Dow Chemical’s Bid for PBB in Argentina Essay

1. (5 pts) Using the values from exhibits 9, 10 and 11, a terminal growth rate of 0%, and a discount rate of 20%, what is the value of each of the three investment stages? 2. (30 pts) Describe the two most relevant factors (only those related to the fact that the acquisition is in Argentina and not in the U.S.) that in your opinion add uncertainty to those cash flows. Please list each factor with a short explanation of why it is relevant, whether it is a diversifiable risk (assume Dow’s investors are global) and the likelihood that it will affect PBB. 3. (20 pts) For question 3 please state which statement you agree with and why. The numbers shown are there to provide an idea of sensitivity, they are not precise and there is no precise answer to these questions. That is, in the absence of much, much more information, there is no clear â€Å"right† answer (though there are many â€Å"wrong† ones). Your reasoning is what matters most. Suppose that â€Å"today† is 1997 (there’s nothing particularly special about 1997, I could have chosen any other year near 1995, the beginning of the valuation). a. The sensitivity of 1998 revenues, measured in US$, to 1997 changes in the Argentinian peso against the dollar is such that: a.i. a 40% devaluation of the Argentinian peso would translate into a 40% fall in revenue, measured in US$, a.ii. a 40% devaluation of the Argentinian peso would translate into a 20% fall in revenue, measured in US$ a.iii. a 40% devaluation of the Argentinian peso would translate into no fall in revenue, measured in US$, a.iv. a 40% devaluation of the Argentinian peso would translate into a 20% increase in revenue, measured in US$, a.v. a 40% devaluation of the Argentinian peso would translate into a 40% increase in revenue, measured in US$. b. The sensitivity of 2010 revenues, measured in US$, to 1997 changes in the Argentinian peso against the dollar is such that: b.i. a 40% devaluation of the Argentinian peso would translate into a 40% fall in revenue, measured in US$, b.ii. a 40% devaluation of the Argentinian peso would translate into a 20% fall in revenue, measured in US$, b.iii. a 40% devaluation of the Argentinian peso would translate into no fall in revenue, measured in US$, b.iv. a 40% devaluation of the Argentinian peso would translate into a 20% increase in revenue, measured in US$, b.v. a 40% devaluation of the Argentinian peso would translate into a 40% increase in revenue, measured in US$. c. The sensitivity of 1998 costs, measured in US$, to 1997 changes in the Argentinian peso against the dollar is such that: c.i. a 40% devaluation of the Argentinian peso would translate into a 40% fall in costs, measured in US$, c.ii. a 40% devaluation of the Argentinian peso would translate into a 20% fall in costs, measured in US$, c.iii. a 40% devaluation of the Argentinian peso would translate into no fall in costs, measured in US$, c.iv. a 40% devaluation of the Argentinian peso would translate into a 20% increase in costs, measured in US$, c.v. a 40% devaluation of the Argentinian peso would translate into a 40% increase in costs, measured in US$. d. The sensitivity of 2010 costs, measured in US$, to 1997 changes in the Argentinian peso against the dollar is such that: d.i. a 40% devaluation of the Argentinian peso would translate into a 40% fall in costs, measured in US$, d.ii. a 40% devaluation of the Argentinian peso would translate into a 20% fall in costs, measured in US$, d.iii. a 40% devaluation of the Argentinian peso would translate into no fall in costs, measured in US$, d.iv. a 40% devaluation of the Argentinian peso would translate into a 20% increase in costs, measured in US$, d.v. a 40% devaluation of the Argentinian peso would translate into a 40% increase in costs, measured in US$. 4. (10 pts) Based on your answers to question 3, a. What would Dow’s short-run net exposure to the Argentinian peso be? b. What would Dow’s long-run net exposure to the Argentinian peso be? c. If Dow wanted to hedge its short-run net exposure to the Argentinian peso, what would it have to do? Please provide three different alternatives it could use to hedge that risk and explain which one is likely to be the cheapest. d. If Dow wanted to hedge its long-run net exposure to the Argentinian peso, what would it have to do? Please provide three different alternatives it could use to hedge that risk and explain which one is likely to be the cheapest. 5. (30 pts) In light of what you’ve answered in questions 2 through 4 and other material from class, please state whether the discount rate that Dow should use for this valuation is larger, smaller, or the same as in the U.S. 6. (5 pts) Based on your previous answers, should Oscar Vignart bid for PBB, and if so, how much? (Maximum 100 words.) 1. (Exhibit 1) The first stage has a value for the 51% of PBB of 160.833 million of dollars. The second stage has a value (100%) of 182.62 million of dollars. The third stage has a value of 92.66 million of dollars. The first problem that involves a risk factor for investors to Dow is political risk. The economic and monetary policy implemented by the Argentine government at this time, in recent years has allowed the country to recover from a decade of crisis and seems to work pretty well. However, the risk that these maneuvers are counterproductive in the long run is alive. In that case Dow suffer some problems. In fact, most of the production in the three stadiums and sold locally (PBB 100%, 89% Polisur, 31% of capacity due to the widening of stage 3) and, if there were problems due to the political instability, most of its current and potential customers (formed by small and medium-sized businesses that use POLYETHILENE to produce good consumer) could struggle and eventually fail. That would be a serious reduction in the margins of the Dow and in its cash flows. The second problem is related to foreign exchange risk. Regarding this risk factor should make some clarifications. For the moment the government is pursuing a policy of currency pegging, for which the exchange rate and artificially set at 1. However, this condition may no longer be sustainable. In this case if it were abandoned is easy to imagine the effect it would have on markets, putting in serious condition, the Argentine economy because of lack of confidence in its solvency and this would lead to a sharp appreciation of the dollar on the weight. This situation is not particularly influential on the budgets of 3 stages where Dow is going to invest because both revenues and the variable cost (about 90% of total costs) are in dollars and only a small amount of variable and fixed cost are in Peso, and anyway with devaluation of Argentinian currency would lead to an advantage per Dow (needed fewer dollars to pay in Peso, and those costs are slower to adapt to new exchange rates). On the contrary the negative effect of the abandonment of the peg you would in Argentine petrochemical market. In fact, polyethilene prices are in U.S. dollars and with the devaluation of the peso (the currency in which the players downstream of Dow are cashing) Dow’s Argentinian customers could find themselves in difficulty to support prices in dollars, which are international based. That would lead to a radical decline in the profitability of Dow. Finally, it is important to emphasize that, also selling outside the country, Dow would see margins decline due to higher costs of transportation and duties. 3. a. ii. PBB Is cashing in dollars so a fall of 40% of Peso would not have a direct impact of translating the cash flow of PBB into dollors. However PBB operates in Argentina, and its revenues are tied to the ability of its customers to buy in dollars. With such a devaluation of the Argentine pbb customers may find it difficult to pay but it is said that everyone is unable to do so because they could be covered in the market for coins. pbb also may move and take advantage of the amount of unmet demand in Latin America. However, this in a year is not feasible to perfection then a reduction in revenues of 20% is predictable. b. iii. The reasoning is similar to that outlined above. However, in this case one can imagine that pbb reacted to the change occurred 3 years before or however that the situation has changed. If the economy has recovered, it’ll be exporting outside of Argentina for the amount of capacity can not be sold in argentina, decreasing their margins because of the cost of export revenues, but keeping to the level in the case of PEG. c. ii. Talking about the good things are different costs. Even tough much of the costs are in U.S. dollars for pbb there is a part of them that is paid in pesos. It is part of the variable costs and fixed costs. However a devaluation of the peso would be a gain for PBB, which, cashing in dollars, will convert fewer dollars to pay in pesos. As mentioned, however, this effect would be taken with a not too substantial part of the costs of pbb, and also it can be assumed that during the year some of these costs are aligned in part to the conversion values ​​before the write-down for an inflationary process. d. iii. The reasoning is similar to that described above, however, it is assumed that in the course of 3 years, the monetary costs of PBB align to those pre devaluation, thus not allowing to benefit from the effect devaluing. a. the net peso short run exposure is about the fixed cost, other variable cost and taxes, for an amount of (EXHIBIT 1) of 116.7 million of dollars. b. the net long run peso exposure is 374.22 million of dollars. c. to hedge a currency risk the alternatives are: forwards (or future) contract options currency swap. The best alternatives in the short run are the forward, they are cheap (no entry expense) and very versatile. To hedge the amount the just have to enter in a contract of the opposite direction of what they need. In this case they have to buy the total cost in pesos ad the current exchange rate in dollars. Using options it would much costly because of the option premium which has to be paid once you entered in such a contract. Anyway, because you will only exercise your right if it the exchange rate is favorable, they leave gain opportunities in exchange rates. The currency swap doesn’t fit well the short run exposure because of the length of such a contract and and the cost to be inside that kind of contract if there is not an existent debt. d. In the long term forward could be costly for the premium that the controparty may put in the exchange rates (they are commonly banks in over the counter markets), and because for long term the market could be illiquid. In this particular case the long term are just 3 years so using forward could still be a good choise. Options in the long term are not good because it is difficult to find in markets contract with such long expiring date (and exact date in order not to incur in basis risk) and because you have to buy several contract. Swap could be an idea, but as forward don’t allow gains on favorable exchange rate; a currency swaption (option on a currency swap) could be an idea, but looks costly at time of entering in the contract. The discount rate that Dow should use, should be higher than that used for evaluating such an investment in the United States. This is due to the fact that the rate of between 8-10% used in US incorporates a risk premium relative to the U.S. market, which is different from that required for a similar investment in the Argentine market. In fact, looking at the performance of American and Argentine sovereign bonds, we see that the latter are higher than the U.S.. this difference is no more than the country risk premium that an investor requires to invest in Argentina compared to investing in the U.S.. this spread can be introduced into the calculation of the value of the correct discount rate using the following formula: Keu is identified with the unlevered cost of capital, or the return required to invest in certain asset class. With rf the risk-free return to us, ï  ¢u with the unlevered beta for the sector (plastic and specialized chemicals) with rm the market return and cpr country risk premium. Now, in the specific case under investigation in research on international databese you identify that the unlevered beta of the sector is close to the unit. You can also add that in the long term all beta approaching market beta (as a consequence of the Efficient Market Theory that states that as all information becomes known, the market will settle to its proper level as everyone will be able to make correct choices), and therefore since our beta in databese is equal to one, the hypothesis of adjusted beta only reinforce this assumption. So in this particular case it can be assumed that the country risk premium can be simply added to the discount factor used for an American investment. The problem is now correctly assessing the market risk premium. You can see from the exhibits proposed (Exhibit 2) that in recent years, with the PEG CPR has fluctuated around an average of about 700 basis points. Despite the markets already incorporate the possible abandonment of the peg and its causes is not difficult to think that if that happened the â€Å"cpr† suffer a considerable leap and this estimate might be not prudent, but we must remember that the market is not only Argentina in the presented 3 stages, and potentially due to the increased demand in Latin America (exhibits 3), Dow could be exported elsewhere. A CPR of around 5-7% is so reasonable, for a total discount rate between 13-17%. By using the rate of growth proposed in the case of 3.3% per annum and a discount rate of 16%, the NPV of 51% of PBB is of U.S. $ 207,476 million. This amount is not however the correct the price of the bid. Just the cash flows are not enough to assess the correct price to offer the Argentine government. As first analysis the two competitors do not seem serious bidder in the auction because they do not meet the request of combined 5 billion net worth. There are still 10 days at the closing of the auction and if they succeed caming forward with a capital increase bringing their combined wealth over 5 billion, then Dow should also consider the fact that it can benefit not only the cash flows of PBB but also those of the 3 stage of the project, which provide in part an increase in production capacity of PBB and especially of its efficiency. A price around $ 300 million should keep out other potential bidder, which they cannot reach the advantage of being the mainly argenitian producer . However, this scenario is not credible given the close smebra operating times were competitors to meet the demands of the government, then the minimum bet request for $ 150 million should be sufficient and would allow Dow generate a significant positive NPV. 150 ultimately is ultimately the value to offer.

Salvia Divinorum

Salvia Divinorum is a hallucinogenic Mexican herb known as â€Å"diviner’s mint† in the US and is typically a natural substance that has the ability to cause intense hallucinations â€Å"out of body† experiences, and a short-term memory loss. Although this substance is legal in the United States despite of the herb’s hallucinogenic properties, this stuff is generally not considered as therapeutic despite of the notion that it was also used for curing by the Mazatic, and is more likely to be use as recreational drugs by adolescents because of mind altering properties of this substance. Because of these properties, Salvia Divinorum should be classified as a potential source of restricted drugs along with Marijuana or the Cannabis sativa and products derived from this herb should be considered as restricted drugs. A mysterious plant that is both puzzling and perplexing, this herb was described botanically by Carl Epling and Carlos D. Jativa in 1962 through the help of two Americans, Albert Hofman a chemist, and Gordon Wasson, an ethno mycologist investigating Mazatic rituals (Clebsh & Barner p. 06). Growing only in the territory lived in by the Mazatic Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico; the Maztic Indians use this plant along with other ingredients for their hallucinogenic properties â€Å"in divinatory rituals† (p. 106). According to Clebsch and Barner, It was reported that if this salvia was ingested â€Å"it would produce an illusory experience† (p. 106). Apparently, this stuff when ingested produces strange feelings that could be similar to the effects of p articular drugs such as Marijuana and other prohibited drugs. Daniel J. Siebert pointed out that the effect of taking Salvinorin A(an encapsulated product from salvia divinorum), includes seeing visions of people, objects, and places, and with doses above one mg user will experience out body experiences and may get up or move around with no clear awareness of their actions or behavior (p. 55). Furthermore, during the most intense phase of the experience, Siebert noted that user of this substance speak nonsense and even laugh hysterically. Siebert summarized the feelings experiences that could be had by any taking substance derived from salvia divinorum as follows: User sees objects such as yellow plaid French fries, a drawer and even ferries wheel; a visions of various dimensional objects; body loss and even identity; uncontrollable hysterical laughter; and different feelings of motion, or being twisted or pulled by forces of some kind (p. 55). From this feelings and experiences resulting from the use of salvia divinorum there is a considerable evidence that this substance could produce drugs that with effect similar or might even harmful than the effect of marijuana. The irony is that this drug is not restricted in the United States thus companies promoting drugs derived from this herb are free to promote these types of substances on the internet sites targeting younger adults and adolescents. According to information released by DEA, Drug Diversion Program entitled â€Å"Drugs of Chemical Concern: Salvia Divinorum† this substance is being smoked and its effect are described by users similar to other restricted drugs (WWW. Streetdrugs. org). Based on new pharmacological findings and the description of users of this substance, salvia divinorum should be classified as potential source of restricted drugs and that government authorities should closely monitor and act decisively against the liberal use of this substance. Just like other restricted substance that causes potential harm to the user when taken liberally, this substance are prone to abuse and may also cause potential harm to the users. While, there seems to be no clear physical benefit on the use of this stuff aside from the notion of relaxation, the abnormal behavior of the person when at the peak of experience of this drugs, is a clear indication of the potential harm this substance may cause on the users. Work Cited Clebsch, Betsy & Barner, Carol D. The New Books of Salvias USA: Timber Press, 2003 â€Å"Salvia Divinorum† WWW. Streetdrugs.org http://www.streetdrugs.org/salvia2.htm Siebert, Daniel Salvia divinorum and Salvinorin A: new pharmacological findings Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd., 1994 http://www.sagewisdom.org/siebertjep94.pdf

Modern Knowledge Management Practices Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Modern Knowledge Management Practices - Essay Example Knowledge is nowadays increasingly becoming an ultimate competitive advantage either replacing or complementing such traditional sources of success as technologies, marketing mix, and often even financial resources (Malhotra, 1998). Modern business history lists a number of instances when knowledge-centred management has helped create competitive advantage of organisations and even countries formerly limited in financial and other resources. For Microsoft, Dell, IBM (which is believed to be one of the founders of the paradigm), Compaq, British Airways, Ryan Air and other major organisations knowledge management has become the cornerstone of success. The same is true for such countries as South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong which rely on the national knowledge economy. Over the last two decades, organizations have often been described in terms of knowledge and learning with the help of such concepts as "learning organisation", "intellectual capital", "people-centred approach" or "knowledge based management". Cakar and Bititci (2001) perfectly summarise this trend in the following statement: "1980s were all about automation. In the manufacturing industry FMS, FAS, Robots, AGV'S etc. were commonplace. The 1990s have been about people, this is evident in the development of concepts throughout the 90's focusing on delegation, involvement, ownership cross functional teamwork, self managed works teams and so on The needs of modern business emphasize the role and importance of people and knowledge" (p.2). The ideas of Peter Drucker (1994), whom was the first to use term 'knowledge worker', became widely recognised in 1980s, particularly the idea that investments in human resources were increasingly becoming more cost-efficient than investments in machines. In 1986, European knowledge management pioneer Karl-Erik Sveiby described the concept of a "know-how company" (Doz, Santos & Williamson, 2001), and in 1991 the ideas of knowledge management were reconsidered by Ikujiro Nonako (1991) whom presented the idea of "knowledge-creating company". The 1996 could be considered the turning point in history of knowledge management: the influence of this paradigm became overwhelming in the developed countries (Skyrme, 2002). While earlier on knowledge used to produce goods, these days it is used to produce other knowledge and information: "what is specific to the informational mode of development is the action of knowledge upon knowledge itself as the main source of productivity" (Mishel & Bernstein, 1996: 17). In other words, the process of creation and sharing knowledge has become the key for strengthening the competitive and successful outcomes of modern organisations. Probably the main reason for such shift is the improved understanding of the importance of knowledge created and shared within organisation. At the same time, the changed patterns of managing human resources made the businesses pay more attention to tacit knowledge the employees possess. Main discussion Originally emerged in 1960s, the paradigm of HRM relied on the broad range of findings revealed by several outstanding organisational researchers. As Alan

Apple Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 3

Apple - Essay Example issues affecting business; technological changes; environmental factors in business; and finally legal issues influencing organization’s operations. For us to get a an understanding of the macro environment affecting Apple Inc, then a deep study of the overall technology industry must be done (Kotler Phillip and Gary Armstrong, 2006). The first factor influencing operation of Apple Inc is the technological force; the company continuously experiences changes in technology, each year the computer electronic components became faster, cheaper and convenient hence computer design frequently changes. Apple is affected by changes in the technology industry; hardware producers like Intel and competing software producers like Microsoft are always innovative in their designs, and therefore Apple must be creative and innovative to ensure superior products and differentiation (RodgerRafter, 2002) Microsoft is a major software producer for Intel computers, and the major competitor of Apple; continuous innovation by Microsoft in software product (especially new versions of windows) has created pressure on Apple to continuously upgrade software like MacOS. Economic factors which affect computer sector include market competition. There is a lot of competition in the technology industry because of low entry barriers; which allows easy entrance by competitors hence increased industry competition. Also, the bargaining power of suppliers is limited due to the limited number of hardware and related software suppliers like Intel and Cyrix. On the contrary; the bargaining power of customers is strong because of the low costs of switching and searching (Jobs, S., 2005). Marketing strategy during entry should take into consideration the purchasing powers of potential consumers; the purchasing capability of developed states is high, while that of developing countries especially in Africa is low. Social change includes the dynamic lifestyle of customers that make apple to be

Managing people in the work environment 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Managing people in the work environment 2 - Essay Example 2007 for the introduction of a Single Equality Act for Great Britain with main focus of achieving a harmonious set of guidelines that can define laws of equality such as disability discrimination and harmonisation of legal definitions of disability discrimination and indirect discrimination. Other objectives of the law review include equal pay and multiple discrimination cases, individual remedies, public sector duties, procurement, and positive action (Malik, 2007). Equality Act 2010 is included in the fifth generation of the equality legislation in Britain which is a product of the struggles of different groups and ideologies, thus, its establishment is based on the need of the people. The establishment of the Act is a product of generations’ need for a single unified law on equality. The main purpose of Equality Act 2010 then is ‘harmonisation, simplification and modernisation of equality law. Included in the main strengths of the legislation are elimination of discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other prohibited conduct; advancement of equality in opportunities regardless of the relevance of an applicant to the job or not; and the encouragement of good relationship within a group or institution (Hepple, 2010). The Equality Act 2010 covers employment guidelines to ensure the rights of both the employer and the employees. It includes guidelines for recruitment; working hours, flexible working and time off; pay and benefits; career development such as training, promotion and transfer; managing workers; dismissal, redundancy, retirement and after a worker has left; equality policies, training, and monitoring; responsibility in the company; disability provisions, etc. (Williamson, n.p.). The Act explored 3 factors in general namely the rights of all human beings, the equal protection from discrimination, and the obligation for full effect of implementation of the provisions (Hepple, 2010). There are different examples of cases related to

Gender Analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Gender Analysis - Research Paper Example Dee has a strained relationship with her mother as well which is the opposite of how Maggie is with her mother. Family differences cause strained relationships as well as increase the differences among the family members. In almost every family, there are those family members who are much more intelligent than the others. They therefore outshine them when it comes to education as well as among other different fields that demand intelligence. These differences in the intellectual ability of the family members leads them hiding their needs and wants in order to avoid being outsmarted by the bright one of being considered stupid in as far as innovation is concerned (Strain 186). In this family, Dee is the bright one intellectually in the family. She is brighter than her sister Maggie whose brain seems to function slightly slower than normal making her slow. He mother cannot be said to also be the brightest pea in the pod making Dee feel quite exceptional in the family. This may also be the reason for her to leave home and be as far away from them as possible. She vowed never to bring her friends in their home as it was not according to the standards of her company. Dee’s talk was also that of an intelligent person the only problem was that she used it to force decisions to her mother and sister leading her to be considered much more elegant and sophisticated. Physical differences are also a reason for families to have strained relationships with each other. The most beautiful of them all shows off her beauty in different ways. One of the ways is through the kind of clothes she wears. This makes the rest of the family members feel inferior while the culprit does not notice it and walks around all superior. At times, they are aware of their superiority in looks and make a point of making everyone else do as they wish simply because they are more beautiful and have great

Fieldwork observation report - special education Essay

Fieldwork observation report - special education - Essay Example In the social study class students had problem in understanding the class concepts has they were slow in opening the chapter which the teacher requested. The teacher gave out homework to the students and helped them to organize their work sheets. In the second day there were four students and the teacher requested them to study the science test. The students took different turns in reading the science test terms and latter the teacher requested the students to open the green reader book. In the third day all the students started by doing, â€Å"do now†. The teacher requested them to sit on the pillow and open their book. The teacher asked the students to make drawing on their note book. After taking snakes the students enjoyed filling blank mathematical questions. Teacher also helped a certain student on how to carry out multiplication. In those three days, the students showed improvement in learning skills. Each day they learned new thing and understood how to open books and also handle class question. The teachers were also cooperative has they helped the students to learn things which they did not

Environmental Challenges that Sony Faces Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Environmental Challenges that Sony Faces - Essay Example The present research has identified that various changes in the marketplace which particularly should always involve political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal factors and more. Under political factor, it is always common to look at the government’s conservatism when it comes to dealing with business. One perfect example would be the case of privatization. In every government, there is always a strong stand on controlling the rise of the certain organization. In Japan, for instance, various organizations are faced with remarkable challenges because the government is trying to protect the interest of small organizations in their respective industry. However, the ability of Sony to leverage its core competencies together with other organization is a proof that there is always the right timing in politics. For instance, Sony’s intent to leverage its core competencies with a Swedish telecommunication company in order to beat Nokia resulted in the bi rth of Sony Ericsson. This joint venture is a remarkable proof that finding the right place for each organization is needed in order to enhance its core competencies. This at some point has specifically involved the prevailing political stand of a nation which basically has a great impact on the entire business process of an organization. For instance, a government saying no to privatization may significantly create an impact on those organizations planning to leverage their core competencies through it. With this, it is important to understand politics as a major thing that affects how the entire business should be conducted primarily because of the prevailing government’s stand. However, it is not only in this broad and general illustration how politics essentially affects Sony. In modern situation, politics itself could stand between competitors or even within an organization. This is a proven trend in the whole business industry of electronics. For instance, every profit organization in this industry is simply trying to be a cut above the other by reaching its competitive advantage. Competitive advantage is something that needs to be worked out because it serves as something that will enhance core competencies.

Global crime's Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Global crime's - Research Paper Example This paper attempts to present a brief overview of cybercrime, beginning with its varying definitions, how it evolved and became dangerous, its types, and past real-world instances. Cybercrime involves criminal acts that are committed using computer networks such as the internet (Bidgoli, 326). These criminal acts include the disruption of other computer systems using viruses and worms, gaining unauthorized access to confidential files, creating and distributing pornographic films based on children, stealing identity, stalking, and a host of other thefts and frauds. There are many ways in which cybercrime can be defined. This is because cybercrime is not a new â€Å"type of conduct† but an extension of criminal behavior that is already existing (Edelbacher, Kratcoski, and Theil 122). Cybercrime could be defined as â€Å"any crime in which a computer is the agent, facilitator, or target of the crime† (Edelbacher, Kratcoski, and Theil). This definition however is not completely representative of cybercrime. A more extensive definition was given by the Council of Europe’s Budapest Convention on Cyber Crime that defined cybercrime as – Offences against the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of computer data and systems, that is, offenses against computer data and systems, including illegal access to a computer system, such as â€Å"hacking† (Article 2), the illegal interception of the transmission of computer data (Article 3), data interference, that is, the damaging, deletion, deterioration, alteration or suppression of computer data (Article 4), system interference, that is, hindering of the functioning of computer systems (Article 5), including denial of service attacks, the misuse of devices (Article 6) – the production, sale, procurement, or otherwise making available of devices of data (e.g., hacking tools) for purposes of committing the above offences

The Evolution of Morality Essay Example for Free

The Evolution of Morality Essay De Waal, author of Good Natured, is one of the most foremost proponents of debate over the evolution of morality. He is a famous primatologist and ethologist who bases his opinions partially on Darwinism and partially on his own personal viewing of primates. According to De Waal, morality comes from two separate sources. De Waal’s theory of morality rests upon the observations of primate behaviors of empathy and sympathy, the selection of kin, reciprocal altruism with regards to fairness, and the simple ability to get along, in conjunction with the idea that one part of our human morality is biological and one part is a result of cultural development. If the idea of a moral code were to be described using only one source, the theory would fail almost immediately. In the human sector, de Waal suggests that our cultural norm is a result of the collaboration of two separate things. The first would be our biological makeup. He claims that all humans are born with some sort of moral ideas. These are, in some cases, fueled by the simple needs and desires that simply come with the territory of being an infant, adolescent, or adult. However, the simple existence of an awareness of what is right and what is wrong is in no way weighty enough to incur a full-fledged code of morals. In order for it to be a sense that is strong enough to sway human behavior it needs to be manipulated by another set of values. This is where cultural decision begins to play a part. Much of the human’s idea of a moral code is embedded in what society believes to be correct behavior. This can encompass many things whether it be how a community should function, how other humans would like to be treated, or the innate desire for friendship. The key point that de Waal is striving to make is that our human morality is consistently evolving with the times. Fairness, normality, and obligation are cultural ideas formed simply by the majority’s expectations. De Waal’s theory rests upon the fusion of these two human traits. However, his ideas also draw from proof of his own scientific observations in the field of primates. However, human morality is not a concept that can be grasped simply by what has occurred to actual human beings over the course of history. In order to fully understand it, one must take into consideration the fact that there may be other entities that practice or abide by the same moral code. De Waal is famous for stating that â€Å"By limiting the concept of morality to the form that is able to be practiced by human beings, we are limiting our understanding of what made us moral in the first place† (4). The â€Å"building blocks of morality† encompass many different characteristics that even primates demonstrate. The ones that are most obviously identifiable in animal behavior are empathy, the selection of kin, reciprocal altruism, demonstrations of fairness, and even their need to resolve conflict. These are all human traits that can undoubtedly be recognized outside of the human spectrum at an undeniable level. This is where de Waal’s theory comes in. His evolution of morality stands on the idea of primates also exemplifying human characteristics. The first and most obvious things that primates show are empathy and sympathy. Some would argue that all animals contain this trait because of the need to nurture and care for young. They are shown through multiple things whether it be emotional attachment, giving simple help to a fellow monkey, or caring for children. De Waal gives a specific example of this when he tells of Yeroen. This primate has just lost a pertinent fight over who will take leadership in his community. Instead of being left to fend for himself emotionally, another young chimpanzee runs over to console him. De Waal also offers multiple flashbacks of monkeys protectively positioning themselves with and around those who are wounded or are their family. Many of these things are human tendencies and de Waal wastes no time in using them to support his ideas of the evolution of morality. Familial bonds are also something that is, surprisingly, not unique to human nature. The selection of kin is also seen in primate life. Maternal instincts are strong, and a father is often seen as the head 1 / 2 of his family. De Waal writes: â€Å"Attached with an emotional umbilical cord to her offspring, the primate mother is never free† (122). The community also institutes multiple ideas of rank and order within their tribes as well. The story of Socko stealing alpha male Jimoh’s choice female and suffering wrath for it is a prime example. Reciprocal altruism can arguably be the most obvious way in which primates demonstrate a code of morality. This is simply the idea of a Golden Rule. Often times, cultural expectations are tied to what one person (or in this case primate) will do with the expectation that they will ultimately receive the same treatment. Many societies base their entire code of ethics around this simple truth, so it is impossible that chimpanzees do this without knowing. Fairness is another trait that de Waal rests his theory upon when it comes to what he has observed in the world of primates. He claims that as a community they share food, take revenge, and even executively hand out justice. There are ranks and rules that need to be followed. This goes hand-in-hand with the final building block which is the ability to resolve conflict. Within a communal setting, this is an inevitable side affect. De Waal writes: â€Å"Golden monkeys do it with mutual hand-holding, chimpanzees with a kiss on the mouth, bonobos with sex, and tonkeana macaques with clasping and lipsmacking. Each species follows its own peacemaking protocol† (176). De Waal concludes his book Good Natured with his statements over moral code as a whole. Ultimately, he lends notability to the idea that humans came up with a case for morality partially because of biological makeup and partially because of cultural compromise and normality. However, his theory is different in his insistence that primates demonstrate the building blocks of a code of morality in their portrayal of empathy and sympathy, their selection of kin, reciprocal altruism, and the ability to get along in regards to fairness and resolving conflict. The fusion of these three things is what de Waal rests his case upon, with much credibility. References De Waal, Frans. Good Natured: The Origins of Right and Wrong in Humans and Other Animals. Cambridge, MA: Harvard UP, 1996. Print. POWERED BY TCPDF (WWW. TCPDF. ORG).

Reproductive Tract Infections (RTI): Symptoms and Causes

Reproductive Tract Infections (RTI): Symptoms and Causes Reproductive tract infections (RTI) are recognized as a public health problem and ranking second after maternal morbidity and mortality as the cause of loss of healthy life among women of reproductive age in developing countries (Jindal et al, 2009.). Infections of the reproductive tract causes serious health problem worldwide, with an impact on individual women and men, their families and communities (Adler et al., 1998). Are RTI infections which affect the reproductive tract, part of the reproductive system. For females, the reproductive tract infections may be much higher in the reproductive tract (fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus) and lower reproductive tract (vagina, cervix and vulva). The global burden of reproductive tract infections (RTI) is a huge and a serious public health problem, especially in developing countries, where ITR are endemic . They can have serious consequences including infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, abortion, cervical cancer, menstrual disorders, pregnancy loss, babies with low birth weight and increased risk of HIV transmission. The presence of the ITR (especially ulcer causing sexually transmitted infections) can promote the acquisition and transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (Rabiu et al., 2010). Reproductive tract infections include endogenous infections, iatrogenic infections and sexually transmittedinfections (STDs) (Muula et al., 2006) . Reproductive tract infections (RTI) refers to three different types of infections affecting the reproductive tract : 1. Endogenous infections are probably the most common RTI worldwide. They result from an overgrowth of organisms normally present in the vagina. Endogenous infections include candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis. These infections can be easily treated and cured . 2. Iatrogenic infections occur when the cause of infection (bacteria or other microorganism) is introduced into the reproductive tract via a medical procedure, such as menstrual regulation, abortion, insertion of an IUD or during childbirth. This can happen if the surgical instruments used during the procedure has not been properly sterilized, or an infection, which was already present in the lower reproductive tract is pushed through the cervix into the upper reproductive tract . 3. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites microorganisms that are transmitted through sexual activity with an infected partner. About 30 different sexually transmitted infections have been identified, some of which are easily treatable, many of which are not. HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is perhaps the most serious sexually transmitted infection, since it eventually leads to death. STDs affect men and women, and can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth. (Germain et al. 1992). Female RTI usually originate in the lower genital tract, such as vaginitis or cervicitis and can produce symptoms such as : abnormal vaginal discharge , genital pain itching burning feeling with urination abdominal pain irregular mensural cycle blood stained discharge However, a high prevalence of asymptomatic disease occurs, which is a barrier to effective control (Elias et al., 1993). Such as: Infertility Fibroid Polyps Prolaps Uterus / Vaginal Endomitrosis Even when symptoms occur, their presence may overlap with and be misdiagnosed as a normal physiological change and normal physiological discharge can be diagnosed as RTI. (Trollope Kumar, 1999). The presence of ulcers, especially RTI causing STI may increase the acquisition and transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (Fleming et al. 1999). Infertility is a health problem in Africa, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where 20-30 % of couples are unable to conceive (Sciarrha, 1994). Most health advocates consider infertility as the most important reproductive health and social issues confronting the Nigerian women and gynecologists often report that infertility is 60 % 70 % of your queries at higher education institutions (Okonofua et al, 1997.). In Nigeria, most cases of infertility RTI following (Snow et al. 1997) Ectopic pregnancy is a large percentage of acute gynecological emergencies in Nigeria and is a major cause of maternal mortality [ 11-13 ]. A study in Lagos, Nigeria found previous STI and pelvic inflammatory disease as the main risk factors for ectopic pregnancy (Anorlu et al., 2005) Cervical cancer is usually the result of a sexually transmitted infection, and human papilloma virus is the causative agent. It is the most common malignancy of the reproductive system and a leading cause of death from cancer in Nigerian women (Thomas, 2000). In contrast to most other types of cancer, it is common below the age of 50, and is therefore a leading cause of premature death (Dey et al. 1996). Sites of Reproductive Tract Infections : Reproductive tract infections can affect the outer genitals and reproductive organs. Infections in the area of the vulva, vagina, cervix or are referred to as the lower reproductive tract infections. Infections in the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries are considered upper reproductive tract infections. (Bulut et al. 1995) Minor infections of the reproductive tract : . Vaginitis : RTI affecting the external genital area and lower reproductive tract in women is often referred to as vulvo vaginitis, vaginitis or simply indicating that the vulva and / or vagina become inflamed and sometimes itchy or painful. Vaginitis is most commonly caused by endogenous infections such as candida (thrush, yeast) or bacterial vaginosis, sexually transmitted infections despite certain as trichomoniasis, can also commonly cause these symptoms and signs. Pelvic infections can have consequences far more dangerous than the initial vaginitis, such as ectopic pregnancy or infertility. (Bulut et al. 1995) 2. Infection of the cervix Infection of the cervix can be caused by a variety of pathogens, particularly sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia and Human Papillomavirus transmitted. Infections of the cervix are considered more serious than vaginitis because more commonly result in infection of the upper reproductive tract, with its serious consequences. Unfortunately, they are also more difficult to detect and are often asymptomatic. (Bulut et al. 1995) Upper Reproductive Tract Infections : The migration of infection in the upper reproductive tract, including the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and tends to be more severe than infections of the lower reproductive tract. Infections of the upper reproductive tract are often a direct complication of infections, especially sexually transmitted lower reproductive tract. (Bulut et al. 1995) Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), for example, is one of the most serious problems of gonorrhea or chlamydia. This can result in chronic abdominal pain, ectopic pregnancy, menstrual irregularities, infertility and as a result of scarring of the fallopian tubes . Ectopic pregnancy, which can cause death, is a particularly serious complication, since it requires emergency interventions that are not available in many resource-poor settings. Iatrogenic infections -. Caused by the introduction of bacteria in normally sterile environment of the womb through a medical procedure such as insertion of an IUD can also result in serious, and reproductive tract infections, occasionally life -threatening upper (Bulut et al .., 1995) ADHD in Classroom Strategies: Literature Review ADHD in Classroom Strategies: Literature Review To what extent can teachers make provisions for pupils with ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity‑Disorder) in the mainstream classroom? CONTENTS (JUMP TO) Section 1: Referenced Extracts Section 2a Part One: Analysis and Critical Evaluation of the Issue Section 2b Part Two: Examination of the Practical Implications for Primary School Teachers Section 3: Copies of Extracts Section 4: Bibliography Sources and Further Reading Section 1: Referenced Extracts (1) Quarmby, K. (Tuesday 6 December, 2004) Rebels without a Cause: Children with Behaviour Problem are Increasingly Diagnosed with ADHD, in, Education Guardian, pp.1-3 (2) The Disorder named AD/HD: What we know (2004) National Resource Centre for AD/HD: Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity‑Disorder (CHADD; http://www.help4adhd.org/en/about/what/WWK1.pdf , p.2 (3) Rafolovich, A. (2005), Exploring Clinician Uncertainty in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity-Disorder, in, Journal of Sociology of Health and Illness, Volume 27, Number 3 London: Blackwell, pp.306‑310 (4) Northen, S. (Friday 26 November, 2004), Feed your Head, in, The Times Educational Supplement, p.3 (5) Spencer, T. et al (1995), A Double-Blind Cross‑Over Comparison of Methylphenidate and Placebo in Adults with Childhood Onset Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity-Disorder, in, Archives of General Psychiatry, Volume 52, pp.434-443 (6) Education Guardian Opinion (Tuesday 10 October, 2006), p.4 (7) Handy, C. and Aitken, R. (1986) Understanding Schools as Organisations London: Penguin, p.13 (8) Chowdhury, U. (2004) Tics and Tourette’s Syndrome: a Handbook for Parents and Professionals London and New York: Jessica Kingsley, p.115 (9) Raphael Reed, L. (1995) Reconceptualisng Equal Opportunities, in, Griffiths, M. and Troyna, B. (Eds.), Antiracism, Culture and Social Justice in Education Stoke‑on‑Trent: Trentham, p.88 (10) Guiding Principles for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Attention‑Deficit Hyperactivity‑Disorder (2006), Presented by the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA); http://www.add.org/pdf/GuidingPrinciples021206Rev[1].pdf , p.2 (11) Jones, A. (August 2004) Clinical Psychology Publishes Critique of ADHD Diagnosis and Use of Medication on Children, in, Psychminded Website; http://www.psychminded.co.uk/news/news2004/august2004/Clinicalpsycholgy (12) Swanson, J.M. and Castellanos, F.X. (2002) Biological Bases of ADHD – Neuroanatomy, Genetics and Pathophysiology, in, Jensen, P.D. and Cooper, J.R. (Eds.), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: State of the Science Kingston: New Jersey, pp.71-72 (13) ADHD: Strategies for Primary School Teachers; http://premium.netdoktor.com/uk/adhd/living/school/article.jsp?articleIdent=uk.adhd.living.school.uk_adhd_xmlarticle_004691 (14) ADHD in the Classroom – What Helps; http://www.adhd.com/educators/educator_communication_difficulties.jsp (15) Selikowitz, M. (2004) ADHD: the Facts Oxford: Oxford University Press, p.154 (16) Stein, D.B. (1999) Ritalin is not the Answer: a Drug-Free, Practical Programme for Children Diagnosed with ADD or ADHD New York: Jossey Bass Wiley, Preface Section 2a Part One: Analysis and Critical Evaluation of the Issue The issue of ADHD is one of the most pressing contemporary concerns within the broader educational sphere of making adequate provisions for children with learning difficulties. With the help of scientists and the media, ADHD has been transformed from a relatively unknown illness of the brain to a well known national problem for thousands of schoolchildren. The increase in awareness has been accompanied by a steep rise in the number of children being diagnosed with the disease. â€Å"The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) estimates that as many as 500000 children in the UK may have ADHD and, of these, as many as 100000 may be seriously affected.†(1) Unbelievably, this figure amounts to approximately one in twenty of all British schoolchildren. With figures constantly on the rise and awareness increasing in tandem, it is clear that ADHD is, at the beginning of the twenty first century, a highly important concern for any mainstream primary school teacher. In comparison to other behavioural problems experienced by young people, the illness is relatively new (at least in terms of its recognition from psychiatrists and general practitioners) and, as such, often causes confusion and misunderstanding when the issue is raised in the classroom. Tourette’s syndrome, for example, has a ten year advantage over ADHD in terms of public awareness and forthright medical opinion. Moreover, the illness is also notoriously difficult to accurately quantify with rather ambiguous symptoms like ‘inattentiveness’ and ‘a lack of concentration’ used as precursors to a diagnosis of attention‑deficit hyperactivity‑disorder. ADHD is consequently considered to be a highly controversial illness that has the medical community split over whether it is a disability in the traditional sense or whether it is a neurological malfunctioning on the part of the child or individual in question. This is not an easy problem to so lve not least because of the scarcity of medical facts. Indeed, the medical facts that are known are somewhat ambiguous and rely heavily on subjectivity rather than objectivity, which would bequeath an improved perspective for scientists and teachers alike. It has, however, been concluded that the illness begins no later than the age of seven and patients who are first diagnosed as ADHD sufferers in adulthood must have displayed the core symptoms from the age of seven to receive treatment for attention‑deficit hyperactivity‑disorder this places the issue directly within the realm of the primary (as opposed to the secondary) school teacher as the first tell-tale signs must be evident before the age of seven (year three). It is therefore prudent to detail these core symptoms of the disease so that the primary school teacher may be in a position to offer better advice to parents and doctors as to the condition to one of their pupils. For this, analysis must turn towards the USA, which is the leading country in terms of diagnosing, treating and including children with the illness in national classrooms. Thus, according to the American National Resource Centre for AD/HD, symptoms can be split into two separate categories (2). The first category comes under the heading of ‘inattention’. The chief features of this are: Making careless mistakes in homework, in class and in other related activities. Failing to pay close attention. Difficulty maintaining attention during work or play. Appearing as if not listening when clearly being spoken to. Failing to follow simple instructions in class. Have difficulties with organisation. Avoiding work with a sustained amount of mental excursion, such as homework or tests. Loses things. Easily distracted. Forgetful in daily activities. The second category used for ascertaining the most visible symptoms of ADHD comes under the heading of ‘hyperactivity-impulsive behaviour’. The core features of this particular behavioural manifestation are: Constant ‘fidgeting’ in class with hands or feet. ‘Squirming’ in chairs. Running or climbing at inappropriate times. Has difficulty remaining seated. Difficulties in maintaining silence during quiet play times. Failing to wait for turn in class. Interrupting teachers and fellow pupils at inappropriate times. Act as if they are on a ‘motor’. It is immediately evident from just a brief overview of the symptoms that ADHD is open to a wide variety of claims of inaccuracy with regards to diagnosis as well as excessive interference on the part of parents, teachers and the state, which has made the cause of children with learning difficulties a chief domestic policy since the end of the twentieth century. Sceptics naturally point to the many years before ADHD became a well known disorder (during the 1980s’) as evidence that the illness has been blown out of proportion (help groups, on the other hand, say this is merely evidence of the way in which the illness has been avoided by education professionals for so long.) Furthermore, according to an empirical study compiled by Adam Rafolovich (3), even doctors retain strong reservations about diagnosing a child with ADHD on the grounds of the fertile ground for misconception that exists with concerns to the symptoms highlighted above. For instance, there can be little doubt that there is a very fine line between defining a child as ‘clinically inattentive’ and simply viewing that same child as lazy and disinterested in the subject matter at hand. Likewise, the same problem persists with any variety of the core symptoms of ADHD, which are often too close to everyday behavioural disorders that should be expected in children as young as seven or eight. Once again, it is not difficult to understand the sceptic’s point of view, especially when considering that the modern variation of schooling is a lot more pupil friendly than was the case forty or fifty years ago. Psychiatric experts and doctors are likewise divided over the best means of treatment available to children who have been satisfactorily diagnosed with ADHD. In the 1990’s, medication was seen as by far the most viable route to inclusion in the classroom with the ‘wonder drugs’ Ritalin and Concerta witnessing an explosion in sales at this time. Prescriptions for these two drugs have leapt from 6000 in 1994 to around 345000 by 2003. This marked increase is testimony to the way in which ADHD has become a serious problem for all mainstream teachers, particularly those who work in primary schools. In addition, there have been grave concerns voiced by doctors, parents and teachers regarding the moral aspect of prescribing a child as young as five or six a powerful, sophisticated neurological drug that alters the way the brain perceives key data. Young people’s brains do not fully develop until well into adolescence and often beyond; thus, the risks in having chi ldren become dependent on medication at such a young age should be obvious to all concerned. Moreover, as Stephanie Northen (4) points out, the fact that ADHD is seen as a biochemical imbalance in the brain requiring a pharmaceutical treatment while, at the same time, dyslexia is seen as a solely educational problem that has no connection with the brain, severely tests the rationale behind the way that the illness is currently being classified and treated. In many cases the difference between the two is only the opinion of a teacher, doctor or mental health observer. On the whole, however, medication has proved to be a success in young children with ADHD at least in terms of lessening the tendency for public outbursts and school time tantrums. Research conducted by the MTA Co‑Operative Group at the end of the twentieth century discovered that approximately 70 to 80% of school children with ADHD reacted positively to psycho stimulant medications. Significant academic improvement has likewise been noted with an increase in attentiveness in the classroom, compliance on group related tasks and a greater accuracy evident in homework, coupled with a decrease in activity levels, impulsivity, negative social behaviours in groups and verbal hostility (5). The implications of medication and the effects that this can have on a child who displays the key symptoms of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity will be discussed in greater detail in Part Two of the discussion, but, at this point, the important point to note is the relatively high level o f success of prescription drugs in the effort to minimise the negative The other major option with regards to effective treatment is the option of psychotherapy involving a mental health expert and groups of child sufferers of ADHD. Utilising a form of cognitive behaviour therapy, qualified experts are able – over time – to challenge the way in which children react to certain environments and situations – those situations that had previously led to evidence of what are considered to be the core symptoms. ADHD ‘coaches’ also help the child to prioritise, organise and develop interactive skills that will lessen the chances of that child experiencing a sense of social exclusion. There are also a number of problems with this kind of therapy not least the obstacle concerning the considerable costs incurred via employing a mental health professional in the current NHS climate. Theory and practice therefore still stand some way apart when it comes to the ideal means of treating children with ADHD faced with the reality of NHS staff shortages and a scarcity of private sector mental health experts who concentrate solely on children with learning difficulties. There is also the significant problem of stigmatisation when a child is diagnosed and then treated for ADHD or, indeed, any other mental health problem. To understand the severity of the issue, one need only look at the way that the adult labour force in the UK discriminates against employees who have a mental health issue in order to understand the way in which playgrounds can become a source of intensive bullying, especially below the age of eight according to the Guardian Education Opinion in October 2006 (6). When one considers the fact that schools are, according to Charles Handy and Robert Aitken (7), not at all dissimilar to adult commercial organisations, it becomes even more clear that bullying and peer pressure are significant issues when it comes to schooling children with learning difficulties and behavioural problems, which ADHD obviously entails. As Uttom Chowdhury declares, the more a child stands out as different from his or her classmates â€Å"because of associated behaviours such as impulsivity, poor handwriting and academic difficulties† (8) the greater the likelihood of bullying and social exclusion. Primary school teachers would have a pivotal role to play in the cessation of bullying on the grounds of a mental illness, in addition to maintaining an effective social balance within the classroom. Furthermore, a pupil who suffers from ADHD is bound to display signs of low self esteem, regardless of bullying in the playground or peer pressure within the classroom. Low self esteem combined with the unpredictable side effects of the medication as well as mitigating factors that may be occurring at home, means that the task of a mainstream primary school teacher is made all the more time consuming. It can be seen that attention‑deficit hyperactivity‑disorder is not only a highly topical issue that is bound to increase in significance in the coming decades, but that it is also a highly problematic area of debate for public education and child welfare due to the ambiguity that resides at the heart of the diagnosis of the condition. While there are a number of tell‑tale signs that a child may be suffering from ADHD there are also any number of alternative reasons as to why a student appears to be veering away from the carefully constructed consensus of a primary school classroom. Ultimately, some children would just prefer not to be in school at all. With this in mind, it is prudent to turn attention towards the implications for teachers who wish to advance the governmental policy of social inclusion in the classroom by understanding how ADHD can be married with an award for Quality Teacher Status. Section 2b Part Two: Examination of the Practical Implications for Primary School Teachers Section 3.2.4 of the Standards for the Award of Qualified Teacher Status declares that teacher should, â€Å"identify and support more able pupils, those who are working below age-related expectations, those who are failing to achieve their potential in learning, and those who experience behavioural, emotional and social difficulties.† Clearly, therefore, with regards to pupils with ADHD, the most pressing concern for primary school teachers is the need to maintain a healthy social balance within the classroom without ostracising the child with the learning difficulty. Inclusiveness must consequently be the teacher’s main priority if they are to fulfil the most basic precept of the QTS. â€Å"All children need someone to mediate their learning, but sometimes this feels especially true for children with special educational needs.† (9) This is a tried and tested educational tightrope that cannot be replicated in a college classroom, in an academic book or in an education‑specific journal. Rather, this challenge can only be met through experience. This is, of course, not to state that there are not certain features and attributes that the teacher can learn so as to be in a more advantageous position to deal with potential sufferers of ADHD. The most obvious place to begin would be the acquisition of help from a more experienced teacher – one who hopefully has coped with the demands of teaching children with learning difficulties beforehand, even if the difficulty in question is not ADHD. This would equip the recently qualified primary school teacher with the ability to deal more efficiently with children in the classroom who have already been diagnosed with the illness as well as those pupils that have yet to be diagnosed but who are nonetheless showing a variety of signs of ADHD. This is an important point because, according to the ‘guiding principles for the diagnosis and treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity‑disorder’, ADHD should be â€Å"suspected but never presumed.† (10) Section 2.4.1 of the Standards for the Award of Qualified Teacher Status states that: â€Å"they [the qualified teacher] understand how pupils’ learning can be affected by their physical, intellectual, linguistic, social, cultural and emotional development.† With regards to pupils with ADHD, this would involve the ability to liaise with the child’s parents. This has two obvious benefits. The first is to better understand the child’s home life, which experts agree is a vital factor in the formation of the disease, especially if said home life is noticeably chaotic, abusive or violent. â€Å"More regard should be given to a child’s social circumstances, experience and history in understanding their behaviour.†(11) Secondly, research has indicated that there are certain generic attributes of ADHD that run through families, which makes the issue of maintaining an effective, coherent working dialogue with the parents of ADHD sufferers all the more imperative (12). Although the illness is inherently complex, involving a cross‑over of many genes, there is a strong likelihood that one of the parents will also show signs of ADHD, making empathy with the child easier in the process. The Standards for the Award of Qualified Teacher Status also require the primary school teacher to be able to effectively plan lessons for all pupils in the class. Moreover, as of January 2002, a revised SEN code of practice dictated that â€Å"all teachers are SEN teachers.†(13) Clearly, children with learning difficulties pose unique problems for the planning of lessons, none more so than those pupils with ADHD, which is an inherently disruptive and anti‑social illness. Communication between the teacher and the student (not to mention communication between the student and his classmates) is therefore a major problem. Fortunately, there are a number of study aids that are available for teachers to consult. For instance, the official ADHD website in the US offers invaluable advice on how best to manage children with the illness in a classroom setting (14). The following constitutes a small extract of what the organisation considers to be useful information for educators . It should be interpreted as an Individual Education Plan (IEP): Refrain from ‘popping’ a question which requires a speedy answer. Give the student extra time to answer questions. For example, use up time by writing on the blackboard. Speak slowly and provide information in small units. This is especially helpful in the classroom. Reinforce verbal instructions and lessons with written materials, or by writing on the blackboard. Work closely with the student to determine and accommodate his or her individual needs. There are likewise a number of books that have been published in recent years that are a source of encouragement for primary school teachers. Mark Selikowitz, for example, gives advice on the structural planning of the classroom for students with ADHD: â€Å"the child with ADHD should be seated at the front of the class near to the teacher’s desk. The old idea of putting the ‘naughty’ child at the back of the class†¦is totally inappropriate if the child has ADHD.† (15) Teachers must also be constantly aware of the dangers inherent in educating children who are prescribed powerful doses of medicine. In his critique of the culture of prescription drugs prevalent in the USA and the UK, David Stein warns of the side‑effects of Ritalin, which include insomnia, tearfulness, rebound irritability, personality change, nervousness, anorexia, nausea, dizziness, headaches, heart palpitations, and cardiac arrhythmia. (16) Finally, in accordance with Section 3.3.1.4, tutoring a child with ADHD allows the qualified teacher to test their ability to effectively manage instances of bullying and harassment. Where a child with ADHD is concerned, bullying is especially relevant due to the potentially volatile outbursts of the child in question as well as taking into account the reaction of those classmates who do not understand ADHD. As is the case when constructing an IEP, the primary school teacher must be able to use common sense in order to properly tailor classroom and playground management for the specific needs of the child in question. No two ADHD sufferers are likely to display the same characteristics of the disease. Section 3: Copies of Extracts (1) (4) Rebels without a cause Children with behaviour problems are increasingly diagnosed with ADHD. But their parents often struggle to get them the education they need. By Katharine Quarmby Tuesday December 6, 2005 The Guardian James Steele, aged 10, from Bermondsey, south London, has seven doses of Ritalin a day to control his behaviour. On one of his first days at Southwark Park primary school, he stripped off naked and was chased round the school by two teachers. His mother, Julie Clapp, had to give up work to cope with him. Its been a nightmare, she says. He would crawl over desks, start climbing on equipment in the classroom, says Angie Sharma, acting headteacher. Then at one point he opened the window and stood on the ledge. The whole school was in a panic. We seriously thought we might have to exclude James. It was extremely difficult for the teacher to teach to the national curriculum when James was running out of class, refusing to co-operate. Before he joined the school, he had already been kicked out of nursery. The school begged Southwark council for help and, at the age of seven, James was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and given a statement of special educational need. A team of experts assessed James, including the schools special educational needs co-ordinator, an

Education Over Censorship Essay -- School Technology Essays

Education Over Censorship Remember when you were a kid and you discovered something taboo or something that was considered adult? Didn’t it seem wrong, but exciting at the same time? It was something that was kept from your eyes or ears, but you were able to find it again when you wanted to. This is why there’s censorship in the world. There are things out there that children shouldn’t see. But determining what kids shouldn’t see has been plaguing our society forever. If we censor certain mediums just so kids can’t see them, then adults are also restricted. It’s like burning the house down to roast the pig. But, what if children were educated better? Even if they were educated about the taboo subjects such as pornography or obscenity, it could result in a society where these subjects weren’t taboo. Just blocking anything that has to do with sex, for example, could harm a child’s ability to learn important lessons about sex. If children are educated better, both at home and in school, censorship doesn’t have to be used and the idea of free speech could be respected much better than it is now. Unfortunately, when all those old dead presidents wrote the constitution over 200 years ago, they didn’t have TV, radio, or the internet. The fact that all the first amendment says is that congress can’t stop the freedom of speech or the press leaves this amendment open to endless debate over how it should be translated to modern day terms. If only Thomas Jefferson had in mind the KKK, Neo-Nazis, and the porn industry on the internet when he helped write the constitution. The Communications Decency Act was a huge block of nearly anything remotely obscene on the internet in order to protect the interests of minors. Among other... ...ble <http://researcher.sirs.com>. (8 December 1999). Kristol, Irving. "Liberal Censoship and the Common Culture."l Society Sep/Oct 1999: 5-11. EBSCOhost MasterFILE Premier. Available <http://www.epnet.com/ehost/>. (8 December 1999). Meecks, Brock N. "The Obscenity of Decency." HotWired and Wired Privacy Archive. <http://hotwired.lycos.com/Lib/Privacy/exon.privacy.html>. (8 December 1999).] Melillo, Wendy. "Block Shot." Brandweek 6 September 1999: pIQ12. EBSCOhost MasterFILE Premier. Available <http://www.epnet.com/ehost/>. (8 December 1999). Storck, Thomas. "Censorship Can Be Beneficial." Censorship: Opposing Viewpoints Eds. David Bender, et al. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1997. Wallace, Jonathan D. "Pervasive Problem." Reason October 1998: 52-58. EBSCOhost MasterFILE Premier. Available <http://www.epnet.com/ehost/>. (8 December 1999).

breast cancer Essay -- essays research papers

Breast Cancer   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. The American cancer society estimates that in 2002 about 192,200 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the U.S. alone. Breast cancer also occurs in men. An estimated 1,500 cases will be diagnosed among men. In 2002, there will be about 40,600 deaths from breast cancer in the United States.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  What is breast cancer? Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that has developed from cells of the breast. To make it easier I’ll put it this way. When the body needs new cells they will divide or reproduce. Sometimes the cells grow and divide out of control, which creates a mass of tissue called a tumor. Now if the cells that are growing out of control are abnormal and don’t function like the body’s normal cells the tumor is then called malignant or cancerous. Cells from the malignant tumors can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. They may also travel through your blood stream or lymph system to other parts of your body. If the cells are normal cells the tumor is called benign or non cancerous. This Disease occurs mostly in women, but dose occur rarely in men. There are many stages of breast cancer. Stage 0 breast cancer is when the disease is localized to the breast and lymph nodes. Stage 1 is when the cancer is smaller than 1 inch across and hasn’t spread. Stage II is one of the following: the tumor is less than one inch but has spread to the underarm lymph nodes or the tumor is between 1-2 inches without spreading. Advanced breast cancer results after cancer cells spreads to the lymph nodes and to other parts of the body. Stage III breast cancer is also called locally advanced breast cancer. The tumor is now larger than 2 inches and has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm, or a tumor that is any size with cancerous lymph nodes that attach to each other or surrounding tissue.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Stage IIIB breast cancer is a tumor of any size that has spread to the Skin, Chest wall or internal mammary lymph nodes, which are located beneath the breast and inside the chest.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Stage IV breast cancer is defined as a tumor that has spread to places far away from the breast, such as bones, lungs or lymph nodes.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are... ... no way to prevent breast cancer but there are a ton of things you can do to help reduce your risks of getting it. You should always eat foods high in fiber. Fiber helps reduce the amount of circulating estrogen in your body. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, also include soy in your diet. Studies say that soy may inhibit the development and growth of cancer cells. Limit the fat in your diet, limit alcohol, and stay physically active. The Nurses Health Study found that women who exercise for at least 1 hour a day reduce their breast cancer risk by 18 %. You should also maintain a healthy weight and avoid exposure to pesticides. Because the molecular structure of some pesticides closely resembles that of estrogen. This means that they might attach to receptor sights in you body. It is known that women with high levels of pesticides in their breast tissue have a greater breast cancer risk.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Although there are many different things that go along with breast cancer. This paper really helped me understand more about the subject and helped me know some of the signs that I need to look for and ways to help me reduce the risks of getting breast cancer.

Fairy Tale Icons in Morrisons Tar Baby and Monteros Te Tratare como a

Deconstructing Fairy Tale Icons in Toni Morrison's Tar Baby and Rosa Montero's Te Tratare como a una reina ABSTRACT In this study I will examine how, from a feminist perspective, both Toni Morrison's fourth African-American novel, Tar Baby (1981), and Rosa Montero's third post-Franco Spanish novel, Te tratarà © como a una reina (1983), explore the problems that arise when women believe that they are the stereotypes permeating literature. Both women writers employ similar techniques that subvert and deconstruct the stereotypical roles of men and women, unveiling the fairy tale icons of the heroine and the hero that have been masquerading as "real" people. ESSAY Day and night are mingled in our gazesÃ…   If we divide light from night, we give up the lightness of our mixtureÃ…   We put ourselves into water tight compartments, break ourselves up into parts, cut ourselves in twoÃ…   we are always one and the other, at the same time. -Luce Irigaray1 In 1975 the death of Franco and forty years of dictatorship and censorship offered Spanish women the freedom to reexamine their identity and question their role in a patriarchal society. At the same time on another continent, African-American women are also struggling to find their identity among the numerous American literary images that, until the 20th-century, had not realistically represented their gender or race. Notwithstanding the different histories, geographies, and ethnicities between African-American and Spanish women, a common thread that appears to bind them is their inheritance of a legacy of struggle against the internalization of controlling patriarchal perceptions and images of women that lead them to believe that they are, indeed, the stereoty... ...997. Montero, Rosa. Te tratarà © como a una reina. 1983. Barcelona: Seix Barral. 1990. Morrison, Toni. Tar Baby. 1981.New York: Plume, 1982. NOTES 1 Luce Irigaray, This Sex Which Is Not One (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1985) 217. 2 Critics have noted that what I call "multiple interpretations" and binary oppositions are characteristic of Morrison's works. 3 Trudier Harris, Fiction and Folklore: The Novels of Toni Morrison (Knoxville: U of Tennessee P, 1991) 116. 4 On the Sea Bird II he thinks of "women" (6), later with the same contextual references he thinks of "fat black ladies" (119). 5 This and all subsequent translations are mine. 6 Racial stereotyping, also defined in fairy tale motifs, suggest that Son is a "frog" when his African-American hair is in its natural state and a "prince" when he conforms to the grooming norms of the white culture.

Psy 270 Depression Paper

Week 4 Assignment: Depression Paper Axia College of University of Phoenix Situational depression is a normal recurrence for many of us during our lifetimes. We have life events that trigger depression, stress and anxiety to include the death of a loved one, the unwanted change in our work status and possibly a divorce. Such changes in emotions are temporary and directly related to specific events are part of the way in which we respond to these changes. Outside these normal, healthy mood changes exists a world in which a small percentage of U.S. adults experience clinical depression. Clinical depression is a mental illness that is extreme enough that a person cannot function well in their daily lives. It may even cause the individual to be suicidal. Unipolar depression is the term ascribed to this condition (Comer, 2011). Symptoms of this illness are similar to those of mood disorder. The mood disorder is called bipolar disorder. In this assignment, I will compare causes, symptoms an d treatments of these two illnesses.The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual describes unipolar depression as a significant depressive period that lasts more than two weeks during which the patient exhibits at least five depressive symptoms (Comer, 2011). Symptoms of depression include insomnia, daily bouts of depression, inability to concentrate on the task on hand, loss of appetite and a loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities and thoughts of suicide (Comer, 2011). Unipolar depression is thought to be caused by a combination of factors rather than being developed from one source or exposure.Depression is in part, a genetic biochemical imbalance of the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine in combination with stress. The institute details specific personality traits correlated with depression. Their studies revealed that individuals who show: 1. High levels of anxiety, which can be experienced as an internalize d anxious worrying style or as a more externalized irritability. 2. Shyness, expressed as social avoidance or personal reserve. 3. Self? criticism or low self? worth. 4. Interpersonal sensitivity. 5.Perfectionism. 6. A self? focused style is at higher risk for developing depression. A variety of therapies are used to treat unipolar depression with varying degrees of success and effectiveness. One treatment which is biological in nature that has proved very effective is also controversial because of its nature. This is Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). In ECT, the patient is subjected to induction of seizure through controlled electric shock, under anesthesia. The treatment process is not well understood and is, therefore, used only in severe cases.These cases may include delusion in extreme forms of the illness. ECT does tend to cause memory loss and is being used less frequently since the introduction of newer antidepressant drugs (Comer, 2011). The class of drugs used for antidepre ssant effects include three types. These are monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitors, tricyclics and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). All three types of antidepressants are effective for patients with depression, but SSRIs are currently the preferred medication due to the smaller body of side effects these drugs have.SSRIs function by balancing the brain’s neurotransmitters. They increase serotonin and norepinephrine levels (Comer, 2011). Other treatment modalities are available as well. Drug treatments are most effective when used in combination with other treatments. Unipolar depression treatments are currently dominated by cognitive model therapies. The cognitive models have gained favor over other therapies, such as psychodynamic and behavioral models (Comer, 2011). The effectiveness rate for cognitive therapies is between 50% and 60% (Comer, 2011).Cognitive therapy is designed to re-educate patients to become aware of and alter their own negative thought patt erns and maladaptive behaviors. Four steps are employed in this model. The first step is when the individual is instructed to create a log of their daily schedule so that they can begin to become active again. This is intended to help them also regain their self-confidence. In the second step, the individual is told to write down the automatic negative thoughts they experience.In the third step, they can then look back on this list and learn to recognize that most, if not all, of these thoughts are unfounded and that this pattern of negative thinking becomes self fulfilling. The goal here is to refocus the person and to give them a new perspective that is self fulfilling in a positive way. The fourth and last step is when the clinician assists the individual in making changes to their maladaptive attitudes and behaviors that contributed to their depression (Comer, 2011). Bipolar disorder is the term applied to an individual’s condition when their mood swings drastically from mania to depression.The DSM indicates that there are two different types of bipolar disorders. In Type one an individual experiences daily severe depression for an extended period with these periods being by full blown manic episodes. In Type two bipolar disorder, the individual experiences the same depression as in Type one, but the subsequent manic phase is less severe (Comer, 2011). Research studies show that bipolar disorder is developed in the same way as depression. The treatments for bipolar disorder, however, vary greatly from those used to treat depression.In bipolar patients, antidepressants can trigger mania, so other drugs, singly or in combination are used for mania. Some of these drugs are lithium, carbamazepine and valporate (Comer, 2011) in combination with SSRI antidepressants, since SSRIs do not trigger mania as often. Research shows that psychotherapy alone will not effectively treat biopolar disorders. Lithium along is also not effective. Lithium dosages are diff icult to regulate in actual use and patients often discontinue the medication on their own (Comer, 2011).Adjunctive psychotherapy is used in conjunction with medications, in part to help the patient understand the value of their medication. The clinician will also work with the patient to help them cope with family, work and social issues that arise when bipolar disorder is experienced (Comer, 2011). These two types of disorders are caused in similar ways, but their treatments are quite different. References Comer, R. J. (2011). Fundamentals of abnormal psychology (6th ed. ). New York, NY: Worth.

Brave New World: Utopia or Dystopia Essay

The novel Brave New World has often been characterized as dystopia rather than utopia. Nevertheless, the superficial overview of the novel implies a utopian society, especially if judging by what the Controller said to John, the Savage: People are happy; they get what they want, and they never want what they can’t get. They’re well off; they’re safe; they’re never ill; they’re not afraid of death; they’re blissfully ignorant of passion and old age; they’re plagued with no mothers or fathers; they’ve got no wives, or children, or lovers to feel strongly about; they’re so conditioned that they practically can’t help behaving as they ought to behave. And if anything should go wrong, there’s soma. (Huxley, 2002: 151) Enjoying themselves in feelies, electromagnetic golf and in soma they are never worried, sad, nor solitary. The most frequent sentence pronounced in the novel which describes the people’s emo tional state of mind is „Everybody’s happy nowadays.â€Å" People spend time at work, spending money on new things, having fun and sex which does not involve any deep feelings or love relationship. The moment we take a deeper insight into this society, ideal perfection, or utopia, immediately disappears. The human kind is artificially generated, people are conditioned to suit their social roles in the Community, they are unconscious that their lives are carefully planned, manipulated and controlled by a few leaders. This picture does not imply a Brave New World to be a utopian society. Opposite to utopia stands dystopia, defined by dictionaries as „an imaginary place where people lead dehumanized and often fearful livesâ€Å" (Hornby, 1995: 362). A little bit softer tone of this definition can be applied to Huxley’s society. People do not live in a fear, they do the job they are predestined to and therefore comfortable with, they lead the life they are made for, without making any arguments, and the most of all they are satisfied and happy with the way the things are. „All the people who, for one reason or another, have got too self-consciously individual to fit into community-life. All the people who aren’t satisfied with orthodoxy, who’ve got independent ideas of their own.† (Huxley, 1995: 155) are punished. But â€Å"Brave New World has its own gentler punishments: for non-conformists, it’s exile to Iceland, where Man’s Final End can be discussed among like-minded intellects, without pestering â€Å"normal† people – in a sort of university, as it were.â€Å" (Atwood, 2007: par. 17). Contrary to this civilized society, there is another smaller society, a Savage Reservation. John, the Savage, raised in the Reservation, has been taken to the Other Place. He was eager to go there as his mother told him beautiful stories about that civilized world. People living in the Reservation are considered not to have been „civilizedâ€Å" and they lead their lives as people did before, in harmonization with nature. They believe in marriage, they are monogamous and religious. Family is important to them. All the aspects of their lives are considered as uncivilized by people from the Other Place who consider them primitive. They still undergo the process of aging and mourn when someone dies. Growing old is artificially stopped in the Other Place, and death is accepted as the usual end. In a Hospital for the Dying eighteen months – old – children get accustomed to death. „All the best toys are kept there, and they get chocolate cream on death days. They learn to take dying as a matter of course.† (Huxley, 1995: 109). This society, the World State, has its motto „Community, Identity, Stabilityâ€Å" which governs its citizens’ lives. The society is arranged so that apart from the division to social classes, everybody is part of one unit, one large community which is controlled by only a few people, called the Controllers. The Controllers created the environment which suits people’s lives in order to benefit the Community. Identity is related to the Bokanovsky process. This process creates identical people, twins of the same qualities. They can hatch out up to 96 twins from only one ovary and a gamete. These armies, or sets of identical people with same abilities serve the Community. Therefore „Bokanovsky’s Process is one of the major instruments of social stability!† (Huxley, 1995: 7). Community has to be stable in order to survive. They strive for stability, â€Å"the primal and ultimate need.† (Huxley, 1995: 31). For this reason, apart from bokanovskification, controllers do their best to satisfy people’s impulses and vices, so they arranged â€Å"no strain on the mind or the muscles. Seven and a half hours of mild, unexhausting labour, and then the soma ration and games and unrestricted copulation and the feelies.† (Huxley, 1995: 153). Unrestricted copulation and the proverb â€Å"everyone belongs to everyone else†, repeated for so many times during hypnopaedic lessons, complete one another together. They can copulate with anyone they like whenever and wherever they want. Moreover, it is quite impolite not to do so. Having been raised in this manner it was so strange for Lenina when the Savage rejected to be intimate with her. Unlike Lenina, he relies on monogamy and romance, which in the World State are considered as „a narrow channelling of impulse and energy.† (Huxle y, 1995: 29). Even though they are not burdened with problems, people in the Brave New World are deprived of most human qualities. They cannot think for themselves as they have literally built-in instincts, aspirations and abilities. They are ufamiliar with what the term family connotes. What used to be the base of a prosperous and a healthy society is now regarded as something unnecessary, impure and offensive to talk about. When the Controller talked to students about family and relations in family „one of the boys, more sensitive than the rest, turned pale at the mere description and was on the point of being sick.† (Huxley, 1995: 27) since the negative attitude and feelings towards family and family life are embedded from their early childhood. The Controller once more reminds them: â€Å"And home was as squalid psychically as physically. Psychically, it was a rabbit hole, a midden, hot with the frictions of tightly packed life, reeking with emotion. What suffocating intimacies, what dangerous, insane, obscene relationships between the members of the family group!† (Huxley, 1995: 28). According to Atwood „The word â€Å"mother† – so thoroughly worshipped by the Victorians – has become a shocking obscenity.â€Å" (Atwood, 2007: par. 18). Wherever in the novel characters mention mother it drew impure connotation, like „that smutty word againâ€Å" (Huxley, 1995: 27) „full of mothers–therefore of every kind of perversion from sadism to chastity† (28) or â€Å"the word made Lenina look uncomfortable† (79) and finally â€Å"To say one was a mother–that was past a joke: it was an obscenity.† (103). One of the main characters Bernard, an Alpha plus, an intellectual, occasionally shows independent opinion. When he and Lenina were in a visit to a Savage Reservation and saw two mothers breastfeeding, Bernard noted: â€Å"What a wonderfully intimate relationship,† he said, deliberately outrageous. â€Å"And what an intensity of feeling it must generate! I often think one may have missed something in not having had a mother. And perhaps you’ve missed something in not being a mother, Lenina. Imagine yourself sitting there with a little baby of your own. †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Huxley, 1995: 76) Such an observation was not something somebody would notice in that way, nor say out loud. Lenina is shocked. She looks for soma to calm her down. Her reaction is not unusual, most of the people coming from the World State would react this way for they reproduce artificially and do not take care of the children. The controllers developed many ways to manipulate people’s lives. Reproduction, which used to be the primary goal for all species, including the humankind, is now artificially carried out in laboratories. There are the so called „hatcheriesâ€Å" where human babies are hatched out of bottles and conditioned to fit their anticipated social position. The positions are occupied according to the level of their intelligence. Huxley used the Greek alphabet to name positions, starting from Alpha, the most intelligent people, and ending with Epsilons, morons who are capable for manual work. Different components are given to them while they are in bottles, as well as the amount of the oxygen. This manipulation with lives and deciding upon the role in the society in the Brave New World is a dehumanizing act. Mustapha Mond, one of the controllers, proudly explains to the Savage, who is getting more and more disappointed with what he has seen, the great biotechnology of people mani pulation „his conditioning has laid down rails along which he’s got to run. He can’t help himself; he’s foredoomed.† (Huxley, 1995: 152). Another element of manipulation is soma. It is a kind of a drug, distributed by the State, which brings about pleasant feelings, makes people happy and easygoing, with no side effects. â€Å"Soma promotes a superficial hedonism and causes alienation from the kind of â€Å"real human life† that we know. Furthermore, soma is used to keep the social order as it is.† (Schermer, 2007: 121). When his mother dies in the Park Lane Hospital for the Dying, the Savage encounters Deltas who are about to get their portions of soma. Thinking of his mother, Linda, who died as a slave he decides to free the others. He cries out â€Å"poison to soul as well as body.† (Huxley, 1995: 145) and asks them if they would rather be slaves and puppets, than to experience manhood and freedom. He creates chaos among Deltas when he starts to throw the soma pills out of the window. Deltas panic and attack him. In the end policemen spray the soma cloud into the air and play the Voice of Reason and the Voice of Good Feelings. â€Å"Two minutes later the Voice and the soma vapour had produced their effect. In tears, the Deltas were kissing and hugging one another–half a dozen twins at a time in a comprehensive embrace.† (Huxley, 1995:147). Peace and social stability were restored. World State controllers apply the so called hypnopaedic lessons to manipulate people’s psychology. Hypnopaedic proverbs, rhymes, prejudices and wisdoms are played to children while they sleep. The hypnopaedia turned out to be â€Å"the greatest moralizing and socializing force of all time.† (Huxley, 1995: 21). Moreover, hypnopaedic lessons are not the same for all social classes. For example, when Lenina, the Alpha, saw Deltas she noted â€Å"what hideous colour khaki is.† (Huxley, 1995:42) the hypnopà ¦dic prejudices of her caste. Among many of the themes hypnopaedia covers, some of them are about â€Å"hygiene, sociability, class-consciousness and toddler’s love life† (Huxley, 1995: 99). They also use the hypnopaedic rhyme â€Å"Ending is better than mending. The more stitches, the less riches.† ( Huxley, 1995:35) to encourage people to get rid of old things and constantly buy new ones. In this way they created a society accustomed to get rid of the old things and immediately replace them with the new ones. „The novel provides a prophecy of a world of test tube babies, genetic engineering, and social control.â€Å" (Carter and McRae, 2001: 433). This prophecy turned out to be in practice nowadays. Test tube babies are for those who cannot have children in natural way and genetic engineering is used to improve organisms. Ordinary people know almost nothing if those are used for manipulation and creating lives or organisms to compromise humankind. Huxley saw the beginnings of consumer society and therefore incorporated it into the novel. „There was the conscription of consumption. Every man, woman and child compelled to consume so much a year. In the interests of industry.† (Huxley, 1995:35). Nowadays there are numerous shopping malls in cities attracting consumers. Buildings and roads are full of billboards as well as mass media with advertisements which hypnotize masses and make them anxious to spend money. „Brave New World eliminated all problems, sense of loyalty or compassion, love for art and philosophy, as well as any other activities which can lead to individual thinking or even more dangerous to induce passion or feelings.† (Koljević, 2002: 133). In this way Huxley tried to warn the society of his time what can to happen to humankind if people are deprived of activities which can induce individuality, like philosophy, art, religion, family, and above all freedom, to be free to make their own choice and think for themselves. Likewise the existence of one community in the novel, the contemporary world is under the process of globalization, erasing borders between countries, and turning into one global village, one state, offering the same products worldwide and promptly delivering information. The present world is a mixture of the futuristic elements which Huxley mentioned, but it retains all activities which enable people to show their skills, their individuality. In the end the Savage dies. â€Å"The Savage seeks the admittedly narrow freedom to be unhappy rather than to escape into an induced, tidy and controlled soma dream.† (Sanders, 1994: 556). Despite his eagerness to live in the World State with all amenities it offers, he realized that he would rather feel pain if it meant to be free, than to be happy and at the same time to be someone’s slave. Brave New World developed technology to manipulate people. Its dystopian environment eventually killed the Savage, a representative of true moral values which raised the question: Will the true moral values resist as technology and science move forward? Nobody cannot stop their development, but can make use of them for proper purposes. Hopefully the humankind will be smart enough to take out the best of its history, develop science and technology to benefit people, and prevent creating uniformity and sameness to preserve the diversity of human souls. Bibliography 1. Atwood, Margaret. (2007). Everybody is happy now. Retrieved November 5, 2012, from http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2007/nov/17/classics.margaretatwood 2. Carter. R. & J. McRae (2001). The Routledge History of literature in English: Britain and Ireland. New York: Routledge 3. GaÃ… ¡parić, Velimir. (2011). Vrli novi svijet – Novi Svjetski Poredak. Retrieved November 2, 2012, from http://2012-transformacijasvijesti.com/novi-svjetski-poredak/vrli-novi-svijet-novi-svjetski-poredak 4. Hornby. A.S. (1995). Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English. Oxford: Oxford University Press 5. Huxley, Aldous. (2002, May 18). Brave New World. Retrieved November 6, 2012, from http://www.idph.com.br/conteudos/ebooks/BraveNewWorld.pdf 6. Koljević, Svetozar. (2002). Engleski romansijeri XX veka. Beograd: Zavod za udÃ… ¾benike i nastavna sredstva 7. Sanders, Andrew. (1994). The Short Oxford History of English Literature. Oxford: Clarendon Press 8. Schermer, M. H. N. (2007). Brave New World versus Island – Utopian and Dystopian Views on Psychophar macology, Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy 10:119 –128