Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Jewish Folk Dance As A Means Of Creating A New Israeli...

Jewish national identity was colonized when Jewish people were forced out of ancient Israel and dispersed to various different nations. Anti-Semitism was one of the principle means for this colonization because it made it dangerous for Jewish people to express their own national identity in the European nations they dispersed to. As a result, certain traditions, like Jewish folk dance, which were not codified, were lost. Jewish folk dance also disappeared because folk traditions are strongly connected to the land in which they originated and the majority of Jews left Israel. Furthermore, because of the third commandant of the Torah, Jews were not allowed to depict images of their dance. Consequently, their traditional dance was lost forever. However, when the Jews returned to Israel in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they found it important to recreate traditions like folk dance to reassert their fractured nationhood after so many years of diaspora. Thus, Israeli folk dance was a means of creating a new Israeli culture. Israeli folk dance was created by using elements from other dance cultures with themes and music of modern Israel. In this paper, I will argue that while anti-Semitism resulted in the colonization of Jewish national identity, women re-created Israeli folk dance as a means to establish a new Jewish identity, as well as an identity for themselves. By focusing on Romania and Yemen, we will identify the vestiges of colonialism in Israeli folk dance, andShow MoreRelatedA Critical Review of â€Å"the Ambiguities of Football, Politics, Culture, and Social Transformation in Latin America† by Tamir Bar-on.14147 Words   |  57 PagesA Critical Review of â€Å"The Ambiguities of Football, Politics, Culture, and Social Transformation in Latin America† by Tamir Bar-On. Introduction: In Latin America, soccer is not a game; it is a way of life. It is mixed in with politics and nationalism. It defines social classes. How politically influential is soccer in Latin America? It is used by â€Å"various Latin American socio-economic elites in order to retard the acceleration of working class and popular discontent† (Bar-On 1997:1.8). Is itRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 PagesFine, The Story of Reo Joe: Work, Kin, and Community in Autotown, U.S.A. Van Gosse and Richard Moser, eds., The World the Sixties Made: Politics and Culture in Recent America Joanne Meyerowitz, ed., History and September 11th John McMillian and Paul Buhle, eds., The New Left Revisited David M. Scobey, Empire City: The Making and Meaning of the New York City Landscape Gerda Lerner, Fireweed: A Political Autobiography Allida M. Black, ed., Modern American Queer History Eric Sandweiss, St. Louis:

Monday, December 16, 2019

Game Theory and Life Insurance Free Essays

string(281) " make optimal use of the information lie does have \? It is sufficient for our purposes to characterize tile medical information by two parameters : Ps, tile probability of successfully noticing a bad risk, and PF, tile false alarm probability of detecting a non-existant illness\." Astln Bulletin 11 (198o) 1-16 A GAME T H E O R E T I C LOOK AT L I F E I N S U R A N C E UNDERWRITING* JEAN LEMAIRE Universit6 Libre de Bruxelles Tim decision problem o[ acceptance or rejection of life insurance proposals is formulated as a ~vo-person non cooperattve game between the insurer and the set of the proposers Using the mmtmax criterion or the Bayes criterion, ~t ~s shown how the value and the optunal stxateg~es can be computed, and how an optimal s e t of medina! , mformatmns can be selected and utlhzed 1. FORMULATIONOF THE GAME The purpose of this paper, whose m a t h e m a t i c a l level is elementary, is to d e m o n s t r a t e how g a m e t h e o r y can help the insurers to formulate a n d solve some of their underwriting problems. The f r a m e w o r k a d o p t e d here is life insurance acceptance, but the concepts developed could be a p p h e d to a n y other branch. We will write a custom essay sample on Game Theory and Life Insurance or any similar topic only for you Order Now The decision problem of acceptance or rejection of life insurance proposals can be f o r m u l a t e d as a two-person non cooperative g a m e the following w a y : player 1, P~, is the insurer, while player 2, P2, is the set of all the potential pohcy-hotders. The g a m e is p l a y e d m a n y times, m fact each time a m e m b e r of P. – fills m a proposal. Ve suppose t h a t tlfis person is either perfectly h e a l t h y (and should be accepted) or affected b y a disease which should be detected and cause rejection. We shall assume for the m o m e n t t h a t the players possess only two strategies each. acceptance a n d rejection for P~, health or disease for P2. To be more realistic we should introduce a third pure s t r a t e g y for P~: a c c e p t a n c e of the proposer with a surcharge. To keep the analysis as simple as possible we shall delay the introduction of surcharges until sectmn 4. Consequently we can define a 2 x 2 p a y o f f m a t r i x for the insurer. .P~ †¢ P2 healthy proposer A B ill proposer C D acceptance rejection I t iS evident t h a t the worst o u t c o m e for the insurer is to accept a b a d risk. I n t e r p r e t i n g the payoffs as utilities for P1, C should be the lowest figure. Clearly D B : it is better for the insurer to reject a b a d risk than a good risk. Also A must be greater t h a n B. One anight argue a b o u t the relative * Presented at the 14th ASTIN Colloqumm, Taornuna, October x978. 2 JEAN LEMAIRE values, A and D, of the good outcomes. We shall suppose in the examples and the figures that D A, but the analysis does not rely on this assumptmn. In order to find the value of the game and the optimal strategy for P~, we can apply – – the minimax criterion, or – – the Bayes criterion. 2. THE MINIMAX CRITERION To apply the minimax criterion assimilates P2 to a malevolent opponent whose unique goal is to deceive the insurer and to reduce his payoff. This is of course an extremely conservative approach, to be used by a pessimistic insurer, concerned only by its security level. 2. 1. Value and Optimal Strategies without information Since P2’s objective is to harm P~, the game becomes a 2 x 2 zero-sum twoperson game, which can be represented graphicaUy. The vertical axis of fig. 1 is the payoff to P1. His possible choices are represented by the two straight lines. The horizontal axis is P2’s choice: he can always present an healthy proposer, or a non healthy, or pick any probability mix in between. The use of mixed strategies is fully justified here since the game is to be played m any times. Since P2’s payoff is the negative of Pl’s’, his objective is to minimize the insurer’s maximum gain, the heavy broken line. The ordinate of point M Payoff Io p~ D A B healthy i’x~n hi’Klllh Fig. i LIFE INSURANCE UNDERWRITING 3 is then the value of the game. The abscissa of M provides the optimal mixed strategy of P2 P~’s optimal strategy can be obtained similarly (for more details see for instance OWLN (1968, p. 29) ) Thus, by adopting a mixed strategy (to accept any risk with a probability D-B PA = A + D – B – c ‘ and t  ° reject w i t h a p r o b a b i l i t y p n = I AD-BC ? ‘A),. P~ can guarantee himself a payoff of v~ = A + D – B – C ‘ D-C PH = A + D – B – C whatever the strategy adopted by his opponent. P2’s optmml strategy is to present a proportion of good risks. 2. 2. Introduction of Medical Information The preceding model is extremely naive (and vv1Lt only be used as reference for comparisons) since it does not take into account P,’s possibility to gather some information about the proposer’s health, by asking him to fill in an health questmnnaire, or by requiring him to undertake a medical examination. This information is of course only partially reliable. But, however imperfect, it can be used to improve P~’s guaranteed payoff. How can the insurer make optimal use of the information lie does have ? It is sufficient for our purposes to characterize tile medical information by two parameters : Ps, tile probability of successfully noticing a bad risk, and PF, tile false alarm probability of detecting a non-existant illness. Let us introduce a third pure strategy for P , : to follow the indications of tile medical information. If tile proposer is not healthy, his illness is detected with a probabihty Ps, and remains undetected with a probability 1 – – P S . . P i ‘ S expected payoff thus equals E = Dps + C(1-ps). Smailarly, his payoff m case the proposer is healthy is F = (1–pF)A + t~FB. Fig. 2 represents a â€Å"detector† with a . 7 success probability and a . 4 false alarm probability. We notice that, m this case, P1 can guarantee himself a payoff v2 vl by mixing the strategies â€Å"to accept† and â€Å"to follow the detector’s indication†. Of course, for other values of Ps and PF, tile optimal mixed strategy varies and can mix a different set of pnre strategies. The detector can even be so imperfect that the line . FE passes below the intersection of B D and AC; then the medical information is so weak that it is useless. 4 Payoff to Pl JEAN LEMAIRE JD1 J E~ ao % 7o % 4o % 6o % I A. healthy f~n heall hy Fig. 2 2. 3. Optimal Deteclwn System A detector is characterized by a pair (Ps, PFF) of probabilities. The underwriters can decide to render the standards of acceptation more severe, by rejecting more people, thereby incrcasing the success probabihty Ps. Unfortunately, the false alarm probability PF will then increase too. Can gaine theory help us to select an optimal detection system ? Must the company choose a â€Å"nervous† detector, with a high success probability, but also a high false alarm rate, or a â€Å"pldegmatic† or â€Å"slow† system with low probabilities Ps and PF ? Let us assume for sunplicity that all the medical information has been aggregated mto a single discriminating variable (for instance by using discrlminant- or regression analysis). The distribution of the discriminatmg variable for the healthy population will usually overlap the dastribution for the non healthy group. The choice of a particular detector can consist of selecting a critical value, any higher observed value leading to rejection, any lower value to acceptance (this procedure is optimal if the distributions are normal with equal variances Otherwise, tile decision rule can be obtained by a hkelilaood ratio method (see appendix or LEE (1971, pp. 2oi-2o3)). The shaded zone represents the false alarm probability, the dotted region the success probability. Each critical value determines those two probabilities. If the critical value is moved to the right, the detector becomes slower. If it is moved to the left, it become~ more nervous. The set of all the critical values LIFE INSURANCE UNDERWRITING healthy [ non healthy value acceptance t | of the t n g variable dlSCrlmlnat relectlon Fig. 3 Y Ps Fig 4 defines the efficiency curve of the d i s c n m i n a n t variable. The weaker the dlscriminant power of this variable, the nearest to the bissectmg line its efficiency line. A perfect discrimmant variable has a triangular efhciency x y z . The set of all the detectors determines a set of values for the game. The highest value v* for the insurer is reached when the p a y o f f line is horizontal. This can be roughly seen as follows (for a more rigorous proof see LUCE and RAIFFA (1957, pp. 394-396)): the critical value, m o v i n g from left to right, generates a family of hnes with decreasing slope. If . Pat chooses a d e t e c t o r with 6 JEAN LEMAIRE a pos~ttve slope, P= can reduce his payoff below v* b y always presenting h e a l t h y proposers. Similarly, ~f the slope is negative, a continuous flow of non h e a l t h y proposers will keep P~’s payoff below v*. yotl to Pt I D A C h , a i r h~ rmn heulth, Fig 5 The optimal detector can be easdy obtained b y equating the payoffs E and F : Dps + C ( 1 – p s ) = A ( l – p y ) Then (1) + BpF. D-C C-A PF – B – A PS + B – A defines a straight line in fig. 4, whose intersection with the efficiency line determines the o p t i m u m . N o t e t h a t the optimal s t r a t e g y of P~ is a pure s t r a t e g y : to follow the advace of the d e t e c t o r , the insurer does not have to t h r o w a coin after the mecidal examination m order to decide if tile proposer is accepted. W h a t happens is t h a t the â€Å"noise† in the observation system, however small, provides the necessary r a n d o m i z a t i o n in order to p r e v e n t P2 from outguessing the insurer. 2. 4. The Value of Improving the Detectton System A medmal e x a m i n a t i o n can always be improved† one can introduce an electrocardmgram, a blood test . . . . for each proposer. B u t ~s it w o r t h the cost ~ An i m p r o v e d discrimination ability means t h a t tile distributions of fig. 3 are more LIFE INSURANCE UNDERWRITING 7 Fig. 6 Payoff to p, D A im rn i ir~f r m i n B C healthy on hl, olt h Fig. 7 separated and present less overlap. The characterizing probabilities ibs and PF are maproved, and the efficiency line moves away from the bisecting line. The intersection of the improved efficiency line with (1) (which is determined only by the payoffs and therefore does not change with increased discrimina- 8 JEAN LEMAIRE tion) provides the new optimal detector; the ass ociated value is higher for the insurer. If the cost of implementing the new system is less (in utilities) than the difference between the two values, it is worthwhile to introduce it. The insurer should be willing to pay any amount inferior to the difference of the values for the increase in lus discrimination ability. 2. 5. A n Example 1 All the proposers above 55 years of age willing to sign a contract of over 3 million Belgian Francs in a given company have to pass a complete medical examination with electrocardiogram. We have selected 200 male proposers, loo rejected because of the electrocardiogram, and loo accepted. This focuses the attention on one category of rejection causes: the heart diseases, and implicitly supposes that the electrocardiogram is a perfect discriminator. This (not unrealistic) hypothesis being made, we can consider the rejected persons to be non healthy. Correspondingly the accepted proposers will form the healthy group. We have then noted the following characteristics of each proposer: x~: overweight or underweight (number of kilograms minus number of centimeters minus loo) ; x2: number of cigarettes (average daily number); m: the presence of sugar x4: or albumine in the urine; x s : the familial antecedents, for the mother, xs† and the father of the proposer. We then define a variable x0 = l o if the proposer is healthy 1 otherwise nd apply a standard selection technique of discriminant analysis in order to sort out the variables that slgnihcantly affect Xo The procedure only retains three variables xj, x2 and m, and combines them hnearly into a discriminating variable. The value of this variable ~s computed for all the observatmns, and tile observed distributions are presented in fig. 8. As was expected, the discrimination i s quite poor, the distributions strongly overlap. The multiple correlation between Xo and the set of the explaining variables equals . 26. The group centroids are respectively . 4657 and . 343We then estmaate for each possible crltmal value Ps and PF and plot them on fig. lo. t This e x a m p l e p r e s e n t s v e r y w e a k d e t e c t o r s a n d is o n l y i n t r o d u c e d m o r d e r to illus t r a t e t h e p r e c e d m g theory. LIFE INSURANCE UNDERWRITING 9 Fig 8 S Fig 9 We must now assign uNhtlcs to the various outcomes. We shall select A = 8, B = 4, C = o and D = lo. Then the value of the g a m e w i t h o u t medical information is 5. 714, P2 presenting 2/7 of bad usks and P i accepting 3/7 of the proposals. Let us now introduce the medmal reformation nd for instance evaluate the s t r a t e g y t h a t corresponds to a . 5 critical value. On fig. lO, we can read ~s = . 51 a n d PF = 33. Then E = . 5] ? ]o + . 4 9 x o = 5-], a n d F = 3 3 x 4 + . 67 x 8 = 6. 68. The value of this game is 6 121, P2 presenting more bad risks (34. 1%), P I mixing the strategies † r e j e c t † and â€Å"follow d e t e c t o r † with respect- 10 JEAN LE/vIAIRE F i g . 1o Fig. 11 LIFE INSURANCE UNDERWRITING 11 lye probabilities . 208 and . 792 Fig. 11 shows t h a t this s t r a t e g y is too â€Å"slow†, t h a t too m a n y risks are accepted. On the other hand, a detector w~th a . 4 critical value is too nervous: too m a n y risks are rejected T h e value is 5. 975, P2’s optimal s t r a t e g y is to present 74. 7% of good risks, while Pa should accept 29. 7% of the tmle and trust the d e t e c t o r otherwise. To find the o p t i m u m , we read the intersection of the efficiency line with equation (1), in this case 5 ~F = 2 – 2 Ps We find PF = . 425 Ps = . 63 with a critical value of . 475. T h e n E = lOX. 63 + ox. 37 = . 425Ãâ€"4 + – 5 7 5 x 8 = 6. 3. f the insurer adopts the ptu’e s t r a t e g y of always accepting the a d w c e of the medical information, he can g u a r a n t e e himself a value of 6. 3 irrespective of his o p p o n e n t ‘ s strategy. L e t us now a t t e m p t to improve the me examination b y a d n g a new variable xT, the blood pressure of the proposer Because of the high positive correlation between xt and xv, the selection procedure only retains as signific ant the variables x. % xe and x7 Fig. 9 shows t h a t the distributions are more separated. In fact, the group centroids are now . 4172 and . 828 and the multiple correlation between xo and the selected variables rises to . 407. T h e efficiency hne (fig IO) is uniformly to the right of the f o r m e r one. The intersection with (1) is PF = 37 P,s = . 652 with a critical value of approxunatxvely . 45. The value of the game rises to 6. 52, an i m p r o v e m e n t of 22 for the insurer at the cost of controlling the blood pressure of each proposer (see fig. 1~). 3’ THE BAYES CRITERION I n s t e a d of playing as if the proposer’s sole objective were to o u t s m a r t him, the insurer can a p p l y the B a r e s crlter~on, i. . assume t h a t P2 has a d o p t e d a fixed a priori s t r a t e g y H e can suppose (from past experience o1†³ from the results of a sample s u r v e y p e r f o r m e d with a m a x n n a i mecal examination) t h a t a p r o p o r t i o n Pn of the proposers is healthy. The analysis is easier m this 12 JEAN LEMAIRE case, since P2’s m i x e d strategy is now assumed to be known P t only faces a one-dimensional p r o b l e m ‘ he must maximize his utility on the d o t t e d vertical line of fig. 12. Pc/Of f p~ to JD A t B, N C ol eall hy 1 – PH PH non heoll hy Fig 12 One notices from fig. 12 t h a t a medical examination is sometimes useless, especially if PH is near 1. In this case, P t ‘ s optimal s t r a t e g y is to accept all the proposers. In the general case, P t should m a x m n z e the linear function of PF a n d PH [~5FB + (1 – – pF)A]~SH + [paD + (I – ps)c] (1 – PH), under the condition t h a t PF and Ps are linked b y the efficiency curve of fig. 4. As far as the example is concerned, this economic function (represented in fig lo) becomes 1. Ps – 3 4PF if one supposes that p2’s mixed s t r a t e g y is to present 15% of bad risks. 6. 8 + F o r the first set of medical information (xl, x2, x6), tile m a x i m u m is reached at the point Ps = . 28, PF = . 09. Since PH is r a t h e r tngh, this is a v e r y slow detector, yielding a fmal u t d l t y of 6. 914. Comparing to the optimal n n x e d strategy, this represents an increase in utility of . 614, due to tlie exploitation of . P2’s poor play. Of course, tliis d e t e c t o r is only good as long as P2 sticks to LIFE INSURANCE UNDERWRITING 3 his mixed strategy. It is uneffective against a change in the proposers’ behaviour: if for instance PH suddenly drops below . 725, P~’s utlhty decreases under 6. 3, the guaranteed payoff with the mlmmax strategy In this aspect, the Bayes criterion implies a more optimistic attitute of P1. For the second set of medical information (x2, m, xT), the opblnal detector (Ps = . 45, ~bF = o9) grants a utility of 7. t69 if PH = . 85, an improvement of . 649 colnparing to the ininimax strategy (see fig. 11). 4. T O W A R D S MORE R E A L I S M 4. 1. Surcharges Conceptually, the introduction of the possibility of accepting a proposer with a surcharge presents little difficulty: it amounts to introduce one more pure strategy for the insurer. Payoll to ID A G B heollhy non heoil hy F , g . 13 A detector could then be defined by two critical values C1 and C2 enveloping an m c e m t u d e or surcharge zone. The two critical limits would detelmme 4 probabihtles fl~ f12 p8 p4 = = = = probability probabihty probability probability of of of of accepting a bad risk surcharging a bad risk rejecting a good risk surcharging a good risk 14 JEAN LEMAIRE ealthy non healthy V Surchar~le I C1 C2 Fig. 14 and two efficiency curves. A necessary condition for a detector to be optimal is that the corresponding payoff hne is horizontal, i. e. that (2) (1–p3-~@A + 7b,G + p3B = ( 1 – p ~ – p 2 ) D + P2H + P~C. The two efficiency curves and (2) determine 3 relations between the probabilities. One more degree of freedom is thus available to maxim ize the payoff. 4. 2. Increaszng the Number of Strategies of P2 In order to practically implement the preceding theory one should subdivide P2’s strategy â€Å"present a non healthy proposer† according to the arious classes of diseases. P1 should then have as pure strategaes: reject, accept, a set of surcharges, and follow detector’s advice, and P2 as m a n y pure strategms as the number of health classes. The graphical interpretation of the game is lost, but linear programming fan be used in order to determine its value and optimal strategies. Appendix: The Likehhood Ratio Method Let — x be the value of tlle discriminant variable, healthy, – – p(H) and p(NH) the a priori probabihties of being healthy or non – – f(x I H) and f(x ] NH) the conditional distributions of x. We can then compute the a posterior1 probability of being non healthy, given the value of the discriminant variable (1) p = p ( N g ix) = f(x l g H ) p ( N H ) f(x l N H ) p ( g g ) + f ( x l H)p(H)† LIFE INSURANCE UNDERWRITING 15 Similarly p ( H I x) = l – p. T h e e x p e c t e d payoffs for the two decisions are EPA = ( 1 – p ) A EPR = (1-p)B Define D* to be D* = EPA — + pC + po. EPn = [(A-B)+(D-C)]p – (A-B). Consequently, D* is a linear function of p, with a positive slope. There exists a critical ~b, ~b,, for which D* = o’ (A – B ) Pc = ( A – B ) + ( D – C ) nd the optimal decision rule is to reject if p Pc ( t h e n D * o ) a n d t o – – accept if p Pc (then D * o ) . — If f ( x [ H) and f(x I N H ) are normal densities with equal variances, there is a one-to-one m o n o t o n i c relationship between p and x, and thus the crttmal p r o b a b l h t y Pc induces a critical value xe. In general , however, the cutoff point is not unique. T h e r e m a y be two or more critical values. In t h a t case, we define the likelihood ratio of x for hypothesis N H over hypothesis H as f(x [ N H ) L(x) Of f(x I H) c o u r s e o _- L(x) = oo. S u b s t i t u t i n g L(x) in (1) gives 1 P = or 1 L(x) p ( N H ) + p(H) p 1 (2) L(x) – p ( N H ) l – p † F o r constant a priori probabilities, there is a m o n o t o n e relationship between p and L(x); L(x) goes from o to oo as p goes from o to 1. Therefore, a unique critical likelihood ratio Lc(x) exists and can be obtained b y replacing Pc for p in (2) (3) p(H) A – B Lc(x) – p ( N H ) D – C† ] 6 JEAN LEMAIRE p 1. 0 ~-Pc = 0 5 0. 5 I I I NH H I_-~ X? I J_ X? 2 H — Fig. 15 The optimal decision rule reads if L(x) L c ( x ) , reject; if L ( x ) L c ( x ) , accept. Notice that, i f A – B = D – C , pc = 1/2 The decision rule is equivalent to maximizing the e x p e c t e d n u m b e r of correct classifications. F r o m (3) p(H) L e(x) #(NH)† If, furthermore, the prior probabii]ties are equal, Lc(x) = 1. REFERENCES AXELROD, 1~ (1978) Copzng wzth deception, International conference on applied game theory, Vmnna LEE, V,r. (1971) Dec~szon theory and human behaviour, J. Wiley, New York LuCE, R and H ]{AIFFA (1957). Games and deczszons, J Wiley, New York. OWEN, G. (1968) Game theory, ~V. Saunders, Philadelphia. How to cite Game Theory and Life Insurance, Essays

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Labour Dispute in Honda-Free-Samples for Students-Myassignment

Question: Discuss about the Event that took place in China Concerning Labour Dispute in Honda. Answer: Introduction The report analyses an event that took place in China concerning labour dispute in Honda. The situation related to the case study depicts the issues that arise in managing human resources and employee relations. Employee relations are important in order to understand the relations that exist between employees and employers (Tansel Gazo?lu, 2014). The case study provides an analysis of lessons from the strike that took place in China and the understanding of the issues that caused these issues. The report sheds light on two values that are related to the application of strategic management and the impact it has on the employee relations in the market of China. Background relevant to the problem On 17th May 2010, a strike at the Honda automobile factory suspended operations in four of the bases of Honda production in China. The managers raised the pay if the employees by 24% that resulted in halting the action of a strike as early as June. Due to the strike, it was reported that Honda had suffered a great loss in the business. About 3 billion yuan worth of sales was lost due to the results of the strike. The main reason behind the strike was the fact that workers in China demanded a greater pay due to the rise in the economy of the country. Hence, the Japanese company was forced to increase the payment of the staffs. However, in certain areas in China, the factories remained closed due to the lack of presence of important components required for manufacturing the vehicle. Reports suggest that Honda produces about 650,000 vehicles per year in China. Due to the loss of these factories the company suffered huge loss (Routerlogin.com, 2017). Nearly a quarter of the Chinese emplo yees did not receive any pay raise for the last five years. The strike was also the result of the fact that Japanese people working in Honda received 50 times more salary than the Chinese workers. For about three days, the labour problem existed that saw two factories and two assembly plants being shut down. The strike resulted in the loss of supply of labour as most of the employees refused to work in an environment conditions that required more manual labour at a less pay (Washingtonpost.com, 2017). The strike which lasted for a couple of weeks ultimately ended after the managers of Honda agreed to raise the wages of the Chinese people. About 1900 Chinese workers were offered a raise from 24% to 32%. However, the lockdown that took place in Honda resulted in the rise of other strikes around the country due to low salary and minimum wages. Hence, the Government of China passed a law demanding the rise of minimum wage standards and to treat the employees with dignity (Nytimes.com, 2017). It has been seen that the strikes that occurred due to low pay and mistreatment of employees working in Honda, had a bad influence in the other sectors of the country. This was particularly seen among the foreign countries that have set up base in China. The labour unrest that the country witnessed due to the coverage of the Honda incident became national news in the country. Zhao (2012) stated that the most of the labour issues remain unreported due to the poor reputation of the company or due to political interference. The introduction of labour law that helps in addressing the grievances of the employees saw the grievance rate being doubled. The rate, at which the low-wage and migrant workers revolted against the policies adopted in Honda, is indicative of the level of unrest of labours that was prevalent in the country (World.time.com, 2017). Relevant values applied with the problem Application of unitarist value The unitarist theory states organisations to be considered as one member. The employees working in an organisation are related to each other and at towards the objective of the organisation by forming a team. Bray, Waring Cooper (2014) stated that the cooperation between the members helps in the growth of organisational harmony and the united effort help an organisation to attain its goals. It also demands the loyalty of the employees and the managers in terms of achieving organisational success. Hence, in order to keep an organisation united, unitarist theories propose the idea of managers and leaders becoming the main source that binds an organisation together. Fox (1966) stated that it is the duty of the leaders to promote loyalty and responsibility among the people working in an organisation. The fact that organisations can be divided into groups and subgroups cannot be considered by the unitarist theorists. The unitarist embrace a united view of an organisation in terms of an e mployment relationship. The fact that employees and employers can be rivals to one another and that any rift can be caused between them is rejected by the unitarist philosophy. The fact that conflicts of interest exist among different members in an organisation is not entertained by the unitarist approach (Ross Bamber, 2009). This is because conflicts are seen to cause negativity among the members of an organisation. In order to mitigate the effect of labour reform in China, Honda can follow the unitarist approach in order to attain sustainability in the organisation. In the case of the Honda situation in China, the main reason for the cause of the conflict was due to disputes over payment. It has been seen that the local people of the country were paid a very low wage and asked to work more than the payment structure. This caused dissatisfaction among the employees as a perception prevailed that the organisation is improving the financial stability without by ignoring the needs of the employees (Ft.com, 2017). Hence, measures such as raising the salary were taken by the managers of Honda. The application of the unitarist practice could have helped Honda to remain united during the labour revolution. This could have been with the help of the leaders. According to Lyddon et al., (2015), it is the duty of the leaders to communicate with the employees and ensure that any grievances of the employees are brought forward to the attention of the managers. The unitarist approach does not support the interference of trade unions in the matters between mana gers and employees. The trade unions are not considered legal and consequently, the opinion provided by the union members are not taken into consideration by the unitarist theorists. Hence, the manager of Honda needed to ensure that the company does not face problems regarding the labour laws. In this regard, the advantages, as well as the disadvantages of the application of unitarist approach, can be considered. Benefits of the issue The advantages of unitarist approach include integrating the interests of the employees and employer (Waltman, 2008). The integration of interests enhances the commitment of the employees and the loyalty. Wailes et al., (2016) stated that this is important as a committed employee can contribute more to the success of an organisation. The loyalty and commitment also employees to bond with one another thereby, making a successful team. This can also lead to managing stakeholders of the company in an effective manner as employees are perceived to be the important stakeholder in an organisation. Hence, the welfare of the employees is considered as important as the organisations. Apart from this, the managers attain an all win situation while leading the employees. According to Fiorito Jarley (2008), proper management and leadership styles are developed in order to align the interests of the managers with the employees. This is important in order to ensure that the organisational objecti ves are maintained keeping in mind the interests of the employees as well as the employers. In the case of Honda Company situated in China, the integration between the employees and employers were absent. This resulted in the rise of misunderstanding between the employees and the employers (Black, 2005). Apart from this, the objective of the managers of the organisation was not inclined with that of the employees. The aim of the organisation is to make profits by paying minimum wages to the workers. Hence, the employees were denied fair payment. Unfair means of treating employees led to the strikes in the organisation. In this regard, it can be said that the unitarist approach was not applied by Honda while operating in China. Keeping the advantages of the theory in mind, the disadvantages can also be analysed. Risk of the issue The fact that unitarist theory does not separate the power and designation of managers with that of the employees can act as a disadvantage. This is because the employees may take certain decisions that may not involve the consent of the managers. Conflict of interests that arise between the employees and employers are also perceived negatively. According to Blanpain (2010), conflicts are a part of the organisation that helps to understand the interests and demands of the employees and the employers. Conflicts may generate different opinions of the employees but the changes suggested during conflict situations can help in the development of an organisation. Unitarist approach also integrates common interests of the employees and shares it with the organisation. This is another disadvantage as the personal individuals of the employees do not matter to the organisational success. It does not provide any guidelines for the managers to follow. Thus, in the case of the conflict of China, the presence of the conflict of interest was seen among the employees. Hence, following unitarist approach could have helped the company as the conflict resulted in the lockdown of the facilities of the company (Boxall, 2008). The main conflict of interest that arose in the company was that of task management. In this regard, it can be said that the management of Honda had adopted a pluralist approach in regard to the practices adopted by the company. Hence, the limitations of unitarist approach lead managers to ignore the possibility of adopting this practice. Application of pluralistic value According to Thunnissen, Boselie Fruytier (2013), pluralistic perspective considered organisations that consisted of powerful and divergent sub-groups. The people within these sub-groups prove to be loyal towards the objective of the organisation and the leaders. This is mainly because of the fact people in the organisation have diverse thoughts and beliefs. Such diversity in organisations exists due to the existence of different cultural people in the organisations. Employees are of diverse backgrounds that possess different values and beliefs. These beliefs are mainly based on the cultural background of the countries (Schregle, 1981). Apart from this opposing leadership and attachments exist in organisations. The leadership styles of people are different from one another and as a result, there exists the difference of loyalty in the organisations. This also leads to a conflict of interest among the employees. Hence, managers, as well as employees, need to play multiple roles in or der to achieve organisational success. Unlike unitarist approach, pluralists believe that conflict can be helpful for organisations if it is dealt with the industry. Conflict and stability of the employee relation can be maintained providing concession and negotiations between employee and employers. Processes can be used in order to come to a conclusion about the conflict in the organisation by collective bargaining. In this regard, the situation faced in China can be attributed to the pluralist approach. This is mainly because the managers need to mediate among the conflicting interests of the employees. In the case of Honda, the approach of some of the employees of China was mainly based on the pluralistic approach. This is because of the fact that the some of the Chinese employees felt that they are being paid less than the Japanese counterparts. The workload done by both employees varies as well. Reports state that the Chinese employees are made to work more in the automobile company than the Japanese employees (Whitfield, Delbridge Brown, 1999). Hence, the organisations had practised pluralist approach. However, the negativity of the approach is the fact that the conflict of interest among the employees and employers did not contribute to the success of the organisation. Instead, most of the organisations were under lockdown due to the existence of labour issues. As stated by Khoreva et al., (2017) the managers of the company had created opposing leadership in the organisation. The fact that the Japanese employees were differentiated with the Chinese employees provided the sourc e of opposing leadership. This also led to the loss of commitment and loyalty towards the organisation. Due to the existence of such pluralistic approach, the organisation had to suffer. The fact that Honda is an internationally famous company, the diversity among the employees results in varying interests among the employees. This is also indicative of the fact that the reason for the conflict of interest is due to the existence of such diverse employees. Despite trying to divide the organisation into various departments and ensuring that conflicts exist, a pluralistic approach has certain advantages. Benefit of the issue One such advantage includes the effectiveness of the intervention of Industrial Relations. According to Armstrong Taylor (2014), pluralists believe that intervention techniques related to Industrial Relations can help in resolving conflicts. Managers can use a consultative approach that can help in negotiating conflicts in the organisation. The consultation needs to be done between the employees as well as the employers in order to understand any prospects of conflict. Apart from this, the alternate decision-making process can also be used in the case of resolving conflicts. Unlike the unitarist approach, pluralists do not overlook conflict. Instead, it is managed by the stakeholders in an effective manner. It can be used to understand the demands of employees as well as the employers and come to a mutual conclusion about the policies that need to be followed. In this regard, such conflict management technique can be used by Honda in order to manage the conflict within the organisat ion. The use of the groups that are involved in conflicting among one another can be used in order to help Honda deliver proper services in the market of China (Purce, 2014). However, this was not to be as the managers had not paid heed to the initial demands of the employees. After the lockdown of a couple of manufacturing firms, the managers agreed to raise the wages of the employees. In this regard, it can be said that the conflict started by the employees of Honda instigated more regional conflicts in China. Risk of the issue In this regard, certain disadvantages of pluralist approach can also be considered. One such disadvantage is the fact that the pluralist theory follows the process and rules that help in the success of an organisation. It disregards other processes that also contribute to the success of an organisation. These processes include a survey of the people, recognising talents of the employees and rewarding each employee for their performances. With the application of pluralists theories, laws can be formulated that help in the effective analysis conflict. These laws include ignoring the presence of a negotiator. Greenwood Van Buren (2017) pointed out that such an approach helps in an open conversation between employees and employers. However, these rules cannot be applicable in organisations that undergo frequent changes in the policies that abide by the legal rules. In this regard, it can be said that the problem related to Honda Company in China, may not have been solved with the applic ation of pluralist theory. This is mainly because of the rate at which the Chinese laws keep on changing in relation to industries. Poole (2013) stated that with the rise of conflict of interest among payment of wages, the Government of China increased the wage rate of the employees. Another disadvantage of a pluralist theory is the fact that it fails to undertake the interest of the state in the commercial sector. The fact that any conflict can be resolved without involving the state is a misconception among pluralists (Whitfield, Delbridge Brown, 1999). Thus, the intervention of the Government of China proved that organisations do not have a pluralistic view of managing conflicts. Possible benefits for the application of the value Based on the analysis of the sustainable values it can be said that Honda Company in China needs to embrace the unitarist approach. This is mainly because of the fact that the unitarist approach helps in uniting an organisation. The fact that the Chinese Government plays an important role in the commercial sector of the country proves that the use of pluralistic approach cannot help in improving the condition of the Honda Companies. Despite its disadvantages, the application of unitarist approach is important in order to ensure that the conflict in the Honda Companies does not get repeated. The unity brought about in the organisations is such that, the labours can approach the managers regarding any issues that arise in the organisations. As stated by Siebert et al., (2015) the production prowess of Honda in China helped in the exceptional growth of revenue of the company. The application of a united effort of the employees and managers can help in the effective growth of revenue in the organisation. However, it can be said that the united effort in the organisation may cease the rise of conflict. This can also be harmful to the employees as lack of conflict of interest may lead to the absence of opinion among the people about improvement in organisations (Fiebich Coltheart, 2015). Hence, it can be said that the unitarist approach is one of the best policies that can be applied in order to maintain the productivity of Honda as well as reduce chances of any further serious conflicts in the organisation. Conclusion Thus, it can be concluded that the application of unitarist and pluralist approach can help in managing organisations in different manners. The different approach and perspective regarding managing organisations result in the adoption of these approaches based on the type of organisation. In the case of Honda, the conflict management technique of the company resulted in the rise of serious issues in the management of the company. Hence, the application of unitarist approach can help Honda to avoid such events that occurred in the year 2010. References Armstrong, M., Taylor, S. (2014).Armstrong's handbook of human resource management practice. Kogan Page Publishers. Black, B (2005). Comparative industrial relations theory: the role of national culture, The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 16:7, 1137-1158 Blanpain, R. (2010) Comparativism in labour law and industrial relations. In R. Blanpain (ed), Comparative Labour Law and Industrial Relations in Industrialised Market Economies, Kluwer Law International, The Netherlands, 10th Edition, pp. 3-24. Boxall, P. (2008) Trade Union Strategy. Chapter 11 in P. Blyton et al. (eds), The SAGE Handbook of Industrial Relations.Los Angeles London: Sage. Bray, M., Waring, P. Cooper, R. (2014) Studying Employment Relations: Values in Employment Relations: Theory and Practice, Sydney: McGraw-Hill, Chapter 3. Fiebich, A., Coltheart, M. (2015). Various ways to understand other minds: Towards a pluralistic approach to the explanation of social understanding.Mind Language,30(3), 235-258. Fiorito, J. Jarley, P. (2008). Trade Union Morphology. Chapter 10 in P. Blyton et al. (eds), The SAGE Handbook of Industrial Relations. Los Angeles London: Sage. Fox, A. (1966). Managements Frame of Reference, excerpt from Industrial Sociology and Industrial Relations, Royal Commission on Trade Unions and Employer Associations, Research Papers 3, HMSO, London, Part 1, pp.2-14 in A. Flanders (ed) (1969) Collective Bargaining. Harmondsworth: Penguin. Ft.com. (2017).Ft.com. Retrieved 8 November 2017, from https://www.ft.com/content/e27a832c-6944-11df-aa7e-00144feab49a Greenwood, M., Van Buren, H. J. (2017). Ideology in HRM scholarship: Interrogating the ideological performativity of New Unitarism.Journal of Business Ethics,142(4), 663-678. Khoreva, V., Khoreva, V., Vaiman, V., Vaiman, V., Van Zalk, M., Van Zalk, M. (2017). Talent management practice effectiveness: investigating employee perspective.Employee Relations,39(1), 19-33. Lyddon, D., Cao, X., Meng, Q. Lu, J. (2015) A strike of unorganised workers in a Chinese car factory: the Nanhai Honda events of 2010, Industrial Relations Journal, 46 (2), pp. 134-52. Nytimes.com (2017).More Labor Trouble in China for Honda.Nytimes.com. Retrieved 8 November 2017, from https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/10/business/global/10honda.html Poole, M. (2013).Industrial relations: origins and patterns of national diversity(Vol. 4). Routledge. Purce, J. (2014). The impact of corporate strategy on human resource management.New Perspectives on Human Resource Management (Routledge Revivals),67. Ross, P. Bamber, G. (2009). Strategic Choices in Pluralist and Unitarist Employment Relations Regimes: A Study of Australian Telecommunications. Industrial and Labor Relations Review. 63 (1), October: 24-41 Routerlogin.com. (2017).Routerlogin.com. Retrieved 8 November 2017, from https://www.routerlogin.com/WEB_site_block.htm Schregle, J. (1981). Comparative industrial relations: pitfalls and potential.International Labour Review, 120 (1), January, pp. 15-30. Siebert, S., Martin, G., Bozic, B., Docherty, I. (2015). Looking beyond the factory gates: Towards more pluralist and radical approaches to intraorganizational trust research.Organization Studies,36(8), 1033-1062. Tansel, A., Gazo?lu, ?. (2014). Management-employee relations, firm size and job satisfaction.International journal of manpower,35(8), 1260-1275. Thunnissen, M., Boselie, P., Fruytier, B. (2013). Talent management and the relevance of context: Towards a pluralistic approach.Human Resource Management Review,23(4), 326-336. Wailes, N., Wright, C, Bamber, G. Lansbury, R. (2016) Introduction: An internationally comparative approach to employment relations in Bamber et al. (eds), International andComparative Employment Relations, SAGE, London, 6th Edition, Chapter 1. Waltman, J. (2008). Chapter 1 in Minimum Wage Policy in Great Britain and the United States. New York: Algora Publishing Washingtonpost.com (2017). Retrieved 8 November 2017, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/06/AR2010060603295.html Whitfield, K. Delbridge, R Brown, W (1999): Comparative research in industrial relations: helping thesurvey cross frontiers, The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 10 (6), pp.971-980 World.time.com (2017).A Labor Strike in Southern China Offers Hope for a More Democratic Future | TIME.com.TIME.com. Retrieved 8 November 2017, from https://world.time.com/2012/07/08/a-labor-strike-in-southern-china-offers-hope-for-a-more-democratic-future/ Zhao, S. (2012). Changing employment relations in China: a comparative study of the auto and banking industries. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 23 (10), pp. 2051-2064.

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Representations of Global Femininity/Masculinity in Contemporary Media

Introduction The change in time and events from a conventional world to one that is sophisticated and modern has been accompanied by changes in representation of masculinity and femininity. This is with regard to how the contemporary media represents both man and woman and its position on this.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Representations of Global Femininity/Masculinity in Contemporary Media specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Contrary to the conventional style of representation where the woman was overshadowed by the man, she is now gaining representation in a powerful and autonomic manner that reveals her self-confidence. This paper will bring into light the changing, as well as the adamant phenomenon of representation of masculinity and femininity by the contemporary media. How Contemporary Media represents Masculinity and Femininity The great shift to contemporary visual media has been accompanied b y a change in the representation of women. According to the contemporary media, the woman is faced with a lot of responsibilities which she must see to it that they are all handled accordingly. As a result the media has brought out the woman as one who is faced with a lot of challenges, making it difficult for her to live up to other people’s expectations. However, it has been shown that, amidst their dilemmas, women resort to traditional intervention with regard to femininity for a solution. Different articles will explain the different ways which women act in relation to femininity. Men on the other hand have always taken up the authoritarian role that depicts power and strength (Leavy, Gnong and Andrea 261-292). Typical images of the modern woman, for instance pop stars like Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez represent a unique kind of femininity. In this kind of representation, the woman is independent and entitled to her own life. This shows the liberation of women while compared to what was previously the perception of femininity where the woman stayed at home to look after her children and husband. Now, the woman has become more educated and liberated, but the main theme of femininity that has not changed a single bit is beauty. Contemporary media has given the picture of a woman as one who is adventurous, and in so doing has continued to encourage this kind of behavior. This woman is able to capture the best man who is sexually desirable. She then retains this man as long as he is interesting. This kind of woman will also be seen pursuing a great career at the same time. This is a demonstration of the change in representation of femininity in contemporary media which in other words can be considered to be cosmopolitan. It is very different from the traditional method of representation of women as wives and mothers. It is therefore clear that great changes have occurred and transformed the perception of women by the media (Leavy, Gnong and Andrea 261-292).Advertising Looking for research paper on gender studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The representations of masculinity and femininity by the media are constantly changing and so are the perceptions. The change in representation is what leads to the change in perception as the media is very powerful in influencing people’s attitudes. Previously, the woman was represented as a submissive and obedient wife and mother. Currently, this is not the case as women strive to gain equality with regard to gender. Men on the other hand were represented as having power and authority over the woman. This representation has however changed as men have turned out to become violent so as to acquire hegemony, which is linked to masculinity (Andersen and Gray 446-450). Contemporary media may have a negative impact on the representation of the woman and associated femininity. For example, the implications of the media on porn ography tend to have a negative impact on the women as opposed to men whose hegemony is very evident. The contemporary media fosters growth and availability of pornographic materials. However, as pornography grows, so does its violent nature that is entailed in its content. The video, which is the latest kind of contemporary media, shows very sad sexual fantasies. The perception brought out by this kind of representation is cruelty and unfriendliness to the femininity of women but on the other hand, encourages dominance by the man. This dominance has been portrayed through activities of sexual molestation (Andersen and Gray 446-450). Femininity and masculinity are two different kinds of images which are seen to vary considerably. The femininity of a woman in contemporary media is shown through pictures that bring out the beauty and attractiveness of the woman. The appearance of a woman in enhancing her femininity in certain jobs especially in the tourism industry is very important. The femininity of a woman is portrayed by her feminine appearance. A feminine appearance requires the woman to make her hair, wear make-up and suitable uniform that enhance her femininity. This is opposed to men whose attractiveness or masculinity with regard to the physical body is not required for the application or maintenance of a job. Irrespective of the empowerment that women have obtained, the media still maintains a position of hegemony with regard to gender. An example of this is where, irrespective of the masculine women like Cristina Yang in Grey’s Anatomy and feminine males like George O’Malley, conventional gender expectations are very evident, representing either femininity or masculinity.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Representations of Global Femininity/Masculinity in Contemporary Media specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This can be argued from the point that women continue to be attractive even if they tend to drift towards masculinity. On the other hand, the masculinity aspect among men who try to act in a feminine way is dominant thus will persist (Leavy, Gnong and Andrea 261-292). Contemporary media has used the mind-body dichotomy to bring out differences between men and women and associated masculinity and femininity respectively. This aspect of body and mind is seen to create disparity between masculinity and femininity. Masculinity places a lot of emphasis on the mind while femininity is all about the body. A quote from Bartky Sandra â€Å"Woman’s space is not a field in which her bodily intentionality can be freely realized but an enclosure in which she feels herself positioned and by which she is confined† depicts this (cited in Leavy, Gnong and Andrea 261-292). The concept of women’s space is taken to bring out a common idea of enclosed space. It could mean power or lack of power. This space could also be a symbolic rep resentation of the woman’s body as it is perceived to be associated with gender performance. On the other hand, the masculinity of men is not confined to their bodies. It entails attitudes, ability to think and perception. The dichotomy used reveals that as opposed to women, the masculinity of men is more realized by their ability to hold power and think wisely as opposed to a woman whose femininity is in her beauty (Andersen and Gray 446-450). Conclusion The media is actively involved in representation of both men and women in the content of masculinity and femininity respectively. The perception of masculinity and femininity will continue changing for as long the media keeps on changing the representations of both men and women. Despite the changing representations, one thing is for sure, femininity of a woman with regard to beauty can never change. On the other side, masculinity and power are inseparable. Works Cited Andersen, Robin Gray, Jonathan (Eds). Battleground: The Media. Westport: Greenwood Press, 2008.Advertising Looking for research paper on gender studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Leavy, Patricia, Gnong, Andrea Ross, Lauren. â€Å"Femininity, Masculinity, and Body Image Issues and College-Age Women: An In-depth and Written Interview Study of the Mind-Body Dichotomy†. Qualitative Report, 2009 (14), 261-292, Bibliography Component Bibliography 1. O’ Barr, William. Representations of Masculinity and Femininity in Advertisements. Advertising Educational Foundation, 2006. Reason The article by O’Barr on representations of masculinity and femininity, asserts that advertisements that are represented by the media form a strong ground for emulation and reaction by the concerned parties. The relevance of this article with regard to the topic at hand is brought about in its explanation of what is entailed in masculinity and femininity. Masculinity is associated with power, virility, competitiveness, strength and athleticism. Femininity on the other hand is related to nurturance, beauty, cooperation and submissiveness. The article argues that both m en and women indulge in different activities that reveal their femininity or masculinity. The woman will bring out her femininity through her beauty and provocative postures that lay much emphasis on her sexuality. The femininity of a woman is used to show beauty, attractiveness, passiveness and cooperation. Masculinity on the other hand is associated with aggression, power and strength. Among other aspects of masculinity and femininity that will change, the ones mentioned above are inherent as they are used to define the difference between a man and a woman. It is very clear that both men and women have different roles to play in order to show their masculinity and femininity respectively as represented by different kinds of media. It is worth noting the masculinity and femininity begins at birth after determining the sex of a child. The media has been used to enhance this difference by demonstrating the different ways through which a woman can show her femininity. In addition, it has been applied to represent and show how masculinity is manifested in men (O’ Barr 213-221). 2. Millington, Bradley. Learning Masculinities: Youth, the Media, and Physical Education. Queen’s University, 2004. Reason According to the article by Millington, the media is filled with stereotypes about men and masculinity. This is especially true with reference to violent videos and movies. Since time in memorial, man has always been regarded as the greater sex. Contemporary media represents masculinity in terms of violence. Men have been seen to engage in violent and brutal acts in an attempt to bring out their masculinity. This may not work well for the young males as they will adopt this kind of behavior too. In a bid to reveal and show their masculinity, cases of violence against women will continue to prevail for as long the media will place masculinity in close link with violence. This research article is relevant to the topic as it shows how masculinity is represen ted by the media in the form of violence. This raises a lot of concern on how the young males and females will perceive the different representations by the media. The contemporary media is involved in presenting stereotypes on what is entailed in masculinity and femininity. The media presents the woman as one who is submissive and in so doing, embraces culture in the view of femininity. On the other hand the highly upheld and believed concept of hegemony with regard to masculinity is represented. However, the current position of both masculinity and femininity is not that which alienates femininity from masculinity as the search of equality continues to be contentious. This article raises concerns with reference to the perception of representation of masculinity versus femininity by the media. This is because the young people will be greatly influenced by the media to the extent that they will tend to follow what is represented in the media. The media has always been considered to have a very great impact on the people. This comes about due to misunderstanding that revolves around the issue of representation of masculinity and femininity by the media. This is explained by the fact that people are easily carried away by the media and will tend to follow what the media shows regardless of whether it is favorable or not (Millington, 23-45). Works Cited Millington, Bradley. Learning Masculinities: Youth, the Media, and Physical Education. Queen’s University, 2004. O’ Barr, William. Representations of Masculinity and Femininity in Advertisements. Advertising Educational Foundation, 2006. This research paper on Representations of Global Femininity/Masculinity in Contemporary Media was written and submitted by user K1nley to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

buy custom Media and Communication essay

buy custom Media and Communication essay Media communication involves some processes that transmission and storage channels of used in delivery or storage of data or information. Sometimes referred as, mass media or news media. The print media The initial stage of human communication begun in the invention of artificial media. At around 550 B.C the Persians developed the first postal system which acted as an intelligence centre where king of Medes made use of this developed system of courier to communicate his decisions. It was as well used by the Roman Empire to centralize control from Rome (David 2005). After the alphabetic writing was discovered, the field gained civilization and focused on printing as the basic information transfer mode this ideographic writing produced the initial civilization which presided the alphabetic writing. Effects of print media Although it managed to each a sizable part of the expected population, it managed to make a breakthrough in the field of communication from the traditional unreliable ways. It marked the beginning of modern civilization, where transfer of complex information, concepts and ideas was transferred from one individual to another. Electronic media Electronic media is the recent discovery in the mass communication sector. As compared to static (printed) media which preceded it, electronic media has developed through various stages to reach where it is today. The electronic media generally familiar with many people are audio and video recordings, multimedia and slide presentations, disks and online media which are largely on digital form (Scannell, 2007). Different styles of writing were developed the whole world over and each had its own achievements. It has served as the best source of record as it is less prone to damage and other shortcomings. During the industrial revolution, interccity communication was improved as mass production was made possible. Effects of electronic media The effects to this type of communication are the far distance conveyance of information within a flash of a second. In 1906, the first Trans Atlantic radio broadcast that applied the analogue technology was put in place. In the modern world, telecommunication has globalised everything in the world over through long distance exchange of information on internet, e-mail and voice calls. Socially, media technology has brought people together more and more through the creation of online communities and social networking sites (Mansell and Raboy, 2011). It has thus helped to connect diverse people over distant geographical locations. It has expanded the internet business and other events on online version. It is not wrong to say that everything has gone the information technology way as there is barely no field that is unaffected by it has thrived as expected. Buy custom Media and Communication essay

Friday, November 22, 2019

Qu es la green card y que informacin hay que saber

Qu es la green card y que informacin hay que saber La greencard es el documento que acredita que una persona es residente permanente legal en los Estados Unidos (LPR, por sus siglas en inglà ©s). Tambià ©n se la conoce como tarjeta de residencia permanente.  Los residentes gozan de importantes derechos, pero su estatus no es igual al de ciudadano, ya que entre unos y otros hay  importantes diferencias. Siendo el ms importante que salvo rarà ­simas excepciones la nacionalidad no se pierde mientras que la pà ©rdida de la residencia es un evento ms comà ºn. Cà ³mo se obtiene la greencard y por quà © puede ser denegada Hay muchos caminos que conducen a la greencard, siendo los ms comunes las peticiones de familia, pero hay muchas otras. A la hora de obtenerla hay que tener en cuenta que los trmites pueden demorarse desde apenas unos meses a ms de 20 aà ±os, por lo que al iniciar el proceso es un dato a tener en cuenta.  La  forma ms rpidas para conseguir la greencard es  por ser cà ³nyuge, hijo soltero menor de 21 aà ±os, padre o madre de un ciudadano americano. Tambià ©n conviene saber que hay ms de 40 razones por las que la greencard puede ser negada al final de la tramitacià ³n porque convierten a una persona en inadmisible para los Estados Unidos. Cà ³mo es la greencard La greencard es una tarjeta de tamaà ±o similar a una de crà ©dito o dà ©bito que sirve como prueba de que una persona es residente permanente legal. En otras palabras, que ese extranjero puede vivir y trabajar en Estados Unidos. Los residentes gozan de importantes derechos, pero su estatus no es igual al de ciudadano, ya que entre unos y otros hay importantes diferencias. Siendo el ms importante que salvo rarà ­simas excepciones la nacionalidad no se pierde mientras que la pà ©rdida de la residencia es un evento ms comà ºn. Pero,  ¿es verde la greencard? En la actualidad el à ºltimo modelo de greencard sà ­ es verde. Adems, entre 1946 y 1964 tambià ©n lo fue. Y el nombre se conservà ³ durante dà ©cadas, a pesar de haberse ya modificado el modelo de la tarjeta en numerosas ocasiones y de emitirse en colores distintos al verde. Quà © informacià ³n contiene la Greencard Entre la informacià ³n fundamental que ofrece la tarjeta de residencia destacan el nombre de su titular, identificacià ³n de su sexo y fecha de nacimiento. Tambià ©n contiene informacià ³n sobre la categorà ­a por la que se adquirià ³ la green card y la fecha de expiracià ³n, debià ©ndose renovar antes de que alcance esa fecha. Adems, contiene el Alien Registration Number, un dà ­gito fundamental para los residentes permanentes legales. Cules son sus medidas de seguridad Hasta hace apenas 15 aà ±os era relativamente frecuente poder adquirir en la calle tarjetas de residencia falsas pero que se asemejaban bastante a las verdaderas. Desde entonces las cosas han cambiado y las green card emitidas en los à ºltimos aà ±os ya contienen importantes medidas de seguridad que dificultan su falsificacià ³n. El modelo actual, que comenzà ³ a entregarse a partir del 11 de mayo de 2010 es una tarjeta con importantes medidas de seguridad para evitar tanto la falsificacià ³n como la manipulacià ³n de las mismas. Entre las medidas destacan: Tinta en color cambiante en tonos que van desde el verde al oro. Este efecto puede verse, por ejemplo, en la imagen de la cabeza del guila cuando se mueve la tarjeta.Foto hologrfica del titular, tanto en el anverso como en el reverso de la tarjeta.Huellas gravadas mediante tecnologà ­a lser que permiten la identificacià ³n rpida y exacta de la persona cuando se entra por la frontera a Estados Unidos. Es decir, con esta tarjeta se evita que un emigrante utilice la tarjeta de otro para ganar entrada al paà ­s.Personalizacià ³n tctil tambià ©n realizada mediante lser.Tecnologà ­a de identificacià ³n por radio frecuencia que permite a los inspectores de Inmigracià ³n leer desde cierta distancia, sin tener la tarjeta en sus manos, un nà ºmero que est gravado en la tarjeta y conectarlo con toda la informacià ³n digital disponible sobre el titular de dicha tarjeta.Y almacenaje de todos los archivos digitales sobre el titular, incluyendo sus datos biomà ©tricos. Otra informacià ³n interesante que contienen las tarjetas de residencia En la parte posterior de la tarjeta pueden verse microfotos de altà ­sima resolucià ³n de las banderas de los estados y de Presidentes de los Estados Unidos.  ¿Debo solicitar el nuevo modelo de Greencard? Las tarjetas de residencia con menos de diez aà ±os son perfectamente vlidas aunque sean de un modelo anterior al actual y, por lo tanto, no hay obligacià ³n de reemplazarlas hasta que llegue su fecha de expiracià ³n. Obligacià ³n de cargar la green card y otros deberes Existe una obligacià ³n legal que aplica a todos los residentes permanentes legales mayores de 18 aà ±os: deben llevar consigo en todo momento su green card. El gobierno federal puede imponer multas de hasta $100 y/o pena de crcel por un mximo de 30 dà ­as a las personas que no cumplan con esta obligacià ³n. Esto tambià ©n afecta a la  tarjeta de residencia que est sellada en el pasaporte  de su titular y que es totalmente vlida y sirve tambià ©n para viajar internacionalmente. Asimismo, los residentes permanentes deben notificar al USCIS sus  cambios de domicilio  en los diez dà ­as siguientes a que se produzca la mudanza. Finalmente, se recomienda tomar este  test  para verificar conocimientos bsicos sobre cà ³mo obtener y conservar la tarjeta de residencia. Este es un artà ­culo informativo. No es asesorà ­a legal.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Hitlers Influence on World War II Research Paper

Hitlers Influence on World War II - Research Paper Example From this paper it is clear that World War II began in 1939 and lasted until 1945. It involved two opposing sides, the axis formed by the Germans and its supporters and the allied forces. The war broke out soon after Germany invaded Poland a neutral state that was under the protection of the British. It is accounted that Hitler motivated his soldiers on a personal level and that he watched from his special train, the progress of his army invading Poland (Roberts 26). The invasion prompted the UK and its allies to wage war on the Germans leading to the start of World War II. However, Hitler’s behavior on several occasions fueled the underlying tensions that later caused the eruption of the war. This paper outlines that Hitler was able to win Italy over to his side by supporting Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia. Germany was the major European country to offer their Support to Italy thus inducing her to drop her previous objections of Germany taking over Austria. In Italy, Germany found an ally together with whom they hoped to capture and subdue large tracts of eastern European land. Mussolini was Italy’s leader at the time and they collaborated to support the Fascist and authoritarian National forces against the Spanish Republic that was supported by the Soviets in the Spanish war of 1936. According to Giblin, Hitler found the Versailles treaty to be degrading and particularly the demilitarization of Rhineland. He also vehemently opposed its stipulation that Germany accept the responsibility of Causing World War I. He therefore disregarded the treaty and ordered for the remilitarization of Rhineland in order to support the Spanish War. It is said that both Germany and USSR supported the opposing sides of the war just so they could carry out tests on their warfare equipment and strategies. An alliance was formed between Germany and Italy that year named the Rome-Berlin Axis.  

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Virginia State Local Government Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Virginia State Local Government - Essay Example The division, however, does not end with the cultural aspect. Statistics also show that those living in the northernmost part of the state earn more and have a higher level of education than those at southern and southwestern counties. The Commonwealth Institute, a liberal thinking organization focused on Virginia, reached more or less the same conclusions, focusing more, however, on the income inequalities in the state. Without saying explicitly that the people up north are better off than their southern and southwestern counterparts, the institute found that there is a higher wage gap between whites and African-Americans in the state and this has not changed significantly since the late 1970's. This claim is supported by findings of experts that wages and salaries in the north are indeed higher than the rest of Virginia, where incidentally more African-Americans can be found. Given the existence of inequity between northern and southern counties, an obvious solution to the problem would actually be for the government to strive to make state of things equal, given the injustices and unfairness present in Virginia nowadays. However, the question is: how do legislators go about doing this For one, legislators can push for the use of other gu

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Re-offender puts lives at risk Essay Example for Free

Re-offender puts lives at risk Essay Ex-convict Mr. Jones was held in custody yesterday for the bribery of 2 local children, Jack and Jill Bramcote. The pair of children aged no less than 12 were bribed with a pack of sweets to climb up the green hill formally known as the death trap to collect a pale of water. The 2 children unaware of the great danger accepted the offer to consequently risk their lives. Whilst on their voyage up the death trap to the derelict well Jack passed out from exhaustion and dehydration, falling 40 meters to the ground. Unfortunately Jill came plummeting after trying to save her be-loved brother. When questioned all Mr Jones had to say was, stupid naive kids! But of cause we all no Mr. Jones is very used to the you have a right to remain silent, anything you do say may be held against you in court concept as this isnt his first time in trouble with the police now is it Mr Jones?! Mr Jones is due to be in court next week for a number of charges, one of which aiding and betting. Haunted Happenings Two local 9 year old children Jack and Jill Morris were found in a critical state at the bottom of the green hill on Saturday evening. Its thought that the 2 children were planning on climbing the hill to prove their belief that the derelict well is not haunted and is not the home of bloody Mary. A girl from the childrens school explains the myths,well for generations people that have lived in the village of Nottingham have known that the well at the top of the green hill is haunted and that it is the home of the bloody Mary, a vicious women, who can poses anyone with evil spirits, and marks all victims with a Greek symbol Trails found on the green hill have been identified as Jack and Jills, the trails were found going up the hill, but none were found coming down it, there is no evidence that Jack and Jill ever came down the hill, yet they both ended up at the bottom of it. Doctors have stated that the cause of the pairs injury was not due to a trip or a fall. Symbols forensics found on the wall of the well have also been found on Jack and Jill on their left shoulder. After an intense 2 days historians reported that the symbol means let the curse be upon the persons whom are marked and that it is Greek terminology. Both children are in intensive care and have not yet awoken. Police hope to question the pair when they regain consciousness and have said that until then they cannot comment on the evidence until done so. The green hill and well have both been cordoned off until more evidence has been gathered on the happenings of the 22nd January. Killer construction On Tuesday 23rd October 2008 police found 2 children in a critical state at the bottom of a hill in Nottingham. Its believed that the children (not named for security reasons) were roaming the town in their holidays and decided to get a drink from a well positioned on the summit of the hill. Prints have been found on the well matching the childrens and so prove they got to the well, but after having a drink the pair had a water fight and in frantic running, rushing, ducking and diving the eldest out of the two came stumbling down the hill after falling over a piece of timber. All alone the younger sibling was left startled and shocked, and came running down after her brother only to fall over a scaffolding pole left behind after construction work. The pair was airlifted to the nearest hospital and received urgent medical care. Police investigating found the construction company, Gilford Try to blame due to the state the company left the hill in after aborting a major plan to build a mega-home on the land. The company should by law put up signs, posters and gates with warning and danger written in bold that can be clearly seen, however the company didnt have any signs or anything to indicate danger. Seen as the company failed to follow the rules, they have been fined à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½300,000. The mother of the children gave us her view, I think its pathetic, a big company like that would risk lives and their reputation just because they cant be bothered to put up a few signs! There is no excuse for putting someones life at risk and thats just what they did to both of my children putting them through a lot of pain and suffering. It seems they left behind a death trap only to start building another one Susan Miles the mother of the children have begun the process of suing the company and will have a minimum settlement of à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½400,000. Step up or fall down On Monday of last week celebrities Jack Johnson and Jill Hepp were both emitted to hospital with several broken bones after a terrible accident filming choreography for their upcoming movie step up two, the streets. Jack was said to have tripped over whilst lifting Jill, sending the pair flying down the Hollywood hill. First aiders on standby immediately treated the stars while waiting for a helicopter to airlift them both to the nearest private hospital. In a statement the producers of step up two, the streets announced that the films launch date has been postponed until November.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Fears in The Most Dangerous Game :: Most Dangerous Game Essays

Fears in The Most Dangerous Game   [ADM1]  Ã‚      All around it was quiet.   [ADM2]The birds were chirping and the leaves were blowing.   Suddenly, a man fled from the brush, holding only a knife in his right hand.   After the fleeing man had ran some distance, another man came out of the brush holding a revolver.   This man walked calmly after the fleeing man not worried that the he would escape.   The old, erect man stopped, and loaded his revolver.   He then took aim, shot a round and hit the fleeing man just as he turned around.   The man dropped as he died instantly.   The old man then walked over to the game he had just killed, grabbed the body by the shirt, and dragged the body into the brush.   Richard Connell's The Most Dangerous Game is a story based on a man who thrives for hunting humans[ADM3].   The way Connell wrote this short story reveals some characteristics about him.   The Most Dangerous Game is a psychological story about the author facing and overcoming fear. [ADM4] The general's eyes had left the ground and were traveling inch by inch up the tree.   Rainsford froze there, every muscle tensed for a spring.   But the sharp eyes of the hunter stopped before they reached the limb where Rainsford lay; a smile spread over his brown face.   This story is filled with the same type of fear Connell experienced in his life.   Perhaps he felt 'hunted' at one point in his life and decided he had to run away from all the pain and anger.   For instance, his father may have been abusive to him, so he decided to run away from the fear of being emotionally as well as physically hurt[ADM5].   Rainsford slid down the tree and struck off again into the woods...   Following the trail with the sureness of a bloodhound came General Zaroff.   Connell ran and ran and ran, but no matter how far he ran, his fears were always behind him.   Connell would soon figure out what to do. [ADM6]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Connell also showed the ability to overcome his fears.   At the end of the story, Rainsford confronts Zaroff in Zaroff's own bedroom.   Zaroff offers a truce, but Rainsford does not accept and they fight until the death.   Rainsford had successfully faced Zaroff, his fear.[ADM7]   Connell is showing that he overcame the fears he had in his life by facing them with confidence.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Strategic Management and Ikea

1) How has IKEA succeeded in expanding across the world using a standard range of products and a standard strategy in the home furniture and furnishings industry, in which divergent cultural influences are likely to be at their strongest? First of all, seems reductive say that IKEA provides a standard range of products having regard to the incredible width of this range (which allows, therefore, to offer many variables of many types of heterogeneous products: in this way is almost completely bypassed the limit traditionally connected with the offer diverse depending on the country of destination).In fact, the product range is so vast (â€Å"The IKEA products on offer Exceed 12. 000 items in number†) to allow a lack of diversification for export market: every type of consumer that is part of the target audience can find products of his choice, ignoring the others (which will be desirable by other consumers focused on other features). In this way this strategy exceeds its tradit ional limit.As it is written in the text under consideration â€Å"IKEA has achieved the impossible, to create a range of products attractive to consumers everywhere, in countries with very different cultures, and to apply a formula for presentation and sale of those products which reinforces the attractiveness† . With regard to the standard strategy used by IKEA in my view its success relies on a few points well described in the article. First, the target is well defined (and wide, and in all countries without exception). It may sound corny but the self-proclaimed focus of IKEA is ‘young people of all ages’. In reality the market is primarily young people, who are well educated, liberal in cultural values, white collar, but with limited means because of their stage of career and family cycle, and in the process of setting up or expanding their homes because they are having children†. The second successful point of the unitary strategy of the company is the interest to achieve and maintain a cost advantage (in light of the needs of the target, of course). This cost and price leadership is achieved by a combination of strategies – large-quantity purchasing, the push to discover ever-cheaper suppliers in ever-cheaper markets (sourcing in developing economies has risen from 32% to 48%), low-cost logistics, store location in relatively cheap suburban areas, and a do-it-yourself approach to marketing and distribution. Low costs are translated into low prices as IKEA pursues a deliberate price leadership strategy†.In addition to this, the Distribution and Promotion system is modern and inexpensive and easily replicable and acceptable to consumers around the world. So, everything in IKEA works to create a great opportunity, overcoming (as already said at the beginning of my answer) the limits of the not-diversified offer per country and culture in this particular industry sector, characterized by strong cultural differences. 2) Is there a limit to this expansion? Does IKEA’s history illustrate the nature of such a limit?I think the main limit to the expansion of the business of IKEA is cultural and, therefore, be able to contain production costs, while continuing to adapt its products to markets other than those served today. The example of the American market is helpful in this regard. On that occasion, IKEA had to wait a long time before being accepted in the United States, producing profits. That was a very risky investment, yet the American market in that commodity sector has its own characteristics, presumably, very well known and different from European ones.The entry into the U. S. market, to be profitable, had to wait an important adaptation activities never done before. I think in this case when it comes to expansion it is done in a geographical sense (and not profits), so an entry into other markets to IKEA today seems to be quite complicated (making reference only to markets and economies very different from those faced up to date) for the reason just expressed.America is a huge market, strategic and inviting for which is undoubtedly good to do what IKEA decided to do (invest with the initial losses, if necessary adapting their products), but I doubt that this can be repeated for other markets less strategically important than the American. From the point of view of the enlargement of the volume of business and profit, I have no knowledge to be able to express with certainty, however IKEA in the text is placed at the highest levels of Globality and Added Value, therefore I do not think there are great possibilities of strong growth even in this sense.The most important thing is to keep their volumes trying to increase it as much as possible. 3) How has IKEA managed to creatively combine the benefits of mass consumption and mass production with the desire for style and modernity of product? IKEA is able to take full advantage of the cost benefits of mass production ( carefully selecting its employees and suppliers are able to meet stringent quality standards at very competitive set from IKEA) and mass consumption because the citizens of all the world, belonging to the target specified by the company and reported above, and have an idea of odernity and style quite comparable, therefore the need to adapt its products to different markets is quite limited in this field (happened only for America). However, the need for fashion and modernity today is constantly evolving. A company structured differently from IKEA would have difficulty to be continuously ready to offer something desirable. Instead, IKEA, through a work of upgrading its products (however, wherever standard) can not only meet the needs of customers, but also to anticipate them! IKEA makes low-cost trend. This is amazing.At this point it is clear and understandable as reported in the article: IKEA â€Å"has combined the cost-reducing benefits of mass production and consumption with at tention to the style required to persuade consumers to buy items which will be on display and in the eye of the purchaser for many years, unlike the humble hamburger or cup of coffee which are consumed quickly and as quickly forgotten. In short, like Harley-Davidson, it has created a global brand. It has managed to innovate and respond to Continuously changes in the world, continuing to convey a sense of excitement and modernity. Most important is the contribution of the catalogue of the Swedish firm, which â€Å"has become something of a design icon† imitated by competitors from around the world. 4) Has IKEA chosen a strategy of cost/price leadership or one of product differentiation? We could say that IKEA has merged the two strategies in a single large successful director. At first glance, without a careful study of the phenomenon IKEA, it would seem easy to classify the choices made by the company as cost and price leadership helped by a not differentiated offer.But in an swer to the first question, I have already explained how, for me, one can not speak of a lack of differentiation. It is absolutely not possible to speak of a strategy or the other in the case under study. IKEA has been able to be innovative in all aspects: product and design, mass production delocalized and strongly supported, distribution channel, promotion type, location of stores and their structure. Thus, it has managed to combine the two strategies in a single strategy that brings together and makes something completely new.In other answers I have given a part of my interpretation of what is required in this question, but I think the best summary is that given by the authors of the article: â€Å"IKEA’s strategy has been described as a focused cost leadership strategy, focused because it is targeted at a particular market niche, those who want style at low cost. However, this oversimplifies the approach adopted and underplays the complexity of the product, with its pack aging of different services. If it were true that the strategy was no more than a form of focused cost leadership, it would be difficult to understand why IKEA has been so successful.Rather it is the combination of low price and high quality which attracts the consumer, which is not an unusual situation. The attributes of the product offered by IKEA differ markedly from those of other retailers. Instant accessibility, customer participation in value-adding, the combination of low cost and high quality – all mark the product out as unique and therefore as carrying a competitive advantage, one which is continuously renewed as products are improved and renovated. IKEA is always ready to innovate†. ) How far do you think that IKEA can look into the future in framing its strategic management? I believe that this model of strategic management is winning. It is and it will be due to the fact that creates something new from what is already well known to everyone. What is even m ore important and that bodes well for the future of IKEA is that it has always been the first mover. Being first means being able to reap the benefits from it. Be consistently first mover means being able to store the successes and failures of the past, learning from heir mistakes and their victories better and more quickly than your competitors are able to do by copying you. Achieve great results and be always ready for change (in fact, promote it! ) is a symptom of a far-sighted and enlightened strategic vision. Follow this structure means continue in a context that is the company itself to â€Å"manage† and, presumably, to command. The key word today is not to sit on themselves. I think that IKEA is not ever sat on.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Brain Tumour Glioblastoma Multiforme Problem Health And Social Care Essay

Glioblastoma, which is besides known as spongioblastoma multiforme ( GBM ) is the most common signifier of malignant encephalon tumor of grownups. It is the highest class ( grade IV ) astrocytomas, tumours that start in glial cells in the encephalon [ 1,25-27,36 ] . Each twelvemonth, about five out of 100 000 people populating in United State are diagnosed with this disease [ 28,29 ] . GBM normally affects people who older than 50 old ages old although the disease can happen in patients from all age group [ 2,25,28 ] . Patients suffer ictus, concern, ocular perturbation and sometimes personality alterations which can do great emotional hurt [ 25,30,31 ] . The average endurance of GBM patients is hapless, with about 12 to 14 months [ 7 ] . At this minute, the exact causes of GBM still remain vague to the scientists.Figure 1 GBM tumor is normally found in frontal and temporal lobe.Beginning: hypertext transfer protocol: //ebsco.smartimagebase.com/brain-tumor/view-item? ItemID=4027Accum ulative Word Count: 131Possible TreatmentsSurgerySurgery is normally the initial measure to handle GBM by taking every bit much tumor as possible. It is non healing but aims to cut down the tumor ‘s size every bit much as possible so that other therapies right after the surgery can be more effectual. Furthermore, surgical resection Acts of the Apostless to alleviate hydrops by debulking tumor every bit good as being a alleviative intervention for neurologic symptoms such as ictus activity [ 7 ] . The surgery includes standard surgical process craniotomy which removes a subdivision of skull to expose the encephalon underneath in order to unclutter the tumor. Besides, patients may choose to undergo optical maser microsurgery or supersonic aspiration to hold their tumors removed.2134Figure 2 Craniotomy hypertext transfer protocol: //ebsco.smartimagebase.com/surgical-craniotomy/view-item? ItemID=40345 Accumulative Word Count: 242Radiation TherapyNormally, radiation therapy ( RT ) is administered instantly after surgery. It works chiefly by damaging the Deoxyribonucleic acid of tumor cells, killing any residuary tumor cells after surgical remotion of the tumour [ 3-6,32 ] . A research has shown that the average endurance clip has increased from 17 hebdomads ( treated with conventional attention ) to 37.5 hebdomads when the GBM patients were treated with RT entirely while combination of BNCU ( carmustine ) and RT produced a 40.5 hebdomad average endurance [ 11 ] . Table 1 Randomized surveies of post-operative radiation compared with no radiation therapy in malignant gliomaa [ 23 ]Study [ Ref. ]Study groupRadiation dose Gy/ no. of fractionNo. of patients randomized ( analyzed )Median endurance ( hebdomads )Overall endurance P valueShapiro et al. , 1976 [ 62 ] Connecticut RT + CT–60 16 ( 16 ) 17 ( 17 ) 30 44.5 NR Not important Andersen, 1978 [ 1 ] Surgery entirely RT–45/25 57 ( 57 ) 51 ( 51 ) 15b 23b †¹0.005 Survival at 6 months Walker et al. , 1978 [ 78 ] vitamin D Surgery entirely RT–50-60/25-35 42 ( 31 ) 93 ( 68 ) 14c 36c 0.001 Walker et al. , 1980 [ 79 ] vitamin D Connecticut RT–60/30-35 111 ( 111 ) 118 ( 118 ) 31 37 0.003 Kristiansen et al. , 1981 [ 36 ] vitamin D Surgery entirely RT + / – Connecticut–45/25 38 ( 38 ) 80 ( 80 ) 23 47 NR Significant Sandberg-Wollheim et al. , 1991 [ 60 ] Connecticut RT + CT–58/27 87 ( 87 ) 84 ( 84 ) 42 62 0.028 a CT, chemotherapy ; NR, non reported ; RT, radiation therapy. B Calculated from survival curve. 500 Multi-arm survey that included a radiation plus chemotherapy arm. For both surveies by Walker et al. , merely information from the radiation entirely arm are shown in Table 2. Kristiansen et Al. reported combined informations from the radiation entirely arm and the radiation plus chemotherapy arm. In each of these surveies, there was a important survival benefit favouring radiation plus chemotherapy compared with no radiation therapy but no important difference in endurance between radiation entirely and radiation plus chemotherapy ( informations non shown ) . degree Celsiuss Merely consequences for the evaluable patients were reported ( 31 patients in the surgery entirely arm and 68 patients in the RT arm ) . Accumulative Word Count: 329 RT is normally administered through external beam radiation but internal radiation called Brachytherapy is besides possible. Each manner differs in how the radiation beginnings are delivered to the tumour [ 4-6,32 ] . Using IMRT ( Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy ) , a machine such as additive gas pedal delivers precise high-energy radiation doses ( eg: X raies ) to the tumor accurately and kills the affected cells [ 6,33 ] . Most patients will have the intervention for five to seven hebdomads [ 6,32,34 ] . Typically, around 6000 to 6500 units of radiation are delivered over seven hebdomads [ 6 ] . In contrast, brachytherapy topographic point the radiation beginnings every bit near as possible to the targeted cells in shorter clip comparison to external radiation. It consists of radioactive implants in the signifier of catheters or seeds which has impermanent radioactive beginnings in the tumor [ 8 ] . Figure 3 Brachythrapy hypertext transfer protocol: //ebsco.smartimagebase.com/brachytherapy/view-item? ItemID=24923 Besides, stereotactic radiosurgery, a noninvasive method of presenting an intense and focused dosage of radiation to a little country can be used for GBM excessively. Treatment dose is individualized but the typical dosage is about 2500 units of radiation per intervention [ 6 ] . Other signifiers of radiation intervention such as installing of inflatable balloon incorporating liquid radiation or interpolation of monoclonal antibodies tagged with radioactive substances may be used [ 8 ] . Accumulative Word Count: 519ChemotherapyChemotherapy may be given after surgical resection and radiation. In this therapy, chemotherapeutic drugs play an of import function in impacting retroflexing cells by damaging the Deoxyribonucleic acid of these cells. The most normally used drugs are carmustine ( BNCU ) , lomustine ( CCNU ) , temozolomide ( Temodar ) and procarbazine. They are classified as alkylating agents which are DNA-damaging drugs. These drugs alkylate the Deoxyribonucleic acid in the tumor cells, doing the dual strands to be cross-linked to each other in an inappropriate manner. This thereby, blocks DNA reproduction and bit by bit leads to cell decease [ 4,5,8 ] . Soon, Gliadel Wafer – a biodegradable wafer soaked with BNCU is prevailing among the interventions. This is done by engrafting wafers in the pit after surgical remotion of the tumor. The wafers so easy let go of high concentrations of BCNU straight into the tumour country over a period of 2-3 hebdomads. Gliadel does non supply a remedy for GBM but is believed to be capable of protracting endurance. Apart from that, temozolomide is more frequently administered orally on monthly rhythm for 6-12 months after surgery and radiation as a care therapy [ 6,8,28,29 ] . Traditional chemotherapy drugs can be effectual, but most of them do non separate between healthy and tumour cells, thereby forestalling the disposal of high doses to kill the unnatural cells. What is more, their generalised toxicity can do terrible side effects. Targeted therapy drugs like Avastin ( bevacizumab ) are more precise than some chemotherapy drugs and tend to hold fewer side effects. It has been approved by FDA in 2009 as a new biologic drug to handle GBM. Avastin acts chiefly as an angiogenesis inhibitors by decelerating the growing of new blood vass environing the tumor. It selectively blocks VEGF to suppress the activation of VEGF receptors tyrosine kinases VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 [ 13-15 ] . There are some surveies to turn out that approximately 20-30 % patients with GBM do react to the drugs [ 27 ] . Accumulative Word Count: 823AGraph 1 Kaplan-Meier endurance curves for patients treated with steroids and ( A ) resective surgery merely, ( B ) resective surgery and radiation therapy and ( C ) resective surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. [ 12 ]BacillusCAccumulative Word Count: 848Social and Economic DeductionsThe trouble to digest with the side effects of the medicines such as sleepiness and hair loss may do GBM patients to experience down and hurt. They may be easy frustrated by concerns they suffer often or experience suffering and hopeless after the diagnosing [ 34 ] . This could take to serious societal impact and would worry the people around them. Furthermore, most of the patients find it hard to return to work due to decrease in productiveness. A study has shown that with 91 % patients were employed before diagnosing, merely 33 % of them continue working after interventions. While health professionals who were still working experience employment alterations such as taking leave of absence to be with their loved 1s for interventions or taking on extra paid work might experience stressed and have to fight difficult to get by with the tough life [ 9 ] . In order to run a normal life, patients require undergo a plentifulness of interventions including hospitalization after surgery which would do great fiscal load. It is estimated that cost of GBM interventions ranged from ˆ10 893 to ˆ125 275 [ 22 ] . Trouble of obtaining insurance makes the status even worse. Drugs that are necessary for GBM interventions are expensive and are normally administered over long period of clip. All this becomes a beginning of depression which affects non merely the patients but their households and friends [ 9 ] . The return of GBM after conventional therapy is inevitable. This so creates unstoppable medical crisis every bit good as fiscal hurt to the patients and their households. Accumulative Word Count: 1084Benefits and HazardsI believe a combination of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy is the most effectual intervention for GBM presently. In malice of its forecast has remained hapless for the last few decennaries, patients do acquire better after adhering to this standard therapy. Although GBM can non be cured, the patients had have their survival clip prolonged, acquiring a opportunity to pass their last few months with their loved 1s in a meaningful manner [ 34 ] . Nevertheless, the interventions do enforce distressing side effects to human wellness. Despite killing tumour cells, alkylating agents used are considered toxic, ensuing in suppression or lowering of blood counts. They have been associated with important sickness, hair loss, weariness and sterility [ 5 ] . High doses of BNCU may take to damage and marking of the lungs while procarbazine can do raging concern, purging and numbness. Hence, doses of drugs administered have to be carefull y monitored by doctor to avoid taking to unwanted effects. Recently invented drugs temozolomide, has comparatively mild side effects but they are still inevitable [ 6 ] . Meanwhile, hazard of developing acute leukaemia old ages subsequently is increased when patients are exposed to alkylating agents [ 5 ] . Avastin, a freshly developed drug, provides a more effectual therapy for GBM. However, it potentially creates fatal toxicity, doing the late closed surgical lesion interruptions down. Some claim that the development of toxicity by avastin may shorten endurance in some patients when it is added to radiotherapy and temozolomide. Thus, researches on the effectivity and safety of use of avastin should be carried on continually until desirable consequences are obtained [ 20 ] . In add-on, the return of the tumor is ineluctable, with the average endurance rate of patients who relapse runing from 3-6 months despite aggressive intervention [ 10 ] . Patients may develop the feeling that the medicines are useless or may give up because of the intolerable side effects and the unstoppable backsliding of disease. This will take to non-adherence to therapy and increase the hazard of mortality. However, in my sentiment, the multimodal treatments I discuss above are still considered the best solution for GBM as they outweigh the hazards by protracting the patients ‘ survival clip. Accumulative Word Count: 1432Alternate TreatmentsGene therapyAnother promising attack of handling GBM is cistron therapy. Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir ( HSV-tk/GCV ) has evolved as a cytotoxic cistron therapy. In this instance, recombinant adenoviral vectors are used to give favorable consequences. Adenoviral HSV-tk ( AdHSV-tk ) is able to assail the residuary dividing tumour cells while go forthing the non-dividing nerve cells unharmed. What ‘s more, it can destruct the malignant neoplastic disease cells through bystander- consequence [ 19 ] . HSV-tk first converts GCV to GCV-monophosphate [ 16,17 ] . Then, cellular kinases farther convert this merchandise to GCV-triphosphate which is a hapless substrate for uninterrupted DNA elongation due to the lacking of 3 ‘ hydroxyl group that is needed to organize phosphodiester bond in chain-elongation-reaction. Ultimately, nonfunctional Deoxyribonucleic acid fragments are formed, triping programmed cell death in malignant neoplastic disease cells [ 18 ] . Nowadays, AdHSV-tk /GCV is going preferred comparisons to conventional radiation therapy and chemotherapy due to its fewer inauspicious effects. Figure 4 The rule of HSV-tk/GCV cistron therapy. hypertext transfer protocol: //www.gtmb.org/VOL4A/GTMBVOL4AHTML/23_Adachi_files/image001.gif Accumulative Word Count: 1575 Table 2 Surveies by Sandmair et Al. and Immonen et Al. demo a singular protraction of endurance in patients treated with AdHSV-tk [ 19 ] . Patients Vector Phase Gene Transfer Method Adverse Effectss Survival ( Months ) Response