The Primary Research on Three Individuals Belonging from three Different Job Roles Free Essay Example, 2500 words

The people individuals comprised of a sales executive, a human resource executive and an IT professional. The purpose of choosing the individuals from three different job roles was that it would allow easy identification of the determining factors influencing their career choice. The research was conducted using the interview method for which a questionnaire was developed. The questionnaire comprised of both open and close-ended questions relating to the individual s career needs and requirements (Refer Appendix 2). The answers following the questions (Refer Appendix 3) reveal that the determining factors influencing ones career decisions or that has been responsible for shaping their careers are different from one another. It is primarily based on ones individual s skill sets and abilities. Also, some of the external factors are responsible for giving shape to their career. The individual s tastes, preferences and personalities are also seen to play a big role in determining their career choice. According to the sales executive, his personality has been the key factor which prompted him to take up a job in the field of sales. This reveals the enterprising work environment as presented in the hexagonal model presented by Holland. We will write a custom essay sample on The Primary Research on Three Individuals Belonging from three Different Job Roles or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page This predominantly reveals the close association of one s personality with the nature of the external environment.

Extended Outline or Action Plan for consultancy report - 1

Essays on Extended Outline or Action Plan for consultancy report Outline Benefits of Employee Engagement A direct relationship exists between employee engagement and the success of a business company. This relationship is quantifiable especially regarding international or global business. Scholars of human resources management and other related disciplines define employee engagement as a situation where the management of the business organization enhances commitment of employees on their responsibilities resulting in total commitment. In this case, employees develop a spirit where they put company goals and objectives before personal goals. Engaged employees commit themselves to work and in the process do not have time to gossip even during grapevine (Macey, 2009, p. 21). A business company with engaged employees reduces conflicts among employees making it one of the most appropriate mechanism tom avoid conflict. Most business managers and chief executives define success perfectly but fail in comprehending the drivers of success. Managers consider various aspects of success among them profit levels, market share, as well as brand equity. The real impetus of the business lies with employees. Employees become even more critical when discussing global enterprise. They design, develop, and produce products in addition to attending to company clients. Employees represent the face of the business brand. Scholars concur on the fact that employees constitute determinants of either successful international and local business or those that rarely or fail to attain the full capacity. A successful local or global business enterprise has engaged employees. Research by Azusa Pacific University, 1983, p. 67)) shows that business companies with high rates of employee engagement recorded a nineteen percent increase in their operating income over one year trading period. Similarly, the same companies witnessed a rise in earnings per share averaging twenty-eight percent. On the other hand, (Oyemba) notes that business with low abilities of engaging employees recorded a drop in income averaging more than thirty-two percent over the same financial period. This correspondent with an eleven percent decline in earnings per share. Flippo, (1984, p. 19) identifies that most managers took lessons from Michael Lewis’ Moneyball applying the same to their respective business environment with measurable success. Issues under consideration included among others measurement of the degree of engagement among employees, evaluation of their performance, as well as levels of elevation. Global companies operate in various parts of the world and among people with diverse ethnic backgrounds. This means that adopting the skills and qualities of evaluating intangible factors adds to the quality of performance. The introduction of measurable tools of intangible factors gives managers new, insightful, and actionable solutions to any situation regarding their employees. Relevant and concrete information replaces perceptions, gut feel, and intuition (Lucas, 1999, p. 33). Wells Fargo stands out as the example of an international company that recognized and embraced the value of successful employee engagement. The company ope rating in Europe, Africa, as well as the United States of America applied the happy-to-grumpy ratio to assess the levels of its employee engagement. Apart from evaluating what was important in motivating its employees, they also evaluated the degree of their employee engagement. As a successful international company, Wells Fargo concentrated on assessing commitment of individual member of each team. Understanding the drivers of what element in the team covered the duration between projects and the length. In this case, they sort to comprehend internal links between various business results in projects. Ultimately, Wells Fargo found out that a strong relationship a high degree of employee engagement and increased productivity of employees as well as the satisfaction of customers. Barrio-Urdaneta, 2008, p. 41) on the other hand, relates metrics with analytics. However, he adds that the important idea is aligning the company strategy to both metrics and analytics (Whiteley, 2002, p. 77). If research by a particular company for instance Wells Fargo proves that high employee engagement results in improved customer satisfaction because of increased sales, then the business organization will put measures to invest more in strategic initiatives that enhance employee commitment. Higher employee commitment is a prerequisite for better performance in the store. An initiative by Wells Fargo demonstrates that it is possible for international business companies to carry out measurement of the impact of the commitment of employees to the success of business organization (Jucius, 1975, p. 51). It is important to mention that more companies continue to invest in the assessment of employee engagement but fail in evaluating the effectiveness of the same miserably. This explains why the fair badly in analyzing important drivers of the commitment of employees. It is for this reason that most managers as well as Chief Executives continue to wonder how particular human resource programs influence the performance of both the company and employees. It is necessary for businesses especially international enterprises to understand the impact of qualities that shape the drivers of employee engagement. Furthermore, managers of such businesses must have qualities of evaluating e mployee engagement apart from measuring effectiveness of the same. Understanding the culture of the company traditional established by the founders is also essential. Gellerman, (1968, p. 97) proposes that one of the best ways to carry out such an exercise is using strategic recognition. This scenario will provide an opportunity for employees and those in the management to recognize and appreciate one another irrespective of the prevailing situation. The situations include behaviors, excellent delivery of work, and demonstration of corporate values together with the ability to work in a team. Strategic implementation of recognition creates a different and viable alternative for managers to develop new health within their organizations. Recognition becomes the barometers with which business organizations measure the relationship between the performance of employees and their engagement (Sayeed, 2001, p. 131). Business companies can use the same to assess the rate of occurrences of recognition across various departments, locations, as well as members of different teams. Irregular occurrence of recognition can serve as an alert for the management to understand that all is not well in their business organization. Managers need to comprehend such incidences are common where the management focuses on having their employees meet their targets without other considerations into perspective (Institute Of Personnel Management, 1969, p. 112). Other considerations include managers and supervisors ignoring emotional and psychological need of employees. This group of managers holds that the only way to increase productivity is compensating employees well. It is difficult for managers who are not keen to understand the relationship between low levels of recognition and diminishing health of the overall company. The management needs to concentrate on factors leading to productivity as opposed to productivity. Intangible factors of productivity carry more weight than terms of service to most employees. Bibliography Azusa Pacific University. (1983).  Job satisfaction. Azusa, Calif, Azusa Pacific College. Barrio-Urdaneta, E. C. (2008).  Employee engagement. Thesis (M.A.)--Bethel University, 2008. Flippo, E. B. (1984).  Personnel management. New York, McGraw-Hill. Gellerman, S. W. (1968).  Management by motivation. [New York], American Management Association. Institute Of Personnel Management. (1969).  Personnel management. London, Business Publications]. Jucius, M. J. (1975).  Personnel management. Homewood, Ill, R.D. Irwin. Lucas, J. R. (1999).  The passionate organization igniting the fire of employee commitment. New York, AMACOM. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=truescope=sitedb=nlebkdb=nlabkAN=516 Macey, W. H. (2009).  Employee engagement. Chichester, U.K., Wiley-Blackwell. Sayeed, O. (2001). Organizational Commitment for healthy organizations. New York, McGraw-Hill. Whiteley, P. (2002).  Motivation. Oxford, U.K., Capstone Pub. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=truescope=sitedb=nlebkdb=nlabkAN=67260.

Term and Hr Data free essay sample

Describe different systems for recording Appropriate identification of the benefits of and storing HR data and the benefits of Pass store HR data. each. 2. 2 Explain legal requirements relating to Good explanation of the Data Protection the recording, storage, and accessibility action, further enhancement could be Pass of HR data. chieved by providing more details on the Freedom of Information act. LO3: Be able to analyse HR data and present findings to inform decision-making 3. 1 Analyse and interpret HR data. A good quality analysis and interpretation of Pass HR data. 3. 2 Present findings in a clear, concise, and Clear and effective presentation of the data to meaningful manner to inform decisionenable informed decision making. Pass making within an organisation. A good and well written assignment with some very good analysis and interpretation of HR data. Students should please note that the above Assessment Outcome for this Unit is provisional and is subject to Internal EHWLC verification (IV) and external CIPD Verification (EV). Tutor’s signature: Tutor: Michelle Maunder Date: 29/04/2012 10 April 2012 Recording, analysing and using HR information (3RAI) Trinity Mirror PLC is the largest newspaper publisher in Britain, consisting of around 10,000 employees. Trinity Mirror PLC are constantly aiming toward their strategic goal by implementing management across all relevant data collection regarding each employee and team. The organisation of this data is vital to ensure that any flaws within the data are managed correctly to ensure the consistency of success in the business. Recording/Managing Data It is essential for Trinity Mirror to manage it’s data due to two key reasons: Legalisation Compliance – Following the boundaries of the data protections act, all employee personal information must be held to support factors such as, right to work, (if visas are required etc) health records and health and safety inductions carried out when employees attend their first day of work. Supporting personnel administration HR Strategies – Supporting the business objective and managers through efficient record keeping ensuring that all information is at hand to perform effective recruitment, assess levels of performance along with monitoring personnel files in case of any dismissal cases. Managing this administration ensures that employees receive the correct pay and benefits. Comment [N1]: Good introduction. Comment [N2]: Good. Collection of HR Data Absence Monitoring – Our HR strategy is to support the strategy of the business, absence monitoring is one way of doing this. Managing this data is carried out on a monthly basis using the Bradford Factor in which employees with a score of above 100 are highlighted and sent to managers, identifying which employees need to be consulted with in order to determine the reason behind the absence. The reason needs to be pinpointed to ensure that the cost of the absence is minimised. Training Needs from PDRs – We strive to keep our Talent at a high level at Trinity Mirror PLC ensuring that all training needs are fulfilled as stated in the employee’s yearly PDR. This element of the HR strategy is support the organisation’s objective by identifying training needs ensuring sessions are created for each learning requirement. Heightened morale and productivity rates are escalated within the organisation; increasing levels of success for the business. Comment [N3]: Good. Storage methods and the benefits: Methods E-Files, (Electronic, Computer based files) Benefits Fast way to view all information such as contracts, eligible benefits, pay etc Easy to access for managers and HR even when not in the office by using a shared drive, effective way for decision making Original signed copies of documents such as employment documents, copy of passport/visas etc. If any employee has been with the organisation for a long time, the files may not be saved onto e-file, making it easier to read older hard files being more detailed documents. No risk of computer failure All hard files are locked away in a cupboard Comment [N4]: Appropriate identification. Hard Files Legislation As stated by the Information Commissioner’s Office, (ico. gov. uk) there are 8 principles to the Data Protection Act that the organisation has to comply with. Data should be: Processed fairly and lawfully For specified and lawful purposes Adequate, relevant and not excessive Accurate and where necessary, kept up to date Kept no longer than necessary In accordance with the rights of data subjects Secure Personal data must not be transferred outside the European Economic Area unless the country has adequate safeguards for data subjects Comment [N5]: Good utilisation of a key secondary resource. The organisation must ensure employee information is secure and kept confidential. The employee can view their own information, but if third party members request this information, written consent must be provided from the employee. Freedom of information The organisation may liaise with hospitals or doctor’s surgeries regarding occupational matters, if any personal information is exchanged, it needs to be recorded and stored. Comment [N6]: Good. Comment [N7]: Good approach, if a little concise. Activity B Absence management is vital to the organisation as if it is not managed well, it can cause all sorts of implications such as money loss, lower morale and less productivity within teams. By looking at a survey report found on the CIPD website, (CIPD 2010) I found information based on absence in the workplace taken from 2010 pinpointing the absence levels and the data for short, medium and long term absence and whether it is particularly high in certain areas, whether long term absence is higher in larger companies or short term absence is higher in smaller companies. The reason for absence management is so that the organisation can identify those who have had a significant time off work and the company procedures in providing assistance to the individual in dealing with the absence, (for example, if this was absence due to stress at work, the organisation would need to enforce changes to the job role or team structure to reduce the levels of stress). Initially, I looked at the two factors that the survey had focused on when looking at the duration of absence, (Absence based on industry levels and absence based on company size). I then decided to split the piece of information into two charts, analysing them separately to assess the highest and lowest outcomes. By identifying the highest and lowest percentages, I note the findings: Chart 1 shows the highest percentage of employees who experienced up to seven days absence was in the private sector service with the highest percentage of longer absence periods being in the public services. At 36% this is a significant difference of 15% with the second from the top, Non-profit organisations at 21%. As an HR professional, there could be many reasons for this but looking at the findings it would be a concern regarding the level of long term absence in the public services as this could be related to stress, depression and other long-term illnesses, which could have developed from the workplace. Decisions would be made to carry out disciplinaries on those unable to provide substantial evidence for their absence. Comment [N8]: Good. Comment [N9]: Good. Chart 2 shows the highest percentage of absence up to a seven day period tends to occur in a smaller company, with the smallest percentage of long-term absence also occurring in the smaller companies, (7%). In contrast to this, long-term absence is at it’s highest in the larger companies at 38%, which is a drastic difference. A reason for this could be that the employees feel more valued in a smaller company, possibly having more responsibility and working within a ‘family oriented’ environment.

Epic Story free essay sample

Epic Story I’d like to call upon the fiction gods to empower this story to be extravagant. The cold storm carried on with its overwhelming booms from the thunder shaking the house from the outside. Terrified, the blond haired Juliet sat in the corner of her darkened closet attempting to go unnoticed by the intruder stalking around her house. She sat there hugging her legs, praying that he wouldn’t hear her soft whimpers of fear. She listened quietly to the footsteps walking around her once safe home. They began to come closer, she could feel her heartbeat pick up, and he began to slowly approach her inadequate closet hiding spot. Her heart began to beat ferociously. Staring up at the door handle, she knew all of her efforts to escape this ordeal unharmed had been abandoned. The handle twisted, she looked for something, anything to protect herself with, and she came up empty handed. Her parents always found a way to down her because she spends no time with them or her baby sister. The only time mossy and her parents get alone was through them teaching her general skills needed for adult hood. Throughout life mossy had to put with people trying to be her friend because she had a wonderful voice so people would try and use her. She know deep down inside she going to make it big but she has to find somewhere deep down inside to bring her voice out. She never gets calls like normal super heroes. She manly gets quest or challenges. Mossy and her dog frog always sing together they would go out in the shed behind the house and sing their hearts out. Once there done they go back into the house and find something to eat Mossy favorite was butter pecan ice-cream with fresh peaches. Mossy never really watched TV until one day she decided to flip through the channels while eating her ice-cream and peaches. Passing a channel talking about upcoming and rising singers she wanted to take the quest but wasn’t so sure if she should trust it. She wants to have a conversation with her parents but her thoughts were too deep. So instead Mossy decides to run away and take on the challenge. But before she had runaway she pack her bag and says her farewell to frog.

Smoking Bans should be passed in Ohio Essay Example

Smoking Bans should be passed in Ohio Essay Smoking is one of the main social problems affected all classes and both genders, different age groups and nationalities. Smoking has become increasingly common among the students and adults affected smokers and non-smokers. The main danger of smoking and importance of strict anti-smoking laws is explained by a negative impact of on health and air conditions. Bowser (2006) states that â€Å"Ohio’s stricter ban has qualified, but signatures are still being counted on the second measure† (p. 28). The examples of the states which passed smoking bans prove benefits and advantages of this policy for community. Thesis Smoking bans should be passed in Ohio because of increasing number of smokers per year and increasing number of deaths caused by smoking-related diseases. Smoking bans should be passed in Ohio because smoking represents a real danger for health conditions of the majority of the population. Deaths from lung cancer in Ohio increased from around 10,000 a year in the early 1970s to more than 20,000, since when there has been a slow decline. Given the popularity of smoking- at its peak just after the Second World War, some 65 % of men in Ohio smoked- it is not surprising that the discovery of the link between cigarettes and lung cancer has had a major impact on public life and personal behavior. According to the doctors report smoking increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, lungs cancer and miscarriage.   Studies have revealed that over 400,000 people die each year because of diseases caused by smoking. According to the statistical data, the rate of smoking has increased by 30 % during 1993-1997 amongst the college students. Studies show that the measures which can be taken by the colleges authorities in order to reduce the level of s moking amongst the young students. Hanson and Logue (1998) indicate that: We will write a custom essay sample on Smoking Bans should be passed in Ohio specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Smoking Bans should be passed in Ohio specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Smoking Bans should be passed in Ohio specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer â€Å"According to a recent report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the sidestream or passive smoke from cigarettesso-called environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)is responsible annually for approximately 3000 lung cancer deaths, between 150,000 and 300,000 lower respiratory ailments in children, and approximately 37,000 heart disease deaths† (p. 1163). Experts believe that taking preventive measures is better than abrupt prohibition from smoking which can cause the opposite effect on the students. The proportion of women smokers remains fairly steady just above 40 per cent as did the tendency of manual workers to smoke more than professionals. Smoking bans should be passed in Ohio because smoking violates rights of those people who do not smoke and involuntary inhale smoke.   The discovery of the dangers of ‘passive smoking’ in the 1980s marked the third phase of the tobacco wars and a decisive shift in the anti- smoking campaign. The first indication of this problem came in a paper from Japan in 1981; by 1986 the US Surgeon-General noted that some thirteen studies from five different countries had confirmed an increased risk. The resulting ban on smoking on US domestic air flights and the attendant controversy put the passive smoking issue decisively on the public agenda. The Froggat Committee, an independent scientific committee on smoking and health, estimated that passive smoking caused an increased risk of lung cancer of between 10 and 30 % and recommended restrictions on smoking in workplaces and in public. The case against passive smoking gathered momentum through the 1990s. In 1992 the US Environment al Protection Agency declared ‘environmental tobacco smoke’ (ETS) a carcinogen, or cancer-causing agent. In 1997 the California Environmental Protection Agency added low birth weight babies, cot death, childhood asthma and nasal sinus cancer to the list of conditions caused by ETS. â€Å"Studies suggest, for example, that prenatal or childhood passive exposure to parents smoking significantly increases the risk of childhood and adult cancers (12-15), and nonsmoking spouses of smokers have an increased risk of lung and nasal sinus cancers compared to spouses of nonsmokers† (Brinkman p. 689). Meta-analyses confirmed increased risks of lung cancer (24 %) and coronary heart disease (23 %). Public policy measures such as restrictions on smoking in various public places and stiff excise tax increases seem to be the favorite methods of a much more vocal antismoking movement. Smoking bans in Ohio will be an important step to protect rights of the nonsmoker. For instance, even though cigarette sales were declining in the early 1980s, this decline was far too little and was taking far too long to satisfy the antismoking forces. In this case, smoking bans is one of the most effective measures because historical examples how that nonsmoker rights can be protected only by strict state policies and relegations. Smoking bans should be passed in Ohio because smoking increases medical costs (smoking –related diseases and medical insurance) and has a negative impact on organizational resources. Researches demonstrate that secondhand tobacco smoke   harms computer hardwarerequiring more frequent cleaning of the machines, a higher repair ratio, and so on. The evidence suggests persons in data processing may wish to ban smoking from computer rooms, as much for the health of the hardware and software as for that of employees: chips run hotter than normal, disc drives crash, machines require more service, and other problems occur. Around the United States are various businesses that have seen costs drop sharply when smoking is totally banned. Some hotels and motels, free standers and chains, are banning smoking entirely, or setting aside a block of nonsmoking rooms. For instance, Lyndon Sanders runs Non-Smokers Inn in Dallas, Texas. For some employers, it costs $2,400 per year to employ a s moker. Medical costs and low productivity level is another problem caused by smoking. Statistical results show that almost one-fifth of all U.S. deaths can be traced to cigarette smoke or 375,000 deaths. â€Å"CDC (2002) estimates that total expenditures of $861.9 million in 2002 were allocated to tobacco control from national and state sources in the United Sates, or $3.16 per capita† (cited Marlow 2006, p. 573) . This figure does not include the approximate $30 billion annual cost of the tobacco itself. Smoking wastes 7 % of a smokers time on the job. Each smoker, therefore, costs an employer $650 extra in insurance and cleanup costs. Whatever the actual figure, these deaths represent an annual loss of life greater than World War I, the Korean conflict, and the Vietnam conflict combined. Researchers estimate that smoking is responsible for fully half of all mortality caused by fire (1,500 lives lost per year, 4,000 injuries), that is, deaths in apartment fires caused by smoking equal 38 %; hotel and motel fire deaths from smoking equal 32 %; mobile homes, 23 %; residential, 21 %; and private dwellings, 17 %. Researchers estimate every nonsmoker pays $100 annually for medical care for smoking -induced illness (paid largely through taxes and health insurance premiums) (Brinkman et al, p. 689). From a typical nonsmokers view the costs of passive smoking are high. To a typical smoker, the costs of heavy-handed regulation are unacceptable. To a majority of U.S. companies (and more than one-third of government agencies), restrictions or bans on smoking are based upon cost-benefit analysis that shows smoking costs the employer money in terms of employee health and productivity. Many other costs of smoking at work can be calculatedcleaning up offices (ash trays, desk burns, soiled drapes, dirty air filters, carpet damage). Down time for smokers (more frequent breaks and longer breaks) is discussed in later chapters. Just the routine of smoking is a time waster (tamping, lighting up, dropping the ashes). Perhaps the highest cost, other than loss of human life and health, of course, is that of confrontational and adversarial relationships that have become characteristic of the smoking /nonsmoking debate in recent years. These facts suggest that smoking bans will benefit both employees and employers, increase productivity and improve health of workers (Smoke-Free Businesses in Ohio 2006). Smoking bans passed in Ohio will have a positive impact on young generations and reduce a negative impact of advertising and promotion campaigns. The high rate of smoking among college students can be explained by aggressive advertising and promotional activities aimed to increase the size of the market. According to Albaum et al (2002)   â€Å"While levels of teenage smoking have recently shown a slight decrease, high-school smoking rates are more than one-fourth higher than in 1991, and the percentage of frequent high-school smokers has risen approximately 32% during the same time period† (p. 50). For many decades tobacco ads have displayed attractive people smoking-obviously to link good looks with smoking or the use of other tobacco products. There was a time when smoking was seen as sexy or glamorous.   The glamorous ads casting handsome and beautiful models, actually tempts the youngsters to smoke. Tobacco industry focuses on sales promotion more than any other indus try in the world. Companies spend a huge amount of investment to reach adolescents. Adolescents, of 18-24 years, become the main target market for the tobacco industry. The companies distribute free cigarettes outside the concerts and college clubs in order to attract more and more people towards their brands. The industry has also involved the youngster in the promotional activities. These kinds of aggressive promotion activities have drawn a huge number of younger lots to smoking. Promotional activities in bars and night clubs were started during 1980s. The level of tobacco consumption among students was indistinct, but the some field researches show that nearly every college student was involved in those promotional activities during 1990s. It has been predicted that the college students will become main consumers of tobacco in the next few years. The tobacco companies launch their promotional campaign mostly in the urban localities, trying to trap the young consumers through various advertising medium and techniques. Following Ohio’s Senator Eric Fingerhut its much easier to get things done on the state level, because there are fewer people and competing interests to navigate on any issue (Kaufman, p. 66). In this case, even the students who don’t have enough exposure to the bars and night clubs can be influenced by the heavy advertising by different brands. A number of significant anti-tobacco laws have been enacted at the state level over the last eight years, which attempt to control teen access to cigarettes and to place restrictions on smoking in public places. Smoking is still perceived by many youth as adult behavior and a rite of passage into manhood. Long years of smoking mean the addiction is more severe and the habit more ingrainedthus more difficult to break. At the local level, a number of barriers to more effective implementation and enforcement of tobacco control laws were identified by the respondents. In contrast, a number of nonsmokers added strong commentary about banning or restricting smoking in the workplace and passive, secondhand smoke (Houses Own Smoke-Filled Room p. A01). Smoking bans should be passed in Ohio because smoking has a negative impact on air quality and pollution. According to statistical results, the rural benzene concentration is around 0.5 ppb, while the normal range of urban concentrations is 2-10 ppb. This means that the range of daily benzene intake varies by at least a factor of ten, from a few tens to a few hundreds of ÃŽ ¼g. At the low end of this range the atmospheric intake would be dominated by that from food, while at the high end it would exceed that due to food, and be similar to that due to smoking 20 cigarettes per day. A large number of gaseous and particulate air pollutants are produced by tobacco combustion. Of course, the exposure of a smoker is very high compared to a non-smoker, but a smokers exposure is voluntary, whereas a non-smokers is not. Of the more than 4500 compounds found in tobacco smoke, 50 are known or suspected to be carcinogenic. Conventionally, the emissions are classified into mainstream (MTS), sides tream (STS) and environmental (ETS) tobacco smoke (Brinkman et al, p. 689). Mainstream emissions, formed during active puffing, are sucked directly from the end of the cigarette into the mouth; burn temperatures are up to 1000  °C, so thermal NOx is formed, as well as HCN (hydrogen cyanide) and N-nitrosamines (carcinogenic). Most of the components are generated by a combination of pyrolysis and distillation in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere. Brinkman et al (2002) indicate that â€Å"Indoor benzene concentrations are, respectively, about 50% and 69% higher in smokers homes than in the homes of nonsmokers† (p. 689). Very high concentrations (around 1010 per cm3 of evolved gas) of particles (mode diameter around 0.5 ÃŽ ¼m) are produced. Although these are serious pollutants, they are only inhaled by the smoker. Inhalation of ETS is colloquially known as passive smoking induce effects ranging from eye watering (tearing), increased coughing and phlegm production, allergic reactions through lung cancer to death. There is also evidence for reduced lung function development in children, increased asthma incidence, increased rates of hospitalisation from bronchitis and pneumonia. One study showed that around 17% of lung cancers among non-smokers may be attributed to ETS exposure during childhood. Smoking naturally raises the exhaled concentrations of many substances. Smoking bans will reduce air pollution and improve quali ty of indoor and outdoor air. The facts mentions above prove that smoking bans should be passed in Ohio in order to promote healthy working environment and reduce pollution. Smoking bans will reduce a threat of cancer and diseases caused by smoking. They will protect those people who do not smoke and try to avoid negative impact of smoking on their health. Smoking bans will have a positive impact on economic recourses reducing costs spent on medical insurance and improve productivity. As the most important, they will protect young citizens from negative impact of cigarettes advertising campaigns. Smoking bans will be a part of general policy against pollution and environmental degradation and will help to protect air from contamination.

How Are Coral Reefs Formed

How Are Coral Reefs Formed Reefs are centers of biodiversity, where youll find many types of fish,  invertebrates and other marine life. But did you know that coral reefs are also alive? What Are Coral Reefs? Before learning how reefs form, its helpful to define a reef.  Acoral reef is made up of animals called stony corals. The stony corals are made up of tiny, soft colonial organisms called polyps. Polyps look a lot like a sea anemone, as they are related to these animals. They are invertebrates in the Cnidaria  phylum. In stony corals, the polyp sits within a calyx, or cup that it excretes. This calyx is made of limestone, also known as calcium carbonate. The polyps are interconnected to form a mass of living tissue over the limestone skeleton.  This limestone is why these corals are called stony corals.   How Do Reefs Form? As the polyps live, reproduce, and die, they leave their skeletons behind.  A coral reef is built up by layers of these skeletons covered by living polyps. The polyps reproduce either through fragmentation (when a piece breaks off and new polyps form) or sexual reproduction through spawning. A  reef ecosystem  may be made up of many species of corals.  Healthy reefs are typically colorful, highly biodiverse areas made up of a mishmash of corals and the species that inhabit them, such as fish,  sea turtles, and invertebrates such as  sponges, shrimp, lobsters,  crabs, and  seahorses.  Soft corals, like  sea fans, may be found within a coral reef ecosystem, but do  not build reefs themselves.   The corals on a reef are further cemented together by organisms like coralline algae, and physical processes like waves washing sand into spaces in the reef.   Zooxanthellae In addition to the animals living on and in reefs, the corals themselves host zooxanthellae. Zooxanthellae are single-celled dinoflagellates that conduct  photosynthesis. The zooxanthellae use the waste products of the coral during photosynthesis, and the coral can use the nutrients provided by the zooxanthellae during photosynthesis. Most reef-building corals are located in shallow water where they have plenty of access to the sunlight needed for photosynthesis. The presence of the zooxanthellae helps the reef to thrive and become larger. Some coral reefs are very large. The  Great Barrier Reef, which stretches more than 1,400 miles off the coast of Australia, is the worlds largest reef. 3 Types of Coral Reefs Fringing reefs: These reefs  grow close to the coast in shallow waters.Barrier reefs: Barrier reefs, like the Great Barrier Reef, are large, continuous reefs. They are separated from land by a lagoon.Atolls:  Atolls are ring-shaped and located near the sea surface. They get their shape from growing on top of underwater islands or inactive volcanoes. Threats to Reefs An important part of coral reefs is their calcium carbonate skeleton.  If you follow ocean issues, you know that animals with calcium carbonate skeletons are under stress from ocean acidification  Ocean acidification causes a lowering of the oceans pH, and this makes it difficult for corals and other animals that have calcium carbonate skeletons. Other threats to reefs include pollution from coastal areas, which can affect reef health, coral bleaching due to warming waters, and damage to corals due to construction and tourism. References and Further Information: Coulombe, D.A. 1984. The Seaside Naturalist. Simon Schuster. 246pp.Coral Reef Alliance. Coral Reefs 101. Accessed February 22, 2016.Glynn, P.W. Corals. In  Denny, M.W. and Gaines, S.G. Encyclopedia of Tidepools and Rocky Shores. University of California Press. 705pp.NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program. Coral Anatomy and Structure. Accessed February 22, 2016.

Statistics on Defensive efficiancy for NBA Basketball Research Paper

Statistics on Defensive efficiancy for NBA Basketball - Research Paper Example The records are for 30 top defensive teams. The first team attains two points after a vote while the second team attains a vote following a vote. Test hypothesis This is a methodology used in statistics for the purpose of decision making using the data. This data could be from a planned observational study or a normal study. In reference to statistics, the results for the hypothesis test is termed as statistically significant if the outcome is unlikely to appear by chance only, this is according to the pre-determined probability (threshold), in a significant level. The term significance test was designed by fisher Ronald. Further tests of the kinds may be referred to as significance tests, and when these tests are accessible, we can learn whether the first sample is different from the second. Data confirmatory analysis is another term used to refer to hypothesis testing; this is contrary to data explanatory analysis. Testing statistical hypothesis is very important especially in stat istical inference (Best Joel, 2009). In other terms, this test is similar to a criminal trial; the defendant cannot be termed as guilt before the plaintiff has given supportive information to rule that. In statistics, these includes minor error; both entry and data collection. This is applied just as the prosecutor tries to evaluate the extent of guilt of the defendant. Only after enough evaluation that we can term the data suit for further statistical analysis. The first data is termed as the null hypothesis while the second is called alternative hypothesis. The first data is the one under test. Innocent hypothesis occurs when error is unlikely to occur, but minor analyses are needed because we cannot make assumptions that the data is suit for analysis. Below are the sample mean of the statistical data: The above result acts as a Test Hypotheses for statistical purposes of the data. From a physical analysis of the data, it seems to be ideal for further analytical review. This data avail pairs of data for analysis; in reference to annual results, we can note some reduction in the overall performance among the teams, other comparisons that can be made are also available, that is the game number and the rest. We can also find a mean in reference to the teams, which is the team that had the highest points in the combination of all the six games (Lindley David, 2001). The distribution of variables The available variables are these sets of data are in four pairs. In reference to this data, it is impossible to calculate the standard deviation because the data is quite complex and has many variables and entries where you need to considered more than two entries to get the mean. Standard deviation is calculator able where we are calculating to what extent the entries have deviated to the mean (Best Joel, 2009). From the variable, we can see that we can compare them vertically and horizontally. We can argue on the basis on the mean; the trend seems to increase down the cells among different teams. In this case, we will calculate the standard deviation from the mean of year 2010 for statistical purposes. Analysis for the year 2010 Mean 1.03807 Standard deviation 0.03221 Variance 0.00104 Population standard deviation 0.03167 Variance (population standard deviation) 0.001 (NBA Basketball, 2010) Statistical Inference In statistics, this means the process of designing and drawing conclusions from a specific data. In this, the main objective is to point

Globalization and Healthcare Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Globalization and Healthcare - Essay Example Professions in the field of construction and engineering have greatly contributed in enhancing healthcare research. Engineers ensure that devices used in healthcare are of quality through their role of quality control and inspections. Additionally, medical devices and machineries require frequent maintenances, which is done by engineering technologist. This paper focuses on the role of construction and engineering in globalization of healthcare. Additionally, the paper will analyze how construction and engineering projects affect global healthcare. There are several roles played by construction and engineering professions in enhancing healthcare. Health care professon do not have skill required to design and manufacture healthcare devices and machineries. The healthcare facilities require to be designed and constructed appropriately, which is only possible through the intention of engineers. Additionally, health care providers cannot maintain the machineries as well as the healthcare facilities. The role of engineers is thus crucial for effective operations in the hospitals. For sustainable health care provision, the healthcare providers must partner with professions from construction and engineering. For globalization of healthcare there is need for changes in medical technologies, which are designed, developed and maintained by engineers. Engineering technologists working in the field of research are involved in developing and manufacture of hospital equipment. The equipment could be for conducting experiments, data collection, record keeping, as well as for diagnosis and treatment purposes. Research conducted by engineering technologists aid in designing of new equipment such as computer aided machineries improving healthcare provision. Professions in construction and engineering play the role of designing and construction health care facilities. They ensure that the healthcare facilities are conducive

Friendships with a pinch of salt Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Friendships with a pinch of salt - Essay Example Tobias had been my best friend since fourth grade. He was a bright eyed, blond haired new student who strode into the classroom as if he owned the place. While I tend to be withdrawn, he was confident, sure of himself and would always stand up for what he wanted. Up until now, I had always considered this to be a good trait, today I wasn’t so sure. â€Å"Come on, we’re running late.† He had pulled me into a half-jog; half-sprint and now turned so he was running backwards and grinned at me. The hot pavement was harsh on my bare feet and I grimaced, trying to keep up with him. I was not good at running at the best of times. My breath came in short gasps and I had to brush at my forehead to prevent the sweat from dripping down into my eyes. â€Å"Run faster.† He egged me on. Finally, we stopped and I stood breathing heavily holding the wall up, or perhaps it was holding me. The world swam in front of my eyes and I could vaguely see Tobias standing in front of me looking slightly concerned. â€Å"Hey. Are you alright?† He put his hand on my shoulder and looked at me. I tried to answer him, but it was hard to talk. The words caught in my mouth and it was becoming difficult to breathe, each breath was harder than the one before. I fumbled in my pockets, looking for my inhaler. There were far too many pockets on this pair of shorts, two on each leg, two on the back and another couple of hidden pockets inside other ones.

An Analysis Of The World Film Industry Economics Essay

An Analysis Of The World Film Industry Economics Essay In this research project, the target audience should to be the people working in the film industry. The results might be better validated through consultation with his target group, however, obtaining this data, e.g. via a survey, is problematic, as it is hard to predict the return rates. For this reason, this primary research could not be done. Nevertheless, secondary research will be adapted in this project, and this chapter will still contain the data from some scholars in order to provide some evidence in answer to the research question. It will also contain some data and results from EcoWin. EcoWin is a web-based database that collates a wide variety of financial and economic time series from over 100 different countries. Moreover, the economic concepts used in this project will be the multiplier effects. This is because the multiplier effect is a method by which job opportunities and wealth are created by attracting new industry to an area. It is used to explain the relationships between an industry and the related creation of wealth in the area. It could increase the amount of industries in the area, which would create more jobs and hence wealth and the overall image of an area. 3.1 The Multiplier Effect The multiplier effect can be seen in most industries, and can illustrate the improvement and development of an industry. The multiplier will meet its greatest impact where idle resources exist. The following model (diagram 1) is an example of this theory. It shows how the film industry could affect the economy. Although the film industry has been established in a particular country, it will need to decide whether the film will shoot locally or overseas. Each step will lead to different consequences. For instance, where the film industry decides to shoot a film overseas, it may induce jobs to that country, which will help the country to improve their technology and cultural. Furthermore, this will help them to attract more companies from overseas to invest in their country. This may successfully raise some of the countrys GDP. As seen in Appendix 1, information from the UK council, it was stated that the multiplier effect had helped the UK gain  £425 million in tax revenue and had c ontributed  £1.6 billion to their GDP per year. This shows the significance of the multiplier effect to the economy. Diagram 1 Example of the Multiplier Effect in the Film Industry. Chapter 4. Data Analysis and Results The factors that might affect the economy are categorised as employment, tourism, technology and culture. Taking a film festival or shooting a film as an example, we can compare the unemployment rate during the hosting of the festival and during any other time. This is because the employment rate might only affect the countrys economy within a short period of time. In addition, the tourism, culture and technology elements spillover to the film industry might also affect the local or national economy. India, Korea and Hong Kong are all examples of developing countries that are showing good performance in their film industry. This chapter will compare the results from selected developing countries (India, Hong-Kong) and developed countries (UK, US), to see if there are any similarities and differences between them and why. This chapter will also try to investigate only one film Blood Diamond, released at the end of 2006, because the ranges of the film industry are too big. This film was produced in America but shot in South Africa, so it is a good example for this project to investigate. Furthermore, we will compare the tourism rate before and after the release of the film to see whether there were any affects to the economy. It might be easy for people to find out whether are there any relationship between film industry and the economy. Also, by finding some data of labour income and referring to the multiplier effect (diagram 1), we will draw a timeline of the film industry to see the threshold and investigate and analyse all the process the between developed and developing countries. The result may able to show whether the development of a film industry will help to increase the LDCs economy. 4.1 Developing countries (Hong Kong India) VS Developed Country (US) To find out whether the film industry could help and improve the LDCs economy, we will compare the growth of the film industry in developing countries and a developed country. 4.1.1Hong-Kong India Hong-Kong and India are both developing countries that are performing well in their film industries. Hong-Kongs film production reached its highest levels during the 50s and 60s. However, after the world war, the education of the new generations became more Occidentalising; one of the reasons for this is because traditional Hong-Kong films were not able to meet the audiences taste. Bringing in US films, also bring in their culture and technology. For example, the performed of the new 3D technology from the US in 2009, it had helped to increase the revenue for Hong Kongs film industry. From a report of US Commercial Service (2010), said that the new 3D technology has helped grow Hong-Kongs box office, it had gain US$151.9 million in 2009 which had grown 6.5 percent from 2008. It shows the affect of the USs film industry to the Hong-Kong economy. Moreover, from the Financial Express (2002), it had stated that the India film industry could contribute around RS 50000 crore to their GDP. Bhushan (2010) had also stated that the film industry had contributed $1.5 billion to the Indian economy from 2008-2009. The Website Indiancinema.com (2008) has stated that filmmaking in India may be the best among all developing countries because other countries are more sophisticated in their technologies. Moreover, it also provided evidence  [1]  that the development of the film industry will support the economy. 4.1.2 US UK Nowadays, the US film industry could be considered the most successful, as it has produced such a high number of famous films. Also, the US film industry might have a higher budget for shooting films, because their financial resources are much more abundant compared to others. However, the US film industry was not like this at the beginning, and has undergone a number of development processes. The following shows the impact from film industry to UKs GDP in 2009; it had reinforced the fact that the film industry could affect the economy. Table 1 Summery of Economic contribution of UK film industry 2009. (Source: Oxford Economics) 4.3 Tourism: The inducement of tourism is one of the important factors that the government should pay attention to. Tourism might increase in other countries because of the publics attraction to the films or stars; it will create an incentive for the local economy. For example, the rise of tourism will also cause a rise in production, which may in turn raise the local economy. 4.3.1 South Africa Many scholars have agreed that the film industry might affect the economy by drawing in tourists attracted by the film. Figure 1 shows the total arrivals and departures of foreigners in South Africa. Both the arrivals and departures rates are increasing each year, showing successful development. In early 1986, both rates increased at a slow tempo until 1990, after which they both had a sharp increase. During 1995 and 1997, both rates are growing unstably, showing slight fluctuation. Mongabay (2009) stated that Africas economy had been shaped over many centuries, and started getting better in 1994 because of their new government policies, which also improved the health of their economy and saw a growth in their GDP  [2]  . Figure 1 South Africa: Total Arrivals/Departures of Foreigners. (Source: EcoWin) 4.3.2 America: 4.4 Labor Market: Employment/Unemployment The employment rate might only be significant in the developed world, with no reverent correlation in the third world. Refer to the Multiplier effect (Diagram 2), the exits of film industry will provide jobs for the local, and will induced jobs overseas in short run. The example of a US film Blood Diamond shows that, although the film industry will induce jobs to South Africa this will only apply while the film is shooting. This only shows a small effect on the local economy, unlike the countries that have built their own film studios, like the US, and who will be available to provide long-term employment opportunities. Figure 2 US: Full/Part time/Total Employment. (Source: EcoWin) It is important to note that the national employment rate is not affected by the film industry; however, it will affect the local employment rate temporarily. This is because the employment rate will only be affected while the film is shooting, unless the country builds a film studio in order to apply long-term employment. In other words, the film industry will only have a certain amount of effect in the national labor market. 4.4.1: South Africa: As the film industry may bring in some job opportunities for local people, Figure 5 shows the comparison of total employment and unemployment from 2001 to 2009, while Figure 6 shows the unemployment rate in South Africa. Table 3 in Appendix 3 shows that while the unemployment rate in South Africa in 2006 is at its lowest, the employment also starts to rise. Figure 3 South Africa: Total Employment/Unemployment. (Source: EcoWin) Figure 4 South Africa: Unemployment Rate. (Source: EcoWin) The film industry will be able to affect the employment rate locally in the short run; however, it will be impacting the income rate of the local people in the longer term. As Figure 7 shows below, the income rate is increasing each year; it started to grow faster in 1985, and rose sharply from 2000 to 2006. Relate this to Table 5 in Appendix 3, the income in 2004 is 141167, 156270 in 2005, rising to 193678.5 in 2006. It had increased by 37408.5 from 2005 to 2006, a sharp rise. Part of the reason for this might be that the film Blood Diamond was shooting during this period. It affected the local income gradually. Figure 5 South Africa: Labour Income. (Source: EcoWin) 4.5 Cultural; Culture will show the characteristic of a country and could represent a country in some cases. In the film industry, each country will have different interests in the type of film they produce. For instance, Indian movies will be more likely to contain song and dance but in the US they prefer more a more hi-tech approach. As the song and dance in the movie are already become a feature to Indian film, this is why people had called the Hindi cinema as Bollywood  [3]  . Nowadays, people will recognise Bollywood as producing Indian films and Hollywood as producing American films; this could show the affect of culture. Sometime, the living habits of a country will be reflected in the movie. 4.6 Technology: The improvement of technology will affect the production of the economy and will have the power to affect the national economy as well. Where filmmakers shoot films in other countries, they might bring in some new technology. Or technology will be improved through communicating and competing with other countries. For example Avatar  [4]   in 3D was a novelty to many people around the world and attracted a wide audience, which resulted in high box office profits. US Commercial Service (2010), it has stated that gross revenue of Hong Kongs film industry is expected to expand in the coming years because of the opening of new multiplexes and 3D cinemas, and strong government support If this film had been released in some LDCs, it would have created an awareness and interest of some new technologies amongst the locals, who may not have seen this kind of high technique film before. It would enable let the LDCs to gain knowledge and information by the inducement of technology, or they may decide to use the same techniques used in the film in their own productions. Furthermore, the exchange of technologies between countries will cause a technology spillover. 4.7 Government Policy: Tax With regards to a government helping the film industry through tax relief, Wallack (2008) quoted a report by Massachusetts Film Office showing that when Walt Disney Pictures spent $50 million filming in Massachusetts in 2006, the company received nearly $10 million in credits from the state. The action of the government can affect the growth of the film industry, as shown in the example of tax relief. Moreover, it will be able to encourage local production. The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 included, amongst a myriad of other business tax breaks, a measure to benefit small movie production by allowing full write-off of production costs up to US$15m, at a presumed cost of US$336m. On the other hand, in the early 70s there were loopholes in the US tax system, which caused shooting to exceed budget, which had a negative effect on the economy. Chapter 5. Conclusion Production, consumption and distribution are important in the film industry; these may affect the profits that the country may earn. For instance, if a countrys production levels are high, it may increase their employment rates and distribution and may raise the reputation of the country, which might then increase investment from other countries. Every country will have to face developmental stages, which shows the improvement of each sector in the country. Take the film industry as an example: not every country had cinemas from the very beginning but each started to develop as time went on. The development of the film industry might affect the economy because as people had more social time than working time in the past, they would tend to spend their time watching shows or performances. The increase of globalisation has made the film industry an international commodity. The success of the film industry in Hollywood has always been an objective for most of the countries. However, Rod (1998) argued that there is evidence that the US is losing the comparative advantage in the international media market. This is because of the rise in competition; nowadays most countries have their own productions in the film industry. But most of the film industries in the world were impacted by American filmmaking because it used the highest technology in this field during the films Golden Age . 5.1 Implications of the Study: The purpose of this study was to find out whether the film industry could affect a local economy. If it is a successful pathway, this sector could alert LDC governments to pay more attention to this. 5.2 Limitations of the Research: Not many scholars are focusing on the development of the film industry in a country. There is little data on this, therefore, which will impact the accuracy of this project. Moreover, problems relating to the primary research survey might affect the final result. 5.3 Recommendations for Further Research: The film industry might be one of the sectors that the government should try to pay attention to. While it may not result in large increases to an economy, there are still benefits to be gained. Because of the word limit that applies to this project, it is not possible to cover in detail every question relating to this topic. Further research should firstly focus on whether the film could impact the income in developed countries, if yes, it may be a useful resource for LDCs. Secondly, is the level of development is important in determining, if film is going to affect the national consciousness. In addition, investigation should be made into the measures that could be uses to answer the questions of impact.

The Bluebeard Reference in Jane Eyre :: Charlotte Bronte Jane Eyre Essays

The Bluebeard Reference in Jane Eyre    Within Jane Eyre lies an explicit reference to the tale of Bluebeard. When first exploring the dark hall of Thornfield’s third floor Jane tells us, "I lingered in the long passage to which this led [. . .] with only one little window at the far end, and looking, with its two rows of small black doors all shut, like a corridor in some Bluebeard’s castle" (114; ch. 11). This allusion is not a casual one, for the plot of Jane Eyre has much in common with the tale of Bluebeard. Bronte uses Bluebeard to foreshadow Rochester’s first wife, Bertha, being locked away from society in a hidden room on the third floor. This reference also in part alludes to ideas of women’s obedience and how not following the patriarchal rules of society can lead to punishment. Bertha is isolated from society and held captive in a secret room because she is not the model wife and acts out despite her husband. This relates to Bluebeard because he murders his wives once they become diso bedient. Bertha does die in the end of Bronte’s novel, though not at the hands of her husband. But even being isolated from society and held captive can be viewed as a symbolic death. Also Jane herself is often punished for not following the rules of patriarchal society. Bronte brings this poor treatment of women by society to light in the novel and shows her rejection of it through the characters of Jane and Bertha. The tale of Bluebeard dates back to the seventeenth century. "Bluebeard as we know him first appeared in Paris in 1695 as La Barbe Bleue, in the manuscript version of Charles Perrault’s Histories Ou Contes Du Temps Passe, a collection which has become a seminal influence on the evolution of fairy tale" (Davies 33). The villain of this tale is a man with a blue beard whom everyone fears. After inviting his neighbors to stay and celebrate at his country home in attempts to persuade one of the their daughters to marry him, he convinces the youngest of his widowed neighbor to be his bride. All goes well until the new husband goes away on business, leaving his wife in charge with only one rule, to not open the door of one room in the castle. Of course curiosity overtakes the wife and she enters the room only to find Bluebeard’s previous wives murdered within the chamber. The Bluebeard Reference in Jane Eyre :: Charlotte Bronte Jane Eyre Essays The Bluebeard Reference in Jane Eyre    Within Jane Eyre lies an explicit reference to the tale of Bluebeard. When first exploring the dark hall of Thornfield’s third floor Jane tells us, "I lingered in the long passage to which this led [. . .] with only one little window at the far end, and looking, with its two rows of small black doors all shut, like a corridor in some Bluebeard’s castle" (114; ch. 11). This allusion is not a casual one, for the plot of Jane Eyre has much in common with the tale of Bluebeard. Bronte uses Bluebeard to foreshadow Rochester’s first wife, Bertha, being locked away from society in a hidden room on the third floor. This reference also in part alludes to ideas of women’s obedience and how not following the patriarchal rules of society can lead to punishment. Bertha is isolated from society and held captive in a secret room because she is not the model wife and acts out despite her husband. This relates to Bluebeard because he murders his wives once they become diso bedient. Bertha does die in the end of Bronte’s novel, though not at the hands of her husband. But even being isolated from society and held captive can be viewed as a symbolic death. Also Jane herself is often punished for not following the rules of patriarchal society. Bronte brings this poor treatment of women by society to light in the novel and shows her rejection of it through the characters of Jane and Bertha. The tale of Bluebeard dates back to the seventeenth century. "Bluebeard as we know him first appeared in Paris in 1695 as La Barbe Bleue, in the manuscript version of Charles Perrault’s Histories Ou Contes Du Temps Passe, a collection which has become a seminal influence on the evolution of fairy tale" (Davies 33). The villain of this tale is a man with a blue beard whom everyone fears. After inviting his neighbors to stay and celebrate at his country home in attempts to persuade one of the their daughters to marry him, he convinces the youngest of his widowed neighbor to be his bride. All goes well until the new husband goes away on business, leaving his wife in charge with only one rule, to not open the door of one room in the castle. Of course curiosity overtakes the wife and she enters the room only to find Bluebeard’s previous wives murdered within the chamber.

The Importance of Healthy Eating

The importance of healthy eating and the knowledge that I am not eating properly has impacted the way I look at food, but it has not yet translated into my daily food intake. Because I prefer grains and dairy products, I tend to snack and base my meals on these foods and have not yet added the necessary fruits and vegetables into my diet. According to the basics of the food pyramid (2007), I should be getting 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Because I do not like the texture or taste of these food products, I have not yet increased my intake. Even though I know that increasing these items in my diet will help improve not only my overall dietary requirements, but also improve my nutrient consumption, I have not been able to force myself to eat things that I do not like. Instead, I have chosen to begin taking a multi-vitamin supplement to make certain that I am meeting my nutritional needs. One of the other drawbacks I had noticed in my diet was that I did not consume enough lean mean and beans on a regular basis. I am willing to eat more lean beef and chicken and have improved this some, my protein intakes are still lower than they should be on most days.   Using the pyramid tracker online (2007), I have discovered that my enjoyment of carbohydrates is leading to my exceeding the recommended calorie intake for me and have not been meeting my nutritional needs. One of the things I was surprised by was that I was not getting sufficient fiber. I discovered this was because I was eating white breads and crackers and carbohydrates made from processed grains instead of whole grains. I have been able to rectify this somewhat by simply changing to whole wheat crackers and bread. I have also added peanut butter to my crackers as a mid-morning snack and added another glass of milk with my crackers to make certain that I am meeting my dietary dairy needs. Because of this class, I am more aware of my food choices and have made a conscious effort to include more of the fruits into my diet. I had hoped at the beginning of the class that I would be able to modify my eating schedule and add fruits as a form of breakfast. I have not yet been able to do this. I am considering purchasing fruit juice to keep as a drink; Even if I only drink a few ounces of juice, this would be an improvement in that I don’t eat breakfast at all currently and I consume too few fruits. As I do not like vegetables in general, I am also considering the possibility of juices like V8 which are fortified with vegetables. Though I dislike this flavor as well, it avoids the texture issue I have with eating vegetables and it means I can reach my recommended daily allowance of vegetables without having to actually eat them. Furthermore, I have decided to keep baby carrots as a snack and attempt to eat them instead of crackers at some snack times in an effort to increase my vegetable consumption. I have also tried sliced apples with peanut butter as a snack to increase both my fruit consumption and my protein consumption. I have not particularly enjoyed these snack changes and have found that I fall easily back into my old eating patterns. Because I prefer grains and dairy, I have found that my fat and cholesterol intake are not terribly high, but neither is my nutrition (Tracker, 2007). Switching to whole grains has improved my fiber intake and because many grains are fortified, I am making inroads toward meeting my nutritional needs. I am currently doing so via taking a multi-vitamin, but because of this class, I am aware that it is much healthier to get my vitamins through food instead of pills. As such, I am trying to modify my diet to eat more iron-rich foods including red meat and vegetables, but I find that eating vegetables is very difficult. I have managed to force myself to begin eating smaller meals more frequently as a way to manage hunger and blood sugar levels, preventing binge eating and over-eating. I am hoping that these modifications to my diet will help to improve my overall energy levels and health. I have also been trying to get more exercise on the weekends as a means of improving my overall health and controlling weight gain. Based on my analysis of my diet and activity levels at the beginning of the class, it is clear that I have been gaining weight regularly because I take in almost 700 calories per day more than is recommended for me. Furthermore,   my lifestyle is more sedentary than even I realized and that contributes to both my lack of energy and my weight gain. Through the week I get some exercise via work, including a lot of walking, but on the weekends when I am largely devoted to my studies, my time is spent mostly working on a computer and studying. Neither of those activities use significant amounts of calories and help me to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Recently, to combat this I have begun taking a break every three to four hours from studying or other leisure activities on the weekend and going for a short walk. The 15 minutes walk helps reenergize me and clear my mind for the next bout of studying. I am also hoping that as I continue to do this I will be able to significantly increase my energy levels so that I do not feel so drained when I come in from work at night. I sued to enjoying working out with weights and believe that I could enjoy this again if I could simply motivate myself to go. Usually, by the time I am finished with a day’s work, I am more interested in relaxing than worrying about my health and fitness level. As I am not a morning person, the idea of getting to the gym before work in the morning is out of the question. Instead, I have decided to try to add a relaxing stroll either on my lunch hour or after dinner in the evenings as a way of increasing my overall fitness. I believe that improving my base fitness levels will lead to more energy and more desire to continue to increase my level of activity. As it stands now, I rarely get anything more than light activity and then only in short bursts. I believe that based on the things we have learned, if I increase each of those activities each day, I will soon be to the point where I can add moderate activity at least a few days a week. The most important things I have learned from this class is an eyes-open evaluation of my life. While I have not chosen yet to modify my lifestyle to what it needs to be, I am aware now of my failings and what steps will need to be taken to improve my lifestyle. I realize that my low energy levels are caused by my eating schedule and poor nutrition and that by improving what and when I eat, I can give myself more energy and be more active. I realize that every time I choose inaction over action I allow my body to become less fit and that fitness contributes to energy levels. I have found the resources, via the food pyramid and pyramid tracker on line to keep daily records and evaluate my progress. In short, this class has given me the tools necessary to live a healthy life and now I simply need to motivate myself to do it. List of References http://fnic.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=4&tax_level=2&tax_subject=256&topic_id=1342, USDA Food & Nutrition Information Center, June 17, 2007. www.myfoodpyramid.gov, June 17, 2007. www.mypyrmaidtracker.gov , June 17, 2007.

Drugs in Sport Essays

Drugs in Sport Essays Drugs in Sport Essay Drugs in Sport Essay Essay Topic: 8th Grade Sport is so much a part of daily life for so many Australians. An Australian child is brought up to idolise their sporting heroes and to pursue the sport itself. It is devastating to think that maybe our sporting heroes are cheats. Today students are being pressured to perform at higher levels to make the first team, representative side or a sporting scholarship at a Greater Public Schools (GPS) which then could lead to the opportunity to make a break into the professional sporting teams.With the increase of drug use young players start thinking that taking performance enhancing drugs is necessary to ‘make it’. The competition in sports is so fierce it amounts to a huge build up on players and teams to perform, including the pressure from big business asking for ‘more’ because the more the players can give and entertain crowds means that demand for the game will rise which in turn means more money at the gates. The power and influence of Australian sport can be seen in its net worth â€Å"Sport in Australia generated a net income of $8. billion in 2004/2005†. The organisations that are running ‘Game Day’ have only one objective and that is to keep the broadcaster and punters happy and paying money, if this happens the businesses are happy. This is a vicious cycle for agencies who are trying to stop drug doping in sport, because businesses are so money hungry they feel no need to invest in the athletes welfare. More testing needs to be implemented for GPS athletes and they need to be educated that you can still be the best without cheating.Currently no Anti-doping policy exists in Toowoomba Grammar or the GPS schools, the purpose of this document is to outline the need for an Anti-doping policy and make some practical suggestions. Within the last year the Australian Crime Commission has had some major findings involving the use of prohibited substances such a peptides, growth hormones, and ill icit drugs, they now know that these drugs are wide spread throughout Australian sport, Ex-ASADA chairman Richard Ings says â€Å"its the blackest day in Australian sport†. Sports are constantly changing because of the improved ability, performance and technology that have been developed.Take Rugby Union as an example, rules are constantly modified each year and the use of technology in training and equipment has advanced dramatically to improve players performance on and off the field. Doping in sport is also constantly changing within the sports to become more and more advanced and easier to consume but harder to trace. It is a continual race against the agencies who are trying to stop drug use and the sellers. Where do we draw the line for performance enhancing ? There are similarities between the new technologies and training methods, and what drugs can achieve.Such as training at altitude or taking erythropoietin. Some of these differences will also remain arguable, but with improved technology laboratories are catching up with the dopers to find the ‘cheats’. There are many different methods to detect drugs that have been introduced into the body, they can be detected in urine, blood, other body fluids, and in hair. The most commonly used test is urinalysis. Athletes are asked for a sample of urine, a supervisor will watch and collect the sample to eliminate the chance of a sample switch.Chemical tests are then carried out on the urine sample which will then determine the presence of an illegal drug itself or the chemical produced during the breakdown of the drug in the body. With an increase in the number of hi-tech laboratories they are able to test a number of samples in different ways to gain the most accurate reading. Also more players being able to be tested will give the most accurate results. This has had a number of positive outcomes, but it is still believed that this is a poor indicator as to how prevalent doping actually i s.The recognition of those elite athletes that have tested positive does not mean that the ‘war on doping’ is being won because it is impossible to estimate how many athletes are actually still taking drugs but getting away with it. There are many different drug agencies trying to stop the use of these illicit substances, organizations such as Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)and Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) have many different anti-doping policies to prevent drug use in elite sport.As well as the Australian Crime Commission who are out trying to prevent substances getting into Australia’s top sports, but none of them concentrate on the issue of drugs within school sport. The following document will present a number of recommendations about anti-doping that could be adopted into the GPS sporting competitions which is one of Queensland’s major school sporting competitions. I believe that th e neglect towards drug testing will lead to further drug use in the future and the continual development of new drugs will compound this issue in professional sport.It is very important to introduce the anti-doping policy into the GPS system so that our future generations will be prevented from drug use before they get into elite sport. Pressure to perform and succeed is one of the main causes of using banned substances, pressure such as making the first team or for the team to be more competitive within the GPS competition. This is taken very seriously throughout the 9 schools, also the hand out of school scholarships to outstanding players in their sporting field or even social factors like body image.There is decent evidence that schools are being affected by drugs, such as the incident that that occurred at the Nudgee College campus, Nudgee is a part of the GPS and is one of the state’s elite sporting schools. On Tuesday (30th April 2013) â€Å"Two students at St Josephà ¢â‚¬â„¢s Nudgee College, aged 16 and 17, were arrested on Tuesday on charges of possession and supply of steroids. Both were expelled. – College Principal Daryl Hanly said the arrests were not linked to the school’s highly-touted athletic program. This example of the presence of drugs within such a notable school shows us how the schools actually deal with drugs, even though the Principal says that the drugs are not linked to the school’s athletic program and that the boys consuming the drugs were purely for body image to further their underwear modelling career. Because there has been some use of drugs within a school there must be action by ASADA, highlighting the need to introduce school sports into their anti-doping policy and investigations. At the moment the only measures in place is that of School Sports Australia saying. School Sport Australia condemns the use of any prohibited substances and methods in sport by students participating in its programs as it is contrary to the ethics of sport and potentially harmful to the health of athletes†. There is nothing towards investigating whether the teams are using drugs or not, School Sports Australia are saying no, but that is not enough an assumption can be made from the evidence provided that students are out there using illicit drugs to enhance their performance and are not being found out.If any Anti-Doping policies were to be put in place in the GPS I believe there are two main recommendations that I consider essential to an Anti-Doping Policy. The first recommendation that should be considered when introducing an Anti-Doping policy into the GPS of Queensland should be drug testing. I believe it should follow along the same lines as Australian Sports Commission Anti-Doping Policy. Testing Procedure: Testing should only apply to athletes that have been selected to compete in a State Representative team for all GPS sports like Rugby, Swimming, and Athletics.Each athlete must com plete a medical declaration that states all prescribed drugs, counter medications, and supplements taken over the last week. Officials need to recognise if any of the substances are on the prohibited list, and ensure the athlete holds a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). This form is then signed by the athlete, coach and official and each are given a copy of the declaration. The athletes must agree to submit and comply with testing by an Anti-Doping Organisation, this may be a urine, blood, other body fluids, and hair.Athletes will be tested only once parents have been notified, testing will then take place in the presence of the sports coach at any time. Samples collected will be laboratory tested under the same Policy as the Australian Sports Commission. If any tests are positive they notify School Sport Australia and they will impose their penalties which can be found in there Student Behaviour Team Management Procedures. Penalties which may include being banned from GPS sport, but the school will make the decision as to whether the student will be expelled or not.The second recommendation that should be considered when introducing an Anti-Doping policy should be aimed towards creating awareness in schools through education. All Students from Year 8 to Year 12 must have a class during the sporting season. Athletes that are selected into the GPS teams must be re-educated. Education: All GPS schools must meet and agree on an Anti-Doping curriculum content and implementation time table. The curriculum must include the awareness of: * The health risks involved in drug use Cheating and by taking drugs you are gaining an unfair advantage * The consequence of being caught doping I will use the Individual level of Figueroa’s framework to justify why I have considered testing procedures as one my recommendations that need to be in place for GPS schools. The individual level is very personalised and involves our own attitudes, values and beliefs. The factors tha t influence a student to take drugs at the individual level is pressure to perform at a high level. They become targeted by the dealers and the access to drugs becomes more prevalent.To use the Cranbrook School boy as an example, he knowingly took steroids but because there were no anti-doping testing procedures in place he then thought that it was fine to be a cheat, because he didn’t believe he would get caught. If all young sportsmen were randomly being tested and they knew from the first declaration form that they signed that what they are taking is or isn’t prohibited. This will eliminate taking drugs. The first recommendation will not rid us of the pressure or accessibility but more so deter from such factors.It does not seem very stereotypical for a GPS student to be taking drugs for it goes against all GPS schools beliefs and culture of sportsmanship and honesty. This is why I have chosen my second recommendation to be education. The Cultural level of Figueroaà ¢â‚¬â„¢s framework is concerned with the assumptions, norms and values within the GPS culture, as I have mentioned before the stereotypical GPS student when educated with the recommendation in place would have been taught to say no to drugs and doping, hence reinforcing the schools moral values.Supported by the recent press article, â€Å"Schools urged to spell out risks of sports drugs† The Age May 18 2013. The reasoning behind selecting only the athletes that made a representative side comes down to cost, and effort. It would be too difficult to test every student who makes a firsts side and it would cost too much and the extensive paper work would be too much for any sports administrator. By educating all grades from years 8-12 it fills in the gaps of the first recommendation.Gymnastics is said to be the ‘clean sport’ having only 3 Olympic doping cases, all of which have said to be accidental where the gymnast has taken medication unknown to the fact that they are a banned substance. I believe that the gymnastics have such little doping cases because â€Å"98 percent of the athlete members are under 18 years of age. † Because of the younger age, gymnasts coaches have to go through a criminal background check to be allowed to coach, and parents are much more involved in the gymnasts sporting decisions. â€Å"parents are to be given the highest degree of onfidence that their children are not only receiving good care and proper instruction, but also are safe from negative and improper conduct. † With the amount of care that is given to the gymnasts it shows that the constant cycle between parents and coaches reduces the amount of doping in the sport. In my experience in school sport I can say that this relationship between parents and coaches also exists, with the coaches usually being teachers who have all been through background checks to get the job at the prestigiious GPS school.So why are we still seeing drugs used in sch ools? I have confidence that the reason for this is because there is no testing in place and their athletes are not scared or threatened about the risk of taking the drugs because they feel they won’t get caught. School athletes are also unaware. As a student I have not been lectured about drugs in sport and I am unaware of the consequences and risks of taking drugs. I believe the two recommendations I have made, implementing a testing procedure and educating students should be introduced at Toowoomba Grammar School and all GPS schools.Through greater awareness of the moral values together with a serious threat of being caught through testing and the resultant penalties, drug use at school will be prevented. I believe if students from Year 8 start to learn that taking performance enhancing drugs is wrong then by the time they have reached a professional level they are very aware of the policies and less inclined to use drugs and suffer the consequences. Alarming statistics su ch as these quoted below form research conducted in America would be prevented with the adoption of the proposed recommendations. Monitoring the Future† study revealed that there has been a significant rise in the number of  steroids  among the school age children community from 1991-2002. In this survey, 22 percent of 8th graders, 33. 2 percent of 10th graders, and 46. 1 percent of 12th graders said that it is â€Å"fairly easy† for them to obtain  steroids.

SAT Practice Tests How to Reflect and Get the Most Out of Them

SAT Practice Tests How to Reflect and Get the Most Out of Them SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Taking an SAT practice test is one thing, and using the results to actually improve your scores in the future is another. If you’re spending five hours on a practice test, you should make sure that you’re getting the most out of it and not sweeping your mistakes under the rug. In this article, I’ll give you some different strategies for making your practice test sessions count. Mistakes on Practice Tests: What They Look Like and Why They're Important After taking a practice test, it’s extremely important to look back at the questions you answered incorrectly and make assessments about which areas need the most improvement. You’re not going to be able to raise your SAT scores until you get to the bottom of what’s holding you back. Through evaluating your mistakes and fixing them methodically, you can make dramatic changes to your performance on the test. Most mistakes on the SATwill fall into one of four categories: Ran Out of Time Basically, this applies to questions that you missed because you didn’t get to them or you just guessed randomly at the end.If you end up with a lot of these types of mistakes, you'll need to revise some of your strategies for test taking.See our articles on how to stop running out of time on SAT Reading and SAT Math for advice. Content Weakness This type of mistake means that you didn’t understand the underlying concept that was being tested.This will come up most frequently on the math section.These mistakes can be broken down into more specific categories like â€Å"confusion about factoring† so that you know exactly which materials you need to study to improve your weak areas. Misunderstanding the Question This is a mistake where the phrasing of a question confused you and prompted you to answer incorrectly.These are tricky mistakes to fix, but it’s important to pay attention to them.Usually misunderstandings can be at least partially remedied by practice with the format of the test and greater familiarity with the types of questions that the SAT likes to ask. Careless Mistakes These are the mistakes you made that seem absurd in hindsight.You might have missed a â€Å"NOT† or an â€Å"EXCEPT† in a question, or you might have solved for the wrong value in a math problem.Usually these mistakes are a result of not reading carefully enough and letting your anxiety get the best of you. All of these mistakes can be remedied if you acknowledge them and adjust your study strategies appropriately. In the next section, I'll give you some tips on how to reflect on the results of practice tests by categorizing your mistakes and fixing them methodically. It's corny, but it's true. How to Understand and Reflect on Practice Test Mistakes Depending on how much time you have, you might use different strategies to reflect on your mistakes on practice tests. If You Have 20-40 Hours to Prep: You’re going to need to work fast to fix your mistakes, so you might not have time to get into the deeper issues you have with content weaknesses.After you take an initial practice test, you should see if you noticed any obvious areas of weakness. If you noticed that running out of time was a big issue, you might need to pace yourself better next time you take the test.Most of the time, this just means skipping difficult questions when you start to spend too much time on them (more than 30 seconds). Answer all the more straightforward questions first, and then go back and work on the hard ones so you don't miss out on any easy points at the end of the section. If you made a lot of careless mistakes, you should remind yourself to read the questions more carefully next time and check your answers at the end of each section.Careless mistakes sometimes mean you're rushing too much, so you may need to remind yourself to slow down a little and think through each question thoroughly before answering. If you notice some relatively superficial content weaknesses, you may be able to study up on those and fix them, but if you’re confused about a big topic area it’s best to just focus on more easily fixable problems in the short time you have before the test. After you spend four hours or so analyzing your mistakes, adjusting your strategies to account for them, and doing relevant practice questions, you cantake another test and see how you do.Repeat the same process of fixing your mistakes with the second practice test, and then take a third and final practice test when you’re done.If you have a little more time and you've noticed that you're improving significantly (by 50 to 100 points) with each new practice test, you can repeat the process again before your real test date. If You Have 40-100 Hours to Prep: If you have this much time, you can do a complete analysis of your mistakes on practice tests. First, take an initial practice test to get a baseline reading on your scores.After you finish scoring the test, you should go back through all of the questions that you answered incorrectly and categorize them based on the types of mistakes I mentioned in the previous section. Once you’ve categorized all of your mistakes, you can rank your areas of weakness from most frequently observed to least. This will allow you to get a better sense of where most of your mistakes are coming from and which areas need the most work. Then, you can start fixing things in order of which mistakes will respond the fastest to corrective prep measures.Usually, this means starting with content weakness since these mistakes can be fixed simply by studying up on the material you don’t know. They have the least to do with the format of the test itself, so they will respond more quickly to your studying efforts.Then, you can move on to formulating better strategies for coping with issues like time pressure and careless mistakes. After you’ve done a thorough assessment of your mistakes and corrected the most glaring problems you noticed, you should take another practice test to see whether you've improved.If you notice significant improvements, you can do another assessment to reevaluate your mistakes and shoot for even higher goals.If not, you should reconsider the manner in which you addressed your mistakes initially and see if you need to push your studying further and do more practice questions in order to break through to a higher score. Repeat the process of taking practice tests and assessing your mistakes until you reach a score level that makes you happy. You can consult this guide for advice on calculating a good target score for your needs.You might also decide to adjust your study time between practice tests to accommodate your personal level of focus and learning style. Taking a practice test is like sending out a crash test dummy for your SAT scores. When you reach your target score, you're safe to drive on the real SAT. Smart Practice Testing Strategies (Based on Your Score Level) In order to make the most out of each of your practice tests, you'll have to use test-taking strategies that work to your advantage. Many improvements are dependent on adjusting your strategy, especially when it comes to issues with running out of time and careless mistakes. The most effective strategies may differ depending on how well you’re currently scoring on the SAT. Crucial Tips for Taking a Practice Test, Regardless of Your Score Level: Stick to the real time constraints Take the test in a quiet, distraction-free environment Only use the materials you will have access to on the real test These tips are important because if you take practice tests with a longer time allotment or with more resources that you'll have on the real test, you won't get a realistic prediction ofyour performance. This will only hurt you in the long run when you end up getting scores that are lower than you expected on the actual SAT. Below are some more specific strategies for high and low scorers. I've divided the strategies this way because high and low scorers on the SAT often have very different needs. Low scorers may be able to afford to skip difficult questions completely, whereas high scorers need to try and answer most if not all of the questions in each section. People at different score levels also tend to make different types of mistakes, which I'll get into in a minute. You would be considered a high scorer if you're consistently scoring an 1800 or higher on practice tests. You would be considered a low scorer if you're consistently scoring a 1500 or lower. For High Scorers: You should approach the test with an eye towards avoiding careless mistakes and preventing yourself from rushing on complex questions.Careless mistakes are usually more common for high scorers.Students who are already doing well on the SAT tend to rush through sections and not take â€Å"easy† questions as seriously, so they end up missing things. Glance at the time now and then to make sure you’re pacing yourself appropriately. You should also be sure to double check your work at the end of each section; you can catch a lot of silly errors if you make a habit of doing this. For Low Scorers: The best strategy for taking practice tests if you’re scoring low on the SAT is to takea quick pass through each section initially and answer all of the easy questions first.This ensures that you won’t run out of time before you get to all the questions that you have the potential to answer correctly.After you finish answering all of the easy questions, you can go back through and spend more time on medium difficulty questions while feeling less pressured to get through the rest of the section. Using these strategies will help you to maximize your score and reduce mistakes progressively on each practice test. You'll be teaching yourself valuable skills for avoiding unnecessary pitfalls on the real test and increasing your familiarity with question types and test content along the way. It might be slow going at first, but with lots of practice you can make big positive changes in your scores. What's Next? Looking for some alternate SAT prep resources? Check out our article on the best websites to use for SAT prep. If you're not sure how much you need to prepare for the SAT, this guide will tell you how long you should be studying for the test based on your goals. You should also take a look at our SAT study plans for sophomore and junior year and for the summer before senior year. Disappointed with your scores? Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points?We've written a guide about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now: