2 2 4 The use of alternative and backup suppliers Stock company inventory now Paul Hollywood Now 3.0 Stakeholder Analysis 3.1 Identifying key stakeholders and their interest The implementation of the proposal to expand cake and biscuit production needs the input, consent, power, support and approval of several people, who together come to form a stakeholder base for the proposal. In line with the conditions needed to kick start the proposal and also to control the risk, the following people are identified within the organization as stakeholders. Gordon Blanc: As the CEO and head chef of MOP Restaurant, he is included as a stakeholder who would have authorizing powers to give approvals to the starting, continuation and stoppage of various tasks within the proposal. Particularly with areas that have to do with the MOP restaurant, it is expected that Gordon Blanc will make extra roles such as quality control roles for the manufacturing of cakes and biscuits for the restauran t. Martin Inch: He is also needed for his capacity as the CEO to give authorities on the start, continuation and conclusion of projects. It is expected that the project manager would make direct reports to him about the progress, successes and challenges within the project as he is the eventual overseers of

Research paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 11

Research paper - Essay Example This kind of situation is not new. There are countries who continue to believe that education should be conducted in the local vernacular. They say that it is not good for the young ones to learn in a language other than their own because it might cause them to forget their native tongue. However, as the demands of society continue to make people and companies more aggressive there is a need for an adjustment in the educational system in order for skills to be sufficient for those demands. In the traditional curriculum, education has always been conducted in the native language. However, as more and more nations interact with each other in trade and commerce, schools have opted to teach in an additional language, most commonly English, to further enhance the students’ communication skills. This is called bilingual education. â€Å"Bilingual education is a form of education in which information is presented to the students in two (or more) languages.† (Bilingual Education) Bilingual education is good to use in the curriculum in elementary schools because it helps them to prepare for viable employment, communicating with others, and educational success. Language is a very important part of one’s individuality. At times, it is the mother tongue which distinguishes one nationality from another. Because of this, the introduction of bilingual education has come to face opposition. Throughout the world, however, there is still an obvious need to promote and practice bilingual education for the benefit of the younger generation. As some countries continue to practice teaching in the mother tongue, families go through many sacrifices in order to catch up with the fast-moving world. A typical scenario would be children being forced to study another language as hard as they could so as to be more efficient communication-wise. All this studying, though, sets aside the child’s right to a normal and fun childhood. Korean students

Corporate strategy and business objectives (Michael Porter) Case Study

Corporate strategy and business objectives (Michael Porter) - Case Study Example An elimination process enables us to confirm that MDCM falls into the Efficient, Predictable Operators quadrant. To begin with, we are informed that MDCM did neither research and design (R&D) nor marketing. A company that is focused on using differentiation as its competitive strategy would typically be actively engaged in R&D. Secondly, the medical device manufacturing industry is not one defined by a relatively high rate of change partly due to the nature of its market and partly due to the high cost of medical devices. The first overall strategic goal of MDCM is to bring down the company’s cost structure (more information would be required before we can specify by what percentage). From the case we are informed that MDCM had the worst operating and profit margins and also that its high internal costs did not allow it to price competitively against smaller, more efficient rivals (Jeffery and Norton 3). The CFO, Sharon Leis, confirm this where she states that MDCM had the least efficient cost structures in the industry. In spite of its high cost structure we are informed that MDCM continued to excel in customer satisfaction (Jeffery and Norton 3). The second strategic goal of this company is reduce the time it takes for different business functions to access updated, relevant information in 24 hours or less. When gather from the case that it takes too long for both CFO and marketing and sales staff to get the information they need. CFO Sharon Leis laments that it takes her 45 days whereas the VP of marketing and sales Pat Perry complains that it takes his staff a week to get the relevant information. This means that it takes too long before the organization devises a plan to tackle whatever threat or opportunity that may arise. The CEO Max McMullen realized that both of these overall strategic goals will depend a lot on the IT infrastructure and systems of the organization. For this purpose McMullen hired a CIO to

Blood Pressure and Electrocardiography Assignment

Blood Pressure and Electrocardiography - Assignment Example 1. Define diastolic blood pressure. "Diastolic" came from the Greek diastole meaning "a drawing apart." The term has been in use since the 16th century to denote the period of relaxation of the heart muscle. The diastolic pressure is specifically the minimum arterial pressure during relaxation and dilatation of the ventricles of the heart when the ventricles fill with blood. In a blood pressure reading, the diastolic pressure is typically the second number recorded. For example, with a blood pressure of 120/80 ("120 over 80"), the diastolic pressure is 80. By "80" is meant 80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury). (Braunwald E, 2004; Moreno MN, 2006)) 2. Given a blood pressure of 125/80, what is the mean arterial pressure? Mean Arterial Pressure = DBP + 1/3(SBP-DBP) Given: SBP = 125 DBP = 80 80 + 1/3(125-80) = 95mmHg Electrocardiography 1. When the electrode pads are placed on the subject, where is the positive electrode placed? An electrocardiogram is obtained by measuring electrical potential between various points of the body using an amplifier. A lead records the electrical signals of the heart from a particular combination of recording electrodes which are placed at specific points on the patient's body. When a depolarization wavefront (or mean electrical vector) moves toward a positive electrode, it creates a positive deflection on the ECG in the corresponding lead.

International Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 10

International Business - Essay Example al flaws of the gold standards during the world war one and policy responses by various economies that led to unpredictable international monetary contraction and deflation. In essence, the tying of countries’ money to gold is noted as directly responsible for the onset of the great depression, for example, Hubbard (1991) notes that countries which abandoned the gold standards earlier enough recovered from the great depression comparative to those that remained on gold. Hubbard, (1991) attributes the collapse of the gold standard to its mismanagement by global financial stakeholders during the interwar period most specifically, the 1920s and the 1930s. They establish that after the World War I, the redrawing of international boundaries limited free circulation of both real bills and consumer goods leading to the distortion of the gold standards. This led to the scuttling of the bill market and the ultimate government control of foreign trade in consumer goods favored due to political rather than economic interests thereby leading to a large scale collapse of the gold standards. According to Hubbard, (1991), the gold standard also collapsed as a result of sabotage by countries during the interwar period rather than the general belief that it collapsed due to its inner contradictions. Additionally, banking panics in the 1939s initiated by deflation which was imposed by the gold standard interfered with the normal flows of credit thereby negatively af fecting the performance of the real economy. Researches indicate that there have been repeated calls for policy considerations for a return to the gold standard due to the growing disillusionment with the presently favored politically controlled monetary policy. The case presented by proponents is that budget deficits and massive federal borrowings would be difficult to finance under the gold standard. They note that at present, the paper money system poses a number of problems hence various treasuries and

Taxation System of UK Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Taxation System of UK - Essay Example Finally the system of collecting taxes must be efficient. For example if the government spends more in order to collect a given amount of tax money it is useless having a system of taxation. In the UK the current system of taxation has a number of shortcomings such as collective bias in favor of those who are able to pay and structural deficiencies at the deduction level. The British system of taxation is basically determined by a desire to act in conformance with the age old principles of taxation as enunciated by Adam Smith. In the first instance taxes must be fair or equitable; secondly they must be convenient; thirdly they must be neutral; fourthly they must be efficient; fifthly they must be simple; and sixthly they must be adequate (Jones & Catanach, 2008). Yet how far these principles have been adhered to in the current situation in Britain is to be decided by each individual because there is much more to be desired in the British tax system with reference to the equity principle and the government's efforts to redistribute income on a nation-wide basis. According to the first maxim of Adam Smith as noted above every person should pay in proportion to that which is based on their respective revenue earnings and to the extent to which they enjoy protection of the government. Simply it is the "ability to pay" principle. Further he shows that tax should be levied on economic rent because the rent and the revenue were considered as synonyms in Smith's days. However according to the tax system revenue includes only income from an investment and it excludes wages and salaries. Thus in the18th century Britain most of the income was earned from landed properties. In the 21st century Britain where services have come to occupy a very important place, the old approaches to taxation might not be feasible though the fundamental principles remain intact. Secondly, tax payers must be certain about the current and future periods of time. Moreover, it must be predictable and should not be arbitrary. Each person should be aware about the exact amount that he/she has to pay according to their earnings. They should know reasons, exceptions/biases, and abatements when they are paying taxes. Government revenue budgets are either one year in duration or less (Ricardo, 2006). This affects businesses because they have to plan for corporate taxation a number of months, if not years, in advance. According to the third maxim, tax payment should be convenient to the tax payer. In fact the government should be flexible in the application of the tax rules. For example in demanding due payments, collecting payments and so on, tax authorities ought to identify more convenient ways so that the taxpayer isn't inconvenienced by way of haphazard schedules and rules as in the case of VAT financial penalty on late payers in Britain.Finally, tax system shoul d be efficient with reference to its determination cost and collection cost. Thus it ought to be as lower as possible. It is imperative that the cost of employing the tax officials should be less than the taxpayers' personal cost. However the British government has to spend a considerable amount of money on such things as maintaining records and form filling to collect taxes from people.

Corruption Essay Example for Free

Corruption Essay Introduction: If two or more persons meet together and start talking about the present society of India, they soon come to the conclusion that every system, every institution of India is infested with corruption. Corruption has become so common in public life that people are now averse to thinking of public life without this phenomenon. Meaning: But what does Corruption actually mean? Corruption means perversion of morality, integrity, character of duty out of mercenary motives (e.g. bribery) without regard to honour, right or justice. In public life, a corrupt person is one who bestows undue favor on someone with whom; he has monetary or other interests (e.g. nepotism). Simultaneously, those who genuinely deserve those things as their right remain deprived. Not a new phenomenon: Corruption in public life is not a modern phenomenon. It was prevalent in the political and civic life of even Maura period as has been discussed by Chanakya in the Arthassastra. (Give other examples)†¦ But it is only recently that Corruption has become remnant in our public life. People no longer protest against corrupt practices, fight injustice or express any shock when big scandals are exposed. Also corruption is not uniquely Indian phenomenon; it is witnessed all over the world (USA, Japan, Italy, etc.) Forms of corruption in India: Explain bribery, nepotism, theft and wastage of public property, dereliction of duty†¦ etc. Extent of corruption: Start with a hospital where a child is born and move further on to education – system, career opportunities, political system, judiciary, law and order, other day – to – day activities†¦ till post – modern report and crematorium. Results of corruption: Individual sufferings, people lose faith in the existing system, prevalence of chaos and ‘anarchy, society disintegrates, country becomes weak, foreign invasion may occur†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Causes of corruption: It is a vicious circle. Start with those politicians, who run the state, come down to higher officials†¦ then to the lowest rung of bureaucratic hierarchy. Lastly, come to the general people’. Who elect the† corrupt people as their representatives’ and expect special favors from them.

Detection of Impurities in Nd Doped Phosphate Laser Glass

Detection of Impurities in Nd Doped Phosphate Laser Glass Detection of the impurities in Nd doped phosphate laser glass by x-ray fluorescence technique Atul Kumar*, M. P. Kamath, A. S. Joshi, P. A. Naik, P. D. Gupta Laser Plasma Division A. K. Singh, M. K. Tiwari Indus Synchrotrons Utilization Division Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology, Indore 452013, M.P., India *Email: [emailprotected] Introduction: The advances in laser glass composition and manufacturing have enabled the development of third generation high energy high power (HEHP) lasers like the National Ignition facility (NIF)1 that are being used as drivers for fusion energy studies. These laser glasses are phosphate based because of their low intensity dependent refractive index n2 and have a compositions equivalent to LHG-8 of M/s Hoya, Japan or LG-770 glass of M/s Schott Ltd2. The manufacturing and handling procedures introduce many unwanted impurities in these glasses, leading to lower laser induced damage threshold and lower fluorescence life time. The x-ray fluorescence (XRF) is a powerful technique3 which can identify the elemental composition of such glasses in a non-destructive manner. In the XRF process, the specimen is excited with high energy photons, which can cause individual atoms to ionize. When these atoms undergo relaxation, the electrons relocate from a high energy orbital to a lower one. During this pro cess, fluorescence radiation is emitted. The emitted radiation has lower energy compared to the incident source and it depends on the specific electron transitions of the individual elements. Thus, the resulting x-ray fluorescence spectrum bears the signature of the elements present in the specimen. In the present study, we have performed XRF analysis on different laser glass samples and raw materials used for the fabrication of these glasses namely aluminum metaphosphate (AMP), barium metaphosphate (BMP) and potassium metaphosphate (KMP). The advantage of the this study is that it can indicate to the presence of most of the impurities like transition metal impurities (of interest to us) in one measurement, if their concentrations are of the order of few ppm (by weight) or more. Our studies on the glasses and the raw materials indicate that the raw materials are pure to the desired levels but the glasses fabricated using the raw materials show many impurities. These impurities are expected to enter during handling of the raw materials and from the glass-cullet during fabrication process. This study will help in improving the quality of the glass by repeatedly doing the XRF analysis after every stage, so that faulty handling can be identified. Method of fabrication of the phosphate laser glass: A two arm HEHP Nd:phosphate glass laser chain is operational at Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), Indore4. A joint collaborative project is undertaken with Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute (CGCRI), Kolkata to develop the process technology for the fabrication of the phosphate laser glasses equivalent to LHG-8 glass of M/s Hoya, to overcome the existing embargo. The phosphate laser glass is fabricated as a two step process. In the first step, the sintered raw material (AMP, BMP and KMP and Nd2O3 in appropriate fractions) is melted in a silica crucible. The glass-cullet produced as a result of melting in the silica crucible is cast. The cast glass is powdered and loaded in a bottom pouring platinum crucible for optical quality, and chemical and physical homogenization. During these steps in the fabrication, the impurities may be added to the glass at several stages, namely: a) mixing of the raw materials, b) impurities coming from the silica crucible, c) impurities coming from the glass-cullet cast, d) impurities coming from the platinum crucible, e) impurities coming during annealing and fine annealing of the glass. Six samples of laser glass (named LG-1 to LG-6) were fabricated at CGCRI for the studies. XRF analysis was done on different fabricated samples of laser glasses (LG-1 to LG-6) and raw material samples made from AMP, BMP and KMP, to identify the elemental impurities in laser glass and raw materials. In addition to this, the sensitivity of the XRF technique was also ascertained using small amounts of platinum deliberately added to the glass samples. Experiments and Methodology XRF analysis was performed at the BL-16 beamline of Indus-2 synchrotron facility5 on fabricated glass samples and the raw materials after the first step of melting in silica crucible. The glasses had platinum oxide dissolved in them because of its solubility in the laser glass. Platinum comes into the glass as an unavoidable impurity during homogenization of the glass in the platinum crucible. Metallic platinum absorbs at the lasing wavelength (1054 nm) and reduces the laser induced damage threshold (LIDT) of the laser glass. Oxygen bubbling is done in platinum crucible to reduce the OH bond impurity in the hygroscopic phosphate glass. The oxygen bubbling also oxidizes the platinum metal to its oxide, thereby reducing the metallic platinum in the glass. The other impurities occur because of the poor quality of the silica crucible and/or cast of glass-cullet in addition to poor handling during the mixing of the raw materials in the first step of melting. The glasses with different amounts of platinum oxide were: LG-1(5 ppm Pt), LG-2 (10 ppm Pt), LG-3(25 ppm Pt), LG-4 (5 ppm Pt with O2 bubbling), LG-5 (10 ppm Pt with O2 bubbling) and LG-6 (25 ppm Pt with O2 bubbling). Varying platinum oxide content helped in ascertaining the sensitivity of the technique to Pt impurity. In the experiment, an x-ray beam was incident on sample for excitation and scattered spectrum was recorded by the detector shown in Fig. 1. The samples were excited using 14 keV and 17 keV synchrotron x-rays, selected by a double-crystal monochromator system. The analyses have been done on all the raw powder materials (for qualitative analysis) and on the pallets (for quantitative analysis). 15 mm dia. pallets were formed using a semi-automatic pallet machine. One such pallet is shown in sample holder in Fig. 1. Figure 1: Raw specimens analyzed by XRF measurements The captured data was analyzed using the PyMCA software 6. The calibration of the measured fluorescence spectrum was achieved by selecting the ‘K’ lines of various elements present in the laser glass samples, and in the raw material samples. The method of spectrum calibration however needs a proper comparison with a standard doped sample as a confirmatory test to account for the variation in the actual composition of the fabricated laser glass samples and that measured with XRF. In the present study, XRF method was used to qualitatively see the presence of different impurities, strictly from the yes/no point of view, rather than the full quantitative estimation. Results and discussion: Figure 2 shows a typical spectrum of the fabricated LG-1 glasses and the raw material BMP. The impurities found in the fabricated glasses are listed in Table 1. The silicon impurity occurs because of melting in silica crucible. Sr impurity seen in BMP as Ba and Sr are chemically close to each other. For the same reason, Rb impurity was found in KMP. However, there no impurities were seen in AMP. The transition metal impurities however may come either from during handling of raw materials or through the casts of glass-cullet. This will be ascertained in future by casting the glass in casts made of different materials like graphite, aluminum, and stainless steel. The studies of impurities after the casting of the glass will give idea about its origin. In addition to this, the XRF technique was found to be sensitive to ~ 5 ppm of Pt impurities. Figure 2: a) Typical spectrum of a) LG-1 fabricated glass, and b) Barium meta-phosphate specimen (raw material) Table 1: List of the impurities present in the glass samples Summary: We have presented XRF analysis on different laser glasses (LG-1 to LG-6) and raw materials (AMP, BMP and KMP) used for the fabrication of such glasses. The impurities in these glasses may be entering during handling or coming from the silica crucible, or the cast for the glass-cullet. The XRF method was also found to be sensitive up to ~ 3 ppm of platinum, as was observed in studies of LG-4 glass. In contrast, the raw materials were found to be free from transition element impurities. Further studies to improve the quality of glass are required to be undertaken. Acknowledgement: We acknowledge the contribution of Dr. R. Sen, Dr. Annapurna and other colleagues of the glass division, CGCRI Kolkata for preparation of the phosphate laser glass samples for the XRF studies. References: L. L. Seaver, LLNL report (925) 423 (Oct. 2010) J. H. Campbell and T. I. Suratwala, J. Non-Cryst. Solids 318, 2638 (2000). M. Mantler and M. Schreiner, X-Ray Spectrum. 29, 3 (2000) A.S. Joshi et al, EPJ Web of Conferences 59, 08001 (2013). M. K. Tiwari, P. Gupta, A. K. Sinha, S. R. Kane, A. K. Singh, S. R. Garg, C. K. Garg, G. S. Lodha and S. K. Deb, J. Synchrotron Rad. 20, 386 (2013). V.A. Solà ©, E. Papillon, M. Cotte, Ph. Walter, J. Susini, Spectrochimica Acta B 62, 63 (2007)

Date Rape :: essays research papers fc

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  While it is popularly associated that rape involves a kidnapping of some type by a criminal that the victim has never come in contact with before, this belief has been disproved over the years by the number of cases of acquainted rape, also known as date rape. Date rape is forced or coerced sex between partners, dates, friends, friends of friends, or general acquaintances, often with the illegal use of drugs to alter the state of mind of the victim. Recent statistics show that the most common form of rape is date rape, which comprises 78 percent of all rapes. Rape itself is a very common occurrence, with one in four girls falling victim to an attempt before they are 25 and three out of five of these rapes occurring before the victim has reached eighteen. Not to be forgotten, men as well can be and have been sexually taken advantage of without their consent, either by other men or, in limited cases, women.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Often times, drugs are used to alter the state of mind of the victim of the date rape. Aside from the encouraged or almost forced intake of excessive alcohol, the most common drugs used are Rohypnol, Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate (GHB), and Ketamine Hydrochloride, these drugs referred to by a number of names, including â€Å"ActiveSex,† â€Å"Roofies,† â€Å"Ruffies,† â€Å"Roche,† â€Å"R-2,† â€Å"Rib,† and â€Å"Rope.† These drugs, commonly called date rape drugs, act very quickly and are odorless and tasteless, making them very difficult to detect when mixed in drinks or with other drugs. Some are able to render the victim nearly unconscious and greatly hinder memory, yet still leave the victim with enough consciousness that they can be responsive and can seem to others to not be under any seriously dangerous intoxication. However, in reality, the victim will become a passive participant, essentially defenseless but st ill able to play a role in what is happening in the environment. Also, the drugs will leave the body within 72 hours of ingestion and are not found in any routine toxicology screen or blood test so it is very difficult to determine whether or not the drugs have been used in a rape case unless the victim goes to the authorities almost immediately after the incident has occurred and explains the symptoms that they experienced that were likely to be caused by some type of drug that they did not knowingly take. Date Rape :: essays research papers fc   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  While it is popularly associated that rape involves a kidnapping of some type by a criminal that the victim has never come in contact with before, this belief has been disproved over the years by the number of cases of acquainted rape, also known as date rape. Date rape is forced or coerced sex between partners, dates, friends, friends of friends, or general acquaintances, often with the illegal use of drugs to alter the state of mind of the victim. Recent statistics show that the most common form of rape is date rape, which comprises 78 percent of all rapes. Rape itself is a very common occurrence, with one in four girls falling victim to an attempt before they are 25 and three out of five of these rapes occurring before the victim has reached eighteen. Not to be forgotten, men as well can be and have been sexually taken advantage of without their consent, either by other men or, in limited cases, women.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Often times, drugs are used to alter the state of mind of the victim of the date rape. Aside from the encouraged or almost forced intake of excessive alcohol, the most common drugs used are Rohypnol, Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate (GHB), and Ketamine Hydrochloride, these drugs referred to by a number of names, including â€Å"ActiveSex,† â€Å"Roofies,† â€Å"Ruffies,† â€Å"Roche,† â€Å"R-2,† â€Å"Rib,† and â€Å"Rope.† These drugs, commonly called date rape drugs, act very quickly and are odorless and tasteless, making them very difficult to detect when mixed in drinks or with other drugs. Some are able to render the victim nearly unconscious and greatly hinder memory, yet still leave the victim with enough consciousness that they can be responsive and can seem to others to not be under any seriously dangerous intoxication. However, in reality, the victim will become a passive participant, essentially defenseless but st ill able to play a role in what is happening in the environment. Also, the drugs will leave the body within 72 hours of ingestion and are not found in any routine toxicology screen or blood test so it is very difficult to determine whether or not the drugs have been used in a rape case unless the victim goes to the authorities almost immediately after the incident has occurred and explains the symptoms that they experienced that were likely to be caused by some type of drug that they did not knowingly take.

The Definition of Success Essay examples -- Expository Definition Essay

What is success? How does one succeed in life? A few moments' thought will convince us that the question is by no means an easy one to answer. We say this, that, or the other man is successful, but what do we mean by it? One man has houses and lands, has a large bank account, drives fast horses and has many apparent friends, such a man is accounted successful. Yet all of these things that minister to his pleasure have been acquired by unremitting labor, by hard, avaricious dealings with his fellow-men, by trampling upon the hearts and affections of thousands; in the face of these facts is the man a successful one? The question will be answered differently, according; to the views of life of the one answering it. Some think wealth is the only measure of success no matter how attained. Su...

“Inventing Elliot” the Final Chapter

Spilling the whole story was easier than Elliot thought It would be. Not even for a single second did he feel bad about what he was doing. Elliot was changing again, but this time for the better, and he could see his old self again. As he came to a close, he finally looked up at the principal. He wasn't sure how to react to his expression of utter disappointment so he simply got up and left. The principle needed time to take In everything Elliot Just said and he had other things he needed to do. Next It was time for Elliot to take care of the yellow paper.Not many kids were In school yet so he stood alone at the bulletin board. As he looked at the yellow paper, images of Ben and the outside bathroom flashed through his mind. The pain he felt for Ben was overwhelming him. He quickly tore down the paper, flipped it over to the back side and let his pen move across it. â€Å"It's was all it read. Now he needed to make things right with Louise, and if he couldn't do that he at least nee ded to tell her the truth. And that's exactly what he did. He caught her leaving the library and she wasn't too enthused to see him.He told her the whole story similar to the way he told the principal, leaving out nothing, but this time he added in why he did that, how he felt when he did it, and what he really wanted to do, but couldn't. Some way through the conversation, he saw her eyes gradually perk up to something like the way they were before. He knew she wasn't ready to forgive and forget, but he also knew some sort of happiness was igniting inside her because she finally had the truth. It felt right to tell Louise everything because maybe now when they restart, their relationship wont eave to revolve around lies; Elitist's life won't have to revolve around lies.But Elliot still wasn't done with his honesty rampage. Finally he went home to confess to the last and probably most important person, his mother. She so desperately tried to help him, but he pushed her away until she had no idea who he was anymore. Elliot was ready to fix things. It was hard for him to understand how his mother could still love him after all the horrible things he did, but she did and always would. He was surprised to find her home already, but she said nothing as he walked In. Elliot sat own, somehow different than the last time his mother saw him, and she recognized that.Elliot was no longer the Elliot with the Guardians, the Elliot with Louise, the Elliot with Ben, or the Elliot at home. There was only one Elliot now. Elliot Sutton. And that was the only Elliot he ever needed to be. They were both quiet for a moment, and then Elliot whispered something, â€Å"Mom†¦ I think I'm ready to talk now. † And finally, Elliot Sutton took off his last mask. â€Å"Inventing Elliot† the Final Chapter By catastrophes early. Is there something I can do for you? † Before he answered Elliot walked in and kook of indifference and went deep, deep inside himself and pu lled out the old Elliot, down.Spilling the whole story was easier than Elliot thought it would be. Not even for in everything Elliot Just said and he had other things he needed to do. Next it was time for Elliot to take care of the yellow paper. Not many kids were in school yet so he and let his pen move across it. â€Å"It's over† was all it read. Now he needed to make Louise everything because maybe now when they restart, their relationship won't surprised to find her home already, but she said nothing as he walked in. Elliot sat

Individual Case Analysis 5: Isnt’ Fair Essay

1. Indicate Mary’s attitude before and after meeting Sue. If there was a change, why? Before Mary met Sue, she held the company in high esteem and was actually proud of working for Universal Manufacturers. The company’s organizational culture was conducive for her, and staff assisted her whenever she was in need of help. In addition to this, her input to the company was being appreciated and she was given challenging assignments which presented practical experience to her. Her manager, Tom had positive thoughts of her and she passed her annual review. Her salary was increased by 10% from $40,000, whereas most employees had an increase of 5%. However, after Mary met Sue, her attitude towards the company changed. Sue had joined the company a year later than Mary and yet her starting salary was $45,000, which was $5,000 more than the salary they had started Mary with. It is also $1000 more than Mary would receive after her 10% increase, which is $44,000. This revealed a level of discrimination and unfair treatment of employees since employees ought to be remunerated according to their input to the company. Mary had similar qualifications with Sue when she joined the organization and had put in hard work, which was recognized by everyone in the company. However, the fact that one year after putting in these efforts, she would still have lower pay than Sue, who had recently joined the organization made her have a negative attitude towards the company. Mary’s attitude towards the company changed and became negative due to this perception of discrimination and unfairness. The change in attitude will likely influence her ability to perform, and this may have a negative impact on the company. 2. What do you think Maty will do now? Later? I personally think that after Mary changes her attitude towards the company, her performance will be affected. At present, she will not do anything which may put her in the spotlight, but she will be secretly looking for opportunities in other companies. Her qualifications and experience make her an asset to any company. According to the book Barron’s Educational Series, â€Å"employers should pay employees higher salaries if they perform well and lesser salaries if they are new to the job or have lower input to the organization.† That is why I also think that Mary will put less effort in the company due to a decrease in motivation, but she would not resign immediately since she does not have an alternative job which would pay her bills. However, in the long she would resign after she successfully obtains employment in a company which values her input and remunerates all employees according to their efforts. 3. What motivation theory applies best to this scenario? Explain. The motivation theory that applies best to this case study is the expectancy theory of motivation. This theory was advanced by Vroom, and it explains the process which employees undergo when making choices. The theory suggests that although individuals may have different sets of goals, they can be motivated if they believe that there is a positive correlation between efforts and performance, favorable performance will result in a desirable reward, the reward will satisfy an important need or/and the desire to satisfy the need is strong enough to make the effort worthwhile. The theory is based upon the following beliefs: Valence Valence refers to the emotional orientations people hold with respect to outcomes [rewards]. The depth of the want of an employee for extrinsic [money, promotion, time-off, benefits] or intrinsic [satisfaction] rewards). Management must discover what employees value. Expectancy Employees have different expectations and levels of confidence about what they are capable of doing. Management must discover what resources, training, or supervision employees need. Instrumentality The perception of employees as to whether they will actually get what they desire even if it has been promised by a manager. Management must ensure that promises of rewards are fulfilled and that employees are aware of that. According to Schermerhorn, employees expect higher rewards due to better performance in organizations. On this theory, organizations should relate rewards to performance if employees are to be motivated. Initially, Mary had positive thoughts about the company due to the increase in salary after her good performance. However, these thoughts became negative after realizing that Sue received a higher salary in spite of her low input to the organization, explaining her reaction according to the expectancy theory of motivation. Works Cited Montana, Patrick J. & Charnov, Bruce H. Management: 4th edition. New York: Barron’s Educational Series, 2008 p 35-43 Schermerhorn Jr. John, Hunt James & Osborn Richard. Organizational Behavior (12th Edition). Wiley: Danvers, MA, 2007 p43-56 http://www2.ifm.eng.cam.ac.uk/dstools/paradigm/vroom.html

Levendary cafe case study Essay

1. Statement of Problem: What are the problems being faced and the most important 3-4 decisions the company needs to make regarding the situation of the company in China. The company transformation from private equity ownership with an immediate shift of CEO marked new challenges for the company. The company has been going through rigorous changes to keep up with the strong performance track record. However, the distinction of the profiles and management approach of the two CEOs was obviously noticed by the subordinates. The intelligent handling of management issues and concerns with subsequent impact on the employees and consumers mark the importance and sensitivity of the decisions of Mia Foster. The response and performance of China Market are the primary problematic area of the company. The management is piled with issues and skepticism on the ground of the equation generated out of new CEO, new Market, new strategies and new reporting procedures. The dire need of management is to visit location with ample supporting information and vigilant approach to take hold over the situation. The core areas to be addressed in this reference includes the dil emmas of swirled market reputation of the company, skepticism over the company’s potential to grow as a multinational brand, competitor’s rivalry and in house mismanagement issues. An immediate and focused response to the illustrated concerns is essential at this point of time to take hold of the situation before it gets any worst. The solutions devised in this reference are illustrated below; a.  Product Image in Market. b. Communication plan (Internal / External) c. Documentation of Policies and procedures d. Marketing strategy development 2. Alternatives: What are three different courses of action she can take to deal with Louis Chen and solve these various issues? Clearly explain. The importance of the concerns with the necessity to strategically move to address the issues is obvious. The different courses of action that can be adapted to respond the requisites are referred below: a. Department Heads are to be aligned over a platform with allocation of KPI in their respective fields in the light of the strategic objectives. b. The board of directors is to be supported by an in house team to monitor and coach the resolutions. c. A third person consultation service can be hired with an objective of desired goals. 3. Decision: Recommend one course of action. Convince us why this one is best and will help fix the problems. Address any criticism that this decision is likely to face Amongst the suggested options the first option of allocation targeted objectives as KPIs of the department head is the most suitable, as it will utilize in house resources and direct monitoring of the in charge. At the same time, the possibility of information leakage or blame game is further at the diminished end if this option is opted. 4. Action: List and describe 4-5 action steps to turn your plan into reality and implement the plan A comprehensive and concise action plan to support the strategy is suggested below for your perusal. a. Development and establishment of company processes and policies. b. The communication of policies amongst all branches. c. Development of communication model that is separate links for internal communication with a user friendly website for consumers. d. The hiring of a regional media manager and financial analyst to keep the track on the path. e. Regular observation of agendas over the Board meetings. f. Allocations of target oriented KPI’s under the observation of the strategic goals.

Linux Case Study

Users can download it or free while proprietary software, like Microsoft, charges the user a fee to use. Linux is considered the largest collaborative project in history. 2) Should Microsoft consider Linux a threat? Why or why not? Yes, Microsoft should consider Linux a threat. Even though Microsoft continues to innovate, Linux has the power of worldwide programmers behind it. Businesses and governments are quickly switching to Linux for many reasons and if this trend continues, Microsoft could be left behind. ) How is open source software a potential trend shaping organizations? More and more, organizations are competing on a global scale. They need agile systems to keep up with ever changing business needs. Open source software is considered reliable, scalable and is extremely secure. It provides companies with an agile system that helps them respond to quickly changing customer needs and offers a competitive edge. The code is continuously improving and as issues arise, they are co rrected quickly. 4) How can you use Linux as an emerging technology to gain a competitive advantage?Many companies today are slow to utilize new technology due to cost or adversity to change. Just as consumer products undergo continuous improvement, so must business systems. It's easy for a competitor to gain a competitive advantage if a company doesn't upgrade systems and keep current. My employer is a company that is slow to change technology. They do extended due diligence to the point of beating a dead horse. By the time they decide to implement, new technology comes along and the process starts all over again.It's 2012 and they have FINALLY decided to implement ERP. A team was comprised and they are slowly working on how to best implement it. By the time it's actually up and running, something else will probably be â€Å"state of the art†. 5) Research the Internet and discover potential ways that open source software might revolutionize business in the future. As busines ses and governments become more transparent and accountable, open source software allows them almost total control over every day operations (www. Reveres. Com).

Neonatal Health Care in Nepal

NEONATAL HEALTH CARE in NEPAL 1. BACKGROUND In the mid way of 2000 and 2015, the analysis of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in developing world shows encouraging progress signs particularly in child health, but very less or no notable achievements in neonatal health (WHO, 2009). The proportion of neonatal deaths – deaths within the first 28 days of life – is expected to increase due to decline in burden of post-neonatal deaths (UN, 2009; USAID, 2008; WHOSIS, 2010).As per the WHO Statistics (2009), the progress on health-related MDGs shows about 37% of under-five (U-5) mortality occurs in the neonatal period, with most deaths within the first week i. e. early neonatal period. Over one million neonates die within their first 24hours of life due to lack of quality care, annually, worldwide (UNFPA, 2008). In Nepal, Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) is 32 per 1000 live births in 2004 (WHO, 2009). Fig 1 Continuum of care Source: Kerber et al. , 2007 The basic principle of de veloping strategies to address Neonatal Health Care (NHC) revolves round the ‘continuum of care’.Throughout the lifecycle as shown in figure 1, including adolescence, pregnancy, childbirth and childhood, the care ought to be provided as a seamless continuum that spans the home, the community and health centre, locally and globally (Save the Children [StC], 2006). Hence, reducing child mortality is more dependent on tackling neonatal mortality or in other words, managing the NHC. 2. KEY CONCEPTS AND ISSUES In Nepal, most of the deliveries take place at home with delayed care-seeking behavior; the NMR remains high in rural areas, frequently associated with cessation of suckling and shortness of breath (Mesko et al. 2003). While the Department for International Development [DFID] (2009) report reveals that, the factors causing poor maternal outcomes and ultimately resulting high NMR are poor and delayed transportation arrangements, weak financial status, long distance to h ealth centre, and even needing permission to seek care. As the survival of the newborns, older than a month is progressing quickly, there has been transformed concern in interventions assumed to improve neonatal survival.The questions about the new interventions: â€Å"providing thermal care to the newborn, postnatal care to the mother and newborn, and counseling on infant and maternal health care to mothers† has been added in the Demographic Health Surveys (DHS) of Nepal, along with Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines, to address antepartum, intrapartum, and postnatal interventions for the NHC (USAID 2008). Moreover, the target to reduce NMR from 34 to 30 per 1000 live births by 2010 has been set in the new Three Years Interim Plan (TYIP) for health 2008-10 (TYIP 2008-10, 2008).Pertaining to the revised target associated with neonatal mortality and to combat delays in seeking, reaching and receiving care, the Department of Health Services, Nepal (DoHS 2006/07, 2008) has postulated three major strategies: * To promote birth preparedness and complication readiness including raising awareness, improving the availability of funds, transport and blood supplies. * To promote use of skilled birth attendants at every birth, either at home or in a health facility. * To make provision of 24-hour emergency obstetrics care services (basic and comprehensive) at selected public health facilities in every district. . STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES The strengths and weaknesses of the NHC in Nepal can be reflected in broad spectrum, by analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the National Health Policy and current heath services, in general. 4. 1. Strengths 4. 2. 1. Health as citizen’s right The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) aims to create a new healthy Nepali society, working in alignment with the prime objective of â€Å"bringing about a meaningful change in the overall health† as per the guidelines issued by the Government of Nepal (GoN) to establish health as a fundamental human right of each and every Nepalese. . 2. 2. Decentralization of health policy Decentralization in health policy – a starting point for consultation – and its implementation is under process, initiated with the coordination between the MoHP and Ministry of Local Development (MoLD). The major objective of the decentralization in health policy is to improve cost efficiency and effectiveness of government action, and strengthen community approach (DFID, 2003). The respective Village Development Committee has been handed over the administrative and financial management tasks, initiatives taken from the lowest level, i. . Sub-health Posts (NHSP, 2009). 4. 2. 3. Public Private Partnership The private sector’s involvement to a considerable extent is noteworthy (TYIP, 2008) in the Public Private Partnership (PPP) which initiated since 1950s (MoHP, 2008). The PPP has created continuous and uniform coordination of intervention s such as immunization and pneumonia treatment, significantly reducing children and neonatal mortality (UNDP, 2010). 4. 2. 4. Community based interventions Fig. 2 Neonatal mortality in past 15 yearsSource: DoHS (2006) The development and implementation of community-wide protocols has significantly reduced the NMR in the past 15 years, as shown in figure 2 (DoHS, 2006); and aims to ensure access to effective healthcare focusing the neonates, in a sustainable and equitable manner. A study conducted by Dutta (2009) reveals that home-based newborn care has been significant in about one-third to two-third reduction in neonatal mortality after home based care interventions. Whilst, a study conducted by Haines et al. (2007) reveals that the mobilization of local women through community based participatory intervention can be significant in improving the health of the newborn. 4. 2. Weaknesses 4. 3. 5. Weakening and unsafe care The weakly designed system, unable to ensure safety and hygiene standards has been enforcing high rates of acquired infection during the birth, along with medication errors and other avoidable adverse effects (IDA and IMF, 2007). 4. 3. 6. Uneven and fragmenting health care The broadening of specialized health care and cutting interest in the disease ontrol programmes, do not realize for the continuity of care. Due to poor and highly under-resourced infrastructure, the health services for poor and marginalized group of Nepalese is highly uneven, aiding fragmentation of development (WHO Report, 2008). 4. 3. 7. Inequity Equity in health care as a basic need to ensure highest possible minimum standards, has not been attainable. The majority of the care is redeemed by the people with the most means but with lesser need, while the neonatal health care in the rural areas remain almost virgin, with no redistribution of resources (WHO, 2008). . 3. 8. Others According to TYIP for health 2008-10 (2008), there are some general weaknesses largely affecting the novel objective of providing quality health care service that are easily accessible by all the citizens, also influencing the target of reducing the NMR in Nepal, such as; * lack of skilled human resources and problems in their mobilization to rural areas, * very slow pace of decentralization process, * inadequate supply of equipment and drug, * political interference in management, * weak monitoring and supervision, and lack of physical infrastructure and its inadequate repair and maintenance (TYIP 2008-10, 2008). 4. EFFECTIVENESS The performance of a nation’s health system can be judged against WHO Criteria: health status of the population and inequality, responsiveness and inequality in responsiveness and fair financing (WHO 2000); and Managing Cost, Care and Health Framework. 5. 3. WHO Criteria According to the WHO Report (2000), the health level of Nepal is ranked at 142 with Disability Adjusted Life Expectancy (DALE) of total population at birth 49. years, as shown in table 1. Table 1 Health system attainment and performance in Nepal, ranked by eight measures, estimates for 1997 ATTAINMENT OF GOALS| Health expenditures in international dollars| PERFORMANCE| Health Level| Health Distribution| Responsiveness| Fairness in financial contribution| Overall goal attainment| | | DALE (in years)| Equality of child survival| | | | | Level of health| Overall health system performance| Rank| Total Pop. at birth| Rank| Index| Uncertainty Interval| Level| Distribution| | | | | | 142| 49. 5| 161| 0. 585| 0. 513-0. 63| 185| 166-167| 186| 160| 170| 98| 150| There remains possibility of large inequality in the care provided at the rural and urban settings due to very poor health settings of workforce (DoHS, 2006). The inequality in responsiveness with very low respect profile for others and very poor quality of amenities has placed Nepal at 185 level, and the rank of 186 (sixth from the bottom) shows that each household faces very high financial risk and spend largely for healthcare, thus purchase of needed care enforces into poverty (WHO, 2000). 5. 4. Managing Cost, Care and HealthGoing with the global approach, Nepal has also adopted decentralized health care system, attempting â€Å"to make providers both independent and more accountable for the cost and quality of the healthcare services† (Kane and Turnbull, 2003). The supplier and consumer approach can hardly be realized in the health service provided by the government; effectiveness of the NHC – dominantly under the control of government – can be evaluated against the framework of managing costs at affordable levels, improved quality and access, and advanced health of the population (Kane and Turnbull, 2003). . 5. 9. Managing Cost The fairly existing systems operated by small number of agencies provide membership to the clients, cost borne by the clients or their employers on installment basis. The employees of government sector and labour organization are suppo rted with healthcare cost borne by social support schemes (WHO, 2003). There has been significant decrease in financial resources in the health sector due to shoot-up of concerns in conflict resolution and internal security (NHSP, 2009). The maximum portion of health financing is from out-of-pocket payment, i. . 85. 20% (WHO 2009), and there has been increased competition among the (private healthcare) providers to deliver the responsive behavior to the care-seekers (patients). But the larger portion of the consumers’ right to have an option of choosing economic and most compatible supplier still remains virgin. The Second Long Term Health Plan (SLTHP) 1997-2017 has emphasized the importance of restructuring healthcare and health insurance options, which has already been introduced but is almost non-existent.Delayed acknowledgement of managing insurance risk has lit some hope of effective healthcare, while managing utilization of services, and managing provider and supplier p rices are just unimaginable. 5. 5. 10. Managing Care Fig 3 Neonatal Mortality factors and interventions to reduce it Source: USAID 2008 NEONATAL MORTALITY Strengthening of Health Care System Ante-natal Care Neonatal Resuscitation Breast-feeding Clean DeliveryIntermittent preventive treatment for malaria Micronutrient supplementation Health Education Delivery by a Skilled Birth Attendant INTERVENTIONS The factors associated with neonatal mortality (as in figure 2) suggests that managing care can be improved and millions of new born be saved by approaching health issues of maternal care, neonatal care and child health, under the same umbrella; and interventions can be operated with lower cost (StC, 2006).The policies and programmes in packages can cut down the cost of training, monitoring and evaluation, and facilitate judicious use of the available resources, with greater efficiency and more effective coverage of the beneficiaries. 5. 5. 11. Managing Health Despite reduced neonatal m ortality trends in Nepal over the past 15 years (NDHS, 2006), the neonatal morbidity and mortality still represents major proportion of U-5 child mortality; principally due to the lack of SBAs, poor referral systems and lack of access to life-saving emergency obstetric care when complications occur (Safe Motherhood 2010).The revised National Safe Motherhood Health Long Term Plan 2006-2017 in accordance with SLTHP 1997-2017 focuses on improving maternal and neonatal health, and has aimed to reduce NMR to 15 per 1,000 live births by 2017; targeting to increase deliveries attended by SBAs to 60% and deliveries in a health facility to 40%, by 2017, increasing the met need of emergency obstetric complications by 3% and of caesarean section by 4%, each year (Safe Motherhood 2010).The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (PMNCH) formed by merging three separate entities – newborn, maternal and child health partnership – has been established. This joint venture aims â€Å"[t]o create a more unified voice and facilitate creation of a continuum of care, work for achievement of maternal and child health-related MDGs by strengthening and coordinating action at all levels; promoting rapid scale-up of proven, cost-effective interventions† aligning the resources with the objectives, more efficiently and effectively (StC, 2006). 5.CHALLENGES and PRACTICALITIES 6. 5. Contextual Challenges * Low birth weight (14. 3%) and underweight (38. 6%) are the root causes of perinatal deaths (MoHP, 2007). * The nation wide campaign of polio (78%), measles (81%) and tetanus (83%) immunisation by 2007, had immense significance in reducing the child deaths (WHO 2009). Despite having 60% children fully immunized, disparity remains in service coverage as 8% of U-5C are not immunized at all (MDG 2005). * Though the poor people have moved closer to the poverty line with poverty gap ratio declining from 0. 12 to 0. 75, child malnutrition still remains another m ajor challenge for Nepal, which is the underlying cause for 50% of children deaths. Though, improved health and nutrition of the mother and availability of the SBAs can play role in reducing the NMR, it seems devastating to maintain the coverage rates with ongoing political conflicts and security problems. Hence, revisited strategies to combat this challenge will be more effective in reducing NMR due to the above contextual challenges. 6. 6. Leadership Challenges 6. 7. 12. Level of system funding With total expenditure on health 5. 1% of the GDP, and 30. % share of governments’ expenditure on health – the shortfall met by private spending (WHO, 2009) – reflects low political will and ability to invest in managerial and administrative infrastructure (Kane and Turnbull, 2003). This condition is prone to inhibit pooling of risks and the citizens are always prone to catastrophic payments, further aggravating the poverty in the poorer community like Nepal (WHO, 2009) . There is an alarming need of allocating financial resources for patient registration, disseminating information, monitoring and follow-up activities, and any other active management of the health services. 6. 7. 13.Provider market structure Nepal health market has countable specialists, very few care practitioners and poorly developed communication among the suppliers; lacking primary care capacity. As the large multispecialty of the provider market structure with influential medical leadership facilitates the success of managed healthcare mechanisms, there remains huge modification in the provider market structure. 6. 7. 14. Proportion of the population covered by health insurance In the span of six years, from 2000 to 2006, there has been decrease in out-of pocket expenditure from 91. 2% to 85. 2% of private expenditure on health.

Mobil and the American Automobile Association Research Paper

Mobil and the American Automobile Association - Research Paper Example Vallen and Vallen (2001) observe that ratings and audits for hotels can be a subjective business. He points out that in some countries where the rating systems are handled by the government, there is a great possibility that bribery, politics, and trade association bickering will affect the rating of an establishment. The Star Rating system RACV endorses is handled, not by the government, but by a private enterprise – the AAA Tourism group. This is much akin to the system adopted by the Americans – who use ratings from enterprises such as the American Automobile Association and Mobil. This has the effect of avoiding the political influence of a governmental rating system. The auditing for AAA Tourism’s ratings is done by local assessors. Vallen and Vallen further note that local assessors have a tendency to be subjective in their ratings. They observed that these assessors usually award full points for the mere presence of amenities and not the quality of such. I n comparison, the guidelines stipulated by the AAAT have a rigid point system that relies heavily on the quality of existing amenities. From observation, it may be said that these guidelines serve to mitigate such biases. One point in the assessment process of AAAT that raises questions is the fact that assessors are required by the system to make their visits announced (AAAT 2003). Other rating firms will conduct their assessments anonymously. This is, presumably, to capture the natural atmosphere and typical quality a hotel offers on any given day. The question with planned visits is that hotel management is given the opportunity to prepare what may be considered as a contrived sense of quality.

Islam Faith and History By Mahmoud M.Ayoub Assignment

Islam Faith and History By Mahmoud M.Ayoub - Assignment Example The haay is where a man or woman belongs to and not the ‘family.’ Thus, child-rearing, indoctrination to culture, and gender roles are the responsibility of the tribe. This is due partly to survival since most societies lived a nomadic lifestyle. Thus, it is crucial that families band together for mutual interests. The role of men is crucial because they are seen as the provider and protector. Women on the other hand are deemed as liability or the weak link because the tribes’ honor hinges on the honor of its girls and women. And because there is a high-value placed on female honor, it is a necessity to employ force protection. This is done one, by infanticide. The tribe would burry one or several of its female infants alive. And second, provides protection against capture and forced concubinage. Ergo, women are not just burdens but are liabilities to the tribe as well. Another way to which women are ensured of protection is through marriage. Marriage in pre-Islamic society has two types—Sadiqah and Ba’l. Sadiqah marriages are based on female kinship. As such, the man could either pay a Sadaq which is given to the bride during the time of marriage or a mahr which is a negotiated gift between the man and the bride’s tribe that would be given to her parents or closest relative. Once the bride price is settled, the woman has to consent on the marriage before it could take effect. There are two types of Sadiqah marriages: the mut’an or temporary marriage which is undertaken solely for the purpose of desire or pleasure and bina which is a permanent union. In bina, the bride remains under the protection of her tribe and the husband would only come for conjugal visits but is free from the liability of taking care of his wife and children. As such children of Sadiqah unions are the responsibility of the mother’s tribe. The ba’l marriage on the other hand is based on

Labor Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Labor - Essay Example Thus, unions play an effective role in reducing the rate of job turnover within a company. One example of this is the grievance process that helps employees to resolve their problems with the employer. However, the control gap by the unions is the difference between the managerial control in union and non-union workplaces; it is more important than the wage gap, which is the difference between the wages of union and non-union workers. The second point illustrated in chapter nine of the text is non-union workplace dispute resolution. In America, there is a significant difference between the way disputes are resolved in union and non-union organizations. The grievance procedure is a union system that protects the employees as well as the employer. However, many non-union workplaces suffer from not having a dispute resolution system in place. Such processes for conflict resolution are needed in any company, whether or not a union is in place. While managers often have an open-door polic y that allows employees to come and discuss concerns and complaints, the policy has many disadvantages; such as the lack of fairness and equity. Non-union employers have made attempts at improving their open-door policy by enhancing equity and voice.

International Organisational Behaviour - What is meant by culture Essay

International Organisational Behaviour - What is meant by culture shock - Essay Example The role of culture is significant as culture is the core values of the individual (McLaren, 1998). Moreover, culture has a significant role in the overall personality and how one acts, behaves, how he is motivated, how he feels about different situations, how capable he is to manage difficult situations, how he or she speaks, how one acts and reacts etc. All these characteristics are highly critical for every individual and these characteristics for the individual in either making him a successful individual or making the individual an unsuccessful person. So it reveals that culture has a significant role in the life of the individual. Moreover, culture varies from one society to another as people live their lives and therefore it is important to understand and analyze the differences among different culture and how different people behave (Bochner, 2001). So this report would discuss such important aspects of humans. The aim of this assignment would be to provide a clear definition of the term cultural shock along with the elements and symptoms of cultural shock. Furthermore, this assignment would highlight the understanding of international organizational behavior with examples from daily life. In addition to all these, some of the ways to bridge the cultural confusion or differences are also mention in the assignment. Cultural Shock Cultural shock or culture shock is a common term that indicates the confusing and nervous feelings of an individual after leaving an environment that he/she was familiar with. The best example that could be observed regarding the cultural shock is the migration of people from one country to another. This migration often leads to psychological distress due to the unfamiliar environment and culture (Bochner, 2001). Culture shock aims to describe the unfamiliarity that an individual may have or face when entering different culture (Paige 1993). In addition, Kalervo Obe rg (1960) indicated that this term was to be applicable only on those people that travel from one place to another into new cultures. According to Adler (1975), cultural shock is a combination of emotional reactions when an individual is provided with a new culture which has no or little meaning and can lead to misunderstanding of new culture and experiences. The definition provided by Weaver (1968) indicates the concept of cultural shock in daily life. According to Weaver (1968), cultural shock is much like common cold as there is no particular way or approach to prevent it as a person may catch it over and over again. Each time a person tries to adjust or readjust his culture according to the place and environment, he/she go through cultural shock. Cultural shock is referred as a distress experience of a person as a result of unfamiliarity with the culture. Losing of all those factors that made the person a part of the society and community is one of the major reasons of cultural shock (Oberg, 1960). Furthermore, six aspects of cultural shock were identified by Oberg (1960) that includes i. Psychological adjustments that leads to strain ii. Sense of loss and unfamiliarity which leads to deprivation iii. Lack of social recognition iv. Confusion in terms of role and loss of self-identity v. Awareness regarding cultural differences followed by surprise and anxiety vi. Low morale as the person might not be able to cope with the new

Measuring the releationship between employees and patients Essay

Measuring the releationship between employees and patients satisfaction - Essay Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 1.2. Hypotheses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 1.3. Significance of the Study. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 1.4. Theoretical Framework of the Study. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 1.5. Scope and Delimitation of the Study. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 1.6. DEFINITION OF TERMS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 2. RELATED LITERATURE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 2.1. Satisfaction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 2.2. Customer Satisfaction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 2.3. Customer Satisfaction and Strategic management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 2.4. Sociality and Customer Satisfaction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 2.5. Staff Training and Customer Satisfaction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 2.6. Surveys and Scales for Quality Development. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 2.7. Customer Focused Organizational Culture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 2.8. Stress and Improving Employee and Customer Satisfaction. . . . . . 22 2.9. Human Capital. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 2.10. Latest Developments in Health Care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 2.11. Team work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 3..METHODOLOGY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... The results revealed that the percentage level of the employees satisfaction is 66 with a category of slightly satisfied. The percentage level of inpatient satisfaction is 92 with a category of very satisfied. The percentage level of outpatient satisfaction is 88 with acategory of satisfied. On the other hand, there was no significant relationship between employee and patient satisfaction at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre. There was a very small positive correlation between the employee satisfaction and patient satisfaction. Traditionally, satisfaction, contentment, pleasure, or happiness diverges from person to person, from company to company. Employers however, constantly assess the degree of satisfaction among their clients for advancement, growth, productivity, and maintenance of a market share.

Catholic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Catholic - Essay Example imes, the intellect and will contradict each other – for example when man seeks salvation in rewards for good deeds; holds on to blind faith in an omnipresent being; or establishes belief in the afterlife. That is why religion has mass appeal because it organizes these abstract principles, which are intangible, irrational and yet expresses the feelings which he feels. Religion therefore denotes the personal subject of the soul and justifies mans actions as he feels right. Religion and inevitably the belief in god is central to mans existence, because it has the power to make him believe in things beyond his intellectual grasp - such as concepts of hell and heaven, incarnation or resurrection etc. - and that God has created man and the universe (Berkhof 1996, p. 106). In this context, the Christian worldview offers the rationale that man’s understanding of the world is inherent in the beliefs grounded by belief in God (Albl 2009). Since God has created man and everything therein, then He has also established reasoning, faith and rationale for the order of nature. He has "fixed the foundations of the earth" (Albl 2009, p.31). Based on this understanding, one can explain the concept of sin in human anthropology. As God has created everything according to His reason, then man also understands and accepts His logos (rational order) like all other beings. It is the natural order of the universe that man must follow these laws or principles established by God. These principles are reflective of the natural order of creations of the universe. Anyone who goes against this order will break the laws and inevitably creates chaos. For example a man who commits murder will create extreme resentment within his community; a liar will create misunderstand ing among people; and a greedy individual will create imbalance in the economic status of the society. Since God has created man in His own image, it is understandable also that God expect man to behave as He wants. Any

Financial Statement Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Financial Statement - Research Paper Example 2. Damaged Goods: if the organization has damaged goods, these goods will be evaluated and scrap should be sold to recover some amount and contacted to the insurance company for insurance recovery and write off the loss from the damages. 3. Stolen Inventory: if the organization faces loss from stolen inventory it should be reported for recovery but if after a period unable to found stolen goods it should be treated as loss. Explanation Losses may be normal or abnormal faced by the organization and there is different accounting treatment for each type of loss. If a company is having normal cost then it will have no special treatment it will only increase the production cost and normal loss is unavoidable and inherent which is valued with the closing stock. If the inventory is decreased by sales it will be treated as an expense in the form of a reduction in inventory (Smith and Butters, 1949). But if abnormal loss is faced by the company it will be valued and Debit to the abnormal loss account and credit to process account. These kinds of losses may arise from accidents and carelessness. For recording of this loss another account will be created in the chart of accounts and it will be debited and after that it will be write-off as an expense in the income statement.

Language & Gender Essay Example for Free

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A Case Study Of The Code Switching Patterns English Language Essay

A Case Study Of The Code Switching Patterns English Language Essay The study investigates the use of Lithuanian and English and code-switching between the two in a family of Lithuanian-English bilinguals living in London. The data was collected by means of recording in the family home. The recording was then transcribed and analysed, allowing me to identify a number of features of the features of the language choice and code-switching patterns. These included convergence or divergence from the viewpoint of the previous speaker, lexical need, translation to allow for greater fluency in the conversation, trigger words and the perceived identity of the speaker. I conclude from these observations that code-switching can be seen as a versatile and fluid phenomenon which allows the speaker greater freedom of expression and performs a number of functions, both social and pragmatic. The speakers use their languages to This dissertation looks at bilingual conversations between family members in a family environment. The main focus of the work is the strategic use of code-switching. My particular interest is on how different members of the family use code-switching in order to express their national and individual identity and how this usage reflects their attitudes towards their languages. Theoretical background to the study: Bilingualism A fact frequently mentioned in bilingual studies is that over half the world is bilingual (Hoffmann 1991). However, patterns of individual language use within bilingual communities are diverse and it has been claimed that bilingualism is more common in unilingual countries (Mackey 1970). Lithuania has a high level of bilingualism with over 70% of the residents being multilingual (http://www.stat.gov.lt/en/). Language use is influenced by social circumstances, especially with regard to the communicative situation in which the language is employed. Bilingualism, however, is not automatically sustained without regular exchanges in the pertinent languages. (Ervin-Tripp and Reyes 2005). Languages amongst second generation immigrants seem to be maintained in strong correlation to the amount of exposure within the home. Mackey Bilingualism Reader page 35. The level of language proficiency and performance are affected by the intention of the speaker and the kinds of actions taken in order to satisfy that function. The attitude of a speaker towards his or her language is a major factor in their language behaviour. A speaker who feels ashamed of his or her level of a particular language may use this less frequently or only use it in certain company. Certain languages carry political associations and can be unpopular for this reason -for example, Russian was unpopular in many countries in the Soviet Union. Bilingual immigrant children may associate their second language with that of their friends and social life and have a more positive outlook towards this (Lambert et al 1958 see Bilingualism a reader for ref). Code-switching Code-switching is remarkably common in language contact situations, especially within plurilingual societies. The majority of code-switching studies have concentrated on the social motivation behind the switches (e.g. Myers-Scotton 1993) in addition to grammatical or syntactical constraints or psychological mechanism (e.g. Grosjean 2001). Alternation between languages seems to depend on a number of factors., including the conversational topic of the speaker, the person to whom he or she is speaking and the level of tension which he or she feels when taking part in the conversation for example when very tired, nervous, or angry. Myers Scotton (1993) amongst others has pointed out that bilinguals use code-switching in order to make the greatest use of their linguistic repertoire. For many bilinguals this is a part of their daily life. In multilingual societies this would take place in a variety of contexts, but in the UK this is most commonly found at home in a family environment. For this reason the study focuses on a family conversation. Age is a major factor for consideration in the study of language use within a family. For younger immigrants bilingualism can be a short process which can lead to the second language overtaking the first if home is the only environment in which the first language is utilised. (Tits 1959 see bilingualism reader for ref). The study of younger immigrants is specialised as their stability in their first language needs to be considered whereas with older immigrants their first language is far more fixed and stable. 1.1.2 Lithuania and the Lithuanian language According to the Office for National Statistics (www.statistics.gov.uk), an estimated 74,000 Lithuanians lived in the UK in 2010. Lithuania became independent from the Soviet Union in 1990 and became a member of NATO and the European Union in spring 2004. Since Lithuanian independence many changes have taken place and popular culture is highly influenced by Western Europe and the USA. An important change regarding language is that many young people are now able to speak English or another foreign language, and have little knowledge of the Russian language. In Soviet times the very large majority of the population was fluent in Russian. More than 70% of Lithuanians living in Lithuania in September 2012 are bi- or multilingual. (http://www.stat.gov.lt/en/) Russian is still the most widely spoken second language with English now the second. (Statistics Lithuania 2008). The total worldwide Lithuanian-speaking population is estimated at about 3,100,000 (2011, http://www.indexmundi.com/lithuania/demographics_profile.html), about 2.9 million native Lithuanian speakers in Lithuania and about 200,000 abroad (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuanian_language). The Lithuanian language is a Baltic language which has been influenced by both Russian and Finnish, but retains many pure features of archaic Indo-European. The Russian language was particularly influential during the period of Soviet rule. Lithuanian is an inflectional language with seven cases and is gendered. The Lithuanian alphabet consists of 32 letters in the Latin alphabet using diacritical marks. There are two main dialects which differ significantly from each other: AukÃ…Â ¡taiÄ iÃ…Â ³ (AukÃ…Â ¡taitian, Highland Lithuanian) and Ã…Â ½emaiÄ iÃ…Â ³/Ã…Â ½emaitiu (Samogitian, Lowland Lithuanian). The family studied here speak standard or Highland Lithuanian. 1.1.3 Key terms Bilingualism Definitions of bilingualism vary greatly. Bloomfield (1933) describes it as: native-like control of two languages. However, this focus on the level of proficiency in each language does not refer to the use or function performed by the language. Definitions which are based on function take into account the fact that language is a communicative tool rather than an abstract entity. Weinreich (1953) describes bilingualism as: The practice of alternately using two languages. Els Oksaar (1983) takes function and proficiency into account in her definition of the ability of a person to use here and now two or more languages as a means of communication in most situations and to switch from one language to the other if necessary (p. 19). Hoffmann (1991) points out that bilingualism is relative, and although there have been many attempts to define it, none of these is equally valid. She suggests that a useful approach could be to form a bilingual profile for each individual, accounting for vari ables such as the language development and maintenance of the languages, their sequential relationship, the competence in each, functional aspects, linguistic features, attitudes and environmental circumstances. The term balanced bilingual is used to describe a speaker who has equal command of both languages. However, Fishman et al (1971) point out that this situation is rare. Bilinguals who are equally fluent in both languages (as measured by their facility and correctness overall) are rarely equally fluent in both languages about all possible topics; this phenomenon is invariably a reflection of the fact that societal allocation of functions is normally imbalanced and in complementary distribution rather than redundant (Fishman et al, 1971, in MacSwan, 1999: 30) . Code-switching Definitions of code-switching vary significantly between researchers. Code is generally used as a synonym of language, although there is some debate on this point, Jakobson distinguishing between the two terms, asserting that languages do not consist of codes, but rather contain them (Jakobson 1971). Some see code-switching as being the insertion of whole utterances in a non-dominant language between sentences (Dahl, Rice et al. 2010). Borrowing generally refers to the insertion of a word or phrase within a sentence while retaining the syntax of the matrix language. Code-mixing However, there is little evidence at present that there is a significant difference between these types, and many see the difference as best expressed in terms of a continuum (Clyne 2000). Jeanine Treffers-Daller (1994- linguistic c-s) points out that many researchers see a difference between instances of code-switching and transfer or interference both of these terms referring to the influence of one languag e on another. However, she argues that these can be seen as similar as they involve the occurrence of aspects of one language in a section of another language. In the current work, the term code-switching will be used in its broadest sense to refer to the use of two or more languages used within a conversation or utterance, whether this be inter- or intra-sententially, unless a particular term is used by another researcher cited here. Throughout this work I will refer to inter-sentential and intra-sentential code-switching switches which occur between sentences or within them respectively as originally defined by Polack (1980). Crossing (also language crossing or code-crossing) refers to the use of a language or variety which isnt generally thought to belong to the speaker (Rampton, 1997, in Auer 1998P. Auer (ed) 1997/98 Code-switching in Conversation: Language, Interaction and Identity (London: Routledge) Creolization is used here to mean the formation of a Creole language from the contact of a European language with a local language: http://oxforddictionaries.com Native speaker when used in this project refers to a person who has spoken the language in question from earliest childhood (http://oxforddictionaries.com). Rationale This is an ethnographic study using data obtained from naturally occurring speech of three bilinguals of differing levels of proficiency. The family were chosen as they are all first generation immigrants, bi- or tri-lingual and are integrated into British society while still retaining a sense of their Lithuanian identity through their visits to Lithuania and contact with Lithuanian friends and family. The mother, when collecting her son from school when he was about 5 years old, overheard him asking a friend: Did you know that I am half-Lithuanian? She then questioned him about why he thought he was only half Lithuanian when both his parents were Lithuanian. He answered that he was Lithuanian when he was at home because of his parents, but at school he was English because he spoke English there, and he knew he wasnt 100% Lithuanian, as he could not speak the language fluently. This biculturalism opens debate concerning the choice and use of language to broader issues such as identit y. Oksaar (1983) argues that an immigrants two languages usually perform distinct tasks and the distribution of the languages in relation to the cultural spheres may be a decisive factor for the immigrants degree of integration. This study aims to investigate how the level of proficiency in a language affects the code-switching patterns in this family and how the family members use their linguistic repertoire to express their identity as Lithuanian, English, or both. No attempt will be made in this work to examine grammatical restraints or features beyond a very basic level. Research Questions What are the language choices and code-switching patterns of the subjects in a family environment? Do the language choice and code-switching reflect on the proficiency level of the language used? What are the functional purposes of the code-switching? How are the individuals attitudes towards the two languages and their own identity reflected in their language behaviour? The first of these questions provides a general background on which the other questions are based. The second question relates the language choice and code-switching to the level of proficiency that the subjects have in the languages. Question 3 looks at the reasons behind the code-switching. Lastly, the final question examines if there is a relationship between the attitude of the individual and their language choices 1.4 Hypotheses That there is a correlation between the language choice and code-switching patterns of the speaker and their level of proficiency in that language. That the mother of the family, being the most balanced bilingual, will code-switch more frequently than the other two members of the family That the code-switching functions to facilitate understanding between all three members of the family and reflect their identities 1.5 Conclusion The structure of the paper is as follows: Chapter 1 has described the study and its aims. It has also given a brief summary of the key ideas which will be investigated and the terms which will be used throughout. The second chapter will review the literature which I feel is relevant and of interest to the present study. This will examine the perspectives on code-switching analysis, starting with the Rational Choice analysis. It will then examine Conversation Analysis as a tool for the analysis of code-switching data. Chapter 2 will also deal briefly with studies which look at the level of proficiency of the speakers and how this affects code-switching. The third chapter will describe the methodology used in the study including the research design issues and the positioning of the researcher. It will give an outline of the family background and history will then deal with the ethics, interviews and data collection which were carried out in order to conduct the research. A mention will also be made of the issues involved in data collection and the conventions used in the transcription as well as the methods used to analyse the data. Chapter 4 will look at the analysis of the data, dealing primarily with the research questions. It will examine the language choices of the subjects and how these choices reflect on the proficiency level of the participants in each language. It will then examine when the family code-switch when interacting and what the functional purposes of the code-switching appear to be. There will then be a discussion of how the language choices reflect the individuals attitudes towards the two languages. Chapter 5 concludes the study with a discussion of the implications of the findings and a summary of the research, looking at the limitations of the research and any further development required. Chapter 2 Review of relevant literature what about FAMILY studies and what is special about them? 2.1 Introduction QUOTATIONS ONE OR TWO PER PAGE In this chapter the literature concerned with the phenomenon of code-switching is examined to provide a conceptual framework. Studies have been carried out in this area from psycholinguistic, grammatical or sociolinguistic perspectives. This literature review will concentrate only on the sociolinguistic studies as these relate most closely to the research carried out. I will firstly consider the different perspectives on code-switching analysis Analyses based on the social connotations of the two languages and Conversation Analysis. I will then examine studies dealing with the level of proficiency of the speaker and how this affects code-switching practices. I will also briefly investigate studies of bilingual children before concluding by linking these studies to the study carried out here. The last forty or fifty years have seen a profusion of research carried out into reasons for code-switching and the different manifestations of the phenomenon. Studies in this area can be conducted for their own sake, in order to demonstrate characteristic features of a language. Code-switching is also studied in order to look at grammatical features or constraints across languages or for cognitive processing purposes. In addition code-switching can investigate the ways in which identities, be these individual or group, can be formed and demonstrated. It can also give additional meaning to an utterance which cannot be attributed to the meaning of the sum of individual words (Gardner-Chloros 2009) Code-switching is a conversational tool requiring competence pragmatically and grammatically (Koppe and Meisel 1995). Reasons why code-switching takes place are varied and complex. It is assumed to be related to the situational parameters of conversational topic, participant roles or the speech event itself (Auer 1995). However, intra-sentential code-switching may serve the purpose of emphasis, quoting another person, or to indicate a change in the participant addressed. It can also be used to indicate convergence or divergence from the previous participants statement (Zhu 2008). Inter-sentential code-switching can be used to fill gaps in lexical knowledge or to for emphasis (Zentella 1997) or to ask or answer rhetorical questions among other reasons. 2.2 Perspectives on code-switching analysis It is generally recognised that code-switching is meaningful from a social perspective. There are two broad schools of thought as to how this meaning is brought about. The first of these sees the choice of language as having a meaning, in terms of identity, views and values (Gumperz 1982, Myers-Scotton 1993). The other approach sees meaning as coming from the code-switching itself, that is, from within the conversation, rather than being reliant on external factors. This second approach concentrates on the sequences used and is generally studied using Conversational Analysis techniques. Increasingly researchers are favouring this second approach, as although it is widely acknowledged that social factors can play a significant role, this is not straightforward and cannot be assumed a priori (Cashman 2005, Williams 2005). 2.2.1 Analyses based on the social connotations of the two languages Language can be seen in terms of a we-code and they-code (Gumperz (1982). The we-code normally denotes a minority language linked to informal circumstances used by an in-group. The main community language, linked to formal circumstances, is a they-code. Typically in families in which the parents are immigrants to the UK, the parents will see their community language or mother tongue as the we-code and English as the they-code. Their children, however, brought up in the UK, are likely to feel that English is their we-code and to prefer to use this. Gumperz (1982) sees code-switching as meaningful from a social identity perspective. He carried out a study in Norway examining the use of Ranamal a local dialect, and Bokmal the standard language variety. These shared many similarities but were considered by speakers to be distinct. This distinction was important in order for the varieties to fulfil social functions. The local dialect was used with family, and to express local cultural identity, while the more standard variety was used in education and in the media. Many people switched between these two varieties depending on the topic of the conversation for example, an enquiry about family might be made in Ranamal, while Bokmal might be used while discussing business. Zhu Hua (2008) points out that a large body of evidence now indicates that there is no simple, one-to-one association between language and social values (p.1800) In an investigation into diasporic Chinese families in the UK, she examined the connection between social communication and socio-cultural values, focusing on code-switching between generations in conflict talk situations in which the speakers adopt different opinions on a subject. There appeared to be strategic language choices and positioning by the speakers. It appeared that code-switching functioned to focus the interactions between the speakers particularly when negotiating power relationships. Speakers showed convergence or divergence with the previous speakers view depending on their language choice speakers answering in the language in which they were addressed were is likely to be showing convergence. Investigations into non-Western code-switching have found evidence refuting the idea of different languages being associated with different groups. Stroud (1998) looked at the use of Tok Pisin, a national language, and Taiap, spoken by a tiny minority. It was found that no particular domain, subject or speech variety was spoken about in one language only. Rational choice analyses start from the basic standpoint of Gumperz (1982). The Markedness Model of Myers-Scotton (1993) makes the assumption that one language variety is always unmarked in any situation and that social norms act as constraints to speakers. She studied African urban communities and saw a distinction between the theories of allocation, where language behaviour is affected by the structure of society, and interaction, in which a person makes a rational selection to achieve a specific purpose. The mother tongue of the Kenyans studied was used with others of the same ethnic background and appeared to be important in terms of identity. It was also used for assistance from other members of the same group. English was used at home by those more affluent economically as it was assumed that this would help the children with their school education. The markedness idea is further developed in the Rational Choice Model (Myers-Scotton and Bolonyai 2001), which asserts that an unm arked choice is one in which the speaker chooses his or her language according to the conventions of the social norms. These norms can dictate that code-switching is in itself the choice which is unmarked. The Markedness Model appears to regard monolingualism as the starting point or norm and disregards variation between languages (Blommaert and Meeuwis 1998). The idea of strategic code-switching is also criticised as many see code-switching as an unconscious occurrence (Woolard 2004). This Rational Choice Model was employed by Alfaraz (2009) in a study of the use of Spanish and English in the Catholic mass. Quantitative analysis revealed a more frequent use of English than Spanish during the service, making English apparently the unmarked choice. On closer analysis, however, it could be seen that Spanish was used for the ritualistic areas of the service, making this the unmarked choice. Alfaraz asserted that pragmatic meaning was not conveyed though the directionality of switching in the data. Instead, code-switching seemed to be used to emphasise contextual information equivalent to what in monolingual settings is conveyed through prosody or other syntactic or lexical processes (Gumperz 1982 p.98). An example of this is in the use of pauses, which when between code-switched passages were found to be almost two seconds shorter than those between monolingual passages in the data, pointing towards the switching being used as a reinforcement of the effect of the paus e. The Rational Choice Model assumes that choices are made between codes according to external values. However, more recent thinking about how meanings can be interpreted has asserted that they can be interpreted from the conversation itself without the necessity of relating to external norms. Li Wei (1998) argues that code-switching can be used to show the authoritative level of the speaker and their preference linguistically. 2.2.3 Conversational analyses of code-switching see Nilep interactional section Macro-sociolinguistic aspects of code-switching, while giving a useful insight, can never determine absolutely code-switching. Gumperz (1982) maintained that in order to define the functions of code-switching a close and detailed analysis of conversation is necessary. On the basis of this he identified a list of six functions (quotation marking, addressee specification, interjection, reiteration, message qualification, and personalization versus objectivization. This list has led on to many other similar attempts to identify a list of code-switching functions (Romaine 1989; Nishimura 1997; Zentella 1997). These lists are problematic, however, as there are often problems with definition, as Auer (1995) points out. Although these may provide some useful guidelines, they are inadequate as a complete answer to the functions that code-switching carries out. .Auer (1984) claims that bilingual interaction is susceptible to local methods of language negotiation and code choice and is autonomous at one level from the larger ideological and societal structures to which it are related. Conversational analyses of code-switching focus on the actual interactions and the fulfilment of interactional goals which take place between the speakers rather than on external factors. Li Wei (2005) regards Conversation Analysis as an extension of Rational Choice analyses, but seeking evidence from talk-in-interaction rather than from external knowledge of community structure and relations (p.375). Myers-Scotton and Bolonyai (2001) have criticised this approach for the emphasis on transcriptions techniques and lack of focus on motivational choices. Li Wei (2002) claims that the conversational analysis approach is often used without explicit reference to the reasons why, but that it can demonstrate the motivation and intentions of the speaker in addition to r evealing the process of generating ordered activity . Code-switching is commonly believed to be related to other manifestations of bilingual or multilingual behaviour rather than an isolated occurrence. Translanguaging space covers a diversity of practices including code-switching, code-mixing, crossing and creolization. Li Wei (2010) studied the multilingual practices of three Chinese undergraduate maths students resident in Britain through Moment Analysis. This aims to capture seemingly spur-of-the-moment performances and to establish their causes and results. Speakers seemed to express their identities and create their own social spaces through utilization of the linguistic resources available to them. Translanguaging space can be a reflection of an individuals identity and demonstrates the way individuals use their linguistic resources to create their own space, rather than responding to external factors. Various patterns of interactions can be analysed in sequential code-switching Auer (1995). These can involve both the interlocutors speaking in different languages to each other, for example one person speaking consistently in English while the other replies in Lithuanian. However, this often leads to one interlocutor beginning to use the other language and becomes a monolingual conversation. When this pattern is seen it can indicate the preference of language by a speaker. It can also show the level of competence in a language (usually the speaker is more competent in his or her preferred language). It could indicate language choice for a social reason. Reyes (2004) states that code-switching can be used to extend communicative competence in situations where a single language is not adequate. Milroy and Wei (1995) claim that interlocutors decide on a language and that code-switching occurs within this. This code-switching becomes interactional in that participants often choose to speak in the language which best suits their interlocutor (Milroy and Li Wei, 1995). Their study found that Chinese immigrants to the UK varied in their language practices according to age, with the older generation preferring to use their Chinese mother tongue, and the younger generation showing a preference for English. Code-switching within this appeared to be used for repetition and emphasis, clarification and confirmation, as well as making language repairs (this last only amongst the adults). Critiques of Conversation Analysis claim that a focus too closely on conversation as the starting point for analysis in addition to not allowing macro-sociolinguistic evidence can result in unsatisfactory analysis of non-Western language behaviour. [L]anguage use and patterns of code-switching both structure and are structured by indigenous cultural practices (Stroud 1998 p.322). 2.3 Code-switching and level of proficiency Code-switching has traditionally been seen as the result of a lack of competence in one of the languages, or a practice which is lazy or inhibits language learning. Bullock and Toribio (2009) state that it is .à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ perceived by the general public as indicative of language degeneration (Bullock and Toribio 2009 p.1). However, studies have shown that these viewpoints do not reflect the truth (Hughes, Shaunessy et al. 2006). By focusing on code-switching as a resourceful process, it is possible to see the ways in which languages are used for communication and to advance learning (Liebscher and Dailey-OCain 2005). Weinreich (1953) described an idealised bilingual speaker who would use both codes distinctly. However, Grosjean (1997) has asserted that neither language system of a bilingual can be fully deactivated. This implies that bilinguals generally differ in some way from monolinguals, even in their principal language. Even the concept of the native speaker is now being cha llenged by code-switching practices (Gardner-Chloros 2009). The issue of the level of proficiency of the speaker and the effect of this on code-switching has long been under debate. McClure (1977) noted that the use of code-switching changes with age. Younger children were seen to code-switch nouns whereas older ones switched phrases and sentences, thus indicating that there is a level of proficiency which must be reached for code-switching to take place. However, according to Myers-Scotton (1993), there is no clear level of proficiency that a speaker must obtain in a second language in order for code-switching to take place. Code-switching has been seen as a strategy to cope with deficiencies in one or both of the languages (MacSwan 1999). These deficiencies were previously referred to as semilingualism (Cummins and Miramonte, 1989, in MacSwan, 1999) and were thought of as causing low academic achievement in multilingual children (Milroy and Muysken 1995, Tokuhama-Espinosa 2003). However, Li Wei (2000) points out that the term was used for ethnic minorities and not for the speakers of mainstream languages. Poplack (1980) was critical of the term for the implication that the speakers are not fully literate, and the stigma involved for those it referred to. Romaine (1995) points out that: Although it is popularly believed by bilingual speakers themselves that they mix or borrow because they do not know the term in one language or another, it is often the case that switching occurs most often for items which people know and use in both languages. The bilingual just has a wider choice at least when he or she is speaking with bilingual speakers. In effect, the entire second language system is at the disposal of the code-switcher. (1995, p. 143) A study carried out by Valadez, MacSwan and Martà ­nez