Do All Rivers Flow South

It disturbs me how often Im asked why x river flows northward or for the name of three rivers that flow north. Most of these questions come from Americans who, for some reason, must presume that since the Mississippi flows south, all rivers on the planet flow south. Thus, to hopefully educate the world about the goals and desires of rivers, Ive written a new article called, Rivers Flowing North. Cheers!

The Culmination Of A Wonderful And Enlightening Course...

This research paper is the culmination of a wonderful and enlightening course offered by Calvary Chapel Bible College; a verse-by-verse, in-depth study, into the Book of Genesis. The lectures were given by Pastor Clark Van Wick of Calvary Chapel Bible Fellowship, in Temecula, California. Pastor Van Wick not only has a deep knowledge of God s revelation to His people, but he pours out the love of Jesus into his students hearts throughout each lecture. The enthusiasm and joy Pastor Van Wick has for Bible exposition is felt by his students in every verse. Thank you, Pastor Van Wick! The Book of Genesis; its purpose and divisions. The Book of Genesis is the first of sixty-six individual revelations of God Himself to us, His creation, whom He obviously loves more than we could possibly comprehend. I would hope to be able to grasp a small iota of that love when I finally am able to stand in His presence. Genesis is foundational; the necessary table legs that the succeeding sixty-five books stand boldly upon. â€Å"If the Bible were somehow expurgated of the Book of Genesis (as many people today would prefer), the rest of the Bible would be incomprehensible. It would be like a building without a ground floor, or a bridge with no support.†1 Genesis is appropriately named, as it is the Greek word ÃŽ ³ÃŽ ­ÃŽ ½ÃŽ µÃÆ'ÃŽ ¹Ãâ€š, which is defined as birth, lineage, or descent. I would venture at this point that Genesis should not be limited to one, but encompasses all three defining words, in great detail.

Dubai as an International Finance Centre - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 10 Words: 2865 Downloads: 7 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Economics Essay Type Analytical essay Did you like this example? Running Head: Advanced Strategic Management 1 Dubai as an International Finance center Case Study Question 1: Describe the strategic plan of Dubai in 2015. Paraphrase and add your criticism and comments that shows the comprehension of the case as well as the chapters from 1 to 4. Include at least two facts about each sector of the strategic plan. Feel free to bring those facts from primary or secondary resources but make sure that you reference those facts in the list of references. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Dubai as an International Finance Centre" essay for you Create order In your criticism show the possible improvements in the strategic plan. Dubaià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Strategic Plan The economical meltdown occurring globally and unleashing havoc all over GCC has forced various governments to create ambitious strategic targets for the economical welfare of their countries. Dubaià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Strategic Plan for 2015 (DSP) is considered to be the most ambitious strategic plan that was prepared and published in 2007 in the context of outpouring of direct foreign investment that was aggravating the boom in trade, tourism and construction projects. Over the last four decades, Dubai has been able to diversify its economy from an oil base economy and transformed it into an investment and trade centre. Dubai has earned tremendous profits from its strategic geographical location with effective rule of the highness that made Dubai to accept change and implement such strategies in order to support rapid growth. The overall leadership oriented vision of Dubai has been incorporated and discussed elaborately in the DSP for 2015, with focusing on main five sectors: Economical development: Due to the rapid foreign investments with the versatile availability of land resources for construction purposes, effective leadership and blooming tourism sector the future of economical development in Dubai remains outstanding. As an integral aspect of Dubaià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s strategic plan it targets to achieve an annual growth of eleven percent following the sustainability of per capita income of forty four thousand American Dollars and gross domestic product of about one hundred eight billion dollars till the end of the 2015. The statistics also prove an annual rise of four percent in labor productivity with the promotion of new sectors consisting of stable and effective competencies. Further the strategic plan targets various economical related sectors of Dubai like trade, construction, tourism, professional services while escalating the overall productivity of these sectors. Dubai consists of potential relative strengths in its various economical secto rs Development of Infrastructure, land and resources: Strategic plans regarding development of Dubaià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s infrastructure are summarized as follow: Urban planning Preserving natural resources Developing energy sector Provision of surplus energy, water and electricity supplies Meeting Dubaià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s growth demands Launching more power generation plants and desalination plants Social development: UAE is considered to be the second largest power in the Arab region however it is battling immensely with its demographics. Regarding social developments of Dubai focuses on preserving the national identity of the Emirates as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"Population imbalanceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ found in this Middle power due to increasing immigrants which is effecting badly the national identity, original race and cultural norms and values of its very own national population which became minority now (Mohammed, 2015). Therefore strategies are formed in light of this issue and maintaining population balance. Government Excellence Excellence will be achieved in every aspect of the business operations. The strategic plans will be focusing on ensuring procedures of accountability and the financial systems will be transformed from cash to accrual basis with updating the human resource practices. Justice, and Security Regarding justice and safety, Dubai is considered to be the safest emirate. In fact the strategic approaches place their attentions and priorities upon security and justice devices. The government of UAE is very conscious of security of every citizen (Dubaià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s 2015 Strategic Plan B, 2015). Criticism: Possible improvements in Strategic Plan Innovation and continuous improvement Dubai, an Oasis in the desert transformed into a cosmopolitan within last two decades like UK, East Asia and US. All such rapid changes are due to its extensive economical growth, which made this isolated region with its own identical values pretty much attracted in the eyes of foreigners. Just as its global competitors, Dubai has also challenging issues in social, cultural, demographic and economical grounds. Despite of its effective full prove strategies through Dubai strategic Plan 2015 it still requires two improvements that are Innovation and Continuous improvement. Today innovat ion is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“much more than new products and processesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ . Indeed Dubai is striving hard for its immense development. The concept of continuous improvement is related to innovation. Continuous improvement is a management process that constantly monitors what the enterprise ids doing and how people are doing it. This enables leaders to identify and address problems and foster growth through ongoing improvement of products, services, procedures and processes. True leaders like Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the people whom others instinctively look to for a direction are lifelong learners and observers who are constantly looking for ways to do things better and in unique ways. Question 2: Identify the core competencies of Dubai strategic plan à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" 2015. Criticize those core competencies. Connect the core competencies of Dubai strategy in 2015 to the United Arab Emirates Vision in 2021. Identification of core competencies in Dubai Strategic Pl an à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" 2015 By identifying the core competencies of the Dubai strategic plan we will be identifying the design of competitive positions and strategies of the plan that will eventually capitalize on its corporate strengths. Furthermore it will enable Dubaià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Government to integrate the usage of technology in completing various business processes. Following are the identified core competencies of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015: Entrepreneurial Orientation: the emirates of Dubai consists of the ability to identify and recognize seize profitable business opportunities as the government of Dubai is invalid in trade and construction projects merged with other foreign companies by encouraging entrepreneurial behavior in every stake holder. Strategic Thinking and Ideology: Dubaià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s competitive position is recognized in the context of industry trends with existing and potential opportunities and its SWOT analysis. The strategies developed in reference to the developing infrastructure of Dubai will enable it to conquer different worlds of businesses. Proposals are developed in advance for about five to ten years that is based upon situational analysis and its current and potential capabilities which is compared with its past performances and conditions. Analytical Planning: throughout the development of the Dubaià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s strategic planning dilemmas and challenges are dealt by logical, rational and systematic, sequential approaches. Comparison is developed among alternatives and the best solution chosen is finally implemented. For future strategic planning discrepancies and inconsistencies with numbers are also analyzed. Decisions are based upon benefits, priorities and expenses. Building Collaborative Relationships: Cordial relationships are building on the basis of trust and confidence. Partnerships are made stronger with foreign partners and with local partners as well. Shared interests, experiences and information are shared deliberately by which experiences and learning processes grow. Rapport and common professional relationships are developed. Forward Thinking: the strategic plan for Dubai of 2015 was created in 2007. As plan for the year 2021 has also been created. This proves their forward thinking to be there basic core competency that enables them to anticipate the implications and after wards consequences of the various circumstances and taking appropriate action plan for contingencies being faced at time. The government of Dubai creates contingency plans in advance which further anticipate possible future dilemmas. Developing a strategic plan based upon future expectations and goals trends in various sectors and industries are also analyzed for developmental plans to take benefits from potential opportunities. Criticism of the core competencies of Dubai Strategic Plan à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" 2015 While Developing the Entrepreneurial orientation, the government lacks to demonstrate willingness to calculate any forecasted risk or threat that is being created in order to achieve business goals. At the current moment Dubai consists of 3 billion square ft of land with twenty four projects being constructed upon regarding every sector, whether that is social, eco tourism, infrastructure or science related (Environmental concerns over Dubai tourism developments, 2015). Obviously for such a wide construction consists of large scale of employees. Even though strategic plan supports social developments still at the bottom there lays an exploited underclass. Dubai with its rapid economical development relies heavily upon labor. Eighty to ninety percent of the work force living in overall UAE is migrants. These are the people who built such beautiful ornaments and beautify the Emirates with creative a nd attractive aesthetics. But unfortunately these labors have no voice and no owners of the vision. They labor in infamously harsh conditions. Critics view this scenario as stating Dubai to be a morally bankrupt dictatorship built by a slave captive labor. This entire situation supports the argument that Dubai is a hierarchical utopian experiment with an Arabic version of a capitalist vision. This situation involves all five core competencies mentioned above. As these core competences are working effectively at the current moment but can totally divert the situation if migrated employees raise their voice against unfair practices and demand for extended rights. Connections between Dubai Strategic Plan à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" 2015 and the United Arab Emirates Vision of 2021 Both of the plans are directed towards the fulfillment of economical development and future prosperity of UAE. Both of the plans are quite similar in their content and strategies. Theme one, in UAEà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ ž ¢s Vision of 2021 that is the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“United in Ambition and Responsibilityà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  consists of same basic strategies as mentioned in the social development being taking place in Dubai. Citizens are socially made empowered and security and justice is provided to them on equal basis. Theme three, United in Knowledge supports the vision of Sustainable and diversified economy of UAE. Question 3: Write introductory paragraph on how to measure the effectiveness of a strategic plan in Covering 2 guidelines from the given slide in measuring the effectiveness of Dubai Strategic Plan à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" 2015 by usage of two external references. Introductory paragraph: how to measure the effectiveness of a strategic plan For measuring the effectiveness of any strategic plan one has to analyze how the objectives are interconnected with the plans that have to be achieved. The strategies created can be completely effective if the resources utilized are according to the p repared plan and desired results are achieved. Usually strategic plans are developed under the sphere of forecasted results and past performances but the authorized person or the head of the plan should evaluate the whole plan with measuring resources and performances on continuous basis (Nelson, 2015). After six months or annually the performances can be matched for effectiveness. Following steps can be followed one by one to evaluate the effectiveness of the prepared strategic plan (Markgraf, 2015): Developing Strategies that are measurable 2. Variables should be measured During Implementation 3. Evaluating the Performances continuously 4. Reviewing the Effectiveness of the strategies In Terms Of its respective Objectives Measuring the effectiveness of sectorsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ sub-strategic plans in Dubai strategic plan of 2015 For measuring the effectiveness of the Dubaià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s strategic plan I will be referring to the slide provided for this concern. For the implementation of effective strategic management one should indeed create an organization that operates with characteristics of ritualistic and rigid nature. One running such a vast empire such as the emirates of Dubai the leader must act and perform in such a way that he is always flexible and employees look upon him for guidance. As employees will be satisfied the business operation performances will also be up to mark. In other words the leader should be visionary and flexible in his teachings to provide a simple direction towards the organization goals. Other than being flexible in every procedure, the leaders and the upper management as well should be a self reflective learning process through which employees learn and fol low you for fulfilling the organizational goals. The employees look for effective leadership as a source of reassurance and guarantee, as an anchor to provide a degree of security and stability. Regarding the economical developments, productivity growth and human capital excellence are improving quality wise rapidly. As it can be evaluated through different methods that the transformation of the infrastructure of Dubai is converting itself into a hub of business excellence through human capital as well. The work force is prepared for fulfillment of the organizational goals through effective leadership and strategic planning. At the current moment Dubai is engaged in businesses with Africa, Libya and Iraq (Dubai World-Class Infrastructure and a Global Hub for Trade, Transport and Tourism, 2015). The development of infrastructure can be witnessed through the construction of the marvelous Burj Al Arab Hotel that is presiding over the Jumeiraà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s beach coastline being the only hotel consisting of a seven star rating in the world. For the sake of astonishing developments reagrding economical sectors, UAE intends to spend more than about three hundred billion U.S dollars on the Dubaià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s infrastructure till the end of year 2030. Question 4: By using chapters 3 and 4 for introductory part about internal and external environmental analysis, determine two components in each factor of SWOT analysis from the case and how they interact with each other. Add two logical criticisms to the given SWOT analysis and how this criticism can lead to improve the SWOT analysis of the case. Internal Analysis As the process of strategic management initiates, managers are entitled to carry on the internal analysis of the organization. The internal analysis is considered to be the first part of the SWOT analysis that consists of two attributes, strengths and weaknesses. Primarily the strengths and weaknesses of a company are identified for furthe r analyzing its core competencies and the current situation of the business. For the effectiveness of the strategic plans and approaches the companies must tend to exploit and ensure the extension of its potential strengths. Why entrepreneurs measure the strengths and weaknesses of the organization is related to the fact of gaining competitive advantage over its rivalries. For being competitive the company should develop its strengths and eliminate or reduce weaknesses. By identifying its strengths or core competencies the organization can differentiate itself on the basis of its offered products or / and services or some may decrease their costs for gaining large market share. External Analysis The second part of the SWOT analysis deals with leaders and managers recognizing the organizations opportunities and threats that is said to be the external analysis of a company. The identification of potential opportunities and threats are to be taken seriously as to develop strategi es. Following are the factors stated that are involved in the process of external assessment: The potential threats of an entry by potential rivalries The intensity of competition among established organizations within an market Consumerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s purchasing power Supplierà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s bargaining power Similarity among alternative products SWOT Analysis Strengths Due to the rapid foreign investments with the versatile availability of land resources for construction purposes, effective leadership and blooming tourism sector the future of economical development in Dubai remains outstanding. Weaknesses: Burden created through Dubai financial Debts is an alarming concern for the UAE financial entities and investors. Further more if the situation is not handled in time it may cause instability in its financial ecosystem as the Dubaià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s financial entity forms an integral part of the IFC (Srivastava, 2015). Opportunities Tourism sector is blooming and is at its top state that brings the capital inflows that welcomes a huge channel of opportunities with it. The vacant region of MENA brings numerous opportunities with relocating citizens there (Srivastava, 2015). Threats The migrated labors have no voice, rights and no owners of the vision. They labor in infamously harsh conditions. Critics view this scenario as stating Dubai to be a morally bankrupt dictatorship built by a slave captive labor. This entire situation supports the argument that Dubai is a hierarchical utopian experiment with an Arabic version of a capitalist vision. Hence it portrays a distorted image of Dubaià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Infrastructure. Criticism There will come a state where there will be no place left vacant for construction purposes. Opportunity will reduce with the passage go time as construction will also be decreased. Regarding the tourism sector, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a highly competitive and challenging sector to be always maintained and fulfill expectations of the tourists that belong to every part of the world with high demands. References Dubai World-Class Infrastructure and a Global Hub for Trade, Transport and Tourism. (2015, March 16). Retrieved from Forbes custom: https://www.forbescustom.com/EconomicDevelopmentPgs/DubaiWorldClass.html Dubaià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s 2015 Strategic Plan B. (2015, March 15). Retrieved from Arabian business: https://www.arabianbusiness.com/dubai-s-2015-strategic-plan-b-40713.html?parentID=325206 Environmental concerns over Dubai tourism developments. (2015, March 16). Retrieved from Global Travel Industry News: https://www.eturbonews.com/2273/environmental-concerns-over-dubai-tourism-dev Markgraf, B. (2015, March 16). Strategy Effectiveness. Retrieved from Chron: https://smallbusiness.chron.com/strategy-effectiveness-76012.html Mohammed, E. (2015, March 15). The debate on UAE national identity. Retrieved from Gulf News: https://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/the-debate-on-uae-national-identity-1.106921 Nelson, S. S. (2015, March 16). Implementing for Results: Your Strategic Plan in Action. Retrieved from Google Books: https://books.google.com.pk/books?id=qqKTAwAAQBAJpg=PA35dq=how+to+ measure+the+effectiveness+of+a+strategic+planhl=ensa=Xei=ovgFVdmtOc6qaafDgcAOved=0CD4Q6AEwBw#v=onepageq=how to measure the effectiveness of a strategic planf=false Srivastava, S. (2015, March 16). Dubai As An International Finance Center, a SWOT Analysis. Retrieved from Economic and Market Analysis That Matters: https://www.econmatters.com/2014/09/dubai-as-international-finance-center.html

Descriptive Essay - Original Writing - 1391 Words

It s early November, the brown leaves from the trees above are covering the sidewalk. I just got out of class and wanted to grab some coffee before I jump on the train and head back home. I like to do some studying on the train but I get distracted a lot of the time and usually end up listening to my music and staring out the window. Right as I get out of class it starts raining. With my hood over my head and a newspaper for extra protection I run across the street to the Cafe. As I enter the scent of the roasted coffee beans hits my nose and I am instantly relaxed. I look around as I wipe my feet on the mat. I notice the next person in line and walk up to wait behind them. The line isn t too long. I notice a little hole in my jacket and think how I possibly got that. I m wearing a striped white and black sweater that I got from HM with a heavy dusty brown jacket, black pants with rips on the knee, and some brown booties I got from a department store, Macy s I think. My hair is in a pony tail, a few hairs sticking out of the back and sides. It s a quick ponytail I had to rush today and of course my glasses. As I m standing in line I drift away and start to stare out the window. Outside there are cars going by, people on the phone talking to their loved ones, walking their dogs, a group of women on their way to get lunch together. It all looks very busy and loud. Inside, there is a low chatter. A man flipping to the next page of his newspaper, a woman with herShow MoreRelatedDescriptive Essay - Original Writing1110 Words   |  5 PagesI don’t know how I got to where I am, but I’m here now, and I have to win if I want to live. I am in a game, and in order to live, I have to escape. That’s the thing, though: I don’t know how to escape. I was running for my life around this old house that looked like it came straight out of a horror movie. I doubled over and held my head in pain as I saw the static, which meant it was coming. 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I had the bottom two drawers. Andy had the middle two, and Caireann had the top. I pulled open the drawers, pulling on a colorful tank top and a grayRead MoreDescriptive Essay - Original Writing1345 Words   |  6 PagesLater that night, I was behind the wheel of my G-Wagon with Melissa in the passenger seat. She didn’t feel like driving since she was on the road all day and I understood so I didn’t mind when she asked me to. I had been tight-lipped. She kept eyeballing me as if she detected that something was bothering me but I just kept singing to my India Arie as if I was carefree. â€Å"So are you going to tell me what’s going on or no† Melissa said disrupting my own personal concert. I stopped singing and tookRead MoreDescriptive Essay - Original Writing1085 Words   |  5 PagesI WAS SITTING IN a taxi, wondering if I had overdressed for the evening, when I looked out the window and saw Mom rooting through a Dumpster. It was just after dark. A blustery March wind whipped the steam coming out of the manholes, and people hurried along the sidewalks with their collars turned up. I was stuck in traffic two blocks from the party where I was heading. Mom stood fifteen feet away. She had tied rags around her shoulders to keep out the spring chill and was picking through the trash

What is Drug Free Essays

A drug is any animal, vegetable, or mineral substance used in the composition of medicines. It also refers to any stuff used in dyeing or in chemical operations. It is a substance that is used as a medicine or narcotic. We will write a custom essay sample on What is Drug? or any similar topic only for you Order Now A drug is capable of altering natural biological processes, with their manipulating nature used in medicine as a corrective measure against deviances from these normal biological processes. As described in the Webster Dictionary (1992), a drug, is a substance, other than food intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man or other animals. It is any narcotic; also any substance or chemical agent, exclusive of food, employed for other than medical reasons to obtain a given physiological effect or to satisfy a craving. The drug affects the mind or body. The effect depends on the type of drug, the amount taken, when and how it is used, and the person who takes it (Webster, 1992). Drugs may be classified as uppers, downers, narcotics, mind-affecting (hallucinogens), or volatile chemicals. Uppers are stimulants that affect the nervous system to excite the user. Downers are depressants that affect the central nervous system to relax the user. Narcotics affect the nervous system, and change many of the normal activities of the body, and often produce an intense state of excitement or distortion of the user’s senses. Volatile chemicals are depressants acting upon the central nervous system. It is important for the first aider to be able to detect possible drug abuse at the overdose level and to relate certain signs to certain types of drugs (Webster, 1992 p. FA-28). There are four levels of drug use. Abstinence means not taking any drugs or any particular drug. Experimentation means trying a drug for the first time. It could be a doctor prescribing medicine, or a young person sniffing glue. If a user likes the effects of a drug, he or she may move to casual, recreational or regular use. Casual use is taking a drug only when a person feels like it or when a it is offered. Recreational use is a drug use for enjoyment in social situations. Regular use means taking drugs almost everyday. Habitual or problem drug becomes dependent (needs to have some of the drug everyday). The user may have very little control over his or her problem drug use. The effects of this dependence can be serious, and sometimes fatal. With certain drugs, the user can develop a tolerance, or get used to the drug. He or she has to take very large amounts to feel the same effects. These drugs include alcohol, opiates, LSD, caffeine, amphetamines and tranquilisers. Psychological dependence can develop with any type of drug. The user believes that he or she will not be able to lead a normal life without taking the drug and becomes very upset if it is not available. Physical dependence, when the body cannot work without a regular supply of the drug may happen with long term use. This is common with depressants and analgesics. Depressants slow the nervous system and relax the body. Alcohol is the most common, but other legal depressants are abused for these effects. These include barbiturates (sleeping pills), tranquilisers and solvents (glue and gases). Analgesics reduce the user’s reaction to pain, discomfort and anxiety. Opium, heroin and codeine are obtained from opium poppies. Methadone and pethidine are synthetic (chemical rather than natural) analgesics. Many analgesics have medical uses. Withdrawal symptoms, which make the user feel unwell, can happen when a regular user stops taking a drug. When a person has an overdose, he or she takes more of the drug than the body can cope with, becomes very ill and may even die (Brown and King 1990). Mechanisms of Drug Action To describe the mechanism of drug action in the brain, whenever a person uses a drug and the effect it produces is somehow pleasant, this effect gets a rewarding quality for that person. As experimental research by behavioural psychologists has demonstrated, all behaviours that are reinforced by a reward have a tendency to be repeated and learned. Successive repetitions, besides fixing the reward-producing behaviours, also fix all previously indifferent stimuli, sensations, and situations, eventually associated with those behaviours. Seeing particular places or persons, hearing specific music, etc, for instance, triggers in drug users the craving for their preferred drug. Using Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Dr. Edythe D. London and her colleagues at the Addiction Research Centre, in Baltimore, obtained images showing that in cocaine-users, cues associated with the use of the drug sparked an increase in the metabolism of glucose in brain areas that are associated with memory and learning (lateral pre-frontal cortex, amygdala, and cerebellum). Up to now, is far from complete our knowledge about the cerebral, chemical and structural changes that underlie reward and act as reinforcers for different behaviours, including that of drug use. Nevertheless, recent researches point to a chain of reactions, involving several neurotransmitters, leading to the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine in a brain region. Compare and contrast the Physical Dependence and Positive Incentive theories of drug addiction. Drug addiction has two components: physical dependency, and psychological dependency. Physical dependency occurs when a drug has been used habitually and the body has become accustomed to its effects. The person must then continue to use the drug in order to feel normal, or its absence will trigger the symptoms of withdrawal. Psychological dependency occurs when a drug has been used habitually and the mind has become emotionally reliant of its effects, either to elicit pleasure or relieve pain, and does not feel capable of functioning without it. Its absence produces intense cravings, which are often brought on or magnified by stress. A dependent person may have either aspects of dependency, but often has both. â€Å"Chipping† is also a term used to describe a pattern of drug use in which the user is not physically dependent and sustains ‘controlled use’ of a drug. This is done by avoiding influences that reinforce dependence, such that the drug is used for relaxation and not for escape. Physical Dependency Model After repeated exposure to certain drugs, withdrawal symptoms appear if the drug is discontinued. Withdrawal symptoms are compensatory reactions that oppose the primary effects of the drug. Therefore they are the opposite of the effects of the drug. Withdrawal effects are unpleasant and reduction in these effects would therefore constitute negative reinforcement. [Negative reinforcement is the reinforcement of behaviour that terminates an aversive stimulus] Negative reinforcement could explain why addicts continue to take the drug. However some addicts will endure withdrawal symptoms (go ‘cold-turkey’) in order to reduce their tolerance so that they can recommence drug intake at a lower dose which costs less to purchase. Concentrating on the role of physical withdrawal effects at the expense of other psychological factors led to the failure to recognize the addictive properties of cocaine. Cocaine does not produce physical dependency (tolerance and withdrawal symptoms) but it is more addictive than heroin. This diagram (redrawn from Julien, 1995), shows the changing pattern in the major drug used by patients admitted to drug treatment programs in New York City during the 1980s. It is also important to emphasize that reduction in withdrawal symptoms does not explain why people take drugs in the first place. Negative reinforcement may account for initial drug taking in some situations. For example, someone who is suffering from unpleasant emotions may experience a reduction in these feelings (i. e. negative reinforcement) following drug administration. However the most likely reason for drug taking involves positive reinforcement. Positive Reinforcement Model The reinforcing properties of a drug are thought to be reason why most people become addicted to drugs. Addictive drugs are positive reinforcers (Carlson, 2001). As you know positive reinforcement can lead to learning a new response, and the maintenance of existing behaviours. It follows that the behaviours associated with taking an addictive drug (i. e. injecting or smoking it) will increase in probability. One way of testing this claim is to examine the reinforcing properties of drugs in animals. We already know that conventional reinforcers support bar-pressing in animals, therefore if a drug maintains a response such as bar-pressing in an animal, it is a reinforcing stimulus. At one time it was believed that animals could not be made addicted to drugs, but that view is now rejected because technical developments have shown that animals will learn new behaviours that cause injection of drugs into their body. Explain how the study of reward circuits has provided a potential explanation of drug addiction. The study of reward circuits has provided a potential explanation of drug addiction. The reinforcing effects of drugs during intoxication create an environment that, if perpetuated, triggers the neuronal adaptations that result in addiction. Imaging studies in drug abusers as well as non–drug abusers have shown that drugs of abuse increase the extra-cellular concentration of drug addiction in the striatum and that these increases were associated with their reinforcing effects. The subjects who had the greatest increases in drug addiction were the ones who experienced drug effects such as â€Å"high,† â€Å"rush,† or â€Å"euphoria† most intensely. These studies also showed that the reinforcing effects appeared to be associated not only with the magnitude but also with the abruptness of the drug addiction increase. Thus, for an equivalent increase in drug addiction, the drug was experienced as reinforcing when it was injected intravenously, which leads to fast drug uptake in the brain and presumably very fast changes in drug addiction concentration, but not when it was given orally, which leads to a slow rate of brain uptake and presumably slow increases in drug addiction concentration. The dependency of the reinforcing effects of drugs on fast and large increases in drug addiction concentration is reminiscent of the changes in drug addiction concentration induced by phasic drug addiction cell firing (fast-burst firing 30 Hz), which also leads to fast changes in drug addiction concentration and whose function is to highlight the saliency of stimuli. This contrasts with tonic drug addiction cell firing (slow firing at frequencies around 5 Hz), which maintains base-line steady-state drug addiction levels and whose function is to set the overall responsiveness of the drug addiction system. This led us to speculate that the ability of drugs of abuse to induce changes in drug addiction concentration that mimic but exceed those produced by phasic drug addiction cell firing results in over-activation of the neuronal processes that highlight saliency, and that this is one of the relevant variables underlying their high reinforcing value. However, studies show that increases in drug addiction concentration during intoxication occur in both addicted and non-addicted subjects, so this by itself cannot explain the process of addiction. Since drug addiction requires chronic drug administration, we suggest that addiction results from the repeated perturbation of reward circuits (marked drug addiction increases followed by drug addiction decreases) and the consequent disruption of the circuits that it regulates (motivation/drive, memory/learning, and control). Indeed, imaging studies in drug-addicted subjects have consistently shown long-lasting decreases in the numbers of drug addiction D2 receptors in drug abusers compared with controls. In addition, studies have shown that cocaine abusers also have decreased drug addiction cell activity, as evidenced by reduced drug addiction release in response to a pharmacological challenge with a stimulant drug. We postulate that the decrease in the number of drug addiction D2 receptors, coupled with the decrease in drug addiction cell activity, in the drug abusers would result in a decreased sensitivity of reward circuits to stimulation by natural reinforcers. This decreased sensitivity would lead to decreased interest in ordinary (day-to-day) environmental stimuli, possibly predisposing subjects for seeking drug stimulation as a means to temporarily activate these reward circuits. Imaging studies provide evidence of disrupted sensitivity to natural reinforcers in addiction. For example, in a study by Martin-Solch and colleagues, the meso-striatal and meso-corticolimbic circuits of opiate addicts were not activated in response to natural reinforcers, whereas they were in controls subjects. Similarly, in a second study by the same group, DA-regulated reward centres in tobacco smokers failed to activate in response to monetary reward. Interestingly, decreased sensitivity of reward circuits to acute alcohol administration has also been documented in cocaine abusers compared with control subjects. These findings suggest an overall reduction in the sensitivity of reward circuits in drug-addicted individuals to natural reinforcers, but also possibly to drugs besides the one to which they are addicted (extracted from the Journal of Clinical Investment May 15, 2003). How to cite What is Drug?, Papers

Robert Bresson Free-Sample for Students-Myassignmenthelp.com

Question: Brief Bescription of the Film. Answer: Name Professor Title Date Robert Bresson A Man Escaped is a French film directed by Robert Bresson in 1956 and based on the memoirs of a certain member of the French resistance named Andre Devigny. Devigny is held in a prison in Montluc that has a German occupation. Robert Bresson also brings aspects of the World War 2 through the explosive actions of the protagonist Fontaine which lays emphasis on what Bresson himself went through during this war. As a member of the French Resistance, he was imprisoned by the Germans at the height of the war. Upon the opening credits, the movie begins with a commemoration of soldiers whose life was ended by the inhuman acts of the Nazis. Just as this goes on, a sharp shift in the flow of events shows Fontaine in jail who is trying to seize an opportunity to escape from the bondage of German captors. However, his plot is short lived because the car that carries him is stopped whereby he is apprehended, beaten and taken to the jail in handcuffs (Deacy 6). From the jail, he makes a successful attempt to escape by chipping the woody floor. However, his earlier accomplice Orsini is captured and immediately necessitating transfer of prison rooms for Fontaine where he meets Jost whom he later on plans with to eventually breakaway from the prison undetected. The artistic brilliance of Robert Bresson means that his films have continued to transcend the limitations of time. Born Between 1901-1907, in a small town of Bromont Lamothe in Central France, Bresson entered the film industry as a script assistant. Two years after joining the French army he was jailed by the Germans which later on acted as the turn around on his illustrious career in the film industry (Cardullo 17). This explains why most of his blockbuster films take a prison setting. A Man Escaped (1956), The Trial of Joan of Arc (1962). However, sandwiched between these two is Pickpocket (1959) which tries to use prison as a redemption place for people afflicted with the terror of being a prisoner of war. His character creation follows an out and out rogue who will do anything unaccountably good to seek the just path. I find Robert Breeson as one of the most revered figures in the film industry thanks to his commercial success coupled with aesthetic worth express in his movies. He conquered the movie directing industry all the way in 1950s through 1960s because of the exceptional perspective that he took in the movies he was involved in. Steven Spielberg and George Lucas are some of the directors who can be spoken in the same breath with Bressons artistic prowess (Cuneen 16). His work in the A Man Escaped in 1956 provides insight into the real stories that engulfed the World War particularly the animosity that existed between the French and the Germans then. The severity of his style coupled with the bleakness of his narratives establish him as one of the greatest directors of all time. None of the movies transcend the limitations of time as much as those directed by Robert Bresson as far as A Man Escaped is concerned (Pipolo 9). The memories particularly the agony that is expressed in this film is one that lives up to this date. I think that most of the modern day directors are struggling to fill the void left by Robert Bresson and so it is only through a complete immersion into his works that they can realize some level of success. Reference Cardullo, Bert. Bresson and Others: Spiritual Style in the Cinema. Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2009. Cunneen, Joseph E. Robert Bresson: A Spiritual Style in Film. New York: Continuum, 2003. Deacy, Christopher. Screen Christologies: Redemption and the Medium of Film. Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 2001 Pipolo, Tony. Robert Bresson: A Passion for Film. Oxford University Press, 2009

Catch 22 free essay sample

Yossarian asks Orr if there is a possibility he can stay on the ground. People who are considered crazy are those who become grounded. Here, Orr could only become grounded if he sent a request to fulfill that duty. Turns out Orr did not make the request because he is crazy. All at the same time, remaining in these air-based combat missions. If he were asked to remain on the land, he would actually be normal — not insane. Because of the code that exists in the 256th Bombardment Squadron is really a â€Å"catch-22†, it represents that there is no way out of war because they must listen to their authority figures to tell them what to do. This behavioral theme in Catch-22 covers most of what a â€Å"catch-22† can be interpreted as. Another example of distortion used in Catch-22 can be seen throughout the instances among Yossarian and Luciana. Luciana is a women that Yossarian has multiple sexual affairs with. We will write a custom essay sample on Catch 22 or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In Chapter 16, Luciana gave Yossarian her address and almost as soon as she had left, he tore the piece of paper into little pieces. Her address was forever lost. He feels a deep compassion for Luciana that he has never felt with any other women. He asks her to marry him and she rejects because she is unspoiled, or not a virgin. Yossarian gets to the point where he needs Luciana by his side. And his lust for affairs turns into a need for a relationship. In that moment he tore that piece of paper that contained her address, Yossarian had lost Luciana. In this world full of war and controversy, relationships of commitment, some of the most normal qualities of human beings, are not possible. The whole entire purpose of a â€Å"catch-22† is to create this paradoxical situation that no body can escape. It is altered by many different ways and perceptions, seen through distortion. The distortion used in Catch-22 is what brings this violent yet humorous book into ironic situations of hypocrisy. Whether distortion is created through justice, a personal problem or represented through greed, the original idiomatic of a â€Å"catch-22† will always reflect the distortion used through Heller’s work. Works Cited: Heller, Joseph. Catch-22. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1961. Definition of Distortion.