Impact of Weather on Dengue Disease

Impact of Weather on Dengue Disease Dengue is the most tropical infectious disease that is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The dengue disease incidence rises as a serious public health problem with 2.1 billion people at risk. In Malaysia, the dengue disease over the last 40 years has become worst epidemic in the countrys history. This study aimed to analyses relationship between weather parameters and increase of dengue incidence among university Putra Malaysia students, to identify the direct or indirect effect of weather on dengue incidence and to determine the relationship of dengue disease located in UPM (SERDANG). The objective of this study was to assess the effect of meteorological parameters variation on the dengue virus transmission between UPM students. We obtained data on monthly weather parameters including relative humidity and median mean temperature and rainfall amount and monthly dengue cases. Analysis was conducting by employing correlation and regression, plotting. A total of 7 years of den gue occurrences since 2005 to 2011 were plotted, 2005 and 2010 were the highest years with dengue cases rates while, 2006 and 2007 were the lowest dengue incident rates. Analysis of monthly mean temperature data for UPM indicated that the months which having very warm days has higher dengue rates while, the precipitation months has more direct effect on these rates. On the other hand, humidity is the most factors have highest impact on dengue incidence between UPM students. Keywords:  Weather impact, dengue incidence, UPM students. INTRODUCTION Dengue fever (DF) and Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) possess recurred as 1980s and rapidly come to be a main epidemiological menace worldwide; especially in South East Asia and Western Pacific Region. Dengue fever is rampant in more than 120 countries alongside approximated 2.4 billion populations at the chance and annual dengue infection of 52 million cases according to World Health Organization, (WHO, 2005). Of this, Asia Pacific Area shares the biggest burden of dengue alongside approximated above 75% of the 2.5 billion populaces at chance living in the region. As yet, the particular causes for the re-emergence of dengue are not completely comprehended. Though, the U.S. centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recognized factors such as weather factors and accelerated urbanization, poor areas, increased global excursion, and lack of competent vector manipulation arrangement as a few of the main determinants that possess gave globe rise of DE/DHF as a main area condition burd en (U.S. C.D.C.P,2007). In Malaysia Dengue considered as endemic disease with four serotypes of dengue viruses. Dengue is the most threaten disease to public health in Malaysia. Around the world 50 million cases are reported each year about the dengue disease infection (WHO, 1999). Dengue is endemic in Malaysia the first case was recognized in Penang 1902, while the first dengue hemorrhagic fever outbreak was reported in 1962, likewise in Penang (Ska, 2006). . In the year 2005 MALAYSIA experienced the worst past outbreak of dengue incidence alongside 326.5 cases each 100,000 populations. The overall dengue cases in Malaysia augmented from (39,597 person) and (84 person deaths) in 2009 to (45,037 person) and (133 person deaths) in 2010 (HM, 2010). It is notifiable that Selangor state has the highest (dengue cases) followed by (Johor and Sarawak) for 2010 (MOH, 2010). The urban and also rural areas of Malaysia are the greatest predominant habitations for the spread of the (yellow fever mosquito) species which is Aedes aegypti (Mohd et al., 2006). The mosquitoes of yellow fever can be found in the area of stagnant water and also in severe drainage (Mohd et al., 2006). The patients of dengue will suffer symptoms include vomiting, rashes on the skin, headache, nausea and muscle pain (NCID, 2005). Recent Studies have shown that temperature could have an impact on feeding characteristics, population size, maturation period and survival rate of Aedes mosquitoes and pupae, and larvae mature female mosquitoes mortality rate as a function of temperature Between 11  °C and 42 °C. (Hii, Y et al .2009). Many Studies shown that the high temperature have an impact on the population magnitude and maturation period, the survival rate of Aedes mosquitoes and the Feed characteristics. Aedes mosquitoes on temperature which ranging from 16 °C to 31 °C, experience lower mortality rates , a study in French Guiana illustrated that at favourable environment condition Aedes mosquitoes capable to live 76 days . On the other hand, heavy rain decrease survival rate of female mosquitoes and destroys larvae in short time but in long term, it creates plentiful breeding resources. Simultaneously, Aedes mosquitoes at a higher temperature 32 °C rises feeding frequency more than twofold compared to the temperature at 24 °C. Extremely Low rainfall rates will increase surroundings temperature, usage of water storage and water and air-coolers may serve as breeding habitats. Finding the relationship between weather factors mainly (temperature, rainfall, humidity) It can be useful for prioritizing prevention in public health sector decision making.. A threat prediction of dengue outbreak can be produced so local health officials can expect the number of cases and make proper strategy to control it. Example The dengue disease epidemic has become more serious problem in serdang with increasing about 14 percents for 2011 (Mstar, 2011). Selangor state recorded highest cases of dengue incidence compared to other states (MOH, 2010). For Seri Kembangan area, the dengue disease epidemic noted the 75 cases on 2009 while for year 2010, a total of 158 cases were reported (Mstar, 2011). The major source of Aedes mosquito breeding is in factories, abandoned housing projects, from the construction sites and vacant plots land (Thammapalo et al., 2001). The aim of this study an association amid dengue incidence and mean temperature, humidity and rain also more discuss how meteorological conditions impact on the rise of dengue in Universiti Putra Malaysia across the period 2005-2011 and to identify the most high risk years with dengue incidence. The result of this study will be highlighting the connection between dengue cases and weather parameters within Seri kambangan 2005 2011. Health sector planners and policy makers benefit from this kind of studies as it generates useful information which further can be used for the creation of schematic approaches for disease prevention, interceptive studies and control programmes. This study is important as it can help in delaying or reducing the incidence of disease and its related socioeconomic implications at the individual and the community level as a whole. Results achieved were used to recognize the patterns of dengue cases and the degree of dependence of dengue incidences on the weather parameters. In this study, we tried to provide additional details on relationship between dengue rates with weather parameters. Attention was focused on four years with lowest dengue incidence (2006 and 2007) also the highest two years with dengue cases (2005 and 2010) were inspected, and statistical analysis has been done to find evidence on the degree of correlation between the dengue and climate factors (precipitation, relative humidity ,temperature). METHODOLOGY 2.1 Study area Universiti Putra Malaysia is a public school which is approximately 22 km south of capital city Kuala Lumpur by road which located at latitude of 2 °59 ´57Ë  N and longitude of 101 °42 ´28Ë  E. The main campus of UPM is located at Serdang, Selangor state which cover an area of 1,200 hectares of spectacular natural landscape and the topography is between 49m to 52m above sea level (figure 1). Universiti Putra Malaysia has a population of 29,724 in first semester of 2011/ 2012 session. The staff population is 6,100 that include academic, non-academic and sporting staff while that of student is 23,624 which include post graduate and undergraduate students. Out of the total population of students, only 14,108 are residing on campus while others stay off campus. The Malaysian peninsula has a typical equatorial climate characterized by constantly high annual temperature and heavy rainfall. Temperature range is practically the same all over Malaysian peninsula throughout the year and is only governed by the height of the land above sea level; there are important differences in the amount and seasonal distribution of the rainfall in different part of the country. An average mean rainfall is about 2489mm which distributed throughout the year, with the bulk of the rain concentrated in the month of October and November, and its rains comparatively less in May to September (dry season) than October to April (wet season).Monthly average temperature are high on the month of April and May while December and January are the months with the low average temperature. Mean daily dry season (May to August) temperature range from 31 °C to 34 °C and the mean daily wet season (November to February) temperature range from 29 °C to 32 °C. 2.2 Data Source The Weather parameters data of UPM (2005- 2011) was obtained from Malaysian meteorological department (MMD). Temperature had estimated This data was distributed into monthly data per year. This parameters which include (rainfall, humidity, mean maximum temperature) has been used to understand degree of dengue fever dependence on weather parameters (Morrison et al., 1998). Dengue epidemiological data monthly basis and annually was obtained from UPM PUSAT KESIHATAN from (2005 to 2011). dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) or dengue fever (DF) were recognized as clinical dengue cases with confirmed laboratory blood tests of dengue viral infection of any serotypes Under the Infectious Diseases Act in Malaysia, it is needed for all medical practitioner must inform all confirmed or recognized dengue cases within 24 hours to the Ministry of health. (Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act 1988). The only data which obtained from UPM PUSAT KESIHATAN were number of monthly and annual cases. 2.3 statistical analyses All the dengue cases were plotted in the graph by using Minitab 16 version. Calculating and investigating the variability of rainfall, humidity and temperature indices, creating scatter plots and charts of Dengue fever cases against meteorological conditions variables, correlation analysis.( Amarakoon et al.,2004). Here we analysed the association of rainfall and temperature, Humidity alongside dengue transmission in every single year in University Putra Malaysia. We only exclude 3 years owing to the very small dengue cases. The cases of dengue disease were examined includes geographic distribution and spatial gender distribution (Srivastava et al., 2009). The purpose of geographic distribution is to determine the distribution of dengue cases among Kuantan district. Apart from that, the gender distribution was categorized into two groups which were male and female. The statistical significant between both gender were analyzed by using t-test. 2.3.1 Spatial distribution The spatial distribution of dengue incidence within concession of Kuantan was observed. The spatial autocorrelation method measures the relationship among values of variable according to the spatial arrangement of the values (Chang, 2010). The Morans I method was selected to test whether the dengue cases within Kuantan district is spatially correlated or not (Er et al., 2010). The area units where numerical ratio or interval data were available were the area where the Morans I normally applied (Nakhapakorn Jirakajohnkool, 2006). It considers both point locations and variation of an attribute at the location and finally it can evaluate whether the pattern of dengue cases within Kuantan district were clustered, dispersed or random. The Morans I measure can be compute by (Er et al., 2010): Where N is the number of cases, is the mean variables, is the variable value at particular location I, Xj is the variable value at another location j, and Wij is a weight indexing location of I relative to j. in Morans I range, a strong negative spatial autocorrelation is in the range of -1 and a strong positive autocorrelation is in the range +1. The value 0 means it is spatially random pattern. 2.3.2 Distance Analysis The Average Nearest Neighbour (ANN) is one of the techniques for point distance analysis. It was used to analyzed the distance between each point, to determine whether the point pattern is clustered, random or regular (Clark Evans, 1994). In this study, the ANN was tested to predict whether the dengue incidence is cluster or not. The ANN analysis predicts the distance between each feature centroid and its nearest neighbour centroid. If the average distance is less than 1, the point pattern was considered clustered whereas if the average distance is greater than 1, the point was considered dispersed. The average nearest method is computed by: (1) Where is the observed average distance between each feature and their nearest neighbour. is the expected average distance for features given a random pattern. The average neighbour analysis also can produce the ZANN score, which indicates the likehood that the pattern could be a result of random chance. The ZANN score is computed by: (2) Where: (3) 2.3.3 Buffer analysis Buffering is a system operation that generates zones that consist of area within the specific distance with selected features (Chang, 2010). In this study, buffering was conducted to determine the extended neighbouring buffering method is used. The 500 meter radius of buffer were carried out from the dengue disease cases point as the mosquitoes flies at the maximum distance of 600 meter from the breeding site (Madanayake et al.,2010). A study conducted by de Freitas and de Olivera (2009) found that 50%-90% of female A. Aegypti flew up to 350 meter and 500.2 meter and their maximum displacement was 690 meter. 2.3.4 Hot Spot Prediction The Kernel density estimation interpolation was used to predict the hot spot locality (Jeefoo et al., 2011). Kernel density estimation is one of the method that applied to identify high risk areas within point patterns of disease incidence and also can defines the level of the high risk of that area (Bithell, 1990). Kernel density estimation is an interpolation that compatible for single point locality. The Kernel density estimation is the better hot spot identifier than cluster analysis. It can measures the density of point feature in each of the output raster cell .This method has been applied in previous study on spatial mapping on dengue disease to locate hot spot for dengue cases in the district of Hulu Langat (Er et al., 2010). Jeefoo et al, (2011) has used the kernel density to locate the spatio-temporal diffusion of dengue pattern and prove that the hot spot area have an influence on the spread of an infectious disease. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 3.1. annual Dengue incidence years (2005-2011). During the study time, dengue cases (Fig. 1) increased from 37 cases were reported in year 2006 to 75 cases reported in 2009, after which, annual reported dengue cases have amplified alongside greater temperature and humidity alongside record of 52 cases in year 2008 and peaked in year 2005 alongside 159 cases. The incidence next cut to 40 cases in 2007 and resurged in 2011 alongside 48 cases. In the study period the highest dengue cases were described in August of year 2010 with 44 cases. The extremely months with high dengue occurrence were between July December. Results obtained in this discover are given in tables 1 to 4, and figures 1 to 12. Tables contain results for correlation of dengue occurrences alongside meteorological conditions parameters. While, figures show relationship between weather factors and dengue cases. reveals period sequence of weekly meteorological conditions predictors and dengue cases. Singapore experienced the highest weekly mean temperature of 30.48C in year 2005 followed by 30.38C in year 2002. The highest weekly mean temperature in the discover era was recorded in week 17 of year 2005 alongside zero weekly cumulative precipitation. As the most extended dry spell of 40 dates transpired in the early two months of 2005, highest weekly cumulative precipitation was recorded as 388 mm in week 51 of year 2006. Overall, weekly mean temperature for year 2000-2003 fluctuated from 25.7 to 30.38C; as the scope was 25.530.48C for 20042007. Concurrently, weekly cumulative rain in years 20002003 fluctuated from 0 to 260 mm alongside average 42 mm and the scope was 0388 mm alongside average 44.5 mm for years 20042007. Our results of this study indicates that precipitation and temperature were positively associated with monthly dengue cases informed in University Putra Malaysia (Table 1) which mean they seems to have played an important role in increase of dengue cases . Although, humidity hazy days and foggy days were have suspicious association with dengue cases occurrence but still not powerful as other parameters. 3.2 Correlation and Regression coefficients. Both Humidity and Temperature display positive role in cases number and the humidity shows suspicious response with high significant effect (P-value Correlation results are very significant in relation to mean maximum temperature (P-value = 0.860) and dengue occurrences. It is clear that rainfall associated with dengue cases (R ² = 85.5) which mean 85.5 % rainfall associate with dengue cases. In particular mean median humidity seems to have moderate positive role in dengue transmission compared to the other variables with (P-value = 0.779) and (R ² = 60.7) Figure 1, simplify rainfall amount for year 2006, shows that the precipitation playing very strong contributor factor for increase and decrease of dengue cases, while box plot confirms table 1 results (p-value) which is represents the percentage of total rainfall vs. dengue occurrence. Even though rainfall scale has increased over the last seven decades precipitation does show statistically significant (r square = 92.0 and p- value = 0.970). As shown in Fig. 2, dengue rate has increased linearly with monthly mean temperature at January and December with 7 and 6 cases as temperature increasing; plot confirms that temperature is participating factor of transmission of dengue virus owing to the positive relationship between temperature and dengue cases . Simplify relationship between humidity and dengue cases. As Fig3 illustrated humidity play doubtful contributor of increasing dengue diseases occurrence. From 70.1 % to 71.1% only one case has been recorded, while percentage of fogy months increased cases of dengue rises instantly. At 74.1 per cent 4 cases were informed and 7 dengue cases when humidity reached 76.3%. CONCLUSION The weather factors that affected the rising of dengue disease incidence have been identified, which were the temperature and humidity and rainfall. The study showed that the most weather conditions factors which contributed to the high incidence of dengue cases within UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA area among seven years 2005-2011 were rainfall and temperature which were have very strong correlation with dengue cases. The result of the graphs plot shows that the three studied weather elements where positively associated with increase of dengue cases among students of UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA area and The data presented in this study are important because it give baseline information on the main factors contributed of transmitting dengue virus for a particular zone. It is recommended that collecting forecasting data for the three specific factors to predict potential future cases to make efficient plan to control dengue transmission in case of epidemic and expect the number of dengue occurrence. When these strategies are implemented, the diverse costs associated with dengue cases will decrease. All of these results should be considered in the future patterns prediction of dengue transmission. Early warnings of dengue epidemics based on climate information are effectively communicated to public health decision makers and Climate accounts for some variation in dengue risk, Important to account for confounding factors. For future work incorporate better understanding of disease transmission process. The lack of information about specific factors which playing main role of high dengue disease incidence will lead to improper Vector surveillance and control management in case of dengue outbreak in specific zone and may loss many of lives. Understand connection between weather and dengue transmission will develop capability of national dengue management and diagnostic and impacts assessment of dengue mosquito vectors. The spatial distribution of dengue incidence within Kuantan district for 2011 has been mapped included geographic distribution and gender distribution. The geographic distribution has shown the highest distribution of dengue cases in Kuantan. The gender distribution has revealed that male population has the higher incidence of dengue cases. The buffer analysis was conducted to see the most high risk area for dengue fever incidence. It was identified that the high risk area were 500 meter radius from the dengue cases incidence. By using the statistical analysis, the pattern of spatial distribution of dengue incidence can be determined by spatial autocorrelation and was supported by distance analysis. The hot spot locations for dengue incidence were located by using kernel density estimation. As a conclusion, the Geographic Information System (GIS) provided a very useful tool in the health mapping. Furthermore, the GIS has played an important tool for effective surveillance and prediction of the dengue outbreak in order to reduce the number of dengue cases. Acknowledgement The author thanks to University Putra Malaysia (UPM), Kuantan District Health Office Pahang, Department of Town and Country Planning ,Kuantan who provided the data and advices. Anker, M. Arima, Y. 2011. Male-female differences in the number of reported incident dengue fever cases in six Asian countries. Western Pacific Surveillance and Response Journal. 2:2. doi:10.5365/wpsar.2011.2.1.002. Barrera, R., Delgado, N. Rogi, M.G., (2000). Stratification of a city with hyperendemic dengue hemmorrhagic fever. Retrieved on 6th November, 2010 from http://www.popline.org/docs/1354/153852.html Bithell, J.K. 1990. An Application of density estimation to geographical epidemiology. Statistics in Medicine.,9,691-701 Chang, K.T. 2010. Introduction of Geographical Information System. New York: McGraw Hill. Clark, P.J., Evans, F.C. 1994. Distance to nearest neighbour as a measure of spatial relationships in populations. Ecology. 35:445-453 Curriero, F.C., Patz, J.A., Rose, J.B Subhash, L. 2001. The association between extreme precipitation and waterborne disease outbreaks in United States. American Journal of Public Health. 91(8): 1194-9 Eong, O.E. 2001. Changing pattern of dengue transmission in Singapore. Dengue Bulletin,2001, 25:40-44 Er, A.C., Rosli, M.H., Asmahani, A., Mohamad Naim, M.R. Harsuzilawati, M. 2010. Spatial mapping of dengue incidence: a case study in Hulu Langat District, Selangor. International Journal of Human and Social Sciences. 5(6):410-414 Halstead, S.B. 1995. Dengue in the health transition. The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Science. 10:2-14 Harian Metro,2010. Kes Denggi meningkat,133 kematian tahun ini. http://www.harian-metro-online.com./kes-denggi-terus-meningkat-tahun-ini (retrieved on 23 October 2011) Jeefoo, P., Tripathi, N.K., Souris, M. 2011. Spatio-Temporal Diffusion Pattern and Hotspot Detection of Dengue in Chachoengsao Province, Thailand. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 8:51-74; doi:10.3390/ijerph8010051 Madanayake, M.P, Gunatilake, J., Haji, A., Iqbal, M.C.M. 2010. A GIS approach to generatea dengue risk map. Msc. Thesis. University of Peradeniya, SriLanka. Martinez, R. 2006. Geographic information system for dengue prevention and control. Working paper for the Scientific Working Group on Dengue Research, convened by the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, Geneva, 1-5 October 2006 Mohd, D.M.A., Shaaban, M.G., Taib, N. Leman, N. 2006. The study of dengue disease by GIS software in urban area of Petaling Jaya Selatan. International Conference in GIS and public Health. Hong Kong, June 27-29. Pp16. Morrison, A.C., Getis, A., Santiago, M., Rigau-Perez, J.G. Reiter, P. 1998. Exploratory space-time analysis of reported dengue cases during an outbreak in florida, puerto rico, 1991-1992. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg., 58(3): 287-298. Mstar,2012 More dengue campaigns in schools and residential areas , SERI KEMBANGAN http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/3/5/nation/10854555sec=nation (retrieved on 5 March 2012) Nakhapakorn, K., Jirakajohnkool, S. (2006). Temporal and spatial autocorrelation statistics of dengue fever. Dengue Bull 30: 177-183. Nakhapakorn, K. Tripathi, N.K. 2005. Using GIS technology to identify risk area of dengue fever (DF) and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). 8th Annual International Conferences, Indonesia, August 22-26 National Centre for Infectious Diseases, 2000. Travellers Health. Virginia. Otero, M., Solari, H.G. Schweigmann, N. 2005. A stochastic population dynamics model for Aedes aegypti: formulation and application to a city with temperate climate. Bulletin of Mathematics Biology. Pejabat Tanah Jajahan Kuantan,2011. http://ptjk.pahang.gov.my/keluasan.php (accessed 18th March 2012) Skae, F.M 1992. Dengue fever in Penang. British Medical Journal. 2:1581-1582. Shekhar, KC. Huat, O.L. 1993. Epidemiology of dengue/dengue hamorrhagic fever in Malaysia-A retrospective epidemiology study 1973-1987. Part I: Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). Asia-pasific Journal of Public Health,6:15-25 Srivastava, A., Nagpal, B.N., Joshi, P.L., Paliwal, J.C., Dash, A.P. 2009. Identification of malaria hot spots for focused intervention in tribal state of India: a GIS based approach. International Journal of Health Geographics, 8:30 doi:10.1186/1476-072X-8-30 Thammapalo,S., Chongsuwiwatwong, V., McNeil,D. Grater, A. 2005. The climate factors influencing the occurrence of dengue haemarrhagic fever in Thailand, Southeast Asia. Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health. 36 (1):191-7 Tran, A. Deparis, X. et al., 2004. Dengue spatial and temporal patterns, French Guiana, 2001. Available from:http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol10no4/03-0186.htm retrieved 6th November, 2010. Wagatsuma Y., Ali, M., Emch, M. Breiman, R.F. 2003. Use of a geographic information system for defining spatial risk for dengue transmission in bangladesh: role for aedes albopictus in an urban outbreak. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg., 69(6): 634-640. World Health Organization, WHO 1997. Dengue haemorrhagic fever: Diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control, 2nd Edition. Geneva World Health Organization, WHO 1999.Strengthening implementation of the global strategy for dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever, prevention and control. Report of the Informal Consultation. Geneva, October 18-20 Yew, Y.W. 2009. Seroepidemiology of dengue virus infection among adults in Singapore. Annals of the Academy of Medicine. 38:667-275 Hii, Y., Rocklà ¶v, J., Ng, N., Tang, C., Pang, F., Sauerborn, R. (2009). Climate variability and increase in incidence and magnitude of dengue incidence in Singapore. Global Health Action, 2. doi:10.3402/gha.v2i0.2036 Notification requirement under section 10(2) Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act 1988.

Cold Mountain: Frasiers Archetypal Journey Essay -- essays research pa

The archetype of the journey is seen in Charles Frazier’s novel Cold Mountain, most clearly through experience Inman has wandering back to Cold Mountain. The journey archetype sends the hero in search of some truth to restore order and harmony to the land. The journey often includes the series of trials and tribulations the hero faces along the way. Usually the hero descends into a real or psychological hell and is forced to discover the blackest truths. Once the hero is at his lowest level, he must accept personal responsibility to return to the world of the living. Inman’s trip fits this description very well in some ways and not in others. It could be said that Inman’s search for truth is his desire to be back home. He has been disillusioned by the war. He saw horrible scenes daily and fought for his life. By coming home to Ada and his mundane life is a welcome constant for him in a world he has recently determined to be wild. He believed that once he had rea ched his destination, order in his personal world and soul could begin to return to normal. In accordance with the definitions of the archetype journey, Inman goes through a great deal angst and tribulations. He has practically starved many times, been mugged, and fired upon. This strife is culminated when he his betrayed and shanghaied, marched nearly to death, then shot and left for dead. He is buried with a thin layer of dirt in a mass grave, and spends half a day under ground with the dead. This is his low point, his personal hell. At this point he even considers not uncovering himself and allowing the easy death to occur. For such a logical and even headed man this is particularly extreme thought. But he eventually finds the will power to hoist himself out of the grave to once again take up road. Finally he gets to the house and restores order to his metaphysical kingdom, coming to terms with many of his thoughts. Ada goes through a more mental archetypal journey. She has to fi nd manageable independence, an aspect development of which she had always been deprived. Her low point was at the beginning of the book when she realized that she no longer had the money that once had enabled a work-free life style. At the beginning, she has no idea what to do or what she even wants. Once Ruby comes, she begins to come to important self-realization about the pettiness of her past life and how she is no lon... ... the greatest foils to each other. When one reads of Ruby’s extreme incredible work ethic and practicality in every matter, even towards bird-watching (she uses migratory patterns to plant seasonally), one understands that she has lived in harsh conditions and foolishness was not an option. Once contrasted with her father and his physically unproductive lifestyle, one may come to view her as a calculating robot. On the other hand, Stobrod may look as though he has a far worse work ethic than he actually does wen contrasted against his daughter. Similarly, this was the dynamic of Ada’s relationship to Ruby when Ruby was first introduced. Inman, the rational, moral, and selfless farmer boy and Veasy, the lecherous, self-centered preacher serve as foil to one another. When the pair is together Inman seems so strait laced and moral, thinking every aspect out well in advance, then taking the most sensible route. Veasy on the other hand is made to look even more of a lech erous buffoon, when he, who has just had relations with Laura Foster, solicits the massive Tildy for sex in the tavern while Inman, the lonely former-soldier who has not been with woman for a long time remains celibate.

Front Cover

Assignment – Front Cover Students are required to use the enclosed Assignment Front Cover when submitting assignment. This is a MANDATORY requirement and the College will not accept any assignment received without the attached Assignment Front Cover. Kindly ensure that the Assignment Front Cover is not blocked by anything. Any fanciful cover that you would like to enclose should be placed after the Assignment Front Cover. Copies of the Assignment Front Cover are available at the information counter at the respective College in which you are studying.Kindly ensure that all details requested for on the front cover are completed and that the recipient of your assignment counter signs, acknowledging receipt. Remember to keep a copy of the assignment cover sheet as proof of submission. |SEGi College Kuala Lumpur | Media Law & Ethics Executive Summary This assignment consists of three essays of different questions under the subject Media Law & Ethics. Student Particulars Name | |ZU LHILMI BIN RUSLI | |IC Number | |930326-04-5323 | |Student Number | |SC-KL-00037759 | |Course | |DIMC | |Subject Title | |MEDIA LAW & ETHICS | |Subject Code | |MC1002 |Mode of Study | |( Full-Time ( Part-Time ( Independent Learning ( E-Learning | |Name of Lecturer | |Mr.RAYMOND PANDITA | |Due Date | |9th AUGUST 2012 | |College | |SEGi COLLEGE KUALA LUMPUR | | | |Declaration by student: | |I, _ZULHILMI , hereby declare that the attached assignment is my own work and understand that if I am suspected of plagiarism or | |another form of cheating, my work will be referred to the Programme Director who may, as a result recommend to the Examinations | |Board that my enrolment in the programme be discontinued. | | | |Acknowledgement of receipt | | | | | |____________ _____________ | |Date Received Signature of Receiving Officer | Assignment Allocation of Marks |No. Description of criteria adopted that will be used for the assessment of the |Weightings |Marks Allotted by Lecturer | | | assignment | | | | | | | | |1. |Relevance of content to assignment-Executive Summary |10% | | | | | | | |2. Clear explanation of issues, which are relevant for the assignment: |20% | | | | | | | | |Relevance of information and material; | | | | |Depth and quality of analysis; | | | | |Identification and framing of issues and assumptions made. | | | | | | | | |3. Application of the relevant principles to the issue: |40% | | | | | | | | |Understanding of principles, theories and techniques; | | | | |Appropriateness and depth of research; | | | | |Analytical skills; | | | | |Application skills. | | | | | | | |4. |Quality of recommendations relating to problem: |20% | | | | | | | | |Originality of idea and approach; | | | | |Recommendations. | | | | | | | | |5. Presentation: |10% | | | | | | | | |Appropriate citation and references; | | | | |Style and readability; | | | | |Overall presentation. | | | | | | | | | |Total |100% | | Feedback on Assignment: _____________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________DateLecturer’s Name Question 1. Introduction The written constitution in Malaysia is called the Federal Constitution. It is the supreme law of the Federation and any law passed after Merdeka day which is inconsistent with this constitution shall, to the extent of the inconsistency be void. The constitution lays down the powers of the Federal and State governments. It also enshrines the basic or the fundamental rights of the individual. These rights written into the constitution can only be changed by a two-thirds majority of the total number of members of the legislature. The law in Malaysia can be classified as written law and unwritten law.Written law refers to the law that is contained in a formal document which has been passed by a person or a body aut horised to do so. It consists of Federal and State Constitutions, the legislation passed by the Parliament and State Assemblies as well as subsidiary legislation. Unwritten law refers to the law that has not been formally enacted. It consists of case law, applicable principles of English law and customary law. The word â€Å"government† can be interpreted as â€Å"government† and â€Å"Government†. â€Å"government† refers to the nation itself while â€Å"Government† is the executive branch of â€Å"government† under the Doctrine of Separation of Powers. There are three branches of â€Å"government† under the Doctrine of Separation of Powers.They are the legislative branch which is the Parliament, the judiciary branch which is the courts and the executive branch which is the ministers. The Parliament legislate laws while the courts apply the laws and the ministers formulate policies. Legislation Legislation refers to the law that has been enacted by a body and it is carried out by the Parliament at the Federal and at State Assemblies for their respective states. Laws passed by the Parliament are called Acts while laws passed by the State Assemblies are called Enactments with an exception for the State of Sarawak where the laws are called Ordinances. ———————– 33-35 Jalan Hang Lekiu, 50100 Kuala Lumpur. Coursework: Essay Questions

Certificacin laboral PERM para green card por trabajo

Certificacin laboral PERM para green card por trabajo La certificacià ³n laboral PERM  es uno de los primeros requerimientos que deben cumplir las empresas que quieren patrocinar una tarjeta de residencia (green card) a trabajadores extranjeros. El  PERM, que son las siglas que se utilizan en inglà ©s para referirse a este requisito, es un paso previo y necesario a la solicitud de la green card al Servicio de Inmigracià ³n y Ciudadanà ­a (USCIS, por sus siglas en inglà ©s). En otras palabras, sin la aprobacià ³n del PERM por parte del Departamento de Trabajo (DoL, por sus siglas en inglà ©s) no es posible iniciar los trmites migratorios. En este artà ­culo se explica los pasos para obtener el PERM, para quà © categorà ­as de peticià ³n de la green card por trabajo es necesario, tiempo de demora de su tramitacià ³n, quà © sucede con la familia del trabajador para el que se solicita el PERM y otras opciones para trabajar en Estados Unidos Pasos para obtener la green card por trabajo y cunto tiene lugar el PERM El PERM  es el segundo paso en la tramitacià ³n de una green card por trabajo. El primero paso es que una empresa està © dispuesta a patrocinar a un trabajador extranjero especà ­fico. Estas son las 100 empresas que patrocinan un mayor nà ºmero de tarjetas de residencia. Esta es una informacià ³n importante porque brinda una idea clara de quà © tipo de empresas suelen patrocinar y para quà © tipo de trabajo. Sin embargo, esto no quiere decir que las empresas pequeà ±as no patrocinen o no puedan hacerlo. Todo lo contrario. Pero lo cierto es que las grandes, particularmente en algunos sectores como el tecnolà ³gico, estn ms acostumbradas a hacerlo y estn ms familiarizadas con el proceso. El segundo paso en la tramitacià ³n de la green card por patrocinio de empresa es presentar el PERM ante el Departamento de Trabajo (DoL, por sus siglas en inglà ©s). Una vez que se obtiene la aprobacià ³n del PERM tiene lugar el tercer paso, que es presentar la peticià ³n ante el Servicio de Inmigracià ³n y Ciudadanà ­a (USCIS, por sus siglas en inglà ©s). Y finalmente, el à ºltimo paso se desarrolla con el Departamento de Estado si el trabajador est fuera de Estados Unidos, ya que la visa de inmigrante se obtiene en una embajada o consulado de los Estados   Unidos. Hay que destacar que los migrantes en Estados Unidos en situacià ³n de ilegalidad deben consultar con un abogado antes de iniciar cualquier tipo de trmite, porque en la mayorà ­a de los casos el tener una empresa dispuesta a patrocinar no va a servir de nada como camino hacia la regularizacià ³n. Todo lo contrario, sirve para alertar a las autoridades migratorias. Peticiones de green card cuando es necesario el PERM: EB-2 y EB-3 Para casi todos los casos en los que se patrocina una green card a travà ©s de estas categorà ­as es necesario obtener un PERM (ver ms abajo las excepciones). En primer lugar, la categorà ­a conocida como EB-2 o segunda preferencia. Pueden beneficiarse los profesionales con una maestrà ­a o estudios superiores o tambià ©n las personas con habilidades excepcionales en los Negocios, las Artes y las Ciencias. Hay 40,000 visas de inmigrante  asignadas  por aà ±o fiscal para esta categorà ­a. En segundo lugar, la categorà ­a EB-3 o Tercera preferencia y Otros trabajadores que aplica a: Profesionales con licenciatura o egresados universitarios, es decir, el equivalente a el B.A. o el B.S. de Estados Unidos. Personas sin estudios universitarios pero con una habilidad profesional especial y experiencia laboral mà ­nima de dos aà ±os. Personas sin habilidades especiales pero cuyo trabajo requiere una experiencia laboral de al menos dos aà ±os. Sin embargo, hay que tener en cuenta que la certificacià ³n laboral PERM no se requiere para los extranjeros que alegan que la tarjeta deberà ­a otorgrsele por razones de:   Interà ©s Nacional, es lo que se conoce como NIW, por sus siglas en inglà ©s dentro de la categorà ­a EB-2Habilidad extraordinaria en la categorà ­a EB-1, inversià ³n EB-5, o trabajadores especiales incluidos en la categorà ­a EB-4, tales como trabajadores religiosos, extranjeros que han prestado ms de 12 aà ±os de servicio en el Ejà ©rcito de Estados Unidos, traductores iraquà ­es y afganos que han trabajado para Estados Unidos, etc. En quà © consiste el PERM   La empresa estadounidense que desea patrocinar la green card a un trabajador extranjero debe obtener primero el PERM siguiendo 3 pasos. En primer lugar, el empleador americano debe publicitar la oferta de trabajo para asegurarse de que ningà ºn ciudadano americano, residente permanente, refugiado, asilado o persona con un permiso de trabajo est dispuesto y quiere desempeà ±ar ese empleo. Se trata de asegurar de que si hay ya en los Estados Unidos personas cualificadas que pueden trabajar, à ©stas opten al trabajo. Para ello, la empresa debe realizar labores para intentar encontrar un trabajador por un mà ­nimo de 30 dà ­as y un mximo de 180. Las condiciones son tambià ©n diferentes segà ºn se trate de una ocupacià ³n profesional o no. En segundo lugar, debe comunicarse con la NPWC –una oficina federal- para saber cul es el salario que se paga por el puesto de trabajo que se ofrece. Y es que ningà ºn extranjero puede cobrar menos y recibir beneficios laborales inferiores a los que cobran las personas nacionales en ese mismo puesto de trabajo, para evitar que las personas de otros paà ­ses presionen hacia abajo los salarios. Y en tercer lugar, el empleador debe rellenar electrà ³nicamente la planilla ETA Form 9089  en la pgina web del Departamento de Trabajo (DoL). Para ello debe crearse previamente una cuenta de usuario.  ¿Quà © examina el DoL para decidir si aprueba un PERM? El DoL bsicamente verifica  tres cosas: que la empresa està © respetando todas las regulaciones   que no hay  en Estados Unidos una persona que pueda trabajar, que està © capacitada para el trabajo que se ofrece y que està © dispuesta a hacerlo.que el empleo de una persona extrajera no afecta negativamente ni al salario ni a las condiciones laborales de trabajadores estadounidenses que se desempeà ±an en posiciones similares. El caso de empresas que quieren patrocinar a familiares El DoL pone especial atencià ³n a los casos en los que existe una relacià ³n familiar entre quien contrata y el patrocinado. En concreto la pregunta C.9 pide especà ­ficamente seà ±alar si el dueà ±o de la empresa o algà ºn socio, oficial o accionista es familiar el patrocinado. Y en este contexto el tà ©rmino de familia debe entenderse en sentido amplio e incluye a: cà ³nyuges, hijos, padres, abuelos, nietos, tà ­os y primos en cualquier grado. El và ­nculo puede ser por sangre, adopcià ³n o matrimonio. Si se puede probar que la necesidad de ese trabajador es de buena fe, el DoL aprobar el PERM, pero si el oficial a cargo del caso cree que se trata simplemente de querer contratar a un familiar pero hay ya en Estados Unidos un trabajador que puede ocupar ese trabajo, negar la peticià ³n. Tener en cuenta que contestar a esa pregunta otra cosa que no sea la verdad constituye un fraude de ley y que en el momento en que se descubre puede dar lugar bien a la negacià ³n del PERM o, si ya ha sido aprobado, a su revocacià ³n.   Tiempo de demora para la certificacià ³n laboral por el DoL Generalmente, el DoL aspira a dar una respuesta en el plazo mximo de 60 dà ­as. Sin embargo, en la actualidad se est demorando ms llegando a casi 90 dà ­as. Adems, si por cualquier razà ³n le ha tocado a la peticià ³n ser auditada, se requerir informacià ³n adicional al empleador y el trmite se demorar ms tiempo. Si la certificacià ³n de laboral PERM es aprobada, entonces el empleador debe dirigirse en un plazo mximo de 180 dà ­as al Servicio de Inmigracià ³n y Ciudadanà ­a (USCIS, por sus siglas en inglà ©s). Tras rellenar la planilla I-140 se iniciar el proceso migratorio. Si el trabajador est legalmente en EEUU, por ejemplo, con una visa H1-B vlida y no hay que esperar para que la haya visas de inmigrante (tarjetas de residencia) disponibles para la categorà ­a para la que se pide al trabajador, entonces se puede solicitar al mismo tiempo un ajuste de estatus mediante la planilla I-485. Si no hay visa de inmigrante disponible, no se puede solicitar todavà ­a el ajuste y hay que esperar legalmente a tener una para poder hacerlo. Lo mismo sucede cuando el trabajador est en el extranjero, si hay visa de inmigrante disponible  se iniciar el proceso consular para concederle la visa para viajar a EEUU. La tarjeta de residencia se activar una vez que entra al paà ­s mediante un sello en el pasaporte. Pero si no hay visa disponible, tendr que esperar.  ¿Quà © es esto de si hay visa de inmigrante disponible? Puede suceder que en el caso de trmites tarjetas de residencia por empleo dentro de la categorà ­a EB-3   el nà ºmero de solicitudes sea superior al nà ºmero de visas de inmigrante que hay disponibles para esa categorà ­a. En estos casos se puede producir una demora entre la aprobacià ³n del USCIS y la fecha en la que se inician los à ºltimos trmites. Adems, esta espera puede afectar ms a los nacionales de determinados paà ­ses, ya que se establece un là ­mite por aà ±o fiscal no sà ³lo en el nà ºmero total de visas de inmigrante que se pueden dar en una determinada categorà ­a, sino tambià ©n en el porcentaje mximo que puede ir a los nacionales de un paà ­s. Para verificar cunto se puede demorar, checar la fecha de prioridad de la aplicacià ³n con la que publica cada mes el Departamento de Estado (DoS) en su Boletà ­n de Visas, dentro de la categorà ­a correspondiente. Tener en cuenta que la fecha de prioridad cuando ha sido necesario el PERM es la de presentacià ³n de papeles en el DoL mientras que si no ha sido necesaria es la fecha de presentacià ³n del formulario I-140 ante el USCIS. Familiares de trabajadores patrocinados para green card por razà ³n de trabajo El cà ³nyuge y los hijos solteros de 21 aà ±os de un trabajador para el que se patrocina una green card por estas categorà ­as tambià ©n pueden obtener sus propias residencias permanentes. A efectos migratorios, el tà ©rmino cà ³nyuge incluye tanto a los matrimonios entre un varà ³n y una mujer como a los celebrados vlidamente entre 2 personas del mismo sexo.  ¿Dà ³nde obtener ayuda para completar el PERM? Si se tiene algà ºn problema de carcter tà ©cnico como, por ejemplo, haber olvidado el PIN de usuario, se puede enviar un correo electrà ³nico a: pic.helpdol.gov Si se tiene alguna duda o inquietud sobre algà ºn aspecto del PERM, como por ejemplo, dà ³nde se debe publicitar el reclutamiento y cà ³mo, contactar por correo electrà ³nico con el Departamento de trabajo en la siguiente direccià ³n: PLC.Atlantadol.gov En todo caso, el PERM es un asunto que requiere conocimientos migratorios y   tà ©cnicos por lo que es aconsejable asesorarse con un abogado. Cuando se obtiene el PERM pero la peticià ³n de green card no es aprobada Es posible que a pesar de tener una empresa dispuesta a patrocinar y de obtener el OK del Departamento de Trabajo al PERM al final de toda la tramitacià ³n se niegue la solicitud de la tarjeta de residencia. Las razones pueden ser muy variadas pero se resumen en una sola palabra: inelegible. Y es que para obtener la green card tanto a travà ©s del procedimiento consular o por medio de un ajuste de estatus es necesario ser elegible. Si por una causa se es inelegible, la residencia no es aprobada. Dependiendo de la causa en algunos casos ser posible obtenerla ms tarde, dejando pasar un tiempo. En otros la opcià ³n puede ser solicitar un perdà ³n, tambià ©n conocido como waiver o permiso. Y, en otras situaciones no se puede hacer nada con las leyes actuales en mano y no se obtendr la green card. Otras opciones migratorias para trabajar Para trabajar legalmente en Estados Unidos se necesita un documento que explà ­citamente lo permita, como por ejemplo una visa de trabajo, una de intercambio admitiendo la visa J-1 muchas variedades  o un permiso de trabajo. En todo caso, aceptar un trabajo sin tener documentos migratorios que lo permitan es una violacià ³n migratoria. No confundir PERM con LCA La certificacià ³n laboral aplica cuando se quiere patrocinar a un trabajador extranjero en las categorà ­as  EB-2 y EB-3, es decir, esto es un proceso distinto al de Aplicacià ³n de Condicià ³n Laboral (LCA, por sus siglas en inglà ©s), que es un paso previo que se necesita realizar ante el Departamento de Trabajo pero para las  visa de trabajo temporal  H-1B. Este es un artà ­culo informativo. no es asesorà ­a legal.

study Essays

study Essays study Essay study Essay Measuring supply chain management practices Ana Beatriz Lopes de Sousa Jabbour, Alceu Gomes Alves Filho, Adriana Backx Noronha Viana and Charbel Jose Chiappetta Jabbour Ana Beatriz Lopes de Sousa Jabbour is Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering, Sao Paulo State University, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Alceu Gomes Alves Filho is Full Professor in Industrial Engineering in the Department of Industrial Engineering, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Adriana Backx Noronha Viana is Associate Professor in Business Administration and Charbel Jose Chiappetta Jabbour is Assistant Professor of Business Administration, both at The University of Sao Paulo Business School Ribeirao preto (FEA-RP/USP), Summary Purpose This paper aims to perform an empirical investigation about the constructs and indicators of the supply chain management practices framework. survey that was carried out on 107 Brazilian companies. Statistical techniques were employed to verify, validate, and test the reliability of the constructs and their indicators. To validate this framework principal component analysis and structural equation modeling techniques were used. Findings In general, previous studies uggest six constructs for measuring the supply chain management practices framework. However, in this study a framework was achieved with four constructs of supply chain management practices, namely, supply chain (SC) integration for production planning and control (PPC) support, information sharing about products and targeting strategies, strategic relationship with customer and supplier, and support customer order. This framework has adequate levels of validity and reliability. Research limitations/implications The main limitation of this study was that only a small sample of companies in a single sector and country were surveyed, and herefore there needs to be further research considering the special conditions in other countries. Originality/value This study investigated statistically set indicators to discuss the topic supply chain management practices. The framework obtained has good quality of validity and reliability indicators. Thus, an alternative framework has been added to measure supply chain management practices, which is currently a popular topic in the supply chain mainstream literature. Both defined constructs and the validated indicators can be used in other studies on supply chain management. Keywords Supply chain management, Working practices, Performance measurement (quality), Brazil Paper type Research paper 1. Introduction Supply chain management (SCM) is an integrated approach beginning with planning and control of materials, logistics, services, and information stream from suppliers to manufacturers or service providers to the end client; it represents a most important change in business management practices (Fantazy et al. 2010). SCM is one of the most effective ways for firms to improve their performance (Ou et al. , 2010). With the purpose of managing the supply chain actions for realizing improvement in nterprise performance, it is necessary to improve the planning and management of activities such as materials planning, inventory management, capacity planning, and logistics (Chandra and Kumar, 2000) with suppliers and clients. Currently, the topics that can be considered essential to research suggestions in SCM include: supply chain coordination, distribution and transport, inventory, order management, planning and optimization, supply chain integration, reverse logistics, supply chain information, supplier and vender selection, and green SCM (Hu et al. , 2010). PAGE 18 MEASURING BUSINESS EXCELLENCE VOL. 15 NO. 2 2011, pp. 8-31, Q Emerald Group publishing Limited, ISSN 1368-3047 While interest in SCM is increasing day-by-day, there is no consensus about the conceptual and methodological research bases of SCM, generating gaps in the state- of-the-art of this research field (Burgess et al. , 2006). It is impossible to develop sound SCM theory without acceptable frameworks and definitions of terms (Stock and Boyer, 2009). In addition, the lack of a comprehensive view of SCM practices and the lack of a reliable measure of the concept have constrained guidelines to the practice f SCM and further research on the topic (Li et al. 2005). For this reason, the validation of SCM practices issue has been attracting the attention of researchers. For example, Li et al. (2005) conceptualize, develop, and validate dimensions of SCM practices constructs. Nonetheless, there are no unanimities in determining the set of indicators that can adequately address the topic Supply Chain Management Practices. Studies performed by Halley and Beaulieu (2010), Bayraktar et al. (2009), Hsu et al. (2009), Robb et al. (2008), Chow et al. (2008), Koh et al. (2007), Zhou and Benton (2007), wong et al. 005), -ran et al. (2002) and Tan (2002) pointed out different types of indicators and constructs used. Therefore, studying SCM practices can contribute to finding a better understanding about SCM. Hence, this paper aims to do an empirical investigation of the constructs and indicators of the SCM practices framework. The following sections include a brief literature review on SCM practices (section 2), methodological proc edures (section 3), analyses and discussions (section 4), and finally, conclusions (section 5). 2. Literature background A high level of confusion has occurred amongst supply chain scholars during the ast decades by the several SCM definitions that have been proposed in the literature (Stock and Boyer, 2009). Three key subjects emerged from the various definitions: activities, benefits, and constituents/components. The first theme of SCM definitions, activities, contains the flow of materials and information, and networks of relationships, focusing on both internal (within the organization) and external (outside the organization). Second, the benefits resulting from effective implementation of SCM strategies are to add value and increase customer satisfaction. Third, the components or constituent parts of SCM; what organizations, unctions and processes involve the supply chain (Stock et al. , 2010). SCM practices are defined as the set of activities undertaken by an organization to promote effective management of its supply chain (Li et al. , 2005, 2006; Koh et al. , 2007); as the approaches applied in integration, managing and coordination of supply, demand and relationships in order to satisfy clients in effective way (Wong et al. 2005); as tangible activities/technologies that have a relevant role in the collaboration of a focal involve suppliers in decision making, encouraging information, sharing and looking or new ways to integrate upstream activities. As a consequence, it involves developing customer contacts by customer feedback to integrate the downstream activities and delivering orders directly to c ustomers (Chow et al. , 2008). In this sense, studying SCM practices supports the view theory regarding SCM. Relevant initiatives to identify and validate SCM practices have been reported, but it is worth noting that there is no pattern in defining and adopting indicators and constructs for SCM practices. Tan et al. (2002) and Tan (2002) identified 24 SCM practices from previous studies and formed six constructs: . supply chain integration; 2. information sharing; 3. supply chain characteristics; VOL. 15 NO. 2 2011 MEASURING BUSINESS EXCELLENCE PAGE 19 4. customer service management; 5. geographical proximity; and 6. JIT capability. They used a five-point Likert scale to measure the importance of these practices. Wong et al. (2005) proposed like indicators of SCM practices in their study: B supply chain performance; product differentiation; lead time management; postponement and customization; inventory and cost management; bullwhip effects; information sharing and coordination; buyer-seller relationship; etail strategy; and SCM initiatives. They used a case study and the practices based on the toy industry. Six distinctive constructs of SCM practices emerged, including strategic supplier partnership, customer relationship, information sharing, information quality, internal lean practices and postponement. All the items were measured on a five-point scale (Li et al. , 2005, 2006). Zhou and Benton (2007) consider three constructs of supply chain practices (supply chain planning, Just-in-time OIT) production, and delivery practice), because they have been shown to be closely related to delivery performance. Each statement required responses based on a seven-point Likert scale (1 h not implemented, 7 h extensively implemented). A list of SCM constructs used in previous literature regarding the SCM practices is relying on the extant literature. Koh et al. (2007) and Bayraktars et al. 2009) studies identify a set of 12 SCM practices: close partnership with suppliers, close partnership with customers, Just in time supply, strategic planning, supply chain benchmarking, few suppliers, holding safety stock, e-procurement, outsourcing, subcontracting, 3PL, many suppliers. Items were measured on five-point scales anging from 1 (not at all implemented) to 5 (fully implemented). Koh et al. (2007) m easuring two constructs and Bayraktar et al. (2009) measuring three constructs. A five-point interval rating scale system was used by Chow et al. 2008) with 5 equaling the highest extent or degree. The constructs were: customer and supplier management; communication and speed; and information sharing. Robb et al. (2008) considered four constructs in their research: 1 . customer relationships; 2. supplier relationships; 3. e-commerce; and 4. enterprise software. They used a seven-point Likert scale. PAGE 20 MEASURING BUSINESS EXCELLENCE VOL. 5 NO. 2 2011 In research performed by Hsu et al. (2009), respondents were asked to indicate on a five-point Likert scale (1 low, 5 high), the importance of each practice in their firm. The indicators were: increase suppliers Just in time capabilities; participating in sourcing decisions; geographical proximity of suppliers; formal information sharing agreements; improving the integration of activities; searching for new ways for integration; communicating future strategic needs; on-time delivery; and reducing response time. Halley and Beaulieu (2010) used four constructs (nesting, collaboration, financial ncorporation, and distancing) along with 13 indicators from the five-point Likert scale. Table I summarizes the theoretical studies of constructs pointed out in this section. Table II shows the constructs, the indicators and conceptual meaning used in this paper to measure and validate the SCM practices framework. The selection of constructs and indicators was based on research to reconcile the concepts of SCM (Stock et al. , 2010; Chandra and Kumar, 2000), in which they considered the necessity to manage, plan and control production and inventory, i. e. the flow of information nd materials; the definition of SCM practices (Wong et al. 2005; Chow et al. , 2008), the managed integration and coordination of supply, demand and relationships; and the most commonly found constructs and the indicators (Bayraktar et al. , 2009; Robb et al. , 2008; Chow et al. , 2008; Koh et al. , 2007; Zhou and Benton, 2007; Li et al. , 2006, 2005; Tan et al. , 2002; Tan, 2002). Taking this into consideration, the constructs considered were: supply chain integration, information sharing, custom er service management, customer relationship, supplier relationship and postponement. 3. Methodology 3. 1 Survey design In order to assess the construct of the SCM practices, a questionnaire was developed from a review of literature (Table II), and the respondents were asked to evaluate each question in terms of the level of implementation of each specific practice in their company. A five-point Likert scale (1 non-implemented and 5 totally implemented) was adopted because there are many researches uses the same method. Prior to this, a pre-test was given to professionals in the SC over a 65-day period, and from this pre-test some necessary adjustments were done to the questionnaire in order to make the questions clearer. The questionnaire was sent out to 532 different companies via personalized e-mails. In all, 107 companies responded (response rate only e-mails were sent to each of the 532 companies up to three times each. The participating companies were classified according to the position they occupy in their supply chain as follows: raw material supplier, component supplier, assembly company, distributor, or retailer. The companies were also classified according to their size (micro company, small company, medium company, and large company) and the predominant bargaining power in their major supply chain. The data were collected through an e-survey (internet-based survey) conducted with one respondent from each company (from different areas, such as marketing, operations, supply, and sales departments) of several different segments of the Brazilian VOL. 15 NO. 2 2011 MEASURING BUSINESS EXCELLENCE PAGE 21 Table I Summaries of the theoretical studies of constructs pointed out in this research Author(s) Research objective Construct Context Scale -ran (2002) The first objective was to derive a set of SCM practices and compare how practitioners ranked these practices to enhance competitive position. The second objective was o identify and compare the major concerns in implementing a successful SCM program. Finally, the third objective attempted to identify the practices and the concerns associated with successful supply chains The article described a survey effort to study contemporary supply evaluation practices. This also related these practices to firm performance The study explored SCM practices of toy supply chains, and revealed their practical and theoretical gaps The purpose of research was to develop and validate a parsimonious measurement instrument for SCM practices The purpose of study therefore to empirically test a framework dentifying the relationships among SCM practices, competitive advantage and organizational The purpose of study was to investigate: the relationship between information sharing and supply chain practice: the influence of supply chain dynamism on information sharing and supply chain practice; and the impact of chain practice on delivery determine the underlying dimensions of SCM practices and to empirically test a framework SCM practices, operational performance and SCM-related organizational performance with special emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Turkey Study sought to determine the nderlying dimensions of SCM and IS practices. Next, empirically test a framework identifying the causal links among SCM and IS practices, SCM and Is-related inhibitors operational performance Information sharing Supply chain characteristic Customer service management Geographical proximity JIT capability Different industries Five-point Likert None Toy industry retail (volatile None demand) Strategic supplier partnership Customer relationship Information quality Internal lean practices Postponement Supply chain plan JIT production Delivery practices Seven-point Strategic collaboration and lean practices Outsourcing and multi-suppliers

Short Story Author Analysis - Isaac Babel Research Paper

Short Story Author Analysis - Isaac Babel - Research Paper Example However, it was his engagement with the truthful depiction of the heinous acts committed by those in high authority that landed him in trouble with Stalin that eventually led to his execution. In Babel’s life, the loss of life and tenderness of emotion went hand in hand. Most of his literary work carries an understated preoccupation with the theme of ‘death’ and since, this preoccupation formed an indispensable part of his growing years; detachment was an inevitable consequence. His collection of thirty five short stories, by the title ‘Red Cavalry’ is the epitome of violent depictions in his work through his career. This violence and morbid details of death and murder stem from first hand accounts after being a recruit in the 1st Cavalry Army. As he floated through war-affected times, in his personal life, his several marriages and extra-marital affairs began to tell a tale of disillusionment with permanence of any sort. The only permanence that there was, was that of the insecurities of an unstable and ‘always-at-risk’ life that stayed with him for the rest of his life. As Lionel Trilling remarks about Isaac Babel: â€Å"He was captivated by the vision of two ways of being, the way of violence and the way of peace, and he was torn between the two† (Trilling, 119) As a writer, Babel always remained in the eye of controversy. The stories from ‘Red Cavalry’ like Crossing the River Zbrucz, My first goose and Salt are all stories with diverse plots and yet are tied together with the element of death in some form. ‘Crossing the River Zbrucz’ or ‘Crossing into Poland’ begins on a morbid note, which casts its shadow over the rest of the narrative. The somber mood of the story is however offset intermittently with an odd Wordsworth-like description at times. â€Å"Faint-hearted poverty closed in over my couch. Silence overcame all.

Johann Sebastian Bach Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Johann Sebastian Bach - Research Paper Example Although Bach did not receive recognition as a composer during the period, the 19th century led to a revival of performances and interests in his music, which upon closer examination have made him be regarded as one of the greatest composers in history. Discussion Period of Composition Johann Sebastian Bach made his famous compositions during the Baroque period. This was an era of European music that was between 1600 and 1750. The word Baroque is used in reference to extravagance, abnormality and strangeness. The music played during the Baroque period was highly ornate, intense and lavishly texturized. The composers of this era, such as Johann Sebastian Bach, were able to express feelings and emotions in their compositions. Moreover, the compositions made during the Baroque period had an emphasis on contrast of texture, pace and volume in the music, which was not witnessed in the late renaissance, when the music played, did not concentrate on the aforementioned elements2. Bachâ€℠¢s rise to greatness The rich musical history of Bach’s family was instrumental in ensuring that Bach became the greatest composer in history. Christened father of classical music, Bach demonstrated a deep understanding of phrasing and musical forms. Following Bach’s graduation from St. ... However, the relationship between Bach and the authorities at Arnstadt deteriorated with Bach voicing his dissatisfaction with the singers of the church’s choir3. In 1706, Bach was offered the position of an organist at a church in Muhlhausen, which he decided to take up the following year. This position provided Bach with an opportunity to improve his skills as it included incentives such as a good choir, improved conditions and better remuneration. Bach convinced the city government and the church to refurbish the organ at the church after which Bach repaid them with a festive composition for the incumbent council in the location. The composition became a major success, which compelled the council to reward Bach handsomely4. Bach returned to Weimar as an accomplished concertmaster and organist. He enhanced his prowess by working with professional musicians. Bach was able to spend most of his time composing orchestral and keyboard works. This dedication made him to attain the required confidence and proficiency that enabled him to enhance the existing structures and attain substantial influence in foreign countries. Furthermore, during this time Bach was able to make dramatic openings and use the harmonic schemes and dynamic rhythms, which were synonymous with Italians musicians such as Torelli, Vivaldi and Corelli. The stylistic aspects from the aforementioned Italians enabled Bach to make works, which are played in concerts even to date5. Historical Events in Bach’s Life There are some major events in Bach’s life that influenced and shaped his musical career. When he was 14 years old, Bach was awarded a scholarship that enabled him to study at St. Michaels School. This prestigious school was