Saturday, August 31, 2019

Health care challenges Essay

Our country is set to face a new way of managing health which could potentially change the environment on how nurses deliver care. As our nation prepares for the implementation of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, nursing as a healing profession has to be open to what the future of health management holds. The goal is to have all registered nurses reach a high level of understanding and acquire tools necessary to provide the best possible way at a low cost. It is both moral and professional obligation of our leaders to ensure that highly competent and well trained nurses are available throughout this transition. To achieve this goal, nurse educators are the key players to train both novice and seasoned nurses to the change based on the new policies and evidence-based research. However, our Nurse Educators are overwhelmed with their current workload hence causing faculty shortage in the country. A recent study published on 2011 aimed to explore the relation of nursing faculty shortage to their workload, determine if there are evidences that the faculty workload is not equitable and the implication/effect to the nursing research and nursing academic. According to this study, there are multiple factors that influence the nursing faculty shortage such as lack of interest from the nurses to try academic careers, time spends to clinical practice defers pursuance into academic positions, low salaries, high educational costs, nursing education dissatisfaction and most importantly low institutional funding for additional nurse educator positions. Nancy Falk stated in her article that â€Å"despite current critical shortage and growing demand for nurses and nurse educators, federal funding falls far short of addressing these healthcare workforce challenges. Workforce projections suggest that the US will face a shortage of 285,000 nurses by 2015 and 500, 000 by 2025.† (Mason, Leavitt & Chaffee, 2012, p 58). Also, American Association Colleges of Nursing reported on 2011-2012, that nursing schools turned away 75,587 applicants who are qualified for baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs because of inadequate nursing faculty including clinical preceptors. These challenges ultimately impact the future of patient care if not addressed. Faculty leaders must work in partnership to create a strategy that will help prevent further faculty shortage by focusing on balanced faculty workload to avoid burnout. This article emphasized on the continuous support by government officials especially adequate funding to nursing education. AACN is allocating its resources to protect federal funding for academic development programs, identify strategies to prevent nursing educator shortage. Additional solution is to create a mentorship program for nurse faculty. This strategy was confirmed by various literature and studies to promote nursing faculty recruitment and retention. Mentorship brings encouragement and direction to clinical educators who are new to the role and prevent burnout. Health care system will be lost without nurses in our society. Statistic shows that there are currently 2.9 million nurses in the United States but nurses with special skills such as in education is extremely needed. Nurse Educators, in some ways, affect the lives of everyone. It is through this role where highly competent, compassionate healers such as nurses are produced. â€Å"The future of the nursing profession depends on a steady supply of nurses to provide the quality care to patients† (Cowen & Moorhead, 2011, p. 60)

Amazom

Part 1 Amazon. com is a popular and well-known multinational E-commerce company in the world, based in United State and expended the retail web site in United Kingdom on 15th October 1998 (D Brown, 2008), which composes of buying and selling products or services through internet and another essential computer network systems. Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon claimed that a company can be resilient is made by focusing on the customer (Zach, article, 2013).Obviously, customer centricity (Mark, YouTube, 2009) is the tenet that Amazon is working on, which is the strongest key to raise the global prominence and earn the credits from their consumers and suppliers. By reaching the goal of customer satisfactions, Amazon divided their internal operation aim into five main parts of components to ensure that they have delivered what consumer needs, which is controlled by Lean system combined with the efficiency of Six Sigma system (Andrew, 2009, Mark, YouTube, 2013) and Pull system to shor ten the time of operation and focus on identifying the needs of customer or place order to co-sourced.After that, both of them will send the parcel to Royal Mail or commercial courier after certificated and packed by Total Quality Management system (TQM) (Nigel, Alistair, Robert, 2011) and ABC Warehousing system (Jay, Barry, 2008) respectively. The first one is provide an easy purchase process and platform to customer that contain a user-friendly web page and mobile â€Å"app† (Annual report, legal proceeding, 2013) with clear catalogues, simple order and payment procedure to reduce the time of procurement.Second one is offer a wide range of goods selection (Annual report, Overview, 2013) from all over the world to fulfill different type of customer needs. Pricing management (Annual report, consumer, 2013) is also another important element; it can separate into two parts that are internal and external. Internal is the price of products that tempted the consumers with lowest p ossible price, which is operated by Amazon. External part is postage, Amazon provide Prime and Supersaver to lower the cost of shipment (Annual report, consumer, 2013) to their customers, but the delivery part is still handling by Royal mail or other logistic company.The next component is quality (Annual report, 2013) of the products that they have a set of quality level to decrease the defect or product return. The last one is efficiency (Annual report, 2013), sequence the duration of the operation from the order placed until ship out the parcel. In the meantime, Drop Shipping (Annual report, 2013) is providing by some of the vendors of Amazon to shorten to procedure. Furthermore, the speed of problem solving is fast since Amazon is using E-mail and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) (Nigel, Alistair, Robert, 2011) to communicate with their customer and vendors.Amazon is performed well in the internal supply chain system, yet there still have some conundrum appear frequently such as the unpredictable delivery time, delivery address label and document missed (Cathrin, 2007), postmen did not even knock their door to save time when deliver (Andrew B, 2012), no one response during long holiday (G. Charlton, 2013), ignore the request from customers (A. Jones, 2011) and customer needs to postpone the shipping time (M. Lewis, 2011). Here also have some customer reviews as following that had experience of online shopping.Fiona blamed that she got her parcel a year late (Andrew B, 2012). Tony Rudder said that he had been waiting a package for a whole day in his house, but he just discovered a little note on the floor saying that they tried to delivery his parcel at the end (Andrew B, 2012). Richard Wilding claimed that his parcel was founded about half a mile away from his house few weeks later (Andrew B, 2012). The above customers’ reviews showed that the system of delivery is existence some significant factor that infuriating their customers and also losing th e confidence from the consumers.According to the research studies, since the whole system of Amazon is complex and unsure with people involved such as unpredictable human being of psychological issues that may affect the outcome, so that, Soft System Methodology (SSM) (Checkland, 1999) with tools CATWOE, â€Å"Rich Picture† and Root Definition will be the ideal way to apply in this case. As shown in the â€Å"Rich Picture† (Figure 1), it indicated that once the computer system received the order from customer, it directly assign to the distribution center.But then, there has a blockage appear between the logistic part and customers after Amazon passed the parcel to Royal Mail or other commercial couriers, it is because of customer is unable to predict and check the exact arrive time of the parcel by themselves. Moreover, when customer tries to contact with the customer service of Amazon, the staff may not answer immediately due to the part of delivery is not under thei r control. With the reviews and tools of CATWOE (Appendix 1), Root Definition will be formed. Amazon owned system operated by staffs of Amazon that supports since received order from customer to parcel delivered.All goods need to passed a standard quality control in order to provide a quality products and also with good service of delivery on time, while recognizing the constraints of the barriers of third party logistic company. Concluded with the analysis of delivery conundrum of Amazon, we found that they should strengthen the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) (Andrew, 2009) to achieve the objective of delivery service to meet customer expectation. Besides, cooperate with a logistic company that operated with good Technology Management (TM) (Jay, Barry, 2008) with new IT system to enhance the value of delivery.To begin with the whole delivery process, three best delivery dates and time selected by customers should be added in the purchase procedure. Secondly, use GPS (eCouri er, 2013) real time tracking system to monitor the parcel once it passed to the logistic company; let customers check with their smartphone. In the meanwhile, the computing system will send a pre-delivery alert SMSy (Whitepapers) and 1 hour before the parcel arrive reminder to the customer that make sure the parcel can be well delivered.The other advantage would be allowing customer to rearrange the delivery time with SMS (Whitepapers). At last, use a PIN code (The iBin, 2013) to identify the parcel delivered to the right person. Figure 1 CATWOE of Amazon Customers| Customer/ Buyer| Actors| Staff of Amazon| Transformation process| Received order from customer transformed into parcel delivered| World View| Parcel delivered means ensured that customer received a quality products which passed the standard control and good service of delivery. | Owner| Amazon| Environment constraints| Barriers by the third party logistic company|

Friday, August 30, 2019

Benefits of eating dark chocolate Essay

Although it seems too good to be true, dark chocolate can actually be good for you! Despite the fact that sweets are not the healthiest food in the world, dark chocolate, when consumed in moderation, has some powerful benefits, not only for the mood, but also for the body. However, only dark chocolate is beneficial for health, not white, semi-sweet, milk or any other type of chocolate. Most people think that everything chocolate-related is unhealthy and they always feel guilty after eating chocolate, even though it makes them feel happier. After eating dark chocolate you will feel the feeling of falling in love. In fact, it stimulates the production of endorphins, chemicals in the brain that bring on feelings of pleasure. Happiness may be a bite away, you just need some delicious dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is good for the body. The darker the chocolate is, the less sugar will contain. Eating a small amount of dark chocolate two or three times each week can help lower your blood pressure and it increases blood flow to the brain as well as to the heart, so it can help improve cognitive function. Dark chocolate also helps combat beauty’s public enemy number one: Stress. Less stress hormones mean less collagen breakdown in the skin, so fewer wrinkles. Chocolate can surely provide some powerful health benefits. Of course this does not mean that people should consume lots of chocolate every day. Therefore eat a square or two after dinner and enjoy the awesome taste without feeling guilty.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Undecided Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Undecided - Research Paper Example Kate Choplin and Henrick Ibsen tried to depict sensitive, smart women who are not satisfied with their second roles in the man`s world. Kate Choplin`s feminist novels were forgotten after her death as they could not find their reader in her time. But activation of feminist movement in the second half of the 20th century let the readers and the critics see her works in a new light. Chopin’s literature gift, her sophisticated manner of writing influenced by French novelists, and her dedication to social, racial and gender problems were highly evaluated buy new generation of readership. Moreover, her attention to details became a characteristic feature of Choplin`s prose. In â€Å"The story of an Hour† Kate Choplin`s explores marriage from an unexpected perspective. A young woman is told that her husband died in the railroad disaster. Relatives and friends try to present the news in the most delicate way, however the woman goes to her room to be left alone. Here she realizes that death of her husband brought her not only grief but unexpected freedom and relief. Now she can live for herself and be the only mistress of her body and soul. Choplin depicts the woman who perceived marriage devoid of pure love and intimacy as obligation. Such attitude to marriage was typical to the à ©poque but not much attention was drawn to the emotional and psychological state of women in such relationships. To emphasize the degree to which the heroine`s emotions were suppressed Choplin â€Å"kills† her, and explains her death by the sense of happiness. Thus, the author was among the first writers who encouraged women to understand their real emotions and value body and soul freedom above all. In her story â€Å"Desiree`s Baby† Choplin speaks of even more controversial topics- gender and racial discrimination. A beautiful girl abandoned by her parents is raised in the house of noble French Creoles is the principal character of the story. She falls

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Cross-cultural Conflicts and Leadership for Managing Conflict Essay

Cross-cultural Conflicts and Leadership for Managing Conflict - Essay Example nment will look briefly at some of the common roots of cross-cultural conflict in global organizations, determine their causes as cited by experts, and consider whether it is possible to mitigate the causes before the conflicts occur. The common roots of cross-cultural conflicts include language differences or misunderstandings in communication, differences of perspectives due to different cultural values and outlooks etc. The way in which messages are communicated is also important as two opposing communication styles can create conflict. For example, American are usually more blunt or direct in communication, preferring to ‘cut to the chase’ whereas in many Asian cultures people are often less blunt and may be perceived by Americans as ‘beating around the bush’ (Ford, 2001). The unfamiliarity with other cultures also leads to people tending to stereotype â€Å"to fill in missing information† (McShane, 2004: 394). Another fundamental cause is the individualist-collectivist divide i.e. both perceive and deal with conflict itself very differently. Direct confrontational conflicts are less likely to occur in collectivist cultures because group commitment, conformity and harmony are greater priorities than for individualists (Carsten, 2007: 28). However, this does not mean that ‘tensions’ do not exist that can affect individual morale and performance. In terms of perceiving the nature of conflict, the realist conception sees it as competition between individuals and groups over incompatible goals or scarce resources, whilst the constructivist conception puts it down to â€Å"divergent perceptions or beliefs about the nature of the situation, the other party or oneself† (Kevin, 2004). In practice, combinations of the two underlying factors may be at play i.e. ‘mixed motives’. Before taking steps to merge or acquire foreign companies for example, the two cultures must be analysed for compatibility. For single multicultural organization interested in

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Operational Decision Making Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Operational Decision Making - Research Paper Example The corporation’s core mission encompasses focusing on availing quality products and services in its specialized field not only nationally level but also globally (â€Å"ADNOC†). Description of Operations In quest to attain its varied final products, the company utilizes the present’ sophisticated technological knowhow in drilling crude oil and gas from its 100 wells nationally (â€Å"ADNOC†). The company contrary to when its capacity was 2.7 million bbl per day in 2000 now has tremendously increased whereby currently it is twenty one million bbl per day, hence making the state being among the leading players in the market (Wildcat Publishing 56). After drilling, transportation of raw materials - mainly crude oil and natural gas from the wells is by pipelines to the refineries (â€Å"ADNOC†). This is where real cracking of raw materials usually takes place to lighter products essential in other industries. Main inputs, which the company relies on in clude, 1. Crude oil In refineries, this raw material usually undergoes fractional distillation to obtain lighter and good quality products that are essential in diverse retail corporations. These include kerosene, diesel, petrol and in lighter or top chambers of the fractionating equipment comprise only cooking gases. 2. Associated gas Process entailed in handling or refining this form of raw material is extremely complex. Mainly, it encompasses refining by eliminating impurities found in the gas, which are non-hydrocarbon quantities and fluid from the pure product (â€Å"Pipeline Magazine†). After refining has taken place, respective authorities via pipes package the gas into LPGs then store it in warehouses ready for collection and distribution. 3. Non-Associated Gas This is a low-graded raw material mainly obtained from gas wells whereby after transportation through pipes from its respective regions, usually undergoes hydrogenation in the plant then stored in warehouses af ter packaging in cylinders. 4. Crude oil byproducts These encompass materials that have not undergone complete cracking process whereby recycling is an option to separate them into lighter components essential in gas industries like pentane. Supply Chain Decisions In order to increase on the company’s profitability, it will entail integrating of both private and retail distributors. This is to ensure the company does not incur high expenses because of tasks, which could have been undertaken effectively by other potential players specialized in this field, which is transportation. This operational decision will be effective due to the company’s high quality products due to its adoption of TQM, which up to date comprises one of the key strategies. Consequently, this will pose a significant impact on strategic objectives whereby their scope will only be within the company in ensuring once the products are in the market can sell well due to uncompromised quality. This impl ies clientele’s preference to ADNOC’s products will be high due to the company’s quality consistency. Hence, application of product differentiation strategy will significantly contribute to altering in a way some of the company’s objectives towards being customer centered (McGuigan, James & Frederick 338). Contrary to conventional way of numerous companies, lowering prices in quest to attract clients but in real sense

Monday, August 26, 2019

Corey Worthington Delaney Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Corey Worthington Delaney - Case Study Example Alfred Adler was born in Vienna in 1870, decided in childhood to be a physician and ultimately earned a medical degree from the University of Vienna. He began his medical career as an ophthalmologist but moved into general practice. By the early 1900s, he had turned to psychiatry and was invited to join Sigmund Freud's discussion group. Adler's criticisms of Freud led to his forming his own group, the Society for Individual Psychology (Boeree 2003). According to Boeree, Adler's theory of a motivating force to fulfill potential was what he called "striving for perfection." The idea was that social interest, inherent and learned, can lead to fulfillment if nurtured. Adler (Slaney, Ashby & Trippi 1995, p. 280) considers that "striving for perfection" is innate and universal and while normal individuals set difficult but attainable goals that can be adjusted, neurotics set unrealistic goals and require superiority in all things. It seems obvious in Corey' Worthington's case that his goal s are unrealistic and probably will not be realized by him, even though his agent promises him fame and fortune. It was Alfred Adler's belief that a person who is too self-interested will not be fulfilled and the failure is due to feelings of inferiority and lack of concern for others, only concern about self. Physical inferiority, Boeree (2003) notes, is brought about by outside forces and if an individual like Corey who is small for his age allows these feelings to take over, the result will be a tendency to be self-centered, antisocial, and lose support from others. A superiority complex might also develop when inferior feelings are covered up by practicing attention-getting dramatics that create a sense of power as is the case with Corey. According to T.W. Allen (1972 p. 4), the anniversary of Alfred Adler's birth in 1970 reinstated interest in his principles, which mainly had been associated with inferiority complex and were often considered a petulant contradiction of Freud. It became obvious, however, as new studies of Adler have been made, that his concept was a simple and successful method of analysis, and his Individual Psychology concept could especially benefit modern society. Adlerian Principles If Corey were willing to go into counseling in which the 12 Adlerian principles (Stein 2008; Croake 1983) are applied, he would first meet with a therapist who could perhaps (1) establish empathy by showing respect for him. In all of Corey's interactions with others in the limelight, no one ever showed him respect. If the therapist could establish a camaraderie, Corey would probably welcome the opportunity to (2) talk about his childhood, his problems adjusting to his stepfather, what happened to his father, whether he is angry that his parents show little compassion for him. When he understands why his feelings of superiority are (3) actually brought about by feelings of inferiority, he can begin to (4) move in a new direction. His mother and stepfather do not really (5) offer the connections he needs, and it will be difficult for him to make an effort to communicate with them

Sunday, August 25, 2019

RESEARCH PROPOSAL Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

RESEARCH PROPOSAL - Article Example Therefore, the need of today is to explore the importance of restructuring the administrative procedures in terms of improved policies and legislation in improving the performance of public school teachers and students. For this research study, the aim is to explore the role of improved administrative policies and legislation in improving the performance and motivation levels of public school teachers and students. The administrative procedures to be studied in the research include pay for performance, student services, and interactive learning environment. The researcher will also study the current policies and legislation which govern the working of public schools. The researcher will study the factors in detail in order to come up with justified and evidence-supported conclusions, as well as to provide feasible recommendations to the administrative authorities of public schools. Administrative procedures play a considerable role in improving the performance of public sector schools. Some administrative procedures, such as, implementation of pay for performance program, student services, and improvement in the learning environment are critical for bringing improvement in the performance of both teachers and students of public schools. Pay for performance programs are directly linked with the performance of teachers. Teachers like to be a permanent part of such schools, which value their efforts by implementing appropriate compensation and benefits packages for their employees (Lavy, 2007). Student services, such as, sports training, practical work training, and provision of extracurricular facilities also play a significant role in improving students’ performances (Griffith, 1996). Generally, such services are not paid the due amount of attention because of which most of the parents prefer to choose private schools for the schooling of their children. If such services are made

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Ford Motors Business Model Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ford Motors Business Model - Essay Example The source of the revenues is realized from the operating expenses, selling of the general administrative zones and from the non-recurring costs. The fixed and variable costs for the company include the costs made from the goods for the company which entails an amount of $125,369 last year. Other fixed costs include the income tax expenses for the country that takes over $7200 a year. There are other extra expenses and items that also cost around $7155 year. All these costs are financed from the total revenues earned by the company. It also entails all the benefits the company gets from customers as bonuses. It is to the advantage of the company that the company is able to sell quite a good number of new brands. Other premium customers are also able to award the company for the good work done. In order to have success and progress for the company, there is a calculation of the total sales realized from the brand cars. The company is able to sell over 500 brands of Ford motors within a day. The company is also able to sell motor parts including the gas engines and motor craft. It is also interesting that the company has made a good progress in the selling of the brands since it is able to advertise the goods all over the world. This has made the net income for the company to increase $7155 the last year. The company is an industrial since it is able to meet its targets in the world of revolution. For the last two years, there is an improvement of the sales that have made the company to be under top five in the whole world.

Friday, August 23, 2019

Owner's Equity Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Owner's Equity Paper - Essay Example If either happens, Financial Statements of a business become invalid or forged. If we show both Earned and Paid Capital in the head of Earned Capital then our profit figure will be overstated and financial statements will lose their validity. Similarly, if Earned and Paid-in Capital are shown as an Investment, then assets will become overstated and again the financial statements of a company will lose their validity. These were the reason why we keep Earned Capital separate from Paid-in Capital. (2003) Both Earned and Paid-in Capital are important at their own place. Without either of them, the company cannot thrive or operate smoothly. No business can setup without the investment by shareholders or owners, similarly, no business can continue to exist unless it earning decent rate of profits. Therefore, both are really important for the formation and smooth running of the business. However, looking at both of them critically, one can state that it is the Paid-in Capital that is more important because only after a business is setup, it starts earning profit. So, without Paid-in Capital there would be no Earned Capital and hence Paid-in Capital has some merits over Earned Capital. Another reason for the importance of Paid-in Capital is the fact that a business can bear losses for some period and may continue to exist on Paid-in Capital. We can conclude that both Earned Capital and Paid-in Capital are equally important, but it is the Paid-in Capital which gets the lead out of the two . According to Wachowicz, Basic Earning is the simplest method to find out the earning per share that a firm has made over its outstanding shares. It is calculated by dividing net profit with number of shares outstanding. For e.g., suppose that a company earns a profit of $5 Million in a fiscal year. It has currently 10 Million Shares issued to shareholder. Its basic earning in this case

Financial management Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Financial management - Term Paper Example By international standards, this indeed was a phenomenal growth. The balance sheets of commercial banks exhibited rapid increase during the entire eighties decade but started showing signs of slowing down in the first half of nineties as interest differences tended to taper off and banks started depending more and more on fees as their primary source of income. There was another tell tale sign of continuous increase in the size of the international financial superstructure and that was a marked increase in the volume of securities outstanding (mainly in the form of bonds and money market papers) in the total quantum of financial claims while there was an almost parallel decline in deposits and loans. However, what all analysts and financial experts preferred at that moment to turn a blind eye to was the increased specter of massive amounts of bad debts. Things were further complicated by the fact that while household sector balance sheets started exhibiting an increase in both assets and liabilities, there was a marked decline in deposits within gross household assets and an almost comparable increase in net financial wealth in the form of securities. (Blommestein 1996) This was possibly a direct offshoot of the remarkable innovativeness that was witnessed in the financial markets during this decade when one was overwhelmed by the sudden spurt in derivatives markets and advent of commercial papers in a very big way. Practically all forms of regulations and restrictions that were considered vital for maintaining stability in international financial markets were given a go by as almost all OECD countries abolished exchange controls. The banking sector also got rid of almost all forms interest rate controls and controls over credit expansion. The capitals markets also witnessed removal of controls over fees and commissions. In some countries, the existing

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Rabindranath Tagore Essay Example for Free

Rabindranath Tagore Essay Rabindranath Tagore] ( 7 May 1861 – 7 August 1941), sobriquet Gurudev,was a Bengali polymath who reshaped his regions literature and music. Author of Gitanjali and its profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse, he became the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. In translation his poetry was viewed as spiritual and mercurial; his seemingly mesmeric personality, flowing hair, and other-worldly dress earned him a prophet-like reputation in the West. His elegant prose and magical poetry remain largely unknown outside Bengal. Tagore introduced new prose and verse forms and the use of colloquial language into Bengali literature, thereby freeing it from traditional models based on classical Sanskrit. He was highly influential in introducing the best of Indian culture to the West and vice versa, and he is generally regarded as the outstanding creative artist of modern India.[5] A Pirali Brahmin from Calcutta, Tagore wrote poetry as an eight-year-old.[10] At age sixteen, he released his first substantial poems under the pseudonym BhÄ nusiá ¹Æ'ha (Sun Lion), which were seized upon by literary authorities as long-lost classics. He graduated to his first short stories and dramas—and the aegis of his birth name—by 1877. As a humanist, universalist internationalist, and strident anti-nationalist he denounced the Raj and advocated independence from Britain. As an exponent of the Bengal Renaissance, he advanced a vast canon that comprised paintings, sketches and doodles, hundreds of texts, and some two thousand songs; his legacy endures also in the institution he founded, Visva-Bharati University. Tagore modernised Bengali art by spurning rigid classical forms and resisting linguistic strictures. His novels, stories, songs, dance-dramas, and essays spoke to topics political and personal. Gitanjali (Song Offerings), Gora (Fair-Faced), and Ghare-Baire (The Home and the World) are his best-known works, and his verse, short stories, and novels were acclaimed—or panned—for their lyricism, colloquialism, naturalism, and unnatural contemplation. His compositions were chosen by two nations as national anthems: the Republic of Indias Jana Gana Mana and Bangladeshs Amar Shonar Bangla. The composer of Sri Lankas national anthem: Sri Lanka  Matha was a student of Tagore, and the song is inspired by Tagores style.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Predicting Thermal-Hydraulic Behaviour of Nuclear Reactors

Predicting Thermal-Hydraulic Behaviour of Nuclear Reactors In the last decades, several codes have been developed to predict the thermal-hydraulic behaviour of nuclear reactors like ATHLET, CATHARE, RELAP, RETRAN. However, these codes were developed to power reactors perform. To extend the application for the analyses of research reactor some modifications or addition of some procedures have been done. This section presents some considerations for using of RELAP/SCDAP and MELCOR for accident analysis of KHRR reactor. 1.1. RELAP/SCDAP 1.1.1. Thermal Hydraulic RELAP5 computer program can be applied to a wide range of reactor designs and transient/accident conditions. Except for certain reactivity-initiated events, the code is applicable to LOCAs; loss of flow accidents (LOFAs); loss of heat removal events and anticipated transients without scram (ATWS). Modelling of a subcooled boiling flow is important because an accurate knowledge of the void fraction distribution in reactor cores is required to properly perform various safety analyses. Most available boiling models were developed for and tested at the high-pressure conditions of a power reactor. Many reactor safety analysis codes such as RELAP5, which use such models, cannot satisfactorily predict void fraction distributions in low pressure subcooled boiling flows. This has limited the use of the RELAP5 code for low-pressure research reactor applications. It seems that the case of fast reactivity transient will be affected due to the importance of the models for the precise description of the complex phenomenon of subcooled boiling and two phase flow taking place during the transient. With respect to the reliability of the RELAP5 code for the analysis of research reactor transients additional investigations related to the above topics are needed. 1.1.2. Core Melt Progression Although developed for light water reactors (LWR), the code is a flexible tool for computerized simulation as its approach allows to models as much as needed of a particular thermal-hydraulic system, with use both for anticipated transients of nuclear power plants or of research reactors, and also for small scale test facilities. It is generally known that design peculiarities of HWR type reactors, especially the moderator separated from the coolant do not allow a straightforward application of the advanced core degradation models existing in computer codes such as SCDAP/RELAP5, MELCOR, ICARE/CATHARE or ATHLET. But the analysis of design basis accidents and the modelling of experiments in specially designed facilities can be successfully performed. Moreover, the early phase of the accident, including heatup due to voiding and oxidation, as well as, to a certain extent, other particular phenomena associated with the loss of geometrical integrity in course of a LOCA type accident coincident with ECCS, can be successfully modeled. Several code extensions (for Atucha specific features) were added in RELAP/SCDAPsim3.6. These modifications included: modeling of coolant channel to coolant channel radiation heat transfer, oxidation of the outer wall of the coolant channels, molten pool behavior and relocation of a core with separated coolant channels, and heat transfer in a lower head that includes a filling body (massive steel structure occupy most of the hemispherical volume and causing relocated debris to have a wide and thin-in-height shape). As an extra argument in favor of the utilization of the code for KHRR, the existence of the heavy water library in the release packages of RELAP/SCDAPSIM versions can be mentioned. 1.2. MELCOR 1.2.1. Material Properties Thermophysical properties for some solid materials should be added to the Material Properties (MP) package database. They are melting point, latent heat of fusion, density, specific heat, thermal conductivity and enthalpy for Zr-1.5%Nb, type 304 stainless steel. Values for these material properties can be obtained from an open literature or, because of lack of data for the alloys at high temperatures, can be estimated by Nause and Leonard. In addition to properties of solid materials, the MP package in MELCOR contains tabulated values for thermal conductivity and Viscosity of light water (H2O) and steam. Because of the presence of heavy water (D2O) in the KHRR reactor, an assessment was made concerning the differences between these properties and those appropriate for D2O. Nause and Leonard concluded that the differences between heavy and light water thermal conductivity, heavy and light steam viscosity, and heavy and light steam thermal conductivity are negligible for the purpose and intended applications of MELCOR. For these properties, MELCOR will use the light water data in the MELCOR database to model heavy and light water in the KHRR reactor system . The only thermophysical property of D2O observed to differ from that of H2O by more than ten percent is viscosity. Viscosity of D2O is observed to differ from that of H2O by as such as 30 percent over fluid, the temperature range of interest for the KHRR reactor. It is not known if differences in this single property are large enough to result in considerably different predictions of KHRR reactor coolant system hydrodynamic behavior. Sensitivity analyses will be performed in the future to examine this remaining uncertainty The MP package in MELCOR includes tabulated values for the viscosity of hydrogen gas and the Noncondensible Gas (NCG) Equation of State package contains values for hydrogen heat capacity. Again, because of the possible coexistence of hydrogen and deuterium gas in the KHRR reactor systems, a comparison of the viscosity and heat capacity between the two gases was made. The difference between hydrogen and deuterium gas viscosity and heat capacity is concluded to be sufficiently large to warrant adding D2 to the noncondensible gas flow field in MELCOR (D2 gas viscosity is approximately 40 percent greater than H2, and H2 heat capacity is approximately 50 percent greater than D2.). As a result, both properties have been included in their appropriate MELCOR database locations The H2O package in MELCOR represents the equation of state for light water. Because heavy water is the primary coolant and moderator in the KHRR reactor system, a comparison of the thermodynamic properties of light and heavy water and steam was made. It was found that the saturation pressure versus temperature data for light and heavy water differ by less than six percent. The difference in enthalpy between light and heavy water for the saturated and subcooled liquid states is below five percent at all temperatures and pressures of concern. The differences between light and heavy steam enthalpy are below eight percent over all temperatures and pressures of concern. These differences in properties between light and heavy water and steam are tolerable for the purpose and intended applications of MELCOR. Any change in properties related to the equation of state for light water in MELCOR would require that the changes be made in a manner that preserves the Maxwell relations. Therefore, s imple adjustments to the current H2O properties are not practical. Either the properties contained in the H2O package must be replaced, or the current properties must be used. It has been concluded that using light water transport properties to represent the coolant, moderator Emergency Cooling System (ECS), and confinement spray fluids in the KHRR reactor system is a reasonable and pragmatic approximation to those for the true mixed H2O/D2O system . 1.2.2. Core Melt Progression Unique features of KHRR do not allow a straightforward application of MELCOR for analysis of core melt progression in KHRR reactor, same as RELAP/SCDAP. Coolant channels in KHRR reactor are located inside the moderator tank in a hexagonal pitch, so it is expected that the behavior of the core during meltdown will be somewhat different from that of regular LWRs. As the coolant channels are not in close contact with each other, molten material from different channels most likely will not agglomerate to form a crust strong enough to support an in-core molten pool. So the most expected behavior is that molten material is directly relocate to the bottom of the core.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Communications Sector Infrastructure

Communications Sector Infrastructure Communication exchange system has become a crucial component in our lives today. Many businesses have thrived in connection with a viable communication system. This is a way in which a marketer has seen his firm optimize and maximize profits as a real interaction between him, and the consumer is enabled by the availability of communication system. Apart from that communication sector prevails in areas such as security department, finance department, transport department and many other critical sectors (Lewis, 2014). The finance department requires communication infrastructure in conjunction with other junior departments in harmonizing financial records as well as monetary gains from the business. Transportation department currently is being controlled using communication infrastructure in setting arrival and departure time for various journeys (DHS, 2015). Communication connections are mostly run by the private sector in the presence of Continuity Guidance Circular (CGC) which offers directions to the Non-Federal Governments (NFGs) on how to ensure the effectiveness of the program (FEMA, 2013). This circular encompasses all forms of organizations from tribal, local government, territorial and other non-governmental forms. All forms of communication are integrated into one unit and fed into the system using the internet (FEMA, 2013). This communication platform has evolved in proportional to cyber-attack. This is a threat lagging private sector behind in dissemination of quality services to its members. It is no doubt that many firms do not consider to carry out research on how well to protect their communication systems in case of an attack. All that they concentrate on is the profits to be collected (Etzioni, 2011). This is one of the many weaknesses many firms face and the issue needs to be addressed. Still, the transitions in the co mmunication technology platform have positively yielded success on the part of hackers who are in the frontline of innovations progress (DHS, 2015). Due to increased cases of hacking, the private sectors are left with no idea in which to discharge their responsibilities properly. Interconnection of computers to perform a central task has proved unworthy irrespective of many experts put in place to control the system (Raed Keating, 2014). This implies that consumers do not get their ordered products on time or else they lack information concerning a new product which might have been introduced in the market by their respective firms. This form of cyber-attack may come in as a result of competition for market domination by various antagonistic investors (Etzioni, 2011). Program Goals United States retains two guiding programs Continuity of Government (COG) and Continuity of Operations (COOP) which lay a foundation upon which every goal and vision of a given organizations are determined (DHS, 2015). This also ensures that citizens are offered only those services essential to them. In this case, all objectives, goals, and visions of the firm need to be reviewed. The private sector cannot solve the problem of cyber theft if the entire member companies do not comprehend the driving force to their business venture (Stergiopoulos et al., 2017). In 2008, George W. Bush signed Comprehensive National Cyber Security Initiative (CNCI) to secure communication attack for current and future economy. He urged all the stakeholders to focus on one goal, and that is cyber threats reduction (Hennig Rollins, 2009). Also, the agreement was cemented on the grounds of how the member firms and federal governments shared benefits. All goals of a business are met by satisfying the consum er needs. This assessment is important to the stakeholders in sending the right information to the government for the arrangement of support provision. It also indicates how many objectives the firm has been able to achieve during the operation period (Hennig Rollins, 2009). Discharge of Duties and Monitoring of Staff National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) department to set peculiar critical standards upon which communication infrastructure would be conducted (DHS, 2015). The key issue is how leadership is done and closes monitoring of the staff. Todays private sector should incorporate all the necessary information concerning the best infrastructure platform which would otherwise cope with cyber-attack menace (Knapp Langill, 2014). This is possible through the in-depth search of information the hackers might be using in lagging the economy behind. Once this information is collected, a firm background in collaboration with the government should be laid. This could only be achieved by enhancing a new database with new security coding system that could easily be manned from a central point (Knapp Langill, 2014). The databases should be enabled with data tracking mechanisms to detect all the specifications and the identity of any intruder into the system (Kotzanikolaou et al., 2013). The operating staff and their information should be easily monitored; should there be information leakage, tracing of the culprit will be easy. The government in line with the private sector should impose harsh rules that will apply to anyone who tries the cyber attack on all grounds (DHS, 2015). Again the consumers should be included in decision-making to ensure that the implementation of new communication system doesnt throw them out of business on the grounds of its operation and the guidelines. Communication Technology Assessment In every aspect of business operation, the introduction of a new mechanism of services is bound to yield setbacks which in this case are referred as risks. One of the greatest risks a private sector should be aware of is the ability to lose some of the stakeholders (Yan et al., 2013). This comes with new principles that would guide the operations of the system in securing a given department. For instance, change in the systems in the security department may imply that some of the operators have to be axed since the new system is capable of operating various sections that were earlier performed by different personnel. This is a significant threat since the fired individuals might be containing critical information that would interfere with the safety of department in case they decide to retaliate. Risk Evaluation The magnitude of a threat to the new system should be evaluated. In the security department, for instance, the axing of various departments and their operation staff should be closely reviewed. Because these experts still contain many secrets of the entire security staff, the option to send them home is utterly inappropriate. This is supported by the argument that in situations of retaliation by this group. In the government sector, a threat may impact severe consequences due to its broadness in management level and corruption scenario which remains to be a significant threat to success. Risk assessment can still be determined by the loss a firm will incur regarding devotion and money. Risk Management This is another area that requires attention in determining how the cyber-attacks can be managed. Application of approaches that lead to quality progress and effectiveness of the program should be the guiding principle of the government (FEMA, 2013). Registering, scanning and monitoring every step the operating team undertakes is another important measure to mitigate cyber theft. Still, on that ground, security department should strictly observe the person entitled to run the system (May Koski, 2013 The mission to improve the communication system targeting their counterparts will probably be aborted mainly through leaking of information. The system should be designed in a manner that it wont access any codes from outside the base. Just in case the hackers succeed in collapsing the system, the whole system should be set in a manner which destroys everything. This will assist in controlling cyber attacks in many fields of operation. Assessment of Programs Readiness The success of the whole operation should be measured by looking at how the business is running. In the case of improved profit margins and customer satisfaction, the operation of the system should prove applicable. This is contributed by strong leadership originating from senior positions at the junior level (Younis Kifayat, 2013). On the other hand, if the system runs in a reverse manner, it implies that the cases of cyber threat were not controlled. The firm and the government should work on adding more knowledge and pooling resources together to curb losses which would deteriorate the economy. It is crucial for business and security firms to move with technological advancements that are changing on a daily basis. It is a wise decision to do away with out of date technologies that are prone to cyber-attacks and embrace those which are secured against such threats. Communication infrastructure forms an integral part of any company and has a direct impact on performance. As such, maintaining the integrity of the infrastructure is critical. The Continuity Guidance Circular (CGC) offers directions to Non-Federal Governments (NFGs) on how to ensure the effectiveness of the program. The CGC provides a guideline on the dissemination of duties, continuous assessment of the infrastructure, risk management, and evaluation and also the assessment of the programs readiness (FEMA, 2013). References Department of Homeland Security, (2015). Communications Sector-Specific Plan an Annex to the NIPP 2013. Retrieved from https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/nipp-ssp-communications-2015-508.pdf Etzioni, A., (2011). Cybersecurity in the Private Sector. Issues in Science and Technology. Retrieved from http://issues.org/28-1/etzioni-2/ Federal Emergency Management Agency, (2013). Continuity Guidance Circular 1 (CGC 1) Continuity Guidance for Non-Federal Governments (States, Territories, Tribes, and Local Government Jurisdictions). Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1386609058803-b084a7230663249ab1d6da4b6472e691/CGC-1-Signed-July-2013.pdf Hennig, A Rollins, J., (2009). Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative: Legal Authorities and Policy Considerations. Congressional Research Service. Retrieved from https://fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R40427.pdf Knapp, E. D., Langill, J. T. (2014). Industrial Network Security: Securing Critical Infrastructure networks for the smart grid, SCADA, and other Industrial Control Systems. Syngress. Retrieved from http://library.books24x7.com.ezproxy2.apus.edu/toc.aspx?bookid=77754 Kotzanikolaou, P., Theoharidou, M., Gritzalis, D. (2013). Assessing n-order dependencies between critical infrastructures. International Journal of Critical Infrastructures 6, 9(1-2), 93-110 Lewis, T. G. (2014). Critical Infrastructure Protection in Homeland Security. Somerset: John Wiley Sons, Incorporated. Retrieved from http://ebookcentral.proquest.com.ezproxy2.apus.edu/lib/apus/detail.action?docID=1813343 May, P. J., Koski, C. (2013). Addressing public risks: Extreme events and critical infrastructures. Review of Policy Research, 30(2), 139-159. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.ezproxy2.apus.edu/doi/10.1111/ropr.12012/full Raed, M. J., Keating, C. B. (2014). The fragility of oil as a critical infrastructure problem. International Journal of Critical Infrastructure Protection, 7(2), 86-99. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/745d/aa0b70a3e6ced165add2435036ab903bc999.pdf Stergiopoulos, G., Kotzanikolaou, P., Theocharidou, M., Gritzalis, D. (2017). Risk Mitigation for Critical Infrastructures: AUEB INFOSEC Lab Initiatives. Retrieved from https://infosec.aueb.gr/Publications/Risk-Tea%202017A%20CIP.pdf Yan, Y., Qian, Y., Sharif, H., Tipper, D. (2013). A survey on smart grid communication infrastructures: Motivations, requirements, and challenges. IEEE Communications Surveys Tutorials, 15(1), 5-20. doi:10.1109/SURV.2012.021312.00034 Younis, M. Y. A., Kifayat, K. (2013). Secure cloud computing for critical infrastructure: A survey. Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, Tech. Rep. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Younis_A_Younis/publication/262817790_Secure_Cloud_Computing_for_Critical_Infrastructure_A_Survey/links/5465ed3e0cf2f5eb180130d5.pdf

Monday, August 19, 2019

The Line between Democracy and Totalitarianism in Lord of the Flies Ess

Golding immediately shows how voting procedures of a democratic society can help stop evil from taking over. During the first encounter between Jack and his choirboys and Ralph and his group, it becomes clear the differences in between both groups. Jack, during the first meeting, yells at the boys to â€Å"Stand Still!†(Golding 20) and even when â€Å"one of the boys flopped on his face in the sand† he makes the others choirboys move â€Å"the fallen boy to the platform and let him lie† (Golding 20). With this brief peek into the leadership of Jack, it is evident that Jack has no concern for the common men in his choir, furthering the illusion of his dictatorial skills. The theme of leaving the masses of common citizens uncared for, while the elites are given exclusive powers is a major notion of the totalitarian government. When these boys see how mistreated Jack’s choirboys are, the vote for chief is affected. When Ralph asks, â€Å"Who wants Jack for chief?† the choirboys â€Å"With dreary obedience [they] raised their hands†(Golding 23). Then, when Ralph asked, â€Å"Who wants me? Every hand outside the choir except Piggy’s was raised immediately. Then Piggy, too, raised his hand†(Golding 23). Evident here is how the public and Golding perceive the two contradicting types of government. This tiny glimpse shows that even when a dictator has all the power over his citizens, he cannot beat a democratically elected leader in an election. The undertone of this situation shows that citizens prefer a democratic leader that they elect than somebody who attempts to usurp the throne. While this was only the first time the two sides meet, the two sides only become more distanced by every time they meet. Furthermore, Golding uses frequent meetings to further es... ... until â€Å"the prodding became rhythmic†(Golding 182). Then, â€Å"Roger advanced upon them as one wielding a nameless authority† (Golding 182). Samneric, in this situation, are illusions to the political opposition that are present in most totalitarian societies. Samneric are treated as political prisoners and bullied into keeping their mouths shut about their views and into accepting the new leader’s way of ruling, which is with an iron, unyielding fist. Golding, in this situation, tries to show the reader how a totalitarian government does not allow any opposition to the official government’s idea. If a person disagrees with the government, then it is better to keep that opinion to their self or face severe backlash from the government. All in all, Jack’s newly increased tribe only happened due to Jack using fear and brutality as a means to keep his tribe in line.

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Breaking Society’s Rules :: Essays Papers

Breaking Society’s Rules American literature often examines people and motives. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter, and in Arthur Miller’s dramatic classic, The Crucible, people and motives often depict patterns of Puritans struggling for life during a precarious time. Guilt and shame can tear a person's soul away. The inevitable consequence of sin is the immediate reaction of guilt, shame, and remorse. For example: John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, and Reverend Dimmesdale have all committed a sin or sins and are feeling extremely guilty about it. They want to be forgiven, but they have no strength and are cowards. Forgiveness can only be obtained when these characters find the strength within themselves to speak the truth. The first to commit a sin is John Proctor, the husband of Elizabeth Proctor. John is a good man until Abigail Williams comes into his life. John lives in a house feeling empty and thinking his wife does not love him. Lust is a very powerful feeling, and it tempts John right into bed with Abigail. Unfortunately once he commits adultery, Elizabeth does not forgive him. She finds ways to punish John and make him feel more remorseful. For example, Reverend Hale asks John to recite the commandments, and he forgets one, Elizabeth then says sarcastically, â€Å"Adultery, John.† Elizabeth responds in such a manner that John feels overwhelming pain in his heart. Naturally, Elizabeth feels guilty as well. She tells John, â€Å"I have sins of my own to count. It needs a cold wife to prompt lechery.† Elizabeth feels as though she is to blame for John committing adultery. She is a mother and, of course, Elizabeth will be consumed with taking care of their children, cooking, cleaning, etc. At first, Elizabeth does not recognize John pulling away from her and turning towards Abigail. Soon after Elizabeth finds out John committed adultery with Abby, she fires her. Later on in the novel Elizabeth is accused of being a witch and John goes to court to prove Abigail is lying.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

”More Than Just the Disease” by Bernard McLaverty Essay

‘More Than Just the Disease’, written by Bernard McLaverty has one major character, Neil. The story is seen through his eyes and illustrates the problems that he has to deal with at this point in his life. Arguably the biggest problem Neil has in the story is his psoriasis, this is also a contributor to another of his problems, which is his huge lack of confidence, and it also contributes in a profound way to his insecurity. McLaverty has written the character of Neil Fry with many quite complex problems one of which is the astonishing influence Mrs Fry – Neil’s mother – has on him. He frequently hears her voice in his head commanding him, telling him how he should act, what he should do in certain situations and how to feel on certain matters. This occurs when Neil is having breakfast with Michael’s family. His mother, without being present, tells him that he should, â€Å"Close his mouth when he is eating† she goes on to say, â€Å"Others have to live with you Neil.† He hears her again when he is unpacking after arriving at Michael’s holiday home. She says â€Å"Be tidy at all times and then no one can surprise you†. I could go on for pages listing more and more instances of this but I won’t get any marks for doing that! I regress. Although Mrs Fry means absolutely no harm, in fact quite the opposite, when implanting these views, ideas and reactions into Neil’s head, she is actually contributing to many of Neil’s problems: such as his lack of confidence, his ignorance and his insecurity. Neil finds, when he goes to stay with Michael on the coast, that his mother is entirely wrong about the middle classes and how they live and behave. He finds contrary to his expectations that they do not fit the stereotype, they are not ‘posh’ but in fact they are reasonably laid back. Neil is very insecure possibly, again, owing to his mother’s domination over him and because â€Å"Neil kept hearing his mother’s voice† A good example of this is him going to the bathroom to put on his pyjamas and buttoning the jacket right up to the neck, whereas Michael while â€Å"bending his arms and flexing his biceps† announces proudly; â€Å"I only wear pyjama bottoms†. This, as well as illustrating Neil’s insecurity, also is a good illustration of Neil’s massive under confidence and Michael’s abundance of it. Neil lives in a very sheltered world and does not know a lot about the world beyond his home and school life. This is evident in one instance in particular; when Neil is making an excuse for not going swimming to hide his psoriasis he says, â€Å"The fact is†¦I’ve got my period.† Mrs Wan helps Neil with his lack of confidence. She is a duchess and owns the house in which Michael and his family stay throughout the summer. While doing this she lives in a dirty caravan at the bottom of the garden with her â€Å"millions† of cats. Mrs Wan proves another one of Mrs Fry’s stereotypes is utter nonsense, she does not dress as expected – not at all glamorously – but does not seem to be interested in her appearance in the slightest. McLaverty describes her as being, â€Å"An old woman in a bottle green cardigan and baggy mouse coloured trousers and†¦a pair of men’s leather gloves.† She is a complete contrast to Mrs Fry who likes to be â€Å"tidy at all times† and â€Å"cannot abide milk bottles at the table†. If, with no background information you were asked to choose the duchess between the two of them it is most likely that Mrs Fry would be the one chosen. Mrs Wan, although only meeting Neil briefly, has a large influence on him, which is rather more positive than that of his mother’s. She listens to his and seems interested in his opinions’ and experiences’. Most importantly, however, she gives him confidence, the confidence to reveal his psoriasis instead of making excuses to get out of going swimming. She shares her experience of lepers with him this also helps him and boosts his confidence in a big way. The end of the story illustrates very well how Mrs Wan’s advice affects Neil. The closing scene could be taken as a symbol for life. Neil because of his under confidence dabbles in the shallows nervously, meanwhile Michael is out in the deep riding the waves and happily accepting all the challenges thrown at him by the sea knowing he will succeed. The story teaches Neil a lot. He is taught to move out with his mother’s domination. Not to worry too much about how other people perceive him and that he should not be at all afraid of revealing his psoriasis, not keeping it hidden. He has nothing to be ashamed of and therefore he should not hide away or dabble in the shadows but be sure of himself, confident enough to do what he thinks best not what his mother – often wrongly – thinks he should do, to be his own person and not a clone of his mother.

What Important Skills Should a Person Learn to Be Successful?

â€Å"What important skills should a person learn to be successful in the world today? † Nowadays, becoming a successful person is one of the first targets of humans . People succeed doesn't depend on who are they – musician, president, businessman etc. It doesn't depends only on having certain skills. Today , various skills contribute to success. I think, that any person can become successful through learning from the mistakes, being able to take risk and having the persistence. In my opinion, one of the important skills that a person should have in order to be successful is learning from the mistakes.We know that nobody is perfect on doing something, especially if he or she does it for the first time. Before achieving any goals, humans can make a lot of mistakes. Some people become grieved and lose their self – confidence when they do mistake. This disappointing ends with failure in your job or in your successful development. While making mistakes, if we feel s orry for ourselves then we will have failure, but, if we accept the lesson from our mistake then we will move to a successful life.Except learning from the mistakes, being able to take a risk is also one of the main keys of success. Any person, who want to achieve success must not afraid of risk, they should not see the risk as a danger. Taking a risk could result a lot of positive outcomes, and it can be very profitable. According to co – founder of Zipcar company Robin Chase, † Taking professional and entrepreneurial risks is quite profitable . My decision at age 23 to illegally slip into Kenya from Tanzania was a greater risk than launching Zipcar with just $78 in my bank account.Today Zipcar has 350,000 members using 6,500 cars. † Taking real risk also requires freedom in our expectations and fears. Not all people can have such freedom, that's why not everybody can take risks and be successful. In addition to learning from the mistakes and being able to take a risk, having the persistence is also one of the main points of being successful in the world. Today, any person can achieve success by developing his or he persistence to a very high level. In order to reach any goal and succeed , person should take sequential actions.I think, that it is the biggest problem of many people not to be sequential, staying out of the race in reaching finish and persistence. In brief, today everybody wants to be prosperous, beginning from the trucker to the doctor. It is not so easy to succeed. It requires some necessary abilities, such as: having self- assurance through learning from mistakes, being bold to take any risk and having perseverance. These keys are very important and basis in achieving success. Therefore, I think, †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.

Friday, August 16, 2019

 How Does Eating Healthy Affect Your Life? Essay

You already know healthy eating can have a positive impact on your life, but just how far do these benefits extend? Evidence suggests regularly eating healthy, well-balanced meals contributes to sustained weight maintenance, a better mood, increased energy levels, positive inspiration to others and the potential for a heightened quality of life. Weight Maintenance Following a healthy eating plan — one which emphasizes many fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean proteins, as well as low levels of saturated and trans fats and low cholesterol, sodium and sugar — contributes to weight maintenance. Staying within your recommended daily calorie intake and eating moderately sized meals also helps you maintain a healthy weight throughout your life. A healthy weight is linked to a reduced risk of many debilitating, chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, as well as improved self-esteem and mental state. Maintaining a healthy weight is also linked to a lower incidence of depression, meaning healthy eating can help significantly improve the quality of your life. Mood Healthy eating can have a positive impact on your life by leading to a more sustained elevated mood. According to Susan Biali, M.D., in â€Å"Psychology Today,† a healthy lifestyle — including a regular, healthy breakfast, balancing your lean protein consumption with whole-grain carbohydrates, getting enough folate and omega-3 fatty acids and cutting back on alcohol and simple sugars — has been linked to an improved mood and may even help alleviate depression. Carbohydrates allow the amino acid tryptophan to enter the brain where it produces serotonin — the mood-enhancing neurotransmitter, but whole-grain carbohydrates produce a more lasting effect on mood, while carbohydrates made with refined grains, like white bread, cause a quick crash. Energy Eating the right nutritive foods can also boost your energy levels, making you prepared to face each day. Sports nutritionist Rebecca Scritchfield  noted in â€Å"Washington Running Report† in 2009 that adequate levels of the mineral iron, which carries oxygen throughout the body, contribute to sufficient energy levels. Healthy, leafy greens, like spinach, are rich sources of iron. â€Å"Arthritis Today† recommends steering clear of fattening, fried foods — which give you a quick burst of energy but leave you feeling depleted soon thereafter — and stocking up on healthy snacks like nuts, fruit, yogurt and low-fat cheese for an energy boost. Drinking enough water and only consuming moderate amounts of caffeine and sugar also help regulate your energy levels. Inspiring Others Eating healthy doesn’t just directly impact your own life, it can help inspire those around you as well. Healthy eating, and even weight loss, is contagious, according to the â€Å"International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity,† and you can help the people you care about take care of themselves and achieve greater longevity. While eating better and maintaining your own weight, you can feel confident you have not only worked to improve your life, but also improved the lives of your loved ones. When the people around you — be they friends or family — are happy and positive, this contributes to a better quality of life for all. Healthy Eating Why should I make healthy food choices? Eating a healthy, balanced diet provides nutrients to your body. These nutrients give you energy and keep your heart beating, your brain active, and your muscles working. Nutrients also help build and strengthen bones, muscles, and tendons and also regulate body processes, such as blood pressure. Good nutrition can lower your risk of developing a range of chronic diseases. For example, eating more fruit and vegetables can help lower blood pressure and may lower your risk of certain types of cancer (such as colorectal, breast, lung and prostate cancer). Eating less saturated fat may also lower your risk of heart disease. Healthy eating can also help people that already have some types of disease or illness such as diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure. And, of course, improving your eating habits will contribute to you achieving and maintaining a  healthy weight. Try to achieve a balance with the foods you eat and include lots of variety and remember, all things in moderatio n.

Thursday, August 15, 2019

IKEA’s Marketing Strategy Essay

One thing that makes IKEA becoming the best known global furniture retailer in the world is its marketing strategy. IKEA is a strong ban and many people across the globe think of IKEA when they thought about furniture. The key success of marketing strategy is IKEA’s standardization. IKEA stores around the world look alike and they all contain core value of organization’s culture. It looks and operates the same in every market markets. However, IKEA stores have to adapt to local markets. First standard is the most important standard. IKEA has had as a guiding principle to work in the same way and be seen in the same way in every country it operates. IKEA strategy is to keep the price low and attractive for as many people as possible. This marketing strategy is called merchandise; the product range and the prices of the products. The price should be the same in every market. Prices on products are supposed to be considered low compare to what consumers find in another store. IKEA aims deliver high value at low price. Location of the store usually locates at the outskirt of the city. The reason is that the consumer who buy furniture usually use personal car as a transportation (consumers using public transportation are rarely seen). The designs of stores are supposed to look basically the same in important dimensions: signage, display, store layout and design, and colors. They should contain Swedish identity such as the color of Swedish flag; blue and yellow. The purpose is to give the same shopping experience regardless of where the store is located. Still different stores adjust the room-settings they use to fit the local housing and living conditions, rather than an original setting. For example; room adjustment in IKEA Japan would be small and its furniture will considered for limited space, unlike IKEA store in Europe where housing has more space. It also adapts its design to impress local market as well. Service levels are similar around the world with staffing about the same everywhere. The number of employee in each level should be the same everywhere in the world. IKEA presents unique strategy. IKEA concept is to have the low prices you as a consumer pays a price which if consumer wants to pay lowest price; consumer has to pick things up in the  store, carries to your car, takes home and assembles yourself. Nevertheless, IKEA also offers delivery service.1 Another important strategy is public relation. The best known channel is the IKEA Catalog, which is developed by IKEA Communications in Älmhult, Sweden. It is produced in 38 different editions, in 17 languages for 28 countries. All this adjustment is made from a standardized base (same products, same overall info etc) meaning that country/region adjustments are really fairly small. Other important channels are IKEA websites, publications, and brochures.2 IKEA has adapted its product and design to fit in many market. Nevertheless the key success of IKEA is its standard and core value. This makes people reco gnize IKEA. Even though many new competitors try to copy IKEA or compete with it. IKEA manges to maintain its competitive difference and advantage. Its brand still strong in house retailer business.

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

The process of developing and designing products

The process of developing and designing products has taken a sharp change in the last couple of years. Companies are being pushed by demanding global customers and are being challenged by rapid change of technology. Manufacturers have had to increase the speed of design cycles while at the same time cut the cost of development and manufacture. They must ensure the product takes full advantage of the latest and best technology. Leading companies have found that obstacles in the market today are far too rigorous to overcome on their own. This process of design and development of products has never been so competitive and daunting. However, it is more critical for future success. The Success of modern day companies is due to help from a resource that has been present since the early days of the company. The answer is suppliers. In some industries suppliers are taking on responsibility for designing parts, components, materials, assemblies, and even complete systems for automobiles, computers and other products. Leading manufacturers are using their supply bases as a key element of their product design strategies, and it’s paying off in a big way. In other words the old saw â€Å"Slow and sure wins the race† no longer holds. Speed is competitive edge today s business needs to succeed. Including suppliers in the manufacturing process adds to the clock-speed of a company. The Honda Motor Company is one such company that has recognized this need for speed and has thus adjusted its production to accommodate. The Honda Motor Company is one of the world s most well known producers of motor vehicles. The Company itself is based in Japan, but it had branches all over the world. From a simple start, Honda has grown to one of the world s most successful motoring companies, selling products in almost 200 countries. Honda has set new standards in vehicle production and design. From the Civic to ongoing participation in automotive racing, Honda s spirit of challenge and commitment forms the basis for every Honda project. Honda’s new â€Å"world platform† strategy will produce four variants of the new mid-size Accord platform. Honda s Research and development team found that the easiest way of producing their most popular make of car, the Accord, was to produce a world platform. This platform is an Accord chassis around which different accord bodies are built. For example; The Accord built for America will be larger than the one built in Japan because there is a market for larger cars. The one built in Europe will narrower so that it may compete with other cars on the European market. Essentially the Accord platform is universal. The car s appearance changes due to its location around the world. Accords will be produced in 11 and sold in 100 countries.

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Nature and Meditation in Romantic Poetry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Nature and Meditation in Romantic Poetry - Essay Example Thus poetry is the vehicle for the spiritual elevation of humankind. In the Western world, the Romantic Poets express their spiritual feelings through descriptions of nature .Although deeply religious, they see God through nature , unlike their predecessors for whom religion was a stern affair. English Romanticism ,in particular, presented a break with the tradition by its individualism and encouragement of the imagination .The Romantic poets experienced the most sublime through nature. Romanticism emerged in the late eighteenth century as an inevitable reaction against the empirical thinking and stern reasoning that was in vogue earlier. Philosophers like Rousseau(1712-1778)urged that only in nature that mankind could find freedom of spirit. The American Revolution and the French Revolution acted as catalysts for the Romantic Movement .William Wordsworth (1770-1850) and John Keats(1795-1821)were two of the greatest English Romantic poets who found inspiration in nature . In their poetry they use descriptions of nature to raise the mind to mystic heights. William Wordsworth, one of the foremost Romantic poets, brings out the feeling of "passionate meditation" in his famous poem, Tintern Abbey. The poem conveys a feeling of deep silence and meditation attained through connecting with nature. That on a wild secluded scene impress Thoughts of more deep seclusion; and connect The landscape with the quiet of the sky. (6,7,8) (Wordsworth 1798) According to Geoffrey Hartman, for Wordsworth nature is "not something to be worshipped and consumed, but always a guide, leading beyond itself."(Hartman,290)We see this even when he is at his most exuberant, describing daffodils in "I wandered lonely as a cloud" I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. (1-6)(Wordsworth 1803) The poet's heart sings at the eternal spectacle of nature "Lonely as a cloud" suggests the solitude needed for meditation, while,in contrast, "crowd, a host " expresses the feeling of multitudes. .He experiences a feeling akin to meditation which recurs whenever he is "in a pensive mood" , when the multitude of daffodils "flash upon the inward eye" with the ensuing "Bliss of solitude". "Tintern Abbey" is the outstanding work of Wordsworth published in 1798,and it shows how he developed a vivid and personal approach which connects meditation to sensation in a unique way. In this poem, the brilliant lyric is transcendental; the theme is exalted by the underlying love for his sister. The emotions compliment the visual scene, the memories enrich the moral ideas. Here he feels the presence which encourages him to meditate on the oneness of all things in nature. He rhapsodizes, And I have felt A presence that disturbs me with the joy Of elevated thoughts; a sense sublime Of something far more deeply interfused, Whose dwelling is the light of setting suns, And the round ocean and the living air, And the blue sky, and in the mind of man; A motion and a spirit that impels All thinking things, all objects of all thought, And rolls through all things.

Monday, August 12, 2019

Economics and business strategies Research Paper

Economics and business strategies - Research Paper Example Practically, the objective of the team owners differs depending on the nation, league and the team. Further, the objective of the team members is significantly affected by the relation of the team to additional assets of the team owner. Consequently, Zimbalist presents that there is no league, which has all the members with equal motivations as well as objectives; therefore, the generalization that leagues can have members with similar motivations and objectives is inconsistent and imperfect.i On the other hand, a corporate-guided market is a form of a dominant market through which abundance is achieved. Through corporate guided markets, aggregate spending is also conducted. In order to understand how this market works, it is crucial to put into consideration how corporations succeed at providing a new market for a branded product. Discussion Zimbalist’s Explanation of Different Owner Motivations of Sports Teams Concept of Competitive Balance and Different Owner Motivations Zi mbalist illustrates various concepts that motivate team owners in their business. First, he states that the team owners are not primarily motivated by the quest to make profits. Certain team owners are motivated by the social prestige so that they seek to be associated and identified with well-liked and successful sports team. Media publicity accounts for the reasons the team owners are motivated to invest in sport teams.ii Even though profit making is part of the business objectives, it does not count as the leading motivation behind such kind of businesses. The push for power, aspiration for prestige, predisposition to team identification and associated feeling of team loyalty drive and motivate the team owners to invest in league business. In addition, the other motivational reasons for team owners that equate to social prestige include personal fulfillment and enjoyment, commitment to professional sports and satisfaction found in sports.iii Second, a part of the team owners is m otivated by the pursuit of profits in sports business. Team owners may be motivated to invest in teams for nonprofit making reasons, making such team owners to be perceived as philanthropists. In contrast, some team owners are primarily motivated to achieve profits out of their investments in the teams. The behaviors revealed by the team owners in pricing regulations and the player salaries demonstrate that profit maximization also accounts for team owner motivations in sport teams. Nevertheless, the ownership motivation involving profit maximization has various inconclusive dimensions to support the hypothesis.iv Third, team ownership is motivated by the need for successful business tycoons to advertise the business products and seek approval of the community in the business they operate. The sports teams are used by these businesspersons to commercialize their ventures in sports sphere.v Furthermore, Zimbalist asserts that team ownership is motivated by the need to publicize busin ess ventures and seek refuge in the federal tax legislation’s development.vi The ownership of teams offers business tycoons tax sheltering opportunities unavailable to other types of ventures. Generally, the

Analysis of leadership in a healthcare organization Term Paper

Analysis of leadership in a healthcare organization - Term Paper Example Should the organization focus on reducing medical errors or developing leaders first? Should they focus on financial sustainability or create a process of leadership development? In many instances, health organizations address issues which are most pressing before they deal with issues with long term impacts, such as in the case of leadership. Moreover, leaders are faced with complicated internal dynamics between administrations and clinicians, physicians and nurses, pharmacists and physicians (McAlearney, 2006), etc. which in turn, makes it difficult to implement new policies. In a research conducted by Ann McAlearney (2006), it was discovered that many health practitioners realize that the industry is lagging in the case of leadership development. ... There is a need for leaders who can represent the medical community and the patient population – leaders who can â€Å"respond to multiple stakeholders and meet performance goals across multiple dimensions of effectiveness† (McAlearney, 2006, p. 967). The question now is: what kind of leader can motivate people to work together towards a common goal? Literatures on management and leadership refer to transformational leadership based on idealized influence (charisma) may be an appropriate style. What is charismatic leadership? Bud Haney (2012) calls charismatic leaders, the beacons of positivity, â€Å"charismatic leaders impact others with the power of optimism†¦To get team members to go the extra mile and engage with their work† (p.18). Meredith Babcock-Roberson (2010) shares the same view, but adds: â€Å"a [charismatic leader] provides clarity when the situation is unclear, resolves shortcomings and motivates change by articulating a strategic visionâ₠¬ ¦[they] communicate high performance expectations, exhibit con?dence, take risks that oppose the status quo, and emphasize a collective identity†¦[they set] personal examples and [make] personal sacri?ces† (p. 314). A charismatic leader’s is able to bring people to work together by providing his subordinates a clear view of the group’s vision and the role of each individual in the achievement of such vision. Because the emphasis of charismatic leadership â€Å"is on people of vision who are creative, innovative, and capable of getting others to share their dreams while  playing down self-interest; and who are able to cooperate with others in reshaping the strategies and tactics of the

Sunday, August 11, 2019

Principles of perioperative nursing care - Management of postoperative Essay

Principles of perioperative nursing care - Management of postoperative pain - Essay Example tient, family members and other health-care professionals to help plan, implement and evaluate treatment Perioperative registered nurses provide surgical patient care by assessing, planning, and implementing the nursing care patients receive before, during and after surgery. The activities included in perioperative nursing care includes patient assessment, creating and maintaining a sterile and safe surgical environment, pre- and post-operative patient education, monitoring the patient’s physical and emotional well-being, and integrating and coordinating patient care throughout the surgical care continuum.  (Tramer, 2006) This assignment, deals with a particular selected aspect of perioperative patient care (among the multifaceted duties), â€Å"The patient experience – Postoperative pain†. This essay ravels through the dealing with pain, its path physiology, post operative main, its management, role of nurse in post operative pain management, role of patients and in the conclusion, deals with how changes brought in educational, managerial or nursing, that could be considered/ implemented to affect the improvement of quality care. The knowledge of pain is essential successful management of it. According to the International Association of for the Study of Pain, (IASP), pain is defined as an unpleasant experience in both emotional and sensory way that is described in term of actual or potential tissue damage. They further describe that the pain is subjective and each individual experiences the meaning of the term through early experiences. The pain can be further at micro levels be understood as a experience that comprises of sensory, emotional and cognitive components , with its expression and management, biological, psychological and social factors interacting in complex ways. Though it could be understood that pain is basically a physiological phenomenon, whose biological function is to provoke special reactive patterns that aims the removal/avoidance of

Saturday, August 10, 2019

Budgeting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Budgeting - Essay Example Forecasting should not be mistaken with budgeting. Forecasting is a management tool used for planning and setting a goal. Forecasting makes use of past and present data, and trend analysis to estimate sales, or to estimate demands for a product. It uses statistical data in estimation and uses management expertise, knowledge and judgment (GeminiGeek, n.d. ) An operating budget is a projection of estimated income and expenses that is based on the forecasted sales which is usually done for a short term period, normally for one year while a cash budget is a way of monitoring the cash flow of a business. Cash budget makes it easy to see how much money comes in and out for the period, thus, it becomes a simple way to monitor the financial condition of the business or household. A cash budget can be done either on a weekly or monthly period for an accurate monitoring (Business Directory, n.d.) Zero budgeting departs from the traditional budgeting wherein all expenses must be justified for every new budgeting period and every function within the organization is analyzed. Zero budgeting starts from zero and does not take into account prior year’s budget (Cronin, Tom). For instance, if you have a budget of $20,000 for a campaign in 2011 and it did not produce good result, the manager must justify why he needs the same budget for 2012. The manager must develop a plan from zero-base and justify why, where and how he will spend the money of the company. In other words, if the manager proposes a campaign for a product, he would pinpoint the projected expenses and profit to show its feasibility so that the company could assign a particular budget for that. All budget proposals are then analyzed and ranked according to importance. The system lets the management identify priorities, allows management to compare and analyze the needs of every unit in the organization and make funding allocation. In zero based, budgets are built

Friday, August 9, 2019

Compare and contrast at least two types of industrialization strategy Coursework

Compare and contrast at least two types of industrialization strategy - Coursework Example Further more, it will explain the advantages of the strategies and how different countries have used them to ensure that they are doing well economically. At the end of it all, it will give a clear picture to which strategy can work best for countries thus the comparison of the two strategies. Industrialisation is a process that allows people within a society to change their social and economic status. Industrialisation is a great contributor to modernisation of an area. People go through changes like better and stronger buildings, more intensified machines for processing things, better technology, and large scale production of energy like electricity and better communication and transportation channels. It is also a major contributor to cultural changes that is, with industrialisation, many people change how they view and do things. Their attitudes change completely. Industrialisation comes in with the influence of politics, skilled labour and large scale production with low costs. Industrialization is a major contributor to the economic welfare of a country. Thus many economists attribute economic success to good industrialisation processes1. There are two main industrialization strategies that can be discussed and have been used by many countries to uplift their econom ic status. The ISI strategy is also known as the import substitution industrialisation while, the EOI strategy that is also known as export-oriented industrialization1. Import substitution is an economic strategy that involves a country coming up with trade policies. It is the attempt a country makes to ensure that it produces its own materials instead of importing. It tries to copy how other countries are producing certain goods and products thus start its own production within the country. It involves a lot of government spending in producing the goods. It requires acquiring the

Thursday, August 8, 2019

Alshareef_ENVM510_M8GradedAssign Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Alshareef_ENVM510_M8GradedAssign - Assignment Example Osteoporosis results into long term fracture risks that may come along with other complications in movement (Marcus, Feldman & Dempster, 2013). The World Health Organization stresses the definition of osteoporosis along these lines with guidelines on the diagnosis of the disease and the regular treatment of it throughout time one suffers from it. The disease has normally grown associated with the old (Pun, 1991). The disease is known to affect the elderly due to their old body systems and bones that develop to obtain and utilize minerals slowly. Most aged people 50 and above stand a risk of developing the condition. The disease may become controlled if a given amount of the lacking minerals introduced into the bones cover the deficiency that it causes. It is therefore wise to register it earlier to obtain treatment and easy management techniques for the disease. Stress: stress in relation to osteoporosis originates from the advanced age effect. Advanced age as identified earlier, osteoporosis occurs more likely in the old compared to the others. The age factor contributes massively to the development of osteoporosis and is not controllable since it occurs involuntarily. Monitoring of one’s life from child hood to adult age to old age would make it possible to understand the problem (Ringe, 2001). Most of the affected become stressed and hence finding it difficult to cope with the society requirements. Personal environment fit: Race in relation to health, European and Asian relations have a connection to osteoporosis compare to other groups of people. These pose environmental questions in relation to what the environment has on osteoporosis. Some of the conditions originate from the hereditary channels with a child whose parents suffered the problem could also face the same challenge. A number of hereditary risk factors ranging from the race that

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

My parents divorce and the lessons i learned Essay

My parents divorce and the lessons i learned - Essay Example In fact I feel that it was only because of me that they didn't do it till then. I was not able to accept their divorce and was depressed. In school I tried to avoid mingling with others and always found ways to separate myself. I always felt that happiness was only for those who had a good family. I feel that just one incidence of my parents divorce was a major disaster in my life and had taken away all my happiness. They were also lacking love and affection from their families and I found that they hardly bothered about such things. They took me into their friend circle and I started to enjoy their company. Though I realized that their association would spoil my health and would cause me a lot of harm, I still went along with them. In their parties there was boozing, drugs and all other negative things one can think off. Though I started boozing with them I never tried drugs, as I had sense that once I get into such activities I will never have a comeback. It was when I turned 18 that I had a good friend who could bring me back to the real life and show me that there is still a lot of love and happiness in the world. I love her and she also loved me. We started to like each others association and found that we are made for each other. But since I had not seen my parents in love, I always had a fear in my mind that if I get married to her I may not be as happy as I am now. So for years we were t ogether without getting married. Once I v

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Prevalence of smoking and drinking Essay Example for Free

Prevalence of smoking and drinking Essay Adolescence, from Latin word adolescere which means â€Å"to grow up† is a transitional stage of physical and psychological human development generally occurring between puberty and legal adulthood. It is most closely associated with teenage years. Adolescence is further divided into three more stages, the early (12-14 years old), middle (15-17 years old) and late adolescence (18-20/21 years old). In each stage of human development, there are physical, emotional and physiological changes that happen. This is based from the concept that humans have developmental tasks that should be accomplish per stage. In the adolescence stage, adolescents are in critical stage because teenagers are exposed to a larger environment (Macmillan Dictionary for Students, 1981). Background of the study Nowadays, teenagers that are exposed to different environment are now engaged to smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages for some reasons. The strong association between binge drinking and smoking among adolescents may be attributable, in part, to the fact that both adolescent alcohol use and tobacco use share a number of sociocultural risk factors. Researchers have found that these factors—including family and peer influences, demographics, advertising, economics, and alcohol and tobacco availability—are associated with adolescents’ initial and continued tobacco and alcohol use (Bobo, J. and Corinne Husten, 2000). According to the U. S. Surgeon General Report (1994), approximately 80% of adult smokers started smoking before the age of 18. Every day, nearly 3,000 young people under the age of 18 become regular smokers and an estimated 2. 1 million people began smoking on a daily basis in 1997. More than half of these new daily smokers were younger than age 18. This translates to more than 3,000 new youth smokers per day. The rate of youth initiation of daily smoking increased somewhat from 55. 5 to 74. 9 per 1,000 potential new users between 1991 and 1996, but remained level in 1997 (the 1998 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse). It is said that young people who come from a lowincome family and have fewer than two adults living in their household are especially at risk for becoming smokers and those with poorer grades and lower self-images are most likely to begin. using tobacco. Over the past decade, there has been virtually no decline in smoking rates among all teens. Among black adolescents, however, the prevalence of smoking has declined dramatically. Most young people who smoke are addicted to nicotine and were reported that they want to quit but are unable to do so (Statistics on Teens, 1994). In 2002, Komro and Toomey said that alcohol use by underage drinkers is a persistent public health problem in the United States, and alcohol is the most commonly used drug among adolescents. Accordingly, numerous approaches have been developed and studied that aim to prevent underage drinking. Alcohol use initiation rates for children rise quickly from age 10 up to about age 13, when they reach more than 50 percent. Subsequently, initiation rates begin to slow again (Kosterman, R. et al. , 2000). Moreover, alcohol is the most commonly used drug among adolescents. According to Epstein, J. et al. , alcohol use continues to be an important public health problem. Recent national survey data indicate that 41% of current 8th graders, 62% of 10th graders, 73% of 12th graders and 85% of college students have used alcohol. Even more troubling is that 11% of 8th graders, 22% of 10th graders, 25% of 12th graders and 40% of college students reported heavy episodic drinking. Domingo and Marquez found large gender differences in the risk-taking behaviors among Filipino adolescents and youths. Men are much more likely than women to drink, smoke, and use drugs. The large gender difference in risk-taking behavior among adolescents and youths is rather common in Asian countries but not in the U. S. In our case, The Philippines has no national law regulating smoking and sale of tobacco products. There is no minimum age requirement for the purchase of cigarettes and no law regulating the advertising and promotion of cigarettes. There is no law that requires the printing of warning labels on cigarette packages. Instead, the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) is supposed to protect and promote the â€Å"balanced and integrated growth† of the tobacco industry. Despite the results of a survey which say that 72 per cent of the polled adult population was supportive of having a legislation banning smoking advertisements. There are more restrictions on drinking than smoking especially of the minors. Those who are less than 18 years old are 2|Page prohibited from purchasing or drinking alcoholic drinks. However, the enforcement of this regulation is weak (Choe, M. and Corazon Raymundo, 2001). Objectives This study aimed to determine the prevalence of smoking and drinking of alcoholic beverages among senior high school students specifically: 1. to compare the prevalence of smoking and drinking of alcoholic beverages between senior students of public and private high school; 2. to contrast the occurrence of smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages among senior high school males and females; 3. to identify and rank the reasons why senior high school students smoke and drink alcoholic beverages; 4. to determine the awareness status of senior high school students in terms of the effects of smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages on their physiological health; and 5.to identify the effect of smoking and drinking of alcoholic beverages on the socialization of senior high school students. Review of Related Literature There are different factors affecting different behaviors of adolescents. One social theory studied by Travis Hirschi (1969) is a more general explanation of deviance than deterrence theory, but which is, in turn, primarily restricted to informal social control which comes from individuals being bonded to groups and institutions. 1236 grade 9-13 students from 62 randomly selected classrooms in 3 Canadian schools in the Borough of East York, 1 of Metropolitan Torontos 6 municipalities, were surveyed in December 1994 about their alcohol drinking beliefs and behaviors, and related lifestyle behaviors. Findings are based upon the analysis of data from 628 boys and 608 girls, of whom 799 were born in Canada. 24% of the students reported never having tasted alcohol, 22% had tasted alcohol but were not current drinkers, 39% were current moderate drinkers, 11% drank at 3|Page least 5 drinks per occasion at least once per month, and 5% did not answer. The most often stated reasons for not drinking were family upbringing and they believed adverse effects of alcohol consumption upon health, while the most often stated reasons for drinking were because it is an enjoyable experience and to get into a party mood. Respondents drinking patterns were significantly related to gender, ethnicity, grade, and the reported drinking habits of parents and friends. Older male adolescents who describe themselves as Canadian are more likely to drink heavily than are students who are younger or female, or self-identify as Asian or European. Current heavy drinkers are at greater risk than other students of engaging in other high-risk behaviors such as drinking and driving, riding with an intoxicated automobile driver, and smoking every day (Feldman et al. , 1999). In one of the surveys in US, half of respondents knew of a place near their school where kids could go to drink and get high during the school day, according to the yearly back-to-school survey, which polled 1,003 12-to-17-years old. And more than one-third said that students had ample opportunity during the school day to drug, drink and smoke without getting caught. Drug use in both public and private schools is on the rise, with 54 percent of private high school students reporting that drugs are available in their schools versus 24 percent in 2002 and 61 percent of students at public schools saying their schools are drug infected, compared with 46 percent in 2002. The researchers looked closely at the role of social media in teen substance use and found 75 percent of surveyed 12 to 17-year-olds said seeing pictures of teens partying with alcohol or marijuana on social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace encourages them to party similarly (Gardner, 2012). Forty-five percent of teens almost 11 million said they have seen such pictures online and 47 percent of those teens said that it seems like pictured teens are having a good time. Teens who have seen these pictures were found to be four times more likely to have used marijuana, more than three times likelier to have used alcohol, and almost three times more likely to have used tobacco (CBSnews, 2012). 4|Page In the awareness of teenagers on the health risks of smoking and drinking, it was found in one of the studies that teenagers think that smoking is more dangerous than smoking. Teen smoking has declined in all three grades included in the study—grades 8, 10, and 12. Still, almost 19 percent of 12th graders reported current (past-month) cigarette use. This decline shows that more teens realize the harm smoking does to your body and are making the decision not to start. Also, teens’ attitudes about smoking have changed. They increasingly prefer to date nonsmokers and believe smoking to be a dirty habit. Likewise, among nearly all grades, trends over the past 5 years showed significant decreases in alcohol use, including first-time use, occasional use, daily use, and binge drinking. As with smoking, this decline may be the result of more teens understanding the risk of drinking alcohol and disapproving of this behavior (The Sara Bellum Blog, 2012). How teenagers feel about themselves plays a significant role in whether they choose to drink or use other drugs, according to a new report released today by SADD and Liberty Mutual Group. The Teens Today 2003 study also reveals that a teen’s Sense of Self, can influence sexual behavior, reaction to peer pressure, and, importantly, be affected by a teen’s relationships with parents (Henderson and Greenberg, 2004). Research has shown that the media over estimates smoking rates and often associates smoking with favorable attributes or situations. Given that the media plays a large role in influencing youth culture, portrayal of smoking in the media is of concern. In order to explore young people’s perceptions of smoking imagery in the media, 16 focus groups were conducted with 117 school students. Participants were asked to rate smoking images selected from audiovisual and print media, and to discuss their perceptions of these images. The results showed that young people perceived smoking in these media selections to be normal and acceptable. They identified with the stress relieving and social aspects of smoking, despite being well aware of the harmful health effects. Its acceptability as part of a ‘cool’ image was also noted. Positive images of smoking in the media have the potential to down play the serious health consequences of smoking by portraying it in a way that young people interpret as a 5|Page normal part of everyday life. They may also encourage a more neutral or tolerant attitude towards smoking among young people and therefore act to counteract other health promotion efforts to reduce teenage smoking (Watson et al., 2003). 6|Page METHODOLOGY The Participants In the study of determining the prevalence of smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages among senior students from private and public high schools, a total of forty senior high school students, twenty students comprising of ten male and ten female students from public high school and twenty students comprising of ten male and ten female students from private high school were randomly asked to answer the questionnaires provided by the group. The public school was a public national high school located in Los Banos, Laguna. On the other hand, the private school is a registered private non-sectarian high school in Los Banos, Laguna as well. The respondents have a mean age of 16 years old, ranging from 15-18, having a mode of 16. Measures The most commonly used and most frequently self devised measuring instrument, the questionnaire was used simply to obtain information directly from subject as to make a standardized list of factual information or elicited application that was generalized to a larger population. A one-shot survey questionnaire was used as the research instrument in the study of determining the prevalence of smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages among senior students from private and public high schools. It is a usual study design where a single group of individuals is selected for observation over a single, limited time period, usually because they have experienced some factor taken as important in shaping some outcome (Kelly, 2012). And according to Jupp (2012), it is akin to one-off crosssectional design. As shown in Appendix A, a letter to the respondent identifying our topic and informing our objectives were told. Moreover, see Appendix B for the complete copy of the questionnaire used in the study. 7|Page The questionnaire was divided into three parts: Personal information, Physiological status and Lifestyle, and Social Aspect. The Personal information section was used for determining the age, sex, type of school, religion, and parents’ civil status. While in the physiological status and lifestyle section, this would tell us how often the students from private and public schools smoke and drink alcoholic beverages. Also, to find out if the students were aware of the effects that these specific vices can contribute to their health condition. Lastly, the way of smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages of the students in terms of having a companion or not while smoking and/or drinking and the perceptions of parents and themselves were determined in the Social Aspect section. The Setting The researchers had entrusted the set of questionnaires to one of the respondents from public and one from private high schools. They were the ones who distributed the set questionnaires to their fellow senior high school classmates. The respondents were a given a whole day time to answer the survey questionnaire. The two entrusted students collected all the completely answered survey questionnaires at the end of the day. Data Analysis In the process of obtaining, the questionnaires were made, distributed and collected again. For a more simple analysis of the data collated, tallying was made in a tabulated manner. The data obtained were computed to get the percentage by dividing the number of score with the sum total of scores and then multiplying it by 100% using the formula: P = f / N x 100% Where: P – Percentage N – Total number of respondents F – Frequency 8|Page And lastly, for an easier glance to the data collected, it will have a graphical presentation in a form of bar graph, pie chart and other usual graphical ways to present the data. In order to identify the reasons why they smoke and what they think their parents perceive them a list of possible choices were mentioned in the questionnaire. These reasons were ranked 1 to 3 by the respondents who are smoking and/or drinking alcoholic beverages. In order to evaluate the rankings, an improvised rubric is formulated. Every number (rank) has an equivalent vote just to differentiate and identify the leading reasons. Rank 1 – 3 points Rank 2 – 2 points Rank 3 – 1 point The highest vote will be assigned as the top reason while the others will be ranked according to the accumulated votes. The tabulated rank can be found on the results and discussion. Other data, including the occurrence, prevalence, frequency, reasons, and perceptions of male and female senior students smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages among private and public high schools were tabulated and graphed in order to see the comparison. While in determining the awareness of the students if smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages had an effect on their health condition, and if they were able to gain friends were in a form of poll. 9|Page RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The prevalence of smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages among senior students of public and private high school were determined and observed. As seen in Table 1, the total number of students smoking is 3, with 2 females and 1 male in public school. While 4 students, with 3 males and 1 female in private school. Among the 40 students, 7 of them were smoking. Table 1. Number of male and female students smoking in private and public high schools Public Private Subtotal Male 1 3 4 Female 2 1 3 3 4 7 TOTAL As seen in Table 2, the total number of students drinking alcoholic beverages in public school is 6, with 4 males and 2 females. While there are 9 students drinking alcoholic beverages in private school. Among the 40 students, 15 of them were drinking alcoholic beverages. Table 2. Number of male and female students drinking alcoholic beverages in private and public high schools Public Private Subtotal Male 4 6 10 Female 2 3. 5 6 9 15 TOTAL 10 | P a g e The occurrence of male and female students smoking in public and private high school students is shown in Fig. 1. It was observed that there’s a higher number of smoking students in male category in private school. While, there is a higher number of smoking students in female category in public school. Moreover, students from private schools are more exposed to smoking. This might be because of the accessibility and affordability. Most private school students are in middle to high class statuses. Smoking 3. 5 3 2. 5 2 Male 1. 5 Female 1 0. 5. 0 Private Public Fig. 1. Occurrence of male and female students smoking in private and public high schools Conversely, The occurrence of male and female students drinking alcoholic beverages in public and private high school students are shown in Fig. 2.. It was observed that there’s a higher number of students drinking alcoholic beverages in male category in private school. While, there is a higher number of students drinking alcoholic beverages in male category in public school. Moreover, students from private schools are more exposed to drinking alcoholic beverages. This might be because of the accessibility and affordability. Most private school students are in middle to high class statuses. 11 | P a g e Drinking 7 6 5 4 Male 3 Female 2 1 0 Private Public Fig. 2. Occurrence of male and female students drinking alcoholic beverages in private and public high schools Table 3. Frequency of male and female students smoking in private and public high schools Daily 1-2 times a week 3-5 times a week Occasionally Public Male | Female | | 2 1 Male || | Female | Subtotal 0 0 Private Subtotal 0 3 1 0 TOTAL 0 5 2 0 12 | P a g e 0%. Smoking 0% 29% Daily 1-2x a week 3-5x a week Occasionally 71% Fig. 3. Frequency of male and female students smoking in private and public high schools Table 4. Frequency of male and female students drinking alcoholic beverages in private and public high schools Daily 1-2 times a week 3-5 times a week Occasionally Public Male ||| Female | | 4 1 1 Male |||| | | Female | | | Subtotal 0 | Private Subtotal 0 5 2 2 TOTAL 0 9 3 3 13 | P a g e Figure 4. Frequency of male and female students drinking alcoholic beverages in private and public high schools 0% Drinking 20%. Daily 1-2x a week 3-5x a week 20% 60% Occasionally Students involved in smoking in private and public high schools had their own reasons why they did the vice. As seen in Table 5, the most voted reason in public high school was to experiment, and the least was because they imitated it from their parents. On the other hand, the most voted reason in private high school was to experiment also and the least was because of losing weight and media influence. 14 | P a g e Table 5. Rank of reasons of male and female students smoking in private and public high schools. Smoking Public Private Rank Votes Reason Rank Votes 6 0 Imitated from parents 2 6 2 5 Peer pressure 3 4 3 3 Media influence (advertisements) 5 0 5 1 Fashionable 4 3 5 1 Form of rebellion 4 3 4 2 Wanting to lose weight 5 0 1 6 To experiment 1 8 18 24 Table 6. Combined ranking of reasons of male and female students smoking in private and public high schools Smoking Rank Reason Votes 1 To experiment 14 2 Peer pressure 9 3 Imitated from parents 6 4 Fashionable 4 4 Form of rebellion 4 5 Media influence (advertisements) 3 6 Wanting to lose weight 2 42. 15 | P a g e Reasons for smoking 7% To experiment 5% 33% 10% Peer Pressure Imitated from parents Fashionable 10% Form of rebellion Media influence 14% 21% Figure 5. Combined ranking of reasons of male and female students smoking in private and public high schools Students involved in drinking alcoholic beverages in private and public high schools had their own reasons why they did the vice. As seen in Table 7, the most voted reason in public high school was to have good time with friends, and the least was because of boredom and form of rebellion. On the other hand, the most voted reason in private high school was to have good time with friends also and the least was because of boredom and form of rebellion also. 16 | P a g e Table 7. Rank of reasons of male and female students drinking alcoholic beverages in private and public high schools Drinking Alcoholic beverages Public Rank Vote Private Reason Rank Vote 1 13 To have good time with friends 1 17 3 5 To experiment, to see what it’s like 2 10 5 2 To feel good, get high 4 7 4 4 Because it tastes good 6 4 2 9 To relax or relieve tension 3 9 7 0 Boredom. 7 0 5 2 To get away from my problems 5 6 7 0 Form of rebellion 7 0 7 0 Influenced by alcoholic parents 8 0 6 1 To get to sleep 7 1 7 0 To fit with a group I like 8 0 7 0 Anger or frustration 8 0 36 54 17 | P a g e Table 8. Combined ranking of reasons of male and female students drinking alcoholic beverages in private and public high schools Drinking Rank Reason Votes 1 To have good time with friends 30 2 To relax or relieve tension 18 3 To experiment, to see what it’s like 15 4 To feel good, get high 9 5 Because it tastes good 8 5 To get away from my problems. 8 6 To get to sleep 2 7 Boredom 0 7 Form of rebellion 0 7 Influenced by alcoholic parents 0 7 To fit with a group I like 0 7 Anger or frustration 0 90 18 | P a g e Reasons for drinking alcoholic beverages 2% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% To have good time with friends To relax or relieve tension 9% To experiment, to see what it’s like 9% 33% To feel good, get high Because it tastes good To get away from my problems 10% To get to sleep Boredom Form of rebellion 17% Influenced by alcoholic parents 20% To fit with a group I like Anger or frustration Fig. 6. Combined ranking of reasons of male and female students drinking alcoholic beverages in private and public high schools High school students are indeed part of the society. However, that does not mean that all of them are aware on certain issues present in the status quo today. Figure7 shows us that in terms of awareness of male and female students in the effects of smoking to the health condition, 95% said that they are aware, and 5% said they are not aware. This just means that even though majority knows that this can affect health condition, there are still young students who are blindly exposed to this habit. Aware Not Aware 95% 5% Fig. 7. Awareness status of male and female students in the effects of smoking to the health condition 19 | P a g e Figure 8 shows us that in terms of awareness of male and female students in the effects of drinking alcoholic beverages to the health condition, 100% said that they are aware. Students were able to identify the negative effects of drinking to health condition. 100% Aware Not Aware Fig. 8. Awareness status of male and female students in the effects of drinking alcoholic beverages to the health condition. While it is important to know the reason why some adolescents smoke and/or drink alcoholic beverages, and after knowing if they were aware that these things affect their health conditions. We also have to look at the perceptions of people around them, and also what they think of themselves. In contrast to awareness of the respondents in the negative effects of smoking and drinking on health condition is their way of performing these vices, either alone, with friends, or both. Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 shows the way of drinking and smoking of public and private high school students respectively. It is observed that 53% or the majority of the students engage in drinking with friends, and 80% of them smoke either alone or with friends. This shows the social aspect of the students with their same age group in doing the said activities. 20 | P a g e Do you drink by yourself or with your friends? 0% Alone 47% With friends 53% Both Fig. 9. Way of drinking alcoholic beverages of male and female students among public and private high schools Do you smoke by yourself or with your friends? 0% 20% Alone With friends Both 80% Fig. 10. Way of smoking of male and female students among public and private high schools. 21 | P a g e Table 9. Perception of smokers and/or drinker of people on them Parents Cool || Friends Self 2 ||| 3 |||| 4 0 || 2 | 1 |||||-|||| 9 |||||-||| 8 |||||-| 6 |||| 4 || 2 |||| 4 Addict Good Bad As seen in Fig. 11, the majority of the students answered COOL as what they think their parents thought of them. The least vote was they thought that their parents think their children were bad. This means that even if they’re doing those kinds of vices, their parents still accept them. What your parents think of you? 9% 10% Cool Addict Good 23% 58% Bad Fig. 11. Perception of the respondents on what their parents think of them as they smoke and drink alcoholic beverages 22 | P a g e On the other hand, the Fig. 12 shows the perception of the respondents on what their friends think of them in engagement of the said vices. 54% think that their friends consider their activity in a good way because it helps them gain friends, to be able to interact, and to socialize well with other people. It is observed that what they think their friends perceive also had the same result as to how they comprehend themselves when they smoke or drink. What your friends think of you? 13% 20% Cool Addict 13% Good Bad 54% Fig. 12. Perception of the respondents on what their friends think of them as they smoke and drink alcoholic beverages It is also important that students can assess themselves even if they are doing some vices. As seen in Figure 13, majority of them still thought that they are good. However, 6% of the students thought they are addicts. Conversely, there is a consensus that 27% thought that they are cool and bad. 23 | P a g e How do you perceive youself? Cool 27% 27% Addict Good 6% Bad 40% Fig. 13. Perception of the respondents on what they perceive on themselves as they smoke and drink alcoholic beverages Perceptions are indeed important. But, it is still significant when it comes to application or reality. Are these students still gain friends after all their vices? In a poll seen in Fig. 14, 9 out of 15 said that they gained friends, and 6 out of 15 said that they did not gain friends. Meaning, there people who discriminate or dislike the vices. Or even if it’s okay for them, it is not proper to be exposed earlier. Did you gain friends? Yes No 60%. 40% 9 out of 15 6 out of 15 Fig. 14. A poll showing the effect of drinking and/or smoking on their socialization Seemingly, many committed smokers and/or drinkers showed that they gained friends after having learning how to smoke and/or drink. However, there are still some who don’t. 24 | P a g e LIMITATION AND SIGNIFICANCE Limitation There are certain problems that were encountered in the study. One of which is that the idea that honesty in answering these questionnaires have suffered. The respondents may or may not answer these questionnaires in full honesty. From here, we may have little discrepancies or percentage errors. Significance The significance of this study is for the teenagers to be aware in terms of the effects of smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages on their physiological health. This study can also help the parents of those teenagers to understand more the point of view of teenagers who are engaged to these activities. They can know the cause why teenagers are into smoking and drinking alcoholic beverage. 25 | P a g e SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS. Summary and Conclusion The study was able to conduct the research on the prevalence of smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages among senior students of public and private high school. 18% of the students in both public and private schools are engaged in smoking; however, there are students in private schools who smoke more than students in public schools. It is concluded that the social status of the students is a common factor since private school students have more access to cigarettes and could afford it than those in public schools. It is also determined that the male students in private schools and the female students in public schools are more prone to the said vice and their main reasons were: (1) to experiment; (2) peer pressure; and (3) imitated from their parents. With regards to their way of smoking, the students’ general frequency is 1-2 times a week, and they usually smoke either alone or with peers. Most likely they tend to smoke with their peers because it is their way of socialization. The students also perceive that they are also likely to gain friends when they smoke. It is concluded that the perception of the students to what their parent think of them is â€Å"in-the-trend† when they are engaged in smoking. The majority thinks that their parents consider them as â€Å"cool† or â€Å"sophisticated†. Aside from that, the respondents think that their friends refer to smoking in a good way, causing them to also perceive the same judgment. To summarize the above statements, it is evident that the students in their adolescent stage have more desire to please their peers rather than their parents because they want to have a sense of belonging and they want to socialize more with people of the same age group. Peers are the most important relationship in the teenage years. They engage in different kinds of activities, and one of those are vices. In this stage, the curiosity level of the person is prominent because he/she is able to perceive different kinds of activities from various types of people. Parents are also a factor because they are the ones who nourish their child’s well-being. What they do causes 26 | P a g e various impacts on the child, causing him/her to either imitate it or not. The social status of the students also has an effect on their engagement in vices; it depends on how well they can afford it and on what terms they could get access. On the other hand, not every student in both public and private high schools is aware that smoking can affect their health condition. 5% of the students are still blindly exposed to the effects of smoking; therefore, it is recommended that both kinds of schools should also give the students more knowledge and expose them.