Innovation and creativity evaluation of Apple Corporation Essay

Economic growth and development of any country depends upon a well-knit financial system. Financial system comprises, a set of sub-systems of financial institutions financial markets, financial instruments and services which help in the formation of capital. Thus a financial system provides a mechanism by which savings are transformed into investments and it can be said that financial system play an significant role in economic growth of the country by mobilizing surplus funds and utilizing them effectively for productive purpose. The financial system is characterized by the presence of integrated, organized and regulated financial markets, and institutions that meet the short term and long term financial needs of both the household and corporate sector. Both financial markets and financial institutions play an important role in the financial system by rendering various financial services to the community. They operate in close combination with each other. Financial System The word â€Å"system†, in the term â€Å"financial system†, implies a set of complex and closely connected or interlined institutions, agents, practices, markets, transactions, claims, and liabilities in the economy. The financial system is concerned about money, credit and finance-the three terms are intimately related yet are somewhat different from each other. Indian financial system consists of financial market, financial instruments and financial intermediation Role/ Functions of Financial System: A financial system performs the following functions: * It serves as a link between savers and investors. It helps in utilizing the mobilized savings of scattered savers in more efficient and effective manner. It channelises flow of saving into productive investment. * It assists in the selection of the projects to be financed and also reviews the performance of such projects periodically. * It provides payment mechanism for exchange of goods and services. * It provides a mechanism for the transfer of resources across geographic boundaries. It provides a   mechanism for managing and controlling the risk involved in mobilizing savings and allocating credit. * It promotes the process of capital formation by bringing together the supply of saving and the demand for investible funds. * It helps in lowering the cost of transaction and increase returns. Reduce cost motives people to save more. * It provides you detailed information to the operators/ players in the market such as individuals, business houses, Governments etc. Components/ Constituents of Indian Financial system: The following are the four main components of Indian Financial system 1. Financial institutions 2. Financial Markets 3. Financial Instruments/Assets/Securities 4. Financial Services. Financial institutions: Financial institutions are the intermediaries who facilitates smooth functioning of the financial system by making investors and borrowers meet. They mobilize savings of the surplus units and allocate them in productive activities promising a better rate of return. Financial institutions also provide services to entities seeking advises on various issues ranging from restructuring to diversification plans. They provide whole range of services to the entities who want to raise funds from the markets elsewhere. Financial institutions act as financial intermediaries because they act as middlemen between savers and borrowers. Were these financial institutions may be of Banking or Non-Banking institutions. Financial Markets: Finance is a prerequisite for modern business and financial institutions play a vital role in economic system. It’s through financial markets the financial system of an economy works. The main functions of financial markets are. To facilitate creation and allocation of credit and liquidity; 2. to serve as intermediaries for mobilization of savings; 3. to assist process of balanced economic growth; 4. to provide financial convenience Financial Instruments Another important constituent of financial system is financial instruments. They represent a claim against the future income and wealth of others. It will be a claim against a person or an institutions, for the payment of the some of the money at a specified future date. Financial Services: Efficiency of emerging financial system largely depends upon the quality and variety of financial services provided by financial intermediaries. The term financial services can be defined as â€Å"activites, benefits and satisfaction connected with sale of money, that offers to users and customers, financial related value†. Pre-reforms Phase Until the early 1990s, the role of the financial system in India was primarily restricted to the function of channeling resources from the surplus to deficit sectors. Whereas the financial system performed this role reasonably well, its operations came to be marked by some serious deficiencies over the years. The banking sector suffered from lack of competition, low capital base, low Productivity and high intermediation cost. After the nationalization of large banks in 1969 and 1980, the Government-owned banks dominated the banking sector. The role of technology was minimal and the quality of service was not given adequate importance. Banks also did not follow proper risk management systems and the prudential standards were weak. All these resulted in poor asset quality and low profitability. Among non-banking financial intermediaries, development finance institutions (DFIs) operated in an over-protected environment with most of the funding coming from assured sources at concessional terms. In the insurance sector, there was little competition. The mutual fund industry also suffered from lack of competition and was dominated for long by one institution, viz. , the Unit Trust of India. Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) grew rapidly, but there was no regulation of their asset side. Financial markets were characterized by control over pricing of financial assets, barriers to entry, high transaction costs and restrictions on movement of funds/participants between the market segments. This apart from inhibiting the development of the markets also affected their efficiency. Financial Sector Reforms in India It was in this backdrop that wide-ranging financial sector reforms in India were introduced as an integral part of the economic reforms initiated in the early 1990s with a view to improving the macroeconomic performance of the economy. The reforms in the financial sector focused on creating efficient and stable financial institutions and markets. The approach to financial sector reforms in India was one of gradual and non-disruptive progress through a consultative process. The Reserve Bank has been consistently working towards setting an enabling regulatory framework with prompt and effective supervision, development of technological and institutional infrastructure, as well as changing the interface with the market participants through a consultative process. Persistent efforts have been made towards adoption of international benchmarks as appropriate to Indian conditions. While certain changes in the legal infrastructure are yet to be effected, the developments so far have brought the Indian financial system closer to global standards. The reform of the interest regime constitutes an integral part of the financial sector reform. With the onset of financial sector reforms, the interest rate regime has been largely deregulated with a view towards better price discovery and efficient resource allocation. Initially, steps were taken to develop the domestic money market and freeing of the money market rates. The interest rates offered on Government securities were progressively raised so that the Government borrowing could be carried out at market-related rates. In respect of banks, a major effort was undertaken to simplify the administered structure of interest rates. Banks now have sufficient flexibility to decide their deposit and lending rate structures and manage their assets and liabilities accordingly. At present, apart from savings account and NRE deposit on the deposit side and export credit and small loans on the lending side, all other interest rates are deregulated. Indian banking system operated for a long time with high reserve requirements both in the form of Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) and Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR). This was a consequence of the high fiscal deficit and a high degree of monetisation of fiscal deficit. The efforts in the recent period have been to lower both the CRR and SLR. The statutory minimum of 25 per cent for SLR has already been reached, and while the Reserve Bank continues to pursue its medium-term objective of reducing the CRR to the statutory minimum level of 3. 0 per cent, the CRR of SCBs is currently placed at 5. 0 per cent of NDTL. As part of the reforms programme, due attention has been given to diversification of ownership leading to greater market accountability and improved efficiency. Initially, there was infusion of capital by the Government in public sector banks, which was followed by expanding the capital base with equity participation by the private investors. This was followed by a reduction in the Government shareholding in public sector banks to 51 per cent. Consequently, the share of the public sector banks in the aggregate assets of the banking sector has come down from 90 per cent in 1991 to around 75 per cent in2004. With a view to enhancing efficiency and productivity through competition, guidelines were laid down for establishment of new banks in the private sector and the foreign banks have been allowed more liberal entry. Since 1993, twelve new private sector banks have been set up. As a major step towards enhancing competition in the banking sector, foreign direct investment in the private sector banks is now allowed up to 74 per cent, subject to conformity with the guidelines issued from time to time. Conclusion: The Indian financial system has undergone structural transformation over the past decade. The financial sector has acquired strength, efficiency and stability by the combined effect of competition, regulatory measures, and policy environment. While competition, consolidation and convergence have been recognized as the key drivers of the banking sector in the coming years

Dissertation Conclusion Example

How to write a conclusion for dissertationDissertation ConclusionTo write a good conclusion you need to go back to your dissertation title and your Introduction. What you do in this section is to summarize what can now be stated about the title. This should be a brief paragraph, or simply a sentence or two. You have to join the beginning with the conclusion as you do in an essay. You can almost breathe a sigh of relief as the dissertation is nearly finished. However you may need to add a â€Å"Recommendations† section in your conclusion if there isn’t one. If you recall all the other research articles you have read, they usually end in a call for more research. You have to state how your research has filled a gap in the body of research that has come before it and state what unanswered questions there are which arise from your research. These might form the basis for further research on your part in a PhD programme, or they might inspire other post-graduate students to take up where your research has left off. Perhaps your research leads you to ask new questions which deserve to be answered by researchers in the future. You pose those questions here for others to try to answer in their research. Just because your dissertation is at an end does not mean that it has fulfilled its purpose or that there is nothing new to research in the field. Be imaginative as well as objective. What further research could be done in this areaThis is not to cast doubt on your research, but rather to show yourself as an objective expert, who can ask pertinent questions which are still left to be answered in your field. The end may be just the beginning for your career as an academic researcher. You may want to follow up on your research or you may feel proud that you have paved the way for others to follow. Summary Reviewer John – our site Admin Review Date 2017-08-18 Reviewed Item Dissertation Conclusion Example Author Rating 5

Access the internal control of Shangri-la company

Access the internal control of Shangri-la company Access the internal control of Shangri-la company Internal control is defined as Systematic measures that been used by accountant and auditor to make sure the goals is achieved, conduct the business in efficient matter, safeguard of asset, to ensure that rules and regulation is being followed, completeness and accuracy of financial record and produce reliable and timely financial and management information. There are a few matters that Shangri-la concerning about of internal control such as: a. Completeness and accurancy of financial record. Shangri-la company use a system to ensure of appropriateness of business operation of the Group consisting of the Company and its subsidiaries. Chief Executive Officer of the company which is Mr Lim Beng Chee should discovered the fact and any decision that may cause a substantial damage, or act in violation of the laws, regulations or the Articles of incorporation and other acts outside the scope of the purpose to ensure that proper operation of subsidiaries is well-managed. In addition it also help to ensure the proper operation of subsidiary companies so that the reliability of financial reports by performing the maintenance, construction of internal control system in accordance with the financial statements, together with ongoing assessment, carried out necessary corrections if there are deficiencies, management shall appropriate the Company and to ensure. b. Ensure that rules and regulation is being followed. Shangri-la company always ensure that their operating business followed the rules. Information Management will make sure that they are following regulation and security guideline about Rules on the handling of personal data, Personal information protection regulation, and Information security policy by proper managing of important document. c. Ensure that the goals of company is achieved.Promote agile decision-making by the executive officers of small and further strengthen executive power. Set up the goals and objective of company so that the employee will understand and help employee achieved the company objectivity. d. The management and operating manager should segregate duties amongst executive officers and employee.The manager should divide the duties and work among their staff to make sure that objective of company is achieved. Shangri-la set up the goals for every department and their staff know their roles and responsibility for the company. e. Safeguard of asset. Shangri-la company established Risk Management Regulation clarify the department responsible for each risk category, endeavor to establish a risk management system. Established a management meeting risk, together with the corresponding consultation on matters relating to risk management, internal control report to the Commission on a regular basis for other conditions.

Does Audit Regulation Ensure Auditor Independence Dissertation

Does Audit Regulation Ensure Auditor Independence - Dissertation Example Unlike the legal representatives, he is not projected to make out a case. The nature of the service he provides is impersonal (Sells, 1908). Near the beginning of 1928, a perspective in the Paper of Accountancy emphasized the subsistence of a clash of interest when an auditor is a stockowner, executive, or leader of the association. It declared: The accountant should be absolutely detached from financial or other contribution in the success or failure of an activity under audit that no one could ever point an indicting finger, however unfairly, and allege the likelihood of bias (Journal of Accountancy, 1928). Carey and Doherty (1966) arose with three different views of auditor independence: First, in the logic of not being subsidiary, it means candour, veracity, objectivity and dependability. Subsequent, in the constricted sense in which it is exercised in association with auditing and articulation of views on economic proclamations, independence means evasion of any affiliation that would be probably, even unintentionally, to spoil the chartered accountant's independence as reviewer. Last of all, it means evasion of associations that to a sensible onlooker would advise an argument of interest. The auditing line of work has come under regular analysis regarding the auditor's perceived objectivity: In 1970, Forbes brought out editorial inquiring auditor independence by hoisting the following: As auditors are chosen and remunerated by management, are they really independent (Forbes, 1970). In 1974, the Wall Street Journal issued one more editorial in which an investor condemned a $1.6 million lend by the bank to the firm's... This study looks into the importance of auditor independence was acknowledged by the UK in 1845. Most states have copied the UK track in entailing that independent auditors review economic reports. Most nations view auditor independence not just as an officially authorized precept but also an ethical affair to deem with. Most rules of moral code prescribe arguments of importance by not: allowing the auditor to work as director or member of staff of the firm audited; acting as a commercial trustee of the firm audited, admitting or warranting loans from or to an audit customer, having a straight or circuitous matter interest in the firm audited, imagining operating tasks, having family rapport with the audit customer, or being in positions in which auditor independence is deduced to be weakened. As the access to the UK into the European General Market (EEC) and the ratification of the Eighth Company Law Directive on auditor's credentials, the European nations are publicizing themselves with the American thought of auditor independence. Some opponents think, however, those cultural discrepancies among European nations make the perception of auditor independence a type of casement dressing. According to the research findings, this paper makes a conclusion that this may be the motive that directed the International Audit Committee of the International Federation of Accounting to permit the local governments' agreement with issues of auditor independence and other correlated issues.

Tax Accounting II Case Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Tax Accounting II Case - Essay Example Schneider as his tax professional in the latest filing of his income tax returns.1 The accountant may be considered to have knowledge of things done in the past about deducting the cost of artwork as part of deductible expenses. As to whether there could be tax assessment by IRS because of possibly underreported income due to higher reported expenses in the past, the same should be viewed as tax avoidance because there was really no intention to avoid or cheat on taxes. Moreover, it could be inferred from the case fact that claiming the cost of artworks as deductible business expense is allowed if treated or given as a kind of employee compensation.2 The difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion is that the former is legal as a way to reduce tax but the latter is against the law because there is an intention to defraud the government for the correct payment of taxes. In the case of Mr. Conor, he did not intend not to pay taxes, he claimed in good faith the cost artwork as business expense with the presumed knowledge of the accountant although the latter failed to object in previous years. In tax avoidance, which is a legitimate minimizing of taxes, the taxpayer should use methods approved by the IRS.3 Mr. Conor was only lacking in knowledge of method on how deduction could be made legitimate. Thus his CPA said that expense is allowed if given as employee compensation. It would have been tax evasion if Mr. Conor was not allowed at all to have claimed as expense the cost of artworks. The same would amount to reporting expenses that are not allowed and thereby understating income and the related tax. The fact also that half of the cost of artwork was now claimed in the latest tax return with the consent of the CPA should support the argument that the method used earlier was an allowed by and therefore a tax avoidance was more applicable than tax evasion.4 This researcher views that Mr. Schneider has not fully complied with the professional norms of

Britvic plcs 2011 annual report,1)Critically evaluate the information Essay

Britvic plcs 2011 annual report,1)Critically evaluate the information contained in the Chairmans Statement - Essay Example According to his statement and the financial report, the company has made a record of both revenue and volume growth in 2011 in the international market (Gibson 201). This growth is evident in the French and an international territory which contributes to the company’s overall growth of about 4.3%. This growth brings the company to the current 138.1 million Euros. The statement indicates that there was a growth of revenue for Britvic in the year 2011 to 14.6%. That means that the current revenue position in the company according to its financial statement is 1.3 billion Euros. The chairman’s stamen indicates the underlying revenue excluding that of the French territory in the previous financial year. It was a notable achievement for the company given the situation of the cost of raw materials. Their cost was high in this particular year, but Britvic recorded high revenue. The chairman also congratulates the company on its progress quoting that there was a weaker consumer environment in comparison to the previous years. The GB revenue of the company in 201 was 2.7 %, which indicates a growth of 11.3 % from the previous two years. There is an association between growth and the strong carbonates performance of the company (Gibson 2010). The chairman’s report attributes the continued success of the company to its strategy of supply chains, distribution channels and innovation. His statement also indicates of the company’s strategy of business efficiency as being one of the contributors to its success. Britvic also operates in Ireland, though operations in this region have been difficult. In 2011, the company was able to launch new brands in the market like juicy drench and Mountain Dew. The two brands have been a success in the market because consumers are purchasing them. Difficult macro trading conditions in the market led to a decline in revenue by 9.6 % (Gibson, 2010). The chairman explains how the

Film review in mythic and propagandistic aspects Essay

Film review in mythic and propagandistic aspects - Essay Example This was a period of incertitude for the Russians, during which communism was still unstable and so was the new Russia, hence the profound motivation for the Russian government’s use of propaganda to instill its political ethos in the Russian population. The film’s director Eisenstein takes great liberty and makes significant alterations to this historical record of events thus controlling the narrative structure and pacing of the film (Severson). This was Eisenstein’s attempt to create an effective and well-structured film that is not bound to the nuances of the historical record, but his key shots and scenes are in fact actual depictions of what took place in the Potemkin mutiny. The titular Battleship Potemkin was a true Russian navy ship and its crew that rebelled against their tsarist captain siding with the Bolshevics was a real record of the prototypical communist struggle before its eventual triumph in 1917 (Yahner). The sailors, who were the proletariats , are portrayed as the heroic everyman of the movie while the captain and the Tsarist soldiers, who were bourgeois, are scorned as the villains of the film. The film leverages on its fiery rhetoric and violent scenes to evoke anti-capitalism feelings in the audiences, while glorifying the communism philosophy. The film establishes its strong communist ethos through the character of Vakulinchuk, an Ukranian sailor in the Russian Navy who prior to his death in 1905 had served on the Russian battleship Potemkin and witnessed the events that had occurred. Similarly, the director further embellishes the films’ ethos through masterful editing skills rather than shooting the movie in a single scene-by-scene fashion as was the norm in the 1920s; Eisenstein pioneered most of the modern film editing techniques by flashing several characters and settings across the screen despite the limitation of technology at his time (Oheir). The fourth chapter of the film, the Odessa Staircase, beca me Eisenstein’s

Art of Negotiation - effective negotiation skills Assignment

Art of Negotiation - effective negotiation skills - Assignment Example require managers that can negotiate with businesses located in overseas regions as managers will have to bargain an effective and profitable deal for their own business if they want to operate overseas (Katz, 2011). Another issue that is taking place due to globalization is that the level of competition between organizations has increased. Organizations do not only complete in their host nations, they even have to compete in global regions. Due to this it has become essential for organizations to obtain resources while paying the lowest cost. In order to obtain resources and services at low cost managers need to have good negotiation skills (Benoliel, 2011). Good negotiation skills have even become very important for managers in order to deal with people from different backgrounds. A manager cannot use the same negotiation skills while dealing with people and business from different parts of the world. Therefore, a manager needs to have diverse negotiation skills in order to understa nd the likes and dislikes of people around the world and negotiate with

Reflections on World's Leadership Research Paper - 1

Reflections on World's Leadership - Research Paper Example Leadership is influential when a good leader is in control, but does not have any effect if a bad leader is in control showing the big difference in leadership and success of organizations, businesses and countries. Leadership has to be the most influential process ever. However, the influence can be ensured by good leaders who have respect, intelligence, inspiration, vision, good listeners and above all have integrity and high self esteem and confidence. There are some bad leaders throughout the world who do not have any of these characteristics. They mostly gain their influence by instilling fear as they do not respect other people. They may be successful but along the way they fail. Leadership, which is very influential, can only be done to perfection by leaders who possess the characteristics Contrary to what some may think, leaders are not born but they are made. They develop all these characteristics as they grow to be leaders. In some cases, there are people who are thought to be leaders and they are in fact given the mandate to rule people. Such leaders do not possess such characteristics and if they do, they only posses a few. This does not make them complete leaders and they are likely to be unable to influence the people in their society or jurisdictions positively. In fact, most people do not like to be associated with such leaders. There are some known leaders who are not really leaders in the world today and have always been there in the past. They are known as bad leaders to most. The above characteristics distinguish the good leaders of the bad leaders. Good leaders: President Barrack Obama Good leaders are known to inspire many people in their respective countries and other countries. They have achieved a lot and became role models to many people across the world. There are many people who can be termed as good leaders. One example of such a leader is the current president of the United States, Barrack Obama considered as a good leader for the following reasons. Integrity Integrity is the state of being whole and having strong moral principles. Barrack Obama has been known to have strong moral principles. The President for example stated that he wanted to decrease the number of abortions across the United States. Though He has not gone to the point of stating that it should be completely banned, President Barrack Obama would like to see abortion cases decreased. According to the Obamacare, the president proposed that no abortions would be allowed after twenty weeks of pregnancy. Though there are many abortions that are done before twenty weeks, this would reduce the number of abortions (Andrews, 2012). The President had appointed a committee that was to find out the best time to abort. The committee was composed of many people including scientists, politicians and other experts. One of the scientists who proposed that the abortion be only allowed for pregnancies before eight weeks stated that unborn children can respond t o pain when they are eight to ten weeks old after conception. This was shocking to most people in the committee. The chairman was astonished and stated that it was unfortunate America was faced with controversy regarding abortion. He wondered that they are unable to provide protection for the unborn children, yet it is possible to offer protection to some animals. Frank lamented that late abortions were like transferred infanticide to Human beings and was very worrisome. He was hopeful that the American Judiciary as well as

A Raisin in the Sun Essay Example for Free

A Raisin in the Sun Essay In the play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry you go back in time to when segregation was still aloud. In this play you meet a cast of people with dreams of a better life. The American Dream, to be specific. This dream is portrayed differently for each character, all of which impact the play. Two of these character`s are Walter Lee Younger and Lena Younger. In Raisin in the Sun Mama and Walter’s American dreams conflict and impact the family through materialism and desire to be the ideal American family in society. Mama and Walter both desire to provide for their family. They both look at money as success. When the $10,000 insurance check comes along, Mama sees it as a chance for her family to finally live up and be more like the rest of the American society. She aspires to look after her family, by giving them a house, a car, and most of all- happiness. Walter on the other hand becomes obsessed with his dreams of business, which he believes will result in financial independence to provide for his family. He feels ashamed when he can’t give money to his son. When Travis asks for fifty cents and Ruth tells him they don’t have it, Walter gives him fifty cents anyway. â€Å"In fact, here’s another fifty cents†¦ Buy yourself some fruit today- or take a taxicab to school or something†(12) He yearns for his son Travis to look up to him. He adds another fifty to make this more real or true. This also shows how Walter looks at money as success. Walter believes this will be true if he has his dream of owning his own business or all in all- wealth. Success to both them means that they no longer have to struggle, and live up to what people perceive. Mama distinguishes herself from Walter when it comes to materialistic matters. The first thing mama does when she gets the insurance money is buy a house for her family. This shows how the capitalistic society is having a materialistic effect on Mama. Mama’s dream consists of a house and happy family. Mama’s plant is a perfect indication of her dream. It symbolizes her family in a way. When the family is down, the plant is down. Mama is constantly in protection of the plant, in hopes of holding on to her dream. Walter in comparison is always looking to be somebody and make it in life. Walter sees wealth as the only solution to this. He longs for financial support. He becomes corrupted by society -to find his identity through money. Walter tells his mother, I want so many things(60). This shows his greediness. All in all Mama and Walters dreams both involve money. Mama shows us her longing for the acceptance of society when she immediately buys a house in a white neighborhood, to provide for her family. Walter shows us his desperation to be a valuable human being when he steals money in hopes of starting his liquor business. Walter wants to be respected and live a happy lifestyle for this family. He longs to be the head of the household. Walter see’s himself with a liquor store as having power. It isn’t till the end until he rethinks the values of himself and his family’s future about how there is more to living than just having material riches. Mama only yearns for her family to be respected and live up to what society perceives. No matter what you perceive The American Dream to be, it is possible to attain it and be successful. The American Dream is whatever your dream of success perceives to be. Hansberry shows how hard it was for colored people to find their identities during segregated times. Walter and Mama learn that money doesn’t possess much when it comes by itself. In Raisin in the Sun Mama and Walter’s American dreams differentiate and impact the family through their wanting to be accepted in society and live in peace. Anyone in this country can undertake happiness and success if they work at it.

Cardiac Activity and Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) Waveform

Cardiac Activity and Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) Waveform Lachlan Donnet-Jones Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is one of the leading causes of mortality in Australia. One of the primary causes of SCD is cardiac dysrhythmias, such as, Ventricular Tachycardia (VT). The most effective treatment for life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias is defibrillation. This essay will examine the relationship between cardiac activity and the Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) waveform, and discuss how defibrillation may terminate this dysrhythmia, allowing the heart to return to a normal rhythm. The typical healthy adult heart will have a resting heart rate of between 60 and 100 beats per minute (Saladin, 2011). When the heart beats abnormally fast, it pumps less effectively, which decreases the level of perfusion to the tissue of the body, including the heart itself. This rapid heart rate increases the hearts muscle tissues (myocardium) demand for oxygen, and without intervention, can lead to the death of myocardial cells, which is known as a Myocardial Infarction (MI) (Huazers, 20). Each year in Australia approximately 55,000 people suffer a heart attack, or an Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI). This is equal to 150 heart attacks per day or one in every 10 minutes (Heart Foundation). The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that over 350,000 Australians will suffer an AMI at some point in their lives (ABS, health survey). In Trappes’ 2012 research article, Trappe notes that there is no single factor that causes an AMI, it is a multifactorial problem, however, approximately ninety percent of AMI’s are caused by tachyarrhythmia’s (Trappe, 2012). Before one can gain a thorough understanding of dysthymias, it is necessary to develop a fundamental grasp of the heart’s electrical conduction system and the associated physiology and pathophysiology. The primary function of the electrical conduction system is to transmit electrical impulses from the sinoatrial node (SA node) (normal site of conception) down to the atria and ventricles, triggering a contraction of heart muscle (myocardium) and controlling the heart rate. In a normal sinus rhythm, originating from the SA node, there are three phases; atrial depolarisation, ventricular depolarisation and atrial and ventricular repolarisation. The SA node is found within the wall of the right atrium proximal to the entrance of the superior vena cava. Similar to all electrical nodes within the heart, the SA node is composed of pacemaker cells which generate automatic and regular electrical impulses. These electrical impulses travel through the walls of the right atrium, causing contraction of the heart muscle (myocardium), to the atrioventricular node (AV node) via internodal conduction tracts (anterior, middle, and posterior). A final SA node conduction pathway, known as Bachmann’s bundle (interatrial conduction tract), transmits electrical impulses across the heart to the left atrium. On an electrocardiogram (ECG) this atrial depolarisation is represented by the P wave. The fibrous annulus is a non-conductive layer of tissue which prevents the electrical impulse from travelling outside the perimeter of the atrium. The primary function of the AV node is to process the electrical impulses from the atria to the bundle of His in a way that slows the impulses arrival at the ventricles by approximately 0.12 seconds. This delay allows for the atria to empty and the ventricles to fill before the next contraction. After the bundle of His, the electrical impulse will travel down the right bundle branch and the left common bundle branch. These bundle branches continue to subdivide into smaller branches, the smallest of which connect to the Purkinje network, an elaborate mesh of minute Purkinje fibres which spread throughout the ventricles. In a normal functioning heart it will take an electrical impulse approximately 0.2 seconds to travel from the SA node to the Purkinje network in the ventricles. On an ECG, this is shown as the P-R interval. At this point the impulse causes the ventricles to contract, pumping the blood out of the ventricles and into the systemic circulation. This depolarisation of the ventricles is represented by the QRS complex. Immediately following a QRS complex, is a period of time in which there is no electrical activity in the myocardium. This is known as the S-T segment and is normally represented as a flat line, level with the isoelectric line of an ECG. The proceeding T wave represents the repolarisation of the ventricles to their resting state. If at any point in this process the electrical impulse is disturbed, it can create a cardiac dysrhythmia, such as if the SA node were to produce rapid electrical impulses, resulting in tachycardia (fast heart beat). Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) is a type of tachycardia that originates within the inferior chambers of the heart, called the ventricles. The ventricles are the primary pumps of the heart, therefore, when they are compromised it can quickly deteriorate into a life-threatening dysrhythmia, such as, ventricular fibrillation (VF) or asystole (Chou, 2008). The diagnosis of VT is made by examining the rhythm seen on a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). Although numerous diagnostic criteria have been developed, such as the ‘Brugada Criteria’ (Brugada, 1991), the following are the most commonly accepted (Riley, 2008). The rate of VT is above 100 per minute, typically 150 to 200, with a regular rhythm. The R-S complex is absent in precordial leads, and there are three or more consecutive Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs) present (AV dissociation). The ectopic pacemaker is below the Atrioventricular node (AV node), therefore, the PR interval is irrelevant. In addition, different ambulance services will have their own specific diagnostic criteria for VT, for example, Ambulance Tasmania (AT) Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG’s) state that the rhythm must present with QRS complexes of over 0.12 seconds, and be sustained for a period of over 30 seconds (sustained VT). VT can be classified using three methods; morphology, episode duration, and symptoms. In regards to morphology, there are two primary categories of VT; monomorphic and polymorphic. Monomorphic VT has numerous causes, but is determined by consistent appearance across all leads of an ECG. A common reason that the beats from each lead appear the same, is because the impulse is being generated from an increased rate of automaticity in a single point from the left or right ventricles. This means that the pacemaker cells, such as the Purkinje fibres in the left and right ventricles, that are able to reach an action potential on their own accord (automaticity), have increased the rate at which they fire impulses (intrinsic rate). Another reason for monomorphic VT is due to the presence of a re-entry circuit within the ventricle. A re-entry circuit occurs when an electrical impulse constantly travels in a constricted circle within the heart, as opposed to moving from one end of the heart to the other, like a normal electrical impulse circuit. Although monomorphic VT has many causes and contributing factors, the most common cause is scarring of the myocardial tissue from a previous MI episode. The scarred tissue left behind does not conduct electrical impulses, and therefore, the potential for a circuit around the scar can result in tachycardia. This is similar to the aforementioned re-entrant circuit, and is a common cause of other dysrhythmias, such as, atrial flutter (Af) and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Scar-related monomorphic VT is predominantly prevalent in patients who have a previously survived a MI, particularly in those who have damaged myocardium as a result (John, reference). Unlike the cons istent rhythm seen is monomorphic VT, polymorphic VT is an irregular rhythm that has constant variations in its morphology. A second method to define VT is studying the duration of the episode. Three or more consistent contractions on an ECG, originating from within a ventricle at over 100 beats per minute, is determined as VT. If the tachycardia rhythm terminates itself in under 30 seconds, it is considered non-sustained VT. If the rhythm continues beyond 30 seconds, it is considered sustained VT. The final method to classify VT is reviewing symptoms. When a patient is in VT, the loss of co-ordinated atrial contraction and high heart rate can impair cardiac output (CO), and therefore, they will not have a palpable pulse. This is known as Pulseless VT. Pulseless VT is concomitant with an absence of cardiac output (CO), and therefore, according to AT clinical practice guidelines, is to be treated as worst case scenario, which is ventricular fibrillation (VF), a shockable rhythm (CPG Reference). In a report from the American College of Cardiology, Zipes et. al note that VT can occasionally be accompanied by reasonable cardiac output and may even present as asymptomatic, however, the heart will not tolerate this rhythm for a sustained period of time, and will eventually deteriorate to pulseless VT or VF. Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) with a bundle branch block (BBB) or Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is commonly misdiagnosed as VT (Trappe). This is due to the similar diagnostic characteristics, such as, wide QRS complexes and high heart rates, which are mutual in all wide complex tachycardia (litfl). It is important to differentiate the two because certain medications used to treat SVT could potentially worsen the patient’s condition. As Trappe notes in his research article ‘Treating critical supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias’, it is always beneficial to treat for the worst case scenario, in this case, VT (Trappe, 2010). This opinion is mutual in regards to Ambulance Tasmania CPG’s, where it recommends treating for worst case scenario. Once a shockable dysrhythmia has been recognised, it is necessary to intervene with an external source of electrical activity to correct the hearts rhythm. Defibrillation is the standard and most effective treatment for cardiac dysrhythmias, such as VT and VF (Reference). Defibrillation is the process of using a device called a defibrillator to deliver a therapeutic measure or ‘shock’ of electrical current through the heart. The current delivered, aims to depolarise a critical mass (Critical mass theory**) of the heart muscle (myocardium), interrupting the dysrhythmia and allowing the heart’s natural pacemaker, the SA node, to return to a normal sinus rhythm. Defibrillators are becoming widely available in the form of transvenous, implanted (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator), or external (automated external defibrillators) devices. Despite the different forms a defibrillation device may present in, they all operate on the same principle. There are two different methods of delivering an electrical shock from a defibrillation device; monophasic and biphasic waveforms. Monophasic is the ‘old’ method in which the electrical current travelled in one direction through a patient’s chest. The second method is using a biphasic waveform, meaning the current is delivered to the heart in two vectors (two directions). Due to the use of two vectors, the peak electrical current needed to revert a dysrhythmia is decreased to 200 joules, as opposed to 360 joules of a monophasic waveform. Due to the high voltage (360 joules) used in monophasic waveform it can cause superficial burns to the patients skin. Additionally, _____ found the use of a biphasic waveform to be more effective at returning the heart to a sinus rhythm and resulted in less damage to myocardium, leading to better patient outcomes (Reference) . ____ notes that for the aforementioned reasons, monophasic waveform defibrillation is quickly being replaced with biphasic (Reference). Page 1 of 5