The Last Five Years Have Seen a Major Push for the Use of 3Tesla in Essay

The Last Five Years Have Seen a Major Push for the Use of 3Tesla in Clinical Settings - Essay Example Benefits of 3T over old system have been discussed in detail further in the essay. 3T has provision for excellent imaging results of human body structures such as brain, abdominal organs, all the bony parts and abnormal masses (cancer). In addition, some complicated procedures such as diffuse tensor imaging (DTI) and MRI spectroscopy can also be administered easily with 3T (Haines & Quaddy, 2010, pp1-3). There is a scope of using many RF coils array for faster image processing in 3T. Basic physics of MRI and nuclear spin Here is a glance at the basic physics of MRI and correlation with nuclear spin. Magnetic field is a force generated by the electric currents or magnets. This force attracts other metallic and magnetic objects towards the field. Nucleus of the atom has magnetic properties. All the nuclei provide chemical information together throughout the magnetic field. Atomic chief constituents are proton, electron and neutron. They start revolving in an angular momentum. This is c alled as nuclear spin. This spin is suggestive of the direction of movements in magnetic field (James, 1998, pp1-31; Machann, Schlemmer&Schick, 2008, pp63-70). When two atoms come together in pair, they do not demonstrate a spin. However, in some nuclei, there are uneven number of protons and neutrons. These types of nuclei will have intrinsic angular momentum. In other incidences, when the unpaired nuclei spins are put in the magnetic field the magnetic field of the nucleus and surrounding field react with each other. These reactions are explained with Larmour frequency equations (James, 1998, pp1-31; Machann et.al., 2008, pp63-70). These nuclei momentums align either parallel or anti parallel with the surrounding magnetic field based on the law of quantum physics. Hence, this creates energy difference among the spins that in turn allows transition in between the states. Nucleus consumes energy and goes into excitement phase and further resting or relaxation phase. This relaxation period is important for calculation, as it indicates that any system requires equal time to go into relaxing phase after equal time of exciting phase throughout the magnetization. Total sum of the energy from every step transition is equated along with signal spatial frequency domain and spin density. This signal from spatial frequency is expressed into density in real place for the formation of MRI image (James, 1998, pp1-31; Machann et.al., 2008, pp63-70). Following picture shows the sample of 3T scanner machine with large bore. Picture curtsey- (Haines & Quaddy, 2010, pp1-3) Advantages of going to higher field Higher field means better imaging in shorter time. Transformation of scanning machines from1.5T to 3T also has many positive aspects: 1) SNR (Signal to noise ratio) The major advantage of using 3T technology is to have increased SNR, i.e. signal to noise ratio. â€Å"The FDA limits SAR by anatomical site based on the potential effects of heating† (Stafford, pp 1-5). SNR is almost double in 3T imaging. Raised SNR would certainly improve the image quality far better than before. In addition to this, higher SNR reduces the image acquiring time that helps in many ways such as reduced image producing time helps decrease the incidences of artefacts, especially motion. Many times posture of the patient for imaging makes him/her uncomfortable. Hence, reduced image acquisition time is quite helpful. 2) Spectral

Role And Importance Of Operations Management

Role And Importance Of Operations Management Operations Management is very important for managing large firms and running them successfully. Operation management is mainly related to production of goods and services in an organisation. The main purpose of the operations management is to run the business operations successfully, smoothly and effectively by using the minimum resources and meeting customer expectations. Thus we can say that operations management is the process of converting minimum input like raw materials, labour to produce maximum output like products, goods and services. Operations Management is very crucial factor in order to increase companys profit. Operations management is not only responsible for producing goods but also take control of distribution of services. Operation management is just not related to organizations it can be seen in our daily activities of life also. The following quotation explains how operations management is found in our daily life Operations management is about the way organizations produce goods and services. Everything you wear, eat, sit on, use, read or knock about on the sports field comes to you courtesy of the operations managers who organized its production. Every book you borrow from the library, every treatment you receive at the hospital, every service you expect in the shops and every lecture you attend at university all have been produced. (Slack et al, 1995) Some examples of operation management can be like A carpenter who uses a piece of wood , cuts and planes it, and then polishes it to produce a piece of furniture When u want to book a holiday a tourist operator finds and provide information to you and helps by giving advices on places to visit and stay. ROLE AND IMPORTANCE OF OPERATIONS MANGEMENT IN AN ORGANIZATION Operations management plays a very crucial role in organisations as they produce professional managers which are capable of achieving organisations strategic goals in a defined period of time. Operations management is the heart of any organization as it controls the whole operation system of the organization. Operations management handles issues like design, operation, and maintenance and improvement of the systems used to produce companys vital products and services. Operations management has clear management responsibilities like in marketing and finance. Operations management is very necessary in an organisation to manage the activities. With the help of Operations management an organisation is able to make good use of their resources like human labour and inputs are used as required. Operations management helps an organization to achieve its main goal of making profit and maximising its shareholders through its activities. Cost of production is reduced to ensure that tangible and intangible assets are not over stretched or wasted in an organisation. Organisations make good use of its product and services management through Operations management. Product management includes a wide range of activities starting from the point when a new idea for the product is developed to eventually provide customer support to those who have purchased the product. Every organisation conducts product management no matter it is done intentionally or unintentionally. Another important aspect of Operations management is quality management. Every organisation is very much concerned about the products which are manufactured or developed for the customers in the market. Quality management is very important to have efficient operations management, mainly if it is for continuous improvement in order to go with the consumers taste and preferences. Lately benchmarking and quality management, outsourcing and reengineering has taken operations management to an advanced level to produce high quality. Adoption of reengineering and benchmarking by the organisation helps them to be a leader in their category of products in the market. Benchmarking is considered as the best internal auditing process which the company uses to identify its weaknesses and then converting them into strength in order to increase its customers in the market. One cannot think of Operations management in an organisation without Management control and Coordinating function. Management control and coordination includes different types of activities to make sure that the companys goals are constantly being met in an effective and efficient way. Organizations mainly make use of organizational coordination and control in order to adopt a systematic approach to figure out if it is actually doing what it wanted to be doing or not. Some of the major approaches to the companys organizational control and coordination include product evaluation, product distribution, advertising and promotion, sales and service and product development. Organizations use advertisements as a most important instrument to reach the customer and reorient the awareness of customers about its products. In this fast expanding and competitive marketplace, the company make certain that its products and services are significantly in the minds of their customers and clients. Thi s takes place as a result of ongoing advertising and promotion by the organization. Facilities management is also a necessary function and is of great importance in operations management. Effective operations management in the companys activities highly depends on a great deal of effective management of facilities, such as buildings, computer systems, signage, lighting and plants and machinery. In a situation of high demand which could call for higher or mass production, facilities needs to be managed in producing large quantities of products which must be standardized to meet the market demand at specific period. Well managed facilities like plants and machinery in the company help in production speed, lower per unit cost, ease of manufacture and control and the efficiency in the companys production process Task 19.1.b The strategic objectives of Toyota are Profit Quality and Innovation Image and reputation Social issues Satisfying customers Market power Survival SWOT ANALYSIS OF TOYOTA A SWOT analysis is a simple but widely used tool that helps in understanding the strengths , weakness , opportunities and threats involved in a project or business activity. It starts by defining the objective of the project or business activity and identifies the internal and external factors that are important in order to achieve the objective. Internal factors can be divided into strengths and weakness and opportunities and threats can be identified as external . STRENGTHS Toyota is the worlds largest automobile maker by sales. Toyota also owns and operates Lexus and Scion brands and has a majority shareholding stake in Daihatsu and Hino motors. Toyota also provides financial services through its Toyota Financial Services and also builds robots. Toyota Motor Corporation (including Toyota Financial Services) and Toyota Industries form the bulk of the Toyota Group, one of the largest conglomerates in the world. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ OPPURTUNITIES Should increase their shareholdings in Fuji Heavy industries, Isuzu Motors , Yamaha motors, and Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation WEAKNESS On May 8, 2009, Toyota reported a record annual net loss of US$4.2 billion, making it the latest automobile maker to be severely affected by the 2007-2010 financial crisis Manufacturers need to make sure that it is their models that consumers want versus competitors. Sales has been affected by the financial crisis Failure of Toyota production system based on the current recalls. Company needs to cautiously keep producing cars in order to retain its operational efficiency, especially in the case of the Prius, which the case study states that it needs reprogramming of its Abs system. THREATS In January 2010, Toyota announced it was recalling up to 1.8 million cars across Europe, including about 220,000 in the UK, following problems with defective accelerator pedals Many Toyota models were involved, covering the 2007-2010 model years. Toyota subsequently recalled the Prius model for reprogramming of its ABS system. The U.S. Sales Chief, James Lentz, was questioned by the United States Congress committees on Oversight and Investigations on February 23, 2010, as a result of recent recalls On 6 April 2010, The US government sought a record penalty of US$16.375 million from Toyota for its delayed response in notifying the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding the defective accelerator pedals The company said the recalls could cost the company up to US$2 billion (GB £1.25 billion) in lost output and sales TASK 19.1.C A company main aim should be to satisfy its customers requirements for fast and dependable services at reasonable price, as well as helping its own suppliers to improve services they offer. There are five basic performance objectives and they apply to all types of operation: Quality Speed Dependability Flexibility Cost (Slack, N. et al, 2001). These operations performance objectives are analysed here in accordance to Toyota. Toyotas record has been successful all around the world as it has been chosen by different market research and analysis for the car of the year for many years. Toyotas success went on growing because of the high quality which thereby leads to the largest maker of the automobiles based on the sales throughout the world. Toyota have also produced cars which are of better qualities which are suspended and do not release unlikeable smoke. For example more than 40 emission- managing systems and equipments which has enhanced passenger car protections. (Ahmed, A., 2003,). Another main task is speed which signifies to reduce the time between the instruction and accessibility of the product and services which thereby leads to the speed benefits for the customers.Toyota performance is focused on tasks by using small and simple machines which reduce complications which are flexible and vigorous. By rescheduling the plans and the stream to improve simplicity and the swiftness of manufacturing. In the late 1980s, it is reflected in the statistics that the productivity per employee compared to the US and European plants is as much as two or three times higher than them. The third presentation aim is dependability which means completing the tasks in time for the customers so that they receive their merchandise and services on the date and time as been promised. The Just -in-Time (JIT) production system allows the engineers to deliver products of highest quality through their Kanban control system. Toyota needs to improve its efficiency and quality as it is important for managers, technicians and employees and b doing this customers will feel more reliable about the products of the Toyota. A clear result of responding to a dynamic environment is that organisation change their products and services and changes the way they do business. This performance objective is known as flexibility. (Peters, T., 1998) argues that we must learn to love change and develop flexible and responsive organizations to cope with the dynamic business environment. In the Toyota plant it means the ability to adopt its manufacturing resources so that it can launch new models. The coursework analyses that, Toyota was able to achieve high level of flexibility, producing relatively small batches of different models with little or no loss of productivity or quality. Toyota during the years has provided a range of options that customers are able to choose. One major operations objective, especially where companies compete with prices is cost. Low price is a universal attractive objective to customers, which can be achieved by producing goods at lower costs. In order to do things cheaply, Toyota seek to influence the cost of goods and services, so for the future Toyota has planned to shift their production of multipurpose vehicles and pick-up trucks on different countries around the world (e.g. Argentina, South Africa). Also, internally, cost performance is helped by good performance in the other performance objectives that Toyota has managed to produce high quality vehicles at a reasonable prices. By using and improving quality, speed, dependability, flexibility and cost operations performance, TMC has seen a global growth and high percentage of customer satisfaction. Because of the success of these operation performance objectives Japanese style (Toyotism) of manufacturing and product developments has come to be studied and emulated around the world . TMC is world leader in supply chain management, and to keep its production at the high quality, maximum speed, on time delivery, flexibility and at the lowest cost TMC works with its suppliers to make sure that they are also the best suppliers in the industry. Shifting its operation in different countries searching for cheap inputs (row material and labour) makes it easier to produce products at a lower cost and good quality. Operating continentally also gives dependability advantage to its customers by making it easy to deliver its production in the market place. Using these operation performance objectives TMC has managed to k eep its customers happy and compete successfully with others companies in global market. Task 19.2.a Toyota uses lean manufacturing system to produce continuous goods and services. Tools like just in time, cellular manufacturing, total productive maintenance, single minute exchange of dies. Lean manufacturing system came into Japan after World War II when they were run out of material, financial and human resources. This system is also known as Toyota Production System which is now recognized all over the world. The basic ideas behind lean manufacturing system are waste elimination, cost reduction, and employee empowerment. Employee empowerment of Toyota can be seen through the fact that the company employs approximately 320,000 people worldwide. The lean manufacturing system aims to work in every aspect of the value stream by eliminating waste in order to reduce cost, generate capital and bring in more sales and remain in competitive in a growing global market which can be seen through the fact that Toyota is the largest automobile maker by sales. Task 19.2.b As defined by the Praxiom Research Group, an audit is an evidence gathering process. The main purpose of the Quality Audit is to establish maximum evidence in order to find out whether or not the company is in control of its processes and documents. This kind of evidence is collected through observations, interviews, and requests for documentation. Full training is provided to auditors so they can exactly find out if corporate quality management systems are in compliance with preset standards. Toyotas recall problems indicate that there has been a general quality defect because of poor decision making and supply chain management. In my view Toyota should have third part audit which is done by an external because I think as company has some malfunction in their production system so it is better if a professional agency do their audit so next time there should be no flaws in the models which are going to be developed and it can be assured that the raw materials and products which are m anufactured are safe. Task 19.2.c Quality culture generally means inclusion of quality in the overall system of an organization which creates a positive internal environment and provides guarantee customer satisfaction. A good decision making at all levels of management is very necessary for maintaining such quality culture in the organization which can be attained by self realization at the top level or by trainings and workshops or following of benchmark organizations. Toyotas quality culture is to produce best products in the very first attempt. Innovation also forms a very important part of quality culture in Toyota and meet challenges with courage and creativity for the continuous improvement. Customer satisfaction is also a very important aspect of quality culture in Toyota. Another important aspect of the quality culture is keeping track of consumer complaints and analysing them for quick fix. In my view Toyota should not compromise with quality of their product and give growth more importance over quality. In a run to make more products they are not giving 100% in the manufacturing of their products. In order to achieve their growth targets and to become the worlds largest automotive manufacturer Toyota lost sight of the key values that gave company the reputation in the first place. Task 19.3.a Toyota Motors Corporation all throughout its history from Kaizen to Toyota Production System to further Kaizen has strived not only to maintain its current market position, but to improve it as well. The engineers should make sure that they make best products in the very first attempt. The organisation should not make haste in manufacturing the products just in order to increase the growth. Task 19.3.b In Toyota Motors Corporations 2008 Annual report, the company said that As the automobile industry faces a turning point in its history, Toyota aims to achieve sustainable growth by building a more flexible and stronger corporate structure to meet the challenges ahead (p. 1). The real question remains. That is, what specific strategies shall Toyota adopts in order to build a more flexible and stronger corporate structure when time and business environment dictate that its Kaizen, Further Kaizen, and Toyota Production System are no longer enough for the current and future demands of the marketplace? Blue Ocean Strategy In the preface of their book, Blue Ocean Strategy, W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne, succinctly wrote that there are no permanently excellent companies, just as there are no permanently excellent industries (2005, p. x). Hence, no matter how successful Toyota Motors Corporation is over its 70 years existence does not guarantee the same success in the next 70 years. The authors, therefore, proposed a new management theory blue ocean strategy. The Blue Ocean Strategy is, according to Kim and Mauborgne, Blue ocean strategy challenges companies to break out of the red ocean of bloody competition by creating uncontested market space that makes the competition irrelevant. Instead of dividing up existing-and often shrinking-demand and benchmarking competitors, blue ocean strategy is about growing demand and breaking away from the competition (2008, p. x) The most startling conclusion of the blue ocean strategy is well depicted by the authors conclusion on Cirque du Soleils circumstances: the circus company succeeded because it realized that to win in the future, companies must stop competing with each other (Kim Mauborgne 2005, p. 4). In Toyotas history it is clear that its management has not arrived at the same conclusion. This can be ascertained from the Chairmans, Fujio Cho, message in Toyota Motors Corporations 2008 Annual Report: Toyota aims to achieve sustained, long-term growth by providing high-quality vehicles to people everywhere, and by contributing to the realization of a bountiful and nurturing society (2008, p. 6). What is not aligned with the blue ocean strategy in this phrase is that every other automobile company Ford, GM, Honda, etc. are also saying the same thing or the likes of it. Clearly this strategy is not going to work in the long run at all if Toyota wants to remain as one of the top ten in Fortune Global 500. In contrast, the blue ocean strategy goes out of just mere providing high-quality vehicles which are what everyone else is providing. As shown in the figure below blue oceans have the most impact on profit though least impact on revenue compared to red oceans. Figure 1 Blue Oceans vs. Red Oceans Source: Kim Mauborgne 2005, p. 7 The changing environments as presented by Toyota in its presentation for its financial results for 2008 and as discussed in the earlier part of this paper, and as outlined by the Blue Ocean Strategy presents several driving forces behind a rising imperative to create blue oceans (Kim Mauborgne 2005, p. 8). These driving forces, unfortunately, will not disappear, hence Toyota must act now and create its own undisputed market in the automobile industry. To fully realize the benefits of the blue ocean strategy a strategy canvas must be created. The canvas is the central diagnostic and action framework for building a compelling blue ocean strategy (Blue Ocean Strategy 2008). Total customer experience is now the new differentiator (Mascarenhas, Kesavan Bernacchi 2006, p. 397) which is exactly the point in the blue ocean strategy. Toyota Motors Corporation, in its current and future business environment, must deliver total customer experience. However, there is a need for care in interpreting each customers total experience: Obviously, by definition, TCE is customer-dependent and hence, is different for each customer. Compared with service outlets such as restaurants, hotels or banks, there is potential for great diversity in customer experience, because the customer may seek a wide variety of different services or products. Each stage of this consumption-journey involves an experience that the provider must try to optimize and the customer must [capitalize] (Mascarenhas, Kesavan Bernacchi 2006, p. 415). The key therefore is to attain an accurate understanding. Task 19.3.c More than ever, the human resource strategies, objective, systems and processes of the organization must be integrated and synchronized with the overall Toyota Motors Corporations strategies, objective, systems and processes and the rest of the organization. Human resource as one of the key success factors in implementing the blue ocean strategy must be able to support and not detract the company from it. Hence, the personnel selection, training and development, and performance appraisal processes should be seamlessly integrated into the whole organizational structure ad systems to ensure that all these systems are working towards the same goal: creating uncontested market space and making the competition irrelevant. Mondy Noe defined recruitment as the process of attracting individuals on a timely basis, in sufficient numbers, and with appropriate qualifications, and encouraging them to apply for jobs with an [organization] (2005, p. 199). The objective of the selection process for any type of [organization] is selecting the best individual suited for a particular position and the organization (Mondy Noe, 2005, p. 162). Hence, for TMC the goal of the organizations selection process should be selecting the best individual suited for the vacant position and have the necessary capability to help the company in its quest in making the competition irrelevant. On the other hand, the performance appraisal system is a formal system of review and evaluation of individual or team task performance (Mondy Noe, 2005, p. 252) to determine who should be promoted, demoted, transferred, or terminated (Anthony, Kacmar Perrewe, 2002, p. 354). Several of the factors that affect the effectiveness of an appraisal system are job-related criteria, performance expectations, standardization, trained appraisers, continuous open communication, performance reviews, and due process (Mondy Noe, 2005, pp. 270-272). Managing employee performance is one of the more difficult and complex activities within an organization. Unlike the other resources of a business, the human resource is not very easy to control: people think and act accordingly. Anthony, Kacmar Perrewe wrote that an effective performance appraisal system are not only tools for evaluating the work of employees but also for developing and motivating employees (2002, p. 351). These benefits are central to why the performance appraisal system was developed in organizations: employees need to be motivated and developed in order to perform their jobs effectively and efficiently. Furthermore, the appraisal system of a company can also be used to determine who needs formal training and development opportunities (Anthony, Kacmar Perrewe, 2002, p. 354). In the end, all of these will result to a better equipped human resource. Hence, for Toyota Motors Corporation its performance appraisal system must be redesigned to fit the blue ocean strategy of the company. As a vital component in motivating its employees, the human resource performance appraisal system of TMC should not operate in a vacuum, rather it must support the goal of developing organizational competencies to make the competition irrelevant. What had Toyota Motors Corporation done for its worldwide human resource management is admirable it developed HRM practices to sustain the Toyota Production System (Winfield 1994, p. 41). However, today it is no longer enough. It is time that Toyota models its human resource management practices to sustain the blue ocean strategy. The researcher believes that TPS is a component of blue ocean strategy; hence it should not be the end goal in designing the companys human resource management system and its other systems. The four goals as promoted by the companys existing human resource management practices are employee commitment, workforce flexibility and adaptability, quality (Winfield 1994, p. 50) in the blue ocean strategy perspective are only several of the factors needed in creating an uncontestable market as opposed to the current practice (these four goals are the main goals). Task 19.3.d As competition become more and more intense, companies such as Toyota Motors Corporation which are leaders in their industries can not afford to become complacent. Rather they must again pioneer developments in their fields. These companies have to integrate all their resources, use these resources efficiently and effectively to attain organizational goals. As the workforce becomes varied and as competition within industries becomes more intense, the need to effectively and efficiently manage human resources to gain, develop and sustain competitive advantages is becoming more important. In integrating the blue ocean strategy to its overall strategy, Toyota Motors Corporation must not forget that the most important factor in order for such strategy to succeed is its human resource.

Benefits of Marriage Essay -- Social Issues, Love

Today less and less people are getting married. Maybe they do this because they do not realize the benefits of marriage. Being in a marriage greatly benefits the emotional, physical and financial aspects of the children, spouse and one’s own life. Although viewed differently reasons for marriage can really be narrowed down to two, marrying for love or marrying for more of a personal beneficial reason. The Emotional aspects of marriage play heavily in any person’s life. Though not always prevalent commonsense states that the best relationships sprout from a great depth of love. There is a recipe for a long lasting loving marriage. â€Å"First, they must love each other deeply and choose each other unswayed by outside pressure. From then on, each must make the partner the top priority in life, putting that relationship above any and all competing ties. A husband and wife, we believe, owe their highest obligations and deepest loyalties to each other and the children they raise. Parents and in-laws should not be allowed to interfere in the marriage. Married couples should be best friends, sharing their most intimate feelings and secrets. They should express affection openly but also talk candidly about problems. And of course they should be sexually faithful to each other† (coontz, 381). This recipe does not only extend to heterosexual couples but also extends to homosexuals if afforded the right to marriage. As stated by Andrew Sullivan in For Gay Marriage Homosexuals â€Å"exist and have emotional and sexual attractions to the same sex as heterosexuals have towards the opposite sex† (406). The emotional state of marriages affects more than just a spouse and one’s self. Other financial benefits Children are deeply affected by ma... ...ied have 75% less wealth and those who divorced have 73% less wealth† (Popenoe and Whitehead, 394). One might ask why marriage is such a wealth creator one theory is that those people that create wealth are more likely to get and stay married. Also the lowering of taxes is a big factor of why people get married. The sharing of insurance plan will most likely generate wealth. Although a small point it is still a point that a spouse does not pay taxes on gifts. If one should pass away social security benefits will go to the surviving partner. The State Of Our Unions states that â€Å"marriage itself is a wealth generating institution and it does this through an economic scale as two people live cheaper than one, and as a long term commitment and contract it encourages economic specialization working as a couple people develop skills in which they excel† (394).

Nature vs. Nuture

An Overarching View of Nature vs. Nature Katonia H. Dunaway Coppin State University Nature vs. Nurture 2 You got your brown eyes from your mother and your height from your father. But where did you get your thrill seeking personality and your talent for basketball. Did you get your eyes from your mom and your natural skill from your dad, or was it predetermined by your genes? Nature vs. Nurture 3The nature versus nurture debate is one of the oldest issues in psychology. The debate centers on the relative contributions of genetic inheritance and environmental factors to human development. Some philosophers such as Plato and Descartes suggested that certain things are inborn, or that they simply occur naturally regardless of environmental influences. Other well-known thinkers such as John Locke believed in what is known as tabula rosa, which suggests that the mind begins as a blank slate (2). According to this notion, everything that we are and all of our knowledge is determined by o ur experience.For example, when a person achieves tremendous academic success, did they do so because they are genetically predisposed to be successful, or is it a result of an enriched environment (2). Today, the majority of experts believe that behavior and development are influence by both nature and nurture. However, the issue still rages on in many areas, such as in the debate on the origins of homosexuality and influences on intelligence. Nature vs. Nurture 4 Nature- Heredity Scientists have known for years that traits such as eye color and hair color are determined by specific genes encoded in each human cell.The Nature Theory takes things a step further to say that more abstract traits such as intelligence, personality, aggression, and sexual orientation are also encoded in an individual's DNA(4). While it's clear that physical characteristics are hereditary, the genetic waters get a bit murkier when it comes to an individual's behavior, intelligence, and personality. Ultima tely, the old argument of nature vs. nurture has never really been won. We do not yet know how much of what we are is determined by our DNA and how much by our life experience.But we do know that ultimately both play a part. It has been reported that the use of the terms â€Å"nature† and â€Å"nurture† as a convenient catch-phrase for the roles of heredity and environment in human development can be traced back to the 13th century France (1). Scientists think that people behave as they do according to genetic predispositions or even â€Å"animal instincts. † This is known as the â€Å"nature† theory of human behavior (5). Other scientists believe that people think and behave in certain ways because they are taught to do so.This is known as the â€Å"nurture† theory of human behavior (5). Nature vs. Nurture 5 Fast-growing understanding of the human genome has recently made it clear that both sides are partly right. Nature endows us with inborn abi lities and traits; nurture takes these genetic tendencies and molds them as we learn and mature. But that’s not all. The â€Å"nature vs. nurture† debate still rages on, as scientist fight over how much of whom we are is shaped by genes. Nurture – EnvironmentWhile not discounting that genetic tendencies may exist, supporters of the nurture theory believe they ultimately don't matter and that our behavioral aspects originate only from the environmental factors of our upbringing. Studies on infant and child temperament have revealed the most crucial evidence for nurture theories and how much by the environment (6). American psychologist John Watson, best known for his controversial experiments with a young orphan named Albert, demonstrated that the acquisition of a phobia could be explained by classical conditioning.A strong proponent of environmental learning, he said: Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own specified world to bring them up in an d I'll guarantee to take any one at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might select†¦ regardless of his talents, penchants, tendencies, abilities, vocations and race of his ancestors(3). Nature vs. Nurture 6 Harvard psychologist B. F. Skinner's early experiments produced pigeons that could dance, do figure eights, and play tennis.Today known as the father of behavioral science, he eventually went on to prove that human behavior could be conditioned in much the same way as animals (4). If environment didn't play a part in determining an individual's traits and behaviors, then identical twins should, theoretically, be exactly the same in all respects, even if reared apart. But a number of studies show that they are never exactly alike, even though they are remarkably similar in most respects (1). So, was the way we behave engrained in us before we were born? Or has it developed over time in response to our experiences?Researchers on all sides of the nature v s. nurture debate agree that the link between a gene and a behavior is not the same as cause and effect. While a gene may increase the likelihood that you'll behave in a particular way, it does not make people do things. This in turn means that we still get to choose who we'll be when we grow up and the argument of nature vs. nurture continues to have theorist explore the question. References 1. Fierro, Pamela. Identical or Fraternal? You Can’t Always Tell by Looking Retrieved from http://www. about. com Guide. 2. Howe, M.J. A. (1997). IQ in Question: The truth about intelligence. London: Sage. 3. Hughes, Neiman. Nature vs. Nurture Ended. Retrieved from http://www. HumanNurtureome. org. 4. Johnson, Ramon. Nature versus Nurture. Newsletter, (2008, November 2) Pages 1-4. Retrieved February 28, 2010 from http://www. about. com. Guide. 5. Murray, Ralph. Nature vs. Nature Intelligence. Retrieved from http://www. wilderdom. com. 6. Powell, Kimberly. (2004, September 28). Are We Rea lly Born That Way? Retrieved February 28, 2010 from http://www. docstoc. com.

Mindfulness & Majjhima Nikaya

Primarily the reading from the Majjhima Nikaya, Sutta 10, discusses the purpose of mindfulness in a context of rightful meditation strategy and thinking. The first part deals with the importance of the body. It is shown through the breathing activity which somehow established mindfulness through awareness of the existence of the body. The person shall himself attach from his body as he observed its breathing in and out through meditation. The second thing that one will observe through mindful meditation is the body’s posture. Accordingly, one will realize if the body is standing, sitting or lying.According to the reading, this helps one realize the external and internal activities of the body. Through giving full attention a person could observe the activities of the body more closely and completely. The person shall then reflect about the body and all of its components in such a manner that the person will know the body in a more intimate level. Through repulsiveness of the b ody, the person will be able to identify one part from the other and what the purpose of each part is. Further reflection would be gathered when the person learned about the elements that makes up the body.Through observing the death of other human body, the person shall have an understanding that the same things can happen to him self upon death. The person understands that life has end and like any other body that dies, the person’s body is also subjected to death. That death is something that is inescapable. Aside from the body, the person shall also be able to understand his feelings through mindfulness. In this part of the reading, there was a distinction between worldly feeling and spiritual feelings. The person is either experiencing a good feeling or a bad feeling.Through meditation, the person shall be able to administer a mindful observation of the origination and dissolution factors of the feeling which he has. The person could observe internally or externally, thr ough himself or through other’s experience. The person shall also be able to understand the mind by familiarizing oneself with how the mind works. In the discussion of the mind, there is a comparison between the being and the mind such that when the body has lust, the mind also has lust, if the body hates so as the mind. The fourth thing that a person in a mindful state observes is mindful things.The person shall also be able to apprehend mindful objects. The mental objects are also the five hindrances. The first of the five hindrances is the sense-desire. The person in a mindful state is a person who knows when a sense desire is coming from him or is affecting him in any way. This way, the person is able to observe sense-desire. The other hindrances are anger, torpor and languor, restlessness and worry and doubt. The mindful person shall be able to observe these five hindrances as mental objects. The person would be able to observe the five aggregates which helps dismiss the five hindrances.The five aggregates is composed of contemplation of the arising and disappearance of a material form, feelings, perceptions, mental formations and consciousness in a way or in another. The person shall be able to contemplate through the use of the six internal and external senses. For instance were the eye and the visual form that it captures the nose and the sense of smell, the ears and the sounds, the tongue and the taste, the body and the tangible things and the mind with the mental objects. Lastly the person shall be able to learn to observe the seven factors of enlightenment.The first enlightenment factor being the act of mindfulness. The second is the investigation of the mental object. This is when the person is aware that he is investigating a mental object or is not and how such investigation proceeded. Energy, joy, equanimity and concentration is the third enlightenment factor that shall be present. This through knowing that there is or if there is no ener gy, joy, equanimity and concentration present or involve. Finally, the person shall live under the Four Noble Truth which includes understanding Dukka or suffering.One should learn that there are experiences and paths that may lead to one’s suffering, thus suffering shall be understood as something that exist externally, internally, may cease to exist or may come to existence in reality . The practice of the Four Noble Truth may lead to either the Highest Knowledge or the state of not returning. The Falun Gong also has teachings that discussed what could be found in Sutta 10 or the teachings of Buddha. The instruction of Budha which also includes the four Noble Truths and the eight fold paths can basically be reflected upon the meditation techniques mentioned in the article.With the acknowledgement of Buddha’s basic teachings such as nothing is lost in the universe, things undergone constant change and the basic law of cause and effect, the reading have illustrates tha t a Buddhist meditation must be done in accordance to the basic teachings. Mindfulness as a state that can only be attain through an understanding of the natural process of life which always has a beginning and an end. The meditation somehow reflects a cyclic process that undermines careful understanding, realization and possibility of changes.Understanding the four noble truths and advocating them is also practiced in the meditation. The observation and acknowledgement of the body reminds one that the body is a material thing that experiences pain. Observing that pain could be understood internally and externally provides an understatement regarding the way by which pain is observed to be possessed by and can be experience by anyone. By undergoing an internal observation of seeing pain and suffering, one is able to identify that through proper meditation a person is the cause of his own pain and sufferings.A realization that suffering has its roots and its end determines that suffe ring could be stop or ended. Lastly, through meditation and proper understanding of how things works and how suffering produces the pain that are felt, one should help others become unlightened. The act of mindfulness is tantamount to having a clear awareness of the things and events as it pass observation of the person. Current practices of Buddhist meditation often neglect the goal of meditation. According to the primary source the only way of overcoming â€Å"sorrow and lamentation† is through purification or through the right path.Most often the modern practices focus on correcting bad behaviors. Sometimes the main focus was on finding truthfulness, displaying forbearance and benevolence. While the focus should be on extending enlightenment to other people. Most of the time, people enlighten themselves and stay stagnant without the purpose of expanding the enlightenment to other people. There are current meditations that only focus on the physical well being or fitness; w hile the real intention must include spiritual and mental fitness as well.There are also types of modern meditation that is tied up with supernatural goals that needs increase of concentration like those that are required in yoga. Works Cited Buddhism: A Brief Introduction. Developing Virtue Secondary School. Burlingame, California: Buddhist Translation Society, 1996. Buddhist Studies. Curriculum Development Institute of Singapore. Singapore: Pan Pacific Publications Pte Ltd, 1984. Cohen, Joan Lebold. Buddha. New York: Delacore Press, 1969. Following the Buddha’s Footsteps. http://online. sfsu. edu/~rone/Buddhism/footsteps. htm Lecture Notes. Person. 2008.