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Ac555 Week 7 You Decide Free Essays

Week 7 You Decide Course Project Keller Graduate School of Management Question 1 The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) would just hav...

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Business organisation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business organisation - Essay Example 2007)†. Scientific management principals and tools were developed by emphasizing on extensive research and studies to provide a management solution to the managers who are considered as major stakeholders in the wellbeing of an organization. Fredrick W. Taylor is considered the pioneer in developing scientific management theories. He worked on the application of scientific methods to the labour management to improve their productivity. â€Å"He spent more than two decades passionately pursuing the ‘one best way’ for each job to be done (Robbins & Coulter, 2002)†. Scientific management call for the need of application of maximization of worker’s productivity by the application of appropriate and efficient work methodologies in the light of science, especially ergonomics. The industries at that time were production oriented and mass production, Fordism, and they required practices and procedure that were scientifically designed to optimize their work activities. Fredrick Taylor, who is called the father of scientific management, was a self-made man with his professional career spent in working within a labour intensive environment. Prior to scientific management, â€Å"Taylor worked as an apprentice to a pattern-maker, and as a machinist. He later joined the Midvale steel company as a labor rising in eight years to chief engineer (Hartman S.W. 2007)†. He worked in that environment observing efficiencies in work practices and thus created a desire to work upon the improvement of working methods. Taylor worked for years to develop optimal work methods and developed four principles, called principles of scientific management. Later Gantt and Gilbreth made some alterations in his theory but the basic theme remained the same. In addition, the idea was to break the tasks into simple and small parts and each part to be assigned to a particular person who has the capability and

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Roman Architecture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Roman Architecture - Essay Example It could hold 45-50,000 spectators who would queue for tickets days in advance. There would have been a wooden floor covered in sand to soak up the blood (Augent 25). The underground corridors of the Colosseum The arena floor measured 228 feet by 177 feet (crystalinks 3). A wooden construction had existed from the year 29 BC but it was burnt down in the fire of 64 AD (Caggia 1). Nero had not been interested in listening to the demands of his people and following the fire he built a huge palatial palace, known as the Golden House (Domus Aurea), on large expanses of Roman land. After Nero's death Vespasian wanted to offer the Roman people a gesture and set about draining a large lake near the site of Nero's palace and knocking down the great Golden House for its rich source of materials for the amphitheater (Caggia 1). It is understood by historians that the name Colosseum actually referred to the 'collosus', (crystalinks 2) due to a huge statue of Nero that once stood nearby which was 130 foot high (crystalinks 2). A Spectators view of the arena The class system was used to determine the seating arrangements of the audience. The 'first level, called the podium, was for the Roman senators' (crystalinks 3) and the seating would have been quite lavish with cushions and marble coverings. Above this on the 'maenianum primum' (crystalinks 3) there would have been Roman aristocracy and then above them the 'maenianum secundum' (crystalinks 3) was split into two separate areas; the wealthy people in the lower section and the poor citizens on the upper section. Domitian had a further wooden section added at the highest position for the very poor and lower class women (crystalinks 3). The entrance would have been on the... Exterior walls of the Colosseum showing the many arches within the Construction Concrete were a good material to use, as it is stronger in resisting compressive stresses whereas it is very weak when dealing with tensile stress. Spanning an open space or doorway, where forces on the arch are not vertical would provide the most suitable circumstance to use an arch, as it would be at its strongest. The correct formwork had to be used to ensure that the structure would remain intact. Wood was built in a frame to support the underside of the arch and form its basic structure. The Romans used a ‘Voussoirs’ technique, which involved the placing of a stone at the uppermost point of the center of the arch. It was understood that they learnt this technique from the Etruscans; however, they were the first to adopt the structures for above ground use as previously they had been used for drainage systems and vaults underground. The technique was not the strongest of the arch types, however, it was simple for them to build. There were eighty arches on every floor of the building; each of the arches was numbered and divided by half columns of a different style on each floor. There was a Doric style on the ground floor where the arches measured 13’9’’ in width and 23’1’’ in height, followed by Ionic on the second and Corinthian in the third where the arches were lower at 21’2’’ in height. The upper wooden flo or had windows with panels separated by Corinthian style columns at every second panel.

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Detecting Autoantibodies in Human Sera Samples using ELISA

Detecting Autoantibodies in Human Sera Samples using ELISA Introduction Autoimmunity is a series of immune responses that is made against an organisms own cells and tissues due to inability to recognise own cells and tissues as self (Mandal, 2014). Diseases can arise as a result of autoimmunity. This includes lupus (SLE). Lupus (SLE) arises because of immunological mechanisms. With tolerance to antigens is lost and production of autoreactive lymphocytes the process of autoantibody is produced. Continuous production of autoantibodies from autoantibody producing cells results in formation of immune complexes. (Bolland and Ravetch, 2000). There are many factors which influence the susceptibility and development of lupus (SLE). These include hormonal, environmental, and genetic factors (Lisnevskaia et al, 2014). Genes involved in lupus (SLE) include MHC loci, tumor necrosis factor alpha, components of the complement factor and the mannose binding protein (Tsao and Grossman, 2001). Environmental triggers have influence on expression for lupus (SLE) such as vi tamin D deficiency. Vitamin D has an important role in order for the immune system to function properly because receptors of vitamin D are found in the cells of the immune system such as T lymphocytes, monocytes and dendritic cells. Also reduced vitamin D intake due to photosensitivity is associated with lupus (SLE). Thus, deficiency in vitamin D has a major consequence for the immune system and can create autoimmune diseases (Albishri et al, 2015). Hormones have a role in acting as chemical messengers in the immune response (Csaba, 2014). These chemical signals produced from hormones are disrupted especially between the brain and target cells which is an important factor in lupus (SLE) (Pick, n.d.). Because of this disrupted balance of hormone production certain hormones are more prevalent which cause lupus (SLE). High estrogen concentrations have been linked to lupus (SLE) due to it causing autoimmunity and with patients having a fast conversion of androgens to estrogens. Patients with joint pains are linked with lupus (SLE) and also have a high concentration of estrogen (Lupusinternational.com, n.d.). Diagnosis of lupus (SLE) include the lupus band test which detects for the presence of antinuclear antibodies. This is done using immunofluorescence. By looking at the florescence pattern the type of antibody can be detected. For a person to be positive for lupus (SLE) IgG and other complement depositions will be found at the dermoepidermal junction. To be specific there will be a bandlike deposit along the epidermal basement membrane due to the presence of IgG. Also a bandlike deposit will be present in the nucleus of the epidermal cells. A high concentration of anti-dsDNA antibody from titers also shows the presence of SLE due to anti-dsDNA antibody having a high specificity for SLE (Gill et al, 2003). Diagnosis can also be made using the SLICC criteria. For a patient to have SLE, at least four criterions need to be met including one clinical criterion (Petr i et al, 2012). There is currently no cure for SLE but a number of treatments are available. Prognosis for SLE has improved significantly since the 1950s with people diagnosed it living for less than five years. Now ninety percent of people with SLE live over ten years. The effect of SLE is more evident in men and children than in women. Causes of early death has been due to failure of organs and infections. Because of improved survival rate other factors have come in to play for the death of SLE patients. Cardiovascular disease is one factor and it is important to prevent this from being developed (Doria et al, 2006).       The ELISA test is a diagnostic test used to measure the concentration of certain antibodies or antigens present in a sample from a disease patient. ELISA is unique due to the separation of specific and non-specific interactions during serial binding to the multiwell plate. At the end of ELISA, a coloured product is produced that is associated with the amount of antibody or antigen present in the solution sample (Bio-Rad, n.d.). The first step of ELISA is coating, where a layer of antigen or antibody is adsorbed to the wells on the plate. After coating, blocking and detection are the next steps. Several washes are needed between each ELISA step to remove unbound materials. During this process excess liquid is removed in order to prevent dilution of the solutions added in the next stage (Bio-Rad, n.d.). For detection of SLE in the patient, the patients serum sample undergoes the ELISA test to detect the concentration of anti-dsDNA-antibodies which is specific for patients with SLE. A h igh concentration of anti-dsDNA-antibodies will indicate that the patient has SLE (Wigand et al, 1997). The aim of this experiment is to measure the concentration of anti-dsDNA-antibody present in both of the serum samples using the ELISA test by binding to the complimentary antigen double stranded DNA in the wells. The samples come from a female patient known to be suffering from SLE. Sample A was obtained when she was feeling relatively well and sample B was collected on the day of the practical. By comparing the yellow colour intensity at the end of the ELISA test for both samples and compared to the controls and using the standard curve the concentration of anti-dsDNA antibodies can be obtained and correlated to the relevant SLE prognosis level. An assay result above the laboratory reference range for the anti-dsDNA-antibody at a particular prognosis level will show that the patient is positive for SLE and the level of SLE prognosis. Based on the level of SLE prognosis suitable treatments will be given to the patient. Results On each strip the first three wells were labelled the positive controls, the next three labels were measured the negative controls and the remaining wells were labelled sample A and B (three for each sample). In the first stage 50 µl of purified antigen was added to each well of the microplate strip. The strip was incubated for two minutes at room temperature to allow time for the antigen to bind to each plastic well. A layer of antigens was present in each well once incubation had finished. After incubation the wells were washed using a wash buffer to remove excess liquid. In stage three 100 µl of blocking buffer was added into each well and incubated for two minutes to remove unbound sites. The wells were washed again to remove excess liquid. In the next step 50 µl of the positive controls, negative controls and the test autosera samples were loaded into the relevant wells. The strip was then incubated for 10 minutes at room temperature. After incubation for 10 minutes the we lls were washed to remove the unbound antibodies. Once the wash was done 50 µl of secondary antibody was added to the wells. Then the wells were incubated for 5 minutes at room temperature. The washing procedure was repeated again to remove any unbound secondary antibodies. In stage nine 50 µl of the HRP enzyme substrate was added to the wells. The strip was incubated for 5 minutes at room temperature. This allowed sufficient time for the HRP enzyme which is conjugated to secondary antibodies to metabolise the TBT substrate. The metabolisation of the TBT substrate produced a blue-coloured product. Each well turned blue fairly quickly during the incubation and the final strip is shown in figure 1. The intensity for the positive control was six, negative control was zero, and sample A and sample B was five. Figure 1. The micro plate strip showing the blue-coloured product after the enzyme substrate was added and then incubated for 5 minutes. For the final stage of the ELISA test the reaction was stopped by adding 50 µl of stop solution, (10% (v/v) phosphoric acid/ddH2O) into the wells. The blue solution turned yellow on addition of the stop solution. This is seen in figure 2. The intensity for the positive control was six, negative control was zero, sample A was one and sample B was two. Figure 2. The micro plate strip showing the yellow-coloured product after the addition of the stop buffer to the blue-coloured product. Absorbance measurements were obtained using a plate reader for the controls and samples. The absorbance relates to the concentration of anti-dsDNA antibodies present in the samples. The data is shown in table 1. Table 1. The absorbance data for the controls and samples. +ive controls -ive controls Sample 1 Sample 2 1 2 3 Avg 1 2 3 Avg 1 2 3 Avg 1 2 3 Avg 0.660 0.717 0.655 0.677 0.063 0.053 0.084 0.067 0.139 0.139 0.141 0.140 0.287 0.255 0.236 0.259 Discussion The antigen that coated the wells of the microplate strip was double stranded DNA. Two epitopes were present. During the reaction when the control and the autosera samples are loaded, the antibodies present are being detected which is complementary to the antigens coated in the wells. The antibodies need to be diluted using a blocking buffer for prevention of non-specific binding of proteins in the antiserum on the well specifically the solid phase. The antibodies in the serum will bind to the complementary antigens during incubation. Any unbound antibodies are removed by washing. After this, secondary antibodies are added in order to detect the primary antibodies. During incubation the secondary antibodies binds to the primary antibodies (Vlab.amrita.edu, 2011). Looking at figure 1, in the positive control samples, the intensity of the blue coloured product was six due to a known amount of anti-dsDNA antibodies present in the sample. This is used to show the procedure is working. The negative control had a blue colour intensity of zero due to no antibodies present in the sample. The intensities of both sample A and B were similar on the scale of five. From figure 2, looking at the positive control sample the intensity of the yellow coloured product is five due to the high amount of known antibodies present which a patient with SLE should have. The mean absorbance value from table 1 for sample 1 is lower than sample 2 which correlates to the colour intensity which is lower than sample 2. This means that sample 1 is from the patient when she was feeling relatively well due to a very low amount of anti-dsDNA antibodies present. Sample 2 has a higher absorbance value than sample 1 with a colour intensity which is also higher at two. Because of t his result sample 2 comes from the patient when she was feeling unwell. Also this level of intensity shows that the patient has a low level for SLE because of low level detection. The experiment was successful because the results obtained were precise and accurate. The only issue during the experiment was that the intensity of the blue-coloured product was the same for both sample A and B when the enzyme substrate was added. Sample 1 had the lowest concentration of anti-DNA antibodies whereas sample 2 had the higher concentration of anti-dsDNA antibodies. This is because of the colour intensity of the final product where sample 1 is low and sample 2 is higher. The mean absorbance value for sample A is 0.14. The laboratory reference range value for sample A is -0.02. Based on the laboratory reference value this means that when the patient was feeling relatively well she was negative towards SLE. The mean absorbance for sample B is 0.26. The laboratory reference value for sample B is 0.13. The absorbance value is higher than the reference value meaning it is positive for a disease prognosis level which is a low level. This means that the patient is mainly disease free but with periods where low disease activity occurs. ELISA is a procedure used to measure the concentration of antigen present in the sample. The estimate of the analyte concentration is as a result from the construction of a standard curve. The standard curve is constructed from the making of several serial dilutions of a known concentration of the analyte across the range of concentrations close to the expected unknown concentration. The unknown samples concentration is derived by interpolation which needs a standard curve which has been properly generated (Natarajan and Remick, 2008). As the intensity yellow colour in the end result has a value of only two we can say that the patient has a very low level of anti-dsDNA present which means the disease is likely to be calm but with a few periods of low disease activity (Kirkbride, 2015). These low disease activities include cutaneous manifestations, musculoskeletal manifestations and serositis which can be treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) or immunosuppression medications which have a low potency on top of the already taken hydroxychloroquine and corticosteroids (Mosca et al, 2001). Bibliography Albishri, J., Alsubai, K. and Alsubai, H. (2015). Vitamin D in systemic lupus erythematosis. World journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, 5(1), pp.455-462. Bio-Rad. (n.d.). ELISA Procedure | Bio-Rad. [online] Available at: https://www.bio-rad-antibodies.com/elisa-procedure.html [Accessed 19 Dec. 2016]. Bio-Rad. (n.d.). What is ELISA? An Introduction to ELISA | Bio-Rad. [Online] Available at: https://www.bio-rad-antibodies.com/an-introduction-to-elisa.html [Accessed 19 Dec. 2016]. Bolland, S. and Ravetch, J. (2000). Spontaneous Autoimmune Disease in FcÃŽÂ ³RIIB-Deficient Mice Results from Strain-Specific Epistasis. Immunity, 13(2), pp.277-285. Csaba, G. (2014). Hormones in the immune system and their possible role. A critical review. Acta Microbiologica et Immunologica Hungarica, 61(3), pp.241-260. Doria, A., Iaccarino, L., Ghirardello, A., Zampieri, S., Arienti, S., Sarzi-Puttini, P., Atzeni, F., Piccoli, A. and Todesco, S. (2006). Long-Term Prognosis and Causes of Death in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. The American Journal of Medicine, 119(8), pp.700-706. Gill, J., Quisel, A., Rocca, P. and Walters, D. (2003). Diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus. American Family Physician, 68(11), pp.2179-2186. Kirkbride, G. (2015). Understanding Laboratory Tests and Results for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). [Online] Hospital for Special Surgery. Available at: https://www.hss.edu/conditions_understanding-laboratory-tests-and-results-for-systemic-lupus-erythematosus.asp [Accessed 20 Dec. 2016]. Lisnevskaia, L., Murphy, G. and Isenberg, D. (2014). Systemic lupus erythematosus. The Lancet, 384(9957), pp.1878-1888. Lupusinternational.com. (n.d.). Hormones and SLE Lupus International. [Online] Available at: http://www.lupusinternational.com/Living-With-Lupus/Pregnancy-and-Lupus-/Hormones-and-SLE.aspx [Accessed 19 Dec. 2016]. Mandal, A. (2014). What is Autoimmunity?. [Online] News-Medical.net. Available at: http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Autoimmunity.aspx [Accessed 16 Dec. 2016]. Mosca, M., Ruiz-Irastorza, G., Khamashta, M. and Hughes, G. (2001). Treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus. International Immunopharmacology, 1(6), pp.1065-1075. Natarajan, S. and Remick, D. (2008). The ELISA Standard Save: Calculation of sample concentrations in assays with a failed standard curve. Journal of Immunological Methods, 336(2), pp.242-245. Petri, M., Orbai, A., Alarcà ³n, G., Gordon, C., Merrill, J., Fortin, P., Bruce, I., Isenberg, D., Wallace, D., Nived, O., Sturfelt, G., Ramsey-Goldman, R., Bae, S., Hanly, J., Sà ¡nchez-Guerrero, J., Clarke, A., Aranow, C., Manzi, S., Urowitz, M., Gladman, D., Kalunian, K., Costner, M., Werth, V., Zoma, A., Bernatsky, S., Ruiz-Irastorza, G., Khamashta, M., Jacobsen, S., Buyon, J., Maddison, P., Dooley, M., van Vollenhoven, R., Ginzler, E., Stoll, T., Peschken, C., Jorizzo, J., Callen, J., Lim, S., Fessler, B., Inanc, M., Kamen, D., Rahman, A., Steinsson, K., Franks, A., Sigler, L., Hameed, S., Fang, H., Pham, N., Brey, R., Weisman, M., McGwin, G. and Magder, L. (2012). Derivation and validation of the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics classification criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Rheumatism, 64(8), pp.2677-2686. Pick, M. (n.d.). Lupus And Hormones | Women to Women. [Online] Womentowomen.com. Available at: https://www.womentowomen.com/inflammation/lupus-and-hormones/ [Accessed 19 Dec. 2016]. Tsao, B. and Grossman, J. (2001). Genetics and systemic lupus erythematosus. Current Rheumatology Reports, 3(3), pp.183-190. Vlab.amrita.edu. (2011). INDIRECT Elisa (Theory) : Immunology Virtual Lab I : Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering : Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Virtual Lab. [Online] Available at: http://vlab.amrita.edu/?sub=3brch=69sim=721cnt=1 [Accessed 20 Dec. 2016]. Wigand, R., Gottschalk, R., Falkenbach, A., Matthias, T., Kaltwasser, J. and Hoelzer, D. (1997). Detection of dsDNA antibodies in diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosuscomparative studies of diagnostic effectiveness of 3 ELISA methods with different antigens and a Crithidia luciliae immunofluorescence test. Zeitschrift fur Rheumatologie, 56(2), pp.53-62.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Cause Effect Essay - Consequences of Too Many Cats -- Expository Cause

Cause Effect Essay - Consequences of Too Many Cats We have five cats that live in our house. This was not our original plan, but it turned out that way. My family got two tortoiseshell-colored kittens, Kit-Fat and Minkie when I was nine and my sister was seven. Two years later, we were preparing to move to the country, and our pastor's daughter had three kittens to give away. Our pastor convinced us that we needed cats outside in the country. At that age, Risa and I were greatly in love with kittens. Subsequently, three tabby kittens named Duff, Muff, and Buff came to live with us. But alas, our move was delayed and these adorable fluff balls lived inside for the next six weeks. When we finally moved, the whole family was too attached to these kittens to out them outside and subject them to the dangerous world. Therefore, we became a household with five cats. To this day, we are still reaping the consequences of that choice. Occasionally, there is an article in the newspaper about a house where the people have many cats and do not care for them. The cats are allowed to take over the home and a severe mess results. This is obviously the extreme result of having too many inside cats. However, even in households where the cats are well taken care of, problems can result from a profusion of inside cats. The biggest problem with a multiple cat household is the interaction between the various cats. Many problems stem from this interaction. Cats can be very territorial creatures. In a multi-cat situation, there is also a pecking order and a dominant cat. We have four females and only one male, so our male naturally became the dominant cat. This caused a problem because before Duff came, our oldest female was dominant. Du... ...l, we love our cats, and they are an important part of our daily family life. There have been times alone the way that we have been tempted to get rid of them, but we knew that we could never do it. This is due to the positive effects that our cats have upon our home. Cats can be very affectionate and loving creatures. They constantly provide us with amusement as each one has his own personality. With several cats, each family member has a favorite or favorites, and everyone has a cat friend. Cats provide happiness, despite all the work required to care for them and manage them. Nevertheless, I still would not recommend that anyone have more than one or two cats in a house. Too many cats in one house causes too many problems and negative effects. We made a mistake, but we have dealt with the circumstances, and through it all have learned many important lessons.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

References for Assessment in Special Education Essay

Bendak, L. (2011). The role of individual educational plans in helping cycle one students with dyslexia to become better readers. Middle East Journal of Family Medicine; Nov2011, Vol. 9 Issue 9, p42-47, 6p. Retrieved January 18,2013 from http://0-web. ebscohost. com. lib1000. dlsu. edu. ph/ehost/detail? sid=16696efa-2beb-42868b5ec73dca138979%40sessionmgr12&vid=1&hid=11&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ %3d%3d Abstract The purpose of this study is to highlight the importance and role of Individual Educational Plans (IEP) in helping students with Dyslexia, ages six to nine at cycle one of their elementary education. This study emphasizes the need for special education departments in schools where special education teachers can enhance the educational development of students with Dyslexia through the IEPs that identify the individual points of strength and weakness of the student with Dyslexia. The results of this study showed that the efficacy of the IEP on the development of the reading level varied depending on the initial level of difficulty of the student. [2] Burns M. K. , Jacob S. , Wagner A. R. (2007) Ethical and legal issues associated with using response-to-intervention to assess learning disabilities. Journal of School Psychology 46 (2008) 263–279. Retrieved January 18, 2013 from http://faculty. winthrop. edu/armisteadl/SchoolPsychologyResources/attachments/Burnsi_ M_K__Ethical_a. pdf Abstract The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 allows schools to use a child’s response to research-based intervention (RTI) as a part of procedures to identify students with learning disabilities. This paper considers whether RTI-based assessment models meet ethical and legal standards for acceptable assessment practices. Based on a review of available research, it was concluded that RTI based assessment practices, when carefully crafted and implemented, have the potential to be multifaceted, fair, valid, and useful. Threats to acceptable RTI-based assessment practices include: the lack of research-based interventions appropriate for diverse academic domains, ethnic groups, grades K12, and students with limited English proficiency; uncertainty regarding how to determine when nonresponse to intervention warrants formal referral for evaluation of special education eligibility; difficulty translating scientifically sound RTI practices to the local school level; and inadequate staff training and poor treatment fidelity. Suggested directions for future research are included. [3] Capizzi, A. M. (2008) From assessment to annual goal. Teaching Exceptional Children; Sep/Oct2008, Vol. 41 Issue 1, p18-25, 8p. Retrieved January 19, 2012 from http://0-web. ebscohost. com. lib1000. dlsu. edu. ph/ehost/detail? sid=66b5e959-686e-482bb3e7ead5ad631980%40sessionmgr11&vid=1&hid=11&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ %3d%3d Abstract The article discusses the process of writing individualized education plans (IEPs) for special needs students and the decision making process that is involved to find and implement meaningful teaching methods and activities. It is noted that present levels of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP) and other evaluation data must be utilized in the IEP plan. The impact that the U. S. Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) has on IEPs demonstrates that the measurement of academic progress is a central goal of any IEP. [4] Dunn, Michael W. (2007) Diagnosing reading disability: Reading recovery as a component of a response-to-intervention assessment method. Learning Disabilities: A Contemporary Journal, v5 n2 p31-47 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2013 from http://www.eric. ed. gov/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini. jsp? _nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSe arch_SearchValue_0=EJ797663&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=EJ79766 3 Abstract There is growing evidence that the current method of identifying students with a learning disability (LD) is ineffective. The wait-to-fail model of assessing students after second/third grade as well as conceptual problems in using intelligence tests for identification result in students not receiving the assistance they need during the earlyelementary school years. The educational community is discussing response to intervention (RTI) as an alternative assessment method. This study explored the assessment components of the Reading Recovery (RR) program as part of a future RTI model. By means of a discriminant-function analysis, a retrospective study of thirdthrough fifth-grade students who participated in RR during first grade investigated assessment elements (beginning text level, ending text level, and number of weeks’ participation in RR) of this program. The results showed that RR assessment elements were significant predictors of first-grade students who were later identified as having a reading disability. Ending text level was consistently the largest predictor of students later classified as having a reading disability or not. (Contains 4 tables. ) [5] Dykeman, Bruce F. (2006) Alternative strategies in assessing special education needs. Education, v127 n2 p265-273 Win 2006. Retrieved January 18, 2013 from http://www. eric. ed. gov/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini. jsp? _nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSe arch_SearchValue_0=EJ765825&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=EJ76582 5. Abstract The conventional use of standardized testing within a discrepancy analysis model is reviewed. The Response-to-Intervention (RTI) process is explained, along with descriptions of assessment procedures within RTI: functional assessment, authentic assessment, curriculum-based measurement, and play-based assessment. Psychometric issues relevant to RTI and standardized testing are discussed. [6] Dykeman, Bruce F. (2009) Response to Intervention: The Functional Assessment of Children Returning to School with Traumatic Brain Injury. Education, v130 n2 p295-300 Win 2009. Retrieved January 18, 2013 from http://www. eric. ed. gov/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini. jsp? _nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSe arch_SearchValue_0=EJ871665&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=EJ87166 5 Abstract Children with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) face many demands when completing their rehabilitation and returning to school. Although the prognosis can be favorable for many children, the course of recovery poses unique challenges for children and staff alike. To this end, a functional assessment of TBI children within a Response-to-Intervention (RTI) model provides a comprehensive strategy of easing transition to the school and charting progress throughout the course of recovery. Literature is reviewed and applicability to the RTI model is discussed. [7] Fabiano, G. A. et. al. (2010) Enhancing the effectiveness of special education programming for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder using a daily report card. School Psychology Review; 2010, Vol.39 Issue 2, p219-239, 21p. Retrieved January 19, 2013 from http://0web. ebscohost. com. lib1000. dlsu. edu. ph/ehost/detail? sid=639450fe-4a86-49fa-858914d34d130ecc%40sessionmgr4&vid=1&hid=11&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ% 3d%3d. Abstract Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) make up a considerable proportion of students who receive special education services in schools. The present study aimed to enhance the outcomes of students with ADHD in special education settings by using a daily report card (DRC). Thirty-three children with ADHD in special education placements were randomly assigned to an intervention condition wherein behavioral consultants worked with the teacher and parent to construct and implement a DRC based on the child’s individualized education plan goals and objectives. These children were compared to 30 children in a business as usual control condition. Results indicated positive effects of the DRC on observations of classroom functioning, individualized education plan goal attainment, and teacher ratings of academic productivity and disruptive behavior in the classroom. Further, a greater percentage of children with ADHD in the DRC group were normalized on measures of disruptive behavior and impairment. The intervention did not result in incremental improvement in academic achievement, teacher ratings of ADHD symptoms or impairment, or the student-teacher relationship. The implications of these results for working with children with ADHD in special education settings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] [8] Grigorenko E. L. (2010). Dynamic assessment and response to intervention: Two sides of one coin. Journal of Learning Disability 42 [2] 111-132. Retrieved January 18, 2013 from http://ldx. sagepub. com/content/42/2/111. full. pdf+html Abstract This article compares and contrasts the main features of dynamic testing and assessment (DT/A) and response to intervention (RTI). The comparison is carried out along the following lines: (a) historical and empirical roots of both concepts, (b) premises underlying DT/A and RTI, (c) terms used in these concepts, (d) use of these concepts, (e) evidence in support of DT/A and RTI, and (f) expectations associated with each of the concepts. The main outcome of this comparison is a conclusion that both approaches belong to one family of methodologies in psychology and education whose key feature is in blending assessment and intervention in one holistic activity. Because DT/A has been around much longer than RTI, it makes sense for the proponents of RTI to consider both the accomplishments and frustrations that have accumulated in the field of DT/A. [9] Haydon T. (2012). Using functional behavior assessment to match task difficulty for a 5th grade student: A case study. Education Treatment of Children, 35 [3], 459-476 Abstract We used an AB design with a control condition to examine the effects of an academic strategy on a student with a learning disability during a 5th grade math class. During baseline the student had high rates of disruptive behavior, low percentages of intervals of on-task behavior, and low percentages of correct responses. An antecedent-based intervention was developed to target the student’s escape-maintained behavior during independent seatwork. The intervention consisted of matching task difficulty with the student’s level of performance based on his success in a special education resource room. During intervention the targeted student demonstrated lower rates of disruptive behavior, higher levels of on-task behavior, and higher percentages of correct responses. The student’s positive results were compared to his performance in a special education resource room. A discussion on study limitations, implications, and future research directions is included. [10] Kern L. (2007). Functional Assessment-Based Intervention for Selective Mutism. Behavioral Disorders; Feb2007, Vol. 32 Issue 2, p94-108, 15p. Retrieved January 19, 2013 from http://0-web. ebscohost. com. lib1000. dlsu. edu. ph/ehost/detail? sid=652066c08587-4865-a2d7fd85e2d7e7c5%40sessionmgr11&vid=1&hid=11&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ %3d%3d Abstract The process of functional assessment has emerged as an essential component for intervention development. Applications across divergent types of problem behavior, however, remain limited. This study evaluated the applicability of this promising approach to students with selective mutism. Two middle school students served as participants. The functional assessment included indirect and direct methods as well as a specially designed student interview that did not require speech. Individualized interventions were developed and experimentally evaluated. Results indicated that the assessment-based interventions effectively increased speaking in school contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] [11]. Lynch, S. & Adams, P. (2008) Developing Standards-Based Individualized Education Program Objectives for Students With Significant Needs. Teaching Exceptional Children; Jan/Feb2008, Vol. 40 Issue 3, p36-39, 4p. Retrieved January 19, 2013 from http://0-web. ebscohost. com. lib1000. dlsu. edu. ph/ehost/detail? sid=ca2e5664-4ebc-4a20800f8331f3bca0c6%40sessionmgr4&vid=1&hid=11&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ% 3d%3d.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Music Festival Featuring Adrian Brendel and Till Fellner

Adrian Brendel developed a strong affection towards music while a student at Winchester College, Cambridge University.   At the college Frans Hermerson, one of his tutors at Cologne music Conservatoire, lectured him. Some of his contemporaries on master level include; Alban Berg quartet and Gyorgy Kurtag. He was also a member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, one of the most prestigious young artist schemes from 2002. He is the brainchild of Music at Plush, musical season held yearly in summers in Southwest England. Andrian Brendel is a showman with a crooning voice that is clear and elaborate. He is oriented towards classical attunement, always with a comprehensive edge of the composer’s intentions. Andrian Brendel has earned himself an icon of a cellist musical vanguard in our contemporary generation. He has been staging dramatic solo musical concerts all over the world. He is a good team collaborator who has worked with musical juggernauts like Imogen Cooper, Paul Lewis, and Till Fellner among others. In this research finding, however, we are centered on Adrian Brendel and Till Fellner. Adrian father is known as Alfred Brendel an octogenarian musical Icon, they have also been timing up with his father to perform Beethoven’s music for cello and piano in huge gatherings worldwide with promising appeal from the public. With his dad they have recorded Philip’s and the translation of a colossal A major Sonata, which featured notably on the BBC channel among other explicit musical and radio channels. Their modest concert expositions have been centered in Amsterdam, Lucerene, Florence, Frankfurt, and Royal Scottish national Ochestra. He has gone beyond as far as recording for radio companies including BBC, ORF, and NDR, WDR all based in Europe. Till Fellner Till Fellner was born in Vienna in 1970 and he went to further studies with Meira Farkas, Oleg Maisenberg, Claus-Christian Schuster and Alfred Brendel the father to Andrian Brendel. Till Fellner musical career has seen him perform in most cherished orchestras, this include; the St Martin in the Fields, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Camerata Salzburg, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, among others. He anchored his musical career on the international scenes when he won the first prize at the prestigious Clara Haskil International Competition in 1993. His chamber music constituted the Alban Berg Quartet, Lisa Batiashvili, Adrian Brendel, Mark Padmore and not forgetting heinrich Schiff. Till Fellner has greatly moved around the world pocking in most incredible musical centers in continental Europe, America, Australia and Far east. He has also featured in crucial world festivals, just but to name a few;   Scubertiade Schwarzenberg the Mozart festival New York and this where they teamed up with Andrain Brandel where they aroused the crowd. Felliner’s first performance was in 1995, he then featured mostly in New York with big time orchestras like the Chicago Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Felliner has shared the honor of Tobey Maguire a Spider-Man movie star, its true that he doesn’t parallel Maguire in terms of screen persona though his has been persistent in his music that is unfailingly earnest. It is evident that most of Fellner teachers have complimented his musical ingredients that are inclined towards premiership. Kent Nagano a conductor upholds the notion that Fellner’s music has a special kind of truth and natural character. Brandel and Fellner Mr. Brendel and Feller met in 1990 at Vienna Conservatory School where Fellner was studying. At this juncture Brendel had an opportunity to listen to Fellner and it sounded fantastic for his music was agreeable to him. They have been meeting occasionally to discuss on repertory and playing on two pianos.   Mr Fellner and Adrian Brendel have since been performing in many concerts and even in birthdays. One summer they perfomed for Brendel senior, Adrian’s father in his 75th birthday. They performed ‘Lied’ during this occasion. Lied is dubbed from a British composer Harrison Birtwistle written as an honorary piece dedicated to the elderly Brandel. These duets have been complimenting each other and Brendel concur that Fellner is predominantly an intellectual player. Recently, Till Fellner and Adrian Brandel have featured in musical season was scheduled 2006-07. They perfomed in myriad places which included Montreal, Paris, London, Tokyo, New York among others. In New York they staged a duo tour with Adrian Brandel. Tell Fellner has recorded myriad prolific CDs that have been selling explicitly, the first book of Bach’s ‘The well tempered Klavier’ was realesed in 2004. Because of Tinnitus complication, an ear sickness, he had to terminate a musical concert that was held in Mozart festival at Lincoln in 2005. He however undergone treatment and he performs even better that before. Music mood Andrian and Fellner constitute a very magnificent duo; poetic, ingenious, coherent, dynamic and well matched musical artists. In the event that Brendel’s intonation is not realistic, both that duet could refine the music within its boundaries. The Duet brings out explicit melodies that rhyme with the aura of passion; their stage is typically formal precisely, and more so when they hinge on the outer-movement rewind. The guitar like paraphernalia is harmoniously employed in blending the melodies. Held between the knees and bowed it ushers a flowing and impish scenario. Lied’s piece of art comes out in a screaming tone that fill’s the room melancholically; the sound however is sepulchral, economic and spare, it portrays the oozing darkness. These variations were likened to the Chinese whispers. The Lied piece progress in a mood that was symbolic, with course dichotomies and outrageous declamations, that depict somber atmosphere perhaps more to those connotations in funeral. The performances evolve in splendid demonstration where the duet depict and eludes from the mythic archetypes. Persons in search of heroism would definitely seize the opportunity to dub a few magnificent traces in the sonatas played by the duet. Something close to the heroic Beethoven, the heaven-storming romantic. The music unfolds tentatively with hypnotizing tones that traverse across the rhythmic domains. They brake into elementary eccentric point that disappears in thin air leaving a polite silence. The chronological presentation of the sonatas F sharp and the E minor and E flat was an indication of predominant musical ingenuity that exposed the duet’s musical wit, vigor, power and vitality References: http://www.classicalsource.com/db_control/db_concert_review. http://www.query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage http:// www.bach-cantatas.com/bio/brendel http:// www.chatelet-theatre.com/biographie.php http:// www.colbertartists.com/ArtistBio http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Hail To the Chief

Hail To the Chief The presidency of John F. Kennedy is one of the most remarkable in America's political history. In his three year term as president, Kennedy was faced with some of the most challenging social, political, and economic issues that our country has ever seen. His choices and policies regarding events like the Vietnamese War and the Cuban Missile Crisis would be key parts in shaping our country today. Despite the glorified image of Kennedy that many Americans hold to today, there is another side of his presidency that is often missed. When one takes a closer look at the details of his rise to power, as well as the real idealsnot those presented to the publicbehind his political decisions, they would see that his presidency cannot be summed up by his public image, but can be understood by carefully examining the circumstances surrounding his administration.In order to understand how Kennedy's political strength grew to where it did, it is first important to look at his early political trai ning.English: Nikita Kruschev letter to President Kenne...After high school, Kennedy studied for a while at the London School of Economics in 1935. From there he entered Princeton University, but was unable to stay because of an attack of jaundice. In 1936 he enrolled at Harvard University, where he graduated in 1940. Kennedy gained invaluable political experience even when he was still at Harvard. He twice visited Europe to watch international politics at his father's side; his father was the Ambassador to England at that time. He did not cease his studies after Harvard, but went on to study at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business in California. By the time that Kennedy's political career started, he was already well studied in economics and politics.Kennedy volunteered for the army in 1941, at the brink of World War...

Monday, October 21, 2019

Assessment Process and Need Statement Essays - Labour Economics

Assessment Process and Need Statement Essays - Labour Economics Assessment Process and Need Statement Mohave County Workforce Development One-Stop Centers offers opportunities to build the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for a vibrant local workforce. Mohave County Workforce Development One-Stop Centers is proposing a new program at the Kingman, Arizona chapter. They are proposing a new program called Helping Hands. Helping Hands is a brand new program that is hoping to fulfill a mission. If Helping Hands can create qualified and well prepared applicants then the applicants will have a better chance of filling the positions that are available and reducing the unemployment rate, which is skyrocketing in Mohave County especially in rural areas like Kingman, Arizona. Helping Hands works with numerous corporations to find the right applicants for each position that they need filled. When a corporation needs a specific position filled, Helping Hands suggests applicants that would be good to interview for that position. Helping Hands helps individuals find jobs, teaches them how to do professional resumes, how to do job searches, what to know about the company before applying or going to an interview, how to prepare for an interview, and how to conduct oneself at an interview. Helping Hands also instructs the applicant on proper attire, what to do, and not to do at interviews. Helping Hands also offers youth instruction on proper job practices, classes on current business programs, classes on how to better handle work situations like proper cash handling practices or how to handle difficult customers, and second language courses to further an individuals chance of getting that job. Mohave County Workforce Development One-Stop Centers Helping Hands is seeking a proposed budget of $320,000 for a one year plan to start the program and classes. Each fund is designated to help draw in participants and help them to succeed in their goals (see appendix for three year budget). Although this will not correct the unemployment problem itself it will give the participants the best opportunity to get the jobs that are available. Helping Hands mission is to help citizens help themselves to get the jobs they need to survive. Mohave County Workforce Development One-Stop Centers has seen how the unemployment rate is getting out of control aproposes this program to help address this issue. The state reports last season that, 9.7 percent of the population of Mohave County is currently filling for unemployment (FRED, 2013). Some individual cities in the county are having even higher rates of unemployment. This is surprising in tourist towns like Lake Havasu. Lake Havasu Citys August unemployment rate climbed nearly 1 percent to 11.3 percent, but community leaders say the latest numbers dont reflect what they are seeing in the local community. The citys August unemployment rate is eight-tenths of a percent higher than the 10.5 percent in July, according to numbers released last week by the Arizona Department of Administration. Mohave Countys rate climbed four-tenths of a percent from 9.7 percent in July to 10.2 percent in August. Both Lake Havasu City and Mohave Countys unemployment rate havent changed sign ificantly throughout the year ranging mostly between 9 percent and 10 percent. Lake Havasu Citys unemployment rate has been as low as 9.5 percent in February and May. Mohave Countys rate was lowest in May at 8.9 percent and highest at 10.4 percent in January (Moberly, 2013). This does not include those who are not working, but not filling like mothers with small children, students, and seniors living off the pensions of spouses. There are numerous contributing factors that make this even harder on the population of Mohave County to survive. The need is evident with the growing rate of people only surviving because of benefits like food stamps and unemployment checks that things need to change. This is even more of an issue right now with the government shutting down and putting a stop to programs like WIC and possibly food stamps. The need is for there to be more available positions. The reasons this occurs is due to numerous factors like the number of companies going out of business, lack of job growth, future plans for job growth does not meet the need, founding fathers not allowing large business to come to town, education level of

Sunday, October 20, 2019

King Egbert of Wessex

King Egbert of Wessex Egbert of Wessex was also known as: Egbert the Saxon; sometimes spelled Ecgberht or Ecgbryh. Has been called the first king of all England and the first king of all the English. Egbert of Wessex was noted for: Helping to make Wessex such a powerful kingdom that England was eventually unified around it. Because he was accepted as king in Essex, Kent, Surrey and Sussex and for a time also managed to conquer Mercia, he has been called the first king of all England. Occupations: KingMilitary Leader Places of Residence and Influence: EnglandEurope Important Dates: Born: c. 770Died: 839 About Egbert of Wessex: Probably born as early as 770 but possibly as late as 780, Egbert was the son of  Ealhmund (or Elmund), who, according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, had been a king in Kent  in 784. Virtually nothing is known of his life up to 789, when he was driven into exile  by  the West Saxon king Beorhtric with the help of his formidable ally,  the Mercian king Offa. It is possible he may have spent  some time at the court of Charlemagne. A few years later, Egbert returned to Britain, where his subsequent activities for the next decade remain a mystery. In 802, he succeeded Beorhtric as king of Wessex and removed the kingdom from the Mercian confederation, establishing himself as an independent ruler. Once again, information is scant,  and scholars have no idea what actually took place over the next decade. In or about 813, Egbert spread devastation in Cornwall from east to west (according to the  Chronicle). Ten years later he embarked on a campaign against Mercia, and scored a victory but at a bloody price. His hold on Mercia was tentative, but his military endeavors secured the conquest of Kent,  Surrey, Sussex and Essex. In 825, Egbert defeated the Mercian king Beornwulf at the Battle of Ellendune. This victory altered the balance of power in England, raising the power of Wessex at the expense of Mercia. Four years later he would conquer Mercia, but in 830 he lost it to Wiglaf. Still, Egberts power base was unrivaled in England during his lifetime, and in 829 he was proclaimed Bretwalda, ruler of all Britain. More Egbert Resources: Egbert of Wessex in the Anglo-Saxon ChronicleEgbert of Wessex in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, page twoEgbert of Wessex on the Web   Egbert of Wessex in Print: The link below will take you to an online bookstore, where you can find more information about the book to help you get it from your local library. This is provided as a convenience to you; neither Melissa Snell nor About is responsible for any purchases you make through this link. The Warrior Kings of Saxon Englandby Ralph Whitlock Medieval Renaissance Monarchs of EnglandDark-Age BritainEarly Europe   Chronological Index Geographical Index Index by Profession, Achievement, or Role in Society The text of this document is copyright  ©2007-2016 Melissa Snell. You may download or print this document for personal or school use, as long as the URL below is included. Permission is   not  granted to reproduce this document on another website. For publication permission,  please   contact  Melissa Snell. The URL for this document is:http://historymedren.about.com/od/ewho/p/who_kingegbert.htm

Saturday, October 19, 2019

French Civilization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

French Civilization - Essay Example There were movements from the east and into France due to food shortages as population increased, the new people brought in new cultures which instead of replacing existing cultures the two cultures were incorporated, Romans brought in major changes in the region which include writing. Industries also emerged which include tool making industries, weaving, pottery and milling The Chasseyan culture existed in the year 3800 BC to 2700 BC and this saw the transformation of people from predators to more settled farming and herding, the Seine Olsen Mane culture existed in the year 3500 to 1800 BC and is said to have originated from northern France and during these years it spread wide in the region, the bell beaker culture is said to have originated from Spain and was characterized by the decoration of utensils. Celts invaded the north in 725 BC and they brought in iron ploughs that helped boost agriculture, Celts also introduced hierarchical form of society where the social groups included warriors, tenants, clients and slaves. The Romans settled in Gaul and brought in major changes to existing cultures which include introduction of taxes, markets, officials, soldiers.

Friday, October 18, 2019

Reasoning for Bible Allusions in the Bear Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Reasoning for Bible Allusions in the Bear - Essay Example Also Sam Fathers painted Isaac's face with the deer of the blood after his first kill of a deer, a ritual that symbolizes sacrifices. The bear Old Ben, conversely, is a complex object of symbolism. Many scholars interpreted Old Ben as a symbol of strength and willingness of human nature. Some sees him as a symbol of freedom in wilderness. However, in Biblical allusion, Old Ben was compared to the Tree of Knowledge. Hunters are hunting down devotedly the old bear. Not because it was a threat to the nearby civilization, but because of the hunters' pride in the achievement of the wild bear's declination. The curiosity is intriguing and enticing to accomplish. The same goes with the Tree of Knowledge. The fruit of the three was forbidden to eat. Thus it became a center of curiosity for the first man and woman habituated the garden, its taste, its effect after eating it. The majestic figure of the bear fascinated the minds of the Southern Hunters. The rewarding hunters' pride to take down Old Ben was like a devil that tempted Eve to defy and eat the forbidden fruit. It is then tempting the mind towards viciousness of the southern people to go after the cruel reward awaiting. Canaan is obviously referring to the So... It was also directly describing the South where Faulkner himself explored with his early years as well as Isaac's during his early years, as Hebrew Bible illustrated Land of Canaan as extension southward from Gaza to the Brook of Egypt. The civilization in the second part of the story that Isaac gone to had came from the concept of Canaan. Faulkner used both Biblical places to emphasize the contrast between the wilderness and the civilization. From the Garden of Eden, Isaac fled to Canaan, and eventually learned that people in the civilization can be more uncivilized as creatures in the wilderness were, if not being paralleled. This in regards to the lifestyle he witnessed during in his relatives in the South, like McCaslin Edmonds, and Uncles Buddy and Buck. The practice of incest, the deception in the Buck and Buddy's old ledger of ownership, Cass' prejudices, all of these made Isaac to see that Old Ben is a symbol of untamed human willingness and at a same time of great independence of human spirit. The fascination to kill Old Ben was the curse that brought in people's lives towards their greed and viciousness. Now, in the last part of the story, Boon's madness could be the result of the curse in discovering the curiosity of killing Old Ben. The same goes when Adam and Eve have eaten the forbidden fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, a curse bestowed to them along with the knowledge they suddenly acquired upon eating the fruit. Boon suddenly thinks he owns everything in the wilderness as he defeated the most regarded powerful creature in it. He acquired a thinking of replacing Old Ben's mightiness. Thus the impossible possession he had will make him madder eventually. A repeat to the excerpt of Faulkner's description "Arcadian Biblical vision of a world which

American History Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

American History - Research Paper Example Year 1865 symbols a milestone of American history which marks the end of the American civil war which resulted heavy losses to both parties as well as the year which started post war reconstruction. And year 1980 marks the precedential election which brought Republican Ronald Regan to the power. Term Americans describes the all citizens of United States of America and they can be divided according to their racial or ethnic group as White Americans, Native Americans (Indians), and African Americans, Mexican American as well as other people who are accepted by United State of America as their citizens. Between years 1865 to 1982 many incidents took place which shows the unity and the separation among Americans. In order to prove the hypothesis of this thesis, author has listed significant events of American history from 1865 to 1980. Throughout this thesis author will prove the hypothesis and how they have affected the unity among Americans. The examples will be listed under two topics as incidents which are show the separation among Americans and incidents which are show the unity among Americans. When researching on separation and unity among Americans one might think race will be the major cause for the separation. Race is just one cause and there are many causes which create separation among Americans and following incidents provide examples for separation among Americans by their political view, nationality and gender. And provide a strong foundation to prove the hypothesis of this thesis, which is Americans have been more divided than united between 1865 and 1980 Right after the end of the civil war government had to find solutions for the status of the ex-slaves which were called as freedmen, loyalty and civil rights of the ex-rebels and the ex-confederate states. In the election of 1866, republicans took the control in congress, and were

Stem cell research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Stem cell - Research Paper Example However, in an embryo that is developing, stem cells can differentiate into a large number of specialized cells and may maintain the normal output of those organs, which regenerate such as blood and skin. The main difference between stem cells and other cells in the body is the fact that they are able to differentiate into other types of cells or tissues. This ability allows them to replace the cells that have died, moreover, this has been used by scientists to replace those cells that are defective in patients who have diseases and effects that cannot be effectively cured by other forms of medicine (Dresser 181). â€Å"Scientists believe that stem cells, from which all other types of cells can grow, will help cure Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, spinal injuries, congestive heart failure and other maladies† (Kelley). The usage of stem cells, especially embryonic stem cells in the cure of diseases such as Parkinson’s disease has come to breed a lot of controversy, and there has been a great deal of support for those who are for it and for those who are against it. There are different types of stem cells andmany different terms have been used to describe them, and these descriptions tend to come from the area of the body or the state of development from which they have come. Among the different stem cell forms are the following: tissue stem cells, fetal stem cells, cord blood stem cells, embryonic stem cells and finally, induced pluripotent stem cells. Moreover, many adult stem cells can substitute cells that die or restore tissues that have been damaged in injuries and such adult tissues as skin and muscle have their own stem cells, and in the bone marrow, blood-forming stem cells help in the production of blood cells. It is yet to be determined whether all organs have stem cells and it can, therefore, be said that the term adult stem cells is used very broadly and may contain other categories of stem cells, which are not necess arily found in adults. There are certain accepted stem cell therapies in the medical field, which require the use of stem cells, which are tissue specific. These tissue stemcells used in these therapies include the bone marrow and cord blood stem cell transplantation, which treat diseases related to blood or the restoration of blood after treatments of such conditions as cancer. In this situation, the tissue stem cells are used to mend the parts of the body from which these cells came. Another adult stem cell type is the mesenchymal stem cells, which are found in a number of tissues, and they are speculated to be able to produce bone, cartilage, and fat (Siegel 215). This has yet to be proven for human beings, but there is ongoing research on animals to determine whether these cells can be used to treat such conditions as bone fractures that do not normally heal. In addition, there is a possibility that these cells or cells that are similar to them play a role in altering the immune system in response to injury. Fetal stem cells are those, whichare taken from the fetus, which is a developing baby that has gone approximately ten weeks into gestation. The majority of the tissues in the fetus include cells that can help in the swift growth and maturity of organs and are extremely much like adult stem cells, which are often tissue specific. The fetus stem cells often produce the cell types that are mature inside the organ from which they were

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Samsung Electronics Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Samsung Electronics - Case Study Example What the Chinese lacked in design and production, they compensated in their business acumen. They forged alliances with those market leaders only and got the license to from them to produce chips based on blueprints and sold at low cost, in order to penetrate the market. Thus, looking at the market strategy of the Chinese firms and their potential to imitate and innovate existing products, there is genuine threat from the Chinese firms. Samsung needs to look at the various options of competitive advantage to respond appropriately so that it could maintain its leadership position within the semiconductor market. There are two main areas where Samsung can keep ahead of the Chinese firms. The first one is its state of the art R&D which greatly facilitates development of new products through specialized product development teams. The new products ensure that the constantly changing preferences of the customers are met timely thus making certain that they maintain their leadership position. Chinese not only lack R&D facilities but lack of experience is also a big drawback in the area of R&D. The second important area is its design and production line. Backed by effective R&D team, the company has the requisite infrastructure and capabilities to design and produce innovative products. The Chinese firms have yet to acquire expert knowledge of the design and production technology of core units of semiconductors. This gives a huge advantage to Samsung to go in for new products and create niche market for them in the emerging new economies like India, China, Brazil etc. It is assumed that despite huge government concessions to Chinese firms in China, lack of effective intellectual property laws would be a big deterrent for other big companies to transfer technology. Samsung, therefore, would be right to continue innovative products and add-ons for existing as well as for new market. In the changing paradigms of business environment, there is

System of Inquiry Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words - 1

System of Inquiry Paper - Essay Example The basic purpose of a compliance program for following the code of ethics is to help the employees at all levels and functions within the organization to work together and achieve the broader and narrower goals and objectives in such a way as to be consistent with standards of ethical behavior. The ethics compliance program and the system of inquiry is an essential part of the learning process for the organization. It is recognized as a good practice to always evaluate the ethics program, although as a matter of fact, few organizations actually do so. On top of that, such programs normally have not demonstrated that the expected program outcomes were achieved. Still, the program could be deemed a success, if it at least met the minimum requirements. In this context, it is no longer a question of whether to inquire into one’s ethics compliance program, but rather to design a system of inquisition that goes about implementing it across a span of time. The following pages will delve into the framework for the system of inquiry and the related issues during its design and implementation. The Code of Ethics Process Evaluation is designed to analyze how successful program implementation was. It is also designed to monitor which of the activities within the program were performed and to what extent. An instance of process activities and their corresponding output measure is the standards and procedures written and published through annual training courses in ethics. Regarding the participants of such courses, the extent that specific skills and knowledge were recollected at various periods of time after the training is an important indicator. And finally, the measure of participants’ satisfaction during the training is another valuable piece of data. From the point of view of the inquirer, these program activities and their outputs have negligible value in and of themselves, especially when it comes to forming remedial actions. Their value is

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Samsung Electronics Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Samsung Electronics - Case Study Example What the Chinese lacked in design and production, they compensated in their business acumen. They forged alliances with those market leaders only and got the license to from them to produce chips based on blueprints and sold at low cost, in order to penetrate the market. Thus, looking at the market strategy of the Chinese firms and their potential to imitate and innovate existing products, there is genuine threat from the Chinese firms. Samsung needs to look at the various options of competitive advantage to respond appropriately so that it could maintain its leadership position within the semiconductor market. There are two main areas where Samsung can keep ahead of the Chinese firms. The first one is its state of the art R&D which greatly facilitates development of new products through specialized product development teams. The new products ensure that the constantly changing preferences of the customers are met timely thus making certain that they maintain their leadership position. Chinese not only lack R&D facilities but lack of experience is also a big drawback in the area of R&D. The second important area is its design and production line. Backed by effective R&D team, the company has the requisite infrastructure and capabilities to design and produce innovative products. The Chinese firms have yet to acquire expert knowledge of the design and production technology of core units of semiconductors. This gives a huge advantage to Samsung to go in for new products and create niche market for them in the emerging new economies like India, China, Brazil etc. It is assumed that despite huge government concessions to Chinese firms in China, lack of effective intellectual property laws would be a big deterrent for other big companies to transfer technology. Samsung, therefore, would be right to continue innovative products and add-ons for existing as well as for new market. In the changing paradigms of business environment, there is

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Consulted Magna with Recommendations Essay Example for Free

Consulted Magna with Recommendations Essay Magna International Inc. (Magna) is a Canadian car and light trucks parts maker, who design, develop and manufacture automotive systems, assemblies, modules and components, as well as engineers and assembles complete vehicles, primarily for sale to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Magna operates in three geographical regions: North America, Europe, and the rest of the world (mainly Asia, South America and Africa), making Magna an international company. We have investigated Magna and identified two key issues they are currently facing. Firstly, Magna is suffering Quality Control problems in their divisions, such as Magna Powertrain, Magna Steyr, Magna Closures, Magna Car Top Systems, etc. The current method of dealing with problems is a weak matrix structure. However, we recommend two alternatives that will increase Magnas efficiency. Our first recommendation is to create a Dedicated Team. Our second recommendation is to enhance the existing Matrix Structure, by making it stronger. We illustrate numerous strengths and weaknesses for each recommendation. The second issue Magna is dealing with is the increased pressure to unionize their employees. To a degree, this matter seems unavoidable. We simply recommend Magana create a Managements Rights Clause and/or Management Prerogatives Rights in order to protect their rights and clarify various aspects of employment rights from the beginning. Therefore, Magna needs to assess these alternatives from their internal perspective. As a consulting agency, we can only suggest alternatives that would suit the organization and improve their current drawbacks. Introduction Magna International Inc. (Magna) is a Canadian car parts maker and supplier to a wide variety of automakers throughout the world. The systems Magna provides are major components in the final assembly of cars, for GM, Ford, Chrysler, Mercedes, BMW, Toyota, Honda, Porsche, Volkswagen, along with others. We have identified two issues with Magna, for which we have derived several alternatives. One issue is Quality Control (QC) in Magnas systems, which is due to organizational structure when dealing with QC. Another issue that Magna is currently experiencing is the increasing pressures to unionize their employees. Magnas current QC procedure will be discussed, followed by an analysis of Magnas two key issues we have identified including alternatives that we propose. Current Quality Control Process In order to properly asses the current situation with the QC processes an employee of Magna directly involved with such issues was interviewed. The company is organized in a number of independent divisions that are system/product oriented, for example Vision System, Powertrain System, Electronic System, etc. Each of these divisions is involved in a final system assembly stage and supplying systems to the car and light truck manufacturers. Each division has its own chain of suppliers and sub-contractors to supply parts, to make adjustments or process them, and to perform primary assembly. The final assembly of the system is performed at one of the Magna division plants (Appendix A). The cross functional team (CFT) is comprised of representatives from the functional departments. These representatives are gathered from departments, such as Logistics, QC, Materials, Production, Accounting and Purchasing (Appendix B). They are assigned to the team, as CFT members, in order to deal with a specific problem at hand. The CFT leader only has authority to gather information on the QC problems, workout possible solutions to implement with the respective cost associated with these solutions. The solutions are then conveyed to the Chief Operations Officer (COO) for consideration, decision and implementation. Once the problem is resolved, CFT members resume to their respective positions and duties. Other factors with regards to QC include financial risk, performance risk as well as problems between business to business relationships. In terms of financial risk, if Magnas quality is not up to par, their clients demand may diminish and will result in lower revenues. Currently, the Big Three (Ford, GM, Chrysler) represent 60% of revenues, therefore it is in Magnas best interest to insure that demand does not diminish for these customers because a ripple affect will occur and Magna will also be affected by a decrease in demand and revenue. Along the same lines, if customers are not satisfied with the parts produced, they will find another supplier. In addition, if defective parts have to be shipped back, it poses a financial risk given that Magna is losing the potential to make a profit from those parts, representing an opportunity cost. Furthermore, there are performance risks associated with QC given that customers may purchase parts that do not function or perform as they are intended to. Moreover, if Magna is supplying dysfunctional parts it will jeopardize the relationship with their customers by diminishing the trust and loyalty that has been established over the many years of their relationship. This may result in an unfavourable image on Magnas part and will create a risk of being replaced by another supplier. As a result Magna may choose to find other companies with higher standards to outsource to and form a strategic partnership with them. To re-establish trust with their customers, they will have to provide superior performance, social ties and specific investments such as training new supplier personnel on how to produce certain parts and establish contractual agreements specifying for example the limit conditions on products and also who will be responsible for losses incurred as a result of faulty products. Thus, with this background knowledge of Magnas QC problem, we suggest two alternatives for Magna, a Dedicated Team Approach and Strong Matrix Team Approach. Alternatives Dedicated Team Magnas current CFT (weak matrix structure) is ineffective because the CFT leader does not possess enough authority to resolve the issue in a timely manner, hence cost effective. In order to achieve successful project completion, one of our recommendations is to implement a Dedicated Team (Appendix C). This structure is preferred when considered solely from the project managers point of view. People and assets are allocated completely to the project for as long as they are needed to complete the project. Furthermore, in a Dedicated Team, the project manager has full line authority over all the resources. This effectively sets up a separate goal-oriented department of the company, which is its own functional department. The project manager still has the problem of managing and integrating other companies and external organizations contributing to the project, but has full mastery over all the people and groups working on the project within his/her company. This goal-oriented structure makes planning, control and general project management simpler and easier than with other forms of organization. There can be much better integration of everyone who is involved in the project and communication between them (formal and informal) is faster, direct and frequent. Teamwork is much easier to develop and therefore creates a higher degree of commitment to the project objectives, especially when the team is permanent. Conflict is likely to be less than other project organization forms and if complications arise it can be solved more easily. Consequently, project teams tend to maximize the probability of completing projects on time, within budget and to specification. Unfortunately, teams are not the most flexible way in which to use company resources. If more than one team exists in the same company, it becomes necessary to increase the numbers of specialists on the payroll because each specialist (or group of specialists) must be allocated fully to each project team for the projects life. It is usually difficult to switch specialists from one project to another to take account of day-to-day fluctuations in workload. Division of labour within functions is therefore more difficult so that a dedicated project team might have to make do with a generalist in a function where a specialist would be preferred. Therefore, although the Dedicated project team (separate divisional form of project organization) enables projects to be managed more effectively than the functional organization and it avoids some of the problems of more complex organizational forms, it can generally be used on larger projects capable of sustaining bigger functionalist groups within the team. The team structure is appropriate, therefore when a company is handling a single important project, or where one project is much more important than the others, it justifies setting up a completely separate company division. In that case, the size of the project and the volume of the work should be great enough to provide full time activity for each of the functional specialists or groups assigned to the project. Dedicated project teams cannot be used when a company is handling several relatively small projects simultaneously on a continuous basis because they would splinter up the function resources. This splintering inhibits the transfer of personnel between projects according to demand and reduces the number of projects that a company can handle for a given number of staff. Strong Matrix Team One of the reasons that Magna is experiencing problems with effectively dealing with its QC problems has to do with its organizational structure. Magna currently has in place a weak matrix system which creates problems with its reporting dimensions. The current belief is that in order to get things done in the organization there has to be a dual-reporting structure, in which one person is assigned to two bosses. With regard to the QC procedure Magna currently has in place, the CFT leader that has no real authority or decision making power over the problems that arise. The CFT leaders duty is simply to gather information, analyze the problem, provide solutions, and report all this to the COO. The COO discusses this information with the board of directors who decide as a whole which option to choose and then vertically pass down the information to the CFT leader. This process exerts a lot of time and every hour of idle production costs the company millions of dollars. Another issue with the current matrix structure is that employees that are part of this CFT are having a difficult time dealing with this vertical chain of authority; they have to deal with their functional manager as well as their team leader. This usually results in the CRT leaders requests being left out of the equation.

Monday, October 14, 2019

Why Many Projects Fail At Rural Areas Construction Essay

Why Many Projects Fail At Rural Areas Construction Essay The construction industry is regarded as one of major indicators of the countrys economy, especially for developing countries. Periods of prosperity are usually associated with a large volume of construction activity, yet the rate of construction project failures is unacceptably high. 2. Abstract Purpose investigation into the cause of construction projects failure in rural areas, the research has been working at Kwazulu Natal (KZN) Province. The is research going to look at poor management, poor planning, lack of proper skill and cost overspend which is a merger problem to all construction Industry special to developed and developing countries. The purpose of this research is to find the factors enforce cost overspending to the construction industry which is affect south Africa economy. Literature reviews- Survey, curried out challenges through interviews of 2 Local Municipalities in rural areas, projects managers, project planners and also look at the budget were allocated for projects in rural and also conducted interview to the relevant stakeholders, through different news paper, through internet so that can be able to access the opinions of other people and get some literature books, the information will reveal proper equipments that is good for rural condition and it will come out with solution regards project failure. Findings research will be assist the government and other stakeholders to achieve good production in rural development, Analysis of theory via literature review would be aimed at finding answers to the question regarding the essential elements of project failure in rural developments and interview would be recorded with the permission of the interviewees. Internet would be the preferred method of obtaining precedents. We as consultant employed by government to identify the problem and find the solution so that we can give advice to government we undertake the research up to the ends. Ever since the research is on process to reach all the goals regards project failure in KZN special in rural areas. Conclusion-The consultant that will undertake studies concerning the cause and factors that influence to project in rural areas, were reliable because has found from construction Industry. As a consultant I will do my best to keep client happy and respect all stakeholders and would resolve the issue, if government and other stakeholders improve the standard too and ensure that all the work that carry out by Municipalities at rural has to be done effectively and efficiently. 3. Introduction Background of the study Many challenges in construction industry throughout the country are presented by different Personalities, financial limitations, time and scheduling, technical barriers, development work faces issues that are unique to the developing country. These problems may be present in country but due to inherent characteristics of developing, these issues are exacerbated and pose even larger challenges in development work. Throughout the developing people suffer due inadequate or failing of infrastructure. Infrastructure which are houses, roads, school and bridges, is the physical foundation on which development efforts and improved living standard are established. The construction industry in developing countries states that the construction industry is an essential contributor to the process of development, influencing nearly every sector of the economy. Improving the capacity and capabilities of the construction industry in developing countries is a critical step to improving infrastructure development that is over looked. (Kraig Lothe). According Kraig Lothe; South Africa is developing country and there have big demand of infrastructure for the people of the country special those who stay in rural areas to improve lives and reduce homeless people. People are still suffering in rural areas due to the problem of project failure which cost government alot of money without a change that was a reason of such research Attempts have been made to identify critical factors that lead to project failure in the relevant collected works; however the causes of project failure in South Africa are not well known or documented especially the degree to which project consultants contribute to this failure. The construction projects, however, fail at a shocking rate international more than 50% by some estimates. The South Africa construction industry, which is generally considered to be dysfunctional, is no exception with many stakeholders in the construction process concluding, although not necessarily to the same degree, that project failure is rampant. A research will go to identify the causes of project failure especially in rural area. 4. Statement of the problem Infrastructure throughout the developing country consistently falls into disrepair. The project are not built to the same level of quality expected industry national and in many instances the local Municipalities in KZN do not have the capacity or desire to implements the project. This occurs because projects are initiated from the top, down, paying little attention to the needs and capacity of the local Municipalities. Difficulties that projects manages experience during the planning stage of a projects, need to look at insufficient propel skill in the construction industry that were used in rural projects. It is clear that this project lacked key elements in its design and implementation. A successful project is flexible and able to adapt to various contexts and still maintain Monitoring and evaluation of project progress through indicators is always necessary, especially in rural areas. In terms of implementation, project officers working on the ground, especially in extreme situa tions like current in KZN, should have some overseas experience and background information before arriving. Context where national institution cannot be relay on similarly, alternative methods of keeping track of finances needed to be developed in the context of a cash-only local economy. 5. The aim This study aims to examine the service delivery in rural areas, and to come up with a solution of finding a better way of project delivery in rural areas at KZN. 6. Objective of the study The objectives of study are to: ? Is to find the cause of project failure in rural areas ? Is to check the capacity of local Municipality to manage themselves their project. ? The need of proper skill in construction industry ? To emphases quality work in construction industry. 7. Research questions The study will be guided by the following research questions: ? What causing construction projects to fail in rural? ? Why local Municipality fail to rectify soon a problem of poor project delivery in rural? ? How could improve construction industry in rural areas? ? Which purposes does the research would achieve regards construction project in rural? 8. Research design As defined by the Construction Specifications institute (CSI), project delivery is the contractual relationships between the owner, designer, contractor(s), and the management services utilized to design and construct a project (CSI, 2005). Project delivery is the framework used to take a project from its initiation stage to completion. The most common delivery systems used today in the developed country are design-bid-build, design-build and construction management (Arditi et al., 2002). In the developing country, engineers have only recently been introduced to different project delivery systems. Before this, the contractors acted as master builders coordinating everything from start to finish. This master builder system leaves no gaps between participants and uses a simple contractual agreement. Unfortunately, the system can no longer be implemented effectively as modern construction has become too complex. There is a large separation of knowledge and responsibility between the design and construction phases. This causes major problems in both the design and construction. Designers do not have practical construction experience so local knowledge and construction techniques are not taken into account during the design, causing unreasonable expectations and inadequate specifications. The skill levels and knowledge of the contractors vary greatly. Designers also complain that they have to over compensate for the expected lack of skill in operations and maintenance (Davis and Brikke, 1995), but this is exactly what is needed to design for sustainability. According Arditi information that is a reality, system have to follow to all project in order to minimize the problems and because project includes many parties need to be involve and satisfied with process, the project manager have to play a big role to make all parties happy and project could be smooth. 9. Literature Survey Conducting an interviews with the different Municipalities and Transport in rural areas that are affected by the issue of project failure in construction industry. They are serious factors that are influencing construction project which are uncoordet building environment professionals, collection of data, poor user input, poor project design and leadership; design and construction problems; and inappropriate staff skills; unrealistic timescales and cost estimation; poor selection of building procurement methods; failure to plan and lack of pre-project planning, and researching information on people who were specialist in the construction industry namely: architect, quantity surveyor, project manager, and structural engineer that are play a leading role in the development team. 10. Methodology Interview conducted through emails and telephonically with two municipalities which is Jozini and Umvoti. Jozini is local Municipality in rural area which is in North Coast of Kwazulu Natal at 125km towards the bonder of Mozambique and 78km towards the bonder of Swaziland, that municipality is under UMkhanyakude district Municipality. Jozini municipality is on struggle to push service delivery at rural area. Interview conducted with the Technical director regarding challenges that led to construction project to fail explain the following issue: Housing project Municipality has been experiencing a lot of challenges to housing project that was allocated to Kwajobe Area under Jobe Traditional Authority, as a rural insitu upgrade, project has been finish on 2008 June but there were many defects that need to be attend such as , floor cracks, wall cracks, roof took off by storm. The beneficiaries were unhappy at all about houses that were built; therefore municipality got a challenge to rectify those houses because consultants who were project manager have overspending the cost. And he added that there is a current insitu upgrade housing project that allocated Emakhonyeni area is still in planning stage for 4yrs, consultant report many difficulties that might cause project fail. The Municipality which has influence over the Munyeni Traditional Council area has forwarded a request for the approval of 1000 rural subsidies, for this project. Due to the limited capacity of the Municipality, an Implementing Agent has been appointed to undertake the housing development. The submission for stage 1(beginning of the planning process) was approved by the MEC of Human Settlements on 02 March 2010, since then there is no progress and consultant declared to municipality that they fails to undertaking the project to other stage. According Jozini municipality they employed Implementing Agents that were not qualified to do work in order such big project because in the rural areas need advance equipment to reach even a place that are not easily to reach. There is a big challenge facing rural areas even also government tried to developed relevant skilled people in order to fight against the insufficient of unskillful people in rural. Road construction Jozini Municipality plan to networking of the road comprises a hierarchical network of roads, being Primary, District and Local roads. The Jozini Municipality aims to develop a road network that will service all its communities and people to ensure that they need not walk more than 5 km to reach a Primary road or District road. This objective is already realized for some areas in the municipality area the runs. The condition of gravel roads are deteriorating rapidly and maintenance there to appear to be inadequate and roads often become impossible in wet conditions. The maintenance of these roads are a dedicated responsibility of the Department of Transport. An assessment of the location of the proposed development nodes have indicated an adequate all weather access to each of these. The nodes are further located on bus routes, which enhances the development potential thereof. The development nodes identified are located on district roads. The challenges regarding roads construction era equipment that were not easily to found because its cost lot of money here and transport it, as the result company s were failed to keep it until project would be over. The Road is 17 km from Jozini village to Makhathini flats and supposed to take one and half year to constructed but seems as it will take 6 years, still there is lot of work to be done. Municipality has been changing contractors to do something. There is a road from uMbombo to Mbazwane that road connecting uMbombo hospital and Mseleni hospital minister of transport at KNZ had approved the project in 2009 August and the contractor has been employed since then there is no visible progress regarding the project. The maintenance of these roads is a dedicated responsibility of the Department of Transport. . Proposed Transport Facilities In order to enhance the public transport facilities, it is proposed that taxi/bus stops be introduced at current locations two types of facilities are foreseen, namely: Major taxi/bus facilities which will comprise formal paved areas with passenger waiting facilities, the last mentioned which will be roofed. This will normally be served by existing shops and post boxes. This facility can be enhanced by formalized institutional facilities in the form of clinics, tribal courts and pension payout points. Minor taxi/bus facilities which will be only mark stall facilities and passenger waiting facilities. Provincial Roads As indicated above, the provincial roads have merely been provided as guidance as this has no effects on the analysis. The majorities of the provincial roads, being specifically the P and D roads, are of reasonable standard and frequently maintained by the authorities. The L and A roads are generally of inferior quality and only portions thereof are maintained by the authorities, and not on a Regular basis. Municipal Roads The municipal roads have been identified as those roads which serve at least 10 households as Secondary roads and 20 households as primary roads, whilst the household access roads predominantly will serves individuals household. Arising from aforementioned, the cost to establish the household access roads appears to be fairly prohibitive and should be prioritized only after the municipal rural roads have been established and after a maintenance budget have been affected therefore. The condition of the rural roads was assessed during in loco inspections. The condition could be classified according to the following norms: Surfaced roads, being those that have been formally constructed and provided with an all weather surface. Gravel roads, being those that had formally been shaped and provided with a gravel surface. Dirt roads, being those that were merely formed through blading. Tracks, being those formed through use of only vehicles. The majority of the municipal roads in existence were classified as dirty roads, being those which had merely been bladed, with no formal gravel surface or storm water drainage. These however still provide access to homesteads. Operations and Maintenance The provision and maintenance of roads is a dedicated responsibility of the Department of Transport. The said Department has established Road Transportation Forums, which prioritize the provision thereof in terms of the needs expressed by the community. This includes the provision of river crossings and bridges. Umvoti Municipality is a Category B municipality and is one of the four local municipalities within Umzinyathi District.Greytown,the main centre is situated approximately 65km from Pietermaritzburg and 100km from Stanger, and includes the town of Kranskop (refer to Map 1). It is about 2509km in extent and its population is estimated between 92 419 people and 117 000 people who are spread unevenly among the eleven municipal wards. It is located on the southern part of UMzinyathi District, and borders onto uMgungundlovu District to the south, Mshwathi Local Municipality, and largely falls within the Pietermaritzburg functional economic region. The parts of the municipality that borders onto King Shaka District enjoy the influence of Stanger-KwaDukuza economic region. Umvoti Local Municipality is well integrated into the Provincial transportation network. Route 33 MAP 1: LOCALITY MAP Umvoti serves as a major link between Greytown and Dundee while R74 connects the urban centre of Greytown, Kranskop and is the largest of four Municipalities, in terms of area, in the UMzinyathi District. Umvoti local municipality has been challenged both housing and road although that municipality has advantage of big road passing through which is R74, but they challenged to the access road and bridges that connect communities. According municipal official those access road have been identified and also bridges were approved because of the different challenges since then no bridges been constructed. Housing project have a big problem because Umvoti municipality surrounded by privates property that is not easy to develop, like one project is called Muden housing project that was given CHS developments as Implementing Agent. Muden housing project has been takes more five years still in the planning stage1. The cause of the matter is property that owners not by ingonyama trust as policy state that rural project was awarded only people who live under ingonyama trust land or property. CHS Developments still waiting approval for a proposal to use a property as Implementing Agent . Consultants Interview conducted with some of project managers regarding project failure in rural areas which is a big problem that affects people who are living at rural. There number of issue mention which is a policy, shortage of equipments, skill challenge, material, political leadership. 1. Policy that government had been set as guide lines of how to implements a project, sometime makes things to be more difficult end up cause many problems, eg a stage1 application its take time to approve and it s process usually been very slow than expected. 2. The shortage of equipments mentioned as a major problem in construction actually is not a rural areas problem only even at urban areas is a common problem but that s worse in rural areas. The project has been stack if is difficult to find relevant equipment. 3. The construction industry has a big challenge in term of people who have skill because most of them got relevant qualification with very poorer performance in practical work, as the results project fail to met the construction standard will end up fails. 4. The most problem in rural areas is material that s not easy to find it due the smaller stock in hardwires shop, even if you please order will takes long time to receive it, that one cause lot of delays end up whole project fail. 5. Political leadership sometimes cause lot of confusion in the project when they made unnecessary decision without observing the policy that should follow to runs a project. What causing construction projects to fail in rural? The budget that allocated for the projects in rural might be not enough amounts to compared with work to be done. The Consultants spend long time to prepare the projects and to implementation of it, material require according to the specifications is not easily to find at rural areas, equipment to be use are not found because due to the area condition need the advance machine so to be able to reach even the steep slope and unaccesseble sites. The main challenge projects were failing to reach the quality standard of construction industry. Many challenges in construction projects throughout the country are presented by different personalities, financial limitations, time and scheduling, technical barriers, and various surprises of difficulties. Development work faces issues that are unique to the developing country. These problems may be present in industrialized national but due to inherent characteristics of developing country, these issues are exacerbated and pose even larger challenges in development work. The municipality employed unqualified consultant as the results there is no progress. Cost/ benefits Travelling expenses in conducting the interviews to the different of Municipality and Department of Public Work Transport at rural areas, I have been get newspaper articles and using internet cafes to get more information and even makes number of calls. Impact 5. Advantages and Disadvantages Rural area have still challenged with A problem with the apolitical approach is that it is not apolitical. In addition to including an academic perspective to appreciate context, it is also important to include political perspectives to avoid unintentionally or indirectly causing harm in a situation. Any astute observer may wonder, if development projects without Multidisciplinary collaborations, as they are most often designed and implemented, have not produced positive results then are it possible that the good intentions have produced negative results? There are countless ways in which external interventions can thwart the internal development of a community or a nation and in some cases, fuel violence and corruption and contribute to the degradation of existing structures and systems. Why local Municipality fail to rectify a problem of poor delivery in rural? Projects also fail because they do not meet user requirements and are full of assumptions that give rise to conflict. Architect sometime get their briefs from people who are not regular users of the building or do not know the specific requirements of the building. Informed end users must give meaningful input during every phase of the briefing, design and construction. Some of projects are finally cancelled simply because people did not like each other. Others fail because the design team did not know or did not bother to find out who the real stakeholders are or whether they were going to support it. Parties also tend to rigidly defend their positions. 7. Model processing The rural project process in different system unlike unban project is severely fragmented and there appears to several barriers to development, particularly that of parties tending to rigidly defend their own turfs. The property development requires a combination of specialist, traditionally organized into a district occupation groups. According to Hindle (1996), the differences among the specialist consultants involved in a project are emphasized with the results that major discontinuities are created by the focus on function rather than process. For project success these professionals should not act in isolation but a well defined and closely knit network. 8. Model Output The outcome of the construction project in the context of its relevant solution system. The planners and designers of a construction project team, irrespective of the number of members, contribute the cognitive complexity mentioned, inadequate management knowledge and systems. One needs to identify the root causes of systems failures and to select and implement effective measures .Needs to adopt the basic principle of systems thinking can increase the prospects of project success. Definition of terms For the purpose of this study the following definitions apply Projects in rural areas Construction Construction is a risk-driven, multi-dimensional process; it is a series of interdependent steps, each requiring specific technical knowledge and participants working together. In the developing country, construction employs techniques, materials and expertise that make perfect use of available resources and expertise, while others compromise the integrity of the final product. Material delays, misunderstandings, and discrepancies in design are a few common problems that prevent projects from being completed successfully, on time. Every party in the project must work together in a coordinated effort because tasks are interdependent. If one person fails, so may the entire project. The following are some of the most common problems encountered during the construction, sometime Municipality facing a difficulties to find a good project manager as the results project fails to manage propel. The rural projects include many parties such as community, traditional leadership work together with Municipality and other stockholders, usually the common project in rural such as housing, schools roads working. Material Procurement Material procurement in developing countries require significant pre-planning due to road conditions, scarcity of transportation, and inconsistency of suppliers. Many sites are remote and are accessed by small 4-wheel drive vehicles, horse, and in some cases only by foot. Roads are also often washed out and thus prevent any vehicles from passing. For example, gravel, sand and aggregate are taken from local river beds. Often rivers swell, access to the river beds becomes impossible, and aggregate cannot be obtained. Local materials should be ordered early to prevent delays Project in Urban areas In many countries administration was the capital city and all development was focused on the capital city with infrastructure such as transport (road, rail, and air) concentrated around the capitals. The urban areas are the centre for economic growth and offer employment opportunities not found in the rural areas. Worldwide there is a drift towards the urban areas creating strains on the infrastructures and administration of these areas. At some time the rural areas are usually poorly serviced and sup-ported. (Peter Utting) According Proff. Peter Utting is agreed that many countries included South Africa did what others do. Focus is in big towns such as Johannesburg, Durban, Middleburg and Cape Town whereas the rural areas are in need of infrastructure. Structure of the report The project deals with the investigate the cause leads construction project fail in rural areas. The whole structure of the report have set as follows: Introduction/background, statement of the problem, the aim, objective of the study, research question, research design, literature survey, methodology, definition of terms, and conclusion. Construction Management The construction management project delivery system introduces professional management throughout the project acting as an agent of the owner. Owner has separate contracts with the contractor, designer, and construction manager. The role of construction manager as an agent of the owner does not bear any financial risk. The construction manager works closely with the designer and contractor during the design and construction phases in the best interest of the owner. The construction management entity has expertise in construction and allows the owner to execute complex projects which require extensive coordination between project participants The construction manager s expertise and involvement improves efficiency of even the most complex projects by minimizing rework, change orders, and cost overruns. The construction manager advises the owner in the design and construction stage allowing the owner have influence throughout the project. This involvement facilitates constructability, Integrating construction knowledge during the design phase. The construction manager oversees Design implementation during construction, often diminishing the designer s role in construction, but the involvement of the designer in construction differs in each project. In expensive, complex projects the extra cost of hiring a construction manager is offset by avoiding general contracting fees, savings in cost management, and the reduction of cost overruns. There is no delivery approach that is best in every situation. These three systems are the basic frameworks used in most projects. From each of these frameworks many variations and hybrids have evolved and been implemented. Projects may be adapted in any way that may aid in the project delivery and utilize the strengths of all project participants. The best project delivery system will address each of the project s unique needs and characteristics. Conclusion In conclusion this study identifies the needs of infrastructure and determines the challenges that municipalities are facing when are searching for information. Construction managers provide valuable construction expertise during design in the construction management delivery system. Acting in this role, development agencies need to involve construction personnel in design. Development agencies can either staff a contractor or hire contractors during the design to gain construction knowledge early. As involving potential contractors in the detailed design phase also provides continuity of construction personnel between the design and construction. If the contractor is involved early he can express his needs and learn those of the other participants. Through partnering, the parties can understand each other s needs and common goals can be created. However, the owner s goal of a cost-effective project may conflict with the contractor s profit motive. Incorporating these changes into typical project delivery is a viable way to address constructability issues in Honduras. The changes are small and affordable, effectively improving sustainability. Based on the research outlined in this report, shows a proposed delivery system for development work aimed to maximize community participation and involve a contractor in the design. While we have not tried to argue that multidisciplinary collaborations are the key to radically changing the development in rural, the cases presented do demonstrate that the lack of multidisciplinary collaborations does have a negative impact and does contribute to the failure of many development projects in rural area. More specifically, we have found that without consulting people, information and/or other resources from other sectors: I. Planners fail to fully understand the complexity of contexts; II. Planners gravitate towards grandiose, general, sectarian and superficial solutions rather than holistic and strategic ones; III. Planners, in their developme