Innovation and Change Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Innovation and Change - Assignment Example However it depends upon various factors including willingness to bring a change, vision for change, determination as well as leadership qualities, certainty of progress in right direction and guidance (Jarret, 2009). Different people have different strengths and weaknesses when it comes to finding a solution for their problems, but it is the circumstances due to which they come up with something extra ordinary and contribute to the process of innovation (Mayle, 2006). According to Rosanne Cash â€Å"The key to change... is to let go of fear†. A change can only occur when people let their guard off and let things happen as they please. Innovation on the other hand is derived from a Latin word that means â€Å"to introduce something new to the existing realm and order of things†. In simple words it’s kind of a small revolution in its self (Shavinina 2003). Innovation or change does not occur randomly but thoughts and effort is put into the process to implement a su ccessful change. Lots of decision making goes into this process which is affected by mental models, personal bias and stereotypes that consistently influence the decision makers during statistical computation (Jarret 2009). This does not mean that decisions made are effective sometimes they can be flawed as well. In fact many times the greatest obstacle in the way of innovative change is the flawed human judgment. For example, mergers largely fail to achieve potential. Failure in achieving an effective change can be due to many factors like lack of vision, poor processing, inappropriate business strategies etc. but being able to manage a flawed judgment is the key to survival. Change has to be strategized in a way that leads to successful future yet satisfies short term requirements (Holbeche 2006). Theories of Innovation and Change Different theories about innovation have been brought by different scholar that are being seen practically implemented on to this world such theories as presented by Max Weber, Nisbet, etc are important to be discussed so that change innovation can be well comprehended. With the existence of social science there have been untimely diverse changes in the society. The theory that emerged from Robert Nisbet was the first time people started noticing that there is link between change and society with its past and the present, and here started a new debate. Nisbet’s thesis presented the fact that there can be no reflection or study upon the social change evolving hence it is not measurable and it is distinguishable from the intellectual activity which is usually referred as history (Boudan 1986). Revolution can be defined as a social change that place within a very short period of time. Social change is made up of four factors that are; Modernization, Diffusion, cultural lag and indigenously initiated alteration within the systems. When society is not able to cope up with the forced factors that have been involved into it, change s in that society are inevitable and thus revolution comes into that society. Max Weber was the first person who thought that social changes are rather just not linked to the economics going on around people but to the entire social sciences that are revolving around us. These kinds of changes are important to be discussed and mentioned in researches where social communication is involved (Boudon 1986). Leadership of innovation and change: With the acceleration in the onset of change and innovation, leaders have to evaluate

Fords marketing strategy The Way Forward Case Study - 1

Fords marketing strategy The Way Forward - Case Study Example This research will begin with the statement that Ford is one of the top ten leading global brands in terms of revenue.   In 2008 to 2009 however, Ford and the automotive industry, in general, experienced difficulty. Its competitors Chrysler and General Motors declared bankruptcy and the company itself is in danger experiencing a substantial decline in sales of 23.4 percent in 2008 to 2009. In an attempt to jump-start sales and save the company, Ford’s new CEO, Man Mulally the former EVP of Boeing (who incidentally helped saved the company’s declining sales after 9/11 attack) implemented a marketing strategy dubbed â€Å"The Way Forward† which served as the company’s blueprint to overcome the 2008-2009 crisis. There are several marketing issues in Ford’s marketing strategy â€Å"The Way Forward†. These are market segmentation, refocused marketing effort and pricing in addition to cutting costs. Perhaps what saved Ford from bankruptcy during the very difficult time of 2008-2009 crisis was its decision to refocus its marketing efforts towards emerging markets. Not only did the company experienced an increase in sales during this difficult time but it also saved on cost when it sold its Volvo subsidiary to leave its maturing market in Europe. As it turned out, it had to keep up with the challenge of the increasing demand rather than get anxious about declining sales.  

In major militay conflicts, matters of logistics are often crucial in Essay

In major militay conflicts, matters of logistics are often crucial in deciding the overall outcome of wars. Discuss with refere - Essay Example The joint delivery lines were not widened and pursued the marine docks with the Royal Navy taking over the Mediterranean. The major apprehension was submarines. Airplanes were not as dominant in World War I as they were in World War II â€Å"to sink a capital ship† (Brown, p. 72, 1998). Throughout World War I, unhampered submarine combat had a considerable force on the capability of Britain's partners to keep distribution paths open, at the same time as the huge volume of the German armed forces showed a lot more for its railways to sustain apart from the time when halted in trench conflict. Logistics, intermittently termed as ‘battle service sustenance’ (Brown, p. 76, 1998), should deal with extremely doubtful circumstances. Whereas ideal estimates are hardly ever achievable, estimates models can decrease vagueness regarding what materials or facilities will be considered necessary, at what place and at what time they will be wanted, or the most excellent method to supply them. Eventually, responsible representatives are required to make results on these issues, at times by means of instinct and logically evaluating substitutes as the circumstances call for and authorize (Shrader, p. 28, 1992). Their decisions should be supported not just by expert understanding of the several facets of logistics itself but as well on the perceptive of the interaction of directly linked armed forces concerns, for instance, line of attack, approaches, aptitude, guidance, recruits, and funding. On the other hand, case studies have revealed that quantitative numerical investigations are mostly an important enhancement on individual decision. One such example is the application of â€Å"Applied Information Economics by the Office of Naval Research and the Marine Corps for forecasting bulk fuel requirements for the battlefield† (Shrader, p. 48, 1992). In most important armed forces clashes, logistics issues are mostly decisive in choosing the general effe ct of conflicts. â€Å"For instance, tonnage war - the bulk sinking of cargo ships - was a crucial factor in World War II† (Shrader, p. 65, 1992). The triumphant united anti-submarine movement in addition to the collapse of the German Navy to drop an adequate amount of shipment within the conflict of the Atlantic permitted Britain to remain in the conflict and set up the subsequent front in opposition to the Nazis; by distinction, the unbeaten U.S. submarine movement in opposition to Japanese marine transport through Asian seas successfully crippled its financial system as well as its armed forces creation potential. More commonly, shielding one's personal delivery lines as well as assaulting those of an opponent is a basic armed forces policy; an illustration of this as an entirely logistical movement for the armed forces way of executing strategic course of action was the Berlin Airlift. Armed forces logistics has initiated a number of procedures that have subsequently turn ed out to be extensively positioned within the profitable world (Creveld, p. 102, 1979). Functions study grew further than World War I

Pollution Prevention Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Pollution Prevention - Case Study Example In this  assignment  we will look for the  stakeholder  of the chemical plants,  we will  identify  the  part  they play in making any  company  a success, we will also look at how a company can  function  such that it meets the needs of its stakeholder and at the same time maintain a quality standard.  We will also look at the factors that affect the quality of the product that the company produces and how it can be further improved upon.  Since, the only thing that is  constant  is change,  therefore  how to bring about a constant change that will keep the  stakeholder  happy  and will also  benefit  the accounts of the company (Chanlett, 1973). Stakeholders of any organization are those who, will  basically  benefit or  will be harmed  by the activities that  are carried  out by the firm.  For any organization  there are  broadly  two types of  stakeholder, internal  stakeholder  and external  stakeholder. ... They care about the profits  but  they are far more concerned about the success of any project they have initiated. Even those who  approve  the launch of the new product are all  stakeholder  of a project. The best possible way to meet the requirements and expectations of  stakeholder  is to produce results. The only things that the  stakeholder  wants are the results, the end product. The best way to  produce  the results is to have a business strategy designed in such a way that the end results  are met, and the most  appropriate  way  is to  design  the  strategy  in such a way that the goals are realistic, measurable and achievable, this will make it easy for the company to make the  stakeholder  happy. It is not  necessary  for the strategy to be a  huge  one  but  it should be an  effective  one. It is  important  that the roles and responsibilities are  pre assigned  and  the  relationship  of the peopl e involved  is clearly mentioned  and defined so that the work flow can  progress  effectively and smoothly.  Clear job descriptions should also be provided so that each and every person is aware of actually what they  are supposed  to do and what extent their contribution  is required.  There should also be an established performance  evaluation  system for the people involved in the implementation of the  policy  to make sure of its effectiveness.  Also, there should be a  proper  mechanism  which will work to make sure that the  policy  is being implemented  properly and as per the laid down rules (Chanlett, 1973). There should be  constant  checks on the  policy  that  has been implemented.  The environmental policy should be such that the objectives and the targets that  have been laid  down

Law reform regarding Animal Welfare Essay Example for Free

Law reform regarding Animal Welfare Essay As the world changes so do worldviews and therefore, so do the accepted morals and values of the time. With these changing morals and values come altering laws, amended or renewed to reflect these changing views. This is called law reform, in particular, the subject of Animal Welfare. Laws in relation to animal welfare have been made and amended to restore justice and equality to the voiceless members of society. Before recent times, the rights of animals had been severely overlooked. Attention has been brought to breeding and slaughtering practices around the world through wide scale media. In such countries these processes fly under the radar and are rarely monitored, until now. This is when worldwide regulations have to be put in place to ensure that appropriate and adequate treatments are adhered to around the world. Most animal cruelties on a small scale are kept quiet, and are performed either in secluded areas away from prying eyes or those who witness such things are unable or unsure of how to seek justice. Although most of the first laws regarding animal protection from human mistreatment were made in the early 19th Century, according to Peter Sankoff and Steven White’s book; ‘Animal Law in Australiasia’, these laws fall short of bringing adequate justice to the cruelties within Australia and New Zealand. Activists, academics, law professionals and many others share this view, giving even more reason to amend relevant legislation to cover any discrepancies and loopholes. Animal law has only recently emerged as a studied genre of law, which means it is slowly becoming more known. The constitution is the basis for all Australian law and in this case, particularly from section 51. Firstly, section 51 of the Constitution provides that the Parliament shall†¦ have power to make laws for peace, order and good government of the Commonwealth with respect to 39 subject matters, known as heads of power. Although the constitution itself doesn’t outline laws regarding animals other than fish, it does give the conditions in which other laws can be created. The Commonwealth can enact any law, provided that the law is characterized as being under at least one of the heads of power. Subject to some limitations, a law that is characterized as being one with respect to one of these heads of power will be valid although it may regulate some other matter that is not specifically allocated to the Commonwealth (such as animal welfare). Through external affairs powers and corporations power came these treaties: Examples of the treaties formed with other countries are as follows: * The Convention on Biological Diversity 1992, * The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora 1973, * The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species and Wild Animals 1979 (‘the Bonn Convention’) and * The Convention on the Conservation of Nature in the South Pacific 1976 (‘the Apia Convention’). Mechanisms of Reform- Non-Government Organizations. Lawyers For Animals is an organization dedicated to advocating the need to improve animal welfare through education and law, as well as ‘Voiceless’. Voiceless is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering networks for law professionals, academics and politicians to influence law and the need for law reform regarding animal welfare. They conduct research regarding agricultural industry practices, exposing legalized cruelty and promoting need for debate. They also attempt to inform the public about consuming and which products have and have not come from low quality, quantity breeders. They recognize the need for a voice that projects the facts of cruelty among everyday people and corporations that give way to law reform and law making in relation to the protection and rights of animals. By building a forum, social justice movement, funding in education, participation in events and forming relationships with law schools and firms, Voiceless hopes to provoke change an d awareness about animal welfare. The key issues that have been addressed as contemporary issues regarding this subject are; * Animals as property * Animals in agriculture * Animal welfare legislation * Labeling * Live animal export * Intensive livestock production and climate change * Animals used for scientific purposes * Animals used for entertainment * Pets * Pests * Wild animals * Fish and crustaceans These are a vast range of issues, which call for a vast range of bills to be introduced from a large number of interested politicians. Having animals as property and pets, means that we as humans own them. We dictate what it is they eat, drink, do etc. We are responsible for taking care of them, and the blatant fact is that many people don’t. As Gary Francione, distinguished professor of law, states animals are ‘as a matter of law, solely means to human ends. As such, their value is measured in terms of their usefulness to humans, and not in terms of their own interests’. The Animal Legal Defence Fund (‘ALDF’), was established in 1979 and has more than 100,000 dedicated lawyer members who apply their skills in a number of ways in order to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system. For example, the ‘Litigation Program’ files cutting-edge lawsuits to stop the abuse of companion animals, and animals abused in industries including factory farming and the entertainment business; while the ‘Criminal Justice Program’ works with law enforcement and prosecutors to seek maximum penalties for animal abusers. ALDF has also been at the forefront of law reform in respect to one that can actually make a difference. With changing times also comes the once described as ‘likely to be the next great social justice movement’, animal welfare is becoming more well known. Universities have been reflecting this growing issue, providing more and more opportunities for education on and relating to animal rights and animals and the environment. Examples of such debates for reform topics and their respectable supporters ( as found on http://www.alrc.gov.au/news-media/2008/will-‘animal-rights’-become-next-great-social-justice-movement) a re below: * Arguments in favour of basic legal rights for nonhumans (Steven Wise; President, Center for the Expansion of Fundamental Rights Inc., Coral Springs, Florida, USA ); * Suicide foods’: the anthropomorphising of animals (Prof Mark Kingwell, Uni of Toronto); * Animal rights activists’ case against the animal industries (Tom Regan, American philosopher and animal rights activist); * The philosophy behind animal welfare (Geoffrey Bloom, Geoffrey Bloom Associates); * The law and pig farming (Dr Malcolm Caulfield, legal counsel for Animals Australia); * Animals and the law in Australia: a livestock industry perspective ( Kathleen Plowman; General Manager Policy for Australian Pork Ltd, with Alan Person and John Topfer); * The treatment of feral animals (Graeme McEwen, Barristers Animal Welfare Panel); * The ethics of animal biotechnology (Professors Mickey Gjerris and Peter Sandoe, University of Copenhagen); * Animal derived food labelling (Katrina Sharman, Corporate Counsel , Voiceless, the fund for animals); * The common law and animal rights (Nichola Donovan, Lawyers for Animals); * Animals, guardianship and the local courts Another benefit human’s get from animals is profit. Breeding and meat production are industries where greed comes into play and animals needs and rights are forgotten. These NGO’s raise awareness and with the help of media, put pressure on the courts and parliament to introduce change. Certain ministers will be targeted and issues put forward to so that agencies have a representative in court. Animal Laws that already exsist: * Animal Welfare Act 1992 (ACT) * Animal Welfare Act 1999 (NT) * Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (NSW) * Animal Care Protection Act 2001 (QLD) * Animal Welfare Act 1985 (SA) * Animal Welfare Act 1993 (TAS) * Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (VIC) * Animal Welfare Act 2002 (WA The shortcomings of these laws are the lack of equal treatment among animals used for scientific research and those that are pets. Eg: Cats will receive better treatment than pigs, as they are pets and pigs are used simply to grow and once they are grown, to eat. Again, seen as property beneficial to humans, which goes against the rules of law. The majority of the difficulties with enforcement stem from the manner by which the power to enforce animal welfare legislation is granted. The power is granted to: * State government departments; * the RSPCA; * and the police. Much of the enforcement is carried out by the RSPCA. It is the state and territory governments that are responsible for enacting legislation appropriate to their areas, therefore this will be done through the New South Wales Law Reform Commission. The New South Wales Law Reform Commission takes care of localized matters in relation to the state and the Australian Law Reform Commission takes care of matters to do with international treaties of trade and animal treatment. The New South Wales Law Reform Commission may be the pinnacle of law making bodies for New South Wales, The Australian Law Reform Commission itself recognizes the altering times and calls for change throughout the country. Dated 19th May 2009, David Weisbrot, President of the ALRC spoke at the University of Sydney about their views upon the issue, with the NGO ‘Voiceless’. He stated that; â€Å"I think we need; national – or at least harmonised – legislation that protects animal welfare; and is not set at the lowest common denominator; or is so riddled with loopholes that you could drive a large factory farm truck though.† From the President of the ALRC itself, one would have to assume actions were being made in establishing new laws regarding animals, however it is not so. In the recent years, there has been much talk of changes yet no actions or amendments have been put in place as a follow through of this talk. David also stated that we evolve over time, resulting in the need for law reform and that it is this slow and painstakingly gradual task. Reasons for law reform regarding animal welfare: An example of the altering views are prime in the subject of Sweden banning importations of Australian wool in the fear that it would be supporting mulesing. This could go on to be a major issue for the wool trade industry. Another concept is that of the changing and growing world, as the population grows, so does the need for food. This pressures farmers into states of mass production; Eg: The mass breeding and steroid use in chickens so that they reach adulthood 10x faster than usual, leaving their legs to break and mutate under the abnormal weight that grows too fast for the rest of the body to keep up. These chickens have shorter and extremely painful life spans, are kept in battery cages where there is no room for them to walk or sit. This issue has been addressed in documentaries attempting to make the public aware of the cruel and selfish origin their produce is coming from and spur politicians into addressing the subject with observance of practices and laws to protect such a nimals. As is seen in the many above genre’s relating to animals as pets, food and many other things, a massive need for appropriate and widespread legislation has surfaced. Ways of mass production are under complete scrutiny for cruel practices, while more monitoring of animal owners has become paramount for the RSPCA. Universities have opened doors to educating the worlds youth about this topic, providing a new force of law trained individuals, able to influence people within their league into the advertisement and hopeful altering of current laws. These trained professionals have the ability to uncover the shortcomings of current laws that have been so far swept under the rug, and take them to members of the State and Federal Governments for consideration. The Non-Government Organizations such as the RSPCA or Voiceless project widely held views of the public, who may not be as educated or influential within the political spectrum, but allow the public a say all the same. With a new influx of technology from the late 20th into modern 21st century, brings both positive and negative possibilities when monitoring and even bringing about animal cruelty. That is, one can use cameras placed in chicken farms to monitor such breeding, but it is the development of scientific technology that has allowed such abnormal growth in the first place. Education towards use of technology in a morally aware way should be a priority for the government, as well as making the public more aware of those cruelties that happen every single day. By making the public largely aware of various aspects of animal cruelty, many more opinions can be altered to support the work of the RSPCA and Voiceless, so that both the N.S.W Law Reform Commission and Australian Law Re form Commission can alter their own priorities and make changes to relative legislation. Bibliography: * http://www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/welfare * http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/reform * http://www.lawyersforanimals.org.au/documents/Animal-Law-Subject-Proposal.pdf * http://lawyersforanimals.org.au/ * http://www.federationpress.com.au/bookstore/book.asp?isbn=9781862877191 * http://www.animallaw.info/nonus/articles/ovaustrailia.htm * http://lsa.net.au/wcb-content/uploads/lsa/files/2011/Animal%20Law%20-%20a%20need%20for%20reform%20(LSA%20State%20Conference%20March%202011).pdf * http://www.alrc.gov.au/news-media/2008/will-‘animal-rights’-become-next-great-social-justice-movement * http://www.alrc.gov.au/news-media/2009/voiceless-animal-law-lecture-series

Circadian Rhythms Essay Example for Free

Circadian Rhythms Essay 1. Describe how circadian rhythms are associated with sleep deprivation. 2. Explain the results of the sleep deprivation assessment. 3. Do you agree, or disagree, with the results. Why, or why not? 4. If you are sleep deprived, what steps could you take to get more or better quality of sleep? Alternatively, if you are not sleep deprived, what techniques allow you to get quality sleep most nights of the week? Circadian rhythms: Their role and dysfunction in affective disorder Press conference on the occasion of the 23rd ECNP Congress 2010, Amsterdam All humans are synchronised to the rhythmic light-dark changes that occur on a daily basis. Rhythms in physiological and biochemical processes and behavioural patterns persist in the absence of all external 24-hour signals from the physical environment, with a period that is close to 24 hours. These rhythms are referred to as  ´circadian ´, from the Latin  ´circa diem ´ ( ´about a day ´), and are attributable to internal biological clocks, driven by a major circadian pacemaker in the brain. The circadian pacemaker is entrained each day to the 24-hour solar cycle, which is the major  ´zeitgeber ´ (literally time-giver). Other zeitgebers are food intake, activity, or social cues, e.g. the alarm clock. Good temporal entrainment allows for optimal performance at the right time of the day, because being able to anticipate future tasks allows the appropriate physiological and psychological preparation. However, our modern society often imposes deviations from the regular work-rest-scheme, as in shift work, which results in problems with entrainment. Failure to adapt to environmental and societal time cues leads to misalignment of internal biological clocks. This  ´dysentrainment ´ comes with enhanced risk of errors and accidents, loss of productivity, and health risks such as increased propensity for cancer, depression, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal, metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, decreased immune responses and even life span. Hence, people with circadian rhythm disruption caused by shift work often develop glucose intolerance, diabetes and hypertension, and maybe cancer. The recent discovery of the core molecular circadian clock machinery has dramatically increased interest in the impact of circadian dysregulation on mental and physical health. Molecular basis of circadian rhythms Circadian rhythms are directed by a master biological clock in a specific brain structure of the hypothalamus called the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN). Apart from the SCN, the body has circadian oscillators in all brain regions and peripheral tissues, for example the liver (Schulz Steimer, 2009, Bechtold et al., 2010). The SCN is synchronised daily by environmental signals – mainly light (Wirz-Justice, 2006). Receiving information on lighting conditions directly from the retina, the SCN drives secretion of the pineal gland hormone melatonin as well as and many peripheral clocks, and their outputs modulate the SCN through feedback or feed-forward effects. Thus, in the body there is a hierarchy of interacting clocks (Schulz, 2007). In all cells, the expression of many genes changes rhythmically over 24 hours. Specific circadian genes such as CLOCK, BMAL1, and PER are responsible for the main SCN clockworking machinery as well as subsidiary clocks in other parts of the body. In m ice with mutations in time-keeping genes, deviant circadian sleep-wake and other rhythms can be observed. In addition, new interest in the role of circadian dysregulation in psychiatric disorders has arisen from the finding that a mutation in a core circadian clock gene induces hyperactivity, decreased sleep, and mania-like behaviour in mice (Turek, 2008). Animal studies were the key development that brought the field to its present exciting position, because their findings suggested that  ´clock genes ´ are directing the circadian rhythms in all physiological processes. Circadian disturbances: clinical impact on affective disorders In healthy individuals, physiological and biochemical variables such as body temperature, cortisol and melatonin, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), noradrenaline and serotonin exhibit a circadian rhythm. However, in patients with affective disorders, many of these circadian rhythms are disturbed in phase and amplitude (Schulz Steimer, 2009; McClung, 2007). For instance, women with depression have a greater degree of variability in the timing of physiological and endocrine rhythms. Dysregulation of circadian rhythms and sleep disturbances are also core elements of bipolar disorder, and might be involved in its pathogenesis (Dallaspezia Benedetti, 2009). Clinicians have learned the enormous importance of synchronising agents ( ´zeitgebers ´) to entrain rhythms in patients with mood disorders, and how useful they are as novel treatments (e.g. light, melatonin). With regard to major depressive disorder, almost all patients present with sleep  disturbances and altered circadian rhythms including hormonal secretion, cardiac function, and body temperature. Sleep disruption is a major symptom in depression, with over 90% of patients showing sleep complaints that affect daytime functioning (Thase, 1999). Insomnia often appears before the onset of mood disorder symptoms and may persist into clinical remission: sleep disturbances are known to be a frequent residual symptom of depression, and the presence of insomnia marks an increased risk of relapse or recurrence. Sleep difficulties often are the key factor that causes depressed patients to seek medical help, and relief of sleep disturbances is important to encourage compliance with antidepressant medication. Associated with chronic depression, sleep disturbance can have as great an impact on health-related quality of life as the mental illness itself (Katz McHorney, 2002). It is well known that changes in clinical state are accompanied by shifts in timing of the sleep-wake cycle. The switch out of depression is often associated with a spontaneous sleep deprivation. Conversely, a prescri bed sleep deprivation can rapidly show antidepressive activity. Even more strikingly, a phase advance of sleep timing can induce longer-lasting antidepressant effects, suggesting an intimate functional relationship between sleep, its timing, and the depressive state. In healthy individuals and in patients with affective disorders, there is a close link between circadian rhythms, the stability of mood, and sleep regulation. How to reset the human biological clock in affective disorders In clinical practice, sleep disturbances in depression generally can be improved with effective antidepressant medication. However, commonly used modern antidepressants may be sleep-disturbing, particularly early in treatment, often to the extent that a sedative or hypnotic compound has to be prescribed concomitantly (Mayers Baldwin, 2005). The search for novel antidepressants has focused primarily on drug development, with the role of psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy to help depressive patients being well accepted. Surprisingly though, clinical application of chronobiological research, so called chronotherapeutics, appears not to fit into any conventional category, and is mostly neglected as putative treatment. Chronotherapeutics Chronotherapeutics is defined as controlled exposure to environmental stimuli  that act on biological rhythms (e.g. light) or direct manipulations of sleep in order to achieve therapeutic effects in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. One major aim of chronotherapeutics is to synchronise impaired circadian rhythms. Today the range of chronotherapeutic indications not only comprises affective disorders such as major depression (seasonal and non-seasonal), bipolar disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder and depression during pregnancy, but also bulimia nervosa, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dementia, Parkinson ´s disease, and shift work and jet-lag disturbances (Wirz-Justice et al., 2009). Chronotherapeutic elements include light therapy, dark therapy or blue-blocking sunglasses, wake therapy (total or partial sleep deprivation in the second half of the night), phase advance of the sleep-wake cycle, and exogenously administered melatonin. Light therapy as a zeitgeber has been used to resynchronise disturbed sleep schedules back to a more normal pattern. Light is also an effective antidepressant, acting on many of the same neurotransmitter systems and brain structures as antidepressant drugs. What is fascinating about light therapy is that it is the first treatment in psychiatry that developed directly out of basic neurobiology research related to seasonal hibernation and reproduction in rodents. Light therapy is effective for all groups of major depression – not only for the seasonal subtype (SAD), for which it is well recognized as the treatment of choice. As an adjuvant to antidepressants in unipolar depressive patients, or lithium in bipolar patients, morning light hastens and potentiates the antidepressant response. Light therapy shows benefit even for patients with chronic depression of 2 years or more, and provides a viable alternative for patients who refuse, resist or cannot tolerate medication, or for whom drugs may be contraindicated, as in antepartum depression (Wirz-Justice et al., 2005). In addition, light therapy has been successfully used in other psychiatric or neurological illnesses, including bulimia nervosa and Alzheimer ´s disease. Dark therapy has yielded positive results to control symptoms in acute mania and to calm `rapid-cycling ´ bipolar patients in the manic phase – a group with one of the highest suicide rates among the mentally ill. By keeping patients in the dark and extending rest-sleep for periods of 10 to 14 hours, the mania episode could be ended. Dark therapy is theoretically interesting for its rapid effects, but is not very  practical. One alternative at present being investigated is the use of blue-blocking sunglasses. Blue is the wavelength to which the circadian system is particularly sensitive, thus by blocking this range in the light spectrum we can induce circadian darkness while not impairing the patients vision. Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland only at night, and is suppressed by light. Cued by darkness, melatonin is especially important for the onset of sleep, but is also involved in many other systems cardiovascular, immune, endocrine, and metabolic. If rhythms are out of sync, as in depression, then melatonin rhythms also occur at the wrong time thus accentuating the sleep disturbance. Exogenously administered, melatonin acts as a zeitgeber to synchronise circadian rhythms. In addition, its thermoregulatory action is important to induce a rapid onset of sleep, though it is not a sedative age nt per se. Wake therapy (a single nights sleep deprivation) is the most rapid antidepressant available today: approximately 60% of patients, independent of diagnostic subtype, respond with marked improvement within hours. A single nights sleep deprivation induces similar brain changes as many weeks of antidepressant drugs (Benedetti and Smeraldi, 2009). Relapse after recovery sleep can be prevented by daily light therapy, concomitant administration of antidepressants (SSRIs), lithium (for bipolar patients), or a short phase advance of sleep over 3 days. Combinations of these interventions show great promise (Wirz-Justice et al., 2005, 2009). Despite the growing evidence for the efficacy of the available chronotherapeutic methods, it is surprising how limited the use of these treatments still is. Given the rapid action of chronotherapeutics, lack of side effects, and easy combination possibilities, how can sleep physicians and psychiatrists be educated about their use? Perhaps it is the patients that need to be educated, who are much more interested in non-pharmaceutic approaches? Obviously, treatments that are not patentable do not make profits for industry, thus denying the commercial marketing model used for drugs. Because they do not go through official clinical trial registration at federal regulatory agencies, chronotherapeutic treatments are not on the list for insurance reimbursement. On account of their simplicity, chronotherapeutics contrast with high-tech medicine, and for this reason are often not taken seriously. Clinical implications In clinical practice there is still rather widespread ignorance about circadian sleep disturbances and chronotherapeutics in spite of the significant evidence base. How can wider dissemination of chronotherapeutics be achieved? First, enterprising doctors should try them out. Only with first-hand experience does the reality of efficacy and response emerge. Second, the techniques should be taught in medical school and during residency – since it is the younger generation that is most open to change and use of cogent alternatives to medication. The nonprofit, multilingual patients website www.cet.org and clinicians website www.chronotherapeutics.org of the Center for Environmental Therapeutics (CET) illustrate some first attempts to meet this Phase 3 educational challenge. Third, through its societies, the field of chronotherapeutics needs to advocate recognition for reimbursement. In the treatment of affective disorders, chronotherapeutics offer a new synthesis of non-pharmacol ogic interventions designed to accelerate remission in patients with depression and bipolar disorder. Combining chronotherapeutics with concomitant or follow-up medication shows great promise. Given the urgent need for new strategies to treat patients with residual depressive symptoms, clinical trials of wake therapy and/or adjuvant light therapy, coupled with follow-up studies of long-term recurrence, are of high priority. Conclusion Circadian dysfunction can have drastic consequences on brain functions. Increasing evidence suggests that disrupted temporal organisation impairs behaviour, cognition, and affect (Benca et al., 2009). Disruption of circadian clock genes impairs sleep-wake cycle and behavioural rhythms, which may be implicated in mental disorders. Several different psychiatric disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), schizophrenia, and borderline-related disorders are commonly associated with abnormalities in circadian rhythms. In particular, biological clocks play a major role in the pathophysiology of affective disorders. Synchronising impaired circadian rhythms, improving sleep, or paradoxically staying awake most of the night can be extremely helpful to treat patients with depression and bipolar disorder. Chronotherapeutic combinations of light and wake therapy achieve fast results and, by reducing  residual symptoms, also minimise relapse over many months. In addition, chronotherapeutics seem to be a major facilitator of drug response, and, in combination with antidepressants, a promising method to stabilise patients over the long term. Researchers are working on extending our knowledge concerning pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical ways to alter circadian rhythms. Recent discoveries of molecular clocks responsible for the generation of circadian rhythms provide novel insights into temporal disruption, offering new therapeutic avenues for the treatment of affective disorders. Sleep Drive and Your Body Clock * Sleep Topics Most people notice that they naturally experience different levels of sleepiness and alertness throughout the day, but what causes these patterns? Sleep is regulated by two body systems: sleep/wake homeostasis and the circadian biological clock. When we have been awake for a long period of time, sleep/wake homeostasis tells us that a need for sleep is accumulating and that it is time to sleep. It also helps us maintain enough sleep throughout the night to make up for the hours of being awake. If this restorative process existed alone, it would mean that we would be most alert as our day was starting out, and that the longer we were awake, the more we would feel like sleeping. In this way, sleep/wake homeostasis creates a drive that balances sleep and wakefulness. Our internal circadian biological clocks, on the other hand, regulate the timing of periods of sleepiness and wakefulness throughout the day. The circadian rhythm dips and rises at different times of the day, so adults stron gest sleep drive generally occurs between 2:00-4:00 am and in the afternoon between 1:00-3:00 pm, although there is some variation depending on whether you are a â€Å"morning person† or â€Å"evening person.† The sleepiness we experience during these circadian dips will be less intense if we have had sufficient sleep, and more intense when we are sleep deprived. The circadian rhythm also causes us to feel more alert at certain points of the day, even if we have been awake for hours and our sleep/wake restorative process would otherwise make us feel more sleepy. Changes to this circadian rhythm occur during adolescence, when most teens experience a sleep phase delay. This shift in teens circadian rhythm causes them to naturally feel alert later at night, making  it difficult for them to fall asleep before 11:00 pm. Since most teens wake up early for school and other commitments, this sleep phase delay can make it difficult to get the sleep teens need an average of 9 1/4 hours, but at least 8 1/2 hours. This sleep deprivation can influence the circadian rhythm; for teens the strongest circadian â€Å"dips† tend to occur between 3:00-7:00 am and 2:00-5:00 pm, but the morning dip (3 :00-7:00 am) can be even longer if teens haven’t had enough sleep, and can even last until 9:00 or 10:00 am. The circadian biological clock is controlled by a part of the brain called the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN), a group of cells in the hypothalamus that respond to light and dark signals. From the optic nerve of the eye, light travels to the SCN, signaling the internal clock that it is time to be awake. The SCN signals to other parts of the brain that control hormones, body temperature and other functions that play a role in making us feel sleepy or awake. In the mornings, with exposure to light, the SCN sends signals to raise body temperature and produce hormones like cortisol. The SCN also responds to light by delaying the release of other hormones like melatonin, which is associated with sleep onset and is produced when the eyes signal to the SCN that it is dark. Melatonin levels rise in the evening and stay elevated throughout the night, promoting sleep. In teenagers, research has shown that melatonin levels in the blood naturally rise later at night than in most children and adul ts. Since teens may have difficulty going to bed early to get enough sleep, it can help to keep the lights dim at night as bedtime approaches. It can also help to get into bright light as soon as possible in the morning. Circadian disruptions such as jet lag put us in conflict with our natural sleep patterns, since the shift in time and light cues on the brain forces the body to alter its normal pattern to adjust. This is why jet lag can leave travelers feeling poorly and having more difficulty thinking and performing well. But these symptoms can also occur in everyday life, when the circadian rhythm is disrupted by keeping long and irregular hours. Because of this, it is important to keep a regular sleep schedule and allow plenty of time for quality sleep, allowing these two vital biological components the sleep/wake restorative process and the circadian rhythm to help us perform at our best. References Circadian rhythms: Their role and dysfunction in affective disorder. (10, April 30). Retrieved from http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-08/econ-crt082610.php# Sleep Drive and Your Body Clock | National Sleep Foundation Information on Sleep Health and Safety. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-topics/sleep-drive-and-your-body-clock Good sleeping habits begin with a regular bedtime routine. If you thought that was just for kids, its time to reconsider the importance of pre-sleep rituals in your life. A relaxing bedtime routine helps to prepare your brain and body for bed and promotes restful sleep. | If you try to jump straight from the swirling thoughts and frantic activity of your everyday life into a deep sleep, chances are youll be unsuccessful. Thats because your mind and body arent controlled by flipping a switch to the off position in that way. However, establishing a soothing bedtime routine as an integral part of your sleeping habits sets the stage for a good nights sleep. Humans are creatures of habit and our natural body rhythms crave consistency. So, when youre planning your bedtime routine, keep things simply and easy because your ritual needs to be something you can do every single night. If you make it too lengthy or intricate youre setting yourself up for failure. Your pre-sleep behaviors should be soothing and relaxing. The aim is to give yourself the time and space to wind down from the stresses of the day and reach a calming state of relaxation to make it easier to fall asleep. If your sleeping habits include some of the following, youll be well on your way to establishing an effective bedtime routine. Take a warm bath A drop in body temperature helps to trigger the need for sleep so a warm bath (or a soak in the hot-tub) may help you fall asleep faster. You can enhance this effect by using aromatherapy products (bath oils, scented candles and so on) with calming properties. Practice Relaxation Techniques Todays fast-paced world tends to make us tense and irritable, which can really interfere with your ability to sleep well. Spending some time on relaxing activities (breathing exercises, yoga, massage, meditation, or entle stretches) before bed can lower anxiety levels and calm your body and mind. | Have a Bedtime Snack A bowl of nachos or that last slice of pizza definitely shouldnt have a place in your bedtime routine. But, certain foods and drinks can have a positive effect on your sleep. Some foods contain an amino-acid called tryptophan that can make you feel sleepy. Remember that glass of warm milk your mom used to urge you to drink? She knew what she was doing because milk contains tryptophan. In addition to milk, many dairy products such cheese and yogurt contain this chemical, as do soy products, poultry, whole-grains and many seeds/nuts. So, a glass of milk and a handful of wholewheat crackers could be a good addition to your sleeping habits. Many herbal teas can have a relaxing and calming effect, as well. Avoid Sleep-Destroying Activities Foods Any activity that stimulates your brain or body (with the noticeable exception of love-making) can sabotage your bedtime routine. Stay away from horror movies, work e-mail, strenuous exercise, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and spicy foods. Also, watch out for unexpected side effects of prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and natural remedies that you may take for other conditions. Changing your sleeping habits and establishing a bedtime routine that encourages deep, restful sleep takes time and determination but the rewards are well worth the effort.

Educating Rita by Willy Russell :: Papers

Educating Rita by Willy Russell Educating Rita is a play written by Willy Russell. It is about a woman called Rita who feels her life is not fulfilled so she goes to Frank who works at an Open University to tutor her. Rita has a husband called Denny. He is working class and has never been to university, like Rita before she goes to she Frank. Frank on the other hand is a lecturer of literature but does not have everything. He is unhappy at home and is often drunk at his tutorials. The audience's first impression of Frank is that he likes a drink (or two) because in the first scene he is looking for his hidden bottle of whisky. We know straight away that he is a heavy drunk. We only hear Frank talking on the telephone with his partner, Julie. Frank doesn't treat Julie with any respect. He has no intension of going home for tea, he would much prefer to get drunk at the pub. After putting down the phone Frank says " yes that's it you go and put your head in the oven". This shows frank has no feelings for her. Frank works in a university but also tutors for the Open University. Franks wife has quite a few friends but frank doesn't because he is always out at the pub. Frank uses clever words and talks in an intellectual manner. When Rita looks at the picture and says" that's a nice picture" frank thinks it is a strange thing to notice because he has never really noticed it. "Actually I don't think I've noticed it in about 10 years". Frank feels it is a very strange thing to talk about. He takes his surroundings for granted, For example the window " I don't often consider it actually" and jokes about throwing a student out of it. I think Frank likes and respects Rita because he said, "Would you like to borrow it" meaning the book. He also must have had respect for her to let her come to his dinner party.