Chick Growth Enhancer Essay

ABSTRACT The study is entitled â€Å"Aloe Vera as Chick Growth Enhancer†. Specifically, it sought to find out the efficacy of Aloe Vera as a growth enhancer in broiler chicks. The study aims to produce a low-priced but high quality growth enhancer by using Aloe Vera as a main component. Twenty-one day old straight run broiler chicks were used in the study and were distributed to a cage with a dimension of (33 x 57). The cage was further subdivided into two cages for the different treatments with two birds per cage. Fresh leaves of Aloe Vera were then extracted, 5ml per liter of water. Feeding troughs and waters were also provided for each cage. The set up was composed of experimental and control group. The experimental group was being provided with water containing the Aloe Vera gel. In the other hand, the control group was being provided with only pure water. Data were collected to gather relevant information. The results obtained regarding performance of the broilers showed that Aloe Vera gel groups brought about higher body weight gain, growth, quality of feathers and immune system compared to the control group. From the investigation, the researchers would like to recommend this study to the people of the poultry business who would pursue the Aloe Vera as Chick Growth Enhancer to improve the performance of broiler chicks. Also, further research should be made especially on the right amounts of Aloe Vera in water to achieve a better mixture and produce a better product. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This study would have been impossible without the support and encouragement of many individuals who have given their time, efforts and advice to this study: Mr. Ronel Deloso, their adviser, for having encouraged the researchers to pursue this project, having assisted them in the process of their experiment and for having shared his knowledge in writing this study; Their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Rony Vasquez, Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Ong, and Mr. Malvin Tan and Mrs. Mildred Nakila for the financial and moral support and for believing in them in all their endeavors; also to their friends, classmates and teachers for motivating them to continue this study; Their brothers, Gabrielle, Keith and Joshua for endlessly inspiring them and for offering their help, regardless if it’s big or small; Mr. Raffy K. Fortun, for assisting them in taking care of the chicks and for providing the cages needed for the experiment, for sharing them his expertise and for his suggestions and recommendations to improve the study; Mr. Glenn R. Galendez, for his undying support and faith in them that they were capable of accomplishing this study; and To Almighty God for the wisdom and perseverance that He has bestowed upon them and for endlessly showering them with blessings of strength and confidence to finish this study. CHAPTER I Broiler production is regarded to be one of the biggest and most progressive animal enterprises in the Philippines today. It represents 85 percent of poultry meat that Filipinos consume. As human population increases, the demand for poultry and poultry by products continue to rise. It is therefore advisable to source alternative ways to enhance and hasten animal’s growth. Aloe Vera is found helpful to this cause because it contains vitamins and minerals essential to improve the growth of broiler chicks. In this study, Aloe Vera is used as a growth enhancer substitute. Background of the Study Chicks are young chickens. They require special brooding and temperatures, as well as unique feed and care until they reach a more self-sufficient age. Furthermore, there is a high demand of chickens in the world not only in the Philippines but in the entire world. â€Å"Poultry production is considered one of the most common and very promising agricultural enterprises especially for low income farm families.† It offers several advantages to the raisers. Vitamins A, B and vitamin E, among other vitamins and minerals, are needed by chicks to grow. Aloe Vera is a house plant which comes from the family of lily. It is native to the eastern and southern part of Africa but it has spread throughout many of the warmer regions of the world like the Philippines. Physically, it is a short-stemmed plant that could grow from 80 to 100 cm tall, spreading by offsets and root sprouts. The leaves are lanceolate, thick and fleshy with thorny edges and with color ranging from deep green to grey - green. â€Å"Aloe vera is rich in vitamins and minerals. Specific vitamins include: Vitamin A (Beta-Carotene), Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Choline, and Folic Acid. The vitamins A, C, and E are responsible for the aloe’s antioxidant activity while vitamin B and choline are involved in amino acid metabolism and vitamin B12 is required for the production and development of blood cells. Among the important minerals found in Aloe Vera are: calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, phosphorous,  sodium, and zinc. These minerals are essential for good health and are known to work in synergistic combinations with each other, with vitamins and other trace elements.† Objective of the Study This investigatory project primarily aims to test the efficacy of Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller) as a substitute growth enhancer in chicks. More specifically, the study espouses the following objectives: 1. To determine if there is a difference in: a. weight b. growth c. feathers d. immune system Scope and Limitation The study will be conducted at a small poultry farm where the chicks will be observed for 21 days. Fresh leaves of Aloe Vera will serve as the source of extract that will be used in this study. The sample will be freshly collected before extracting. The study focuses on how Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller) leaves extract give potential as a substitute growth enhancer in chicks. Significance of the Study The study would answer the effectiveness of Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller) as Chick Growth Enhancer. The result of this study will provide information not only to the researchers but also to the people of the poultry business. CHAPTER II Review of Related Literature Lorenzo said that Aloe Vera leaf extract contains nutrients which enhance the growth of animals and even boost their immunity (davaoagribiz.da.gov.ph). Chung (2003) stated that vitamins must be present in sufficient quantities in the diet to ensure efficient utilization of carbohydrates, protein, fats, minerals, and water for health and maintenance and production function such as growth development and reproduction. Poultry Raising Guide (1975) cited that in the presence of stressful condition like the movement of the birds,  the presence of infection, sudden change of weather and feeding practices, vaccination, deworming and debeaking birds need to be supplemented with vitamins. Aloe gel contains substances known as glycoproteins and polysaccharides. Glycoproteins speed the healing process by stopping pain and inflammation, while polysaccharides stimulate skin growth and repair. These substances may also stimulate the immune system. This is according to University of Maryland (2013) Bejar and Colapo (2005) said that Aside from vitamins and minerals, aloe vera is rich with enzymes (help the breakdown of food sugars and fats), hormones (aid in healing and anti-inflammatory activities), sugars (i.e. glucose and fructose that provide anti-inflammatory activity), anthraquinones or phenolic compounds (aid absorption from gastro-intestinal tract and have antimicrobial and pain killing effects), lignin (increases the blood circulation), saponins (provide cleansing and antiseptic activity), sterols (antiseptic and analgesic), amino acids (basic building blocks of proteins in the production of muscle tissue), and salicylic acid (works as a pain killer).† Olupona et al. (2010) reported that Aloe Vera gel added to water (15, 20, 25 and 30 cm3/dm3) resulted in significant final body weight gain as well as in weekly body weight gain compared to control group. Several studies have shown antimicrobial properties of herb extracts (Cowan, 1999; Hammer et al., 1999) which can improve intestinal microflora population and enhance health in birds’ digestive systems through reduction in number of disease-making bacteria (Mitsch et al., 2004). Intestinal health is of great importance in poultry for improved performance and reduced feed conversion ratio (Montagne et al., 2003). Previous studies discovered different properties of Aloe Vera gel, including wound healing, anti-parasitic, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties (Boudreau and Beland, 2006; Reynolds and Dweck, 1999). CHAPTER III Methodology A total of twenty-one (21) day old straight run broiler chicks were used in the study and were distributed to a cage with a dimension of (57 x 33). The cage was further subdivided into two (2) cages for the different treatments with two (2) birds per cage. 3 days prior to the arrival of the chicks the  cages were prepared thoroughly and provided with electric bulb as heaters up to 3 weeks 21 days of age and until their feathers were fully developed. Fresh leaves of Aloe Vera were then extracted, 5ml per liter of water. Feeding troughs containing chick pellets and waterers were provided for each cage. The set up was composed of experimental and control group. The experimental group was being provided with water containing the Aloe Vera gel. On the other hand, the control group was being provided with only pure water. The observations in weight, growth, feathers and immune system was made weekly by the researchers. A digital weighing scale was used to measure the weight while a tape measure was used to determine the growth. The chicks were observed as starters (4-10 days), growers (10-15 days), and finishers (15-21) days. However, the final observations were made at the total experiment period. CHAPTER IV Results and Discussion Table 1 presents the results on the experiments on body weight gain. As seen in the table, the larger body weight gain was observed in the Aloe Vera group in the starter, grower and finisher, as well as the total experiment period. In the starter period, significant increase in body weight gain was observed in the both the Aloe Vera and control groups. However, in the grower and finisher periods, the larger body weight gain was observed in the Aloe Vera group compared to the control group. Finally, the results on body weight gain in the total period (day 21) showed a significant difference among the Aloe Vera and control group. In addition, the Aloe Vera gel groups experienced enhanced body weight gain compared to the control group. The results of the experiments on growth are shown in Table 2. Here, the Aloe Vera group showed higher level of growth in broilers. During the starter period both groups had the same measure of height in centimeters. Significant differences were observed in the grower and finisher periods that Aloe Vera indeed has an effect in the growth of broilers. Table 3 shows the results of treatments on feathers in broilers. As shown in the table, there was a significant difference observed between the two  groups. In the starter and grower periods, both groups had the same quality and color of feathers. It was observed however; in the finisher periods the control group had pale-looking feathers while the Aloe Vera group had a golden yellow color. The differences on immune system are presented in Table 4. During the starter period, there was no significant difference between the two groups. However, the stronger immune system was observed in the Aloe Vera group in the grower and finisher periods compared to the control group, which showed minor cases of skin lesions in the body. Table 1 (Weight) Starter Grower Finisher Total Experiment Period Aloe group 100 g 148.3 g 175 g 200 g Control group 100 g 145 g 170.5 g 160 g Table 2 (Growth) Starter Grower Finisher Total Experiment Period Aloe group 8 cm 12 cm 15 cm 18 cm Control group 8 cm 10.5 cm 13 cm 16 cm Table 3 (feathers) Starter Grower Finisher Total Experiment Period Aloe group Yellowish, Dry and fluffy Feathers are clean and yellowish, covers the entire body Yellowish, fluffy feathers Golden-yellow, healthy feathers Control group Yellowish, Dry and fluffy Signs of bald patches Visible bald patches Pale yellow, with bald patches Table 4 (Immune System) Starter Grower Finisher Total Experiment Period Aloe group Healthy No diseases Little skin lesions Healthy Control group Healthy Skin lesions begin to appear Skin lesions have spread Lack of nourishment CHAPTER V Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation Summary The study is entitled â€Å"Aloe Vera as Chick Growth Enhancer†. It focused on making a low priced but high quality growth enhancer in broiler chicks. It was conducted for the main purpose of evaluating and comparing the quality of Aloe Vera as a growth enhancer in terms of body weight gain, growth, feathers, and immune system. A total of twenty-one (21) day old straight run broiler chicks were used in the study and were distributed to a cage with a dimension of (57 x 33). The cage was further subdivided into two (2) cages for the different treatments with two (2) birds per cage. 3 days prior to the arrival of the chicks the cages were prepared thoroughly and provided with electric bulb as heaters up to 3 weeks 21 days of age and until their feathers were fully developed. Fresh leaves of Aloe Vera were then extracted, 5ml per liter of water. Feeding troughs containing chick pellets and waterers were provided for each cage. The set up was composed of experimental and control group. The experimental group was being provided with water containing the Aloe Vera gel. On the other hand, the control group was being provided with only pure water. The observations in weight, growth, feathers and immune system was made weekly by the researchers. . A digital weighing scale was used to measure the weight while a tape measure was used to determine the growth. The chicks were observed as starters (4-10 days), growers (10-15 days), and finishers (15-21) days. The results obtained regarding performance of the broilers showed that Aloe Vera gel groups brought about higher body weight  gain, growth, quality of feathers and immune system compared to the control group. The differences were then illustrated in a table. From the investigation, the researchers would like to recommend this study to the people of the poultry business who would pursue the Aloe Vera as Chick Growth Enhancer to improve the performance of broiler chicks. Also, further research should be made especially on the right amounts of Aloe Vera in water to achieve a better mixture and produce a better product. Conclusion Finally, it can be concluded that the group treated by Aloe Vera gel showed better performance compared to the control group. Furthermore, among the two groups, the Aloe Vera group experienced higher level of body weight gain, growth, quality of feathers, and immune system. Recommendation From the investigation, the researchers would like to recommend this study to the people of the poultry business who would pursue the Aloe Vera as Chick Growth Enhancer to improve the performance of broiler chicks. Also, further research should be made especially on the right amounts of Aloe Vera in water to achieve a better mixture and produce a better product. BIBLIOGRAPHY Bejar, Feliciano R.; Colapo, Remedies P. (2005) Growth Performance and Sensory Evaluation of Broilers Supplemented with Aloe Vera ( Aloe barbadensis miller) Extract in Drinking Water. Boudreau, M.D., Beland, F. A., 2006. An evaluation of the biological and toxicological properties of Aloe barbadensis (miller), Aloe vera. J. Environ. Sci. Heal. C 24:103-154. Cowan, M.M., 1999. Plant products as antimicrobial agents. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 12: 564-582. Darabighane, Babak (2011) Effects of different levels of Aloe vera gel as an alternative to antibiotic on performance and ileum morphology in broilers. Italian Journal of Animal Science. Licensee PAGEPress, Italy Vol 10, No 3 [eISSN 1828-051X] Dela Cruz, Rita T. (2006) Extracts from Aloe: Not Only a natural Healer also a Poultry Growth Enhancer. BAR Digest. Vol. 8 No. 2. Hammer, K.A., Carson, C.F., Riley, T.V., 1999. Antimicrobial activity of essential oils and other plants extracts. J. Appl. Microbiol. 86:985-990. Ehrlich, Steven D. (201 3) Aloe Medical Reference Guide. University of Maryland Medical System. MD 21201 Lorenzo, Elias (unknown) Aloe Vera Found Beneficial to Poultry. Davao Agri Biz. Mitsch, P. (2004). The effect of two different blends of essential oil components on the proliferation of Clostridium perfringens in the intestines of broiler chickens. Poultry Sci. 83:669-675. Montagne, L. (2003) A review of interactions between dietary ï ¬ bre and the intestinalmucosa, and their consequences on digestive health in young non-ruminant animals. Anim. Feed Sci. Tech. 108:95-117. Olupona, J.A. Effect of Aloe Vera Juice Application Through Drinking Water on Performance pp 42-43 in Proc. Reynolds, T., Dweck, A.C., (1999). Aloe vera leaf gel: a review update. J. Ethnopharmacol. 68:3-37.

Participation in Unit Discussion Boards for Academic Purposes Essay

Technology has currently changed the way people live in that it has made living and communicating easier for them. One of the most significant contributions that technology has given is the Internet. It has allowed people from all over the globe to communicate without the use of wires and without having to exert too much effort. More importantly, it has improved the way academic institutions provide education to their students. The Internet has given way for â€Å"virtual universities,† which â€Å"exists in the digital reality of the Internet, although it would also need to have extensions in physical reality for assessment purposes, which could provide optional experiences in situated learning† (Tiffin & Rajasingham, 2003, p. 136). There are numerous ways on how students and instructors communicate to make distance-learning work. These would include electronic mail, instant messaging, live teleconferencing, specific platforms designed for educational purposes, and discussion boards. Tools like these make it possible for students and teachers to exchange information even if they are miles apart. It gives them the capability to be flexible in terms of their schedule and workload. It also lessens the cost that they have to shoulder for their education compared to that of traditional education because they do not have to spend money on commuting to and from the university’s campus. â€Å"The promise of the Internet for education was the interactivity of the medium that allowed the students to interact and actively participate in any learning process† (Shimojo, Ischii, Ling, & Song, 2005, p. 87). As mentioned earlier, one of the tools that virtual classrooms use is the discussion board, which is an â€Å"asynchronous communication tool that allows one individual to post a comment or question online. Other individuals who are members of the same discussion board may read that comment/question, and respond with their own remarks over time† (Virginia Tech, n. d. ). Only students and their instructors have access to this site. Instructors may create the discussion boards for their overall course or for a certain topic so that the students are able to communicate and share information in a place where posts are organized and can be tracked and monitored. Discussion boards are beneficial to both students and teachers because it allows them to discuss topics more extensively through the aid of the Internet. It would also extend and maximize the time that they need to talk about their lessons and other concerns, as class time is sometimes not enough to cover everything. Discussion boards provide the opportunity for every student to participate actively in the discussion with the chance of receiving comment and feedbacks not only from the instructor but also from the other students. Most of all, discussion boards can be constantly accessed and has the ability to store conversations as is, unless it is deleted by the moderator or instructor who controls the board most of the time. However, because discussion boards are powered by the Internet and technology, it also has its limitations. Although this rarely happens nowadays, power failure can limit the students and teachers’ capabilities of interacting through the discussion board. Also, students who do not own a personal computer of their own might find it difficult to join in the discussion on a regular basis. There are also those who are afraid of using technology and will rather communicate personally than use the Internet. Students may also fear miscommunication and misunderstanding, which would lead to conflicts either with other students or with their instructors. â€Å"Misinterpretations may go unresolved or may take several communications before they are resolved† (French, French, Hale, Johnson, & Farr, 1999, p. 145). As such, students might not fully appreciate discussion boards and will ultimately have a negative effect on their learning. If students choose other Internet-based educational tools over the discussion board, they may not be able to maximize the full potential that virtual classrooms or universities can offer. Although they would still be able to communicate and interact through other means, they would not have the comfort of having their messages and posts arranged chronologically and stored in a safe place over a period of time. Not participating in a discussion board would also mean that the students and teachers would have to wait for the class to virtually meet again to discuss their concerns further. However, this would take up the actual class time and some instructors would choose to teach than discuss concerns, which means that students may not be able to talk about other things and interact with each other. Active participation and support for discussion boards, therefore, are needed for virtual classrooms to be effective. They can be encouraged through incentives like a reward for having the best post or comment in the discussion. Instructors should also think of interesting topics to discuss so that the students do not get bored and opt to stay out of the interaction. Also, instructors should require their students to regularly post content and comment on other people’s work. Indeed, technology has proven to be one of best innovation that man has ever seen. This is especially appreciated in the field of education because it has allowed people to receive education even at the comfort of their homes. It has allowed people from different countries of different backgrounds to share information and knowledge with each other. Classes are not limited to their schedules because students can still discuss their concerns over the Internet even after class hours. Different tools are provided to students to maximize their learning process. Discussion boards should be supported and used because it is one of the best Internet-based educational tools that they can use in virtual classrooms. References French, D. , French, H. , Hale, C. , Johnson, C. , & Farr, G. (1999). Internet Based Learning. Virginia: Stylus Publishing, LLC. Shimojo, S. , Ischii, S. , Ling, T. W. , & Song, K. (2005). Web and Communication Technologies and Internet-Related Social Issues. New York: Birkhauser. Tiffin, J. & Rajasingham, L. (2003). The Global Virtual University. New York: RoutledgeFalmer. Virginia Tech. (n. d. ). Discussion Boards. Retrieved February 17, 2009, from http://www. edtech. vt. edu/edtech/id/ocs/discuss. html

Realism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Realism - Essay Example Therefore, even if not a constant state of war, international relations would appear a state of â€Å"relentless security competition, with the possibility of war always in the background† (Mearsheimer, â€Å"The False Promiseâ€Å", 9). This paper examines the role of institutions in the system of international relations, most notably their capacity, or alternatively, incapacity to prevent war and foster stability, as perceived by the realist tradition; as well as the degree to which institutions actually contribute to cooperation in a realist world. 2. Realism and International Institutions There are between four and five major assumptions about the international system identified with realism, which actually denote the main lines of realist tradition and form the basis for the development of any hypothesis or theory (Viotti and Kauppi 55; Mearsheimer, â€Å"The False Promiseâ€Å", 10). ... at stipulate the ways in which states should cooperate and compete with each other†, prescribing acceptable forms of state’s behavior, as well as the unacceptable ones; while other definitions encompass virtually all of international relations, i.e. from tariff bindings to war (â€Å"The False Promiseâ€Å", 8). According to Young, however, the latter is too broad a definition for a meaningful concept (cited in Mearsheimer 8). Realists, in turn, recognize that states operate – at least sometimes – through institutions (Mearsheimer, â€Å"The False Promiseâ€Å", 13). Insofar as in non-hierarchic political orders each political actor, i.e. state, must count on its own resources to realize its interests, and order is not imposed by a higher authority, but rather arises from the interactions between formally equal political partners, institutions – as understood by Mearsheimer (see above) – inevitably reflect states’ calculations of se lf-interest (Waltz 107; Donnelly 17; Mearsheimer, â€Å"The False Promiseâ€Å", 13). Thus, according to realism, the most powerful states in the international system â€Å"create and shape institutions so that they can maintain their share of world power, or even increase it†; hence institutions largely mirror the distribution of power within the system (Mearsheimer, â€Å"The False Promiseâ€Å", 13). Or in other words, institutions are regarded as â€Å"arenas for acting out power relationships† (Mearsheimer, â€Å"The False Promiseâ€Å", 13). Assuming that states are the principal actors in the international system, institutions – as a set of rules defining states’ behavior – are negotiated by states and inevitably entail the mutual acceptance of higher norms, â€Å"defined in terms of rights and obligations† (Mearsheimer, â€Å"The False Promiseâ€Å",

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Credit crunch and banking sector Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

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Business Information System written assignment Essay

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Predictive factors of complications following elective endovascular Essay

Predictive factors of complications following elective endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) - Essay Example The aorta is the primary vessel carrying fresh blood to vital organs and any functional or structural defect can lead to a high risk situation. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is a serious disorder which results in the permanent dilatation of the terminal portion of the abdominal aorta which is prone to rupture and a major cause of death in the developed countries encountered in recent years (Vorp, 2006). Aneurysm develops due to the degeneration of the aortic wall which results in the increased pressure of blood on the vessel wall and can result in its mechanical disruption and internal haemorrhage. Mostly such aneurysms are encountered in aging males but incidences in females have also occurred. The usual symptoms are abdominal and back pain as well as tenderness on palpation (Davis & Taylor, 2007). In case of rupture, the prognosis is usually grave with little chances of recovery after open surgery, as usually at such advanced ages comorbidities are the complicating factors. Regul ar monitoring and scanning in persons predisposed to such a condition is therefore absolutely essential and a surgical intervention can be undertaken before the rupture actually occurs. The usual approach employed for a long time was open surgery, but a new technique of endoluminal repair developed by Volodos and Parodi in 1991 subsequently named as endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) revolutionized the treatment as a more successful and less invasive procedure (Davis & Taylor, 2007). The technique has received encouraging response from surgeons in different locations and is steadily being refined by making it less invasive through the use of newer innovations of technology as well as trying for a percutaneous access to the aorta. Elective surgery is indicated based on the prediction of an impending rupture when risk parameters such as the size and growth rate of the aneurysm are evaluated. When the aortic diameter increases to an extent > 5.5 cm in males or the

Author's description of The Constitutional Convention 0f 1787 Essay

Author's description of The Constitutional Convention 0f 1787 - Essay Example On cannot say whether the members of the Constitution drafting committee function as per their free will or under duress. What did the framers of the American Constitution hope for? The Constitution evolved beyond the expected lines of the individuals who drafted it. They believed that the Office of the President would be the ceremonial one; but the President has emerged as the â€Å"all-powerful† individual, and the centre around which the important policies are made and unmade. They discredited then political parties, but that observation also has proved without any merit. Both Republicans and Democrats have served the Nation well by carrying out their constitutional responsibilities. After the Revolution, the newly independent United States, raveled in that newfound political arena, at the same time, it was the trying and testing time for the country. The birth pangs of the newly born Nation were not unexpected, but facing problems and finding solutions to the grim issues w as a tough option. Freedom brought forth to the surface an avalanche of issues. Firstly, a strong federal structure to bind all the states was not there. In the period 1776-1787, interstate conflicts of a severe dimension surfaced forth, besides the usual weakness of the armed forces and economic ills. The country’s unity was in peril. ... The issues that rattled the minds of the delegates before they reached Philadelphia: Independence is the most welcome development in the life of an individual and the nation to which one belongs. America too readied to bask in the glorious sunshine of the newfound freedom but had to tackle the thickening dark clouds over its horizon. The issues before the Nation in 1786 were without a parallel in the history of America. The withdrawal of protection by the British Navy crippled America’s foreign trade avenues. The defense forces withdrew support to the settlers and this endangered their life and property as the native population would not let go the opportunity to attack the white settlements and reclaim which was theirs not very long ago. Once the military campaigns were over, they left the trial of devastation and the population in those areas was without any means of survival. Their homes stood destroyed and they had no financial means to reconstruct them. A pall of gloom en veloped everywhere. Government treasuries were empty with no immediate scope to replenish it; no authority was willing to take the responsibility of rebuilding the finances in such a grim situation. Elucidating it further Berkin writes to remind, â€Å"Thus if an uprising such as Shays’s Rebellion happened again, or if a slave rebellion began, no state would be left to handle it alone.†(p.155) The problems with the framers of the American Constitution, according to Carol Berkin, were i) the deep distrust of the states and their sharply differing views as for demarcation of power sharing between individual states and the national government. ii) Strong pessimism as for the intrinsic capacity of the constitutional provisions to forestall tyranny; the states feared that they may have to

Global Smart Classroom Market Essay Example for Free

Global Smart Classroom Market Essay Classrooms that are technology-enabled are known as smart classrooms. These classrooms are equipped with hardware and software that enhance learning and improve the dissemination of knowledge. Smart classrooms have transformed teaching from a traditional process to an advanced learning process by using an array of audio-visual tools that allow teachers to demonstrate and communicate easily. These technologies consist of software such as educational ERP and disruptive technologies such as LMSs, LCMSs, interactive whiteboards, and simulation-based learning hardware. Smart classrooms use interactive modules, videos, and presentations to improve the teaching process and to engage students in multi-media technologies. Covered in this Report The report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the Global Smart Classroom market for the period 2015-2019. To calculate the market size, it considers the revenue generated by vendors through the following product segments: Kindergarten K-12 Higher Education View our full TOC here Key Regions EMEA APAC Americas Key Vendors Apple Inc. IBM Corp. Microsoft Corp. SMART Technologies Inc. Other Prominent Vendors Adobe ATT Technologies Blackboard Cisco Systems Dell Desire2Learn Discovery Communication Dreambox Learning Echo360 Ellucian Fujitsu HP Jenzabar Knewton Lenovo Group N2N Services Panasonic Promethean World Saba Software Samsung Toshiba Udemy Key Market Driver Dynamic Interactive Learning Systems For a full, detailed list, view our report. Key Market Challenge Lack of Proper IT Infrastructure For a full, detailed list, view our report. Key Market Trend. Increased Usage of Smart Software For a full, detailed list, view our report. Key Questions Answered in this Report What will the market size be in 2018 and what will the growth rate be? What are the key market trends? What is driving this market? What are the challenges to market growth? Who are the key vendors in this market space? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors? For more insights, view our Global Smart Classroom Market 2014-2018 report.

Trauma in Adjudicated Youth and Treatment Strategies

Trauma in Adjudicated Youth and Treatment Strategies Morgan Carella Abstract Research indicates there is a high prevalence of trauma in adjudicated youth (Brown, McCauley, Navalta, Saxe, 2013; Ford, Steinberg, Hawke, Levine, Zhang, 2012; Davis, Sheidow, McCart, 2014; Rosenberg et al., 2014; Stimmel, Cruise, Ford, Weiss, 2014). It is possible that effectively addressing trauma could reduce the probability of recidivism. youll need a statement tying youth with a Hx of trauma to probability of recidivism, not just prevalence in adjudicated youth. Aggressive behavior, trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are highly prevalent in juvenile offenders (Stimmel, Cruise, Ford, Weiss, 2014) Keywords: juvenile-justice-involved youth, trauma, PTSD Prevalence of Trauma in Adjudicated Youth Rosenberg et al. (2014) surveyed the incidence of trauma in juvenile-justice-involved youth and the psychiatric impact of that trauma. Rosenberg et al. hypothesized that there would be higher rates of trauma exposure, PTSD, depression, and substance abuse in juvenile-justice-involved youth compared to the general population. Rosenberg et al. gathered data from 350 juvenile-justice-involved youth; 269 in New Hampshire and 81 in Ohio using a customized, online survey. The authors combined and modified a number of tests in order to create the web-based Stress and Resources Survey used for this study. Ninety-four percent of the youth from the sample reported at least one trauma, 45.7% screened positive for PTSD, 49.4% for depression, and 61.2% for substance abuse. In addition, trauma exposure (total trauma) was significantly correlated with PTSD, depression, and substance abuse (Rosenberg et al., 2014). The results of this study confirm the high incidence of trauma in juvenile-justice-involved youth and the need for psychological intervention. Early psychological intervention among juvenile delinquents could lead to more appropriate treatment strategies and decreased recidivism. Rosenberg et al. (2014) created an online screening tool that could be easily replicated and used for subsequent studies. The Stress and Resources Survey measures a broad range of items in a consolidated, simple tool. The online, self-report survey allowed for uniformity of administration across the testing sites. In addition, by using an online survey, there was no chance for altering how questions were asked, or what order they were asked in. The survey also provides the opportunity for youth to answer survey questions honestly, instead of conducting face-to-face interviewing, where youth may be more prone to lying. One of the possible concerns about The Stress and Resources Survey created by Rosenberg et al. (2014) was that it abbreviated many existing surveys without necessarily providing enough information on whether or not it is a reliable or valid measure. Rosenberg et al. combined parts of other measures in order to more succinctly measure the information they were trying to obtain. It is not possible to tell whether the customized Stress and Resources Survey used for this study was a valid or reliable measure because there was no pre-test. Types of Trauma in Adjudicated Youth Stimmel, Cruise, Ford, Weiss (2014) investigated the relationship between exposure to different specific types of traumatic events, PTSD symptoms, and aggression. Stimmel et al. were interested in answering the following research questions: Will juvenile offenders who endorse multiple types of traumatic events exposures endorse greater levels of PTSD symptoms and aggression compared with juvenile offenders who endorse a single type of event exposure? Among juvenile offenders who endorse multiple types of potentially traumatic events, does PTSD symptom severity account for the relationship between violence exposure and aggression? (p. 185). Over an 8-month time period, self-reported trauma exposure, PTSD symptoms and aggression were assessed among 66 detained 12-16 year old boys from two juvenile detention centers in a northeastern state. Results indicate that 57 youth experienced at least one potentially traumatic event, 47 youth experienced at least two potentially traumatic events and the average number of potentially traumatic events endorsed among the sample was three. Participants who experienced multiple types of traumatic events scored three times higher on PTSD symptom severity than the participants who experienced a single type of event (Stimmel et al., 2014). Types of traumatic event exposure and the event that participants found most-troubling were recorded. This data was further analyzed to see if the event identified as the most-troubling met overall Criterion A for PTSD in the DSM-IV. Nearly fifty-percent of participants (16/33) selected learning about the violent death or serious injury of a loved one as the most troubling event, and of these 16 participants, more than 80% met Criterion A for PTSD. Similarly, when community violence (witnessed or experienced) was recorded as the most troubling event experienced by participants, 54.2% (13/24) met Criterion A for PTSD. Participants who met Criterion A endorsed more severe PTSD symptoms than those who did not meet Criterion A. In addition, results indicate a significant relationship between reactive aggression and total PTSD severity. Stimmel et al. (2013) define reactive aggression as â€Å"acts that occur in response to being provoked or threatened by others.† Reactive aggression was found to be significantly related to endorsement of PTSD Criterion B (intrusive re-experiencing) and Criterion D (hyperarousal) symptoms (Stimmel et al., 2014). These results support the view that it is important to screen for amount and types of trauma exposure in juvenile offender populations. All data collection occurred in a private room in the detention center, which increased the internal validity of the study. Ninety-one-point-seven percent of the parents and 91.6% of youth with whom contact was made agreed to participate in the study. Self-report measures were used in this study and are subject to state-dependent reporting, as well as under-and over-reporting. Complications involved in obtaining consent from parents reduced the sample size and lowered the generalizability of the results. The sample used for this study was a convenience sample, rather than a random sample, which also lowers the generalizability of the results. Types of Treatment Some treatment modalities have been proven more valuable than others. Ford et al. (2012) conducted a randomized clinical trial on the effects of an emotion regulation therapy (Trauma Affect Regulation: Guide for Education and Therapy, or TARGET) and a relational supportive therapy (Enhanced Treatment as Usual, or ETAU) on delinquent girls in the community. Ford et al.’s primary study hypothesis was that TARGET would be more effective reducing the severity of PTSD and enhancing emotion regulation skills. Ford et al.’s secondary hypothesis was that TARGET would also be more effective at reducing symptoms and cognitions associated with PTSD and increasing optimism and self-efficacy. Participants were recruited by announcements and presentations throughout the Hartford, Connecticut metropolitan area. The sample consisted of 59 delinquent girls (ages 13-17) living in the community. A baseline assessment interview was conducted and then participants were randomly assigned to either the treatment condition (TARGET), or the comparison condition (ETAU). Participants then completed a posttest interview at the conclusion of treatment (12 sessions), and 4 months after the baseline interview for individuals who did not complete treatment. Results indicate that TARGET was more effective than ETAU in reducing intrusive re-experiencing of traumatic events and symptoms of emotional numbing and avoidance. The number of participants assigned to the TARGET treatment group who met full criteria for PTSD dropped from 21 (baseline) to 9 (post-treatment) and those who met partial criteria for PTSD reduced from 12 (baseline) to 7 (post-treatment). The number of participants assigned to the ETAU treatment group who met full criteria for PTSD dropped from 16 (baseline) to 10 (post-treatment) and those who met partial criteria for PTSD reduced from 10 (baseline) to 3 (post-treatment). Results indicate TARGET was associated with reduction in PTSD symptom severity, as well as clinically significant changes in PTSD. Whereas ETAU only achieved small effect size changes, TARGET was associated with medium effect size reductions in anxiety and posttraumatic cognitions. However, individuals assigned to the ETAU treatment group scored higher on gains in optimism/self-efficacy and reduced anger (Ford et al., 2012). The small sample size and attrition limited the study’s ability to detect statistically significant differences between the therapy interventions. All measures were self report, thus subject to possible expectancy or other biases for which other data sources could offer a valuable counterpoint. One female assessor conducted all pre-and post- therapy assessments and therefore could not be blind to treatment type or phase, which is subject to bias between-group differences and may have inflated the estimates of pre- and post-change. Despite its limitations, the results of the Ford et al. (2012) research suggest TARGET may be a viable treatment approach for delinquent females. Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) is a clinical and organizational model for treatment of traumatic stress in children and adolescents. TST was originally created as an outpatient and home-based treatment model, however, providers in residential settings saw its utility for their programs. TST acts to facilitate communication and shared goals among direct care providers, youth and families. TST also emphasizes the importance of functioning among direct care staff, who acts as the youth’s immediate caregivers during residential treatment. Individual, private practice therapists are likely to follow their own approach based on their individual experience and training. In contrast, TST can provide a uniform, systems-based approach and framework agency wide and across staff. TST has been implemented in three residential programs and different sets of outcomes have been tracked in each. The Boston Intensive Residential Treatment Program (Boston IRTP) is a 20 bed residential treatment center that provides long-term, intensive treatment to children and adolescents with SMHC. â€Å"Most residents have had repeated unsuccessful inpatient and residential care treatment before they are admitted to an IRTP setting† (Brown et al., 2013, p. 698). TST was initiated at Boston IRTP in September 2000 and data on total seclusion, restraint and injury episodes was collected until December 2007. Results indicate the number of incidents of seclusion; restraints and staff injury reduced substantially and sustained reduction following the implementation of TST. The Children’s Village (CV) provides short-term residential care for more than 1,200 youth per year in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y (Brown et al., 2013). In 2007, The Children’s Village implemented TST in two residential cottages and after one year, TST became the program treatment model for all 15 residential settings . The Children’s Village has not completed a program evaluation; however, they have tracked clinical outcomes over the course of treatment and used the data to develop treatment. The Child Ecology Check in (CECI) was used to track the child’s emotional regulation capacity and stability of the social environment prior to, and after, putting into place the TST intervention program. Prior to implementation of the TST model, the participant scored high in emotion dysregulation when the environment was distressed. Results indicate that as the environment became more stable post-implementation of TST, participant’s emotion regulation became significantly more stable. A subpopulation of youth from the Prairie Ridge Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility in Kansas City received out-of-home services in TST from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009. â€Å"The overarching goal of the project was to ensure that youth leaving residential care received the same, consistent, child-specific TST services in the community upon discharge† (Brown et al., 2013, p. 699). By the end of the first year, levels of functional impairment scores dropped from 120 to 56 (high scores = lower level of functioning), placement stability for youth increased from 48% to 89%, the average number of placement moves per child dropped from 3.4 to 1.4; and the use of seclusions and restraints within the residential program dropped significantly (Brown et al., 2013). Multisystemic Therapy for emerging adults (MST-EA) â€Å"The peak years of offending in the general population and among those with serious mental health conditions (SMHC) are during emerging adulthood †¦ individuals with SMHC have greater justice system involvement than those without SMHC, both as juveniles and emerging adults† (Davis et al., 2014). Davis et al., (2014) modifies Multisystemic therapy (MST) for use with emerging adults (ages 17-25) with SMHC and recent justice system involvement. â€Å"Multisystemic therapy for emerging adults (MST-EA) targets MH [mental health] symptoms, recidivism, problem substance abuse, and young adult functional capacities† (Davis et al., 2014). Participants were recruited from individuals receiving case management through child welfare or mental health services or receiving juvenile or adult justice system supervision services (e.g., probation) in an urban/suburban region of a Northeastern state. â€Å"MST-EA was the clinical intervention provided to all participants. The state agency charged with treatment of justice-involved adolescents and emerging adults contracted with a private nonprofit provider to offer the MST-EA intervention †¦ Of the 41 participants who enrolled in the study, 21 (51.2%) fully finished the intervention, with 36.5 (range=14.7-64.8) weeks of intervention.† There was a significant reduction in mental health symptoms, with the median number falling considerably from 20 symptoms to between 5 and 6. The number of criminal and juvenile charges in the 6 months post-intervention (29%) was less than those in the 6 months prior to baseline (12%)à ¯Ã†â€™Ã… ¸ (Not statistically significant). â€Å"Recruitment rates into the research were high, and research retention rates were also very strong, as were interview completion rates. Selected measures showed good variability with results generally detecting change. The final fidelity measure captured adequate variability and participants expressed no confusion about final items.† â€Å"†¦study limitations include the absence of a control group, and the absence of examining the feasibility of randomization of a control condition. The absence of a control group limits understanding the relative strengths or weaknesses of the outcomes; however, that would be the main goal of a larger randomized controlled trial. The absence of employing randomization procedures limits the ability to specifically predict recruitment and retention issues that may arise as a result of either randomization or being assigned to a control condition† Discussion References Brown, A. D., McCauley, K., Navalta, C. P., Saxe, G. N. (2013). Trauma systems therapy in residential settings: Improving emotion regulation and the social environment of traumatized children and youth in congregate care. Journal of Family Violence, 28, 693-703. Davis, M., Sheidow, A. J., McCart, M. R. (2014). Reducing recidivism and symptoms in emerging adults with serious mental health conditions and justice system involvement. Journal of Behavioral Health Services Research, 1-18. Ford, J. D., Steinberg, K. L., Hawke, J., Levine, J., Zhang, W. (2012). Randomized trial comparison of emotion regulation and relational psychotherapies for PTSD with girls involved in delinquency. Journal of Clinical Child Adolescent Psychology, 41(1), 27-37. Rosenberg, H. J., Rosenberg, S. D., Ashley, S. W., Vance, J. E., Wolford, G. L., Howard, M. L. (2014). Trauma Exposure, psychiatric disorders, and resiliency in juvenile-justice-involved youth. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 6(4), 430-437. Stimmel, M. A., Cruise, K. R., Ford, J. D., Weiss, R. A. (2014). Trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder symptomology, and aggression in male juvenile offenders. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 6(2), 184-191.

The Corporate Social Responsibility of Motorola

The Corporate Social Responsibility of Motorola Corporate Social Responsibility also referred to as CSR can be defined as the notion that corporations have an obligation to society to take into account not just their economic impact but also their social and environmental impact. Motorola defines corporate social responsibility as a means of harnessing the power of our global business to benefit people.It means doing the right thing in all aspects of our business, including how we treat the environment, our employees, our customers,our partners and our communities. ROLE OF CORPORATE SOCAIL RESPONSIBILITY In recent years Corporate Social Responsibility is being linked to Business Ethics. Ethics? There are rules that indicate the difference between right and wrong. Ethics encourages the business to do what is right there by conforming the organization to ethical behaviour. CSR has brought about Code Of Ethics , a document that organisations write to set out standards of behaviour that is expected by a set of stakeholders. Some code of ethics include principles such as honesty, integrity, loyalty, fairness, trustworthiness, law abiding, leadership, accountability, values, morales and respect and concern for others. These incorporate characteristics and behaviour of principles that are expected by organizations. Many companies previously viewed Corporate Socail Responsibility in terms of a form of administrative compliance with standards that are legal and in keeping with rules and regulation internal to the company. It must be noted that this have since changed and for businesses to survive in todays global world companies must pay attention to earning trust, confidence and respect of their customers. In todays global world businesses are being demanded to practice ethical behaviour. It can then be said that CSR is interested with ways an organisation exceeds the minimum obligations to stakeholders specified through regulations and corporate governance. It takes into consideration as to how demands of different stakeholders can be reconciled. CSR should improve corporate operations as it relates to human rights, environmental protection, sponsorship to local communities and diversity among others in the work place. HISTORY OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY It has been argued that social responsibility movement came about during the 1960s or 1970s, the public consciousness was increased about the role of business, helping to grow and maintain highly ethical practices in society and particularly in the natural environment. GROWTH OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY In most recent years CSR have become very popular globally and the contributing factors include public awareness and technology. The public have now become aware through technological mechanisium such as the internet, sattalite viewing, mobile phones and the ability to communicate through the use of programmes such as skype and video conferencing. The ability to get information on a real time bases has allowed the public to be informed of global issues. Issues such as bribery and corruption in other countries and how this have impacted on their citizens. The public is also able to get information about businesses around the world and in most cases the business that make headlines are the ones that is not seeking the welfare of the natural environment and human resources alike. Business that may have had incidences of harm to natural environment or to human resources have caused some NGOs to be born. The strikes and pickets and bad publicity the the business may receive would have serious long term consequences on the exsistance and survival of the business. BRIBERY AND CORUPTION Sue Hawley (2000) stated that some businesses pay massive amounts of money to gain contracts or concessions they would not have otherwise won. She estimated that about US$80billion a year is paid and that this amount is about the amount that is needed by the UN. The UN believes that this amount would be needed to eradicate world poverty. These bribes and the cost attached to it falls mainly on the poor,whether it is through the diversion of aid money into corrupt officials pockets or through hiking up prices when the cost of bribes is passed on in raised prices to consumers. Bribery and corruption undermine the proper workings of a market economy which can seriously reduce GDP in the poorest countries. It reflects false price and cost considerations so that sources of wealth or resources are not used efficiently. Decisions are being made based on who pays the biggest bribes rather than quality, price, innovation and service. Causing prices to rise for everyone the impact is felt by the poor. It can be noted that resources are frequently diverted away from smaller projects that assist in development of a country but rather placed in big projects that are said to be high profile, where there is more scope for improper payments and practices. This impacts on the poor who are denied basic vital public services. Being involved in corruption is ethically wrong, here power is misused or abused undermining the intergrity of all concerned. Corruptions however undermines the democratic process as well the rule of law. Government must earn its licience to operate just as any other business that operates. Government officials and politicians all lose their legitimacy in a climate of corruption.Againwith the poor being affected the most. Environmental issues are likely to suffer in an regime that corruption is predominant, environmental legislations usually is lacking as corrupt officials is paid for turning a blind eye. Business are also at risk when there is bribery and corruption in a country. There are legal implications and risk, this type of behaviour id illegal where ever it occurs but even if it were not, because of international pressure example the UN convention against corruption it is becoming increasingly illegal to engage in these type of practices in many countries. Accusations of corruption whether proven or not can cause reputations to be lost or tarnished and the risk of a falling business is very possible. Example Nike where accused of using children to work in sweat shops to produce high end products that were very costly to cunsumers. Nike have since spent millions of dollars to rebuild its reputation as losses started to be realised. As a business that may be cheating, it may encourage other businesses to cheat to have a competitive advantage or simply to survive. This makes doing business much more difficult. There is added substantability to the cost of doing business. There can be loss of trust by all stakeholders involved employess, suppliers and customers. Transparency International every year produces the Corruption Perception Index. This Index ranks one hundred and seventy eight countries according to the level of corruption perceived to exist among public officials and politicians. A score indicating zero means that the country is highly corrupt and a score of ten indicates highly clean. The following diagram is the 2010 Corruption Perceptions Index. RANK COUNTRY/ TERRITORY SCORE RANK COUNTRY/ TERRITORY SCORE RANK COUNTRY/ TERRITORY SCORE 1 Denmark 9.3 30 Spain 6.1 59 Tunisia 4.3 1 New Zealand 9.3 32 Portugal 6.0 62 Croatia 4.1 1 Singapore 9.3 33 Botswana 5.8 62 FYR Macedonia 4.1 4 Finland 9.2 33 Puerto Rico 5.8 62 Ghana 4.1 4 Sweden 9.2 33 Taiwan 5.8 62 Samoa 4.1 6 Canada 8.9 36 Bhutan 5.7 66 Rwanda 4.0 7 Netherlands 8.8 37 Malta 5.6 67 Italy 3.9 8 Australia 8.7 38 Brunel 5.5 68 Georgia 3.8 8 Switzerland 8.7 39 Korea (South) 5.4 69 Brazil 3.7 10 Norway 8.6 39 Mauritius 5.4 69 Cuba 3.7 11 Iceland 8.5 41 Costa Rica 5.3 69 Montenegro 3.7 11 Luxembourg 8.5 41 Oman 5.3 69 Romania 3.7 13 Hong Kong 8.4 41 Poland 5.3 73 Bulgaria 3.6 14 Ireland 8.0 44 Dominica 5.2 73 El Salvador 3.6 15 Austria 7.9 45 Cape Verde 5.1 73 Panama 3.6 15 Germany 7.9 46 Lithuania 5.0 73 Trinidad and Tobago 3.6 17 Barbados 7.8 46 Macau 5.0 73 Vanuatu 3.6 17 Japan 7.8 48 Bahrain 4.9 78 China 3.5 19 Qatar 7.7 49 Seychelles 4.8 78 Colombia 3.5 20 United Kingdom 7.6 50 Hungary 4.7 78 Greece 3.5 21 Chile 7.2 50 Jordan 4.7 78 Lesotho 3.5 22 Belgium 7.1 50 Saudi Arabia 4.7 78 Peru 3.5 22 United States 7.1 53 Czech Republic 4.6 78 Serbia 3.5 24 Uruguay 6.9 54 Kuwait 4.5 78 Thailand 3.5 25 France 6.8 54 South Africa 4.5 85 Malawi 3.4 26 Estonia 6.5 56 Malaysia 4.4 85 Morocco 3.4 27 Slovenia 6.4 56 Namibia 4.4 87 Albania 3.3 28 Cyprus 6.3 56 Turkey 4.4 87 India 3.3 28 United Arab Emirates 6.3 59 Latvia 4.3 87 Jamaica 3.3 30 Israel 6.1 59 Slovakia 4.3 87 Liberia 3.3 RANK COUNTRY/ TERRITORY SCORE RANK COUNTRY/ TERRITORY SCORE RANK COUNTRY/ TERRITORY SCORE 91 Bosnia and Herzegovina 3.2 116 Tanzania 2.7 146 Nepal 2.2 91 Djibouti 3.2 116 Vietnam 2.7 146 Paraguay 2.2 91 Gambia 3.2 123 Armenia 2.6 146 Yemen 2.2 91 Guatemala 3.2 123 Eritrea 2.6 154 Cambodia 2.1 91 Kiribati 3.2 123 Madagascar 2.6 154 Central African Republic 2.1 91 Sri Lanka 3.2 123 Niger 2.6 154 Comoros 2.1 91 Swaziland 3.2 127 Belarus 2.5 154 Congo-Brazzaville 2.1 98 Burkina Faso 3.1 127 Ecuador 2.5 154 Guinea-Bissau 2.1 98 Egypt 3.1 127 Lebanon 2.5 154 Kenya 2.1 98 Mexico 3.1 127 Nicaragua 2.5 154 Laos 2.1 101 Dominican Republic 3.0 127 Syria 2.5 154 Papua New Guinea 2.1 101 Sao Tome Principle 3.0 127 Timor-Leste 2.5 154 Russia 2.1 101 Tonga 3.0 127 Uganda 2.5 154 Tajikistan 2.1 101 Zambia 3.0 134 Azerbaijan 2.4 164 Democratic Republic of the Congo 2.0 105 Algeria 2.9 134 Bangladesh 2.4 164 Guinea 2.0 105 Argentina 2.9 134 Honduras 2.4 164 Kyrgyzstan 2.0 105 Kazakhstan 2.9 134 Nigeria 2.4 164 Venezuela 2.0 105 Moldova 2.9 134 Philippines 2.4 168 Angola 1.9 105 Senegal 2.9 134 Sierra Leone 2.4 168 Equatorial Guinea 1.9 110 Benin 2.8 134 Togo 2.4 170 Burundi 1.8 110 Bolivia 2.8 134 Ukraine 2.4 171 Chad 1.7 110 Gabon 2.8 134 Zimbabwe 2.4 172 Sudan 1.6 110 Indonesia 2.8 143 Maldives 2.3 172 Turkmenistan 1.6 110 Kosovo 2.8 143 Mauritania 2.3 172 Uzbekistan 1.6 110 Solomon Islands 2.8 143 Pakistan 2.3 175 Iraq 1.5 116 Ethiopia 2.7 146 Cameroon 2.2 176 Afghanistan 1.4 116 Guyana 2.7 146 Cote dlvoire 2.2 176 Myanmar 1.4 116 Mali 2.7 146 Haiti 2.2 178 Somalia 1.1 116 Mongolia 2.7 146 Iran 2.2 116 Mozambique 2.7 146 Libya 2.2 2010 Corruption Perceptions Index. (Nearly three quarter of the 178 countries in the index score below five, on a scale from ten to zero. These results indicate a serious corruption problem in the world.) THE HISTORY OF ALCOA Aluminium was considered to be a semi-precious metal, this metal was so scarce that silver was much more popular during the middle of the1880s. Charles Martin Hall was a chemistry student at Oberlin College in Ohio, here he meet Professor Frank Jewett whom introduced his students to a small piece of aluminium and informed them that anyone producing this metal in an economical way would become rich. Halls passion for experimenting with minerals continued after his graduation, and he learnt how to produce alumina, aluminium oxide and created his own carbon crucible. On a February day in 1886 he discovered pure aluminium, for Hall to continue to produce this on a large scale he needed financial assistance. He gained assistance through a group of six industrialist led by Alfred Hunt. A company called Pittsburgh Reduction company was formed as part of the venture, and a small plant was built. In 1888 on Thanksgiving day Hall and Arthur Vining Davis, Halls first employee produced the first commercial aluminium using Halls technology. The company had out grown its name as it grew to include bauxite mines, a refinery and three aluminium smelters. The companies names was then changed by its owners to what they felt were more appropriate; Aluminum Company of America. As the company grew and became more global its name changed again and is currently called Alcoa Inc. Alcoa see itself as the worlds leading producer and manager of primary aluminium, alumina facilities and fabricated aluminium. Some of the industries that Alcoa Servers include aerospace,automotive, building, construction, packaging, commercial transportation,engineering and Alcoa also promotes brands such as Reynolds Wrap (foil and plastic). Alcoa presently have approximately 123,000 employees in 44 countries in the world. Alcoa has been named by the World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland as one of the top sustainable corporations in the world.

Spring in the Kokinshū Essays -- Poetry, The Seasons

Seasons can convey a multitude of meanings. Though the KokinshÃ… « consists of numerous sections, the seasonal sections are the best at conveying the power of human creativity. The seasons in poetry are used to show everything from the passage of time as well as evoke feelings such as loneliness and love. As shown in the spring sections of the KokinshÃ… «, seasons are treated in poetry through their progression from one part of the season to another, seasonal imagery in describing the season, related emotional expressions, and the linking of human emotion to the natural surroundings. For each seasonal section, there is a progression from beginning to end within the season. Each season is compiled in a progressive nature with poetry describing the beginning of a season coming before poetry for the end of the season. This is clear for spring, which starts with, â€Å"fallen snow [that] lingers on† and concludes with a poet lamenting that â€Å"spring should take its leave† (McCullough 14, 39). The imagery progresses from the end of winter, with snow still lingering around to when the signs of spring are disappearing. Although each poem alone does not show much in terms of the time of the year, when put into the context of other poems a timeline emerges from one season to the next. Each poem is linked to another poem when it comes to the entire anthology. By having each poem put into the context of another, a sense of organization emerges within each section. Every poem contributes to the meaning of a group of poems. The images used are meant to evoke a specific point in each season from the snow to the blossoms to the falling of the blossoms. Since each poem stands alone and has no true plot they lack the significance than if they were put into th... ...nging feeling. The longing feeling is not exclusive to the cherry blossoms, but can be subtly directed towards a person also. Spring brings beauty in the form of the cherry blossoms, but ends with a desire to see it again. Furthermore, life, whether human or natural, is not eternal. It will only go on for so long before it reaches an end. Each season only comes once a year, and everything associated with it will not return till the next year. As a result, the relatively short-lived life is regarded as a reason to appreciate every last bit of beauty in the season however minor or seemingly insignificant. Everything is taken into account and admired. Once it is gone, the only choice is to wait for it to return in a year. Throughout the seasonal sections of the KokinshÃ… «, this connection between natural beauty and the human condition can be seen through the poetry.

Algebra As Thought Experiment :: Education Mathematics Learning Essays

Algebra As Thought Experiment ABSTRACT: This paper addresses the problem of understanding what mathematics contributes to the exceptional success of modern mathematical physics. I urge that we give up the Kantian construal of the division between mathematics (synthetic a priori) and physics (experimental), and that we ask instead how algebra helps synthetic a posteriori mathematics improve our ability to study the world. The theses suggested are: 1) Mathematical theories are about the empirical world, and are true or false just like other theories of empirical science. 2) The air of artificiality in mathematics lies exclusively in the use of algebraic method. 3) This method is constructive much like all fiction is, but this construction is for the purpose of experimental investigation of the physical world to the extent that anything in the world has objects like those in the fictional world of a particular algebra. 4) This is why algebraic techniques are successful even when the assumptions of the system are fal se: they may still be applicable to some things considered from some perspective. 5) The success of mathematical physics is also due to Descartes' discovery of a remarkable truth: we live in space and time which can be described as a whole. 6) Therefore, what distinguishes modern science from earlier and later philosophy is not a general method of science, but the fact that it happened to find a truth, and a particular way of studying reality which bore fruit. In the sixteenth century, physics was a part of the general subject known as philosophy. When Galileo wrote the Dialogues Concerning the Two Chief World Systems, he was commenting on some aspects of Aristotle's Philosophy. He was more favorable to the use of mathematics in various problems of physics than was current in his day. He may be described as trying to revive an Archimedean conception of motion in terms of geometry, which may be called "kinematics." Galileo also introduced the experimental method into physics. The experimental method had been very successfully utilized in Alchemy, which was a low or a clandestine science at the time. Its success in physics brought the issue of experimentation into the spot light. Since there are few claims original to Galileo that we may still wish to defend, we may want to describe his success as the introduction of these techniques which he invented or adapted for subsequent physicists to employ. Experimental techniques have improved considerably since Galileo's day.

Free Handmaids Tale Essays: Life and Times of Margaret Atwood :: Handmaids Tale Essays

The Life and Times of Margaret Atwood Three Sources Cited Atwood was born in Ottawa, Ontario, on November 18, 1939. She lived in a cabin in the Canadian wilderness for most of her childhood (her father was a forest entomologist), and that is where she gained her love for books and reading - probably from boredom. She also took up writing during this time, at the age of six (Margaret Atwood). Sshe came to want ot be a writer her senior year in high school when she says, "all of a sudden a big thumb came out of the sky and touched my head and a poem was formed." Who would have thought that the young girl who lived in the woods would grow to become a prominent female writer and poet? Atwood went on to attend Victoria College at the University of Toronto. She received a bachelor's degree there in 1961 and went on to receive her Master's from Radcliffe College in Cambridge, Mass. In addition, she attended Harvard University in 1962 - 63 and 1965 - 67 (Information Page). When she made the decision to be a writer she said s he wanted to "lead a double life. (Margaret Atwood). This double life would include going "places I haven't been; to examine life on earth; to come to know people in ways, and at depths, that are otherwise impossible; to be surprised...to give back something of what [I have] received," said Atwood (Margaret Atwood). She certainly achieved this goal of a double life. Atwood managed to live many places around the world in order to "examine life on earth." Here is a time line of the places she lived during certain years of her life. 1939 - 1945: Ottawa 1945: Sault Ste. Marie 1946 - 1961: Toronto 1961 - 1963: Boston 1963 - 1964: Toronto 1964 - 1965: Vancouver 1965 - 1967: Boston 1967 - 1968: Montreal 1968 - 1970: Edmonton 1970 - 1971: England (London), France, Italy 1971 - 1972: Toronto 1973 - 1980: Alliston, Ontario 1980 - 1983: Toronto 1983 - 1984: England, Germany 1985: Alabama 1986 - 1991: Toronto 1992: France 1992 - Present: Toronto As is evident, she liked to move around a lot and to see different people and different things (Information Page). Although Atwood would have preferred to stay home and write all day she did have a number of jobs over the years.

Analyse the Strengths and Weaknesses of Spain by 1516 Essay

There were considerable differences between the Hispanic kingdoms within the Iberian peninsula. It was divided by language and religion, governed by different political institutions and ruled by monarchs with conflicting foreign interests. Both Aragon and Castile had very little in common. The economies varied in strength in different parts of Spain, for example Catalonia was in decline whilst Valencia was in the recovery stage. The marriage of Isabella and Ferdinand in 1469 dramatically changed the course of Spain. The Queen was a determined and quick-witted woman, with a ‘street-fighter’s instinct for survival’. She guaranteed privileges to nobles and town authorities, promised to restore law and order and was the only claimant with an undisputed right to the throne. Ferdinand played a role in leading Isabella’s troops against the Portuguese and French invasions and recaptured rebellious towns, all helping to stabilise the crown. His brother also aided Isabella by commanding the Hermandad meaning that although his father died, no Aragonese nobles contested the crown. Royal authority had declined during the weak rule of Henry IV and it needed to be asserted and there was also the problem of law and order (lots of disorder in Castile due to the 5 years civil war). There were still supporters of Joanna; a minority of the nobility had fought against Isabella e.g Marquis of Vienna. The Hermandad at least brought some justice to the countryside, which benefited Castilian towns as well as law-abiding landowners. Hermandades had never been controlled so extensively by the Crown, it significantly contributed to the improvements in local administration. Corregidores were also having an impact (administrators of cities and districts with both administrative and judicial powers). They were used by the Catholic Monarchs to strengthen royal authority rather than revive local responsibility Ferdinand and Isabella travelled extensively in Castile. They spent relatively little time in Aragon in his 37-year reign (7 years). This was a very important means of asserting royal authority by showing themselves to their subjects and establishing an effective working relationship with their nobility and to discipline any troublemakers. Ferdinand and Isabella visited every Castilian town at least once. Ferdinand tried to increase royal authority over Aragonese towns by trying to introduce new procedures for the election of municipal offices. His idea of sending royal governors to towns was rejected preventing royal authority encroaching. Isabella was able to have a greater effect on improving local administration than her husband. She tried to protect, by intervention, town people from impressive nobles and nominated jurados to sit on town councils. She persisted with the idea of Corregidores in towns, despite opposition, and the number of towns with them increased (Toledo for instance enjoyed a long period of peace largely due to Gomez Manrique, its Corregidore.). Their authority varied, some governed entire regions, and others had a limited impact. However, overtime they became more corrupt lowering the standards of local administration. The civil war left deep scars and required close supervision to work effectively. Both Isabella and Ferdinand dispersed justice personally. The Hermandad was unpopular and it demanded taxation on local people for its maintenance. It was officially dissolved in 1498 as nobles increasingly disliked it (didn’t want too much crown influence). The crowns political strength lay into relationship with the nobility. Ferdinand and Isabella however, due to incompatible promises in the 1470’s, were in a different situation as some families expected rewards for their role in the civil war. This often contradicted what Isabella had said about protecting the rights of the towns. Isabella decided to harness the power of the nobility and tried to regain land given out by Henry IV. Isabella and Ferdinand on a smaller scale in Aragon gave the nobles rights to collect sales tax and confirmed their exemption from direct tax. This guaranteed their social and economic position. Also nobles who had fought against Isabella in the civil war were given fair agreements such as the Marquis of Vienna in order to preserve social stability. Those on her side were awarded with for example dukedoms guaranteeing their continuing support. Although some nobles maintained control of regional politics, which was a big threat to the crown as they had no standing army, whereas most nobles kept retainers. An example of when the crown and nobility worked together to ensure the stability of the country was the Granada between 1482 and 1492. Some of the nobility actually served in the war and fought on behalf of the crown against the Muslims. The war helped to enhance royal prestige. However, outbreaks of civil disorder and violence in Castile in the early years of the sixteenth century suggest that royal administration was beginning to break down. Nobles became better educated and there was an emergence of letrados (lawyers). Most Castilian and Aragonese peasants enjoyed a period of relative prosperity, with wage rises, stable prices and plenty of employment in the countryside. Town life was changing rapidly, Castilian merchants experienced a dramatic increase in trade and commerce, which led to a growth in business and rising prosperity for those in work. However, due to an increase in population town authorities were faced with the problem of vagrancy where people wonder from place to place and don’t usually have a home. The Catholic Monarchs intended to enhance the welfare of their subjects. They maintained the Mesta’s monopoly and continued wool trade, which was high in demand in the Low Countries. Taxes on wool and sheep and the establishment of trade links with America (gold bullion), proved extremely beneficial. Maintaining the quality of Castile’s coinage and establishing a currency common to both kingdoms, monetary if not economic unity was achieved. Overseas trade was strengthened with Venice as a base, and the financial status and prosperity of Barcelona recovered from the effects of the civil war in the 1460s. However the Spanish economy had a number of weaknesses, poor communications (bad roads, mountainous), a network of internal customs duties and inland tolls and resistance to state intervention in effecting changes in agriculture, guilds and industry. Regionalism was a very powerful force and applied to the economy. There was no significant attempt to integrate the two economies, for example, trade with Americas was a Castilian monopoly (intensified hostility between two kingdoms, threat of inflation and decline in currency). The only measure that was taken was the standardisation of the currency in 1497. The Spanish Crown failed to protect and promote its native industries and focused too much on exportation of wool than developing its textile industry. Also, the persecution of the Conversos and Jews (many of them were skilled craftsmen) damaged wool trade, while the silk trade was damaged with war in Granada (mudejars were main producers of silk, many were killed while others emigrated). Spanish wealth and commercial gains from the New World could potentially fall through due to its lack of incorporation.

Censorship on Huckleberry Finn, Argument and Counterargument Essay

Time and time again art has been criticized for being too vulgar and expressive, Mark Twain was one of these individuals who participated in art, he was raised in the generation where slavery was common and racial slurs were frequently used. So to criticized and censor his work for writing what he grew up knowing would be like punishing Huck Finn for stealing things from others when he was told it was borrowing all his life by his pa â€Å"Pap always said it warn’t no harm to borrow things if you was meaning to pay them back some time; but the widow said it warn’t anything but a soft name for stealing, and no decent body would do it† (Chp. 12 Pg, 49). I strongly disagree with the fact that people want to ‘update and improve’ the classic â€Å"Adventures of Huckleberry Finn† because it uses a term that is found offensive frequently in todays generation. My problem with this posse that wants to change the wording of the book is that, their bigge st concern to why they want to change the word â€Å"nigger† to â€Å"slave† is that they’re doing for the children, trying to make it more comfortable for them to read and protecting the youth from frowned upon terms. If this is their concern then why are they singling out books and classics from decades ago, why not focus on the books being published now with the terms â€Å"whore† â€Å"slut† or â€Å"trailer trash† in it? To me those are equally offensive terms. John Foley once said that he thinks â€Å"To Kill a Mockingbird† Harper Lee’s classic about racial inequality in the Deep South, and John Steinbeck’s â€Å"Of Mice and Men†(Source A) should be removed from the curriculum for similar reasons† all because they show the reader the time gap between the setting of the writing and the present of today even though in the beginning of all books they tell you what time frame the story is held in â€Å"SC ENE: The Mississippi Valley; TIME: Forty to Fifty Years Ago† (Page 0). Now I can see why some might want these books (Huck Finn, Of Mice and Men, and To Kill a Mockingbird) removed from curriculum, yes I do believe that Twain used the term â€Å"nigger† a few times to many, â€Å"the N-word appears 219 times in Huck Finn† (Source C). Children or even young adults should not be exposed to the vulgar terms and racial slurs that were used in the past. Isn’t the whole point of evolution is to change over time? What good comes from exposing our youth to the past that we all know America is not fond of? Don’t we want our youth to know that these terms are not acceptable in today’s society or the future? When these books make it sound like it was just a little friendly nickname. This is why I feel like students and parents should be given the choice as to whether they want them to read books such as these. We do it for movies at the beginning of every school year, why not do it with books also?

Legal, Ethical and Operational Issues

P5 Explain the legal and ethical issues in relation to the use of business information Definition: Ethics concern an individual's moral judgments about right and wrong. Explanation: Business information belongs to the business owner and any kind of use of the business related information should be used as per the company policy. There are legal consequences in breaking the rules (code of conduct ; code of practice). Staff member needs to use his/her ethical judgement to decide what is right or wrong.Scenario – Update of Staff Handbook on ethical and legal issues in relation to the use of business information. Illegal, inappropriate or unacceptable use of school equipment or communication systems may result in disciplinary action and in serious cases could lead to an employee's dismissal. This list is not exhaustive and includes; ? creating, sending or forwarding any message that would reasonably be considered inappropriate or unacceptable. (E. g. anything non related to school ) ? Committing or implying commitment to any contractual arrangements ?Accessing, publication or circulation of illegal, offensive, unacceptable, inappropriate or non-work related material ? Any illegal activities ? posting confidential information about the school and/or other employees, children or parents ? gambling or gaming ? unauthorised use of school facilities (or employee's personal IT equipment), for personal use during employee's working time Employees receiving inappropriate communication or material or who are unsure about whether something he/she proposes to do might breach this policy should seek advice from their Head teacher.The school has the right to monitor e-mails, phone-calls, internet activity or document production, principally in order to avoid offensive or nuisance material and to protect systems from viruses, but also to ensure proper and effective use of systems. Communication systems may be accessed when the school suspects that the employee has been mis using systems or facilities, or for the investigation of suspected fraud or other irregularity. CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES 12. Social networking websites. School employees must not access social networking websites for personal use (e. . Facebook) during work time. Access to some journals, blogs and social networking sites is permitted during work time for the purposes of undertaking job related duties only. School employees must act in the best interests of the school and not disclose personal data or information about any individual including staff, young people or children. This includes images. Access may be withdrawn and disciplinary action taken if there is a breach of confidentiality or defamatory remarks are made about the school, staff, young people or children. The school respects an employee's private life.However, it must also ensure that confidentiality and its reputation are protected. Employees using social networking websites in their private life; 1. Must refrain from identifying themselves as working for the school, in a way which has, or may have, the effect of bringing the school into disrepute. 2. Must not identify other school employees, children or young people without their consent. 3. Must not make any defamatory remarks about the school, it's employees, children or young people, or conduct themselves in a way that is detrimental to the school. . Disclose personal data or information about the school, employees, children or young people, that could breach the Data Protection Act 1998, for example, posting photographs or images of children or young people. 5. Must not allow pupils to access their personal social networking accounts and where they are contacted by a pupil they should bring it to the Head teacher’s attention. CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES 13. Personal Websites and BlogsEmployees who wish to set up personal web forums, weblogs or ‘blogs' must do so outside of work, not school equipment and adh ere to the points detailed in the paragraph above. 14. Confidentiality All employees at the school and the Governing Body come into contact with a significant volume of data and information in relation to pupils, staff, school activities and many other matters. There is an obligation to read and to observe the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998. 14. 1 Required reading:  · Data Protection Guide – available on intranet. 14. 2 Managing dataUnder the Data Protection Act, staff are required to collect, maintain and dispose of sensitive or personal data in a responsible manner. 14. 3 Disclosing data Staff should not disclose sensitive information about the school, its employees or the local authority to other parties, for example, parents or colleagues. There are particular exceptions to this; for example disclosure of suspected or alleged abuse of a pupil to Child Protection officers; discussion with a person accompanying or representing an employee in a formal meeting or disclosure under the Whistleblowing Procedure.All communication with the media must be directed through the Head teacher or their nominee. There are circumstances in which staff are obliged to release pupil data, for example, parents seeking information about pupil progress or other colleagues in the school. CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES 14. 4 Access to data Everyone has the right to request access to data that is held about them and such requests should be made to the Head teacher who will address the request in conjunction with the Local Authority’s Data Protection Officer. 15.Copyright Copyright legislation should be displayed next to photocopier machines and employees are required to adhere to the guidance provided about use of educational resources. P6 Operational Issues in relation to the use of Business information. Operational issues are how to keep your business information safe and secure. It involves legal support to protect the rights of the business to keep its information safe and prevent misuse. Below are the different types of laws that protect the use of Business information. Data Protection Act –Computer Misuse Act Freedom of Information Act Copyright Act The need for the Data Protection Act This was introduced to regulate personal data. Databases are easily accessed, searched and edited. It’s also far easier to cross reference information stored in two or more databases than if the records were paper-based. The computers on which databases resided were often networked. This allowed for organization-wide access to databases and offered an easy way to share information with other organizations. Computer Misuse ActData stored electronically is easier to misuse; that software should not be copied without permission; the consequences of software piracy; that hacking can lead to corruption of data, either accidentally or on purpose. Types of computer misuse Misuse of computers and communications systems comes in sev eral forms: Hacking Hacking is where an unauthorised person uses a network, Internet or modem connection to gain access past security passwords or other security to see data stored on another computer. Hackers sometimes use software hacking tools and often target, for example, particular sites on the Internet.Data misuse and unauthorised transfer or copying Copying and illegal transfer of data is very quick and easy using online computers and large storage devices such as hard disks, memory sticks and DVDs. Personal data, company research and written work, such as novels and textbooks, cannot be copied without the copyright holder's permission. Copying and distributing copyrighted software, music and film This includes copying music and movies with computer equipment and distributing it on the Internet without the copyright holder's permission.This is a widespread misuse of both computers and the Internet that breaks copyright regulations. Identity and financial abuses This topic in cludes misuse of stolen or fictional credit card numbers to obtain goods or services on the Internet, and use of computers in financial frauds. These can range from complex well thought out deceptions to simple uses such as printing counterfeit money with colour printers. Viruses Viruses are relatively simple programs written by people and designed to cause nuisance or damage to computers or their files. The Computer Misuse Act (1990)This was passed by Parliament and made three new offences: Accessing computer material without permission, eg looking at someone else's files Accessing computer material without permission with intent to commit further criminal offences, eg hacking into the bank's computer and wanting to increase the amount in your account Altering computer data without permission, eg writing a virus to destroy someone else's data, or actually changing the money in an account Copyright law This provides protection to the owners of the copyright and covers the copying of written, musical, or film works using computers.FAST is the industry body which is against software theft. There have been cases where laws such as Copyright have been used to crack down on file sharing websites or individuals who store and illegally distribute copyrighted material, e. g. music. There is a massive problem with many people around the world obtaining copyrighted material illegally. M2 Analyze the legal, ethical and operational issues in relation to the use of business information, using appropriate examples. Ethical, Legal and Operational issues in relation to the use of business information Advantages of Ethical, Legal and Operational issuesEthical, Legal and Operational issues in relation to the use of business information in the market place and workplace are becoming increasingly important as organizations move into a period of intense competition for public and consumer support. Therefore, there is a requirement to protect the business information which comes un der operational issues. The business information is protected with the legal laws Organizations are under pressure to develop and maintain policies on business ethics and social responsibility to ensure that they have the support of employees and other stakeholders. Legal Ethical ; Operational) Code of Conduct The how that determines our actions Deutsche Post DHL has devised a code of conduct that has applied to all regions and divisions since the middle of 2006. This code of conduct serves as an â€Å"ethical compass†, providing guidelines for use by about 470,000 employees in their business lives every day. The key pillars of this code of conduct are respect, tolerance, honesty and candor as well as willingness to assume social responsibility.The guidelines apply to all employees, irrespective of their place in the Group's hierarchy, and to divisions. The code of conduct is based on international agreements and guidelines, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights , the conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Global Compact of the United Nations. Fundamental principles are observance of human rights, equal opportunity, transparency, and clear stands in the battle against discrimination, bribery and corruption. What is Correct Conduct?Deutsche Post DHL deals with a variety of people and organizations who are our stakeholders. Our image as a company depends on how employees conduct themselves in the business world. There is no substitute for personal integrity and sound judgment. When faced with a difficult situation, our employees should consider these questions: 1. Is my action or decision legal? 2. Does it comply with our values and our policies? 3. Is it right and free of any personal conflicts of interest? 4. Could my action or decision withstand public review? What would it look like in a newspaper? 5.Will my action or decision protect the Group's reputation as a company with high ethical standards? If the answe r to each question is â€Å"yes†, the action or decision based on the following principles of conduct is most likely the correct one. Our Ethical Commitment Quality Focus Our commitment to quality is core to our business. In order to achieve the highest quality standards, we will work constantly to improve our structures and processes for the benefit of our customers. This applies to our products, services and management, but also to our behavior. Customer SatisfactionWe place the highest priority on making our customers successful, knowing that customer success guarantees our own success. Our activities are governed by our knowledge of the global and local requirements of our customers and markets. We include and prioritize the customer focus in all our business processes, projects and dealings. We know that we will be measured by our ethical, social and environmental performance as much as by the quality of our service. We therefore strive for best practice in all these are as to secure customer trust. Laws and Ethical StandardsGuided by our Corporate Values, we strive for sustainable development of our business founded on the three pillars: economic performance, environmental stewardship and social responsibility. We will honor the diverse interests of our customers, employees and business partners with integrity, fairness and honesty. We strive for excellence in both our business performance and our ethical behavior. Deutsche Post DHL complies with laws applicable to its business in all regions and countries. We recognize that laws vary with respect to ethical standards within and across the countries in which we work.This may pose particular challenges and dilemmas, which we strive to overcome by adherence to our Corporate Values. Deutsche Post DHL will be guided by the principles of the United Nations' Global Compact. We respect human rights within our sphere of influence and conduct our business in a manner that makes us an employer of choice. We respect the principles of the 1998 International Labor Organization's â€Å"Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work† in accordance with national law and practice. Transparency We are committed to openness in our dealings with our stakeholders.Transparency and honesty shall be the guiding principles in all our communication activities, internally and externally. The public will have access to information concerning our company, in line with what is required or recommended by internationally recognized standards of corporate governance. Accounting and Reporting Standards Deutsche Post DHL relies on the authenticity and accuracy of information recorded in its accounting records for proper decision making. It is of the utmost importance that records dealing with security and personnel, as well as booking and financial data are protected.All business transactions must be reflected accurately in our accounts in accordance with established procedures and auditing st andards. Accounting records will reflect and describe the nature of the underlying transactions. Money Laundering Deutsche Post DHL complies strictly with laws and regulations designed to combat money laundering activity. This includes those rules and regulations requiring reporting of currency transactions with blocked persons. Our Standard of Working Together Individual Responsibility and Involvement The skills and the commitment of our people are our greatest asset.We expect our employees to conduct their business in an entrepreneurial way and accept their individual responsibility. We strive to involve our colleagues in our projects and decision-making processes in order to achieve our common goals with reliability and commitment. Mutual Respect and Openness All relations between directors, managers and employees of all levels, units and regions shall be guided by mutual respect, openness, honesty and the spirit of trust and cooperation. We give and look for feedback and we comm unicate actively and openly with each other. We are committed to a fair and open debate and seek varying opinions.We motivate our colleagues to speak up promptly and to express their ideas and concerns. Team spirit is triggered by open-mindedness. We therefore support an open door policy and initiatives to share and exchange knowledge. Diversity and Discrimination We see employee diversity as a guiding principle in our employment policy. This means promoting the diversity and heterogeneity of the individuals in the company in order to attain the highest possible productivity, creativity and efficiency. Skills, performance and ethical conduct shall be our only indicators for employee qualification.We will not discriminate or tolerate discrimination with respect to gender, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin or any other characteristic protected under law. Each employee is required to contribute to an environment of respect that precludes any kind of h arassment, including workplace bullying, unwelcome sexual advances, unwanted physical contact, propositions or a working environment poisoned with harassing jokes, words and demeaning comments. Health Management Our employees deserve to work in a safe and healthy environment.We are therefore committed to the workplace health and safety regulations expressed in our health and safety policies. We strive to foster the physical and psychological â€Å"well being† of our employees. Our goals are both fewer illnesses and a lower accident rate. We promote health care as a key element of our sustained productivity and the quality of our services. Our health and safety policies, active in all locations throughout the world, include a ban of illegal drugs in the workplace. We prohibit any kind of violence and assault at the workplace, including threatening and intimidating behavior. Company PropertyThe use of company property, including labor, supplies, equipment, buildings or other as sets for personal benefit is prohibited where not explicitly allowed by agreement. Each employee has a responsibility to safeguard and make proper use of Deutsche Post DHL property. Intellectual property is a valuable asset and must be protected from unauthorized use or disclosure. Such property includes trade secrets, confidential information, copyrights, trademarks, logos, but also customer lists, business opportunities and product specifications, whether owned by Deutsche Post DHL-affiliated companies or business partners.Legal Proceedings Employees must avoid activities that could involve or lead to involvement of Deutsche Post DHL or its personnel in any unlawful practice, including the employment of our personnel or use of company assets for illegal gain. Lawsuits, legal proceedings and investigations concerning Deutsche Post DHL must be handled quickly and properly in order to protect and defend the company. Employees who are threatened by a lawsuit or other legal proceedings or investigation in a business-related matter are required to contact their Deutsche Post DHL Legal Department immediately.Insider Information Any person with inside information is prohibited by law to buy or sell Deutsche Post DHL stock by using this information. Employees are at risk of civil and criminal penalties should they disclose nonpublic information that an investor could use to buy or sell securities. Trading with such information is illegal whether employees trade for their own benefit or others trade for them. Our Business Integrity Shareholders' Trust We recognize the necessity of sound and transparent corporate management to maintain the trust of our shareholders and investors. We are committed to ncreasing shareholder value. Business Partner Dialogue We are committed to dialogue and partnership with our business partners in many communities throughout the world. We share principles of ethical behavior, social engagement and respect for the environment with our suppl iers, subcontractors, agents and consultants. We will communicate our principles to our business partners and motivate them to adhere to the same standards we do. Conflicts of Interest We require all directors, officers and employees to maintain high ethical standards in handling conflicts of interest.They should disclose any relationship with persons or firms with whom we do business (‘Business Partners'), which might give rise to a conflict of interest, to a supervisor. Such relations include in particular a relationship by blood or marriage, partnership, participation or an investment in Business Partners. Fair Competition We are committed to free enterprise and fair competition. Company business must be conducted solely on the basis of merit and open competition. We will hire suppliers, agents or their intermediaries only by fair assessment.We are legally bound to make business decisions in the best interests of the company, independent of any understanding or greement wit h a competitor. As a result, the company and its employees will avoid any conduct that violates or might appear to violate antitrust laws. Bribery and Corruption We trust that the excellence of our services is the key to our business success. Therefore we will deal with all our customers, suppliers and government agencies in a straightforward manner and in compliance with international anti-bribery standards as stated in the Global Compact and local anti-corruption and bribery laws.This includes any transaction that might appear to be arranged for granting concessions or benefits. Gifts and Benefits Employees should not solicit services, gifts, or benefits from customers or suppliers that influence or appear to influence the employee's conduct in representing the company. Gifts and entertainment may be exchanged at a level that does not exceed customary local courtesies extended in accordance with ethical business practices and applicable law.In case of doubt, employees should consu lt with their supervisor or the HR department. Business Secrecy, Data Protection/Privacy Our employees shall not disclose information that is not known to the general public for personal gain or the benefit of anyone other than the company. Such information includes technical data, financial data, operating data, customer information, memoranda and other information regarding the company's business and operational activities and future plans.Employees will adhere to relevant laws and company regulations with respect to personal data, such as data protection guidelines and policies, e. g. DPDHL Privacy Policy for international data transfers. Processing of personal data of natural or where applicable legal persons must be based on legitimate grounds in line with the applicable laws. Our Social Responsibility Communities We are committed to supporting the communities in which we work and recognize the need to contribute to their well-being with our know-how and professional skills.Res pect for and understanding of the different cultures and a sensitive manner of dealing with their key issues is of highest importance to us as it builds trust and credibility within our international environment. We have and will continue to support community development as a sponsor in partnerships with non-government organizations and charities in accordance with our community investment policy. We recognize that we are measured by our actions outside the workplace and therefore call on our employees to respect the local culture and understand the issues of communities where they work.Environment We acknowledge the impact of our business activities on the environment and are committed to improving our environmental track record through precautionary measures and the use of environment-friendly technology. We regularly assess and monitor our impact on the environment. By systematically identifying and leveraging potential ecological initiatives, we strive to support constant improv ement of our environmental performance and the increase of efficiency in our resources. This includes environmental audits and risk management.We want to measure our processes and services against the highest quality standards. National and international environmental standards – such as the ISO 14000 standard series – shall be our guiding principles. As a corporate group, we advocate and support the dissemination of environmentally and socially exacting standards throughout the world. We consider our employees' commitment and active involvement to be an important platform for our efforts and a significant source of innovation.Related Policies and Regulations, Local Codes The Code of Conduct sets the principles for all policies and regulations of Deutsche Post DHL. Local or business-related policies will provide more specific guidance. Divisions, business units, regional entities and companies of Deutsche Post DHL may adopt their own local codes, incorporating the subs tance of the Deutsche Post DHL Code of Conduct but modified to reflect requirements of local laws and regulations or the social customs and characteristics of their business operations.Such local codes may include additional, specific standards. However, in no event will any term contradict or be more lenient than this Deutsche Post DHL Code of Conduct. All local codes shall be reviewed and approved by the Global Compliance Office. Please note the latest versions of the following regulations that complement the Code of Conduct: the anti-corruption and business ethics policy and the competition compliance policy.