My Acquaintance With Africa Essays - Islam And Women, Kadra Yusuf

My Acquaintance With Africa My Acquaintance With Africa I thought I knew enough about Africa, this wonderful and strange continent with a hot tropical climate and a wealthy nature, which is populated by many different nations and tribes. I saw many movies, mostly about African nature and often read newspapers or magazines about frequent wars and economical problems. But I never made acquaintance with people who originated from Africa. Thus, it was really interesting to talk, even if a little to my classmate Kadra, who not long ago, two years, came here from the small East African country Djibouti. I was interested in how she has lived and thought and what problems have worried this young, beautiful black woman. In the period of two years, since I came from Ukraine and have lived in Chicago, I have known six or seven Afro-Americans. Although we worked together we had never talked about their problems. Maybe, it isn't done among the black people, all the more among the Americans. So, I really know nothing about native Africans. No wonder I always thought they are very poor, not well educated and cut away from world civilization. It was a big surprise when Kadra told me that she finished high-school in her motherland and what's more in French, which is the second, after her native Arabic, official language in Djibouti. Kadra speaks English sufficiently, clearly expresses her thoughts and doesn't stop to find the suitable words as I often do. She plans to continue going to college in order to get a degree in English, find a better job and probably go back to motherland where she can teach English to her compatriots. Of course, Kadra told me about her native country Djibouti, which I know nothing about. It is a beautiful country located on the East coast of Africa, on the shore of the Red Sea. The territory, divided into a low coastal plain, with mountains behind, and an interior plateau, is arid, sandy, and desolate. The climate is generally hot and dry. Two main ethnic groups, Somali and Afar, live there and almost all people profess the Muslim faith. It's a republic and the head of state is a president. The economy is a weak development and people often go to other countries hoping to find a job. I was interested that people in Djibouti are mainly Muslim, to whom I never talked before. So I began to ask questions about this topic and discovered the huge, mysterious, and alien Islamic world. It seems to me religion has great importance for Kadra; it is her spiritual universe, it's like her second ?I?. It is strange that in the USA, with its furious rate of life, with its interlacing of nations, cultures, religions and as a result- a prevailing ideology of idealism, on the top of which is ?I? and ?myself?, Kadra continues to live in her closed Muslim world. I found many new things in her world and heard about the customs and laws ascribed to respect and help older people and parents. Muslims are not allow drinking alcohol, never using drugs and are faithful in marriage. I found that Islam allows getting divorced, if a man or woman doesn't love anymore. It changed my assumption about a woman in the Islamic world as a slave who carries her own cross to the end of her life. On the other hand, I have understood, or to be more specific, I felt how dangerous and awful is Islam. Since childhood Kadra has followed Muslim laws, gone to the Muslim school and known only this world because she lived among people who blindly submitted to Islam's canons. When I asked her how her world outlook has changed for the last two years and how she imagines her future life here, in the USA, I was shocked by her firmness to live further in the Muslim world and her confidence that nothing can change. At first it seems she, as do most of us, works, goes to college, and drives a car. From the outside she looks like everyone, nothing particular, but what acts in this young soul, as though the black darkness covers her. I had this feeling when he

Linear Parent Functions (Algebra Help)

Linear Parent Functions (Algebra Help) In Algebra Functions, a function is described as a set of data that has one distinct output (y) for each input (x). A function also describes the relationship between inputs (x) and outputs (y). As a testament to the various patterns between x and y, several types of functions exist. Algebraic Functions LinearAbsolute ValueQuadraticExponentialTrigonometricRationalLogarithmic Each type of Algebraic function is its own family and possesses unique traits. If you want to understand the characteristics of each family, study its parent function, a template of domain and range that extends to other members of the family. This article focuses on the linear parent function. Linear Parent Function Characteristics The equation of the linear parent function is y x. Refer to Linear Parent Function for the graph of y x. Domain: All real numbers Range: All real numbersThe slope, or rate of change, is constant. Linear Function Flips, Shifts, and Other Tricks Family members have common and contrasting attributes. If your dad has a big nose, then you probably have one as well. Nonetheless, just as you are different from your parents, so is a subsequent function different from its parent. Note: Any changes to the equation will alter the graph. Vertical Shiftsy x1The graph shifts up 1 unit. y x-4The graph shifts down 4 units. Changes in Steepnessy 3xThe graph becomes steeper. y  ½xThe graph becomes flatter. Negative Influencey  The graph flips and slopes downward, instead of upward. (See Calculate a Negative Slope.)

Marketing Mix Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Marketing Mix - Essay Example A marketing mix is an important tool that helps Coca Cola Company to understand what to do to reach out to the target market. Marketing means having Coca Cola drinks at the right place at the right time for convenience for the customer. Coca Cola has numerous elements that form the core of a main marketing system. The elements help Coca Cola achieve its objectives by incorporating them together. A good combination of the elements allows Coca Cola to have a focus on the marketing product. Creation of a pricing strategy by gathering information of the market ensures that the product is not underpriced or overpriced. The strategy involves scrutinizing Coca Cola targets and objectives for the product. Price is one of the elements of a product mix, and it plays an important role in determining the sales of the Coca Cola. In the case of Coca Cola, the price is the value of the drink offered to any individual seeking to quench his or her thirst. Price is the amount that customers pay to purchase Coca Cola from the supplier. Setting the price is important in the development of Coca Cola because it will control the forces of demand and supply for the enterprise. Pricing strategy for Coca Cola helps it to have the ability to determine its sales. The perceived value of the product plays a big role in the determination of the sales of Coca Cola Company. The manner in which a customer values a product is important in the pricing of the beverage company. A positive customer value helps Coca Cola Company successfully charge higher than the monetary of the product. On the other hand, a product should not have a lower value in the eyes of the customer. In the case of the scenario of Coca Cola, the product will be underpriced affecting the sales objectives of the company. About the price, product plays an important role in the marketing mix of a product. Products are the commodities that the company offers for sale. Coca Cola delivers quality products

Limited Liability Company in Qatar Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Limited Liability Company in Qatar - Essay Example An LLC implies that the company has not more than fifty and not less than two partners (Commercial Companies Law, 2002). The partners are not answerable for anything other than their individual shares in the company’s capital and their shares do not represent transferable cheques. LLC is the most common form of business organisations in Qatar (â€Å"Business Setup in Qatar†, 2008). 1.1. Limitations and Rules Enforced on LLC Companies 1.1.1. Partners and shares Basically, LLCs do not have any issued shares (Silkenat, Aresty and Klosek, 2009). It is imperative that an LLC should have one or more partners who are Qatari nationals with not less than 51% share in the company capital. Moreover, it is not necessary that the profit share of the partners reflects their equity stake. Foreign companies that are wishing to establish a joint venture in Qatar with a Qatari partner generally opt for an LLC. As mentioned earlier, an LLC needs to have two to fifty shareholders or partne rs and the minimum capital to be raised for such a venture is QAR 200,000 (Silkenat, Aresty and Klosek, 2009). ... Moreover, transferable bonds and shares (negotiable shares) cannot be issued and around 10% of the annual net profits of the company should be retained within the company till the reserve capital is 50% of the share capital of the company (Silkenat, Aresty and Klosek, 2009). The company capital is to be divided into equal units of more than QAR 1000 each (Dew, Shoult and Wallace, 2002). It is illegal for LLC companies to offer banking and insurance services as well as advice about insurance and other such services to other parties. The profit percentage of LLC companies can be increased through means such as weighted dividend rights (Silkenat, Aresty and Klosek, 2009). 1.1.3. Tax liabilities LLCs in Qatar have to submit an annual tax return and are required to pay corporate income tax. They are liable to pay 10% of their profits made from Qatar. If their annual profits are more than QAR 100,000, they are required to declare this along with their audited financial statements issued by a registered auditor (â€Å"Business Setup in Qatar†, 2008). 1.1.4. Companies Law and requirements for setting up LLC The different types of companies in Qatar are ordained by the Companies Law (Commercial Companies Law no. 11 of 1981 (Dew, Shoult and Wallace, 2002). Partners establishing an LLC are required to sign and submit, in Arabic, the Memorandum and Articles of Association to Qatar’s Ministry of Economy and Commerce (Wolters Kluwer TAA, 2013). The name of the company has to be approved by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce in Doha and the minimum stipulated capital also has to be deposited at a bank in Qatar (â€Å"Business Setup in Qatar†, 2008). 2. Qatari Laws on LLCs 2.1. Ownership Interest of Shareholders in an LLC As per

Leonardo da Vinci - the Man Of Renaissance Essay

Leonardo da Vinci - the Man Of Renaissance - Essay Example It is therefore, his contemporary intellectuals, inventors, and artists including Giotto di Bondone, Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli, and Galileo could come close to the wide range of fields that Leonardo asserted his genius upon. Born on 15th April 1452 in Vinci, the suburbs of the fabulous Italian city of Florence, as the illegitimate son of a Florentine notary ser Piero da Vinci and a local peasant woman Caterina, Leonardo received his early education and training in Florence under the supervision of his father. It is observed that he had developed great taste for paintings and drawing in his early childhood, and even his most initial sketches were extremely captivating, eye-catching and surprising ones, which immediately captured the attention of the viewers. Hence, no one could refrain himself from admiring the gifted talent of the dexterity and command of the little painter over fine arts. Consequently, his father, Ser Piero, sought the services of the renowned contemporary Florentine painter Andrea del Verrocchio to coach his son in order to polish his talent in this field. Leonardo worked very hard while learning from his teacher and applied his splendid intellect in the creative activities, which earn ed unabated fame and respect for the young artist. The history reveals that he had developed his personal art gallery at the age of twenty-four years only, where he got orders for the preparation of portraits and paintings independently from the local community. Somehow, Leonardo’s interests were so broad, and he was so often compelled by new subjects, that he usually failed to finish what he started. This lack of â€Å"stick-to-it-ness† resulted in his completing only about six works in these 17 years, including â€Å"The Last Supper† and â€Å"The Virgin on the Rocks,† and he left dozens of paintings and projects unfinished or unrealized. Being the true follower of the prevailing Christian mythology, Leonardo selected Biblical stories as the topic of his paintings and drawing. He drew the sketches including the adoration of Magi at the eve of the Christ’

Notion Of Aura Used By Walter Benjamin Cultural Studies Essay

Notion Of Aura Used By Walter Benjamin Cultural Studies Essay Walter Benjamin was a Jewish intellect who lived in Germany during a period of anti-semitic feeling and WWII. His work was influenced by Jewish mysticism and historical materialism. Both the era in which he lived and his religion strongly impacted on his thinking. He is associated with the Frankfurt school. The Frankfurt School refers to the work of those philosophers, cultural critics and social scientists who belonged to, or were associated with, the Frankfurt Institute for Social Research (Edgar et al 1999 p129) The institute developed a Marxist approach which it is now associated with and no doubt contributed to Benjamins historical materialism. In The work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction Benjamin addresses the ways in which mechanical reproduction spoils the uniqueness and authenticity of the work of art. He called this uniqueness and authenticity the aura. Aura is the particular power which an image or object has by virtue of its singularity, authenticity, and embeddedness in the fabric of tradition (Gilloch 2002 p182) Benjamin believes the aura of art has changed due to mechanical reproduction and sees the increasing reproducibility of art as directly related to the strength of its aura. Art in the age of mechanical reproduction explores the differences and consequences of the politicisation of art and the aestheticisation of politics. Benjamin describes works of art and some natural objects as having an aura. By aura he meant the trait of authenticity and uniqueness that constituted the artworks distance from everyday life, the notion that art was something that required contemplation and immersion on the part of the spectator (Gentz p116) A natural object such as a mountain could be said to have an aura because it has a personality and life independent of us. It is distant, is the only one of its kind and is tied to its surroundings and location. Similarly, a masterful painting is considered unique in that no person can reproduce it with complete accuracy. Even the most perfect reproduction of a work of art is lacking in one element: its presence in time and space, its unique existence at the place where it happens to be. This unique existence of the work of art determined the history to which it was subject throughout the time of its existence. (Benjamin p4) The paintings value comes largely from its exclusivity . A painting may be called permanent partly because museums, galleries etc. are devoted to keeping them intact and partly because history insures that the artists identity and the contextual significance of the work of art survive through the ages. But in another, less well-known sense, aura refers to the investing of an object with human qualities and emotions. We imagine not that we are looking at an inanimate thing, but that this thing can look back at us. We become caught up in a reciprocal relationship with it, just as with another person (Butler 2002) One could question whether uniqueness or authenticity could really be used as According to Benjamin the use of technology such as lithography changed the way in which art is produced and consumed. With lithography the technique of reproduction reached an essentially new stage (Benjamin p3). Lithography enabled many copies to be printed and expanded the potential audience who could view the art considerably. After this, the introduction of the illustrated newspaper and later, photography increased the rate of production and the size of the audience who consumed it. The use of photography was a turning point in the history of artistic aura. But only a few decades after its invention, lithography was surpassed by photography (Benjamin p3). After this the introduction of film was a further step towards mass communication. These technologies enabled art forms to be enjoyed by the masses. Art was no longer reserved for the wealthy and inaccessible to the general public. Film created even greater changes as it allows performances to be recorded and repeatedly enjoyed . Mechanical reproduction, therefore, has brought great changes to the consumption and availability of art. Both film and photography completely changed the idea of what art is. These changes in the production of art are what, according to Benjamin, spoiled the authenticity and uniqueness of the work of art i.e. its aura. For the first time in world history, mechanical reproduction emancipates the work of art from its parasitical dependence on ritual (Benjamin p9) He also believes that a work of art has now become a thing that is designed to be reproduced From a photographic negative, for example, one can make any number of prints; to ask for the authentic print makes no sense (Benjamin p9). However, no matter how perfect a reproduction may be, it will always lack a place in time and space and unique existence. Benjamin gravely disapproves of the lack of history that mechanical reproduction allows. He believes that without a testimony to history the aura of an object is destroyed. A plurality of copies is substituted for a unique existence. The aura of the object is destroyed through mechanical reproduction and this coupled with the ability to meet the perso n in his own environment are the two main reasons for the shattering of tradition that Benjamin speaks of and both are connected to the mass movement. Prior to the age of modernity, art was predominantly religious. Art of this type has what Benjamin describes as cult value. For Benjamin, works of art in our society often have with them a specific cult value, or value that is not subscribed to the artworks themselves, but, rather to the context in which the artworks were either constructed or situated (Cala 2010, p283) He explains that this form of value is no longer relevant, as art produced using modern methods of production no longer have an authentic element. For example, From a photographic negative, for example, one can make any number of prints; to ask for the authentic print makes no sense (Benjamin p9) The exhibition value of art is emphasised in the modern age . Benjamin feels that art is no longer produced for arts sake but for political reasons. Film and photography could be said to be prime examples of this. Reproducibility leads to the demise of the artworks cult value. It is no longer hidden away in those hallowed spa ces of bourgeois culture frequented by the privileged few (Gilloch 2002 p185) The destruction of the aura with regard to film is as a result of two distinct advances. They are the relationship between the actor and the audience and the mass nature of film. In film, the actor does not perform to an audience and the performance does not occur in one long piece but in scenes that can be recorded in any particular order and put together at a later time. The audience is distanced from the actor and Benjamin says that they take on the role of a critic as there is no personal contact with the actor This permits the audience to take the position of a critic, without experiencing any personal contact with the actor. The audiences identification with the actor is really an identification with the camera. Consequently the audience takes the position of the camera; its approach is that of testing. This is not the approach to which cult values may be exposed (Benjamin p13). The audience do not stand back and admire this art form and therefore it can be said that film has a ltered arts very nature and in this way it promotes the detachment of film from the realm of the beautiful semblance which, so far, had been taken to be the only sphere where art could thrive (Benjamin p15) The mechanical reproduction of film changes many of the original notions on art. One of the most radical ideas contributed by film is the promotion of a revolutionary criticism of traditional concepts of art (Benjamin p15) In Benjamins mind, the production of film is the ultimate expression of the aestheticsation of politics as it was revolutionary and changed the way in which people interpreted and saw the outside world. The invention of film allowed people to escape for a short time ultimately masking them from reality. Benjamin realized that film had the power to be used for political purposes and that it was well suited to propaganda. Film had the power to attract and hold the attention of the audience in order to shape their beliefs on the dominant political ideology without questioning. Its apparatus is perfectly suited for propaganda in both a positive and negative way. In fascism, film was used to celebrate the cult leader with whom the masses could identify without being urged to denounce social inequality. (Van den Braembussche 2009 p189) Benjamin also discusses another way in which mechanical reproduction affects society by discussing the change in the social status gap. Before mechanical reproduction a work of art would be a singular object unique by its individuality. Important works of art would be kept in private dwellings by someone of high social status and other places such as cathedrals, castles or private museums. These works of art would be inaccessible to anyone in the lower classes who were considered not worthy of viewing them. These private works of art defined the owners status due to the exclusivity of the art and its exhibition value. Due to mechanical reproduction the value of art took a dramatic shift. A piece of art was valued by its uniqueness and its aura. Today, an image is valued not in its uniqueness but rather in its aesthetic, cultural and social worth. With the introduction of mechanical reproduction the social gap between those who viewed art and those who didnt began to close. There was an increased circulation of images and documents that were very rare and used by the higher classes. Once mechanical reproduction became widespread these rare images and diagrams were shared by all classes increasing public education and thus closing the status gap. Technology meant that art could be reproduced and consumed by the masses, which Benjamin saw as a democratising feature. Benjamin envisioned a time when art was no longer reserved for the elite, but could be enjoyed, discussed and interpreted by anyone (Gentz p116) Benjamin influenced the work of Theodore Adorno. Adorno also wrote about art as having an aura. Adorno agrees with Benjamin in some regards such as that the aura has declined in this age of mechanical reproduction and that the aura of art is declining in the modern era. However he disagrees with Benjamin in other areas such as the reason for this decline. Adorno criticised Benjamins The work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction in a letter he wrote to Benjamin. He critisised the manner in which Benjamin used his concept of aura. Adorno criticises the way Benjamin transfers the concept of magical aura to the autonomous work of art' (Van den Braembussche p189 ) Adorno thought that Benjamin made it appear that only autonomous works of art are characterised by aura.

Exploring ADHD and Available Treatments Essay -- Attention Deficit Hyp

Abstract: This research paper describes ADHD and the treatments available. It discusses the different medications and their side effects and explains the opinions of some doctors for an alternative treatment. The main goal of the writing is to shed some light on the disorder and describe some theories about ADHD. This goal is stated in the thesis which talks about how ADHD cannot be identified exactly, the side effects to the medication are harsh, there are different alternative treatments, and research shows it may be caused from hormones and sleep deprivation. A Normal Life ? Imagine sitting in a fourth grade science class. The teacher is lecturing in the front of the room while a groundskeeper mows the grass outside the window. The mower is buzzing in the student's ears, grasping one students' attention, taking it away from the teacher's discussion. Slowly the mower begins to move further away until it is completely out of sight. The attention returns to the teacher, whose words mumble together. The student begins to feel bored as he begins to swing his feet on the seat in front of him. The student in front of him becomes annoyed by the pitter-patter on her seat, and she yelps with anger. The attention slides back into the class, where something new and interesting is happening. The teacher stops her lecture, making this student the center of attention. It may be negative attention, but it's something that holds the student's interest. This type of thing happens normally to this student, so he is used to it. Besides, this isn't his fault; everyone kno ws he has ADHD, anyway he can't help but act like this. It's just how some kids are, right? Normally his mother makes him take his pills, but today he threw them out becaus... ...w.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhd.cfm#adhd8 Ritalin side effects and warnings (2004). PDR. Retrieved March 26, 2004, from Medical Economics web site: http://www.fromthepines.com/ritalin.html Schneebaum, Ron M.D. (March 2000). Where did Ritalin come from? Retrieved March 23, 2004, from massnews web site: http://www.massnews.com/past_issues/other/3_Mar/ad5mar.htm Smith, Lawrence T. (2004). The truth behind ADHD . FDA facts national ? institutes of health consensus. Retrieved March 22, 2004, from FDA web site: http://www.ritalindeath.com/ Stein, David B. (1999). 1999. 1st ed, pg 6-32. Ritalin is not ? the answer:a drug-free, practical program for children diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. Retreived March 16, 2004 Volkow, Nora. (2001). Ritalin facts. Retreived March 20, 2004, from nida publications web site: http://www.nida.nih.gov /Infofax/ritalin.html

Operational Risk Management in Banking Sector: an Overview

ReseaRch PaPeR Commerce Volume : 3 | Issue : 1 | January 2013 | ISSN – 2249-555X Operational Risk Management in Banking Sector: An overview Keywords Rakesh Chutia Assistant, State Bank of India Margheita-786181 Dist. -Tinsukia Assam ABSTRACT Operational risk is inherent in all banking products, activities and processes and systems and the effective management of operational risk is of paramount importance for every bank’s board and senior management.With globalization and deregulation of financial markets, increased competition combined with the advent of high-end, innovative, sophisticated technology tremendous changes have taken place in the products distribution channels and service delivery mechanism of the banking sector. These have introduced more complexities into the banking operations and consequently the risk patterns and profiles of the industry have also become complex, diverse and catastrophic. The New Capital Adequacy Framework of the Reserve Bank of India requires bank to maintain capital explicitly towards operational risk.This paper tries to study the various methodologies used by the banks in their operational risk management activity and to study the regulatory framework related to operational risk management. Introduction Since the late 1990s, globalization, deregulation, consolidation, outsourcing, breaking of geographical barriers by use of sophisticated technology, growth of e-commerce etc. have significantly changed the business, economic and regulatory climate of the banking sector. These developments introduced more complexities into the activities of banks and their risk profiles.Consequently a series of high profile operational loss events at Societe Generale, UBS, AIB, and National Australia Bank etc. have led banks and their managements world over to increasingly view operational risk management as an integral part of their risk management activity like the management of market risk and credit risk. The identification and measurement of operational risk is a significant issue for modern-day banks, particularly since the decision by the  Basel Committee on Banking Supervision  (BCBS) to introduce a capital charge for this risk as part of the new capital adequacy framework (Basel II).Operational risk has been defined by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision as the risk of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people and systems or from external events. This definition is based on the underlying causes of operational risk. It seeks to identify the causes of a loss event and at the broadest level includes the breakdown by four causes: people, processes, systems and external factors. Operational risk may materialise directly, e. g. , in electronic fund transfer (transfer of funds to the wrong person) or could result indirectly as a credit or market loss.Since there is a close linkage of operational risk with other types of risks, it is very important for banks to first have a clear understanding of the concept of operational risk before designing the appropriate operational risk measurement and management framework. Different types of operational risk in Banking Sector The Basel Committee has identified the following types of operational risk events as having the potential to result in substantial losses for banks: †¢ Internal fraud. For example, intentional misreporting of positions, employee theft, and insider trading on an employee’s own account. Externalfraud. Forexample,robbery,forgery,chequekiting, and damage from computer hacking. †¢ Employment practices and workplace safety. For example, workers compensation claims, violation of employee health and safety rules, organised labour activities, discrimination claims, and general liability. †¢ Clients, products and business practices. For example, fiduciary breaches, misuse of confidential customer information, improper trading activities on the bank’s account, mon ey laundering, and sale of unauthorized products. Damagetophysicalassets. Forexample,terrorism,vandalism, earthquakes, fires and floods. †¢ Business disruption and system failures. For example, hardware and software failures, telecommunication problems, and utility outages. †¢ Execution,deliveryandprocessmanagement. Forexample: data entry errors, collateral management failures, incomplete legal documentation, and unauthorized access given to client accounts, non-client counterparty misperformance, and vendor disputes. OPERATIONAL RISKMANAGEMENT PROCESS: Operational Risk management generally encompasses the process of identifying risks to the bank, measuring exposures to those risks), ensuring that an effective capital planning and monitoring programme is in place, monitoring risk exposures and corresponding capital needs on an ongoing basis, taking steps to control or mitigate risk exposures. †¢ Identification of operational risk. Banks should identify and assess the operational risk inherent in all products, services,activities,processesandsystems. You can read also Portfolio Management QuizzesEffectiverisk identification should consider both internal factors (such as the bank’s structure, the nature of the bank’s activities, the quality of the bank’s human resources, organizational changes and employee turnover) and external factors (such as changes in the industry and technological advances) that could adversely affect the achievement of the bank’s objectives. †¢ AssessmentofOperationalRisk. Inadditiontoidentifying the risk events, banks should assess their vulnerability to these risk events.Effective risk assessment allows a bank to better understand its risk profile and most effectively target risk management resources. Amongst the possible tools that may be used by banks for assessing operational risk are: ? Self Risk Assessment: A bank assesses its operations and activities against a menu of potential operational risk vulnerabilities. This process is internally driven and often incorporate s checklists and/or workshops to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the operational risk environment. 6 X INDIAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH ReseaRch PaPeR Risk Mapping: In this process, various business units, organizational functions or process flows are mapped by risk type. This exercise can reveal areas of weakness and help prioritise subsequent management action. ? Key Risk Indicators: Key risk indicators are statistics and/ or metrics, often financial, which can provide insight into a bank’s risk position. Such indicators may include the number of failed trades, staff turnover rates and the frequency and/or severity of errors and omissions. †¢ Measurement. A key element of risk management is measuring the size and scope of the bank’s risk exposures.However, there is no clearly established, single method to measure operational risk on a bank-wide basis. Banks may develop risk assessment techniques that are appropriate to the size and complexities of the ir portfolio, their resources and data availability. A good assessment model must cover certain standard features. An example is the â€Å"matrix† approach in which losses are categorized according to the type of event and the business line in which the event occurred. Banks may quantify their exposure to operational risk using a variety of approaches.Forexample,dataonabank’shistoricallossexperience could provide meaningful information for assessing the bank’s exposure to operational risk and developing a policy to mitigate/control the risk. †¢ MonitoringofOperationalRisk. Aneffectivemonitoring process is essential for adequately managing operational risk. Banks should implement a process to regularly monitor operational risk profiles and material exposures to losses. In addition to monitoring operational loss events, banks should identify appropriate indicators that provide early warning of an increased risk of futurelosses.Such indicators should be forwar d-looking and could reflect potential sources of operational risk such as rapid growth, the introduction of new products, employee turnover, transaction breaks, system downtime, and so on. There should be regular reporting of pertinent informationtoseniormanagementandtheBoardofDirectors that supports the proactive management of operational risk †¢ Controls/MitigationofOperationalRisk. Withregardto operational risk, several methods may be adopted for mitigatingtherisk. Forexample,lossesthatmightarise on account of natural disasters can be insured against.Losses that might arise from business disruptions due to telecommunication or electrical failures can be mitigated by establishing redundant backup facilities. Loss due to internal factors, like employee fraud or product flaws, which may be difficult to identify and insure against, can be mitigated through strong internal auditing procedures. The Board of Directors and senior management must make efforts for establishing a stron g internal control culture in which control activities are an integral part of the regular activities of a bank.Banks should periodically review their risk limitation and control strategies and should adjust their operational risk profile accordingly using appropriate strategies, in light of their overall risk appetite and profile. Investment in appropriate processing technology and information technology security are also important for risk mitigation. Banks should also have in place contingency and business continuity plans to ensure their ability to operate on an ongoing basis and limit losses in the event of severe business disruption.OPERATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT APPROACHES IN BASEL II The Basel framework (2004) proposes a range of approaches for setting aside regulatory capital for operational risk under Pillar 1: The Basic Indicator Approach (BIA), The Standardised Approach(TSA)andtheAdvancedMeasurementApproach (AMA). Allthethreeapproachesdifferintheircomplexityand the banks ar e encouraged to move along the spectrum of approaches as they obtain more sophistication in their risk management practices.The Basic Indicator Approach is the simplest approach for estimating regulatory capital, wherein Volume : 3 | Issue : 1 | January 2013 | ISSN – 2249-555X banks are required to set apart an amount equal to the average over the previous three years of 15% of positive annual gross income. In The Standardised Approach, banks’ activities are divided into eight business lines: Corporate finance, Trading & Sales, Retail Banking, Commercial Banking, Payment & Settlement, Agency Services, Asset Management and Retail Brokerage.While gross income continues to be the main indicator of operational risk as under the Basic Indicator Approach, the specific amount to be set apart as a percentage of the gross income varies between business lines, ranging from 12 to 18% , as compared to the 15% overall under the Basic Indicator Approach. This approach is more refine d than the Basic Indicator Approach as it takes into the account the fact that some business lines are riskier than others and therefore a higher proportion of capital has to be set apart for those business lines.The Advanced MeasurementApproach(AMA)isbasedonthebanks’internalmodels to quantify operational risk. The framework gives flexibility to the banks in the characteristics of the choice of internal models, though it requires banks to demonstrate that the operational risk measures meet a soundness standard comparable to a one-year holding period and a 99. 9% confidence level, which means that a bank’s capital charge should be equal to at least 99. 9% quantile of their annual aggregate loss distribution.Banks are required to factor in four key elementsindesigningtheirAdvancedMeasurementApproach framework: internal loss data, external loss data, scenario analysis and bank specific business environmental and internal control factors. The methodologies under the advanc ed approach are evolving and there are a range of methods in practice in banks internationally. OPERATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF INDIAN BANKING SECTOR: The Reserve Bank of India is the regulator and supervisor of the banking system in India and is entrusted with the task of framing the capital adequacy guidelines for banks in India under Basel II.Public sector banks, where the Government of India is the major shareholder, dominate the Indian banking system, accounting for nearly three-fourths of total assets and income. These banks are large and very old banks, operating through thousands of branches spread all over the country. The new private sector banks are fully automated from day-one and operate like other high-tech foreign banks. The private sector banks have grown rapidly since the onset of reforms and have increased their share in total assets of the banking industry, whereas the public sector banks have witnessed shrinkage in their market share.The public sect or banks have only recently started automating their processes and operations. This transition has posed significant challenges in the management of operational risk to the banks as introduction of new technology and complete overhauling of the existing systems requires a re-engineering of business processes, training of manpower, audit in a computerized environment and other related operational risk challenges. The new generation private sector banks on the other hand have to deal with the risks arising from growth at a scorchingpace.WiththereformsintheIndianbankingsectorand banks being allowed to access new markets and sophisticated products, the Reserve Bank of India has also been repeatedly advising the banks to have in place an effective and resilient control framework in place to manage operational risks. Specific guidance on management of operational risk has also been issued as per which some banks; especially the larger and internationally active banks are expected to move along the range towards more sophisticated pproaches as they develop more sophisticated operational risk management systems and practices which meet the prescribed qualifying criteria. Conclusion: ManagingOperationalRiskisemergingasanimportantelement of sound risk management practice in modern day banks in the wake of phenomenal increase in volume of transactions, high degree of structural changes and complex technological support systems. RBI expects all Indian banks to strengthen their operation risk management system and to INDIAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH X 7 ReseaRch PaPeR e in readiness to graduate to more sophisticated approaches of operational risk management under Basel norms. In order to derive maximum gains banks need to gear up efforts for speedy and effective implementation of comprehensive Volume : 3 | Issue : 1 | January 2013 | ISSN – 2249-555X operational risk management frameworks and thereby bring more efficiency, transparency, profitability and sustainabi lity into their operations. REFERENCE Reserve Bank of India, Department of Banking Operations and Development, Central Office, Mumbai, (2005), â€Å"Draft guidance note on management of operational risk†, 2.Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (August, 2003) â€Å"The Joint Forum Operational risk transfer across financial sectors†, 3. Usha, Janaki, Raman, (2008) â€Å"Operational Risk Management in Indian Banks in the Context of Basel II: A Survey of the State of Preparedness and Challenges in Developing the Framework†, 4. Rao, D, Tripati and Ghosh, Prodipta, (2008) â€Å"Preparedness of Indian Banks in Managing Operational Risk†, 5. Kale, Ketan and Agarwal, Mohit, Marsh India, (2011) â€Å"Operational Risk Mitigation & Basel II Accord – Challenges & Opportunities†. 8 X INDIAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH

Probation and Parole

Probation and Parole Despite the fact that probation and parole are not similar terms of supervision, the media and public have always missed that fact. However, there are several similarities and differences between two terms. As a matter of fact, probation occurs when an offender happen to be released into the community without serving any prison sentence, however, kept under supervision.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Probation and Parole specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More On the other hand, parole refers to when an individual serving a term of incarceration get released into the community, but still remains under supervision. As such, both cases refer to a managed supervision of the victims. In this paper, the author discusses three similarities and three differences between probation and parole. Similarities of Probation and Parole As mentioned earlier, both parole and probation refer to conditions implemented in order to su pervise victims of crime out of prison facilities. Crime victims get free to join the society, where they have to complete their terms under supervision (Figgis, 1998). However, various conditions manage their release, and when the conditions become violated; a term of incarceration may be imposed on the victim. As such, community correction agencies have the duty of ensuring that offenders remain liable to these conditions, as well as, encourage them to change their behavior (Thigpen, Thomas, George, Michael, 2003). Therefore, both parole and probation get implemented to allow for compliance and rehabilitation of offenders. In order to allow offenders to change by themselves, probation and parole should be implemented for victims that do not cause immense insecurity to the public (Thigpen et al., 2003). As such, the implementation of probation and parole allows for the gradual change of offenders. Furthermore, parole and probation became key factors of managing the behavior of off enders within the community setting. Over the decades, especially during the 1980s, crime activities gradually increased. As a result, several victims of crime have constantly been sent to prisons in order to serve their terms away from the society. This ensured that the public remains safe from danger posed by untamed individuals. In the long-run, prison facilities became overcrowded and prison management became impossible to handle. In connection to that, the cost of managing prisons rose towards unacceptable levels in several states.Advertising Looking for research paper on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More According to Pew Center on the States (2009), parole and probation significantly reduces prison overcrowding, as well as, the associated costs of running the facilities (Figgis, 1998). In 2008, for example, explosive growth in the cost of running prisons became unusually high and strategies to co ntrol the effect had to be implemented. The same year, $5,672 million accounted for prison spending while only $788 million accounted for probation and parole expenditure (Pew Center on the States, 2009). Therefore, it becomes evident that both parole and probation plays a key role in reducing the cost of government spending in correctional facilities as compared to incarceration. As much as supervision of parole and probation matters, there are several similarities that link two processes. In both cases, the offenders have to report to an officer during the whole supervision program. Parolees have to report to parole officers, while individuals on probation reports to probation officers. Relevant sources show that 60 parolees became assigned to one parole officer, while probation officers had more than 100 probation victims to supervise (Pew Center on the States, 2009). Table 1.0 highlights the basic similarities that exist in the conditions governing offenders on parole and probat ion respectively. Probation Parole Offender reports to a probation officer on scheduled basis. There are several guiding and counseling sessions, as well as, anger management lessons. Drug and alcohol treatment makes part of the supervision program. Advices on finding and maintaining employment. Offenders advised to abstain from making crimes (Figgis, 1998). Offender reports to a parole officer on scheduled basis. There are several guiding and counseling sessions, as well as, anger management lessons. Drug and alcohol treatment makes part of the supervision program. Advices on finding and maintaining employment. Offenders advised to abstain from committing any other crimes and keep off other guilty offenders. Figure 1.0: Key similarities between Probation and Parole. Differences between Probation and Parole Besides the fact that probation and parole happen to be implemented by established laws, several variations exist between the practices. In probation, for instanc e, local judges impose probation on offenders that do not pose extremely high dangers to the public (Figgis, 1998). As such, offenders proven guilty by the court happen to be released into the society under specified conditions for some determined length of time. In this scenario, guilty offenders receive an alternative charge of incarceration as long as the offender adheres to the imposed conditions. The offender will remain under supervision, which, mostly continues for the whole probation period after passing of the probation sentence. In that case, the court still assumes several responsibilities such as supervising, changing terms, revoking probation and imposing an incarceration.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Probation and Parole specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In parole, on the other hand, inmates happen to be released into the society after serving part of their terms with an improvement in their behaviors (Bradley, Michael, 2001). In this scenario, the parole board assumes all the responsibilities of controlling the behavior of the parolees. Where a parolee violates the terms and conditions of the parole, the parole may be revoked and another incarceration imposed on the victim (Bradley, Michael, 2001). Hence, probation involves a decision made before the imprisonment of an offender, while parole involves the liberation of inmates from jail in order to serve their remaining part of sentence within the community. In the two scenarios, the decisions reached at depend on the degree of crime committed and behavior of the offender during the initial term respectively. In connection to that, parole can be considered as a privilege for an individual serving a minimum and a maximum term. This can be realized when the convict has already served the minimum term and an improvement in character observed over the period. Hence, the individual qualifies for a chance to complete the r est of the term out of prison. This decision arises through a hearing by a parole board, unlike in probation where the judge makes the final decision (Bradley, Michael, 2001). Furthermore, probation accounts for part of the punishment made by a judge, while parole refers to supervision imposed after a term that already existed. According to relevant sources, parole allows the smooth transition of prison inmates into the society, while probation guides first offenders to limit the chances of committing other crimes. As established, probation and parole give offenders the chance to prove that one’s character may be improved. On the contrary, failure of meeting the conditions may result in even worse terms and further incarceration. To conclude, it is possible to say that parole and probation serve the same purpose of improving the behavior of an offender before reuniting with the society. Reference List Bradley, K., Michael, O. (2001). The Role of Parole. Retrieved from the C ommunity Resources for Justice. Web. Figgis, H. (1998). Probation: An Overview. Retrieved from the NSW Parliamentary Library Research Service. Web.Advertising Looking for research paper on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Pew Center on the States. (2009). One In 31: The Long Reach of American Corrections. Retrieved from the Pew Charitable Trusts. Web. Thigpen, M., Thomas, B., George, K., Michael, G. (2003). Motivating Offenders to Change: A guide for Probation and Parole. Retrieved from the National Institute of Corrections. Web.

Pressing and Pressure

Pressing and Pressure Pressing and Pressure Pressing and Pressure By Mark Nichol Press and all the words containing it as a root, as well as a few disguised words from the same source word, pertain in some sense to applying force. This post lists many of the words stemming from the Latin verb premere, meaning â€Å"cover† or â€Å"hold fast,† and its descendant pressare. Press itself means â€Å"cluster,† â€Å"exert force,† â€Å"push forward,† and â€Å"squeeze out.† As a noun, it refers to a device for applying force, including a printing press, from which influence the word came to describe the collective entity of print media (and later all journalistic media). In that sense, in such phrases as â€Å"press conference,† it also acquired adjectival form. It also applies to an approach to applying force, as in a defensive strategy in basketball such as the full-court press. A press is also a crowd or an acting of crowding together. Pressure is the application of force. As a verb, pressure means â€Å"apply force,† and the verb pressurize refers to injecting a gas into a container in a greater concentration than outside the container (or pertains to designing the container for that purpose). The adjectival form is pressurized, and the act is pressurization. (The corresponding antonymic forms are depressurize and so on.) The adjective â€Å"high pressure† denotes a literal or figurative situation in which force is applied, often in the context of its effect on an individual, as when referring to a high-pressure job. Tension or pain resulting from such situations can be alleviated by acupressure, a therapeutic application of pressure to points of the body. (One form of acupressure, developed in Japan, is called shiatsu- literally, â€Å"finger pressure.†) To compress is to push against or together, or to reduce as if by doing so, and something compressed undergoes compression. As a noun, it describes a piece of cloth applied to a body part, especially an injured one, as treatment, or pertains to a device that compresses; an example of the latter might, alternatively, be called a compressor, such as a machine that compresses air to provide force for a tool. To reverse compression is to decompress. Depress, by contrast, means â€Å"push down.† By extension, word also came to apply to lowering someone’s spirits or reducing value. The adjective for all senses is depressive, and depression describes an act of depressing or a physical alteration of a landform or an object that leaves one area or part lower than the rest; the word also has astronomical, mathematical, and meteorological senses. (The historical period of economic distress that lasted roughly throughout the 1930s throughout the world is called the Depression or the Great Depression.) Depressant is a synonym for sedative, and a medication intended to alleviate depression is an antidepressant. Express means â€Å"expel† or â€Å"push out† (hence the borrowed Italian word espresso, which refers to coffee brewed with steam pressure), but it also came to mean â€Å"put into words† or â€Å"represent.† Something that can be expressed in the former senses is expressible, and the latter connotations are represented by the adjective expressive. (The antonyms are inexpressible and inexpressive.) The adverb expressly, however, means â€Å"plainly.† Something expressed is an expression, including an attitude or emotion signaled by the way one’s face is shaped by movement of one’s eyebrows, mouth, and so on. (Expressive also describes something that reveals attitudes and emotions.) Express itself came to be employed as an adjective meaning â€Å"implied,† and both as an adjective and adverb, it refers to a special condition or treatment; for example, an express train is one that travels directly from one station to another, bypassing intermediate stops. In this sense, the word also serves as a noun, as when sending a package by a rapid delivery method. A system of doing so is called an express, and the word used to apply to a messenger employed to deliver something quickly. An expressway, meanwhile, is a thoroughfare with a minimum of exits or intersections. Impress refers to having an emotional or physical effect or influence. Something that leaves a positive emotional impression because it is aesthetically pleasing or demonstrates achievement is impressive. An impression may be an effect or influence, an uncertain or unclear belief or idea, or an appearance or suggestion; the word also refers to an emotional or physical application, such as fixing a personality trait or stamping an object. (The use of press and impressment to refer to an act of forced labor or military service is unrelated; the source of these terms is the Latin verb praestare, meaning â€Å"stand before.†) To oppress is to push against, to repress is to push back, and to suppress is to push down; the adjectival forms add -ive, and actions are indicated with the inflection -ion. All three terms often pertain to using despotic force against people agitating for freedom or rights. Repress and suppress also apply to excluding emotions or thoughts from one’s consciousness. Oppress may also apply to an emotional or spiritual burden. One who, because of a buoyant or determined personality, seemingly cannot be repressed is described as being irrepressible, and a suppressant is a drug that controls or prevents a reaction or state. Print (and imprint) are disguised relations of the press family, as is imprimatur; that word (New Latin for â€Å"let it be printed) originally applied to a printing or publishing license authorized by the Catholic Church, and later referred to approval to do so in general and then, by extension, pertained to any type of approval or a mark of approval. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Yours faithfully or Yours sincerely?"Have" vs "Having" in Certain Expressions10 Functions of the Comma

Concept and components of business cycles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Concept and components of business cycles - Essay Example Whenever talks are made concerning the economic or business fluctuations, notions of aggregate economic income or output is anticipated. This is because, while business cycles are expressed in terms of fluctuations in GDP, there is usually an accompaniment by labor unemployment rate fluctuations too (Parkin, 2012). However, economists have often noted that there is variation in the lengths of a complete business cycle, as the duration may range from between two to twelve years, but averagely six years. Business cycles are significant in the sense that they highlight the economic relationships that exists in the economy. For instance, while growth in the economy will fall and rise with cycles, it generates a long-term trend line for growth. Economic growth above the trend line would result in a fall in the unemployment rate. Based on Okun’s Law, a 1% rise in GDP above the trend line would result in a 0.5% decline in the employment (Parkin & Bade, 2001). A business cycle is often comprised of four main stages that form its components. These are the recession (trough), contraction, recovery and expansion, and growth (peak). Even though the concept of the business cycle is used in relation to the larger economy, its phases can be applied to several sections of the business or a particular industry. The expansion and recovery phase relates to the period in which the business is rising, and consumer confidence is growing in the economy. As such, companies seize the opportunity to expand, and incomes and spending rates increase. This period is often associated with significant aggregate increase in factors such as total income, output, trade and employment rates. It persists for approximately six months, and is characterized by a widespread expansion of economic units/sectors in the economy. An extended period of this phase results in a boom in which the

Cased based essay- Treatment, rationale and management of the iskemic Essay

Cased based - Treatment, rationale and management of the iskemic ulcer - Essay Example Other important findings in the history include presence of intermittent claudication of the left lower limb since one year. John is a chronic smoker. He decreased smoking since one year after onset of claudication symptoms, following advice from a physician. However, he has not been able to completely quit smoking. During the current visit to the hospital, there is no history of fever or any other symptoms. The patient complains that the onset of ulcer started after he began to wear new slip-on shoes with narrow toe box. The patient reported being allergic to penicillin. There is no history suggestive of occupational injury, trauma, varicose veins, previous history of lower limb wounds/ulcers/gangrene, history of amputations and history of any other surgeries. There is no family history of similar ulcers either. The patient is not suffering from any collagen diseases. He is not on any anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids. The condition of the patient is stable. He is afebrile. He looks well nourished. Vitals signs are stable. Systemic examination is within normal limits. The ulcer is located over the lateral malleolus of the left leg. The size of the ulcer is 3cm in length, 2 cm in width and about 0.5 cm in depth. The borders are regular and the wound appears punched out and clean. The color of the ulcer is yellowish. There is minimal granulation tissue. The exudate from the ulcer is mainly serous and minimal. The surrounding skin appears pale, non-edematous, shiny and has decreased hair. Dorsalis pedis pulsation appears normal. Lower extremity ulcers are very common in patients with diabetes and infact, these are the most common causes for limb amputation in diabetic population (Armstrong and Lavery, 1998). Factors which contribute to the development of ulcers in the diabetic population are diabetic neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease and structural deformity (Armstrong and Lavery, 1998). From a podiatrician perspective, it is very