Strategic Asset Allocation Determining the Optimal Portfolio with Ten Asset Classes Essay Example

Key Asset Allocation: Determining the Optimal Portfolio with Ten Asset Classes Essay Key Asset Allocation: Determining the Optimal Portfolio with Ten Asset Classes Niels Bekkers Mars The Netherlands Ronald Q. Doeswijk* Robeco The Netherlands Trevin W. Lam Rabobank The Netherlands October 2009 Abstract This investigation investigates which resource classes enhance a conventional arrangement of stocks, bonds and money. Next, we decide the ideal loads of all advantage classes in the ideal portfolio. This investigation adds to the writing by separating ten distinctive speculation classes all the while in a mean-difference examination just as a market portfolio approach. We likewise show how to join these two techniques. Our outcomes propose that land, items and high return enhance the conventional resource blend. An examination with such an expansive inclusion of benefit classes has not been directed previously, not with regards to deciding capital market desires and playing out a mean-change investigation, neither in evaluating the worldwide market portfolio. JEL grouping: G11, G12 Key words: vital resource designation, capital market desires, mean-difference examination, ideal portfolio, worldwide market portfolio. This investigation has profited by the help and handy remarks gave by Jeroen Beimer, Leon Cornelissen, Lex Hoogduin, Menno Meekel, Leon Muller, Laurens Swinkels and Pim van Vliet. Extraordinary much gratitude goes to Jeroen Blokland and Rolf Hermans for some broad and important conversations. We say thanks to Peter Hobbs for giving the nitty gritty division of the worldwide land advertise that enhanced his exploration paper. Last, however not least, we express gratitude toward Frank de Jong for his helpful remarks and valuable recommendations during this examination. * Corresponding creator, email: r. [emailprotected] com, phone: +31 10 2242855. Electronic duplicate accessible at: http://ssrn. com/abstract=1368689 1 Introduction Most past scholarly examinations concur on the significance of key resource allotment as a determinant for venture returns. In their often refered to paper, Brinson, Hood and Beebower (1986) guarantee that 93. 6% of execution variety can be clarified by vital resource assignment choices. This outcome suggests that vital resource designation is unquestionably more significant than showcase timing and security choice. We will compose a custom paper test on Strategic Asset Allocation: Determining the Optimal Portfolio with Ten Asset Classes explicitly for you for just $16.38 $13.9/page Request now We will compose a custom paper test on Strategic Asset Allocation: Determining the Optimal Portfolio with Ten Asset Classes explicitly for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Recruit Writer We will compose a custom exposition test on Strategic Asset Allocation: Determining the Optimal Portfolio with Ten Asset Classes explicitly for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Recruit Writer Most resource assignment contemplates center around the ramifications of including a couple of benefit classes to a customary resource blend of stocks, securities and money to close whether and how much an advantage class ought to be incorporated to the vital portfolio, see for instance Erb and Harvey (2006) and Lamm (1998). In any case, on account of discarding resource classes this incomplete examination can prompt problematic portfolios. This is astonishing, as benefits reserves and different organizations have been deliberately moving generous pieces of their speculation portfolio towards non-conventional resources, for example, land, items, flexible investments and private value. The objective of this examination is to investigate which resource classes increase the value of a customary resource blend and to decide the ideal loads of all advantage classes in the ideal portfolio. This examination adds to the writing by separating ten diverse speculation classes all the while in a mean-change investigation just as a market portfolio approach. We likewise exhibit how to join these two strategies. Close to the customary three resource classes stocks, government securities and money we incorporate private value, land, speculative stock investments, products, high return, credits and swelling connected securities. An examination with such an expansive inclusion of advantage classes has not been led previously, not with regards to deciding capital market desires and playing out a mean-change investigation, neither in surveying the worldwide market portfolio. The second step in portfolio the executives, I. e. advertise timing and security determination are strategic choices. These are past the extent of this investigation. So, this investigation recommends that including land, items and high return to the conventional resource blend conveys the most productivity improving an incentive for financial specialists. Next, we show that the extent of non-conventional resource classes showing up in the market portfolio is generally little. In the rest of this investigation we lead an observational and writing examination to set up since quite a while ago run capital market desires for every benefit class, which we along these lines use in a mean-change examination. At that point, we give an evaluation of the worldwide market portfolio. At last, we show how the mean-fluctuation and market portfolio approaches can be joined to decide ideal portfolios. 1 Electronic duplicate accessible at: http://ssrn. om/abstract=1368689 2 Methodology and information Methodology Markowitz (1952, 1956) spearheaded the advancement of a quantitative strategy that considers the broadening advantages of portfolio distribution. Present day portfolio hypothesis is the aftereffect of his work on portfolio advancement. Preferably, in a mean-change advancement model, the total speculation opportunity set, I. e. all advantages, ought to be considered all the while. Notwithstanding, by and by, most financial specialists recognize diverse resource classes inside their portfolio-assignment systems. This two-phase model is commonly applied by institutional financial specialists, bringing about a top-down allotment technique. In the initial segment of our investigation, we see the procedure of benefit allotment as a four-advance exercise like Bodie, Kane and Marcus (2005). It comprises of picking the advantage classes viable, pushing ahead to building up capital market desires, trailed by inferring the productive outskirts until finding the ideal resource blend. In the second piece of our examination, we evaluate the worldwide market portfolio. At last, we show how the mean-difference and market-nonpartisan portfolio approaches can be joined to decide ideal portfolios. We take the viewpoint of an advantage just financial specialist looking for the ideal portfolio. A benefit just speculator doesn't consider. The speculation skyline is one year and the open door set comprises of ten resource classes. The speculator seeks after riches augmentation and no other specific venture objectives are thought of. We take care of the benefit allotment issue utilizing a mean-change improvement dependent on abundance returns. The objective is to amplify the Sharpe proportion (chance balanced return) of the portfolio, limited by the limitation that the introduction to any dangerous resource class is more prominent than or equivalent to zero and that the aggregate of the loads means one. The emphasis is on the relative assignment to dangerous resources in the ideal portfolio, in stead of the allotment to money. The heaviness of money is an element of the investor’s level of hazard avoidance. For the normal hazard premia we utilize geometric comes back with time frames. 25%. The span for the standard deviations is 1% and for connections 0. 1. As we would like to think, progressively exact assessments may have an appearance of precision which we need to forestall. We don't mull over administration expenses, with the exception of private value and speculative stock investments concerning these advantage classes the administration charges are somewhat high comparative with the normal hazard premia of the benefit class. Other resource classes have essentially lower charges contrasted with their hazard premia. They are in this manner of minor significance, particularly in the wake of considering the vulnerability of our evaluations. We gauge chance premiums by 2 taking away geometric comes back from one another. Thusly, our evaluated geometric returns just as the hazard premiums both are round numbers. In the mean-difference investigation, we utilize math abundance returns. Geometric returns are not reasonable in a mean-fluctuation structure. The weighted normal of geometric returns doesn't approach the geometric return of a recreated portfolio with a similar organization. The watched distinction can be clarified by the expansion advantages of the portfolio assignment. We get the number juggling comes back from the geometric returns and the instability. Information We essentially center around US information in the observational investigation. The decision for this market is upheld by two contentions. To start with, the US showcase offers the longest information arrangement for practically all advantage classes. This makes a chronicled examination increasingly significant. For example, the high return security showcase has for some time been exclusively a US capital market wonder. Besides, utilizing US information stays away from the geological confound in worldwide information. A worldwide list for the moderately new resource class of expansion connected securities is one-sided towards the US, French and UK markets, while a worldwide stock record is appropriately spread over various nations. We utilize complete return records in US dollars. Resource classes like land and private value are spoken to in both recorded and non-recorded lists, while speculative stock investments are just secured by non-recorded files. Non-recorded land and private value lists are evaluation based, which may cause a smoothing impact in expected danger of the advantage class. This inclination emerges in light of the fact that the evaluations won't occur much of the time. Be that as it may, introducing returns causes an underestimation of hazard. Likewise, changes in costs won't be promptly reflected in examination esteems until there is adequate proof for a modification. Measurable techniques to moderate these information issues exist, however there is no assurance that these strategies produce precise measu

Regulations and Policies of Online and Social Media

Guidelines and Policies of Online and Social Media Presentation The sole objective of the media is to contact mass crowds with the transmitted message. Prior the fundamental wellsprings of data would incorporate the conventional media like Newspapers, Magazines, Radio, Television and so forth., Now individuals have begun relying upon the contemporary media for data .Subsequently, the on the web and the web based life are picking up noticeable quality. What are the standards administering the Online and the Social Media? What might be the principles of Online and the Social Media? Does the Media law control the substance to the specified degree? Is morals followed in Online and Social Media? While rehearsing morals in Online and web based life what are the issues confronted , the requirements defied and the open doors that we go over? Considering the Online and the Social media that have become an unavoidable piece of life of any individual today, an exhaustive report will uncover the chances and the dangers. On the web and Social media Definition The Online media and Social media allude to the advanced media where data is made accessible in the types of music, photographs, recordings and so forth., which are appropriated in the web. These media engage socialinteraction among individuals in which they make, offer or trade data, photographs, video and thoughts in virtual networks andnetworks. (Wikipedia) The cell phone and the web have changed to a basic piece of the human calendar or as it were, life itself. The use of cell phones is expanding limitlessly in the urban as well as rustic territories with multitudinous versatile administrators entering the market throughout each and every day. The cutting down of the web charges and the internet providers being caused accessible in the cell phones to have definitely expanded the noticeable quality of the on the web and the online life. Standards The Online and Social Media can transmit the message immediately. This media is likewise an increasingly customized variant of the various media or as it were we have the total position to alter the substance. Certain standards oversee the web based life and these standards choose the achievement of correspondence in the media. The data that is partaken in the web based life should be true. This realness of data be it individual, or of the organization helps in building trust. The length of the post decides the quantity of perspectives. Limit on the length †Be fresh and clear. Online life is being utilized as a promoting apparatus to win likes for the particular items or for the organization. Making a network decides the accomplishment in SMM and it occurs in a more slow pace. Sharing some valuable or fascinating snippet of data that would intrigue the gathering just as sharing and indicating enthusiasm for the data shared by the friends would help in sustaining a bigger gathering. The communication assumes a significant job too in the online networking. As an organization, a reaction is an absolute necessity, be it for a commendation from the client or for an objection. (Jon Reed, 2013, 7 standards of Social Media Marketing) (Five Basic Principles of Social Media, 2014) Measures The Association of Fundraising Professionals ( AFP) has characterized the measures for the Organization chiefs and the staff, offshoots, experts and so forth., to keep certain these set norms. Industry laws and rules are additionally pertinent in web-based social networking. The data ought to be refreshed consistently and individuals ought to be available to reactions/thanks While restricting, keep up an obliging language. Assume liability for all the substance . React to inquiries/remarks . Be answerable for the substance and think before you post. Hold fast to moral standards, genuineness and be open . Know to separate the individual and the expert limits. Be approved and official. Keep away from infringement of guidelines . The Association of Fundraising Professionals ( AFP) has characterized the principles for the Organization heads and the staff, subsidiaries, experts and so forth., not to do certain exercises . Try not to share or reveal material that the association or member association considers is precluding, hassling, unlawful, vulgar, slanderous, offensive, or unfriendly towards any individual or element. Try not to share or reveal telephone numbers or email locations of yourself or some other individual or substance Try not to show material that damages on the privileges of the association or any individual or element, including protection, licensed innovation or distribution rights. This incorporates the unapproved utilization of (yet isn't restricted to) pictures, logos, recordings, content, archives, white papers, and so forth. Try not to distribute material that advances or publicizes a business item or requests business/enrollment or budgetary or other help in any business, gathering or association. Try not to post junk letters, post a similar remark on different occasions as this would be named as spam. Try not to allow some other individual or element to utilize your character for posting in or seeing social medias. Try not to utilize different characters or the personality of others. (AFP’s Social media guidelines,2013) Morals Online life is a type of media where the data proposed comes to immediately just as all around and brings reaction because of the characteristic nature of cooperation. Adjusting morals in online life is a troublesome assignment as access to internet based life is accessible to all and there is no influence over the substance. Like some other media, Accuracy and realness are two primary concerns of moral significance. The data partook in the online life is accessible to a network when shared and when it gets shared more than once there is no influence over the substance. The experts, writers, open figures and so forth., are relied upon to have the nature of Impartiality to be moral. The web based life organizing with ideological groups, associations would make thoughts of â€Å"biasing† which is deceptive. Abstain from maligning proclamations against people/associations in the web based life. Accordingly ,abstain from remarking on the traditions, culture, convictions of various religions, nations and so forth., Recommending freely in an internet based life is additionally viewed as untrustworthy. (NPR Ethics handbook, 2012) Guidelines The insurance of security of the clients is guaranteed utilizing the administrative laws. The employer’s level of investigating the internet based life updates of the present and future representatives is administered by the administrative law. Advertising of items utilizing online networking, uncovering budgetary reports of organizations and so on., are administered by a direction law. Characterizing of methodology for the employees‘ business utilization of web based life, the investigation and the control is likewise secured by a law. Rules that plainly clarify on what circumstances the organization can acquire and utilize it for legitimate examinations are likewise accessible. (Five Common Legal Regulatory Challenges With Social Media, 2013) Moral Practices on Online and Social Media Issues The representatives of an organization when imparting for the benefit of an organization must be moral as far as praising their own organization just as abstain from scrutinizing the opposition in a web based life. The entrance to web based life in business hours for individual reasons is an exploitative practice. Experts like attorneys, makes a decision about engaged with a similar case could be companions and their collaborations in web based life could cause negative references for the case. Person to person communication with the ideological groups or with the significant pioneers of the ideological groups could make adverse comments in the expert profile. (Moral Challenges of Social Media, 2011) Requirements Refreshing business profiles by the experts like the specialists, attorneys are legitimate notices in any event, when they are not proposed to and could cause moral issues in their calling. Sharing of private data both expert and individual must be maintained a strategic distance from to be moral. The security factors while utilizing an online life are to be managed central significance. Dismissing or disregarding such factors could push us to superfluous entanglements. The selecting organizations request web based life individual record subtleties for checking the emlpoyees’ exercises. The halfway point between the individual and the expert exercises gets ill defined. (10 Tips for Avoiding Ethical Lapses When Using Social Media, 2014) Openings Being available in a large portion of the internet based life with a similar personality additionally helps in building brand picture and trust. Online life doesn't stop with sharing data however it stretches out till the companion bunch reacts either decidedly or adversely. The mystery of achievement lies in the exceptional presents in internet based life on contact the most extreme crowd. Information Sharing : This is an exceptionally noteworthy chance of the Social Media. Individuals in a similar expert line can share data on explicit cases and the examples of overcoming adversity which could be of extraordinary use to the others and in some cases the others in the cimmunity could come out with various thoughts. Life Sharing : Social media is an integral asset to share photographs, recordings utilizing Youtube, Flickr and so forth., to get the genuine feel of occasions. Long range informal communication : This systems administration helps in sharing the status, photographs , video and so on., with the companions, family members living in better places. One post refreshes the entire arrangement of companions/family members in the gathering. Business Networking : Business organizing utilizing online networking like Linkedin helps in acquiring data on openings for work and outsourcing from the network. Network Building : Social systems administration networks like Collaborate, Collect and so forth., is a typical stage for informing, report sharing and so forth., with a portable applications utilized in an I-telephone. (Web-based social networking Constraints and Opportunities Project,2011) End The on the web and the web-based social networking additionally must be treated as significant as the customary media and one needs to un

Research Four Articles or Develop Tactics for your Public Relations Essay

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A Critical Approach To Barn Burning (by William Essay Example For Students

A Critical Approach To Barn Burning (by William Essay A Critical Approach To Barn Burning (by William Faulkner)Barn Burning is a tragic story since it plainly shows theclassical battle between the advantaged and the oppressed classes. On numerous occasions feelings of gloom surface from both the hero and theantagonist engaged with the story. This story traces two unmistakable heroes and two distinctantagonists. The initial two are Colonel Sartoris Snopes (Sarty) and his fatherAbner Snopes (Ab). Sarty is the hero encircled by his fatherantagonism while Ab is the hero offended by the social structure andthe battle that is forced on him and his family. The monetary status of the fundamental characters is poor, without trust ofimproving their condition, and helpless before a semi medieval framework in NorthAmerica during the late 1800s. Being a tenant farmer, Ab and his family had toshare half or 66% of the collect with the landowner and out of theirshare pay for the necessities of life. Because of this status, Ab and hisfamily know from the beginning what the future will hold difficult work for theirlandlord and unimportant endurance for them. No desire for headway wins all through the story. Sarty, hisbrother and the twin sisters have no entrance to training, as they should spendtheir time working in the fields or at home performing familial obligations. Nourishment is deficient with regards to He could smell the espresso from the room where they wouldpresently eat the cool food staying from the mid-evening supper (PARA. 55). As an outcome, unforeseen weakness joined with insufficient open door results inlow confidence. An assurance which the essayist is relating to the white collar class ofhis times that equivalent quality which in later years would cause his relatives toover-run the motor before kicking off an engine vehicle (PARA. 20)The Snope family figures out how to endure and look for some kind of employment. In any case, the workoffers minimal other than a possibility for endurance I figure Ill have a word withthe man that expects to start tomorrow possessing me body and soul for the following eightmonths (PARA 40). Like migrants they had to move continually. Due toseasons and harvest turn, so as to make sure about work they needed to hold land withdifferent landowners. Abs passionate insecurity is a prevalent factor adding to hiserratic conduct all through the story. The family has moved multiple times fromfarm to cultivate, and on occasion compelled to relinquish their concurrence with the landlorddue to Abs unsuitable conduct. A conduct which all through the story istransformed into a disobedience, by Ab spreading the landowners cover with horsemanure and afterward suing him for charging him a lot for the harm. These actssymbolize disappointment with the framework and an extreme way to deal with oppose it. Realizing that discipline couldn't be kept away from when submitting such acts, Absactions take on a progressively sensational importance as though he is attempting to pass on a message. He knows about the financial treachery and he should react even at the hazard ofhim and his family being arraigned or segregated. Abs consistent defiance is shown by an unpleasant, sharp character andexemplified when he torches his proprietors outbuilding. He feels despair and loss,and perpetrates harm to whomever he happens to be working for. In spite of the fact that the story fixates on the emotions and musings of Abs youngestson Sarty, the financial ramifications of his whole family assume an essential job injustifying (not supporting) his dads conduct, which is the urgent reasonfor Sartys dubious sentiments on which the entire story is based. .uddc6a6ddf66ba0372aa1ef3ac663d8e9 , .uddc6a6ddf66ba0372aa1ef3ac663d8e9 .postImageUrl , .uddc6a6ddf66ba0372aa1ef3ac663d8e9 .focused content zone { min-tallness: 80px; position: relative; } .uddc6a6ddf66ba0372aa1ef3ac663d8e9 , .uddc6a6ddf66ba0372aa1ef3ac663d8e9:hover , .uddc6a6ddf66ba0372aa1ef3ac663d8e9:visited , .uddc6a6ddf66ba0372aa1ef3ac663d8e9:active { border:0!important; } .uddc6a6ddf66ba0372aa1ef3ac663d8e9 .clearfix:after { content: ; show: table; clear: both; } .uddc6a6ddf66ba0372aa1ef3ac663d8e9 { show: square; change: foundation shading 250ms; webkit-progress: foundation shading 250ms; width: 100%; mistiness: 1; change: haziness 250ms; webkit-change: darkness 250ms; foundation shading: #95A5A6; } .uddc6a6ddf66ba0372aa1ef3ac663d8e9:active , .uddc6a6ddf66ba0372aa1ef3ac663d8e9:hover { obscurity: 1; change: murkiness 250ms; webkit-change: haziness 250ms; foundation shading: #2C3E50; } .uddc6a6ddf66ba0372aa1ef3ac663d8e9 .focused content territory { width: 100%; position: relative; } .uddc6a6ddf66ba0372aa1ef3ac663d8e9 .ctaText { fringe base: 0 strong #fff; shading: #2980B9; text dimension: 16px; textual style weight: intense; edge: 0; cushioning: 0; content enhancement: underline; } .uddc6a6ddf66ba0372aa1ef3ac663d8e9 .postTitle { shading: #FFFFFF; text dimension: 16px; textual style weight: 600; edge: 0; cushioning: 0; width: 100%; } .uddc6a6ddf66ba0372aa1ef3ac663d8e9 .ctaButton { foundation shading: #7F8C8D!important; shading: #2980B9; outskirt: none; outskirt range: 3px; box-shadow: none; text dimension: 14px; textual style weight: striking; line-stature: 26px; moz-outskirt sweep: 3px; content adjust: focus; content enrichment: none; content shadow: none; width: 80px; min-tallness: 80px; foundation: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/modules/intelly-related-posts/resources/pictures/straightforward arrow.png)no-rehash; position: total; right: 0; top: 0; } .uddc6a6ddf66ba0372aa1ef3ac663d8e9:hover .ctaButton { foundation shading: #34495E!important; } .uddc 6a6ddf66ba0372aa1ef3ac663d8e9 .focused content { show: table; tallness: 80px; cushioning left: 18px; top: 0; } .uddc6a6ddf66ba0372aa1ef3ac663d8e9-content { show: table-cell; edge: 0; cushioning: 0; cushioning right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-adjust: center; width: 100%; } .uddc6a6ddf66ba0372aa1ef3ac663d8e9:after { content: ; show: square; clear: both; } READ: Family Values: Importance EssaySartys primary situation is his steadfastness to his family which impacts withhis frustration and smothered aversion of his own dad. He tends to hidehis sentiments by denying the realities, our Enemy he however in that despair; ourn!mine and hisn both! Hes my Father! (PARA. 1) and The kid said nothing. Enemy!Enemy! he thought; for a second he was unable to try and see, couldn't see that theJustices face was merciful. (PARA. 10). The storys passionate turns are plainly characterized by Sartys musings andAbs activities. Sartys quandary and Abs dissatisfactions ceaselessly get the reader,serving up a progression of sincerely loaded difficulties: Given the conditions ofthe story, is Abs animal dwellingplace consuming supported? Ought to Sarty tell the landowner thatAb was liable for torching the horse shelter? Is the obsolete sociological Blaming the Victim hypothesis substantial? Is the lose-win course of action betweensharecropper and landowner an ethically worthy one?Burning an animal dwellingplace or any demonstration

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UGA Decision Dates for 2020 - UGA Undergraduate Admissions

UGA Decision Dates for 2020 - UGA Undergraduate Admissions UGA Decision Dates for 2020 The final two decision dates for UGA freshman applicants are now set (unless some major issue impacts our office), and the smaller February wave of decisions will be released on Friday, February 14, while the final decisions in March will be released on Friday, March 13. In addition, transfer decisions will begin being released on Friday, March 6. Decisions are all released in the late afternoon, but I do not have an exact time (so dont ask me for one). February Decisions UGA will offer admission to roughly 1,700 freshman applicants on Friday, February 14. This group of decisions is made up of only offers of admission, and if you were admitted, you will be able to see the decision on your Admission Status page (so only admitted students will see a decision change on their status page) and these admits will receive an email communication. Additionally, an admissions packet will be sent out in the mail the following week. Our office is too busy reviewing files for me to run any mid-range academic averages at this time, but the academic information should be very similar to the Early Action admitted students (it will not be exactly the same, as we had a large number of EA admits who were applying for our top scholarships, which slightly skews EA stats a little higher). My earlier blog post about Early Action decisions gives you more insight into the academic strength of this range of student. As we did in the November Early Action off ers of admission, there will be some scholarship offers in this group, and those who have received them will see it on the status page. We will continue to offer scholarships through mid April, so please be patient as we do these reviews. These admitted freshman, made up of mostly Regular Decision applicants, met the strong academic criteria of Early Action admission that we used with our much larger wave of November admission offers. Just like in the November EA admits, we also admitted some students who were very strong academically and were strong in all areas (including co-curricular) as determined in our holistic read process. Do not panic if you are not admitted with the February group. We are still very much in the midst of carefully reviewing documents and data on a great many more files, and there are still lots of decisions to make. March Final Decisions On Friday, March 13, all final freshman decisions will be released. There will be three decision groups (Admit, Deny and Wait-List), and I will try to post some information on all three of these decisions during the week leading up to the final decision release. We will also have a small group of freshman that we will admit for the Spring 2021 term. We are still deep in the holistic read process, and I do not have any numbers on how many final admits we will make, what the statistics will look like overall, or how many students will be put on the wait-list. When we do release final decisions, I will have statistics on the overall applicant pool and admitted group the following week, but not broken out into the different release dates. After we make final decisions, we will continue to offer scholarships through late March, so please be patient as we do these reviews as well. Thank you for your patience during this review process. Transfer Applicants We have begun reviewing the Summer and Fall transfer applicants, and we will release the first group of transfer decisions on Friday, March 6. We will then continue to release transfer decisions every Friday. All applicants with a decision will receive an email alerting them to a change in their status, so you do not need to constantly check your admission status page. We generally review transfer applicants by term first (so summer decisions before fall if possible), and then roughly by the date the file becomes complete. This is not exact, as some transfer files are more complicated than others to review. As such, please do not compare application date to release dates with others, as it might vary due to other factors (included days when several hundred applications were received/completed). Go Dawgs!

Schizophrenia A Research Review and Discussion - Free Essay Example

Abstract Schizophrenia spectrum disorders are types of psychological dysfunction associated with both common and diverse symptoms as well as treatment protocols across the spectrum. These disorders include but are not confined to schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder and schizophreniform disorder. Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a chronic, devastating, and lifelong disorder that is precipitated by genetic and environment risk factors. It is selected for the present analysis because it shares some symptoms, treatments, and genetic risk alleles with other disorders across the spectrum. In addition, it also manifests some symptoms, treatment protocols, and management challenges that are uniquely associated with other disorders (Schultze-Lutter, 2009). Therefore, the history, genetic factors, environmental influences, and available treatment options merit focused examination. History Schizophrenia was first identified as a disorder distinct from other psychotic disorders in 1887 by German psychiatrist, Emil Kraepelin who is credited as the founder of the field of psychiatric genetics based on his advancement of the notion that psychosis has a genetic/biological origin (Burton, 2012; Suris, Holliday North, 2016). The formally recognized history of SCZ began largely at the turn of the twentieth century with the labeling of the disorder by Swiss psychiatrist, then student of eugenics, Paul Eugen Bleuler in 1910. The notion of a disorder that reflected a split (schizo) mind (phren) was based on what Bleuler saw as the separation of thinking and feeling exhibited by patients with the illness. Schizophrenia should not be confused with the condition of a split or multiple personality that, unlike SCZ often manifests swift changes in the characteristics of personality that are not normally associated with the schizophrenic patient. This is just one example of how the te rm schizophrenia has been inaccurately portrayed and accepted in society (Burton, 2012). The history of SCZ, in fact, is replete with misunderstandings and/or the misuse/misapplication of the term to cover a myriad of personality irregularities marked by unusual behavior, which is typically negative and often rapidly changing in temperament and disposition. Unfortunately, erroneous misuse of the term schizophrenia also worked to set a precedent for the stigmatization of SCZ, and the marginalization of individuals suffering with the disorder. The risk of stigma and marginalization for mental illness goes as far back as antiquity, when even without labels, mental illness was associated with God’s punishment or possession by demons (Burton, 2012). Contributing to the misunderstanding/representation, standard diagnostic regarding the definition of SCZ did not exist in the United States nor did it globally until the development and publication of the DSM-III in 1980 (Suris, Holliday North, 2016). Fortunately, the prospects for individuals currently suffering with SCZ are increasingly positive due to the advancement of technology as a diagnostic tool, enhanced social and psychological interventions, and more effective pharmaceutical treatments (Burton, 2012). Epigenetic Causes The epigenetics of SCZ work to explain the role that environmental factors play in changing the biologic expression of this chronic and debilitating disorder. Current studies have contributed to the identification of more than a thousand genes that are related to SCZ, and as many as 4116 genes identified as SCZ markers showing diverse patterns of expression. One of the most common and important epigenetic mechanisms that contributes to the symptomatic expression of SCZ is neurophysiological methylation, which has also been indicated in a variety of other progressive diseases (Sheng-An, Kuo-Chuan, 2016). However, the diversity of genetic combinations allows for polymorphism of various genetic traits. Research has indicated the high-risk individuals carrying alleles on genes associated with this condition are vulnerable to symptomatic expression due to increased production on methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) which decreases the amount of available catechol-O-methyltransfera se (COMT) to facilitate degradation of dopamine. As such, elevated levels of dopamine continue occupying targeted receptors which increases focused attention altering perceptual abilities of the individual. In addition, those expressing this type of genetic mutation often have elevated levels of homocysteine in their plasma which potentiates greater risk of experiencing symptomatic expression of SCZ (Numata, Kinoshita, Tajima, Nishi, Imoto, Ohmori, 2015). As mentioned, multiple changes in expression of a single gene and/or a network of genes has been indicated as risk-factors in the vulnerability of an individual to experience symptoms of SCZ. However, the most highly contributions factors in symptomatic expression of SCZ involve frequency and duration of environmental exposures which dictate methylation of neurological connectivity which strengthens and/or weakens physiologic structure in the brain. Among these environmental factors, maternal stress during prenatal development have been indicated with potentiation of symptomatic development as well as paternal age and use of psychoactive substances during gestational period. Although genetic variants may predispose an individual to the possibility of developing symptomatic expression of SCZ along all diagnosable disorders along the spectrum, frequency and duration of adverse environmental exposures throughout the course of development have been indicated as the largest influence in t he level of genetic expression (Shorter Miller, 2015). Symptoms and Treatments Most often, symptoms of SCZ manifest in particularly obvious and abnormal behaviors that impact the thoughts and perceptual abilities of those who begin expressing symptoms of the disorder. The symptoms of SCZ are regularly categorized as positive of negative symptoms, in which positive indicates the addition of abnormal thoughts, feelings, and/or behaviors such as delusions and/or hallucinations. Conversely, expression of negative symptoms entails the removal of coherent thought, emotion, perception, and normal behavioral activity, which may also be classified as catatonic behavior. Included in the diagnostic criterion for SCZ are disorganized thought processing, motor function impairment, and perceptual disruptions that may manifest as visual, audible, and/or other sensational hallucinations. In such, these symptoms are often found to be caused by neurological dysregulation as a function of methanation and notated in study by the amount of white matter in particular areas of the br ain. (Millan, Fone, Steckler, Horan, 2014). As previously mentioned, a review of historical patterns in research demonstrates that the diagnostic criteria, treatment, and research of various psychologic disorders such as SCZ have been misrepresentative throughout history. Though portions of current focus are on identifiable positive or negative symptoms, it should be noted that unlike most symptoms of SCZ, which may be highly-observable to others, those who endure psychosis are often unconsciously aware of the occurrence. However, at times symptoms indicating such a disturbance may be so subtle that others may remain ignorant to the descriptive markers/behaviors as subclinical symptoms are generally more private and unobserved by anyone by the individual suffering with the disorder. These basic symptoms are numerous and diverse, and they speak to the troubling aspect of self-observation among those with SCZ. Like the individuals who are diagnosed along the spectrum of Attentional Deficit Disorder (ADD), a primary example of s ymptomatic onset is intrusive thoughts which have no relevancy to the current focus and prevent acquisition of new knowledge because it interferes with informational processing and consolidation. Another example of the subclinical symptom is a disruption of organized speech, which is also affiliated with patterned amounts of neuronal connectivity in the temporal lobe as indicted with use of modern pictorial imaging. However, most instances of concern follow the symptomatic manifestation of an individual’s loss of function to produce coherent sentences when speaking, which indicates that neurological damage has already occurred undenounced to the patient (Schultze-Lutter, 2009). This is not to say that patients have no chance at recovering from the disorder/disease which developed due to vulnerability and environmental exposure. Instead, intervention at the earliest level can be paramount to the successfulness to acquire the skills necessary to identify symptoms and learn to o verpower the temptation of all that encompasses elevated levels of dopaminergic activity. Although treatment options for SCZ may include non-pharmacological therapies such as individual and group therapy and/or cognitive behavioral therapy, pharmacological treatment plans are imperative during time of psychosis. In the absence of effective rehabilitation programs progressive treatments are difficult to successfully implement. The first line of treatment for SCZ is the second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) with the exception of the FDA approved clozapine, which is not used as a first choice because of some of the adverse effects that it can cause. The use of first-generation antipsychotics usually follows when the use of one or more SGAs is ineffective followed by the use of clozapine alone, clozapine with SGA, FGA or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), FGA or SGA that has not been tried or a combination of each, respectively. At the same time, the research suggests that the pharmaceutical treatment of SCZ is bereft with challenges, not the least of which is the lack of adh erence by schizophrenic patients to prescribed treatment modalities. Long-acting injectable antipsychotic medications are a common solution for schizophrenic patients who cannot be encouraged to comply with treatments that use oral medications (Patel, Cherian, Gohil Atkinson, 2014). It should be emphasized that the outcomes of antipsychotic medications are often problematic, an issue that is addressed by Taipale, H., et al, illustrated in a study examining the association between application of medicinal antipsychotic treatment is highly associated with increased mortality among schizophrenic patients than others as their neurological pathways are differ in construction to others (2018). Evaluation Concerning the issue of potential treatment complications, researchers question the efficacy of pharmacologic treatment in potentially increasing or decreasing the mortality rate of those with SCZ. Given the nature of study, use of experimental studies would present ethical dilemmas in which the researchers would have to evaluate the morality of the project. In analyzing data drawn from a nationwide registry, the study of causation verses mortality rate among schizophrenic patients ages 16-64 years would require serious consideration when compared to the efficacy of long-acting antipsychotic injectables (LAI). In consideration of this, LAI’s have presented less than a 30% of death in comparison to orally administered medications. In addition, second generation LAIs and oral aripiprazole were found to have the lowest association with premature mortality rates. At this time it is not clear from the study whether it is the actual medication that is delivered to SCZ patients that increases or decreases mortality in this patient population or if it is the mode of administration. However, much research has indicated that the efficacy of a pharmacological engineered substance and method of delivery coincide with polymorphic genetic inheritance as expressed through environmental exposure which may vary by individual case. For example, most studies examining the issue of treating patients with SCZ eluded to the finding that compliance with treatment protocols is often difficult due to the patients understanding of emplaced treatment plan in addition to prior experiences (Taipale, et al, 2017).As elevated levels of dopaminergic activity is highly associated with the reward system which promotes all the feels good, SCZ patients who experience this level of satiation are likely to neglect and/or refuse implemented treatment plans as it would reduce the pleasurableness of this experience. Some of the most compelling research on the combined impact of neurobiological expression and environmental factors in symptomatic expression of SCZ are studies which indicate the etiological role of relational to brain volume. With use of modern technology, studies indicate a reduction in white matter configuration as opposed to the volume of grey matter retained in proportional to developmental attributes. Unequivocally, the findings of these neurological structures can often indicate the extent of the neurological disordering which presents symptomatic features of the disorder. Illustrating this, twin studies have shown that volume of white matter in the hippocampal structure of the brain associated with perceptual memory and neuronal regeneration, and those with SCZ show a reduction of white matter/myelination in comparison to healthy subjects in the studied area (Piccioni, et al, 2017). Environmental factors associated with a reduction in white matter may include a disruption in communication between hemispheric structures. In this case, the researchers have asserted correlation exists between a deficit in white matter in patients with SCZ that are monozygotic twins. However, developmental evaluations of symptomatic expression are found to be independent on environmental conditions of raise. As with other forms of expressive disorders, vulnerability is subject to genetic precursors and environmental experience. As such, this would suggest that the frequency and exposure to environmental conditions would impact the neurological activity which dictates physiological construction of necessary connections throughout areas of the brain which dictates myelination as a function of survival. In doing so, the central nervous system learns to adapt to its surrounding environment and passes this information onto the offspring of trailing generations (Piccioni, et al.,2017) Unf ortunately, this type of inter-species pruning reduces the number of potential progressors as historical greats are the proprietor of this genetic connection to predisposition, and perceived societal norms to ensure for genetic expression of the sins of generations past. Synthesis and Conclusion Much like in modern society, those with SCZ have been erroneously stigmatize throughout history. However, modern technology has elucidated the significance of environmental conditions in facilitating the expression of innate genetic coding which ultimately decides the level/degree of experienced symptoms. Much like all beings are susceptible to contracting an illness (such as the Flu), they level of symptoms expressed and gravity of impact it has over one’s life is a function of tolerable immunity which is instilled from conception. As presented, there is an overwhelming amount of research evidence that provides for the manner in which neurological disorders such as SCZ develop. Knowing how impactful environment which we create are, it is in the best interest of future generations that current generations step back and reevaluated the ramifications of our actions. References Burton, N. (2017). A brief history of schizophrenia: Schizophrenia through the ages. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hide-and-seek/201209/brief-history-schizophrenia Millan, M. J., Fone, K., Steckler, T., Horan, W. P. (2014). Negative symptoms of schizophrenia: Clinical characteristics, pathophysiological substrates, experimental models and prospects for improved treatment. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 24, 645-692. Numata, S., Kinoshita, M., Tajima, A., Nishi, A., Imoto, I., Ohmori, T. (2015). Evaluation of an association between plasma total homocysteine and schizophrenia by a Mendelian randomization analysis. BMC Medical Genetics, 16(54), 1-7. Patel, K. R., Cherian, J., Gohil, K, Atkinson, D. (2014). Schizophrenia: Overview and treatment options. PT: A Peer-Reviewed Journal for Managed Care Formulary Management, 39(9), 638–645. Picchioni, M. M., Rijsdijk, F., Toulopoulou, T., Chaddock, C., Cole, J. H., Ettinger, U., †¦ McGuire, P. (2017). Familial and environmental influences on brain volumes in twins with schizophrenia. Journal of Psychiatry Neuroscience: JPN, 42(2), 122–130. Sheng-An, L., Kuo-Chuan, H. (2016). Epigenetic profiling of human brain differential DNA methylation networks in schizophrenia. BMC Medical Genomics, 9, 217–228. Shorter, K. R., Miller, B. H. (2015). Epigenetic mechanisms in schizophrenia. Progress in Biophysics Molecular Biology, 118(1/2), 1–7. Schultze-Lutter, F. (2009). Subjective symptoms of schizophrenia in research the clinic: The basic symptom concept. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 35(1), 5-8. Suris, A., Holliday, R., North, C. S. (2016). The evolution of the classification of psychiatric disorders. Behavioral Sciences, 6(5), 1-10. Taipale, H., Mittendorfer-Rutz, E., Alexanderson, K., Majak, M., Mehtà ¤là ¤, J., Hoti, F.,Jedenius, E., Enkusson, D., Level, A., Sermon, J. Tanskanen, A. Tiihonen, J. (2018). Antipsychotics and mortality in a nationwide cohort of 29,823 patients with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Research, 197, 274–280. Annotated Bibliography Burton, N. (2017). A brief history of schizophrenia: Schizophrenia through the ages. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hide-and-seek/201209/brief-history-schizophrenia In this article, the author offers a brief description of the history of SCZ. This is an informative article that provides a loose but compelling chronological examination of SCZ, how it has been addressed as well as perceived. Some of the most salient points of the article are those that inform on how SCZ was interpreted as madness in ancient civilizations. In some cases, perceived as a physical ailment addressed by diet and blood-letting and by others as a spiritual ailment to be addressed by religion. Overall, the article suggests that those who suffer with SCZ have a great opportunity for a normal life than ever. Millan, M. J., Fone, K., Steckler, T., Horan, W. P. (2014). Negative symptoms of schizophrenia: Clinical characteristics, pathophysiological substrates, experimental models and prospects for improved treatment. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 24, 645-692. This article offered an expansive review of the literature on the negative symptoms of SCZ; however, it did not describe a study. Instead, the primary goal of this article is to enlighten readers on the debilitating characteristics of the negative symptoms associated with SCZ. Although the authors offered details on both the positive and negative symptoms of SCZ, it goes much further to include the state of the research at this time as well as the prospects for the improvement of studies of SCZ’s negative symptoms. An especially compelling section of the article discusses that anomalies of cerebral structures that are associated with negative symptoms (NS). This section has special application to two studies on brain structure that are addressed in the present analysis. [bookmark: _Hlk533281778]Numata, S., Kinoshita, M., Tajima, A., Nishi, A., Imoto, I., Ohmori, T. (2015). Evaluation of an association between plasma total homocysteine and schizophrenia by a Mendelian randomization analysis. BMC Medical Genetics, 16(54), 1-7. This article addresses the question of whether an association exists between the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (total plasma homocysteine) and SCZ. The authors conducted a meta-analysis of case-control studies comprising 11,042 schizophrenia suffers and 14,557 control subjects. The researchers combined the risk estimate for the association between the SNP and SCZ with the estimate from a meta-analysis of a genome-wide association studies. The results included a significant effect of the SNP on SCZ risk. The authors concluded that the results offer greater insight regarding the pathology and treatment of SCZ. Patel, K. R., Cherian, J., Gohil, K, Atkinson, D. (2014). Schizophrenia: Overview and treatment options. PT: A Peer-Reviewed Journal for Managed Care Formulary Management, 39(9), 638–645. Although it does not describe a study, this article is one of the most informative of all the sources used. The authors provide a succinct but thorough overview of SCZ that goes beyond just the treatment options that are currently in use. Rather, the article addresses key information like the pathophysiology, etiology, epidemiology and clinical presentation of SCZ. More than half of the article however is devoted to treatment options as well to the adverse effects of treatment medications on the endocrine, cardiovascular and central nervous systems. The authors offer a brief assessment of progress in the development of treatment protocols. Most disconcerting, however, is the fact that the life expectancy of SCZ patients remains as much as 10-25 years less than the average healthy individual. Picchioni, M. M., Rijsdijk, F., Toulopoulou, T., Chaddock, C., Cole, J. H., Ettinger, U., †¦ McGuire, P. (2017). Familial and environmental influences on brain volumes in twins with schizophrenia. Journal of Psychiatry Neuroscience: JPN, 42(2), 122–130. This article describes a study designed to identify the familial and environmental influences on brain volumes in twins with SCZ. The study involved the clinical assessment of and administration of an MRI to 168 twins making up a healthy control group and a patient or SCZ-affected group. The data from the assessment and MRIs were analyzed on between-group measures and genetic trait variance. The results showed that the SCZ patient twins had greater deficits in whole brain grey and white matter volume as well as in hippocampal volume. The authors’ conclusion presented major implications for future research investigation the as to the specific etiological imprinting of neurophysiologic structures in patients with SCZ . Sheng-An, L., Kuo-Chuan, H. (2016). Epigenetic profiling of human brain differential DNA methylation networks in schizophrenia. BMC Medical Genomics, 9, 217–228. This article described a study that investigated the role of DNA methylation in the causation of SCZ. The researchers capitalized on the increasing availability of post-mortem brain samples for research on SCZ-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by analyzing the DNA methylation profiles of prefrontal cortex from healthy controls and schizophrenic patients. Their study involved the construction of a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network using genetic variants to examine the controlling interactions and possible pathways of genes. The results of the study indicated that SDMGs and SCZCGs may influence levels of gene expression potentiating symptomatic development of SCZ. The authors suggest that the typical hypomethylation of SDMG promoters presents important implications for therapeutic options that work to increase methylation of these and other weakly methylated promoters. Shorter, K. R., Miller, B. H. (2015). Epigenetic mechanisms in schizophrenia. Progress in Biophysics Molecular Biology, 118(1/2), 1–7. This article is an informative source rather than a study and addresses covers various aspects of the epigenetics of SCZ. The article introduces the subject with a brief but important review of the literature on SCZ including its symptoms and the impact that they have on cognitive functioning and memory. The authors place special focus on the role of dopamine (DA) in SCZ, especially in the hyperactivity of the DA signaling system that promotes delusions and hallucinations. The discussions on DNA methylation in particular supports a much better understanding of how the epigenetic factors that impact single genes as well as gene networks. This is especially true of SCZ-risk genes, which in turn can contribute to the development of the disorder. Schultze-Lutter, F. (2009). Subjective symptoms of schizophrenia in research the clinic: The basic symptom concept. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 35(1), 5-8. This was an informative article that provided information of the symptoms of schizophrenia. The author predicates the article on the increased interest in the subtle psychopathology that seemingly exceeds the larger and more overt positive and negative symptoms of SCZ. The author offers a systematic examination of the basic symptoms of schizophrenia that are defined as a subjective subclinical disturbance in such things as motivation, motor action, thinking and speech. These symptoms are diverse from the positive and negative symptoms of delusion and hallucinations and lack of motivation, desire or interest beautiful that are not easily observed by others. The author offers a list of these interesting introverted or introspective symptoms. Suris, A., Holliday, R., North, C. S. (2016). The evolution of the classification of psychiatric disorders. Behavioral Sciences, 6(5), 1-10. In this article, which is not an experimental study but rather an informative article, the authors describe their tracing of the history of classification and diagnostic systems for mental disorders. The description includes a brief discussion of the early history of classification systems and a more comprehensive investigation of the American System of Diagnostic Criteria. The authors do not provide a results or summary of their findings however their brief conclusions include the argument that the the validity of diagnostic criteria has been challenged insufficient differentiation between disorders. This contention presents serious implications for improved differentiation necessary to mitigate high rates of diagnostic comorbidity, non-specific treatment selection and failure to distinguish psychiatric disorders. Taipale, H., Mittendorfer-Rutz, E., Alexanderson, K., Majak, M., Mehtà ¤là ¤, J., Hoti, F., Jedenius, E., Enkusson, D., Level, A., Sermon, J., Tanskanen, A., Tiihonen, J. (2018). Antipsychotics and mortality in a nationwide cohort of 29,823 patients with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Research, 197, 274–280. This article describes a study designed to determine if antipsychotic treatment protocols are associated with increased or decreased mortality. This was accomplished through the analysis of patient data for all-cause mortality rates drawn from a nationwide registry. The researchers found that the use of oral medication was associated with a higher rate of mortality than injectable medication. It also identified second generation long-acting injectables as associated with the lowest mortality rates.