Technology Essay Example for Free

Technology Essay It is always a controversial issue whether technology separates and alienates people more than it serves to bring them together. From my point of view, technology has done more to bring people together than to separate or alienate them. Therefore, I disagree with the statement. Here are some reasons why. First of all, technology has brought about a revolution in the way we communicate with each other through the use of cellular phones and the Internet. Thanks to these new mediums of communication, people are brought closer together. With access to cellular phones or the Internet, I am now only seconds away from communicating with distant friends. With access to these devices, the geographical distance between acquaintances matters much less than it did in the past. I can still maintain close contact with my family and friends, even if they are on the other side of the world. Evidently, technology makes people become closer than ever. In addition, technology has given us the means to travel great distances in relatively short periods of time for a relatively cheap price. Imagine having to travel overseas to visit your parents had you all lived a mere hundred year ago. Think of both the time and money such a trip would have cost! Now compare the difficulties of this trip a century ago with the relative ease and comfort of the same trip today. The technical innovations in transportation, as well as in communication, have only served to bring us closer together. In summary, I strongly disagree with the worn-out idea that technology ultimately separates and alienates people more than it serves to bring them together. To the contrary, technology improves our ability to talk to each other. Also, it improves our ability to travel and see each other. Apparently, technological innovations in both transportation and in communication that were noted in the preceding paragraphs unite people in different locations. Technology ultimately separates and alienates people more than it serves to bring them together. There have been many debates regarding the impacts of technology on people’s relationships. While many people argue that technology obviously separates and alienates people, some of others hold a belief that technology brings people together. As far as I am concerned, I strongly agree with the latter point of view, but I think that those who hold the former belief have their own sound evidence. Admittedly, proponents to this claim may argue that new technologies, such as the Internet, televisions, or computers, destroy humans’ relationships. Lots of people around the world have /been getting/BECOME/ addicted to watching televisions, playing online games, surfing and wandering AROUND the Internet, to name but a few. This has proveN to be very detrimental to their relationships. For example, in my country, Vietnam, many children, at the age of 8 to 14, are very interested in playing online games. They spend most of their free time sitting in front of their computers screen and doing something separately. This may result in the lack of socializing and contacting with others. On the other hand, technology has been a wonderful aid that can bring people together, or, in many cases, back together. To bolster this claim, I can say that I have connected with quite a few people all over the world via email, and some of them I have never known before. Furthermore, thanks to modern technologies such as the Internet or mobile phone, I can contact with my friends and relations living in other countries, far away from my homeland, very easily and conveniently. Giving and receiving a call, or chatting via Skype or Yahoo Messenger are some common ways that people often make use of, in order to keep contact with one another, as well as maintain and strengthen their relationships. Another way that technologies support people in socializing with each other is through the so-called ‘virtual worlds’ in the Internet. There are many such virtual worlds in the Internet, such as Facebook, Twitter, and a great numbers of forums and websites, in which people can share their common interests and make contacts with one another. Such contacts may be ephemeral, but they can be A great source of information and amusement. as well. For example, I have joined in English-test.net Forum and enjoyed many relationships in here. It CAN not only can make me feel relaxed, but also can ALSO bring me many benefits in terms of study. In sum, it seems clear to me that technology has done more to bring people together than to isolate them. If they use technologies appropriately, they can gain many benefits from them. Technology ultimately separates and alienates people more than it serves to bring them together. The question in hand it to determine if Technology separates and alienates people more than it serves to bring them together As with many issues related to technology, we cannot say that it is fully true or false, but both the perspectives can co-exist. In my opinion, technology does more to bring people together than to alienate them. The primary reason of my opinion is a look at history. A century ago, people in America did not interact with the Asians the way they do today. Neither did they interact with their own countrymen to the extent they do today. The technological advances in communication made it possible for the world to shrink into a global village. The internet explosion of the late 1990s especially lead to a networked world, where there is a very strong business relationship between various parts of the world. With this business relationship and a subsequent personal relationship, people are now more closely knit than they ever were. Today, an American gets his leather jacket, with its raw material coming from Myanmar, manufacturing done in China and branding done in Europe. This one chain has linked people from various nations. The second reason I base my opinion on is the advances in travel technology. It took people 77 days to go around the earth a century ago, but today this can be done in less than 2 days. The tourist population of the world is at its historic high now. When people go to a new land, they get an opportunity to interact with the natives of that land. On the flip side, there is a limited human-to-human personal interaction in many developed nations due to these technological advances. A survey in the US points out that a typical teenager spends more time to watch television than to talk to his parents. This situation would not have been there a century ago. Infact the Amish people who live in Pennsylvania and Ohio states of the US do not have any televisions in their houses because they believe that it breaks up the family. They also have limited technology in their houses for having their families more closely knit. In conclusion, technology has been of tremendous help in bringing people across the world together, but it has made the smallest units of the society like the family less closely knit. Technology ultimately separates and alienates people more than it serves to bring them together. Technology and Humane touch, in most cases donot gel together. It is indeed, a complex issue. One school of thought says, it is the ultimate tool to stay connected with people which otherwise is not possible.Technology comes as a rescue to the users, which they would find it difficult without it. At the same time, the division and the alienation which it brings along with it, has brought a negative reputation. However in my opinion, technology if placed at the right time and right place, it is the most effective tool to bring in smiles between scattered people over the globe. Let take a step further at the analysis of both sides. What was started as a communication tool, internet was not welcomed in the initial stages, or it was used only for military purposes. Today, with the changing times and the various needs of the people, it is slowly taking over the other medium of communication. Though there is always some issues with the implementation of it, speed, connection, network issues etc, it has to be accepted that it had made the world look smaller than what it was in one decade ago. Having said that, if noticed, internet also brings in some kind of alienation and it has its own disadvantages. It sometimes disturbs the privacy of the people and in turn it discourages the users from further usage. Whenever there is a system of new technology introduced in a society, it is always welcomed with some opposition and finally it works well. Even though technology needs some kind of additional knowledge of how to use, and other issues, with proper guidance it could turn into a great tool of communication and therefore it would connect people with humane touch, which is the differentiator point. Todays generation is more active and keep changing places instead of those times where they would stick to one place and one job. With these changing times and needs, technology is the only solution which bring back smiles over the people and nothing else. Therefore with the above analysis, and with humane differentiator, technology if used at the right place and right time, it would bring in more smiles to the users. Technology ultimately separates and alienates people more than it serves to bring them together. The opinion that technology separates people more than it serves to bring them together is one that is causing much debate. The issue is of even greater importance at this point in time as technology has become a crucial part of our everyday functions. The strongest supporters of the above claim argue that technology has provided instruments that have facilitated separation, however in saying so they overlook the ways in which technology has brought people closer together. In this essay I will put forward arguments that illustrate how technology has brought people together. Firstly, lets consider how technology has brought people closer together by providing better means of communications. The telephone, internet, mobile phone and other modern telecommunications wonders are all important delvelopements that have allowed people to communicate with each other. This access to different and convienient modes of communcating has brought a feeling of closeness. As we head towards the future further technological advancements such as video conferencing will further facilitate bringing people closer together. Additionally, technology has allowed those people to interact with each of that could not have with technology, thus reducing their feeling of alienation. Take for example the residents of a rural village in India. Without technological advancements this group of people were separated and alienated from the rest of world. However with advances in transporation and communication this village can now feel closer to the rest of its global neighbours. In this case technology has facilitated the connecting various separated and isolated people. Further, looking from the perspective of social alienation and separation, that is when various people in a society feel that they are separated from society because of their financial status, or lack of oppurtunity. Consider a family living below the poverty line, its members so not have access to resources or opportunites and this often leads to a feeling of being alienated. Technology allows us to take steps to reduce this social separatness and alienation by providing better opportunities, by providing cheaper access to information, greater acecss to opportunities. Without technology people needed to have money to buy expensive Encyclopedias to access valuable information, however the internet now allows acces to information at a fraction of the cost. Therefore, it can be seen from the above examples that technology has played a powerful role in bringing people together socially, economically and in spirit. Although technology may allow ways to work in isolation it will continue to provides ways in which alienation and the feeling of separatness is further reduced.

The Higher Education Commission: Pakistan

The Higher Education Commission: Pakistan The higher education commission HEC Pakistan is formally the university grant commission and this grant commission manage all the issues regarding the education in Pakistan under the act of university grant commission 1974 previously the universities are recognized by this institution and all the rules and regulations which are followed by the universities are given by UGC. The UCG act 1974 was repealed and the new ordinance is came into place with the name of higher education commission ordinance 2002 and after that this institution is responsible for the higher education policy in Pakistan, quality of education (quality control), the main purpose of introducing this institution is to uplift the education sector and the inspiration is given to the universities so that they can improve the system. Another main task was the development of the education policy, and to bring the quality in teaching methodology through the workshops, seminar etc. Research and development is important for any institution thats why the spotlight is on R and D sector because it is possibly the key for the growth of any organization and this is the start point of the organization and if the problems are identified then it is easy for the subject matter exports to perform later on. For betterment and development in Pakistan the Higher Education Commission gives thousands of MS scholarships and also the doctoral scholarships as well each and every year. The planning and development by the HEC is important because this will forecast the challenges of future and strategies to cope with these challenges is needed in order to meet the international standards of the universities, so the initiative taken by the institution like HEC to give scholarships is right decision by government. Another main purpose of this institution is that to give strength to the infrastructure of the higher education in Pakistan. In this process the research is important which can provide better results and the work of HEC with other ministries in developing such a projects which help the education sector later on. The linkage of local and foreign universities ensure that the setup of these universities is learned and the changes were done in our system that is a major change in the process and that is helpful for the higher education. Another initiative of the introduction of university-industry relationship give more practicality, learning to the students and they can learn more from the industry tours that is another good step taken in regard of development. Impact of Indigenous scholarships on the growth and promotion of the higher education: Indigenous scholarships are given by the higher education commission of Pakistan in the supervision of government of Pakistan so that these scholarships encourage and motivate the students to participate and learn more during higher education. There are a certain policies and procedures or we say rules and regulations are designed by the government of Pakistan in collaboration with HEC to facilitate the students who are more delegated towards learning and have excellent academic record to follow the educational heights at higher level. They are also have an eye on the students who are concerned with studies but they do not have enough money to participate and study at higher level so government also provide need based scholarships to the students having weak backgrounds. Indigenous Scholarships of MS/PHD: The basic concept of giving these scholarships is to strengthen the faculties of universities locally and to improve the quality of education and delegation and more attention towards the research and development R and D sector is improved by the induction of the intelligent students. And if these highly qualified personnel perform their duties in best way in future the industrial sector will also improve. The recently announced scheme of 5000 indigenous scholarships of MS leading to PHD will improve the research culture in universities of Pakistan and the universities will improve and may adopt the international standards so that the students may get the international standard education locally and it is the milestone if done accordingly. This project is focused on diversified disciplines including the science and technology, social sciences and humanities and life sciences. More over HEC funded some universities to develop the research labs and it will encourage the researchers to participate frequently. So the thing is that the institution like HEC would have to put spot light on the new disciplines and encourage students to learn new subjects by providing benefit like indigenous scholarships because that would motivate the students and the introduction of new disciplines in Pakistan is more encouraging because the people are only familiar with few discipline. These indigenous scholarships will help in the socio-economic development of Pakistan because the local researchers will highlight the local problems and would work on them accordingly because the local researchers are more familiar with the cultural norms of Pakistan behaviors of local people. In this scheme HEC also provide the funds to upgrade the existing laboratories and equipments that are used in laboratories. The indigenous scholarships are encouraged because this will improve the standards of living at individual level, and more importantly the economy is affected in positive way. Another good factor is that the local researchers will know there country trends in terms of culture, society, norms and values, attitude and behavior, manners and customs etc so with keeping these things in mind one easily know that the local researchers can perform well in there country because of familiar factors and trends. HEC and the government of Pakistan were doing an anchor role in improving the educational standards. HEC provide 5000 at PHD level indigenous scholarships to enhance the level of intellectuals in Pakistan and increased decision making ability in different flied of studies and to improve the businesses in institutions public and private etc. The 300 scholars recently awarded PHD degrees were doing research to improve the socio-economic conditions of Pakistan and there research is valuable because of there contribution to the development. These PHDs belong to different fields like business management, agriculture, engineering and HEC is also introducing the new disciplines at the level of PHDs like total quality management. There publications are important for analyzing the issues at different level because this is necessary to fill the gap first in order to pick up the growth rate. This all will help to improve the situations in future and it also help to improve the infrastructure. In order to give these scholarship HEC develop a certain criteria and it includes: No D grade in previous degree. The person who already studying under any scholarship program of Pakistan cannot get the scholarship for MS. Candidates must have 16 years of education who are applying for the MS scholarships. Maximum age 40 for PHD scholarships. GAT test is necessary for both PhDs and candidates applying for MS. The candidate cannot change the course of study once he submits an application etc. Objective of providing the indigenous scholarships: The objective of providing these scholarships is to train the students for the future benefit of the universities because only the well-trained and qualified personnel facilitate the students and the learning of the students increase and improve. Thats why the qualified faculty is recognized as the key of success in learning institutions and another thing is that they change certain things which help to learn more. Another thing is that by investing in Human capital is important for any country because they change the scenario and work for improvement and development, the main theme of investing in personnel is to get the economic stability in terms of growth and these type of investment encourage the people from any race, ethnic group to became the quality worker of any organization, faculty member of university and serve the country and participate for economic growth. These indigenous scholarships encourage the talented youth to step-up and get qualifications in technical and non-technical fields and participate in nation building process later-on with there professional and technical knowledge. And providing these scholarships particularly to the students of MS/PHD will enhance the research culture and environment that is friendly for the research conduction when ever needed with flexibility and which will address the issues of entire sectors of Pakistan. This will also increase the strength of the industries of Pakistan and new idea creations, and ability to start the new venture is increased because of better knowledge and professional skills and for new ideas planning, development and then implementation, the entrepreneurial mind is also required for that. The number of PHDs in Pakistan increasing due to the better and improved policies and procedure of higher education and admirable work by HEC. And now the Pakistani universities can produce more PhDs in future than previous 10 years. One research shows the results that at present number of PhDs reach 8142. According to the statistics which are available, the number of PHDs were increased from 347 in 1947 to 676 in 2002 in agricultural sciences, and in biological sciences the figures increased from 586 to 1096 and from 14 to 123 in the field of business and management sciences, in engineering and technology from 21 to 262, and in physical sciences it increased from 709 to 1071 and in the field of social sciences it increased from 887 to 1080 in last 10 years. In the last decade the ratio of education particularly in higher education is increased as mentioned in the figures above, so we have to recognize that the institution like HEC of Pakistan is doing very well for the betterment of the education and since the creation from 2002 this institution doing great job and particularly in the field of business and management sciences, engineering and technology, agriculture science and the discipline of social science as well. HEC introduce various indigenous scholarships to strengthen the human resource of Pakistan and to create a critical mass of highly qualified human resource in different field of studies in Pakistan so these researchers will work on the issues important for Pakistan, one of the scholar says that these PhDs are real asset of Pakistan and they will help country to develop economically. It is to be mentioned that since 1947, a total of 3,281 PhDs were awarded. However, and from the time when the establishment of the HEC in 2002, over 4,850 PhDs have been awarded. Higher Education commission is also looking to award 10000 indigenous scholarships to the students as the need based scholarships to the deserving students from the different parts of Pakistan in 2012-2013. These scholarships are only given to the students who are very talented and have good academic background in terms of there marks and percentage and having financial crisis or constraints. So more over these students are enrolled in the public sector universities for higher education to ensure the equality criteria. Under this new scheme, the more importance is given to the students belonging to Balochistan, FATA, interior Sindh and southern Punjab to support higher education of maximum number of academically eligible needy students from the very poor part of the country. Indigenous scholarship purpose: Indigenous scholarships are the lifeblood of all scholarships. The main objective of the Indigenous Scholarship Scheme is to create a highly qualified faculty to our local universities in all fields. These researchers will improve the rank and potential of all public and private universities in Pakistan. The scholarships are aimed at creating a pool of specialized scientists and highly skilled professionals trained at MS leading to PhD level in areas which are critical to economic growth. The fields of study covered under these programs include Science and Technology, Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities and other selected departments of public universities of the country. The primary objective of these programs is to increase indigenous capacities in various fields of science and technology. Regular employees of public sector universities, colleges and RD organizations having two years of relevant work experience are eligible for this program. The scholars conduct research in various fields of science and technology and are supervised in their research by HEC approved professors The specific objective of the Indigenous Scholarship Scheme is to produce acute form of highly qualified human resources in all fields of studies trained at the advanced level in local universities. These locally qualified academics and researchers will increase the RD potential of public as well as private universities and it will also support the local industrial sector. . The impact of a scholarship has an effect felt far beyond the student helped. The students success, thanks to the scholarship, may inspire younger siblings or the students own children to pursue higher education after high school. The student will be able to make more money with a college education and be a better provider for his or her family. In addition, that student will touch thousands of lives through his or her career whether it is in health, education, business, research or some other field. When you provide a scholarship for a student, you do more than help them financially you impart a lesson of generosity and concern for others that they incorporate into their own lives. Our files are filled with letters from students describing the impact that their scholarships made on their lives, and their hopes that one day, they will be able to provide scholarships for future students just as their donors did for them. The purpose of the delay is to facilitate candidates from remote areas of the country. The scholarship will be given for the academic year 2012-13 in all areas of studies and disciplines on the quota basis in accordance with federal government quota policy permitted by the government of Pakistan. To boost the research facilities in these fields the Higher Education Commission has supported many Departments/Universities to establish research labs. This has taken fabulous change in research culture of the Pakistani Universities. HEC has preserved great stress on indigenous scholarship schemes because locally trained researchers work on local problems of great national implication. Their research, therefore, is expected to have direct significance to the growth and socio-economic development of Pakistan. In addition, this scheme also offers funds to the Universities for advancing their research facilities particularly small laboratory equipment, chemicals, IT equipment etc. which not only aids research of the HEC scholar but also serves as an strength for the department to start up to date research laboratories. The need-based scholarships are focused on providing opportunities for access to higher education especially to under privileged students belonging to remote and far flung areas of the country who despite possessing academic merit, are unable to finance their education. Under this new program, special emphasis is given to the students belonging to Baluchistan, FATA, interior Sindh and Southern Punjab to support higher education of maximum number of academically qualified needy students from the very poor segments of the country. These scholarships would be awarded through Financial Aid Offices at the universities in a transparent and well-defined mechanism. He also informed that HEC indigenous and foreign scholarships are being awarded as per federal government quota policy. He urged the participants of the workshop to disseminate this information and guide the prospective candidates from Sindh province in this regard. He also emphasized them to avail the benefit of various HEC initiatives. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Parveen Shah extended thanks to HEC and NTS for selecting Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur for organizing such a useful academic activity. In its endeavor to develop a class of Highly Qualified and professional Faculty in Pakistan, HEC has launched a series of scholarship programs. Through this series, HEC aims to provide the much needed impetus to the academia by offering indigenous as well as foreign PhD degrees to both faculty members and students. It is well cognizant of the need for customizing the existing scholar ship programs along with providing new opportunities for the pursuit of higher education at home and abroad. With an objective of reinforcing universally accepted principle of excellence in academia, HEC has designed the scholar ship series. Scholar ships are offered not only in reputable disciplines but also in the less recognized but crucial emerging fields. Several scholarship schemes comprising of indigenous as well as foreign scholarship/fellowships are currently being offered under the program. PhD scholars in all disciplines of strategic national significance are proceeding to various reputable foreign universities/institutions/ research centers by availing these schemes. Indigenous scholars now need to move beyond this collaborative process to those hard issues in research methodologies. The government of Pakistan has demonstrated a heightened sense of commitment to improving the effectiveness of education through its programmed of Education Sector Reforms that includes higher education, and this is further evidenced by the establishment of the task force. While universal literacy and primary education have been in the forefront of development priorities in the past, the pressing need to benefit from the new knowledge based economy has placed an unprecedented premium on higher education. Pakistans higher education system, encompassing all level above grade 12, is providing unable to provide the skills necessary, in the quantities necessary, to achieve the dual objectives of nation building and global competitiveness. Universities are the pillars of the higher education system. They must have autonomy from all extraneous influences in order to govern and manage their academic, administrative, financial functions. In particular, universities must have autonomy to develop their academic programmes, recruit, and select, train and educate their students. Education is a continuum process primary, secondary, higher secondary and tertiary levels. Its generic purposes are not discipline specifies. The support and accountability for educational functions, whether in the domains of knowledge concerning natural, biological, numerical and social sciences, and humanities, are the responsibilities of the ministry of education. HEC had paid special attention towards the promotion of higher education in the country. The main initiatives includes special scholarship scheme for the youth, implementation of the federal governments quota policy to award local and foreign scholarships. The number of the universities had been increased from two to seven including the establishment of the first women universities. It has launched the special projects for the development of the basic infrastructure in higher education institutions in the provinces. The scholarship provides financial support to enable mature-age indigenous students to complete nationally recognized tertiary qualifications and attain skills and knowledge that will enhance their communitys future economies and financial development. Scholarship are intended for indigenous who Face financial barriers that might otherwise restrict their option for gaining a tertiary qualification. The fund acknowledge that mature-age student often required to make great personal and financial sacrifices in order to complete qualification that will help advance their personal and career goals. The scholarship provides recipient s with financial assistance to relieve the financial burden of study, which may includes course fees, telecommunication cost, accommodation, transport and textbook. Students must have the support of their family and/or community. This will require emotional support and some contribution to financial support. The level of financial contribution is reviewed on an individual and highly confidential basis, with the expectation that families/communities will contribute according to their capacity. The Scholarship does not cover the provision of uniform, pocket money or other voluntary School activities. Families are expected to participate in School programs/information sessions, etc, as much as distance and travel permits and be supportive of their daughters education. Development of education sector of Pakistan in previous years: Education is important factor in development of an economy of any country, historically Pakistan is a poor country and poverty creates the alarming situations, so the policies and more importantly procedures are needed to cope that situation, because the factors like unemployment, low per capita income, less GDP and less quality education of the people is concerned factor and needs to be paid attention. On of the economic survey have the statistics which include the figures and these are the public sectors spending on the education in Pakistan are: Public sector sending as %GDP is 2.1 and the literacy rate is 57 %. This information includes the age from 10 and above, males 69% and females 45%. ( economic survey of Pakistan 2009-2010). Pakistan is also depending on the aid from the international sources. The higher education commission is also running a project which includes USAID. If we talk about the development of education sector the institution like HEC is doing a significant job in developing the human resource or human capital. In this regard the indigenous scholarships are open to every one who is working in the private sector and government sector and also the Pakistani students. HEC has award 1426 undergraduate scholarships and 6635 post graduate scholarships, from which 3765 MS scholarships and this indigenous scholarships program also produced more than 300 PHDs in Pakistan. (Economic survey of Pakistan 2009-2010). These human resources which are developed and produced by HEC are actively participating in the research and development of Pakistan and they are performing there duties significantly in different department and also in the public and private universities. These scholars also managing to improve the local university standards and infrastructure overall. In this regard HEC has given the post doctoral scholarships to the 503 university teachers which help the university and the new students later on. HEC also trained the 11021 faculty members and administrators of different universities during short and long term courses. But if we talk about the development of the institutions there is a boom or increase in the degree awarding institutions DAI and new universities. The PHDs are increased to 624 in 2009, the funding to higher education reached up to 44000 millions. HEC is also doing planning and development in order to increase the education in Pakistan for that HEC have a plan for the years 2010-2015 and onwards. This includes the post doctoral, doctoral, and MS leading to PHD these types of indigenous scholarships are encouraging and can help the economy. Funds for promotion of research culture are increased in the recent years up to 800 million in 2010-2011. (Economic survey of Pakistan 2011-2012). Foreign assistance for education sector: In 2008 and onwards the foreign assistance is increased for the development of Pakistan and students who are motivated for higher studies, this includes: USAID funded $2.14 million, project name strengthening teaching education in Pakistan (STEP). Funded by DFID Â £3.15 million, project name gender in education policy support project (GEPSP) These funds are actively donated by the UNICEF, usaid and also different private organizations are also working actively to train the teachers in this regards organizations like ed-links are funded by USAID and they are working to improve the teaching standards and methodology at primary and higher level. This costing $ 90million. The organizations like ITA, IRM UK-AID project are also working to improve the educational standards and they are conducted a lot of surveys in recent past which help to identify different issues in the regions of Pakistan. How the higher education system is improved in Pakistan and the recommended suggestions: The objective of better higher education system is only achieved if the overall system is organized or planned like the international standards requirements and to achieve that particular goal there is a need to work hard, thats why the institution like HEC is appreciated by the international forces who want the progress of education in any country. But the thing is that there are some forces that show resistance so that is the task for the policy makers to cope the overall situation and make that type of policy and procedure which can bring the change in the system and the ultimate objective is achieved of improvement for higher education. The universities are the main pillars of the higher education system, they must have the autonomy from the external influences in order to govern and manage there administrative, academic and financial functions. They must have that mush authoritative power to train there faculty or firstly (recruit) hire the potential faculty members who can deliver in the future and council the students in a proper way that can be acceptable and according to the international standards and requirement and which can also eliminate the requirement to study at abroad. The present system is weak because it is hesitant to delegate the powers and job enrichment processes which can motivate the faculty members in order to deliver in a right way. In this process each university must have the governing board which can make autonomous decisions for improvement. And if this type of governing broad perform there duties the overall performance o the institution is improved. Previously the institution named UGC is not up to the mark because of poor administration systems and less and also late funding to the universities, the system requires the institution which is ready to deliver and it is HEC and which is proved later on by the quality performance of the HEC and its planning, development and management in terms of the performance from 2002-2008 is phenomenal. If the funding from the international forces, government of Pakistan and HEC is given to the universities or DAI then there is a less burden on the students to pay the huge amount of fees and they can learn more easily with out any pressure and also the funding is utilized by giving students quality faculty then they can learn more and may deliver later on and represent the well known organizations and also serve public sector in better way and if the provincial governments also support this type of funding then there is a boost in the improvement in the quality. The thing is that a lot of intellectuals(scholars) were left Pakistan because of less salary and poor economic condition in the country so Pakistani government and public sector universities need more funding in order to retain that type of quality faulty members. The infrastructure is provided by the HEC by giving more indigenous scholarships to the students and motivate them to study in MS leading to PHD, and particularly the PHD scholarships and also they encourage the research culture in the universities, and also provide the labs for technical studies and access to digital library is phenomenal for the students to learn the international books and articles and journals from the Harvard business review and Jstore etc. The first thing which can be done in order to bring revolution in the educational sector, the government primary, middle, secondary and higher secondary education needs to be deliver more and some quality education which is lacking and the students when they come for the higher studies they suffer because of less knowledge, so in this regard government must have to put more emphasis on the early education in other words the improvement must start from the grass root level. The role of higher education is important for the developing country like Pakistan to survive in the global environment which is competitive and you can only survive if the higher education is given in a proper way, because it is a chain process one action is linked with another and if one thing is lacking or not done in a way it required then it can cost later on. By ranking the universities in terms of quality education institutions, it can motivate the students, faculty members and the internal policy makers to work hard for the improvement, and it is good to award the categories to the institutions according to there performance. This policy encourage the high performing universities and they can deliver more frequently because they want to retain there position and that is not less than challenge. By monitoring the private institutions as well is also participating in the improvement. The economic importance of higher education: Yes it is right that higher education is important for the economic growth of any country but it is also right that economic growth is more important for the developing countries and it is the fact that higher education can not only contribute to the economic development of the country, it also contribute in nation building process, giving more strength to the society, culture in terms of more civilized culture and the people became more conscious about the things and they may also have awareness more about upgrading there living standards etc. In this regard the World Bank and UNESCO provided the task force for developing countries including Pakistan to check analyze and put emphasis on the higher education system and living standards of the people and to work for the infrastructure of country. They also emphasis on the development of enlightened leaders, expansion of choices and this type of development also enhances the social mobility and it may be helpful for the talented people to come up and prove there potential in the areas of there choices. The ultimate theme of providing the indigenous scholarships to the students creates the capability to address the appropriate solutions to the local problems in the country. In this context the promotion of higher education is more important in order to get better future of the country, because this is the era of competition and those who want to compete must have that type of weapons to survive in the race of competition. The promotion is necessary because now the employees, intellectuals and technical people are seen as product by the organizations and candidates who want to get the job they have to market themselves. But the thing is that the individuals are only putted in the competition if they have the knowledge, skills and abilities, this process of KSA is only fulfilled if the students are gone through the process of the learning and more importantly if they get the highe

Drivers For Internationalization In Aerospace Management Essay

Drivers For Internationalization In Aerospace Management Essay The papers in this portfolio are all related to the strategic decisions that corporate organizations make in order to expand their share of the ever-growing global market, while ensuring that their competitors are not able to replicate their formula for success. Three of the papers discuss specific companies-Tesco, Rolls-Royce, Carrefour and Wal-Mart-thus giving the impression of a mini case study on how these global players strategize their way into market domination and superior firm performance. The third and final paper is a general discussion on George Yips model on internationalization drivers as these are applied in the civil aerospace engine manufacturing and the global grocery retailing industries. Students, scholars and practitioners alike will benefit from the lessons and analyses made in these papers because they show a thoughtful and realistic look into the workings of different corporate organizations while utilizing different business concepts. At the end of the day, this portfolio is designed to show the students ability to comprehend and analyze practical business dilemmas in light of existing theory. Drivers for internationalization George Yip proposed his model of the drivers for the growth of international strategy among corporate organizations. He introduced four main categories of drivers that were key in determining the extent of globalization within a particular industry. These are: Market globalization drivers Cost globalization drivers Government globalization drivers Competitive globalization drivers A company that exhibits less of these drivers is characterized as being local in nature, and conversely a company with a higher number of the drivers are becoming more global both in outlook and in operation. These drivers are not stand-alone, however, because they in fact influence on another in a cycle that determines a corporate organizations readiness to join the ranks of global companies. Stated otherwise, these internationalization drivers are governed by four different factors: technology, social and demographic considerations, politics and legislation, and economic and political considerations. All in all, should a company wish to transform its operations from that of a local industry to an international one, it should pay attention to the different factors that can make or break its ability to participate actively in the global market. While there are of course other factors that may influence a companys eventual success in going global, Yips model gives us a simplified and practical view of what it would take for a company to launch itself into the global playing field and claim its share of global consumers. Different industries and different corporate organizations vary greatly in their capacity for globalization, especially because the nature of the products/services they offer as well as the consumers who avail of them are vastly distinct from one another. Let us compare the global grocery retailing industry and the civil aerospace engine manufacturing industry as an example. We can compare the two in this manner: Global grocery retailing industry Civil aerospace engine manufacturing industry Market driver High Low Cost driver High High Government High Low Competitive High High Countries that have the most advantageous combination of as many drivers as possible are preferred by global companies, as a market for their products/services, as a home base or both. As we can see from the table above, the global retail industry actually has better potential for pushing a global strategy. This is evidenced by the relatively recent entry of new global grocery retailing brands such as Wal-Mart into previously untapped markets like China. Because of the high tendency for globalization, other retail companies are also beginning to look in to the possibility of expanding their business overseas in order to benefit from a bigger customer base. Carrefour, Wal-Mart and the Chinese market The entry of big international players in the Chinese local market in recent years has shown that China is the new gold rush for global companies looking to expand their share of the market. The global grocery retailing industry is just one of the many business sectors that have come to China to make the most out of the millions of consumers who will avail of their products and services. The bid to make China the next biggest market for the global retail industry started in 1992 when the country opened up its retail industry to foreign investors like Carrefour and Wal-Mart. Carrefour entered the market three years later by opening a partnership with a Chinese management consulting firm, creating an entity called Jia Chuang. While other companies treated the Chinese market as one big bloc of consumers, Carrefour looked considered it to be composed of many smaller markets. It opted to create regional offices which were in charge of the expansion programs for different areas of the country, instead of having a centralized national operations network. Carrefour continues to carry out its expansion strategy by depending on local distributors, who supervise the delivery of their products straight to the stores from the regional centres. The company believes that flexibility is a priority consideration especially when operating in a relatively new market. The cost of development is lower because Carrefour is able to build its network store by store while keeping issues about uniformity of service and quality control in check. As for Wal-Mart, they see the challenges of the Chinese retail market differently. Unlike Carrefour, Wal-Mart is putting its investments on a centralized distribution system that is headquartered in Kengzian. The new centre boasts of a 40,000 square meter facility that has been created to handle simultaneous deliveries with up to 70 bays. But like Carrefour, Wal-Mart has also entered the Chinese domestic market by partnering with a local firm, a Taiwanese retail firm named Trust-Mart. Wal-Marts emphasis on back-end operations is almost the exact opposite of Carrefours customer-first strategy, although the latter seems to be on the upper hand in terms of actual market share and profitability. However, at some point Carrefour will also need to pay attention to its back-end to maximize the strong dynamics among its stores. Its current strategy is working well for Chinas market environment but new developments will have to be introduced in the future. No global retailer has yet launched an all-out expansion into China without creating a joint venture with a local company, which is a strategy that enables them to ease slowly but surely into the market instead of going in without a clue as to how the market actually works from the inside. However, it would be more disadvantageous for a global company not to try breaking into the Chinese business scene. The market is rich with millions and millions of consumers who are only too willing to try new the products and services that have suddenly become available to them thanks to the opening up of the market. Care must be made in making these new foreign financial investments work in order to ensure that the companies will see good returns on their investments. Companies must not be deluded by the promise of a huge new market and fall behind their usual standards for doing business. Tescos core strategies and VMO Tesco is one of the leaders in the global retailing industry. The company started in the United Kingdom in the late 1920s and has since grown to be one of the most robust and successful supermarket companies in the world today. Tescos core strategy is founded on their desire to attract and maintain customers who will become their lifetime partners. The company espouses the belief that their corporate success is dependent on their ability to meet the demands of people-both the people who work for them and the people who shop with them. Tescos two-pronged approach misses out on no opportunity to improve not only their service and products, but also their international relationship with their staff. This is reflective of the current thinking among corporate organizations today that a companys human capital is more than just another factor of production-they are in fact the backbone of a company and they make it possible for the corporate strategies to be carried out effectively. Paauwe and Boselie (2002) point out that the emergence of such a breed of HR management has been brought about by the fact that human capital is now seen as a source of competitive advantage. As for Tescos commitment to their customers, the company is firmly rooted in the belief that going the extra mile to satisfy their shoppers needs and requirements will go a long way towards ensuring their loyalty to Tesco. Loyalty is key to maintaining and expanding Tescos share in the retail market. If Tesco can give a customer superior service, then there are higher chances that that customer will keep shopping only at Tesco. But before Tesco can be first to meet their customers needs, they embark on a focused and in-depth study of their shoppers in order to anticipate what they require. Tesco employs what they call the Every Little Bit Helps strategy to ensure that they know exactly what their shoppers and their employees want. Tesco has designed five core business purposes: Be a successful international retailer Grow the core UK business Be equally strong in the food and non-food sectors Develop competitive retailing services Put the community at the core of all business activities. The Every Little Bit Helps strategy is Tescos way of translating these core objectives into actual strategies to help the company achieve its organizational goals. Without the concurrence of both strategy and purpose to guide a corporate organization, especially a global one like Tesco, there will be little chance for the company to have a clear direction of where it wants to go and how to go there. The core strategy and core purposes of Tesco are a way for the company to articulate what it wants to achieve within a given timeframe, as well as crafting the necessary steps to accomplish the goals that it had set for itself. As for Tesco, the company is imbued with the lesson that no organization will progress without considering the needs of its customers and its employees, so their approach is always to seek what is best for both in order to make the company number one. Strategic alliances and Rolls-Royce No man is an island-and even in businesses, this clichà © rings true today. Some organizations, particularly small-scale ones or those that have only just started doing business, may be better off finding their own niche in todays complex market, but there may come a time when they will have to form significant partnerships with other businesses in order to flourish and achieve sustained growth. The current state of the global business landscape today has forced organizations to come up with more creative ways of surviving and keeping ahead of their competitors. Some of the more important aspects that most companies today are focusing on to improve their overall performance are enhancing their brand identity, connecting with customers and attracting competent and highly-skilled workers (Isidro, 2000). Moreover, todays corporate managers are also facing a highly competitive environment that is increasingly complex, globally cantered, and technologically uncertain where there is a critical need for dynamic, flexible, and proactive responses (Miles, Preece, and Baetz, 1999). It is no longer enough to emphasize on creating and opportunities on their own, because independence also has its drawbacks. As a result of the various pressures that companies are facing, there is now an increased tendency among them to favour forging strategic partnerships and alliances as a viable business option. Elmut and Kathawala (2001) are also of the opinion that strategic alliances among corporate organizations are one of the most recent trends in the business community that have made it possible for companies to stay afloat despite serious drawbacks and difficulties. In the case of Rolls-Royce, the company has entered into almost 30 separate partnerships with different firms all over the world to help expand its share of the global market and build on its knowledge and technology base. Of the four reasons that Elmut and Kathawala (2001) outlined for the emergence of strategic alliances, it appears that there are two primary reasons for why Rolls-Royce has chosen to partner with different firms. For one thing, the company stands to gain from such partnership in terms of entering new markets with which it is unfamiliar. Brokering a deal with local corporations allows Rolls-Royce to expand its market while at the same time benefiting from the expertise of an old-timer in the market. Secondly, Rolls-Royce is also into strategic partnerships in order to obtain new technology and best quality at the cheapest cost. The company has four business divisions, all of which need intense research and development funding. Instead of going through their own R and D cycle, Rolls-Royce can share their knowledge and technology with their strategic partners at a much lower cost, thus ensuring that each division is well-maintained but is not draining the companys resources for continuous R and D. While Rolls-Royce can actually provide the funding for its own R and D, it is more cost-efficient for the company to trade information with its partners and make the product or service immediately available in the market. It must be noted, however, that it is not just Rolls-Royce who stands to reap all the wonderful benefits from the strategic alliance. Their partners also take advantage of the Rolls-Royce brand name and the companys existing network of contacts, suppliers and customers, giving the other partner a fair competitive advantage over its competitors in the local market. Strategic alliances are all about creating good working relationships with other companies in the industry and pooling together resources for the mutual benefit of the partners.

Importance of Community in El Tonto Del Barrio Essay -- Tonto Del Barr

Importance of Community in El Tonto Del Barrio  Ã‚     Ã‚   The title of Jose Armas’ story, "El Tonto Del Barrio" (or "The Barrio Dummy"), may be interpreted two different ways. The first interpretation is literal and applies to the simple-minded Romero, who with the help of his community is able to function in the real world. The second interpretation is ironic; it applies to the Harvard-bound Seferino, who though he means well is so lacking in experience that he turns Romero’s world upside down and nearly gets him committed to an institution. Many readers see the second interpretation as the more interesting, but to see the story in this light is to overlook a very important element. This element is the significant role of the community that is the setting for this story. If we consider the importance of the community, Romero is justly the title character. Romero gives the community character through his positive attitude, and he is a great role model to the children in terms of his work ethic. In return, the neighbor s treat Romero with kindness, loyalty, and respect. In a successful community, everyone must work together and help one another. Sometimes there are people in the community who seem strange to outsiders. They may even seem strange to the community members. The more peculiar residents may be ridiculed and put down, but not in Romero’s community—he is both respected and well-treated, and in return he treats members of the community with consideration. In this way Romero’s situation demands the best of his community, and in demanding their best, he makes the community stronger. Although Romero was not quite normal, he has a mature attitude towards his job, and he always made sure his work was done thoroughly: "R... ... everyone is taught to help anyone who needs it and to respect everyone, no matter how odd he or she seems. These values come through strongly in Armas’ story. Overall, the reader can see that this community does band together to support Romero. Romero is a bit touched, but he manages to teach everyone in the town some important lessons. He exemplifies a work ethic that is probably stronger than any else’s in the community. Despite his affliction, Romero is always cheerful and full of vitality. Even though he is the "village idiot" by conventional definition, he is a blessing to this barrio. Works Cited Armas, Jose. "El Tonto Del Barrio." Harper Anthology of Fiction. Ed. Sylvan Barnet. NY: HarperCollins, 1991. 1137-1142. Works Consulted Armas, Jose. Cuban Consciousness in Literature: 1923-1974. Miami, Florida: Ediciones Universal, 1978.      

Themes, Symbols, and Symbolism in The Catcher in the Rye :: Catcher Rye Essays

Themes and Symbols in The Catcher in the Rye The theme that the world has an outward appearance that seems fair and perfect but really they're as Holden put it "phonies." This is shown countless amount of times in his journey through New York and even before he left. The setting is in the 1950's; so I'm pretty sure that he didn't encounter any transvestites, lesbians, or anything that extreme of phoniest. Or on the other hand he could have liked them for being as Elmemson said a "none conformist." But I doubt it, he seemed to like kids more than anything. And his job, as he felt, was to protect them in their innocents; of which I will talk about in my second theme. The first example that stands out in my mind is the scene with Stradlater in the "can." If you remember Stradlater was getting ready for his other date while Holden watched him. "Stradlater was a secret slob" in public he always looked good and got all the girls but in fact he was a slob. His razor that made him look so good was "rusty as hell and full on lather and hair and crap." This proves that he is a slob to "never clean it or anything." If you think about it that's even worst than Old Ackley. At least Ackley knew that he had a problem, that he need to do something about his face; but Stradlater thought that he was a great guy. He actually thought that there was nothing wrong with never washing his razor. I think that what mad, Holden so made Stradlater was perpetrating in other word being "phony" every time he went out all GQ after using that filthy razor. Another instance is when he calls that girl in New York, Faith Cavendish, that Eddie Birdsell had brought to a dance at Princeton. Anyway he called her and she almost went off until Holden drooped Eddie's name. Then all of a sudden "she was getting friendly as hell." The same person said "if you think I enjoy bein' woke up in the middle-" was "getting an english accent all of a sudden." I think Holden caught her with her faÿade down.

Development of the Cardiovascular System in Vertebrate Embryos

The cardiovascular system is the first organ system to become fully functional in the vertebrate embryo and its development occurs in a similar way in all vertebrates. It is derived from angioblastic tissue, which arises from mesenchyme, an aggregation of mesenchymal cells derived from the mesodermal tissue of embryos. The main processes involved in the development of the embryonic cardiovascular system are Vasculogenesis, Angiogenesis, Hematopoiesis, Erythropoiesis and Heart Formation. All processes occur under the influence of stimuli from genes and paracrine factors, oligosaccharides, multifunctional cytokines and enzymes.Vasculogenesis and AngiogenesisTwo distinctive mechanisms, vasculogenesis and angiogenesis implement the formation of the vascular network in the embryo. Embryonic vasculogenesis gives rise to the heart and the primordial vascular plexus within the embryo and its surrounding membranes as the yolk sac circulation. In mammals, it occurs in parallel to hematopoiesis , the formation of blood cells. Vasculogenesis refers to the in situ differentiation and growth of new blood vessels from mesenchymal cells known as angioblasts which aggregate to form isolated angiogenic cell clusters known as blood islands (angiocysts) within the extra-embryonic and intra-embryonic mesoderm. Small cavities appear within these blood islands by the confluence of intercellular clefts.The peripheral cells within these blood islands flatten to form endothelial cells, triggered by the binding of the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) to the first of its two receptors, the VEGF-R2 (Flk1) protein, which is responsible for the differentiation of mesodermal cells into endothelial cells and the subsequent proliferation of the endothelial cells. The core cells give rise to blood cells (haematoblasts). The newly formed endothelial cells arrange themselves around the cavities in the blood islands, forming the primitive endothelium. Cellular vacuoles within the developing endothelial cells coalesce and fuse together without cytoplasmic mixing to forma the blood vessel lumen of the initial endothelial tube.Extracellular matrix deposition by fibroblasts promotes capillary-like tube formation under the influence of the binding of VEGF to its second receptor, VEGF-R1 (Flt1). This is followed by the interaction of the endothelial blood vessel with the supporting mesodermal cells. The Angiopoietin-1 growth factor binds to the Tie2 receptor tyrosine kinase on the cell membrane of the endothelial cells, allowing the blood vessel to recruit the peri-endothelial cells that will surround it as pericytes and the smooth muscle tissue of the blood vessel, thus maintaining the stability of the blood vessels.The growth and multiplication of this primordial vascular plexus occurs through the process of angiogenesis in which new blood vessels arise from pre-existing vascularity. This process requires the combination of two signals, Angiopoietin 2 and VEGF, in order t o promote the loosening of the support cells and the ability of newly exposed endothelial cells to multiply by budding and sprouting into new vessels. Replacement of Ang1 by Ang2 on the Tie2 receptor tyrosine kinase destabilizes the vessel integrity thus facilitating vessel sprouting in response to the VEGF signal. The new endothelial tubule then interacts with the surrounding mesenchymal cells in part as a response to Ang1 which acts on the endothelial cell Tie2 in order to trigger the association of the new tubule with the periendothelial cells.Hematopoiesis and ErythropoiesisBlood develops from endothelial cells (haematoblasts) by a process known as hematopoiesis initially in various parts of the embryonic primitive mesenchyme (yolk sac and allantois), and then in the liver and later on in the spleen, bone marrow and lymph nodes. In embryonic development it is known as primitive hematopoiesis. All blood cells develop from pluripotential stem cells committed to three, two or one h emopoietic differentiation pathways but morphologically undistinguishable. These pluripotent stem cells divide infrequently to generate either more pluripotent stem cells (self-renewal) or committed progenitor cells (colony-–forming cells, CFCs) which are irreversibly determined to produce only one or a few types of blood cells.These colony-forming cells are known as Lymphocyte Forming Colony (LCFC), Megakaryocyte Forming Colony (MCFC), Erythrocyte Forming Colony (ECFC) and Monocyte Granulocyte Forming Colony (MGFC). The progenitor cells are stimulated to proliferate by specific growth factors (colony-stimulating factors, CSFs) but progressively lose their capacity for division and develop into terminally differentiated blood cells which usually live for only a few days or weeks. Erythrocytes (red blood cells) develop by the process of erythropoiesis. In embryos, erythrocytes are nucleated and express embryonic globin chains.Heart FormationIn vertebrate embryos the heart tube , the earliest formed heart structure, arises in the heart field, an embryonic clustering of cells which arises soon after gastrulation. These early stages of development are almost identical among all vertebrates unlike the subsequent septation of the chambers and of the outflow tract which varies between species.The heart field is that region of the precardiac mesoderm that contains the cardiac progenitor cells (endocardial and myocardial precursor cells) and is competent in responding to inductive signals.Precardiac cells from the epiblast lateral to the primitive streak invaginate through the streak and migrate cranio-laterally to form part of the lateral plate. This pattern is maintained in the eventual anteroposterior placement of structures in the heart, with the most cranial cells contributing to the bulbus cordis at the extreme anterior end of the heart and the most caudal cells contributing to the sinoatrial region and the extreme posterior end.As mentioned above, the cell progeny of this region contributes to all layers of the heart tube (myocardium, endocardium and parietal pericardium), as well as to the endothelial cells in the vicinity of the heart. In the lateral plate the cells maintain their anteroposterior position.The lateral plate splits to form two epithelial layers, the somatic mesoderm (which also includes migratory precursors for limb musculature) and the splachnic mesoderm which remains an epithelial sheet and includes the cardiac precursors.The embryo then folds ventrally carrying the splachnic mesoderm with it and bringing it ventral to the foregut which is generated as the lateral folds meet in the ventral midline. The precursors of the endocardium are included in the splachnic mesoderm and begin to form clusters on the foregut side of the epithelial sheet.The heart fields fuse at the midline to form a primary heart tube, the process beginning cranially and proceeding caudally. This tubular heart consists of an outer myocardial man tle and an endocardial inner lining. Between these two concentric epithelial layers an acellular matrix, the cardiac jelly, is found. As the ventricular region of the heart begins to bend to the right (â€Å"cardiac looping†), the cardiac jelly disappears from the future major chambers of the heart (atria and ventricles) and begins to accumulate in the junction between the atria and ventricles (atrioventricular junction, AVJ) and in the developing outflow tract (OFT).This results in the formation of the endocardial cushion tissues in the AVJ which later contribute to the formation of AV (atrioventricular) septal structures and valves, septation of the OFT and formation of the semilunar valves of the aorta and pulmonary artery.The vertebrate heart tube is aligned along the antero-posterior axis. Arterial flow is directed from the ventricle at the anterior end of the heart, through the ventral aortic vessel and branchial arches and subsequently travels posteriorly to the dorsal vessel. Blood flow returns to the heart through the venous system to the atrium lying at the posterior end of the heart chamber.Formation of the Mammalian Embryonic Cardiovascular System1)   Formation of the primitive cardiovascular systema)   Extra-embryonic blood vesselsThe wall of the yolk sac mesenchyme proliferates and forms isolated cell clusters known as blood islands. Peripheral cells within these islands flatten and differentiate into endothelial cells in order to form endothelial tubes. Centrally- located cells develop into primitive blood cells (hematoblasts). Endothelial tubes approach and fuse with each other forming a primitive vascular network. This primitive endothelial network appears in the chorionic membrane and body stalk and connects to the vitelline circulation.b)   Intra-embryonic blood vesselsThe endothelial tube network appears in the intraembryonic mesenchyme to  form an intraembryonic endothelial   tube network. The intraembryonic and extra  e mbryonic tube networks connect to each other forming a diffuse endothelial   tube network which either fuses or disappears to form a primitive cardiovascular  system.2) Development of the HeartThe primitive cardiovascular system consists of the primary heart tube, formed from the fusion of the two bilateral heart fields of the precardiac mesoderm. The primary heart tube gives rise to the endocardium. Blood flows through this primitive heart tube in a cranial position. The mesenchyme surrounding the tube condenses to form the myoepicardial mantle (the future myocardium). Gelatinous connective tissue, the cardiac jelly, separates the myoepicardial mantle from the endothelial heart tube (the future endocardium).A series of constrictions (sulci) divides the heart into sections: the sinus venosus, in which the common cardinal veins, the umbilical veins and the vitelline veins drain; the primitive common atrium; the primitive common ventricle; and the bulbus cordis through which blood flows to the paired dorsal aortae. The paired dorsal aortae arise when the branchial or pharyngeal arches are penetrated by six pairs of arteries called aortic arches. These arteries arise from the aortic sac and terminate in a dorsal aorta. Initially, the paired dorsal aortae run along the whole length of the embryo but soon fuse to form a single dorsal aorta just caudal to the branchial or pharyngeal arches.The arterial and venous ends of the heart tube are fixed by the branchial or pharyngeal arches and the septum transversum, respectively. At this stage the heart is beating and the contractions are of myocardial origin and likened to peristalsis.The primitive atrium loops up behind and above the primitive ventricle and behind and to the left of the bulbus cordis forming the bulboventricular loop.. This looping process brings the primitive areas of the heart into the proper spatial relationship for the further development of the heart.Embryonic venous circulation consists of thr ee pairs of veins: the vitelline veins which drain blood from the yolk sac, the umbilical veins which bring oxygenated blood from the chorion (early placenta), and the common cardinal veins which return blood to the heart from the body of the embryo. Arterial circulation consists of three paired arteries: the intersegmental arteries, which form 30-35 branches of the dorsal aortae and carry blood to the embryo, the vitelline arteries which pass to the yolk sac and later to the primitive gut, and the umbilical arteries which carry oxygen-depleted blood to the placenta.3)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Formation of the Heart ChambersAs mentioned above, during cardiac looping the cardiac jelly disappears fromthe future major chambers of the heart and begins to accumulate in the  Ã‚  Ã‚   atrioventricular junction (AVJ) and developing outflow tract (OFT). This results in the formation of the endocardial cushion tissues in the dorsal and ventral walls of the AVJ. These cushions are invaded by mese nchymal cells, approach each other and fuse, dividing the atrioventricular canal into the right and left atrioventricular canals.The primitive atrium is divided into right and left atria by the formation, modification and fusion of the septum primum and the septum secundum. The septum primum grows towards the fusing endocardial cushions from the roof of the primitive atrium creating a curtainlike septum, the foramen primum between the free edge of the septum and the endocardial cushions.This foramen becomes progressively smaller and eventually disappears when the septum primum fuses with the fused endocardial cushions (atrioventricular septum). The septum secundum grows from the ventrocranial wall of the atrium to gradually overlap the foramen secundum in the septum primum, forming an incomplete separation between the atria in the form of an oval opening, the foramen ovale.The sinus venosus initially opens into the center of the dorsal wall of the primitive atrium and its left and r ight horns are of about the same size. The right horn progressively begins to enlarge in respect to the left horn until it receives all the blood from the head and neck via the superior vena cava and the placenta and caudal regions of the body via the inferior vena cava. The left horn forms the coronary sinus.The wall of the left atrium is formed by the incorporation of the primitive pulmonary vein which develops as an outgrowth of the dorsal atrial wall. As the atrium expands, the primitive pulmonary vein and its branches are gradually incorporated into the wall of the left atrium forming four pulmonary veins with separate openings.The division of the primitive ventricle into the right and left ventricles is initially indicated by a muscular ridge with a concave free edge in the middle of the ventricular floor near its apex. Initially, most of its increase in height results from the dilation of the ventricles on its each side. Later, however there is active proliferation of myoblas ts, forming the thick muscular part of the interventricular septum.At the beginning a crescentic interventricular foramen exists between the free edge of the interventricular septum and the fused endocardial cushions allowing communication between the right and left ventricles. This foramen closes as the result of the fusion of tissue from three sources: 1) the right bulbar ridge, 2) the left bulbar ridge and 3) the endocardial ridges. The membranous part of the interventricular spetum is derived from tissue extension from the right side of the endocardial cushions. It merges with the aorticopulmonary septum and the thick muscular part of the interventricular septum. When the interventricular foramen closes, the pulmonary trunk is in communication with the right ventricle and the aorta communicates with the left ventricle.Active proliferation of mesenchymal cells in the walls of the bulbus cordis gives rise to the formation of the bulbar ridges. Similar ridges form in the truncus ar teriosus and are continuous with the bulbar ridges. Both the bulbar and the truncal ridges have a spiral orientation and result in the formation of a spiral aorticopulmonary septum when the bulbar and truncal ridges fuse. This septum divides the bulbus cordis and the truncus arteriosus into the aorta and pulmonary trunk.Due to the spiral orientation of the aorticopulmonary septum, the pulmonary trunk twists around the aorta. The bulbus cordis is incorporated into the walls of the ventricles. In the left ventricle it forms the walls of the aortic vestibule just inferior to the aortic valve. In the right ventricle it forms the infundibulum or conus arteriosus.Ventricular trabeculation begins in the apical region of the ventricles soon after  cardiac looping. The trabeculation serves primarily as a way of increasing the  oxygenation of the myocardium in the absence of   a coronary circulation. The  compactation of the trabeculae adds to the proportion and thickness of the  co mpact myocardium.

Clarkson Lumber Case Essay

Clarkson Lumber Company is a classic example of a privately held company that has experienced a rapid growth in sales and has reached a point where it is facing a shortage of cash to sustain the expected growth in sales in the following years. The owner, Keith Clarkson, bought out his partner’s interest in the company in 1994 for $200,000. His partner, Henry Holtz, took a note for the $200,000 with an interest rate of 11% and was repayable in the semi-annual installments of $50,000 beginning June 30, 1995. The note was taken to give Mr.  Clarkson time to arrange for the necessary financing. Mr. Clarkson seems to be running the company well, evident by the constant growth in sales year after year. However, the company is running low on cash on hand, and needs some form of financing to reach the expected sales of 5. 5 Million in 1996. Moreover, the borrowing limit set by the Suburban Bank has been reached, prompting the bank to ask Mr. Clarkson to guarantee the loan personally. Mr. Clarkson has been in communication with another bank, Northrup Bank, which might be willing to extend a line of credit of up to $750,000. Analysis There are several reasons for Mr. Clarkson’s need to rely on borrowing despite good profits. Although the profits are good, they are not good enough in our view. The Net Profit Margin has been close to 2% since 1993 (Exhibit D). The cost of goods relative to the sales is high and is keeping the profit margin low. In other words, the costs have increased at a faster rate than sales. The Cost of Goods Sold is consistently around 75% of sales. Secondly, the Return on Assets is roughly 5% in 1995 (Exhibit D). This ratio is kept low due to a high total assets figure. Total assets are also inflated due to the liabilities taken in the form of trade credits by Mr. Clarkson The company is keeping a high volume of inventory in stock as shown by its Inventory Turnover ratio average of 6%. The Average Collection Period has jumped from 38 days to 48 days since 1993 (Exhibit B). Thus, the limited amount of cash inflow is largely tied in inventory, and payments on loans. Mr. Clarkson has been unable to take full advantage of the trade discounts (2% if paid with in 10 days) during the last two years ‘due to a shortage of funds arising from his purchase of Mr. Holtz’s (his partner) interest in the business and the additional investments in working capital associated with the company’s increasing sales volume’ (Case, Pg 2). And even though Mr. Clarkson has been able to use the credit from Suburban Bank of up to $400,000 to finance the increase in sales, the ceiling has also forced the company to use cash to fund itself and pay off loans. The current and quick ratios both support this fact (see Exhibit D). Based on the pro forma sheets there is an additional $251,000 needed to attain the goal of $5. 5 million in sales. Also, since part of the agreement is to break off from Suburban National Bank, the line of credit has to cover the 399,000 covered by the loan. With about $650,000 line of credit used, the remaining $100,000 of the new loan could be used to pay off Mr. Holtz and enable Mr. Clarkson to take advantage of the trade discounts by paying his suppliers back in 10 days; thus achieving the sales target with lower cost. Recommendations We recommend Mr. Clarkson to seriously consider taking the new line of credit. The line of credit will enable the company to take advantage of the trade discounts and pay off previous debt. Lowering the costs should be a high priority and it might be worth while to consider holding less inventory (if it does not affect the service and quality clients expect). Mr. Clarkson should identify and prioritize the high profit margin products/services the company offers and focus on those. The company would also do well to try to reduce the Average Collection Period to with in 30 days. As far as Northrup Bank is concerned, we recommend that the bank extend the line of credit but makes sure that the company does not reach the ceiling again. A high proportion of the credit line would be used in the beginning but that is due to the line of credit covering the previous loan, Mr. Holtz interest and some immediate financing for inventory purchases. In the foreseeable future though, once the company sheds the loans it carried and get more streamlined, it will start increasing its cash gradually. Mr. Clarkson’s business references are excellent and the company has always paid its bills on time. Therefore, the company is not a risk and the line of credit should be approved.