'Discuss with reference to academic sources, case law, the Law Essay

'Discuss with reference to academic sources, case law, the Law Commission's proposals in the Law Commission Consultation Paper 1 - Essay Example This means that such evidence carries a considerable weight in jury decisions, especially if it goes in accordance with circumstantial evidence4. Indeed, the â€Å"aura of infallibility†5 regarding the scientific evidence is sometimes enough to polarise the court and sway it heavily in favour of one party6. Whereas the inclusion of expert evidence in criminal trials has proven to be very helpful in jury decisions, especially when it is as straightforward as DNA results7, there have been many disturbing miscarriages of justice in regard to either too much or very unreliable expert evidence, which has led to a growing skepticism8 among the legal bodies about the involvement of such information. This paper relays some of those problems and their causes, and proposes a solution in the form of a screening panel for the analysis of such evidence as a solution to these problems. Expert evidence, owing to its nature, is complex and technical, and is often beyond the intellectual capac ity and understanding of the legal body, including the judge, jurors, and lawyers, because they have not been trained for such disciplines. This leads to the basic controversy that the judge and the jurors tend to side with the expert readily, given the â€Å"aura of infallibility†(No 5)9, as stated before. This trend alone can lead to grave miscarriages of justice, as it stems from two further issues. Firstly, it is not necessary that the expert opinion is based on reliable and authentic sources, and that the methodology of data collection and analysis is standardised and authentic. Often the scientific techniques for gathering evidence do not reach up to the mark10, or are not fully developed or researched in that region. This means that the legal body would be basing their decisions on unreliable and flawed information_ an inexcusable error in the legal discourse11. Secondly, the objectivity of the expert can be questionable. By law, the expert is expected to be an â€Å" independent† witness12, that is, unbiased and basing his statements only on the factual evidence. However, this might not be the case. The expert witness is, more often that not, also the expert adviser to one of the parties13, and as an adviser, by law, he is expected to abide by non-disclosure and loyalty to his party, aiming, at no time during the legal proceedings, to harm the image or motives of his party14. The same adviser, when presenting as a witness in court and submitting expert evidence, is expected, by law, to be impartial and adhere to complete disclosure of all the information on which he is basing his opinions, such that those facts should be the same on which the judge or the jurors would base their decisions15. As can be clearly seen, these two roles of the expert witness contradict each other and are paradoxical in nature, leading to many wrongful decisions by the court16, or at the least, eliciting a lot of controversies. Expert witnesses cost money, and th e employment of multiple expert witnesses by the different parties means the legal proceedings become quite an expensive affair17. This problem exacerbates when the parties involved have different economic standings, leading to a disparity between the parties in relation to the accessibility of resources. This means that those who can afford it will be able to call more expert witnesses

Management and Negotiating Conflict Style Essay Example for Free

Management and Negotiating Conflict Style Essay 1. Hastings had a reputation of being hard headed, and not being able to take criticism. He used the autocratic style to push for his ways of doing things. They said he would sometimes embarrass employees, and roll his eyes at them. And when they had an idea he might call their ideas â€Å"dumb ideas†. He was so bad at this he actually established the nickname â€Å"Animal†. Hastings was young when he developed Pure Software, after establishing it he realized he didn’t like the man he had become or the business he had created. He sold Pure for $750 million and changed his ways when he moved on to his new company Netflix. At Netflix Hastings was a new man; he changed his use of communications in sending and receiving messages in many ways. At Netflix, Hastings was much more kind and open to new ideas. He changed his way of talking to employees and you can tell by the rise in stock and Hastings being named Businessperson of the year in 2010. 2. He changed his use of feedback by listening to his employees and thier ideas, and when he didn’t understand he would say, â€Å" help me understand your idea, tell me why this will work.† Instead of just rolling his eyes and acting high and mighty like he did and his previous company Pure. 3. Hastings coaching style at Pure was poor; he wanted to change that when he created Netflix. He defiantly improved his coaching guidelines in the following ways; He started giving praise and recognition, not criticizing, and giving specific and descriptive feedback. 4. I feel Hastings used two different styles one at Pure and one at Netflix. I feel the style he used at Pure was more of a Forcing Conflict style. When I read the case I got the impression that Hastings didn’t care what his Pure employees thought about him it was more of a I win you Lose attitude which is what the Forcing Conflict Style is all about. With Netflix on the other hand I feel like he went for more of the Negotiating Conflict Style the more I win some, you win some. He cared more about his employees and how they felt. That is just my opinion but I guess if I had to pick just one style he used in both of them I would pick the Forcing Conflict Style because Hastings still ran a tight ship and at the end of the day he was always going to end up a winner. 5. The Conflict  management style used by Netflix was Collaborating Conflict Style. It is the best solution agreeable to all parties. Joining forces with Epix was a good deal for both of them. That’s why I feel the Collaborating Approach was the style used. 6. I am currently a Netflix user; I have been for many years. They are getting better and better every year. I really have no complaints, they have every show that I like to watch, and it is always very quick for me. I think the price is fair, and they let you watch it on every device you own. I as a customer have absolutely no complaints. 7. I think the Group Level of Analysis was used. This level focuses on the relationship between the leaders and the collective group of followers. They focus on how a leader contributes to group effectiveness. Hastings used the Management paradigm by being concerned with stability, and finding out the best way to get the job done. He was able to lead through others, and create favorable conditions for success. He was a very successful leader too; there is no good manager that is not a good leader as well.

Supply chain initiatives at Apple Inc

Supply chain initiatives at Apple Inc For reasons as various as its philosophy of comprehensive aesthetic design to its distinctive advertising campaigns, Apple has established a unique reputation in the consumer electronics industry. This includes a customer base that is devoted to the company and its brand, particularly in the United States.[10] Fortune magazine named Apple the most admired company in the United States in 2008, and in the world in 2008, 2009, and 2010.[11][12][13] The company has also received widespread criticism for its contractors labour, environmental, and business practices, 4 COMPETITIVE PRIORITIES AT APPLE INC. APPLE has managed to increase its market price by introducing new products to attract the customers. The recent products are APPLE Ipod and APPLE IPHONE 4G. Usability and Product design are the main key trends and competitive priorities of apple. The key element in manufacturing strategy are to identifying competitors manufacturing strategy research. In this study, Im gonna find which competitive priorities that APPLE used and which one helped APPLE the most in the areas of supply chain, quality and peformances. 1.1 COMPANY OVERVIEW APPLE INC. (NASDAQ: AAPL; previously APPLE COMPUTER, INC.) is an American multinational corporation, which produces consumer electronics, pc softwares and laptops. STEVE JOBS, STEVE WOZNIAK and RONALD WAYNE are the founder of APPLE INC, established in Cupertino, California on april1, 1976 and incorporated January 3 1977, and then the company was known by APPLE COMPUTER, INC. It leads the industry in innovation with its award-winning desktop and notebook computers, OS X operating system, ILife and its range of professional applications. Apple also spearheads the digital music revolution with its iPod portable music players and iTunes online music store. The company recorded revenues of 65.07 billion in the fiscal year ended March 2010, an increase of 34.06% over 2009. The companys operating profit was 18.27 billion in fiscal 2010, an increase of 35.74% over 2009. Its net profit was 14.01 billion in fiscal 2010, an increase of 41.23% over 2009. 1.2 OPERATIONS STRATEGY OF APPLE INC. The Operations Strategy of APPLE INC. Limited has changed as their business has evolved over time. The section below tracks the various key operations strategy such as the Manufacturing ( processes involved and locations), the Supply chain initiatives over the years, Inventory Management, Quality Management, Research and Development Initiatives, Procurement procedure, Vendor Management etc . The section highlights the key defining operational strategies adopted by the company during this period. 1.2.1 MANUFACTURING: When Steve Jobs launched the iMac in 1998, he was quoted as saying, these new product lines give people what they want most, a lightning fast laptop and a striking new consumer Macintosh. Is Jobs correct in this assessment? Is speed, look, and brand really the main drivers for consumers? Did Jobs strategy to capture market share in the personal computer industry focus on the right aspects? This paper will venture to say no and suggest the following alternative strategy: Apple should build a new business in Wintel PCs, while continuing to sell Macs to the design and publishing segment of the market. In order to support this conclusion, Apples competitive advantages and industry forces must be analysed. Apple has been in business since 1976, and released a number of new brands in competitive way. The four key tactis and differentiations are branding, new innovation in hardware design, high expectation in market shares and user friendly. In 1998, the consumers didnt want a MACHINTOSH. APPLES branding to the market is strong and has been since the1970s when APPLES customers waiting for their new innovations. The main component of apple is user friendly to the customers. Adding extra hardware and software to a Mac was almost easy as plugging speakers to the mobile phone. Because of this loyalty, apple was able to form a close relationship with its customers, particularly with the education and design publishing industries, which felt as 80% of APPLEs market position in 1998(Exhibit A). Furthermore, the 1998 Think Different campaign propagated Apples image as inventive and trendy. It enabled Apple to become a substitute based on design alone, giving it a particular edge over its khaki-clad competitors. Albeit these advantages, Apple still managed to lose a large amount of profit, and its market share dwindled from 8% to 3.4% from 1995 1998 (Exhibit B). The company also slipped in the education sector during this time by as much as 14% per year. In order to understand why Apple was losing so much ground, we must look into the power of suppliers and buyers in the industry. Most notably on the suppliers side are microprocessors and operating systems, where Intel and Microsoft are the dominant names. Because of their quasi-monopolies, which enable them to control commodities and manipulate pricing, these two suppliers have tremendous influence. Buyers, who also have strong influence because of the wide array of products available, were drawn to the Intel/Windows package (Wintel) because of the brand names, lower costs, and the wide proliferation of the products. Apple, however, chose to implement a PowerPC/MAC OS combination over the standard Wintel package. The main fallacy in Jobs o utlook was following this proprietary strategy. As a result, Apples reach to customers diminished. In 1998, Macintoshs operating system market share was at 5% compared to Microsofts dominance of almost 90%. Furthermore, this strategy can aid in the foreign arena, where Apple has the recognizable brand name and Wintel is the dominant platform. With analysts predicting the largest increases in growth rates through 2005 to be in the Asia/Pacific and the rest of the world , Apple will have a greater outlook for global success. Overall this strategy calls for Apple to focus on their competencies and move away from inefficient practices of the past. Allowing themselves to think outside of their proprietary boxes will no doubt increase their abilities to see ahead on the road to profitability. 1.2.2 Supply Chain Initiatives at APPLE INC. For reasons as various as its philosophy of comprehensive aesthetic design to its distinctive advertising campaigns, Apple has established a unique reputation in the consumer electronics industry. This includes a customer base that is devoted to the company and its brand, particularly in the United States.[10] Fortune magazine named Apple the most admired company in the United States in 2008, and in the world in 2008, 2009, and 2010.[11][12][13] The company has also received widespread criticism for its contractors labour, environmental, and business practices, The supply chain of the new Apple iPhone and, at some point, the supply chain of the Apple TV, hoping that this might help to demonstrate the complexity involved in manufacturing the Apple iPhone a feature-rich product I wish I could have, if I could afford it (update: Ive had several iPhones now). 1.2.3 Linking the supply chain to the business strategy The supply chain improvements described indicate that supply chain management has the potential to improve a firms competitiveness. Supply chain capability is as important to a companys overall strategy as overall product strategy. Supply chain management encourages management of processes across departments. By linking supply chain objectives to company strategy, decisions can be made between competing demands on the supply chain. Improvements in performance are driven by externally-based targets rather than by internal department objectives. Managing the supply chain means managing across traditional functional areas in the company and managing interactions external to the company with both suppliers and customers. This cross-boundary nature of management supports incorporating supply chain goals and capabilities in the strategic plan of the company. This focus on integration can then lead to using the supply chain to obtain a sustainable competitive advantage over competitors. The impact of managing overall product demand and the supply of product will impact the profitability of the company. The supply chain strategy can be viewed as the pattern of decisions related to sourcing product, capacity planning, conversion of finished product, deployment of finished product, demand management and communication, and delivery. Linking supply chain strategy to the business strategy involves defining the key business processes involved in producing a companys product or service. 1.2.4 Procurement Apple is known for its innovative thinking. They have developed a product line that is both functional and attractive. Their product line has recently expanded to another level. Their iPods will soon be able to communicate with specially designed Nike running shoes where you could receive data such as calories burned and distance ran. This project can benefit both companies and boost the demand for iPods. Apples iPod line will have a clear advantage over all the other mp3 players in the market. In addition to Apples integration with other products, many cars models from all major automakers have equipped their new models with iPod connectivity. In regards to their desktop and notebook sectors, Apple has developed new lines that are less expensive while maintaining its high quality standards. These less-expensive computers should help increase sales in the future. Apple has also changed its chip supplier from IBM to Intel. This change would make Apple more compatible with other systems. It enables Apple to run the Windows operating system, which gives the user more flexibility. 1.2.5 Quality Apple Computer Inc. is one of the oldest hardware manufacturers that control over the product by manufacturing both computers and their operation system. It is known that Apple has a high Quality product which makes Apple different than its competitors. Apple creates its product with unique designs to attract the consumers eyes and increase its market share because Apple success is based on fulfilling customers desires. Apple has one of the top brand names within the technology industry all over the world, and 54% of their profits are from foreign markets. Apple is dedicated to develop new products which will make the use of technology easier and more efficient. Apple always provides easy-use product to the hand of the consumers. Most of its products are light, small, and easy to carry around which make them more competitive. One of the great things about Apple is product diversification; Apple has a large number of product lines to target everyone in the world. In addition, there ar e a huge number of consumers who are loyal to Apple even though the prices of Apple products are higher comparing to its competitors. 1.2.6 Research and Development Apple can definitely expect a prosperous future especially in the near future. Over the past five years, net sales have been steadily increasing with almost a 200% increase from 2004 and 2005. Correspondingly, net earnings have been increasing as well. Apple owns over 80% of the market share with its iPod product. With such favorable trends, it is reasonable to assume that Apple will continue to increase in its sales, earnings, and market share just as long as it keeps developing and acquiring new strengths. For example, Apple has established its name as one of the leading, innovative forces in the computer industry that has a much diversified, high quality products that appeal to many markets. Competitors will find it difficult to compete against the company if Apple continues to strive for innovation, as it is its mission, continuing its well-developed marketing plan, further developing more high quality products, and taking advantage of its opportunities. Thus, the threat of produ ct substitution and high levels of competition would be decreased. However, although it seems that Apple is not in a position where its favorable future outlook is threatened, it is best that Apple works on its weaknesses so as to further increase its sales and decrease the possibility of losing its customers to its competitors. For example, Apple is known for its high quality products, which puts them into a competitive advantage. However some components of its products such as the iPod batteries and the iPod Nano screens are of lesser quality. Apple must increase its RD efforts to really minimize the number of products with faulty components. Thus, customers would not be lost and customer loyalty would be maintained. Another weakness that must be addressed is the high prices of its products. For example, the iPod nano ranges from $150 to $250 depending on the size, the iPod ranges from $300 to $400, and a Mac desktop is at least $1300. Such high prices discourage potential customers from purchasing Apples products. The solution to this weakness is to decrease the prices to the point where profits are still increasing. Likewise, the cost of sales should be decreased but only to the point where the quality of the products is not sacrificed. 1.3 CONCLUSION: With its already well-established name brand and its positive sales/market share growth, Apple will without a doubt continue to increase their earnings and market share. However, by working on at least some of its weaknesses through minimizing the number of faulty components in its products, decreasing its prices, and paying dividends, Apple can tremendously gain a competitive advantage over its competitors II CORPORATE STRATEGY AT RELIANCE RETAIL LIMITED 2.1 INTRODUCTION The Reliance group is founded by DHIRUBHAI H. AMBANI(1932-2001), is Indias one of the largest private sector enterprise, with businesses in energy and materials of value chains. Reliance Retail Limited (RRL) is one of the business sectors in retail chain division of RELIANCE INDUSTRIES OF INDIA, which is headed by MUKESH D. AMBANI. The company is strongly focused on future growth in Indian economy and planned to invest Rs. 25000 crores in the next 4 years in the retail divisions and plans to begin retail stores in 784 cities across the country. RRL launched its first store in November 2006 through its convenience store format Reliance Fresh. Since then RRL has rapidly grown to operate 590 stores across 13 states at the end of FY 2007-08. In each of these store formats, RRL is offering a unique set of products and services at a value price point. Overall, RRL is well positioned to rapidly expand its existing network which operates in 57 cities. 2.2 Corporate strategy CORPORATE STRATEGY is the direction an organization takes with the objective of achieving business success in the long term. Recent approaches have focused on the need for companies to adapt to and anticipate changes in the business environment, i.e. a flexible strategy. The development of a corporate strategy involves establishing the purpose and scope of the organizations activities and the nature of the business it is in, taking the environment in which it operates, its position in the marketplace, and the competition it faces into consideration; most times analyzed through a SWOT analysis. 2.2.1Operation Support Systems: 2.2.2.1 ERP System Various ERP vendors have developed retail-specific systems which help in integrating all the functions from warehousing to distribution, front and back office store systems and merchandising. An integrated supply chain helps the retailer in maintaining his stocks, getting his supplies on time, preventing stock-outs and thus reducing his costs, while servicing the customer better. 2.2.2.2 Advanced Planning and Scheduling Systems APS systems can provide improved control across the supply chain, all the way from raw material suppliers right through to the retail shelf. These APS packages complement existing (but often limited) ERP packages. They enable consolidation of activities such as long term budgeting, monthly forecasting, weekly factory scheduling and daily distribution scheduling into one overall planning process using a single set of data The major reasons behind the development of new trends are:  Ã‚ ¶ Scalable and profitable Retail models are well established for most of the categories  Ã‚ ¶ Rapid Evolution of New-age Young Indian Consumers  Ã‚ ¶ Retail Space is no more a constraint for growth  Ã‚ ¶ Partnering among Brands, retailers, franchisees, investors and malls  Ã‚ ¶ India is on the radar of Global Retailer Suppliers 2.3 Proposed Supply Chain Strategies for Retail Industry 2.3.1 Supply Chain Strategies in Retail 2.3.1.1 Breaking Bulk-: can be done in smaller lots with a good understanding with the supplier. This can be achieved by following ways: Spatial Convenience: Strategically locating the outlet with distribution networks and warehouses located proximally. Supplier holds inventory. 2.3.1.2 Vendor Managed Inventory: In this case, the vendor himself is given the responsibility to handle the inventory. A space for the vendor is rented in the outlet, and he takes care of the shelves and the space. It is a 2-way agreement wherein the vendor gets the space to market his product by interacting one-to-one with the customers. 2.3.1.3 Point of Sale Information System: As soon as one stock keeping unit moves out of the store when purchased by a customer, the information readily flows to the supplier. He is given access to the inventory database. A re-order point can be imposed based on consumption pattern and the supplier is asked to fill the shelf upon inventory reaching the re-order point. 2.3.1.4 SRM Supplier Relationship Management: Relationship with supplier should not be a marriage of convenience. Supplier has to act in ways more than what is required. By providing special offers, discounts and incentives, the supplier savors the relationship. This also serves as a promotion strategy for the outlet. 2.4 Competitive Areas of Importance 2.4.1 Fulfillment: Stock filling is taken care of at both customer end (end product) and at the end of shelves at the shop. Reaching the customer at the right time and constant check on stocks and making sure right quantity is ordered at the right time. 2.4.2 Logistics: Safe and reliable transport at as much low price as possible. Constant contact with distribution teams (trucks, trains, etc.) and track where material is. Partnership with transportation firms so that cost and transport can be shared if the shipment does not occupy the whole truck space. 2.4.3Procurement:  (Vendors side points to take care) Strong Relationship Information sharing and updating plan change Combine vendors by minimizing transportation cost Choose vendors in proximity Optimum lot size taking vendors into confidence 2.4.4Production: Line should run smoothly without delays due to ordering and transportation (fulfillment and logistics have to be met first). 2.5 7 PS OF SERVICES 1st P: PRODUCT Product- refers to the merchandise i.e. the range of clothes. Supplementary services -include a component of fashion, life style and Ambient shopping as an addition to the core product. Today, customers buy experiences and not brands or products. 2nd P : PRICING Cost plus price and Percentage method pricing: Most widely used technique to price apparels. Ex:- COLOR PLUS and IN-HOUSE brands like those of SHOPPERS STOP or WESTSIDE use this technique. 3rd P : PLACE Apparel Retailing Business is driven by one crucial factor: Location Approachable Parking 4th P: PROMOTION Print medium. Loyalty programs In-store Visual merchandising 5th P: PEOPLE Every second a customer spends inside the store has to be viewed as Moment of Truth People is that aspect of the marketing mix which adds tangibility to the service of creating an experience 6th P: PROCESSES 7th P : PHYSICAL EVIDENCE Managing Appearance of the building Location Maintaining Temperature , Music, Lighting and Fragrance inside the store Availability of services like Prams, Wheel Chair, Valet Parking etc Stylish Stocking of Merchandise 2.6 CONCLUSION: The benefits of time-phased inventory planning are numerous. The bulk of benefits contribute to improved gross margins by minimizing inventory carrying costs, reducing lost sales through improved in-stock, reducing markdowns and store-to-store transfers with more timely product availability, and improved productivity at the distribution centers and stores. It is not uncommon for retailers to experience double-digit percentage reductions in inventory while sustaining or improving service levels. Additional benefits are increased sales and customer service as the inventory plan more readily responds to changes in the demand forecast.

Transportation :: essays research papers

Transportation is movement of people and goods from one location to another. Throughout history, the economic wealth and military power of a people or a nation have been closely tied to efficient methods of transportation. Transportation provides access to natural resources and promotes trade, allowing a nation to accumulate wealth and power. Transportation also allows the movement of soldiers, equipment, and supplies so that a nation can wage war. Transportation systems and the routes they use have greatly influenced both how and where people live. Reliable transportation allows a population to expand throughout a country's territory and to live comfortably in remote areas far from factories and farms. The growth and expansion of the United States were directly related to the means of transportation available at the time. The more compact cities of the U.S. eastern seaboard are the result of early human- and animal-based transportation systems that allowed only short trips. The more sprawling cities of the western United States are the result of an automobile-based transportation system that permits much longer travel distances. Transportation is vital to a nation's economy. Reducing the costs of transporting natural resources to production sites and moving finished goods to markets is one of the key factors in economic competition. The transportation industry is the largest industry in the world. It includes the manufacture and distribution of vehicles, the production and distribution of fuel, and the provision of transportation services. In the 1990s, approximately 11 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product and an estimated 10 percent of all jobs in the United States were related to the transportation industry. The same transportation systems that link a nation can also be used in the nation's war efforts. The rapid movement of troops, equipment, and supplies can be a deciding factor in winning a battle or a war. Transportation is usually classified by the medium in which the movement occurs, such as by land, air, water, or pipeline. Within each of the first three media, many different methods are used to move people and goods from place to place. Pipelines are used mainly to transport liquids or gases over long distances. Land transportation is the dominant form of transportation in the world. People can move about land under their own power, either by walking or by other forms of human-powered transportation such as the bicycle. People also use domestic animals as a means of transportation, both for riding and for pulling wheeled wagons or carts.

Emotions and the Brain Essay

The organization of perceptual systems is identical to that of motility. Perception does not occur through a constructive phase of in-processing that begins in koniocortex. Rather, it develops in the reverse direction over a series of levels to a koniocortical end phase. In other words, the process of object formation unfolds in a cognitive sequence leading from a brainstem preobject through a limbic and generalized neocortical phase, to a final modeling achieved through â€Å"primary† visual cortex. The presumed role of frontal cortex in the elaboration of action structures, that is, the rhythmic or oscillatory components of an action, can explain other seemingly non-motor phenomena which occur with frontal lobe damage. For example, perceptual disorders may arise, not from a primary deficit of perception, but from impairments in the visual exploration of space, including changes in visual search, orientation, and ocular displacement. Two aspects of dynamic systems theory deserve specific mention here; the first is the emergent quality of Jung’s methods. Amplification is an intentionally non-linear circumambulation of an image or psychic content; it operates by allowing contextually meaningful associations to be gathered up and enter consciousness. The concept of the â€Å"limbic system† as the focal brain division that must be investigated in order to understand emotionality. The medial surfaces of the telencephalic hemispheres (including cingulate, frontal, and temporal lobe areas — especially the amygdala) and interconnections with septal, hypothalamic, and central-medial brain stem areas as part of the neural landscape that constituted the â€Å"emotional brain. Cortical control of primitive behaviors and basic emotions has been achieved in several ways. One way was for the cortex to extend emotions in time by allowing organisms to dwell on past and future events. The organizational principle that has been most commonly used to summarize the neural infrastructure of emotional processes has been Paul MacLean’s concept of the triune brain. According to the classic version which offers a conceptual cartoon of the major layers of neural development, the functional landscape of the brain is organized in three strata of evolutionary progression. Although humans have the largest frontal lobes of any species, dolphins have a massive new brain area, the paralimbic lobe, that we do not possess. The paralimbic lobe is an outgrowth of the cingulate gyrus, which is known to elaborate social communication and social emotions (such as feelings of separation distress and maternal intent) in all other mammals. We should always keep in mind a key conceptual distinction when we consider brain operating systems, namely, how â€Å"open† or â€Å"closed† are these systems in relation to environmental influences FLA loop The neural substrate of language consists of a complex hierarchical system of levels corresponding to stages in neocortical evolution. The system has an anterior (frontal) and posterior (temporo-parieto-occipital) component. The two main classes of aphasia, the non fluent and the fluent aphasias, refer to these components, while the various aphasic syndromes within each class point to different levels within the anterior or posterior sector. The structure as a whole develops out of medial and paraventricular formations through several growth planes of limbic and paralimbic (transitional) cortex to a stage of generalized (â€Å"association,† â€Å"integration†) cortex. The organization of perceptual systems is identical to that of motility. Perception does not occur through a constructive phase of in-processing that begins in koniocortex. Rather, it develops in the reverse direction over a series of levels to a koniocortical end phase. In other words, the process of object formation unfolds in a cognitive sequence leading from a brainstem preobject through a limbic and generalized neocortical phase, to a final modeling achieved through â€Å"primary† visual cortex. In a fashion similar to that of the frontal sector, the perception leads from a global pre-object in a unitary field at a preliminary level to the final more or less contralateral hemifield representation at a koniocortical end stage. (Christianson, 1992) Impaired initiation with lesions of mesial or orbito-frontal cortex may involve the action as a whole, or partially. The patient may be unable to initiate any action (akinetic mutism) or show hypoactivity, inertia and lack of spontaneity. These latter symptoms may represent attenuated forms of akinetic mutism. Perhaps, the degree of encroachment on, or distance from, core regions of frontal limbic cortex (e. g. , anterior cingulate gyrus) determines the extent of hypoactivity. In the partial disorders there is difficulty initiating a vocal act (mutism, transcortical motor aphasia) or limb action (alien hand, SMA syndrome and related disorders). Perseveration also occurs with damage to frontal limbic areas and is related to disturbed initiation. The persistence of a performance is the other side of an inability to go on to the next. Impaired initiation may occur without perseveration, but it is questionable whether the reverse is true. In fact, in perseveration, the initiation deficit often seems primary, for perseveration is greater for tasks which are more difficult, and it tends to involve previously successful performances. (Christianson, 1992) With convexity lesions the action is disrupted at a stage subsequent to its activation. Derailments occur at serial points in the unfolding of the action toward a goal. Apraxia, a substitution or defective selection of partial movements with lesions of left premotor cortex, is due to an alteration of motor timing, or a change in the kinetic pattern for a particular motor sequence. Other frontal disorders may have a similar basis. Agrammatism, dysprosody and expressive amusia probably represent the disruption of an oscillator which elaborates the rhythmic or prosodic contour of an utterance or vocal action. The presumed role of frontal cortex in the elaboration of action structures, that is, the rhythmic or oscillatory components of an action, can explain other seemingly non-motor phenomena which occur with frontal lobe damage. For example, perceptual disorders may arise, not from a primary deficit of perception, but from impairments in the visual exploration of space, including changes in visual search, orientation, and ocular displacement. The lack of drive or motivation in frontal patients can also be approached from a motor standpoint. I have suggested that base levels in the action elaborate the experience, or feeling, of drive and that this experience, like the Innervationsguhl of Wundt, arises as an accompaniment of the action development rather than as an energy or a force which is only an underpinning. In other words, drive undergoes a development together with action. Some actions appear to be motivated by drives or instincts, others are purposeful or goal-oriented, and still others are volitional, in the sense that decisions are made, actions can be delayed and even witheld in pursuit of a goal. My guess is that these feeling states drive, purposefulness, volition correspond with evolutionary levels in the action development, and that this is why damage to the action structure impacts on the feeling state specified by the damaged processing stage. (Lazarus, 1991) Actions also elaborate intentions, the feeling that one it an agent who acts on an environment. This is part of the temporal unfolding of the action and its continual surge toward a future state. It is the basis for our distinction of passive and active movements. This feeling, and the other affects which the action generates, are bound up with the sense of anticipation and forward growth. The loss of, or a change in, this direction toward the future has the consequence of a greater responsiveness to ongoing stimuli and an apparent tendency to live for the immediate present. The loss of this active or volitional relation to the world is, ultimately, the most profound effect of damage to the frontal lobes. The action unfolds into the volumetric space of limbic cognition, a space of dream and hallucination. The action moves outward beyond the body itself to an extrapersonal field of body movement that is still part of and continuous with subjective mental space. This is not a grasping or manipulation space, for objects have not yet exteriorized. The emerging action is read off into keyboards innervating the proximal musculature. Actions leave the body axis and are distributed through the proximal muscles into the space around the body or onto the body itslef. At this stage, the first separation appears between perceiver and object, actor and object acted upon, agent and action. The motor envelope differentiates into partial actions, objects begin to clarify, and space begins to expand, fractionate, and draw away from the perceiver. (Lazarus, 1991) The role of limbic mechanisms in action is brought home even more clearly by conditions in which there is damage to limbic-derived neocortex on the mesial aspect of the frontal lobe. Bilateral damage to the anterior cingulate gyrus gives rise to a state of akinetic mutism resembling that which can occur with damage to the upper brainstem. The patient appears to be in a catatonic stupor and, as in catatonia, there are periodic bouts of excitement that give way to a persistent vegetative state. Stimulation of this region in man produces motor and affective responses suggestive of â€Å"a primitive or archaic level in behavior†. Stimulation adjacent to the anterior cingulate gyrus in the supplementary motor area (SMA) causes iteration or arrest of vocalization and proximal movement, especially of the upper limbs. With damage there may be a â€Å"release† of automatisms and primitive synergies of the arm and hand (alien hand) or difficulty initiating action with the arm though strength and coordination are intact. There may also be difficulty initiating speech. This can lead to selective mutism or selective akinesia, that is, ambulatory mutism or good speech with imparied initiation of limb movement. Selective difficulty initiating movements with the lower extremities occurs in the so-called gait apraxia, or magnetic gait, often associated with hydrocephalus. (Wilson, 1983) In the microgenetic theory the SMA mediates preparatory stages in action generation prior to conscious awareness. Lesions of this area disrupt speech, limb, and body action in a common manner early in the processing of the action, prior to the specification of constituent movement patterns. The disturbance of speech was viewed as motoric, not linguistic or propositional. In the microgenetic view, each response represents a bundle of action structures, consisting of the series of stages through which the action develops. Pathology disrupts the action at different points in this process. The site of the lesion determines the point in the sequence that is disrupted, and this point or processing stage constitutes the symptom or abnormal behavior. Microgeny maps onto patterns of phyletic growth. The structure of an action and the symptoms that correspond to levels in this structure are distributed over stages in forebrain evolution. Damage to older orbital and mesial frontal limbic formations leads to impaired activation (response bias or perseveration and lack of initiation), damage along the convexity leads to derailment of the action after adequate initiation (distractibility, apraxia, and confabulation), and damage to premotor and motor cortices leads to a defect in implementation of distal targets (misarticulation, clumsiness, and weakness). Specifically, the evolutionary progression from limbic to motor cortices retraces the sequence of processing stages in the microtemporal elaboration of an action. Seizures involving mesial frontal limbic cortex can lead to stereotypical actions of a purposeful type, such as scratching one’s head, manipulating imaginary objects, or pacing. The alien hand syndrome also represents a type of released automatism. Here a more complex integrated behavior of a purposeful but not volitional type is associated with damage or stimulation to zones intermediate in the action microgeny. The inner relationship between (impaired) initiation and (â€Å"released†) automatism recurs but now in the context of a more differentiated action pattern, involving segmental or vocal movements. Non-Linear Dynamic Systems. Two aspects of dynamic systems theory deserve specific mention here; the first is the emergent quality of Jung’s methods. Amplification is an intentionally non-linear circumambulation of an image or psychic content; it operates by allowing contextually meaningful associations to be gathered up and enter consciousness. As the limit of personal associations is reached, if further analysis is required, the net is widened to include cultural and archetypal elements. For this expansion to remain clinically relevant it must offer an experiential dimension as well as being an intellectual event; affective involvement is crucial, as will be discussed with dream work. A precondition for entering a state of (analytic) consciousness that can facilitate a mutative employment of transpersonal material was noted by Jung and more fully discussed by Bion, the suspension of ordinary knowing – this link between Jung and Bion was delineated by Fordham along with a number of other areas of overlap between them. All psychoanalysts looking at the applications of infant research to adult analysis, subscribe to variants of an emergentist paradigm grounded in non-linear dynamic systems. Sander’s ideas about paradox and polarity are resonant with Jung’s core perception of the dissociability of the psyche that leads to his theory of complexes with the consequent aim in analysis to foster synthesis and integration via the transcendent function. Every living system must cope with uncertainty that places it in a state somewhere between continuity and change, core polarities for Sander. In the therapeutic setting, fluctuations in relational certitude and doubt provide an emergent edge through which the co-constructed third of the relationship becomes the locus of the transcendent function. The system radically expands our understanding of transference and points to the creative possibilities inherent in a â€Å"new† experience. Which complexes are constellated in the analyst, in the patient and between them at such moments should likely be considered.

WAL MART CHINA SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS STRATEGY Essay Example

WAL MART CHINA SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS STRATEGY Essay Example WAL MART CHINA SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS STRATEGY Paper WAL MART CHINA SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS STRATEGY Paper 1. Explore through the literature the construct of ( Business ) sustainability and explicate it briefly. Besides utilizing mentions on Operations Strategy depict what sustainability in operations scheme means. Traditional cost direction theoretical accounts tend to merely concentrate on production costs, whilst ignore merchandise s cost of design, development and clients utilizing. In other words, the concern concern seeable costs and ignore intangible costs that means the devastation of the environing environment such as the cost of societal duty during production the procedure. Therefore, endeavors want to win the competition, they must alter the traditional theoretical account of cost direction and keep the lowest cost in the life rhythm of merchandise. A broader position of merchandise life rhythm cost which includes societal duty cost should be a portion of concern operations scheme or should be a portion of concern sustainability scheme. Business sustainability is a concern attack have policies of environmental and human rights which means the concern creates long-run stockholder value from no negative influence chances and pull offing hazards on planetary or local society, environment, community and economic system [ 3 ] . Smukowski [ 2 ] claimed that the construct of concern sustainability is a anterior program of the long-run viability and optimising resource demands, cut downing environmental, energy or societal impacts which will non damage the profitableness of concern. It can be drumhead from above that sustainable concern means the endeavor consider non merely fiscal factors, but besides more comprehensive concern the impact of environmental and resource efficiency. 2. Discourse what Sustainability means to Wal-Mart, Wal-Mart China, and Wal-Mart China s current and possible clients. What would you see to be a balanced definition of sustainability for the concern? Answer: ( 1 ) Wal-Mart In order to run concern sustainability, Wal-mart combined value and service constructs of advanced operational schemes and set three sustainability aims including more efficiency of vehicle fleet, cut down waste and energy economy. First of wholly, to unite value and service of its advanced operational schemes involve 14 SVNS made Wal-mart became the largest organic marketer and the largest organic cotton buyer. In add-on, Wal-mart besides through its integrating of supply concatenation and ROHS conformity which including provider or seller selected and scored to accomplish concern sustainable purposes. For case, Wal-mart sold 110 million compact fluorescent illuming successful with its spouse called GE. ( 2 ) Wal-Mart China In term of Wal-Mart China, its through 5 SVNS range concern sustainable. First of wholly, the scheme of sustainable shop and operation can assist Wal-Mart China cut down cost and diminish Wal-Mart China s footmark of operations. Second, to develop sustainable merchandises such as nutrient, electronic fabrics and merchandise packaging widen its concern sustainability supply concatenation and conformity. Third, to heighten efficiencies of its supply concatenation non merely cut down cost but besides footmark of whole concatenation. Fourthly, to do a good communicating with its stakeholders is another critical issue of its concern. Fifthly, Wal-Mart China besides through portion learned experiences with its provider or seller to do its sustainable supply concatenation more successful. Sixthly, Wal-Mart China employed T5 energy salvaging light bulb and dual sides copy to diminish its energy waste of its concern. Last, Wal-Mart China promotes the merchandise which is an energy efficient b ulb for its clients that is besides an activity of concern sustainability. ( 3 ) Wal-Mart China s current Wal-Mart China s sustainable logistics centres helped its cut down 31 dozenss of CO2 emanation per twelvemonth. For illustration, T5 light bulbs can salvage 20 to 30 per centum energy per twenty-four hours in warehouse countries and resting topographic points and to utilize solar energy and air current power generator can 7,300 kilowatt hours per twelvemonth. In add-on, Wal-mart encouraged its clients to utilize reclaimable shopping bags through some awards including particular express check-out procedure line. Finally, Wal-Mart China s merchandizing group still go oning physiques sustainability step tools for supplier choice and some on traveling rating of purchase measures which can heighten its provider s efficiency of sustainability. Wal-Mart China besides go oning creates advanced enterprises of sustainable and implements best patterns for pass oning to all of its stakeholders. ( 4 ) Potential clients If clients can take Wal-mart s sustainability merchandises which non merely better the personal activity of environmental but besides protect the Earth. Although the sustainability merchandises monetary value might higher than others, it still have some advantages such as cut down cost of electronic, long clip for usage and non pollution. Harmonizing to the article, T5 energy salvaging visible radiation bulbs could salvage approximately 20 to 30 per cent energy which means its can besides cut down the cost of electronic of 20 to 30 per cent. 3. Identify the distinguishing characteristics of Wal-Mart China s distribution system and operations. Explain how it achieves comparatively high handiness with similar degrees of stock to other companies. Answer: In order to supply high quality merchandises for clients and the committedness of concern s operations scheme, Wal-Mart China combines their high employee productiveness, latest engineering, experienced co-transport sector, an efficient private truck fleet and distribution centre operations which non merely is an advantage of Wal-Mart China s stock list direction but besides increase efficiency of lading and bringing. Harmonizing to the article, there are some advantages of Wal-Mart China s distribution centre: ( 1 ) Sustainable logistics centres First of all, Wal-Mart China s distribution centre uses T5 visible radiation bulbs which can salvage 20 to 30 per centum energy per twenty-four hours in warehouse countries and resting topographic points. Second, in order to cut down energy waste, Wal-Mart China s distribution centre maintains control their air conditioning and heat recycling systems temperature. Third, there are 25,550 kilowatt hours salvaging caused by 10 solar energy H2O warmers which provide 1.7 dozenss hot H2O per twenty-four hours. Last, Wal-Mart China s distribution centre usage solar cells and air current power station to do up to 7,300 kWs power per twelvemonth. As a consequence, each Wal-Mart China s distribution centre besides decreased CO2 by it. ( 2 ) Outsourced a standardizes hauling fleet Individual provider ship was lower than expected fill rates. Wal-Mart China outsourced an efficient private hauling fleet which deliver merchandises from DC to DC or from DC to SC. It non merely helps Wal-Mart China achieves a good inventory direction but besides cut down out of stock rate. In add-on, in order to do its trucking swift squads more efficiency, new electronic engineering is used in its logistics direction [ 6 ] . First of all, Wal-Mart China through the electronic technique of orbiter, GPS controls the province of conveyance. Second, Wal-Mart China besides uses the electronic technique of GIS which provide digital electronic traffic map can propose the best path of its bringing. Therefore, it can be concluded from above that Wal-Mart go a first company is non inadvertent. Advanced electronic technique of Wal-Mart China s distribution system non merely increase efficiency of its merchandises bringing, but besides decrease the state of affairs of out of stock. ( 3 ) Centralized direction of returning merchandises Wal-Mart China s distribution system besides has an advantage of centralised direction merchandises which has quality jobs, slow gross revenues or obsolescence. These merchandises will besides be returned to vendor by Wal-Mart China s distribution system. In drumhead, it is clear that Wal-Mart China s distribution system and operations can offer a stable stock list which is portion of Wal-Mart China s safety stock. By manner of refilling merchandises intensively from distribution centre, it non merely reduces clip of out stock but besides increase the circulating of goods. In add-on, as Wal-Mart China has a really complete and standard systems or procedure of distribution such as outsourced a standardizes hauling fleet, new electronic engineering and centralized direction which besides let Wal-Mart China go a extremely competitory advantage of China s retail merchant industry. 4. How sustainability should be incorporated in the procedure of choice and rating of suppliers/vendors? Answer: In order to accomplish concern sustainability successful, both endeavor and its providers or sellers have responsible of their functions. First of all, endeavor should offer the petitions of sustainability, and so seek to happen the providers or sellers who have production techniques of sustainability. Furthermore, to hold a good communicating and coaction including portion learned experiences with its providers or seller is a critical portion of aims of sustainability. Harmonizing to the article [ 4 ] , in order to accomplish ROHS conformity, Wal-Mart adopt ROHS ordinance criterion in some of its operations including provider choice and merchandise choice. For the first illustration, P A ; G which is a big international provider has a long standing working relationship with Wal-Mart in other parts of universe including the U.S.A. It has a sustainability plan construct called guaranting a better quality of life for everyone, now and for coevalss to come throughout its world-wide operations [ 4 ] . As can be seen from it, the sustainability development plan for P A ; G non merely is a slogan, but besides is a committedness for its clients. For the 2nd illustration, Blue Moon which is a Chinese national chemical merchandises company provide some soap and cleansing agent in China. Blue Moon besides has a sustainable plan of its merchandises called Protecting the environment is protecting all of us. Our merchandises deliver non merely cleanliness b ut besides protection to our clients [ 4 ] . In order to accomplish its object of sustainable, biodegradable stuffs which meet a green environmental demands used in Blue Moon s merchandises. For the 3rd illustration, Wal-mart China besides created a inaugural sustainable aim which called P2E2 plan allowed providers to rapidly and cheaply fit their mills with cost salvaging equipment [ 4 ] . In order to go oning meet sustainable aims, Wal-mart builds a sustainability rating tools which used in its provider choice and merchandise or material purchase. For case, Wal-mart China had implemented a packaging mark to step and calculates efficiency and aim. In the terminal, this plan besides a 13 per cent cost decrease in Wal-mart s packaging. It can be drumhead, if the endeavor wants to accomplish, to incorporate whole supply concatenation members such as providers and sellers are really of import. In other words, to develop sustainable supply concatenation scheme is the lone attack to do concern sustainability which non merely creates a perfect trade name image for clients but besides protects the Earth. 5. How sustainability can be improved in Wal-Mart s distribution and retail operations. Answer: Harmonizing to the article, Dong [ 4 ] asserted that sustainability will be distinguishing factor between a good endeavor and a great one. ( 1 ) Energy efficient illuming Wal-mart used T5 energy salvaging visible radiation bulbs which could salvage approximately 20 to 30 per cent energy in its warehouse or infinite of remainder. ( 2 ) Less waste of air conditioning and heat recycling system Wal-mart maintained the temperatures of its air conditioning and heat recycling system which besides is an attack of energy economy. ( 3 ) Alternative energy Wal-mart used 10 solar energy H2O warmers which can salvage up to 25,550 kW hours each twelvemonth to bring forth hot H2O. Wal-mart besides used solar cells and air current power generators which can supply 7,300 kilowatt hours per twelvemonth. These alternate energy non merely salvage Wal-mart cost of electronic but besides cut down 31 dozenss of CO2 emanations every twelvemonth. ( 4 ) Outsourced 3rd party logistics Outsourcing a standardised hauling fleet non merely better Wal-mart s effectual of cargos but besides cut down the hazard of goods going. ( 5 ) Reclaimable shopping bags Wal-mart encouraged its clients to utilize reclaimable shopping bags through some awards including particular express check-out procedure line. ( 6 ) Offer two energy efficient bulbs Wal-mart China offer two energy efficient bulbs for the monetary value of one and work with local providers in its part. After this, Wal-mart China accepted duty and the associated cost of the safe disposal of fluids. ( 7 ) Batteries placed In order to work out batteries placed jobs, Wal-mart provided a recycle topographic point for client to cover with it. ( 8 ) Packaging decrease Wal-mart China had implemented a packaging mark to step and calculates efficiency and aim in its apple providers. In the terminal, this plan besides a 13 per cent cost decrease in Wal-mart s packaging. As can be seen above, by and large talking, concern sustainability construct including logistics, selling and supply concatenation has many benefit of the endeavor. Mention to the article ; the writers [ 4 ] believe that more economical state of affairs caused by more sustainable options. In other words, it non merely cut down cost of operations but besides make more loyal in long tally of its clients.

GDI Graphics in Visual Basic .NET Tutorial

GDI Graphics in Visual Basic .NET Tutorial GDI is the way to draw shapes, fonts, images or generally anything graphic in Visual Basic .NET. This article is the first part of a complete introduction to using GDI in Visual Basic .NET. GDI is an unusual part of .NET. It was here before .NET (GDI was released with Windows XP) and it doesnt share the same update cycles as the .NET Framework. Microsofts documentation usually states that Microsoft Windows GDI is an API for C/C programmers into the Windows OS. But GDI also includes the namespaces used in VB.NET for software-based graphics programming. WPF But its not the only graphics software provided by Microsoft, especially since Framework 3.0. When Vista and 3.0 were introduced, the totally new WPF was introduced with it. WPF is a high-level, hardware accelerated approach to graphics. As Tim Cahill, Microsoft WPF software team member, puts it, with WPF you describe your scene using high-level constructs, and we’ll worry about the rest. And the fact that its hardware accelerated means that you dont have to drag down the operation of your PC processor drawing shapes on the screen. Much of the real work is done by your graphics card. Weve been here before, however. Every great leap forward is usually accompanied by a few stumbles backward, and besides, it will take years for WPF to work its way through the zillions of bytes of GDI code. Thats especially true since WPF just about assumes that youre working with a high-powered system with lots of memory and a hot graphics card. Thats why many PCs couldnt run Vista (or at least, use the Vista Aero graphics) when it was first introduced. So this series continues to be available on the site for any and all who continue to need to use it. Good Ol Code GDI isnt something that you can drag onto a form like other components in VB.NET. Instead, GDI objects generally have to be added the old way by coding them from scratch! (Although, VB .NET does include a number of very handy code snippets that can really help you.) To code GDI, you use objects and their members from a number of .NET namespaces. (At the present time, these are actually just wrapper code for Windows OS objects which actually do the work.) Namespaces The namespaces in GDI are: System.Drawing This is the core GDI namespace. It defines objects for basic rendering (fonts, pens, basic brushes, etc.) and the most important object: Graphics. Well see more of this in just a few paragraphs. System.Drawing.Drawing2D This gives you objects for more advanced two-dimensional vector graphics. Some of them are gradient brushes, pen caps, and geometric transforms. System.Drawing.Imaging If you want to change graphical images - that is, change the palette, extract image metadata, manipulate metafiles, and so forth - this is the one you need. System.Drawing.Printing To render images to the printed page, interact with the printer itself, and format the overall appearance of a print job, use the objects here. System.Drawing.Text You can use collections of fonts with this namespace. Graphics Object The place to start with GDI is the  Graphics  object. Although the things you draw show up on your monitor or a printer, the Graphics object is the canvas that you draw on. But the Graphics object is also one of the first sources of confusion when using GDI. The Graphics object is always associated with a particular  device context. So the first problem that virtually every new student of GDI confronts is, How do I  get a Graphics object? There are basically two ways: You can use the  e  event parameter that is passed to the  OnPaint  event with the  PaintEventArgs  object. Several events pass the  PaintEventArgs  and you can use the to refer to the Graphics object that is already being used by the device context.You can use the  CreateGraphics  method for a device context to create a Graphics object. Heres an example of the first method: Protected Overrides Sub OnPaint( _   Ã‚  Ã‚  ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.PaintEventArgs)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Dim g As Graphics e.Graphics   Ã‚  Ã‚  g.DrawString(About Visual Basic vbCrLf _   Ã‚  Ã‚   and GDI vbCrLf A Great Team, _   Ã‚  Ã‚  New Font(Times New Roman, 20), _   Ã‚  Ã‚  Brushes.Firebrick, 0, 0)   Ã‚  Ã‚  MyBase.OnPaint(e) End Sub Click Here to display the illustration Add this into the Form1 class for a standard Windows Application to code it yourself. In this example, a Graphics object is already created for the form  Form1. All your code has to do is create a local instance of that object and use it to draw on the same form. Notice that your code  Overrides  the  OnPaint  method. Thats why  MyBase.OnPaint(e)  is executed at the end. You need to make sure that if the base object (the one youre overriding) is doing something else, it gets a chance to do it. Often, your code works without this, but its a good idea. PaintEventArgs You can also get a Graphics object using the  PaintEventArgs  object handed to your code in the  OnPaint  and  OnPaintBackground methods  of a Form. The  PrintPageEventArgs  passed in a  PrintPage  event will contain a Graphics object for printing. Its even possible to get a Graphics object for some images. This can let you paint right on the image the same way you would paint on a Form or component. Event Handler Another variation of method one is to add an event handler for the  Paint  event for the form. Heres what that code looks like: Private Sub Form1_Paint( _   Ã‚  Ã‚  ByVal sender As Object, _   Ã‚  Ã‚  ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.PaintEventArgs) _   Ã‚  Ã‚  Handles Me.Paint   Ã‚  Ã‚  Dim g As Graphics e.Graphics   Ã‚  Ã‚  g.DrawString(About Visual Basic vbCrLf _   Ã‚  Ã‚   and GDI vbCrLf A Great Team, _   Ã‚  Ã‚  New Font(Times New Roman, 20), _   Ã‚  Ã‚  Brushes.Firebrick, 0, 0) End Sub CreateGraphics The second method to get a Graphics object for your code uses a  CreateGraphics  method that is available with many components. The code looks like this: Private Sub Button1_Click( _   Ã‚  Ã‚  ByVal sender As System.Object, _   Ã‚  Ã‚  ByVal e As System.EventArgs) _   Ã‚  Ã‚  Handles Button1.Click   Ã‚  Ã‚  Dim g Me.CreateGraphics   Ã‚  Ã‚  g.DrawString(About Visual Basic vbCrLf _   Ã‚  Ã‚   and GDI vbCrLf A Great Team, _   Ã‚  Ã‚  New Font(Times New Roman, 20), _   Ã‚  Ã‚  Brushes.Firebrick, 0, 0) End Sub There are a couple of differences here. This is in the  Button1.Click  event because when  Form1  repaints itself in the  Load  event, our graphics are lost. So we have to add them in a later event. If you code this, youll notice that the graphics are lost when  Form1  has to be redrawn. (Mimimize and maximize again to see this.) Thats a big advantage to using the first method. Most references recommend using the first method since your graphics will be repainted automatically. GDI can be tricky!

Modern Music essays

Modern Music essays Claude Debussy composed his music with an emphasis on sound, sensuous, and sumptuous sound. His music turned away from German-Romanticism and German music with its chromatic harmonies and melodic formulas. Debussy uses color as his basic building block and in doing so has constructed a style of music to represent him and his proud nation of France. This paper is going highlight his extrordinary style of composition and the techniques he used to develop Impressionism. Between 1893 and 1895 Debussy worked on an opera based on Maurice Maeterlincks play Pellas et Mlisande. According to Grayson, this project always encompassed Debussy. The discovery of Pellas in 1893 was indeed a major turning point in Debussys career, and, as his remarks imply, it was the production of this opera in 1902 that brought him international celebrity. From that point on, everybody did indeed know what he had done. Debussy was taking great chances when writing opera, it was a good way to have everyone laugh at you and your work and put you on a shelf like a book you couldnt get through. His music stresses mood and nuances over patterns with pure melodies. It is impressive the way he created time standing still, by creating animated harmonic stasis. Richard Osborne describes Debussys work, Pellas et Mlisande is a drama of the inner, the really real world, a drama of implication, of psychological conflicts too secret to concentrate into the obvious attitudes of life, exhibitory and active... Arkel is old age poignantly particularized. The music by which Debussy gives him grief and wisdom is bowed in its sombre-moving phrases and harmonies, so pathetically in contrast to the golden throated lyricism of Pelleas: the innocent youngness but older in herself than she knows of Melinsande, the simple manliness of Gouland, that unfortunate horseman.1 Debussy b...

Effects of Medicare cutbacks for dme companies and patients Essay

Effects of Medicare cutbacks for dme companies and patients - Essay Example The new rates that have evolved from the bidding system are initially meant for ten metropolitan areas, but will soon be extended to other areas and possibly nationwide. Information of the cuts in the reimbursement indicate steep reimburse cuts for oxygen and oxygen equipment at 30% and sleep apnea products at 29%. This is likely to cause revenue return issues for companies like Apria Healthcare Group Inc and Lincare Holdings Inc, who market oxygen equipment and ResMed Inc marketing sleep apnea products. The average reimbursement cuts for DMEs is 26%, which has significant implications for the bottom line of companies dealing with DMEs (U.S. Medicare cuts oxygen, apnea pay rates). The relevance of the study of this issue lies in these implications for the DME markting organizations and the consequent fall-out on the many senior and disabled citizens dependent on Medicare for access to DME to assist them through their difficulties. Consequent to the provisions of Medicare Part B mandatory accreditation and competitive bidding have become a part of the supply procedures at the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid throughout the ten major metropolitan areas that have selected for implementattion of these new procedures with regard to DMEs. The category of products affected by the complicated adjudication protocols as necessitated by Medicare Part B include DMEs, prosthetics and orthotics, commencing from the beginning of 2007 (Johnson, 2007). From the companies marketing DMEs and the chain retail pharmacies involved in making available DMEs for purchase the stumbling blocks lie in the administrative burden involved in the bidding process and the crippling $65,000 bond to participitate in the bidding process. These two hindrances may well cause many of the retail pharmacies to opt out of serving patients in this segment of health care and for the DME marketing companies there is the definite possibility of reduced revenue generation,

The Patriot Act and Terrorism Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Patriot Act and Terrorism - Assignment Example According to the Act, Smith & Hung (2010) explains that the government can trace pen and trap order to interrupt information on communication via the internet. This also includes trapping email addresses received or sent to determine what communication exists among the people. This means that the Department of policy on Justice is free to retrieve information on any sites one is visiting using traces, pens and traps. Apart from the patriot Act, there exist anti-terrorist laws, which cut the civil rights of American citizens. Following a terrorist case the Supreme Court of the United States took a freedom shot of speech. However, by a vote of 3vs 6 on law provision it criminated providing knowingly support materials to terrorist, foreign organizations. Another recent terrorist law which, erodes the, Constitutional law that allowed the government to kill and target Americans; who passed on in the process. This was when the Administration of Obama authorized the killing of a cleric Muslim; Awlaki Anwar believed to be an AlQaeda member (Smith & Hung, 2010). Terrorism should remain a separate offense because terrorists are war criminals and not subject to same constitutional rights as normal citizens of America. However, the problem is that the U.S government bypasses many provisions of the constitution, allowing the extraordinary power over both terrorists and citizens. The crimes previously in place do not address the terrorism acts adequately in such a way that the government authorities target the citizens of Americans who are not terrorists, but intentionally and covertly perceived to be them. Bullock and Coppola (2012) claim that a preventive and forward-looking strategy of criminal justice against the terrorists should follow a system that is comprehensive of offences, techniques, and investigative powers. Each person has a right to life and therefore, law protection should

Cultural diversity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Cultural diversity - Essay Example It is anchored not only in these cultural resources, but organizational resources as well. In other words organizational culture is not fully dependent on the culture of the employees alone, but the organizational environment, work or business philosophy, attitude of the management etc can also influence the organizational culture. This paper briefly analyses the role of culture and diversity in organizations. Cartwright & Cooper (2002) have mentioned that there has been much optimism since the "global revolution" about how well an organization will do when it goes "global." Moreover, there has also been much risk in the acquisition and merger of organizations from various cultures to create organizations that are compatible and profitable. The expectation is that these multicultural organizations will appeal to more customers, creating an organization that can get ahead of all the rest (Cartwright & Cooper, 2002). Cross-border mergers have increased by about nine times of what they were just a few years ago. In fact M& A is adopted as a popular business strategy by big organizations in order to expand their wings to different countries and to reduce the competition. But in many cases, the expectations before the M&A have not been fulfilled after the M&A. The integration of the multicultural organizations into a single entity caused more problems than expected. Many of these takeovers and mergers fail because there is actually a production slow down based of the inability of two or more distinct cultures of people unable to work together. Culture is dynamic; everything about the human is immersed in cultural belief. According to Cartwright & Cooper, (2002), culture refers to everything that makes up a way of life including language, which is the oldest institutional medium of expression, thought which is what creates perception of others and understanding of the world, spirituality which is

Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change - Article Example Oil-burning automobiles and other forms of transportation vehicles are the primary source of air pollution, creating about 60% of the CO2 in the air (California Air Resources Board).   In addition to CO2, these vehicles also emit carbon monoxides (CO), hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), all of which contribute to global warming (Energy Information Administration).   All of these chemicals function as filters that trap the heat energy from the sun within the planet's atmosphere and cause the earth's temperature to rise on a global scale. But it isn't just the air that is affected by greenhouse gases causing climate change - the oceans are affected as well, contributing to changes in our weather patterns. The ocean acts as a natural filter for CO2 and other naturally-occurring atmospheric gases. Unfortunately, the naturally occurring levels have long been outweighed by human activity, overwhelming the natural system's balance and ability to process.   The oceans, which have been the earth’s natural filter, are now being forced to continually absorb higher concentrations of greenhouse gases than they naturally can handle (Miller).   As the water warms with the rising air temperatures and with its own collection of greenhouse gases, it becomes less capable of absorbing greenhouse gases, leaving them in even higher quantities in the air.   These warmer waters also have the effect of helping the ice caps melt, leading to rising water levels and warmer seas.   Additionally, increased air and water temperatures will increase.... All of these chemicals function as filters that trap the heat energy from the sun within the planet's atmosphere and cause the earth's temperature to rise on a global scale. But it isn't just the air that is affected by greenhouse gases causing climate change - the oceans are affected as well, contributing to changes in our weather patterns. The ocean acts as a natural filter for CO2 and other naturally-occurring atmospheric gases. Unfortunately, the naturally occurring levels have long been outweighed by human activity, overwhelming the natural system's balance and ability to process. The oceans, which have been the earth’s natural filter, are now being forced to continually absorb higher concentrations of greenhouse gases than they naturally can handle (Miller). As the water warms with the rising air temperatures and with its own collection of greenhouse gases, it becomes less capable of absorbing greenhouse gases, leaving them in even higher quantities in the air. These war mer waters also have the effect of helping the ice caps melt, leading to rising water levels and warmer seas. Additionally, increased air and water temperatures will increase the atmospheric water vapor through evaporation. This means the resulting precipitation will be proportionately higher and in different places than it has been in recorded history. Cloud compositions will change which will further amplify the greenhouse effect (Miller). This also leads to greater numbers of violent hurricanes and tropical storms. While rising sea levels may not seem all that bad, the effects of more powerful tidal forces and encroaching water can be devastating. â€Å"The tide comes and goes like clockwork, but if we continue to watch and

Health Care Administration Autobiographical Statement Essay

Health Care Administration Autobiographical Statement - Essay Example In my view, a health administrator must be eager to learn and strive to improve themselves at all times, have good listening skills, and be understanding with no prejudice. I believe that I do possess the above qualities and will endeavor to understand more of diseases, as well as of the organization, financing and delivery of healthcare. It is these and other reasons that I chose to apply for a Masters degree in Health Care Administration. Since I do not wish to work in the traditional business environment, my interests are inclined towards planning, financing, directing, coordinating, managing and evaluating healthcare services. I look forward to work in such agencies as hospitals, ambulatory care facilities, long-term health maintenance facilities, wellness centers, health and mental health agencies among other healthcare facilities. I do enjoy working with people thus the choice of my career path. It is for this reason that I would not mind to be either a generalist or specialist type of health care administrator. Studential.com (1) defines a generalist as one who manages the entire health care facility while a specialist ensures that operations of a specific department are efficiently carried out. Healthcare is a profession for life. Upon studying heath sciences, I believe that it can easily influence the way an individual perceives the world around him or her. This includes how the individual thinks and acts under normal day

Contemporary business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Contemporary business - Essay Example In addition, the report will include examples on Coca Cola, Toyota and leadership style of Bill Gates to support all the discussions. Finally, a conclusion will be provided to summarise all research findings and mentioned business management issues / problems. Before critically analysing the functions and management issues in a global business to identify ways to reduce risk and improve organisational effectiveness, I first would like to throw light over what we mean by efficiency and effectiveness. Organisational efficiency refers to the capability of a business enterprise to produce maximum output with the help of same available sources. In other words, it could be defined as an ability to produce same level of output with fewer sources. The world has become a global village after the contemporary developments and advancements in information technology and communication networks. These recent advancements and improvements in media networks and advertising have greatly affected the attitudes, beliefs, behaviours, lifestyles and perceptions. At the same time, this has also created many business opportunities for enterprises. In fact, many businesses have gone global and have become transnational, multinational or supranational corporations with operations all across the world. Companies today are expanding their operations all across the globe to target a large group of potential customers who are heavily exposed to media, and who now have relatively similar lifestyles (inclination towards a white collar job, brands, facilities, luxuries etc). On the other hand, customers have also become very demanding, since they seek value and are inclined towards new and innovative products. In short, it could be said that busines ses have to deal with a large diverse group of customers who have both willingness and ability towards different innovative and existing products. Businesses usually have many different international market entry

Article Summary and Critique Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Article Summary and Critique - Essay Example In other words, this article exemplifies social attitude toward students with autism focusing on teachers’ attitudes to these students. The structure of the article proves its specific research design: introduction-method-results-discussion. Topic of this study is pre-service teachers’ attitudes towards children with autism in the USA. A high relevance of this topic can be proven by the fact that modern society has shifted accents from autism –mental disorder, preventing people with this disease from full social activities to autism–as mental disorder, not preventing people with this disease from full social activities. Children with autism were chosen as the audience for discussion not in vain. A current tendency of growing number of children with autism expanding worldwide proves a necessity to initiate researches directed on prevention of this disease occurrence and the ways of its overcoming. The researches of previous years were directed on better understanding of nature of autism. This article expands the scope of autism’ discussion and is focused on pre-service teachers’ attitudes towards children with autism. Positive attitudes’ of pre-service teachers to children with autism indicate a necessity to support and develop their positive attitude further on. Literature review, which is a theoretical background of the paper, comprises 46 sources. There are articles from scholar journals and online sources. Years’ range of works is from 70s till 2009. Literary sources are specific and correspond with the topic of the given article. A presentation of different points of view of different authors justifies an unprejudiced theoretical background of the article. Moreover, the fact that works presented comprise four decades supports a valid theoretical background of the article. A section ‘Introduction’ of the article has subsections correlated with literary

Contemporary business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Contemporary business - Essay Example In addition, the report will include examples on Coca Cola, Toyota and leadership style of Bill Gates to support all the discussions. Finally, a conclusion will be provided to summarise all research findings and mentioned business management issues / problems. Before critically analysing the functions and management issues in a global business to identify ways to reduce risk and improve organisational effectiveness, I first would like to throw light over what we mean by efficiency and effectiveness. Organisational efficiency refers to the capability of a business enterprise to produce maximum output with the help of same available sources. In other words, it could be defined as an ability to produce same level of output with fewer sources. The world has become a global village after the contemporary developments and advancements in information technology and communication networks. These recent advancements and improvements in media networks and advertising have greatly affected the attitudes, beliefs, behaviours, lifestyles and perceptions. At the same time, this has also created many business opportunities for enterprises. In fact, many businesses have gone global and have become transnational, multinational or supranational corporations with operations all across the world. Companies today are expanding their operations all across the globe to target a large group of potential customers who are heavily exposed to media, and who now have relatively similar lifestyles (inclination towards a white collar job, brands, facilities, luxuries etc). On the other hand, customers have also become very demanding, since they seek value and are inclined towards new and innovative products. In short, it could be said that busines ses have to deal with a large diverse group of customers who have both willingness and ability towards different innovative and existing products. Businesses usually have many different international market entry

Police Brutality Essay Example for Free

Police Brutality Essay Unfortunately, nowadays the people who are supposed to protect us and help us when we are in need, sometimes cannot be trusted. Police brutality has always been a problem, but theres been a dramatic rise in police murders and brutalization of citizens. Police Brutality is anything from harassment from a police officer to being murdered by one.Police officers risk their lives everyday they put on their uniform. They serve the community by keeping it safe from those who break the law. Police are trained to use force when necessary and to have discretion on how much force to use on someone. The tactics they use are to apprehend a criminal, and to keep those who are around a criminal, safe. Officers carry weapons such as a baton, mace, or a gun. These weapons are to keep themselves and the communities they serve safe. Sometimes officers who are either not properly trained or who neglect to use the appropriate amount of force on a suspect, can suffer the consequences of police brutality. â€Å"Police brutality is a civil rights violation that occurs when a police officer acts with excessive force by using an amount of force with regards to a civilian that is more than necessary. Excessive force by a law enforcement officers is a violation of a persons rights. Force should be used in only the minimum amount needed to achieve a purpose. Police brutality is a direct violation of the laws within the police force. The use of excessive force is also a direct violation of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S Constitution regarding cruelty and protection of the laws†(definitions.uslegal.com). One of the major causes of police brutality is stress. Each day, police officers have to deal with the fact that their lives are within their own hands and being that they are thought of as the enemy by a criminal they feel the need to protect themselves at any cost. An officer may feel threatened and might not know his or her own strength, therefore they might  do anything to protect themselves if they feel threatened. The stress of being a cop can lead to other issues other than police brutality. The amount of stress of their job is so high it can affect them in various ways later in life. â€Å"The extreme stress and pressure placed on police officers has caused an increasing numbers of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder cases, alcoholism, suicide, early retirement, breakdowns and burnout being reported by police officers across the country†(www.essortment.com). Another cause of police brutality is simply abuse of power. Not all cops break the rules, but not all cops follow t hem. Police brutality can be any of the following acts; â€Å"profane or abusive language, commands to move or go home, field stops and searches, threats of implied violence, prodding with a nightstick or approaching with a pistol, the actual use of physical force†(www.policecrimes.com). Racism is also a major cause of police brutality. The most famous of all police brutality cases is, of course, Rodney Kings case. On March 3, 1991, four Los Angeles police officers beat Rodney King as eleven other officers stood by watching. Rodney King was in a high-speed car chase with the officers, when his car was finally stopped, he hesitated to get out of his car. When he did, he was said to jump at the officers. He was hit by two darts from a stun gun, which didnt seem to work. Rodney King still refused to obey the officers and lie flat on the ground. But, in less than two minutes, he was hit with 56 baton blows and kicked six times. He suffered from eleven skull fractures, brain damage, broken bones, knocked out teeth and kidney damage. Also, emotional and physical trauma. Not in all cases are the victims of police brutality innocent, obviously, as you can see in Rodney Kings case (law.umkc.edu)But no matter how rude or uncooperative a suspect is being, this extreme force from officers should not be used. Racism has always been and always be around. The fact that it is policing is evident through such acts as these. Sometimes these harmful acts go overlooked by departments, either because of they do not want the publicity, the department might not know what actually happened, or they simply do not care. Racism is not just against African Americans, all minorities are at risk for being the victim of a cops believes or disbelieves. Another reason police brutality happens is some officers believe that its necessary to come down hard on those who resist arrest because they may kill the next police officer who tries to arrest  them so you have to teach them a lesson. â€Å"Another practice is the screen test, police jargon for applying the brakes on a police vehicle to that the handcuffed prisoner in back will be thrown against the metal protective screen†(www.policecrimes.com). When an officer breaks the law and victimizes a person he or she will should be punished and depending on the case they should face suspension, job termination, or even jail time. Those whose rights have been violated often receive large amounts of money in out of court settlements, which means the taxpayer is paying for authorities right to abuse their power . Cops who have committed these acts usually face no serious prosecution, if any at all. So far, of all the documented murders since 1977, only one officer has been convicted of homicide. Any man that kills another, for no matter what reason, should have to face consequences. Anyone can become a victim of police brutality, but the most common are minorities, juveniles, and low class citizens. Minorities are victimized because of their skin color and the believes of the officer they encounter. The fact that officers target minorities has been known for decades. Many races are still not accepted by people today. Juveniles can also become targets of the police. Young adults often find themselves in tough situations getting in trouble with the law. They struggle to find a sense of self and often look to crime as an easy way out. An officer might target a young adult assuming he or she is up to no good, judging solely by the way they carry themselves. Low class citizens often do not have the money for a good lawyer so even if they were victimized they have no one to turn to for help. They most likely do not have guidance on how to properly seek justice they rightfully deserve. Also in most cases, unless there is physical evidence, police misconduct is often on e side of the story against another. In order to prevent police from using unnecessary amount of force on citizens there must be an understanding of each others position on society. Although a beating from a police officer may not be the victims fault, there are some ways to try and prevent from being a part of a traumatic experience. When an officer does not feel threatened he or she is less  likely to become frantic and full of adrenaline which would make the confrontation with him or her less dangerous and beneficial to both the cop and the civilian. The number of cases of police brutality is not as high as the years of the civil rights act, but there is still a need for a way to help fix the problem. Not every case is known to the public and reported. Departments need to properly train officers to deal with certain situations properly. While they might not be perfect when it comes to hiring, they should keep a close eye on those who they hire to make sure any officer hired doesnt have a different personality when on duty. A personality that would be dangerous to those who surround him or her. Hopefully there will be a system in the future that will help minimize the chances of police brutality. Sources 1.) Above the Law: Police and the Excessive Use Of Force by: Jerome H. Skolnick, James J. Fyfe 1994. Published by: The Free Press, New York. 2.) Definitions.uslegal.com 3.) www.essortment.com 4.) www.policecrimes.com 5.) law.umkc.edu

The Four Main Sources Of Islamic Law Religion Essay

The Four Main Sources Of Islamic Law Religion Essay Abstract: This chapter deals with the four main sources of Islamic Law. Its goal is to introduce some of the prevailing concepts of Islamic thought and to analyse the different disciplines and opinions that shape the practice of Islam today. It is known that there are four Muslim schools of thoughts. However, each differs in their interpretations . The primary sources, accepted universally by all Muslims, are the Quran and the Sunnah. It is however, in fields that they are silent that the secondary sources are to be used, thus the Ijma (consensus of opinion of scholars) and the Qiyas(laws derived through analogical deduction -analogy). Introduction: In the eighth century, a difference in legal approach arose amongst Islamic thinkers in two prevailing schools of thought. The traditionalists (ahl al-hadith) relied solely on the Quran and the Sunnah (traditions) of the Prophet as the only valid sources for jurisprudence, emanating from Medina. The non traditional approach (ahl al-ray) relied on the free use of reasoning and opinion in the absence of reliable ahadith, heralded in iraq . The difference in technique is because in Medina, there was an anundance of reliable ahadith that scholars could depend from, since the prophet lived the 1o yrs of his life there. On the other hand, the non traditionalist jurists had to depend on analogy as the sources were not as reliable in Iraq. The jurists had therefore to decide which of the Prophets actions and decisions were religiously binding and which were a mere function of his personal discretion. In general, the traditionalists eventuallt lent legislative significance to much of the Prophets decisions, where as the other school of thoughts tended to distinguish between the various roles that the Prophet played in his life. The sources of Islamic law was thus,Quran, Sunnah , ijma and qiya Throughout history these sources wereused in descendind order by muslim jurists in determining the legality of an issue. If the legality was not based on an explicit command in the quran, then the jurists would turn to the explicit commands in the hadith. Quran is the religious text of Islam. It is believed to be the word of God transmitted through the Prophet Muhammad.  [1]  The Sunnah is considered to be the religious actions, quotations and approvals of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, which was narrated through his Companions and Shia Imams. The Quran and the Sunnah state clearly the course of action that a Muslim should follow. Quran The Arabic word Quran is derived from the root qaraa, which means to read or to recite. Quran is the holy book of Islam. Muslims  believe that the Quran is the final revelation of Allah, that is, the literal word of God, revealed to the Prophet  Muhammad. The Quran was written and preserved during the life of Muhammad, and compiled soon after his death. The Quran consists of  114  surahs  (chapters) with over 6,000  ayat,(verses). However the exact number of ayat is disputed due to different methods of counting. The Quran is the first and most important source of Islamic law. The scripture specifies the moral, philosophical, social, political and  economic  basis on which a society should be constructed. Muslim jurists agree that the Quran in its entirety is not a legal code; rather its purpose is to lay down a way of life which regulates mans relationship with others and God.  The verses of the Quran are categorized into three fields: science of speculative theology, ethical principles and rules of human conduct. The third category is directly concerned with Islamic legal matters which contains about five hundred verses or one thirteenth of it. The task of interpreting the Quran has led to various opinions and judgments. The interpretations of the verses by Muhammads companions for Sunnis and  Imams  for Shias are considered the most authentic, since they knew why, where and on what occasion each verse was revealed. The sharia, foundations of Islamic law, are derived from verses from the Quran. The bulk of Quranic matter consists mainly of broad, general moral directives as to what the aims and aspirations of Muslims should be, the ought of the Islamic religious ethic. The most important external aid used in interpreting the meanings of the Quran is the  Hadith   the collection of Islamic traditions from which the details of early Islamic history are derived. The Shariah, foundatiosn of Islamic law, are derived from verses from the Quran. The Quran consists mainly of broad general moral directives that provide for the aims and objectives of a muslim. Essentially(#) because the directives are so broad, interpretation takes on a significant role, there have been so many different interpretations of the quran, claims widely read and revered Islamic thinker Abdul Aala Maududi that there is hardly to be found any command with an agreed interpretation. Nevertheless, the authenticity of quran has never been questioned by any muslim scholar or institution. Textual Criticism and the Quran Higher biblical criticism revolutionized Judaism and Christianity by calling into question long-held assumptions about the origins of the Bible; some ambitious textual critics are attempting to do the same for the Quran. They claim that parts of the Quran are based on stories of the  Tanakh  (Hebrew Bible), the  New Testament  of the  Christian  Bible, and other non-canonical Christian works; differences of the biblical to the Quranic versions suggest to some scholars that these stories were not taken directly from written texts but seem rather to have been part of the oral traditions of the Arab peninsula at Muhammads time. To Muslims, however, this explanation is topsy-turvy: the non-canonical Jewish and Christian stories are simply further textual corruptions of an otherwise nearly lost divine original reflected in the Quran. These critics also seek to find evidence of text evolution and transcription disputes in early Islam; the results have been meager, but some have expressed hopes that recent discoveries of Quran Graveyards in Yemen will throw more light on the subject. Belief in the Qurans direct, uncorrupted divine origin is fundamental to Islam; this of course entails believing that the Quran has neither errors nor inconsistencies. (This is the book in which there is no doubt, a guide to the believers: Surat  al-Baqarah, verse 2.) However, it is well-known that certain chronologically later verses supersede earlier ones the banning of wine, for instance, was accomplished gradually rather than immediately and certain scholars have argued that some verses which discourage certain practices (for instance,polygamy) without banning them altogether should be understood as part of a similar process, though others argue that this contradicts This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and chosen for you Islam as your religion (5.3). As to the basic message of the Quran, there are three fundamental points, repeated and restated throughout the work. They are as follows: this present physical life is a test; the afterlife is certain; our actions in this present life have consequences in the next. 1.2 Sunnah The Sunnah is the second source of Islamic law. Sunnah is an Arabic word which means Method. It was applied by the Prophet Muhammad as a legal term to represent what he said, did and agreed to. Its authority is derived from the text of the Quran. The Quran says, For you the life of the Prophet is a model of behaviour  (Al-Quran 33:21) Many of books of traditions were compiled by the companions of the Prophet. These were later on incorporated in the great collections of Hadith (i.e. traditions) of Bukhari, Muslim etc. The collectors of the traditions adopted a very scientific system in collection the Traditions. They did not record any tradition except with the chain of narrators. Every tradition gives the names of the last narrator of the tradition from whom he learnt the tradition and so on back to the Prophet or Companion of the Prophet. The Sunnah which is established through reliable narrators is fully dependable as legal element. The sunna of the Prophet generally means tradition and includes the following three categories: sayings of the Prophet; his deeds; and his silent or tacit approval of certain acts which he had knowledge of. The record of the Prophets words and deeds were recorded in narrative ahadith, reports that were transmitted before finally being compiled in authoritative collections decades after the death of the Prophet. Muhammad brought the Quranic teachings ti life through his interpretation and implementation. The Quran and Sunnah are complementary. The meaning of the Quran is general in nature, the Sunnah makes it specific and particular. The Sunnah explains the instructions of the Quran. The Quranic injunction is sometimes implicit, the Sunnah makes it explicit by providing essential ingredients and details. Ijma and Qiyas derive their value or authority from the Quran and the Sunnah. Therefore, they are called dependent sources. 1.3 Ijma The third source of law, Ijma or the consensus of scholars signifies the importance of delegated legislation to the Muslim community. The Muslim society requires such a rule making power to meet the practical problems for the implementation of Islamic Shariah (Islamic Law). Ijma has been technically defined as the consensus of the jurists of a certain period over a religious matter. Ijma is considered a sufficient evidence for action because the Prophet if Islam said, Muslim will never agree on a wrong matter. As such the agreement of the scholars of Islam on any religious matter is a source of law in Islam (Ref: Principles of Islamic Jurispredence by M. Hashim Kamali). Ijma or unanimous agreement Ijma constitutes the unanimous agreement of a group of jurists of a particular age on a specific issue and constitutes the fourth and final source of law in Shafiis methodology. If questions arose about a Quranic interpretation or an issue where no there no guidance from either the Quran or sunna, jurists applied their own reasoning (ijtihad) to come to an interpretation. Through time, one interpretation would be accepted by more and more doctors of law. Looking back in time at the evolved consensus of the scholars, it could be concluded that an ijma of scholars had been reached on this issue. 8 Unfortunately, unanimous agreement rarely happened among intellectual elite and since there were always diverse opinions, one could always find several scholars of the day who concurred on an issue. Also, the definition of ijma and which ijma would be considered valid was a point of contention, because ijma is not simply the consensus of all past jurists. Besides, using the concept of ijma po ses the problem of having to look to the past to solve the problems of the future, and scholars of yesteryear didnt wrestle the same issues that are challenging Muslims today. 1.4 Qiyas or analogy qiyas, is the fourth important source of Islamic law, is reasoning by analogy. In order to apply qiyas to similar cases, the reason or cause of the Islamic rule must be clear. For example, because the Quran clearly explains the reason that consumption of alcohol is prohibited (because it makes the user lose control of his actions), an analogy can be drawn to drugs which induce the same affect. But because the Quran does not specifically state the reason why pork is prohibited, Muslims cannot justify banning another meat product with a similar cholesterol level, etc. The use of analogies greatly varied among scholars; for example, Spains Ibn Hazm (10th century) who was formidable proponent of the Zahiri school, rejected the use of qiyas, whereas Imam Abu Hanifa of the Hanafi school (8th century) applied them extensively. Qiyas or analogy is resorted to in respect of problems about which there is no specific provision in the Quran or the Sunnah of the Prophet. In such issues, the scholars have derived law through analogical deduction on the basis of the provisions of the Quran and the Sunnah on some similar situation. The scholars have developed detailed principles of analogical deductions or Qiyas in the books of Islamic jurisprudence. Qiyas is a kind of Ijtihad. The Prophet has permitted Ijtihad which literally means to exert. Technically it means to exert with a view to form an independent judgement on a legal issue. Ijtihad is the Islamic method of facing the new situations and problems in the light of the general principles of the book of Allah SWT), the Quran and the traditions of the Prophet or the Sunnah. Apart from Qiyas, there are other methods of Ijtihad such as Istihsan (that is the juristic preference from different interpretations) and Masalaha (that is moral consideration). In addition to the above sources, the practices of the Khulafa-e-Rashidun (the first four rulers of Islam), the decisions of the judges and the customs of the people are also considered sources of Islamic law in matters which are not spelled out in the Quran and the Sunnah. Conclusion: However the traditions of the prophet have been questioned for their authenticity. It was also debated as to what extent were the traditions religiously imperative(look for word). The use of analogies was greatly debated. Also there was little unanimous agreement among the Islamic scholars about the inexplicit issues.