Saturday, August 31, 2019

Analysis of film poster

The white In the centre makes you look at the tree just in front of the light, using it to draw attention. Although this image is strongly rooted, black is still used in the design a lot, which takes away a bit from the image of it as a death color, yet keeps its air of elegance and sophistication. In movies in particular, the dark color is used a lot in movies with horror or gothic themes, using our fear of the unknown and unexplored – the dark spaces we know nothing about – to promote their themes. So, these three mall color showing that the poster a sense of darkness and mystery, as well as a Mathew sickening feel to it.It's quite obviously a fantasy color palette, and it matches the genre of the movie and makes people focus on the intriguing picture in the middle. Key Image: The main image in the picture is of the back of the girl. The small girl is walking towards and standing In front of what look like an old time portal. The shadows and the shapes of lurching tre es surrounding on her. The girl looks as If she is wandering off into the unknown, showing that there's going to be some suspense and possibly scary parts in the movie. The large dark arches with the goblin face on hem also give off the essence of creepiness.She may be stepping into the unknown. Background: The poster as it includes a lot of the clear blue color of laser rays that are something of a staple of the genre. It Is a support by the environment the characters are In, space, adding the darkness and unknown element to the design. The edges of the picture are pitch dark, which means people are supposed to focus on the central image. Behind the title of the film can see that was a brazen, this may indicate that there is something on the other side. Realism: There is nothing realistic about the image on the poster except for a small RL standing at the bottom.Everything else in the poster looks to be pure fantasy. It does not look Like a photograph or picture. Therefore, It does n't have much realism Text Color: White provides a good contrast to strong colors, such as black and blue. It can be used in small amounts or large amounts without becoming too overpowering or overwhelming, a positive aspect of the color. The negative point is that it is the color associated with surrender and cowardliness as the symbol of surrender is a white flag. We can see that the main title, Pan's Labyrinth, is printed in dark brown with gold-rimmed lettering.The dark brown of the lettering contrasts with the bright white background, attracting the viewer to read it. The font is a classic looking, sophisticated lettering style, possibly showing that this labyrinth or story is timeworn. The ‘R' in the word ‘Labyrinth' carries on at the bottom into a branch, showing that the little girl could be entering the labyrinth, as it all entwines. It draws our eyes to it. Tagging: The tagging at the bottom of the poster says â€Å"Innocence has a power evil cannot imagine. à ¢â‚¬  The tagging tells you that this girl is walking into danger and that it's a film all about an innocent young girl facing evil.At the top of the poster, there is a quote saying â€Å"Beautiful and exhilarating†¦ A fairy tale for grown-ups† Because it is at the top of the poster, but smaller than the title, it should be the second thing that the viewer reads. Positive reviews and laurels on the posters will intrigue customers as they know that they can trust the professionals. Text Font: The font is a classic looking, sophisticated lettering style, possibly showing that this labyrinth or story is timeworn. The ‘R' in the word ‘Labyrinth' carries on at the OTTOMH into a branch, showing that the little girl could be entering the labyrinth, as it all entwines.The letter â€Å"R† has been Joined with the trees around the border of the poster, showing that the tree and the letter â€Å"R† were inseparably intertwined. Target Audience: The target audience of the movie poster for this movie would be fantasy lovers. Even though it looks pitch dark, perhaps many children as it has an element of mysterious adventure about the movie. There are three laurels from film festivals, including Cannes Film Festival and the New York Film Festival, which are tot immense festivals in the film business.It shows that the film has been the love by the harshest of critics and film experts. Reaction: In my opinion, I think this is a great poster, and it matches the film itself, its genre and its look very mystery. The cinematography and magic-realism is a visual treat, and the movie will leave people thinking of it for a long time. It is one of those films that only get better when it reattached again. It shows to people there will be an adventure, and although people don't know the significance of the small girl, people will assume she will be part of it.There ‘re lots to look at, but it's not overly busy. Layout: I like the layout of t his poster. It is very clever how the edges blackened around the poster. So people will only see the central image. When the people look in the centre, then gradually look further out, it notices the giant moon above what looks like a portal, people can see the trees and the gremlin or goblin type sculpture in the arch. It is very detailed, even the small print at the bottom has the details of everything, but the main focus of the layout is a small girl who standing on the bottom.

Marketing Exploratory Research Essay

Researchers employ exploratory research when little is known about the topic and previous theories or ideas do not apply. For example, if you wanted to study how to get students to use the computer lab in a college environment, you might first have to do exploratory research to figure out which students might need the lab and what appeals to this demographic. Exploratory research clarifies problems, gathers data and creates initial hypothesis and theories about subjects. The primary point of exploratory research is to give researchers pertinent information and help them to form initial hypotheses about the subject. Exploratory research is challenging in the sense that it tackles vaguely defined hypothesis and tries to find answers to questions. This kind of research is social in nature and requires some preliminary work in the direction of the research. In fact, sociologist Earl Babbie treats exploratory as the purpose of the research saying this kind of research proves to be useful when the hypothesis has yet not been formed or developed. There are certain basic premises that need to be tested at the start of an exploratory research. With the help of these hypotheses, the researcher hopes to arrive at more generalizations. Exploratory research is a form of research conducted for a problem that has not been clearly defined. Exploratory research helps determine the best research design, data collection method and selection of subjects. It should draw definitive conclusions only with extreme caution. Given its fundamental nature, exploratory research often concludes that a perceived problem does not actually exist. Exploratory research often relies on secondary research such as reviewing available literature and/or data, or qualitative approaches such as informal discussions with consumers, employees, management or competitors, and more formal approaches through in-depth interviews, focus groups, projective methods, case studies or pilot studies. The Internet allows for research methods that are more interactive in nature. For example, RSS feeds efficiently supply researchers with up-to-date information; major search engine search results may be sent by email to researchers by services such as Google Alerts; comprehensive search results are tracked over lengthy periods of time by services such as Google Trends; and websites may be created to attract worldwide feedback on any subject. When the purpose of research is to gain familiarity with a phenomenon or acquire new insight into it in order to formulate a more precise problem or develop hypothesis, the exploratory studies ( also known as formulative research ) come in handy. If the theory happens to be too general or too specific, a hypothesis cannot to be formulated. Therefore a need for an exploratory research is felt to gain experience that will be helpful in formulative relevant hypothesis for more definite investigation Descriptive Research Descriptive research is done with a specific research question in mind. It gives a set view of the subject, population, market segment or problem. An example of descriptive research would be a report that provides an age and gender breakdown of the users of a particular online service. Descriptive research provides research questions, populations or methods of analysis before the research is started. In marketing, it often consists of longitudinal studies, which study the behavior of individuals over time, and cross-sectional studies, which examine many populations at one specific time. As the name implies, a descriptive research is descriptive in nature and gathers statistics, which is later carefully studied to arrive at conclusions. In fact, descriptive research often leads to formulation of hypothesis as collation and analysis of data produces conclusions that form the basis of another research. So, if there is a research about the use of alcohol among teenagers, it typically begins with collection of data that is descriptive in nature and lets people know the age and drinking habits of students. Descriptive research is helpful for calculations and to arrive at statistical tools such as median, averages, and frequencies. Descriptive research, also known as statistical research, describes data and characteristics about the population or phenomenon being studied. However, it does not answer questions about e.g.: how/when/why the characteristics occurred, which is done under analytic research. Although the data description is factual, accurate and systematic, the research cannot describe what caused a situation. Thus, Descriptive research cannot be used to create a causal relationship, where one variable affects another. In other words, descriptive research can be said to have a low requirement for internal validity. The description is used for frequencies, averages and other statistical calculations. Often the best approach, prior to writing descriptive research, is to conduct a survey investigation. There are three main types of descriptive methods: observational methods, case-study methods and survey methods. Observational Method With the observational method (sometimes referred to as field observation) animal and human behavior is closely observed. There are two main categories of the observational method — naturalistic observation and laboratory observation. The biggest advantage of the naturalistic method of research is that researchers view participants in their natural environments. This leads to greater ecological validity than laboratory observation, proponents say. Ecological validity refers to the extent to which research can be used in real-life situations. Proponents of laboratory observation often suggest that due to more control in the laboratory, the results found when using laboratory observation are more meaningful than those obtained with naturalistic observation. Laboratory observations are usually less time-consuming and cheaper than naturalistic observations. Of course, both naturalistic and laboratory observation are important in regard to the advancement of scientific knowledge. Case Study Method Case study research involves an in-depth study of an individual or group of indviduals. Case studies often lead to testable hypotheses and allow us to study rare phenomena. Case studies should not be used to determine cause and effect, and they have limited use for making accurate predictions. There are two serious problems with case studies — expectancy effects and atypical individuals. Expectancy effects include the experimenter’s underlying biases that might affect the actions taken while conducting research. These biases can lead to misrepresenting participants’ descriptions. Describing atypical individuals may lead to poor generalizations and detract from external validity. Survey Method Survey method research, participants answer questions administered through interviews or questionnaires. After participants answer the questions, researchers describe the responses given. In order for the survey to be both reliable and valid it is important that the questions are constructed properly. Questions should be written so they are clear and easy to comprehend. What is the difference between Descriptive and Exploratory Research? †¢ Descriptive research, being quantitative in nature, is restrictive in terms of open ended questions, which can be better answered using exploratory research. †¢ Flexibility of design is offered by exploratory research more than by descriptive research. †¢ Descriptive research is used more to arrive at statistical tools such as mean, average, median and frequency. On the other hand, exploratory research allows the researcher to develop designs that are more qualitative in nature. †¢ The amount of information known to the researcher at the start of the research plays an important role in deciding upon the type of research. With only vague ideas in the minds of the researcher, it is better to go for exploratory design. On the other hand, more information such as quantitative data allows a researcher to go for descriptive research that leads to unearthing causal relationships. †¢ Exploratory research needs to be conducted first to have a platform that allows for collation of data required in descriptive research.

Friday, August 30, 2019

In The Shadow of the Glen Essay

In the shadow of the Glen was written by J M Synge in 1914. Even before it was shown to anybody it caused arguments within the Irish Society because some people thought the play was shocking and unpatriotic and was an insult against Irish womanhood. The main point of the play was to celebrate Irish culture and Irish writers but it seemed to turn against Synge. In the shadow of the Glen have four main characters in it. Nora Burke is the only female in the play and is very seductive and flirtatious. He is the wife of Dan Burke who was a farmer and a shepherd. There is Michael Dara whom has a small part in the play yet has an important role. He comes across to the audience as young and naive. And the last is the tramp that represents the audience and knows of Dan’s plot and also knows of secondary characters like Darcy. He is shown as a good character that wants to help people. Nora is a character that has a relationship with everyone. She has a relationship with her husband, a relationship with the tramp whom she invites in her house and talks to throughout the play and she has a relationship with Michael Dara, a young shepherd whom she wants to marry. She also has relationships with the secondary characters such as Darcy – a man that was â€Å"in her life and had made her happy when she was lonely.† She has a relationship with Mary Brien and Peggy Cavanagh, whom she refers to near the end of the play and they probably spent their childhood together. In the beginning Nora is presented as a lonely character whose husband has just died. She is middle aged and has had a bad marriage with her husband. She has had an affair with a man called Darcy and never loved Dan. â€Å"What way would I live, and I an old woman, if I didn’t marry a man with a bit of a farm, and cows on it, and sheep on the back hills?† in this quote you can see that she only got married to Dan for land and security. In the play when the scene is set, Nora is moving around the kitchen lighting candles on the table which sets a romantic mood for when Michael comes when a knock is heard on the door. It makes her jump and she looks at the dead body of her husband uneasily. She then opens the door. This opening scene pulls you into the story, as you want to know why she has candles on the table and why she looks at the body uneasily and why there is a dead body in the kitchen. You want to find out the answers to your questions. In this part of the play Nora comes across to the audience as suspicious as she is continually looking at the body with troubled looks. Nora invites the tramp that is knocking at the door into her house and gives him whisky and tobacco. She comes across as being flirtatious towards the tramp and as if she is trying to get something from him. The tramp sees the body and comments on Dan’s â€Å"queer† look, which Nora then jokes about – â€Å"He was always queer, stranger, and I suppose them that’s queer and they living men will be queer bodies after†. She isn’t sad about his death and treats it as a joke. This unsettles the audience and the tramp. In this situation Nora should be sad and maybe tearful. She would not have let the tramp in, or if she did then she wouldn’t have spoken to him much, and just given him what he asked for. Nora then tells the tramp that she can’t move or touch the body as he has put a â€Å"black curse† on her. This also comes across as suspicious and raises questions in the audience’s minds. It comes across that they have been having problems – â€Å"for he lay a black curse on me this morning if I’d touch his body the time he’d die sudden, or let anyone touch it except his sister only† one question in the audience’s mind at this point would be why would he only let his sister touch him and not his own wife? This fits in with why Nora is not very sad about Dan’s death. Nora then supports this idea by commenting on Dan being cold towards her and that he was a horrible person that complained with this quote, â€Å"Maybe cold would be no sign of death with the like of him, for he was always cold, every day since I knew him†¦ and every night†¦Ã¢â‚¬  It seems to the audience and the tramp that she is sad that they were never loving towards each other and it raises another question in the audience’s mind that maybe she was regretting it. She then lightens the mood and offers the tramp the whisky and Dan’s pipe. The tramp and Nora get talking and Nora tells the tramp that she is sacred of being alone, â€Å"I’m thinking many would be afeard, but I never knew what way I’d be afeard of beggar or bishop or of any man of you at all†¦ It’s other things than the like of you, stranger as if you were easily afeard.† The question then in the audience’s mind is does she want something? or is she indicating something? The tramp then talks about Darcy, and Nora, who we know later has an affair with Darcy, is interested in what the tramp has to say about him, and enquires about him. The tramp then describes when and where he met Darcy and how he got to know him. When he tramp talks about Darcy’s death Nora shows some sad emotion and speaks â€Å"sorrowfully†. This shows she is sadder about Darcy’s death then her own husbands. She looks at the bed and speaks more quietly to the tramp about â€Å"after Darcy died she got happy again†. This indicates she is having another affair and that she cannot talk about Darcy around Dan, even if he is dead. This portrays Nora as being an unfaithful wife to Dan as she was having an affair with Darcy whilst he was alive and having one in his last few days or months. She changes the subject and asks if there was anyone else on the road. When the tramp tells her a young man was running after his sheep Nora gives a â€Å"half smile† and is intrigued. She asks about how far he was as if she wanted to meet him. She fills a kettle and puts it in fire to make some tea as if she is expecting someone. We know she is not making tea for the tramp as he has his whisky. So this proves she is expecting someone. She asks the tramp to stay with Dan. We now know this was why she was flirting with him and giving him their best whisky and cigars. In line 42 Nora speaks in â€Å"constraint† – as if she was holding back some enthusiasm to meet the young man but the tramp is uneased and wants to go himself. He doesn’t want to be left alone with the dead body. He continually looks at the dead body after Nora has gone and when she goes he tries to occupy his mind with sewing. After Dan jumps up we know that Dan is trying to trick Nora and that he is very bitter about Nora’s affair with Darcy. We know this as in line 57, the stage instructions tell us that Dan should â€Å"bitterly† say Darcy’s name. In the stage directions it is said you hear a long whistle from outside. This is Nora attracting the young man’s attention. Dab hears this and speaks â€Å"fiercely† in an ashamed way about his wife. He then takes a stick and then goes back to being dead. In this scene where Dan is alive the audience sympathise with Dan, as Nora is not sad about his death and very excited about meeting Michael. When Nora enters the house with Michael, Nora asks about Dan and if he made any sign of being alive. This may be because she suspects Dan of not being dead or just because she is being polite. The tramp lies, as he wants to see what will happen next. Nora then tries to get the tramp to leave the two alone and flirts with him a little by inviting him to use the bed, which could indicate something, â€Å"will you go into the little room and stretch yourself a short while on the bed†. But the tramp pretends to go to sleep nearby so he can hear. Michael is jealous of this and challenges the tramp a little. Once the tramp is asleep, Nora teases Michael and asks him why she should marry him. She is playing hard to get and in line 88 when she says, â€Å"It’s a hard woman I am to please this day, Michael Dara, and its no lie I am telling you.† She tells him about not wanting to be alone and that she wants to be secure and safe. During this time Michael is counting out money. This can be for two reasons – one to get more money or two to have an excuse for marrying Dan. This may be because she feels ashamed of herself and tries to find an excuse to make herself feel better. She aimlessly talks about money and not wanting to end up like a tramp roaming around streets and Michael is trying to console her. She is tempting him with whisky when Dan wakes up. Michael puts arm around her as if he is trying to prove himself when Dan sneezes. Michael is then very scared and begs for forgiveness. When Dan wants to throw Nora out he can only offer a refuge but not at his house. At this Nora is very scared a she would be alone and starts to flirt with Dan. This could be because she thinks if she flirts with him and shows him that she loves him the he would let her stay with him. But when this doesn’t work she curses him. This shows that she is using him and that she doesn’t love him. At the end the tramp to help Nora and they walk out. Nora does not enjoy the idea of not living in a house with no roof over her head as she explains to the tramp, â€Å"I’m thinking it’s myself will be wheezing that time with lying down under the Heavens when the night is cold,† and that she does not appreciate the tramp’s description of the magic of a grand morning when she describes to the tramp â€Å"What good is a grand morning when I’m destroyed surely, and I going out to get my death walking on the roads.† Nora obviously found her punishment unfair as she thought Dan was dead. She did not to be lonely and financially unstable so she acted on this thought alone. I think the writer presented her character well as it was a hard role to write. She had a lot of emotions, which were hard to display, but the point was clear.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Behavioural Finance Implications on Personal Investment Decisions Essay

Behavioural Finance Implications on Personal Investment Decisions - Essay Example This calls for better understanding and insight of the nature of human in the current global outlook, plus advancement of fine skills and the capability to achieve the best from investments. Furthermore, investors need to develop foresight, positive vision, drive and perseverance (BAKER, & NOFSINGER, 2010: p23). Investors vary in all features due to factors such as demographic factors, which entail educational achievement level, socio-economic background, sex, age, and race. The most critical hurdle faced by investors is in the region of investment choices. The most favourable investment decision is a vital consideration and should be proactive in nature. During the design of the investment portfolio, of key consideration should be their financial objectives, the level of risk tolerance, as well as other restrictions. Furthermore, they have to forecast the product mean-variance optimization. This procedure is best appropriate for institutional investors, and more often than not fails for people, who are vulnerable to behavioural prejudice. In the current circumstances, behavioural finance is increasingly attaining an integral position in the decision-making procedure, since it increasingly affects the performance of investors (SHEFRIN, 2007: p77). Investors can better their performance by identifying errors and biases of judgement, which are common to every human being. Comprehending the behavioural finance will play a vital role in enabling the investors to adopt a better investment mechanism and evade future repetition of costly errors. The relevant issues of this investigative study are how to reduce or abolish the psychological prejudices in investment decision procedure. According to the conventional financial theory, makers of decisions are logical. On the contrary, modern theories propose that the decision- making carried out by investors are not propelled by due deliberations (POMPIAN, 2012: p45). The decisions carried out by the investors are also freq uently inconsistent. In other words, decisions made by humans are prone to numerous cognitive illusions. They are categorised into two types heuristic decision process and process theory. Heuristic decision theory is a decision criterion through which the investors discover things for themselves. It refers to thumb rules, which people utilize to make decisions in uncertain and complicated situations (SCHINDLER, 2007: p86). In reality, the decision-making criteria of investors are not completely reasonable. This may be so even when the investors have gathered the necessary information and purposefully investigated, in which the emotional and mental aspects are entailed. They are not easy to distinguish. Though it may be beneficial sometimes, numerous times it may cause uninformed decision outcomes. First, it includes representativeness. The recent accomplishments of investors tend to proceed into the future (POMPIAN, 2012: p82). The propensity of investors to come up with decisions b ased on history experiences is called stereotype. Recent analyses are leaning towards the failure or success, in their profit projections, the nature of stereotype choices. Secondly, overconfidence is another factor. Several points of views surround confidence, as it accords more courage and is perceived as a key to prosperity. Even though,

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Final project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Final project - Essay Example The main conditions found in comorbidity to MDD includes Obsessive Compulsive disorder,Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the Panic Disorders. (Kessler,1996) Currently the treatment of MDD is centred around the selective serotonin reuptake receptor inhibitors (SSRI). This is based on the fact the main mood elevator neurotransmitter of our body and found at synaptic junctions are actively reuptake so the availibilty of serotonin at the synapse decreases, reducing the mood and causing depression. SSRIs inhibits this uptake by inhibiting the reuptake receptors of serotonin in the presynaptic regions found in the nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmentum area and hence causing mood elevations. Although antidepressant medications are often prescribed to people with MDD, it is estimated that 20-40% of depressed people do not benefit from taking medication ( Kirsch 2008,Hays,1995)).Apart from the efficacy these medications can also cause side effects like drying of mouth, insomnia and others amongst the few. Thus, researchers are developing other possible ways to reduce depressive symptoms. One such depression treatment alternative to medication is the transcranial magnetic stimulation or TMS. Briefly, TMS treatment involves placing a coil on the scalp surface and passing a current through it (the exact details of the strength and rate of the current are beyond our purposes). When the current passes into neural tissue it affects the way the neurons operate, in a therapeutic way. Objective and Aim of the Study We wanted to analyze whether the TMS approach is effective in reduction of the episodes of depression from the baseline levels at the end of week 4 in the major depressive disorder patients. Methodology The study was conducted across multiple sites but the procedures were the same across locations. The sites involved were Florida, Oregon, and Washington. Across locations, participants with a history of antidepressant-resistant MDD were randomly assigned to either a n active or a sham TMS condition. In the active condition, participants were actually given the TMS treatment. In the sham condition, participants were not given the TMS treatment but went through a similar procedure in each session (e.g., they came in for sessions in which a coil was placed on their heads but no current was run through it). So the sham condition was considered to be a type of placebo treatment. This was done to minimize the treatment limited bias of the study. The study was run double-blind so that neither the participant nor the assistant running the session was aware of which condition the participant was in. Thus the experimental design of the study was a randomized, multicentric, placebo controlled double blind study. This design definitely was important to give the way for a powerful analysis. The MADRS scores which is the set of scores that signifies the extent of depression of various parameters were analyzed to give a final depression score. The convention is, more the MADRS scores more is the depression and vice versa. Thus the results were analyzed by comparing the MADRS scores at baseline and at 4 weeks after the TMS treatments were implemented to see the effect of that approach on MDD patients. Statistical analysis was carried out through SPSS software and paired sample t test was carried to find out the levels of significance. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results We analyzed findings on 4 questions to reach a conclusion. Q1.Ignoring the TMS condition and

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Current Trends in Health Care in USA Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Current Trends in Health Care in USA - Essay Example t of heart diseases it has been reported that 476,009 Americans under 85 died of cancer compared with 450,637 who died of heart disease as per the American Cancer Society’s annual statistical report of 2002. (â€Å"Cancer now top killer of younger Americans†, 2005) Almost one third of the cancer cases traces back to smoking while other are associated with obesity, poor diet and lack of exercise. There have been premature deaths caused by cancer, which arises from radioactive and carcinogenic materials in the surroundings. Unsafe products like hair dyes, food additives, cosmetics and marketed medicines manufactured for quick profits are associated with problems like cancer. The increased consumption of junk food is a major cause. Indiscretion in sexual life and keeping multiple partners are one of the major causes. Considering the variations among gender, Centers For Disease Control And Prevention reports that in 2003, prostate cancer (150 per 100,000) have been highest in men among the other types while breast cancer (119 per 100,000) have occupied the highest rate among the other types in women. Hepatitis B and C cause liver cancer; cervical cancer has been due to human papillomavirus while mainly H. pylori bacteria cause stomach cancer. AIDS related cancer is due to the HIV infection. Most of these cases are preventable through timely prediction, diagnosis and preventive measures through vaccines. (â€Å"Cancer now top killer of younger Americans†, 2005) The other most common types of cancer prevailing among both men and women are Lung and Colorectal cancer. The incidence of cancer is also highest among the blacks or the Afro Americans. Most of these people opt for the western treatment of cancer involving chemotherapy and surgery rather than any traditional methods. The reasons are basically that the process of opting for these drugs and chemicals is faster and easier than the slow progress of traditional methods. Lack of adequate information and knowledge

Monday, August 26, 2019

Describe the key stages of budgetary process, (b) Critically evaluate, Essay

Describe the key stages of budgetary process, (b) Critically evaluate, referring to the research findings the social significance of budgeting in modern organisations - Essay Example Budgeting process can be done for several reasons in an organization like planning, communication, coordination, motivation, performance evaluation and controlling process. Budgets can be of various types like short term budgets which are done for a month, a quarter or for a year. Operational control budgets are mainly done for a specific operation and the duration of this type of budget is a week or maximum a month. The most long term budget is known as capital budget which is done by the company for a period of more than one year and it can be extended to ten years and it determines that whether a company should proceed for a long term investment or not . Budgets can also be differentiated as sales budget which estimates the amount of future sales revenue and create a target for sales, production budget which estimates the number of output that should be produced to meet they sales target. Marketing budgets help to estimate the amount which is necessary for advertising and promotio nal activities to place the product in the market (Collier, 2002, pp. 207-208). Budgets are mainly based on the standard costing method for a certain level of production and sales. It should be prepared by an experienced accountant. A budget should describe the objective of the budget and the steps that are involved in the process of budget. There are several steps involved in the budgeting process which area s follows- Communication about the guidelines and policies with those people who making the budget is very important because e many decisions that may affect the budget year have been considered previously in the long term planning process which is the starting point for the annual budget. Thus the top level managers need to communicate the effect of the policy to the people who are responsible for the preparation of the budget of current year. The effect of the policy

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Portland Cement Mortar Cubes Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Portland Cement Mortar Cubes - Lab Report Example During the experiment, the temperature of air in the surrounding of the mixing slab, base plates, mixing bowl and the dry material was maintained between. The temperature of the mixing water, room and water in the storage tank were also kept at . The humidity was also maintained at 50%. The specimen were then molded and after molding stored in the moist room with their upper surfaces exposed to the air but protected from the dripping water. After one day, the first specimen was broken into two and its compressive strength recorded. The other specimens were inserted in saturated lime water and then removed during the third day to measure its compressive strength. The remaining specimen was broken into two and tested on the seventh day in the testing machine by applying loads of between 900 and 1800 N/s. The results for compressive strength of Type I cement were close to the standard ones as per ASTM C 150 (Table 3: Standard physical requirements). However, the results of Type III cement differ from the standard results. This shows that type III cement does do have the desired air content unless it is proven otherwise using the fineness model. The experiment was conducted with the highest level of accuracy possible. Errors were expected since the temperature and humidity in the laboratory were not constant. Also, in the preparation of mortar, the ratios were estimated to the nearest decimal point and thus resulted to the deviations for Type I cement. Type III cement deviations for strength show that it does not comply with the ASTM C 150. The experiment should be conducted under constant

Saturday, August 24, 2019

An online based photo gallery called ePhotoshop.com Essay

An online based photo gallery called ePhotoshop.com - Essay Example The purpose of this report is to build a proposed website project that focuses on creating an online based business. The website will be solely responsible for individuals who are fanatics of taking pictures and sharing them with the world. The concept of it is on a photo gallery but one that is online and easy to share with people who share similar interests. The aim will be to build a unique platform which would attract photographers from around the world to participate. A proposed name for the website is â€Å"ePhotoshop.com†. The aim of â€Å"ePhotoshop.com† is to give these individuals a chance to show their photographs and get recognized among others for their brilliance. The target audience varies from upcoming young artists to other keen amateur photographers who just have the desire to show their talent to the world. In short, people around the world will be able to use this platform with registered usernames. The site will offer three different types of regist rations, amateur accounts, basic professional accounts and elite professional accounts. There will be very strong online competition from websites that have already been present in the market for similar purposes such as â€Å"deviantart.com†. â€Å"deviantart.com† already focuses on providing its art products to the public by purchasing them online.

Friday, August 23, 2019

Group therapy orination Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Group therapy orination - Essay Example The American military in World War II also used group methods to treat large numbers of psychiatric causalities. Behavioral theory or behavior modification is the treatment of human behavioral disorders through reinforcement of the desired behaviors and suppression of undesirable behavior. This therapy has its roots with Pavlov but became a developed technique in the United States by B. F. Skinner. He used positive or negative re-enforcers to encourage desirable behavior and punishments to deter undesirable behavior. Originally, behavioral therapy groups worked with anger management and addiction (Ockrnik 2003). One of the specific types of Behavioral group therapy that came out in the 1960s was originally written by Marsha Linehan. This may be the most well known kind of behavioral therapy today. Originally, she developed a program, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), for patients diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. In the beginning, it appeared to be quite effective and it was adapted to many other type of diagnosis. This writer will look at how effective this therapy turned out to be over the long term as well as the effectiveness of several other new innovations in group therapy. Behavior therapy in groups can be recognized by its emphasis on specifying problems and goals in concrete behavioral terms and in using principles of learning to facilitate behavioral change. Since it is generally assumed that therapy is a learning process, then there are some advantages in group therapy. Much of our learning comes through imitation also there are others to imitate. It is also known that learning takes place more quickly when the individual has something in common with the people around him/her. A group of peers would then be ideal for that purpose. Also adaptive behavior is strengthened when reinforced by peers. Finally, the stimulus situation is closer to natural social

Is Hip-Hop Dead Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Is Hip-Hop Dead - Assignment Example As the paper outlines, since its genesis in New York City in the mid-1970s, rap has spread to other parts of the world. A lot of research on rap has focused on chronicling its emergence and rise as a social movement. Listeners of rap have conspicuously been left out in prior research on the area. In the beginning, rap listeners were largely Latino and Black but Whites joined in later. Rap has criticized politics and racism since its emergence. However, though, rap has invited criticism from political and religious circles. These criticisms have not put down rap fans (Sullivan 232). Surveys showed that Blacks were leading in the impact of rap on its listeners. White supporters of reported that their racial views had been changed by rap. African Americans have a wider knowledge of rap than whites do. There are racial and gender dimensions in the preference for rap. Rap listeners differ in terms of the reasons as to why they listen to it. African American adolescents may listen to rap a s an element that helps in identity formation while white adolescents listen to it as a source of entertainment. Rap may not act as an effective interracial socializer because it might give White adolescents a skewed perception of the African American culture, diversity and it may entrench stereotypes. Many aspects need researching in regards to rap. These include urbanicity, age, class and listeners’ impacts on hip-hop. Listeners’ interpretation of rap and its message has not been researched adequately, through inquiry into this aspect can help unearth the basis of the differences between the various ways in which rap listeners of different races appreciate the genre (Sullivan 236). This article underscores the importance of listeners when considering rap. Considering the reasons why different rap listeners embrace the genre is insightful because it helps demystify the conception that there is homogeneity in the appreciation of rap. It is helpful to note that rap alon e might serve as a multiracial socialize and though one would have thought that the music suffices to instill an accurate view of African American culture, it is enlightening to know that the knowledge that the music imparts is not complete. The article has instrumentally shown that the racial difference in regards to the preference for rap music is reducing.  

Thursday, August 22, 2019

The changes in britains empire from 1750 to 1900 Essay Example for Free

The changes in britains empire from 1750 to 1900 Essay And were they all for the better?There were many changes during 1750 to 1900, the majority of which were industrial and economic and not always for the better of then or the better of now. In this essay I will list two changes that I thought significant then I will list the negative short term effects, the negative long term effects, the positive short term effects and the positive long term effects. At the end of each change I will decide whether it was an overall positive or negative change. My first change will be the development of factories as it led to nearly every other significant change from 1750 to 1900, and the cause of this particular change was one Richard Arkwright who is thought to have started the first proper factory; the Cromford mill in 1771 (ref 1)As previous factories had only been gatherings of workers (this had largely been for the textiles industry), and Arkwrights factory was built specifically for housing machinery, as the spinning frame was too large and fast for human hands, Arkwright did first of all try having it powered by horses but then he thought about using water and so invented the water frame, and with it the first factory. Now even though Arkwright upheld a few rules of decency, his successors did not. The future factory owners exploited workers shamelessly while Arkwright would give housing for all the family, a weeks holiday a year and would not allow any one under 6 to work in his factories. This is one of the short term negative impacts of the development of factories as it led to the exploitation of workers. Another short term negative effect is that coal was needed to power the new machines which first led to worse conditions in the mines and second added largely to global warming, which is also a long term negative consequence. Another long term negative outcome is that it gave some of the workers long term genetic diseases that have been passed from then to now and still affect some people with respiratory diseases. A long term positive result though is that it brought industry to maximum progress and allowed us to live in the leisure we do to day and another long term advantage is that they brought families in from the native country to live together and that developed the growth of various host cities. This is a negative short term effect as the living conditions of the migrants were appalling, but that wasnt directly because of the migrants, if the cities had made better arrangements for their migrant workers, the living conditions would have been much better, so that might not count as a short term negative. One of the positive short term effects is also the migration of people to cities as it established social relationships and made the country stronger and another positive short term effect were the skills of trade people learned in the various factories. In conclusion, from my point of view, this change was for the better, but this is my opinion and it could well be different if I was one of the factory workers who probably would have thought this was the way people were going to live for the rest of time. So this change was better for us as of now but not better for them as of then. Overall it was a good change. My second topic is on the colonisation of various countries by Britain. The first proper British colony was Ireland in the Norman period (ref 2) but that goes before 1750 so Ill focus on the 18th century colonies of Britain. The 18th century for Britain was full of change; as America had just officially declared their independence on July the second, 1776 after the American Revolution (1763-1776), and so the British Empire turned its attention to the East, India, China and later Africa. It also helped that in India the Mughal power was declining, as Britain was no match in that region against the previously mighty Mughal Empire (ref 3) The empire had granted trading rights to Britain in the 16th century. This brought most of the East under British rule and gave Britain access to  Indias spices and textile industry from which it profited handsomely, until the accession of William of Orange in 1689 bringing peace between the Netherlands and England. A deal between the two nations left the spice trade of the Indonesian Archipelago to the Netherlands and the textiles industry of India to England, but textiles soon overtook spices in terms of profitability, and by seventeen twenty, in terms of sales, the English company had overtaken the Dutch (ref 4). The English East India Company shifted its focus from Surat-a hub of the spice trade network-to Fort St George (later to become Madras), Bombay (ceded by the Portuguese to Charles II of England in 1661 as dowry for Catherine de Braganza) and Sutanuti (which would merge with two other villages to form Calcutta). This was a big change for the world as it imparted Britains mark on more than a quarter of the world (it was said that in the peak of its power the sun was always shining on the British empire, as the spread of the British colonies was so vast that it circled the entire globe) and it left many benefits as well as manydrawbacks. Here are a few; one of the short term consequences were the amount of lives lost in obtaining colonies and more often than not, colonies were obtained by war and an obvious direct consequence of that is loss of lives, as part and parcel of a armed conflict when countries were taken over the native civilians were treated as lower species and second class citizens. Britain started throwing people out of their own homes and taking over them and giving them to British aristocrats as slaves. This was all done because the natives were of a different skin colour and being dominated. These are two short term negative outcomes and also a long term negative affect as this was racism and it became almost fashionable to be racist at that time. A long term negative effect would be that when as aftermaths of world war two (which in itself was a result of Britains large empire as Germany wanted to compete with Britain to be a large empire itself and so tried to take over Europe) Britain was left virtually bankrupt, with insolvency only averted in 1946 after the  negotiation of a $3.5 billion loan from the United States,(ref 5), the last installment of which was repaid in 2006,(ref 6) and so had to withdraw from its various colonies and many countries fell into turmoil and without Britain to administer order the turmoil led to pillaging and many previously famous and rich countries hit rock bottom like Sierra Leone. Also some countries for a short time suffered radical changes and deaths like the separation of India into India, Pakistan, Bhutan and Nepal (later these split up into Sri Lanka and Bangladesh) but during that change there erupted massive religious battles between Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus as the country was being split. These were two long term negatives impacts. Two long term positives outcomes would be that it established English as a common language between most of the world and brought the world together while it was breaking geographical boundaries so there was less friction between cultures for the later years of human history in 20th century. A short term positive result would be that England brought the rest of the world up to speed with technology and armed them with powerful faster guns and showed the rest of the world the steam train and suddenly people could travel everywhere a lot faster. Over all I think that the colonisations of other countries was excellent move and the turmoil countries were left in afterward was not Britains fault as Germany made the first move and they had to be subdued, the war was unavoidable and for every progress there has to be a little sacrifice also the racism was one bad factor against many good ones so I think it was worth it. In conclusion from then two changes Ive chosen it seems the changes were for the better but for now rather than then. It seems that changes are balanced out they have sacrifices first but in the end it pays of and if I think of the other changes that Ive not mentioned it seems to be the same case. I think this is my view because Im reaping the benefits of what people worked hard to sow long ago, and the drawbacks that seem too much could not have been helped as they were unpredictable factors. But I might not have been so bearing if Id have lived then myself. Its all down to what situation you live inSo over all yes I believe that the changes were for the better. bibliography: wikipedia: factories history western world .para twoNicholas, Canny (1998). The Origins of Empire, the Oxford History of the British Empire. Oxford University Press, pg 7Anthony, Pagden (1998). The Origins of Empire, the Oxford History of the British Empire. Oxford University Press, pg 93. Niall, Ferguson (2004). Empire. Penguin, pg 19Louis, Roger (1999). The Oxford History of the British Empire, Vol. IV, the Twentieth Century. Oxford University Press, pg 331BBC NEWS | UK | Magazine | whats a little debt between friends?

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Supporting Child Language Development

Supporting Child Language Development Hay Fielding-Barnsley (2012) believed that there are firm reciprocal connections between childrens language development, logical reasoning and their achievements at school. In order to best promote these relationships, childrens language and speech should be motived, acknowledged and respected in a social positive learning environment. Childrens academic achievement in literacy, which is multi-dimensional and interactive, depends on two periods of learning (Hay Fielding-Barnsley, 2012). Cunningham Stanovich (1997) stated that a first process is the cognitive memory development; children quickly identify the orthographic features of the word then connect this to semantic meaning of the word (Hay Fielding-Barnsley, 2012). Second, they get the meaning of the text by motivating and interacting to become independent readers (Bishop Leonard, 2000) as cited in Hay Fielding-Barnsley (2012). A key factor to a successful rate of childrens mastery language and literacy is the quality of environment; surrounding in the home and out of home settings (Hay Fielding-Barnsley, 2012). Fellows Oakley (2014, p. 71) highlights that from the moment of birth, parents and family members influence childrens speech, language acquisition and learning through daily communicative exchanges. Evidences also show that the higher socioeconomic status children are from, the better childrens language and literacy skills will be improved. For example: children of low-income and low-educated parents lack three times opportunities to communicate and interact with their parents (Hay Fielding-Barnsley, 2012). In an outside aspect, childcare setting plays significant role on nurturing secure relationship and fostering rich language experience (Fellows Oakley, 2014). For example: appropriate programs at school and designed interventions such as closing expressive and receptive language gap activitie s can help children become more fluent in their language and literacy (Hay Fielding-Barnsley, 2012). Winne and Nesbit (2009) and Vygotsky (1978), researchers of social learning theory, state that Language and literacy development has seen as an essential part of childrens cognitive development framework (Hay Fielding-Barnsley, 2012). In addition, Blank (2002) believes that interactive and self-enhancing skills are important to young childrens early language and ability to use reasoning from the social learning circumstance. When children understand the words expressed, they are able to use them in complex settings and their ability is enhanced to reason. As educators, we support childrens language and reasoning development by providing opportunities for them to make their own dialogue, questioning and talking (Blank, 2002). Any childs response should be always seen as a learning opportunity to enhance his or her confidence in conservation with others, criticizing or closing off the conversation for wrong responses of a child is not highly recommended (Hay Fielding-Barnsley, 2012). On the other hand, if childrens responses are not valued and accepted, they remain silent to talk and lack language and literacy development (Hay Fielding-Barnsley, 2012). The article shows evidence of the necessary and appropriate preparation for childrens language and cognitive development in early school years. Priority is given for educators and others to understand the strong relationship between childrens language development, cognitive thinking and their school achievement as well as supporting; valuating childrens language development in a positive environment. References: Blank, M, (2002), Classroom discourse: A key to literacy. In K, Butler E, Silliman (Eds), Speaking, reading and writing in children with learning disabilities: New paradigms in research and practice (pp. 151-173), Malwah, NJ: Erlbaum Hay, I. Fielding-Barnsley, R. (2012). Social learning, language and literacy. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, 37(1), 24 29. Fellows, J., Oakley, G. (2014) Language, Literacy and early childhood education (2nd ed.). Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Self Efficacy Education in Military Leaders

Self Efficacy Education in Military Leaders Integration of self efficacy education in development and training of South African military leaders. Introduction Twenty first century military leaders across the world face unusual challenges as organizations put in great effort to adapt to the ever accelerating rates of change internally and to the external environment within which they operate. Such rapid evolution in modern challenges does not only require equally evolved and revolutionary knowledge, skills and abilities of leaders, but more importantly it requires the self-conceptualizations of their leadership capabilities and psychological resources to meet the ever increasing demands of their functions. Given such complex challenges, it would be hard to imagine anyone following or being positively influenced by a leader who does not welcome or accept such challenges. Yet, there is not much being done in developing and educating current and future leaders within the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) about such leadership efficacy. Leadership efficacy is a specific form of efficacy associated with the level of confidence in the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with leading others. It can thus be clearly differentiated from confidence in the knowledge, skills, and abilities one holds in relation to their function in the organisation. In this essay, it is argued that self efficacy education is paramount in training and development of modern and future leaders as the current conditions require leaders to continually rise to the occasion so as to meet complex challenges as well as have the necessary social and psychological aptitude to positively influence their foll owers and the organizations culture, climate, and performance. In order to be able to mobilize groups toward collective performance, leaders need the capability to exercise high levels of personal agency and create similar levels of agency in those individuals they are leading by proxy[1]. For the purpose of this essay, agency refers to acts done intentionally. Bandura[2] also states that central to leadership and its development, efficacy is the most pervasive among the mechanisms of agency and provides a foundation for all other facets of agency to operate. Efficacys relevant and comprehensive nature in meeting todays leadership challenges is captured by Lester et al in a statement that efficacy beliefs affect whether an individual will think in a self-enhancing or self-debilitating way, how well they motivate themselves and persevere in the face of difficulties, the quality of their well-being and their vulnerability to stress and depression, and the choices they make at important decision points[3]. There is a differentiation that can be made between leading behaviours of individual leaders and the leadership effects, which the essay explains as the resultant positive influences displayed in a group which the leader is a part of. The essay suggest that there is potentially great value in building a more comprehensive understanding of the contribution of leader efficacy in building collective leadership efficacy within a group. By pursuing this linkage, the essay intends to connect the literature on leader efficacy with the larger body of research on organizational behaviour to facilitate the discussion on the collective efficacy formed through the interactions between leaders and subordinates. Beyond this the essay will motivate that the strategy for developing South African military leadership should consider leaders efficacies for taking on the challenges of development and performance. Thus the motivation for integration of self efficacy education in development and training of military leaders and subsequent followers. Why self efficacy education in leadership development Self-efficacy has been the most widely studied form of efficacy and has received considerable attention in the fields of cognitive and social psychology through extensive theory building and research. Bandura2 defines self-efficacy as beliefs in ones abilities to mobilize the motivation, cognitive resources, and courses of action needed to meet situational demands. The believe that one can be the master of ones own destiny, whether as an individual or as an organisation is essential for future leaders in or out of the military environment. Lacking a sense of self efficacy means that people consider themselves subject to anything but their own ability to master the situation. They blame the elements, the environment, fate, foreigners, providence, history, economics or even God. The culture of dependency that has developed out of this is also a culture of intellectual poverty and lack of self esteem which leads people to seek and expect handouts, direct self explanatory orders and inst ruction from higher authority at every situation or task. The leader who brings a sense of efficacy to a situation is the one who restores people to a belief that they themselves control their own destiny and takes responsibility for their actions. Borne along by this conviction, the leader imparts it in words and deeds, inspiring followers to work together to achieve a new transformed reality. The leader draws inspiration from the meditation on the plight of the followers; they respond by endorsing and confirming the essential rightness of the mission, it is what subordinates desire the most. The finest exemplars of military leadership efficacy can be seen in General Collin Powell, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, Major General Archer Lejeune to name a but few. Efficacy transforms a situation and this means more than effectiveness. Efficacy changes the whole picture to the point of even breaking the frame. To be effective is to be the cause of the result, but this is within given circumstances, it is not transformative. Lester et al3 proposed that positive psychological states such as efficacy directly promote effective leader engagement, flexibility and adaptability across the varying challenges characterizing complex organizational contexts. This is because higher levels of self efficacy provide the internal guidance and drive to create the agency needed to pursue challenging tasks and opportunities successfully. To this end McCormic et al[4]. concluded that leader self-efficacy, may be one of the most active ingredients in successful leadership, and team performance, and that it clearly contributes to leadership effectiveness. Development of Self-efficacy in leaders How leader efficacy influences a leader may differ depending on whether the efficacy is conceived in the preparatory context during learning and training situations or job performance situations. In his social cognitive theory, Bandura2 suggested that the optimal strength of self efficacy differs between the learning of a skill, which he called preparatory efficacy, and performing in the situations for which development is targeted, or job performance efficacy. Bandura further argued that though there is a positive linear relationship between performance efficacy and performance, the relationship between preparatory efficacy and learning is more complex. Machida and Schaulbroeck[5] explains that preparatory efficacy is different from an individuals beliefs about their general ability to learn, which is termed learning efficacy, the efficacy construct in focus here is ones efficacy for executing and completing a task during preparatory situations. Bandura2 explains that when individuals are highly efficacious in completing tasks and demonstrating skills in the preparatory or learning process, they often have little incentive to invest further effort into learning the skill. Though leaders efficacy about leading others during the actual execution of leadership roles might need to be higher for peak performance, leaders efficacy in leading others during leader development and preparatory phase might need to be lower so as to facilitate greater motivation to persist in learning and practicing the skills. The studies conducted by Machida and Schaulbroeck5 claim that there is a negative relationship between self-efficacy and learning. It seems likely that people who are too confident in their leadership abilities will not seek to invest their time and energy in developing their leadership ability as would individuals who have a more realistic sense of the scope of leadership activities. Machida and Schaulbroeck5 further proposed that the concept of efficacy performance spirals and has self-correcting cycles. According to these authors, an efficacy-performance spiral is a phenomenon in which increases or decreases in one variable of performance causes a similar change in the other variable of self efficacy which ultimately leads to a self-reinforcing trend in performance. Thus by amplifying upward efficacy performance spirals, individuals become complacent as they see their performance and their confidence improve despite lack of exploring alternative task strategies or increasing other preparatory activity such as by experimenting with new behaviours. This perspective supports Banduras argument that there are advantages to possessing lower level of self-efficacy in the context of completing a task during preparation and learning or development of skills2. Bandura argued that self-efficacy is a fluctuating property that changes constantly; however, he has not discussed what would be the ideal or preferred patterns of change in self-efficacy to maximize learning in the preparatory phases, such as leader development activities. Machida and Schaulbroeck5 proposed the concept of efficacy spirals in relation to organizational performance and collective efficacy. For optimal learning, leaders may need to maintain a self-correcting cycle by seeking to adjust their self-efficacy, increasing it or decreasing it in ways toward the objective of motivating investments in preparation. Another implication of efficacy performance spirals is that when leaders are learning to lead, repeated and uninterrupted failure, which will tend to decrease self-efficacy and encourage downward efficacy spirals, should be avoided. Such failure patterns are demoralizing and can even lead to a cycle of learned helplessness wherein the individuals come to believe that they have no control over performance improvement. For developmental tasks to be sufficiently challenging for development to occur, a high probability of failure must be inherent, however, to avoid situation whereby learners engage themselves in downward efficacy spirals, a self-correcting cycle must be encouraged by exposing the learners to possibly less difficult tasks and reminded of their developmental progress. During the development activities, leaders baseline self efficacy must ideally be set at a moderate level. As leaders encounter developmental challenges, their self-efficacy can and should fluctuate from this baseline self-efficacy level in the self-correcting cycle of efficacy change. Based on Banduras arguments concerning preparatory self-efficacy, it is believed that maintaining the motivation for learning during the process of leader development requires that ones baseline leader self-efficacy is not too low or too high. Thus, when individuals are developing their skills as leaders, it is critical that they are aided in maintaining a moderate level of self-efficacy to engage the self-correcting cycle of efficacy changes most effectively. Development of Self-efficacy in South African military leaders Having discussed the distinction between preparatory and performance efficacy, it is important to keep in mind that both preparatory and performance leader efficacy must be viewed in reference to the specific task of leading others in the defence organization. According to Bandura2 learning self-efficacy is not self-efficacy about performing a task during learning nor is it about how the individuals perceive his or her abilities in comparison to their peers rather, it refers to confidence about ones ability to learn a skill and accomplish a task. In his review of numerous studies, Bandura2 stated that the most potent antecedent to developing self-efficacy is mastery experiences based on past performance accomplishments. However, Bandura2 also made clear that prior success alone does not raise self efficacy. Development is influenced by how the individual interprets the success and the context that performance occurred in. This suggests mentoring that helps leaders make meaning of their prior leadership experiences is important in influencing development. Lester et al3 suggested that leaders identity construction occurs through social interaction, through claiming and granting of leadership. Individuals claim leadership through stepping up and attempting to influence others. Others then grant leadership through affirming and supporting that leaders attempts. Through this reciprocal process, individuals begin to see themselves as capable leaders, reinforcing a leader identity. It is therefore suggested that mentorship be incorporated into leadership training to foster leaders identity construction and grant affirming support. As experienced role models, mentors can be powerful sources to provide such external endorsement. The primary role of mentors must be to provide psycho-social support to learners, helping them to diagnose their prior actions, cast those actions in a positive light, and to serve as a source of validation for the learners. Machida and Schaubroek5 proposed that strong manifestation of a leaders identity ultimately requires endorsement from others, including ones mentor, peers, or followers. Furthermore, as mentors increase learners sense of competence, self-esteem, and efficacy, it can be expected that a spiral effect would occur as noted earlier. Specifically, it is expected that the learners would feel more encouraged and safe to explore their leadership than those without a mentor, and thus, increase attempts to claim leadership in th eir groups, thereby increasing leadership claim episodes. Mentorship relationships are expected to be the most effective method as role modelling exhibited by the mentor to the learners will influence development of leader efficacy beliefs by the learners. Mentors will primarily be expected to act as role models who will walk learners through prior or future leadership behaviour and performance, helping them to cognitively replicate and learn aspects of successful performance. Selected mentors should be attractive role models that serve as the prototype upon which learners may identify and base their future development. The mentor must be a role model to the learner such that respective learners begin to believe that they too can develop toward and achieve performance levels similar to their mentor and role model.. According to Bandura1 leader efficacy can also be developed through modelling, whereby learners study and observe competent and relevant role models successfully performing similar tasks, or cognitively model leadership experiences through study and envisioning successful performance by past leaders. The impact that modelling and in-depth observations hold is influenced by the attractiveness of the role model to the learners, the level of similarity between the observed model and the learners characteristics relevant to the task, and how similar the observed tasks are to those tasks the learners may be expected to perform. Bandura1 also notes that social persuasion ,which constitutes a primary role inherent in mentoring is another way of developing self efficacy. In congruence to Bandura, Lester et al3 explains that even when feedback is negative like discussing an incident of poor performance, mentors can provide feedback in a positive manner, highlighting what was learned and how that feedback can then be used to enhance future performance. What is critical in this factor is that mentors must instil in the individual learners the importance of growing and developing from all sorts of feedback, which is expected to influence thelearners efficacy regarding his or her leadership. This approach is also in line with evidence provided by Lester et al3, showing how individualized consideration associated with transformational leadership positively relates to leader development and performance. Another process of developing self-efficacy is according to Bandura1, psychological, physiological, and emotional arousal. In this instance, mentors would be required to serve in the role of inspiring learners to motivate their development. Such stimulation can, according to Machida and Schaubroeck5 be generated through inspirational motivation or creating an idealized vision for the learners as well as through sources of emotional infection, whereby mentors enthusiasm is transferred to learners and stimulates them to advance their development of leader efficacy. Organized mentorship programs are known to be effective in developing various positive outcomes in learners, the essay suggest that mentorship programs targeting the primary sources of efficacy identified by Bandura as discussed above would be particularly effective in raising learners leader efficacy and performance. It is further suggested that these discussed sources of efficacy be made to be innate in the role of any eff ective mentor and mentoring relationship. It is clear by now that this essay proposes that mentoring will increase learners leader efficacy more so than the traditional group based training for leadership development. Based on the research and theory reviewed above, it is suggested that by developing a more individualized   training relationship between the mentor and learners, the promotion of positive trajectories of leader development in the SANDF will be improved. A mentoring program will have a more positive impact on leader efficacy development and performance enhancement than the generalized, ready-made leader training interventions being practiced in the SANDF today because of the degree that the mentors will connect to their individual learners needs, abilities and aspirations. An individualized focus will help target learners specific needs and capabilities, enhancing efficacy development. It seems reasonable to expect that one on one mentoring, on average, will provide more consistent opportunities for the mentor to employ the four methods identified by Bandura1 for developing self-efficacy and to adjust the leader development intervention to the exact needs of the learners, thus enhancing learners efficacy and performance. Conclusion The essay described the multifaceted role of self efficacy in leader development. Furthermore the essay visited self efficacy related concepts proposed in the psychological literature, including preparatory self-efficacy, efficacy spirals and performance self-efficacy and has made suggestions about ways in which these concepts can be integrated into the current context of leader development in the SANDF. Judgments concerning leadership abilities as conveyed by mentors and interpreted by budding leaders as they experience successes and failures are essential for the development of highly effective leaders for the future. It is perhaps a clichà © that leaders are constantly required to learn and develop in this rapidly changing world. Coming to grips with this truism however requires a developmental process that comprehends the distinctions between leaders preparatory situations and their performance situations, identifies the personal and contextual factors that influence efficacy beliefs of leaders, and finally integrates a multifaceted perspective of leader efficacy in a way that promotes continuously positive learning trajectories. It is hoped that the essay will encourage training of practices that more effectively balance the needs for SANDF leaders to perform in the short term with the imperative that they learn and are adaptive in the longer term as well as inspire further res earch in the subject matter. BIBLIOGRAPHY Bandura, A. Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: W. H. Freeman. (1997). Bandura A. Self efficacy in changing societies. New York: Cambridge University press. (2002) Lester PB, Hannah ST, Harms PD, Vogelgesang GR and Avio BJ. Mentoring impact on leader efficacy development: A field experiment. Academy of management learning and education, review 10,no3(2011) Machida M and Schaubroeck J. The role of self efficacy beliefs in leader development. Journal of leadership and organisational studies, review 18, no 459(2011) McCormic MJ, Tanguma J and Lopez-Forment AS. Extending self efficacy theory to leadership: A review and empirical test. Journal of leadership education, Review 1, no2(2002). [1] Bandura A. Self efficacy in changing societies. New York: Cambridge University press. (2002) [2] Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control in McCormic MJ, Tanguma J and Lopez-Forment AS. Extending self efficacy theory to leadership: A review and empirical test. Journal of leadership education, Review 1, no2(2002) [3] Lester PB, Hannah ST, Harms PD, Vogelgesang GR and Avio BJ. Mentoring impact on leader efficacy development: A field experiment. Academy of management learning and education, review 10,no3(2011) [4] McCormic MJ, Tanguma J and Lopez-Forment AS. Extending self efficacy theory to leadership: A review and empirical test. Journal of leadership education, Review 1, no2(2002). [5] Machida M and Schaubroeck J. The role of self efficacy beliefs in leader development. Journal of leadership and organisational studies, review 18, no 459(2011)

Monday, August 19, 2019

Melanoma (Skin Cancer) Essays -- Melanoma Skin Cancer

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many people think that is it possible to achieve a â€Å"healthy tan,† but this thought has been proven wrong. Overexpose to UV-A and UV-B rays from the sun lead to premature aging of the skin, as well as the possible formation of skin cancer, know as melanoma. An appearance of a tan is actually a stage of burning and damage to the skin. Although a tan may be desirable to many, the fact remains that more people need to be educated on the dangers of the sun’s harmful rays, and the possible health complications of overexposure.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are three main types of skin cancer. These are malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. While melanoma is the most life-threatening of the three, it is also the most common. Melanoma will usually appear as a large mole or lesion on the skin, and usually suddenly. It generally tends to appear on the lower-backs of men and the lower-legs of women, though in elderly, sun-damaged persons, it is also prone to forming on the head and neck. While treatment is very successful when caught in the early stages, waiting too long can dramatically decrease the success rate of treatments. Catching the cancer early can result in simply having the mole-looking cancer removed, but if a patient delays treatment for any reason the cancer may spread to other (possibly vital) organs such as the digestive tract, lungs, eyes, or lymph nodes.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The number of cases of melanoma in America is on the rise. According to the American Cancer Society, 6 in every 100,000 people had melanoma in 1973, but the rate has doubled to 12 in 100,000 in 1999. In 1998 alone, the disease claimed 7,300 people, which is a rate of one person every hour. Populations at a higher risk of developing skin cancer are those with strong sunlight all year round. Places such as Arizona have higher numbers of persons who develop skin cancers because they have a greater chance of overexposure to UV rays. Melanoma has been reported to be the most common form of cancer in America, and has also been shown to occur more frequently in superficial situations. Places such as tanning beds only emit UV-A rays, which is what causes skin to tan and was also once thought to be less harmful than UV-B rays. Research has now shown that it is the UV-A rays that actually aid in the formation of skin cancers.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There is also a percentage of the population... ...ut no one is immune. One should perform regular full body examinations approximately once a month, during which people should be looking for any irregular skin lesions or raised portions that have a dark blue, brown or black coloration that may be varied throughout. This may look like a mole, but will lack the symmetry of a mole, and will probably have an ill-formed border. Most people will know which moles have always been on their bodies, and which may be new growths, but when and if one comes across something strange or unfamiliar, they should see a doctor as soon as possible for a diagnosis, so that the cancer may be treated as early as possible. While many people view tan skin as desirable, it can truly kill, and those people need to be further educated on the dangers of tanning. Everyone should take preventative measures to save the health of their skin. Using a sun block and reapplying as needed, as well as limiting time spent in the sun are very important in aiding to the longevity of anyone’s life. It is important to remember the factors that may put someone at greater risk, but also that everyone and anyone can succumb to the potentially fatal disease that is melanoma. Melanoma (Skin Cancer) Essays -- Melanoma Skin Cancer   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many people think that is it possible to achieve a â€Å"healthy tan,† but this thought has been proven wrong. Overexpose to UV-A and UV-B rays from the sun lead to premature aging of the skin, as well as the possible formation of skin cancer, know as melanoma. An appearance of a tan is actually a stage of burning and damage to the skin. Although a tan may be desirable to many, the fact remains that more people need to be educated on the dangers of the sun’s harmful rays, and the possible health complications of overexposure.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are three main types of skin cancer. These are malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. While melanoma is the most life-threatening of the three, it is also the most common. Melanoma will usually appear as a large mole or lesion on the skin, and usually suddenly. It generally tends to appear on the lower-backs of men and the lower-legs of women, though in elderly, sun-damaged persons, it is also prone to forming on the head and neck. While treatment is very successful when caught in the early stages, waiting too long can dramatically decrease the success rate of treatments. Catching the cancer early can result in simply having the mole-looking cancer removed, but if a patient delays treatment for any reason the cancer may spread to other (possibly vital) organs such as the digestive tract, lungs, eyes, or lymph nodes.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The number of cases of melanoma in America is on the rise. According to the American Cancer Society, 6 in every 100,000 people had melanoma in 1973, but the rate has doubled to 12 in 100,000 in 1999. In 1998 alone, the disease claimed 7,300 people, which is a rate of one person every hour. Populations at a higher risk of developing skin cancer are those with strong sunlight all year round. Places such as Arizona have higher numbers of persons who develop skin cancers because they have a greater chance of overexposure to UV rays. Melanoma has been reported to be the most common form of cancer in America, and has also been shown to occur more frequently in superficial situations. Places such as tanning beds only emit UV-A rays, which is what causes skin to tan and was also once thought to be less harmful than UV-B rays. Research has now shown that it is the UV-A rays that actually aid in the formation of skin cancers.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There is also a percentage of the population... ...ut no one is immune. One should perform regular full body examinations approximately once a month, during which people should be looking for any irregular skin lesions or raised portions that have a dark blue, brown or black coloration that may be varied throughout. This may look like a mole, but will lack the symmetry of a mole, and will probably have an ill-formed border. Most people will know which moles have always been on their bodies, and which may be new growths, but when and if one comes across something strange or unfamiliar, they should see a doctor as soon as possible for a diagnosis, so that the cancer may be treated as early as possible. While many people view tan skin as desirable, it can truly kill, and those people need to be further educated on the dangers of tanning. Everyone should take preventative measures to save the health of their skin. Using a sun block and reapplying as needed, as well as limiting time spent in the sun are very important in aiding to the longevity of anyone’s life. It is important to remember the factors that may put someone at greater risk, but also that everyone and anyone can succumb to the potentially fatal disease that is melanoma.

Sunday, August 18, 2019

General Motors Essay -- Auto Industry

US automobile industry began at the end of the 1800’s and by the 1890’s one out of seven jobs and one out of six businesses owed their existence to the automobile. Also this industry was the largest single customer for many raw materials but now With analysts debating whether or not the American economy is already in a recession, the big three automakers in the US especially General Motors are sharply scaling back production. The facts described by Danny Hakim in an article (G.M. Sees a Loss Near $1 Billion; Stock Falls 14%) published in NYtimes on March 17, 2005 say that announcement by GM about losses of almost a billion dollars for last six month dropped its share to the lowest level in more than a decade. Also it is considered to be ever biggest single day loss since 1987, as GM’s share lost 35 points on Dow Jones. GM once considered as strongest among big three is now way behind in the race with the plans to cut off 10% production of cars in North America. Investors have lost their confidence in GM. Market researchers and analysts are also waving red flags. Main reasons for GM crisis are crucial home industry and increasing health care cost, as company is providing health coverage to almost 1.1 million people in America. Despite all these facts, company’s chief executive Mr. Wagoner has neither yet announced any serious plans to overcome this situation nor has he shown any intention to change their corporate strategy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Globalization is the first concept which c...

Saturday, August 17, 2019

What Impressions of the Characters Relationship Are Conveyed by the Language They Use, and the Interaction Between Them

What impressions of the characters relationship are conveyed by the language they use, and the interaction between them? In this text, the opening scene of Ibsen’s Dolls House, the conversation between Helmer and Nora shows who acts as a more authoritative figure through imperatives, patronising lexis and explanative language. This is to show the relationship between the married couple regarding terms of how they address each other. I will also consider gender theories such as Debora Tennen’s gender theory of politeness and Zimmerman and West’s suggesting men are more dominating in conversation.The purpose of the text, A Dolls House, is to reveal information about the relationship between Nora and Helmer through the interactions of their conversation and their lexis. Nora speaks in a polite manor, ‘just this minute’ which could be interpreted through Trudgill’s gender theory suggesting women use precise pronunciation to aim to be viewed at a h igher class. The adjective, ‘just’ could imply Nora will act quickly in order to respond to her husband because he has a higher status and power over herself.However, her husbands language is very different, ‘been wasting money again? ’ this rhetorical question implies a threatening and dominant tone. This could be interpreted by kZimmerman and West’s gender theory which suggests men act more dominant in conversation in order to gain and keep power. The terms of address the couple use change in relation to the conversation topic. Nora addresses her husband by his second name, ‘As you please, Torvald’ which could imply their relationship is formal and she has little authority as he holds all the power.This could be interpreted by Debora Tennen who states that women use terms of address and politeness to form bonds. However, Helmer addresses Nora in two different approaches; whilst they are having a general conversation Nora is referred to as his possession, ‘My little skylark’ the adjective ‘little’ implying she is belittled as she has no authority. Also, the use of the pronoun, ‘my’ implies Nora belongs to Helmer and she has control over her hence the metaphor for her name.However, when Nora ‘misbehaves’ she is addressed with her name, ‘Nora, Nora! Just like a woman! ’ his use of explanative language portrays his loss of patience with her but also he is telling her off like Nora is a child in a patronising manor. The repetition of ‘Nora’ implies she has done wrong and he dismisses her to get her to behave like a father would to a child. This could be interpreted by Grice’s maxims of quantity as he speaks more than Nora implying he has a higher level of authority and power.

Analyse of the Two Key Moments Essay

Just before this key moment starts, the guards takes Rebecca Nurse out of her cage, on its way to the place where people are hanged. She is astonished that John is confessing. The key moment starts with Proctor refusing to say that he saw Rebecca Nurse in the Devil’s company, or anybody else. Danforth demands that Proctor prove the purity of his soul by accusing others, but Hale advises that it is enough that he confesses himself. Parris agrees, but Danforth demands that Proctor should sign a document. Proctor says that he has confessed to God, and that is enough. He asks Danforth whether a good confession must be public. Proctor wishes to keep only his name, and Danforth thus refuses to accept his confession. Danforth orders Proctor to be hanged. Hale begs Elizabeth to plead with Proctor to sign a confession, but Elizabeth states that Proctor has his goodness now, and God forbid that she take it from him. The characters have turning points in the key moments, and I am going to discuss what happens to Hale, John Proctor and Danforth in this key moment. Hale’s beliefs in witchcraft changes, so does his faith in the law. In Act 4, he tells the accused witches to lie, to confess their supposed sins in order to save their own lives. This change of heart and hopelessness, makes Hale gain the audience’s sympathy but not its respect, since he lacks the moral character of Rebecca Nurse or, and as it turns out at the end of Act 4, John Proctor. Although Hale recognises the evil of the witch trials, his response is not resistance but surrender. He thinks that survival is the highest good, even if it means helping oneself to injustice, which honourable and truly heroic characters can never accept. John Proctor changes himself and provides a final charge of the witch trials. Offered the opportunity to make a confession that he has seen the Devil, he almost surrenders, even signing a confession letter. His great pride and fear of public opinion drove him to hold his truth, adultery, from the court, but by the end of the play he is more concerned with his personal honesty than his public reputation. He still wants to save his name, but for a personal and religious view, rather than the publics’ reasons. Proctor’s refusal to provide a false confession is a true religious and personal determination. His confession would dishonour his friends who are convicted who are brave enough to die as support to the truth. Also it will dishonour himself, staining not just his public reputation, but also his soul. He then decides to change his mind and tells Danforth that he does not want to lie, this bringing him to heaven. He has now redeemed his sin. As Elizabeth says to end the play, responding to Hale’s plea that she convince Proctor to publicly confess: â€Å"He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him! † In this key moment Danforth shows that his greatest interest is to protect the reputation of the court when he prompts Proctor to sign a confession, thus preventing the response of his death. I think that Danforth has changed internally but not externally. I think he believes that the witchcraft is fake, but externally he is still a strict and craving for a good reputation. If he did believe people at the end of the play, then he would not convict John Proctor, but he did because it was to late then, and his reputation would be ruined, as he has convicted people before. It is a crucial moment for the audience because they think Proctor is a bad and not a honourable man when he signs the paper. It is dramatic irony, but not as much. The audience know that Proctor does not see the Devil, to save his life by confessing and showing you don not lie, he says he has been seeing the Devil. But he suddenly changes, he rips the piece of paper representing his confession, and explains that his name is more important, he wants to show he is a heroic man, so he says he never has see the Devil, which is true, and the audience see how he is a better man, and is going to die being an honourable and a heroic man. A crucible is a melting pot, where substances are heated to a high temperature to get rid of impurities. Miller is suggesting the play is like to purge by fire, a form of ‘cleansing’. This is a metaphor for spiritual improvements as the result of a confession being exerted. It is known as ‘cleaning’ or ‘cleansing’ yourself by confessing to seeing the Devil. There is many ways to explain the name of the book and here are some more: first witches supposedly boil potions in cauldrons and a synonym for cauldron is crucible. Secondly, it has a metaphorical meaning: the society of Salem is being heated and stirred in an attempt to remove the impurities and leave only the pure members of the society. One of the central themes of the play is the spiritual development of John Proctor. It is a powerful and complex play. All of the action takes place indoors and it is very black, simplistic and it emphasises the lifestyle of the people and it echoes the claustrophobic atmosphere of the play. The play focuses on ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. In the play Miller is discussing the forces of evil. In the attempt to cut out evil there is certainly a degree of irony. The irony in this play is that evil and tragedy actually occur from the actions of the unwise and over eager characters such as Danforth and Parris and to a certain extent Hale, who became responsible for deaths, misery and cruelty. Miller is suggesting that humans are vulnerable to evil and he aims to show that the evil generated in Salem was through a combination of circumstances for which no one person could be held entirely responsible but yet none were guilt free. The Crucible was based on real events and characters. The people of the 17th Century Salem, witchcraft were a very real and forceful threat. Many people were accused of being witches, and were tortured and executed. The discrimination of witches spread to a lot of places around the world. Witches thought to commit crimes have various ‘proofs’ of a witch including the testimony of a fellow witch, the common belief or accusation of those who live with suspected witch, cursing followed by some mischief or the person disagrees with the person when questioned. Miller was interested in McCarthy trials in the 1940s/50s and made the book parallel to it, Salem witch trials of 1682. Miller may have oversimplified matters, in that while there were no actual witches in Salem, there were certainly Communists in 1950s America. However, one can argue that Miller’s concern in The Crucible is not with whether the accused actually are witches, but rather with the refusal of the court officials to believe that they are not. McCarthyism limits, which wronged many innocents and this parallel was felt strongly in Miller’s own time. In real life, at Millers time, Abigail Williams was 12 years old, but in the play she is 17, but why did he change the age? He did this to make Abigail Williams a better character to make her do all the mischievous things she does in the play. At the age of 17, you are mature and able to make an opinion, and act more like an adult, unlike a 12 year old where you are still to young to do things adults do. Danforth was not a real person, he was made up, but the wonderful thing about him is that he is made up of 3 characters. These three characters were the judges, but they would not be as dramatic and neither strong, unless there is one person who rules, making that character more remembered, and more important to the play.

Friday, August 16, 2019

14-year old girl was found unconscious near Expo Center Essay

KARACHI: An earthquake of magnitude 4.6 on the Richter scale rocked the coastal city of Karachi and adjacent areas late on Monday night. According to the seismic center, the epicenter of the quake was 10 kilometers deep in Hub, Balochistan he police on Monday night identified those six deceased people whose bodies were found dumped . Khan was strangled to death by unknown people along with his wife Nadia Amer and three sons – Roman Khan, Adam Khan and Haider Khan – and his 24-year-old servant. According to sources, Ameerullah Khan, a millionaire, was the the owner of real estate worth millions of rupees in Peshawar. Reportedly, he was not only engaged in a dispute with his brother and brother-in-law over the ownership of the property but was also receiving threats from land mafia. KARACHI: Eid-ul-Azha today (Tuesday) is being celebrated in Saudi Arabia besides Gulf, European, Far Eastern countries, US and Europe, Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated in Pakistan tomorrow Wednesday, while the Pakistani expatriates in US and Europe like our northern areas would also be celebrating two eids, as some of them slaughtering sacrificial animals on Tuesday, while others would be doing so on Wednesday. See more: Sleep Deprivation Problem Solution Speech Essay ISLAMABAD: Pakistani troops early Tuesday morning responded to the unprovoked firing by Indian forces across the Line of Control (LoC) and reduced them to silence, The sources further said that Pakistan’s tit-for-tat retaliation forced the enemy to retreat to its bunkers. LONDON — Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl who wasshot in the head by the Taliban for her advocacy of girls’ education, was awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought on Thursday by the European Parliament. Ms. Yousafzai was chosen as the winner of the $65,000 Sakharov Prize by the heads of the political groupings in the 766-member European Parliament. LONDON — The Pakistani police arrested Pervez Musharraf, the nation’s former military ruler, on Thursday, opening a new criminal prosecution against him that frustrated plans by his supporters to fly him out of Pakistan. Muhammad Rizwan, a senior Islamabad police official, told reporters that Mr. Musharraf would remain under house arrest at his villa outside Islamabad, where he has been confined since April. It is not clear, however, whether the court order represents a major obstacle to Mr. Musharraf’s plans to leave Pakistan, or a temporary one. deadlysiege of the Red Mosque in Islamabad in 2007. A Pakistani court granted bail on Wednesday to Pervez Musharraf, the country’s former military ruler, clearing the way for him to leave the country as early as Thursday, his lawyers said. Mr. Musharraf, 70, has been under house arrest at his villa outside Islamabad since April, facing criminal charges in three cases related to his nine years in power, from 1999 to 2008. Mr. Musharraf had already been granted bail in two of the three cases, and the decision on Wednesday to grant bail in the third — related to the death of Akbar Khan Bugti, a Baluch nationalist leader killed in a military operation — opens the door for him to avoid prosecution entirely. Mr. Musharraf’s lawyers said that his bail payment of $20,000 could be processed as early as Thursday morning; he could then leave Pakistan immediately.