Adaptive Behavior free essay sample

Students who are only mildly affected may be difficult to diagnose or recognize, since there may be no visual cues. It has been estimated that over four million Americans have an Intellectual or developmental disability (Larson, 2000). However this figure could be misleading, since it is suspected that many school age students are misdiagnosed with other learning disabilities, developmental delay, behavior disorder, or autism instead of intellectual disability. Some still use the term mental retardation, to refer to individuals with ID. This term is perceived as outdated and offensive. Families, educators, and the general public are becoming aware that Intellectual Disability is the legal and appropriate term to identify individuals with this disability. One common question people have is why we need to distinguish intellectual disability from developmental disability. The answer is that there are major differences like, the age symptoms first appear, the severity of the limitations experienced, and the requirements of a low IQ score. We will write a custom essay sample on Adaptive Behavior or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Because of this many students with intellectual disability would not meet the definition of developmental disabled. It has been estimated that at least half of individuals with intellectual disabilities will not meet the functional limitation requirements in the IDEA definition of developmentally disabled. So the many members of the general public ask what intelligence is. Is there any real way to define or test intelligence? Who defines what true intelligence is. Can intelligence be passed on genetically? Or can your environment impact your intelligence? What happens if your environment is unhealthy? According to David Wechsler, intelligence is defined as â€Å"The aggregate or global capacity of an individual to act purposefully, to think rationally and deal effectively with his environment. † Basically intelligence refers to a person’s general mental capacity; which includes their reasoning skills, ability to plan, problem solve, their ability to think abstractly, the comprehension of complex ideas, their ability to learn from experience and the speed in which they are able to learn. Some professionals believe that the measurement of intelligence is impossible. While others believe that any endeavors to define intelligence have resulted in definitions that are both narrow and circular. Educators today use Intelligence Quotient tests to measure intelligence. If a child receives IQ score of 70 or below, they may be presumed to have an intellectual disability. Besides an IQ requirement The definition of intellectual disability also requires identification of significant limitations in the area of adaptive behavior. A students Adaptive behavior is considered to be a collaboration of practical, social and conceptual skills, that are required to function in everyday life. The lives of students who have significant limitations in adaptive behavior are impacted daily. Their ability to respond to situations in their environment is affected. Skills like expressive and receptive writing, reading. Self direction and the concept of money are conceptual skills. Interpersonal skills like following directions or rules, obeying laws or being responsible are all considered social skills. Activities that everyone must do to live like eating, dressing, and going to the bathroom are considered receptive and expressive language, like writing and reading, the concept of money and self-direction. Social skills are interpersonal skills like responsibility, self-esteem, following rules, and obeying the law, or being responsible are all considered social skills. Activities that everyone must do to live like eating, dressing, and going to the bathroom are practical skills. If a student displays behavior that demonstrates a deficient in one or more of these areas it could be an indicator that they have an intellectual disability. There are a variety of problems associated with the assessments of students with intellectual disabilities. Students with intellectual disabilities often have more then one impairment. They may be visually and or hearing impaired. They are not standard or what is perceived as typical. Many special educators may have extensive knowledge in one field but know relatively little about another. Assessment experts who are knowledgeable in their specialized area of expertise may have little knowledge regarding students with intellectual disabilities. Many of the assessment tools utilized by educators developed for typical students are not appropriate or useful for students with intellectual disabilities. Even those with mild intellectual disabilities are unable to be scaled on standardized tests. The rate at which these students learn can be very slow and inconsistent. Their sensory, and or cognitive impairments require that educators understand that even the simplest of tasks take a whole academic year to master. In the past students with intellectually disabilities were considered to difficult to assess or instruct. As a result they were not included in accountability and assessment systems. The exclusion of these students denied them the opportunity to be considered in a system that was designed to improve their education by identifying problems. Research shows that the performance level of students with disabilities is lower then that of students with out disabilities (Klein, Wiley, Thurlow, 2006; Thurlow, Bremer, Albus, 2008; VanGetson Thurlow, 2007). The question is, is do the features of individual assessment interfere with student’s ability to effectively demonstrate specified skills or knowledge. If that is the case then these assessment results are ineffective in guiding the instruction efforts of educators. It seems clear that more effective assessment methods should be used in the evaluation of students with intellectual disabilities, in order to portray student’s level of knowledge and skills more accurately. Today experts in the field of special education have been more successful in implementing practices and assessment tools that reduce obstacles and barriers in educator’s ability to identify what students with intellectual disabilities actually understand and have the ability to do. Educators have a greater understanding of the assessment of students with intellectual disabilities. They understand that it takes a variety of assessment tools and that those assessments must be conducted over a period of time. For adaptive behavior, assessment questionnaires should be utilized by both parents and teachers. They can do real time observations in the student’s natural environment. They can look at the actual work of students and instead of comparing it ith the work of same age peers, they can compare it to previous work the student has done, to determine the student’s progress. These assessments should be done in a variety of settings over a period of time. According to some assessment specialists one goal of assessment must be to provide the necessary Data to inform instruction but the reality is that what is considered performance and accountability, is not. Teachers of students with Intellectual disabilities report that though the students have the sa me diagnosis, the impact their disability has on their learning can be varied. Some common characteristics might be: Physical Characteristics Physical underdevelopment Below average weight and height Some type of physical deformity Retarded balance and movement Mental characteristics Below average IQ Poorly developed language and speech Poor concentration, thinking, attention, memory, perception, imagination, and computing Social characteristics Lack of ability to adjust socially Inability to act responsibly Aggressive Poor self Aloof Lack of interest in outside activities Emotional characteristics Emotionally imbalanced Constant or excessive movement Late or premature reactions Primitive reactions Learning and memory Difficulty in responding to various stimuli Easily distracted Short attention span Defects in short-term memory Poor reading comprehension Delayed oral language skills Poor vocabulary skills Though there are certain characteristics that are common among students with ID each student should be treated as a unique and separate person in order to ensure students receive the education guaranteed them by law. .

Parliamentary Enclosure essays

Parliamentary Enclosure essays Enclosure (inclosure) is the conversion by any means, legal, extra-legal or illegal, of open (common) lands; arable, meadow, pasture or waste into individual ownership, tenancy and use serveral(ty). (Tate, pp. 187) Parliamentary enclosure was a specific kind of enclosure initiated by Parliamentary act. Enclosure acts appointed commissioners to carry out the enclosure. They established who the landowners were and appointed a surveyor to value the property. The commissioners redrew boundaries to create consolidated holdings. All proprietors (including those opposed to the enclosure) received land in proportion to the value of their holdings in the open fields and their grazing rights on the commons. Enclosures were going on in England for many years but as the government began to believe that enclosing increases productivity, nearly all Parliamentary enclosures occurred between 1750 and 1850. By the late nineteenth century the class of the small farmer/landowner had disappeare d and this has become a controversial point discussed by many historians/economists attempting to evaluate the impact that Parliamentary enclosure played on this phenomena. This essay is not an attempt to provide a definite answer to the effects of Parliamentary enclosure on the small farmer, but rather to provide a reasonable argument that proves that enclosure did in fact have some effect on small farmers, and more precisely had negative social consequences on the already declining small holder population. This will be achieved through firstly discussing and evaluating the direct impact which Parliamentary enclosure had on the decline of the small farmer, namely the costs (expense and income) incurred. Following this my argument will be proven through analyzing the ensuing indirect impact on the decline of the small farmer provided by the opportunity for the larger farmers to capitalise. Lastly, I will present two recounts of the effects of s...

Palm's Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Palm's Strategy - Essay Example Having clarity regarding the level of performance and the factors affecting the performance helps the organization to comprehend the bottlenecks that exists in the organization. The organization than can utilize the resources in a more effective way. Nadler and Tushman’s Congruence Model: David Nadler and Michael Tushman at Columbia University formulated a simple yet effective approach to assess the organization dynamics based on the systems theory. The efforts taken by Nadler and Tushman to develop a theory to chalk out the flow of productive work in a company created the congruence model. The congruence model systematically breaks each step of the basic systems model to explain the systems model. The congruence model developed by Nadler and Tushman depicts the outcome of strategies applied on the inputs namely Environment, Resources and History. The outcomes are assessed in the level of organizational performance, Group /unit performance and individual performance (Nadler, T ushman&Hatvany, 2007) The entire model aims at assessing the application and strategy applied by the company on their key resources like Human resource, the background or the history they have and the environmental resource available to the company. ... Palm has been able to apply the strategy of generic competitiveness on the inputs to achieve the outcomes that it enjoys. Fig: Nadler and Tushman’s Congruence Model, Source: Cameron and Green (2009) Porter’s Generic Competitive Strategies Applied By Palm: A number of theories have been developed in the area of strategic management. Porter’s Generic competitive strategies define the three standards on which an organization can base their growth strategies. Cost Leadership, Differentiation and Focus. The cost leadership is the strategy applied by the company to be different from their competitors in pricing. Offering products at a lower price than their competitors without compromising with the quality of the product. Differentiation strategy implies strategies applied by organization to differentiate their products in such a way that they stand out in comparison to their competitor’s product. Focus is the area on which the company decides to place more stre ss on to achieve either cost leadership or product differentiation. Cost Leadership: When a company aims at cost leadership, cost reduction becomes a major goal for the company. A low cost strategy applied by Palm Inc. is increasing the scale of production. The company makes provision to cut costs that occurs due to unplanned reasons. One of Palm’s main business strength is the ability of Palm to produce cost effective products. Cost effectiveness allows Palm to generate better revenue. In a competitive market having a technologically sound product does not always guarantee better market share. Even the most high end customers look for cost effective bargain and Palm has been able to recognize this factor. The software technology developed by Palm is produced in such a way that they appeal to

Personal management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Personal management - Essay Example In addition, the report also identifies some features related to culture and norms that need to be catered to as well. Vitamond is a manufacturing concern that produces non alcoholic drinks in order to promote a healthy lifestyle among people. This organization has grown by leaps and bounds based on the premise on which they sell their drinks. At this point in time, Vitamond has a secret formula based on which it produces flavored drinks which are healthy and tasty. These drinks are then exported to various European countries and in the North America. Because of the immense success of the organization, the management has decided to branch off into another country and start producing these drinks in another similar country. The choices that the management has include France and Germany of which Germany has been chosen as the country in which another manufacturing set up will be established. The opportunity in Germany is such that another manufacturing plant is going to be established there along with a possibility of a warehouse. In addition to that, on the operational level, about two hundred and fifty people will be employed, who will be part of administration, management and production in this set up. A local subsidiary set up has been done to monitor and administer the manufacturing plant in Germany. In addition that, an expatriate from United Kingdom has been sent to Germany to head the business unit that has been established in the country. Moreover, another expatriate will also be sent who will act as the quality assurance manager for the manufacturing plant. This paper aims to define the various human resource practices that would be required in order to help manage the personnel within the organization in Germany. In addition, the paper also aims to identify the various practices that are part of Germany and how they need

Review of the Literature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Review of the Literature - Essay Example Research Elements: To demonstrate the content of the research, the researcher used quantitative research methodology. The means of the patients undertaking the PD program that had completed 2 to 3 training lessons prior to placement on the catheter. Outcome(s): From the study, it was discovered that out of the 90 patients that were treated for three months, most of them benefited from continuous education (Barone et al., 2011). Significance to Nursing and Patient Care: This study is useful since it explains that in as much the training programs were varied, the outcomes of the patients undergoing PD improved since a good number learn the different aspects of how to change an individual’s treatment program Summary of Article: In this work, Bernardini (2010) explains that Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) was regarded as a common infection for patients in the era of continuous ambulatory PD. However, it was extremely challenging to get the best treatment for peritonitis as well as determine the risk factors for peritonitis and how to prevent the same. Research Elements: Qualitative research methodology was used. To establish the content of the research, author used literature review to assess the level of infection of the patients from the 1970s and 1980s once in 6-12 months in an effort to assess the possibility of infection among these patients (Bernardini, 2010). Through repetitive tasks such as use of the catheter led to the patients adhere to the different connection procedures. Outcome(s): It was found out that the PD nurses can easily train patients on the principles of adult education; thus, inculcate them with skills that allow for evidence based practice and ultimately minimizing the risks of peritonitis through redirecting behavior among the patients. Significance to Nursing and Patient Care: This study is

What Is Critical Reflection Education Essay

What Is Critical Reflection Education Essay In the report first of all to study what is critical reflection, define what is reflection, through to compulsion or voluntarism, employer or individual responsibility, personal and values research the reflection of the role and value. Research how to realize the critical reflection, define what are CPD and PDP. People in certain work environment how to accurately use critical reflection, make critical reflection and CPD, PDP together, through the leadership skills, communication skills and problem solving skills, critical reflection and other aspects of the in-depth analysis. The last, write down my own personal development plan, through the strengths, weakness, opportunity and threats analyze my future development. From the report draw a conclusion. 2.0 Introduction Critical reflection has great value in the areas of personal and professional development. Continuing professional development is a means by which one can maintain a competitive edge in their professional lives (Bourgeois 2011). This should be accompanied by personal development which will include the improvement of ones skill set in order to add value to ones own life as well as their professional life. Reflection involves analyzing our knowledge and experiences critically. Reflective practice is the practical application of the results of reflection. It entails the individual identifying the patterns of thought that have been applied to our previous actions and how they will affect our growth and development going forward (Guralnik 2009). The difference between the two lies in the aim of reflective practice to improve the manner in which you work rather than just understanding it, which is what reflection aims to do. The purpose of reflection and reflective practice is self-understanding and improvement. An individual reflects upon their thoughts and subsequent actions in the workplace with an aim to improve upon them (Welich 2007). By taking part in this process, an individual is then able to understand their own shortcomings and improve them by applying new strategies. These are valuable to both an individual and the organization in which he/she is based. When an individual is able to improve their own actions through reflective practice, it benefits both themselves and their organization (Mintzberg 2009). Self-improvement of individual workers leads them to be more productive and efficient in the work place. This in turn leads to a more productive work place, especially if all the employees within an organization are encouraged to use reflective practice (Baidu 2010). 3.0 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Continuing professional development can be seen as a direct result of critical reflection. Once one reflects critically on their professional capabilities and goals, then they are able to start the process of CPD. It is important to understand several concepts involved with CPD. There are four stages in the CPD cycle: reflection on practice, planning, action, and evaluation. These four stages take place in a cyclic manner (Slack 2001). Reflection on practice involves an individuals identification of what he or she needs to learn or be able to do in the professional environment. An individual critically reflects on his/her own professional practice (Pyme Administrate Hoy 2010). This will include what is being done right and what requires improvement. Depending on the individuals profession, this may include certain techniques and procedures that have come up within their area of expertise. Planning involves the specific actions that are taken by the individual to learn the things which he or she has identified in the reflection on practice stage. After the specific areas of focus have been identified, then the individual comes up with the best way for him/her to learn. This may be through personal endeavors or by seeking professional assistance e.g. through seminars (.Jummal 1999) At this point, the areas of improvement have been identified and the necessary knowledge acquired. The next stage is action. This involves the implementation of the new knowledge in a professional setting. An individual acquires knowledge that will help improve their professional lives and the application of this knowledge in the work place is important to CPD (Lewis and Green 1998). If what was learned is not applied, then the two aforementioned stages will have been for nothing. The fourth stage is evaluation. This is a reflection on what has been learned as well as its application. The individual can now evaluate what benefits, if any the learned and applied knowledge is benefitting his/her professional practice. They are then able to gauge the success of the effort that they have put towards CPD. The cyclic nature of CPD means that after a while, it will be necessary to begin the process again by reflecting on current practice (Porter 2000). This may overlap with the fourth stage of evaluation. 3.1 CPD paradoxes and dilemmas There are several paradoxes that have been identified in CPD. Have explored these paradoxical concepts through their review of the work as follows: 3.1.1 Compulsion or Voluntarism This applies to whether the pursuit of CPD is voluntary or by compulsion. The reason for CPD is an important factor that contributes towards ones dedication to it (Garner and Boulton 2011). 3.1.2 Employer or Individual Responsibility There is both an individual responsibility as well as one for the employer when it comes to CPD. The employer needs to create an environment that is conducive to CPD (Scales 2011). The individuals responsibility in this case is to pursue CPD within the tenets provided by the employer. Without dedication from both the employer and the individual, CPD cannot successfully occur. 3.1.3 Teaching or Learning When an individual is taught something, they need to be able not only to learn it in theory, but also to apply it in practice. There needs to be a connection between the experiences on the ground and what is taught to the learner, which may not always happen (Megginson and Whitaker 2003) . 3.1.4 Life Purpose or Life Experience Life experience in CPD requires the individual to reflect on the path that has led them to the present position. Life purpose involves reflection on the purpose of ones life, both professionally and personally to intensify the effects of CPD (Pickering 2011). 3.1.5 Personal Development or Organizational Learning An organization is incapable of learning. Only the people working within that organization are able to learn and improve (Headley 2010). CPD must therefore begin with personal development of individuals that will later lend itself to organizational improvement. 3.1.6 Values Driven or Pragmatic Development Within an organization, development can either be driven by pragmatic concerns or those of the values held by the organization. Those developments based on the organizations values are consistent and can hold true over time. On the other hand, those driven by immediate pragmatic concerns such as profit tend to change from time to time and employees might find them hard to adhere to (Mauborgne 2009). They may even at times be contrary to the individuals CPD and the organizations values. 3.1.7 Journey or Exploration CPD can either be based on preset achievements or goals or can seek improvement without necessarily setting out the final goal. The type applied depends on an individuals preference, time constraints, and the flexibility of the organization in which he/she is based. 4.0 Learning Theories There are several theories related to the manner in which individuals learn. It is important for an individual to understand these theories and relate them to his/her own way of learning (Williamson2011) . Understanding ones learning style preferences is important to personal and professional development because it will assist in the planning stage of the CPD, as well as PDP. Maslows Hierarchy of Needs: According to Maslows hierarchy of needs, there is a certain order in which ones needs must be met. These needs are arranged in a pyramid, with the most necessary needs at the bottom of the pyramid and the least necessary needs at the top. CPD and PDP are related to the final two needs described in Maslows hierarchy. More specifically, CPD can be likened to a pursuit of ones responsibilities in the workplace while PDP can be associated with personal growth and fulfillment. In keeping with Maslows hierarchy, it is therefore important to pay attention to the needs that come before esteem and self-actualization in order to be able to pursue PDP and CPD. Dunn and Dunns learning Styles: According to Dunn and Dunn, there are certain stimuli that should be used to stimulate learners (Slack 2011). A further classification provided by Dunn and Dunn divide these stimuli into five segments i.e. environmental, emotional, sociological, psychological, and physiological (Dunn and Dunn 2003). The rate of learning and retention is influenced by more than just an individuals level of intelligence. When the vark styles are taken into consideration, then it is clear that some teaching methods are better suited for specific learners. Visual learners find teaching methods that include visual aids favorable to learning. Auditory learners prefer to listen (Administrate Hoy 2010). Reader or writer learners like to refer to books and take down notes. Kinesthetic learners learn by doing. They rely mostly on their sense of touch. There are instances where a learners preferred mode consists of two or more of those described above. Experiential Learning: Experiential learning can either involve learning through experience or applying what one has learned instantly to a pertinent setting. According to Kolb and Fry (1976), learning involves a cycle that includes experience, observation and experience, forming abstract concepts, and testing new situations. The cycle can begin at any one of these four points. Just because experience is mentioned first does not mean that it is always the first step in the cycle. 5.0 Personal Development Plan (PDP) Through reflection and reflective practice, it is then possible to come up with a personal development plan. A personal development plan is not necessarily completely independent of CPD. One may view some areas of PDP such as pursuing education to be in line with certain goals within PDP. Learning is a continuous life event (Mathews and Seott 2002). There is not a single time in the course of ones lifetime that one can stop learning. This is especially due to the fact that human beings learn through life experiences. The starting point in examining my own learning cycle would begin with experience and knowledge up to the present. This includes educational background and professional experience (Porter 2011). There are certain experiences that have great value in teaching of new skills, or perhaps pointing out flaws in my own preferred process. 5.1 My Own Personal Development Plan (PDP) It is important for an individual to have a PDP that reflects their own knowledge, experiences, and aspirations. There are two major things involved in my PDP. These include personal skill development and professional advancement. These two are interrelated because in pursuing personal skill development through learning and education (Willianmson 2010), I will at the same time increase my chances for professional advancement. My PDP will reflect the interrelated nature of PDP and CPD, and as such involve milestones in the PDP that will contribute towards CPD and professional advancement. The future includes continuous learning. This will be facilitated through seeking educational opportunities such as seminars (Crawford 2008). It will also involve a personal dedication to continuous learning through constant reading of relevant informative websites and blogs. A great advantage of this avenue is that it is up to date with many websites and blogs being updated at least once a week if not more (Anna 2000). Blogs and websites also provide a more relaxed and interactive learning atmosphere than seminars and other formal learning environments. 5.2 My Future Plan In the future, I want to be a hotel manager in China. Using the SWOT analysis method, developing my knowledge and skills, I will be able to apply this newly acquired expertise in my professional life (Secord 2010). In keeping with Maslows hierarchy, pursuing self-actualization needs will by extension also help me meet my esteem needs at the professional level. PDP takes precedence over CPD because personal development. Strengths: As a hotel manager, my biggest advantage is good at communicating with others. Hotel service industry is the biggest characteristic of regular and customer communication, understanding of customer ideas, better service to customers. As a hotel manager, and customer communication is important, but it is more important to know how to communicate with staff. Concerned about the staffs daily life, on the staff of the outstanding performance to give praise, when employees have errors, should not blindly criticize, but education and help employees. In the usual to allow employees to feel they are valued. Through the staff and guests communication, better management of the hotel. Weakness: Doing all the things before, I will first think of all possible scenarios, and to make corresponding arrangement. Hotel service industries, this weakness causes my usual workload is too big, spending too much time, effort and employees in a little thing. Often this is not conducive to the normal operation of the hotel. Opportunity: In China, tourism industry is very developed, in recent years, the tourism industry is on a new level, and the development of tourism industry will promote the development of hotel industry. But I have practical experience, to Chinas hotel industry has some understanding, for newly graduated students, I have to quickly adapt to the hotel service work. A lot of the hotel catering and housekeeping departments just hire some nonprofessional staff training after work, a lack of professional personnel. I as a hotel management graduate students, to the hotel service industry has deep understanding, can quickly into the work. Threats: Although the hotel management in China is a new type of occupation, but as China Tourism and hotel service industry development, more and more technical talents, but the hotel management job is really limited, for me it is a great threat to. So Im supposed to work at the same time many self-promotion, pay attention to the development of personal skills, at the same time the accumulation of experience and knowledge, in the remain invincible in the work. 6.0 Conclusion Reflective practice is the starting point of both PDP and CPD. Through critically analyzing ones knowledge and experiences, it is then possible to come up with a valid plan that will lead to self-improvement (Bourgeois 2010). It is important to note that PDP and CPD are not mutually exclusive. Both involve critical reflection on past experience and coming up with a plan for improvement (Sarasvathy 2012). At times, pursuing ones personal development goals such as seeking education can advance CPD in an individuals career. It is therefore important to pay close attention to both PDP and CPD.

meditation Essay -- essays research papers

Meditation is defined as a mind-body technique, which practices awareness, and induces tranquility in order to connect the mind and the body. It is also described as â€Å"mental fasting,† implying clearing and cleansing of the mind by the absence of distractions and negative emotions (Leikin, 2003). It has shown to benefit its users psychologically, physically, as well as spiritually. Meditation works by bringing about a relaxed and healthy state by physiologically and biochemically altering the body. It is characterized as a state of rest, while allowing the body to become more alert. This is accomplished through a dramatic decrease in metabolism, in turn, relaxing breathing patterns, and thus slowing activity within the nervous system. Upon completion of meditation one is more likely to show faster reactions to certain stimuli, a greater level of creativity, and a more conscious understanding and comprehension (ICBS Inc., 2004). Vast health and spiritual benefits can be ob served, as well. This paper will describe and discuss how meditation came about, the context in which it was used in the past, reasons for its use as compared to modern uses, as well as, ways in which meditating can heal the body and soul. It will also compare different forms of meditation, including; what each method entails, examples of postures to achieve each method, and results that can be achieved. Meditation was originally practiced spirituality in many ancient religions, including Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, and most commonly, Buddhism. The founder of Buddhism, Siddharta Gotama became the master of the art of meditation and went on to teach it to his followers. He became known as â€Å"Buddha,† (â€Å"Enlightened or Awakened One.†) (Saunders, 2000). Buddhism is one of the world’s oldest and largest religions, starting over 2500 years ago. With Buddha as their leader (not as their God), followers learn the Four Noble Truths; First, â€Å"all existence is suffering,† secondly, â€Å"there is a cause for this suffering,† third, â€Å"the cause may be brought to an end,† and fourth, â€Å"the discipline necessary to bring it to an end is enlightenment (also known as, Buddhism)† (Saunders, 2000). Buddhists basic beliefs entail interconnectedness with everyone and everything, there is no beginning and no end (which involves the concept of reincarnation), and the law of â€Å"cause and effect,† or kharma. (Saunders, 200... ...ing From Within. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. 1980 Leikin, Jerrold B. American Medical Association Complete Medical Encyclopedia: Meditation. New York: Random House Reference. 2003. Leikin, Jerrold B. American Medical Association Complete Medical Encyclopedia: Transcendental Meditation. New York: Random House Reference. 2003 Lukoff, David. History of Meditation as a Clinical Intervention. 2002. www.virtualcs.com Saunders, E. Dale. Encyclopedia Americana International Edition: Buddha and Buddhism. Volume 4. Connecticut: Grolier Inc. 2000. Smith, Dr. Joseph F. Medical Library: Meditation. October 13, 2004. www.chclibrary.org/micromed/00056320 The Institute for Applied Meditation, Inc. Heart Rhythm Practice. 2004. www.appliedmeditation.org/Heart_Rhythm_Practice.shtml Trivieri, Jr., Larry. The American Holistic Medical Association Guide To Holistic Health: Healing Therapies For Optimal Wellness. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2001.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   White, Charles S. J. Encyclopedia Americana International Edition: Mantra. Volume 18. Connecticut: Grolier Inc. 2000. Zen Mind International. Meditation. 2004. www.zenmind.com/meditation.html

Bioethics Paper: Prenatal Genetic Screening Essay

Prenatal Genetic Testing has become one of the most prominent and influential advances in clinical genetics today. Every year, hundreds of couples request screening services, hence, subjecting themselves to the results of the diagnosis. For some, the information may be a sigh of relief, and for others a whisper of warning. The concept of Prenatal Genetic Screening has only recently surfaced for controversy. In consequence to the completion of the Human Genome Project (2003), the option for Prenatal Genetic Screening can now be performed for an affordable 1,000 dollars. Utilizing state of the art multiplex technologies such as gene chips and micro beads, we can already track hundreds of thousands of unique SNPs or Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms to screen our genome at over half a million pinpoints that are believed to be associated with particular traits, diseases, susceptibilities, and conditions. In addition to screening for diseases, this technology threatens to tamper with our perception of individuality. Raising the question of constitutionality, and whether it should be permitted to terminate a pregnancy based for reasons of sex, hair color, or eye color [Designer Babies]. If approved by the FDA, this option is predicted to prompt a dramatic increase in pregnancy terminations and lead to a host of practical and legal questions. Some believe that the concept is simple. Utilizing potential knowledge of the impending future, we are given the chance to think and to prepare. We are given the chance to absorb the entirety of the situation and consult a genetics counselor. With prior knowledge we could save people years of suffering and financial trouble. Others question the effectiveness and benefits of genetic screening and wonder if the process would prompt undue emotional distress, distress for the safety of the fetus and also the issue of privacy. And continue to note the dark and looming connotations of Designer Babies. It is evident that the latter argument is the common preference, however, I will take the road less taken. Five years ago I lived an innocent childhood, where everyone laughed and played, and there was no worse suffering beyond scraping my knee on the pavement. Two years later that reality was shattered. What I didn’t know at the time was that there were children who lived lives far different from mine. Children like my baby cousin Jasmine. Jasmine was born with a rare genetic disorder called Pfeiffer’s Syndrome, a disease characterized by the early fusion of the bones in her skull. She would never live my childhood reality, for frankly she would never live to the age. Often times I wondered what could have been done, and only recently has it revealed itself to me that â€Å"Prenatal Genetic Screening† was the answer to my persistent question. If only it had been available at the time, maybe Jasmine could have grown up to be the next â€Å"James D. Watson,† â€Å"Francis Crick† or â€Å"Rosalind Franklin.† Now we will never know. Now that it is possible to save, to relieve, and to cure, is it worth the risk to give children like Jasmine a fair chance at life? I believe so. Works Cited â€Å"The President’s Council on Bioethics: The Future of Newborn Screening: Clouds on the Horizon?† The President’s Council on Bioethics: The Future of Newborn Screening: Clouds on the Horizon? N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2013. â€Å"The Genetic Testing Controversy.† The Genetic Testing Controversy. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2013. â€Å"History and Overview of Newborn Screening.† Welcome. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2013. â€Å"New Prenatal Genetic Test Is Much More Powerful at Detecting Fetal Abnormalities.† ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 09 Feb. 2012. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. â€Å"Prenatal Diagnostic Tests and the Social, Legal, and Ethical Implications.† Prenatal Diagnostic Tests and the Social, Legal, and Ethical Implications. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013.

Quiet Hero

Adel Torres Professor: De Palo December 8, 2012 Quiet Hero’s Crisis Intervention & Trauma Treatment 3:30pm – 5:20pm Quiet Hero: Secrets from my Father’s Past, written by Rita Cosby, is a story of war, a story of courage, and a story of a daughter finally getting to know her father. In this book, Rita speaks about her father’s childhood as well as her own; the difficulties she faced growing up with a strict father whom she felt she barely knew. Rita grew up in Greenwich Connecticut, with her Danish mother and her Polish father; a father she had a distant and unemotional relationship with.Growing up Rita knew very little about her father. She only knew that he had left Poland after WWII. When Rita was about eight years old, she saw that her father had scars on his back. When she build up the courage to ask what happened, her mother expressed to her that those were not questions she should be asking. Rita learned never to ask questions of her father’s past. When Rita was a teenager her father left her and her mother to start a new life. She had not spoken to her father in years. Rita began to discover who her father was years after her mother’s passing.In 2008, when she finally got the courage to look through her mother belongings, she came across a tattered, old suitcase. In the suit case Rita found a worn Polish-resistance armband, a rusted tag with a prisoner number, and an identity card from ex-POW named Ruszard Kossobudzki. After doing research on what she had found, she contacted her father and was ready to hear the truth of the life he had lived. Having her father see the items in the suit case instantly brought back many memories for her father which were visible in his eyes.At the age of eighty- four he was finally giving Rita what she longed for, an opportunity to know who Richard Cosby or better yet who Ruszard Kossobudzki was. Little by little Rita’s father began to disclose his life story and all the ho rrors he witnessed and endured while growing up. Rita’s father spoke of the last time he saw his family and of the last words that his mother said to him. He also spoke of a chain that his mother gave him because she believed it would protect him. Ironically enough, that chain would end up saving his life from a bullet.He left his family to join the Resistance during the Warsaw uprising, to fight for his country. The first time he fought for Poland was on August 1, 1944. Before joining the Resistance, Rita’s father was involved in the Young Eagles. At this camp young boys were taught to fight and survive combat. Mr. Cosby was about 10 to 13 years old when he was a part of the Young Eagles. This is where Mr. Cosby met an important man and mentor in his life; Lieutenant Stan. At the age of thirteen he had seen his hometown destroyed by the Germans.After being nearly fatally wounded by shrapnel, he was taken into captivity by the Germans and sent to a German POW camp near Dresden. This happened after he spent some time in a hospital. Once the rest of Poland was occupied, he was placed on a train and sent on his way to the German Camp. He was so injured that there was nothing he could do. After spending months in the camp and weighing in at about 90 pounds, he and a few prisoners decided to escape after planes started to drop bombs around the camp. The Germans were being attacked. Rita’s father and some prisoners thought this was the best time to escape.They escaped from the camp through the sewers. After a difficult journey they ended up near a camp that was set up by American Troops and they were rescued. When he arrived in America he met Rita’s mother and began a new life. These events happened to him while he was still in his teenage years. After hearing her father’s story Rita felt closer to her father. She came to understand the man she grew up with and understood his characteristics. Rita was able to arrange for her father to visit Poland and the camp where he was held prisoner. Through her journey with her father, Rita discovered that her father was a true hero.This book touched me profoundly. I grew up without my father and met him when I was 20 years old. Meeting him was very challenging for me because I was consumed with so much anger and I blamed him for not being there for me. In reading this book I am able to realize that we do not always get to choose the path we walk down and sometimes life’s circumstances shape the people we become, for better or worse. This book has made me want to give my own father a chance to explain to me what his life has been like, so that I might have a better understanding of who he is.As I continue my journey through school, I am better able to assess individuals and situations and have a level of empathy without being judgmental. As children we often feel like we know who our parents are but there are so many unanswered questions and hidden lives that it m akes it difficult for children to relate to their parents. Each of our paths has impacted us in both negative or positive ways and being able to understand that this affects the decisions that we make can make unpleasant situations a bit easier to digest.Seeing how Rita felt closer to her father as an adult once she got to know him, makes me feel like there is still hope for my father and I. If Rita’s father would have received help for the trauma he had gone through I believe he could have been a better father to Rita while she was growing up. Untreated trauma can affect a family on so many levels and negatively affect relationships with children, caregivers, partners, etc. , which in turn continues the cycle of trauma. If there is anything I take away the most from this text, it would be not to judge a book by its cover; one can never know the life that a person has lived.

Prehistoric Life During the Eocene Epoch

Prehistoric Life During the Eocene Epoch The Eocene epoch commenced 10 million years after the extinction of the dinosaurs, 65 million years ago, and continued for another 22 million years, up to 34 million years ago. As with the preceding Paleocene epoch, the Eocene was characterized by the continuing adaptation and spread of prehistoric mammals, which filled the ecological niches left open by the dinosaurs demise. The Eocene constitutes the middle part of the Paleogene period (65-23 million years ago), preceded by the Paleocene, and succeeded by the Oligocene epoch (34-23 million years ago); all of these periods and epochs were part of the Cenozoic Era (65 million years ago to the present). Climate and Geography In terms of climate, the Eocene epoch picked up where the Paleocene left off, with a continuing rise in global temperatures to near-Mesozoic levels. However, the latter part of the Eocene saw a pronounced global cooling trend, probably related to decreasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which culminated in the re-formation of ice caps at both the north and south poles. The earths continents continued to drift toward their present positions, having broken apart from the northern supercontinent Laurasia and the southern supercontinent Gondwana, though Australia and Antarctica were still connected. The Eocene epoch also witnessed the rise of North Americas western mountain ranges. Terrestrial Life During the Eocene Epoch Perissodactyls (odd-toed ungulates, such as horses and tapirs) and artiodactyls (even-toed ungulates, such as deer and pigs) can all trace their ancestry back to the primitive mammalian genera of the Eocene epoch. Phenacodus, a small, generic-looking ancestor of hoofed mammals, lived during the early Eocene, while the late Eocene witnessed much bigger thunder beasts like Brontotherium and Embolotherium. Carnivorous predators evolved in synch with these plant-munching mammals: the early Eocene Mesonyx only weighed as much as a large dog, while the late Eocene Andrewsarchus was the largest terrestrial meat-eating mammal that ever lived. The first recognizable bats (such as Palaeochiropteryx), elephants (such as Phiomia), and primates (such as Eosimias) also evolved during the course of the Eocene epoch. As is the case with mammals, many modern orders of birds can trace their roots to ancestors that lived during the  Eocene epoch (even though birds as a whole evolved, perhaps more than once, during the Mesozoic Era). The most notable birds of the Eocene were giant penguins, as typified by the 100-pound Inkayacu of South America and the 200-pound Anthropornis of Australia. Another important Eocene bird was Presbyornis, a toddler-sized prehistoric duck. Crocodiles (such as the weirdly hooved Pristichampsus), turtles (such as the big-eyed Puppigerus), and snakes (such as the 33-foot long Gigantophis) all continued to flourish during the Eocene epoch, many of them attaining substantial sizes as they filled the niches left open by their dinosaur relatives (though most did not attain the giant sizes of their immediate Paleocene ancestors). Much tinier lizards, like the three-inch-long Cryptolacerta, were also a common sight (and food source for larger animals). Marine Life During the Eocene Epoch The Eocene epoch was when the first prehistoric whales left dry land and opted for a life in the sea, a trend that culminated in the middle Eocene Basilosaurus, which attained lengths of up to 60 feet and weighed in the neighborhood of 50 to 75 tons. Sharks continued to evolve as well, but few fossils are known from this epoch. In fact, the most common marine fossils of the Eocene epoch are of tiny fish, like Knightia and Enchodus, that plied the lakes and rivers of North America in vast schools. Plant Life During the Eocene Epoch The heat and humidity of the early Eocene epoch made it a heavenly time for dense jungles and rainforests, which stretched almost all the way to the North and South Poles (the coast of Antarctica was lined with tropical rainforests about 50 million years ago!) Later in the Eocene, global cooling produced a dramatic change: the jungles of the northern hemisphere gradually disappeared, to be replaced by deciduous forests that could better cope with seasonal temperature swings. One important development had only just begun: the earliest grasses evolved during the late Eocene epoch but didnt spread worldwide (providing sustenance for plains-roaming horses and ruminants) until millions of years later.

American Consumerism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

American Consumerism - Essay Example This essay shall shed more light on American Consumerism as described in the work of Dratch and Schor. A lot of Americans generally feel dissatisfied in terms of material possession. This is in relation with the interview of Schor (1). However, this does not mean that they overspend in purchasing goods to fulfill their needs but they purchase these goods because they want these goods to live comfortably. This explains why a lot of Americans work for longer hours as opposed to citizens in other countries. The need to satisfy this wish list, as well as work more to fulfill is one that leads to their being the best savers. A good example is how Americans purchase goods that relate to their own lifestyle. A great percentage of Americans will purchase a car that appeals to them, visit specific shopping malls, rent specific houses, and even dress in specific designer clothes. This explains that they wanted that particular type of good but did not need it. Such kind of lifestyle pushes them to get to that particular brand of product so as to retain their image and class in the society. Americans lead a rich lifestyle yet they spend very little amounts of money. This is from the compilation of Dratch (1). Americans have been said to be the best analyzers of their spending habits and do not purchase goods to please other people. Through the making of budgets just as Dratch recommends (1), Americans avoid being materialistic and making purchases to please other people. This means that they only purchase goods that are important at that particular time in their life or goods that will add value to their present life. The American consumer cannot be said to lack self discipline. This is derived from the interview of Schor with Soron (Schor 1). Additionally, the media through advertisements cannot be blamed for the consumer behavior of the Americans (Schor 1).

Banking and Finance Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Banking and Finance Law - Essay Example In the case at bar, the role of Bank A is an arranger as it is representing the borrower and not the participating banks, therefore, its obligations centered upon the borrower. Generally, the functions of the arranger starts upon its acceptance of the offer to arrange from the borrow and shall subsist until the time that the facility shall have been executed or in case of syndicated loan, its duties and obligations shall be deemed fulfilled at syndication when the participant banks are brought into direct contractual relations with the borrower2. Part of the duties of the arranger is to assist the borrower in drafting the Information Memorandum (IM), which will be circulated to prospective lenders/investors or in the case of syndication, to participating banks. Note that the IM is an instrument, which will be relied upon by the participating bank in assessing the nature of the investment and risk involved thereon. By this token, English law so for measures that will ensure that the p articipating bank will not be misled by unfounded claims set in the IM. The obligations of the arranger towards the participating banks in the case of syndication arise particularly during the negotiation stage and before the signing of the instruments of documents ratifying the facility. Breach of obligation to disclose the full state of the borrower or the misrepresentation of facts in the IM whether it is fraudulent or negligent in nature would give rise to both statutory breach and violation of established case laws. Fraudulent misrepresentation is the act of giving information knowing fully that it is not true. Fraud can also be deemed present where the arranger recklessly gives information without ascertaining its veracity and rending the facts disclosed as misleading. The key in this situation is that there is deceit in the act of the arranger as opposed to an innocent misrepresentation where the arranger believed in good faith in the truthfulness of the data disclosed.